36 Days of Beer Reviews

What we learned after 36 straight days of Beer Reviews

Alright, picture this: I've never been the beer aficionado type—far from it. When given the choice, I'd opt for a nice glass of wine or a creatively mixed drink any day over a beer. So, you can imagine my enthusiasm when Tom, my partner in crime, trotted home from Costco with this mysterious Brewers Advent Calendar Box. Beer? Not exactly my thing.

Now, here's the twist. I've been hustling to grow my YouTube channel for what feels like ages—two years to be exact. Despite having a solid following on Facebook and Instagram, my YouTube subscriber count barely scratched 35. An absolute head-scratcher! I mean, come on, shouldn't at least 10% of my crew be hitting that subscribe button?

Time for a pivot, right?

So, what's the wild connection to beer, you ask? Well, that box of brews became my ticket to a whole new YouTube game plan. I pitched this wild idea to Tom: why not record our daily beer tastings and slap 'em on YouTube? We'd never done videos together before, mind you. Tom's usually behind the camera, but this time, he agreed to step into the limelight.

Now, here's the real kicker. In these videos, Tom, bless his soul, keeps asking for "union" help—courtesy of yours truly—because, let's admit it, I'd been the director giving him pointers! The result? Utterly cringey videos, but oh boy, did we have a blast making them!

Neither of us had ever crossed paths with imported German beers, so this whole shebang turned out to be an exciting new adventure for us to tackle together. Who knew a box of beers could spark such unexpected fun and craziness on our channel?

Here are our takeaways from our 24 days of the Advent Calendar Beer Reviews:

1. Here's the scoop: German beers. They're a whole different ball game—sweeter, less obsessed with hops, and downright delightful for our taste buds.

2. "Helles." Despite what you might think, it's got nothing to do with secret underground lairs —it's simply German for "light." So, no, not an invite to the down there creepy world; it's just a term for a light beer.

3. We were all set one of the days for an epic moment of savoring a Dark Hefeweizen, only to find out it got swapped for yet another Helles beer. Bummer!!!!

4. Helles beers here in the good ol' USA. They're not exactly singing the same tune as their German cousins. Ours? A tad too fixated on the hops, if you ask us. Doesn't quite match up to the smooth sweetness we'd been expecting.

5. And here comes the kicker: after diving into those German brews, it feels like they've spoiled us for life when it comes to American beers. Yep, it's official—German beers might have ruined our taste buds for anything else brewed on US soil. Cheers to that, and a heartfelt farewell to the hoppy ones!

6. Smoke beer" sure is a head-turner in the world of brews! Trust me, when it comes to interesting drinks, this one takes the crown—no contest. Imagine taking a sip and being greeted with the unmistakable taste of smoky goodness swirling around your palate. When all we could exclaim was "Bacon" while taking in the aroma. You know it's a winner.

If you want to have a little fun and watch the German equivalent to our videos you can check them out here at their YouTube Channel, but you have to watch our first!!!!

Well, well, well, the beer adventures didn't just wrap up at the end of the 24-day Brewer's Advent Calendar saga—oh no, they continued! Tom, the king of surprises from Costco, struck again with a 12 Days of IPA treat from Stone Brewing.

And what better time to kick off a new round of beer exploration than on Christmas night? Thus began our very own rendition of the "12 Days of Christmas" with our 12 Days of IPA episodes. It was like unwrapping a whole new set of hoppy presents and spreading the holiday cheer, one IPA at a time!

Now, we have just solidified above that German beer may have ruined us for all other beers. So doing a mad switch to a Californian IPA is a bit drastic to say the least. I am not sure our pallets were ready for this.

The clash of the titans: German beers versus California IPA's! Let's dive into this flavorful showdown:

German Beers: Picture rolling hills, lederhosen, and a brewing tradition that goes back centuries. German beers are renowned for their precision, adherence to tradition, and a knack for delivering a taste that's both classic and exceptional. These brews often lean towards a maltier profile, showcasing a diverse range of styles from the crisp and clean Pilsners to the smooth and wheaty Hefeweizens. They're typically known for their balanced flavors, where hops play a supporting role rather than taking center stage.

California IPAs: Now, shift gears from the serene German landscapes to the sun-soaked West Coast of the USA. Enter the California IPA—a powerhouse of hops! These brews are like a burst of citrus and pine in a glass, packed with bold, aromatic hops that take your taste buds on a rollercoaster ride. They're characterized by their intense hop flavors and aromas, often displaying a higher bitterness level compared to many other beer styles. Think of them as the rebels of the beer world, unapologetically embracing their hoppy nature.

Here are our takeaways from our 12 days of IPA's Beer Reviews:

1. Day 1 of our beer journey felt like a hoppy wake-up call, especially after indulging in those mellow German beers. I'll admit, I was a bit worried that this adventure might not be my cup of hops.

2. As we continued through each day, something interesting happened. Sure, the hops were still kicking, but each beer unveiled its own unique citrusy personality. Suddenly, it wasn't just a hop overload; it was an exploration of vibrant citrus flavors within the world of hops.

3. The surprise of the journey came in the form of a Hazy IPA! Unexpectedly, I found myself genuinely enjoying its hazy, juicy goodness. Who knew hazy could be this delightful?

4. A double IPA seemed to go down smoother than its single counterpart. It's like the doubled-up hops somehow found a way to harmonize, making it a more approachable sip.

5. Let's take a moment to applaud Stone Brewery's wizardry. It's mind-boggling how they craft such an array of IPA's, each with its own distinct taste. From bold and bitter to fruity and smooth, it's like a hop symphony, with Stone Brewery playing every note perfectly.

The Showdown: When pitting these two against each other, it's like comparing an orchestra to a rock concert. German beers aim for harmony and balance, emphasizing subtleties and craftsmanship, while California IPA's go all out with a hop-driven, in-your-face flavor explosion.

So, which is better?

It's not about choosing sides but celebrating the diversity of flavors and styles these brewing traditions offer. Whether you're sipping on a smooth German Lager or diving into the hoppy depths of a California IPA, each has its charm and brings a unique experience to the table. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal taste and the mood you're in—classic refinement or a hoppy adventure?

Cheers to enjoying the best of both worlds!

Will Tom and I be back again?

Absolutely, we're coming back for more! The journey continues, and we're geared up to bring you more episodes. Your support means everything to us, seriously!

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Cheers to you, and here's to more fun ahead!