Matty D’s Beer Corner

The Inaugural Address

“For the red, white, and blue, and the freedom we deserve”

Welcome to the Thunderblog’s newest weekly segment, Matty D’s Beer Corner. If you didn’t know, blog co-founder Matt DeStefano is a self-proclaimed beer connoisseur. (Ok, I’m done speaking in 3^rd person, gotta shut down the ego.) This blog is all about sports and they will always come first. But all sports enthusiasts know that beer is an essential ingredient to enjoying any sporting event from football to golf to gymnastics.

So once a week, I’m gonna give you my Beer of the Week.

It might be a fridge-essential, a tailgate hit, the perfect Beirut can, or an off-the-beaten-path brew.  Maybe it came from a large production company, a local microbrewery, or from over the oceans.

The only common denominator is that it has to be beer. So crack open that cold one in your hand and listen in, maybe just maybe I’ll sway you onto your new favorite American pastime.

Beer of the Week:

 Victory Storm King

American Imperial Stout

If you don’t know Victory Brewing, get acquainted. One of my favorite microbreweries, Victory hails from Downingtown, PA. They make a plethora of brews for all types of beer pallets. I have had the honor of trying many of these and one of my favorites is the Storm King. I have never seen a darker beer to this day. This stout looks like a thunderstorm is raging inside, making it the quintessential beer to be showcased on our first Thunderdome Beer Corner. It is a heavy beer at 9.1% and for true hop lovers. And you will notice early and often the taste of dark chocolate trickling through your mouth. This is not the most common beer and will require you to do a little searching, but I promise you it is well worth the effort.

Sam Adams Hazel Brown

Brown Ale

For the first ever Beer Corner, I had to go two-for-one. So I choose I beer I recently had the pleasure of enjoying thanks to my mother of all people. She picked up a case of Sam Adams Seasonal Oktoberfest Variety and inside was this little gem. With only 5.2% alcohol the Hazel Brown is no Storm King, but it is a very unique ale that livens the senses, especially during this beautiful autumn season. The first taste that embraces your buds is a strong hazelnut as the name suggests. Then you are rewarded with just a little kick of caramel to top of this great medium beer. It is truly a shame that the Hazel Brown is a seasonal special although I guess I have something to look forward to next fall.

And there you have it, a BOGO to kick off Matty D’s Beer Corner. If any readers or tweeters have any advice on beers to spotlight, give my a shout. Remember, America was built on beer and don’t let anyone tell you differently.

Never stop being merry!

Matty D