Beer Reviews - The Beer Thrillers

Beer Review: Chewbacca (Rotunda Brewing Company)

B. Kline — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 02:45:07 +0000

Beer Review: Chewbacca by Rotunda Brewing Company

I first had this beer back in October of 2019. (Which feels like ancient history.) And I remember wanting to write a review of it even back then for the site…. and for some reason I never did. Not sure why exactly. Maybe I just didn’t get around to it or something, but I even kept my photo of the beer on my desktop screen this whole time. Ironically, I recently had it again, so what better opportunity to revisit the beer for my second beer review release for Andor: Season 2. Last week I reviewed – Admiral (J Henry Barrel Aged Grand Stout) by Delta Beer Lab – and so this week, we’ll taking a look at a much closer brewery – Rotunda Brewing Company with their Imperial Black IPA (or Imperial Cascadian IPA). This is one of my favorite styles of beer, I love Black IPAs, and Double Black IPAs are event better.

But before we dive in, I want everyone to please take a look at our stream / podcast / video we made on YouTube. It stars myself, Drew of Knights of Nostalgia, and Tim (Aglets). You can view it here:

In the video we cover the first three episodes of Andor. So please be sure to check it out!

And now, onto the review!

Chewbacca by Rotunda Brewing Company (at the Rising Sun in 2019)

The Beer Review: Chewbacca by Rotunda Brewing Company

Beer: Chewbacca
Brewery: Rotunda Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Black IPA / Double Black IPA
ABV: 8%
IBU: N / A
Untappd Description: (Blank)

Let’s check out this Wookie beast (not to be confused with the Wookie Monster by Fourscore). Will someone get this Walking Carpet out of my way so I can type!

Appearance

Chewbacca pours a deep, opaque brown-almost bordering on black-with a creamy, tan head that lingers like a loyal Wookiee companion. The lacing is impressive, clinging to the glass with each sip, leaving behind a trail reminiscent of hyperspace streaks.

Aroma

Right out of the gate, there’s a punch of roasted malt-think dark chocolate and fresh-brewed coffee-balanced by a piney, resinous hop profile. There’s a subtle undercurrent of caramel and a hint of citrus, like orange peel, that peeks through as it warms. The aroma is bold and inviting, promising complexity.

Chewbacca by Rotunda Brewing Company

Taste

The first sip delivers a satisfying interplay between roasted malt bitterness and assertive hop character. Notes of espresso and bittersweet cocoa dominate up front, quickly joined by pine, grapefruit, and a touch of earthy spice. The Black IPA style shines here: the hops never overwhelm the malt backbone, instead weaving together in a harmonious, chewy mouthfeel. The 9.2% ABV is well-hidden, but there’s a gentle warmth in the finish that lets you know this is a beer worthy of a Wookiee.

Mouthfeel

Medium to full-bodied, with a creamy carbonation that lifts the flavors without feeling heavy. The finish is dry, with lingering roast and a pleasant, resinous bitterness that invites another sip.

Overall Impressions

Chewbacca is a robust, well-executed Black IPA that balances dark roast and hop bite with finesse. It’s a bold tribute to its namesake-complex, powerful, and just a little wild. Whether you’re a Star Wars fan or simply a lover of big, hoppy dark ales, this is a beer that deserves a spot in your cantina. Untappd’s 3.8/5 rating feels right, but I’d nudge it a bit higher for the sheer fun and craftsmanship.

Wrap Up

My Untappd Rating: ****.25
Global Untappd Rating: 3.8 (out of nearly 1000 ratings) (as of 4.25.25)

May the hops be with you-always.

Chewbacca by Rotunda Brewing Company (RBC) (photo courtesy of Rotunda Brewing Company)

I’m gonna have to check the archives of the site here, or on my computer, to see if I have any notes or anything from the initial first time I drank the beer, if maybe I started a review and then sadly – for whatever reason – never got around to finishing it. Maybe I was waiting for the right chance to post it, and never found it. Who knows, there’s over 70+ articles in my “draft” folder here on the site, some day I’ll get around to posting them…. unfortunately that day is not today though. But be sure to come back to the site, who knows, maybe it’ll be tomorrow…..

And check back next Tuesday for another (hopefully) Star Wars themed beer release. Over the weekened is May the Fourth Be With You, so once again, hopefully I’ll be able to grab some of the RAR Star Wars themed beers and will be able to review them weekly!

Cheers all and thank you for reading!

Chewbacca at Rotunda Brewery

All of Our Nerd Content

Here’s all of our nerd content, served up best in one single place. Enjoy!

I know ya’ll here for the nerd reviews. So check out our other nerd reviews below:

Star Wars:

Futurama

Lord of the Rings:

Magic the Gathering:

New Belgium Teams Up with Magic the Gathering for Vastwood Seer IPA

Heroes of Barcadia:

Rollacrit Partners with Voodoo Ranger IPA for New Kickstarter, Heroes of Barcadia: Heroes for Hire Tabletop Game

Zelda:

Rick and Morty:

Beer Review: Peace Among Worlds (Cushwa Brewing Company)

Space Balls:

Beer Review: Moon of Vega (Equilibrium Brewery)

Game of Thrones:

The Simpsons:

Back to the Future:

Beer Review: Back to Reality (Three 3s Brewing Co)

Scrooged:

Beer Review: Scrooge IPA (Iron Hill Brewing)

Groundhog Day:

A Christmas Story:

The Peanuts:

Pro Wrestling:

Soccer:

World Cup:

Phillies:

Philadelphia Eagles:

The Philadelphia Eagles Running Back – D’Andre Swift – Visits Bald Bird Brewing Company

Matrix:

Matrix Monday

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:

Beer Review: Terpenes in Time (BAREBottle Brewing Co)

Mario:

Beer Review: Level Up (Idiom Brewing)

HP Lovecraft / Cthulhu:

Beer Review: Azathoth (Edmund’s Oast Brewing Company)

Seinfeld:

The Muppets:

Other:

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

Thanks again for reading everyone. Take some time to check out the site, we greatly appreciate it. We have affiliates and sponsors with Pretzels.com and Beer Drop.com, which can save you money on their products if you are interested. Check out our articles on them. Make sure to check out our beer reviews, brewery reviews, Amy’s weekly column, book reviews, hike reviews, and so much more.

