May the beer gods bless us with the kind of weather that’s been hanging around the last few days, because it’s Brewgrass Weekend! Whoo! Last year was so very hot with a slight hint of brutal. (Please note that Bruisin’ Ales is closed this coming Saturday.)

And, thank goodness it’s beer time, too, because we’ve been mourning both Rick Wright and David Foster Wallace all week long. “Great Gig in the Sky” and Infinite Jest are two things we treasure deeply in life. ”Great Gig in the Sky,” with the amazing vocals of Clare Torry, showed that you didn’t need words to speak. And finishing the 1000+ page Infinite Jest with Wallace’s trademark footnotes was an empowering moment. It’s witty and intricate, though devilishly long with constant flipping. It was an awesome reading challenge and there’s been nothing quite like it before or since. It’s been a sad week. So, we need a little bit o’ fun. (Thanks to Dave for cheering us up, as usual.)

Already some friendly faces from out of town have begun to make their appearances. And some bring us beer from lands far away, which is always a nifty thing. (You know who you are.)

More new brews arrive this week, including the Stone Brewing line-up. See you at the Dogfish Head tasting tomorrow!

BROOKLYN BREWERY Post Road Pumpkin Ale*
BROOKLYN BREWERY Oktoberfest*
CATAWBA VALLEY King Don’s Pumpkin Ale* (Friday)
DUCK RABBIT Wee Heavy*
LAGUNITAS Cappucino Stout*
LAGUNITAS Imperial Red*
LAGUNITAS New Dogtown Pale Ale*
LEFT HAND Octoberfest*
VICTORY Festbier*
WEYERBACHER Imperial Pumpkin*

RIP, DFW