Report : Chicago, January 2008

Slushy snow underfoot, barely bearable windchill, ever shorter days, grim economic news. How does one salve the ills?

Thanks be to the weighty, unctuous 8.3% Lagunitas Limited Release Cappuccino Stout. A Petaluma, California Ale brewed with Colombian Coffee, natch, "brewed with Sebastopol's own HARD CORE COFFEE".

And, as the famous, eponymous Crimean duel between Russia and allied French and English forces, it is a classic struggle between the bombardment of the latter's caffeine cup-of-chino-esque charms: versus the stoic, reliable high booze; and chocolatey mouthfeel of a sturdy stout.

Is it an ersatz Vodka | Red Bull challenge, for beer purists? At the end of a 1 pint 6 oz serve one considers the aggressive push of the caffeine surging  valiantly against the relaxing, and defensive Rusky alcohol. Comrade/Jolly good sir, are you coming, or going?

All in all, at the end of this battle of the palate and metabolism, against the backdrop of gloomy weather and diminished light of a Chi- Town winter, the tastebuds and one's general good countenance are the victors.

Award (another ) full credit to the innovative and experimental brewing culture of the U.S.A.