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Steven Coulson
Steven has been drinking beers, wines and spirits for decades and has a propensity to go about them at length after a few drinks.
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- North Korea, it turns out, has microbreweries
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- Beer brewed 86 years ago for Edward VIII’s canceled coronation goes on sale
- TIL that the pull tab can was invented in 1967 by Ermal Fraze after he was forced to open a beer with a car bumper at a family picnic.
- Does anyone else feel like their beer preferences “simplified” over the years?
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Rethinking the Variety Pack: Is a Four-IPA Selection Truly Diverse?
When it comes to beer, many enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the excitement of a variety pack. However, I would like to propose a thought-provoking perspective regarding the contents of these packs. It seems that a selection labeled as a “variety pack” should provide a true assortment of flavors and styles rather than simply presenting multiple versions of the same kind.
Take, for example, the all-too-common variety pack featuring four different India Pale Ales (IPAs). While each IPA may offer its unique spin on hops and bitterness, the reality is that they all fall under the same category of beer. This raises the question: how diverse can a selection really be if it features variations of a single style?
In the ever-expanding world of craft brewing, the options are nearly limitless. Consumers deserve an experience that introduces them to a myriad of styles—from crisp lagers and rich stouts to sour ales and Belgian wits. After all, the joy of exploring beer is in discovering new tastes and meeting a range of brewing techniques from various regions.
A truly diversified variety pack could offer a far more captivating experience, allowing drinkers to expand their palates and deepen their appreciation for beer as a whole. So, the next time you’re reaching for a variety pack, consider whether it genuinely lives up to its name. A more eclectic mix can lead to more delightful discoveries and conversations around the intricate world of brewing.
Let’s champion creativity in our craft beer selections and encourage breweries to think outside the box. After all, isn’t the goal of a variety pack to offer more than just a slight twist on familiar flavors?