How do you feel about your past? What are your hopes for the future? These were the major questions raised in "Change Partners" as we got a little more background about the history of our beloved duo. What we were given were two men heading in different directions who need each other to get there. By finally getting a little detail into Britt's past, we see what makes Britt and Hank intrinsically different. We've been shown from episode one that Hank is someone who is not so much hanging on to the past as he is trying to get it back and this episode only added to that characterization. The episode starts with Hank tricking Britt into stealing his ex-wife's new fiance's wallet (that was a mouth full) and using the info to ruin his credit and mess with his identity. Add that to his irrational efforts to buy his old house from his ex and we see a man doing everything in his power to regain everything he once had. What exactly caused Hank's loss, we're not sure of. All we know is he worked as a policeman for 9 years and retired one year before he could claim a pension. Obviously, much of Hank's character is hidden behind the reason he left the force. Was it something he choose to do? Was he forced out? What role does his ex-partner and/or ex-wife play in it? I hate to say it, but if some of these answers aren't given soon people are going to lose sympathy for Hank's plight. As lovable as Hank first seemed, he's slowly dropping into the realm of unredeemability. Thinking to forge the bankers name as his dead body lay bleeding on the sidewalk just so he could keep the house he can't afford in the first place was so shocking an act, it's hard to find ways to forgive him. Hopefully Hank will swing out of his downward spiral before his lost all likability.
Britt, on the other hand, seems to be running from his past as fast as he can. We were finally given a little detail into his criminal past and how ashamed of it he is. We met one of his old partners, Ray, and were told how he came to meet both Hank and his girlfriend, Katie. Britt broke into people's houses, into places of business, pick pocketed bystanders. Unlike Hank, who is actively chasing his past, Britt has a chance to take up his old ways dropped in front of him and chooses to pass. And it makes him so much more likable. Britt is far from grown up, but is so much more mature then the guy who robbed people blind. Britt knows the future he wants, one that includes Katie, and knows he won't get it as a thief. That realization is a level of maturity that is lost on Hank. Will Britt ever be tempted back into a life of crime? I'm sure that's a story line somewhere down the line. But for now, Britt has moved on and we're left wondering if Hank will be able to join him.
Other Things From Episode...
What was with that last scene? Was that really another person in the house? Or was it a flash back to something that happened in the past similar to those scenes in the episode "Dog And Pony"? There haven't been enough episodes to tell if those scenes were a style the show will repeat or not. If it was a person who broke into the house, who? Does it have to do with the Lindus storyline or is it something new to us? We'll have to wait and see.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Top 5: TV Theme Songs
Another two post day. In honor of the new TV season I decided to go with Top 5 Favorite TV Theme Songs...
5. Animaniacs www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWnWwN1z_UM&feature=related
I debated whether to include this or not. Most of the TV theme songs we think of were prime time shows and Animaniacs was a afternoon cartoon, but I left the title of the list more open then I was originally thinking. Animaniacs was a TV show and its theme song was great. This funny, nonsensical ditty captured the true spirit of the show. It paraded out all your favorite characters. It made you laugh. And most important of all, you couldn't get it out of your head. My favorite part was the line that changed every show. It gave you something to look forward to every time it came on
4. The Muppet Show www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EK-4KEKsLM&feature=related
Even more then the song, I got excited every time the distinct production company logo popped up on my TV screen. I knew what was going to follow and at the time there was nothing better in the world. The song is a classic and brings back tons of memories. I can't imagine anyone not getting a little giddy once it starts to play.
3. Dukes Of Hazzard www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EK-4KEKsLM&feature=related
There seems to be a bunch of nostalgia connected to this list for me. In part I'm sure that has to do with the fact that TV theme songs aren't what they once were. To a certain extent, another part is that nostalgia plays a roll in everything that we hold dear, so any list of favorites is going to contain a bunch of nostalgia. This was another childhood favorite. The night it came on was my favorite day of the week. I think I enjoyed the car flying through the air more then anything, but the song was damn good too. The only song on my list by a radio played artist, Waylon Jennings.
2. The A-Team www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MVonyVSQoM&feature=related
One of the best orchestral themes ever as far as I'm concerned, TV or not. It gets me almost as giddy as the Raiders of The Lost Ark theme or the Star Wars theme. I know it might be blasphemy to compare it to a John Williams piece of work, but I don't care. I remember it being a staple whenever the High School band would come play at our grammar school. It was the only moment I payed attention to what was going on.
