Atomize

Not exactly sure what Full Sail’s “Atomizer technology” is other than branding but I would say that the Amber and Lager versions would be the first two out of the hop infused box for me.”

Atomizer IPA – “Since earth has become overrun with IPAs, Full Sail Brewing developed a high-tech, top-secret, hop-infusion method for this unfiltered, hoppy brew. A blend of pale and wheat malts, along with a healthy addition of oats, create a light golden base allowing Cryo Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe and Ekuanot hops to shine. Juicy aromas of tropical fruit, citrus, and melon pop in this ultra-balanced beer.”

Atomizer Pale – “Pale and light crystal malts, along with a small addition of toasted oats, add subtle complexity to this refreshing hop bomb. Bright notes of guava, papaya and citrus from Mosaic and Simcoe hops are enhanced by Full Sail’s high-tech, top-secret, hop-infusion method. This well-balanced Atomizer Pale Ale is ingeniously flavorful and super-drinkable.”

Atomizer Amber – “Brewmaster Greg Doss has always wanted to make this beer – a hoppy version of Full Sail’s flagship Amber Ale. The proprietary Atomizer technology made it achievable by delivering a pure hop note to pair with the classic malt backdrop. The combination of subtle chocolate and caramel character with citrus-forward hops makes a compelling beer. This go-to, anytime beer is the best of all worlds – complex and interesting, not bitter, not sweet, and flat-out drinkable.”

Atomizer Lager – “Atomizer Lager is an interesting concept – add tropical hop character to a light international lager. Using proprietary Atomizer technology, we did just that. Simcoe hops lend delicate citrus, tropical, and melon  to this ultra-clean, super-drinkable lager delivering an increased aroma that makes Atomizer Lager stand out in a crowd.”

Stubbie Cerveza

I was a bit disappointed when Full Sail Brewing put their classic Session lager in 12oz cans. I understood from a business standpoint but the stubbie bottle was what made the beer an extra layer of cool.

Now to calm me they have unveiled more stubbies with a new style and bold color scheme…

…and once I see these in stores, I will be grabbing a handful of them.

Barreled Wheat

You will be seeing some Portland-centric posts this month. I am getting amped up for a trip to the NW later this month and looking at what I can spend my limited time on while up north.

Then I saw this aged beer might be available for me…..
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Full Sail’s latest beer from the Brewmaster Reserve Series – Bourbon Barrel Aged Wheatwine Ale, available now.

Part of a batch of wheatwine that was brewed with wheat and caramelized wheat malt was “racked … into Wild Turkey Bourbon barrels, and let it rest for a year in our cellar…”

Sounds so warming.

27

Hood River, Ore. – Full Sail Brewing Company has released a special beer, “27 Wheatwine Ale,” brewed with 100% Wheat Malt to celebrate their 27th anniversary.

“As a brewer that believes deeply in environmental responsibility, Full Sail made the decision several years ago to invest in a mash filter. This investment saves over a million gallons of water a year and as a brewer there is nothing more sustainable than reducing our water use impact. Not only does it save lots of water but it also lets us brew some very tasty and unique beers,” said Jamie Emmerson, Full Sail’s Executive Brewmaster.

According to Emmerson, Full Sail’s 27th Anniversary Wheatwine is brewed in the Barleywine style, but contains no barley malt, instead, it is mashed and brewed with 100% Wheat Malt. The beer has a rich golden hue and is brewed with Wheat and CaraWheat Malts and hopped with a blend of UK and NW hops. Complex aromas of apricot, spice, and citrus lead to a smooth palate, blended with notes of caramel, marmalade, and green hop overtones. “Doesn’t that sound like a great reward for being good or what? And for turning 27,” added Emmerson. (ABV 9.5% IBU 53.5)

“On September 27, 1987 we opened our doors to living the dream, a dream to open a small brewery that focused on quality, creativity, and authenticity. A brewery that we would run with respect for our employees, the environment, and our community. A brewery that reflected our deep respect for the art and science of brewing. So here we are 27 years later. Very humbled, grateful, and amazed that we got here in one piece. Still a mix of beer geeks and boardheads. Still independent. Still trying to find that perfect balance between art and commerce, work and play, inspiration and perspiration. We are very grateful to our fellow employee owners, our distributors, and our retail partners, all who helped to make our dream real and thriving for 27 years. And mostly, we are deeply grateful to every one of our customers who have toasted, celebrated, quenched their thirst, and enjoyed our beers over the last 27 years. We thank you all for living the dream along with us. “Next time you’re in Hood River, stop by for a beer, sit out on our deck, enjoy the amazing view, and toast to another great year in beer,” added Irene Firmat, Full Sail’s CEO & Founder.

