I can’t think of the last time I bought a beer produced by a major label. In fact, it’s possible that I never will again. I think it’s pretty funny that in my younger years me and my friends routinely reached for Bud, or Kokanee, or MGD, or one of those stupid Ice Beers that I don’t think they even make anymore. Now by no means do I feel I’m a beer expert, but I know what I like and why, and yes, I feel my palate is enlightened. Not that I drink light beer. Sorry, that was a bad pun. Anyway, these days Mich and I stock the fridge with mostly micro brews, often the local swill. Of course we have our favorites, the current being Granville Island Brewery’s Lions Winter Ale. In fact I just picked up the last three boxes of it that we’ll see until next winter as it’s seasonal. It’s a wonderful little brew, dark and rich with this awesome vanilla finish that has earned it the moniker of “Pudding Beer” in our household. We will miss it when it’s gone for the year, but though sad, its passing means we are on the cusp of enjoying other tasty suds including a nice array of wheat beers and fruit wheat beers. Though before the snow is completely gone, I do have one bottle of Young’s Luxury Double Chocolate Stout waiting patiently for us!

Anyway, the point? I guess it’s that there are too many awesome beers out there for us to ever pour the “beer” from major producers - you know the ones: Labatt, Molson, Anheiser-Bucsh etc. I find them worthless. And I know there are those of you out there who have Coors Light in your fridge. And I have heard you say things about the Silver Bullet like, “Hey, it really tastes good”. Except, actually, no it doesn’t. Bite your tongue. Go ahead. You might as well as you haven’t been using it to taste anything anyways. Folks, that kinda stuff really isn’t beer. I don’t really know what it is! Go out to the import section at the liquor store and pick yourself up some Belgian stuff brewed up for you by Trappist Monks like a Chimay. Mmmmm. Thanks to Blake D. for introducing it to us. The only reason I don’t quaff more of that stuff is that it has to travel a long way to get to me. So I focus on the local brew(s).

So off you go - find yourself a nice beer that is NEW to you - there is so much great stuff out there! Now crack it open, pour it into a glass and enjoy it while your watch this:

And if you are still reading, perhaps take this opportunity to suggest a great brew to us in the comments! What’s your favorite?