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

MAPS OF BREWERIES

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We are also now on BlueSky as well, so make sure to check us out there also. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server). We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

We have partnered with an affiliateship with Beer Drop.com. You can check out that partnership and receive great discounts, coupons, and more here: Beer Drop. Going here and logging in and ordering will help you receive your discounts and coupons as well as help support our page. Thank you for helping to support The Beer Thrillers and to help us maintain the site and blog and to keep it running.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #5 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of April 2025.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

You can also check out our partnership and affiliation with Pretzels.com, where ordering pretzels and using our affiliate code – AFFILIATE CODE IS THEBEERTHRILLERS20 – will help you get wonderful pretzels and help us maintain and keep this blog running. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)

This Isn’t a Short Story (Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy Review)

AmyMWolfe — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 15:59:46 +0000

This Isn’t a Short Story

Tickets to the Harisburg Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy sounded like a perfect date night with the blog master. We really had no idea what to expect. I was just excited that the Harrisburg area was getting a pop-up experience.

The email confirmation advised us to “dress in your most ravishing cocktail party attire.” I worked all week and we have a 2 year old toddler, you’ll be lucky if I wear pants! But I decided on a nice sweater and some makeup should pass.

On the way to the speakeasy we reminisced about visiting the Edgar Allan Poe Museum on the Viginia Trip (refer VA stuff here) Then we compared the drinks listed on the website so what readings we thought they would be paired with. We guessed The Tell – Tale Heart and The Raven; two of the most famous Poe writings. It was hard to guess 2 more, maybe The Fall of the House of Usher and The Cask of Amontillado.

(See our Instagram Post about the Museum Here: The Beer Thrillers at the Edgar Allan Poe Museum – Instagram Post)

(See our Travelogue Article here: Visiting Richmond Virginia, Seeing the Sights, the Breweries, and the Edgar Allan Poe Museum)

A Review of The Edger Allan Poe Speakeasy

We arrived at the Civic Club of Harrisburg off Front Street. I knew parking would be a pain and I circled the block twice hoping to find some street parking. There were cars parked in spots that definitely were going to get ticketed as we saw a meter maid making their rounds. I saw a few folks parking in the small lot and unfortunately had to walk in a bit of mud to get into the mansion.

The setting of the Civic Club building, built in the early 1900s, added to the atmosphere setting up the evening. We waited in the downstairs area with a group of people. We then had our tickets scanned one at a time and ushered up a flight of stairs. One snaffoo, we had bought the 10pm showing tickets and not the 8pm that we showed up for. I was so embarrassed, mom brain was at it’s worst. The 2 cast members scanning tickets were so gracious and insisted they could still accommodate us.

As soon as your ticket was scanned you were handed your first drink on your way up the stairs. The Pale Blue Eye – A classic twist on a Traditional Collins. According to the menu on site is a “citrus and blueberry infused vodka, fresh squeezed lemon juice, and simple syrup. Topped with a pale blueberry eye.

Entering the Grand Ballroom on the second floor we are greeted by a stage and rows of chairs. I quickly felt like I was in entering a high school assembly and quickly took my seat as people kept entering behind us. I checked before we got here and all the tickets were sold out, so this showing had +2 as well because of our timing goof.

D’oh!

The Drinks

The Edger Allan Poe Speakeasy menu at the venue. (Photo courtesy of Jesse.)

The website and the drink menu at the location had 2 different descriptions for the drinks. That was fine since they were all great, but it was just a little confusing. Thankfully a friend took a pic of the menu at the location (see photo to the left of Jesse’s picture of the menu at the venue). The lemon drink with an “eye” in it (it was really an unripe blueberry floating around) really tasted like minute maid lemonade mix to me. When we entered the room it was light enough to see but the lights were a shade of purple.

After everyone was seated the lights turned red and the MC for the evening who did the introductions and the dialog between readings was young, vibrant and playful. She made some funny jokes and some around us were pre – gaming before this event. Which added to the lightheartedness of the evening. Overall providing a greater environment and theme to the proceedings.

There were lots of different interpretations on the attire recommendations. Some folks were playing the part of dressing for the occasion in some “old timey” looking outfits. One gentleman, who was sitting in front us wearing a bowler hat apologized immediately and assured us he wouldn’t be wearing it during the show. As the show started, he put on a beret hat.

(L: Pale Blue Eye, C: The stage built for the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy actors, and R: the host and MC of the show)

After our playful MC introduced herself and set the “stage” for the evening the first actor came out onto the stage. The lights were red, and it created an ambiance about the room. The first reading was an abridged version of the Tell-tale heart. The actor has a sinister laugh about him and seemed to captivate the audience. I couldn’t help myself. I mean the tone of the room was still lighthearted, here to have fun type of crowd. I kept visualizing in my mind the Tell-tale heart episode of The Simpsons

https://www.tumblr.com/canwehaveapooldad/178462780002

We had our drinks finished before the end of the reading. It was then I was hoping for cocktail like tables in the room. I didn’t feel like sitting there in a seat, school assembly style, holding my drink. The first reading was over, and the actors went up and down the rows of seating with busboys trays and collected the cups. I was at the end of my row, so I was responsible for grabbing and passing everyone’s cups. This first round was easy.

(The Tall Tale Heart)

Shortly after another set of actors were going down the rows with large trays filled with the next drink. The name that was given was different than I remembered from the website. It wasn’t until after I saw my friend Jess post the drink menu did, I realize they were different.

(See Our Instagram post – The Beer Thrillers at the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy – Instagram Post)

The following is the website and event’s pages menu items and showing of the drinks for the event. You can find the website here: Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy Experience.

(Descriptions and pictures courtesy of the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy Experience website.)

Jessica Blouch’s photos in a gallery:

The Show Goes On

They were handing out “The Cat’s Meow” – A twisted version of Poe’s favorite brandy milk punch. The menu describes it as “Aged bourbon meets with fruity brandy, accompanied by vanilla cinnamon milk, sweet cream and maple syrup.” This one was delicious.

Poe’s Twisted Milk Brandy Punch

We should have figured this one might be a reading. There were two black cats at the Poe Museum when we visited (in Richmond, Virginia – see our Instagram Post here) as well as many references in the museum about The Black cat.

(See our Instagram post: The Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond, VA)
(See our Travelogue: Visiting Richmond Virginia, Seeing the Sights, the Breweries, and the Edgar Allan Poe Museum)

The friendly MC came out to introduce the next reading but without giving any hints away, I think we already knew it would be the black cat because of the drink’s name. The lights in the room changed to blue and a different actor came out and gave an abridged version. He also gave a great reading. He moved up and down the aisles, feeling a bit more interactive with the crowd.

We were finishing our drink, we both enjoyed it very much, as the reading was ending. Before I knew it I had all the empty cups and I was ready for the busboy tray to collect our used cups.

The next drink was the Nevermore -Quoth the Raven, Drink-some-more! It is described as Fresh lime juice, peach and orange blossom infused vodka, simple syrup, and crushed charcoal. Topped with a dehydrated lime. We knew this reading would happen. Our top 2 guesses were Tell-tale heart and The Raven.

