HBO’s Silicon Valley has been another success for creator Mike Judge. Judge has had a successful career on both the big and small screens as creator of hits such as Beavis and Butthead, King of the Hill, and Office Space. Silicon Valley is no exception. Judge’s new creation is funny, smart, but most of all, genuine. While the storyline is slightly contrived and hyperbolic, the humor and characters aren’t. Silicon Valley captures the realities and challenges of a start-up – all the hard work, ruthless competition, and ample shenanigans.

Richard Hendricks

Just like Jack McAuliffe is the true founder of craft brewing in the US, Richard is the founder of Pied Piper. Let’s hope Pied Piper fares better than McAuliffe’s New Albion Brewing Company, with their original New Albion Ale. New Albion started the craft revolution that is sweeping the nation. McAuliffe’s brewery, sadly, went defunct 6 short years after its founding in 1976. Fortunately, with a little help from Sam Adams’ Jim Koch, Jack got a second start, and New Albion Brewing Company’s namesake ale has been reborn.

Big Head

While it is still to be shown whether he’ll be PIed Piper’s James Bond or their Benedict Arnold. For the time being, Big Head has what most of us consider to be the ideal job: a hefty 6-figure sum to sit around all day and sunbathe in perfect NorCal weather. During those long work days, he’s going to need something to drink. While he may no longer be Richard’s Go To guy, Stone’s Go To IPA is Big Head’s perfect companion for an all-day porch drink.

Dinesh Chugtai

Until episode 6, Dinesh has been somewhat of a minor character. He’s another stereotypical coder, but indispensable to the Pied Piper team. Hes the only one willing to call out Gilfoyle, and keeps up competitive spirit among the coding team. For his part in the design of the Pied Piper logo, Dinesh’s perfect beer is a Corona Extra. Not only does it work excellently as an inside joke, but with the margarita machine returned, Dinesh is going to have to go with a Corona if he wants a refreshment from south of the border.

Erlich Bachman

T.J. Miller’s portrayal of stoner/”incubator” owner is as strange as his facial hair leads on, however Erlich is the embodiment of the style of ironic sarcasm that holds this show together. I envision Erlich hanging out by the pool, with a Uinta Dubhe Imperial Black IPA in his right hand, and something a little more sinister in his left. The Dubhe (pronounced Doo-bie) is brewed with hemp seeds. The Dubhe is no novelty beer, though. Just like Erlich, this beer uses hemp to its advantage to pack a piny, floral punch. And just like Erlich, this beer can kick some ass, coming in at a whopping 9.2% ABV.

Jared Dunn

Many of you might remember Zach Wood’s portrayal of Gabe Lewis on the Office. His portrayal of business development manager Jared Dunn shows the same awkward, dry sense of humor that he showed in Scranton. Jared’s dry, businesslike attitude makes him perfectly suited for Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale. While it may not be the most interesting things out there, it’s a top seller for Goose Island, keeps the bills paid and allows them to do more adventurous things, like Bourbon County Stout and Lolita. Just like 312 pays the bills for Goose Island, Jared makes sure Pied Piper pays the bills.

Bertram Gilfoyle

Last, but not least, there’s Gilfoyle. I was surprised when I found Pied Piper’s self-proclaimed “best coder” to be the hardest person to pick a beer. I originally wanted to go with a nice Canadian ale, like Labatt 50. It might seem like the ideal beer to celebrate Gilfoyle’s Canadian heritage. However, at heart, I think Gilfoyle is a Satanist first and a Canadian second, the internal Satanist in him would  I went with  Founder’s Devil Dancer Triple IPA.