Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" He'Brew's Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A.

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Apr 2, 2008 6:00PM

With a name like the Schmaltz Brewing Company you'd think this would be some sort of April Fool's joke. It isn't. Schmaltz is the brewer behind the He'Brew line of kosher ales like Jewbelation, Genesis/Messiah Bold, and Origin Pomegranate Ale. All of these are strong, serious session ales.

He'Brew's Bittersweet Lenny's (named in honor of Lenny Bruce) is a double India Pale Ale brewed with Warrior, Cascade, Simcoe, Crystal, Chinook, Amarillo and Centennial hops, then dry hopped using more Amarillo and Crystal hops. The primary malt in the brewing is rye, with three types including torrified rye and Crystal Rye 75; they also use wheat, kiln amber and caramel malt. What results is a double I.P.A. with some serious sweetness to it. Think the ale equivalent of Manishevitz or another fortified wine, and you aren't far off the mark. However, this doesn't make one's jaw lock up from the sweetness like a fortified wine.

You'll be able to find BIttersweet Lenny's at Sam's for under $5 for a 22-ounce bomber, which is where we purchased it Saturday. Binny's and Archer Liquors also carry Bittersweet Lenny's and other fine He'Brew products. While you're buying it, you might want to look up the animated version of Bruce's "Thank You Mask Man" and enjoy a glass of He'Brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A., Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week."