Quoth the Raven Nevermore

The actress for this abridged version of the Raven was portrayed by our cocktail waitress. By this 3rd reading you are feeling like you are hanging out with a bunch of friends; you have just passed drinks back and collected empty cups and you are being entertained. Every single person took on multiple roles in the staffing of the Edgar Allan Poe speakeasy pop up were friendly, joyful and entertaining.

This reading was done before we were done with our drinks, and the busboy trays were coming down the aisle. Like I said about not wanting to be stuck holding my cup, I quickly downed what I had left of my drink. Not everyone in my row was as daring to swish it down and then you are stuck with cups under seats.

The next drink was Cocktail of Red Death – Our Spirited Nightcap is to Die For. It is described as Fresh squeezed seasonal fruits, raspberry infused vodka, cranberry juice, 100 proof vodka and fresh lime juice. This was tasty but I was unsure about the dried flower looking thing floating in it.

The Cocktail of Red Death

This masque of the red death happens to be one of our guesses. A different actor comes out onto the stage wearing a mask and you guessed it, the lights turned red. This actor did another excellent portrayal while wearing a large mask. The MC wrapped us up for the evening, encouraged tipping and escorted us out and down the stairs. Thank goodness you dropped off your empty cup on your way out the door and I didn’t have any other responsibilities for the evening.

The Red Mask

We ran into some friends outside, and we quickly departed as attendees of the last show of the evening were starting to pile in.

At first, I thought this would be a once and done type of experience but now that we are about a month out, I’d attend another Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy Pop Up.

Drink More Beer (….or cocktails at a Pop Up Speakeasy)
- Amy

(Editor’s Notes: This article is long overdue to come out. Every time we tried to get it posted, things went awry. First, us getting terribly sick at the beginning of February, then life being busy with me getting a new job, Scarlet starting daycare, and then our trip to the Kennett Brewfest. But here it is, and yes, it is a large article, coming in at nearly 3000 words all told — I think with my editor’s note it will hit over 3000. We debated about splitting it up into two articles, but decided it was best just to leave it as is. We can always change it in the future if people think that would be best. I will add my two cents that we both really enjoyed the show. The readings were interesting, they were new and ‘updated’ versions of the stories, shortened and changed to fit more of our time than anything else. The drinks were good, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the Milk Brandy Punch, especially because I don’t like milk. It was full and sold out for every showing, and we ran into several people we knew, like Gabe and his wife, Amy’s friend Jesse and their friends, and several others. Everyone seemed to have a good time coming out of the show and afterwards, as well as during it. They are touring and doing lots of shows. It was funny how it popped up on our Facebook feeds right as the time we suggested it to each other, so it made for a great date night and escape from work and stress. The night was dreary and rainy and fit the mood and vibe perfectly, and along the riverfront it added all to the atmosphere. If you are able to see them out, I would highly recommend it.)

Amy’s Column Series

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #5 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2025.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Fall Beers

AmyMWolfe — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 13:35:31 +0000

Javahead Stout by Troegs Independent Brewing on Halloween night

All the flavors of fall – Let’s do this!

Those cold nights and warm days are here. Leaves are changing colors, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s time to dig into the flavors of the fall and taste all the deliciousness. I love making big pots of stews in the fall. A fan favorite is Chili! You normally can find some chili cook off events. Here is the beer that would pair well the best. And we are first going to talk about some spicy chili. The kind that burns a bit. It is going to pair well with stouts, porters, and amber ales. It’s the perfect time of year for this.

Its Stout Season Now

I’m a sucker for an amber ale but I just had the most amazing stout. There have been 2 times recently we have gotten to taste the Mari by Ever Grain Brewing Company. It comes in at a whopping 14.6% ABV according to Untapped. It has a 4.26 overall rating and it is described as “a rich and decadent stout aged in a variety of bourbon barrels for over 16 months. We then conditioned it with behemoth amounts of coconut, cocoa nibs, vanilla and for a little added joy, toasted almonds.” The balance of flavors would be crazy but they would complement each other beautifully.

(Check out Amy’s article about Winter Beers.)

Our flight of beers at Bald Birds Brewing

Pulled Pork and Beer at Bald Birds Brewing

Then if you prefer your chili on the milder side, you want to go with a more mild beer; something like a cream ale, amber lager, or honey beer. We most recently had the “Kenya Dig it” from Bald Birds Brewing. (Kenya Dig it was a coffee cream ale we got a full pint of, along with Ben’s flight. On Ben’s flight we had two delicious stouts – Birds Reserve and Grand Bald Eagle.) It paired so nicely with the delicious pulled pork over fries when we visited last month.

But this will similarly go with another meaty dish. If the focus is on the beef instead of the spice this will be a dream combo! Kenya Dig It is a coffee cream ale, always an interesting combination. The Untappd description for it is: “Our second collaboration with Valerio Coffee Roasters, we chose a smooth, refreshing Cream Ale as a launchpad for their light-roast Kenya AA coffee. Expect the familiar crushable Cream Ale crispness, with a mellow aroma and extra kick from the coffee.” The coffee cream ale has a 3.78 Untappd rating and is 5% ABV.

There is also the Dig It cream ale by Bald Birds Brewing as well.

Dig it is described as Light, mellow, and smooth, our cream ale is superbly refreshing. Brewed with American 2 row Barley, American ale yeast, and hops from the Pacific Northwest, Dig it! Is the perfect anytime beverage. According to Untapped it is a 4.5% ABV and has a low overall rating of 3.13.

These fall days remind me of my grandma’s homemade chicken corn soup. I mean the kind with the homemade rivals. I’ve tried to duplicate it, she did it perfectly. Also, lots of places, especially churches, have the good homemade chicken corn soup. Make sure to take some home to pair it with an Amber ale or an IPA.

So like I said, I am a sucker for an amber ale. I can’t resist the 409 by Moo Duck Brewery. This brew is a nice smooth amber that compliments the flavors of a chicken corn soup perfectly. It might feel a bit heavy if you are enjoying a chicken corn soup with those homemade rivals. It’s the homemade rivals I can’t duplicate from my grandma’s recipe. The 409 is described on Untapped as “A tribute to the famous PSU football coach and his 409 victories. Featuring victory malt, the bready malt character is blended nicely with just the right amount of hops.” 409 is at a manageable 5.5% ABV.

Now onto my favorite; pumpkin roll. I’ve loved pumpkin roll since a friend’s mom used to bake pumpkin logs every Thanksgiving and Christmas. I really miss those pumpkin rolls. I missed them so much I found an older woman to bakes them out of her home. She also wins me over with chocolate PB rolls, red velvet rolls and fruited ones too. But I love sticking to a classic pumpkin roll. We picked up a Fiddlehead Imperial IPA when we were traveling through Ithaca NY at a gas station. This reminded us of the tall boys we see back home from Troegs and Voodoo Ranger.

