Beer is not just for the men

Barley’s Angels just started. The Pink Boots are going strong. Heck, I’ve even donated via Kickstarter to a documentary about women and the craft beer movement.

So it comes as no surprise that L.A. and my more specifically, my local brewery, Eagle Rock is tapping into the trend (that I hope continues) with…..

Women’s Specific Beer Forum: Fru-Fru

Time: March 16, 2011 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Location: Eagle Rock Brewery

“Are you tired of getting pigeon-holed into drinking the worst-tasting, syrupy-sweet, weak drinks that inevitably leave you wondering what people see in beer? Undoubtedly, at least some of you must be… I come across many ladies in the taproom that claim to dislike beer and are looking for something better to drink. In general, I’m not entirely convinced that “beer” has been given a fair shake, and I’m willing to bet that of the hundreds… no, thousands of beers out there, that there’s something that will appeal to your palate. But how do we start to narrow it all down and taste our way through the quagmire of flavors and styles? Well, I’ve got a solution!

I’m starting a monthly women’s specific beer forum at Eagle Rock Brewery! Whether you’re new to the world of craft beer, an old pro in the realm of fermented beverages, or merely beer-curious, you should come check this out.

At each monthly forum, I’ll present a flight of 4 beers and host an open discussion about the characteristics, styles, and background of each of the beers. The cost will be $10 to cover the flight of beer, a flight summary, and some QT with other beer-loving ladies – which is the point of all of this. It’s a great way to sample new beers that you may not have tried before, and to explore the multitude of styles and flavors that are out there. It’s also a place that we can all learn more about beer from each other and meet some new friends to drink with.

We’ll ease into this first session with “Fru-Fru” beers. Ha ha ha! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not inviting you out to drink some sickly-sweet fruit syrup… These are great beers that happen to have some fruit in them to compliment the flavors of the base beer.

We’ll be meeting in the grain room at the brewery (to keep the boys out – tee hee) every third Wednesday of the month from 7:30p to 9 or 9:30p. It’s a casual forum so come ready to mingle and taste and talk beer.”

Hop & Vine expansion

Another Bottle shop is open today! I heard that the Hop and Vine was expanding from the great podcast and radio show Beer O’Clock.

And today is the kick-off for the bottle shop which is next door to the bar and eatery and lovely outdoor patio. Should be a great and grand opening.

Beer Geek Mind Blower

The Yard has enough to blow the crankiest beer geeks mind away. Check this:

“The Yard is giving away a tasting of the Best Beer in The World.
Beer Freek is a series of rare beer tastings (see below for full schedule). We will be offering special tastings of all the beers listed for each event. Chef CJ will also be doing pairings and dishes inspired by the tastings, aka Food for the Freek. A number of the beers listed below are considered the best in the world, and many are difficult, if not impossible to get. At the final tasting, we will be giving away a number of tastings of one of the Holy Grails of the beer world – Narke’s Stormaktsporter, a rare Swedish porter. Everyone who attends a Beer Freek tasting and samples the rare brews will receive a raffle ticket for a free tasting at the Narke tasting on May 11th. Winners will be drawn on May 11th at The Yard. They’ll also get to taste some great beers along the way! Prices for the tastings will vary depending upon the beers being offered at each tasting.”

Jan 26
Goose Island Bourbon County Vanilla Stout,
Dogfish Head Chicory Stout (on draft),
Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence (on draft)
……also:
Beer float – Chicory Stout w/Redbreast Irish whiskey ice cream.

Feb 9
Stone Vanilla Porter (cask),
Stone Verical Epic (draft),
Stone Double Bastard (draft),
more Stone TBA.
Food: Goat Head’s soup. Music: Rolling Stones.

Feb 23
Bell’s Hopslam IPA mini kegs,
Three Floyd’s Dreadnaught IPA,
Alpine Expo,
Cask Ale – 24th Street Pale or their IPA.
Food: Roast Suckling Pig.

