Tag: September

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The Firkin for September 2025

What is the next craft beer trend? It is focus on the troubles all around but there are avenues to grab interest from new customers.

I think the next market are the kids. Not as in underage but in those who are aging into 21+ and are going to sprint far away from their parents abstemious ways, in my opinion.

My folks were wine drinkers so I pivoted to beer. Kids who got drug to brewery taprooms got tired of them but their kids might want to go sow some wild oats that Covid denied them.

A new beer style variant might come around and prove me wrong, but outside the box thinking might be the way to go.

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The Best Beers of September 2025

So I was in Portland Chasin’ Freshies all around town and at the Deschutes Brewing at the airport. And despite all the hops flying around, my choices are not too hopped.

Away Days Sheedy’s Irish Stout – a lovely PDX version of the classic stout. I was also partial to their fresh hop British Pale Ale.

Threshold Fresh Hops Electric Fields Strata IPA. – took the fresh crown with seven choices on tap from a fresh hop dark lager and fresh hop white ale but the ripe cantaloupe notes from the Strata was my favorite.

Rosenstadt Houblon Pilsner – one of three collaboration pilsners with local restaurants. Just had an extra kick to it but the Italian Pils was also great.

McMenamin’s Ruby Ale – might be a surprise but my Mom’s name is Ruby and I hadn’t had this in a long time. Great color and great raspberry taste.

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Best Beers of September 2024

This month we are going to toggle between Fest and IPA for the best of the month.

My fest best are the always good Oaktoberfest from Firestone Walker and Paulaner’s Oktoberfest Bier. A journey from Germany to Paso Robles.

Hops wise, the Stone 28th Anniversary DIPA strayed a bit from their heavy format to a balanced fruity and big beer. The other is a spooky season named beer from ISM Brewing with Ghost Town Brewing, the 6.66% Death Dealer IPA.

As an added bonus, the Strudel Cider from Benny Boy here in Los Angeles literally tasted like an apple pie. Even though it is not fall yet here, it sure tasted like it.

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Sean Suggests for September 2014

In honor of fresh hop season, this month it is all about hop varietals.  Three choices filled with all sorts of different hops to feed the bitterness that we all seek.

Everywhere Beer Co. Branching Out  – 5.6% – Modern Pilsner hopped with Krush (586), Nectaron, and Nelson

Beachwood Brewing Lupulin Lounge – 7.1% – IPA hopped with Citra, Strata, Idaho 7 Cryo and Columbus 

Green Cheek Beer Co. Playing It Loud – 8.6% – DDH Hazy DIPA hopped with Citra and sprinkled with Mosaic, Motueka and Strata

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In the Tap Lines for September 2024

Here in Los Angeles, September is the last real dry and hot month and I am so happy to see fall on the horizon. Except that fall brings the always too soon Fall Y’all Pumpkin Spice nonsense, followed concurrently by always too soon Christmas. So let’s do our best to stay in the present and keep our eye on all things Oktoberfest.

~ e-visits to (3) breweries in Colorado in anticipation of GABF

~ special featured reviews of Oktoberfest beers + tips on Fest Biers to buy in SoCal

~Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events

~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark

~ A Book & A Beer reads The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley

~ A Podcast & A Beer listens to the NPR 4th Grade Podcast Challenge

~ Sports & A Beer returns with beer prices in the Premier League

~ New Beer Releases and Best Beers of the Month

~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.

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Best Beers of September 2023

It was grand to have some draft Trillium this month so I need to put Headroom Hazy DIPA on the best of list for the month. I also have to shout out a dopplebock from Ventura Coast Brewing, Earth Day for being such a pleasant style change from all the hops. Speaking of, I was shocked to see that my AmaWhole FoodsZon had bottles of Russian River’s Hop Growers IPA – CLS Farms edition in their cooler. It was light and delicious.

But my winner is from Oregon, Cascade Brewing’s Tartini. Sour but not puckeringly so. And by goodness, it had botanicals not only in the beer description but in the beer itself. Lovely light spice note. On the nose for gin fans.

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Best Beers of September 2022

Part of the month was spent in Kentucky but only one beer made the Best of the Month roster.

Let’s harshly rank this month…

  • 4th – West 6th Brewing Dankechain Oktoberfest
  • 3rd – Malibu Brewing First Point IPA
  • 2nd – Firestone Walker / Green Bench Dabbling in Decoction
  • 1st – Ambitious Ales Dream Tea Hazy IPA
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In the Tap Lines for September 2022

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This month I will be making my first ever trip to Kentucky, specifically, the Bourbon Trail from Louisville to Bardstown.  So get a snifter out, there is going to be some bourbon talk this month.

~ e-visits to (3) breweries from cities that also distill spirits
~ special featured review of Kentucky
~Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ A Book & A Beer reads Bourbon Empire by Reid Mitenbuler
~ A Podcast & A Beer listens to Bourbon Pursuit
~ New Beer Releases and Best Beers of the Month
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.

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In the Tap Lines for September 2021

header_attractionsHello September.  Where the first two weeks are filled with Fest and Pumpkin beers which then disappear before tge month is over.  Why? Cause ‘Merica needs to move on to the next holiday pronto.  But let’s drink in the here and the now this month.

~ e-visits to (3) breweries in college football towns
~ special featured reviews of beers bought from City Beer Store
~Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ A Book & A Beer reads Tell the Machine Goodnight by Katie Williams
~ A Podcast & A Beer listens to Gene & Roger
~ Great Beer names and Best Beers of the Month
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.

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In the Tap Lines for September 2020

header_attractionsSoCal just suffered through some heat but I hope that September begins the slow winding down of temperatures.  Still no good news on the ol’ Virus front but it seems that breweries are still being left out of the open up groups.  I will say it again, here is to hoping September will be better.

~ e-visits to (3) breweries from the Oakland area in honor of Kamala Harris.
~ special featured reviews of beers from Fieldwork Brewing.  One hazy and one dark lager
~ Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events (Far in the future events)
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ A Book & A Beer reads Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell
~ A Podcast & A Beer listens to Land of the Giants – Netflix
~ Great Beer names and Best Beers of the Month
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.