My First Ribbon!

So I come home from work on Friday, throw my bag down, and almost trip over a white box sitting just inside the doorway. I check the sender and it is from MoreBeer. “I’m pretty sure I didn’t order anything,” I think to myself. “Am I forgetting something?” I’m known for not having the best memory. I open the package, and discover that I have won 2nd Place for my Baltic Porter. Holy Crap. 2nd Place. I immediately call my girlfriend and then tell the world. This describes the moments leading up to and directly following My First Ribbon.

Tags: 2nd Place, Baltic Porter, MoreBeer, Ribbon

 

Bevmo Holiday Beer Festival

Back on November 20th, I attended the Bevmo Holiday Beer Festival. Overall, I was disappointed. The festival lacked a human pulse, and more closely resembled a large barn of cows, bumping into each other to get feed. At first glance, having over a hundred breweries represented is a dream come true, but a closer look illuminates the fact that it becomes impossible to appreciate any single beer when bombarded with that many options. After the event, I found myself saying things like, “I’m not sure there was a single special beer being poured at the event”, and “some breweries didn’t even have a a seasonal ale”, and finally “man, there were several listed in attendance that were no where to be found” as people asked how I enjoyed the festival. I often find myself having to check my thirst for new beer at the door, in order to throttle back and enjoy the numerous amazing beers that I have at my beck and call on a daily basis. That being said, I was introduced to a brewery that I’ve wanted to try for awhile now: Grand Teton

Over the last two year’s brewing has trained my palette to become more sensitive to how well a beer is brewed. I’ve discovered a direct conversion between a well brewed beer, and an excellent tasting beer. When tasting a new beer for the first time, I seek out this overal flavor that I’ve come to call “well brewed”, which will take any classic style and make it amazing. You don’t have to brew the latest and craziest beer, if your technique is solid. Grand Teton Brewing Co has a very solid technique. They cover a wide range of styles, and every one of them (I had to taste all seven they poured at the vent) was amazingly brewed, and every one tasted like gold.

The other runner ups were my go to standards, and continue to make me appreciate how amazing the area I live in is for beer: 21st Amendment, Black Diamond, Drake’s Brewing, Firestone Walker, Ninkasi, Speakeasy.

The surprise brewery award goes to: Telegraph

Tags: Bevmo Holiday Beer Festival, Grand Teton Brewing Co

 

I came down with some kind of a nasty cold on Sunday, but I still made it out the Ski & Snowboard fest. Since my tastebuds were a little out of wack, I didn’t take any notes or pictures of the event (sorry), but I thought I would just post a quick snapshot of the beers I tried, and of those which I thought were the best of show. Below, I’ve listed all the beers I tasted that day with a synopsis taken from their respective websites. Out of the 10 beers I managed in the short time I was there (3 oz pours), I thought Black Diamond took the top two spots with their Grand Cru winning and their Rampage Imperial IPA in the number 2 spot. These two beers were beautifully brewed, and they really nailed the blending just right on the Grand Cru. Close behind were Ninkasi’s Sleigh’r Dark Doüble Alt Ale, and Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ Wild. The Sleigh’r captured that Ninkasi spirit of making a bold and well brewed ale, that is balanced, but pushing the boundaries of style. I really thought every beer I tried was outstanding in the end, except for maybe Ale Industries’ Uncle Jesse, which tasted like an average homebrew laking in a full recipe design, and possibly too much diacetyl (maybe my cold has something to do with this though, and it was next to the last beer I tasted).

The Beer List

Bridgeport Ebenezer

Website: Our special Holiday brew, Ebenezer Ale is a smooth ale with a complex palate derived from four different roasted malts and a blend of local and imported hops. Deep mahogany in color, its malty first taste and full body is balanced with a light hop aroma, leading to a caramel finish. It’s a festive elixir that can transform the mood of any scrooge! So forget the egg-nog and have a pint of Ebenezer.

Bridgeport Hop Czar

Website: BridgePort Hop Czar, an Imperial IPA brewed from our award winning IPA recipe, first introduced to rave reviews in 2008. It is a triple-hopped bottle-conditioned, Imperial-style IPA that carries a deep malt background with enthusiastic citrus and floral notes paired with high hop bitterness. The newest in our permenant 6-pack line, the Hop Czar recipe blends copious amounts of Nugget, Chinook, Cascade and Centennial hops.

