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Who do Voodoo?

Who do Voodoo?

Cherry Voodoo Brewing in San Francisco, California

The first time I encountered the idea of ‘Voodoo’ was in a syndicated episode of the late ‘70s TV show ‘The Hardy Boys’–based on the best-selling series of books. It’s an odd reference, I know–but nothing about the early ‘80s feels normal–so it will have to do. Needless to say, voodoo as portrayed in the show was mysterious, scary and utterly unpredictable–but at the same time, it was enticing and begged further exploration. That’s how I felt the first time I ran into the guys from San Francisco’s own Cherry Voodoo Brewing when I met them a year and a half ago on a brisk Super Bowl Sunday in the famous garage housing Elizabeth Street Brewery.

At the time, the boys from Cherry Voodoo were a young startup—capable of kegging and running a jockey box to dispense their own curious style of voodoo. I don’t remember much (I attribute this to the voodoo), but I do remember I liked it enough to keep my eyes on this little enterprise.

Fast forward 18 months to the familiar, dark surroundings of North Beach’s famed Church Key beer bar and I’m sitting across the table from Yuri and Greg–founders, proprietors, evangelists and witch doctors of what has evolved into a substantial force in the San Francisco brewing community. We spent a few hours talking about the industry and learning about Yuri’s early days hauling kegs up crooked stairwells for his pals at Thirsty Bear, over several well-poured glasses of Cherry Voodoo’s own fabulous Tripel. The beer clearly had leanings to its Belgian namesake… but was distinctly west coast, thanks to the use of plenty of hops (three types to be exact) and its rock n’ roll attitude (more a product of the company rather than the beer itself).

Cherry Voodoo Tripel

Cherry Voodoo Tripel

Unfortunately, due to the limited production coming out of Cherry Voodoo, we were only able to check out the Tripel—but are anxious to get our hands on Filth Pig (a double-hopped, French Oak-aged tribute to the band Ministry), Gangster (homage to a life-threatening experience en route to fellow San Francisco mainstay Speakeasy) and the elusive Thermonuclear (the name says it all).

There was never a Hardy Boys episode about picking cherries… which is a good thing, as the fruity part of Cherry Voodoo is similarly absent and truth be told, the Hardys weren’t particularly known for their taste in beer. Do you see the connection? I don’t. In any case, if you’re in the Bay area and looking to explore some of San Francisco’s up-and-comers—I highly encourage you to seek out the Voodoo that that these guys do so well. Follow Cherry Voodoo on Twitter at or visit their website.

Kristina (@hopmonkey)  is a digital and social media marketer who believes life and beer should be full of hops and monkeying around.

Comments

  1. mertesn
    mertesn Just the sight of that beer makes me want to try it.
  2. primesuspect
    primesuspect Thirty two percent is insane.

    That tripel sounds fantastic.
  3. mertesn
    mertesn I'd try 'em all.
  4. QuadWhore
    QuadWhore "Thermonuclear is an infinitely more drinkable beer than any of its competitors in the extreme alcohol beer category. Intense alcohol right off the bat, a thin head, light carbonation with dark notes of coffee and black chocolate covered cherries, this stout is virtually guaranteed to magnetize your ass to the chair after less than half the glass. The perfect accompaniment to any desert for the discerning connisuer, or crazed party animal looking for a cheaper alternative to actual space travel or expensive designer narcotics" What a fantastic line.

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