Well, it’s almost here, the holiday season. And with the holiday season, partying. Good friends. Good food. Good drink. And believe me, it can be all good. A wise man once said that, ‘variety is the spice of life.’ I’m down with that. I also think that there is much variety in that spice. I m fixing to sit down with Dung To, at World of Beer in Westchase, and explore some beers that have some spice, and bring home the feeling of Autumn in Florida, a place that is not so big on Autumn like weather.
For those of you, who aren’t familiar with World Of Beer, or Dung To, shame on you. World Of Beer, or WOB, is a beer house located on Linebaugh, in Westchase. It opened in 2004, and is literally what it says it is, a World Of Beer. Oh, you can get a nice glass of wine or the occasional Irish Car Bomb. But the real star here is the beer. And lot’s of beer to choose from. With over 500 beers, both domestic and imported, it is virtually impossible for you to go in, and not find something to suit your tastes. 
And there to help you in your quest for your favorite brew is Dung To. Dung is a 20 something college student who has been working at the Westchase WOB since day one. To see Dung, you are taken by her beauty and bubbly personality. Upon further examination, you will find that she is an encyclopedia of beer and their styles. So knowledgeable that she trains all new employees, and puts them through a program called Beer School, a program that she devised. Not bad for a young girl who admitted to me that before she took the job, she had never even tasted a beer.
Normally, I would be completely against taking my cues on beer drinking from a girl who wasn’t even born when I had my first Molson Golden Ale while watching Bob and Doug Mackenzie on Second City television. But after five minutes of listening to Dung break down fermentation, dry-hopping and alcohol esters I was ready to follow her to Beer Mecca.
She agreed to sit down with me and bust out our five favorite flavored beers. We will explore a full spectrum of tastes and alcohol contents. Beers that can be enjoyed socially and others that should be enjoyed a little slower.
First up to the plate is Indian Summer from Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company. This is an American Pale Wheat ale, that starts off with a very spicy yet earthy nose. It is a beautiful light yellow color, slightly cloudy, with a silky smooth mouth feel. Coriander comes to mind followed by a light grainy hop and maltiness. It is a little big on carbonation, but not annoyingly so. We loved it. Not really what I look for in a beer, but I would take this over any domestic wheat that portrays an orange slice with a mohawk on the bottle. And I guess if you need to, you 
can stick an orange slice on your glass go ahead, I won’t tell. At 4.6% ABV this wheat is extremely drinkable, and friendly. Would go great before and with dinner.
Next up, our ever so helpful server Kinsey brought out Wyerbacher Autumn Fest. This is an, American Amber/ Red Ale. It pours a smooth off white ¼” head that dissipates quickly to a sticky tight lacing on the glass. Right from the start you can smell the malty sweetness. Autumn Fest indeed, with a, bold apple cider taste, you will have no problem fitting this into your holiday meal. Like most of it’s domestic macro brewery counterparts, this ale stands at 5.4% ABV, however it has a slightly heavy mouth feel. It’s not syrupy, but it’s close. I can definitely see me enjoying this with turkey and mashed potatoes. Not a real social time, one after another ale. Good with a meal but then that’s it.
The next beer we tried was kind of an afterthought. This isn’t an article on Oktoberfest beers, but I could not help including Spaten Oktoberfest bier. There is no real spiciness or cider like quality’s in this Marzen style Oktoberfest beer. But there is an earthy, graininess that reminds me of the American Midwest. That graininess gives way to a very floral hop flavor. Nice finish. And at 5.9% ABV it still makes it a very drinkable session beer. Good with food, and while you are preparing your turkey.
Our next offering is my personal favorite in terms of wheat beers. Bells Brewery Oberon Ale brewed in Kalamazoo Michigan. This American Wheat Ale stands at 6% alcohol. It is full of a citrusy, coriander smell and taste. A silky smooth mouth feel, that although slightly syrupy, is extremely drinkable. I have nothing against Coors Blue Moon, but if you are a fan of this style 
of beer, Oberon Ale is heads above the rest. The balance of citrus and coriander is what really sells this beer. It’s a subtle and pleasant beer that can be enjoyed in any situation. This is a terrific choice for mealtime.
And last but not least is Rogue Dry Hopped St. Rogue Red. This ale is a deal sealer. If you want to impress your guests, please include this in your holiday dinner plans. While we were sitting and enjoying our selections, we accumulated a posse of beer critics. When this ale was poured the same expression was made by all, “ Wow.” This beer has a very fruity apple like nose. It is beautiful rich dark red color. The pour leaves a small off white head that keeps good retention. Slight tight lacing is left on the glass. The taste starts out very fruity, apples and raisins come to mind. Then a bit of chocolate malt, followed by a nice crisp dry citrus finish. Well carbonated. And at 5.2% ABV, it is just as drinkable as your run of the mill domestics. But this is special.
I finished my beer, thanked my beautiful host Dung, my lovely server Kinsey and departed. My beer thirst satiated, I gave a man hug to my boy Rob Toney WOB’s GM on the way out the door, in full knowledge that I would be back again.