The sweetness of the pumpkin roll will balance well with the hoppiness of the Fiddlehead. It is a sneaky 9% ABV but wonderful to relax with any sweet desert at the end of your day.

There are so many more fall flavors to talk about, but I’ll end here, what are you favorites?

The first Mad Elf of the season with Grandma SueAnn

Drink More Beer
- Amy

Amy’s Column Series

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #5 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of August 2024.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Hocktoberfest by Sterling Pig Brewery: A Festive Brew with a Bold Personality

B. Kline — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 18:54:16 +0000

Fall is in the air, and that means one thing for beer lovers: it’s Oktoberfest season! Every year, breweries big and small roll out their versions of this classic German lager, and Sterling Pig Brewery’s “Hocktoberfest” is no exception. But how does this Pennsylvania-based brew stand up in a sea of Märzen-style lagers? Grab a seat at the communal beer table (metaphorically speaking), because we’re about to dive into a pint of this festive favorite.

Beer Review: Hocktoberfest by Sterling Pig Brewery: A Festive Brew with a Bold Personality

Hocktoberfest by Sterling Pig Brewery

First Impressions: Crisp and Classic

Hocktoberfest pours a deep amber hue, catching the light just right with a soft, autumnal glow. A frothy white head rises to the top, but doesn’t overstay its welcome, leaving a light lacing around the glass. The aroma hits you immediately: toasted malts, caramel sweetness, and a subtle hint of earthy hops. There’s that unmistakable whiff of baked bread that screams “fall is here” and transports you straight to a German beer garden, even if you’re sipping from your back porch.

The Flavor Profile: Smooth, Malty, and Oh-So-Drinkable

The first sip of Hocktoberfest is like an invitation to a cozy autumn gathering. It’s a full-bodied brew, but not heavy. Sterling Pig nailed the balance between malt sweetness and crispness. The initial taste is rich with caramel malts—think toasted bread with a touch of honey—but it doesn’t veer into cloyingly sweet territory. Instead, it rounds off with a gentle, slightly spicy bitterness from the hops that gives it a clean, refreshing finish.

One of the standout features of this Märzen is its smooth drinkability. At 5.8% ABV, Hocktoberfest is approachable, making it a perfect candidate for a lengthy session or pairing with hearty fall fare. (We’re thinking bratwurst, soft pretzels, and maybe even a slice of apple strudel.) It has a medium carbonation, which keeps things light and lively without distracting from the rich malt flavors.

The Experience: A Beer Built for Community

What really sets Hocktoberfest apart from the many other Oktoberfest beers flooding the market is its ability to feel both familiar and unique. Sterling Pig Brewery has crafted a beer that feels like it’s meant to be shared at long tables with friends, swapping stories, and enjoying the best that the fall season has to offer. There’s a communal vibe to this beer—one that encourages you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the moment.

The brewery’s playful branding only adds to the experience. Named after the pig—a cheeky nod to both their brewery and the pig roasts that often accompany Oktoberfest celebrations—Hocktoberfest brings a sense of fun and festivity to the table. And that’s what drinking good beer should be all about, right?

Pairing Suggestions: Feast Your Senses

If you’re going to throw an Oktoberfest party, Hocktoberfest is your beer of choice. As mentioned earlier, it pairs beautifully with all the fall comfort foods. Imagine biting into a savory bratwurst or a roasted pork shank while washing it down with this malty goodness. The beer’s caramel notes will enhance the richness of meats, while its crisp finish keeps your palate refreshed for another bite. Not into meat? No worries—this beer works wonders with roasted vegetables, aged cheeses, or a pretzel loaded with mustard.

If you’re like me and enjoy your beer with a sweet treat, grab a slice of caramel apple pie or some ginger snaps. The malts in Hocktoberfest will complement the caramel while the mild hop bitterness balances the sweetness, making it a match made in autumn heaven.

Final Verdict: A Märzen Masterpiece

Sterling Pig’s Hocktoberfest isn’t just another Oktoberfest beer; it’s a celebration in a glass. Whether you’re a seasoned craft beer aficionado or just dipping your toes into the world of seasonal brews, this Märzen has something to offer. It’s flavorful without being overwhelming, approachable without being boring, and festive without being gimmicky.

So, as the leaves start to turn and the nights get cooler, do yourself a favor and grab a pint of Hocktoberfest. Better yet, grab a six-pack, invite some friends over, and toast to good beer, good company, and the best season of the year. Prost!

Untappd Stats

My Untappd Rating: ***.75
Global Average Untappd Rating: 3.69 (as of 10.17.24)

Untappd Description: Our seasonal Marzen Lager has a solid malt backbone with notes of roasted malt and caramel. Best enjoyed in a stein the size of your head.

Sterling Pig Brewery’s website description: When it comes to our fest fest bier, we use only the best ingredients to achieve the smooth and malty brew you’ve come to know and love. This balanced and flavorful, amber-colored ale is brewed with a combination of malts and hops that produce rich and clean notes of caramel and malt. Note that this seasonal brew is best enjoyed fresh and preferably in a stein the size of your head. (It’s Oktoberfest, we don’t make the rules..)

Sterling Pig Brewery ships Hocktoberfest in four packs and cases to PA, DC, or VA. You can find Hocktoberfest here: Sterling Pig Brewery – Hocktoberfest.

Sterling Pig Brewery

Sterling Pig Brewery, based in Media, Pennsylvania, has quickly made a name for itself in the local craft beer scene. Founded in 2015, the brewery combines a passion for bold, flavorful beers with a sense of fun and community. Their mascot—a mischievous pig—embodies the playful, down-to-earth vibe that Sterling Pig aims to deliver in both their beers and their brewery experience. Whether you’re visiting their cozy brewpub or grabbing a pint at a local beer fest, the brewery has a welcoming, unpretentious atmosphere that makes you want to kick back and stay for a while.

At the heart of Sterling Pig’s success is their dedication to quality. Each beer is meticulously crafted, using a blend of traditional brewing techniques and creative innovation. From hop-forward IPAs to balanced lagers like Hocktoberfest, Sterling Pig’s lineup showcases a broad range of flavors that appeal to all types of beer drinkers. Their brewers are constantly experimenting, and you can often find limited-edition and seasonal releases on tap, giving patrons something new to look forward to with each visit.

What truly sets Sterling Pig apart is their sense of community. Much like Hocktoberfest, their beers are built for sharing with friends, whether you’re gathered around the table at their brewpub or celebrating at home. The brewery frequently hosts events like trivia nights, live music, and even pig roasts, creating a lively, communal atmosphere where beer lovers can come together. It’s this combination of great beer, a friendly vibe, and a commitment to the craft that makes Sterling Pig Brewery a standout in the Pennsylvania brewing scene.

