Longshot 2013


Of the many regrets of GABF 2012 was missing the Sam Adams brunch which featured the new crop of LongShot winners. There is only one of me and I had put off a visit to New Belgium for too long. So here is a late but informative look at the new batch of LongShotter’s.

About the winners:
James Schirmer’s Beerflower Wheat is an ideal balance of smooth, sweet malt flavors with an exotic kick of citrus and herbal notes. Brewed with hot summer weather and fun gatherings in mind, this American wheat beer pours a dark amber color, and imparts a light floral and sweet aroma with the delicate flavors of hibiscus. Beerflower Wheat is a medium bodied brew that finishes crisp and refreshing on the palate.

Zack Adams ’ Magnificent Seven is a showcase of seven American hop varieties that impart a big piney and lingering resinous flavor. A true Imperial American IPA, this brew pours a rich bronze color. The slightly sweet malt character is pleasantly balanced by a pronounced hop bitterness with grapefruit, pine and earthy notes from the American hops. This medium-bodied IPA also delivers caramel, citrus, lemon and piney aromas.

Dave Anderson ’s Strawberry Lager is a bright and fresh wheat beer, with a strong strawberry character balanced with toffee and citrus notes – the brewer’s vision of the perfect summertime beer to enjoy after a round of golf on a hot day. Brewed with fresh strawberries, this beer pours a bright golden color and imparts a malty sweetness with hints of lemon and earthiness. Strawberry Lager finishes with a wonderful intensive strawberry flavor without being overwhelming and leaves a lingering creamy sweetness on the palate. Dave has worked as a member of the Samuel Adams Packaging Operations team since 2007.

XVI

Tomorrow is the official release date of the latest Anniversary blend from Firestone-Walker.

The website where the photo above was taken details the thought process behind the blend and the beer and includes this breakdown of what is in numero 16…..

The following are descriptions of key components with their original code names:

Velvet Merkin (8.7% ABV) – Aged in Bourbon barrels

-Traditional Oatmeal Stout (23% of final blend)

Stickee Monkee (12.5% ABV) – Aged in Bourbon and Brandy barrels

-English Barley Wine (22.5% of final blend)

Double Double Barrel Ale (14.2% ABV) – Aged 100% in retired Firestone Union barrels

-Double strength English Pale Ale (20.3% of final blend)

Parabola (13% ABV) – Aged in Bourbon barrels

-Russian Imperial Oatmeal Stout (10.8% of final blend)

PNC (13.0% ABV) – Aged in Tequila barrels

-American Strong Buckwheat Stout (8.1% of final blend)

Helldorado (11.5% ABV) – Aged in Bourbon Barrels and Brandy barrels

-Blonde Barley Wine (5.4% of final blend)

Bravo (13.4% ABV) – Aged in Bourbon and Brandy barrels

-Imperial Brown Ale (5.4% of final blend)

Wookey Jack (8.3% ABV)- 100% Fresh, Dank & Hoppy 100% Stainless Steel

-Black Rye India Pale Ale (4.5% of final blend)

Early Winter Forecast


Craft Brew Alliance will offer three beers from each CBA brewery (Redhook, Widmer Brothers and Kona) in the same package for the first time this fall. The 12-pack will feature Widmer Brothers Brrr, Redhook Winter Hook and Kona Pipeline Porter.

I am a big fan of this style of pack because it allows you to sample solid craft beer from more than one brewery and see which one you like. And if there is one you don’t like it is easier to give away three to other friends in beer who may like it as opposed to a full 12 pack that will sit in your ‘fridge forever.

Walking Away


Beers Made By Walking is a program that invites brewers to make beer inspired by nature hikes and urban walks. This summer organizer Eric Steen invited five breweries on nature walks. A botanist/herbalist on each hike identified edible and medicinal plants along the trail which were then used to create innovative beers. He invited brewers in distinct parts of the state: Coalition and Upright (Portland), Flat Tail (Corvallis), Standing Stone (Ashland), and Deschutes (Bend).”

