Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
These are the beers that I wish I could taste for the first time.
From Pretty Things Ale Project comes “American Darling – Good Time Lager”
Since it is perpetually sunny here in Southern California, this would be perfect for drinking right after finishing the chores.
“This time we were looking to make the un-lawnmower beer.”
It is fascinating to see how American brewers are influencing old school Europe.
Case in point…..
The brewery says this about their new offering, “We send our approach for the Svea IPA. As your growing thirst is leaning towards more bitter levels, we have carefully selected a set of noble hops, for you to enjoy on every suitable occasion.”
Now even a venerated brewery like Struise is upping the hop ante.
Only one post today, too busy celebrating the latest birthday with……
Here is the description of this North Coast beer, “Old Stock Ale Cellar Reserve 2009”
“In an exercise of humanitarian charity and to demonstrate just how very much we care about our friends, North Coast brewmaster, Mark Ruedrich, has just now released an exceptional batch of 2009 Old Stock Ale that has been aged for 18 months in oak Bourbon barrels. In this latest example of the cunning of his hand, Brewmaster Ruedrich has set new standards for the brewers’ art. To say that it’s amazing would be an understatement. Look for Old Stock Cellar Reserve in the special decorated bottle, as they say, wherever fine beers are sold. There’s not much, and it will go fast, so be vigilant.”
Two beers will be coming our way from the San Francisco brewed, 21st Amendment.
Later in the year will be a collaboration between them and Ninkasi of Eugene for an as yet unstyled or named beer. More on that as the news trickles out of the tap.
And the Monk’s Blood will make a return this year as well.
“Petit Obscura is a new sour ‘wild ale’ made with the second runnings of a batch of the Rhinoceros Rye Wine… it’s a small beer with a twist, available in 750-ml bottles only, starting in February.”
Good to see this Santa Barbara brewery expanding the line-up.
“Made in collaboration with fellow brew masters at Republic of Tea, Peach Pit ale is a truly unique beer. It is a light rosy-gold color and has a satiny malt background which works to display rich flavors and aromas of bright spices and fruit from the use of whole-leaf Ginger Peach tea in the brew. The natural sweetness of the malt and peach is balanced by a light dry spiciness from the ginger and black tea.”
For all of you session beer fans or flavored beer category judges this may be one of those beers that you will either have to determinedly seek out or luck into. And if you are one of the imperial porter crowd then this beer is probably not going to be for you. I have had a chamomille beer from Rogue (Many years ago) and was surprised by how well it worked. Tea and beer should work as well together as coffee and beer in my mind so let’s hope more examples head our way.
Expect to see it under the name Sierra Nevada Tea Ale and not Peach Pit.
…or your expanded brewery!
The brewery explains…”The first beer out of our new brewhouse is Brooklyn Main Engine Start, a burnished gold ale in the rare “Abbey Singel” style, reminiscent of the un-filtered beers that Trappist monks make for themselves. It’s dry and biscuity on the palate, with a lilt of spicy Belgian yeast character and a snappy hop bite. Judicious dry hopping with Slovenian Aurora hops lends an appetizing herbal note. It’s tasty enough to stick with for the whole evening, and at about 6% ABV, it won’t have you tripping over snow banks after just one.”
….Two new hoppy offerings!
First up from Drakes is….
“Large amounts of American two-row malt and English pale malt are combined with Vienna, Rye & Crystal malts, then balanced with German magnum, Simcoe and Chinook hops. Then, of course, more hops! — as we dry hop it with additional Simcoe and Chinook. Finally, this deep orange monster is loosely filtered to keep the integrity of the malt and hops in tact. Enjoy the massive aromatic revelation and prophetic hop flavor of this beer, now and forever after.”
Second is….Hop Salad
“Hop Salad is an aggressively hopped Double IPA that is fruit forward with a salad of pine, citrus, and floral aromas and bitterness. Medium carbonation levels with a slightly yellow head. Don’t expect to get by putting a small amount on your plate (…your palate), this one’s an all-you-can-eat buffet of liquid alpha goodness (we used loads of Magnum, Simcoe, & Summit hops). Loads of two-row barley and a small amount of Caramalt make up the grain bill. I’ll keep you updated on when this beer will be out and ready for a lunch date!”
UPDATE: I recently sampled the 2010 Jolly Rodger from Drake’s and it is really good. Even better than Denoggizer in my humble opionion. Big hop burst at the outset, followed by a large dose of malt that really balances things out.
“This delectable blonde ale is a co-creation of two famed farmstead breweries: Brewery Ommegang and Brasserie d’Achouffe. It employs five fine malts, two noble hops, and both of the distinctive Chouffe and Ommegang yeasts. You’ll enjoy the smooth drinkability, fruity aromas and flavors, and warming finish.”
Good to see that the cross pollination of Duvel, d’Achoufee and Ommegang is continuing. It will only make for better beer. And who doesn’t like that little red-nosed gnome?
One heck of a strange collaboration!
Actually it is simply a repackaging of the still great and still uncopied Hazelnut Brown with the famous Portland sign and the IFC logo attached.
If you are a fan of the Portlandia show or a fan of that distinctive Rogue packaging than this might be a nice collectible. I might spend my Rogue money on the John-John hazelnut aged in rum barrels instead.