Hoppy Beer Day!

Beer dates as far back as the time of Ancient Mesopotamia. But the pursuit of hoppiness took place in the 13th Century. It is believed that Germans perfected the process of flavoring beer with hops. The female plant flowers to reveal hop cones that contain oil resins which hold preservative properties and give beer its aroma and bitterness. The operation likely originated in the Bohemian region, making its way through present-day Holland where hops were cultivated and introduced to the Maidstone area of Kent England by the Dutch-speaking Flemish region of Belgium. Though this beverage has been shared and enjoyed throughout history, we did see restrictions made by governing forces.

As we all know, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1919 began the Prohibition period, with the Volstead Act in January 1920 enforcing every tavern, bar, and saloon in the United States to close. Though the ban on all intoxicating liquors, including beer, suppressed an indulgent society, this was a time of lucrative underground speakeasies. The Roaring Twenties played its part as the decade of change with a surging economy creating an era of mass consumerism and flouted Prohibition laws. Still, the four-year Great Depression hit the end of the decade with no mercy. So it's no surprise that following its end, April 7th, 1933 marks a time of celebration. This is the day the Cullen-Harrison Act went into effect. It allowed the purchase of low-alcohol content beer and wine. President FDR and Congress signed this interim solution to carry Americans into the ratification of the 21st Amendment which would end the Prohibition.

Beers Day on April 7th is a time to kick back, relax, and reconnect with friends. Have a good time and make memories over servings of beer--on the house! (Or more accurately, "at the house" since your preferred bars with craft beer may not be open right now.) This doesn't have to be a total beer-buzz-kill, as the money you won't spend on ride-hailing and bartender tips will add more beer for the belly! So, reclaim your 6pm-7pm Hoppy Hour and take back a cold one.

If you've been curious to try something different here are some features to know:

Pale Lager

• soft malt taste
• light body
• dry finish
• bitterness 20-40 units
• pairs well with chicken, seafood, cheeses or lemon flavors

Blonde Ale

• mild malt sweetness
• light body
• dry finish
• bitterness 20-30 units
• pairs well with sweet, hot or spicy foods

Pale Ale/IPA

• strikes balance between malt and hops
• medium to dry finish
• bitterness 50-100 units
• pairs well with spicy, heat-charred, smoky/aromatic, salty, fried food, or burgers

Amber Ale

• well-balanced malt and hops
• caramel richness
• medium body
• bitterness 20-60 units
• pairs well with burgers, buffalo wings, steak, pizza, spicy, or fried food

Red Ale

• toasted malt
• medium sweet caramel flavor
• dry finish
• bitterness 50-100 units
• pairs well with BBQ ribs, grilled chicken, beef, spicy, or smoked foods

Brown Ale

• mid to high malt character with low hops
• caramel, chocolate, toffee, nuts, and biscuit flavors
• medium dry finish
• bitterness 20-60 units
• pairs well with cheese, meats, fall vegetables, burgers, seafood, or pork

Porter

• roasted malt
• chocolate notes
• medium dry finish
• bitterness 30-60 units
• pairs well with pork, salmon, barbeque, sausage, red meat, bacon, or blackened fish

Stout

• strong roasted malt
• coffee, chocolate, and caramel flavors
• bitterness 30-60 units
• pairs well with chocolate, salty, barbeque, braised, grilled, roasted, or smoked food