In the last Session, I wrote of my fondness for the surprise beer. The one that comes out of nowhere and makes you sit up straighter. Well, surprises happens to brewers as well, and that is where Odell and Shenanigans comes into play…
“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.”
Dogfish + Bocce Ball =
Thanks to the Four Point Sheraton and the beer crew at Brewsters. Congrats to the Surly Goat team. 2012 Champions. And thanks to Dogfish Head and Sam Calagione for coming in from the East Coast with their great beers.
India Red Lager
The 2nd annual PDX Beer Week begins tomorrow in Beervana and the 2012 official beer is a collaboration between Hopworks and Deschutes and is a style mash-up, an India Red Lager.
So, if you find yourself in Portland between tomorrow and the 17th. Be on the look out for this limited time beer.
Gnome Week
If you are not scared of Gnomes than you will have a good time at either Congregation Alehouse Chapters or at Little Bear because Brasserie d’Achouffe’s is in town…
First up Congregation….
“Brasserie d’Achouffe’s Gnome Week kicks off on Wednesday June 6th and ends on Saturday, June 9th where we will be a part of The World’s Smallest Toast at 6:66pm (you read that right!)
June 6 will mark the 6,666 year Anniversary that the Gnomes started to brew beer, and all
CAH Chapters will be celbrating with a 4 day Gnome week celebration.
We will be providing Gnome Hats and Mini Mugs for toasting (while the suppies last) for all the little gnomes that wish to partake in the toast! AND Brasserie d’Achouffe’s Operational Mangager Jean-Lou Barbette will be gracing the halls of our very own Long Beach Chapter on Saturday for the toast.
Beers
La Chouffe, Houblon Chouffe, N’ice Chouffe, Biere Du Soleil, McChouffe and Ommegang’s Gnomegang.
Over at Little Bear, near downtown….
“Gnome Week is kicking off at Little Bear on June 6th, featuring Achouffe beers including Biere du Soleil and their collaboration with Brouwerij Ommegang, Gnomegang. Get a gnome hat, an interactive gnome coaster, and be a part of the world’s smallest toast!”
Snarling Badger
I am actually shocked that there are not more beers named after the wily and strong badger but now there is the Grand Teton Snarling Badger Berliner Weisse
“In Berliner Weisse we think we’ve found the perfect style for our summer Cellar Reserve. This north German wheat beer is traditionally brewed and released very fresh. It has a light body from the wheat and refreshingly tart acidity that make it a perfect summer thirst-quencher. Its lemony tartness is provided by a secondary fermentation with lactobacillus, the same microorganism that’s responsible for yogurt’s tang. That tartness increases and improves with age, so the people of Berlin are known to buy extra bottles to bury in their gardens for two years or more.”
Stiegl Grapefruit Radler
Now I have never been a huge fan of the radler or shandy even though my gateway beer to craft world was a raspberry wheat. But I do like the idea of grapefruit juice added. And if I remember, there have been some grapefruit IPA’s as well and with summer here, the low abv of 2.5%would make a good and alternative lawnmower beer.
Real fruit juice gives the new Stiegl Radler a distinct, tart aroma and natural cloudiness.
Rock & Brews goes Local
There is a lot of talk about the soon to be expansion of Rock and Brews franchises and Gene Simmons of KISS being involved but what you should be talking about is their Local Craft Beer Festival which is now in it’s second year. Below is the details and the brewery list. It is a killer list of locals….
The 2nd Annual Local Craft Beer Festival at Rock & Brews
this Sunday, June 17th 2012 from 11am – 4pm
“Enjoy the fresh and unique beers from local breweries at the the 2nd Annual Rock & Brews Craft Beer Festival. We have brought together the best local breweries in Southern California representing LA, Orange, Ventura, and Riverside Coounties. Limited, seasonal, and special beers will be available. Along with many of the your favorites. It’s a great time to be a beer drinker, so come celebrate the men and women who make it happen!”
What you get:
Admission to the event starting at 11am.
8 Beer pours.
Complimentary buffett
Commemorative event glass
Breweries included:
Strand Brewing Co., El Segundo Brewing Co., Cismontane, The Bruery, Eagle Rock, Monkish, Smog City, TAPS, Bootleggers, Golden Road, Hangar 24, Figueroa Mountain, Port Town and more TBA…
Throw the Stein
A great video about the collaboration between The Bruery and TAPS for A Stein’s Throw part of the Provisions Series of beers. The Bruery just this year has gotten together with Eagle Rock, Bootlegger’s and now TAPS.
# 4 for Hangar 24
“Hangar 24’s turning 4 and we’d love to have you celebrate with us. Join us for a year that’s even better than the rest with more food, more music and a bigger variety of beer than ever before. We’ll also be releasing our surprise 4th Anniversary beer. The party’s sure to be great but what makes it even better is the support that we are able to provide to a local charity. Proceeds from our Anniversary Celebration will benefit the Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern California.”
Saga
Brewing in Minnesota for awhile now, Summit Brewing Company’s 25th anniversary beer is named after Odin’s drinking companion, Sága. And according to their website is not for smelling impaired.
A blend of Citra, Amarillo, Centennial and a New Zealand hop by the name of Rakau. It might be leaning more West coast than east. I have been fortunate enough to have a couple Summit beers and this one sounds great.