CBE9 - For Those Who Like Holidays and Hops

#CBE9

I like my Christmas music about snow, presents, Santa, and fictional claymation characters.  I like my CBE with IPA's.  So as long as another rendition of "Silent Night" doesn't come on Pandora while I'm typing this, we're all going to be very happy.  The following is a CBE that features 3 first time members, no @Mitch295_ @pppantalones or @G_o_o_d_y, a couple Christmas Ales, a magically nitrogenated bottle, a lot of IPAs, several links to Brewery websites, a potential translation of whatever is written on the Corsendonk site, and an All-Time First: after 9 sanctioned CBE events, a total of 81 beers, we have our first duplicate (which was totally on purpose.)  I think we did pretty good, especially because at one point I didn't think we were going to get this done at all, let alone get back to 8 selections.  Let's get this Holiday/Hoppy #CBE9 started.

Close your eyes.  Never mind, too tough to read that way.  Imagine your eyes are closed, and let me take you back in time.  A simpler time.  It's October 28th 2010, and Volume 1 Issue 1 of the CBE newsletter had just gone to press.  To paint the newsletter picture, at the time I thought we were a bit hop heavy on selections.  We had 4 IPAs.  I chuckle at that now.  This one fell into the middle of the IPA selections that were commented on in that newsletter.  The other one I refer to is Lagunitas Maximus.  You'll also notice I was about 85% less funny...

Halfway through the IPA scroll, we come along another beer that I’ve had in the past, and really loved. @pppantalones’ Bear Republic Racer 5. @pppantalones and @Mitch295_ wanted a CA, bare knuckle, IPA brawl. They picked two of the best, and wanted us to choose what was better head to head. I’ll let the Bear Republic Website put up their argument for Racer 5… This hoppy American IPA is a full bodied beer brewed American pale and crystalmalts, and heavily hopped with Chinook, Cascade, Columbus and Centennial.
There's a trophy in every glass.
· 2009 Great American Beer Festival® American-Style Strong Pale Ale GOLD
· 2009 Colorado State Fair Best of Show
· 2006 Great American Beer Festival® American-Style Strong Pale Ale SILVER

· 2005 Great American Beer Festival® American-Style Strong Pale Ale SILVER

· 1999 Great American Beer Festival® India Pale Ale – GOLD

 

Now although I can’t argue with those awards, I will say that I copied that directly from the website, and the Queens English it is certainly not. I don’t understand why this brewery can’t hire someone to review their descriptions and make corrections to them so they make sense (knowing full well there has to be multiple spelling/grammar errors in my newsletter.) Also, the website had a black background so when I stole the description, I had to learn how to change the color of the font on my Mac. I guess what I’m saying is, advantage @Mitch295_, but I’m looking forward to the actual battle of CA IPAs.

@stavypapa has taken us back to the well.  And since I didn't even have to go to the Bear Republic Website (except to get that hyperlink,) I can enjoy this one much more.

CBE 7 & 1/2 (slash) My @pppantalones Tribute

As mentioned in a previous post, this club has caused some of the polish to come off of my craft beer reputation.  Although I never claimed to know everything, there was a time when I would not be caught off guard about certain releases, events, and news.  You could say that people used to come to me.  I was somewhat of a resource.  It made me feel fairly important.  But that is definitely not the case anymore, and hasn't been for some time.  Sure, I still read a handful of blogs, follow a fair share of breweries on Twitter, and pick up a copy of Philly Beer Scene or Mid Atlantic Brewing News here or there.  But I have fallen behind the curve a little bit.  If there is a specific area where my reach has been outpaced, it's Hops.  This club loves the shit out of them.  Ever since @Mitch295_ scraped enamel off our teeth with some Lagunitas Maximus, we'll take pretty much any kind, from any place.  So much so, that at least two-thirds of the 73 (that's right, I have the number) beers we've devoured have been of the hoppy variety.  In order to not tangent too much, the reason for the background is that I got scooped by @pppantalones about a new Stone release, for a beer called Enjoy By 9.21.12.  I've had a Stone beer here or there.  The Sublimely Self Righteous is one of the best black IPA's ever, their regular pale and IPA are great.  I've had a few of their Vertical Epic Ale series, and they've all been awesome.  They are pretty plentiful in the area, and admittedly, I am guilty of sometimes overlooking them.

