You Know What They Say About Opinions

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

A coworker justifiably outed me as a beer snob today when I scoffed at the idea of drinking beer from a can. It was then that I sheepishly admitted to buying beer fram a grocery store. And not just any beer... an Anheuser-Busch beer.

Now, before all my fellow beer snobs go judging me, this particular beer is AB's summer brew in their seasonal draught series, cleverly branded and cheaply-labeled in order to weasel their way into the increasingly popular craft brew market, Beach Bum Blonde Ale. A zymurgy-wolf in sheep's clothing, I figured, but my curiosity got the better of me so I plunked down seven bucks for a sixer.

I bought the stuff fully expecting a re-packaged Budweiser Select, or something close to it. I've become pretty picky since I started drinking my own homebrew to the point that even some of the authentic craft brews from the local pubs aren't always a sure bet. But, surprisingly, Beach Bum is really, really good.

It's got a nice hoppiness that isn't overwhelming and a nice, clean aftertaste. Served in a frozen glass stein, it was amazingly refreshing. It is better than any of the local kolschs, pilsners or hefeweizens from Squatter's, Uinta, Wasatch or Red Rock. And that's saying something when said about a beer from St. Louis. Though I still wouldn't say I like it as much as my own. I'm a snob, remember?

I'm not going to give up brewing for it or anything and I'm sure I'll still always be looking for something new to try when buying beer off-the-shelf but I do think I'm going to try to clone it and make a bunch of it myself before summer is over.

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