Taste Test

The beautiful aged rums from the countries in and around the Caribbean are undeniably the best in the world—and the distinct climates of each nation in this region impart unique characteristics on the beverages produced in every one. The variation is much like the difference between Germany, Hungary and Belarus when it comes to Olympic canoeing: All are capable of greatness, but their representatives possess very different accents. (If you don’t follow Olympic canoeing, just trust me, those countries are good at it.)

Over the past couple decades, craft beer has undergone a creative renaissance. But its ugly cousin, non-alcoholic beer, refused to keep pace. Even though NA beer is actually growing in popularity—its sales are up 80 percent from five years ago—it's rare that anyone tries to revolutionize brewing techniques or flavors. Occasionally, though, someone will come along and say they have achieved the impossible: a NA beer that actually resembles beer.

Oregon’s Rogue Ales & Spirits made waves late this year when they announced they’d be releasing a beer brewed with one of the world’s most beloved hot sauces, Huy Fong Sriracha. Rogue Sriracha Hot Stout Beer officially shipped out Dec. 8, and I was finally able to get around to cracking open my bottle this week.