WSU vs. Oregon State football 2018: Baxter’s beer of the game

In recent weeks it has become very clear to Baxter and I that people actually read this piece and watch the videos. That’s great to hear, because when I set out to do this series six years ago, the goal was to make Baxter the most famous Pekapoo on the internet. I don’t know if I have succeeded, but I do know that I regularly hear Baxter’s name in Pullman.

Take last weekend for example. As my dad and I waited in that strangely slow moving line to get into the game against Utah, the woman next to us looks at me and asks, “Are you the blogger guy?”

Now, I can’t say I have ever been called “the blogger guy” before, but considering I have been writing on this blog for almost 10 years, I figured I could say “Yes, I am the blogger guy.”

The woman then said how she watches all the videos, and that she loves Baxter. My Dad then proclaims, “Craig, you are famous!” I quickly reminded him that the woman did not in fact know my name, just Baxter’s. We all laughed.

I do feel like I can say mission accomplished. Baxter has some level of fame in our little WSU community, and I have a new title for my business card.

Circling back to this week’s beer, which was inspired by someone I knew had been following Baxter’s beer blogs all along—my Uncle Jim. A couple weeks ago, he commented that I should feature an Oktoberfest beer. I told him sure, I would do that, but only if he joined me in the video.

So, today I introduce you to my Uncle Jim—the man who when I was a kid would bring a six-pack of Deschutes Black Butte Porter to family get-togethers while everyone else was drinking Natural Light. You can say he played at least a small role in turning me into the beer nerd I am today.

Per Jim’s request, I sought out an Oktoberfest beer and landed on These Pretzels Are Making Me Thirsty from Matchless Brewing and Geaux Brewing—here’s the reference in case you missed that Seinfeld episode.

These Pretzels Are Making Me Thirsty was brewed at Matchless in Tumwater, Wash. (near Olympia). I highlighted that brewery last year, and since then it has added a second talented brewer—the former lead brewer at Chainline.

Geaux Brewing (pronounced “Go”) has locations in Bellevue and Auburn. The founders are from Louisiana, hence the name. Because of that, the Geaux spots are a gathering place for New Orleans expats and other Saints fans.

Oktoberfest beers (märzens or festbiers) are a nice representation of the transition from summer to winter. They don’t have the deep dark malts that are associated with winter brews, but they do take on a nice amber hue that gives the style a little more sweetness and a touch more body. This isn’t done at the expense of finish, as märzens are lagers and maintain a nice crispness.

This Seinfeld-inspired entry from Matchless and Geaux certainly executes, with a balanced sweetness throughout that meets just enough hop kick at the end before finishing clean. That’s what Baxter and I will be drinking as the Cougs battle the Beavers on Saturday night. What will you be having?