Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse Dunkel Joins Delicious Ribs and Queso con Chorizo in My Belly

I'm stoked for so many reasons I can't even tell you.

Ha! Really? This is my blog, of course I'm going to blabber about it. My taller little brother Warren was in town this weekend from New York. Saturday we went to the beach and I returned to make ribs for the first time. Usually cooking is David's department, but he's away in Chicago so I stepped to be the Emeril. BAM! While the ribs were slow roasting for two hours, Warren helped me make chile con queso with chorizo, which Melissa B, Brad G, Jessica W, Warren D, Nic R, and AJ came, saw, and obliterated. And when the ribbies were finished, I was ready with excellent beer.

Fact: Fat Friars Love Pork Ribs. Go Figure

The Franziskaner Dunkel Hefe-Weisse is the moodier, darker brother of the beer I drank Thursday but retains the hefe-weisse's sweetness (btw in German hefe = yeast, weisse = wheat). The dark caramel malts and spices mix together nicely. As far as pairing goes, the pork ribs were already sweet from the Goode & Co. bbq sauce and a more complimentary beer choice would've been a dark ale without the hefe-weisse sweetness, like a Bock. But whatever, I love sweets and the bier was great. The ribs were freaking great. Who's got two thumbs and makes awesome ribs? THIS GUY.

This fella was a well balanced bier and the combination proved a nice change of pace from the normal hefe's and dark beers I've imbibed lately. THE ROCK rating.

When Splinter from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 'makes a funny' you may say he's being a...

PRANQSTER. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ahhm. From North Coast Brewing comes a Belgian Style Golden Ale that compels you suavely say, 'Hello beautiful. Shhh, no words. I'm just gonna drink you."

Hello GoldBeer, seems we meet again

Saturday night I took a detour from a pub crawl on Main St. to drink this on tap (!) at the Library Alehouse. I was joined by Melissa R, Jessica W, Blake L and Nick G (who all loved sipping on Allagash White). Back to Pranqster, it's an unfiltered smooth golden ale. Look at that body! The taste is rich and substantial but also subtle. It's a nearly perfect beer. Nearly. It lacks a little spice, a distinctive kick that makes you say, 'that's the one.'

Some people may disagree with me on this, but here's my take. A home cooked meal usually lacks the polish of a professional chef, however, it can still be terrifically delicious. I will always order Pranqster at the Library Alehouse, as it makes me a happy camper. That being said, in my hearts of hearts and liver of livers, I don't feel this beer deserves the penultimate honor. But please, enjoy your stay at THE ROCK.