The mascot of the Winter Solstice adorns the label of Shortest Day Winter Ale from Full Sail. Read on for more info on this CDA: “Brewed to celebrate the winter solstice, Shortest Day is a Cascadian Dark Ale brewed with 2-Row Pale, Crystal, and de-husked Chocolate malt. It pours a deep dark black with a lacy tan head. With aromas of dark roasty malt and hints of tropical and citrus fruit, Shortest Day offers bold flavor with excellent balance. De-husked chocolate malt imparts dark chocolate flavor while crystal adds depth and complexity. Generous additions of Mosaic, Simcoe and Citra hops lend flavors of fruit and sweet floral notes.”
Session Mash-Up
I haven’t been buying much in the way of six-packs. I like to make my own mixed-up versions with a can of saison here and a bottle of ESB next to it. Which is why the Session Mashup, from Full Sail Brewing is perfect. It is a new variety 12-pack with a rotating group of 4 stubbies from the Session brand.
The first pack will feature: “Session Premium Lager, the Session that started it all with its retro-cool red label, is a classic, all-malt lager that’s crisp, smooth and refreshing. Session Wheat Premium Hefeweizen is a medium-bodied, American-style Hefeweizen featuring aromas of malted wheat with a citrusy hop finish. Session IPA Premium Pale Ale is the just-right IPA – not too hoppy, not too bitter, not too malty. And Session Cream Premium Summer Ale is a golden ale with a creamy head and a smooth, sweet disposition.”
New (Brewer’s) Shares
The Brewer’s Share series from Full Sail continues into 2014 with two upcoming releases on different sides of the beer spectrum. On the lighter side is a Helles Lager from Francisco Farias Martinez. A lightly hopped blonde. Then comes an Oatmeal Stout with the name of Main Ingredient. Brewed by Mathias Engblom.
Lord of Darkness
One of my favorite series with nary a clinker in the bunch is the Brewer’s Share series from Full Sail Brewing.
“Brewed by Brewer Gavin Lord, celebrates that in darkness you can find light. Gavin’s beer is a Cascadian Dark Ale.”
As good as the beer is the best part is the charity aspect to it, “With each Brewer’s Share series beer, Full Sail picks a local charity to receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the beer. Gavin has chosen to support the Groundwork Portland so every keg of Gavin’s beer benefits this organization. Groundwork Portland is the primary non-profit in the Portland metro area focused on brownfields redevelopment and conversion of such land into greenspace, parks, community gardens, and multi-purpose sites.”
Berliner Weisse review – Full Sail
The second and final review of the Berliner Weisse style comes from Hood River Oregon and Full Sail. It is part of the Brewer’s Share series that previously brought us an ESB and an Alt….
“The third beer in the series “Chris’s Berliner Weiss” developed by Assistant Brewing Supervisor, Chris Haveman will be released in 22oz. bottles and on draft in the summer. Chris’s Summer Delight is an unfiltered, refreshingly tart small batch Berliner Weiss beer, brewed with 50% wheat malt and just a touch of Hersbrucker hops A perfect German style sour brew with a dry finish for a hot summer day. ABV 4% IBU 9. Chris has chosen to support the Oregon State University Brewing Sciences Program, from which Chris is an alumnus. The program is one of the few in the nation that studies all aspects of producing beer, wine, and fermented foods.”
LTD the 6th
Quite the intriguing label from Full Sail for the sixth version of LTD. A light chocolate beer? Hopefully my Trader Joes will carry this like the other LTD brews.
Bump in the Night
The Full Sail Brewmaster series marches on with a great beer name for what promises to be another great addition to the legend of Full Sail, Bump in the Night.
This is in the NW style of CDA (Cascadian Dark Ale) which is a big malty and hoppy hybrid beer that has really been a hit across the nation. If it is as good as the last reserve beer, Sanctuary then it is not to be missed.
XMAS BEER – Full Sail Powder Stash
Here is what the Hood River beer pioneers have to say about their winter offering…
“To celebrate the newly fallen snow and the predictions for an epic snowfall year, Full Sail Brewing will release a new beer in their Brewer’s Share line up, Powder Stash Pale, brewed by Full Sail’s Pub staff.
“It’s an easy drinking, low alcohol, nitro beer so it’ll be smooth and creamy, just like the powder on the mountain,” says Matt Bowers, Full Sail’s Tasting Room and Pub Assistant Manager. “We decided to brew this beer to contrast the strong, dark and hoppy beers typical of the season. We thought having a nice easy drinking smooth nitro beer would be a great option after a day on the snow. Brewed with pale malt for its drinkability and dry hopped with Simcoe’s for a piney citrus character, it’ll drink light, but will have lots of flavor,” added Lisa Merkin, Full Sail’s Tasting Room and Pub Manager. ABV 5% IBU 50.”
XMAS BEER Video Review – Wreck the Halls
A great way to start the Holiday Beer reviews is with a hoppy bomb from Full Sail Brewing, here is Wreck the Halls
Full Sail + Summer =
The latest in summer IPA’s. You may know of Sunspot or Grandsun of Spot. Now you get Spotless…
From the Full Sail press release..”the newest release in their Brewmaster Reserve series, Spotless IPA. This release continues Full Sail’s summer “sun” series. Named to honor our sun that has been spotless for over a year, Spotless is a true Northwest style IPA – richly hopped with Willamette and Zeus hops. A deep golden color, bright bitterness and a definite fruity finish meld into a beer that is all set to toast the summer months. It will be available in specialty beer stores and pubs throughout the Pacific Northwest from June to August in 22oz bottles and draft. ABV: 6.5% IBU: 70″
The next beer in Full Sail’s Brewmaster Reserve line up will be Sanctuary, a Belgian Style Dubbel, to be released in August.