EPISODE 34: Hail Hale's!

EPISODE 34: 

Hail Hale's!

Thirty-five years! Where has the time all gone?

I hail thee, Hale's, as Brewing Pioneer

Still going strong, a true phenomenon

The time has come to re-enjoy your beer

My first pint was Palladium Pale Ale

Which dates way back to 1983

But even in THIS year it doesn't fail

It's clean and crisp, a perfect beer for me

I tried their Bill'sner Pilsner, by the way

(I also met the Bill for whom it's named)

And last, a brand new Citrus IPA

A modern classic that will soon be famed

The verdict: One great lager, two great ales

Three reasons to continue to love Hale's

EPISODE 33: Rolling Rock "33"

EPISODE 33:  

"33"

Well, this is Sonnet #33

So that means that the next beer on the dock

Displays that number quite conspicuously

I'm speaking of our old friend Rolling Rock

OK, it's owned by AB InBev now

But dances to that Old Latrobe beat

A legacy they do not disavow.

So what's the deal behind the 33?

Was it when Prohibition hit the curb?

Perhaps the Pittsburgh Steelers' founding year?

Or just the word count of the bottle blurb?

Who cares? It's not like it affects the beer!

So hoist a tall green bottle to the sky

And toast to 33 (but don't ask why)!

EPISODE 32: The Pike Brewing Company's Third Story

EPISODE 32:

The Pike Brewing Company's Third Story

Thee are so many stories 'bout The Pike

Recounting how it rose to brewing glory

And now there is another tale to tell:

A line of beers they've christened “The Third Story”

With six brand new fermenters now online

Head brewer Art now has the proper tools

To craft new brew according to design

That stack up next to their established jewels

First out the gate, a hazy IPA

Then Schwartzbier, and a coffee porter. Each is

A fine achievement, but so far my fave's

Another IPA – this one with peaches!

What next is new from our old friend The Pike?

I'm sure it will be something that I'll like!

EPISODE 31: Triplehorn Brewing Company's “Li'l Vin” Parti-Gyle

EPISODE 31:

Triplehorn Brewing Company's “Li'l Vin” Parti-Gyle

I scanned the list where all the beers were lumped

My eyes beheld an unfamiliar style

“OK,” I said, “You've really got me stumped.

Just what the heck's a freakin' PARTI-GYLE?”

The brewer told me what it meant: He'd dashed

Another smaller beer that was refined

From second runnings of a single mash

In this case, from their “Big Vin” Barleywine

A weaker beer, but not a weaker flavor

Like steeping a strong tea a second time

An amber ale that one can truly savor

With caramel notes that make it taste sublime

I'm glad that I discovered this “small” brew

I'm always up for trying something new!

EPISODE 30: Hop Valley "Bubble Stash" IPA

EPISODE 30:

Hop Valley "Bubble Stash" IPA

Hop Valley has been working all along

To brew IPAs worthy of my cash

Like their "Alpha Centauri" - That one's strong!

Their latest is a beer called "Bubble Stash"

They call it "Beer Evolved" and take the stand

That ordinary hopping is just old

The separate the hop's lupulin gland

Exposing it to cryogenic cold!

That lupulin now bursts into the dance

The outcome of the process is quite clear:

The smoothness, nose, and flavor is enhanced

Resulting in a most delicious beer!

If you crave brews both crushable and brash

Then play the game of drinking "Bubble Stash"

EPISODE 29: Holy Mountain

EPISODE 29:

Holy Mountain

I can't believe that I have not yet penned

A verse to Holy Mountain. Is it true?

A brewery that truly does transcend

The limits of the ordinary brew

The flavors of their barrel-aged saisons

Are powerful yet delicate and pure

Even their pale ales push to unknown zones

To taste more like a delicate liqueur

Their product is beginning to get 'round

Where craft beer taps did not before occur

Their black beer in particular is found

Right in the Cinerama Theater!

With every visit, Holy Mountain's shown

They sit upon Seattle's brewery throne

EPISODE 28: Cloudburst Brewing's “Darkenfloxx” Imperial Stout

EPISODE 28: 
Cloudburst Brewing's “Darkenfloxx” Imperial Stout

Prepare for your escape from Spiderhead

Cry “Drip On!” for a dose of Darkenfloxx

A brew to fill the stoutest heart with dread

As dark and evil as a deadly pox

The scent of cocoa hits you in the nose

Then notes of hazelnut enter the fray

That crazy nuttiness just overflows

But then the coffee taste comes into play

So now the bitterness competes with sweet

And with the potency of alcohol

The howling chaos is at last complete

Laughing at you, as you fall down to Hell

If you're the type who thrills to mortal fear

Your heart will sing for this astounding beer