Hoppy Birthday Jaipur!

Five years ago today, at a fledgling Derbyshire brewery, a beer legend was born.

It took an Englishman, a Scotsman, an Italian, a heap of hops and a far-sighted vision to bring the beer to market. It took first place in the Sheffield CAMRA beer of the festival award in 2005. Over sixty awards later, it's still taking the beer world by storm.

In some pubs, it sells out as soon as it goes on. In bottles, it now graces the fridges of the world's best beer bars. In short; Warrior, Chinook, Centennial, Ahtanum, Maris Otter, Vienna, lots of love and attention.

It's been almost five years since I first tasted a beer that would have a profound effect on my big fat beery life. Tonight, I'll raise a glass in celebration of its official birthday.

A beer that makes grown men cry when it runs out. That lifts the spirits of weary topers wherever it's found. That has given rise to a whole new set of adjectives.

A very hoppy birthday to Thornbridge Jaipur. Cheers!