Beerluck: It has a story and there was a beginning...

Featured contributor: Deepak G.

Good friends. Good beer. Great times!

That was the thought that spawned the beginning of this tradition several years ago. I wanted to give everyone some insight on how the Beer Luck came to be so we can all truly appreciate it together.

About 4 years ago I while I attended Drexel University in Philadelphia about 10 or 12 friends of mine got together for the 1st Annual Christmas Case Exchange. We held the exchange the weekend before the holiday break which worked out perfect because we were in the middle of a prime east coast brewing season.

The event worked liked this. Everyone who attended had to show up with a case (24 bottles) of exceptional beers. We blacklisted anyone to even tried to enter the house with any type of beer an average college student would consume. Yes some will call us "beer snobs" and I've once got "elitist asshole" (no joke). Screw off! I'm not beyond drinking the PBR's, Miller's, Coor's, and Corona's of this world but sometimes it feels good to drink a great beer.

Continuing...Each case had to arrive at the house gift wrapped and cold. Upon entering the house they each received a number. After all guests were accounted for, everyone picked numbers and the exchange began. Each guest got to pick the case of their choice in order based on the number they were given.

All in all there were about 13 guests with cases at the party. Lets do the math real quick, 13 cases of beer X 24 beers = 312 of the most amazing beers to keep you entertained for the evening. The minimum purchase price for this exchange was $25. Some went over and some just made it but you can't find a bar in any city that will let you drink that much good beer for less than $25.

Throughout the night you could beg and barter amongst friends to exchange beers and see what new beers would bless our palates that season. Some were new, some were old, and some will never be forgotten. Needless to say the night ended in debauchery, loss of memory, and plenty of good stories. The following morning I experienced the most well deserved hang-over any college student could ever appreciate.

My friends back east still celebrate this yearly tradition and for the past year we've begun to celebrate our own tradition. Each Beer Luck is a little different with some new flavor but I'll leave that for another time.

Good Beers + Good Friends = Great Times!