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The Firkin for October 2012


I have grown weary of writing this when I go to review a beer on the Ratebeer website: “I don’t know why this pilsner has such a low score.” or “Typical low score for a pilsner.”

I would have thought by now that pilsners, Kolsch’s, Helles’ and the like would have finally earned some love from the beer geeks in the world but as with session beers, it appears that the love still firmly focuses on high ABV monsters.

So my rant this month is a mini-Call to Arms for those who love the simple pleasure of a well-made lawnmower beer. Go out and buy some! Have some in your ‘fridge. These are the gateway beers for the large percentage of people who are still (amazingly) not into craft beer yet. So why are they dissed and skipped over? They should be held in esteem or at least acknowledged for their place in the craft beer eco-system.

And don’t stop with just buying and enjoying.

Post it on Untappd and rate it fairly. Don’t automatically give it one less start simply because it pours a light yellow hue. And do the same with the big beers, don’t give it 5 stars for being boozy. You don’t tell friends to see a movie that you haven’t seen so why do the same for beer? Dig a little deeper. When you go on Ratebeer or Beer Advocate, talk about the beer without bias.

I have said it before and I will say it again, if we do not appreciate all beer styles then some of those styles may fall by the wayside and that would be the exact opposite of what the beer revolution was and is about. We all wanted choice, not just Imperial Stouts or Triple IPA’s. This world needs Vienna lagers and blonde ales too.

These lighter beers take skill and time and must be appreciated for how hard they are to make. You certainly can’t hide flaws in these beers. And yet we treat them like the Brady’s treated Cousin Oliver, as a nuisance at the far end of the taster tray.

Let there be light!

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Berliner Weisse review – Full Sail

The second and final review of the Berliner Weisse style comes from Hood River Oregon and Full Sail. It is part of the Brewer’s Share series that previously brought us an ESB and an Alt….

“The third beer in the series “Chris’s Berliner Weiss” developed by Assistant Brewing Supervisor, Chris Haveman will be released in 22oz. bottles and on draft in the summer. Chris’s Summer Delight is an unfiltered, refreshingly tart small batch Berliner Weiss beer, brewed with 50% wheat malt and just a touch of Hersbrucker hops A perfect German style sour brew with a dry finish for a hot summer day. ABV 4% IBU 9. Chris has chosen to support the Oregon State University Brewing Sciences Program, from which Chris is an alumnus. The program is one of the few in the nation that studies all aspects of producing beer, wine, and fermented foods.”

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GABF Brewery # 3 – DC Brau

While at the Great American Beer Festival, of the 35+ some odd 1 ounce samplers that I had, one was called the Corruption from DC Brau.

Once you get past the political themed names, you find some solid beers. Before GABF, I had their collaboration fall beer, Fermentation without Representation that they brewed with Epic from Utah and really enjoyed it. The Corruption IPA also fell into the enjoyed category. A crisp beer that had enough bitterness for a left coaster like myself.

Two other tidbits that raise their approval ratings for me are that they are canning in the Capital and that they are politically active in the arena of DC statehood. Canned beer has a better chance of making it out to me and if we got DC as a state maybe people will stop talking about Ohio for half a second. (Sorry, election year rant)

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Milwaukee Brewing

Being from the Milwaukie of Oregon, when I saw an ad for Milwaukee Brewing, I was intrigued. Even more so that they go by the handle of MKE.

Because that looks almost like my middle name. I will let you guess. Shouldn’t take long.

But then I started looking at their beer and saw that their head brewer studied culinary arts. Which would be an odd but maybe inspired choice for a brewery background.

Plus the beer names and packaging are very cool. A little old school looking with some wit. I was most taken by Louie’s Demise, “Our flagship brand; this medium bodied amber ale starts with a rich malt flourish that’s kept in perfect balance by a smooth hop finish. This MBC original is similar to a German style malt beers.”

I also liked “Admiral” Stache “Milwaukee Brewing Co’s take on a classic European style. Baltic Porters are the stronger lager fermented cousin of the classic London Porter. The higher strength and cold fermentation help to create a smooth, less fruity porter, rich in roasted malt flavors and aromas. The “Admiral” Stache has a deep brown hue with a light caramel head. Toffee and milk chocolate dominate the flavor with subtle hints of dried fruit. One month of aging in Bourbon Barrels imparted a layer of vanilla and oak.”

