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Low and Slow

When Bludso’s BBQ opens near you and by you I mean a brewery, then you do have to collaborate.  It’s an L.A. given and if you don’t believe me then read on to this beer description from Santa Monica Brew Works, “pecan wood was chosen for its delicate and slightly nutty flavor characteristics. After spending an afternoon in the smoker, the malt acquired the desired charred & toasted notes.

Yet, despite its smoky character, this beer is not dark – it’s light and easy-drinking. The German word ‘helles’ means ‘pale’ in color – it’s a style defined by a brilliant golden hue and smooth, clean finish. The beer clocks in at a sessionable 4.9% ABV.

The smokiness is soft – not overwhelming. The goal was to enhance the base flavors of the brew rather than mask them. This beer pairs perfectly with food. It’ll go great with barbecue, pizza, and even salad.”

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Blank Slate

There is recipe tinkering for most beers. For various reasons, supply of specific ingredients being one but some beers are designed to be updated.

One that has that built into the very name is Blank Slate Witbier from Radiant Beer Co.

Here is the story – “Every year our house witbier gets a bit of a facelift, maintaining the same base recipe while adjusting the botanicals. For 2024, Blank Slate takes inspiration from a subtle Southeast Asian spin, blending the traditional wit spices of coriander and bitter orange peel with a few more citrus varities and hints of other regional botanicals like lemongrass, basil, ginger, and a few secret spices. We’re getting the same lovely wit aromas and flavors as always; Belgian esters, light phenols, coriander and citrus taking center stage, but now with more of an herbaceous, floral character, and an ever-so-slight warming spice.”

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Thiol Cup!

I am a sucker for a niche beer festival and Green Cheek Beer Co. has one on tap for the middle of the month….

Those who have had Phantasm (thiol) beers will know that they are the real deal. This new hop – yeast combo is well potent and delightful so this looks to be a fun event.

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Frigid

When the EVs won’t charge and mom won’t leave the house because that ice is ready to bring you to the ground, plus it is Dry January, it means snowbound breweries could use some help.

I mentioned that January is already a historically slow craft beer month and a week of closures in many parts of the country brought on by snow and freezing rain and just don’t want to get out from under the bed covers weather were just the cherry on top of the economic woes sundae.

So, use that extra leap day this month to help. How, you ask?

If where you are at has beer available from breweries in the Pacific NW or Upper East Coast, buy those. If they have inventory that their locals could not buy, help out. It will also help your local bottle / can shoppe as well as distributor. You can also but merch for yourself or for gifts throughout the year.

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Citrus Blonde

January and February are now core beer news months and Smog City has a new all year beer, Citrus Blonde.  Described by the brewery as, “soft and easy-drinking,  Balancing a medley of sweet citrus fruit character and a delicate honey malt backbone, rolls out an irresistible beer sipping experience.”

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Boom You’re Nine

Away from the trendy and busy Arts District by a Metro line and a few blocks is Boomtown Brewery. Not a foot traffic spot is what I am saying.

But they have reached the nine year mark and will be celebrating with lots of music, a strength of theirs, and a space that hums with activity.

Add to your February to-do list.

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Needed or Not? – Part 2 – Beer Mints

Marketing folks must get really bored or have an idea quota because some of the stuff they come up with is just bonkers. Here is exhibit A….

Forgoing the easy, mints that taste like water joke, why would anyone pop a Lite beer mint? My guess is that it is a co-packaged mint with no beer from whomever bulk manufactures mints for dirt cheap.

Pass, so very hard.

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Needed or Not? – Part 1 – DDH Hop Water

Setting aside “adaptagens” and “nootropics”, do we need sparkling water to be both double hopped and dry hopped? And who in the sparkling water customer base is going to see that and yank it from the shelves?

What I find extra funny is that the hops are not even labeled but they had room to write “for extra bold flavor”.

Not Needed!

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Review – Golden Stout from Karl Strauss

My Trader Joe’s has a weird set of beers from one week to the next as if they blindfold pick from a book of beers. Which can work in my favor as I found this Golden Stout from Karl Strauss Brewing.

I have been seeing more Golden Stouts with coffee on beer menus which I like because it allows for crossovers with coffee roasters, in this case Bird Rock.

Pours a cream soda color in the glass. Vanilla latte notes in the aroma. Quite carbonated. The cocoa nibs are light to not there but the brans of coffee and the beans of vanilla have a nice give and take to it. There is a sharpness to the mouthfeel that is a bit too much though it does offset the sweet notes. The coffee is really puts this into positive territory.

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What to Drink on Feb. 11th

Of course, 2/11 is the finale of the 2023/2024 NFL season….

And there are some pigskin themed beers out there to try, like the below:

I have a few picks based on the two teams in the big game, starting with the first team to advance, the Chiefs of Kansas City…

Gotta start with the obvious, Swift Cider would make an excellent first quarter drink. Since Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are Hall of Fame bound, the Heirloom Cuvée would be classy choice.

There are not a plethora of KC beers in L.A. so if you may have to get creative. Look for beers with red labels to match the uniform color (as well as the ubiquitous State Farm ads featuring Mahomes, Maauto and Coach Reid). Or load upon Red IPAs, there are more and more out there.

On to the NFC and the 49ers of San Francisco where you probably need to start and finish at 21st Amendment Brewery where you should start with the Run CMC IPA named in honor of do it all offensive threat Christian McCaffrey and then go on to the Find Your Fortune Toasted Ale. Or, find yourself a version of the California Common and toast both the team and Anchor Brewing.