Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
These are the beers that I wish I could taste for the first time.
Black is Beautiful is back with Volume 2 of their Hazy IPA recipe, this time brewed with association with the National Black Brewers Association.
Below is one of the Crowns & Hops labels and it looks really classy. Hope to see lots of breweries taking this recipe on this year.
When Bludso’s BBQ opens near you and by you I mean a brewery, then you do have to collaborate. It’s an L.A. given and if you don’t believe me then read on to this beer description from Santa Monica Brew Works, “pecan wood was chosen for its delicate and slightly nutty flavor characteristics. After spending an afternoon in the smoker, the malt acquired the desired charred & toasted notes.
Yet, despite its smoky character, this beer is not dark – it’s light and easy-drinking. The German word ‘helles’ means ‘pale’ in color – it’s a style defined by a brilliant golden hue and smooth, clean finish. The beer clocks in at a sessionable 4.9% ABV.
The smokiness is soft – not overwhelming. The goal was to enhance the base flavors of the brew rather than mask them. This beer pairs perfectly with food. It’ll go great with barbecue, pizza, and even salad.”
There is recipe tinkering for most beers. For various reasons, supply of specific ingredients being one but some beers are designed to be updated.
One that has that built into the very name is Blank Slate Witbier from Radiant Beer Co.
Here is the story – “Every year our house witbier gets a bit of a facelift, maintaining the same base recipe while adjusting the botanicals. For 2024, Blank Slate takes inspiration from a subtle Southeast Asian spin, blending the traditional wit spices of coriander and bitter orange peel with a few more citrus varities and hints of other regional botanicals like lemongrass, basil, ginger, and a few secret spices. We’re getting the same lovely wit aromas and flavors as always; Belgian esters, light phenols, coriander and citrus taking center stage, but now with more of an herbaceous, floral character, and an ever-so-slight warming spice.”
January and February are now core beer news months and Smog City has a new all year beer, Citrus Blonde. Described by the brewery as, “soft and easy-drinking, Balancing a medley of sweet citrus fruit character and a delicate honey malt backbone, rolls out an irresistible beer sipping experience.”
With all the economic distraction around the craft beer niche, it is good to see milestones reached, such as Offshoot Beer Co. attaining the seven year mark!
Here is to another year of beers from The Bruery’s younger sibling.
LA County and Orange County team up on a hoppy pilsner. Broken Algorithm is the combo of Chapman Crafted and Smog City Brewing
It will arrive in February, and features a “blend of Citra, Motueka, and Nectaron hops, with a twist of Muscat grape must for a dry, refreshing finish.”
When a brewery closes, the beers and recipes can sometimes just fade away. Maybe to be done in new forms as brewers take their talents to other breweries.
Replicant Shell the now very well known bottle shop / foreign snacks / gas station in Pasadena is doing their part in bringing back some lost beers with their new Resurgence Series that starts with….
I think it is a great idea and I hope it is a lengthy series and I hope that we will be able to find out the mystery beers behind the resurgence as well.
Not the book, not the movie but the latest iteration of Figueroa Mountain’s Lizards Mouth series…
I do like the cold blooded tie into the Lizard theme.
Behind the scenes, beer recipes get tweaked quite a bit. Might be due to supply issues or ingredient quality but sometimes it is because the brewer and brewery have a “could be better” attitude.
Such is the case for El Segundo Brewing who have been playing with their saison Aileron for a bit now and have come to a happy place with it now and to mark the occasion, have changed the name to ….
Look for it in better beer stores.
Angel City, inspired by Champurrado are releasing a namesake Champurrado Ale.
Here is the brewery description: “Inspired by the chocolatey Mexican Atole, this creamy ale is made with all the champurrado fixings you can find from your local street cart: corn masa, cocoa powder, panela sugar, lactose, cinnamon, and vanilla all come together to give you a smooth, sweet ale that will warm you up with every sip.”
I call this a good use of the pastry stout category.