New Sessions in 2015

Looks like the Session stubbies from Full Sail are branching out for 2015. Currently there is the red labeled lager, alongside the other year-round Black lager. Then there will be a full-time Session IPA. Joining the Holiday Fest lager in the Session seasonals will be an Export lager and a second ale, Session Cream bringing the total ales to two and lagers to 4. All with distinctive colors to make for easy shopping. Of the coming arrivals the cream ale is the one that I would buy first. I prefer the less brewed styles obviously.

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26

FS-26-Label-TTB

I am a fan of the hopped pilsner.  It might be the only thing to get Americans to try pilsners at this point.  And add in the allure of single hop, and you might see a beer snob or two try it.  All kidding aside, I like this idea for a celebratory beer from Full Sail and maybe when I am in Portland later this month, I will find a bottle or tap handle of it.

Holiday Beer Review – Session Fest

The second holiday beer up for review is the 3rd version of the Session line from Full Sail in Hood River, Oregon.

Here is Fest Session….

“When we decided to brew a special Session for the holidays, we knew right away what color it had to be: Red (and full-bodied). Next, we considered what kind of head it should have. Bright white was the obvious answer. And as for the label? Gotta be green, right? So there you have it. A new Session all decked out for holidays, ready to spread joy and cheer. Happy Holidays to one and all! And have a good Session.

Session Fest is a Czech-style strong lager (gotta love the Czechs!) called polotmavé or literally “light dark or semi-dark.” Brewed with 2 Row Pale malt, Munich malt, Caramel malt and Wheat malt and hopped with a blend of Glaciers and Cascades, Session Fest has a medium to full body balancing candy caramel and full malt flavors that are underscored by a spicy hoppiness that provides a nice perfume with citrus and pine overtones and a long clean finish. 6.2% ABV 26 IBU”

Revelator

Here is all the info on the latest Brewer’s Share creation from Full Sail….“The Revelator,” crafted by brewer Chris Davis, is a revelation of camaraderie and discourse inspired by friends new and old sharing a beer or two. A winter ale, The Revelator is a deep copper concoction with malty caramel notes, balanced by slight lemon and hints of dill attributed to the hops. It is meant to be enjoyed with others.

According to Davis, “It is a deep copper concoction coming in at 50 bitterness units boasting Sorachi Ace and Amarillo hop cones, not to mention that wondrous agent of change, that fungi perfecti: our own ale yeast.”

With each Brewer’s Share beer, Full Sail picks a local charity to receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the beer. Chris has chosen to support the Hood River Start Making a Reader Today (SMART) literacy program. Every keg of The Revelator benefits this volunteer literacy program that brings children and adults together for reading and friendship.

The Brewer’s Share series is a line up of small batch draft beers where each Full Sailor takes a turn hand-crafting their own single batch recipe and a portion of the proceeds benefit a local charity of their choosing. Full Sail’s Brewer’s Share beers will only be available on tap at Full Sail’s Tasting Room and Pub in Hood River, Oregon, and at Full Sail’s Brewery at Riverplace, in Portland, Oregon. Growlers to go are available. The next Brewer’s Share will be brewed by Brewer Josh Pfriem and is expected in April.

Malty Bomb from Full Sail

Here is some news for fans of special Full Sail beers. If you are one of those who base your judgement of the Hood River brewery on their regular line-up, this might be a beer that re-connects you with a historic NW brewer…

from the press release…“Full Sail Brewing will release a new beer in their Brewer’s Share line up that is sure to entice the snow gods to bless the season with plenty of powdery snow. Brewed by Full Sail Brewer Adam Bulson, “Adam’s Malty Bomb” is pray for powder porter that’s sure to make our mountain snowy white all season long.

Porters are Adam’s favorite beer after a day on the snow, and he thought releasing his own version preseason would be a good omen for a great winter. Adam’s Malty Bomb is a robust porter with a big body and lots of dark, caramel/toffee flavor, yet it won’t weigh you down like heavy snow. It’s hopped with just enough hops to balance out the malts, and finishes smooth with no sharp edges. Bomb’s away! (ABV 5.3% IBU 41)”