Ok, put down your tea cup for a second and pick up a bottle of beer (yes it is a Monday, but it’s never too late to extend the weekend). Anyway, two of my friends created and host a fabulous weekly video podcast about beer, Two Guys on Beer. I really recommend that you check out an episode-or all ten-yeah, they’re that good. After watching several episodes, I’ve learned that there’s more to beer than frat parties and German festivals, and that this popular beverage is complex, delicious, and a true liquid craft.
So with beer on the brain, I decided to do a quick search to see if any wonderful brewer had made a fantastic decision to add tea to beer (however part of me wanted to find nothing-so I could make a deal with a brewery tomorrow). After a brief scroll through the Google selections, I came across Blucreek Brewing, Home of Unique All Natural Ales. Blucreek brews Zen (Green Tea) IPA, which they describe as an “India Pale Ale brewed with Natural Green Tea! An intense infusion of fresh Chinook, Cascade, and Centennial hops combined with natural green tea imparts this traditional English-style Pale Ale (English IPA) with something a little beyond the ordinary… A little extraordinary!” Zen IPA was commercially produced in 2006 (how have I not known about this?) and was the first beer to be brewed with natural green tea.
After a little more research, I noticed that Zen IPA had some pretty sour reviews, but I’m still excited to give it a try. According to the blucreek site, no stores in PA carry it, so I guess I’ll have to travel to Wisconsin or order it online, unless blucreek wants to send me a sample to review (cough, cough).
With the heatwave sizzling through the city, I look forward to relaxing at a BBQ and sipping on some Zen IPA (yes sipping, I’m still a tea drinker, so no chugging for this lady).
And if they ship you a sample the have to send it to the stupid liquor control board so you can pick it up.
I still can’t believe how crazy PA is on liquor taxes and control.