by Matt Kelchner
With a new year comes a new column here at That Mag. We will be sharing our two cents on new, exciting beers and pairing them up with some of our favorite songs. Meet Drinking Tunes, our new, fun way to discover music and beer at the same time.
For our inaugural article we looked no further than right here in our backyard to one of the area’s best and well-known, Victory Brewing Company. To celebrate their birthday this year the brewery decided to come up with something that they could share with everyone, a brand new beer! Dubbed the Anniversary 19 Session IPA, it’s an IPA that tries to trick you into thinking it’s something else.
As you bring a glass close to inspect, a subtle, hoppy aroma meets you to give a clue it might not be what you think it is. Light golden in color and fairly clear, it looks more like a pilsner than an IPA. But with one sip, the beer shows it’s true side. Anniversary 19 is crisp and bubbly in the beginning but as the taste fades away, a bitterness comes into picture. This taste lingers around, calling out for another swig.
Head Brewmaster and cofounder Bill Covaleski and his crew at Victory combined Simcoe, Chinook and Citra hops along with imported two-row German malts to create their new brew. Coming in with an ABV of just 4.5%, Anniversary 19 might not pack quite the same punch as most IPAs, but it terms of session beers it leans more towards the higher side. It’s light flavor and body makes Anniversary 19 a beer that you won’t get full or burnt out on after having two or three.
Don’t wait around to go out and pick up a six pack of your own. Victory Brewing Company were generous enough to celebrate their birthday with us all, but Anniversary 19 will only be available through March. If you’re having trouble tracking it down, just head over to Victory’s Beerfinder for some help.
If you’re one of those people who at a party looks for something with a little more depth and taste than Miller Lite or Coors, then this is the drink for you. Think of Anniversary 19 Session IPA as the party beer for the hop lover!
Pairs Well With: The Sidekicks – “Everything in Twos”
With a light beer comes a “light” song. “Everything In Twos” by The Sidekicks is a short and sweet tune that clocks in just under 3 minutes. The Northeastern Ohio four piece manage to cram in a ton of jangly and buzzy guitar riffs, along with a hook that will you’ll catch yourself humming along to after the first listen. Born and raised in the DIY punk scene, The Sidekicks teamed up with Epitaph Records for the release of their latest, Runners In The Nerved World. “Everything In Twos” will have you singing along, bopping and stumbling around as you kick kick back another Anniversary 19!
