This past month, I had my first Golden Monkey by Victory Brewing at 9:30 Club. The staff tells me they call it the “trouble monkey” because of its high alcohol percentage (9.5% ABV) and adverse effects on concert goers who treat it it like a typical beer. My face actually got flush about half way through my snifter, but it is so delicious and smooth going down you really don’t notice the high octane. Buyer beware—it will sneak up on you! Golden, Belgian style beer with light fruit notes and light body. Rating: Excelente!
Six Point Belgian IPA cans are frequently found at your local grocery and I invite you to try them because they’re all good (my fave is the Sweet Action), but I haven’t seen too many places carrying these babies on draught. Luckily for us RFD (aka beer Mecca) has it, and I tried this bitter golden ale with a dry finish there recently. It is comparable to DC’s own DC Brau Public ale—the beers are surprisingly similar tasting but the Six Point has the better aftertaste and goes down smooth and crisp. Rating: Decent.
Speaking of local beers, Chocolate City Brewing in DC has been quietly churning out beers under the radar. And while their Cornerstone Copper ale is decent, I finally got to try the Cerveza Nacional De La Capital at Black Jack while checking out their awesome upstairs bocce ball room. Dark, roasted and malty, this beer was frankly kind of weird—a mix between a darker Mexican beer like Negra Modelo and something malty. Rating: Interesting, but not my preference…too much going on in there.
Show me your cans! I am always a fan of craft beer in a can—actually I’m a can-addict. So when I see a new beer I haven’t had in a can I absolutely have to have it. This month I found 21st Amendment’s Fireside Chat at Rockland’s BBQ. It’s the perfect holiday beer folks—-a winter seasonal with spices added for a nutmeg-ish holiday taste that will warm you right up! 7.9% ABV so be careful. Rating: It’s in my fridge right now, so yeah its thebomb.com!
