Star Wars geeks know the importance of Kyber Crystal and what happens if the crystal is red. It means a hoppy red ale from Long Beach Beer Lab that even a Sith Lord could love. Masters and apprentices alike.
Sith
May the Brew Be With You
I am not a homebrewer but I know the vital importance of having them around to push the recipe envelope without having to sell their beers and to be a minor league from which new breweries can spring with new ideas.
And a cool new idea for the Big Brew 2024 on May 4th is to have a theme. That theme? Homebrew recipes inspired by Star Wars.
The recipes are Degobah Dunkel, Jabba Juice Hazy IPA, A New Hope Pale Ale, Empire Strikes Back Dark Ale and rounding out the OG trilogy Return of the Jedi Pale Ale. All OK names but I hope to see some deeper cuts like Ahsoka Amber or Order 66 Betr-Ale.
Kessel Run and Parsecs
King Harbor sends a West Coast hopped pilsner our way with Fly Casual.
Here is the brewery description – “It’s been feeling a lot like Jakku recently and this is just what you need to get you through a hot summer day scavenging around the South Bay. This one’s got the strength and hoppiness of a pale ale, but with the clean, crisp and refreshing qualities that comes with a nice Pilsner.”
I would suggest getting a four-pack and not a Solo can.
This is the Way
I just finished up Season 1 of The Mandalorian (I know I am behind the curve, still haven’t finished the Last Danceeither) and a day or so later, I saw the above. Hoping, kinda, that it was an Obvious Plant but it got me to thinking in this not going to amusement parks world, if Disney would ever bottle Star Wars beverages. Not necessarily alcoholic ones, but I think they could make some cash off of a MandoBrau. And I bet that’s some brewery is going to make a beer with this cereal too.
A Podcast & A Beer – Binge Mode: Star Wars
If you want to go deep into the Star Wars universe after seeing Rise of Skywalker, then Binge Mode: Star Wars will give you all the info you desire.
From the horrible prequels to the stand-alone films, to the original trilogy and finally, the final three movies of the Skywalker Saga. The laughter is infectious and even though I didn’t like some of the movies as much as they did, it does bring back some of the childhood vitality that I remember from A New Hope that has been somewhat lost in subsequent films where money seemed a little more important. Which thankfully was found in time for Rise of Skywalker, my favorite of the new trilogy.
There are so many star systems and so many themes that can be chosen for beers to drink alongside this podcast and there bad Star Wars named beers aplenty. But I would suggest that you alternate from blonde ales (the light side) to dark lagers (the Sith way) because these podcasts are long and you will need session beers otherwise you might not make it to the end where they reveal the hero of each movie.
Oga’s Cantina Taplist
Looks like the taplist for Oga’s Cantina inside the Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland is taking shape…
- Bad Motivator IPA: An India Pale Ale made with Galaxy and Comet hops with tropical fruit tones from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- White Wampa Ale: A Hefeweizen wheat beer with banana and citrus flavors from Ballast Point Brewing Co.
- Gold Squadron Lager: A golden lager with lavender and plum flavors from Blue Point Brewing Co.
- Gamorrean Ale: A red ale with roasted caramel and grapefruit flavors from New Belgium Brewing Co.
- Spice Runner: A gluten-free hard apple cider with a dark red color and spices from Angry Orchard Cider Co.
Of this group the obvious first choices are from Sierra Nevada and New Belgium with the ABInBev owned Blue Point being the one to avoid considering that these are probably going to be on the expensive side.
(Note: I have started to see many posts about the beer and the prices, I think these beers will be popular but the other drinks will take hold. I expect Disneyland to revamp the beer line-up before the end of the year as they have already revised entrance and how to get in)
Help Me Tap This Keg Obi Wan
When Disneyland opens their Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge next year (and probably raises their entrance fee so that only the super-rich can enter) there will be a twist.
Liquor will become available (outside their special and private Club 33) when the Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu opens the doors to Oga’s cantina.
There will be a special menu from far, far away of “proprietary beer, wine and outer-space-themed cocktails.”
Kids will also be allowed into the cantina but the alcohol must stay inside. Perhaps a stormtrooper bouncer will be on patrol?
The next question for us beer fans will be:
1. Who will brew the beer? Ballast Point is big enough and has (had?) plans for a Downtown Disney location.
2. What will the beer be served in? My Star Wars knowledge doesn’t extend to proper Corellian glassware.
3. How much price gouging will go on? I expect a lot.
A Book & A Beer – George Lucas, A Life
http://www.powells.com/book/george-lucas-a-life-9780316257442/2-2
I hesitated a bit in front of the biography of George Lucas by Brian Jay Jones. It is hefty and not due to photos from the sets of Star Wars. This book goes back to the beginning from Modesto through Skywalker Ranch.
Jones starts with Lucas as youngster as the son of a prosperous stationery store owner in Modesto. Reveals his racing car and mechanic roots and his breaks that got him into USC and film school at just the right time to befriend so many people crucial to his films.
It spares no feelings either. Lucas is shown with many warts here. Most notably in his personal relationships. But he is also shown as incredibly tenacious in his business. Willing to spend everything on not just one movie, but then the next and the next. If Star Wars had failed or Empire Strikes Back had not struck such a chord, checks would have come due.
This biography moves by quickly without feeling rushed. Jones could have gone down side alleys easily. But he pushes through so you can learn all manner of details about Lucas. His first marriage, how he interacted with studios, and tidbits about Star Wars.
To drink with this, it would have to be an #independent brewery. Lucas was fiercely protective of what he wanted to do and did not brook interference.
Start with Change Order IPA from Dust Bowl Brewing to get an idea of the area from whence Skywalker came and then move on to try either Holiday in Troy or Space XPA at L.A. Ale Works founded by an USC alum. Then finish with Faction Brewing and their Imperial Stout.
Greedo Shot First
Do you want to relive Tatooine’s favorite bar in real life instead of on a DVD?
The pop-up Scum and Villainy bar (somewhere in Hollywood, address unknown) based on the bar from the original Star Wars will open up this winter (with reservations).
Once you make your reservation, and upon arrival, you will get two themed drinks, a souvenir pint glass and a Scum and Villainy challenge coin, whatever that is.
It is unclear if Corellian Ale will be on tap but I am sure that George Lucas won’t be there.
May the Force Be With You
No black IPA and Kylo Ren allusions. But with the re-emergence of Star Wars from a three crap movie coma, it is cool again to be a Star Wars fan and what better way to pledge allegiance to the rebel alliance than by popping the cap off a craft beer in Maz Katana’s cantina and enjoying a beer with your force awakened.
Now you can take your beer from bottle to glass and keep your tabletop clean too.