Lagers versus Bocks – Whats the difference?

Unraveling the Brews: The Distinctive Worlds of Lager and Bock

In the ever-expanding universe of craft beer, the distinctions between beer styles can sometimes blur, leaving enthusiasts both intrigued and perplexed. Among the myriad styles, “lager” and “bock” are terms often encountered, each representing not just different beer types but also embodying unique histories, brewing techniques, and flavor profiles. Let’s dive into the effervescent journey of understanding what sets lagers apart from bocks, and why each holds a special place in the hearts of beer lovers.

Lager: The Cool, Crisp Connoisseur’s Choice

A delicious frothy Lager.

At its core, the term “lager” refers to a broad category of beers that share a common fermentation and conditioning process. Lagers are brewed with bottom-fermenting yeast strains, which, true to their name, sink to the bottom of the fermenter. This yeast thrives in cooler fermentation temperatures, ranging from 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, a method that imparts lagers with their hallmark clean, crisp taste. Lagering, the process from which this beer style gets its name, involves storing the beer at cold temperatures for several weeks to months, allowing it to mature, clarify, and develop a smooth finish.

The world of lagers is rich and diverse, spanning the light and refreshing pilsners, the amber-hued Vienna lagers, and the dark, malty dunkels. Each style showcases the versatility of lagers, capable of offering a spectrum of flavors from subtle and delicate to robust and complex. Despite their differences, lagers generally share a common thread of crispness, making them immensely drinkable and universally appealing.

Bock: A Malty Marvel with a Kick

A delicious Bock beer.

Bock, on the other hand, is a specific style within the larger lager family, distinguished by its strong, malty backbone and higher alcohol content. Originating from the German town of Einbeck in the 14th century, bock was traditionally brewed for special occasions, earning its reputation as a beer of celebration. The style has evolved over the centuries, giving rise to several variants, including the lighter maibock or helles bock for spring, the stronger and darker doppelbock, and the celebratory, seasonally brewed Oktoberfestbier.

Characterized by its rich malt flavors, bock beers can range from light amber to deep brown hues, offering notes of caramel, nuts, bread, and dark fruits. Despite their malt dominance, bocks maintain a lager’s characteristic smoothness and clean finish, thanks to the cold fermentation and lagering processes. The higher alcohol content, typically ranging from 6% to 7.5% ABV, provides a warming sensation, making bocks especially popular in the colder months.

Celebrating Diversity in Every Sip

Understanding the differences between lager and bock enriches the craft beer experience, highlighting the importance of brewing traditions and the creativity of brewers in shaping the flavors we love. While lagers offer a refreshing gateway into the world of beer, bocks invite enthusiasts to explore deeper, more intense flavors. Both styles, with their distinct characteristics, contribute to the vibrant tapestry of craft beer, offering something for every palate and occasion.

As the craft beer movement continues to evolve, the exploration of lager and bock beers remains a testament to the rich heritage and innovative spirit of brewing. Whether you’re reaching for a light, effervescent lager on a hot summer day or savoring the malty richness of a bock by a crackling fire, the journey through the world of beer is endlessly rewarding, one sip at a time.

Contrasting Bocks and Lagers

Bocks and lagers represent intriguing chapters in the vast anthology of beer styles, each distinct in its characteristics and brewing traditions. Lagers, as a foundational category, are celebrated for their crisp, clean taste derived from cold fermentation processes using bottom-fermenting yeast. This broad category encompasses a diverse range of beers, from the pale and refreshing pilsners to the dark and malty dunkels, all unified by their smooth finish and refined clarity. The versatility of lagers is a testament to the adaptability of the lagering process, allowing for a spectrum of flavors within the same foundational brewing technique.

Bocks, on the other hand, are a specialized offshoot within the larger lager family, distinguished primarily by their stronger malt profile and higher alcohol content. Originating from Germany, bocks are traditionally richer and more robust, offering a hearty spectrum of flavors such as caramel, chocolate, and dark fruits. These beers are typically brewed for seasonal or celebratory purposes, with variations including the lighter maibock in spring, the dark and rich doppelbock, and the festive Oktoberfest varieties. Despite their diversity, all bocks share a common lineage with lagers, benefiting from the smooth, clean finish that is characteristic of cold fermentation and extended aging processes.

The key differences between bocks and lagers lie in their flavor profiles and brewing intentions. While lagers are often appreciated for their refreshing and approachable nature, bocks invite a deeper exploration into the complexities of malt and the warming embrace of higher alcohol volumes. This distinction not only highlights the broad spectrum of beer styles available to enthusiasts but also underscores the rich traditions and innovative approaches that define the craft of brewing. Whether one prefers the crisp simplicity of a lager or the bold, malty depths of a bock, both styles offer unique pathways to appreciating the art and science of beer.

Fan Favorite Bock Beers

Bock beers, with their rich malt flavors and warming alcohol content, have earned a revered spot among beer aficionados worldwide. Here are some popular Bock beers that showcase the range and depth of this traditional style:

1. Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock: Hailing from Germany, this doppelbock is often considered a benchmark for the style. With its deep mahogany color, it offers a complex array of flavors, including dark fruits, chocolate, and a hint of caramel. Its creamy texture and balanced sweetness make it a perennial favorite.
2. Weihenstephaner Korbinian: Another exemplary German doppelbock, the Weihenstephaner Korbinian boasts a rich, full-bodied experience with notes of dark bread, chocolate, and dried fruits. Brewed by the world’s oldest brewery, it’s a testament to centuries of brewing excellence.
3. Troegenator Double Bock: Brewed by Tröegs Independent Brewing in Pennsylvania, USA, this American take on the traditional doppelbock style delivers a powerful malt character with hints of caramel and dried fruits. Its robust profile and smooth finish have garnered a loyal following.
4. Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock: This beer has a storied history as the original doppelbock, which has inspired countless other brewers. It presents a rich tapestry of malt flavors, including caramel, toasted bread, and a slight hint of hops for balance. It’s a classic example of the style, deeply rooted in Bavarian brewing tradition.
5. Spaten Optimator: A staple among doppelbock enthusiasts, Spaten Optimator delivers deep, malty flavors with notes of chocolate and dark fruits. It’s a well-rounded beer that captures the essence of the bock tradition, offering a hearty and satisfying experience.
6. Einbecker Ur-Bock Dunkel: Einbecker Brewery claims a historical connection to the origin of the bock style, and their Ur-Bock Dunkel is a tribute to this legacy. It’s a darker, malt-forward beer with a smooth finish, showcasing the traditional flavors that have made bocks beloved by beer lovers.
7. Shiner Bock: Brewed in Texas by the Spoetzl Brewery, Shiner Bock offers a more accessible and lighter take on the bock style. Its popularity has made it a gateway for many into the world of bocks, featuring a gentle malt sweetness and a clean finish.

