October Reaper, notes from the Rogue.

"We don't beat the Grim Reaper by living longer, we beat the Reaper by living well and living fully..."
                                                                                                                         -Randy Pausch

   One by one the stalks in the area fields are being lopped off. 'Tis the month of the Reaper on the Eastern Sho'. Feel like a broken record, but my seasonal closeout of surf is near. Checked the surf report...overcast, flat to chopped knee-hi swell, on-shore winds. Didn't feel like I was missin' out. Afterall- it is that time. The annual Pumpkin hunt. Make a day of it. Reaping the fruits of the harvest. Always in October. We don't do anything early.  Wife and I on a mission. Took the pooch. Always take the pooch. Did the Wicomico search grid again. Go with what you know. Hit more of a variety of locales though.

Started west to Parker's Produce in Pittsville, south to How Sweet It Is in Eden, northwest to Oakley's Market in Hebron, then back east through Salisbury to Evo Public House to close out with dinner. Sweet inland session. And some brew reviews to enhance. Nice!

Parker's shrimp wagon, 10/10/2020.

How sweet it is...

Found it! Oakley's, 10/10/2020.

Got a host of fall brews to assess. Wife found this one ready and waitin' to go out on the shelves. Southern Tier Brewing's Warlock. Thick dark tan head, near black, opaque pour...really shows off this Imperial Pumpkin Stout. Aromas of nutmeg, allspice, pumpkin pie, molasses, and coffee. Flavors of more pumpkin spices, brown sugar, and mocha. At 8.6% ABV, a nice boozy warmth. Yin hints of light bourbon to the yang finish of 40 IBUs of piney hops. Thick, creamy. Rated an A-.

  The next one was Harpoon Brewery's collaboration with Dunkin. Dunkin Pumpkin Ale. Poured a murky brownish orange. Off white, near tan 1/2-finger head. Pumpkin pie spices with a hint of coffee in the smell. Tasted of caramel, vanilla, maybe nutmeg. The pumpkin and coffee was faint. Grassy, grainy. This acted more like a wheat beer. Slight bitterness in the finish. Little weak. 5.2% ABV, estimated 20 IBUs. Rated a C.

   Maryland Heights, Illinois boasts O'Fallon Brewery's Pumpkin Beer. Finger-plus khaki head capped a hazy amber-orange pour. Aromas of pumpkin spices...cinnamon, clove, nutmeg. Upon first sip, the pumpkin was slight, but the nutmeg and clove more profound. More toffee and malt flavors. the 5.7% ABV emboldened it a tad. At 11 IBUs, this had little bitterness in the finish, but a good amount of carbonation made up for it. Tasted autumny. A fair pumpkin brew. I'd give it a B-/C+.

   Lastly, my Naperville, IL go-to brewery...Solemn Oath represented with Oktoberface, their Americanized version of the seasonal marzen. The ruby red-amber pour and fizzy, one-finger, off-white head emitted aromas of bread and malts. Strong warmth in each swig thanks to the 6% alcohol level. Seasoned with a zesty spice and more grainy biscuitiness with a nice balance of caramel, malt, and earthy hops (40 IBUs) in the finish. Enjoyed a four-pack of S.O.B.'s take on the traditional seasonal. Gave 'em a B+. Nice overall selection this year. Getting cooler. The heavier beers are comin'.

"Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the

Bible says love your enemy."  -Frank Sinatra