So I went on a trip once.  Over a bridge.  To a land that arcane liquor laws forgot.  I'm talking about a place where you can mix and match six-packs, buy individuals bottles, and get access to some breweries that don't even have distribution in PA.  I'm talking about little place called New Jersey.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, from the website, this is what we are dealing with...

Let us present to you a new, devastatingly fresh double IPA. While freshness is a key component of many beers - especially big, citrusy, floral IPAs - we've taken it further, a lot further, in this IPA. You see, we specifically brewed it NOT to last. We've not only gone to extensive lengths to ensure that you'll get this beer in your hands within an extraordinarily short window, we made sure that the Enjoy By date isn't randomly etched in tiny text somewhere on the label, to be overlooked by all but the most attentive of retailers and consumers. Instead, we're sending a clear message with the name of the beer itself that there is no better time than right now to enjoy this IPA.

Completely spearheaded by @pppantalones, and mocked by many, we headed east on the turnpike to try and find this new release from Stone.  Equipped with a map, that was developed through some research on Stone's ridiculously specific Enjoy By website, as well as monitoring some Tweets from the NJ distributor.  Not to ruin the story, or cut it short, but we were fortunate enough to run into some. A lot of it actually.  Enough to share.  And this is the newsletter of those beers.

Enjoy By - Stone, CA.  Double IPA.  Message received.  This is probably one of my favorite beers of all time, and currently being released to different markets all over the US.  The current release (11.09.12) is in Ohio and Colorado.  And has probably been off the shelves there within days of it's release.  I am positive that the next time this beer makes it way east, especially if it ever sees PA, there will be lines, tickets, and long waits.  You'll probably have to take a day off work if you want to get your hands on some.  It's the second coming of Pliny the Younger.  At least it's worth it, and when the CBE had it, you didn't even have to wait in line...

Somebody loves St Louis.  I'm not going to tell you who, but check out some Twitter feeds and I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.  While in NJ, there were two Schlafly beers picked up.  Their Dry Hopped APA, and Oktoberfest.  I thought they were both very good, and would even go on to say that the APA was exceptional.  Not over the top, but flavorful and hoppy nonetheless.  The Oktoberfest was solid, but nothing crazy.  I know someone who was at the brewery/pub once.  Maybe he can tell you about it in the comments (hint, hint.)

Our Dry Hopped American Pale Ale (APA) is charged with American hops to create a bold, aromatic ale. Assertive hop flavor joins the pine/citrus aroma characteristic of American hops to balance the full body provided by North American malts. After fermentation, the beer circulates through a bed of Cascade and Chinook hops, boosting the distinctive hop aroma of this satisfying ale.
In the long view of the history of beer, American Pale Ale is a newcomer.  Based on English Pale Ale, American brewers adapted this style into something new.  Born out of the reverence English Pale Ales during the 1980’s American beer scene, APA is the bold, hoppier cousin of Pale Ale.  With an emphasis on American hops, APA is gaining popularity with breweries racing to make these ales with such great hop characters.

Couldn't pass this picture up...

Our Oktoberfest is a traditional Bavarian Märzen with a toasty malt aroma and slight caramel taste.  This rich, amber lager is balanced by the use of German noble hops, while the lager yeast ferments cold and slow, creating a smooth, crisp beer.
Märzen, or Oktoberfest, has its origins in Bavaria, most likely before the 16th century.  For public safety and brewing quality concerns, the Bavarian Brauordnung was decreed in 1539, stating that beer could only be brewed from September 29th (Saint Michael) to April 23rd (Saint George).  Over the summer months, beers were stored, or lagered, in caves and stone cellars.  The evolution of Oktoberfest came from the last brews of the year, in March (or Märzen), as these beers would be ready to drink for the Bavarian celebration, “Oktoberfest”.

