Sometimes the Classical Craft Beer Choice Can Be the Best Choice

I was walking through a bottle shop recently with a good friend of mine. For the sake of discretion I’ll refer to him as Dicky G. Like me, Dicky G. is a rabid fan of IPA’s. He’s always searching out new, local and national concoctions in hopes that they will be the next “big” beer. And, for the sake of argument, I’ll admit that he is rather passionate about a few and has swung and missed on a few. Every now and again he lucks out and becomes adamant this one is the best in the USA.

“Mark my words,” he says. “Just wait, you’ll apologize sooner than you think.”

I’ve yet to apologize.

Anyway, on this particular trip I noticed the plethora of Oktoberfest’s that have hit the shelves and that got me thinking about fall. Fall is a nostalgic time of year for me. It allows me to reminisce back to simpler times when I was an ignorant youth, living for nothing more than Friday nights and Skyline Chili. I still live for Skyline Chili by the way.

In a sense, these were “classic” times in the life of Cory Huffman.

As the nostalgia subsided, I grabbed a 12-pack of Ranger IPA from New Belgium and a 12-pack of Torpedo from Sierra Nevada. Because both, in my humble opinion, are classic beers from classic craft breweries.

These were the two beers that really peaked my taste for bold, hoppy beer.

Dicky G. looked sideways at me and asked, “Really? You can get those anywhere. Not going to try something new?”

I simple shook my head and said, “No sir.”

He rolled his eyes and we made our way to the checkout stand.

Now I know this isn’t the most extravagant story, but it got me thinking about a recent discussion over at Beeradvocate about the country’s best IPA’s. Nowhere, at least that I read, was Ranger or Torpedo mentioned among the best.

So my question is why?

I don’t think anyone can argue that both are solid IPA’s.

You can’t say they aren’t affordable.

You can’t say that they are hard to find.

I really don’t think you can come up with a hard-line negative reason.

Therefore, I think I make a solid point. (Imaginary debate judges nod in agreement.)

Perhaps though, because of their regular availability you, like Dicky G., often overlook them because they are produced by a couple of the “bigger” names in the craft beer world. Maybe that “waters’ them down for you. They aren’t sexy enough. You’re afraid that your craft beer friends will frown upon your lack of ingenuity.

I’d consider new friends.

My point is a simple one. Classic maybe? If we are looking for solid, consistent, and downright tasty beer, then there is no amount of sideways glances that should keep you from drinking Sierra Nevada or New Belgium.

Because sometimes the classic choice is the best choice.