Number 4: 'Gansett Reviews
We received quite a bit of great reviews this year. Especially from some terriffic beer bloggers. We'd like to re-post them all for you to read, but simply can't. So here's one of the Beer Fairey's favorties from Beantown Brews. Especially since they found their local alternative to Pabst. Here are some of the highlights from this review.
I was interested to check out Narragansett. I've been trying to focus on regional New England beers and Narragansett is certainly a local institution. To be honest, I'd so seldom had their beer before that I couldn't remember if I liked it. American adjunct lagers (the class of beer that Narragansett lager falls in to) tend to get a bum rap with craft-beer enthusiasts. Just take a look at Beer Advocates average rating in the style. Looks like your typical term grades from the frat house - all C's and D's.
I tend to be a Pabst man myself - when I do drink canned macro-lager, that is what you will find in my hand. This doesn't sit well with my mission to drink local, but I've been hard pressed to find an alternative. And there are really some circumstances and food choices that pair well with this, al-be-it often ostracized group.
If you are heading to a BBQ (clam bake, fishing trip, nascar event, tailgating party, summer event), and you think that it might not be appropriate to bring your kolsch(hefe, porter, rauchbier...), it is always good to have a stand-by waiting in the wings. American lagers are ubiquitous; They are the jeans of the beer world - sometimes it pays not to be overdressed.
I was really impressed with my Gansett experience. Overall, the beer packed a lot more flavor and a lot less graininess than I expected. I was so impressed with the big white head on my pour that I had my roommate pour a Bud next to it for comparison. The head on the Gansett was a lot fuller, even if it didn't last too long.
I may have found the local alternative to Pabst that I have been looking for.
Its a valid question. Given Narragansetts nearly 91 years of operating history in New England (minus Prohibition), its history of support for the Red Sox (during which they were mostly a loosing team), and the fact that they still brew their bock and porter in Rhode Island and Connecticut, I'd still welcome them as New Englanders.
High Falls Brewing Company also brews for another local Boston favorite, Sam Adams. If we are going to say that Gansett is not local as the result of New York based contract-brewing... well, that is a conversation for another day.
I'll definitely be picking up more Gansett in the future. Click here to read the full blog.
Number 3: Video of Mark checking recycling bins to see who's drinking their part!
This video pretty much speaks for itself. It not only remains to be a favorite of ours, but popular among our fans as well. Mark and Clammie took the streets one afternoon to see who was drinking their part. They checked neighborhood recycling bins for empty Gansett bottles and cans. If the house had empties, then they received a reward. And if not....well just watch the video and see.
Check back tomorrow as we finish this countdown!