These bocks represent just a sampling of the rich variety available within this beer style. Each brewery brings its own unique interpretation to the table, offering beer enthusiasts a wide range of flavors and experiences to explore.

Fan Favorite Lagers

Lager beers are celebrated for their crisp, refreshing qualities and are among the most widely consumed types of beer globally. Here’s a list of some popular Lager beers that span a range of styles within the Lager category:

1. Pilsner Urquell: Brewed in the Czech Republic, Pilsner Urquell is the original Pilsner beer, offering a clear, golden color and a balance of hoppy bitterness and malty sweetness. Its crisp finish and floral hop aroma set the standard for the Pilsner style.
2. Budweiser: Known as “The King of Beers,” Budweiser is an American Lager that has become a global brand. It’s known for its light, clean taste and is brewed using a mix of American and European hop varieties.
3. Yuengling Traditional Lager: As America’s oldest brewery, Yuengling produces this iconic Amber Lager. It boasts a rich amber color and a medium-bodied flavor with a balance of malt and hops.
4. Heineken: This Dutch Lager is one of the most internationally recognized beer brands. It offers a mildly bitter taste and a clear, golden color, making it a staple Lager in many parts of the world.
5. Beck’s: Originating from Germany, Beck’s is a classic German Pilsner known for its green bottle and distinctive hop-forward flavor. It’s a crisp, refreshing beer with a slightly bitter finish.
6. Corona Extra: A top-selling Mexican Lager, Corona Extra is famous for its light, crisp taste and is often served with a lime wedge to add citrus flavor. It’s a popular choice for casual drinking occasions.
7. Samuel Adams Boston Lager: This Vienna-style Lager from the Boston Beer Company has helped pioneer the American craft beer movement. It features a complex balance of caramel malt sweetness and spicy hop flavors.
8. Modelo Especial: Another well-loved Mexican Lager, Modelo Especial is a rich, full-flavored pilsner-style beer that offers a crisp and refreshing taste with a hint of orange blossom and honey.
9. Stella Artois: A Belgian Pilsner with a heritage dating back to 1366, Stella Artois is known for its floral hop aroma, well-balanced malt sweetness, and a soft dry finish.
10. Asahi Super Dry: From Japan, Asahi Super Dry is brewed using a unique yeast that produces a clean, crisp taste with a quick finish. It’s a rice Lager that has gained international popularity for its refreshing flavor.

These Lagers represent a broad spectrum of the Lager family, from traditional Pilsners and American Lagers to international favorites. Each offers a unique taste experience, reflecting the diversity and global appeal of Lager beers.

Milko Pours

Craft beer milk pours represent a unique and visually captivating method of serving beer, particularly embraced within the craft beer community for styles that benefit from a rich, creamy texture. This technique involves pouring the beer in such a way that the glass initially fills with a dense, foamy head, resembling milk in its smoothness and consistency. The spectacle of the foam settling into the liquid beer not only offers an appealing presentation but also enhances the drinking experience by emphasizing the beer’s aroma and mouthfeel. Milk pours are especially popular with nitro beers and creamy stouts, including milk stouts, where the nitrogenation or the addition of lactose adds to the silky, luxurious body of the beer, making each sip a decadent experience.

The art of the milk pour in craft beer goes beyond mere aesthetics; it is a testament to the brewer’s skill in creating a beer that can maintain such a texture and to the server’s prowess in executing the pour perfectly. This method accentuates the sensory attributes of the beer, from its visual appeal to its tactile sensation and taste, creating a more engaging and enjoyable beer-drinking experience. As craft beer enthusiasts continue to seek out new and unique beer experiences, the milk pour stands out as a distinctive practice that highlights the creativity and innovation inherent in the craft beer culture, making it a cherished ritual for both brewers and beer lovers alike.

Related Articles

• What is Bock Beer? Exploring the Bock Beer Style: A Journey from Einbeck to Munich
• What is Lager Beer? Exploring the World’s Most Popular Beer Style
• What is the Difference Between Bock and Lager Beer? Unraveling the Brews: The Distinctive Worlds of Lager and Bock

See Also

• Information on Milko Pours
• The Rise of Craft Lagers in Pennsylvania Brewing

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A delicious frothy Lager.

What is a Lager? Exploring the World’s Most Popular Beer Style

Lager is more than just a type of beer; it’s a testament to the evolution of brewing and a symbol of beer’s global appeal. From the crisp, golden pilsners that grace summer barbecues to the rich, malty depths of a traditional bock enjoyed in the colder months, lagers offer a range that can intrigue the palette of any beer lover. But what exactly makes a beer a lager, and how does it differ from its ale counterpart? Let’s dive into the cool, refreshing world of lagers to find out.

The Basics of Lager

At its core, the term “lager” refers to the method of fermenting and storing beer. Derived from the German word “lagern,” which means “to store,” lagers are characterized by their fermentation process. Unlike ales, which are fermented at warmer temperatures using top-fermenting yeast, lagers are produced with bottom-fermenting yeast that works its magic at cooler temperatures, typically between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit (7-13 degrees Celsius). This cooler fermentation process is slower and results in a beer that is cleaner, crisper, and more subtle in flavor than its ale counterparts.

The Lager Family

Despite a common misconception that lagers are all light and bland, the lager family boasts a surprising diversity of styles and flavors. These range from light and crisp to dark and complex, proving that there’s a lager out there for every type of beer enthusiast. Here are some of the main styles within the lager category:

• Pilsner: Originating from the Czech Republic, pilsners are golden, hoppy, and have a crisp finish. They set the standard for what many recognize as the quintessential lager flavor.
• Dunkel: Meaning “dark” in German, dunkels are smooth, malty, and feature caramel and chocolate notes, offering a richer lager experience.
• Helles: A lighter, malt-oriented beer from Germany, helles lagers are soft and subtle with a clean, refreshing finish.
• Bock: Stronger than your average lager, bocks are known for their robust maltiness and can range in color from light to dark. Variations like maibocks, doppelbocks, and eisbocks offer a spectrum of flavors and strengths.
• Märzen/Oktoberfest: Traditionally brewed in March and aged through the summer, these amber lagers are malty, medium-bodied, and the stars of Munich’s Oktoberfest.

