Blind Pig at Parry's Pizza

I have not talked about it very much since GABF, but you may remember that for the past 3 years I have attempted to find and drink as many of the beers I have not had on Zymurgy's Best Beers in America lists. I started out having already tried most of the 2012 list (see 2012 Best Beers in America, so there has not been very much to report this year.

Last I reported, I had tried all but 3 on the list. I still needed:

• Troegs Nugget Nectar (#34)
• Russian River Blind Pig IPA (#37, tied)
• Russian River Pliny the Younger (#48)

Yesterday, I rode my bike to work and beforehand told my wife and kids that they could come "rescue" me with the mini-van and see my new work-location. Then we could go have pizza at a place we like called "Parry's Pizza".

Parry's has 4 locations. Before last night we had been to the one in Highlands Ranch, but when I bike home I always pass by the one in Greenwood Village, and I've thought to myself it would be nice to check it out.

The reason I like Parry's Pizza is that they have a spectacular selection of craft beer on tap. The Highland's Ranch and Greenwood Village locations each have 50 taps, and all of them are craft beer.

Plus, we all think that the Pizza is great.

I honestly didn't know this when I made the suggestion to go out to Parry's Pizza, but they had Russian River's Blind Pig IPA on tap (tied #37 on my list of beers). To be honest, I had pretty much resigned myself to not finding Blind Pig. Russian River beers come to Colorado, but they never last long. I had actually never seen or heard of Blind Pig in bottle or on tap anywhere in the state, and by complete coincidence, they had it on a night that we decided to go. It is almost like fate wanted me to get to try this beer.

Blind Pig

And of course, I ordered myself Blind Pig when we got there. Blind Pig is a copper colored, full-bodied, very hoppy, citrus, pine, fruity notes with nice dry, bitter finish. It is a little more than 6% ABV. It was very good.

And now, I have tried all but 2 of Zymurgy's 2012 Best Beers in America list.

Of the beers I have left, Troegs Nugget Nectar does not come to Colorado, and Pliny the Younger is all gone for the year and almost impossible to get even when it exists. So, I am done with the list for this year. I am good with having tried 48 of the 50.

New World Porter

In addition to Blind Pig, I have Avery Brewing Company's New World Porter. Avery calls their New World Porter a "Dry-Hopped Porter". The menu called it a Black-IPA. Either way, it was delicious. The Columbus and Cascade hops come through a bit more subtle than I would associate with a Black-IPA, so I guess I agree with the style description Avery gives the beer. To be honest, I liked this beer better than Blind Pig.

3 Point 5 Pale Ale

Also, I tried Avery's 3Point5 Pale Ale. I can't find this beer on Avery's website, but it is their take on a session beer. Avery is pretty famous for their big beers, so to have a 3.5ABV beer in their mix is something new for them. I think they did a great job. It has nice malt balanced with strong, but not overpowering hop character. It was a very good beer.

We had a great time at Parry's. The beer was great. The pizza was great. The company was great. We might have to do this "rescue Dad from work" thing more often.

Go Blackhawks!