Welcome to the Friday Happy Hour, your single drink primer for the weekend.
On icy weekends, such as the one we’re facing, you can’t stand for a cool, fruity, refreshing drink. It just doesn’t fit. Instead, you need something warm and robust that will ward off the cold; something that you can sip so that the warmth lingers for as long as possible. There are a few beverages that accomplish this, but I’m going to recommend Founders’ Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale. This stuff is powerful, with an 8.5%ABV and a thick texture. The flavor is complex and malty, with a sweet, smoky overtone. It’s a perfect example of a scotch ale, just one step lighter than a stout, both in color and character. Beware, though, this Michigan brewed beauty is not for the faint of heart, and definitely not a beginners beer. Rustico in Alexandria should have it on tap, or you can find bottles in most specialty wine shops.
Everything by Founder’s is good! They used to brew a raspberry lambic called Blushing Monk around Valentine’s Day, which was especially tasty.
and their breakfast stouts are amazing. Their Canadian stout is brewed with kona beans to give it a strong coffee flavor, and then it’s aged in used maple syrup barrels which gives it this amazing mapley flavor. It’s pure genius