When I first heard of Gritty McDuff's, it was because they supposedly have a really phenomenal stout.  It's called Black Fly, and it is pretty well renown.  They were at the Winter Beerfest at the Naval Yard about 3 years ago.  No stout.  Then Whole Foods came to town, and they started carrying Gritty's.  I've never seen the Black Fly.  So either they're holding out, or they just refuse to share.  I guess it gets cold in Maine and they want to hold on to it, but is it too much to ask to share a bottle or two.  I digress.  We picked up "Maine's Best IPA."  I've discovered that this probably used to be Gritty's "21 IPA."  Don't ask how I came to that conclusion, but Ba didn't even have enough reviews for a grade for this guy, and the abv's were the same, so let's just go with it.  It was ok.  I didn't not like it, I didn't love it.  And I'm still pissed about the Black Fly Stout.  I will say that for 6.8% abv, the alcohol is hid very well.

Maine's Best IPA is a unique blend of American hops with a British body utilizing English 2-Row Pale malts. This IPA starts with a hoppy aroma and taste; ending with a sweet finish. Plenty of Munich and caramalts are used to give the beer that golden hue. There are fifty-six pounds of Cascade Hops used in each 50 barrel batch that is brewed! Then we finish the beer with Willamette & Warrior Hops, (Warrior is a high-alpha acid variety of hops).

Best for last, and when I say best, I think I mean funniest, because the Enjoy By was easily the best beer in this bunch.  Actually, this one could have given it a run.  I love Great Divide.  I love Yeti.  I've been at their brewery on the outskirts of Downtown Denver, and it is nothing except a great tasting room.  We were having a lot of trouble picking beers to round out the twelve pack were were putting together for this little CBE excursion.  The issue was that we already have access to the large majority of beers in NJ.  So this was a little gamble.  And it evoked this... 

danc ‏@pppantalones

The @greatdividebrew Rumble is so good I'm going to start oak-aging everything else in my fridge.

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3:35 PM - 22 Aug 12 · Details

22 AugGreat Divide Brewing ‏@greatdividebrew

@pppantalones hahah that awesome! #TweetOfTheDay

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That pretty much says it all about this one.  Barrel aging goes one of two ways; perfectly, or overboard.  There doesn't seem to be a middle ground.  And this one is perfect.  If the #TweetOfTheDay wasn't enough, here's the websites summary:

RUMBLE IPA is an American IPA with subtle nuance. Brewed with heavy handed additions of Pacific Northwest hops, this beer is gently aged on French and American oak resulting in a wonderful balance of bitterness, caramel sweetness, vanilla, and undertones of pine and citrus. Very inspiring.

And on that note, I'm putting this one to bed.  Look forward to the CBESummary, which will have all of the beers, BeerAdvocate and RateBeer ratings at purchase, Home State, Brewer, ABV, style and the CBE Member who chose it.  I'll also be putting together some fun facts, because it has the word fun in it.

Spring Forward; Fall Back (to March)

I'm having a hell of a time typing stuff about beer tonight.  As per usual, I'm having a very rough time coming up with something for the intro.  I must have wasted it all on the Exchange that we just had.  Seems I have no more jokes, be they Halloween related, or lateness related, for a CBE that took place in March.  Yep, that March.  2012.  Right before St Patrick's Day.  Right before the weekend where you can walk the streets of Philadelphia, while they are covered in about a foot of crushed Bud Light cans.  Streets lined with college age girls bawling their eyes out; screaming into cell phones for God knows why.  Dudes everywhere, in green shirts, holding green cups, waiting in a line for a port-a-potty that never gets any shorter.  It's kind of like the Walking Dead, except all of the zombies are wearing green and peeing on all kinds of stuff.  Yeah, I was at Erin Express once, and I won't be back.  Barely(wine) made it out alive.  There's your pun.  *pats self on back*

I will note that this particular project had some extra work.  Usually on CBE days, I'm pretty cheery.  Maybe a little anxious, but always cheery.  I seem to always take pictures, write e-mail summaries, produce lists to pass around, and pretty much devote the day to documenting what we have accomplished (I'm using accomplished very loosely.)  This particular Exchange was different.  There must have been something going on that took my eye off the prize.  Maybe it was a Flyers playoff push, maybe a bad hair day... Who Knows?!?  What matters is that after Indiana Jonesing through e-mails, Tweets, and texts for two days, I finally uncovered a list.  A thank you goes out to @pppantalones, who must not have been there and inquired as to what was in the box.  So the records have been completed.  And after much conjecture, the long lost list for #CBE7 has been restored.  Thus, I give you, a newsletter...

