As for the alcohol laws, did you know that in WV, the wholesalers must be paid in cash when they deliver beer? That’s really great for those operating a cash biz. I wonder how much income tax evasion goes on? And it’s a wonder more beer truck drivers arent picked-off…

So I get all enthused and head over to Leo’s this afternoon. None of the beers I mentioned above are there, even though the manager told me just before Thanksgiving that all would be in by now. There are some Xmas beers but few worth making a separate trip. However, all is not lost.

First, Leo’s now carries Troeg Brewing products (which means we might get Nugget Nectar in two months, the Best Beer Ever). That also means Mad Elf Xmas Ale and Troegenator Doppelbock are in. Worth a trip themselves.

Second, several examples of my favorite winter seasonal - the Imperial Russian Stout - are in.

Ignorant Silver Bullet/Miller Lite drinkers often scoff at Guinness for being “too heavy” simply because it’s black when, ironically, it’s lighter by both gravity and ABV than almost all adjunct (re: American) lagers. Well, IRSes ARE heavy. Big, enormous beers, black as coal, high in alcohol, and bigger in flavor. The style STARTS at 8% and goes up from there. If you like stouts or porters and are looking to trade up to the big time, an Imp’y Stout is the way to go. Leo’s has several excellent choices in stock right now.

As I write this I’m drinking a Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout. 10% ABV and powerfully flavorful. It was $9.40 after tax for the six and worth every cent. Avery Brewing’s Czar is in stock in 22oz bomber bottles; no price on that. Flying Dog’s Gonzo Porter - a Baltic Porter, the sister style to the IRS - is available by 12oz bottle or in a nifty (if pricey, $14.99) mixed box of 8 7oz bottles of big dogs - Gonzo, Double Dog, Horn Dog, and whatever dumb-ass name they call their Tripel. Good Xmas/Hanukkah gift sampler pack for a beer lover in your life.

And finally, the Victory Storm King. Storm King is my hands-down favorite in this category. And it gets better and better with ageing. I’ve got some ’06s and they’re fricking spectacular. I picked up some ’08s to cellar but will probably crack one upon later tonight.

There are others too, worth the journey down I-64 and US-52. And for the person who asked about cider, they’ve got some Longbow, an English Dry Pub Cider that’s very good. Just bring cash ’cause no credit cards are accepted. It’s an Ohio law or something. Apparently, stupid alcohol laws are not limited to the 304.

Delerium Noel, the Xmas version of Delerium Tremens (you know, the belgian with the pink elephants on the bottle) is always worth a shot.

Xmas also brings us Anchor Christmas Ale, Great Lakes Christmas, and Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, none of which are available in W. by-god Va. Anchor and Great Lakes are spiced red ales, what most of us think of when we think holiday beer, while the SN Celebration is an uber-hopped IPA. Always, and I mean ALWAYS, worth getting a couple of sixes. All are available at Leo’s or, if you know someone heading that way, at most PA distributors. SNCA is only $28 a case in most PA areas; a six at Leo’s usually goes near $9, but worth every penny.

The House of Wines (http://www.houseofwines.com/index.htm) in Marietta is a good beer destination too. Decent selection, often with products from Avery, Great Divide, and Three Floyds. It’s a couple of miles outside “downtown” Marietta so google map it first.