To me, it is. But I also don't care one iota about sports (though I can make exceptions for women's rugby and any sort of obstacle course competition on Animal Planet).On that note, The Washington Post is currently featuring a fun alternative (or addition) to March Madness. The lucky participants started taste-testing 32 beers and have so far gotten the contenders down to a precious 16. But three rounds remain - the quarterfinals, semis, and finals on April 6 - before a champion is named.
Tasters downed their fair share of beers, which ranged from Miller Chill to Wolaver's Oatmeal Stout, and represent the mainstream to the microbrew; the wheat-y to the hoppy; the ale to the stout, and back again.
A few of my personal favorites in the bunch include the Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA (deliciously full of hops) and the Sea Dog Blue Paw Wild Blueberry Wheat Ale for those summer nights down the shore, but the Post really did choose a fine array (including a few classics - or duds, depending on your taste in beer - Schlitz, Michelob Lager, and the aforementioned new Miller Chill).
Head over to the site now to track your favorite, er, player.

So I'm back in my hometown for the Fourth of July, and my old roommate picks me up at the train station, and on the way back home he stops at the package store (liquor store to those who don't know what the hell I'm talking about), and he picks up a six pack of
Stronger, darker craft brews are gaining popularity, especially here in the U.S., and the researchers at HortResearch in New Zealand say that their new hybrid hops will suit changing tastes. The new hops is a blend of European and New Zealand strains and has a stronger aroma, reported 








