...who was like the father of the American brewpub that I never had. He opened the first brewpub in the US post prohibition in 1982 in Yakima, Washington. Imperial Stout was crazy good, and if you'd ever had his Perfect Porter in the 90's, you'd understand how truly awesomely peaty that style could be. Anyway, the guy passed a dozen years ago today. I'll be lifting an IPA tonight in thanks for what he did to revive that style, too.
Porter, Imperial Stout and Hopzilla (still have one of those empty bottles somewhere). But unfortunately, that Mandarin Hefe became their most popular.
Bert was da man! Here's Michael Jackson's tribute, well worth a re-read every now and then: http://www.beerhunter.com/documents/19133-001575.html The Imperial Stout was probably the best one that was on the shelves on the east coast, mostly due to its ability to handle the conditions and age well. Sometimes I got lucky with the India Pale Ale and Scottish Ale, too. I have a Mc Ewan's sitting around- somehow that seems fitting to drink in his honor. Cheers, Bert!
I got a couple of his beers in a BOTM club I belonged to before joining BA and yes, I was also a fan of the Scottish Ale.
Bert Grant's Imperial Stout is probably the beer I miss most that is no longer brewed. God, I loved that beer!
