Smile Sam

This Sunday night at 9PM Central, the craft beer world will stop and stare at Sam Calagione for an hour.  Brewmasters has it's own website and Facebook page, and bars across the country are having viewing parties. His show on Discovery Channel debuts with an episode on their recent release, Bitches Brew, a threaded beer with 3 different treatments of Imperial Stout and a honey ale made with gesho root. That fourth beer could probably considered a Gruit, since gesho root may be the only bittering agent in that thread instead of hops. You might wanna get a bottle if you can, since stores in DFH's distribution range will probably get flooded with calls for "that beer that was on TV last night" (and probably stores that aren't, too).  After hearing about Bitches Brew, I thought this would become the newest fad in brewing and it has, with Stone releasing Lukcy Basartd (a blend of Arrogant Bastard, Oaked Arrogant Bastard and Double Bastard) and Sierra Nevada releasing Grand Cru (Oak-Aged Bigfoot, Celebration and Pale Ale). I can't wait to try both of those.

Contrary to a vocal minority, I think Sam is very good for craft beer and, in the end, the show should be fun to watch with a pint or 2.  Isn't that enough? It isn't any different than what Gene Simmons, Orange County Choppers or even Billy the Exterminator (my daughter's current fave show) are doing: talking about what they're passionate about. Most of us do that all day without a camera following us around. And we get to drink beer and watch him do it. That's all good from where I'll be sitting...my couch. Set your DVR's.