Guess I should have thought of this before we started our adventure.
I could have packed a bottle of locally produced India Pale Ale and hauled it around for 14 months, in the RV, on the plane to and from Europe, in our leased car. More than 60,000 miles, lots of bumping about, plenty of temperature changes. Then in August I would have opened that bottle and compared it to a fresh one from the same brewery. Not as epic has Pete Brown’s journey, but probably worth a blog post.
Just two problems. I only just thought of this. Bigger still, when we left on our trip no local brewery packaged an IPA. That changed when the Marble Brewery in Albuquerque started bottling.
I did bring a Marble hat with me. So it’s been to 49 states, 9 Canadian provinces and territories, and 17 countries. It traveled on my head at the outset — those who know me well understand I am legally obligated to wear a cap because of damage the glare might otherwise cause — but as the trip wore on the hat started to look a little weary. When Sabine Weyermann of Weyermann Malting in Bamberg, Germany, got a look at it she quickly outfitted me with a new Weyermann cap.
To tell the truth, that one is also starting to show some wear and tear. Maybe I’ll let the Marble one out of the back of the RV for the triumphant ride back into New Mexico.
So, how did the hat taste compared to a fresh one?
Not really related, but Daria’s second Jeopardy! appearance is on right now. They show the re-runs at lunchtime. Can never get enough Jep.
Mario — that made me laugh out loud.
I really think the hat looks like it needs to be incinerated, for public health reasons.
nice trophy, man!
Maybe this year the local brewers will use some local hops too,,,,,,? Or perhaps some other local ingredients??