Category: Craft Beer

Is This Good Marketing?: “Extra Guac” from Magnify Brewing

The name is damn catchy. “Extra Guac” by New Jersey’s, Magnify Brewing.

First thought is “Ohahha geezz, what the hell?! They are out there making guacamole IPAs now? Sick, dude.” [Also, I kinda want to try it]

But, this beer name comes with a disclosure from Magnify “Made with no avocados.” So it’s not actually an Avocado IPA. It’s a juicy DDH DIPA, hopped with Idaho 7, Mosaic, Amarillo and Huell Melon.

Sometimes you have to treat yo self – go ahead and order that extra side of guac even though it’s an extra charge.

Magnify Brewing

It’s just a name with avocado infused can-art. But, as you might have guessed, the name and can-art brought much confusion on Magnify’s Instagram feed.

“What’s in this, lol?”
“Intrigued.” (this indicates they think there is guac in the beer)
“I want to try this. Also, I really want to try a guac beer now.”
“Why no avocado?”
“No!”

We mention it all the time on the Perfect Pour, never put the name of an ingredient in the beer name unless it really does taste like the thing you say is in there. It tends to annoy users and make the brewery’s social media manager work overtime.

So, I then ask “Is this good marketing?”

Yes. It is.

As much as it pains me to say it because I am one of the people that get annoyed as hell when a beer name does not match what is in the beer. But, Magnify has a good social manager that was prepared for the reactions and, if this beer would have been some random IPA name, I would not have noticed it.

So, yep, good marketing, even if it’s annoying.

For what it is worth, this batch of Extra Guac seems to be better than previous as it is getting a much higher rating than a batch that appeared to come out earlier in the year. Right now it’s averaging better than a 4 on Untappd.

I am looking out for it. And now want to try a Guacamole Porter.

I Drank From A Bag of Beer Today

What a bag of beer looks like

I’m a simple man. I like my showers hot and my beer from a bag.

So, um yeah, I drank a bag of beer today. Well, I didn’t drink it in one sitting. I’m not a monster.

Whilst looking for lunch options on Door Dash, BJ’s Brewhouse came up. I couldn’t help but notice the beer. Beer delivery was an option.

I was needing to get beer today and wasn’t looking forward to leaving the house. And now I’m staring at a beer menu with beer that could be on my front door in 30 minutes and I don’t have to leave the front porch today?!

I’m doing it.

It cost $20 (plus $2 for the container), for a 128-ounce plastic bag of fermented liquid.

Piranha Pale is not one of my favorite beers. It can be okay in the restaurant. Kinda in the same ballpark as a Sierra Nevada Pale, but maltier.

But BEER FROM A BAG! Brought to my door 30 minutes after I ordered it! That’s cool, right? Cool enough, pal.

Is is better than a beer from a growler or crowler? Well, no. But it’s slightly cheaper than getting a growler. Almost the same price as a crowler.

The beer tastes the same as from a growler. At this point, I have so many growlers lying around accomplishing nothing, it’s kinda nice not adding to the collection.

Here I am pouring some:

It actually pours easier than a crowler does.

There can’t be many places using beer bags (and I am not talking about these kind of beer bags), but If you run across golden bags somewhere, I recommend buying one. Delivery or take home, it doesn’t matter, it will be fun as hell.

Fun conversation piece plus you get the same beer you would from a growler so, why not?

What I Need To Be Comfortable At A Taproom During A Pandemic

The Solemn Oath Community Beer Garden does look inviting

I’m still not sure about all this. Breweries and beer bars letting people actually sit down and hang, when things are still shit. But, the COVID-Keg has been tapped, people are going to drink.

I still think staying home is the best option BUT if I do head out to a brewery and sit down to have something hoppy, here are things I will need to feel RELATIVELY comfortable:

  • The brewery has been taking this pandemic seriously the whole time.
  • Outdoor area for sitting or standing.
  • Workers wearing masks when around beer or serving area.
  • Actively see wiping down of surfaces after use.
  • All patrons wearing masks when they are not drinking.

If all five are not there, I’m not staying and I’m probably not picking up beer to take home either, ya filthy animals.

You people know that if you stay long enough youz gonna need to go pee, right? The same bathroom that was a germ cesspool BEFORE the Pandemic now has ass-hats rolling through with the COVID.

Early on they talked about Heard Immunity and how more than 60% of the population needed to contract this virus for us to achieve this “immunity”. I’m trying to keep in that 40%, y’all.

Another thing to think about before you head out to social closeness

Maybe you start off focused on staying six feet away and sanitizing and all that. Then you’re a couple beers in. You are getting loose. Unfocussed. Start seeing people you know and missed. You get chatty. Have another beer.

Now you’re entering the “hugging and hanging on your bro’s shoulder” phase of your buzz. You might even go off into a dark corner to make-out with some rando bearded fellow.

Hell, maybe you lick a table to make everyone laugh at your antics and as a middle finger to COVID-19. You are now the Trent Reznor of the Corona Virus, hurting yourself to see if you still feel.

I don’t trust myself. I’ll stick to picking up beer and running home to my personal beer garden to drink it.

Blurred Lines IPA from El Segundo – A Collective Review

Just got done having El Segundo Brewing’s Blurred Lines IPA and I have something to say but…

I don’t review beers well. I think it takes talent or something. Plus, straight reviews are usually kinda boring anyway. That’s why I like to group some reviews together from people I like or people that sound like they know what the hell they’re talking about.

First, here is your basic info via Untappd:

Here are what some Untappd friends had to say, starting with Jason:

Then Robin:

Then Brian:

And how about some dude I don’t know:

As far as what I think, I bought this beer because I saw “Hybrid IPA” on the can and I’m like, “Oh, that is interesting.”

I like the beer. Heavy on the Centennial hops for sure, the Mosaic and Citra get lost a bit. I think it delivers on the hybrid claim because I get the West Coast clear vibes as strong as I get the hazy vibes.

Here is what Great Craft Brews thought:

Worth the try if you see it if you like things to get a little blurrrrry.