INSIDE PANDORA'S BOX
By Colin Burch
For Weekly Surge
It looks like opening Pandora's Box is a pretty cool thing.
Pandora's Box, coming soon to a grocer or beer store near you, is a special package from Magic Hat Brewing Company in Burlington, Vermont.
The Yahnis Co., the distributor that began moving kegs of Magic Hat's # 9 to
area bars last autumn, will soon have the Pandora's Box Spring Variety 12-Pak on local shelves, and by the time you read this, it might have already slipped out to some retailers.
The theme of the box is totally Sixties: Day-Glo colors, dove's foot peace symbols, and the proclamation "Make Beer Not War." Everything about it screams youth and rock-and-roll.
Inside are three bottles each of the following brews, each of which I was allowed an advanced tasting:
- #9, the "not quite pale ale." With the funky flower-child package of Pandora's Box, it's hard not to hear "Love Potion No. Nine" in the background. This remains a favorite. The not-quite-pale-ale factor reminds me of a Bass, but Magic Hat's brew wizards have added some subtle, unspecified flavorings, too. Try it, you won't regret it.
- h I.P.A., a "highly hopped" India pale ale. This one definitely lives up to its name - the hops linger in your mouth with a peppery staying power, but it's not crazy hopped like some of the Dogfish Head offerings.
- Circus Boy, "The Hefeweizen." I thought this was smoother and slightly heavier in body than most hefeweizens, but still crisp and good for warmer weather. Dang it, I had no lemon for my tasting of this one.
- Odd Notion, an Irish-style red ale. This is a red ale that tastes red, almost with a cherry undercurrent. This is one of the sweeter, lighter, and more unique experiences I've had with a red ale. Much better than Killian's!
Mike Gray, vice president of marketing with Yahnis, will soon let me know the specific retail locations where we can find Pandora's Box. Stay tuned.
WINNING AT THE WINERY
Bob Gallo of Calabash, N.C., recently won two Gold Medals in Silver Coast Winery's 5th Annual Amateur Wine Making Competition and Ultimate Goblet and Toasting Contest. Gallo won for two separate varieties: Riesling and Trebbiano.
The competition at the winery, based in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., drew participants from across the U.S. Most of the winners were from the Carolinas and Georgia, but some folks from Tennessee and New Jersey also walked away from medals.
Among the winners in the greater Surge area:
- Francis Buckley of Ash, N.C., won gold for his Johannesburg Riesling.
- Gary Morgan of North Myrtle Beach won gold for his Cabernet Sauvignon.
- John Bilicki of North Myrtle Beach won gold for his Green Apple Riesling.
- Anthony Pastore of Conway won silver for his Merlot.
- Howard Cowan of Southport, N.C., won bronze for his Dry Muscadine.
- Mary Payne of Oak Island, N.C., won first prize for her decorated goblet in the Ultimate Goblet Competition.
- John Sherrill of Oak Island, N.C.; Richard Galarnearu of Ocean Ridge Plantation, N.C.; and Shannon Collins of Supply, N.C., were the only three entrants in the Toasting Contest. Each won.
- Contact Colin Burch - the Beerman - at beerpour@yahoo.com.