Pliny or a Stoic: It's Beer-tiquity Time

The sun goes down too early now. We aren't ready for fall!

Fall beers are here and the beery meme of classical antiquity just seems to get more and more traction. Right now you have your choice of Pliny the Elder at Venti's downtown for Fifth Monday, or you can go for The Stoic by Deschutes at the Taphouse. It's an "American Quad,"

mingling the four virtues of compelling ingredients, nuanced flavor, sound body, and a composed harmony. The Stoic requires discovery of the truth of the matter.

Our brewers describe a simple recipe ironically hard to brew. The classic malt bill is all Pilsner malt. Hallartau, Czech Saaz, and Northern Brewer hops sustain a deftly understated flavor. Belgian candy sugars add impact and the smooth body required of any Belgian-style brew worth quaffing. A healthy portion of pomegranate molasses casts an opulent, tangy twist, while a vintage Belgian yeast strain provides a solid reference point. Pinot Noir and Rye Whiskey barrel-aging suggest notes of spice, citrus, pepper, vanilla, and toasted caramel like offerings to the ancients.

Like the ancients, we employ reason to live well. Reason demands truth. Truth invites experience. Unraveling the intricacies of The Stoic reveals a determined pursuit of that spirited endeavor. Ergo…it is very reasonable to live well when experiencing The Stoic.

We love the label - but it's definitely more medieval monk than Roman empire. (The New School has a nice photo of it on the bottle.) And we aren't exactly confident the Stoics would have endorsed imbibing much of a pleasantly intoxicating beverage.

But whatever. There's some fine beer out there right now. Go drink up!

(And if big beers aren't your thing - or if you protest, as we do, "but it's still summer!" - hopefully some of the pours from the Mighty Mites festival will make it here. In the meantime, Pike's Dry Wit may still be on tap!)