This week we chill with Mike Gagos and Mike Upson, two of North County San Diego's biggest Stone ( and craft beer in general ) fans. Mike G. brings out a couple of special bottles from the cellar and we talk about cellaring beer, opening a beer with a lighter to preserve the cap, Pliny the Younger .. in a can? and geek out about the upcoming Stone Brewing 14th Anniversary Party coming in August. First we start off with a side-by-side of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale (2002 & 2010). After the break, we crack open a 10th Anniversary Stone Brewing Co Double IPA. This weeks Craft Beer Advocate gets a new intro and we get to hear Sean's story about Craft beer. Stay Safe and Drink Beer! Brewed by: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. California, United States Style | ABV American Barleywine | 9.60% ABV Brewed by: Stone Brewing Co. California, United States Style | ABV American Double / Imperial IPA | 10.00% ABV Here is Sean's full email for your reading pleasure : New Brew Thursdays,   As I have written about over the past two years on my website www.mellodybrewing.com , I eat, drink, live and breath good beer.  I have been a homebrew for close to 10 years and in that time, have advocated (unknowingly to be honest for a while) the drinking of good beer, and the pairing with good food and good times.  It all started one random night when a friend of mine and I headed to the now famous Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia, PA.  We went for mussels, we left full of Belgian beer.  I'll never forget reading through the beer bible and the amazing tastes of my first LaTrappe Triple, and Westmalle Abbey Dubel.  In the beginning, after that first night, my mission was to drink every Trappist Ale available in the U.S. Luckily that could be done easily at Monk's.  I then started homebrewing, and with that came the questions from family and friends asking, "if I brewed this in my bathtub?"  They really didn't get it, or get good beer.   Over time I've not only drank the Trappists, I've sought out, traded for and drank the Top 10 Rated beers in the world, visited big and small breweries everywhere I travel and always bring beer to my favorate BYOB, instead of wine.   After years of brewing, challenging friends to drink good beers when out, exploring breweries with family and friends, and brewing my own beers for them to taste and enjoy: I'm proud to say I believe I have shifted how people look at beer - at least in the people around me.  I now get emails asking what they should drink, or what brewery to visit when out of town.  Some text me just a picture of what they are drinking, others have started to homebrew as well, under my tutorlige.  It's been an amazing few years and I have had lots of great experiences and can thank craft beer for lots of them.    Now, like most crazy homebrewers, I'm exploring how to take my passion, my obsession and turn it into a career.  I'm writing about my ideas on my website, and in my beer discussions I talk about the experience of drinking beer, and how I pair beer with atmosphere and event - not only food.  I feel beers pair with music and conversation as well, just like a silky goat cheese, or farmhouse salad pairs with a Saison.    I'm proud to be a craft beer drinker, because for me beer pairs with experiences, and there's nothing beer then good beer, good conversation and good friends.  That is what craft beer is to me.   Keep spreading the word of craft beer. If you guys are in town for Philly Beer Week in June, let me know - I'd love to share a pint or two with you.   Regards, Sean Mellody