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California Growlers

The March edition of my 2011 Beer Challenge is going to go all legal. I apologize if this puts anyone to sleep.

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE
SECTION 25200-25206

This is the main section that hurts the growler cause

25200. All beer sold in this State shall have a label affixed to the package or container thereof, upon which shall appear the true and correct name and address of the manufacturer of the beer, and also the true and correct name of the bottler of the beer if other than the manufacturer. No manufacturer, importer, or wholesaler of beer shall use a container or carton as a package or container of a beer other than such beer as is manufactured by the manufacturer whose name or brand of beer appears upon the container or carton, or use as a package or container of a beer a container or carton which bears the name of a manufacturer of beer or the brand of any beer other than those of the manufacturer of the beer contained in the container or carton.
If I am reading it correctly. The container must have the brewery name on it and the beer inside must be made by that brewer. Thus a growler is stuck. It can’t be blank. And once Brewery A puts the logo on and then only A brand beer can go in.

In my mind that leaves only one option. An addendum exempting Made in California growlers needs to be attached to this section of code.

25202. Manufacturers’ names, brand names, print, or markings first placed on returnable beer containers or cartons made of wood or fiber board shall not be obliterated, mutilated, or marked out without the written consent of the manufacturer whose name, brand, or printed markings is to be obliterated, mutilated, or marked out. This section does not apply to wood or fiber board containers or cartons of a beer manufacturer who has discontinued business and production and is no longer a licensed beer manufacturer.

This section rules out stickers as I read it. So the path of least resistance would be one standard California growler with a tag tied to the handle with the brewery name and beer name with ABV. That way we only need to amend one rule.

Let me know what your interpretation of these two rules are and what may be a good way to proceed. I am ready to hear all opinions.

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O’ Canada – Crannog Ales

Out last Canadian stop is Crannog Ales in British Columbia.

All of their brews are certified organic, unfiltered and unpasteurized. And here are a couple to look for:

Gael’s Blood Potato Ale
“This rich Irish red ale is made with organic potatoes for an exceptionally smooth, rich body. It is extraordinarily rich in malt flavour, with just the right amount of hop finish. It’s an immigrant ale, uniting the staple food of Ireland with plenty of new world hops.”

Back Hand of God Stout
“Lean in body and powerful in flavour, Back Hand of God Stout has won many consumers’ choice awards. This dry stout is easy to drink, rich and inviting. It is extraordinarily smooth and mildly hopped with a distinct coffee/chocolate presence.”

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Lucky Baldwin’s 3

Before the beer revolution struck Los Angeles, One of the few places that served good beer was Lucky Baldwin’s in Pasadena. Truth be told between them and Crown City and Craftsman. Pasadena was the place to be for beer.

Now Lucky is in three spots. Old Town, Sierra Madre and now the Trappiste Pub near Pasadena City College. The last being my favorite of the trio.

So to whet your appetite before you visit, here are a couple of arty brew shots from the third Baldwin……

a few of the 65 newly installed taps
a hoppy Belgian blonde
Belgian keg label
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Axe to grind

The ever growing Oakshire Brewing has a new Baltic Porter a brewin’: “Axe of Perun is strong dark lager with hints of chocolate and licorice in the aroma. It has a sweet middle with a touch of roast and chocolate flavors that keep it in balance. 7.4% abv.”

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Bruton

I traveled out to El Segundo to sit in the sun after a rainy LA stretch of days to try some Italian beers and meet the brewer Iacopo Lenci.

I am writing about the beers at FoodGPS but that won’t post until Thursday so in the meantime, here is the photographic proof:

The event 411

Stone R and Lillith (both have interesting stories behind the names)
the menacing logo
Lillith and Stone R out of the bottles
Me an Iacopo

Thanks to Brandon at Rock N Brews for hosting!

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British Beer Video

Proud of British Beer from Society of Independent Brewers on Vimeo.

I am a fan of each of these short craft beer manifestos and the British “Pride” video is another great addition. I love that they talk to the farmers and the store keepers as well. It really is a chain of people and I like that they bring them into the fold too.I

I know there is backlash at the craft beer videos. I think it is misplaced though. For a couple of reasons, each one is a snapshot of where we are and where we might go in the craft beer industry and secondly, there are still way too many people drinking crappy beer. So if each of these videos add more to the ranks of the good beer drinkers then they do the job.

So be snarky about the line readings or say the music is too melodramatic. But the heart of being proud of craft beer is beating in these videos.

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Walk the Plank

Here is the Facebook announcement of this new beer series…..

“Heavy Seas Beer announces Plank – a series of beers showcasing unique wood ageing treatments to add flavor and nuance. Our first, Plank I, features an Olde Style English Ale.

Over a year in development, Plank boasts a new and revolutionary way of adding wood to the brewing process. The beer is allowed to mature on the wood during secondary fermentation. Combinations of many different woods, beer styles, yeasts and aging times were tested. We quietly gathered feedback at pint nights featuring Heavy Seas firkins containing ‘mystery wood’. Outside taste testers gave their reviews and a final recipe was written to bring out the unique essence of this wood.

Plank is the first beer to ever use yellow poplar. Prepared in a not so traditional way, it will change the how you perceive wood-aged beers. A revolutionary thermal process releases the compounds in the wood through controlled heat in a way that “toasting” cannot do. This thermal process can be applied to any species of wood, creating something truly unique. Have we created an entirely new genre for wood-aged beer? You decide.

Over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing more about this innovative way of wood aging beer and the crew who developed it. Plank I will be the first, but not the last of its kind as we continue to explore the possibilities. Watch for its release in the Mid-Atlantic area in time to celebrate American Craft Beer Week in May. Plank will join the Mutiny Fleet portfolio of beers available in 22oz bottles and very limited draft.”

Sneak previews will be available at the Extreme Beer Fest in Boston next weekend. Look for them under the alias One Eyed Woody (Plank I) and Two Eyed Woody (an experimental recipe).

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Steingarten LA

There is a new westside beer stop. Steingarten LA.

Check out what the UrbanDaddy blog introduced them as….”Introducing Steingarten, a bold new German hall of unusual meats, regal cocktails and strong European beers, opening Tuesday on Pico.”

Sounds a little medieval but any LA Beer Bar is a friend of mine. (not just FaceBook friends either.) They will also be showing up on the FoodGPS beer blast so you can get the beer scoop.

Here is the location and hours:
10543 W Pico Blvd. Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA, 90064
Mon – Sun: 11:00 am – 2:00 am