A friend of Brewsconsin recently posted on Facebook:
“You know it’s a good hockey group when one of the choices for shower beer is Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron.” – Bob P.
Bob got us to thinking about our favorite 12%+ ABV shower beers. Below you will find our favorites and the ideal shower pairings for each brew. Let’s start with Bob’s beer.
Dogfish Head – Palo Santo Marron – 12%
This roasty exotic brew is aged in Paraguayan Palo Santo wood tanks. In our opinion it is one of the best year-round beers ever created. We like it so much so we’d even suggest trying it outside of the shower sometime.
SUGGESTED SHOWER PAIRING: Post-sporting event with as many of your naked teammates as possible.
Avery Brewing Co. – Rumpkin – 16.9%
What happens when you combine tons of malt, pumpkins, and spice with Westmalle Belgian Ale yeast and then age it in rum barrels? One hell of a shower beer if you ask us. This sure as hell ain’t no Pumpkin Spice Mocha-frappa-latte. We say crank the hot water, grab a couple of fresh towels, and have at this bad boy.
SUGGESTED SHOWER PAIRING: Right after you put the turkey in the oven on Thanksgiving morning…way before the family shows up.
Central Waters Brewing Co. – Brewer’s Reserve Bourbon Barrel Barleywine – 14.3%
This beer is one of Wisconsin’s finest achievements in our opinion. We put it right up there with inventing the blender and founding Earth Day. Yeah…Wisconsin does some cool shit.
Back to the beer – this Barleywine is aged in bourbon barrels for a full year and won the Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2008. Golden shower anyone?
SUGGESTED SHOWER PAIRING: After a week long camping trip before anyone gets a whiff of you.
Evil Twin Brewing – Molotov Cocktail – 13%
This Imperial/Double IPA hides its ABV quite well behind a plethora of piney and citrusy hops. The beer is balanced by a strong malt backbone. Hopefully you have balance climbing out of the shower after one of these bad boys from Evil Twin.
SUGGESTED SHOWER PAIRING: Before bed after striking out on Tinder…again.
Founders Brewing Co. – KBS – 12.2%
This once hard-to-find seasonal beer now seems to be on shelves every day of the year. We at Brewsconsin take showers every day. Coincidence?
This bourbon-barrel Stout is brewed with chocolate and just the right amount of coffee to help keep you awake for the daunting tasks awaiting once you’ve toweled off.
SUGGESTED SHOWER PAIRING: Before going to see your son perform in his High School play. You won’t even notice he didn’t get the lead.
Samuel Adams – Triple Bock – 18%
This delicacy hasn’t been brewed since 1997, so if you can get your hands one, save it for a special shower. Make sure it a relaxing shower where you can really take your time.
This Triple bock is reminiscent of drinking fine Cognac with little pieces of buttery-soft cork floating in the bottle. You really need to be more careful opening these old beers.
SUGGESTED SHOWER PAIRING: Monday morning.
Flying Dog – Double Dog – 12%
Double Dog is one of the smoothest 12% beers out there. It pours a beautiful copper-red color and is full-bodied without any overwhelming bitterness. When it comes to shower Double IPA’s, Double Dog is head and shoulders above the rest.
SUGGESTED SHOWER PAIRING: Co-ed baby shower your wife dragged you to. Why do these always take place during Packer’s games? Might need a few Double Dog’s to get through this snoozefest.
3 Sheeps Brewing – Veneration – 13.2%
This Belgian Quad brewed with figs and molasses is aged in rye whiskey barrels. We at Brewsconsin think this sweet little number is the perfect compliment to a nice hot shower. Brewed right here in Wisconsin, this brew is sure to keep you you warm during the long winter. If the first one doesn’t get the job done, just lather rinse repeat.
SUGGESTED SHOWER PAIRING: Right after you finished clearing 10 inches of snow from the driveway and sidewalk – a classic Wisconsin shower.
North Coast Brewing – Old Stock Ale – 12%
This Old Ale is brewed entirely with ingredients from England and gets better with age. Keep aging in mind, as Old Stock Ale changes from year-to-year, and not all vintages of this brew reach 12%. We recommend a 2016 for your next shower.
SUGGESTED SHOWER PAIRING: Early Christmas morning before the kids wake up.
Lakefront Brewery – Beerline Organic Barleywine – 12.5%
The brewery claims Beerline is the first USDA-Certified Organic Barleywine in the United States. Cool story bro. We started drinking this brew in the shower years ago when this robust brew was released. If you can get your hands on this limited release, we highly recommend cracking one in the shower.
SUGGESTED SHOWER PAIRING: After falling in the Milwaukee River post-Lakefront Brewery Tour.