The Swill: Telegraph Robust Ale

The Still: Telegraph Brewing Company

Santa Barbara, California

http://www.telegraphbrewing.com/

The Drill: Specialty Ale, 64oz growler, 7.9% ABV

The Spill: This unique ale is the color of apple cider, with a rocky white head. Fruit flavors are prevalent in all of Telegraph's beers, an ode, they say, to the style of beer that was native to the West Coast in the 19th century. This one presents orange and spice in a malty nose, with a flavor that is decidedly more hoppy, offering citrus and clove, and a slightly astringent flavor. The malt is still there, though, and you can find a nice little bit of apple if you search for it.

Says Bill: This wasn't our favorite stop on the beer tour, but it was our last and we were pretty spent by then. All in all, Holly and I drank 21 unique beers that day: 8 at Island, 9 at the Brewhouse, and 4 at Telegraph. It was exhaustive, it was intoxicating, and it was something I'd do again in a heartbeat. It was one of the most thoughtful birthday presents I'd ever gotten, and, most importantly, it was the beginning of Bill's Beer Wall. I spent so much time talking about and trying beer, it made me focus on the experience for days after, and want to do something to share all of my experiences with anyone who was interested in reading about them. It could have been much less fun if we'd had a lame tour guide, but Marcus was the shit. If you're ever up that way and want to experience the joy that is 4 hours of steady beer drinking for yourself, check out Captain Jack's. Here's a free plug: http://www.captainjackstours.com/

Refill: For the beer, 2.5 taps out of 5. For the experience, 5 taps out of 5. For having the best wife ever: tapless.