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Walking Away


“Beers Made By Walking is a program that invites brewers to make beer inspired by nature hikes and urban walks. This summer organizer Eric Steen invited five breweries on nature walks. A botanist/herbalist on each hike identified edible and medicinal plants along the trail which were then used to create innovative beers. He invited brewers in distinct parts of the state: Coalition and Upright (Portland), Flat Tail (Corvallis), Standing Stone (Ashland), and Deschutes (Bend).”

Here is the list of beers made:
Coalition Brewing – Ale with Stinging Nettles and Salmonberry
Deschutes Brewery – IPA with Juniper and Sage
Flat Tail Brewing – Fresh Hop Cherry Saison with Corvallis Cherries and Yarrow
Standing Stone Brewery – Ale with Sweet Root, and Wild Ginger
Upright Brewing – Saison with Yarrow and Rose

Now I just have to convince them to come to Los Angeles.

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Beer Academy

Readers of this blog will know that I frequently post about beer-y items that Pete Brown has talked about previously and today’s post is no exception. We head to Canada and the Beer Academy.

According to their website they are “a small-batch craft brewery, a tasting room and beer shop, and an inviting beer café where guests can relax with their favourite pint. The venue also features an experiential event space that includes a sensory tasting bar, a beer-lover’s library, and a tribute to the history of the world’s greatest beverage.”

Sounds

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Fall Fest on Sunset

Tomorrow, that would be Saturday, October 27th for an all day Fall Fest celebrating the end of summer heat and the return of bigger, heavier beers. On tap will be a mix of Fest Biers and Pumpkin Ales with food pairings of sausages, chocolates and other goodies.

It is the 1st Annual Sunset Beer Co. Fall Fest! or otherwise known as The Return of the Big ‘n Heavy

And if you are in the Eagle Rock area, Colorado Wine Co. (the ancestor of Sunset Beer) is in the process of moving. A process that should finish by the end of this month. A smidgen west towards Glendale to a bigger space. That means, more beer! Six taps to be precise with the plans for tap takeovers too!

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Wear the Cloak


From Belgium comes this news — “The Cloak of St. Martin is a limited-edition Barleywine-style Belgian ale, ready to warm the North American autumn and winter.

The Cloak is Brasserie Brunehaut’s first Abbaye ale brewed using doubled fermentation capacity gained via three new vats installed on Leap Day 2012. This increased capacity delivered enough vat time for the first batch of this labor-intensive 13%+ ABV quadruple.

The Cloak of St. Martin is a new Belgian Quadruple celebrating St. Martin’s famous charity of “sharing” his cloak with a beggar!

A very dark quad, The Cloak of St. Martin’s first fermentation, to 9% ABV, uses Brasserie Brunehaut’s signature, centuries-old yeast strain. Rare, exquisite champagne yeast boosts ABV from 9% to 13% during a six-week second fermentation. The Cloak is then cellared six more weeks before final fermentation yeast is added.”

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FoodGPS Teaser – Pumpkin Beers Review

I have waited until now to talk pumpkin beers. I know they are probably gone from most shelves to be replaced by Christmas ales but I celebrate my holiday’s in order and not in advance. I picked two pumpkin beers to compare. One from Sam Adams and one from Uinta.

Two gourd beers from two different parts of the country and both are pretty different. The Sam Adams poured a darker amber and had a noticeable lack of the pie spice (not a bad thing) and was a little more viscous and malty. It had a definite pumpkin taste. Sort of a yam taste.

The Uinta had a two tiered aroma. First the nutmeg and then a real jack o’lantern hit. The taste did not hold that though. There was some pumpkin flavor but it was more metallic and must have been on a lighter base beer because it poured a golden color.

I gave tasters to my sis-in-law to get her opinion and she agreed. (as well she should). She explained that the Sam Adams pumpkin would be much easier to drink a full glass of and had a more pleasing pumpkin taste. The Uinta tasted more like beer with pumpkin in her opinion.

As a further reference, HERE is the Beer Advocate list of pumpkin beers.

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Hops for Hopes


One of the charities that benefits from L.A. Beer Week doesn’t stop there. They have a November event (the 10th to be precise) at Santa Anita Race Track at 6:30 sharp. A beer pairing dinner. Check out their website and see if it strikes your fancy.