Serving and Enjoying Lagers

Lagers are versatile when it comes to food pairings and serving options. Generally, they are best served cold, around 38-45 degrees Fahrenheit (3-7 degrees Celsius), to highlight their refreshing qualities. Glassware can vary based on the specific type of lager, from traditional steins and mugs to tall, slender pilsner glasses that showcase the beer’s color and carbonation.

When it comes to food, the clean, crisp profile of a lager makes it an excellent companion to a wide range of dishes. Lighter lagers pair wonderfully with delicate flavors like seafood and salads, while the more robust dark lagers can stand up to hearty meals, including grilled meats and rich stews.

Beyond the Basics

The world of lagers is as rich and diverse as it is accessible. Beyond the well-known mass-market lagers, craft breweries around the globe are pushing the boundaries of what a lager can be, experimenting with new ingredients, aging processes, and hybrid styles. These innovative brews are part of a larger lager renaissance, inviting beer drinkers to rediscover and reevaluate the potential of this often-overlooked category.

In essence, lagers embody the tradition, craftsmanship, and innovation that define the art of brewing. Whether you’re enjoying a classic pilsner on a hot summer day or savoring the complexity of a doppelbock by the fireside, lagers offer a world of flavors waiting to be explored.

Some Popular Lager Based Breweries and Brands

Lagers at Human Robot

Some popular lager based breweries and brands:

• Human Robot Beer
• Forest and Main Brewing
• Yuengling Brewery
• Anchor Bock
• Augustiner Bräu Lagerbier Hell
• Lagunitas Pils
• New Belgium Fat Tire
• Paulaner Oktoberfest
• Peroni
• Pilsner Urquell
• Shiner Bock
• Sprecher Mai Bock

Craft Beer Enthusiasts’ Lager Picks

Among the vast sea of lagers, several brands stand out for their quality and distinctiveness, including Anchor Bock, Augustiner Bräu Lagerbier Hell, and Pilsner Urquell, to name just a few. These brands offer a glimpse into the rich diversity and heritage of lager brewing, showcasing why this beer style continues to captivate the hearts of beer lovers around the globe. Whether you’re a seasoned craft beer aficionado or a casual drinker, the world of lagers holds endless possibilities for exploration and enjoyment.

Diving into the Lager vs. Ale Debate

At its core, lager is distinguished by its bottom-fermenting yeast, settling at the bottom of the fermenter, in stark contrast to ale’s top-fermenting nature. Lager yeast thrives in cooler conditions, between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, a factor that not only allows for a cleaner taste with fewer by-products but also permits longer aging periods or “lagering” at cool temperatures. This process yields a beer that’s smoother and crisper than its ale counterparts. Historically speaking, lagers are relatively new to the scene, with the pivotal discovery in the 1500s that storing beer in cold conditions with cold-resistant yeast resulted in a refreshingly crisp beverage. This revelation led to the birth of lagers as we know them, including the hoppy German pilsners that emerged in the 19th century and other varieties that have only added to the lager legacy.

Exploring the Lager Landscape

Lager styles are as varied as they are fascinating. From the dark, malty depths of a Dunkel, offering flavors of nuts, bread, coffee, and chocolate, to the golden, hop-forward crispness of a Pilsner, there’s a lager out there for every palate. The Schwarzbier brings a dark chestnut hue and a tapestry of complex flavors, including roasted malt and bitter chocolate, while the Helles shines with its soft malt flavor and golden sparkle. Not to be overlooked, the amber lagers, like the Oktoberfest and Vienna lagers, balance sweetness and crispness in a way that’s uniquely satisfying. And for those seeking something stronger, the bock variations present a malty, warming experience with alcohol content that can soar up to 13%.

Serving and Savoring Lager

When it comes to serving lagers, the colder, the better is generally the rule, with bocks being a notable exception, often enjoyed closer to room temperature. The choice of glass can enhance the drinking experience, from mugs and pint glasses for darker lagers and mass-produced varieties to pilsner glasses and traditional steins for the lighter or amber options. As for pairings, lagers are incredibly food-friendly. Amber lagers shine alongside pub classics and hearty dishes, while the lighter pilsners are a perfect match for salads, light pastas, and German specialties. Bocks, with their robust flavors, are excellent with spicy dishes and decadent chocolate desserts.

Lagers

“Go West, young man, and grow up with the country.”

Horace Greeley (Hints Toward Reforms) [1850]

Go west ‘young Yuengling’ and grow up the brewery. In news today, America’s oldest active brewery, Pennsylvania native from Pottsville Pennsylvania, D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. is expanding westward – into Texas. The aim is for the expansion to be completed by year’s end of 2021.

Currently Yuengling has a 22 state shipment and footprint, mostly along the East Coast of the United States. They have production facilities in Pennsylvania (Pottsville) and Florida (Tampa Bay area). This move would ensure they expand their reach, with the millions that live in Texas and neighboring areas.

“We have heard from consumers all over the country who are excited to enjoy our beer, which is why we’re proud to announce that Texas will be the first western state we’ll be expanding to,” said Wendy Yuengling, Chief Administrative Officer and 6^th generation family member, D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. “We are working hard to ensure our recipes and brewing traditions will be followed to our high-quality standards. We have passionate Yuengling fans in Texas, so we are excited to finally bring them the goods.”

ABC27 News

Yuengling Is Growing

In 2020 D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. and Molson Coors launched a joint long-term brewing relationship – The Yuengling Company. (September, 2020). This is their first expansion since this relationship was announced. In 2019, Yuengling first released their collaboration with Hershey’s Chocolate Company – the Hershey’s Chocolate Porter (Yuengling). It was first released draft only to select bars, restaurants, and breweries in 2019, and then released in bottles and draft in 2020; it has come to some acclaim among many beer drinkers, Hershey’s fans, and Yuengling fans, although those in the craft beer industry have stated that the beer comes up a bit short of most craft brewery offerings, but have said they still enjoyed the beer ‘for what it is’.

