Boulevard Brewing Company | The Sixth Glass
![Christopher Hilliard](https://www.porchdrinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Chris_bestphotoiveevertaken-150x150.jpg)
They say you can’t go home again. I beg to differ, at least when it comes to beer.
A big part of my introduction to craft beer, as I’m sure is the case for many of you, was sampling as many different beers from as many different styles as I could, within reason (and sometimes without). I didn’t realize this at the time, but these were my formative craft beer years: a time spent feeling out boundaries and developing personal standards and learning what I like and why. One of the most outstanding examples in my mind is The Sixth Glass, a Belgian-style Quadrupel from Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewing Co.
While I’ve only ever passed through Kansas City, I tend to think of The Sixth Glass as home. Originally, I was drawn in by its superficial qualities: the cool bottle art (see below), the high ABV, and the fair price. What kept me coming back—what really mattered—was all on the inside.
![](https://www.porchdrinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SixthGlass_original-artwork_edit.jpg)
ABV: 10.2% | IBU: 22
The deep auburn color isn’t particularly exciting, but the flashes of orange you see in the light pique the curiosity. Apparently, there’s more to it than first meets the eye. A moderately hard pour results in a full head of fragrant foam that dissipates more quickly than I prefer, but it’s nice while it lasts. What really pulled me was the first deep sniff—like spiced, candied fruits drowned in alcohol.
![](https://www.porchdrinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/boulevard_sixth-glass-1024x847.jpg)
The first taste of The Sixth Glass blew my naïve little mind, resulting in a combination of spicy and sweet, a full, boozy body, and rich effervescence. Truthfully, it was more than I could handle, and more than I could earnestly appreciate. But I recognized it was something special, something worth remembering. So, I did. Rather, I do, because I still buy it. The Sixth Glass has become one of my default beers, my go-to, my Old Reliable. A beer against which every other comparable beer is measured.
I recommend cupping your hands over the glass, leaving just enough room for your nose. As long as you don’t sniff too hard, you’ll get a noseful of spicy, fruity, boozy scents.
And I urge you to try it, cautiously. You’ll find six-packs (or singles) in bottle shops or beer/wine stores for about $14.00. If you didn’t notice from the pictures, the bottle art has been tamed over the years, but the beer is no less stellar.
Feature image courtesy of Boulevard Brewing Company.
Submit a Comment