Pyramid Discord Dark IPA

Discord Dark IPA celebrates the marriage of two distinct styles, the Dark Ale and the IPA. The traditional bitterness of an IPA is juxtaposed against a black malt canvas, creating an ale that keeps your taste buds working to discover all the unique flavors imparted by the 5 differed hops and 5 different malts. 6.5% ABV (bottle only)    

Due South Island Hopper Double IPA

This double IPA is for the hophead at heart. They use an insane amount of 6 different varieties of hops in this beer. It is then dry hopped ever more afterward. The outcome is a very hoppy double IPA that is fresh, citrusy and resiny. Think West Coast style brought over to the East Coast of Florida. 8.5% ABV (draft only).    

Dogfish Head / Sierra Nevada Rhizing Bines

Deeping their bond with Sierra Nevada Brewing Company forged with the 2009 collaboration Life and Limb, Dogfish Head has brewed an East-meets-West Imperial IPA. On the hot side, Rhizing Bines went through Dogfish's signature continual-hopping process with floral and citrusy Bravo hops. On the cold side, it was dry-hopped with an experimental varietal so new it doesn't have a name yet, just a number. Hop 644. A component of Sierra Nevada's aroma-boosting Torpedo system made a pit-stop in Delaware for dry-hopping duty before it headed to Sierra's new North Carolina brewery. To celebrate Sierra Nevada planting East Coast roots, Dogfish Head tracked down a Carolina heirloom wheat grown and milled at Anson Mills. The soft red winter wheat contributes subtle sweet and nutty notes to this hop-forward ale. It has two hop varietals, two yeast strains (Chico and Doggie), two unique hopping processes and two family-owned breweries. These bonds start at the root - or rhizome - and stretch throughout the mature bines. 8% ABV (bottle and draft)   

Cigar City / B. Nektar Camp Braggot Ghost Stories

This collaboration between CigarCity and B. Nektar Meadery is a Braggot (fermented from both barley and from honey) that was brewed with lager yeast, making it a truly unique experience. The honey used for the mead portion is Meadowfoam, which is most notable for its huge marshmallow flavors. They also added some chocolate, coconut, Chinese black smoked tea, and a touch of white oak as well. 10% ABV (bottle only) 

Ballast Point Sea Monster

From the deep, dark depths of the Brewmaster's imagination comes this rich and monstrous oatmeal stout. The Sea Monster embodies all that the true dark beer aficionado will appreciate: roasted coffee notes, with hints of bittersweet chocolate and currant flavors all brought together by a perfect hop balance. Don't fear the Monster! 8% ABV  (bottle and draft)   

Ballast Point Victory at Sea

Two of the world's oldest beverages join forces to conquer your palate. Victory at Sea embodies the art of masterful brewing by infusing a velvety Imperial Porter with pure vanilla flavor and specially-selected, hand roasted coffee. The addition of cold brewed coffee to the beer lends a subtle roasted flavor to this robust imperial porter, blending perfectly with rich vanilla and caramel undertones. By uniting two San Diego brewing traditions, Caffe Calabrian freshly brewed coffee and Ballast Point beer, they have successfully created an artisanal masterpiece. 10% ABV (bottle and draft) 

Pyramid Weiss Cream Ale

Brewed with orange peel and vanilla, then nitrogenated to provide an extra smooth mouth-feel, Weiss Cream serves up a creamsicle like flavor worth sharing with friends. 5.2% ABV (draft only) 

This delightfully crisp, hand crafted ale is made with German malts that provide a perfect balance to the five hop additions that go into every batch. This American pale ale is tasty enough for any craft beer newcomer, while the complex character is sure to please even the most discerning craft connoisseur. So get naked and enjoy! 6% ABV (bottle and draft)

This medium bodied English brown ale is brewed with Alabama Wildflower Honey, roasted malts and fresh hops. The balance of sweet wildflower honey and earthy hop aromas come through in every batch. Whether preparing a delicious meal of sitting fireside, Truck Stop Honey will always keep the good times rolling. 6% ABV (bottle and draft)

This full bodied India Pale Ale is loaded with fresh hops for a powerful blend of citrus, pine and fruit aromas. The firm malt backbone works will with the bold hop finish that everyone expects from an IPA. Belly up hop heads. 7.5% ABV (bottle and draft) 

This medium-bodied Porter is brewed with a unique blend of rasted malts and fresh hops. Chocolate, smoky notes are abundant throughout the citrus aroma provides a refreshing twist to this old world beer style. Careful, it will grow on you. 5.5% ABV (bottle and draft) 

Pale pink color reminiscent of the rosés of Provence, revealing rose and spring jasmine aromas. Bubbly and invigorating, it has a great vivacity and the freshness of red berries followed by a delicate effervescence. Made with McIntosh and Geneva apples, this light cider is carbonated at the bottling stage. This cider recently took home the bronze medal at the Great International Beer and Cider Competition. 6.4% ABV   

Light golden color and the fine aromas of fresh fruit. On the palate, almost dry yet fresh and delicately effervescent. Made with McIntosh apples, this cider is carbonated at the bottling stage. This cider recently took home the silver medal at the Great International Beer and Cider Competition. 6.4% ABV

This fortified version of their Luk Dry is made with McIntosh apples, is light golden in color and has fine aromas of fresh fruit. The added "Eau-de-Vie" increase the alcohol level. 12% ABV

The cream liqueur brings together Grade-A Quebec Maple syrup, fresh cream and the highest quality of rum to create a delicious maple cream liqueur that is perfect for any occasion. 32% ABV

The importance of hops in today's beer cannot be overstated. With the exception of heavily roasted barley, assertive yeast strains and the occasional bonus ingredient, hops tend to be the majority contributors to the overall flavor of a brew.

Of equal import is the type of hop used. While one variety may come over the top with floral and citrusy aromas - best used in IPAs and other hop-centric beers - another may lend a subtle earthiness, adding depth and complexity, rather than bitterness and aroma.

With so many varieties, it's tough to know what's what. Fortunately for the would-be "lupulinologist" (yes, I'm coining that term), there are many single-hop beers around, along with quite a few beers using a blend of hops dominated by a particular variety. Here's a primer on the big players, along with some of the beers that you'll find them in.

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Beer producers make a big deal about drinking beer fresh. Stone Brewery produces an IPA with a drink-by date. Russian River Brewing Company implores their customers right on the bottle label to drink Pliny the Elder fresh. And most other beer producers print the brewing date on the can or bottle so the customer knows he or she isn't getting old beer. While it's true that many (and perhaps most) beers taste better when fresh, it's a fallacy that old beer always equals bad beer. Some breweries specifically make beer that needs to be aged for ten years or longer before it tastes right. 

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By: John Hall

At the bottom of the planet sits Antarctica, a continent covered in ice. Home to penguins, leopard seals and breathtaking beauty, it is the only continent on Earth without a native human population. During its summer season, Antarctica plays host to less than 5,000 people, almost all of whom are scientific researchers and their support staff. Tourists are known to visit every so often, but usually fail to see the full scope of its 5.4 million square miles.