(SEE OUR BEER REVIEW OF THE YUENGLING HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATE PORTER)

The beer will be brewed locally, in Fort Worth, at the Molson Coors brewery located there. The brewery opened on September 26th, 1969. Its located at 7001 South Fwy, Fort Worth Texas, 76134. And this will be the third production facility or Yuengling Brewing.

Gavin Hattersley, the President and CEO of Molson Coors said: ““We are excited to take the first step in our long-brewing partnership, a step that will provide tremendous growth opportunity for Yuengling and Molson Coors. By brewing Yuengling’s iconic beer at our world-class Ft. Worth facility, we are going to make a lot of Texans happy.”

No word on what all brands and beers and styles will be brewed at the location. Most likely the Traditional Lager will be brewed there. Amongst more than likely others of their celebrated list (such as their Black and Tan, Oktoberfest, and numerous other offerings).

Check Out Our Related Brewery News and Articles

Yuengling Beer Reviews:

• Beer Review: Hershey’s Chocolate Porter (Yuengling Brewery)

Brewery Openings:

• A Sneak Preview of Rubber Soul Brewing (Hummelstown)
• Midwest Coast Brewing Opens (Chicago)
• Rally Point – Cox Brewing Taproom Opens (Elizabethtown)
• Boneshire Brew Works to Open Second Taproom in Harrisburg (Harrisburg)
• Irv’s Pub Rebranded as Rotunda Brewing Pub (Hershey)
• Official BBQ (Pizza Boy Secondary Location) (Rutherford)
• Pilger Ruh Brewing Needs Your Help (Pottsville)
• Highway Manor Brewing Co. (Camp Hill)
• Grand Opening: Rubber Soul Brewing Company (Hummelstown)
• Tap Room Opening: Howling Henry’s Brewery (Hummelstown)
• Levity Brewing is Expanding and Adding A Second Tap Room
• Little Fish Brewing is Expanding into Dayton

Brewery Closings:

• Stoudt’s Brewing Closing
• Crystal Ball Brewing Closes
• Voodoo Brewery Lancaster Closes
• Spigot Brewing Closes
• Full Pint Brewing Closes
• Night Shift Brewing Cancels Expansion
• Mikkeller Brewing NYC Closes Permanently
• River Bend Hop Farm and Brewery Closing

Brewery Tours:

• Brewery Tour: Mellow Mink Brewery (Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania)
• Brewery Tour: Couch Brewery (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

Thank you for reading everyone, and I hope you stick around, make sure you check out our numerous articles on brewery openings, closings, as well as brewery news in general. You can find the brewery news section on the right hand sidebar. Also make sure to check out our beer reviews (like the Yuengling Hershey’s Beer) as well as many others.

As always, stay safe during these tough times with COVID-19 and everything. There is good news as we are nearing the end, so let’s stay safe, mask up and wash our hands, and help our local breweries by not contaminating and making their jobs even harder.

Cheers Everyone!

-B. Kline

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My first stop of the day was a morning wake up hike. I was wanting to hike and see the Jackson Falls… but unfortunately, despite Google Maps saying you could access them, the land for Jackson Falls (recently?) became purchased by a water company and was considered private property and you were unable to use the road to them; it was now a private road / driveway for this water company.

But, there was a nearby hiking trail that went along the creek called Rock Furnace Trail, and I did hike that, and it led out by the river and was a bike / walk path called Roaring Run Trail, and I walked some of that as well. The trails were located in Apollo Pennsylvania, and the river that ran alongside Roaring Run Trail is called Kiskiminetas River. It was a beautiful path (both the Rock Furnace Trail and the Roaring Run Trail), the creek alongside Rock Furnace Trail was pretty, low, meandering, and the Kiskiminetas River was big and roaring with lots of rapids. Unfortunately, no real waterfalls or cascades to see, I assume all of those were at the Jackson Falls that were now on the private property.

After hiking and walking the two trails / paths, it was about 11AM when I left Apollo and made my way to Vandergrift Pennsylvania, for my first brewery stop of day two. Vandergrift was a small, quaint, old time town, that reminded me of the town from Back to the Future. Not sure why, but it just did. I walked a few blocks of it before / after drinking and eating at Allusion Brewing Company.

Allusion Brewing Company is a micro brewery located in Vandergrift Pennsylvania; just outside of Pittsburgh. According to Untappd it has 18 unique beers, with 542 ratings and has an average rating of 3.8. The Untappd description simply reads: “Vandergrift’s hometown brewery.” The oldest created unique beer was on 12.26.13, but then the next wasn’t until 5.24.14. It certainly seems like it’s a relatively new and small brewery, but the beers were great, the building was beautiful, and the staff – Jim – was wonderful. If you get a chance to go by Vandergrift, make sure to stop in, visit Allusion Brewing, and see Jim as bartender, wonderful guy, very nice, informative and talkative.

I got a flight at Allusion Brewing, which was in an old card catalogue holder from a library, which was pretty neat. My flight was:

• Oh, Bother!
• One Inning More
• Baker St. Brown
• V.I.Porter

Beer: Oh, Bother!
Brewery: Allusion Brewing Company
Style: Blonde Ale
ABV: 4.75%
IBU: 28
Untappd Description: A sweet malty golden colored blonde ale brewed with caramel malts and Canadian honey malt to achieve a sweet honey taste. A beer to enjoy in the Hundred Acre woods.
My Untappd Rating: 3.75
Global Untappd Rating: 3.74 (as of 11.23.20)

Beer: One Inning More
Brewery: Allusion Brewing Company
Style: Pale Ale – American
ABV: 5%
IBU: 45
Untappd Description: American Style Pale Ale brewed with Pale and Victory malts and bittered with American Willamette and Cascade hops to produce a balance beer with hints of earthy, floral, spice from the hops. Let’s hope the Mighty Casey won’t strike out so that you can enjoy another inning of entertainment and great beer.
My Untappd Rating: 4
Global Untappd Rating: 3.65 (as of 11.23.20)

Beer: Baker St. Brown
Brewery: Allusion Brewing Company
Style: Brown Ale – English
ABV: 3.5%
IBU: 15
Untappd Description: Traditional Mild English Brown Ale brewed with English floor malted maris otter, English chocolate malts, and English Fuggle hops for a light drinking sessionable ale with hints of caramel and toasted bread. Sit back and enjoy one while you solve your latest mystery.
My Untappd Rating: 4.25
Global Untappd Rating: 3.75 (as of 11.23.20)

