A BREW EVERY OCCASION
Choosing the right beer for the right moments
BY JO HN LO CANT HI
Beer is an interesting concoction. First brewed nearly 5,000 years ago in Sumeria, this alcoholic beverage
has been with man throughout the lion’s share of civilized history. Few can say they didn’t grimace at
their fi rst sip of this beloved beverage, but the taste grows on you. Today, some restaurants pair beer with
fi ne cuisine. Now, let us pair beer with experiences.
BEST BREW FOR WHEN IT’S TOO DAMN HOT OUTSIDE
Widmer Brothers X-114 IPA
It’s been said there is nothing better than a cold beer on a hot
day. This is especially true of India pale ale. The brief, sour bite
of hops takes your mind off the sweltering pulses of a scorching
summer day. The crisp aftertaste refreshes even in the muggiest of
afternoons. This particular brew also has a hint of citrus that adds
a subtle, fruity sweetness to the hoppy mixture. The 6.2 percent
ABV doesn’t hurt, either.
BEST CAMPING BEER
Caldera Pale Ale
A pleasant, smooth pale ale is the
perfect accompaniment for warm evenings
by the campfi re. Swapping stories and
telling jokes while sipping on this treat
from Ashland makes for a most pleasant
experience out in the wild, especially
because the ale doesn’t taste too bad warm
if you forgot to put enough ice in your
cooler. It doesn’t even matter if one of your
absent-minded friends forgot to bring a
bottle opener, as Caldera has embraced the
growing movement of selling microbrews
in cans — which also makes it that much
easier to hike in and pack out.
BEST ON-TOP-OF-THE-WORLD BEER
Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale
You just completed a big project, or
maybe you just nailed that job interview —
for whatever reason, you’re on top of the
world. There’s no fi ner accompaniment for
that fat Cuban cigar you just lit up than the
Arrogant Bastard Ale. The label tells you
that you aren’t good enough to understand
(let alone drink) this beer, but damn it,
you’re good enough today.
BEST BEER TO DUCK INTO
A BACK ALLEY AND CHUG
Genesee Ice
We’ve all been at this point in our
darkest hours. In the middle of a raging
evening, you’re committed to making a
beast of yourself but have run low on
funds and you feel like drinking more —
without paying bar prices. Genesee Ice is
the answer. At 24 oz. and for little more
than a buck, this very light, American-style
lager is a steal. Stroll
into the alley, gain
your balance, have no
fear (or shame), tilt
your head back and
fi nish the beer.
BEST BEER THAT HARMS BOTH
BRAIN CELLS AND TASTE BUDS
BEST JUST-GOT-OFF-WORK BEER
Oakshire Overcast Stout
After a grueling day at the offi ce, sometimes you just need a way
to unwind and relax. Sure, if it was a really hard day you’d break
into the whiskey, but then you may fi nd yourself more relaxed than
you wanted to be. Beer is a far better choice of chill, and Oakshire’s
sweet espresso-infused stout is just what you need. Thick and
smooth, the Overcast Stout provides a delicious, dessert-like taste
and a gentle buzz to enhance the rest of your evening.
Six Rivers Chili Pepper Spicy Ale
Replacing hops with Anaheim,
serrano and jalapeño pepper fl avorings
might seem like a masochistic idea,
but it works with this brew. Six Rivers
combines the intense, long-lasting burn
of eating chili peppers with the pleasure
of getting drunk — a step outside the
box for many beer drinkers, but a wet
dream for the beer-drinking chilihead.
AUTHENTIC KOREAN & ASIAN CUISINE
BUBBLE TEA TERIYAKI
& BUBBLE JUICE
THE BEST IN TOWN!
CHICKEN, BEEF
TOFU, PORK
PAN FRIED HEALTHY
NOODLES HOT SOUP
VEGETARIAN OPTIONS
11:30AM - 9PM MONDAY - SATURDAY
www.eugeneweekly.com
THE STATE OF SUDS 2011
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