Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
Bottle Logic of Orange County has teamed with Common Space of L.A. County for an Imperial Lager. One with a southern twist. Using southern hemisphere grown hops and malts from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. This is an unexpected style for both but welcome in my opinion as we cannot have enough lagers out there in the world.
I like blended beers because it is such an art meets science moment.
Mixing two strong fruit flavors in the process just adds difficulty. But if anybody can pull it off, Ommegang can. Plus it is in a 12oz can, which is a great serving size for a tart beer.
Time to feel strong, I think. An Enegren is giving us a Gladiator. A big and burly dopplebock to take our minds off all of the things we are currently fighting. Maybe six crowlers would be better?
Gunwhale has a Baitball in their line- up, and now they have a Wolfbait and it is a big beer in a 16oz can. And they start with a dark farmhouse ale before aging in barrels for 2 years. You may think that $9 is too much for one can but you (and I) have probably paid $6 or more for an IPA. And come on oak aging is awesome.
Highland Park is adding to both their stable of pilsners as well as their collaboration cred with the new Crosbo Pils a 5.8% ABV hoppy Pilsner. Crosby came south from the farm to the city to help create this new beer that the brewery describes as having “Big flavors & aromas of red berry, tropical fruit, & lemon zest!”
Thankfully there are a lot of Pink Boots Hop Blend beers out there and one that I want to try is actually two from Claremont Craft Ales. I like the Breaking the Glass name and it is the West Coast one which is my preferred.
Since we are in to-go mode now, I will ramp up highlighting cans that you should pick-up, like this collaboration from Ogopogo and North Park Beer. Sounds like a good one too, mango will soothe the panicked nerves as will the lactose.
Beer buying is going to be more of a clandestine affair as dock sales and quick curbside service become the norm and one place that can be added to that grab and go (see how many of these same terms can I dig up) list is Boomtown that has a new hazy, named after the iconic L.A. landmark as well as a bitter named Proper Minger. Current hours are 10am to 7pm and I know this warning is in danger of being overplayed but do not go if sick.
Some collaborations are easy. Neighbors from the same city type of thing. Others involve a double-digit amount of people in the brewhouse. Looks like Ogopogo had the latter. What is even crazier is that there are (4) breweries that I had never even heard of before involved as well as midwest folks too. Watch for it later this month.
Three Weavers is hitting us with (3) IPA’s in the 3rd month of the year. After having Expatriate IPA for the first time in a long while, I am intrigued by the West Coast, Light Trails the most but if you like Pineapple, that could work well too.