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Spring Is Here! So Is Seattle’s HopScotch Festival
This year will mark our third year attending HopScotch- a beer and scotch festival at Fremont Studios in Seattle. Although I do not go for the scotch (or tequila), the vibe is always great, the beers are flowing and you are guaranteed to have a good time. What more could you ask for?
Oh you want some information? Below are some festival facts from the HopScotch official website:
Hop Scotch Spring Beer & Scotch Festival is a premier beer, Scotch, wine and spirit tasting experience benefiting the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF). On April 1 and 2, Fremont Studios transforms into a swanky beverage tasting lounge featuring over 80 libations to swirl, sniff and sip.
Entrance includes tokens to sample beer and wine. For an expanded tasting experience, optional spirit samplers of Scotch or tequila may be purchased as well as an hour-long Scotch Seminar with the Master of Whisky. Develop your sense of taste at the stylish indoor setting of Fremont Studios on April 1st and 2nd, 2011 at Hop Scotch Spring Beer and Scotch Festival.
Hop Scotch is a benefit for the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF). SIFF’s mission is to create experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary films from around the world. It is through the art of cinema that we foster a community that is more informed, awake and alive.
Hours are Friday, April 1 from 5PM-12AM and Saturday, April 2 from 1PM-12AM. Admission is as follows:
- $30 General Admission: Admission, 5 oz. commemorative tasting glass and five beer/wine tasting tokens. $25 in Advance
- $35 Grand Admission: Admission, 5 oz. commemorative tasting glass and ten beer/wine tasting tokens. $30 in Advance
- $15 Non-Tasting Admission: Admission and four tickets good for water or soda redeemable at the Hop Stop booth. Available at the door and online in Advance
Most importantly what breweries will be there- I have bolded and starred the ones to go for.
#1 Heineken | Lager
5%
A horizontal fermentation process results in unsurpassed clarity and brightness, and makes Heineken’s characteristic taste as good on draught as it is in a bottle. The smooth, full-bodied lager has a complexity that balances between fruity notes and a distinctive bitter taste.
#2 Heineken Light | Lager
3.5%
Heineken Light is a light-tasting, refreshing beer that maintains the subtle cues of the original Heineken signature flavor. With only 99 calories and 6.8 grams of carbohydrates per bottle, it represents the perfect opportunity to up-sell to domestic light beer drinkers.
#3 Dos Equis Lager | Lager
4.5%
Dos Equis Lager is a crisp, golden, and refreshing beer. It is brewed with pure malt, hops, and water to deliver a unique taste with a dramatic, bracing quality.
#4 Newcastle Brown Ale | Brown Ale
4.7%
Golden brown in color, with rich, full-bodied flavor, Newcastle is a dark beer unlike any other: an unparalleled combination of character and drinkability.
21st Amendment Brewery
At the 21st Amendment, they celebrate the culture of the great breweries of old, making unique, hand crafted beers, great food, and providing a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere that invites conversation, interaction and a sense of community.
#1 Back in Black | Black IPA
6.8%, IBU:65
Brewed like an American IPA but with the addition of rich, dark malts, this beer has all the flavor and hop character you expect with a smooth, mellow finish.
#2 Bitter American | Pale Ale
4.2%, IBU:44
Our extra Pale Ale has lower alcohol but all the flavor and hop aroma you expect from a much bigger beer.
Alaskan Brewing Co.
Alaska has a rich history of brewing. From the explorers of the 1700s through the Gold Rush, many a thirsty Alaskan has been able to enjoy locally made beers. In 1986, 28-year-olds Marcy and Geoff Larson reignited that tradition when they opened the Alaskan Brewing Company, the 67th brewery in the country and the first brewery in Juneau since Prohibition. Alaskan beers reflect many of the same characteristics of beers that were brewed here during the gold rush era. From the historically based Alaskan Amber recipe to alder-smoked malts and Sitka spruce tips, Alaskan beers reflect Juneau’s local brewing history and innovation.
#1 Alaskan Summer Ale | Other Ale
5.3%, IBU:18
Alaskan Summer Ale is a Kolsch style ale that balances a softly malted palate with the clean freshness of hops. In the tradition of the style, neither overpowers the other. Both hops and malt come together to refresh and renew the palate. The straw-gold color and easy drinkability are an enjoyable way to celebrate summer.
#2 Alaskan Imperial IPA | IPA
8.5%, IBU:70
Rich in color and full in flavor, Alaskan Imperial IPA is Packed with Northwest hops over a sturdy malt body. The Latest from our “Pilot Series” is brewed in small batches.
BridgePort Brewing Co
Oregon’s oldest Craft Brewery. BridgePort means: “Bridges of Portland.”
#1 BridgePort KingPin | Double Red Ale
7.5%, IBU:65
Triple hopped, Double Red Ale that has the unique flavor of rye malt.
