WILK Friday BeerBuzz–30 Sept 2011 (Butternuts Brewery Snapperhead IPA)

Today’s beer choice came from several different inspirations.  First off Butternuts Beer and Ales has some of the most creative and irreverent beer-naming going.  Who couldn’t love Porkslap Pale Ale, Moo Thunder Stout or Heinnieweisse Wheat.  But what sealed it for me was a conversation I had many moons ago with a now-local brewmaster. …well at east he WAS local.

Back when he was making the move, Shawnee Craft brewmaster Leo Bongiorno shared a beer and a great story with me from his days at Butternuts.  I’ll leave out the funny details of many of the other names, but Leo’s story about today’s show beer made my mind up to feature Snapperhead IPA.

Now don’t get me wrong…this is a great IPA.  It’s probably a little more malty than a traditional IPA, but the hop is there.  According to the Butternuts website (and be SURE to check out their website!) Snapperhead is “every bit as rich and a little less bitter that other American interpretations of the breed”…but only because they are “smarter and better-looking brew masters.”  And this sets the tone for their entire website and line of beers.

Be sure to try Snapperhead IPA for yourself.  It’s readily available locally and easily affordable….oh and what was the story Leo told me?  As it turns out, as much as the can has a fish on it…Leo tells me the beer was affectionately named after his grandmother who had lost her hair thanks to a skin condition, She had many different wigs which were at times confusing to “install” so because of that she actually had “snaps” surgically attached to her head (and each wig) to allow her to comfortably wear them.  A funny story for sure, and a great IPA.

Thanks

to Nancy, John, Joe, and Bosco for yet another fun Friday. 

The Friday BeerBuzz…bringing good beers and good people together. 

As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday BeerBuzz page by clicking HERE.