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Book & Brew Review: Amazing X-Men & Stout

 This is the second in a new series by shop regular, Chris Haas, The Book & Brew Review.

>>> Book: Amazing X-Men #4

b&b_amazing xmen #4“Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don’t forget your booties ’cause it’s cooooold out there today.”

-Groundhog Day

Apparently, purgatory is a bitch. I loved the look of this cover.  My favorite part has to be the use of blue as the only color.  And it’s not often that icicles form on Wolverine’s claws but it seems that it’s pretty damn cold in the world of in-between.  The cover is credited to Ed McGuinness, Dexter Vines, and Marte Gracia.  These talented individuals also provide the great work within the comic itself and have done so throughout the first four issues.  I hope the partnership lasts well into this particular X-Men book.

As for the book itself, Ed McGuinness is doing a fantastic job at bringing back a dead teammate.  If you are a regular reader, then you know who I mean.  But I’m not a fan of spoilers, so I won’t say anything to give it away.  The writing is playful and energetic, avoiding the major serious attitudes that can sometime plague the other major mutant titles (not that solemn tones aren’t necessary now and then).  All in all, I always look forward to a new issue.

Also, on a side note, screw that guy in the background. No one cares about you. That’s why you are in the background (Poor Northstar).

>>> Brew: Rogue Ales Double Chocolate Stout

b&b_rogue double choc stoutSo last week I did a stout and this week I’m doing a stout.  I swear I have love for a wide range of beers.  It just happens to be that I’m in a phase right now.  A delicious phase.  And once again, I’ve found another beer to satiate that desire.  Rogue is a quality brewery out of Newport, Oregon.  I’ve had tons of different brews from their list and not one has disappointed.  In fact, before I had this one, I had their regular chocolate stout to compare the two.  The regular was decent, but it could not compare to the tastiness of the double.

The beer is considered an American Double/ Imperial Stout with a healthy ABV of 9%.  There is a slight coffee flavor with a hint of vanilla.  The color is close to pitch black and it leaves me nice and warm when I take on the entire 22 oz. bottle.  Yum.