I have seen this new Sierra Nevada beer advertised in all of the beer-y magazines that I subscribe to and I cannot wait to give it a whirl in a pint glass.
Apparently this will replace Glissade which never won me over. It should be in SoCal markets now. Pick it up along with Bigfoot barleywine. If I find one in time, I will attempt to do a video review this month.
Sean Suggests for January 2012
Sean suggests for this first month of 2012 a beer from the heavier ABV side. Say hello to Green Flash, Fuller’s and Victory this month.
January 2012
Click on the link twice (maybe less depending on the computer you are on) and you will have a handy beer shopping list to kick off 2012 in style.
Magnetic Beer Bottle Opener
Unless you only drink your craft beer from cans or large cage and corked bottles, you need a bottle opener. I myself have at least 6 or 7 floating around including one on my keys. But even with that plenty, I coveted this magnetized cap remover.
It’s clever and has that “how does it work?” cool factor. Plus if there are enough caps on it, it has the appearance of art. Plus it doesn’t scream frat house chic. Looks like something the beer geek would use unlike an opener that has Three Stooges yelling at you.
Deviant Dales
There are times when I can’t believe that I have missed a can’t miss beer. It’s a good problem to have though. Add another one to the list of beers that I hope to run across…Deviant Dales, “This beer is intended to be a sensory assault for hop lovers. At 8.0% ABV, four hop additions during the brew process, and a final wallop of excessive Columbus dry-hopping, this beer is meant to say one thing: MORE HOPS! Perfect for these cool winter nights, The Deviant is a returning favorite from the little brewery in Lyons, Colorado that started the Canned Revolution!”
I shall be dutifully checking the Oskar Blues section in my local beer stores.
A Design Tip o’ the Hat
Cheers to Santa Fe Brewing for this great design.
Clean and simple with an appropriate color choice. It is eye catching because it is not trying to beat you over the head with graphics. Just a simple brand logo and a nice counterpoint with the green color on the font.
Oh and the beer sounds delicious too: “This is the kind of beer that gives the word “stout” a reputation. Extra generous quantities of barley malt, followed by vigorous fermentation leaves this “imperial” heavy weight with 8% alcohol A.B.V. and a body as full as chocolate bread pudding. A complimentary and complex array of bitter notes comes form potent American hops, earthy British hops, black-roasted malts and, of course, coffee. Santa Fe Brewing Company uses only top-quality ingredients like organically grown East Timor coffee beans blended with New Guinea coffee beans, locally roasted by O’hori’s Coffee House. Its heavenly flavor and aroma can’t be beat or imitated.”
Venice Ale House
It is sometimes hard for a now SoCal valley boy to make it out to the craft beer hot spots at the beach. Sometimes I just need a little extra something to get me out to the Pacific.
That something was the release of a new house beer for the Venice Ale House which has been on the scene only since last August. It is called Hi Hop XPA. And it would make an excellent choice for sitting right there on the northern end of the infamous Venice boardwalk. It had a bright citrus aroma and a long and lingering bitter hit. I would call it closer to IPA or pale despite the light yellow color but whatever style it fits, it is a good brew and one that I hope may be followed by more.
It is currently being contract brewed with the hope that one day it can be done in a brewery in Venice. But until that day, one will have to make do with a great beer list that is heavy on locals (Cismontane, Eagle Rock, Strand) on rotation as well as a steady list of other fine brews.
The food is quite good too and is organic and locally sourced. I recommend the salmon sandwich with the Hi Hop particularly. This is food that is miles above the usual grub found on the boardwalk and you get the same great view.
The only downside that I saw with one visit now under my belt is that it will get crowded in the summer or on any other beautiful weekend.
First Look – Little Bear LA
When you bring together the talent behind the Oinkster and Maximillianos with the beer savvy behind The Verdugo and the Surly Goat, what do you get?
Little Bear in downtown-ish Los Angeles. Here are some photos and my reaction on my first visit.
You drive by darkened warehouses on the eastern edge of downtown Los Angeles. Very noir. Then on Industrial Street there is an oasis and life going on. Strollers out and about. Dogs being walked and two restaurants across a skinny street from each other and one is the new (since Friday) Little Bear.
I scan the beer list and pick # 1 on the list, Duvel Single. Solid list with a good variety of choices. The industrial space is bright and warm. Nice mix of tables and a bar to choose from too. I really like the artwork including the Little Bear badge outside and the iconic Belgian beer logos on one wall.
My beer arrives as does my grilled cheese (which could use a lighter hand on the onion marmalade) and then my second beer (Ommegang Three Philosophers) which goes amazingly well with the Chocolate and Cheese plate provided by Ryan Sweeney.
It is an value for the price. You have to try the cheese and chocolate together. I was wary at first but it works quite well. Especially the stilton with a bit of dark chocolate.
SF Beer Week
Less than a month away now from the big SF Beer Week and it looks like I will miss it yet again! This time I will be in Portland for the first days of the fest that runs from the 10th to the 19th of February. And during the last half, I will be catching up at work.
But there are some cool looking events (and an app too). Magnolia is pulling some rare stuff out of their vaults. Social Kitchen and Brewery is hosting a beer breakfast and many many more.
Beachwood + Pliny the Younger
Now I am not a big fan of the over-hype of Russian River’s Pliny the Younger. I have railed about it before HERE. But I like the tack that Beachwood BBQ has taken with it. I would even go so far as to charge more for each raffle ticket.
Here is all the info you need: PlinytheYoungerV5 copy but suffice it to say, I much prefer a laid back atmosphere to enjoy any beer. Some people get a rush from the crowds but not I. So plan ahead to go to Beachwood sometime between the 17th of January and the 20th of February to get your chance to win a taste in peace (or at least donate to charity).
Review – More Brown than Black
Since I am Los Angeles based, I decided to review Southern California beers to start off 2012. I probably will review many more before the year is out. So, without further ado, here are my video thoughts on More Brown than Black a collaboration between Stone Brewing, The Alchemist and Ninkasi Brewing…..
And here are some thoughts from Stone Brewmaster Mitch Steele,
“Appearance: Deep brown, a bit hazy, with tan foam.
Aroma: Whoa! This beer is all about, resiny, piney, dank and citrusy hops! The first shot is intense blend of pine and orange rind, and then as your sense of smell just starts to recover, the dankness and resiny herbaceousness come through with hints of grapefruit. This is a powerful hop blend!
Taste: The hops also dominate the flavor of this beer. Orange and grapefruit rind take center stage in the flavor, followed by, you guessed it: piney / resiny notes. The beer has a modest body…not sweet at all…and has a lingering bitter, drying end. Beyond the bitter end there are light hints of roasted malt and chocolate in the finish.
Overall: The hop character in this beer is unique and very pronounced. Galaxy is a newer hop variety from Australia that we think has strong tropical fruit and stone fruit characteristics. Citra and Delta are newer American hop varieties — Citra possesses strong citrus and dank flavors, while Delta has a milder profile with melon and berry notes. And of course Nelson Sauvin from New Zealand has its intense namesake’s white wine notes along with—surprise!—more dank notes. They all blended together well in this beer, a tribute to one of our favorite styles.”