Ah the sounds of autumn in the Carolinas. Dry leaves crackling under your feet as you walk through a forest. Crickets cutting through the moonlight chill, chirping before slumber.
And the Carolina Panthers broadcast team with their endless refrain, "Johnny Hekker is on to punt."
Some of us here at Fullsteam (and by some of us, we mean Head Brewer Jon Simpson) have season tickets to the Panthers, and this Carolina calling card is such the earwig that Jon suggested we turn it into a beer name.
Why not? It's a British Strong Ale -- a malty delight halfway between an Extra Special Bitter and a barleywine -- so we could name it "Order This Beer and We'll Give You a Million Dollars" and it'd probably move at the same pace as adult soccer on a February morning.
Disagree with our sentiment? Prove us wrong and come on down for a pint or two. But probably not three! At a luscious 7.0% ABV, this is no session beer. It's a rich and warming celebration of North Carolina malts and the Old North State maltsters themselves, for whom we lift our pints.
Thank you, maltsters, for your willingness to toast and roast and tease out biscuity flavors from local grain.
And thank you, Johnny Hekker, for your service. A pint or two on us. But not three! We need you fresh for any given Sunday, at least in November and December. If the beer's still on tap come January, we'll join you for three.
