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Brewery Tour – Fort Collins stop # 1 – Odell’s

I made my first trek to Fort Collins this year. It was brutal. Shuttled by New Belgium with beer on the bus to their brewery. But I did miss out on the rest of the scene in this Colorado beer city. So this month, we will travel together to some breweries that I have not visited, yet.

First up is Odell Brewing Company…..

I have had their 90 Shilling Ale and their recent Woodcut offering (#6) but there are quite a few more beers of theirs that I want to try. So let’s get to my list….

St. Lupulin
“A mystical legend echoes in our brewhouse – that of St. Lupulin (loop-you-lin) the archetypal hophead. He devoted endless summers to endless rows of hops, tending to the flowers and the beloved resin within – lupulin. Extraordinary oils in this yellow resin provide this dry-hopped extra pale ale with an undeniably pleasing floral aroma and clean, crisp finish.”

Shenanigans
“Our spirited brewers diligently cultivate recipes on our pilot brewing playground. Sometimes, things don’t turn out as planned…they turn out better. Destined for another adventure, this delightful crimson ale is aged in oak with just a touch of Brettanomyces. The subtle Brett tartness balances the rich amber malt with hints of dried fruit and light citrus. Our ode to the happy accident, Shenanigans was just too good not to share.”

This is family started business that counts sustainability and philanthropy among their core beliefs. That is three mission statements (when you count the beer) that I can believe in.

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Pacific Plate

There are many breweries bubbling under the surface here in the Los Angeles area and here is some positive news from one of them, Pacific Plate via Jonathan Parada! “..we found a location in San Dimas and will be signing the lease sometime this month. Supposing the licensing goes well we can look forward to having a tap room open as early as February or as late as July 1st.”

And it looks like the brewery swag will be really cool, “We’ve found an exciting relationship with a clothing company called Loud & Obnoxious that have become full-time partners of our company and are heading up the marking/merchandise of the company. They’re looking to turn the name Pacific Plate into more than just a beer, but a brand, a style. With some really innovative artists on board we’re looking to design labels/ logos for two lines of beer.”

But let’s focus on the beer, shall we, “First, our historically accurate Ales/ Lagers will consist of a Double Decoction Bavarian Heff, a California Common, and a Trappist Duble.

Our second line will be modern day fusions of popular styles with Central American Flavors, Horchata Stout: An English Milk Stout brewed with cocoa beans and cinnamon, Mango IPA, Agave Wheat, and our WidowMaker IPA.” I am glad to see a twist on the near forgotten milk stout. Looking forward to tryin’ them.

Pacific Plate Brewing Co.

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Ruhstaller

Just when I think that I have a handle on all of the breweries another new one pops up. Case in point, scanning the beer shelves at my Glendale Whole Foods, I ran across a canned four pack with a weird face on the silver can.

It was the 1881 California Red Ale from a brewery in Sacramento called Ruhstaller. And they have taken the novel step of having an Oregon hopped version and a California hop version. Screams for a side-by-side comparison for sure.

As I mentally noted this Raider color schemed can, I saw another Ruhstaller beer with a black fabric around the neck. A CAPT California Blk IPA. That is the name.

When space in the ‘fridge opens up, I will have to investigate these new offerings from the state capital.

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FoodGPS Teaser – Denver beer

Tomorrow my weekly Brew and You column on FoodGPS will cover some of the Denver breweries that you can visit anytime. Not just when the Great American Beer Festival hits. And all of them are fairly close to Mile High Stadium and Peyton’s new place.

And while you are over there reading, how about checking out some of the recent Beer Pro interviews? You can learn about Henry from Monkish Brewing or about Chas from Ventura’s Surf Brewery.

And then check out the L.A. Beer Blast later tomorrow to find out where you need to go for a pint.

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Whiskey and Hops

If you can’t get enough hops and must have it in every spirit you drink, well you are in luck. A distillery fronted by Marko Karakasevic has made two version of hop flavored whiskey using Bear Republic’s Racer 5 IPA.

Yoy can get Charbay Hop Flavored Whiskey R5 Clear or the more expensive Charbay Hop Flavored Whiskey R5 Aged.

The website goes on to say, “The beer is distilled in double copper alambic charentais pots 24 hours a day for nine days straight before being aged for 22 months in French Oak. The result offers a definite whiskey taste profile with clear notes of hops, fruit, and malt when sipped. Distiller Marko Karakasevic, who started such experimentation with a pilsner-fueled light whiskey for Charbay nearly fourteen years ago, says he used 6,000 gallons of Racer 5 to produce 590 gallons of the spirit.”

Karakasevic is also working on a version using Bear Republic’s stout.

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A Tony Beer Hop

Some great news for people who want to get driven to three of L.A.’s better craft beer spots….

LA Beer Hop has partnered with Mohawk Bend, Tony’s Darts Away and The Pub at Golden Road Brewing to launch a new shuttle route, ferrying hop-heads to some of LA’s best beer bars.

