Category: Brewery Tour

A concise brewery bio

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Las Vegas Brewery # 3 – Banger Brewing

The 3rd and final roll of the roulette wheel is at Banger Brewing. And here is the poker hand of a taster tray that I would try.

Haze and Loathing IPA – “Loaded up with a ridiculous amount of hops including Azacca, Simcoe, Cashmere and Ekuanot, Haze & Loathing packs a huge punch of pineapple and mango.”

Coppertale Marzen – “An elegant, malty amber beer with a clean and toasty malt flavor. Restrained, bitterness and a rich, but dry finish e Courage’s another sip. Prost!”

Belphegor Belgian Golden Strong – “Complex fruity flavors quickly lead into a spicy, dry finish. “

Black Eye P.A. – “This extremely malty beer has a punch not only from its malt character, but its in your face hops presence. Black Eye P.A. has over three pounds of hops per barrel. All of you hop heads are going to love this one. Imperial Black IPA with Chocolate and Victory grains, hopped with Apollo and Cascade hops.”

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Las Vegas Brewery # 2 – Crafthaus

Stop two is Crafthaus, founded by Wyndee and Dave Forrest. They now have (2) locations in Las Vegas thanks, in part, to the pioneering of craft beer by Wyndee.

Here is what I would put in an initial taster tray:

Sparks of Joy IPL – “Beer should “Spark Joy” and we think this one does just that. Sparks of Joy is brightened by crisp fruit notes of Calypso, CTZ and Chinook hops while leaving you with a brisk finish.”

Evocation Saison – “Bright effervescent carbonation brings out the citrus and pepper notes.”

Silver State Blonde – “Silver State is a name that reflects Nevada’s pioneering spirit and one that we have and forever will wear proudly. Round notes of caramel wash over your pallet and finish clean.”

Belgard Coffee Stout – “A luscious dark chocolate malt backbone married with locally roasted cold brew coffee from Vesta coffee Roasters.”

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Las Vegas Brewery # 1 – Able Baker

Our first stop in Las Vegas is at Able Baker. Not a brewer of pastry stouts though. A and B were the names of the bombs dropped in Nevada as part of the nuclear testing and this brewery is running with the atomic theme.

Here is what I would sample first:

Fermentation Migration White IPA – “This White IPA is brewed with champagne yeast and the Belgian characteristics are brought about by perpetuating a series of uncommon stressors during fermentation. A slightly hazy golden color and noticeable Belgian phenols are traditional White IPA elements that remain. A soft, citrusy hop profile, bright effervescence, and dry finish..”

Test Site Saison – “An untraditional saison that gains flavor notes from our unique yeast blend and additional flavor from being brewed with fresh chamomile flowers and ginger. This creates a full-bodied, but crisp, fusion styled saison that’s flavor friendly and a nice summer sipper.”

Honey Dip Stout – “Honey Dip is an Imperial Stout brewed with honey and Madagascar vanilla beans then aged on American oak.”

Double Dead Duck IIPA – “..this double IPA is Hopped To Atomic Proportions to form a dank and bitter concoction that is a hop enthusiasts dream.”

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February Brewery Tour # 3 – Zillicoah Brewing

The final country stop is in North Carolina, “Zillicoah Beer Co. specializes in open-fermented farmhouse ales and lagers.” It is located on the French Broad River in the town of Woodfin.

Here are the beers that I would sample there…

Bohemian Pilsner to Corn Lager to Dry Hopped Lime Basil Sour to Chinook IPA to Dark Rye Farmhouse Ale with Brett. And that just touches on the creativity in their beer list.

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February Brewery Tour # 2 – Taos Mesa Brewing

Next stop is New Mexico and Taos Mesa Brewing in Taos of all places. Here is what piqued my interest from their Mothership…

I’ve Got Your Pilsner – “A light, crisp pilsner with absurd amounts of Citra hops.”

Kolsch 45 – “This light and crisp German style ale is made with European pilsner malt.”

Take a Knee IPA – “Bombastic IPA. Makes you want to take a knee.”

