Did you ever order a beer, one you haven't had in a while, and been like, "I forgot how much I have enjoyed you". This happened Saturday night. We met up with some friends at a local pub (usually have a nice selection, nothing special), and sitting on tap was Green Flash West Coast IPA.
Now, I haven't had Green Flash in probably a year. I know it is good, will mention it here or while commenting on other blogs as one of my favorite West Coasters. But for whatever reason, I have not picked it up lately.
Green Flash was one of the beers that helped propel me into IPAs. Though I have been changing my "favorite" style basically every month, I can always drink an IPA. I feel that there is a distinct West Coast/East Coast IPA rivalry. I base these comparisons on the Dogfish Head 60 Minute, Heavy Seas Loose Cannon and Victory Hop Devil as my East beers, while Stone IPA, Bear Republic Racer 5 and Green Flash West Coast IPA are my West beers. (Yes, there are many more, but I feel that these beers perform the best for each side of the country.)
Back to Saturday night- I ordered the beer, knowing it was great. But as Will Ferrell said in Old School, "It's just so good when it hits your lips". The absolute BLAST of piney hops reminded me of what I had forgotten. For the first half a beer, I had regret for not picking up a six pack every once in a while. (Or even a case here in PA.)
Yesterday, I started thinking about the other beers that I have put to the back of my mind. Those forgotten old friends that are so great I forget about them. Maybe I take them for granted, maybe the bars don't have them when I enter. For whatever reason, I go way too long between enjoying these beers.
My Other Old Friends:
Weyerbacher Double Simcoe
Great Divide Claymore
Abita TurboDog
Allagash White
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I think my most overlooked yet favorite beer is Bell's Two Hearted. I'm from Michigan and grew up surrounded by Bell's. Because it's so ubiquitous, I tend to try to choose stuff I don't see as often, but for my money, I don't think there's a better IPA out there.
ReplyDeleteAt an even smaller level, I had a mug club membership at Grizzly Peak when I lived in Ann Arbor. I would go once a week and generally order exclusively off the rotating taps. At least once a month, though, I'd get their Pale Ale and remember why that's the beer that got me to get the membership.
@Paul- I totally understand your feelings about Bells Two Hearted. Living in Maryland for 4 years kept me away from Bells, and I only really had it when I would visit my brother in Ann Arbor. Easy beer to get back into it
ReplyDeleteAnother one to add to the list (at least for me), Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. A beer that has gotten so many people into craft beer, but one that, while everyone has had, they tend to forget about. Every time I go back and try it, I am reminded exactly how great of a beer that is.
ReplyDelete@Barroomhero- I initially considered Sierra Nevada PA, but I refuse to forget about it. I have used it to introduce many people into craft beer. Also, it is on tap at so many places, many times it is the only good option on tap.
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