During the Cubs 2-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cubs manager Joe Maddon earned his first ejection of the season for arguing balls and strikes. What better time to celebrate the usually mild mannered skipper getting his first boot of the season than to crack open one of his brand new beers that was recently released.
Two days ago, Maddon released a limited edition beer through his Respect90 foundation. Working in conjunction with Haymarket Beer Company, Maddon created a German-Style lager called “Try Not To Suck” which is currently available in six-packs at Binny’s Beverage Depot, select Jewel-Osco stores, Haymarket Pub & Brewery in Chicago, and Haymarket Taproom in Bridgman, MI
So because I love the Chicago Cubs almost as much as I love a good beer, I went to my local Binny’s (shout out Evergreen Park) and picked up a sixer.
I shared this photo across all my social media channels and was pretty surprised at the amount of people that wanted to know what it tasted like. So being the man of the people, I gave them what they wanted and consumed one of these tasty bastards so I could give the common man’s beer review.
I say common man because as much as I love craft beer, I am NOT one of those guys who will have a craft beer poured, pick it up and sniff it, lift it up and look at the color, take a baby sip and say something along the lines of,
“Hmm. I can taste the pine needles” or “Wow bro. Those hops are legit!”
Instead, I take a drink and say, “That’s a solid beer” or “That’s complete trash.”
I’m happy to report, “Try Not To Suck” definitely was not trash when I drank it. It’s a lager so I wasn’t expecting a ton of flavor but surprisingly it packed a pretty solid punch. It tasted a bit too much like a domestic for me but it’s definitely a great summer beer to enjoy with friends or if you’re like me and love to mow your lawn, crack some of these and mow away friends.
It’s almost like a Bud Light, but with more flavor.
On my highly scientific beer review scale, I’d give it a 7.25/10 with a bonus point being added because it’s Joe Maddon, another bonus point added for using the word “Suck” in the title, and .25 for the cool can.
So a 9.50/10 — that’s a solid A.
