Tag: Anniversary

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Aftermath – Part 8

Grand RE-openings. There are going to be quite a few if people in Texas and Wisconsin are any indication when given any sort of quasi-approval to open the doors again. Previously, I talked about the simple ebb and flow problems that will arise when a taproom reopens but what about bigger parties?

There are breweries that were just about to open, breweries who will be ready this summer and a backlog inventory of missed anniversary parties in the second half of the year. 

How do you creatively balance the celebration aspect with the safety aspect?  On Mother’s Day not only were people viral video complaining about the wait times at Red Lobster but they were going to church, sick.  Less than a week later 200 people were sick.  From 1, one person.

How do you get beer fans to your brewery and then keep them safe and in a fun mood?  I do not have the answers.  I have been visiting breweries to pick-up only with a mask on but I understand if people are not comfortable with gatherings. 

I would say that providing branded masks would be a good start.  Having a hosted video of parties would be good as well with options for VIPs to get beer and special video.   Sending beer to EMTs or hospitals would be good. Maybe doing a drop off for the hardworking grocery store workers.  Creativity will need to come to the fore. 

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Whole New Canimal

I am a little hesitant about talking about future beer events but hopefully, Smog City will be able to get fully “Canimalized” come May 9th. Laurie and Porter always throw a fun party with loads of rare and fun beers. So mark this on your calendar.

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Review – Firestone Walker Anniversary XVIII

Each year when I buy the latest Anniversary beer from Firestone Walker, I crack open the oldest bottle that I have which is 6 years old at that point. Which means that number 18 is the lucky number. I now only have two of the old school 22oz bottles left before the format went down to 12.

Here is my review of 18 – I get a bit of cola upfront here.  Dark brown in color with not much head to it. A bit of spice and caramel come to mind. Does not taste heavy and is probably middle low in carbonation but not silky, more spiky to me.  A tiny bit of vinous quality to me as well. 

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November 16th

That date sees a pile-up of anniversaries to choose from…

Highpoint Brewing in San Dimas turns

Lincoln Beer Co. in Burbank and Brewery Draconum in Newhall achieve the 2 year mark.

And the longest runner is Alosta Brewing out in Covina who celebrate # 6.

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Review – Ochos Locos from El Segundo

Happy Ocho-versary to El Segundo Brewing, now lets dive into Ochos Locos…

First aroma off this bottled the day I popped the cap DIPA is tropical. Fruit forward. Then the bigness kicks in. I would call the flavor imperial and not double. Oaky notes and dankness take over. Pine needles peek through. This one burns. A real palate wrecker.

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Review – Smog City’s “Awkward” Anniversary

Yesterday I was in Torrance to congratulate Smog City on reaching another anniversary milestone.

Here are my personal highlights from the day….

Trying the anniversary beer, which was not Awkward at all.

Getting the tour of the sour side pf Smog.

Kegs ready to be filled.

Trying the blended collab saison with TRVE

I was able to try quite a few new beers, most of which of the saison persuasion and though the Awkward Teenager was really good, balance on the edge between rustic and hoppy, I have to say that Floret 2.0 a wild saison with seven different flowers was my top beer. And when their new outdoor patio is complete, that will be the perfect beer to enjoy for as long as it lasts.

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XXI


You know it is the holiday season when the Firestone Walker anniversary beer drops. It is one of the few beers that I buy without even looking at the price. And I suggest you do the same.

2017 brings us XXI. Local winemakers Jordan Fiorentini and Kyle Gingras of Epoch Estate Wines along with Anthony Yount of Denner Vineyards created the winning blend which is made up of….

The result is an inspired blend of five distinct beers aged in spirits barrels: Velvet Merkin (oatmeal stout, 42%), Parabola (Russian imperial oatmeal stout, 18%), Stickee Monkee (Central Coast quad, 17%), Bravo (imperial brown ale, 14%) and Helldorado (blonde barleywine, 9%).

According to FW, “XXI represents the first time that Velvet Merkin has set the pace for the Anniversary Ale blend.”

Look for special back catalog tastings of past anniversary beers. Those are fun events.

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Seconds


Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 14th. Cellador Ales will celebrate their first anniversary with Seconds. Not time or more food.

“Seconds is a double fruited apricot sour, and is one of the first to be bottled in our 375ml green Belgium-style bottles.”

First, the details:

ADMISSION TO OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY
Admission will be available to anyone that purchases our First Anniversary Beer, Seconds. Seconds will only be available for pick up at the Anniversary Party on October 14th, and the 90 day pick up window for non-members will not apply to this release. Member pick up & shipping policies will still apply to this release. NO shipments will be allowed for this release unless you are a member.

1 bottle of Seconds = 1 Admission, 3 bottles of Seconds = 3 admissions (under that order name)

SECONDS RELEASE DATES
Seconds will be pre-released to our members on Tuesday, October 3rd.

Seconds will be released to the public on Friday, October 6th.

More news to come on the party portion but this looks to be a beer not to be missed.