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Aramis – Calypso – Sonnet


Since it is #IPAday. It is more than appropriate to talk hops. Specifically three new hops that we might see more of because Stone is using them. Will they take off like Citra or Falconer’s Flight?

Here are some thumbnail sketches and I will let you decide….
from the Stone Brewing blog: “The Aramis hop is a brand new hop variety from Cophoudal in Alsace, France. Its parentage includes the Strisselspalt hop, a German style hop from Alsace. Strisselspalt has a very unique aroma-herbal like a German noble hop, but with hints of lemon as well, but it also has a very low alpha acid content, which makes it tough for using in craft ales. Aramis was at 8% alpha acids, so a really nice level.”

Here is what a home brew supply store’s take on Calypso. It “is a new breed of high alpha-acid hop with a pleasant, fruity aroma and flavor, with hints of pear and apple. It is typically used in ales, stouts and barleywines.”

Sonnet is a variation on the tried and true East Kent Goldings with a bit of peach flavor.

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Top 5 IPA’s


Happy #IPADay!

Last month, I tallied some figures about my first 1,000 beers that I have rated. So you know that my highest ranked IPA was the canned version of Punk IPA from BrewDog and that my favorite DIPA was the Kern River Citra.

Here are the other IPA favorites of the last two years…..
Russian River Blind Pig – better than PtY and more plentiful
Hair of the Dog Blue Dot – when fresh this has a great bite to it
BridgePort Hop Harvest – 2009 was a great year. Looking forward to 2011
Mikkeller Single Hop Nelson Sauvin – grape and IPA. And it works!
Mammoth IPA 395 – super spicy and herby.

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IPA Day

Tomorrow is social media IPA day!

Below is how you can play along at home – courtesy of the Beer Wench…..

“International #IPADay is a grassroots movement to unite the voices of craft beer enthusiasts, bloggers, and brewers worldwide through social media. On Thursday August 4th, craft beer drinkers across the social sphere and across the globe will raise pints in a collective toast to one of craft beer’s most iconic styles: the India Pale Ale. This celebrated style represents the pinnacle of brewing innovation with its broad spectrum of diverse brands, subcategories, and regional flavor variations – making it the perfect style to galvanize craft beer’s social voice.

#IPADay is not the brainchild of a corporate marketing machine, nor is it meant to serve any particular beer brand. #IPADay is opportunity for breweries, bloggers, businesses and consumers to connect and share their love of craft beer. Getting involved is easy; the only requirements are an appreciation for great beer and the will to spread the word. Anyone can participate by enjoying IPA with friends, making some noise online with the #IPADay hashtag, and showing the world that craft beer is more than a trend!”

Tips on How to Take Part:

1. Organize an #IPADay event at your brewery, brewpub, restaurant, bar, home, or office (Ex: An IPA dinner/cheese pairing/comparative or educational tasting/cask night/tap takeover…). Share your events on the official #IPADay forum at http://www.ratebeer.com.

2. On August 4th, share your photos, videos, blog posts, tasting notes, recipes, and thoughts with the world. Be sure to include the #IPADay hashtag in your posts Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, WordPress, RateBeer, Foursquare, Yelp, Untappd or any other social media site.

3. See what other people are saying by searching “#IPADay” on Google, search.twitter.com, et cetera…

4. Track down your favorite IPA’s, ones you’ve been meaning to try, and ones you’ve never heard of; share them with friends and share your thoughts with the world.

5. Have a good time and know that by sharing your experiences online, you’re strengthening the craft beer community at large.

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In the Tap Lines for August 2011

Here at BSP headquarters, we are working on these posts for August.

~ e-visits to three breweries in Nebraska
~ video reviews of beers from Pretty Things Ale Project
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my opinion on the craft beer world
~ daily reports from the Beer Bloggers Conference
~ … and Session # 54 will talk about sours
~ plus many more posts about new beers, beer products and breweries AND a Beer spelling Bee

Here are two events to get your August started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) August 13th – Blue Palms 3rd Anniversary Party
2) August 20th – Stone 15th Anniversary Celebration

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The Firkin for July 2011

I saw this in the Wall Street Journal at the beginning of July and all I could do was shake my head. Another giant international beer conglomerate focusing everywhere but on the product.

Granted that seems to be the only arrow in the “water lager” quiver. Blanket all forms of media with ads in the hope that you can drown out the siren call of craft beer.

But that call is still getting through. It has been mentioned on many a blog but the state of Oregon now drinks 15% + craft beer. That is not a niche, boutique industry number. That is a player.

And as important as educating the consumer about craft beer is, I believe it is more important to just get the word out that craft beer exists. Break through the cloud cover of constant Miller ads and Coors billboards and Budweiser sports sponsorships.

How do you do that? Get outside the craft beer community. Partner with local restaurants that don’t have taps or beer lists. Give to charities in the community that are not affiliated with the food and beer industry. Get your beer on tap or in bottles where new people can find it. Or brainstorm your own, out of the box ideas.

Just get the name of the brewery out there. That is all the advertising you need. Let Heineken spend their money on Facebook and Google.

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Canfest 2011

Last year, I came close in my bid to win a trip to Reno and Canfest 2010. A celebration of craft brews in a can.

I have not given up! Somehow, I will find my way to Reno. I just know I can….

If I start here…..

…and then continue past the 1/2 way point….

…I could find myself at Canfest 2011!

How do I travel from Glendale to Reno? I could go by car or plane or in a few years high speed train but the best way is by the power of the craft beer community. Because the most fuel efficient and green energy source is the passion that drives brewers, beer drinkers and beer bloggers.

I also would not be able to do it without the folks behind this contest so thanks to Buckbean beer for their generosity in creating and running this fun contest!

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2011 Challenge – California Growlers


For the first six months, I have been trodding along slowly with this challenge. On my schedule, I can only carve out a bit of time each month to devote to it.

So it was with great delight that another growler believer has stepped into the breach and has really done a tremendous job in invigorating the cause.

Benjamin Katz brings a San Diego perspective and some much needed expertise. He is creating a website that will be up soon to augment the Facebook presence and I can’t thank him enough for spearheading that.

Stay tuned for more details and keep blogging about and Facebook posting and twittering about how you would like a Brewed in California Growler.

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Anaheim Brewing


Looks like Orange County has another brewery. Welcome to the Anaheim Brewery!

Headquartered in the Anaheim Historic District, the version 2.0 of the brewery takes over 90 years later! from the first Anaheim Brewing that was shuttered by prohibition.

They are serving up four beers in their tasting room. A gold, a red, a hefeweizen and the “Anaheim 1888 is based on a style of beer brewed at the original Anaheim Brewery and has a flavor that is popular with today’s beer drinker. Copper-colored, full-flavored and well-hopped, Anaheim 1888 is our flagship beer.”

And this review from the Anaheim Gazette all the way back in 1890 on the original version of what is today 1888 gave me a chuckle, it “appears to be fully equal if not superior to the celebrated Anheuser beer of St. Louis.”

Thanks to the Full Pint for first spotting this new brewery.