PIZZA BOY BREWING CO. ETERNAL SUNSHINE

ABV: 5%

>by Paul Marko

And they just keep on ‘a coming... The latest new brewery being distributed in W.N.Y. comes via the in-house brewery at Al’s of Hampden Restaurant of Enola, PA - Pizza Boy Brewing Company. Pizza Boy stands out from the pack a bit with their aggressive barrel aging program, using charred oak and spent wine/liquor barrels to create complex and wild ales. One of these wild brews is the deliciously dry hopped Eternal Sunshine. Grapefruit and apricot notes break through like a sunbeam on a summer morning, blending directly into the crisp, tart and dry finish that only the best wild ales can claim. For those expecting big oakey barrel flavors, look elsewhere, but if you enjoy refreshing and bubbly sours that have just enough sessionable complexity - then this one is for you. Yes, at just over 5% ABV it’s sessionable - so you can enjoy the full 1 pint, 6oz Eternal Sunshine bottle solo and still maintain a spotless mind. Similar to Prairie Artisan Ale’s dry-hopped Funky Gold Mosaic, sour ales such as these pair well with soft, pungent cheeses, but a plate of creamy fettuccini Alfredo would also be a wonderful combination. Pizza Boy beers will most likely be difficult to find - but grab some Sunshine if you can!

COMMUNITY BEER WORKS FRNK

STYLE: AMERICAN PALE ALE

ABV: 4.6%

>by Chris Groves, Certified Cicerone®

If you live in or around Buffalo, you know him. He is the guy you call to help you replace your hot water tank or replace your old galvanized pipes. He drives a pickup truck and has a utility trailer if you need to borrow it. He’ll pick up your mail when you’re out of town, watch your dog, water your plants and make sure the garbage cans are out to the curb. He’s content with working a little longer just to make sure the job is done correctly. I once watched a few friends take a huge risk in starting their own business. From dream to reality, he was there throughout the entire process and is hugely instrumental in their success. Some friends and I went out for a couple pints last weekend and he happened to be at the bar. We struck up a conversation about all the great things happening in his [West Side] neighborhood. New businesses both in planning and opening up, houses being rehabbed, community gardens being planted...he’s been a part of all of them. He’s a self starter, non-complainer and an all around do-good guy. To this day, he has been as consistent and refreshing as when I first met him. Never bitter, always refreshing and has a good head on his shoulders. It seems that everyone knows him and I’m happy to call him a good friend. He is a beer. His name is Frank.