That’s what he said. Three beers into a tasting at Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint in Downtown Harrisonburg, the Specialty Beer representative announced to a full house that the South American Palo Santo tree was some “serious wood.” And that was what the whole night was about: beer + wood = amazing flavor.
Dogfish Head
Let me preface this review by saying that I’ve always turned my nose up at pumpkin ales. Reason being…I hate pumpkin pie. After many a family gathering, being forced to taste some distant relative’s pumpkin pie – it makes me cringe. So when friends try to get me to drink pumpkin beer, I gag a little at the thought. Until now….
I started down a road of pumpkin beer this fall while on assignment for a beer publication. Keeping an open mind, I tried a variety of pumpkin beers and I have to say that there were a few that I really enjoyed and a few that took me back to pumpkin pie horror.

Dogfish Head Festina Peche
I’ll preface this post by saying that I am not a big fan of Dogfish Head beer. Occasionally, they’ll release a specialty beer that I enjoy but for the most part, I’m not a fan. With that said, I attended a great local 4th of July event where Festina Peche was being served. It was literally about 100 degrees with the sun beating down and while a chewy beer would have been delicious, I just wanted something refreshing. So I opted for Festina Peche.