Olde Bartholomew - Barleywine - Yards Brewing, PA.  10.5%, and definitely one of the biggest beers we've had.  Great ZZ Top label.  From what I can remember (see; no written evidence,) no one was a big fan of this one.  Pansies.  I'm 100% sure this was my pick.  I stand by it.  I wasn't going to include stuff from websites in this newsletter, but some of the Yards stuff has made me change my mind.  They are witty, and here are some high points...

When Olde Bartholomew^® was around, the times were far from tame. He was a free spirit who bent elbows with the best of ‘em.
This Barleywine-style Ale was brewed for characters like him. It’s an unfiltered ale, a winter warmer with a smooth malt background, soft fruit overtones and a slight hop spice in the finish. Just a few sips are sure to arouse the character in all of us.
FEASTING:
Olde Bart’s strong malt character and high alcohol content pair well with full-flavored
foods such as creamier blue cheeses and non-cavity causing desserts like pecan
pie. We like to enjoy our Olde Bart at a cozy bar with a fireplace while discussing
all of life’s questions. 

I always thought Pecan Pie was a high cause of cavities during the Thanksgiving Holiday, but I am in fact not a doctor of any kind.  Even a dentist.

Flower Power - IPA - Ithaca Brewing, NY.  Although there is no definitive way to know, I believe that @gang_greeny picked this one out.  It was totally through process of elimination that I determined that, and if it's not correct, I apologize.  Either way, this one is decidedly one of the favorites of the group.  I would have to say there's a good chance it would show up in everyones top 5-7 IPA list.  Go ahead, name 7 better ones.  You're not going to be able to do it.  Solid, and an easy go to at the store when you can't figure out what to get.  And also, very trippy...

Availability: Year RoundEnjoy the clover honey hue and tropical nose. Simultaneously Punchy and soothing with a big body and a finish that boasts pineapple and grapefruit. Flower power is hopped and dry-hopped five different times throughout the brewing and fermentation process.

The next selection lives in infamy.  It is one of the all time highly revered beers in CBE lexicon.  I would also like to point out, that even though this one may be credited to @pppantalones, because of sparse records, and rumors of his absence, there is a good change that I also picked this one.  They can't all be winners, but Sixpoint Resin certainly was.  There is a very creepy Blair Witchesque type video on the website.  It describes the story of Resin, hops, life in general, also funny hats.  The truth is, the story is that this beer is almost syrupy with hops, and we all know that's what we're into.  Great name.  Great beer.  Comes in a slim can, and should be marketed as Red Bull for grown ups.

Resin
Whatever flames upon the night.
Man's own resinous heart has fed.
A beer that celebrates the extraction of hop resin for a concentrated yet balanced brew. 

Bengali Tiger - IPA - Sixpoint, NY.  This one is being credited to @Grifo79.  Although the Resin is unanimously great, I haven't always loved Sixpoint beers.  But they've grown on me. The Brownstone is good, the Autumnation and Apollo are awesome.  They come in pounders.  They had a beer called Gorilla Warfare at Whole Foods over Philly Beer Week, and the rep did a really great presentation on all of the beers.  I even like the Crisp.  Bengali is a solid IPA.  It's not my favorite, but when your going to the beach and need to bring beer in giant aluminum cans, I've been known to take these.

Bengali Tiger
What immortal hand or eye. Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
The Sixpoint homebrewed IPA interpretation. Blaze orange in color, with an abundance of citrus hop bitterness, and a full pine and grapefruit bouquet in the aroma.

It should be pointed out now, that I'm having a beer or two while I am doing this, and since I also wrote one last night, I will not be going back to check for typos.  If you have a problem with that, you may want to stop reading.

