Churchkey is the first to tell you in ALL CAPS how special their new beers are, and they’re usually right. But King Crimson, the new imperial red ale by Peak Organic even surpasses the hype. The ruby-colored beer is loaded with hops, but at heart it’s a velvety mug of malt, with a touch of maple syrup and a buttery smoothness thanks to a traditionally English yeast strain called Ringwood. I kind of want one right now. If you order a pint and the bartender says “It’s the last one,” you say “Nevermind then, you save it here for Orr.”

The beer is in limited supply this year; it was a homebrew recipe by Tim Adams, Peak’s D.C. sales rep, and Churchkey has the only eight kegs allotted to D.C. this year. As of today there are four left. In fall 2010 the seasonal beer will be in bottles and kegs galore, but for now, drink it while it’s here.