There are quite a few Sumpin’s in the Lagunitas Brewing back catalog but the latest is a near DIPA range Wheat IPA. So, this month, I thought that I would review a couple from this heritage brewery that is still hanging on after more halcyon days.
The wheat Sumpin’ pours a swirl of orange and yellow. Getting orange peel on the nose. First sip is close to an orange pekoe tea flavor but something seems off here. There is an earthy undertone that isn’t fitting in well. Or maybe it is just to tea tannic for my tastes. Doesn’t taste 7.5% though.
Since the Hard Knocks documentary series has come to HBO streaming ( gonna pass on the dumb Max name ), I have become a fan. And the roster of shows keeps expanding with pre- season and in-season now joined by off-season.
We only follow the team over five episodes and by team, I mean the back of house team. The GM, the owner, the scouts. Players are not far from mind, but they are not the focus. The ultimate episode is the draft which is a bit anti-climactic since the Giants basically got the wide receiver they wanted as well as a defensive free agent they coveted as well.
Future seasons may have more action to them, but this one, though illuminating pales in comparison to the pre-season version.
For beer, you can go two ways. Find any New Jersey beers you can or failing that, New York. Or you can pull out the biggest abv beer that you have on hand and wake up the next morning like you had been hit by a linebacker.
Bar.on is a new technology from a Belgian start-up that is basically a countertop brewer. Imagine the equivalent to one of the ubiquitous coffee pod machines.
Let me backtrack, first you should read THIS fair and balanced (really) piece by Evan Rail about it.
Since the tech has not made it to Los Angeles, I cannot give my opinion on the taste of the beer but the red flag that I see waving is that of oversimplification. I do not think that I will be able to tap on a touchscreen that I want a Hazy DIPA with all New Zealand hops. The following but wait for the next generation left me feeling even more strongly that way.
“But greater complexity might be forthcoming. While the current OneTap prototype has just six flavor cartridges and one container of malt mixture, Standaert says the next-generation OneTap Pro — slated for 2025 — should have at least 14 flavor cartridges and three malt-mix containers, which will allow it to reproduce a much larger variety of styles.”
Beer has four main inputs, it is true, but the combinations are endless just within malt, let alone hops, water and yeast. The device might be able to copy a specific beer but will it ever go further than just a flat two dimensional simulacrum? Could this make a Cold IPA? Or a Pastry Stout?
8one8 Brewing needs you to save the date for our annual Parking Lot Anniversary Party. On August 17, 2024, the San Fernando Valley brewery will be turning 9. Follow their social media for more information on what’s in store.
Norwalk Brew House and founder Ray Ricky Rivera are transitioning to a physical location after years of being a little bit of contract brewer and a little bit of distributor too.
According to Rivera, “Norwalk Brew House you’ll enjoy fresh beer brewed onsite and special one-off batches only available at the taproom. We’ll also offer a rotating selection of guest beer by other Latino owned breweries.”
The crowdfunding campaign launches via Indiegogo Monday 8/5/24 @ 9am.
McMinnville, Oregon home of my alma mater, Linfield is smack dab in Oregon wine country but beer has been there too. And now there is a MacCollab from four of the seven breweries that call Wildcat Country home. Four Rows Saison-Style Farmhouse Ale from Golden Valley Brewery,Heater Allen Brewing, Grain Station Brew Works, and ForeLand Beer is a “crisp and dry brew features aromas of citrus and black pepper phenols, and was made with a carefully balanced mix of Pilsner, Vienna and Rye and hopped with Saaz and Hallertau Blanc.”
Distilling at the Beachwood Brewing location in Bixby Knolls is coming soon. As I have posted about earlier, the former Liberation Brewing space is to be the distilling HQ for Beachwood and a recent social media post had this to say…
“Get ready for specialty cocktails with Beachwood’s house-distilled gin, vodka, and rum, plus new delicious bites! And yes, we’re still pouring our award-winning craft beer.”
First, check out this nice piece at San Diego Beer News, right HERE.
OK, now that you are back. A – I have added Fox Point as a top tier destination the next time I head south, because I really dig the whole farm to table thing even though the phrase has lost some of its initial energy but also because the photos really make the place look calm and tranquil.
Gives me Stone World Bistro vibes but a little more earthy.
