I have had only two of Ft. George’s beers but both were intriguing enough to return to but this link about their newest version of Divinity sounds tempting.
How do you spell Ollalaberry though?
Lip Stinger
MacTarnahan’s Lip Stinger Farmhouse Ale with peppercorn is now on shelves for the late summer and fall season. It’s the first in a series of specialty 22-ounce-only offerings form MacTarnahan’s, which plans to bottle just 3000 cases. Lip Stinger is an effervescent and rustic farmhouse ale that brewers add a cracked peppercorn blend during fermentation to introduce a spicy nose and warming mouth feel.
Stone Brewing – Sawyer's Tripel
A rare tripel from Escondido, reviewed by the Search Party……
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddXCS6pQATU]
Collaborative Evil
from Draft Magazine
On a stormy night in 2008, three brewmasters devised an evil plan to take over the world. Okay, not really, but they named the inspired beer of their collaboration, a Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Collaborative Evil.
They each brewed the base beer at their own breweries, and the rule was that each brewer had to add a unique ingredient to distinguish it from the other two. The founders, Zac Triemert of Lucky Bucket Brewing Co., Matt Van Wyk formerly of Flossmor Station Brewing Co. and now at Oakshire Brewing Co., and Todd Ashman of Fifty Fifty Brewing, hoped to enter the beers in the Great American Beer Festival. Two of the three made it.
So this year, the Collaborative Evil effort has expanded to nine breweries and the new base beer style is a Belgian Strong Pale Ale. This has presented some interesting challenges for the brewers, since they have to find nine unique ingredients instead of just three.
We wish them the best of luck in their quest for the GABF.
The new participants are: Valley Brewing Co., Sacramento Brewing Co., Fat Head’s Brewery and Saloon, Oakshire Brewing Co., Silver Peak Brewery, and Speakeasy Ales & Lagers.
Downtown Portland gets McMenamin's Hotel
from the Oregonian & The Portland Business Journal
The new McMenamins Crystal Hotel will occupy prime land near the Brewery Blocks
“An eagerly anticipated hotel project in downtown Portland is taking shape after the spiraling economy temporarily shelved it.
“McMenamins Hotels, Pubs & Breweries secured a permit from the city of Portland on July 20 to proceed with its Crystal Hotel project at 303 S.W. 12th Ave., a former bath house, hotel and reputed gangster hangout that has been empty for about two years.”
Blue Palms
It is hard to believe that Blue Palms is 1 year old. It seems like only yesterday that Los Angeles was Lucky Baldwin’s and that’s it. Now we have a herd of great places to go anywhere in the sprawling metropolis of L.A. Beer life is getting better!
Back to the anniversary, Brian Lenzo pulled a lot of beer rabbits out of his hat to bring in a wonderful selection of beers. Parabola and Abacus from Firestone-Walker. Sour Rye from the Bruery. Multiple hop bombs from Alpine among others.
They borrowed some of the space from the Fonda Theater next door but that started filling up pretty quickly. As usual the staff of the BP were attentive and cheerful with the huge crowd and Brian was running everywhere to make sure the day would run smooth.
Kudos to Blue Palms and see you at # 2.
Ninkasi Spring Reign
The Spontaneous Beer Review returns to Eugen, Oregon for Spring Reign, a seasonal from Ninkasi Brewing…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NERCq9Ql_X4]
New from Widmer…
…is Citra Blonde-This Blonde Ale is a very smooth, refreshing, and drinkable beer. Light in color, body, and bitterness, but it is not bland. Widmer Citra Blonde’s point of differentiation is that it delivers an abundance of flavor despite its lighter profile. What’s even more special is that Citra is a new, very rare hop variety that only Widmer and two other brewers have access to. Made with Alchemy and Citra hops. ABV 3.8%,
new from Shipyard
Portland Maine’s Shipyard Brewing Company will release the latest in its Pugsley’s Signature Series line. Smashed Pumpkin will be available starting in August in 22 oz. bottles and on draft.
Smashed Pumpkin is a big-bodied beer with a light coppery orange color and pleasing aroma of pumpkin and nutmeg. The OG and final Alc./Vol. provide the structure and body. Pale Ale, Wheat and Light Munich Malts combine with the natural tannin in pumpkin and the delicate spiciness of Willamette and Hallertau Hops to balance the sweetness of the fruit.
BJCP Style – Dark Lager
Aroma: Little to no malt aroma. Medium-low to no roast and caramel malt aroma. Hop aroma may range from none to light spicy or floral hop presence. Hop aroma may range from none to light, spicy or floral hop presence. Can have low levels of yeast character (green apples, DMS, or fruitiness). No diacetyl.
Appearance: Deep amber to dark brown with bright clarity and ruby highlights. Foam stand may not be long lasting, and is usually light tan in color.
Flavor: Moderately crisp with some low to moderate levels of sweetness. Medium-low to no caramel and/or roasted malt flavors (and may include hints of coffee, molasses or cocoa). Hop flavor ranges from none to low levels. Hop bitterness at low to medium levels. No diacetyl. May have a very light fruitiness. Burnt or moderately strong roasted malt flavors are a defect.
Mouthfeel: Light to somewhat medium body. Smooth, although a highly-carbonated beer.
Overall Impression: A somewhat sweeter version of standard/premium lager with a little more body and flavor.
Commercial Examples: Dixie Blackened Voodoo, Shiner Bock, San Miguel Dark, Beck’s Dark, Saint Pauli Girl Dark, Warsteiner Dunkel, Crystal Diplomat Dark Beer