Beer: V.I.Porter
Brewery: Allusion Brewing Company
Style: Porter – American
ABV: 4.8%
IBU: 38
Untappd Description: American style robust porter brewed with various caramel malts and black mat to achieve hints of roasted coffee and dark chocolate. Sit back and enjoy your beer knowing that proceeds from each pint goes toward projects to help the local community.
My Untappd Rating: 3.75
Global Untappd Rating: 3.65 (as of 11.23.20)

Bidding Jim a farewell, I was off to Pittsburgh proper and made it to the city roughly around 12:30-1PM. For the second time now, Google Maps has led me astray with the Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical Garden. I took my daughters through Pittsburgh last summer – August – and it was closed the day we were there, despite Google Maps saying it was open. Same thing, again, Google Maps listed it as open, but it was closed (closed for the season on September 15th). I have since figured out the issue – the synagogue that the garden is attached to is open year round, and Google Maps based the hours for the garden on that of the synagogue and not the actual hours for the garden. Le sigh. At some point I will get to visit the garden and walk through it. I swear it!

From there, I got a special treat, I was invited by Bobby – the head brewer for Couch Brewery – to visit Couch Brewery (on a day they were closed) for a personal tour and sampling of the beers. He was in the building kegging up their upcoming release for their Black Friday stout bash; a collaboration he did with friends (home brewers and other breweries in the area) called The Four Horseman. This was an utter blast, and Bobby is a fantastic guy, funny, down to Earth, and very knowledgeable about beer, brewing, stouts, home brewing, bars, breweries, etc. Was a blast getting to hang out for a few hours, check out the brewery, and try the entire run of their beers on tap.

I will be doing a full article on just the brewery tour (look for that most likely tomorrow), so there will be plenty more to go than just what I list here, so be sure to check that article out.

Beers I got to sample at Couch Brewery:

• Recliner
• Morning Wood
• Hippie Blackberry Sour
• Sofa Quemando
• Fest Bump
• F1 Hazy IPA
• Thicc Ric
• Macho Man
• Atomic Clock
• Stardust – Mango Passion
• The Four Horseman (collaboration)

Beer: Recliner
Brewery: Couch Brewery
Style: Stout – Oatmeal
ABV: 6%
IBU: 30
Untappd Description: A delicious yet unconventional oatmeal stout brewed with the wrong hops, or so you would think. It delivers a wonderful silky smooth mouthfeel with a refreshing hint of citrus, a little bit of chocolate and a touch of coffee.
My Untappd Rating: 4
Global Untappd Rating: 3.67 (as of 11.23.20)

Beer: Morning Wood
Brewery: Couch Brewery
Style: Stout – Coffee
ABV: 6.7%
IBU: None
Untappd Description: (blank)
My Untappd Rating: 4.5
Global Untappd Rating: 3.87 (as of 11.23.20)

Beer: Hippie Blackberry Sour Ale
Brewery: Couch Brewery
Style: Sour – Fruited
ABV: 4.7%
IBU: None
Untappd Description: (blank)
My Untappd Rating: 4
Global Untappd Rating: 3.68 (as of 11.23.20)

Beer: Sofa Quemando
Brewery: Couch Brewery
Style: Stout – Other
ABV: 7.1%
IBU: None
Untappd Description: Mexican Stout.
My Untappd Rating: 4.25
Global Untappd Rating: 4 (as of 11.23.20)

Beer: Fest Bump
Brewery: Couch Brewery
Style: Festbier
ABV: 5.3%
IBU: None
Untappd Description: (blank)
My Untappd Rating: 4
Global Untappd Rating: 3.7 (as of 11.23.20)

Beer: F1 Hazy IPA
Brewery: Couch Brewery
Style: IPA – New England
ABV: 7%
IBU: None
Untappd Description: (blank)
My Untappd Rating: 4
Global Untappd Rating: 3.56 (as of 11.23.20)

Beer: Thicc Ric
Brewery: Couch Brewery
Style: IPA – New England
ABV: 7%
IBU: None
Untappd Description: (blank)
My Untappd Rating: 4
Global Untappd Rating: 3.53 (as of 11.23.20)

Beer: Macho Man
Brewery: Couch Brewery
Style: Wheat Beer – Other
ABV: 5.5%
IBU: None
Untappd Description: Hibiscus Raspberry Lime Wheat
My Untappd Rating: 4.25
Global Untappd Rating: 3.82 (as of 11.23.20)

Beer: Atomic Clock
Brewery: Couch Brewery
Style: Red Ale – American Amber / Red
ABV: 6.3%
IBU: None
Untappd Description: (blank)
My Untappd Rating: 4
Global Untappd Rating: 3.57 (as of 11.23.20)

Beer: Stardust – Mango Passion
Brewery: Couch Brewery
Style: Hard Seltzer
ABV: 5%
IBU: None
Untappd Description: (blank)
My Untappd Rating: 3.5
Global Untappd Rating: 3.52 (as of 11.23.20)

Beer: The Four Horseman
Breweries: Couch Brewery, Fury Brewing, 2 Homebrew Collaborators
Style: American Brown Ale

There is no Untappd listing for this, and I don’t recall if Bobby gave me information on ABV / IBU / etc. (No official rating for Untappd for me or for others either then; but I would give it a 4.25.)

Bobby also gave me a four pack to go, which included Macho Man, Sofa Quemando (for Drew), Atomic Clock, and Morning Wood. Couch Brewery on Untappd is listed as a micro brewery in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania with 113 unique beers, over 12 thousand ratings, and an average rating of 3.59. They have no Untappd description for their brewery.

I finally had to bid Bobby a fond adieu and promised if / when I’m back in the Pittsburgh area I would definitely be stopping in, at a time when the place is open, and hopefully with some friends. The brewery is great and he was an utter blast to hang out with.

After Couch Brewery, my next walking / hiking activity was Riverview Park at the top of Pittsburgh where the Allegheny Observatory is. I made a few mis-turns and went up and down those massively steep hills a few more times than I wished or would have liked to, and actually even went past the chapel where I took the girls last year – St. Anthony’s Chapel – (they have a piece of the cross that Jesus was crucified on) (I did not stop in) – but I finally made it to the top of Pittsburgh Hill or whatever its called, and walked the park and walking trails.