Hop Rod Rye - Rye Beer - Bear Republic, CA.  Credit to @Mitch295_, this may be the highest rated beer (Ba and Rb combined,) that we've had in CBE.  There are two others that are close, but they are Imperial Stouts, which are alway rated high, so I'm giving the immediate edge to this one.  There is not anything on the website that is inherently funny or creative.  So I will give you this.  When you put a beer into Google, and image search, eventually you get a picture of some idiot that did a video review, or just some guy wearing a t-shirt.  Usually I opt for a picture of the beer, label, bottle/can, etc.  But here are TGOB (two guys on beer.)  I think they are actually Philadelphia central, and probably have a million reviews on their site.  They both really look like they liked the Hop Rod...

Prima Pils - Pilsner - Victory, PA.  This one is being credited to RA.  Again, I apologize.  All documentation of #CBE7 is admittedly sub par.  This is the beer of summer.  Victory is an awesome brewery and can do no wrong in my opinion.  At one point, I think I made a bunch of us go out to Teresa's Next Door for a partial CBE so I could have one of their barrel aged beers.  That was a good idea.  You're welcome.

“I left Downingtown over two years ago and still have dreams about your Sunrise.” — Betty D.

Because @stavypapa mysteriously wanted nothing to do with CBE7, we picked up a mystery guest.  @prepskoolhippie was a wild card, and chose our first Abita beer, the Mardi Gras Bock.  Although it's not a very well rated beer, this selection was greeted with open arms from our CBE brethren.  Meaning that some of us drank it, some of us gave it to our wives, and some of us still have it in the fridge in our garage.  Overall, it wasn't Vag Porter, reviews were mixed, I thought it was pretty good.  I also have never met a beer I didn't like, and would drink said Vag Porter if someone put it in front of me.  I will note that none of those that gave this bad reviews probably had it withe Mexican food as recommended...

Mardi Gras Bock (January – March) is the first of our seasonal brews. Abita Bock is brewed with pale, pilsner and caramel malts and German Perle hops. Our bock is similar to German maibocks with its rich malt flavor and full body. A perfect choice during Carnival season in New Orleans. Gruyére, Emmental and Swiss are nice cheese choices with Bock. Great with roasted beef or pork. Try it with Mexican food, too.

And last, for the last time, we get to our old friend @G_o_o_d_y, who has the most annoying Twitter handle to write.  I only know this next factoid because I have the information in front of me, 50% of the beers he picked while a member of the CBE, were from Colorado.  And now they can have him.  I guess we should have seen the writing on the wall.  Two beers from Avery, one from Great Divide, and then this little number from Boulder.

Released annually in October. Our brewers’ mission to create a satisfying cold weather brew resulted in Never Summer Ale, our version of a more aggressive winter seasonal. Deep ruby red in color, assertively hopped and brewed with dark caramel malt, Never Summer Ale makes even the coldest Colorado peaks seem warm. Never Summer Ale: For the Drinking Town with a Skiing Problem! 

And now David has a skiing problem.  So long, kind sir.  Your love of beer, hockey, and your introduction of UJ's will not be forgotten.  I might have to go get another to toast your move.  Don't worry everyone, the newsletter is over, so the misspellings and grammatical errors will cease.  Safe travels.

Wow, two of these in two days.  You guys are LUCK-E.

CBE8 - There and Back Again...

Webster's defines Anniversary as 1 : the annual recurrence of a date marking a notable event; broadly : a date that follows such an event by a specified period of time measured in units other than years.  2 : the celebration of an anniversary.

Well, 10/28/2012, the precursor to #Sandy, was the two-year anniversary of the CBE, formerly The Craft Beer Exchange.  We've gone through quite a bit.  I feel like having these little gatherings where we get to try some different beer has lost it's lust.  It started as a way for me to sucker you into spending 40-50 bucks (or duckets as I like to call them,) so that I could taste an array of micro/craft/import beers instead of having to invest money into a case that I might not like.  Since we've started this, the game has been changed.  For starters, I've created monsters.  You guys have really upped the field.  There was a time when you would walk glowingly to my desk to tell me about a new beer you had over the weekend from some place called Victory.  "Have you ever had Hop Devil," you would ask.  And I would smile, and say that I had actually seen that one around, and we would discuss how awesome it was.  But now you show up at my desk asking me about breweries in the far reaches of God Knows Where, PA; and I shake my head in a completely different way then I used to.  You guys quite frankly would scoff at a beer list where Hop Devil was the most creative beer to be had.  Whole Foods and Wegmans as well as place called The Beer Shoppe have changed the game as well.  There's also been numerous other beer bars and brew pubs that have opened, the prominence of Teresa's Next Door (which is not a porn site by the way, Baracuda,) Tired Hands,  Forest and Main, a couple new Iron Hills, and the continuing ability of a hole in the wall in Glenside to bring us new and better beer consistently.  Also, another NHL lockout, that according to the demographics of this newsletter, a staggering 62.5% care about (suck it Jonah.)  Beyond those changes, and maybe most importantly, the imminent departure of two founding members to different states.  A lot has changed.  But as things constantly change, we still found a way to squeeze in CBE8.  So enjoy.  'Tis the season.

