A brown beer. A 7.2% special brewed just one time. But it has Frank Zappa on the label and that gives hope. I had a pre-punk dalliance with Zappa's orchestrated wit that The Sex Pistols and the Clash swept away with their powerful simplicity so this beer speaks back 35 years for me...though another brewer got to brew Yellow Snow.

A very rocky tan head over light chestnut ale. Light in colour for a brown ale, maybe lighter than even Newcastle. But a rich perfume of Maine brown bread when poured. Lovely and rich in the mouth, fecund with dripping dates and molasses balanced by some twig hops as well as astringent black malt perhaps. Somewhat sour yogurty yeast maybe but it works well with the sopping grained maltiness. Licorice meets lush pumpernickel, too.

Only a "B" from the BAers - but didn't Alfred North Whitehead say something about how "B" students were much more interesting that those who got an "A"? I read a letter of his about 17 years ago that said so and I am sticking to it. Same with this beer. Lovely.