Three Floyds Brewing Company/Dogfish Head Craft Brewery- Popskull: Two Breweries Equal One Bad-Ass Brew

Monday November 1st – Wow, what a weekend.  Halloween is by far my favorite holiday and luckily the weekend was bookended by a couple of great days.  We started the weekend off with a costume party Friday night at my favorite Craft Beer establishment; Finnegan’s Irish Pub and wrapped it up with a party Sunday on Halloween at my crib with some great friends and family.  Great Craft Beer was consumed at both parties and I could not imagine a decent party without it.  Another one of my favorite things is that aside from handing out candy to all those little trick or treaters , I will typically hand out Craft Beer treats to the adults in the hood…which is greatly enjoyed and appreciated.  So I went to the fridge to try and decipher what brew would I grab next.  This brew is one that was gifted to me by the Craft Beer Pimp himself Dale Lewis.  Dale has opened my eyes to a whole shit load (yes it is an actual unit of measurement) of great Craft Beers and I’ve been blessed to be able to be associated with such a great person.  This is a collaborative brew from two of the top American Craft Breweries, Three Floyds Brewing Company and Dogfish Head Craft Brewery.  As I sat to start my research on this brew I came across something that had me confused.  Popskull is what poorly made moonshine, or any cheap, low-grade booze or rotgut is called and usually results in being severely sick the next day from drinking it.  After reading this I was rather alarmed and wondered, “Why would they call it Popskull?”  Who knows but Three Floyds and Dogfish Head have never let me down before and I’m sure it’s not gonna’ happen this time.  Popskull is popped, poured and presented.

From the information I was able to gather this is a one-off, brewed once collaboration between Three Floyds and Dogfish Head.  Popskull was released in April of 2009 and from what I read it is an American Brown Ale.  According to an article that was published on the Chicagoist in January of 09’, Popskull was    “Described as an "Old School, German Brown Ale with Palo Santo Wood and Botanicals," 60 barrels of Popskull will be distributed in limited release around the time of DarkLord Day 2K9.”  This is all that I could dig up on Popskull and I’m assuming that the lack of information is based on the limited availability of the brew itself.

Popskull pours a dark chocolate color with a ¾” latte colored head.  The aroma started bready up front with hints of sweet malt, caramel, chocolate and to finish it off a slight roasted nut and fruity plum/date smell. 

After taking my first sip I am even more confused as to why they chose the name “Popskull.”  This is the furthest thing from bad shine/booze.  In fact, this is a pretty sweet brew.  The flavor is very deep and has a ton of character.  Popskull starts with a nice malt sweetness that is flanked by flavors similar to the aroma, slight bitter chocolate and fruity plum and then finishes with a caramel sweetness that just seems to drop off dry and crisp.  For being a 10% ABV brew, I get a slight alcohol flavor but no warming in the finish.  I have to say that I absolutely love collaboration brews and this one ranks up there in my top 10 easily.  I consider myself one lucky S.O.B. to have been able to enjoy this great brew and I tip my hat to the big D for hookin’ a brother up.  I’d suggest that you go out and try this one but knowing that it was a 60 BBL batch and it was released in April 2009, the chance that you’re going to find one is slim and none…and slim just left the building.

ABV: 10.0%

Consumed: Dogfish Head Signature Glass

Verdict: Buy A Case