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When I was at the Venice locale of Firestone Walker, I noticed this poster…
I was immediately drawn to the bottle on the left, seeing as how not to many Saisons come our way from Firestone Walker. I am sure that many more are drooling over the Parabola with aging on wine barrels.
On the last weekend of this month, I took in the sights and sounds and beers from the 3rd Anniversary of The Propagator.
Here is the re-cap: It was a strangely slow early morning at the Venice adjacent Firestone Walker location. This despite the high quality and higher creativity beers on tap. Haven’t had Rosalie, it was there. A Watermelon kettle sour, yup as well as many hoppy treats on hand. Plus the deal was great. (2) beers a side and a cup for one price. I assume that as the day wore on, that it got more crowded.
For my two beers, I started big with the Gen 3, triple IPA. Double digit ABV and for me, a return to those big bruiser Imperials from back in the day. Lots of malt and caramel and boozy. I backed down for the second and had the Eichenkeller because Keller beers are always an attraction. This did not disappoint. Super malty and bubbly with a nice minerality versus hops.
And I got to talk with some grand folk in the beer writing community as well as Merlin himself.
For those holding golden tickets to the 2019 version of the Firestone Walker Invitational, the brewery list went live at the start of this month and now the collaboration beer which ticketholders get a special ticket for is now known….
It looks like the new beer plays to the strengths of both Firestone Walker and Cigar City.
The southernmost arm of Firestone Walker’s California empire will be 3 years in Venice / Marina Del Rey and are throwing a ticket-LESS party.
Here are the details…. “Enjoy live art & photography from our friends at Venice Arts, as well as outdoor games, amazing beer & food specials! No tickets necessary, just stop by & join us for the fun. Anniversary Special: two beers & one small plate of food for just $15!”
There will be live music and a commemorative logo’d Klean Kanteen re-usable cup for your beer (while supplies last). Plus some really good FW beers.
In case you missed it on your Facebook feed, this was posted last month…
Almost makes me want to get a barn. I expect to hear about some interesting beers coming from BarrelWorks with this coolship in place.
Breweries are taking the switch to cans as an opportunity to refurbish their label design….
Firestone Walker has Clash-ed up and Anarchy in the UK’d their Union Jack. I think it works with the fighting poses of the Lion and the Bear.
Rose styled beers are not one unified flavor profile. This point was vividly driven home by a recent side-by-side of two California regional breweries exploration of the style.
First up is Sparkale from 21st Amendment. This one boasts apples an cherries in the recipe and that is pounded home. This is what a Martinelli’s Sparkling cider would taste like, in beer form. Apple up front with cherry notes at the back. It pours a much darker red which puts it out of rose pink range.
Second is Rosalie, which I have effused about on this blog before. The difference in color is striking as is the flavor. This is a wine-beer hybrid. With a dry but effervescent character.
I have also tasted the Eagle Rock effort in this sub-style and found it in taster size, to be cloying with a lead note of sweetness.
Whether or not this category settles on a recipe or not, I believe the more sweet may rule but they are too close to juice boxes for me.
Firestone Walker continues to add new SKUs to their portfolio in two of the popular categories (IPA and Coconut).
Side note: is it just me or is coconut practically everywhere. I mean more than usual.
The Cashmere XPA, thanks to the luxe name of the new hop is one I expect to see more of. Three Weavers has one out currently as well. Will this hop take-off? And is it better in lighter, sessionable or bigger with DIPA and TIPA?
Since I am a F-W fanboy, I am looking forward to both.
Ecliptic Brewing of Portland, Oregon is turning 5 years young and will be releasing 5 special beers throughout the year called the 2019 Cosmic Collaboration Series.
John Harris, Ecliptic Brewing’s Owner and Brewmaster has reached out to Brooklyn Brewery, Breakside, Bell’s and two California breweries too.
Here is the full line-up:
Ecliptic Brewing + Brooklyn Brewery: Tangerine Farmhouse Ale (February)
Ecliptic Brewing + Firestone Walker Brewing Co.: Galactica Hazy Double IPA with #692, Idaho 7 and Kasmir (April)
Ecliptic Brewing + Breakside Brewery: Nectarine Sour Ale (June)
Ecliptic Brewing + Bell’s Brewery: Juicy IPA (August)
Ecliptic Brewing + Russian River Brewing Company: Hoppy Belgian Strong Golden Ale (October)
The Mid-Majors of the California brewing world are aware of the trends big and little but they all seem to give the trends a shot. Just in different ways….
Matt Brynildson from Firestone Walker approached a Hazy IPA via the Weizenbock making their Mind Haze with 40% wheat and oats in the bill and by precise hop additions.
Karl Strauss head brewer Sean Albrecht used their Small Batch program along with a trip to the East Coast as inspiration for their nautical themed Boat Shoes Hazy IPA.
Lastly, Figueroa Mountain used a trip to Yakima Chief to create a new IPA that they named after California geography with Point Conception IPA.