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NBA Playoffs Brewery Tour # 1 – Circa Brewing Co. of Brooklyn

Don’t count me a fan of two thirds of the Brooklyn Nets superteam. Durant I like though so let’s talk Brooklyn beer for him…

Below are some beers that I would like to sample at Circa Brewing Co.

Desperate Pleasures – “Get a taste of summer with this red(ish) ale with a hint of strawberries.”

Spacelab Weisse – “We straddle the European continent with this brew. Combining the grist bill of a Belgian Wit with the yeast and fermentation of a Bavarian Weiibier, this beer bursts with orange peel, banana, nastercium, and vanilla.”

In Defense of the Genre – “Believe it or not, there was a galaxy long ago where double IPA’s were bitter. Like tongue coating, face puckering, eye watering IBU levels that dared you to have another. This beer is the modern mutation of that bygone era. Aggressively triple dry hopped with Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, and Columbus, this brew bursts with pine, citrus rind, and juicy fruit flavors and aromas. Hints of toasted sugar and honey smooth out the high octane ABV.”

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How Far?

There is another brewery opening that escaped my radar until now, Far Field Beer Company has been selling to-go since April in Lawndale.

Wife and husband duo of Regan and James Bardeen plan to open their taproom in June. Initial cans started with an IPA, a hoppy lager, and a Berliner Weisse, black IPA and a cream ale.

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Brewery + Distillery # 3 – Maui Brewing & Kupu Spirits

Heading to the islands for our last brewery and distillery combo with Maui Brewing and Kupu Spirits.

Let’s check out two Hawaiian spirits and two beers….

Kupu White Whiskey – “Distilled from Malted Barley and Corn, aged at least 808 minutes in new oak barrels. Use this unembellished White Whiskey in place of vodka, rum, or tequila in your favorite cocktail.”

Pono Life Hazy IPA – “Notes of Juicy Pineapple, Mango, and Candied Tangerine.”

Kupu Gin – “Distilled from grain and a proprietary blend of botanicals including juniper, makrut lime, local oranges, lemon peel, licorice root and hibiscus. Refined to perfection.”

Pineapple Chi Chi – “Nitro Golden Ale brewed with local pineapple and freshly toasted coconut.”

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A New Brew in Malibu

Looks like another brewery is opening in SoCal just as restrictions ease up….

…there is not much concrete info such as opening date or beers as of yet for the new Malibu Brewing Company but those details will probably start pouring shortly so watch their social media to see when a visit can be made

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Brewery + Distillery # 2 – New Holland

The second distilling stop is New Holland. Much like the first stop, Rogue, they are an old school longtime craft brewer. Let’s dive into a pair of spirits matched with a pair of beers.

Barrel Aged Knickerbocker Gin – “Knickerbocker Gin, conditioned in spent New Holland Spirits barrels, makes a delicious barrel-aged gin. Toasty notes from the spirit-soaked wood accentuate the vibrant juniper character and provide a deep and smooth contrast to the lively aromatics.”

Cabin Fever Brown Ale – “Cabin Fever is a roasty brown ale and a hearty, comforting companion for long, mind-bending winters.”

Beer Barrel Rye – “Putting our bourbon in Dragon’s Milk barrels worked so well, that we wanted to see what it would do to rye whiskey. Beer Barrel Rye takes a similar journey through new American oak barrels before getting the Dragon’s Milk barrel treatment. Aromas of vanilla and allspice lead to flavors of honey and almond, before a lingering, spicy finish.”

Fear Cognac Barrel Aged Baltic Porter – “The base beer for Fear is a baltic porter, brewed with figs and aged in hand-selected Cognac barrels for one full year before being finished with vanilla to provide a complex assortment of decadent flavors. This release represents the self-doubt and fear of failure that accompanies a pursuit of change.”

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A New Shadow

San Fernando has a new brewery. The Gaiman-esque logo’d Shadow Grove Brewing. Currently they have only growler-to-go as well as pre-order special releases. The main beers are a pale ale, nut brown ale and a Czech pils which is nicely off-kilter style wise.

Look forward to a 1st visit in the weeks to come.

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Brewery + Distillery # 1 – Rogue Ales

As you can see from their website banner, long time Oregon brewery, Rogue does beer, spirits and dabbles in the CBD too.

I am going to highlight two beers and two spirits that I would like to taste. I will do the same with the other brewery/distillery combos later this month.

