I just emptied a cellar beer from 2011 from the Hangar 24 brewery and the branding was much different from two new aged ales coming from Redlands….
I am most intrigued with the blueberry sour blonde. After not liking several fruited beers, I have had some better examples lately and think this one might be good now or in the future.
Two from H24
It is not often that the Baltic Porter style shows up on shelves and rarer still to see barrel-aged versions. But Hangar 24 has two variants to try under their Barrel Roll banner.
First is….
…but I would try the Polish Breakfast first. Sounds like a good use of brandy barrels to me.
A Sour Galaxy
Galaxy Gardens is added to the Barrel Roll series from Hangar 24. Sour + wine barrels + galaxy hops.
“Hang”in around the Barrel
I wish Redlands was a little closer to Glendale. But then again, it is probably why their special events are so much fun and with little to no lines even during a great barrel aged beer event at Hangar 24.
They are known for their excellent Orange Wheat (now in cans, along with their Helles) but beer geeks know them for their “Barrel Roll Series” of beers. It started with Immelman’s five years ago and this year they released Chandelle. And then re-released Pugachev’s Cobra from year three.
I was finally able to catch up on Immelman (in two versions) as well as Roll # 2, Humpty Bump. And even though I missed the apricot accented Chandelle, there was plenty to choose from, especially if you like rye whiskey barrels.
Immelman (the bourbon version) was my co-favorite of the day in a tie with a rye whiskey barrel version of their 4th Anniversary Dopplesticke.
The staff was friendly and helpful. As mentioned, lines were practically non-existent from the time I arrived two hours in until I left two hours later. Some of the bottled offerings were running dry but you could spend your six drink tickets on multiple versions of Pugachev’s or sit at one station and have an enjoyable time and get your $25 worth. The pours were very generous considering the weight of some of the beers and you could gaze upon their new canning line and huge tanks in the newest part of the facility.
So keep your eye’s peeled for their next event. You will not regret it.
Hammerhead
Barrel Roll No. 4 – Hammerhead is coming tomorrow from Hangar 24 on the heels of # 3 Pugachev’s Cobra. Here is the word on Hammerhead which involves loops and almost stalling a plane.
“A well executed HAMMERHEAD is smooth and dramatic. This beer is no exception. Hammerhead is a big, complex, American-style Barleywine featuring two English caramel malts and four American hops. Hammerhead’s character is enhanced by dry hopping and then aging the deep amber liquid for six months in charred oak rye whiskey and bourbon barrels. Spicy aromas spill from the glass: rich caramel, citrusy hops, bourbon and oak. Layered flavors of toffee, vanilla, brown sugar, spice and rye whiskey lead to a warm and slightly bitter finish. This is a strong ale, meant to be sipped, savored and enjoyed.”