Day 282 - Hop Karma Brown Ale

There are days you wish would never end, which go by in a flash, and there are days you wish were a long past memory, that last forever. Either way, every day comes and goes, and for me, and this year in particular, each mostly ends with a beer. No matter what kind of day it is, all are truly blessed, some just more than others, depending on the hops level...

So, the 3rd by this brewer, and pours a deep brilliant brown color with an enticing aroma of malt and hops. Given the name, I was hoping that the hops would be the dominant dance partner, but a malty sweetness leads here. It's not going to break my top favs, but it's not leaving me with bruised toes either.

Specs:

Full Name: Hop Karma Brown Ale
Brewed By: Terrapin Beer Company
From: Athens GA
ABV: 6%

This brewer supplies a very good and consistent product acrosss their whole line it seems. If you like your beers dark and sweet, but on the light side (like a black lager, but more taste), this would be a good bet. My bottle is empty, and while I'm not shedding any tears, I am blinking a bit more than normal.... ;>)

Cheers.

Day 67 - Hopsecutioner

After last night's disapointment, I was looking for a winner, and given I had had another from this brewer earlier that was very tasty, took the easy road. Sometimes, easy is also best...

This one not only has a cool label, classic burnt orange color and fine aroma, it backs it up with great hops taste. No fruity sweet overtones, no chocolate or coffee hints, just pure, clean, refreshing yumness. I will have to go out and get another of these along with it's co-partner, and do a comparision before I can pick a fav, but either way I win. Per the website, it won the 2010 Gold Medal at the Atlantic city beer festival.

Specs:

Full Name: Hopsecutioner India Pale Ale

Brewed Masterly By: Terrapin Beer Company

From: Athens GA

ABV: 7.2% (nice!)

So, would I move to Athens GA, sigh, probably not, but only because of the location, not the beer. I mean, GA over CO or NH, not in my book.....

This is another from the Ned collection, and another winner!

Day 17 - Rye Pale Ale

Another from the "Uncle Bill" collection, who being a Maryland grad, must have gravitated to this one for the label, though admittedly, a pic of a banjo-plucking turtle in a straw hat would have caught my eye as well.

Still, the bottle/label doth not a beer make, and so, with no way to avoid its date with fate, and to fullfill it destiny, it comes to the point when cap is removed, a shot poured for posterity, and the first swig experienced.




Oh baby......

Per the label, this one took home the gold medal in 2002 at the Great American Beer Festival in the pale ale category, which means I've lost 8 years plus of being able to savor its silky dryness. Ah well, doesn't do to look backwards, and I should be happy that we now can have a future together..... ;>)


Full Name: Rye Pale Ale
Brewed by: Terrapin Beer Company
From: Athens, GA
ABV: 5.5%


If you come and visit, and ask me if I have any of this in the fridge, I might be inclined to bend the truth, depending on whether I think you worthy or not, though to be honest, sometimes it isn't about quantity, but quality, and hoarding this for mass consumption just seems wrong.