The Beer Friends

Brad – I grew up in Colorado, home to craft beer culture in the US. As soon as I could (legally) drink I was enjoying Fat Tire, 90 Shilling, and countless other Colorado microbrews. I moved to NYC for job opportunities (and brought a few six packs with me) and love the NYC Craft beer scene, but also enjoy whenever I return home. Personally, I’m living the best of both worlds!

Favorite:

Stout: Left Hand Milk Stout
IPA: Founders Centennial IPA
Pale Ale: Equinox Midsummers Pale Ale

Currently Into: Stouts (Founders Breakfast Stout is the Bomb yo!)

Paul got his taste for beer, and specifically hops, from his father. For as long as he can remember there was always Samuel Adams Boston Lager and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale around the house. By the time his twenty first year on this earth started Paul’s father had been stocking the the fridge brews from all over New England starting Paul’s beer journey with some quality home grown beers. Some of the favorites around the house being Smuttynose, Long Trail, and Harpoon. Being exposed to these craft beers (10 years ago we just called them “good” beers, craft wasn’t in our vocabulary yet) had a great impact on Paul’s life (obviously) and had him off on his craft beer journey early and often…

Currently Into: Ithaca Flower Power, Troegs Hopback Amber, Magic Hat Encore (when you can still find it…)

Phil – I’m originally from Oregon, the other home to Craft Beer Culture in the US, however I developed my love for all things Craft out here in NYC. I will say the first trip home after discovering my new-found hobby was like walking back into the Garden of Eden. If you can find them definitely try something from Deschutes, Walking Man, Lucky Lab, or Hair of the Dog while you’re there. A trip by any of the McMenamin’s Brewpubs is a great idea, my personal favorite so far is The Kennedy School.

Right now: both Stumptown brews from Sixpoint and the recent trend for Black IPA’s we’ve been seeing.

Graham – I’m an Upstate New Yorker – hailing from Rochester but traveled throughout New England several times a year while growing up. My Dad, a New England native, has always been a “good beer (as Paul calls it)” fan and would never settle for the watered-down light beers typical to Rochester, rather leaning towards Boston Lager, Genny Red and Switchback Unfiltered Amber. The malty, wintery Northeast brews he loved heavily influenced my craft beer decisions early on but when I discovered IPA’s at the Ale House in Binghamton (Vestal), NY during college it was all over. I’ve been a hop-head ever since.

Favorites (All-time): Sixpoint Bengali Tiger, Brooklyn Blast (it existed once!) and Smuttynose IPA.

Currently Into: Smuttynose IPA (x2), Lagunitas Hop Stoopid and anything bourbon/whiskey/oak aged – including Jai Alai White Oak Aged on Cask.