Don't knock Tommyknocker's beverages until you've tried them

If you head on down to the Winn Dixie store in Monroeville, you might be lucky enough to find an outstanding (and unusual) item in the store’s beer cooler.

Winn Dixie has the area’s finest beer selection, and if you’re in the mood for something different, this is the place to go. A few days ago, I was lucky enough to get my hands on a Tommyknocker Brewery “Mother Lode Sampler,” that is, a half-case of 12-ounce bottled beers that contained six different varieties of the brewery’s best beers.

The sampler comes in a distinctive box, which tells you a lot about the Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub in the historic mining town of Idaho Springs, Colorado, where these beers originate.

“Tommyknockers slipped into the mining camps in the 1800’s with the discovery of gold in the West. These mischievous elves guided many a fortunate miner to the Motherlode. Discovery the Tommyknocker Legend by sharing these brews.

“Tommyknocker Brewery has carefully gathered our most popular brews into one great 12 pack. The Tommyknocker Mother Lode Sampler contains two each of six unique, hand crafted lagers and ales. Our award winning Colorado micro brews have been meticulously crafted with the finest ingredients since 1994.”

Beers included in the sampler were Tommyknocker Tundra Beary Ale, Tommyknocker Butt Head Dopplebock Lager, Tommyknocker Pick Axe Pale Ale, Tommyknocker Ornery Amber Lager, Tommyknocker Maple Nut Brown Ale and Tommyknocker Jack Whacker Wheat Ale.

I sampled each of these over the space of a week, and while they were all excellent, I’d have to say that the Tundra Beary Ale was my favorite.

Each beer comes in a distinctive bottle, and the following is what the label on each has to say about each of these beers.

Tundra Beary Ale “is slightly tart, refreshing pale ale made with raspberry, blueberry and other natural fruit juices.”

Pick Axe Pale Ale “is a classic American Pale Ale which uses premium hops and barley to impart a full-bodied characteristic that dances on your tongue and titillates your palate.”

Jack Whacker Wheat Ale “is a light, unfiltered brew with a citrus aroma and flavor imparted by a late addition of lemon grass. It’s the perfect refreshment for a thirsty, trail-weary ale lover.” According to the bottle, a “jack whacker” was the guy who had to whip the last mule to keep supply trains at mining camps moving along.

“Maple syrup is added to each barrel of Maple Nut Brown Ale to impart roasted sweetness balancing the nut flavor produced by chocolate malts.”

Butt Head Doppelback Lager “is brewed with a generous amount of crystal malts producing a caramel sweetness and big rich mouthfeel. Why Butt Head? Try one. You’ll enjoy ‘big brew’ flavor that is a Gold Medal winner.”

Ornery Amber is described as “Amber with an Attitude! The brisk flavor, rich ruby color, and extra crisp finish create a sensation that will ripple the taste buds of the most discerning palate. Ornery Amber is brewed with a blend of the finest European hops and gently roasted malts.”

Currently, Tommknocker beers are available in 25 states. Other Tommyknocker beers, aside from those mentioned above, include Oaked Butt Head Bock, Imperial Nut Brown Ale, Cocoa Porter Winter Warmer, Alpine Glacier Lager, Rye Porter, Black Powder Stout and Hop Strike Black Rye IPA.

For more information about Tommyknocker Brewery and their fine products, visit www.tommyknocker.com.