Here is the list of beers made:
Coalition Brewing – Ale with Stinging Nettles and Salmonberry
Deschutes Brewery – IPA with Juniper and Sage
Flat Tail Brewing – Fresh Hop Cherry Saison with Corvallis Cherries and Yarrow
Standing Stone Brewery – Ale with Sweet Root, and Wild Ginger
Upright Brewing – Saison with Yarrow and Rose

Now I just have to convince them to come to Los Angeles.

Zymaster 3


Anchor has been adding new recipes via their Zymaster series this year. I missed the first (a lager) but was surprised by how much I liked their second a mild. And now comes this stout. Will they go two for two?

Beer Flats crackers


I turned the corner onto the beer aisle at my Whole Foods and what did I see nestled in amongst the Hangar 24 Oktoberfest 4-packs? Beer crackers. In pilsner and porter flavors no less.

They come from a company called Beer Flats. They “are artisinal flatbread crackers made with craft beer, whole grains and butter.”

Now you can grab some cheese made with beer, some of those Dogfish Head pickles and have a true gourmet craft beer binge.

100 for Karl


“Karl M. Strauss would have celebrated his 100th birthday on October 5th and Karl Strauss Brewing Company is honoring San Diego’s Godfather of Beer with the re-release of his namesake and favorite—Karl Strauss Amber. Karl sparked the craft beer renaissance in San Diego back in 1989 when he helped two gutsy kids open the city’s first craft brewery in more than 50 years.

He was born in a brewery in Minden, Germany, studied brewing at Weihenstephan University, worked for Pabst for 44 years, but is most remembered for his unwavering commitment to quality that helped lay a foundation for San Diego as a leading craft beer destination. To pay homage to the man who wrote the recipe and inspired a local craft beer movement, the company redesigned the Amber packaging featuring a hand-sketched image of Karl from his younger days.”

I am kind of amazed that they didn’t do this earlier then do an imperialized version for the 100th. But an honor is an honor.

A Nouveau IPA


I had the good fortune to be taken up mountain to Tommyknocker during my last GABF visit and I enjoyed both the atmosphere of the surrounding area and the beers. And add in the use of local hops for their latest terroir style IPA and I just might visit their booth at this year’s GABF.

Past Masters


Dogfish Head has resurrected a few ancient recipes but it is good to see that the folks at Fuller’s (teamed with Ron Pattinson) have dug into their own backyard to bring back some old recipes from their archives.

As their website explains, “The Brew Book has been the bible of brewing at Fuller’s since 1845. Every recipe of every beer ever brewed at the Griffin Brewery has been recorded in meticulous details, documenting the profound skills of generations of Master Brewers.

Today’s Master Brewer, John Keeling, will be recreating a number of epic ales, named ‘Past Masters’, with those precise recipes from the Brew Book.

Sourcing ingredients as close as possible to those originally used, each Past Master will be brewed with traditional techniques to recreate a truly authentic taste.

Only one Past Masters beer will be brewed in a single batch for each release. Each will be unique in its character, and will be a very special opportunity for beer lovers to taste the beer of our forefathers.”

And these are the first two beers made:
“XX Strong Ale
The first beer in the Past Masters series we have chosen to recreate is XX, a strong ale which is perfect for bottle conditioning. Brewed at 7.5% ABV, with the original recipe first used on September 2, 1891, it is dark, rich and full flavoured, with a distinctly warming character.

XX is deeply satisfying, and an unforgettable experience for those who love traditional English beer.

Double Stout
Past Masters Double Stout is the second in the series, brewed to a recipe from 4th August 1893 – a time when ‘stout’ meant ‘strong’. Its signature ingredient is Plumage Archer barley, carefully malted and kilned using 19th Century methods. Dark, brown and creamy this beer is brewed to 7.4% ABV and balances a rich fruity aroma with smoky, bittersweet chocolate notes.”