So, the next time you crack open a Hocktoberfest, know that you’re getting more than just a well-made Märzen—you’re supporting a brewery that values community, creativity, and the simple joys of enjoying good beer with great company.

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #5 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of August 2024.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Sweet ‘n’ Savory

AmyMWolfe — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 16:07:47 +0000

Being Able to Find the Perfect Mix of Sweet and Savory Feels Like a Miracle

Being able to find the perfect mix of sweet and savory feels like a miracle. This necessarily doesn’t mean that it must include something spicy but that is always an option.

I’ve been told recently that spicy doesn’t have to be scary, so be daring with me if you tend to shy away from the heat. But I won’t be doing that this evening, ha!

Homer drooling over a hamburger

I’m writing on here about paring foods from time to time. One thing I get stuck on is either find flavors that are matchy or find flavors that are complimenting but different. One random night after work. Ya know, when your exhausted but just need some sort of nourishment. We grabbed Pillar of Beasts from 3 Floyds Brewing at West Connection Beer Vault (we had picked this up in a mix a six, alongside several others, including the recent pumpkin beers I had with Grandma SueAnn) to have with burgers and onions from the grilled and garlicky sauteed green beans.

It. Was. Amazing.

I legit wasn’t picking this out on purpose. It was an evening where we grabbed beer and some food to shove down our tired gullets to try to make it through the week. First of all; barleywine. It’s a favorite so we knew we couldn’t go wrong. It was the perfect combo of sweet and savory. The flavors mixed so well until I realized they were all gone.

This comes rocking in at a 13.7% ABV according to Untapped. This definitely qualifies as a BIG DAMN BEER! #BDB

Homer Drooling over beer and food

Pillar of Beasts has a 4.21 overall rating (on Untappd) and is described as “Our latest Barleywine Ale brewed with Salted Caramel, vanilla beans, and cocoa nibs then aged for 12 months in bourbon barrels. Taste the scrumptiousness.” You can see our post on Instagram about the beer here: Pillars of Beast – The Beer Thrillers on Instagram. (Please be sure to give us a follow on Instagram. Thank you!)

Pillar of Beasts by 3 Floyds Brewing with dinner

Pairing the sweet barleywine with a savory burger and garlicky green beans was one of the best decisions I’ve made since I decided to date the creator of The Beer Thrillers.

Drink More Beer!
- Amy

Amy’s Column Series

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #5 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of August 2024.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Pillar of Beats by 3 Floyds Brewing (photo courtesy of Untappd)

It’s Pumpkin Time! (Grandma SueAnn and Amy Review Zombies and Double Zombies are People Too and Braaaiins!)

AmyMWolfe — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 13:44:58 +0000

It’s Pumpkin Time!

So…. a couple leaves have changed color on the tree in our front yard. So…. it’s technically not too early, right? I can talk about pumpkin spice now? They were the first ones I saw in the store and I had to grab a couple for me and Grandma SueAnn to enjoy. (See: A Beer Review by Grandma SueAnn [Beer Review: Braaaiins! by Spring House Brewing Company].)

We were shopping at the local Weiss and I saw it on an end-cap and I had to have it. Braaaiins by Spring House Brewing Company. I grabbed the 4pack with the approving nod from the boyfriend. I could hardly wait long enough for them to chill. Grandma SueAnn was in agreement; kicking our pumpkin beer drinking season off with a loved classic was the way to go. The first pumpkin beer of the year, near end of August, and I had to grab it!

Braaaiins! by Spring House Brewing

Once chilled this pumpkin ale is the perfect beer to kick off Autumn with. It is described on Untapped as “our pumpkin ale is brewed with generous amounts of real pumpkin blended into the mash. The subtle fresh pumpkin flavor is enhanced by the addition of a touch of traditional autumn spices and sweet dough, thus creating a beer with an orange amber color, warm pumpkin aroma, a bold malt center and a crisp finish. We are proud to offer you a balanced and delectable fall treat. Suitable for zombies.” It has an 8.5% ABV so I isn’t anything to mess around with. It has an overall rating on Untapped of 3.70.

Zombies are People Too by New Trail Brewing

On another occasion we swung into West Connection Beer Vault in Hummelstown (find West Connection Beer Vault on Facebook). Amongst the mix of six we picked out were two from New Trail Brewing. (We also scored a fantastic Barleywine by 3 Floyds Brewing – Pillar of Beasts. See Ben’s beer review of that here: Beer Review: Pillar of Beasts by 3 Floyds Brewing.)

Zombies Are People Too and Double Zombies, two pumpkin beers from the mid – Central PA brewery up in Williamsport. They clock in at a 5.7%ABV and an 8.5% ABV respectively. My first instinct was to see if Grandma SueAnn could tell the difference between the two New Trail pumpkin beers. (Because who better to try out new pumpkin beers with than Grandma SueAnn?) Yes, the Double Zombies has a higher ABV but Double Zombies is also supposed to be packed with, according to Untapped “twice the strength, maple syrup, vanilla, and pumpkin spice.” Grandma SueAnn thought she tasted just a bit more spice to Double Zombies but she happily helped me drink both pumpkin beers.

Overall though we enjoyed both of the New Trail pumpkin options. In the mid-state (Harrisburg area) you can find them at your different beer distributors and bottle shops like Breski’s Beverages, West Connection Beer Vault, Brass Rail, Bradford Village Beer and Soda, as well as at your grocery stores like Wegmans, Weiss, and Giant. You might even be able to find them in some gas stations like Rutters, WaWa, or Sheetz. So be on the lookout and the hunt!

Check out our Instagram post about the pumpkin beers: Pumpkin Beers on The Beer Thrillers @ Instagram. (And be sure to follow us on Instagram at: https://instagram.com/the_beer_thrillers).

Both are wonderful beers for this time of year and will definitely get you into that fall and pumpkin season feeling!

Drink more beer!
- Amy

Double Zombies by New Trail Brewing

More Pumpkin Beer Reviews by Grandma SueAnn and Amy

Looking for more pumpkin beer reviews by Amy and Grandma SueAnn? Then check these out:

More New Trail Beer Reviews

Amy’s Column Series

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #5 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of August 2024.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Happy Birthday to Amy

AmyMWolfe — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 17:46:14 +0000

Happy Birthday to Amy

Join me in wishing Amy a happy birthday! Today is the anniversary of her 28th birthday! (And no, I will not be saying what anniversary that is!)

This is our third year getting to celebrate Amy’s birthday here at The Beer Thrillers. (Amy’s Birthday) and (Happy Birthday Amy). Here’s to many, many, many, many more years of her here at The Beer Thrillers!

I would love if everyone out there today could host up a Big Damn Beer (10% or greater) (#BDB) in Amy’s honor, and enjoy it with friends and family, in celebration of her birthday. She is very beloved here, and we want her to feel extremely special.

