Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
Looks like the collaboration between Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada was fun enough and didn’t harm Life and Limb. So now they are back with a beer name likely to be misspelled on many a blog.
I would have liked to see them do a pilsner of helles but I will be trying this out if I run across it.
There are two books on the near and far horizon that will appeal to craft beer fans and especially to the lot who have been bitten by the home brewing bug. And though the Amazon site has been glitchy with me. I have ordered one in Kindle version to arrive next year. But first…..
Mitch Steele – IPA. It makes sense. Stone has a definite bitter style and this book which includes both history and recipes. As the liner notes to the book go on to explain, “Explore the evolution of one of craft beer’s most popular styles, India pale ale. Loaded with brewing tips from some of the country’s best brewers, IPA covers techniques from water treatment to hopping procedures. Included are 48 recipes ranging from historical beers to recipes for the most popular contemporary IPAs made by craft brewers such as Deschutes Brewery, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Pizza Port Brewing and Russian River Brewing Company.” And even if you are not a brewer but a fan of the style the recipes should be interesting from the vantage point of which hops are used and how much.
Ken Grossman – Sierra Nevada. I wish I didn’t have to wait until 2013 to read this one but I will. I hope this is a harbinger for more books on craft beer pioneers. I read a slim tome about the famous Bert Grant that did not meet expectations and I think there are quite a few newbies who can stand to learn about the old guard. I know the outlines of the Sierra Nevada story but I hope this book digs a little deeper.
This is a unique spin on the whole “born on” dating system that also is good education for many a craft beer drinker about the fragility of hops in our favorite IPA’s and pale ales. But at this point, I expect nothing less from Stone.
Our first English stop is a winery! But this winery also does beer. Chapel Down currently offer three curious beers including Curious IPA, Curious Porter and Curious Brew.
I heard about this vintner/brewer from this article in the Guardian.
And if Pete Brown approves then the beers must be pretty good.
Year 2 of the #IPADay is TODAY!
So get over to Twitter or follow the action on Untappd to see what the blogosphere is drinking from the world of IPA. And if you need a reminder of FAQ’s from last year then click HERE.
And I have the perfect choice for this momentous day. You can’t go small. So I have decided to go huge. Actually GIGANTIC!
Or I should say Gigantic.
I sent my mom to check out Gigantic Brewing in Portland since it is a much longer drive for me here in L.A. to check out what the new tap room looks like.
The entry to the eastside establishment of Van Havig and Ben Love.
The to-go options which include their IPA and The City Never Sleeps. They also have a collaborative brew with 3 Floyds out of Indiana by the name of Axes of Evil.
Or you could sample a beer from someone else to compare and contrast.
Each month in 2012 I have an extra $20 (courtesy of my wife) for craft beer and this month, I decided to go all Widmer….
I have tasted all of the Rotator series of IPA’s and so far, my favorite of the bunch is the Spiced IPA. Primarily because it was sooo different from the normal IPA. I first encountered Shaddock at the Oregon Brewer’s Festival a couple year’s back and was mildly impressed but I wanted to re-visit thinking that the recipe may have been tweaked.
I had two Omission choices. Lager or Pale Ale. I went with the lager simply because I don’t normally buy lagers and it was a hot day when I bought it. We shall see if that decision pays off.
You can check out what I bought in June (also from Oregon) HERE
Brewing in Minnesota for awhile now, Summit Brewing Company’s 25th anniversary beer is named after Odin’s drinking companion, Sága. And according to their website is not for smelling impaired.
A blend of Citra, Amarillo, Centennial and a New Zealand hop by the name of Rakau. It might be leaning more West coast than east. I have been fortunate enough to have a couple Summit beers and this one sounds great.
Seems like the dynamic duo of Grossman and Calagione have more on their minds than just Life and Limb. They also want to build a better glass and just for IPA’s. They took time to taste Stone’s IPA as well as their own offerings in different glasses from the famed Riedel people. Sounded like a fun way to spend two hours.
Check out the story from The Philly Beer Scene HERE! Then look forward to a better way to celebrate the hop.
Twisted Pine out of Boulder, Colorado has started a Farm to Foam project and in the process have created an IPA with carrots!
Yup, Bugs Bunny approved. I am not a big carrot juice fan, I miss the texture of the actual carrot but combined with hops. Who knows? At least worthy of a taster. And if nothing else, it puts a spotlight on Farmer’s Markets which is a good thing because they have much in common with the craft beer community.