Perchance it was the thawing impact of the sixty degree weather today that put me in such a fine mood.  It may have been the excellent workout in which I partook this morning.  It could be the lingering effects of the fine brews I enjoyed last night.  Whatever the explanation, today seemed like it was going to be quite positive.

Though the drive to work created rippling doubts of maintaining this mood, it persisted nonetheless. Pleasant, if not mildly frustrated, faces greeted my arrival.  Interactions with the public were decent, albeit odd, on occasion.  There seemed a palpably pleasing glow all about.  There are some days that just seem to happen this way.  I suppose my normally grey disposition expects thing to be gloomy and then regards, with surprise and excitement, when the opposite occurs.  But some days, the world is just right.

The conclusion of this type of day, in my mind, could only rightly be complete with an astounding beer.  One of my favorite styles of beer is the barley wine. This rich, commonly sweet, decadent and hefty style holds a special place in my beer heart.  My enjoyment of this style may highlight my persistent desire to differentiate myself. This seems to manifest itself through things simple as a palate decisions.  I find many beer drinkers do not like this style.  I can’t get enough.  Could I compare it to the anchovy of the pizza world? I could.  It is always an available topping yet there are few who choose it.  Coincidentally, I love anchovies.

So all of these individually inconsequential elements coalesce creating the beer choice decision.  What would maintain both the positive aura of the day and the barley wine lust in my stomach?  The search would not be difficult for such a beer.  What would be better than my favorite style, and one of my favorite beers and breweries?  What if bourbon were involved?

Hell on Wood – Beautiful amber/caramel body that lets light through in dim piercing rays like that through stained glass in a church on an overcast afternoon.  Minimal head retention is a negligible element in the beer.  The nose is a mixture of bananas foster, Werthers original candy, and butterscotch.  And then there the taste comes into play.  The bananas foster returns with a friendly pineapple nudge.  There is a reinforced butterscotch play on the palate with a sweet bourbon heat to round it out.  A hint of dark fruits and some mango flavor along with a little wood aged flavor participate as well.  Clearly, taking Devil’s Milk and barrel aging it was a master stroke, and one I have wished for from the first time I tried the base beer. 9.5/10

Surely the only way to evaluate this day would be….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2dyANpQE_c

Humbly yours,

J