Its a struggle getting to keep up with the site and everything with all of her obligations as mother to Scarlet (who at 21 months old is running rough-shod over everything), as well as all of the work she does for the Alzheimer’s Association. She is extremely proud of her work, and we are extremely proud of her. She is very hard working, helping out tremendously both as a writer, editor, and doing all kinds of other things here for the site and blog. We love you Amy! Happy Birthday!

Celebrate

So in honor of Amy, please grab a 10% or higher beer – a Big Damn Beer – a #BDB – and check out one of her articles below, or celebrate with friends and family. There’s nothing more that Amy loves to do than enjoy a beer or two with family. (In fact, we’ll be doing that tonight as part of her birthday celebration).

Thank you to Amy, and thank you all for coming along and wishing her a Happy Birthday!

Amy’s Column Series

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #5 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of August 2024.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Beer Review: I’m 40% Galaxy (Local Craft Beer)

B. Kline — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 01:00:24 +0000

Beer Review: I’m 40% Galaxy (Local Craft Beer)

I’m 40% Galaxy by Local Craft Beer

Futurama is Back Baby

Futurama aired it’s first episode of “Season 12” (and I put that in quotations) on Hulu today (or Disney+ if you have the bundle). The A-plot is another Bender existentialism episode where he meets his family from Mexico, and the B-plot is a heist about stealing NFT’s.

While the idea being the NFT’s is pretty cringe and very dated at this point, the overall episode is pretty solid (as most Bender episodes are). Its not as funny as the FOX era or some of the best Comedy Central episodes, but its a decent episode, that on first viewing I felt “meh” about due to the NFT story beats, but then with a second viewing I enjoyed a bit more. Most likely falling in the 6.5 or 7/10 range for me.

Interestingly Danny Trejo voices Doblando, and I am currently reading his book – Trejo.

I’ll post more thoughts on the episode, and some references and things after the beer review.

Beer Review

I’m 40% Galaxy by Local Craft Beer (LCB)

Brewery: Local Craft Beer (LCB)
Style: Triple New England / Hazy IPA
ABV: 10%
IBU: 15
Untappd Description: More like 80% Galaxy but Bender doesn’t care as long as it’s beer!

As Bender might say, “I’m 40% Galaxy” is 100% amazing. This Triple New England IPA from Local Craft Beer (LCB) pours an inviting, hazy golden-yellow, reminiscent of a glowing sunset over New New York. Topped with a thick, creamy white head that shows impressive retention, it leaves a delicate lace that would make even the most indifferent of robots take notice.

The aroma of this beer is an olfactory feast dominated by the hallmark characteristics of Galaxy hops. Imagine Fry’s favorite Slurm drink, but transformed into an explosion of tropical fruit aromas featuring passion fruit, ripe peach, and zesty citrus. These fruity notes are complemented by subtle undertones of pine and resin, adding complexity and depth, much like the intricate plots of “Futurama.”

From the first sip, “I’m 40% Galaxy” delivers a smooth and juicy experience that would make Leela trade in her single-eye view for a taste. The tropical fruit flavors take center stage, with passion fruit, mango, and pineapple dancing on the palate like Hypnotoad’s mesmerizing performances. The sweetness from the malt is perfectly balanced by a gentle bitterness, ensuring that the beer remains refreshing and not cloying, akin to the refreshing humor that “Futurama” fans adore.

The mouthfeel of this Triple NEIPA boasts a medium to full body with a luxuriously creamy, velvety texture. The moderate carbonation provides a lively yet smooth drinking experience, much like a seamless delivery run by the Planet Express crew. Despite the high ABV, the alcohol is well-masked, making the beer dangerously easy to drink, even for a robot with Bender’s legendary tolerance.

The finish is long and satisfying, with lingering notes of tropical fruit and a mild, resinous bitterness. There’s a subtle warmth from the alcohol, reminding you of the beer’s strength, but it remains well-integrated and pleasant. This is a beer that, like the best episodes of “Futurama,” leaves you wanting more.

“I’m 40% Galaxy” by Local Craft Beer is a stellar example of a Triple New England IPA, showcasing the beloved Galaxy hop in all its tropical glory. The balance of flavors, the creamy mouthfeel, and the masterful hiding of the high ABV make this beer a must-try for hop enthusiasts. Its complexity and depth ensure that each sip offers something new, making it a perfect subject for a detailed review. Just as “Futurama” continues to captivate with its blend of humor and heart, this beer captivates with its blend of flavors and aromas. Cheers to a beer that would make the Planet Express crew proud!

My Untappd rating: ****
Global Untappd Rating: 4.02 (as of 7.29.24)

Futurama Season 12

Futurama Season 12 picks up after the 10 episode “Season 11” aired last year (2023) on Hulu. In 2025 there will be another additional 10 episodes, and then another 10 in 2026. So, I suppose you could say – Futurama is DEFINITELY Back Baby!

Season 11 of Futurama on Hulu (and I am using Hulu’s season and episode numbering here) was…. ok. I reviewed some of the episodes (you can find the links below). I am hoping for a rebound season with Season 12, and this was a decent kick off to it.

For a list of the Futurama episodes you can view the Wikipedia article here: List of All Futurama Episodes.

A fun review of “The One Amigo” (S12: E1) by Johnny 2 Cellos:

Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos.

For some fun Instagram posts (PG-13+ rated) check these out: Alana Acker. Alana Acker.

I might post some more video reviews the episodes from this season, if I do, they will most likely come out on Wednesdays or Thursdays. We’ll see. Would everyone want to see them?

All of Our Nerd Content

Here’s all of our nerd content, served up best in one single place. Enjoy!

I know ya’ll here for the nerd reviews. So check out our other nerd reviews below:

Star Wars:

Futurama

Lord of the Rings:

Magic the Gathering:

New Belgium Teams Up with Magic the Gathering for Vastwood Seer IPA

Zelda:

Rick and Morty:

Beer Review: Peace Among Worlds (Cushwa Brewing Company)

Space Balls:

Beer Review: Moon of Vega (Equilibrium Brewery)

Game of Thrones:

The Simpsons:

Back to the Future:

Beer Review: Back to Reality (Three 3s Brewing Co)

Scrooged:

Beer Review: Scrooge IPA (Iron Hill Brewing)

Groundhog Day:

A Christmas Story:

The Peanuts:

Pro Wrestling:

Soccer:

World Cup:

Phillies:

Philadelphia Eagles:

The Philadelphia Eagles Running Back – D’Andre Swift – Visits Bald Bird Brewing Company

Matrix:

Matrix Monday

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:

Beer Review: Terpenes in Time (BAREBottle Brewing Co)

HP Lovecraft / Cthulhu:

Beer Review: Azathoth (Edmund’s Oast Brewing Company)

Seinfeld:

The Muppets:

Other:

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Two Hearted Ale: A Timeless Classic from Bell’s Brewery

B. Kline — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 01:45:30 +0000

Two Hearted Ale (IPA) by Bell’s Brewery (photo courtesy of Bell’s Brewery)

Two Hearted Ale Review: A Timeless Classic from Bell’s Brewery

When it comes to American IPAs, few names resonate as strongly as Two Hearted Ale. Brewed by Bell’s Brewery, this iconic beer has consistently ranked among the top in various beer competitions and is beloved by craft beer enthusiasts. Let’s dive into what makes this ale a timeless classic.

