Welcome to Happy Hour Nation! A gathering place for THHG goods from all over - Videos, visits, prizes; and great deals and exclusives from our correspondents across the US. Cheers!
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 9:31AM What's to be said about this unparalleled, MASSIVE, incredibly drinkable bourbon? Truman knows. And now, so do Mark, Jimmy... and you. Cheers!
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 6:31PM 
An oasis on Las Tunas Road.Howdy Nation! Artsy Guy here posting from sunny Southern California. Before there was a craft beer "scene" in the greater LA area, there was Sam and Marlene and The Stuffed Sandwich. The place is not a beer bar or a beer store but it truly is a haven for beer lovers.
In order to get to the beer, you have to buy food (due to stipulations of their liquor license). They offer sandwiches of all sorts, spaghetti, ribs, and salads. On this visit, I enjoyed a delicious, super-buttery grilled cheese with deli pickle on the side.
And then... Oh the beer! Sam has gathered a truly inspired bottle list from all over the world including plenty of US craft. I was particularly taken with the list of various vintages of Stone anniversary, vertical epic, and collaboration brews. And there are nine taps which follow a different theme each month: a specific brewery or beer style or region. February's theme is barleywines, so my sampler included such treasures as Firestone Abacus, Rogue XS Old Crustacean, Victory Old Horizontal 2010, and North Coast Old Stock 2009. My sampler came with instructions on how best to enjoy the experience, showing a true affinity for the amazing art form of craft brewing.
Sam is a legend in the LA beer community. He has earned the title "Beer Nazi" which is a term of endearment from the multitudes who are of like mind... and a warning to those who are found to be inconsiderate or otherwise unruly or – God forbid – attempt to order a Miller Light. He pours his brews with pride and deep knowledge (and his personal beer cellar is supposedly vast). Sadly, though, he has been under the weather for some time and is currently in a rehab facility as he slowly improves. The Happy Hour Guys send our best wishes to him as he recovers and to Marlene as she handily holds down the fort. Sam and Marlene and The Stuffed Sandwich. That's what's HOPpenin', y'all!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 2:21PM One year later, The Guys make their way to Michigan's Upper Peninsula to revisit a budding BREWOCRACY! Blackrocks has grown like crazy in just 12 months; but more importantly, they have become a true cornerstone of their community. And Jimmy gets to name his own beer! Enjoy.
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 9:43PM Mark and Jimmy stop by the Pony bar in NYC to have a chat with Joshua M. Bernstein, author of the recently minted 'Brewed Awakening'. Find out just why you need to hold this wonderful book in your own two hands. Cheers!
Monday, January 9, 2012 at 10:58AM The Guys make a stop in Lee, Massachusetts, where life is easy and the beer is AMAZING, thanks to this Craft Liquid Destination. If you're anywhere near Western Mass and you love Craft Beer, hard-to-find Bourbons and other surprises, this place is a MUST. Enjoy!
Monday, January 9, 2012 at 8:32AM 
Recently we've made a nice connection with the fine folks at Poker Junkie:
Look for periodic updates from the Poker Junkie community, which may be providing some prizes and goodies for the Happy Hour Nation in the future.
Cheers!
Poker Junkie in Promos Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 8:41AM Mark and Jimmy make a stop in Boston (the home of both 5 Napkin Boston AND Harpoon Brewing) and sample this 'early to the east coast' IPA. Also one of Mark's first experiences with Craft Beer. Huzzah!
Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 8:15PM A nice interview and mention in the blog Planet Princeton, featuring one of our favorite pieces of advice.
Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 10:17AM Just in time for the end of the year, Mark and Jimmy post their annual retrospective, looking back on the best (and silliest!) moments of 2011 on The Happy Hour Guys. It's been a FANTASTIC year. Many thanks to all those who've come on board and joined the team this year - we couldn't do this without you, especially the one and only THURSTON. Whew! ENJOY, and here's to an amazing 2012!
2011, Best of 2011, Thurston in 5 Napkin, Artsy Guy, Bourbon, Brewery / Beer, Communicator Guy, Distillery, Festival, Happy Hour Gal, Historian Guy, Kentucky, Loud Guy, Massachussets, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Promos, Pub Culture, Remarkable / Historic Bar, Science Guy, Stat Guy, Vermont, Video, West Virginia, Year End, beer culture Friday, December 23, 2011 at 8:11PM 
Rogue Nation Headquarters.Artsy Guy here hollerin' from the Central Oregon Coast. A few weeks back, I happily wrote about the crafty brewers closest to my hometown, Ninkasi. Since I'm back in the 'hood for the holidays, I thought I'd feature another "hometown" favorite, the award-winning Rogue Brewery in Newport, Oregon. The Rogue World Headquarters sprawl out on the south side of Yaquina Bay, under the bridge. I dropped into their pub, Brewers On the Bay, for a bite.
As the craft world has evolved, a few of their brews' names have evolved as well (i.e. Brutal Bitter was renamed Brutal IPA) and their ubiquitous Dead Guy Ale has undergone a few happy variations earning new names along the way. But where Rogue seems to be flourishing is in its more experimental areas. On this visit, I tasted their "John John" variations (barrel aged and otherwise) of a few old favorites. My favorite of this tasting was the John John Hazelnut Brown Nectar aged in rum cask. Yes! In the midst of the recent hop shortage scare, Rogue bought the farm. Literally... they bought a farm and raised their own hops and grains, and the result has been the lovely Chatoe Rogue line. Rogue is also well-esconced in the craft spirits movement, winning awards for their juniper gin and rums.
Note: If you're a dude, you're "hops." The ladies are "malts." I don't really get it either.There's a lot going on under the jurisdiction of the Rogue Nation: brewpubs all over the west coast and distribution all over the world. And they have a motto I really dig: Dare, Risk, Dream. That's what's HOPpenin', y'all!
