Spring is Beer!

 My favorite brewery turned 20 this year, and of course they made a beer to celebrate.  Dogfish Head is know for pushing the boundaries of what beer can be, and for making spectacular high alcohol brews.  I've hear mixed reviews on this one, but was glad to finally try it.  Rumor has it, it was supposed to be a 20% ABV beer, but there were complications during fermentation and it ended up at 17% ABV.

The brew was thick and sweet, and made a perfect desert beer.  I'm not sure I'd want to drink a whole bottle by myself at one time, but was great splitting it.  I absolutely would have another.  So Cheers, and happy birthday to Dogfish Head!  I can't wait to taste what you do over the next 20 years.  http://www.dogfish.com/

 My good friend Lisa and her family took a trip to Colorado recently, and was kind enough to bring me back a nice haul of Colorado beers (and a 6 pack of Racer 5, I know it's a California beer, but it's one of the best IPA's out there.)  I haven't heard much about Upslope brewing, but this Imperial IPA was outstanding.  Crisp, fruity, malty, balanced by the bitterness from loads of hops, this Imperial IPA drank more like a 6% than a 10% ABV.  Absolutely fantastic.  This is a brewery that I will need to try more from.

If you live in the Midwest, than you've probably heard of Surly brewing.  http://surlybrewing.com/  Todd the Axe Man is one of their most sought after beers, so when I stumbled on a lone 4 pack recently, I had to pick it up.  This delicious IPA is loaded with Citra and Mosiac hops that you can smell the moment you pop the top on the can.  Luckily this beer tastes as good as it smells.  My only problem with this beer is the price point, at $18.99 a 4 pack (at least they are 16oz cans) it's a pricey brew.  Because of that, not one I would drink regularly, but definitely one I'd love to have again.  Another excellent beer from the crew at Surly.

Since my last blog, I've decided to give podcasting a try.  So, for the next year I will put out at least one podcast per month, hopefully more if I can get some guests to help out.  You can find my first one and the upcoming ones on my Crinkletalk YouTube Channel.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGLOMVq8at4  I promise they will get better!

Until next time, follow me on
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Cheers!