1. Cheers www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KtAgAMzaeg
There isn't much question to this one. This is by far the greatest theme song ever. It encapsulated everything the show was about in a tidy minute. It's totally catchy and could have easily been a huge radio hit without the popular show behind it. I loved the song as much as I loved the show.
Honorable Mentions: Friends, The Jeffersons, Laverne and Shirley, Mission Impossible
5. Animaniacs www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWnWwN1z_UM&feature=related
I debated whether to include this or not. Most of the TV theme songs we think of were prime time shows and Animaniacs was a afternoon cartoon, but I left the title of the list more open then I was originally thinking. Animaniacs was a TV show and its theme song was great. This funny, nonsensical ditty captured the true spirit of the show. It paraded out all your favorite characters. It made you laugh. And most important of all, you couldn't get it out of your head. My favorite part was the line that changed every show. It gave you something to look forward to every time it came on
4. The Muppet Show www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EK-4KEKsLM&feature=related
Even more then the song, I got excited every time the distinct production company logo popped up on my TV screen. I knew what was going to follow and at the time there was nothing better in the world. The song is a classic and brings back tons of memories. I can't imagine anyone not getting a little giddy once it starts to play.
3. Dukes Of Hazzard www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EK-4KEKsLM&feature=related
There seems to be a bunch of nostalgia connected to this list for me. In part I'm sure that has to do with the fact that TV theme songs aren't what they once were. To a certain extent, another part is that nostalgia plays a roll in everything that we hold dear, so any list of favorites is going to contain a bunch of nostalgia. This was another childhood favorite. The night it came on was my favorite day of the week. I think I enjoyed the car flying through the air more then anything, but the song was damn good too. The only song on my list by a radio played artist, Waylon Jennings.
2. The A-Team www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MVonyVSQoM&feature=related
One of the best orchestral themes ever as far as I'm concerned, TV or not. It gets me almost as giddy as the Raiders of The Lost Ark theme or the Star Wars theme. I know it might be blasphemy to compare it to a John Williams piece of work, but I don't care. I remember it being a staple whenever the High School band would come play at our grammar school. It was the only moment I payed attention to what was going on.
1. Cheers www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KtAgAMzaeg
There isn't much question to this one. This is by far the greatest theme song ever. It encapsulated everything the show was about in a tidy minute. It's totally catchy and could have easily been a huge radio hit without the popular show behind it. I loved the song as much as I loved the show.
Honorable Mentions: Friends, The Jeffersons, Laverne and Shirley, Mission Impossible
Lonestar: Pilot
The buzz on Fox's new drama, Lone Star, was that it was great but so high concept that reviewers couldn't imagine how it could last creatively more than 5 or 6 episodes. From the pilot episode, I don't see that as the shows problem. It seems to me, the concept of a grifter trying to get out of the game and start a real life could be easily shed. Lone Star seemed to be nothing more than a really good night time soap opera. That being the case, I don't see any problem with them following other characters and changing story lines with relative ease. I mean, it wouldn't have been odd for a grifter with a shady past to walk on Melrose Place, why can't Lone Star do it?
The problem I see has more to do with the audience feeling sympathy for the lead character, Bob Allen played by James Wolk. Bob is a con man who is currently working two cons. In one he is married to the daughter of a huge oil tycoon, Cat Thatcher, played by Friday Night Lights favorite Adrianne Palicki. In the other he is the boyfriend of a girl, Lindsay played by Eloise Mumford, who's parents he is taking money from. While it is easy to connect with Bob's desire to get out of the racket and become part of a "real" life, what I find a stretch to relate to is his desire to keep both lives he is living. I realize that the anti-hero is becoming the norm more then the exception, characters like Tony Soprano and Don Draper and Tommy Gavin have us all rooting for the bad guy, but there is something about deciding to marry two women and keep it secret from them I have a problem rooting for. Some will ask, why is that any different then Tony and Don cheating on their wives? I guess it's in the writing. You know what Tony and Don are doing is wrong and you aren't happy when they do it. You hope they will see the errors of there ways and every time they slide you feel upset. I felt like Lone Star was glorifying Bob's decision, like it was the right thing to do and at that point it lost me.
On the whole I enjoyed Lone Star in a vapid way. It was a fun hour and there were some good actors that I like watching. I don't think it will be appointment viewing for me and if they don't do something to change Bob's decision making I may fall off even faster, but for now I will continue to watch.
