Rodenbach Grand Cru

Either you like it or you hate it. The comparison of UNC and Rodenbach Grand Cru can go pretty deep. Ask a fan of any other ACC team, and you can hear the dislike. I have heard the same while tasting the Grand Cru. The sourness, the cherries, whatever it is, there are many people out there that would take a sip and hate it. On the other hand, there are people out there that charish every sip.

I fell into this beer at the first Belgian Beer Fest that I went to at Max's. I didn't know what to think of a Flemish Red Ale. First sip, I didn't know about it. Second sip, I could taste it. Third sip, I was in love. Now it is something I look forward to. When other brews are supposed to be similar to it, the comparison always is bad for the other beer.

What is your opinion on these sour beers?

Bear Republic Racer 5

UConn came into the tournament as a favorite to go to the Final Four. Racer 5 is a favorite to land in my fridge. Connection? Yes.

Racer 5, from Bear Republic, may be the smoothest IPA I have ever tried. Very easy to drink, and delicious to boot. The beer is overflowing with hops. This beer was introduced to me through a hop-loving friend that made me take a sip. This golden/orangish beer pours with a foamy head. The aroma hits you right away. The hops pour through your mouth, and continue to linger.

If I could only have one IPA (or maybe one beer) in my fridge, I would have to consider this beer. What would be in your fridge? What do you think of Racer 5, Bear Republic? (Yes, I do love Hop Rod Rye, as well as their Red Rocket)

DogfishHead 90 Minute

Representing Michigan State, 90 minute upset Nugget Nectar, a beer not called a IPA (technically it is an Amber apparently) but is considered one of the best seasonal ales out there. The DogfishHead is a good beer. Nothing special, just a basic IPA. The beer is like MSU. Both the beer and the team play it safe. You won't find surprising aromas or tastes in the 90 minute when you open the bottle, but you will find a beer that is good every time.


Calm, Cool, Consistant



The DFH line helped bring me into IPAs. Their availability throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania made it easy to always have one on hand. There are other big beers out there that give more complexity, but the DFH can be a beer you come back to time after time.

The Beers- Pilsner Urquell

Pilsner Urquell, Rodenbach Grand Cru, DogfishHead 90 Minute, and Racer 5 remain in my Beer Bracket. It leaves me to comment on these beers and my connection with each.





When I first started drinking, which is late compared to most of my friends, I tried everything I could find to see what I liked. One beer that I like, but always seemed snobbish was Pilsner Urquell. I think it had something to do with the name. I don't always drink enough pilsners. I feel that I kind of black balled them; It might be the color. I just don't like the looks of it. Pale yellow bleh. Give me something darker. But that is kind of like the team Pilsner Urquell represents on my bracket. I don't like the look of them, they seemed boring to me. Then comes the tourny and I remember why I placed the as a 3 seed. Both PU and Nova, clean, clear, and consistent. The Wildcats are having a good run, thanks to the Pilsner.



Other Pilsners that I am fond of are the Victory Prima Pils and Bel Pils. What are some other good pilsners out there that I should try?

Updated bracket

Games today are Racer 5 v Dead Guy (UCONN v Mizz) at 4:48. Then at 7:05, it is Guinness v Pilsner Urquell. (Pitt v Nova)

Who will prevail to get to the Final Four?

Did you fill out your Beer Bracket?

With the NCAA men's (and women's) basketball tournament starting Thursday, I started thinking about beer (obviously!). What would my Final Four be? my Elite Eight? my Sweet Sixteen? my bracket? So I started to think about it.

I took a NCAA bracket and replaced the schools with some of my favorite beer. (And no I have not had all the beer in the world, so this list is from my small existence on the face of the earth.)

I will track the teams that should be in the spot, to see how each beer plays out. I am hoping it is an all #1 Final Four. I split the bracket up with Domestics on the left and Foreigns on the right. The Domestics are broken between the East (east of the Mississippi) and West (west of the ole miss). Some problems occured. For example, Abita is north of New Orleans. Does that place it on the east or west side? Anywho, it is on the east side, but I had a great #9 seed for it on the west side, so it is now west. The Foreigns are randomly placed, as I was trying to give the beer I liked better, a better seed.


My number 1 seeds are: Troeg's Nugget Nectar (East), Bear Republic Racer 5 (West), Rodenbach Grand Cru and Guinness. What would yours be?

Click on the about Bracket to see mine.