Black Diamond Rampage Imperial IPA

Website: A massive brew that is enormously aromatic with huge hop flavors wonderfully structured with a great malt body. The flavor comes on with huge notes of citrus, pine and resin which last into the crisp dry finish

Black Diamond Grand Cru

Website: For the winter season, we traditionally make a Belgian-style Dubbel; a rich malty pleasure that is the perfect accompaniment to those long winter nights. Last year we decided to play around with the concept and see where it might take us. After much tinkering–with a number of unique ingredients combined with wood barrel aging–we arrived at this wonderful juxtaposition of fruitiness and maltiness which harmonized magically to produce this delicious winter warmer.

The designation of “Grand Cru” originates from the Burgundy region of France. Brewers have taken the term and applied to it more elaborate, aged and reserved versions of their beers. Our Belgian-style Dubbel -a great beer itself with a loyal following- has been taken to the next level by the careful blending and aging techniques. We believe we’ve created a classic to be enjoyed throughout the winter months.

For 2010, we offer a very limited release of (only 48 barrels) our Winter Grand Cru. In this batch, we’ve added over 100 pounds each of locally sourced Zante Currants and Black Mission Figs. We aged 20% in used Bourbon barrels for 12 months – in which time the warmth of the Bourbon, along with toasted oak and vanilla flavors were released from the wood. Whole Vanilla beans compliment the wood and bring forth a velvety smoothness and richness. The fig flavor is forward on the nose along with the bubble-gum/banana ester derived during fermentation. The taste starts with the rich sweetness of fruit, carries through with a rich mellow center and finishes dry, allowing for another glass as you sit by the cozy fire. Á votre santé!

Firestone Walker Solace

Website: Firestone Walker presents Solace, an ode to warmer weather in the northern hemisphere. A hint of citrus fruit and clove aroma are followed by tangy dry malt flavor and a silky finish making it an approachable and refreshing session beer. We bring you this beer unfettered, a craftily unfiltered ale full of flavor and perfectly constructed to compliment those lazy warm days ahead. Ideal for washing down fish tacos or other south o’ the border-inspired dishes.

Ninkasi Sliegher

Website: Sleigh’r Dark Doüble Alt Ale, A delicious northwest seasonal brewed with winter in mind. A dark double alt, malty, nourishing and delicious, it’s sure to keep the winter at bay, and yes, Sleigh’r does rock!

Ale Industries Uncle Jesse

No Information Available. An Extra Pale Ale.

Drake’s Red Eye Ale

Website: This is Drake’s red ale. Deep copper red in color, with a noticeable malty sweetness, high hop bitterness and aroma, with a spicy finish. This ruby-red delight highlights the dark English malts, a bit of Chocalate malt, and Casacade hops from the Great Northwest. This red ale is Drake’s interpretation of a West Coast craft brew classic.

Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ Wild

Website: Another Big Sister of the Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Ale…. Loads of Malted Wheat for a Curious Malt Foundation and a Light Color, But Our Belgian Yeast Leaves a Huge Flavor and Complexishness.

Uncommon Brewers Baltic Porter

Website: Late in the 18th century Britain’s great brewing families were working hard to break into new markets. For the Baltic Sea ports they created an export version of the traditional British Porter. Styled like an IPA to preserve them for the voyage, those profound Baltic Porters served to ward off the chill winds of that northern sea.

That said, we weren’t satisfied with the Baltic Porter’s traditionally subtle hint of black licorice. This ale features a blend of whole licorice root and star anise to create an uncommon addition to that traditional export Porter’s hearty character.

Tags: Bridgeport, Ebenezer

 

I don’t know too much about the project, but Brewing TV just announced that a new brewery will be opening in the East Bay called Heretic Brewing Company, and Jamil Zainasheff (aka Mr. Malty) is somehow involved. This is exciting news, and I can’t wait to try their beers, which are scheduled to be released in the first quarter of next year.

Brewing TV Link

Heretic Brewing Company

Tags: Heretic Brewing Company, Jamil Zainasheff

 

I’ll be attending the BrewExpo Event this Sunday, November 7th. Looks like a great lineup of breweries along with the bonus of the possibility of good deals on pre-season gear (who am I kidding, I’m just going for the beer).

Event Website

Event Information
SnowBomb presents the annual SF & Silicon Valley Ski & Snowboard Festivals on Nov. 6-7 and 13-14, 2010. The festivals will feature two days of events.

Enjoy Nor Cals finest brews and get the inside scoop from your favorite Tahoe resort on park upgrades, winter events and lift ticket packages.

General Admission Tickets
Reg price is $20
General Admission Tickets are available to all ages and only include access to the festival and it’s components. General Admission Tickets will also include access to the Rail Jam, Winter Sale and Tahoe Job Fair. You will also receive 3 free lift tickets with a general admission ticket purchase.

