While many young adults are content drinking whatever beer is around, I am not. So when the 18th annual Festival of Beers rolled around April 24, I took it as an opportunity – nay, a quest – to find “My Beer,” the one beer that would make me exclaim, “Where have you been all my life?” and the one I would thereafter swear my undying loyalty to. With almost 100 brews to choose from, I was sure I could find My Beer here.
I wanted plenty of time to accomplish my mission, so I got to Stramler Park at about 1:15 p.m. The festival lasted from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., so I had less than four hours to try up to 40 beers. Before my parents have a heart attack over the thought of their little girl (who just barely turned 21) drinking 40 beers, I’ll have them know I drank well under the amount allotted each guest. Once I was through the gates, I grabbed my 4-ounce sampling cup and contemplated my plan of action.
Right away, I decided I was not going to waste my time or my sobriety on mainstream beers. I could try those anytime, and I already knew I was not a fan of Budweiser and the like. I was surprised there were so many of them here anyway; I thought this was about trying new beers, not drinking the same old swill people have already assaulted their palates with.
The first beer I tried was the Hoegaarden wheat beer. The first drink was OK, but I didn’t expect much from it. But after that first drink, it grew on me. My knowledge of beer is very limited so I can’t really describe what I tasted in typical beer lingo, but it was light and not super beer-tasting. I knew I would want to remember the name of this beer, so I started a T-chart and labeled the left column “Beers I Dig” and the right “Beers I Don’t.” Hoegaarden found its place in the left column.
Where I gave Hoegaarden enough time and sips to contemplate its taste before passing judgment, the next two beers were not offered that same courtesy. Rogue’s American Amber Ale and the Hemp Ale from Humboldt Brews took all of one drink for me to decide I didn’t like these bitter brews and was ready to move on to the next beer. Unfortunately, I had a feeling dumping the beer out would be bad form, so I nursed one for a while and gave the other to my friend.
The Firestone Double Barrel Ale was next. It was one I could see myself liking. Although it was a bit harder to drink than the smoother Hoegaarden, its taste was strong without being overpowering. Drinking the Firestone DBA, I felt more like I was drinking a “real” beer than the Hoegaarden.
When I finished it, I moved on to the Stella Artois. What I liked about this beer was that it wasn’t too carbonated and I didn’t feel sluggish or full after drinking it. After having to fight to finish the Rogue and Hemp ales, I asked for the cup to be filled only halfway, in case I didn’t like it. But the Stella Artois was one I could easily drink. I would have liked to drink the second half of that beer, but I had more beers to move on to, and could not dwell on only one so early in the game. I made note that this beer might find its way to being The One.
Local brewery Lengthwise offered several of their beers, and I decided to try the Golden Ale. This one sat safely in the middle of my list. It was pretty good, but it wasn’t my favorite.
Walking through the park, I couldn’t help but notice a beer called Arrogant Bastard by the Stone Brewing Company. The label on the bottle alone intimidated me, but it wasn’t until I read the sign on the table that I actually got a little scared.
“Questions or comments? If you don’t like this beer, keep it to yourself – we don’t want to hear from any sniveling yellow-beer drinkin’ wimps, ’cause this beer wasn’t made for you.”
I knew I wasn’t going to like this beer, but I felt compelled to try it, if only to make me a little less of a wimp for giving it a chance. Unsurprisingly, this beer was far too bitter for me. I had worried that in my quest to find My Beer, all the samples would add up and fog my taste buds and judgment, making every beer taste just fine, but Arrogant Bastard let me know my objectivity was still very much present.
Finally, I tried Blue Moon, a beer I had tried before and liked. I saved this one for last because I already had high expectations for it. Although it wasn’t served with an orange like it was when I’d had it before, it was still very tasty. It wasn’t too carbonated and was easy to drink. It wasn’t bitter, but it wasn’t boring either; it had its own unique flavor, with a bit of a kick. Best of all, it had the one quality none of the others had: the distinct pleasure of calling itself My Beer . for now, at least.