Category: Guide to better beer

how to discover new beer to try

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Full Throttle Bottles

I love highlighting people who get us the great beer. Seattle has great places including today’s entry…
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“Full Throttle Bottles is a specialty beer and wine shop located in the historic and industrial Georgetown Neighborhood. We specialize in unique and unusual alcoholic beverages from across the country and around the world. With over 600 types of local and international beer in stock (with more coming every week), we provide a selection from pale lagers to extreme IPAs.”

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News from The Bruery

If you like joining clubs and getting special benefits…
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“Memberships on Sale Soon!
The Bruery Reserve Society is a revered group of beer enthusiasts who wish to gain access to the most esoteric beers The Bruery has to offer. In this inaugural year, we’ll be offering 400 memberships to the Reserve Society. Reserve Society members will have first pick at special releases. There will be releases that will only be available to Reserve Society members. As an inaugural member, you’ll also have the first right of refusal to join in 2011.
Reserve Society registration will begin in person on Tuesday, October 27th at 6 PM. In person registration will continue during tasting room hours (Friday & Saturday, 4 PM – 10 PM, Sunday, 12 PM – 6 PM). Registration through our website (www.brueryprovisions.com) will begin Friday, October 30th. The registration period will close on December 31st, 2009, or when all memberships have been sold.
Cost: $195
Benefits:
– At the time of signing up, the first 250 to join the Reserve Society will receive Barrel Aged Partridge in a Pear Tree (only 290 bottles produced), White Oak, and Saison Rue. The last 150 to join will receive Barrel Aged Autumn Maple, White Oak, and Saison Rue.

– Reserve Society Zip Hoodie (available in early January)
– Reserve Society Zip Hoodie (available in early January)

– Entrance for two to the Reserve Society Initiation Celebration (scheduled for early January)

– Access to Reserve Society-only events (barrel tastings, release parties; additional charges may apply)

– Access to purchase special bottle release allocations (in person or through our website; allocations only for Reserve Society members. Bottle limits will vary from release to release.)

– Shipping of allocated beers (shipping cost not included, will ship only within CA)

– 15% off all tasting room and Bruery Provisions purchases (Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts)

– Access to special growler fills

– First right of refusal for 2011 membership
– A nifty Bruery Reserve Society ID card
Anticipated 2010 Special Bottle Releases:
– Oude Tart – Flemish Red
– Melange #1 – Flemish Red / Imperial Stout Blend
– Melange #3 – Barrel Aged Strong Ale Blend
– White Zin – Sour ale with Zinfandel Grapes
– White Oak – Blended Barrel Aged Wheatwine / Golden Strong Ale
– 100% barrel-aged Coton – Barrel Aged Old Ale
– Black Tuesday Imperial Stout – Barrel Aged Imperial Stout
– 100% barrel-aged 2 Turtle Doves – Barrel Aged Holiday Beer
– Perhaps a few other releases up our sleeves”

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LA Beer Week – Descanso Gardens

This capstone event to LA Beer Week did not have the look or the feel of a first year attempt. This was very classy. From the location of Descanso Gardens to the music being played to the great selection of beer and cider.

It was a chance (at a very reasonable price) to sample old favorites and try some of the hotly anticipated beers that are new to the market. Nectar Ales had some Black Xantus on hand. Gentleman Scholar was pouring their Espresso Stout. Telegraph brought down an excellent Harvest Rye that was brewed primarily for the vintners of Santa Barbara. Duvel had their “Green” on hand and Craftsman brought a wet-hop ale that was quite tasty. There was a good mix of styles and regions represented.

The one thing that I worried about was the crowd. Usually the unlimited pours brings out the beast in some people who are not their to expand their palates but rather to wreck them. But that was not the case. It was a friendly and fun atmosphere.

Thanks to Jay, Scott, Dennis, Ryan, Brandon and to all else who volunteered and took time out to make this happen.

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Where are you?

You better be at Descanso Gardens for the LA Beer Week extravaganza.

I will be there volunteering so if you see me come up and say hello and let me know what beer you have had and which is your favorite.

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Yorkshire Stingo

Since the beer dinner featured beers from across the pond, here is another notable export that you can find here now.

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“Stingo, traditional strong ale originating in the north of England, is mentioned in literature before 1700. Samuel Smith’s Stingo melds the fine history of this style with the signature elegance of the brewery. Brewed from British malt and multiple hop varieties, Stingo is fermented in open-topped stone “Yorkshire Squares,” with the Samuel Smith ale yeast strain. It is then aged for over a year in oak barrels that previously held cask-conditioned ale, gaining complexity and depth from the wood. Bottle conditioning – bottling the beer with live yeast for carbonation – produces soft conditioning as well as a fruity aroma and finish; it also allows Stingo to age and develop in the bottle for many months.”