Happy National Beer Day!! That’s right, on this day in history, 1933 to be exact, the Cullen-Harrison Act (1)(2) went into effect. This allowed people to buy, sell and drink beer containing up to 3.2% alcohol by weight (or 4.05% by volume) in states that had enacted their own law allowing such sales. By December, prohibition was repealed. The brewing industry had sustained a major hit, and it wasn’t until the 70s and 80s that craft brewers and something other than light american lagers started to once again grace the U.S. with their presence. For the next few decades, the brewing industry saw growth across the country, with brewery after brewery popping up across the country as states became brewer friendly. Great Raft is one such brewery. I am very excited to be trying their 100% Brettanomyces fermented IPA.
Oceans Between Us is a very hop forward beer, which is to be expected with an IPA. It poured a golden straw color, with a white, fluffy head. Citrus and grass hit my nose. It is very prickly throughout, with higher carbonation. The beer is like biting into a grapefruit, but at 7% ABV (not Cullen-Harrison friendly), I would not recommend having it at breakfast…if you have a workday ahead. The beer even finishes like a grapefruit, and it finishes dry, leaving you thirsting for more. Upon reccomendation from the Nation’s, I plan to cellar a bottle (it was a conundrum with it being an IPA, but the Brett won out). I will be reporting back with how this beer changed in 6 months.
In the 1620, the Pilgrims crossed the Ocean, and landed on Plymouth Rock because the ship was running out of beer.(3) The beer tradition continued flourishing, except for those dark times in the early 1900s. Thanks to the Cullen-Harrison Act and the repeal of Prohibition, beer was able to be imbibed in public. By the late 20th century, beer began to expand past the American Light Lagers that dominated for the majority of the 1900s. Today, there is large variety of styles to enjoy, and more seem to pop up monthly, as homebrewers and commercial brewers alike continue to push the limits and experiment against the norm. Great Raft has done a wonderful job so far with their continued innovation and experimentation. I look forward to more from their Belgian series of beers, as well as their general selection. I am also glad there is only the Red River, and not an Ocean Between Us.
(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Beer_Day_(United_States)
Cypress Suds 