The park and walking trails were really nice. Nothing crazy intense, but just a good walking area for families and for people with dogs or what have you. Some pretty views and sights. Lots of deer too that were pretty tame an would walk right up to you. The Old Zoo trail was really nice and interesting to see old broken paths, old Zoo enclosures and buildings (like the Bear Pit) and old crumbling buildings and infrastructure. The whole area was very busy, but people were keeping distanced and walking within their own families and friends. It reminded me of ants crawling around on an ant hill with everyone going this way and that and doing their own thing, and looking at things or seeing different views, and just meandering around, getting exercise and fresh air.

Once it got dusk and dark I finally left after a good three or so hour walk. While up on Troy’s Hill I passed the Penn Brewery, but unfortunately they were closed. I still stopped for a picture of their building because its a very beautiful building.

My next stop was a brewery – that … fingers crossed, God Willing, and Google Maps hopeful – was open… and huzzah it was! Hop Farm Brewing Company. ….but they were at max capacity so I had to wait for someone to leave. I walked the block and came back and thankfully someone was leaving just as I came back, so I was able to snag a table.

Hop Farm Brewing Company is a micro brewery from Lawrenceville Pennsylvania. Lawrenceville is in between Pittsburgh and Washington (where the Meadows Casino is). Its still basically Pittsburgh, but not fully in Pittsburgh. Untappd lists them with 209 unique beers, over 49 thousand ratings and a global average rating of 3.65. Their Untappd description reads: “Hop Farm Brewing company is a independently partner owned brewery by Matthew and Emily Gouwens, in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Our focus is on sustainability and local sourcing while producing hoppy ales, farmhouse ales, sour ales and various other interesting brews.”

While there, I had a delicious hamburger and two beers. I had the Kulak and the Pittsburgh Pale Ale.

Beer: Kulak
Brewery: Hop Farm Brewing Company
Style: Stout – Russian Imperial
ABV: 9.8%
IBU: None
Untappd Description: (blank)
My Untappd Rating: 4
Global Untappd Rating: 3.83 (as of 11.23.20)

Beer: Pittsburgh Pale Ale
Brewery: Hop Farming Brewing Company
Style: Pale Ale – American
ABV: (none listed)
IBU: (none listed)
Untappd Description: (blank)
(….well that was all very informative huh?)
My Untappd Rating: 4
Global Untappd Rating: 3.83 (as of 11.23.20)

After leaving the brewery, I went to The Meadows Casino and Racetrack. I scoped the place out, talked to a few dealers about COVID and how things have been going there for them (compared to my work) and played a little bit of dice. (26$ thrown down on the table – 12 on the 6 and 8, dollar each for the dealers. Hit the 8 twice, didn’t press, got 28$, then seven’ed out, so dealers made 2$ off me, and I made 2$ and I was done. Meh.)

I stopped over at the bar, and tried to have a beer with a hot dog as it was starting to get late – 10:30ish, I saw a brewery I hadn’t had before – Sobel’s Obscure Brewery and got a pint, it ends up kicking after just a little bit of it, so I ended up with a Hazy Little Thing by Sierra Nevada (the bartender didn’t quite get what I meant by “local craft beer” and kept suggesting Yuengling Lager………).

Watched a little bit of the Monday Night game while there, then got back to the hotel at 11PM, to pretty much fall straight to bed.

Tomorrow’s article should be the Couch Brewery Tour and Sampling, so be sure to check out that. Then it’ll probably be followed up with a few beer reviews, and then I will pick back up with the Trip articles. The next will be me entering Ohio, Salt Fork State Park, and Columbus and Dayton. Lots more great pictures, hikes, and breweries to go, so stay tuned and don’t miss it!

Thank you all for reading! Love to hear from you, so be sure to leave a comment or talk it up with me, you can also check out our social media pages and comment and talk to us there as well.

Cheers!

-B. Kline

The Trip to Indianapolis – Full Articles:

• Day One: Thousand Steps Trail, Juniata Brewing Company, Ghost Town Trail, Levity Brewing
• Day Two: Rock Furnace Trail, Allusion Brewing Company, Couch Brewery, Riverview Park, Hop Farm Brewing Company, The Meadows Casino
• Day Three:
• Day Four:
• Day Five:
• Day Six:
• Day Seven:

The Trip to Indianapolis – Recap Articles:

• The Trip to Indy
• The Trip to Indy – Day One Recap
• The Trip to Indy – Day Two Recap
• The Trip to Indy – Day Three Recap
• The Trip to Indy – Day Four Recap
• The Trip to Indy – Day Five Recap
• The Trip to Indy – Day Six Recap
• The Trip to Indy – Day Seven Recap
• Recap and Stats

August (2019) Road Trip Series:

• Going on the Road
• The Trip: Day 1 Recap
• The Trip: Day 2 Recap
• The Trip: Day 3 Recap

Rickett’s Glen (2020) Road Trip Series:

• A Road Trip to Rickett’s Glen
• The Trip to Rickett’s Glen

Monocacy Battlefield Road Trip:

• Impromptu Two-Day Trip to Frederick Maryland
• Road Trip to Monocacy Battlefield (June 19th – June 20th, 2020)

Visiting Reading Pennsylvania:

• A Visit to Reading
• The Birthday Trip to Reading Pennsylvania – The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

A Road Trip to The PA Grand Canyon:

• Visiting Wellsboro PA and the Grand Canyon

Hiking Hawk Rock

• Hiking Hawk Rock and Visiting Liquid Noise Brewery

Hiking Pinnacle Trail and Pulpit Rock

• Hiking to Pinnacle Overlook, Pulpit Rock, Visiting 1787 Brewing and Schaylor Brewing

Hiking Around Ephrata Pennsylvania:

• Hiking Around Ephrata Pennsylvania – Pour Man’s Brewing, Black Forest Brewery

Hiking Sunset Rocks and Checking Out Maxie’s Brewhouse:

• Hiking Sunset Rocks and Checking Out Maxie’s Brewhouse in Shippensburg Pennsylvania

Other Brewery Hopping Articles:

• Brewery Touring York and Hanover PA
• Brewery Hopping – 12.27.19
• Breweries Around the Outskirts of Harrisburg – 9.6.19

My Article for Breweries in PA:

• Touring Breweries Around Harrisburg

My Podcast About Breweries in Central PA:

• Beers with Strangers – A Beer Thriller in Hershey

Some other brewery tour and road trip articles:

