What would happen if...

As I sat enjoying a pint of Boundary last night @ the p-house, I slipped into an increasingly frequent conundrum.  What would life be like if I didn't think my favorite beer tasted all that great.  This question has been popping up lately on Beer Monday's as I usually try a pint of a new IPA and then finish with a pint of Boundary.  Every time I keep coming back to the same place...'you know, that was good...but it's no Boundary'.  Weeks ago, Silas had told me that he was getting this new IPA in from a brewery in California called Russian River and that it was going to knock my socks off.  That's all I need to get excited...and the fact that it's extremely difficult to get out of the region.  Fast-forward to last night.  The Blind Pig, as it's called, was put on tap much to my excitement along with the cask offering of Bhagwan's Best.  I know what you're thinking..."WOW, what a night."  As I like to customarily do, I asked for a sample of the pig first.  It was good, but it was no Boundary.  Someone at the table asked, "Did you not like it?"  No, it was very good...but it just isn't a Boundary Bay IPA.  So, I found myself placing the pig in the category with so many other IPA's.  If it was on tap anywhere else where Boundary wasn't pouring, hands down I'd order up a pint.   So that brings me to my conumdrum.  If I didn't think Boundary was all that great, would I be into a different style?  Probably not because the northwest style IPA represents a culmination of sorts in regards to flavor.  One doesn't get into pilsners after IPA's because your taste buds become trained to accept nothing less that extreme hops.  I really don't know what I would do if I lost the desire for Boundary Bay IPA.  In the mean time, I guess I'll just keep on keepin' on...and keep enjoying the best IPA's.

Lopez Jas