ILLIANA CRAFT BREWS & REVIEWS

GOOD TIME CHARLIE (b)RE(w)VIEWS
    ILLIANA BREWS & REVIEWS 4-26-2011


    Hi, my name is Charlie and I may or may not drink too much.

    As a youngster, I can still remember taking sips of my parents’
    beer from time-to-time. As I feigned interest and enjoyment,
    I always wondered why people drank beer. It tasted like
    bubbly skunk piss.

    I drank beer all throughout high school and college, but it took
    me until I was 21 years old to truly appreciate quality beer.

    I studied in Europe that year. I tried beers in Italy, Spain, Ireland,
    France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.
    Many people obsess over the local art and architecture. I saw all
    of that and more. Meeting people in the pubs and taverns of
    Europe gives a great perspective of culture as well. I experimented
    with different styles of beer and people. I fell in love with all of it.

    By the time I got back to the United States, I was a beer snob.
    Drinking a Budweiser in God’s country just isn’t the same as
    drinking a Pilsner Urquell in the Czech Republic (not God’s
    country?). The new challenge of “beer” pong was stomaching
    the yellow fizzy stuff at the bottom of the cup. I started spending
    a lot of time eating and drinking at the local brewpubs. One of
    my new favorite things was walking to the liquor store to peruse
    the vast beer selection. I was out of control.

    I’ve learned a lot about beer over the last few years through my
    work at Pabst Brewing Company, The Siebel Institute of
    Technology, and Crown Brewing. However, one thing still plagues
    me: indecision. When I walk into a grocery or liquor store, I stand
    staring into the coolers for an obnoxious amount of time. The sale
    tags grab my attention, the flashy labels jump out at me, and the
    displays in the isles constantly make me second guess myself.
    This is something no one should have to experience. This is why
    Lars Van Heineken and I are starting a series of craft beer reviews.
    I hope they help you see past your reflection in the cooler door
    and into the bottle.

    Cheers,

    Charlie

GOOD TIME CHARLIE (b)Re(w)views
ILLIANA CRAFT BREWS & REVIEWS 5-22-2011

I can’t say I am normally persuaded by online offers, but I feel as though this situation was an exception. It was serendipity! I was coincidentally confronted by my temptress two days after the ad was burned in my retina. Eye-catching capital letters spoke to me, bright green colors leapt off the label and quite frankly, the price tag was hard to beat. By the way, I am talking about Southern Tier 2XIPA. What did you think?

The price tag may read a dollar higher these days. If my memory and sobriety serves me correctly, I remember it being on sale for eight bucks. That being said, it is well worth whatever they ask.

When I poured it into my glass, I noticed its unique color: crystal clear golden. I would be very surprised if it was not filtered. It tastes and smells sweet and fresh with hints of citrus and green apple. ST2XIPA is extremely refreshing and delicious. When I drank it, I pictured myself wasting time in the middle of a freshly cut grass field on a sunny summer day. The flavor doesn’t cry, “Imperial IPA!” because the hops provide a sweet, floral flavor as opposed to a cloyingly bitter taste. It is so drinkable I was floored when I found out the ABV is… drumroll please… 8.2%!

Consider picking up this beer when the weather starts to turn. You won’t be disappointed. Consider picking up this beer to warm you up in the remaining winter months. You won’t be disappointed. Consider picking up this beer. You won’t be disappointed.

I hope this helps you see past your reflection in the cooler and
into the bottle.

Cheers,

Charlie