Breweries

• Ale Industries
• Anderson Valley Brewing Co.
• Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant
• Big Sky Brewing
• Black Diamond Brewing
• Black Star Beer
• Blue Moon/ Full Moon
• Bridgeport Brewery
• Buckbean Brewing Company
• Drakes Brewing Co.
• Deschutes Brewery Inc
• Eel River
• Fox Cider
• Full Sail Brewing Company
• Gordon Biersch Brewing Company
• Green Flash
• Green Mountain Beverage
• Gunnies
• Heineken
• Hoppy Brewing Co.
• Lagunitas Brewing Company
• Mad River Brewing Company
• Magners Irish Cider
• Mendocino Brewing Co.
• North Coast
• Pacific Libations
• Santa Cruz Ale Works
• Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
• Sequoia Brewing Company
• Shiner
• Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
• Speakeasy Ale & Lagers
• Spoetzl Brewery
• Sudwerk Brewery
• Third Street AleWorks
• Thirsty Bear Brewing
• Trumer Brauerei Berkley
• Uncommon Brewers
• Widmer Brothers Brewing

Tags: BrewExpo, Lift Tickets, Ski & Snowboard Festival

 

I’ve decided to attempt to build a small lab in my garage. I’m not sure how far I will take it, but the first thing I really want to do is to start taking a look at the yeasties to understand them better. I probably don’t have the time or energy at the moment to start harvesting or cultivating my own yeast, but you never know. I might just get sucked in and go overboard like usual. Chris White and Jamil Zainasheff’s new book has a nice chapter on setting up a small lab, and includes various tests to get you going. I bought a fairly cheap 500x microscope to get started. I came with a fun little pack of sample slides, which I played around with last night, trying to acclimate to the scope. I had a blast.

Tags: Microscope, Yeast Lab

 

Check out this recipe for Stone’s Vertical Epic 10. It looks amazing, and I can’t wait to try to brew it someday.

This beer started out as a pilot brew that we brewed for our annual company picnic. The original plan was to brew a Belgian style Quadruple with triticale (a cross of wheat and rye), and call the beer Quadrotriticale-a totally geeky reference to the Star Trek episode “The Trouble With Tribbles.” When brew day came, we decided on the fly to brew a Strong Belgian Golden Ale instead-to better evaluate the flavors of triticale, and then changed our minds again and added some dried chamomile flowers on the back end in the whirlpool, just because we had tasted a similar beer before and thought it sounded good! The beer was a hit at our picnic, so we fully intended to brew this chamomile-spiced Strong Belgian Golden Ale as the Stone 10.10.10 Vertical Epic Ale.

Read More

Tags: Recipe, Stone, Vertical 10 Epic Ale

 

What a Saturday. We went to 21st Amendment to watch Game 6 of the NLCS, and to grab some grub and good beer. It was a treat to have a few pints of Hop Crisis again (2010 GABF Imperial IPA Silver Medal winner), and the food was excellent too. When the game began, by some magical power, the 21A transformed into AT&T park, and the fans began chanting “Let’s Go Giiii-ants!” Chants and moans were exchanged in sequence, matching the up and down rhythm of the game. There was a palatable taste of purpose building in the room. The fans were there to will the Giants into winning. The good folks working at 21A were there for the game as well–and appeared just as devoted. For those who are not from the area, the 21A is only a couple blocks from the ballpark, and it is one of a handful of venues fans flock to before and after games. By the 5th inning, it was getting crowded, and people were waiting for our table, so we finished our beers, including a guest tap Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin (amazing), and headed over to the Public House located inside AT&T park.

After jumping puddles and bracing the wind and rain, we arrived at Public House only to be greeted by a large bouncer who nicely informed us that they were at capacity. We huddled under the awning, peering inside at more televisions than can be found at Best Buy, but then to our surprise, a quick meeting between the bouncer and some sort of management figure prompted regulations to be thrown to the wayside, and everyone waiting outside was allowed in. I ordered a Green Flash West Coast IPA from one of the many bars inside, but they apparently were tapped out. I fell back to The Bruery’s Mischief (first time I’ve ever had it), and man it was a mellow fruity and hoppy Belgian-like Golden Ale that was truely a work of art. The next hour was spent giving high fives and watching the tense game. During the 9th inning I finisehd off my Firestone Walker DBA, and banged on the wall to the crowd’s chant “Let’s Go Giants!” The place was shaking. As you probably know by now, the Giants won, and the Public House errupted into a cacophony of celebration.

