Nice to meet me LIF

Hey all. I've been hanging around BA for a while, not participating at all, but suddenly I've gotten pretty into it! Of course, 'getting into it' is a bit easier said than done. It's obvious that beer trading is totally dependent upon trust, and this community has some seriously high standards when it comes to building trust. That brings us to my little LIF here. In an effort to hit the ground running and build some good will, I've decided that I should pay my damn dues and give away some beer. You know... like bringing a jello mold to the new neighbor, except I'm the new neighbor, and I'm bringing this jello mold to the whole neighborhood. Let's get down to business.

The setup:
Some time ago, just about this time, I was finally preparing to move out of my parents' house. While retrieving some things from the cellar, I discovered a mysterious cardboard box all the way in the very deepest, darkest corner. This box - and some items surrounding it - had been placed there by my father when I was younger. The contents of this box, in a single moment, got me into the art of enjoying craft beer - an interest that would become an obsession, and eventually a lifestyle.

The winner will be the first person to correctly identify:
1. The contents of the mystery box
2. The word on the outside of the box
3. The year the box was placed in the cellar and forgotten

The prize:
A super fresh growler of Kane Head High IPA, my personal favorite IPA anywhere up or down the east coast. This stuff is draft-only and never distributed outside of NJ. I could just go on and on explaining how ridiculously good this stuff is... but don't take my word for it. Here are some testimonials! [One, Two, Three]

Lastly! If the winner is located in NJ, I could try and fill some random wants. Or we could meet up and I'll buy you some beers. Or maybe the winner just wants a growler full of the best damn IPA in the whole state. We'll figure it out.

 

I forgot to mention two things:

• Winner will be expected to do their own LIF sooner or later. I like that system.
• There will be hints, at least one per day. Everybody gets one guess per hint. (This is not a hint.)

 

Time for a hint.

One person has correctly guessed the year.
Three people have at least been in the right category with the contents of the box.
No one's even close with the word on the side of the box.

Everyone can guess again!