Sean Suggests for August 2018

header_beer_shopping_list
Let’s stray from the IP-Yeah! and head to Belgium for this month’s three picks. Let’s get some tartness and blending going.

~LIGHT
Drie Fonteinen / Cuvee Armand & Gaston5.50% ABV
Assembly of young, half-old and old lambics, brewed by 3 fountains. One hundred one hundred natural and authentic, spontaneous and somewhat stubborn, but always elegant and full of character. Pure passion as Armand and Gaston have always done.

~MEDIUM
Crooked Stave / Surette6.20% ABV
Provisional saison, Artisan ale aged in oak barrels In a particular region of southern Belgium, the reserve or provision saison was called surette, meaning tart. Using time-honored techniques, our saisons employ old-world methods to restore complexity and the classical rustic character lost in modern day saison. Brewed with local Colorado floor malted barley, traditional harvest grains, and noble hops, Surette embodies old-world saison brewing traditions. Each batch of Surette is an expression of the large oak foeders it matures in while taking on an aged vinous quality and a complex tartness. Showcasing citrusy ripe fruits, a light zesty spice, and earthy undertones, Surette’s character exemplifies our mixed culture of Brettanomyces and souring bacteria.

~BIG
De Proef / Surly / Zwart Star8.00% ABV
Old Ale w/ Star Anise aged on wood w/ Brettanomyces.

All of these beers can be found at Sunset Beer Co. (unless they got bought up real quick)

Happy 4th of July

Now that I have exercised my right to free speech, all I can say is be safe out there.

Beer and Fireworks can be fun but take care. I do not want to read about some dude blowing off a thumb tomorrow. And if you have to celebrate our independence with a lot of beer then understand that many people are doing that exact same thing which means even more and worse drivers out there and even more police out there ready to ticket.  Call a cab or designate a DD please.

…and if you can get your hands on one of these two patriotic brews, then celebrate Founding Father’s style…
Capture2

Is it over-rated?

Surly-Overrated-West-Coast-IPA
File this under “beer names that make me chuckle”. Surly Brewing does some impressive beers that I wish I saw more often in my ‘fridge and this one might make for an interesting flight alongside some West Coast IPA’s that might have inflated ratings.

Surly Fest

To even the most casual of Search Party readers, two breweries probably pop-up more often than most others. One is Pretty Things Ale Project and the other is Surly.

Maybe it is due to it’s unavailability or it’s reputation around the interwebs or their creativity but I can’t pass up a mention of them at least once a month. So here is this month’s entry…

Fresh Hop Ale time

The first couple of weeks in September are a magical time for hopheads and lovers of the bitter beers.

It is when the fresh (wet) hop ales start flowing. Usually because they are marketed as such, they end up mostly in kegs and mostly local. There are some bottled versions (Full Sail and Bridgeport in Portland) and even canned versions (the new Surly Wet) but the best bet is to check your local brewery or craft beer bar for what’s coming in the next couple weeks.

You can call or quiz your barkeep. But what I found to work is to friend them on Facebook or if you do the tweet thing, follow them there. If you are in Los Angeles, head to Ladyface Ales in Agoura Hills. They have a fresh hop XPA, Palo Comado that is delicious.

These are great beers with a real kick and sparkle to them.