Mar 9
Hair of the Dog w/Doggie Bites.
Doggie Claws – w/ Rabbit Stew Croquette, coriander chutney;
Matt – w/grilled Pork sate, apple brandy, soy sauce;
Cherry Adam of the Woods – w/macerated berry tart.

Mar 23
Bruery Black Tuesday/Chocolate Rain.
more Bruery specialties TBA.

Food: TBA.

April 13
Sour Freek – TBA.
Will include: Cantillon,
New Glarus,
Russian River,
Lost Abbey.
Food: Duck leg confit, et al.

April 27
Belgian Freek,
Westvleteren 8,
Unibroue,
more Belgians TBA.
Food: TBA.

May 11
Narke Stormaktsporter,
Portsmouth Brewery’s Kate the Great,
Three Floyd’s Dark Lord 09,
Olde Rabbit’s Foote.
Food: TBA

Bruery + The Foundry =

If this does not perk up the inner Beer Geek then nothing will….

Lunch menu (food first / beer second)

Goat cheese and orange rillettes/flatbread/ herbed oil (Orchard White)
Endive salad/taleggio /Asian pear/hazelnut oil (Saison Rue)
Confit of rabbit/lemon/date/olive/harissa (Loakal Red)
Pecan coconut and cocoa tartlet/ bourbon ice cream/ corn flakes feuilletine (very rare dessert beer)

Dinner Menu (food first / beer second)

Charred mackerel/grapefruit juice/oil (Saison de Lente)
Crispy skin loup de mer/spicy lemongrass broth/sriracha kimchee mushroom ragout (Mischief)
Fried chicken oysters/cheddar cheese / biscuit bread pudding/collard greens/honey & black pepper gastrique (Premiere)
Mascarpone and black pepper gelato quenelle/strawberry gooseberry cranberry compote/balsamic reduction /tarragon (very rare & limited release beer)
Duck breast “reuben” / mustard / sauerkraut (Rugbrod)
Dark chocolate crepes / burnt orange marmalade / cinnamon and nutella ice cream (very rare dessert beer)

Beer in Japan

Yes, the world of apps are crowded. I had my choice of 8 metronome apps and those were just the free ones. And yes, many apps have one neat feature that grows old. The vuvuzela app that I had for all of 2 days would fit that description.

But the Beer in Japan app (an offshoot of the website of the same name) is in a small niche and it is useful.

You can plan your trip and then use it when you are in Japan to take notes too! It doesn’t require wi-fi and it has coupons!

Brewer’s Union Local 180

Some cities and states claim to be the premier beer destination and I don’t doubt their credentials. But for width and depth, the state of Oregon is in a league of it’s own.

Sour ale house. Check.
Belgian. Check.
Cask ale? Check below…

Brewers Union Local 180 is owned by Ted Sobel. His goal is to serve all of his beer, cask conditioned and stored in firkins.

Here is a sample of a past beer list to whet your taste buds:
Wotcha A La Amarillo Best Bitter
Good With Bacon Amber Special Bitter
Cumbrian Moor English Porter
Union Dew I. P. A.
MUTT O. R. A.
Tanninbomb Oak-Aged English Old Ale

San Francisco Beer Week

Continuing the California theme, now is the time to check out the SF Beer Week website to see what you are going to either A) go to / buy tickets for or B) cry about not being able to attend. But you can’t get to every beer festival (or can you?).

Here is a teaser of events for the beer week that starts on February 11th….
-An Opening Gala at Yerba Buena Cultural Center on February 11th
-A Double IPA Festival at The Bistro on February 12th
-Triple Fermented: Cask Beer, Cheese, and Bread at ThirstyBear Brewing Co. on February 13th
-Beerunch with Mateveza and Dogfish Head at Public House re-airing Game 5 of the World Series on February 13th
-A Pig Roast and Barrel-Aged Beer Tasting at Drake’s Brewing Co. with Chop Bar Restaurant on February 16th
-A Barleywine Festival at The Toronado on February 19th
-A Chocolate and Beer Festival at the Craneway Pavilion on February 19th