Sven of Orkney says "Hands off my Skull Splitter!"

Well, I'm guessing that's what Sven would say if he found out that some uptight nannyists are trying to mess with Skull Splitter ale because they do not appreciate the finer things in life and also hate fun. (I'm also extrapolating just a bit on motives. They allege that the name encourages violence and the 8.5% ABV is too potent for the common man to handle.) And if they refused to lay off his delicious ale, which, if I may add, is sublimely perfect on a winter night with a bit of stew, he would send his ravaging Orcadian hordes after you and cut off your head. Let's see you commission studies and file complaints to deal with that, you pantywaisted prigs.

Skull Spliter's namesake is a decidedly less fictitious Viking named Thorfinn Hausakluif, or Thorfinn the Skull Splitter, who ruled Orkney around the end of the 1st millennium. Reflect on the idea that the world was once such a place that "Skull Splitter" was a totally normal nickname for a head of state.

While you ponder that I encourage you to provision a good supply of Skull Splitter. It really is a top-notch beer and it earns a hearty endorsement from your humble blogger. If you're in DC and would like to sample some before laying in your own stores then the Brickskeller has it available.

(Via Jacob Grier » Save the Skull Splitter)

PS How gorgeous is this cover to Northlanders #1, by Massimo Carnivale? No, don't answer that because I already know. It is very gorgeous.