For the uninitiated, the new Kong: Skull Island is part of a so-called “shared universe” of movies. Just as the Marvel movies share a universe and the DC flicks operate in similar fashion, the new King Kong thriller likewise shares a MonsterVerse with 2014’s Godzilla and Godzilla: King of the Monsters in 2019 and Godzilla vs. Kong in 2020. Anyway, Skull Island is a period piece set in 1973, with a band of Apocalypse Now-esque adventurers arriving at Skull Island and discovering the freaks of nature that reside there. What that means in practical terms is that Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson and the rest of this crew encountered King Kong and his pals three years before the Dino De Laurentiis-dispatched team from 1976 landed on Skull Island in search of oil. Ergo, Jessica Lange’s entire career now never existed. Listen, it makes sense to Peaks and Pints.

Speaking of gigantic and shared universe (yes, a long intro to get to this delicious craft beer), the new release from Ecliptic’s Cosmic Collaboration Series leads off Peaks and Pints New Beer Saturday, the bottles and cans that arrived at our little bottle shop in Tacoma’s Proctor District this week. …

ECLIPTIC STAR DESTROYER

Part of Ecliptic Brewing’s Cosmic Collaboration Series, this craft beer emerges from the wormhole as an “Imperial Darkside Lager”, or schwarzbier if you want to get technical. In keeping with Ecliptic’s space tendencies, the beer was ultimately called Star Destroyer, thanks to Van Havig of fellow Portland, Oregon craft brewery Gigantic who agreed to collaborate on the brew only if it carried the name of the wedge-shaped capital ship of Star Wars fame. Anyway, this beer attacks with a big toast and light toffee nose. The flavor is Munich malts, some caramel, toffee, sweet fruit, a bit of coffee and bitter dark chocolate. 22oz, 8%

BALLAST POINT TART PEACH KOLSCH

Ballast Point has peachified on of the San Diego brewery’s first beers. Tart Peach Kölsch has juicy aroma and flavor of ripe peach, subtle fruitiness from the Kölsch yeast and a tickle of tartness for a super drinkable, bright, refreshing craft beer. 22oz, 5.2%

CRUX PCT PORTER

The Pacific Crest Trail stretches from the Mexican border to the Canadian border, covering more than 2,600 miles along the way. On average, it takes thru-hikers about five months to complete the trek. Most hikers start in the south, and by the time they make it into Oregon, they’ve built up a mighty powerful thirst. Enough PCT hikers stop in Bend, Oregon for a shower, a civilized meal and craft beer that Crux Fermentation Project decided to brew PCT Porter just for them and the organization that supports the hikers, Pacific Crest Trail Association. Kick off the hiking boots, pull one of these out of our cooler and enjoy this velvety, chocolate porter with a small bitter bite at the back.12oz, 5.5%

GOODLIFE COMATOSE IMPERIAL IPA

GoodLife Brewing‘s Comatose Imperial IPA injects 5 pounds of hops per barrel for bright fruit, melon and citrus flavors. 500ml, 9.5%

GREEN FLASH PALATE WRECKER

Green Flash Brewing Co. recently brought back its Palate Wrecker DIPA, pounding bitter grapefruit that digs into the palate before smashing the tongue with big bitterness. 12oz, 9.5%

SAINT ARCHER IPA

Don’t let the fact that San Diego-based Saint Archer Brewery was entirely owned by X-Games athletes then bought by MillerCoors, throw you — the beer is solid. A chorus of resinous American hops like Amarillo, Simcoe and Citra provide a citrusy and tropical character that deftly hides the 7-percent alcohol content. Saint Archer is finally available in our fair state. 12oz, 7%

TWO BEERS FALL LINE IMPERIAL STOUT

Two Beers Brewing Company re-released its award-winning Fall Line Russian Imperial Stout. The Seattle brewery barrel ages this Alta Series stout in brandy barrels for six months, emerging with an impressive 12 percent ABV. A deep, multilayered beer, its thick, smooth body carries immense, complex flavors of coffee, plums, chocolate, vanilla and highland peat under a deep milk-chocolate creamy head. 12oz, 12%

PLUS:

Anderson Valley Eetah IPA

Anderson Valley G&T Gose

Black Raven Kitty Kat Blues Pale Ale

Gold Road Ride On IPA

Golden State Gingergrass Hard Cider

HUB IPX Single Hop Series: Chinook

Kulshan Bastard Kat IPA

Locust Thai Ginger Cider

Ninkasi Megalodon Double IPA

Pike Hive Five Honey Ale

Saint Archer Blonde Ale

Scuttlebutt Hoptopia

Seattle Cider Basil Mint

Silver City Fat Woody Scotch

Three Creeks Hoodoo Voodoo IPA

Triporteur From Hell Belgian Dark Ale

Two Beers Cold Brew Coffee Brown Ale

Urban Family Death To Cereal Breakfast Stout

… and 600 different craft beers and ciders in our cooler.