I only drink beer on days that end in Y and this 375th Saturday is one of them.

Being The Blockchain Beerologist definitely has its perks, including but not limited to getting paid to tour breweries and sample new beers! When I am not globetrotting or brewing my own beer, my fridge looks like a colorful mosaic of regional craft beer I enjoy sharing with the #beersaturday alliance of #beer bloggers on #hive.

This week, I am enjoying new beers from familiar breweries with a couple surprises.

Shorty of the Week

I have a whole variety of shorties in the fridge this week and enjoying one of them right now. They are perfect on their own when it is time to have a slightly smaller beer and especially when they are one-off limited edition brews. This is only from column A as Life in the Clouds NEIPA is available year around and is one of my all-time faves. Sweet enough, dank enough and hazy enough to always be a treat and it is fun to have a couple in shorty format for a change.

Drifter Nitro

Muskoka Brewery is a brewery I have enjoyed for decades and was one of a few that were responsible for my descent into IPA obsession. I regularly enjoy a Mad Tom and occasionally a Detour for longer sessions and even a Major Tom when it is available in those big 568 ml cans. So, when I see a new one on the shelves and can't remember the last time I had it, I indulge.

I swear I didn't know this was boosted with nitrogen gas (kinda like a stout) until I read the description online. Drifter Nitro Hazy Pale Ale is a newer beer with some bold Denver orange and blue so it would have been a candidate for my basket and blog anyhow. Had I known it was charged with nitrogen, I would have probably sampled it first when I settled in for the night. It was smooth, not overly strong at only 5.6% abv, and wasn't as bitter as Major Tom. The subtlety and smoothness probably didn't need that smooth nitro carbonation but it is a nice spin. I will definitely have to try another of these if they are still available.

Morning Haze

If will give Lake of Bays Brewing Co, one thing: They have ignored my early and probably incessant criticism of their beer and have drain probably as much money out of me as Refined Fool Brewery with their variety. Commonly known as not one of my favourite breweries, they are relentless with their new, slightly different, dedication to lighter IPAs which really should become a thing. I reluctantly pick a new one from the shelf as I am constantly on the look for the next big thing. I would rather taste a new beer than one I have had before. Hopefully I won't regret it with these guys again.

I might have passed this one by because of the familiar logo and the lighter colours which I might assume to be on a session or lighter IPA. Taking a closer look, Morning Haze is actually a substantial 6.5% abv IPA that is double dry hopped for what hopefully will be PLENTY of flavour and punch. Mosaic and Sabro hops are perfect for a solid IPA and I hve not yet looked closely at HBC 1019 hops.

Never would I think we would see the day when a LoB IPA gets the coveted seal of approval. This is a good beer and I definitely need to taste it again. Might have to enjoy it in the AM sometime as a different kinda haze as we have come to enjoy from a @davedickeyyall #morningbowl.

#BEERSaturday!

Beer is that special that it can be not-too-cold and enoyed even in a fake-ass Irish pub. Join me, @detlev , and the other beerologists because there is always room for more beer bloggers at this week's Beer Saturday gathering... https://hive.blog/hive-187719/@detlev/beersaturday-357

This week for #BeerSaturday, I am inviting @heyitsjian who has recently recharged with Red Horse beer on Hive! Take a few pictures, tag #beersaturday and raise a glass with us on Hive!

Cheers to our global family of beer-drinkers!!

Have you seen a Nitro IPA before?