Los Angeles has been getting a bit of can-action from Washington State’s Fremont Brewing and the above is another to be on the possible lookout for due to one of the hops being used that I think will be talked about more in 2019. Strata hits some of the flavor points that are in demand including, “various tropical fruit notes, citrus notes and dank notes similar to that of cannabis.”
In the Name of Kolsch
Seattle’s Fremont Brewing (who has been sending a few cans and kegs L.A.’s way of late) will be releasing its Pride Kölsch in celebration of Pride month. The rainbow hued 16-ounce cans will be released in Southern California later in June and early July.
Other than the fact that Kölsch is perfect for an L.A. Summer day proceeds from Pride Kölsch sales will benefit the Trevor Project in Los Angeles.
Per the press release, Pride is “made with 2-Row Pale malt and White Wheat and Huell Melon and Loral hops, Pride Kölsch delivers a crisp, refreshing summer taste with hints of melon, berry, and orange peel. Refreshing and imminently accessible, Pride Kölsch is celebration in a glass.”
Review – Field to Ferment 2017
The last two years, I have been lucky enough to grab some Field to Ferment Fresh Hop IPA’s from Fremont Brewing of Seattle. Being in L.A. you have to be real careful with this sub-style since we are not in a hop growing region and we may end up getting “old” freshies. Date codes saved me though.
Amarillo – Canned 9/15/17
Dark and clear orange. Grassy. Dank. Orange peel. Maybe a pineapple note. Sits heavy. No session here.
Citra – Canned 09/22/17
Lemon and grassy character. A bit lighter than Amarillo. More grain forward. A bit of citrus peel to it.
Sean Suggests for September 2017
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)
Sean Suggests for March 2017
Time really does fly. It seems like yesterday, it was my birthday month and now I gots to be buying gifts for others. Selfish. I know. But maybe I will get the next round of b-day people some beer. Like these…
~LIGHT
Kern River/ Gravity Check SIPA 4.0% ABV
“Session IPA with Mosaic. Do you like doing stuff? Yeah, we do too. We designed this beer for people like us who don’t want their beer to get in the way of a good time; people who drink beer for the taste. This Session IPA blends the lightness of Pilsner malts with enough Mosaic hops to satisfy even the biggest hop head.”
~MEDIUM
Fremont Brewing/ Lush IPA 7.0% ABV
“We bring this tropical treat to you as a reminder of Spring’s coming, its rebirth and promise of sunny days forever. Lush is made with a hand-selected blend of malts and lush, tropical hops to help you bridge the last days of Winter and the coming of the Spring fever. “
~DARK
Scaldis/ Prestigue de Nuits Oak Aged 13.0% ABV
“Like the Brasserie Dubuisson’s renowned Scaldis Prestige, Scaldis Prestige de Nuits is aged in oak barrels for six months. But Prestige de Nuits is made of Scaldis Noel aged in Bourgogne barrels from the world famous “Nuits St. Georges” vineyard. The result is an ale of extraordinary complexity and depth. “
All of these beers can be found at Sunset Beer Co. (unless they got bought up real quick)
Fremont in SoCal
Welcome a new Washington State brewery to SoCal….
Seattle has come to SoCal as Fremont Brewing beer is now available via Stone Distributing.
To kick off this occasion, Fremont Brewing and Stone Distributing will be heading to my neighborhood to host a launch party at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7th at Glendale Tap. Six never before seen in LA Fremont brews (including their award-winning, barrel-aged Bourbon Abominable) will be on tap. Reps from Fremont and Stone will be on hand to talk about the new beers.
If you can’t make that date then there are some other L.A. parties to attend:
· Wednesday, March 8, 6:00 pm: 38 Degrees
· Wednesday, March 8, 5:00 pm: Sunset Beer
· Thursday, March 9, 7:00 pm: Local Peasant
Featured Canned Beer Review – Wet Hop from Fremont Brewing
Fremont Brewing has been absent from my tasting for a long, long while but thanks to the delivery site Tavour, I got to sample a couple fresh hop ales from their Field to Ferment series.
Strong with the cat pee this one is. Big aroma of hearty Simcoe in this fresh hop beer. This is really bright and hop filled. Pretty much what you would expect from a fresh beer. This has a solid bite to it that really hits the palate. I think it beats out the Centennial version which is has a little less zest to it.
I am still a little confused as to why they have a website to distinguish which hop varietal you have when they could put that info on a label and make it easier for the consumer. Instead they have a number on the cans and colored coded bottle caps on the bombers which you then figure out yourself.
That aside, I am glad that I got to try this hoppy beer from Seattle.