I'm in the process of updating the archives, specifically because I didn't care enough to write a poem about CBE7, or that crazy trip to NJ that @pppantolones took me on to get Stone's Enjoy By.  I do remember that CBE7 brought us the likes of Resin, as well as Old Bartholomew.  Rest easy knowing that the inclusion of all of those beers to the master list is in the works.  And due to the lack of interest and time I have given the keyboard, give a hearty *dismissive wank* to the fact that all of that information will probably not be written down.  Forever.  But hold on in your hearts to the possibility of a newsletter for CBE3, as well as CBE7.  Because without that hope, what do we really have?

Yes, Elysian Brewing, I am over 21.  Just like I've told you the past several times.  And yes, Elysian Brewing, I find it rude that you would only tell me that this is a very drinkable pumpkin ale, brewed with seven and a half pounds of pumpkin per barrel, and spiced in conditioning with ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice.  (chuckle - it would be cool for a brewery to make a pumpkin beer spiced with ginger, and then put Ginger from Gilligan's Island on the bottle.  Feel free to take that any brewer.)  I really like this one, that's why I picked it.  I got an early thumbs up from @Mitch295_, hope the rest of you enjoy it.

Next up, a new brew that I have very high regard for.  Should we be surprised that it's a Lagunitas beer... Probably not.  Would you be surprised that @Mitch295_ picked it... you definitely wouldn't be.  It's the practically new, session inspired, DayTime A Fractional IPA.  I've opined about the Lagunitas website enough, they say this... 

Sometimes you want a beer, then you realize how much crap you need to do before you call it a day. This is it. Nicely dosed with Big, Round Hop Flavors and a Toasty Malt Foundation to satisfy your every need. But it still lets you stay in the game to do what needs to be done. Yup.

And there you have it.  I would explain it as follows, "Want an IPA that you can drink several of and not start acting like an idiot.  Yup."  Could have saved their copywriter several words.  And, no.  That is not my computer, nor my rotary phone.  I got that picture on a place called the internet.  Although that phone is supersweet, and probably the one that is plugged in at my parents house right now in case the power goes out again.

In order to not surprise anyone again, we will travel south to not Maryland, but Georgia, where another Terrapin brew has been selected by none other that @stavypapa.  I was a heavy proponent of bringing on pumpkin beers for this fall selection.  Outside of Williamsburg Alewerks, this is only the third one we've ever had.  And it's a damn good one.  According to Terrapin... (side note, I'm getting pretty f'n good at this linkin' shit)

“My pick for the most kick-ass pumpkin beer goes to my good friends at Terrapin Beer Company!” – Bethany Sherwin Creative Loafing
It’s not fall at Terrapin until we can fill our steins with Pumpkinfest. This seasonal brew encompasses your Thanksgiving spread in one tasty sip. Perfectly balanced pumpkin (real pumpkin!) and spices are added to, without overwhelming, this German style brew. Expect a pumpkin pie nose followed by a strong malt backbone, low hop bitterness and authentic fall taste, all wrapped in a light bodied beer. Prost!

Delicious, filled with pumpkiny goodness, and has another cut picture of a turtle on it.  What more could you ask for.

NEXT.  Bell's beers are damn good.  Surprisingly, this seems to be the only one I have record of sneaking into the CBE outside of Kalamazoo stout.  I noted that it was bottled in Sept, and I thoroughly enjoyed the one I had.  It can be picked up at Whole Foods Plymouth Meeting (linked to their beermenus site, huzzah.)  I assume at this point, we've all had Two-Hearted IPA, well, this is the Two-Hearted of Fall.  According to Bell's...

