This past weekend, I attended the Iowa City Beer Fest, a large, drunken event featuring some of the best domestic microbreweries (and a few international brews) on the market.  I drank too much.  I enjoyed some of the best beer money can buy, much of it complimentary when mentioning this very column.  My favorite beer of the fest was one I had not yet tasted– the Boulevard Sixth Glass Quadrupel.

If you’re new to the quadrupel, it is a Belgian-style ale inspired by the Trappist monk brewers, brewed seasonally with a heavy flavor and alcoholic bite.  The Sixth Glass quadrupel, however, is a bit different.  It carries the full flavor qualities of a quadrupel, as well as the high alcohol content, but this one is surprisingly drinkable and easy on the tongue.  This beer is filled with flavors of chocolate, cherry, a hint of rye, a full flavor sensation from the immediate sip to the final aftertaste.  Do yourself a favor– if this beer is distributed in your area, go and get yourself a bottle immediately.  Matter of fact, get two.  [boulevard brewing company]