IT SEEMS LIKE each day there’s National Something Day, but here’s one we can really get behind. Did you know that today is National Drink Beer Day?
Hell yeah it is!
There’s a good chance many of you celebrate this “holiday” every day. If you do, you’re already planning to join in, right? If not, here’s a challenge for you.
If you’re a non-beer-drinker because you don’t like the taste or think it’s a low-brow beverage, you need to seek out a quality American craft beer today and taste it. Chances are you know a beer expert (or at least a fan). Tap that person (pun sorta intended there) for some advice. Describe your usual drinking habits and beverages, and see if they can match you up with a brew to suite your tastes.
If you don’t have someone handy you can prod for ideas, here are a few suggestions.
If you’re normally a sweet wine drinker or a fan of sugary mixed drinks, there are many fruit-based beers out there that you could enjoy. If you can get to a craft beer store, look for these: Hell or High Watermelon by 21st Amendment; Organic Raspberry by Samuel Smith’s; SweetWater Blue by SweetWater Brewing; Son Of A Peach by RJ Rockers.
If you’re normally a whiskey drinker, you might enjoy something barrel aged. Look for these: Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale by Lexington Brewing; Arrogant Bastard Oaked by Stone Brewing; Oak Aged Yeti by Great Divide; also many brew pubs will offer something of their usual brews that have been aged in bourbon barrels.
If you’re more into the sour side of things, you should check out one of these: Supplication (or even Concentration) by Russian River; Oude Tart by The Bruery; La Folie by New Belgium.
If you normally drink mass-produced light lagers (Bud Light, Miller Lite, etc.), then you could step up your craft game to some of these micro-selections: True Blonde Ale by Ska Brewing; Dirty Blonde Ale by Atwater; Joe’s Premium Pilsner by Avery Brewing; Lager of the Lakes by Bell’s Brewery.
And if you want to celebrate the day as big as you can, check out this list of big-ass beers that will throw you into the craft beer scene head-first in the deep end: Hopsickle by Moylan’s Brewing; Pranqster by North Coast Brewing; Mephistopheles’ Stout by Avery Brewing; King Henry Barleywine by Goose Island Beer Co.
Also, don’t forget the fall season. There are plenty of pumpkin ales and Octoberfest ales out there. Just pick one out and give it a try.
BONUS: Want the best beer of all time? (just my opinion) Try a Pliny the Elder. But you better finish it. Don’t waste a drop of Pliny!
