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Untapped Beersources- Porky’s Pizza Palace

Posted: February 18th, 2012, 1:59pm CET by Matt

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SF Beer Week Has Begun—In Hayward

Posted: February 14th, 2012, 3:11am CET by Matt

The kickoff to SF Beer Week began in strong fashion at The B Street Bistro in Hayward, California. Their 12^th Annual Double IPA Festival featured dozens of doubles from all over the United States, although most were local beers from our rich beer culture here in Northern California. With live music, commemorative glasses, and no rain, the long day of drinking didn’t end until 7 pm. Hundreds of people waltzed through the Bistro’s front door and out the back into a beer haven of hops and caramel-colored heaven. It was the kind of day that makes you realize how great it is to be a lover of beer in the present day.

By the time I arrived, there were only 2 Triple IPAs left. I tried the Sasquatch from Six Rivers out of McKinleyville. It was a great first beer that set the tone coming in at 10.25% ABV. From there on out we spent the next couple hours making our five tickets count by pretending to forget we had them, striking up conversations with the pourers, strategically approaching the drunkest of pourers, and keeping our eyes open for green tickets discarded by those who had had too much. Despite the cost, a veteran of beer festivals could easily get 10-15 pours out of their five tickets. This is another great part of beer culture—the lack of snobbery creates an atmosphere where everyone should get a beer if they have a smile and an empty glass–Socialism at its finest.

The beers I remember trying are listed below based on my imperfect, woozy memory, and the crumpled, stained list from the event left over in my jacket pocket today. Some I had twice as the taps dried up, but I do remember my favorite, which is starred:

Sasquatch, Six Rivers, McKinleyville, CA

Ruination, Stone, San Diego, CA

Hop Henge Experimental IPA, Deschutes, Bend, OR

Denogginizer, Drakes Brewery, San Leandro, CA

*Palate Wrecker, Green Flash Brewing, Vista, CA

Quasar, Jupiter Brewery, Berkeley, CA

Hoptologist DIPA, Knee Deep Brewing Company, Lincoln, CA

Imperial IPA, Lost Coast, Eureka, CA

Steelhead Double, Mad River, Blue Lake, CA

Double Daddy, Speakeasy, San Francisco, CA

Training for SF Beer Week

Posted: February 9th, 2012, 8:03pm CET by Matt

Weeping Willow Wit

Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 6:25pm CET by Al

My good friend Chris stopped at Bruisin’ Ales in Asheville, North Carolina and got me a gift. Or, rather, six gifts. Here’s one:

Weeping Willow Wit, from Mother Earth Brewing

They say:

This beer style is over 400 years old, and continues to enjoy overwhelming popularity. Offering low hop bitterness, it is easy to enjoy. It pours very hazy, with a light gold color… we say it’s like summertime in a glass. Bitter orange peel and fresh coriander add zest and depth to this refreshing beer.

Pale, pale yellow with a white fizzy head. About all the aromas you’d expect from a wit: coriander, cloves, banana, lemon, peppery hops. The flavor is well-balanced. I wouldn’t want a steady diet of these but it makes a nice change of pace from my usual. I’d gladly have that again.

Sadly, that’s the end of the beers gifted to me by Chris. Thanks, dude!

Endless River Kolsch

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 6:35pm CET by Al

My good friend Chris stopped at Bruisin’ Ales in Asheville, North Carolina and got me a gift. Or, rather, six gifts. Here’s one:

Endless River Kolsch, from Mother Earth Brewing

They say:

A clean, crisp beer, Kolsch offers a very slight fruity flavor and aroma. It is light gold in color, with a delicate head. This light-bodied beer appeals to nearly everyone who samples it. Expect to enjoy a slight tang in the finish.

Pale gold with a white, fizzy head. Light aroma, fruity. Maybe some melon? Medium-light body, with a good dose of carbonation and a pleasant bitter finish. I could go for a few of these on a hot day.

Buckshot Amber Ale

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 12:27am CET by Al

My good friend Chris stopped at Bruisin’ Ales in Asheville, North Carolina and got me a gift. Or, rather, six gifts. Here’s one:

Buckshot Amber Ale, from Natty Greene’s Brewing

They say:

full-bodied with rich, smooth flavor and notes of caramel and toffee

Honey-colored with an off-white head. Aroma is very light. I mean, I know my sense of smell isn’t the best but I’m just not getting much of anything. Things get a little better as it warms, but it’s still very light. Flavor is light with a bit of maltiness. Not really any hops. It’s okay, I suppose. My palate might be spoiled by all those IPAs.

NanoBryg rss syndication » Hop Talk » February 2012

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Hop Talk (6 unread)

Untapped Beersources- Porky’s Pizza Palace

Posted: February 18th, 2012, 1:59pm CET by Matt

SF Beer Week Has Begun—In Hayward

Posted: February 14th, 2012, 3:11am CET by Matt

Training for SF Beer Week

Posted: February 9th, 2012, 8:03pm CET by Matt

Weeping Willow Wit

Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 6:25pm CET by Al

Endless River Kolsch

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 6:35pm CET by Al

Buckshot Amber Ale

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 12:27am CET by Al