Sometimes Better Curves Come From Belgiums

"Son, a woman is like a beer. They smell good, they look good, you’d step over your own mother just to get one! But you can’t stop at one.!"

~Homer Simpson

Well there is a paramount truth in the words of a bald man who weaves through his day each week, with the skill and guile of a cartoon half his age. That being said, there are few women (that I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet and disappoint) in my life that hold up like a good beer. This is not to attack the reverence of womanhood, but a well-crafted beer can be satisfying enough and without the usual arguments spawned from miscommunication. The problem of communicating is after you have imbibed one two many of Avery Brewing and Russian River's harmonious effort.























The story of this good, strong ale came at a time when politics were polarizing, the country was mired in a godforsaken land, and the housing market was still safe - I am talking about November 2006. Having discovered that they each brewed a wonderful Belgian by the name of Salvation the proprietors of said brewing companies decided to find a peaceful accord - laughing in the direction of the United Nations, Israel-Palestine, the Kashmir Province, and, of course, Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison. Sure lawyers (and probably a few Barristers) from all over the country lined up - just outside the Trustfarian paradise of Boulder, Colorado - in order to have their day in court and to resolve the conflict in pure American, democratic - not to mention litigious - fashion; however, it seems, the cooler heads of beverage production prevailed. Alas, the lawyers were sent home, only getting the opportunity to sniff each other's business cards like mutts sniffing each other's sweet spot. The result of finding an amiable solution is one hell of a beer. It smelled good, it tasted good, and though I wouldn't step over my Mom - she is smart enough not to get between a good beer and my liver - I would easily brush pass someone deciding between Coors and Miller in order to buy yet another round of this sweet beverage.

I was once told that Colorado has the best beers in the country, well - fuck that - I give credence to no nation-state within the borders of the lower 48 (Give Texas back to Mexico, let Hawai'i and Alaska roam free). Though, I will give it up for Avery Brewing to find happy medium with the good folks at Russian River. I have delved deeply into the Russian River Brewing collection over the last few years, I am eager to try the rest of what Avery has to offer... even if they are from Boulder.

To me learning about a beer is as simples as opening up a beer. I proclaim no insight into the brewing process, hops agribusiness, or the perfect amount of malt to flavor a brewed concoction. The terminus of said musings boils down to the time tested folk credence - "I don't know much about beer, but I know what I like!"