NXNW Zombie Dragon (with Mango) IPA

Yesterday, i pretty much wrapped up the Oktoberfest season by taking my family to the Oktoberfest celebration over at North By Northwest Brewing Company in Austin.  Beers were consumed, pretzels eaten, bouncy houses bounced in, and polka music listened to.  So what better way to write up the experience than by ignoring their traditional German beverages for something a little juicier.  The brewer's Zombie Dragon IPA is a big and juicy wonder, a 7.4% ABV concoction that's big on citrus and pine but easy on the bitterness.  You'd think that would be enough or everyone, but then they went and added a whole mess of mangos to the mix to create something superbly delicious.  Pouring a hazy, gold with a white head, the beer smells of mango, tropical fruit, and citrus with some hints of spice and pine.  The flavor is full of...you guessed it...mango, along with notes of grapefruit, spice, and grain.  And it still packs that 7.4% ABV punch.  This may be my favorite brew from NXNW, and i hope it becomes a mainstay.

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Save The World Jonah's Relief Imperial Pumpkin Ale

Currently, i'm trying to imbibe all of the pumpkin ale i can get my grubby little hands on that i possibly can, as once we make our way into November, their numbers drastically dwindle.  And aside from the regulars i generally partake in, a handful of newer brews have popped up onto my radar to wonderful success.  One of the most recent (for me at least) is the Jonah's Relief Imperial Pumpkin Ale from Save The World Brewery out in Marble Falls, TX.  This tasty, 8.2% ABV brew pours an amber-ish gold with a white, quickly dissipating head.  Aromas of pumpkin, pumpkin spices, malt, and some subtle other fruit notes are prevalent, with the flavor being a lovely mix of said pumpkin spice notes along with some caramel and fruit, all with a slightly dry finish.  Good stuff.  I have yet to try anything less than excellent from these guys, so i think a day trip out to their taproom may be on order soon.

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Untitled Art Neapolitan Stout

A collaborative effort from the folks of Wisconsin's Untitled Art and California's Bottle Logic, the Neapolitan Stout is a sweet and syrupy mouthful.  The 11% ABV brew pours a dark black with a light brown and beige head.  Aromas of malt, chocolate, toffee, coffee, strawberry, and molasses are evident, while those same notes mesh together with some subtle hints of licorice and booze in the beer's complex flavor.  It's heavy and feels like it's coating your esophagus on the way down, like nature's best medicine.  A late night brew for sure, but worthy of the high price tag.

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Infamous Oktoberfest

In the age old debate between Oktoberfests and pumpkin ales, i tend to fall on the side of the latter.  That being said, i love a good Oktoberfest brew just as much as the next guy.  Austin's Infamous Brewing, home to a couple of my favorite local beers, recently released their 2018 Oktoberfest, and the 6% ABV Märzen style brew pours a light malty brown with a white head, smelling of malt and sugar.  The beer is slightly sweet, but not overly so, is an easily drinkable festival brew, and a fine take on the style.  Prost!

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