Zymurgy Week

National Beer Day is great, but it lacks a little...length. While our petition to the organizing committee for national weeks makes its way through the vetting process, a trio of suds-related stories to tide you over.

Paste Magazine took on the daunting task of a blind tasting to determine the best American IPA. The tasting wasn't completely exhaustive, as some breweries choose not to participate in tasting competitions (we see you, The Alchemist) and others weren't able to ship product to Paste in time. Nonetheless, the tasters were able to compare 116 brews over the course of a week. A couple of my favorites made the top 10, but I've never had the top two. New quest!

In a similar vein, For the Win released a story yesterday listing the 25 beers you need to try before you die. A bit morbid for my taste, frankly, but I enjoy a challenge. (Note: I don't really enjoy a challenge all that much. I'd prefer things were just given to me.) I've tasted nine of the 25, but there's no chance I'll get through the entire list, because a number of the beers feted by the author are wit/wheat beers, saisons, and Belgians, all of which are fucking disgusting. But you do you, man, if that's your speed. More hoppy stuff for me.

Finally, in honor of Opening Day, Business Insider ran a piece this week about beer prices in Major League ballparks. The average small ballpark pour will set you back $5.98, which is actually down 11 cents from last season. The most expensive MLB tipple? Fans of the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies all pay $7.75 per beer. On the other end of the scale, Indians and Diamondback fans can get their drink on for $4.00 per. Of note, however, Phillie fans don't actually have it as bad as it seems: the small beer at Citzens Bank Park is a robust (and league-leading) 21 ounces. The Phils are in the bottom third on a per ounce basis, checking in at $0.37/ounce. The Red Sox are the clear leaders in this category at a steep $0.65/ounce. We're number one! Gotta pay for Papi's supplements somehow.