I don’t want to put a downer on it all, but 2008 was not one of the best years I’ve had. I could swing this as a “looking forward to 2009″, but let’s face it… this is just a “buh-bye” to 2008. For this Session, I’ve put together a top 5 things I will not miss from 2008.

So, a special thanks goes out to Beers and Firkins for sponsoring this session:

Specifically, what will you miss about 2008 (feel free to list your tasting notes, if that item is a particular beer) and what do you expect will excite you most in 2009 , in the “Beer World”? (again, if that is a beer, what about it is special and worthy of being excited about?)

Let’s get on with the list…

5) Imperial Race – I enjoy beer… so much, I like to have a second, or even a third. So what is it with this “mine is bigger than yours” competition? I can’t drink a 12% bomber! Let’s make big beer, big taste, and less alcohol.

4) Elusive Real Porter – Just so you know, I’m still looking. They’ve only gotten thinner from what I’ve tasted.

3) Poor Quality Control – I hate getting spoiled beer. Whether it is the distributor’s fault for hanging on to year old beer, or contract brewers not holding up their end, or the originating brewer not taking quality control measures…. I REALLY hate buying a nice beer that tastes like cardboard my cat just coughed up .

2) Wheat Beer Sprawl – Good man, people… does every brewer have to make 3 varieties of wheat beers to satisfy the gateway drinkers? Make one, and make the rest real beer!

1) Price of Hops / Shortage – While there is no way to predict where the price of hops will be going, it only went up in 2008. Let’s hope it doesn’t go up any further so I can have the hops I love so much.

2009… Here I come!