As a father of three, one of which arriving in the last 2 weeks, it is odd that I am writing to you completely alone in my usually busy house. With a new baby boy, two pre-teens, and a wife who I love to talk to, it is very odd indeed.

I returned from my indoor soccer game (we won, 10-3… yes!) to find the house empty. The whole fam damily was off visiting Grandma. I stopped at my local New Seasons picked up some meatloaf, some garbanzo bean salad, and the first pint and 1/2 that caught my eye. I love the selection at New Seasons. It makes choosing a beer hard, which is a good thing in my book.

It came down between El Hefe, a hef from Seatle’s Hale’s Ales and Laurelwood’s Vinter Varmer. I was about to buy both but I decided against upon inspection of El Hefe. Being from the home of Widmer Brewing, I expect my Hef to be golden and cloudy. I could see right through the bottle, and like my drinking water, I don’t trust anything I can see through. With that I vowed to try the El Hefe some other time and buy the Vinter Varmer. Also, I have to admit the label had me at the cute little squirrel (he drinkin a pint!). I am a sucker for label designs and this was no exception.

Fresh from my soccer victory I was feeling great as I sat down to enjoy some meatloaf and American Chopper. The Vinter Varmer was a perfect match for the meatloaf. I love meatloaf and it made me yearn for some Raccoon Lodge stout gravy. This stout had a nice carmely finish with rich undertones. Not your typical burnt-chocolatey stout. Very nice.

The pint and a half format is perfect for this kind of beer. Of course, the best way to enjoy this beer would probably be sitting down at the Laurelwood with Frosty and connman with some pub grub but the next best thing has to be this. I couldn’t imagine myself drinking a six-pack of this stuff (I don’t think they even sell it that way) but it is great in a single serving.

I think I might try to make some gravy with some Vinter Varmer but I will probably end up drinking it instead.