Weyerbacher Auriga, Brewer's Select Series

Easton, PA's Weyerbacher Brewing Company, brewers of awesome beers such as Merry Monks, Blithering Idiot and Old Heathen, like to experiment with different beers in their Brewer's Select series. After having completed a beer for each letter of the NATO phonetic alphabet, they have now turned to constellations. I thought it would be fun to use this space to learn about the experimental beers that Weyerbacher is brewing, and also to learn a little bit of astronomy along the way!

Auriga is the fourth release in the Northern Hemisphere constellation portion of the Weyerbacher Brewer's Select Series. Last week, I posted about Bootes, the fifth release, so these posts are coming a little out of order. No big deal though, because you should be able to find some Auriga if you stop by Weyerbacher, or if your bar is lucky enough to get some. Let's check out some info on the beer, and then some facts about the constellation!

Weyerbacher Auriga: (from Weyerbacher)

Weyerbacher brewed Auriga to be a 6.5% abv American Stout

Grains used: Vienna (base), Caramunich, roasted barley, chocolate malt

Other ingredients: oats and wheat

Delta hops were used in the kettle and whirlpool

44 IBU

Constellation Auriga: (from Constellation Guide and Top Astronomer)

"The Charioteer"

Reports of between 6 and 8 stars with known planets

Capella (alpha Aurigae) is the brightest star in the constellation (6th brightest in the night sky, 3rd brightest in the Northern Hemisphere)

Differs from our solar system in that it is a system of two binary pairs of stars (how cool is that?)

Best visible at around 9pm in late February and March

Auriga poured black with a finger width of tan head. The beer goes down incredibly smooth with flavors and aromas of chocolate and coffee. The finish left me thinking I had just sipped on a really smooth coffee, but not in an overpowering way. Overall, quite a solid beer!

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