Beer Saturday : Giant Jones Double Red Ale

For this weekend's #beersaturday share, I found a double red ale at our food co op brewed by a brewery called Giant Jones. This is the first time I've seen (or drank) a Giant Jones brew, so I did a bit of research on the company after the fact.

Giant Jones turns out to be Madison, Wisconsin brewery that is 100% woman owned; the brewery focused on organic craft beers that are heavy...and by heavy, I mean they brew nothing less than 7% ABV. I've never visited the brewery, but from this one, I would have to say they are indeed big and flavorful.

With the new year in place, I felt the urge to switch it up a bit away from IPAs. This is a good start. This Irish red is heavy on the malt up front, and then fades away to some stronger bitterness thanks to their hop bill. I don't drink a lot of Irish reds, but this one does taste hoppier than others I've had in the past.

It's big and listed at 8.5 - 9.2% ABV. Yikes...a few of these would knock me out. Their website lists the dry hop on this beer as Taiheke. That's a new one to me.

As I sip on this one tonight, I decided to peruse two books I checked out today at the public library earlier today. My goal this year is to read more books that I check out; I need to use the library more and buy fewer books. I think that's a fair goal for the new year.

No, I'm not giving up a modern life to live in a monastery. I have, however, always been fascinated by the idea of a monk and the life they live. My family's history actually took over a monastery in England in the 1400s, if memory serves correctly. Plus, they are known to make some wonderfully fantastic and tasty brews. I can handle that!

That's it for this week's #beersaturday share! See everyone next weekend!