It's the simple things...

With the old man leaving for another 6 or 7 weeks in Sheepton, EN, I figured it'd only be best to ease him back into the land where taking a banger in the mouth isn't as dirty as it sounds, even if it is still kind of mushy and gross. And what better way to do this than with a trip to The Old Toad, a bonafide British style pub staffed by British citizens who have come over to learn the pub trade in another country for some strange, strange reason that I'll never quite understand.

Anywho, the 'Toad's website listed three cask ales - Flying Bison's Pale and Red Ales, and Rohrbachs Pink Peppercorn Oak-Aged IPA. Nothing that sounded bad, for sure, but nothing that I was really all that fired up for. But as luck would have it, the selection had just been changed that day! I was now looking at a narrower, but much more enticing selection. In the blue corner, we have Hoptical Illusion from Blue Point Brewing. And in the red corner, Lagunitas Imperial Red Ale. Being no fan of IPAs, I suggested that Dad try the red, and I followed suit. It just seemed right for a cool night of British food and darts.

Lagunitas has never let me down before, and this was certainly no exception. For a cask ale, there seemed to be just a hint more carbonation than normal. But the mouthfeel was big and thick, like a burger so rare that it's still mooing. And it kicks like a cow, too! The first sip is inoffensive at first. But as the beautiful red stuff trickles down your throat and into parts unknown, you're treated not to an aftertaste, but a kick in the uvula. Not a bad, knock you out of your seat kind of kick, nor is it a 7.6% ABV kind of kick - the alcohol is hidden quite well. Really, it's more of a "Imperial isn't just a name" kind of kick. Sipped over at least half an hour for a single pint, the taste remained largely unchanged, although the kick started to fade.

Now, get away from the computer, and go get a pint while it's still fresh. Cheers!