Two Hearted IPA by Bell’s Brewery

Beer: Two Hearted IPA
Brewery: Bell’s Brewery
Style: IPA – American
ABV: 7%
IBU: 55
Untappd Description:

Brewed with 100% Centennial hops from the Pacific Northwest and named after the Two Hearted River in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, this IPA is bursting with hop aromas ranging from pine to grapefruit from massive hop additions in both the kettle and the fermenter.

Perfectly balanced with a malt backbone and combined with the signature fruity aromas of Bell’s house yeast, this beer is remarkably drinkable and well suited for adventures everywhere.

Appearance

Two Hearted Ale pours a vibrant amber color with a slight haze, topped with a frothy, white head that lingers beautifully. The carbonation is lively, contributing to the visual appeal and ensuring a refreshing sip every time.

Aroma

The aroma is where Two Hearted Ale truly shines. It bursts with the scent of fresh pine, citrus, and floral notes, thanks to the generous use of Centennial hops. There’s a subtle malt sweetness that balances the hoppy bouquet, making it inviting and complex.

Taste

On the palate, Two Hearted Ale delivers a harmonious blend of hop bitterness and malt sweetness. The Centennial hops dominate with flavors of grapefruit, pine, and resin, while the malt backbone provides a smooth, slightly caramelized sweetness that rounds out the bitterness perfectly. The finish is crisp and clean, with a lingering hoppy aftertaste that invites you for another sip.

Mouthfeel

The mouthfeel is medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, offering a smooth and slightly creamy texture. This balance ensures that Two Hearted Ale is both refreshing and satisfying, making it suitable for any occasion.

Overall Impression

Two Hearted Ale by Bell’s Brewery is a benchmark for American IPAs. Its well-balanced profile of hops and malts, combined with its iconic aroma and flavor, make it a must-try for any craft beer lover. Whether you’re a seasoned beer aficionado or new to the world of IPAs, Two Hearted Ale is a timeless classic that never disappoints.

Pairing Suggestions

To enhance your Two Hearted Ale experience, try pairing it with spicy foods like buffalo wings, bold cheeses like blue cheese, or even a hearty burger. The beer’s hoppy bitterness complements spicy and rich flavors, making it an excellent companion to a variety of dishes.

Final Thoughts

Bell’s Brewery has crafted a masterpiece with Two Hearted Ale. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its exceptional quality and flavor. If you haven’t tried it yet, now is the perfect time to see why this IPA is considered one of the best in the world.

My Untappd Rating: ****
Global Untappd Rating: 3.94 (as of 7.23.24)

Literary Connection: Hemingway’s “Big Two-Hearted River”

Big Two Hearted River by Ernest Hemmingway

One of the unique aspects of Two Hearted Ale is its connection to Ernest Hemingway’s novella, “Big Two-Hearted River.” The beer’s name pays homage to this classic literary work, which is set in Michigan’s wilderness, much like Bell’s Brewery itself.

In Hemingway’s story, the protagonist, Nick Adams, finds solace and healing in nature after the trauma of war. The serene and restorative qualities of the river in the novella mirror the experience of savoring a Two Hearted Ale. Just as Nick reconnects with himself through the simplicity and beauty of nature, enjoying a Two Hearted Ale can be a similarly grounding and enriching experience.

The beer embodies the spirit of the story—simple yet profound, familiar yet deeply satisfying. For fans of both craft beer and literature, this connection adds an extra layer of appreciation and enjoyment.

I just recently finished the novella, and it immediately clicked in my had the connection between Hemingway’s “Big Two Hearted River” novella and the beer by Bell’s Brewery (Two Hearted River IPA / Ale). Its amazing how I never put the connection together before I picked up the novella at the Hershey Public Library and read it.

We also reviewed the novella as well.

You can read our review here:

Book Review: Big Two Hearted River (by Ernest Hemingway)

FAQs about Two Hearted Ale

Q: What is the ABV of Two Hearted Ale?
A: Two Hearted Ale has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 7.0%.

Q: Where can I buy Two Hearted Ale?
A: Two Hearted Ale is widely available in many liquor stores, supermarkets, and online beer retailers. Check Bell’s Brewery’s official website for a store locator.

Q: What awards has Two Hearted Ale won?
A: Two Hearted Ale has won numerous awards, including being named the best beer in America multiple times by the American Homebrewers Association.

Q: Can I visit Bell’s Brewery?
A: Yes, Bell’s Brewery offers tours and has a taproom where you can sample their beers. Visit their official website for more information on visiting.

Busy Week

Whew, what a busy week. On a personal note, just wanted to say what all has been going on with us. In the past week we did our video review of The Acolyte’s finale (Episode 8) with Knights of Nostalgia. You can view that here: The Acolyte – Episode 8 Review. Then on Thursday, we (Ben, Amy, and Josh) hung out with Jesse and Amanda of Sworn Brewing to do a one year follow up article with them (look for that soon), and then on Friday and Saturday it was Ffej of July (Ffej of July 21!), then Sunday Josh got to go to the Boneshire Mug Club Meeting (I unfortunately had to work), and then tonight is the Foo Fighter’s Concert. Tomorrow and Thursday (Wednesday and Thursday) we are going to be in Richmond Virginia visiting breweries like The Veil and The Answer, as well as doing some sight seeing and visiting other breweries.

So its certainly been a busy last few days and a busy upcoming few days!

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

These Summer Beers Are Slapping… Again

AmyMWolfe — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 02:54:23 +0000

These summer time beers are slapping again. Is “slapping” still trendy to say?

Martin House Brewing Company Pickle Beer – Best Maid Sour Pickle Beer

Summertime – Will Smith

This is the time of year when I don’t have the urge to drink all of the heavy stouts and porters. I reach for the IPAs, Kolsch, Lager, and sometimes a Saison.

I’ve already annoyed my boyfriend by playing Will Smith’s Summertime in anticipation of warm weather and cold beers enjoyed outside. Last year I wrote about summer beers (What is Your Summer Time Go to Beer?) …Which reminds me I need to make a trip to Ever Grain Brewing (…even though we were just there a few weeks ago for an Alzheimer’s Association Social).

