Yet another solemn nod to The Boston Beer Company and another satisfied palate over here. As we strolled the awful cavernous aisles of a wholesaler, seeking free samples and bulk-size crackers, there like a beacon of light shown a beer brewed near Beacon Hill where once I made a bacon sandwich and beckoned friends with brew to draw near. Or something. What I mean is I got this mixed case of Sam Adams and aw damn, happy times. Sam Lager, Black Lager, Scotch Ale and Brown Ale, all in one place! And this Brown Ale is a fine beer, man. For serious. A lovely brown (ey!) color, a nice tan-white head and an aroma that lets you know you're in a good place. The bouquet is malt and bready with a hint of hop and a bit of sweet caramel. The taste? RICH malty goodness with a subtle but complex play of nutiness and caramel. The hops balance out the rich malt flavors with a nice mix of bitterness and a slight tangy, almost citrus touch. If I had to use a few words to describe the beer, rich and subtle would surely be in there. Oh ale, you rocked my socks! Or wait... that was the rock tumbler. Why the fu.ck are my socks in the rock tumbler!? You ruined my socks AND my amethyst! Dammit! Now what am I going to wear and what am I going to bring to the Gem Gala? Y es, that's right: I am going to the Gem Gala. And I was going to have some prize-worthy, low-occlusion amethyst, but I guess now I'll bring Lapis lazuli and boring old obsidian. Just like last year.