(Stevens Point, WI) – For better or for worse, this is one of the few posts you will see about what appears to be a new release of an ordinary pale ale. Only this is no ordinary pale ale- it dons the image and name of Comedian, Jim Gaffigan. Celebrity endorsement is no stranger to the beer world though I don’t recall seeing them on the actual labels all that often.
If you are not familiar with Gaffigan’s work, you can check out the Youtube clip of his bit on how we celebrate religious holidays (see below). That is his, by far, his most popular video on Youtube though he may be better known for his “Hot Pockets” bit. He has appeared in a number of movies and tv shows including “That 70s Show” and “Ellen.”
When seeing the label initially and knowing Point Brewing’s home is in Wisconsin, I thought that Gaffigan must be a native of the Badger State. Come to find out, he is from Indiana. Love him or hate him, the beer makes for an interesting partnership, and hopefully the full story behind it is revealed sooner rather than later.
Why not report on more new pale ales and other “small” beers? Are these beers somehow unworthy of mention, just because they don’t appeal to the ticker beer geek that craves 10%+ ABV beers that are relatively unattainable?
Hey Josh,
A number of things go into the decision to focus on bigger beers. This site tends to focus on new beers and the new beers coming out, for the most part, are bigger beers. It’s the fastest growing niche in the market. There is also a Belgian revival; American breweries are jumping on it and these beers are typically high ABV.
I think sessionable beers still make it on this space fairly frequently. The fresh hop beers that I’ve been covering should be below 6 or 7% for the most part. Most breweries already have established their pale ales as flagship brands and are on shelves year-round so there isn’t much more for me to say about them.
Thanks for the comment and thanks for reading!
Beersage
Understood. Perhaps it’s just the state of the industry at the moment, that few breweries are really rolling out lower-ABV beers with any fanfare. I’m sure there are several brewpubs that continually create interesting, highly sessionable brews, but why would they spend the time (and money) promoting them? Even the production breweries are too busy pimping their next big thing to get the word out about their solid, established offerings, which then linger too long on store shelves. In the long run, I think these breweries are sort of shooting themselves in the foot. Of course, it doesn’t help that a large percentage of the beer community completely overlooks the standards, and are only interested in what’s new or hard to find.
*shrug*
Some interesting points here. I have definitely been burned this year on some IPAs that were there way too long. Another reason I’m fine with paying for brand new fresh beers that are coming out. I find that I have just bought less beer as opposed to more affordable brands because of the freshness issue.
I’m going to make this into a poll.
Odd as Gaffigan is a self professed tea-totaler…he doesn’t drink
He has like a whole CD out about how pale he is. I’m sure its just an awesome pun. No further backstory required