The Bowdoin Orient

My last column was a hopeful one. After months of struggling to orient myself in this new world of gluten-free beer, I found a wonderful option in the form of Estrella's Daura. Indeed, just days after writing my column two weeks ago, I polished off the rest of the four-pack with ease, proving it did possess the kind of superior drinkability I claimed (not the same as Bud Light's). Despite the euphoria from my new friend Duara, though, I knew it couldn't last.

A few weeks ago, after discovering I have a wheat allergy, I proudly proclaimed I would continue sampling the finest brews available. Like my taste for Taco Bell, I explained there was no information that could dissuade me from enjoying this simple pleasure.

Despite my firm declaration in my last column that I will continue to drink beer in the face of my recent wheat allergy diagnosis, I decided I would be remiss not to look into the world of gluten-free beer. Certainly there is not nearly the variety among gluten-free beers that exists among their wheat and barley cousins, but, as I headed off to Whole Foods to see what I could find, I can't say I wasn't a little excited to delve into this new world of possibilities.

When I find myself perusing the aisles of Bootleggers or Uncle Tom's, my eye is almost always drawn to a particular brand. It's really no surprise, as it's the only beer I know to come in a faux ceramic bottle, complete with a blue foil top, golden-dove-rimmed label and trippy picture of a pink elephant. If you've ever seen this distinctive brew, you know exactly what I'm talking about—Delirium. The first few times I saw it, I thought it was some kind of hallucinogenic microbrew smuggled from Europe

Arguably, there hasn't been as much uproar over an alcoholic drink as there is now since prohibition. This drink has spawned so many rumors—one can will send you to the hospital!—that it has almost gained urban legend status, simultaneously vilified and celebrated in equal doses of hysteria. But this drink is very real, and the more it is discussed, in a positive or negative light, the faster it spreads across the country. Hide yo' kids. Hide yo' wife. Four Loko is coming!

For the past few weeks I've been reviewing all kinds of interesting and unique beers—from German imports to local ciders—and I've truly enjoyed all these sophisticated brews. The truth is, however, that deep down I'm just a simple man, with simple tastes.

A few weeks ago, upon a visit to Frontier Café, I had a beverage crisis. I wanted to get something of the alcoholic variety, but something very crisp and light, to compliment my meal. While perusing the display of various microbrews and specialty beers, I came across a rather large bottle with several apples on its label, named Scrumpy's, which seemed to fit the bill.