The problem I see has more to do with the audience feeling sympathy for the lead character, Bob Allen played by James Wolk. Bob is a con man who is currently working two cons. In one he is married to the daughter of a huge oil tycoon, Cat Thatcher, played by Friday Night Lights favorite Adrianne Palicki. In the other he is the boyfriend of a girl, Lindsay played by Eloise Mumford, who's parents he is taking money from. While it is easy to connect with Bob's desire to get out of the racket and become part of a "real" life, what I find a stretch to relate to is his desire to keep both lives he is living. I realize that the anti-hero is becoming the norm more then the exception, characters like Tony Soprano and Don Draper and Tommy Gavin have us all rooting for the bad guy, but there is something about deciding to marry two women and keep it secret from them I have a problem rooting for. Some will ask, why is that any different then Tony and Don cheating on their wives? I guess it's in the writing. You know what Tony and Don are doing is wrong and you aren't happy when they do it. You hope they will see the errors of there ways and every time they slide you feel upset. I felt like Lone Star was glorifying Bob's decision, like it was the right thing to do and at that point it lost me.
On the whole I enjoyed Lone Star in a vapid way. It was a fun hour and there were some good actors that I like watching. I don't think it will be appointment viewing for me and if they don't do something to change Bob's decision making I may fall off even faster, but for now I will continue to watch.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
How I Met Your Mother: Big Days
Busy day today. Putting up a couple of posts so I can try to catch up with all that is going on now that the new TV season is up and going. I'll start with my favorite sitcom at the moment, How I Met Your Mother...
Last season was a huge disappointment from what had been the most consistently funny show on TV. Even the show runners admitted that they had steered the show wrong. One of the things I enjoyed most about HIMYM was the shows style, they way the played with time lines, the way nothing that happened was lost or forgotten, the way their jokes kept reappearing much like how jokes between friends do in real life. HIMYM was not a normal sitcom. It wasn't Two And A Half Men or Big Bang Theory. It broke all the conventions those shows rely on to stay funny. Then last season happened. For whatever reason the writers and show runners decided to shift away from what made the show special and made a season filled with stand alone episodes and tepid jokes. That's not to say there weren't some classic moments, like duck vs rabbit or the one joke that ran through the whole season, the doppelgangers, but as a whole I was scared HIMYM was losing steam.
In the months leading up to the season opener, the people behind HIMYM made it clear to the media that they knew they went wrong last season and promised the up coming season was going to go back to what we all liked about the show before. After watching the first episode, I'm still not convinced. The episode felt high on the drama and emotion and light on the laughs. The funniest part of the show was the opening scene with Barney and Ted. Sir Walter Dibs is a classic Barney creation and Ted's response that he didn't "have time for a fake history lesson," was hilarious. I have my fingers crossed that this will be, like the creators said, the best season ever, but the season opener leaves a lot of room for improvement.
A couple things... who's wedding were the boys at is the obvious question the episode brings up. The obvious answer would be Barney's, which then begs the question who is he marrying? The interactions between Barney and Robin earlier in the episode seem to open the possibility of them getting back together. Do Barney and Robin get married? I think more then Barney, it's Robin that is getting married. To who? I'm not sure, probably a character we haven't met yet. Also, the umbrella is mentioned yet again. Ted tells us she is at the wedding... will we finally get to see her by the end of this season. And if we do, what happens to the rest of the show?
Last season was a huge disappointment from what had been the most consistently funny show on TV. Even the show runners admitted that they had steered the show wrong. One of the things I enjoyed most about HIMYM was the shows style, they way the played with time lines, the way nothing that happened was lost or forgotten, the way their jokes kept reappearing much like how jokes between friends do in real life. HIMYM was not a normal sitcom. It wasn't Two And A Half Men or Big Bang Theory. It broke all the conventions those shows rely on to stay funny. Then last season happened. For whatever reason the writers and show runners decided to shift away from what made the show special and made a season filled with stand alone episodes and tepid jokes. That's not to say there weren't some classic moments, like duck vs rabbit or the one joke that ran through the whole season, the doppelgangers, but as a whole I was scared HIMYM was losing steam.
In the months leading up to the season opener, the people behind HIMYM made it clear to the media that they knew they went wrong last season and promised the up coming season was going to go back to what we all liked about the show before. After watching the first episode, I'm still not convinced. The episode felt high on the drama and emotion and light on the laughs. The funniest part of the show was the opening scene with Barney and Ted. Sir Walter Dibs is a classic Barney creation and Ted's response that he didn't "have time for a fake history lesson," was hilarious. I have my fingers crossed that this will be, like the creators said, the best season ever, but the season opener leaves a lot of room for improvement.
