WBOB Original Reads

Liquid Lunch: Independence Party Crashers

6/28/2017

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Independence Day is one of the most celebrated holidays in America. Year after year alcohol and beer sales steadily rise as Americans consume more and more. This week's Liquid Lunch focuses on the holiday specials. Artistic packaging, special releases, Providence RI's Long Live Beerwork's Party Crashers and the return of Zima?!

Long Live Beerworks: Party Crashers

If you live in Rhode Island and you enjoy craft brews, then you are very familiar with Long Live Beerworks. Located in Providence's West End, Long Live has made noise with several of their unique and tasty brews. Long Live takes chances and tends to create non traditional experimental brews. For example, this spring, they released a beer entitled Cereal Milk a 6.5% ABV IPA with passion fruit and lactose. An interesting mix certainly yet there is something refreshing about a Fruity Pebbles flavored ale.

Last week, Long Live released in cans their version of a crush-able IPA at 5% ABV called Party Crashers. Now let me start by saying this brew is also available on draft. This is worth noting because the taste does vary between can and tap. In a growler or draft, Party Crashers has a very balanced citrus flavor finished with a traditional hoppy finish. Still delicious but not as crush-able. It's more of a summer sipper.

Yet, some brews are just better canned. Party Crashers is definitely one of those. In a can the brew pours a nice thick creamy color as it does from a growler yet the taste is more than slightly different. First, the initial citrus notes you taste are more timid in a positive manner. Again out of a growler or tap the citrus notes are strong giving Party Crashers more of a traditional IPA flavor and punch. Out of a can the flavor is tamed and slightly more refreshing. Traditional IPA taste can give you a dry taste. Not the case here.

Party Crashers has a fantastic finish from the can. Leaving you wanting more. The hoppy taste is minimal. If you like full bodied bold IPA's this is not going to be your favorite. However if you are looking for something you can drink all day at that weekend holiday party, this is your brew. Hence the term crush-able.

Overall Long Live's Party Crashers gets a 4 1/2 stars out of 5.

This beer is flavorful, unique and well crafted. The only downfall is the $16 per 16oz four pack and that's not big enough of a downer to keep me away from this delicious ale.

Sycamore Brewing's New Look

Sycamore Brewing is set to release a brand-new suite of cans today brewed in their recently completed $2.5 million-dollar production facility and cannery in the North End neighborhood of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Since opening in 2014, Sycamore has produced over 260 unique beers and recognized growth surpassing 200% annually. The brewery's new North End production facility, completed in less than 8 months, brews on an automated, 42 barrel, 4 vessel, North American-made brewhouse. Sycamore's flagship beers will include Southern Girl Blonde, Countryside IPA, High Tide Wheat, and Sun Grown Fresh Craft Lager, the winner of a prestigious 'Great American Beer Festival' medal.

...CANtopia, the public launch event for the brewery's cans, will take place on Friday, July 7, 2017 at Sycamore's Hawkins Street location. Co-owner, Sarah Brigham, describes the event as, "All of Sycamore's staple events wrapped in one –a music festival, food truck rally and a can launch – basically a big celebration!"

Sycamore's new cans are now available in grocery stores across Charlotte. Sycamore plans to focus exclusively on the local market for the next 12 months before expanding across North Carolina and over state lines. Looking ahead, co-owner Justin Brigham, emphasizes the need to, "Work strategically to ensure Sycamore's ongoing success in an increasingly competitive market."

Zima Is Back?!

Put on your choker, bust out your portable CD player and dust off the pager because Zima’s back. For a limited time only, people can pick up a six-pack of the nostalgic beverage just in time for Fourth of July weekend.In 1994, Zima gave people “zomething” different by offering a first-of-its-kind crystal clear, malt-based, adult beverage that inspired a zillion brands to follow suit. By 2008, Zima bounced like a pair of cargo shorts, but it has remained a cultural ‘90s icon ever since.

“Tons of people have been asking for Zima to make a comeback, and this summer seemed like the perfect time,” said Tristan Meline, senior marketing manager of innovation at MillerCoors. “Whether you remember it or not, this summer is your only chance to taste the ‘it’ drink of the ‘90s.”

Zima will stay true to its classic look and refreshing citrus flavor, but grab your six-pack at stores nationwide while you can because it’ll be gone by Labor Day.