This is the part of the story I wanted to get to. As that last strike was called, everyone became a member of a community. Strangers turned to their neighbors and embraced, smiles as big as their muscles could make, and each patron of the bar shared in a moment in time–a “where were you when” experience. Nothing mattered except for the fact that the Giants were going to the World Series, and because we all cheered, and banged, and shouted, and gritted, and winced, and supported our team, together we were going there as well. Some people say that sports are a waste of time, and there a better things to do with your life, and tax dollars. To me, last Saturday was one of the few times in recent history that I felt connected to humanity, part of a greater whole, and it was beer and sports that made it possible. It is an experience that I have searched out through life, and I’ll take it however I can find it. “Let’s Go Giants!”

Tags: 21st Amendment, Baseball, Community, Humanity, Public House, San Francisco Giants

 

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to collect my glass. Here’s the lowdown from Shaun and Dave:

The month of November is a special time of year when two great San Francisco breweries bring you the BRU/SFO project. Magnolia and the 21st Amendment breweries come together and craft 12 unique Belgian-style beers, six at each brewery. The BRU/SFO Project is named for the airport codes for Brussels and San Francisco and takes you over to Europe and back again as you enjoy these San Francisco interpretations of Belgian Beers.

Collect all twelve beers and receive a commemorative event glass. Also, all month long there will be special beers released from both breweries. We hope you join us on this incredible adventure.

Tags: 21st Amendment, BRU/SFO Project, Magnolia

 

I’ve officially run out of things to write about. Ok maybe not, but I have been absent as of late, and this morning I decided to give some thought as to why that might be. I don’t want this site turning into just another blog posting about upcoming events. Luckily Marsh has picked up my slack lately with his excellent festival reviews. I have been busy with life and work and with reading “A Textbook of Brewing,” and “Yeast: The Practical Guide to Beer Fermentation.” Both books, by the way, are incredible resources, and if you don’t own them already, go out and get them asap. But, I can’t help but think that if I had a great tip on how to improve your homebrewing experience, I would have found the time to post about it. I have plateaued. To all those out there that will reach this point, or may be there now, don’t fret. I believe this is a good stage–a necessary barrier built to allow for time to sharpen our skills–to comprehend the knowledge we have acquired over the years. It is time to hit our numbers, chart temperatures, and measure parts per million. It is time to practice.

And what better way to practice than to invite over a good friend or friends to share in the act. A few weeks ago, Marsh flew in to town from New Mexico, and after two days of debaucery in San Francisco and Santa Rosa, we settled down for a full day of brewing in my garage. No matter what your skill level, in any disipline, it is always helpful to talk, teach, and discuss what you think you know with someone else. Nine times out of ten, you will realize that you might not know the subject as well as you thought, or you will discover holes in your knowledge. Marsh helped me hit my numbers, and we ended up brewing my personal highest gravity beer to date–a triple IPA (OG: 1.101). It was a hell of a time, filled with laughter, and interupted by beer tastings.

Of course, it doesn’t always have to be about learning. I mean, we are brewing beer right? What I have come to love most about homebrewing is the social aspect that comes with it. If you brew it, they will come. The social power of a quality beer is easily observed: Take seven people who don’t talk very much, without much in common, and give them each a beer. Within minutes, they will be discussing a broad range of topics with a smile on their face. This is probably what Obama had in mind with his beer summit. Beer: The Social Lubricant (as they say).

Some of these seduced beer discussions I’ve been having as of late revolve around the fact that technology is, in some ways, driving us further and further apart. We no longer have to interface in person to have a dialogue. There are copious amounts of gadgets and devices that “streamline” this process–give us access to more tidbits of discourse. It is as if we are all shouting our thoughts into the air, knowing that technology will serve as a thought net, pulling them down, arranging them in a short, readible fashion, and dispersing them across the networks, without ever seeing or speaking with the recipent. My hope, is that with the resurgence of all the great beer being served in numerious venues across the nation, there will be a default reemergence of this social face time. In a way, it is like how we Americans romanticize about the English and Irish Brew Pubs of old. I believe the next step in this beer revolution is to harness this power. Provide a service to get people to step away from technology for a few hours, and to have a conversation with random strangers (in person). Breweries should allow more access into the internals of the industry as well–more avenues for gaining hands on brewing experience as a consumer, and face time with brewers.

And to those that argue that I’m using technology to write this diatribe, I never said I’m against technology. I rely on it ever day, and work in the field to pay my bills. My point isn’t that we don’t need technology, it is rather we need to figure out a way to remain human while using it. What is to be human? Well that’s a discussion for another day over a good beer.

Tags: Bar Talk, Discussions, Human, Social Lubricant, Technology