I meant to review this beer two years ago. Best Maid Tropical Punch Pickle Beer by Martin House Brewing Company. A surprise pregnancy delayed this review because I wanted to fully enjoy the brew myself. I mean I’d give the baby daddy a few sips if he wasn’t repulsed by pickles. (Editor note: There is just no way in good faith I could take a sip or two of this and comment favorably, so I figure its best altogether to just abstain from the drinking process. Drew and I did have a few sips of the Spicy Pickle Beer by Martin House Brewing Company about four years ago during COVID.)

Untappd Review of the Pickle Beer by Martin House Brewing Company

Pickle Rick

“Ages well” gave me hope I could still give it a successful tasting and review. It comes in with a 4.7% ABV according to Untapped. It has an overall rating of 3.54, which is obviously biased against pickles. I mean if you haven’t dreamed of becoming a pickle you really shouldn’t try this beer. (Editor note: Its almost impossible, by law in several countries completely impossible, to even mention pickles and not mention Pickle Rick. Therefore I have included the relevant GIF to satisfy the requisite “Pickle Rick” requirements as per the laws of Turkmenistan, Albania, Uruguay, and the sovereign planet wide governments of the planets Tralfamadore, Bespin, and Uranus.)

I was just trying to find the best segway to Pickle Rick.

Tropical Punch Pickle Beer (TPPB) is simply described as Fruit Punch and Pickle Beer. Maybe when I let it age two years some of the fruit punch dissolved? I didn’t get much of the tropical fruit taste but mostly pickle. This is definitely a beer that has pickled flavor to it. If you aren’t a pickle fan beware! This reminds me of the joyous feeling that pickles give you when you are replenishing your sodium level under this hot summer weather. Happy Summer Beer Drinking!

Untappd Stats:

Beer: Best Maid Tropical Punch Pickle Beer
Brewery: Martin House Brewing Company
Style: Sour – Tomato / Vegetable Gose
ABV: 4.7%
IBU: 8

Global Average Rating: 3.54 (as of 6.28.24) out of 1,163 Ratings

Martin House Brewing Company Pickle Beer – Best Maid Sour Pickle Beer

Drink More Beer!
- Amy

Busy Last Few Weeks

Editor Jumping in: It has certainly been a busy last few weeks! On the 15th, we had my father’s surprise 70th birthday party. I would like to thank Amy tremendously for helping my mom and sister set it up and ti went off perfectly. We had a Social or a Mixer up in State College at Champ’s Bar, one in Camp Hill at Ever Grain Brewing Company, and we have had a whole lot more. Just this past week, on Tuesday we were at Troegs Brewing when the Calder Cup was there (see our Instagram for a picture of myself – Ben – drinking from the Calder Cup), and then on Wednesday we were hanging out with Drew at Boneshire Brew Works (and then later afterwards, Drew and I did our video review of the newest Acolyte episode), and then yesterday (Thursday) we stopped in at YAH Brew to drop off a Raffle Basket made by Grandma SueAnn for their event on Sunday for CJ. If you are able to come out on Sunday to YAH Brew, please do! They are hosting an event for CJ to help pay for medical bills after he was hit by a woman running a red light, he has lost part of his leg, and as we all know, medical bills aren’t cheap. So please come out to YAH Brew in Hershey PA from 3 PM to 8 PM on Sunday – June 30th.

There’s even more events and things that have been keeping us busy that I’m forgetting, but suffice to say, there’s been a lot going on. Which is why I am always so appreciative when Amy gets time to write (I try and take Scarlet on long walks to help give Amy the time to write these articles), so its so great to see her get to write and to see what she comes up with and to see what she wants to write about, and to keep her column series going. Its not quite weekly like it used to be, but she is still writing, and being very active behind the scenes with helping to keep this blog humming. So gigantic kudos to her. For all she does for the Alzheimer’s Association, as well as being a mom, a bonus mom, and everything else that she does.

Please make sure to check out her other articles below.

Cheers!

-Ben.

Amy’s Column Series

Since getting back to writing for the blog after a short hiatus, Amy has started up a weekly column style writing for the blog. You can find these articles here:

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Beer Reviews - The Beer Thrillers

Beer Review: Chewbacca (Rotunda Brewing Company)

Beer Review: Chewbacca by Rotunda Brewing Company

The Beer Review: Chewbacca by Rotunda Brewing Company

Appearance

Aroma

Taste

Mouthfeel

Overall Impressions

Wrap Up

All of Our Nerd Content

Thank You For Reading

This Isn’t a Short Story (Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy Review)

This Isn’t a Short Story

A Review of The Edger Allan Poe Speakeasy

The Drinks

Jessica Blouch’s photos in a gallery:

The Show Goes On

Amy’s Column Series

Thank You For Reading

Fall Beers

All the flavors of fall – Let’s do this!

Amy’s Column Series

Thank You For Reading

Hocktoberfest by Sterling Pig Brewery: A Festive Brew with a Bold Personality

Beer Review: Hocktoberfest by Sterling Pig Brewery: A Festive Brew with a Bold Personality

First Impressions: Crisp and Classic

The Flavor Profile: Smooth, Malty, and Oh-So-Drinkable

The Experience: A Beer Built for Community

Pairing Suggestions: Feast Your Senses

Final Verdict: A Märzen Masterpiece

Untappd Stats

Sterling Pig Brewery

Thank You For Reading

Sweet ‘n’ Savory

Being Able to Find the Perfect Mix of Sweet and Savory Feels Like a Miracle

Amy’s Column Series

Thank You For Reading

It’s Pumpkin Time! (Grandma SueAnn and Amy Review Zombies and Double Zombies are People Too and Braaaiins!)

It’s Pumpkin Time!

More Pumpkin Beer Reviews by Grandma SueAnn and Amy

More New Trail Beer Reviews

Amy’s Column Series

Thank You For Reading

Happy Birthday to Amy

Happy Birthday to Amy

Celebrate

Amy’s Column Series

Thank You For Reading

Beer Review: I’m 40% Galaxy (Local Craft Beer)

Beer Review: I’m 40% Galaxy (Local Craft Beer)

Futurama is Back Baby

Beer Review

Futurama Season 12

All of Our Nerd Content

Thank You For Reading

Two Hearted Ale: A Timeless Classic from Bell’s Brewery

Two Hearted Ale Review: A Timeless Classic from Bell’s Brewery

Appearance

Aroma

Taste

Mouthfeel

Overall Impression

Pairing Suggestions

Final Thoughts

Literary Connection: Hemingway’s “Big Two-Hearted River”

FAQs about Two Hearted Ale

More Articles About Bell’s Brewery

Busy Week

Thank You For Reading

These Summer Beers Are Slapping… Again

These summer time beers are slapping again. Is “slapping” still trendy to say?

Busy Last Few Weeks

Amy’s Column Series

Thank You For Reading