• A Sneak Peak at the New Rubber Soul Brewery in Hummelstown
• A Brewery Tour of Mellow Mink
• Brewery Review: Battlefield Brew Works
• Brewery Review: Cushwa Brewing
• A Trip to Gettysburg and Beer Review: This is Nut the Fluff You’re Looking For (Fourscore Beer Co)
• Beer Review: Road Trip Snacks (Panther Island Brewing)
• Brewery Review: The Ministry of Brewing
• Beer Review: Esmeralda (Ministry of Brewing)

Also, be sure to check out some of our other beer reviews in recent history:

• Beer Review: Dreams of Orgonon (Human Robot)
• Beer Review: Unicorns Stomping on Lanternflies (Saucony Creek Brewing Co)
• Beer Review: Griddle (Funk Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: Out of Order: Blue Milk (RAR Brewing)
• Beer Review: Up the Creek Extreme Ale (Thomas Creek Brewery)
• Beer Review: Hershey’s Chocolate Porter (Yuengling Brewery)
• Beer Review: Dropout (Rubber Soul Brewing)
• Beer Review: Pigtoberfest (Boneshire Brew Works)
• Beer Review: I Voted Today (Tired Hands)
• Beer Review: Super Villain (Urban Village Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: Wookie Monster (Fourscore Beer Co)
• Beer Review: Shallow Grave (Nitro) (Heretic Brewing)
• Beer Review: The Growfather (Stickman Brews)
• Beer Review: The Pandalorian (Tattered Flag)

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. 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!

This is going to be something different, and don’t expect much more of this kind of thing. I’m not a huge fan of doing the mainstream beers, and I definitely don’t want to be doing macro beers (so have no fear, no Naturdays review coming up or Bud Lite Platinum or whatever other BS their peddling).

Yuengling is Pennsylvania though, through and through. You walk into any bar in Pennsylvania and say ‘lager’ you are going to get a Yuengling. Simple as that really. So if I have to drink the “lesser” beers, or the “swill” or “macros” or “mainstream” or “lower quality but mass produced beers”, Yuengling is usually my go to. Over the other heavily distributed beers like Miller Lite, Coors, Bud, Corona, or Heineken. I am not above drinking macro and I’m not making this a beer snobbery post, I drink, and I’ll drink anything/everything if nothing else is available. For instance, family parties where say a brother in law has just Corona, I’ll drink the Corona. So be it.

At the Boneshire Brew Works 3rd Anniversary party on Friday night (which by the way, look for an upcoming joint blog post from both me and J. Doncevic) I was hanging out with J. Doncevic and we discussed this exact drink, and we also discussed Yuengling in general, and macro beers as a whole. He’ll be upfront with any of you who ask him, he takes his beer snobbery to a whole new level, and he’s damn proud of it. He was telling me he’s never had Miller or Coors or Bud and won’t, and would rather not drink at a party then drink those. My unabashedly candid alcoholism tells me to drink everything and anything if available – so I do. Different strokes; different folks. Nothing wrong with either approach (in my opinion). But we did have a consensus that Yuengling is craft (it is by definition of the Craft Brewer’s Association) and that we both are willing to drink it.

In the South Central PA area, primarily every Hershey bar/brewery, beer place, etc, as well as in Harrisburg, Hummelstown, Elizabethtown, etc, nearly every place that has a good enough distributor got this (the Chocolate Porter) on tap. Specifically Hershey, Hummelstown, and Harrisburg. The Warwick, the Bear’s Den, Hershey Biergarten, Primanti Brothers, Hotel Hershey, Boro Bar and Grill, Chick’s Tavern, Boneshire Brew Works, The Sturgis, Ted’s Bar and Grill, Arooga’s on 422, Arooga’s on 22, just to name a few places that carried this.

Most places even did a glass give away the first night of the tapping. I know Boneshire Brew Works did (thus the glass in the picture), as well as the Gin Mill in Lebanon did. Hershey Biergarten did as well and I believe the Primanti Bros. did also. It is a lovely glass, a nice tulip with the logo in gold on it, looks very lovely and is a nice drinking glass for stouts, porters, belgians, etc.

So, on Wednesday the 16th, Boneshire Brewery announced that they were going to be tapping a keg of the Hershey’s Chocolate Porter and giving away the glasses. I got done with work at 5:40 (NEO from my work) and went straight to the library to drop off books, and was going to be meeting a friend at Newfangled Brew Works, but stopped at Boneshire to try out the porter.

So let’s break down the beer thats basically taken the beer industry, Twitter, social media, and the internet by storm. The beer that all of your non-craft beer friends have been bugging you about and asking you about for your opinion of it. Well, now here you go, you can just point them to this article, because I’m sure I speak for everyone. ………I kid…. I kid.

I feel like I could just break down Hershey’s syrup and that would be all the review needs to be. A slightly alcoholic version of the syrup, and bam-o there you go, review done. But, its not quite that simple, and there are a few more subtle notes.

This does seem to be the point of contention, for some it tastes like the syrup, for some it tastes completely different, it seems theres two sides to the coin of this beer, and the multitude of my friends fall on both spectrum(s).

Beer: Hershey’s Chocolate Porter
Brewery: Yuengling Brewery (or D.G. Yuengling and Sons Brewing Company)
Style: Porter – American
ABV: 4.7%
IBU: No IBU
Untappd Write-Up: Yuengling, America’s Oldest Brewery, and Hershey, America’s most iconic chocolate, are collaborating, for the first time in their history, to provide a once in a lifetime creation for their loyal fans to enjoy. America loves beer and America loves chocolate, so Yuengling and Hershey joined forces to bring the best of both worlds to their fans with a limited-edition Yuengling Hershey’s Chocolate Porter. This collaboration gives consumers the opportunity to savor and indulge in the unique beer from America’s Oldest Brewery and America’s most beloved chocolate brand.

Yuengling Hershey’s Chocolate Porter is a fresh take on Yuengling’s 200-year-old Dark Brewed Porter. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy, for a limited time only, America’s #1 craft brewery, Yuengling, come together with America’s most iconic chocolate brand, Hershey’s, for their first-ever collaboration — Yuengling Hershey’s Chocolate Porter.

