Happy American Craft Beer Week!
To celebrate ACBW, I am going to do something backasswards. Instead of celebrating what we do have here in America’s Heartland, I am making a wish list of what I wish we had available. I picked twelve breweries, both large and small that I dearly wish we had readily available. As you’re traveling about the country, you might look for some fine beers from some of these outstanding breweries.
Of the twelve breweries listed, nine could make it to this part of the country perhaps. There is no chance for one of them. As for the other two, well they are small Colorado breweries that I really, really like.
2. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, Delaware. 60 minute, 90 minute, 120 minute IPAs. I don’t really need more reasons than that, but if you really want some other reasons, I guess 61 minute and 75 minute IPAs. ApriHop? Bitches Brew? Burton Baton? Chicory Stout? Hellhound on my Ale? Immort Ale? World Wide Stout? I’m getting sad.
3. Brooklyn Brewery, New York, New York. Black Ops, Black Chocolate Stout, Dark Matter, Cuvee Noir, Grand Cru, Detonation, Local 1 and Local 2, Sorachi Ace, Monster, Wild 1… I mean, I think I could get used to having some of these beers readily available. Couldn’t you?
4. Sixpoint Craft Ales, Brooklyn, New York. Yes, another brewery from the Big Apple. Have you had the 3beans? No? You should. Try the Belgian-Rye IPA, Bolshoi, Black Market Porter, Guerilla Warfare Porter, Otis, Resin, and Triple Sweet Action too. You won’t be disappointed you did.
5. Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, Florida. From California to New York to Florida. So what would I drink from Cigar City? What wouldn’t I drink from Cigar City?? That said, how about the … well anything. I really would like a Café con Leche Stout right about now though. Coco Loco, Cubano Imperial Sweet Stout, Death Metal Rye Stout, and anything from the Humidor series would also be welcome.
6. Port Brewing/Lost Abbey, San Marcos, California. Lost Abbey is the Belgian inspired line of beers from Port Brewing. Judgment Day, 10 Commandments, Amazing Grace, Avante Garde, Carnevale, Gift of the Magi, Framboise de Amorosa, Red Poppy, Serpents Stout, Veritas, and The Angels Share are all some beers that I would go broke buying.
7. The Bruery, Placentia, California. Black Tuesday Imperial Stout. Coton. Fruet. Hottenroth. Something about Turtle Doves, French Hens, and Calling Birds. Saison Rue. Sour in the Rye. Saison de Lente. Cherry Oude Tart. Sigh.
8. Oskar Blues Brewery, Lyons, Colorado. Why? CANS! I LOVE CANNED BEER. Yes, I said it. Try the Dale’s Pale Ale, Deviant Dale’s IPA, Old Chub or 10 Fidy. But don’t steal the ones in my basement.
9. Uinta Brewing, Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah? Seriously? UTAH? They don’t drink in Utah, right? Not true! They not only drink but they make some darn fine beers. Try the Dubhe, Barley Wine, Hop Notch, and anything from the Crooked Line Series. I am quite fond of the Labyrinth and Detour double IPA from that series.
10. New Glarus Brewing, New Glarus, Wisconsin. New Glarus is the pipe dream, as New Glarus only distributes in Wisconsin and has no plans to distribute outside the state as far as I know. Should you travel to the land of sausage and cheese, find a place to stop and get a Serendipity, Wisconsin Belgian Red, Black Top, Apple Ale, Raspberry Tart, and/or anything from the Unplugged or Thumbprint series of beers.
11. Trinity Brewing Company, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Trinity recently starting distributing outside of Colorado Springs to the rest of the state. That’s a start. They make some dynamite beers, such as TPS Report, Slap Yer Mammy double IPA, The Flavor, Brain of the Turtle, and a number of saisons/farmhouse ales. They also play around with brett, so look for that as well if you’re in Colorado.
12. Paradox Beer Company, Woodland Park, Colorado. Another small brewery from Colorado. I have had a few of their beers, and I thought the Belgo Rye IPA aged in barrels was quite interesting (Paradise Nines – The Catcher). I think they have a chance, since they do some really interesting combinations of styles and such.
13. Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, Indiana. Okay, okay. I said I was going to have twelve that I wish was here, but that’s because I have a love/hate relationship with Three Floyds. I love the beer, but I hate that I keep not getting tickets to Dark Lord Day. So yes, I am bitter. But bitterness aside, I do wish that Three Floyds was here in the Heartland. I am willing to sacrifice myself so I can have Zombie Dust. But who wouldn't?
So that's my [baker's] dozen wish list. Who would you add?
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