Amarillo Rojo – “Lightly toasted malt gives this red ale its ruby color. We think you’ll find that the malt body is wonderfully balanced by generous addition of Amarillo hops.”

Great Scott Scottish Ale – “Six different types of crystal malts are used in this strong scotch ale, creating a sweet and bold malt profile.”

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February Brewery Tours – Everybody’s Brewing

Our first stop this month is on the Washington State side of the Columbia River and Everybody’s Brewing, where I can have a few hoppy beers like the following in my first taster tray (when I get a grant to visit breweries of the U.S.)…

Mountain Mama Citra Pale Ale – “She’s packed with Citra hops and balanced with rolled oats and light crystal malts. If you like a nice, hoppy pale with sweet, juicy aromas, then this one’s for you!”

The Cryo IPA – “This award-winning IPA is brewed with Cryo Hops from Yakima Chief Hop Union. Enjoy the huge aroma and juicy flavor from pounds of Mosaic lupulin powder in this experimental IPA.

Lemon Ginger Sour Ale – “Tart lemon and spicy ginger will enliven your tastebuds and quench your thirst. This snappy, sessionable sour ale is well balanced and not overly tart.”

Big Brother IIPA – “Layers of Mecca Grade Lamonta Pale Malt, Opal 44, and white wheat create a creamy mouthfeel that carries big hop flavors through to a punchy orange and pine finish. Copious amounts of Simcoe, Meridian and Amarillo throughout, but this Double IPA is all about showing off the complexity of well-balanced beer.”

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Welsh Brewery # 3 – Gwaun Valley Brewery

The final Doctor Who inspired Welsh brewery to visit this month is Gwaun Valley Brewery. The brewery is located in Pembrokshire near the Preseli Hills. You can even stay in a cottage near the brewery. Below are my taster tray choices…

Farmhouse Ale – ” A malty ale with a smooth, balanced character, made with only English hops”

Golden Bitter Ale – ” A smooth bitter ale with a strong hoppy flavour and a crisp finish”

Blodwen – ” A creamy full bodied bitter, ruby red in colour with a hint of caramel”

Calon Lan – “A rich malty porter with a medium body and a bittersweet after taste”

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Welsh Brewery # 2 – Conwy Brewery

On to North Wales and Bragdy Conwy…

For my taster tray, I would add two from their British range, Rampart Dark Malty Ale – “Floral aromas followed by long lasting malty finish with hints of burnt caramel”

Welsh Pride Copper Colour Bitter – “Orange, citrus/malt aroma with sweet, malty/nutty finish.”

…and two from their California named beers.

California Citrus Blonde – “Delicious citrus hoppy aromas with a good balance sweet malt and rounded bitterness.”

San Francisco Quad Hopped IPA – “Very hoppy with citrus hop followed by malty/biscuity flavours and a long satisfying bitter finish.”

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Welsh Brewery # 1 – Bragdy Nant Brewery

We travel to Wales since that is where quite a bit of Doctor Who is filmed and the new season is now 2 episodes in. First stop is Bragdy Nant. The brewery is located in Llanrwst. They have picked up a CAMRA medal since opening in 2007. Here are the beers that I would sample first…

Mwinci Nel – “A dark,winter ale with dark chocolate flavors balanced by a hoppy bitterness.”

…followed by a couple bitters, Architects and Cwrw Coryn. Then on to an English IPA, Prop Hop and then finish up with

No. 6 Dark Ale – “Dark ale not too sweet with burnt chocolaty flavours balanced with hops .”

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Best of # 3 – New Anthem

Our final virtual brewery tour for 2019 takes us to North Carolina for something new, New Anthem Beer Project.

New Anthem has (2) locations in Wilmington and a long list of past beers of which there are a few that I want to highlight from their Belge section…

Nothing in My Brain – Tripel

Quiet Corners – Red Ale

Finger Pistols – Saison

Doing Mischief – Saison

They also have beer sections labeled Hoppy, Dark, Lager and Mixed Ferm.