Colossal Claude – “It’s been a few decades since a Colossal Claude sighting has been reported, but we’re fairly certain the massive sea monster has been laying low off the coast of his favorite brewery. Word has it that after years of terrifying sailors and feasting on salmon he acquired a taste for hops. So we brewed this Imperial IPA with a colossal dose of Cascade, Chinook, Citro and Strata hops in hope of coaxing Claude out to join us for a pint.“

Pinot Barrel Farmhouse Gin – “With an abundance of freshly drained Oregon Pinot noir barrels, it only makes sense to capitalize on the flavors locked within them. For this unique gin, we fill Pinot noir barrels with our Farmhouse Gin and let it rest for six months. The result is a complexly layered gin that tastes great on its own and mixed in cocktails.“

Shakespeare Stout Nitro – “Rogue Ales was originally founded in Ashland, a Southern Oregon college town home to the world-renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Inspired by this festival, we introduced this English-style oatmeal stout as one of our three original beers when our first pub opened in Ashland in 1988. It has remained in our product line ever since, earning the most awards and highest ratings of any of our beers.“

Oregon Rye Malt Whiskey – “One of few malted rye whiskeys, the malting process in Rogue’s hand-crafted Oregon Rye Malt softens the spice notes typical of rye whiskeys and makes for a more approachable whiskey that builds in flavor. The barley in the mash bill (52% rye, 48% barley) further rounds out the taste and mouthfeel creating an easy sipping experience. Complex nuttiness is softened by light caramel and a hint of citrus leading to cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper.“

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Sweet Sixteen Brewery # 3 – Monnik Beer Company

Our last Women’s Sweet Sixteen stop is in the Schnitzelburg neighborhood of Louisville, the home of Monnik Beer Company.

Let’s dive into what might be in that first taster tray…

Italian Disco Pilsner to start off on the light yside the new onto Birds Can’t Row Boats “Single hopped pale ale with Sultana hops.” Then going darker to King George Brown Ale “A big English brown ale with pear ester aroma, toasty caramel flavor, and a dry finish.” Then finish it off with His Dark Materials “A lactose-sweetened stout, with aromas of roast and tobacco and rich flavors of dark fruits, and bittersweet chocolate; finishing with a rich and silky body.”

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Sweet Sixteen Brewery # 2 – Freewheel Brewing

Next up in the Women’s Sweet Sixteen Brewery tour is the new national champion, Stanford. Nearby in Redwood City is Freewheel Brewing …

Mind the Gap IPA – “Our “English-American” keg IPA. More hops and ABV than the English version. It starts off with the bitterness of an American-style IPA, but finishes smooth, and a little sweet like an English-style IPA. We use different hops to dry-hop in each batch!”

Dark Mild – “A little known style in the US, this great session beer is based on an award winning ale from Bank Top Brewery, Bolton. This dark mild is stuffed full of malt and roast aroma, to tempt the taste-buds with chocolate and liquorice. A pint to share in the company of your well groomed whippet.”

London Calling Bitter – “Think not “Bitter”, think a better session beer, bang on in flavor and body. Crystal malt adds bang to the buck, with American grown classic Goldings and Styrian Goldings for a traditional British brew. So if you’re contemplating whether to stay or go, this beer should give you a good reason to order another.”

Gold – “Our mate Dave, brewer at Ironbridge, passed us the recipe for this cracking brew, a permanent fixture at his pub, the “Fighting Cocks” in Shropshire. Start with an inviting creamy head lacing down behind a light and golden nectar, with Centennial hops giving thirst cutting bitterness and aroma. Just a great beer and a keeper.”

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Sweet Sixteen Brewery # 1 – 1912 Brewing

The quick among you will be able to guess the mis-direction once I say that 1912 Brewing is based on Tucson, Arizona. No, not talking about the Men’s Sweet Sixteen but rather the Women’s being played in San Antonio. We start with the Arizona Wildcats and a surprising run from the PAC 12 to the title game.

Let’s take a look at the beers…

1730 Lager – “1730 is an artisanal lager made with American hops, a touch of rye malt, and heaps of pilsner malt. Aromas of a traditional German pilsner and tasting notes of tropical and citrus fruits, a touch of rye spiciness, and a subtle hop finish. Brewed with our friends at the JW Marriott Starr Pass…”

Adapt IPA – “The second of 3 newly formulated Hazy IPA’s based upon the fighting spirit and training of the United States Marine. Adapt uses Cashmere, Mosaic, and Idaho 7.”

Este Way Gose – “A Gose with a pleasant tangerine and orange zest aroma. Reminisce your favorite Margarita’s with this one, Este Way has a tart lime flavor, that finishes nice and dry.”

The Clurichaun Stout – “Enticing you with a sweet creamy aroma. As you take your first sip, you’re tricked with immense dark chocolate and coffee, smoothing into mouth-watering Irish Whiskey”