A couple things... who's wedding were the boys at is the obvious question the episode brings up. The obvious answer would be Barney's, which then begs the question who is he marrying? The interactions between Barney and Robin earlier in the episode seem to open the possibility of them getting back together. Do Barney and Robin get married? I think more then Barney, it's Robin that is getting married. To who? I'm not sure, probably a character we haven't met yet. Also, the umbrella is mentioned yet again. Ted tells us she is at the wedding... will we finally get to see her by the end of this season. And if we do, what happens to the rest of the show?
Big Brother: Finale
Ok, this is a little late but I felt obliged to comment briefly on the finale since I've been posting the whole season. Really, not much to say. The votes played out just as I thought. Hayden deserved to win. In typical Branden and Rachel fashion, they were following a different show then the rest of us. To say they voted based on social game was just silly. All three of the Brigade members that were left in the house played the same social game. The only thing that separated them was their performances in competitions and Hayden obviously was much better then the other two. I interpreted their idea of "best social game" to mean, the person we liked the best. I never thought that the two of them got over the fight with Hayden and Kristen, and I was right. I don't think the vote would have been much different if Enzo had stayed in the house instead of Lane. Maybe Brittney's vote would have gone to Hayden, making the vote 5-2 instead of 4-3. Other then that, no surprises. Even Brittney getting the viewers choice prize seemed obvious.
As entertaining as the season was, there wasn't much excitement in how it all played out. The cast kept things interesting. There were people to like, there were people to hate, but the game play was lacking. Can't wait until next year.
As entertaining as the season was, there wasn't much excitement in how it all played out. The cast kept things interesting. There were people to like, there were people to hate, but the game play was lacking. Can't wait until next year.
Monday, September 20, 2010
From My Queue: Deliver Us From Evil
Deliver Us From Evil: 4 out of 5 stars
director: Amy Berg
writer: Amy Berg
From the title you would expect this to be some sort of horror movie, and I guess in a way it could be argued that it is, but in reality it's a documentary about sexual abuse in the Catholic Church and the subsequent cover up. The movie focuses on one particular priest, Father Oliver O'Grady, and his victims in Central and Northern California. Although there are no graphic depictions and the descriptions of the acts are no stronger then PG-13, Amy Berg has no problem painting a chilling and disturbing story, full of raw emotion and plenty of "What the fuck" moments. It is totally mind boggling how the Catholic Church has let this stuff happen and there explanations only make things worse. Some people may say the same about the parents, who blindly trusted O'Grady and the church, but having grown up Catholic, I understand. This trust only makes the pain that much more intense when you realize it is partially your fault your kid was abused. For me, the scenes of the parents realization were the most intense. When Bob Jyono starts yelling at the camera in sadness, you can't help but feel the amount of suffering this priest has placed on not just the kids he abused but the families and the communities he was supposed to service.
One of the two things I found most disturbing was Oliver O'Grady's descriptions of his acts. The movie showcased numerous interviews with the priest where he talked about what happened and the things he did. He talks with such a nonchalant manner, smiling on many occasions, about acts that are so revolting, you almost miss out on the severity of what he's admitting to. Once you grasp what is being said you can't help but realize, this is a sick man who needs to be in jail. At the same time, you get to see the cult of personality his parishioners fell for. He presents himself as a man who is thoughtful and very self-aware, able to hide the monster he really is.
The second thing is the extent that the Catholic Church has gone to cover up and ignore this issue. Not only did they try to solve the problems my simpling moving O'Grady from parish to parish, they won't even admit to knowing there was a problem. At one point a bishop who oversaw O'Grady claimed he wasn't able to deduce there was a problem after two reported incidents because one was with a girl and one was with a boy. Why would a man sexually abusing a girl be a problem? I would think any sexual activity from supposed chaste priests would raise red flags, but what do I know? It begs the question, if sexual contact with young girls is OK, how long has the Church been letting this go on? If the Church means to practice the messages it preaches and further the teachings of Christ, how can they let this suffering happen to the youngest and most innocent of its charges? It's a question the film explores as much as it can with no real resolution, to no fault of its own. The film points out the current Pope was for years the Cardinal in charge of protection of the youth. It was his job to root out the perverts in the Church and save the kids from the atrocities that were going on, yet his response was much the same as it always seems to have been. Just move the priest to another parish where nobody knows the monster that he is.
