"hop obama" news and stories

Whether you voted for Obama or not, whether Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or etc., I don't think anyone denies this year's Inauguration Day is a historic event. And judging by the record crowds Washington, D.C. is expecting for Tuesday, everyone wants to get in on the celebration. President Bush had to declare a state of emergency to help cover the costs! Well, I'm declaring a state of beer-mergency (achem.) to figure out the perfect Inauguration Day beer. Let's see what we got...

Back in September, I wrote a post on Sixpoint Craft Ale's Hop Obama beer. At that time, I stated, "If Barack Obama wins the presidency, I'm guessing we might see [Hop Obama] for another four years."

Well, maybe those running the Brooklyn-based brewery should have heeded my advice: Sixpoint stopped making the beer after Election Day, and now patrons seeking to celebrate the big-O's big day have created a mini-madness to figure out who still stocks the brew. A few bars with serious foresight stashed their last remaining kegs for Election Day. And some, according to the NY Daily News, plan on charging a pretty penny for it.

Despite being Sixpoint's fastest-selling beer ever, it looks like this "Obama" is actually heading the way of George W. Bush: Don't expect it back anytime soon. With some savvy Google searching, New Yorkers can figure out where to go to get the last gulp of Hop Obama, but for the rest of us, don't dismay: We have options.

Originally intended as a limited edition beer that would "only last for the duration of the Democratic primary hiatus," Hop Obama, much like the candidate who inspired it, is still around. If Barack Obama wins the presidency, I'm guessing we might see it for another four years.

Brooklyn's Sixpoint Craft Ales, brewers of Hop Obama, state "the delicious and refreshing quality it represents reminds us of the Senator's successful grassroots campaign" and that they were inspired by Obama to brew "an entirely unique ale that doesn't adhere to traditional style guidelines."

Another big similarity between beer and candidate: Made with a heady mix of "five different kinds of European crystal malt and three different kinds of Pacific Northwest Hops" and only available in New York and Massachussetts, Hop Obama probably won't be the beer of choice anytime soon for conservative drinkers in middle America.

Politics aside, Hop Obama delivers on its promise of drinkability. It also makes me wonder what kind of craft ale John McCain could inspire? Maybe a barley wine? Something that ages well.

[Photo Credit: sixpointcraftales.com]