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I am a fan of the Nitro can (or bottle for that matter) be it with a little widget at the bottom or the hard pour.
Now there is a new beer that I will be searching for from Fort Point in the Bay Area…
A 4% roasty beer with that Nitro whip topping, sounds great.
This month it is Fire and Fresh Hops. There are more IPA’s than you can shake multiple sticks at but the least I can do is add at least one non-hoppy option.
~LIGHT
Fremont/ Field to Ferment6% ABV
“Brewing is the craft of blending science with artistry then introducing the mystical. Field to Ferment exemplifies this adventure. We brew this fresh hop ale throughout the entire hop harvest in Yakima highlighting different hop varieties as they are harvested. Field to Ferment represents a colossal collaboration between the brewery and our hop farmers. We will make countless trips between the fields in Yakima and the brewery in Fremont, loaded with tens of thousands of pounds of fresh, juicy hops. Nothing is fresher, nothing is better for a brewer.”
~MEDIUM
Fort Point/ Animal IPA7% ABV
“This is a big, wild and aromatic IPA. Amarillo and Meridian hops give the beer a thick orange mid-palate that’s balanced with a classic IPA bitterness.”
~DARK
Aecht Schlenkerla/ Eiche Oak Smoke8% ABV
“While for the classic “Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier” traditionally beech has been – and still is – used, the malt for “Schlenkerla Oak Smoke” is kilned with Oak wood. The resulting Schlenkerla Oak Smoke Malt has a smoother and more multi layered smoky note than the intensely aromatic Beech Smoke Malt. The hence complex smokiness in the “Schlenkerla Oak Smoke” is paired with the multifaceted bitterness of finest Hallertau aroma hops. With 8% alcohol and amber color it matures for months in the deep brewery cellars underneath Bamberg into a special treat for smoke beer lovers.”
All of these beers can be found at Sunset Beer Co. (unless they got bought up real quick)
I usually see Fort Point beers in their distinctively designed cans that look like architectural drawings. This time though, I get a distinctive 22oz bomber. Resonance pours a lovely yellow-orange color. It is light and effervescent. The word that I keep coming back to is, Simple. I am getting light wood notes and a little grapefruit with a bit of funk in the back too. Reminds me of Saison Dupont.
Using my gift cards at Craft Beer Cellar – Eagle Rock is tough. So many beers to choose from that sometimes a label design can sway the choice. Which is why I picked up the Villager San Francisco IPA from Fort Point Beer. Love the shade of blue in the can design. A bit blueprint architectural to me. Now I don’t know what an SF IPA denotes. Clear and more yellow perhaps?
Aroma jumps out after opening, primarily lemon. Flavor wise this is the first IPA that I can recall that has a strong melon note. Honeydew in particular. There is also a brisk hop bite to this one. Hops (Jarrylo, Warrior, Centennial) stick to the top of the mouth. This beer quickly establishes itself. But the grain bill that includes pilsner and torrified wheat keep it from going harder.
Let’s change it up for options for beer drinking at the Turkey table this year…..Let’s take a taste of two new to L.A. canned beers from Fort Point Brewing of San Francisco.
Which would work better? Westfalia (Nuremberg Red Ale) or Park (a hoppy wheat)?
Park – pours a really light yellow. Hint of pear in the aroma. Bit more bitter than expected. Heartier too. I am getting some rye notes here.
Westfalia – pours a dark brown with red tint. Has a brown Porter aroma but the taste has a cherry taste to it. Subtle spice with a hint of tobacco.
This was a tough one. At first, I thought that the simplicity of the Park would make it the obvious choice. It being lighter, made me lean towards it to match against the turkey. But the strength of the hops made me take another look at the Westfalia and I have come around to choose that one because it has more pieces to it and can work across the spectrum. I think it might work in tandem with the cranberry quite well. Though I admit it might be too polarizing for some.
Since it is the month that SF Beer Week falls into, I like to showcase some new spots in the City by the Bay. And the first stop is Fort Point. Not the greatest name (though I do prefer Beer Co. to Brewing).
Founded by brothers Tyler and Justin Catalana this year! Fort Point is in the Presidio which is a great place to walk and see the city. They have an eclectic set of initial beers. Which is saying something in this ever crowded craft market.
Here is what I would put in my taster tray:
Westfalia – A German Rotbier
Collaboration with Freigeist- A Charred Manzanita beer
Tosca – a beer brewed to pair with food at the Tosca restaurant.