Beer makers sure do love to crank out "limited edition" bottlings these days, huh? It used to be they'd peg these releases to the four seasons, but when that didn't sate beer drinkers thirst for variety they started tying them into just about anything and everything on the calendar -- solstices, equinoxes, full moons, half moons, spring break, tax day... you name it! That's all well and good, particularly for booze-hounds with ADD, but in my experience rarely has a seasonal beer rated as highly or surpassed the original.

That said, Newcastle's new spring seasonal is one hell of a tasty brew. Founders' Ale, which is available nationwide now through April, is a classic, medium-bodied bitter ale -- dry, hoppy, a discernible caramel sweetness. It's quite crisp and earthy, thanks to the Styrian Goldings hops from Eastern Europe (similar to the mild Fuggles hops from England, for you hopheads out there). Founders' Ale is not as nut-flavored or foamy as Newcastle Brown, nor as filling. Indeed, it is eminently drinkable. Hell, it's almost scary how easily this beer goes down. And at 4.8% ABV, let's just say the six-pack I "sampled" left a lasting impression.

Founders' Ale 6-pack retails for around $9. For more info visit http://newcastlebrown.com/

Back in December, the good folks at Newcastle Brown Ale threw me and about forty of my bestest buddies a swell holiday party at Ye Olde King's Head in Santa Monica. It was part of a campaign tied to a tradition in the U.K. called “Walking the Dog,” where exercising Fido is a front that allows you to slip out and enjoy a pint of Newcastle with your mates. At the King's Head a good time, as the old bromide goes, was had by all. And of all the beer brands that might have offered to throw me a party, I'm glad the one (and only one) that did was Newcastle. Because I like Newcastle. I like it a lot. Indeed, it ranks with Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale and Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale among my favorites in the category. (Note: Newcastle is owned by Heineken, and I'll also cop to being a fan of the crisp Heineken Light.)

Once while I was traveling through England, a pub owner In Plymouth told me an interesting story about Newcastle. About a decade ago the company removed the word "ale" from labels in England, having done some market research that revealed younger drinkers thought ale was for olf fogies. About four years and a lot of money in printing costs later, they discovered the change hadn't affected sales in the slightest. So they slapped "ale" back on the labels again. This goes to show that market research is mostly a bunch of bullshit. Yeah, I said it -- bullshit. Overly analytical, expensive and unreliable. Make a good product, use common sense and sound decision-making, and you'll be alright for chrissakes. At least, that's my two cents on the matter.

My final note about Newcastle pertains to the glassware in which it is traditionally served. It's called a Wellington glass or a "Geordie Schooner," and it's meant to be topped off regularly so that the beer maintains a frothy head.

One of the perks of my job is that people in the adult beverage business are always offering me stuff. It’s really quite nice of them. Take the fine folks at Newcastle Brown Ale, for instance, who came to me recently and asked if I’d be interested in hosting a Newcastle event for a bunch of my friends.

“Sure,” I said.

“Great!” they said. “How’s Thursday, December 16th starting at 7 pm at Ye Olde King’s Head in Santa Monica sound?”

“That sounds lovely,” I replied. “What’s the catch?”

“Oh, there’s no catch,” they assured me. “All you have to do is invite a bunch of your friends, show up, and have a great time drinking the Newcastle provided.”

“So you’re just throwing a party for me and my friends for no reason? That’s awesome!”

“No, no, no, no, no,” they said. “It’s not a party, it’s a TASTING. There’s a key distinction there that our legal department insists you acknowledge.”

Gotcha!

This par…er, tasting, by the way, was a smashing success. Upwards of 50 people showed up to enjoy endless pints of Newcastle. It was all part of a Newcastle campaign tied to a tradition long cherished in the U.K., “Walking the Dog.” While it may sound like a mundane task of suburban conformity, the phrase is being used an excuse to slip out and enjoy a pint of Newcastle with your mates. Indeed, Newcastle fans are apparently forming “dog walker” clubs all over the country. Who knows, maybe our little gathering will lead to the formation of a kennel club here in LaLa.

Cheers!