high expectations

high expectations are generally a precursor to disappointment. a little over a year ago they had this jack's pumpkin spice ale on tap at the green turtle and i really liked it, though unfortunately they didn't have it this fall and i'm not sure why. i tried in vain to find a six pack of this stuff and hit all the beer stores i know that have really good selections and came up empty and i stopped actively looking.

then, on one of my many trips to florida, i went to a piggly wiggly or peebles or something to get some dinner, and there in the middle of the floor was a stack of cases of the stuff. of course, being in florida, it would have been pretty inconvenient to try and bring it home, and i figured, hey, if it's just sitting here in some random grocery store, i should be able to find some at home, right?

when i got home i renewed my search for the brew, and again, after trying a number of different stores came home empty handed. as all the seasonal brews changed from fall to winter ales, i gave up. and then it happened. saturday. after christmas. laura and i went to cuba de ayer (get the empanadas!!!) for dinner. afterwards, i popped into the liquor store next door to grab some beer for later that evening and there it was. hiding on the bottom shelf of the cooler. the last six-pack of jack's pumpkin spice ale. i grabbed it without hesitation and headed to the counter. i asked the clerk if they had anymore but he said that was the last one.

i tried so hard to find this beer, i'm now concerned that is has become over hyped and that if i drink it, i'll just be disappointed. the beer has been sitting in the fridge for three days now, unopened.

on a side note, if anyone knows where to get shipyard brewing company caramel lager (had it on tap once in hilton head and never heard of seen it again) or their pumpkinhead ale around washington dc, please let me know.