Though at times it is hard to digest the horror of O'Grady's crimes (he once had sex with a 9 month old child), this movie is a must see for anyone who still tries to defend the Catholic Church. There is no defense for what has happened across the world.
director: Amy Berg
writer: Amy Berg
From the title you would expect this to be some sort of horror movie, and I guess in a way it could be argued that it is, but in reality it's a documentary about sexual abuse in the Catholic Church and the subsequent cover up. The movie focuses on one particular priest, Father Oliver O'Grady, and his victims in Central and Northern California. Although there are no graphic depictions and the descriptions of the acts are no stronger then PG-13, Amy Berg has no problem painting a chilling and disturbing story, full of raw emotion and plenty of "What the fuck" moments. It is totally mind boggling how the Catholic Church has let this stuff happen and there explanations only make things worse. Some people may say the same about the parents, who blindly trusted O'Grady and the church, but having grown up Catholic, I understand. This trust only makes the pain that much more intense when you realize it is partially your fault your kid was abused. For me, the scenes of the parents realization were the most intense. When Bob Jyono starts yelling at the camera in sadness, you can't help but feel the amount of suffering this priest has placed on not just the kids he abused but the families and the communities he was supposed to service.
One of the two things I found most disturbing was Oliver O'Grady's descriptions of his acts. The movie showcased numerous interviews with the priest where he talked about what happened and the things he did. He talks with such a nonchalant manner, smiling on many occasions, about acts that are so revolting, you almost miss out on the severity of what he's admitting to. Once you grasp what is being said you can't help but realize, this is a sick man who needs to be in jail. At the same time, you get to see the cult of personality his parishioners fell for. He presents himself as a man who is thoughtful and very self-aware, able to hide the monster he really is.
The second thing is the extent that the Catholic Church has gone to cover up and ignore this issue. Not only did they try to solve the problems my simpling moving O'Grady from parish to parish, they won't even admit to knowing there was a problem. At one point a bishop who oversaw O'Grady claimed he wasn't able to deduce there was a problem after two reported incidents because one was with a girl and one was with a boy. Why would a man sexually abusing a girl be a problem? I would think any sexual activity from supposed chaste priests would raise red flags, but what do I know? It begs the question, if sexual contact with young girls is OK, how long has the Church been letting this go on? If the Church means to practice the messages it preaches and further the teachings of Christ, how can they let this suffering happen to the youngest and most innocent of its charges? It's a question the film explores as much as it can with no real resolution, to no fault of its own. The film points out the current Pope was for years the Cardinal in charge of protection of the youth. It was his job to root out the perverts in the Church and save the kids from the atrocities that were going on, yet his response was much the same as it always seems to have been. Just move the priest to another parish where nobody knows the monster that he is.
Though at times it is hard to digest the horror of O'Grady's crimes (he once had sex with a 9 month old child), this movie is a must see for anyone who still tries to defend the Catholic Church. There is no defense for what has happened across the world.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Top 5: Independent Brewers
In honor of the Brass City Brewfest, which I attended this past weekend, I am going to do a top 5 favorite independent brewers. I thought of doing top 5 beers, but thought this would be a little more interesting and let me include more of my favorites, since some of my favorite beers are made by the same brewers and some wouldn't make the list just by shear numbers. In all honesty, I could have just called this list top 5 favorite brewers and the list would have been the same (yes, I'm a beer snob... if by beer snob you mean, I refuse to support the bullshit cooperate tactics used to try to squash small business just because you can and I refuse to drink beer that taste like bad water) but I figured others might need it to be more specific...
5. Southampton Publick House, Southampton, NY
Really these guys make the list based on one brew, their Double White. It is similar to Blue Moon (Coors), a white Belgian, but the flavor is much more complex and the double means stronger alcohol content. I really taste the citrus and coriander in this, more so then other Belgian whites I've tried. It might be my favorite beer. They also make a Altgier and an IPA and a few seasonal beers, all of which are good but nothing that knocks my socks off. Just go try the Double White and you'll understand.
4. Matt Brewing Company (Sarnac), Utica, NY
Sarnac's core beers, the one's they make all year round are solid. I enjoy their Black Forest, a Bavarian Black beer, Black & Tan and Brown ale. But the real reason they got on this list is their seasonal beers. They make an excellent Irish Red. They also make what is probably my favorite of the Pumpkin Ales. The Oatmeal Stout is awesome. The Pomegranate Wheat is interesting if you like a more fruity beer. The cream of their beer crop, though, has to be the Carmel Porter. It's like drinking beer candy! You can really taste the kale.
