six to one, half dozen to another

I finished my mixed six pack and have been able to try a few other interesting brews, too:

Dogfish Head Raison D'etre: The phrase "raison d'etre" means reason for living. I think that's a really arrogant name for this beer... I think it's incredibly overrated. I didn't totally dislike it, but for as much as people have raved about this to me, I was pretty disappointed. It's a dark ale. That's about it.

Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale: Recommended to me by my friend Heather a while back, I was looking forward to trying this one because I like brown ales, and I've heard good things about Smuttynose. This was good. A slight shade hoppy, but not in a totally offensive way-- sooner or later hoppy beers will grow on me, probably through baby steps like with this beer. In the meantime though, while no Backdraft, this is a solid brown ale.

Philadelphia Brewing's Walt Wit: I bought this beer because Walt Whitman was kind of the original hippie, what with his transcendentalism and free verse poems and opposition to slavery, and I was amused to find a beer named so cleverly after him. However, sometimes good names fail us-- while a nice witbier, it was waaaaay too bubbly. Really, really carbonated. I let it sit in the fridge for a couple of hours before finishing it, and it definitely improved after settling. Still, meh.

Flying Dog's Gonzo Imperial Porter: Mmm, porter. This has a nice strong flavor, as to be expected with this style of beer. I liked it. Probably not my favorite porter, because I think there are more distinct and interesting porters out there (such as Anchor, referenced as early as... the first entry!), but still really good and totally worthwhile if you're looking for something intense.

Delirium Nocturnum: This one was chosen for its interesting name and packaging-- clay bottle with a cork and a picture of a pink elephant who we could only assume has dropped acid. This was a good Belgian Ale. Straight up. Yeah. The pretty packaging was not a false advertisement for a lame beer.

Reaper Ale's Mortality Stout: Another one purchased for its interesting name, and another one that didn't disappoint! There was a somewhat obvious smell of coffee as soon as I poured it. Definitely an intense and awesome flavor with an appearance somewhat akin to black paint. This was quite good.

...leaving me with six new beers and the record at Paul: 244 and Colleen: 267. One week till the contract commences. In the meantime, I'll be visiting one of Jersey's lovely breweries this evening with a few friends, and have a few interesting brews in the fridge left to try!