Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
Coattails is brand new brewery, all of 5 barrels, at the Etzel Farm / Sequitur Winery in Newberg, Oregon.
This is an appointment tasting room. They are “brewing many beer styles from old world German style lagers to hoppy (but balanced) IPA’s and everything in between.”
$50 gets you tastings of both the wine and beer “in a carefully curated approach”. Which sounds like a concept that should be mesh well with the Oregon wine country.
Since I will be in Oregon at the end of the month, I thought I would focus on some new NW breweries to check out starting on North Williams in Portland at Commensal Fermentation. According to their website, “the archaic meaning of Commensal is the people you bring to your table…”
Forty Rules – “our west coast session ipa featuring Idaho 7 and Mosaic hops. Notes of tropical fruit, citrus, a little pine are present in this 4.2% beer.”
Row of Ducks – “our Kölsch-style ale with a gentle nod to tradition. Notes of red apple, cracker and honey are present in this 5.2% abv beer.”
Crazy World, Lotta Smells – “hazy double ipa, double dry hopped with Citra, Ekuanot, and HBC 638.”
Tatluhan – “our blond stout with coffee and toasted coconut, collaboration beer with Mosaic Taphouse and Kalesa coffee, in Portland, Oregon.”
The next Sister City of Los Angeles is Vancouver, Canada and the brewery I chose is Strange Fellows Brewing.
Time to check out some more Canadian beer…
Beldame Old World Pilsner – “Crossing paths with a crone is believed unlucky by some. Stooped and toothless, she’s a frightful specter of mortality. Those who can meet her gaze and see wisdom there have nothing to fear, but beware to those who scorn or overlook her. As Mother of Creation, she can wield her power in wicked ways, by nightmare, illness or a failed harvest. So next time you happen upon an old woman, pour her a glass of this bright and refreshing beer, look her in the eye, and toast to her good health.”
Rei’s Dark Lager – “This dark Lager balances the use of roasted malts and premium German pilsner malt. It delivers a clean character of a lager and offers a complex grain bill that blends aromas of chocolate, roast and has a crisp and clean lager finish. “
Blackmail Northwest Stout – “Originally advertised as a nutritional supplement for new mothers, milk stouts contain Lactose sugar which gives this beer a rich round and slightly sweet character. Blackmail is only 4.5%abv and has a soft roast and chocolate character.”
Los Angles has a few sister cities all over the world, less than I thought, so this month for L.A. Beer Week, I thought it is time to visit some and our first Sister City to visit is Split, Croatia and the Tap B Brewpub.
Split, is the second largest city in Croatia and is a seaport/ resort city in southern Croatia. Located on a peninsula in the Adriatic Sea and best known for the ruins of the Palace of Diocletian.
You can start here with Trapula, an American styled Pale Ale and then move on to then dial back to their GAD Pilsner or their Lito Blonde Ale before hitting the hops again with Mirakul IPA.
June is L.A. Beer Week Time so the BSP blog will be celebrating that all month long.
~ e-visits to (3) breweries from the Sister Cities of Los Angeles
~ special featured reviews of whatever is in the refrigerator throughout the month
~Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ A Book & A Beer reads There’s Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib
~ A Podcast & A Beer listens to The Curious History of Your Home
~ Sports & A Beer returns with NIL thoughts
~ New Beer Releases and Best Beers of the Month
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.
Even though I will not be in lovely Paso Robles this year for the Firestone Walker Invitational, it doesn’t mean that you (or I) should not hit up some California Central Coast breweries, or a distillery..
Here is my last pick of the month…Re:Find Distillery. It is not far from downtown Paso Robles or, for that matter from the many other distilleries that dot the area. You head up an minor incline and park at the homey little tasting room for both the distillery and the winery as well.
Normally I would skip quickly over the vodkas to the gin and the whiskeys and bourbons but there are some interesting twists such as cucumber vodka, barrel finished vodka, kumquat vodka. You can also find cocktail kits and mixers so, plan some time to visit.
Our next stop combines a tree and a lovable critter. Oak and Otter Brewing is in SLO. Let’s jump right into a possible taster tray…
Vitamin Sea Wit – “Belgian wit made with fresh orange zest, a great balance of fruit and yeasty characteristics.”
Islay Peak IPA – “The House Standard. West Coast IPA with a great balance of malt and hops.”
Midnight Mallory – “a classic black IPA that has a hop bite and roasty undertones from special roast, midnight wheat.”
Romauldo Red Ale – “A dark, rich Irish red ale with a unique malty taste and bursting with caramel notes.”
The Firestone Walker Invitational brings loads of people to the Central Coast and so this month, I will feature three breweries from the region that you could add to an itinerary before or after the festival.
Starting in San Luis Obispo at Bang the Drum Brewery. Here is a recent tap list…
From this, I would go for the El Tambor, All Time Special, Lucky Day IPA and the Dozer Special.
Our last stop in the San Diego area is at Barley & Sword Brewing. They are located on El Cajon Boulevard just north of the North Park area and have a refreshing change of style pace in their beers on tap.
Let’s order up a taster flight..
Fiddler’s Green Mild – “A sessionable pub ale that will keep you coming back for more.”
Orkney Ale – “San Diego International beer competition Silver medal winning. Referencing the Orkney Islands, a remote Scottish archipelago where the brewing of strong, malty ales has a long history. A malty beer with light caramel, toast, toffee, and even light stonefruit flavors. The sweetness is offset by roasted malt characters balance the bitterness and provide a dynamic and lasting experience. Toast, roast, bread, and caramel-toffee notes full this medium bodied beer, finishing with a slightly roasty dryness.”
Edwin Fox English IPA – “A clear departure from the abundant West Coast IPA style. This English IPA is intended to be a window into the genisis of the IPA style. Broad and bold malt characters are well balanced with a trio of English Hops to give a unique and delightful experience in aroma and taste. While not as bitter forward, this traditional IPA is enjoyable to both hop heads and less hoppy beer drinkers.”
Wheeler’s Patent Irish Dry Stout – “Everything you look for in an Irish Stout. This pint of black is dark, creamy, and full of malty and roasted flavors. Do not miss this when it’s on cask!”
Heading north now to Escondido and the Jacked Up Brewery. Where we will start with two of their core (and canned beers) before adding a few others to fill out the taster tray.
El Gato Lager – “El Gato Lager is our newest addition to our core four beers. This light and airy lager is an easy drinking, but still unique in taste.”
Hazy Talk – “The juiciest hazy IPA that you’ll find. This beer is crafted to perfection, giving an orange juice like appearance.”
Then try the Seven Accusations Pale Ale, the Dragon Fruit IPA and then finish with Gallus Scottish Red Ale.