3. Stone Brewing Co, San Diego, CA
If you're looking for your beer to drop you on your ass, this is the company for you. These beers, with names like Arrogant Bastard, Levitation Ale, and Vertical Epic Ale, are not for the faint of heart. The alcohol per volume on these starts at 7.2 and goes up (major brand beer is 4.5-5). If you really want to get your ass kicked the Double Bastard is 10.5. That's not saying anything about the bitterness. If you don't like bitter beer, you should probably stay away. But if you like a strong, well crafted beer, you need to give these guys a try.
2. Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams), Boston, MA
The king of independent beer makers. You can't go wrong with a Sam Adams brew. They pretty much hit everything there is and do them all well. I really enjoy their Irish Red, Honey Porter, Summer Ale, Cream Stout and Scotch Ale. My favorite is hands down the Cherry Wheat. Some people don't like the fruit beers, and I agree some of them get to sweet (I'm not a fan of the Sam Adams Blackberry Witbier), but I love this one. Probably would be in my top 5 beers.
1. Weyerbacher Brewing Company, Easton, PA
To me, there is more flavor in Weyerbacher beer then any other brewery I've tasted. The Merry Monks Belgian is probably my favorite beer. Its another beer with an alcohol content that might knock you on your ass. They have an excellent Imperial Pumpkin Ale, Autumn Fest, Winter Ale. Under the great named beer category, they have one called the Blithering Idiot, which is a barleywine and taste as good as it sounds. You can never go wrong with Weyerbacher and they are by far my favorite brewer.
Honorable Mention: Hooker, Bloomfield, CT. Riverhorse, Lambertville, NJ. Dogfish Head, Milton, DE
5. Southampton Publick House, Southampton, NY
Really these guys make the list based on one brew, their Double White. It is similar to Blue Moon (Coors), a white Belgian, but the flavor is much more complex and the double means stronger alcohol content. I really taste the citrus and coriander in this, more so then other Belgian whites I've tried. It might be my favorite beer. They also make a Altgier and an IPA and a few seasonal beers, all of which are good but nothing that knocks my socks off. Just go try the Double White and you'll understand.
4. Matt Brewing Company (Sarnac), Utica, NY
Sarnac's core beers, the one's they make all year round are solid. I enjoy their Black Forest, a Bavarian Black beer, Black & Tan and Brown ale. But the real reason they got on this list is their seasonal beers. They make an excellent Irish Red. They also make what is probably my favorite of the Pumpkin Ales. The Oatmeal Stout is awesome. The Pomegranate Wheat is interesting if you like a more fruity beer. The cream of their beer crop, though, has to be the Carmel Porter. It's like drinking beer candy! You can really taste the kale.
3. Stone Brewing Co, San Diego, CA
If you're looking for your beer to drop you on your ass, this is the company for you. These beers, with names like Arrogant Bastard, Levitation Ale, and Vertical Epic Ale, are not for the faint of heart. The alcohol per volume on these starts at 7.2 and goes up (major brand beer is 4.5-5). If you really want to get your ass kicked the Double Bastard is 10.5. That's not saying anything about the bitterness. If you don't like bitter beer, you should probably stay away. But if you like a strong, well crafted beer, you need to give these guys a try.
2. Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams), Boston, MA
The king of independent beer makers. You can't go wrong with a Sam Adams brew. They pretty much hit everything there is and do them all well. I really enjoy their Irish Red, Honey Porter, Summer Ale, Cream Stout and Scotch Ale. My favorite is hands down the Cherry Wheat. Some people don't like the fruit beers, and I agree some of them get to sweet (I'm not a fan of the Sam Adams Blackberry Witbier), but I love this one. Probably would be in my top 5 beers.
1. Weyerbacher Brewing Company, Easton, PA
To me, there is more flavor in Weyerbacher beer then any other brewery I've tasted. The Merry Monks Belgian is probably my favorite beer. Its another beer with an alcohol content that might knock you on your ass. They have an excellent Imperial Pumpkin Ale, Autumn Fest, Winter Ale. Under the great named beer category, they have one called the Blithering Idiot, which is a barleywine and taste as good as it sounds. You can never go wrong with Weyerbacher and they are by far my favorite brewer.
Honorable Mention: Hooker, Bloomfield, CT. Riverhorse, Lambertville, NJ. Dogfish Head, Milton, DE
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