I will be posting any and all Ohana news that I can because it is a “fresh face in beer”. So here is another beer from L.A. for you to be on the lookout for. This one might be made with Bill Walton in mind.
Whiskey and Hops
If you can’t get enough hops and must have it in every spirit you drink, well you are in luck. A distillery fronted by Marko Karakasevic has made two version of hop flavored whiskey using Bear Republic’s Racer 5 IPA.
Yoy can get Charbay Hop Flavored Whiskey R5 Clear or the more expensive Charbay Hop Flavored Whiskey R5 Aged.
The website goes on to say, “The beer is distilled in double copper alambic charentais pots 24 hours a day for nine days straight before being aged for 22 months in French Oak. The result offers a definite whiskey taste profile with clear notes of hops, fruit, and malt when sipped. Distiller Marko Karakasevic, who started such experimentation with a pilsner-fueled light whiskey for Charbay nearly fourteen years ago, says he used 6,000 gallons of Racer 5 to produce 590 gallons of the spirit.”
Karakasevic is also working on a version using Bear Republic’s stout.
Utopias
Continuing with Sam Adams day, here is the information on this year’s Utopias which is the 10th anniversary edition.
“The 2012 batch of Samuel Adams Utopias has its entire lineage in it, some of the beer has been aged in a variety of wood barrels for 19 years. This long aging process and variety of spirit barrels enhances the beer’s distinct vanilla and maple notes, and its high alcohol content creates a heated aroma of ginger and cinnamon. As a result, this big brew invokes the flavors of a rich vintage Port, fine Cognac, or aged Sherry while feeling surprisingly light on the palate. The brew has sweet flavors of honey, toffee, caramel, cocoa and vanilla, balanced by distinct notes of molasses, raisins, plums and berries.”
You can see a video detailing more information right HERE
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?
Rhizing to the Horizon
Looks like the collaboration between Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada was fun enough and didn’t harm Life and Limb. So now they are back with a beer name likely to be misspelled on many a blog.
I would have liked to see them do a pilsner of helles but I will be trying this out if I run across it.
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.