Category: I would love to taste,,,

These are the beers that I wish I could taste for the first time.

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Blazing a Trail

I am a big Blazer fan. I know it’s been rough injury wise for what seems like forever. But I will never root for another team (except whoever is playing the Lakers) That is why it was a great treat to have Terry’s Porter at Migration in December and now this b-ball brew

….. “Saraveza and Amnesia Brewers, Chris Spollen and Sean Thommen, will tip off a dedicated handle (during games) of Amnesia’s Trail Hazer! This dry hopped unfiltered version of the Dusty Trail Pale will be on special every time the Blazers are on the court. It is the perfect beer for a game watching session with friends.”

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Highway 78


What a difference two beers make! Stone had put out some really good collaborations but after the Camino (Un)Real mash-up, I started to feel that maybe the course had been run and that it would just be shocking ingredients for awhile.

But then came Saison du Buff and the San Diego Session which were tremendous and light and dare I say session beers and not imperials or doubles.

Now the first of 2011 is coming our way and it’s back to the bold….”a big, rich, malty beer made with all English ingredients.” The beer will clock in around 8%-9%ABV and 30 IBUs and aged in Scotch barrels. The trio includes Green Flash Brewing and Pizza Port-Carlsbad.

78 refers to the highway that starts at the Pacific Ocean and is one of the most impressive beer corridors with Stone, Green Flash and Lost Abbey within miles of each other.

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St. Arnold moveable yeast series

This might be the first sighting of a new trend. St. Arnold started this series last year with Weed Whacker, a variant of the Fancy Lawnmower beer and in 2011 more moveavble yeasts will be made.

Here is the full list:
MOVABLE YEAST
Saint Arnold Brewing Co. pays homage to the hard-working fungi that turn sugar into alcohol with a series of familiar beers fermented with different strains of yeast. The first of these new, draft-only brews will be available at bars and restaurants across Texas next month. The brewer is making enough for approximately 20,000 12-ounce servings and expects that to last two to three weeks. A little about each beer:

• Weedwacker: A variation of Saint Arnold’s best-selling Fancy Lawnmower. All other ingredients remain the same, but the new beer will be fermented with a Bavarian hefeweizen yeast. Available Aug. 16.
• Altared Amber: The flagship beer will be made with Belgian Trappist yeast. Available mid-November.
• Bitter Belgian: Elissa IPA, also with Belgian Trappist yeast. Available mid-February.
• Brown Bitte: Brown Ale, with Alt yeast. Available mid-May.

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Willamette

Is this a trend developing? English style session ales would be most welcome. Here is what the up and coming Oakshire from Oregon has in store….

“The most recent in our series of Single Batch Beers is a English Style Pale Ale called Willamette Dammit. The beer is made with 100% Crisp Marris Otter Pale malt and 100% Willamette Hops. Willamette hops are a relative of the English fuggle and were first bred in the Oregon Breeding Program in 1976. They are a very pleasant hop and lend a hint of spiciness to the aroma. At 4.9% abv, WD is worth a couple of pints down at the pub. As always, get it on draft only at select bars and restaurants around town as well as at the tasting room on M, Th, F, and Sat. God Save the Queen!”

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5 Years Later

Anniversary beers are right up there with collaborative brews for me. I love see the numbers tick by as the industry gets stronger and on firmer footing. So congratulations to Captain Lawrence who should try to visit LA. I’ve had one beer but their full line-up intrigues me.

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Eccentric

Bell’s Brewery has added hawberry to their latest iteration of the Eccentric Series. It was also brewed with maple syrup and other spices.

I have been lucky enough to sample a few Bell offerings, Oberon, the Christmas Ale and I have a Batch 9000 sitting in the cellar. This might be one to snag and try.

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Flying Dog + coffee =

Here is what the gonzo brewers at Flying Dog have to say about their version of the coffee stout…
“Ditch the yuppies with their overpriced lattes and pour yourself a pint of our robust coffee stout. Brewed with a secret roast from The Black Dog Coffee Company, it’s the perfect balance of nutty coffee flavors and chocolate malt notes. Perfect morning, noon and night, this stout’s velvety taste will make it hard to ever return to your favorite acne-prone barista. (He’ll live).”

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Odell Myrcenary

“Named for Myrcene, a component of essential oils in the hop flower, Myrcenary Double IPA is our tribute to those who revere the illustrious hop, and their unyielding exploit to craft hop forward beers. Brewed with a blend of hops containing the highest levels of Myrcene, this double IPA prevails with a tropical fruit-like flavor, a pungent floral aroma, and a clean getaway.”

I have recently had a couple of Odell’s beers. Both were good but didn’t blow me away, maybe this is the beer that changes that.

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Traquair 2020

Who would have thunk 20 years ago that people would be discussing craft beers that weren’t going to be released for months?

Well, here goes with a Scottish ale that arrives on our shores this month.

From the esteemed Traquair Brewery in Scotland comes 2020. Oddly named for a celebratory 2011 beer but if you have sampled their beer before, you know it will be good.

Here is the breweries description: “Traquair 2020 Ale has a deep brick-red color and an aroma of oak, caramel and toffee. Wonderful flavors suggesting plums, raisins, currants, chocolate and gently roasted malt are balanced by significant 10% ABV.”

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Jolly Stone O

It seemed like the collaborative brewing trend has lost some of the steam and “cool” factor lately.  Thankfully this special brew is here to disprove that….

This version was brewed at Jolly Pumpkin so expect some sour or tart to it to accompany the juniper, chestnuts, sage and caraway. Sounds simialar to the Saison du Buff with the herbs.