ABV: 6.1% | IBU: 30

To continue with the theme of canned North Carolina beers, let’s take a look at another one from Lonerider Brewing, Sweet Josie Brown Ale.

This highly decorated beer pours a dark brown with a burnt umber tinge. The head is tan and rich and leaves a halo around the glass and a thin netting over the surface. It smells of hoppy bitterness and chocolate malt sweetness and, as it warms, the chocolate comes out even more. The flavor is complex but, to keep it simple, it falls right in the middle between a pale ale and a stout. In other words, if you’re a fan of hops, you won’t miss out on ‘em (IBU of 30 after all), and if you’re a fan of malt, you’ll get plenty. Among those who drink Lonerider (the brew team included), Sweet Josie is a perennial favorite. It might even be their most popular beer.

If you delve a little deeper, you’ll find Sweet Josie has a compelling back story. In an otherwise empty train compartment and on a mission, our brown-eyed protagonist stares off into the night. As she waits, she adjusts her dress. She needs to pass as adventurous, yet approachable. When the door opens, she’s ready. A sinewy, confident man emerges with a briefcase gripped by white knuckles. His surprise is clear, but her encouraging smile sets him at ease: right where Sweet Josie wants him…

 

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