Snowboards, bonus beers and sours...

Last time I got to try a Ska Brewing beer, someone sent it to me from Colorado.  That one, Modus Hoperandi was good.  I remember it being big and very old school bitter.  I was kind of expecting Euphoria Pale Ale to be similar.  Euphoria is a Venture/Ska Venture with Venture Snowboards that is a winter selection from Ska Brewing.  I didn't make that up to be repetitive, it's just what it is.  Although I cannot vouch for the snowboard, the Euphoria is pretty frickin' good.  It poured pretty dark for a pale and initially reminded me of Nugget Nectar a little.  It's more chocolaty though, with lighter carbonation, and the bold bitter finish that I remember from Hoperandi.  If you're in the market for checkered shirts to skank in, or an anytime present for yours truly, I suggest you check out their swag shop.

Hey, You WON!!!  Bonus beer.  I had pumped up the Oskar Blues Death by Coconut in a previous post, and luckily had another leftover small release that hit Whole Foods locally.  It fits, because it's also a collaboration with something that's not a brewery.  Hotbox Coffee Porter, brought to you in association with Hotbox Coffee Roasters.  #groundtown  (Not as many Oskar Blues hits as I was hoping for on that one)  It's like a cold brew mocha.  I'll let you know if I can taste the caffeine in about an hour when bedtime hits.  Here's where you can purchase Hotbox Coffee.  I implore you to check it out based solely on the kitsch.  And here's where you can find the Oskar Blues website, assuming you have a computer with enough power to run elite video games.  I do not, so tell me how it is sometime.  Thanks.  Also, while you're there, check out the Crowler.  You're going to want to know what it is when it starts popping up at bars and breweries all over the place.  Locally, there is one at the Hulmville Inn.

Also, Oskar Blues just bought, or really the investment firm that owns them just bought, Cigar City.  That's interesting for many reasons, or not.

Really loved these Trinity beers.  I was expecting Super Juice Solution to be similar to Swingline, but without the barrel.  This one finishes clean.  Still has juicy.  Still has tart.  Totally dig.  Dregs soften up, but make the finish super interesting.  No one is arguing that Trinity doesn't make exceptional beers.  If you are, you are being ignored.  I haven't done this with a lot of these beers, but Trinity probably explains it better than I would...

Soured with Lactobacillus delbrueckii and complimented with heavily fruity American hops.  We use a touch of coriander to reinforce the citrus theme of this beer.  Although no fruit is used, this specialty IPA structure drinks refreshingly juicy and extremely session-able.

To close out part III of a thousand, here are two reviews from @pppantonlones on beers that he didn't love...

Susquehanna Hopcelerator  Webster's defines 'Hopcelerator' as "one who looks to hop puns as humor, often to his detriment. See also 'home brewer'" ouch that's brutal. The guy writing this sounds like a total a-hole. Truthfully, it wasn't bad at all. Quite the contrary. But to be fair, the other beers were fanfuckingtastic, and while pleasant this didn't stand out. There are worse things than being 'just ok' or 'ok' or 'good I guess'. See Clink

For the record, I have not had this beer.  Susquehanna makes amazing beers, especially their GABF medaling Goldencold Lager.  I guess I was hoping it would be better than just ok, but I think we'll all survive.

Sole ClinkClink clank clunk. Stink stank stunk. It's beer,  so it could have been worse. It could have been water. 

This I actually picked out because I've had it and I enjoyed it.  I've seen some other brews from this brewery around as well, and they've been pretty good, although I've only seen those on draft.  If you see Juicebox, I highly recommend you have some.  Interestingly enough, Sole is a gypsy brewer, and is currently brewing out of Susquehanna.  This was unknown until the writing of this newsletter.  Investigative journalism and whatnot.

I'm getting close.  I think there are only like a hundred or more beers.  Cheers.