Walking Man Brewer, Jacob Leonard.

Drink it. It’s delicious.

There were so many rumors about a Big Black Homo being released in Portland that I thought all the news outlets would be outside of Belmont Station. Man, FOX wasn’t even there.

Luckily, I was. This was Walking Man’s dark malt version of their Homo Erectus, an Imperial IPA, and it was awesome. Walking Man Brewing is synonymous with big, quality beers and this was no exception. Based on their legendary IIPA, the dark malt added a great roasted quality and sweetened up the bitterness a little. Think 1/4 Stout mixed with 3/4 Imperial IPA–kind of.

Walking Man brewer Jacob Leonard and owner Bob Craig were on hand to answer any questions about the beers they had brought, including: Walking Man IPA, 2006 Walking Man Old Stumblefoot, and Sasquatch Legacy. Jacob, of course, hovered around the tap handle and ensured that everyone orded the beer by name. Instead of whispering “I’d like to try the, uh, dark IPA…”, you had to say “I want a Big Black Homo!”

Walking Man Owner, Bob Craig (seated).

Well, since I don’t get out to the Walking Man Brewery out in Stevenson Washington very much, I had to make sure to grab a glass of the aged 2006 Old Stumblefoot barleywine on top of my two Big Black Homos. Damn, I knew it was gonna be strong, but that 12.3% kept me in my chair with a bewildered smile plastered on my face for a bit. I wanted to tell owner Bob Craig to change the name to Old Stumbleface–and there he was, just a few feet away–but I couldn’t get out of my chair. This might explain why all of the photos are shot at an upward angle.

Well, this whole experience simply reinforced one of the rules I live my life by, and what’s a good blog post without a life lesson? So, in parting, I divulge one of the few rules I obey, in hopes that with a little self-assesment and introspection, you can find room for it in your life as well:

“Never pass up a chance to drink Walking Man beer.”

Check out the rest of the photos here.

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1. Fermented Photo: 10 Barrel Brewing’s S1NIST0R BLACK ALE
2. Full Sail Releases Black Gold Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout
3. 2008 Barleywine and Big Beer Tastival Beer List