Thank you to Ian The Chef at my fave spot, Nova, for bringing this in and inviting the public to Nova's second anniversary party.  It's this Sunday, September 9th from 3-whenever.  There's gonna be a pig roast, BEER!, live music, and lots of fun, because I'll show up at some point.  :) 

Congrats to Nova on 2 years of good food and great service.  Ok, I'll stop gushing now.  I effing love that place. 

I had to look back in the archives to see which other Rahr has been on the show, and it was their Winter Warmer, so I was happy Ian brought in the Ugly Pug, especially since so many of you have been requesting we drink local beers on the show. 

(Hey Rahr guys: why don't you come in the studio and hang??!!)

Anyway, upon first look at this, for some reason I thought it was a stout.  I guess I can't read??!  Or maybe it was the dark coloring.  Once I was told there was a "chocolatey" flavor to this, I immediately became worried.  Afterall, I'm not a fan of chocolate, and I didn't want to try to get down yet another heavy, sugary beer in the morning. 

But, what I got instead was something balanced and pleasant to taste.  There was a hint of chocolate, but not enough to turn me off, as there was plenty of hops/malt flavor to mellow it out and make it an easy, slow-sipping beer.  Complex enough to enjoy alone, but not too overbearing that you couldn't enjoy a meal with it. 

All in all, a well balanced dark lager, with just a hint of sweetness to feel like you're getting a small treat with your beer. 

And, I guess Chad and Ian agreed, because there was a first on the show: we all gave the same scores. 

Read 'em an weep!

Vydra               7

Ian                   7

Chad                7