I got the alert on my phone, from Untappd. Jekyll Brewing of Alpharetta, Georgia had just tapped Del Griffith Pale Ale the day before Thanksgiving, and I had to have it. Now, I couldn’t make it that night (a lot to do getting ready for the holiday), but I did resolve to drop by on Black Friday and grab a crowler to go. Wouldn’t that be wonderful to drink during my annual viewing of Planes, Trains and Automobiles later that night? Just in time for the 30^th anniversary of the film.

As it turned out, and to quote good old Del himself, “But I guess, that’s not gonna happen.” Like something straight out of the movie itself, the crowler machine at Jekyll had broken down. Never fear, though, they were still pouring the beer, and I ordered a 10-ounce glass to enjoy at the bar. Jekyll was celebrating Tapsgiving, and this was a great way to enjoy it. I asked the bartender who the Planes, Trains and Automobiles fan was that came up with the idea to name a beer for Del, but he didn’t know.

On the draft menu, Jekyll describes this as a pale ale of 6% alcohol by volume. I would call it an American Pale Ale, still a pale ale of course. It was running $6.25 for the 10-ounce glass, that serving size being the largest you can get on taproom Exclusive beers. I find that a high price quite frankly, but I was inclined to overlook it in the spirit of the holiday.

My glass of Del Griffith’s Pale Ale arrived a bit of a murkey dark brownish orange in color with a light head of creamy foam and a resiny piney nose. Taking a sip, I got a medium malt body appropriate to a pale ale, resin and zesty grapefruit rind with a robust hop bitterness. All in all, an excellent APA the type that would have been emerging when Planes, Trains and Automobiles premiered back in 1987. It also recalls many fine examples of the settle I enjoyed while watching this holiday classic each year during the nineties.

What would Del Griffith think of his namesake brew? We know he likes beer; he spilled it all over the bed at the Braidwood Inn, and in a deleted scene on the plane he’s having a can of Miller Genuine Draft with his meal. Were he to enjoy a glass of this fine APA from Jekyll, I think he would say:

I like it. My wife likes it. My customers like it. 'Cause it’s the real article. What you see is what you get.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft



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