Even the craft beer industry gets extra creative this time of year and amps up the variety and special treats for Beer Lovers! Usually makes for some great limited-run brews and is perfect for #BeerSaturday

Source: https://www.pinterest.pt/goldensaintbeer/ with a little Zeke design on top.

This week, I return to do some festive shopping for myself and dive into a variety pack of beers from a brewery I have enjoyed for decades.

Strap on your holiday drinkin' stockings and lets do this!

Before we get started...

Here is the top-secret view from within the beer section of our provincially owned and operated LCBO liquor store. This business is neat not only because they are the only profit-generating department in the province, it is also the single largest purchasing body of wine in the world.

I spend most of my time in the Ontario Craft section but have been drawn to the International aisle which has been encroached upon by the seasonal section. The overflow is because of the glut of holiday packs, gift packs and other cleverly-named samplers. With the weird and exotic craft beer labels, the garish holiday patterns make it look like a unicorn barfed all over the shelf but let's see which one looks the most intriguing.

AmsterDAM!

Though there were selections available from Railway City, Beau's, Redline and Collective Arts, the option from Amsterdam Brewery https://www.amsterdambeer.com/ is the pack I decided upon. Despite having already tasted 2 of these many times, I was swayed by the other two which happened to be a juicy IPA and a double hazy. This was the only all-IPA gift box on the shelf, purpose built to secure the business with the Blockchain Beerologist.

They make great use of the real estate on the back of the box as well with great descriptions of each brew using every key words as a calling to the hipster. YYZ is the code for the Toronto International Airport and a great Rush song as well. My only minor beef is the inclusion of logos from centralized social media companies who really don't legitimize or differentiate a brewery these days.

Bone Shaker

I have probably reviewed Boneshaker https://www.amsterdambeer.com/beer/ more than once as it was one of the oldest IPAs I can recall. The last time was this time in 2019 when I picked up the Boneshaker gift pack because of the huge skull mug I use all the time.

At one point, I had totally moved on from this beer as a few batches tasted like too much old-school hops. Recently, they seem to taste just fine and not too bad sledding towards the beers I am looking forward to the most.

Space Invader!

Space Invader is another one I have had often and recently as it boasts Citra hops and has become my go to when at stores with fewer IPAs. It is available year round so they have gone to the lengths to license the name from Taito Corporation for those of us who remember the old Atari console from an eon ago.

The copy writer is most likely not aware of the legacy of this beer name or just mailed it in on the description. Still, this is a solid beer I will get again for a little variety when there are no new ones to discover.

One-Way Ticket to Hazy Town

Hazy Town Juicebomb IPA https://shop.amsterdambeer.com/products/hazy-town was the one that I spotted as I was putting down this gift pack and made me pause. I am a fan of the hazy and some of the juicy and I appreciate the animation on the label. I even poured it in the crystal skull mug from last year's gift pack.

The side label is fairly well done as the skullbomb from the front of the can makes an encore appearance with the description. They had me at Juicy and Hazy but Vermont Style is the knockout blow of tastiness. Sheer key word assembly too which does pretty much sum of this fine beer. Best of the pack so far...

HAZii?

HAZii Double iiPA is not even listed anywhere on the website or online store and I have linked them enough already anyhow. If I paused to consider Hazy Town, I was sold when I discovered a Double IPA as the 4th choice for this gift pack. The mysterious skull hops dood is just about enough to quench the cringe caused by such a stupid name and annoying case usage.

Skullhops joins us on the side which has the typical description. Apparently, Amsterdam is specializing on Vermont style and Double IPAs are hit and miss with me. Some end up being sport hopped out of balance, or have a boozy finish like some shitty malt liquor. Not this one. It is so well balanced and is even filtered a little to soften is a touch. I am not sure about "subtle on the mouthfeel" but layers of hops and overflowing flavours is pretty accurate.

I was pretty sure Hazy Town would get the coveted stamp until I slipped into the double IPA. The best skull of the lot and beer that made the biggest impression on this Beerologist. Well done!

#BEERSaturday!

Thanks again for this wonderful #hive #beer gift by @spirall on Twitter! Join the Hive push with us.

The link https://hive.blog/hive-187719/@detlev/more-beersaturday-on-hive-week-166-calls-you-to-join may say Week 166 but the title of the post marks the 182nd #beersaturday contest. @detlev is known to get into his beers while he puts together his posts so we forgive him ;) Click and wander into the longest-running beer-drinking club on any blockchain. Take some pictures, tell some suddsy pub tales, and become a Beerologist by posting your own story.

As I enjoy "invite a fellow drunk to the pub" activities, I would like to invite the @homedders community of engaging educators. Most of the home schoolers nowadays enjoy a good drink right?

I am honoured to curate for:

Any early beer gifts for you?