The Greatest Beers in the World! (according to Beer Advocate)

http://beeradvocate.com/lists/top

A comprehensive, updated list is now available from the know-it-alls at BeerAdvocate.com. We doubt there is a larger, more diverse and yet scientifically calculated list, anywhere else on the Internets right now as it covers all different styles of beers and doesn't discriminate. Some quick highlights:

• Russian River is the Miami Heat, the Yankees, and Manchester United all rolled into one; some truly outstanding beers - The Pliny's checked in at #2 and #3 respectively and we agree
• Very strong showing from the Michigan breweries - Eight beers in the Top 100 between Bell's and Founders
• No Boulevard Beers, which we DO NOT agree with - No Rye-on-Rye or BBQ? Homie Please!
• You need to immediately find beers from Three Floyd's or Stone Brewing and then consume them

The moral of the story is that with a list as diverse as this, there will always be losers and beers you don't agree with. For the most part we agree with this list but at the same time it's hard to have a comprehensive, accurate list when the formula contains "number of reviews" as a variable. Maybe that explains why Oro de Calabaza doesn't make the list yet anything from Great Lakes Brewing does (in the immortal words of Dave Chapelle - "hate, hate, hate, hate").

In the end, if you can find these brews at your local beer store, they're worth the dollas required to secure them. Some you'll have to cross the Rockies for (Russian River), others you'll have to stand in line for on a specific day at the brewery (Three Floyd's Dark Lord), and others you can find in most corner store (Bell's Two-Hearted Ale).

Consume, rate them yourself, then let us know what you think.

Brew Review – Pliny the Elder

It has been over a month since my last submission. Sounds a bit like confession, but, hey, I went to Catholic school for 13 years and that guilt thing seemed to have seeped in a bit. Anyway, vacations were taken, friends were married, kickball championships were siezed, and time was managed poorly in between... oh, but the sweet beverage was flowing all the while, thanks to Yum! Beer for stocking Tank 7 at his wedding reception. Props to you, sir!

Speaking of good brew and festivities, I'd like to shed light on a beverage that quickly hopped into my top 10 list of brews during my brief blogging sabbatical. It celebrates the Roman scholar responsible for creating the botanical name for hops: "Lupus salictarius", meaning wolf among scrubs. Pliny the Elder is a double IPA, tasting of fresh pine, with an extremely clean and crisp finish. It's brewed by Russian River in Santa Rosa, CA, making it impossible to find in KC. Unless you know a guy out west who's willing to transport booze across multiple state lines (thanks again John K), I recommend a quick 8 hour trip to Argonaut Liqours in Denver. Your tastebuds will thank you for it.

Serving Type: 500 mL bottle

Glassware: Tulip

Color (hue and head): Deep, golden copper. Minimal head, dissipates quickly.

Clarity: Translucent cloudiness

Aroma: The northwest in the fall. Piney trees, pine cones, fallen pine needles in the snow...and hops.

Taste: Identical to the aroma. Wanted to immediately grab a flannel shirt, a map, and a backpack and head into the wild.

Grade: 97/100 (A+)

Musical pairing: Frightened Rabbit - The Lonliness and the Scream

Surroundings: Barbequing ribs with Yum! Beer and enjoying a Saturday of freedom (from the wives)