I arrived pretty early to the craft beer craze, in 2010 or 2011 latest. I was driven by novelty, and when something new came out I simply had to try it. By 2015, crazy insanity was in full swing, so everybody and his mother was making IPA's, Coffee Oatmeal Stouts, and dopplebocks.
I'm the kind of person who, when perusing a menu - food and beverage alike - I still tend to order whatever I haven't tried before, even when I positively adore something on the menu. New breweries and new releases still call to me, even after all this time.
When I shop for six packs to take home, however, this rule does not hold. Here, I employ preset standards; I first tried the Hopsecutioner (Terrapin Brewing, Athens GA) on-site in 2012 or 2013 and they began shipping to my state not long after. The Hopsecitioner isn't perfect but it's pretty damn close. On a 10 scale, I give this one a nine.
Because it's readily accessible, I'll only opt for another 6pk if it is notably superior to the Hopsecutioner. If I know I'll have 6 of something, why the hell would I chance it? The Hopsecutioner serves as my dividing line: my benchmark.
I'm the same way with tobacco. If I'm with friends, there's an 8 in 10 chance I'll pop a tin I've never tried before to create a new experience surrounding that blend. But if I'm at home, I tend to gravitate towards a few benchmark readily available favorites. For straight VA's, that means Cobblestone Chess Knight, Peterson Flake, or Capstan Blue. For English, SPC's Plum Pudding sets the standard. And if we're talking VAPer, we're looking Peterson De Luxe Navy Rolls.
I wouldn't give any of the above a perfect 10, but that doesn't stop them from being the perfect tin in those moments when quality calls for the readily available familiars. What are your benchmark blends?
I'm the kind of person who, when perusing a menu - food and beverage alike - I still tend to order whatever I haven't tried before, even when I positively adore something on the menu. New breweries and new releases still call to me, even after all this time.
When I shop for six packs to take home, however, this rule does not hold. Here, I employ preset standards; I first tried the Hopsecutioner (Terrapin Brewing, Athens GA) on-site in 2012 or 2013 and they began shipping to my state not long after. The Hopsecitioner isn't perfect but it's pretty damn close. On a 10 scale, I give this one a nine.
Because it's readily accessible, I'll only opt for another 6pk if it is notably superior to the Hopsecutioner. If I know I'll have 6 of something, why the hell would I chance it? The Hopsecutioner serves as my dividing line: my benchmark.
I'm the same way with tobacco. If I'm with friends, there's an 8 in 10 chance I'll pop a tin I've never tried before to create a new experience surrounding that blend. But if I'm at home, I tend to gravitate towards a few benchmark readily available favorites. For straight VA's, that means Cobblestone Chess Knight, Peterson Flake, or Capstan Blue. For English, SPC's Plum Pudding sets the standard. And if we're talking VAPer, we're looking Peterson De Luxe Navy Rolls.
I wouldn't give any of the above a perfect 10, but that doesn't stop them from being the perfect tin in those moments when quality calls for the readily available familiars. What are your benchmark blends?
