A few years back, I was in a package store poking around in the beer section when the guy behind the counter came over and asked if I needed some help. He could sense my indecision. I was in the mood for an IPA, but I wanted something different than what I was used to.

Something hoppy? He asked. Yeah, I said. Strong? He followed. Sure, why not?

He pointed me in the direction of Schmaltz Brewing Company's He'Brew beer Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A., named for the late comedian and social critic Lenny Bruce. It turned out to be a great suggestion, as "Lenny Bruce IPA," as I've come to call it, quickly became my favorite IPA.

The beer is a rye based double IPA. It has a strong hoppy taste and it's incredibly drinkable. The company advertises that the beer is "brewed with an obscene amount of malts & hops." Fitting for a beer named after a man who was convicted of obscenity.

But you should be careful with this beer. It is 11 percent alcohol by volume, more than double the percentage of your average beer.

On its website, Schmaltz doesn't give the names of package stores that specifically sell the Lenny Bruce IPA, but they do list places that carry the He'Brew varieties. In this area it's Broadway Wine & Spirits in Colchester, Thames River Wine & Spirits in New London, Universal Discount Package in Norwich and Yellowfront Package in New London.

So to sum it all up, this beer is obscenely good. Enjoy!