Friday, Aug. 7, is International Beer Day, which might seem odd as it could be argued every day is beer day around the world. It is after all the most widely consumed alcoholic drink on the planet with more than 50 billion gallons of beer consumed every year, according to facts.net.
And, this is hardly a new trend. It is one of the oldest beverages in the world dating back more than 7,000 years. The first brewery dates back to 1040.
Why, the discovery of oxygen itself is owed in part to Joseph Priestly noticing the gases rising from large vats of beer at a brewery and became curious enough to research further. The builders of the Great Pyramid of Giza were paid with a ration of beer daily and George Washington demanded that the members of his continental army be allowed a quart of beer as part of their daily rations.
Nobel Prize winner Niels Bohr was honored for his work with a perpetual supply of beer piped into his house.
It's even led to some pretty good jokes. Like the one about the man who found a fly in his beer, took it out and held it upside down over his glass yelling, "Give it back."
The Times Free Press has partnered with several local craft breweries to celebrate beer during August. Each has picked one or two of their favorites in hopes that folks will give them a try. There are 12 beers in total and all are made right here in Chattanooga.
We've even created a quiz you can take using the descriptions of each brew to determine which best describes your own personality. Are you more sour or fruity? Nutty perhaps or a little laid back and mellow?
Do you leave people wanting more, and are you pleasing to the nose?
Here's how some local breweries/businesses described their own adventurous beers:
WanderLinger Brewing Co., 1208 King St., Chattanooga, Tenn.
Blackbeary Hug: fruited sour - sassy, eclectic, likes independent film and abstract art
Joose Caboose: NEIPA - bold, life of the party, in your face
WanderLinger Lager: Munich Helles - laid back, easy going, level headed, authentic, traditional.
Dalton Brewing Co., 112 W King St., Dalton, Ga.
Mango IPA 2.0 IPA: American IPA - 7.1% ABV 45 IBU: Our flagship beer. A juicy example of an India Pale Ale (IPA) with citrus and mango flavor notes. On the sweeter side of the IPA spectrum with lots of late hop additions, this delicious beer pays homage to the haze craze of New England Style IPAs.
Currently Puckered: Sour - 7% ABV 4 IBU: A customer favorite! This beer is a tart and delicious treat, made with black currant and vanilla beans.
Hazelnut Coffee Porter: Coffee Porter - 5.8% ABV 40 IBU: Stop and smell the coffee! The hazelnut coffee aroma is extremely pleasing to the nose. Made with cold brew coffee, though we would not recommend substituting this for your morning cup of joe!
Chattanooga Brewing Co., 1804 Chestnut St., Chattanooga, Tenn.
Hot Mama: Feelin' spicy? Using peppers from the Main St. Farmer's Market this beer goes straight from farm to barrel and packs a punch unlike any other in town. It's bright red can and intense flavor are perfect for the party animal in all of us or anyone with a love for local farming and sustainable agriculture.
Dynamo: This beer gets its namesake from the generators TVA used to power the great city of Chattanooga in the mid-1900s. That same name was later donned by the old City High School whose graduates have been a valuable part of powering our city through good times and bad. This beer is for anyone who knows how to play it cool like the steady rivers that power our region and the good neighbors we all depend on. It's electric! Note: Available again at the end of August.
Faultless Lager: This beer is the granddaddy of all local beer in Chattanooga. Its recipe dates back to pre-prohibition and was enjoyed by Chattanoogans over 100 years ago. It represents a commitment to quality ingredients, exceptional craft, and the simple enjoyment of an ice-cold beer. It's best enjoyed after an honest day's work, on the back of a tailgate, or a day on the lake. With no fuss and no frills, this beer is a tribute to the revival of craft brewing in the Scenic City and hardworking Chattanoogan's everywhere.
Imbibe Wine & Spirits, 1616 Broad St, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Hutton & Smith Igneous IPA: With a name like "igneous", this beer just screams of the outdoors. Blend that with the beautiful Cascade, Chinook, and Apollo hop aromas that linger on your pallet after each sip and you'll feel like you're miles into your trek on the Appalachian trail. This beer is for the rugged, outdoorsy, Chattanoogan that loves a nice balance of crisp and piney but also juicy and refreshing. It's the perfect balance. There's no question as to why it's by far our top selling beer.
Chattanooga Brewing Co. Chestnut Street Brown Ale:Chattanooga Brewing Co. has been brewing beer for quite some time now. It's no wonder that a beer like Chestnut Street Brown Ale is largely considered a Chattanooga staple in the local beer scene. The moment you pour this beer in a pint glass, you're immediately swimming in warm malty nutty notes on the nose. Hearkening back to that comfort food your grandmother would make, this beer is full-bodied without being heavy, bright and slightly spicy but still smooth and easy drinking. You'll want this beer whether its 20 degrees or 90 degrees outside. This beer makes you long for nights spent by a camp fire or cozied up on the couch in the winter.
OddStory Shapeshifter: This beer is a rarity for sure, but if you get your hands on it, you'll never forget the impression it leaves with you. This chocolate bourbon barrel aged Raspberry wild ale is every bit as good as it sounds, and then some! It exceeds every expectation, and leaves you feeling like you just encountered greatness in a bottle. This beer is not for the weary-hearted, however. The prevalence of wild yeast gives this beer a dominant tartness that shocks the pallet at first, but finishes with a nice dark chocolaty flavor that makes for the best kinds of extremes. This beer is certainly for the adventurous beer drinker who loves strong first impressions and new flavors. If you can ever get your hands on this beer, you should buy it all and keep it as long as you can.