Every Wednesday in November, from 7pm to midnight hitch a ride for $5. Hop on and off as you please and enjoy perks like select beers for $4, complimentary snacks, and even some surprise swag! The first shuttle will depart from Mohawk Bend at 7pm.

Wednesday, November 7th is the inaugural hop, just RSVP for that run by calling Mohawk Bend at 213.483.2337 or at dana@mohawk.la by Wednesday, 10/31.

If you want to reserve seats for any of the Wednesday hops after that then RSVPs go to contact@labeerhop.com, or interested parties can reserve by calling Hal at LA Beer Hop: 323.928.2113.

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DieN’Isis

Here in L.A., we are treated to the occasional DioNicEss events. Where gastronomy and beer meet. And they are back again for a Zombie themed evening that involves foodstuff’s that a zombie would enjoy and beer that I (and you) would enjoy.

“Also, we received commitment from another one of the breweries that will do a custom batch for the gig…Taps…so Victor will do one, the Bruery will, Monkish will, Beachwood will, and I believe Martin Svab’s brewery (Phantom Carriage) will be open by then and he wants to do a batch for us…wooohoooo!”

You can read the first press release about the event HERE

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Utopias

Continuing with Sam Adams day, here is the information on this year’s Utopias which is the 10th anniversary edition.

“The 2012 batch of Samuel Adams Utopias has its entire lineage in it, some of the beer has been aged in a variety of wood barrels for 19 years. This long aging process and variety of spirit barrels enhances the beer’s distinct vanilla and maple notes, and its high alcohol content creates a heated aroma of ginger and cinnamon. As a result, this big brew invokes the flavors of a rich vintage Port, fine Cognac, or aged Sherry while feeling surprisingly light on the palate. The brew has sweet flavors of honey, toffee, caramel, cocoa and vanilla, balanced by distinct notes of molasses, raisins, plums and berries.”

You can see a video detailing more information right HERE

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Longshot 2013


Of the many regrets of GABF 2012 was missing the Sam Adams brunch which featured the new crop of LongShot winners. There is only one of me and I had put off a visit to New Belgium for too long. So here is a late but informative look at the new batch of LongShotter’s.

About the winners:
James Schirmer’s Beerflower Wheat is an ideal balance of smooth, sweet malt flavors with an exotic kick of citrus and herbal notes. Brewed with hot summer weather and fun gatherings in mind, this American wheat beer pours a dark amber color, and imparts a light floral and sweet aroma with the delicate flavors of hibiscus. Beerflower Wheat is a medium bodied brew that finishes crisp and refreshing on the palate.

Zack Adams ’ Magnificent Seven is a showcase of seven American hop varieties that impart a big piney and lingering resinous flavor. A true Imperial American IPA, this brew pours a rich bronze color. The slightly sweet malt character is pleasantly balanced by a pronounced hop bitterness with grapefruit, pine and earthy notes from the American hops. This medium-bodied IPA also delivers caramel, citrus, lemon and piney aromas.

Dave Anderson ’s Strawberry Lager is a bright and fresh wheat beer, with a strong strawberry character balanced with toffee and citrus notes – the brewer’s vision of the perfect summertime beer to enjoy after a round of golf on a hot day. Brewed with fresh strawberries, this beer pours a bright golden color and imparts a malty sweetness with hints of lemon and earthiness. Strawberry Lager finishes with a wonderful intensive strawberry flavor without being overwhelming and leaves a lingering creamy sweetness on the palate. Dave has worked as a member of the Samuel Adams Packaging Operations team since 2007.

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XVI

Tomorrow is the official release date of the latest Anniversary blend from Firestone-Walker.

The website where the photo above was taken details the thought process behind the blend and the beer and includes this breakdown of what is in numero 16…..

The following are descriptions of key components with their original code names:

Velvet Merkin (8.7% ABV) – Aged in Bourbon barrels

-Traditional Oatmeal Stout (23% of final blend)

Stickee Monkee (12.5% ABV) – Aged in Bourbon and Brandy barrels

-English Barley Wine (22.5% of final blend)

Double Double Barrel Ale (14.2% ABV) – Aged 100% in retired Firestone Union barrels

-Double strength English Pale Ale (20.3% of final blend)

Parabola (13% ABV) – Aged in Bourbon barrels

-Russian Imperial Oatmeal Stout (10.8% of final blend)

PNC (13.0% ABV) – Aged in Tequila barrels

-American Strong Buckwheat Stout (8.1% of final blend)

Helldorado (11.5% ABV) – Aged in Bourbon Barrels and Brandy barrels

-Blonde Barley Wine (5.4% of final blend)

Bravo (13.4% ABV) – Aged in Bourbon and Brandy barrels

-Imperial Brown Ale (5.4% of final blend)

Wookey Jack (8.3% ABV)- 100% Fresh, Dank & Hoppy 100% Stainless Steel

-Black Rye India Pale Ale (4.5% of final blend)