I needed to dip into the stash. Back to 2007. A bad back curing, the seventh anniversary of blogging meeting the 47th birthday. And a new base ball bat. An 1870s base ball bat. For the annual RMC game. It's been a big week in a big month.

Is this the greatest beer I have ever had? At 11% I have some time to consider. At twenty five bucks, not a whim but clearly also a reasonable investment. Big red beige head over reddish light mahogany ale. Balsamic, sweat and autumn apple on the nose. More balsamic vinegar with huskiness, calvados, apple butter, brown sugar, anise and other twiggy herbalness. Its finish moves to graininess even. The huskiness thing is hard to label, hard to put a finger on but it's like rye but not rye. Husky. I have a few comparators but like I am going to open them. Could that other La Roja even help me at this moment? Can I justify it?

A rib eye. Get me a rib eye Or, oddly, haddock. A whole friggin' haddock poached in this would be great. Like that's going to happen. Sprinkle on green beans? Maybe. Plenty of BAer love. Good doggie.