A smooth, toasty brown ale, Best Brown Ale is a mainstay in our fall & winter lineup. With hints of caramel and cocoa, the malt body has the depth to stand up to cool weather, but does not come across as heavy. This balancing act is aided by the generous use of American hops.

It also apparently comes in these crazy mini kegs.  If anyone ever sees one (Yes, @pppantalones, I know you saw a Two Hearted one once, stop bragging,) please let me know.

On a side note, unto itself, it's starting to get real depressing how far I have to scroll down to enter the sites, just so I can read about these beers.  Can't they do something about that.  Anderson Valley Hop Ottin' IPA.  If you go to Mad Mex, they'll serve this to you in a gigantic glass.  Ba as well as RateBeer seem to love it (did you see what I did there with the links?)  I bet one of you is waiting for that to turn into a little Jackie-esque memorial.  It may, it may not.  Anyway, I really like the Hop Ottin', AVBC says this...

Hop Ottin’ IPA is, just like Anderson Valley itself, easy for anyone to appreciate while offering depth and complexity for those who take the time to savor. Brilliant copper color with a lingering, lacy white head. The nose sings of grapefruit, pine needles, citron, roses, and bergamot. The flavor is rich in the citrusy, resiny flavors typical of the Pacific-Northwest hops packed into this beer, balanced artfully with a solid malt character and crisp bitterness leading to a beautifully dry, light herbal finish. More than just a hop lover’s dream, Hop Ottin’ IPA is a balanced beer for the ages.
As with all of our products, Hop Ottin’ IPA is never sterile filtered nor heat pasteurized.

This may be unnecessary, but Anderson Valley has this thing called Boontling.  It's like if people from Delco embraced the way they say "wuder," and made an online dictionary of how to understand them. There are little sayings under the caps, and on the website, and if you have enough time, you would be able to decipher things like "Hop Ottin' Bites like a can' kicky Bluetail,"to mean it bites like an angry rattlesnake.  I don't get it.  Just say angry rattlesnake.  Dicks... That's why I get a somersetting over Wikipedia not being a cow skully.  By the way, they just changed their labels, I think the old ones are crazeek.

Finally, and farewell.  Or last, but least.  On his exit from our esteemed club, @pppantalones picked a wheat beer brewed in May.  Thanks bud, enjoy DC.

Clementine is Clown Shoes Beer’s Belgian style White Ale. Light-bodied and crisp, this is a terrific White Ale with plenty of zest! Hazy in appearance and healthily carbonated, it utilizes Chambly yeast to energetically shape its wheat malt base. Incorporated in the brewing process is Clementine, sweet orange peel, a hint of Coriander, and Summit hops.At a sly, easy-drinking 5.9%, Clementine is dynamic and flavorful enough to satisfy discerning craft beer palates, yet light enough to count among “sessionable” beers.Poured high into a pint or traditional pilsner style glass, drinkers can sip away lazy summer afternoons. As for food pairings, it is the perfect compliment to a range of salads and seafoods or light cheeses such as Feta, Monterey and Gruyere.

As much as I hate salads, I wanted to not like this beer because we discovered it was possibly "bad."  I poured it leaving all the crazy sediment, which coincidentally looked like croutons, in the bottom of the bottom.  And you know what, it wasn't that bad.  I've had some not great beer from these guys, as well as some good ones.  The good ones have overwhelmingly been on tap.  There's some great Ba forums on their labels, as they make beers called Tramp Stamp, Brown Angel, and Lubrication.  Check them out, their funny.

Until next time CBE'ers.  Goody and Cohen, you will be missed, and probably deserve a much more craftily written exit.  You can handle it yourselves if you want in the comments.  Although I'm not 100% sure those work.

Beer me...

This Day in History... (*whispers* two days ago)

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-canned-beer-goes-on-sale

1/24 - The CBE will officially remember this day in history by supporting 21st Ammendment, Sly Fox, Avery, Oskar Blues, and anything that comes in 16oz, all weekend long.



We will also celebrate it by remembering @stavypapa's contribution to the CBE gift exchange...

That I was unable to post a picture of...