I’m just going to throw this disclaimer out there before we start. Key Lime Pie is my favorite kind of pie. So I was pleasantly surprised at how well Crooked Crab Brewing Co. captured the essence of that delicious Floridian treat with their Double Key Lime Punchline. I wasn’t expecting it(or any beer) to taste exactly like the flavor on the can, much like a bag of chips that claims it tastes like a loaded baked potato. But you get that key lime up front and it is not at all overwhelming or too sour. It’s just tart enough but still lets the other ingredients like the graham cracker and marshmallow come through on the finish. The vanilla beans and lactose also help to mellow the sourness and create a delightful full body mouth feel. And even though summer is officially over, this fruited sour, much like the pie it’s named after is something I could enjoy year round!

The Sonic Pairing: Since we’re dealing with beer, key lime, and decadence the natural choice would be the late great Jimmy Buffet. His 5th album, “A1A” is a nice mix of flavors about playing “Music For Money” and living the South Florida Beach Life. It’s got those tart/sour moments like “Presents To Send You”, marshmallow moments like “Life Is Just A Tire Swing”, and nostalgic graham cracker flavor of “A Pirate Looks At Forty” and “Stories We Could Tell”. With a flower print shirt and a shark hat, this ale could make you feel like you are at a Parrothead tailgate.