Coming up next from Paso Robles and Firestone-Walker is a slew of beers, but I want to tease a 2012 beer from the Proprietors Reserve Series, Wookey Jack.
A – The name is great.
B – “an Unfiltered Black Rye IPA weighing in at 8.3% ABV.”
We Must
It is not shocking that Dogfish Head has created a beer with grape must. Which, and I had to look this up, is the unfermented juice pressed from grapes. It is not a stretch from their Red & White and Blue & White beers that they previously created.
Now I have to somehow find the Pearl Jam beer AND this one.
11-11-11
Today is a beer holiday. It is time to see what sort of mad experiment the folks from Escondido have unleashed upon the craft beer world. From what I have gathered from the interwebs is that this will feature some peppers.
By tomorrow, the reviews will be in and we can see how this release stacks up to past offerings.
XV on 11/5
I am one of the lucky who have had a taste of the XV from Firestone-Walker and I am really jazzed about it being released. Due to limited cellar space, I generally buy only one bottle to store. (I have XIV and Parabola) But I liked this one so much, I might get more and I highly recommend getting it. And this coming from a guy who occasionally mocks the Big/Imperial/Double craze.
But here is the rest of the story from Firestone-Walker, “The result of one of the most unique and intriguing beer projects in the world will be released the beginning of November. “XV”, Firestone Walker’s 15th Anniversary Ale, celebrates the founding of the brewery as well as pushing the boundaries of what beer can be.
The anticipation and reputation of XV precedes this beer. XV is the culmination of intense blending sessions by local Paso Robles area winemakers to create a complex yet balanced ale. Eight beers were artfully blended together to create this masterpiece.
“I really like what the winemakers bring to the process, they usually go for blends and flavor profiles that brewers never think of,” said Firestone Walker’s Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “That’s why I like bringing them in, it pushes the boundaries of our taste and that’s exciting.”
Past year’s anniversary ales from Firestone have changed the perception of beer. These higher alcohol complex blends are more akin to wine than beer. Like wine, the anniversary beers are vintage releases that can be laid down and aged for years with the flavor profile slowly changing. The secondary market for these beers is similar to wine, with bottles that originally sold for around $20 now fetching upwards of $100 each.
“Who’d have thought a bottle of beer would be valued at $100 plus. It is an affirmation that there is real passion for beer out there,” said David Walker, Co-Owner of Firestone Walker.
Firestone XV will go on sale for the first time on Saturday, November 5 at the Firestone Walker Brewery in Paso Robles. Patrons who purchase 3 bottles or more of this amazing beer will gain access to the brewery’s anniversary party featuring complimentary beer and food tastings, music and more.
“XV” will make its debut across all markets where Firestone beers are sold this fall in limited amounts in 22oz bottles. It will also be made available on draft in select accounts.”
Hop Burn
Mikkeller (as usual) has been busy. They have a new IPA out on the market….
with the odd moniker of a Double Imperial pale ale.
More importantly, according to the interwebs, Mikkeller might do some of his brewing right here in California at Drake’s facility. That would be a boon to us in terms of availability and freshness because I know that some of his beers probably suffered taste-wise on the voyage from Europe to my ‘fridge.
Imperiale
Ninkasi will be coming out with another new 4-pack that should be hitting stores soon that include the above labeled beer. (I scored mine at the Glendale BevMo) I will be trying that stout for International Stout day!
I liked the summer pack (though not the music) and I am sure this one will be impressive one too even though I will have to hold onto Sleigh’r until after Thanksgiving because I believe in celebrating one holiday at a time.
Tweason’ale
Looks like Dogfish Head is heading into unconventional territory even for them…..
“What’s the No. 1 thing Dogfish lovers ask for at our pub, in our brewery and on our website? Gluten-free beer. But not just any gluten-free beer — they want gluten-free with gusto.
“It seems as if lots of folks who have gluten-tolerance issues are pining for an interesting beer,” says Dogfish founder and president Sam Calagione. “While there are a few well-made examples that mirror traditional beer styles, there aren’t any off-centered offerings.”
Enter Dogfish’s fruit-forward Tweason’ale.
For our first new 12-ounce 4-packs in nearly half a decade, we replaced the classic barley foundation of beer with a mild, high-maltose sorghum base. The hints of molasses and pit-fruit are balanced by vibrant strawberry notes and a unique complexity that comes with the addition of a malty buckwheat honey. We believe health-conscious beer drinkers and the millions of Americans who suffer from Celiac disease can cut back on gluten while relishing the distinction and drinkability of this very special brew.
Tweason’ale has been among the fastest-selling pub batches in our 16-year history. Thanks to the off-the-charts excitement, we are dedicating significant resources to the wide release of this beer. The 6 percent abv Tweason’ale will be distributed quarterly throughout our national network.”
Footprint
Just when I think the craft beer world can’t come up with any more new ideas, someone comes along with another great one.
Odell’s of Colorado has used an ingredient from each of the states it sells in to create Footprint. Puts all the states and ingredients on the label too. And the sub-name is region-ale. Brilliant.
Longshot!
Coming to a mixed 6-pack near you next spring are the newly crowned winners of the Sam Adams LongShot competition.
Russian Imperial Stout by Joe Formanek of Bolingbrook, IL
Munich Dunkel by Corey Martin of Round Rock, TX
Derf’s Secret (Sticke) Alt by Fred Hessler (employee)
Personally, I am looking forward to the last two, especially the Sticke.
Ghoulschip
Allagash has a Belgian twist to the Halloween seasonal with Ghoulschip. Aged in Oak barrels with pumpkin and pumpkin seeds as well as molasses.
Don’t know when or if it will hit the west coast so if you see it, grab it.