The Year in Beer

Name: Boffo

Brewer: Dark Horse Brewing Co., Marshall, Mich.

By the numbers: About 195 calories per 12 oz.; 6.5 percent alcohol by volume

Notes: According to Dark Horse, Boffo was one of the first beers they brewed, then stopped, and recently brought out of retirement to add back to their lineup year-round. There’s always room in a craft brewery’s lineup for a nice hearty brown ale. Especially in the fall, but anytime with beef stew or a good steak. Boffo poured a deep cola color, with a thin tan head. The aroma was rich, with coffee and toffee. The taste followed that up with coffee and chocolate. This is a very respectable brown ale and worth a try for anyone who appreciates Newcastle and the like.

Try it with: Chili. Or any home-cooked fall food. This is a great beer for the cooler months and since Dark Horse brews it year-round, you shouldn’t have trouble finding it. Brown ales are all the rage for late fall. If you can’t find this one, pick up a six of Sierra Nevada’s Tumbler.

    — Posted by Mike Freimann