About 6 months ago, I started filming short reviews of beer from my jam-packed beer fridge, and posting them to social media. Given my pension (addiction?) for finding and buying unique and interesting beers from breweries far and wide, the process of reviewing became a simple conduit for exploring, sharing, and having a record of some of these cool finds. Also, the process of recording and editing these short videos is weirdly calming. A few minutes to film the review. A minute or two to edit and post. It’s a little zen. I like it.
Having watched other reviews, I was vaguely aware of the people out there doing the same thing, and as I shared my own videos, a handful of them reached out to chat, share beer, and be generally encouraging. Within this brew-reviewing community I found a pocket of like-minded individuals from across North America, with whom I’ve been sharing beer and – in this case – participating in the 50/50 challenge. Devised and shared by Justin (@craftbeercrazy), the challenge is decently simple: find, review and share a craft beer from each state. 50 beers, 50 states. Hence, the 50/50 challenge.
Honestly, it’s not a very challenging challenge. There’s no running involved. I get to try delicious beers, and share my thoughts as I go. the hardest part of the whole thing is most likely going to be finding brews from each state, but even that’s made easier by my network of beer-peeps, apps like Tavour, and websites like Craftshack, where I found the first beer on my map: Paperback Brewing’s Bunny with a Chainsaw.
Paperback Brewing is a Glendale, California based company that opened in the midst of the pandemic, selling takeaway beer from their brewery. Like many craft breweries, they have a predilection for big flavors, interesting beer names, and cool can art like the following:
Bunny with a Chainsaw is a double hazy IPA that rings in on the hefty side with 8.4% abv and 48 IBU’s. Unlike many hazy ipa’s currently being produced with boatloads of Citra, this one features more than a fair share of Idaho 7 and El Dorado hops, which – to my taste – gave it a tropical, mango-like flavor with a touch of pine and dank resin – As if they just wanted to give it a fruity hit, and then immediately remind me it’s an IPA. The malt wasn’t overly sweet, so the beer drank smooth and crisp with big hoppy flavor, which is presumably why the label is adorned with that adorable murderer; the beer is cute and unassuming, until that 8.4% cuts you down.
Bunny is a really solid double hazy with a LOT of hoppy character, and while it’s not something I can normally find near me, I certainly wouldn’t pass it up if I came across it again.
I give it an 8/10 for hoppy flavor and easy drinkability
Cheers!
Love, Food & Beer 