Recently we have been inundated with beers from around globe tantalizing our every whim from centuries old recipes to more modern brews that have captivated craft drinkers taste buds and spoiled our palates forever. As this wave of liquid prosperity rolls into our gullets, one must stop and take a moment to realize, that most of these beers have names and behind these names are stories, which can take a regular beer meet-up, trading and just a nice session evening at home and take it to whole new level. So here are a few brews that are common or part of the “norm” in the beer culture but have a mysterious story to some.

Stories are our way of passing down traditions, culture and knowledge from one generation to the next. What the craft industry is doing is literally making you think why you drink. Giving you a complex story, myth or idea behind the concoction they have created. It may sound a little whimsical or may be “fluff” to some but it’s a great way for brewers to share there a little bit about what they are about and who they are through the simplest and unassuming way possible, the name of there beer. So here are a few brews that are common or part of the “norm” in the beer culture but have a mysterious story to some.

Bell’s Two Hearted Ale, Bell’s Brewery Kalamazoo, Michigan

This IPA is the most commonly drank and well known IPA around. This well crafted, formidable IPA has an amazing sweet, floral aroma followed by an explosion of grapefruit and citrusy notes. The finish is a nice well balanced sweet malt and drinks like it’s 4% instead of 7%. You can find this beer pretty much in any beer store with it’s weight. But why the name? Everyone seems fine not really knowing the origin of the name and still happily chugs along.

Well the name “Two Hearted Ale” refers to the story “Big Two-Hearted River” written by Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway, not known to turn down a good beer or seven, wrote the story about a man named Nick who returns from WWI to his his boyhood home. It’s a tale about change and acceptance, about dealing with ones own experiences and making the best of them. The fish on the bottle references a part of the story where our hero is struggling with a big fish only to have it get away. Later on he catches two medium size fish and learns to be content with just that.

The beer itself plays more on the regional aspect with the story tied in as well.

Oskar Blues G’Knight (Gordon), Oskar Blues Brewery Longmont, Colorado

This imperial Red is a force to be reckoned with. At 8.7% this brew pours ruby red with a nice aroma of pine and citrus. The flavor is a little boozy, sweet and full of great citrus, pineapple and spiced flavors. I had this brew when I first started drinking craft beer and it always has a place in the cooler. Not only is this beer delicious but it also comes in a can. Literally can take it anywhere.

Originally named Gordon this imperial red is named after craft beer lover, Vietnam Veteran and brewery innovator Gordon Knight. Knight was a pioneer of brewing in the early 90’s with his unique and bold recipes he went onto brew and win GABF medals for High Country, Twisted pine and Wolf Tongue breweries.He died in a helicopter accident, while battling a forest fire near Lyons, Colorado. His knowledge, talent and personality inspired this brew and every time someone cheers, drink and lets out that thirst quenching “Ahhh” they will always remember Gordon Knight.

The name change from Gordon to G’Knight ocurred after a cease and desist order was issued by Gordon Biersch Brewing Co. Stating that after seven years of using the name “Gordon” that it was trademark infrigement. With that said and the trademark never fully filed by Oskar Blues Brewing, the name was changed to G’ Knight.

These two beers have been consumed millions of times over, they are regulars in the craft scene and in our homes, I hope these stories help peak some curiosity, end debates and well encourage more craft beer consumption!

Stay tuned for more pairings, education series and beer reviews and remember to,

Drink. Taste. Pair. Live.

Cheers,

The Wild Cicerone