Thats quite the marketing ad write-up right there. Gotta give an A+ to the ad team on this one, or at least a raise or something, that was a very well crafted (ah….. pun intended) and well made Untappd write-up for the beer. You can tell if a Brewery has a good marketing or ad-team with their social media presence, and things like a good Untappd write-up for their beers (like Troegs usually has a fantastic write-up, even for their Scratch beers) is a good sign of it; great Twitter posts, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc posts are always a good sign of a good marketing team which reflects well on a brewery as a whole.

So you have the oldest American brewery (left) and a staple of the East Coast (specifically North East Coast) dive bar, and the “most iconic” chocolate company in America teaming up to make a beer. Yuengling is the oldest brewery in America; by process of elimination. It wasn’t the oldest founded, it wasn’t the first founded, but it has survived through prohibition, and other stretches when most American breweries folded, by changing what they sold, how they sold, downsizing, upsizing, etc, and they are to be commended for how they were able to achieve and survive and thrive despite times like prohibition, etc.

Hershey’s is iconic, insofar as anyone from the United States has heard of it, if not had it. From Pennsylvania to California, from Maine to Texas, Hershey’s is distributed. And that’s not speaking internationally. I could go into the history of Hershey’s (or even Yuengling) and talk about how the company was started, by who, how they’ve grown, etc. I could talk about Hershey Park, Chocolate World, the town of Hershey in Derry Township, etc, but its all stuff we pretty much know, and its all stuff that’s not really necessary or relevant to the beer review. Suffice it to say that the write-up is pretty spot on despite everything; Yuengling and Hershey are both iconic. Perhaps some hyperbole but it is mostly true, and a sound argument, and a pretty remarkable thing for the two of them to hook up and collaborate on this beer.

The idea of these two brands hooking up and collaborating on a beer is pretty amazing and impressive in its own right. I don’t know what the process was; who contacted who; what the involvement was that each brand had (I can’t imagine Hershey had much say, I have to assume its kind of like how the write-up reads, that they took their recipe for their old Dark Porter and just added Hershey’s ingredients to it, and called it a day – it tastes that way as well). But its brilliant marketing and strategy plan, especially given the anniversary of Yuengling, and with Hershey doing their big launching of the new entrance to Hershey Park and everything.

But enough of all this gibberish and jibber-jabbing…. lets get onto the actual beer itself.

Appearance is a typical porter, Razor Ramon hair black, full bodied, thick, like some entertainers of the evening. It has a nice head to it, foamy, bubbly, a good half-inch that dissipated with nice interspersed and varied bubbles. The foam has a light brown look to go with the richness of the beer.

Aroma is chocolate syrup… Hershey’s chocolate syrup to be exact. Like flipping the lid of the syrup container and immediately getting that whiff of it. You get malty roasty grains from the porter to go with it, but the chocolate smell overpowers much of that. This is fine, this is what its being billed as, and it works well for this.

Moving on to taste; once again the very first thing you are going to note and taste is the Hershey’s chocolate syrup. I’ve likened this to drinking an alcoholic version of the famous Hershey’s syrup. But even in that aspect, its not too much of it, since the ABV is only 4.7% anyway. So its not a boozy version of Hershey’s syrup thats for sure. There is some malt, some roast, some dark notes underneath the chocolate syrup abundance, but its pretty subtle and mute. The mouthfeel is heavy, its thick like a good porter, and it hangs and feels right in your mouth, all signs that the beer is well made. I think beyond the chocolate syrup, there is a blandness to the beer. The chocolate syrup wears thin on the taste as you start to sip, and then its just a kind of generic bland porter with not enough malt backbone to really keep the taste alive or to really hold the beer. The more you sip and drink it, the less notable and profound the chocolate syrup taste is, and the weaker the beer as a whole gets. This is in general a discussion of mass market beers typically; that they don’t usually have the most flavorful beers, the most robust character notes, that there is just an underlying general blandness to most beers, like Bud, like Coors, like Miller, like Yuengling lager, like Corona, or Heineken, etc, theres just a ‘blandness’ or ‘been there’ kind of taste. Like McDonald’s to your local diner or restaurant, might be a very apt comparison for that sake. There’s just a mute blandness that this beer takes on as you sip it more and the chocolate syrup dissipates more. …or perhaps I’m full of it and reading too much into things and have my head up my own…..

Either way on this beer, it has certainly gotten the beer universe a flutter for a while, from Twitter to Instagram, from your friends at work and family who know you like beer “so how was it” or “did you hear Hershey and Yuengling are teaming up?” to actual craft beer enthusiast nerdy hipsters willing to try it out, it has gotten the attention, and the marketing it was aimed and designed for.

Overall, its not the worst beer you are going to drink, you know the hype is overblown, like it usually is for anything; not even just the craft beer industry, but all aspects (stares at the latest Star Wars trailer…. I know what your game is….). Its worth seeking out for the novelty of it. I couldn’t imagine myself ordering this again, but it was acceptable, and a fine drink at the moment of.

My Untappd Rating: ***.25
Global Untappd Rating: 4.03 (as of 10.27.19)

This review was started yesterday morning (Sunday, October 27th) but I wasn’t able to finish it before work, and then work happened, and then post brewski’s happened with my friend D. Scott. Which, he has finally finished the podcast that we did discussing Breaking Bad and El Camino, so I will provide the links for that, its two podcasts (a two-parter) because of how ridiculously long it was. This was done with our friend Esty and its for their podcast channel “WTF did I watch”.

You can check them out here:
WTF Did I Just Watch: Breaking Bad and El Camino – Part 1
WTF Did I Just Watch: Breaking Bad and El Camino – Part 2

Just as a heads up, there is some language in the podcasts, it would probably receive a R rating from the FCC, they are also long podcasts, so devote some time if you are going to watch them.

Thank you all for reading, please click the like, follow, subscribe, comment, etc. we always appreciate that here at The Beer Thrillers. When I do more podcasts with D. Scott, I’ll be sure to post them here (I won’t be posting the ones I’m not involved in). Also look for an upcoming collaboration article between myself (B. Kline) and J. Doncevic about the Boneshire Brew Works 3rd Anniversary Celebration. I also have plenty of beer reviews to post up. So please be on the lookout for all of that!

Tonight will be busy, work from 10-6, then blood donation at the Hershey Library, then the Hummelstown Parade, and then a party at a brewer from Tattered Flag’s house, so most likely no posts or blogs from myself tonight, but I’m sure I’ll have something for you all tomorrow, so be on the lookout!

Cheers!

-B. Kline