Black Angel (Wicked Weed Brewing)

One of the many things I like about working for Specialty Beverage, is that we all get to travel to other markets. Recently becoming a father of two, I have held tight to home and not been anywhere. I am left here more often than not to hold down the fort. I have a great team that brings me little gifts from abroad and so happy to be able to experience "dat weed doe". I have never been to the funkatorium, or even to Ashville, NC. Funky or Sour beer in my experience has always been like the beer people are drinking in a corner. The scuttle off, and share a small bottle in small numbers. I have had such experiences with Wicked Weed, and I have never been let down.

Having just heard that Wicked Weed is now distributing everywhere in Va, but Richmond. These beers will become more common place. There is no denying the demand is largely based on hype and I would be willing to bet that most people will try it and hate it. When Cascade brewing hit Richmond over 6 months ago, I thought their stuff would disappear despite the price. There is always a buzz of folks asking for sour beers, then no one puts their money where their mouth is. These wicked weed bottles are 375, not full blown 750, but I still have my doubts about how well a $15 375 will do in a market that struggles to sell any 22oz bottle over $9.99. 

Ninkasi Brewing (Statewide Launch)

My trading game has made me no stranger to Ninkasi Brewing from Eugine Oregon. If you are a fan of pun filled IPA names, it's hard to forget Tricerahops. We launched this brand in November of 2015 in the whole state of Virginia with total domination IPA, tricerahops double IPA, oatis oatmeal stout, vanilla oatis, sleigh'r, noir, dawn of the red, and lux. Stouts and all flavors of IPAs, just what the local beer nerd requires. 

Total Domination is not a hop bomb. It is a delicate flavor packed IPA. It is more like a soothing song than a slap in the face. This is what I want to treat myself to after a long day at work. 

If you are going to make a red or amber ale today, and you want it to sell you better but hops in it. Dawn of the red does just that, malt and hops give a heart drinkable beer that is more than just sweet. The label is very metal so yeah, try it.

Speaking of a total label buy, this one will crush in Richmond. This draft is nearly a year old and I just want to finish it and move on to something more recent.