#2 BridgePort Café Negro | Coffee Infused Porter***
7.5%, IBU:65
The perfect blend of Porter with a bold flavor of roasted coffee. Rich and creamy.
Crispin Cider
All natural hard apple cider. Made from fresh pressed Northwest fruit, not concentrate.
#1 Crispin Cider
5%
A classically styled, but untraditional hard apple cider. Fruit forward, with a fresh, crunchy appley nose and a deliciously creamy, refreshingly crisp mouth feel. Gluten Free. Where to Buy: Whole Foods, QFC, Marketime Foods
#2 Fox Barrel Pear Cider
4.5%
This delicately balanced cider is like biting into a ripe pear. The hand crafted subtlety of this 100% natural beverage pays homage to finer French ciders. Our remarkably versatile Pear Cider is consistently awarded gold medals at national and regional competitions. Gluten Free. Where to Buy: Fred Meyer
Deschutes Brewery
Deschutes Brewery, located in Central Oregon along the banks of the wild and scenic Deschutes River, has brewed a family of handcrafted ales since 1988. Starting out as a small brewpub in the heart of downtown Bend, Deschutes’ first beers were Black Butte Porter, Bachelor Bitter and Cascade Golden Ale.
#1 Red Chair Northwest Pale Ale | Pale Ale
6.4%, IBU:60
Red Chair NWPA is named after the oldest operating lift at Mt. Bachelor here in Central Oregon. As a debut Northwest Pale Ale, it’s an adventure all its own. It has a plush body with satiny caramel flavors derived from seven varieties of malt. Yet, despite it all, it remains a hop-forward ale with that distinctive citrusy punch. Just minus any mouth-puckering bitterness. Where to Buy: Grocery Stores that Sell Craft Beer
#2 Hop Henge Experimental IPA | IPA***
9%, IBU:95
Several pounds of Centennial & Cascade hops are in each barrel with a heavy dry-hop presence to top it off. A blend of crystal, pale and carastan malts creates an overall biscuity characteristic that is dense and muscular, building the alcohol base to support the monstrous hop profile. Where to Buy: Pubs and Grocery Stores that Sell 22 oz. Bottles
Diamond Knot Brewing Co.
Since our humble beginnings in 1994, Diamond Knot has seen huge growth thanks to our loyal fans. We’re known for our Northwest-style IPA’s, but we also produce everything from a light Blonde Ale to a Dry Irish-style Stout. We currently offer four retail locations, three in Mukilteo and one on Camano Island, for patrons to enjoy fine food and our handcrafted ales.
#1 Diamond Knot India Pale Ale | India Pale Ale***
6.2%, IBU: 40
Copper-colored with a malty character up front. Intensely bitter with hints of grapefruit and cedar imparted by heavy-handed additions of Galena and Columbus hops. Where to Buy: Pubs and Groceries Throughout the Puget Sound
#2 Slane’s Irish-Style Red Ale | Irish-Style Red
6.6%, IBU: 30
A sweet, caramelly aroma gives way to a distinct malty flavor and a smooth, creamy finish that will leave you thirsty for more! Where to Buy: Pubs and Groceries Throughout the Puget Sound
Firestone Walker Brewing Company
At Firestone Walker Brewing Co. we integrate traditional brewing discipline, a fascination with wooden barrels and a passion for the craft to create some of the most awarded pale ales in the world. We believe our commitment to balanced and unique beers has helped fuel the revolution in taste that is sweeping across America.
#1 Double Barrel Ale | Pale Ale
5%, IBU:30
We’ve honored the traditions of the great British Pale brewers of Burton-on-Trent using our patented Firestone Union oak barrels. You’re left with a mild blend of vanilla and toasted oak flavor touched with an elegant hint of English noble hops. DBA is the flagship of our company and wildly popular. Where to Buy: Whole Foods
#2 Union Jack | IPA***
7.5%, IBU:70
Union Jack is the recipient of numerous awards including back to back wins at the Great American Beer Festival. Bold citrus and pineapple aromas meet savory malt flavors resulting in a truly balanced effort. A beer true to its origins; deeply hopped and bolstered for a long voyage. Where to Buy: Whole Foods and Local Liquor Stores
Flyers Restaurant and Brewery
Full Restaurant and Bar. The restaurant features a fresh menu with everything from soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches to steaks and seafood. The bar has 14 taps with several rotating guest beers to compliment Flyers’ house brews and a full bar with premium spirits and cocktails. There are over 100 seats available with both inside and outside seating.
#1 Pacemaker Porter | Porter
5.5%
Robust Porter in style, this dark, full bodied ale has notes of roasted barley, coffee and bitter sweet chocolate. Fast becoming Flyers’ flagship beer. Where to Buy: On Tap and in Bottles in WA, OR and ID.
#2 Afterburner IPA | IPA
6.5%
A hop lover’s delight! Our I.P.A. is loaded from start to finish with five hop additions and balanced by English and German malts. Where to Buy: On Tap and in Bottles in WA, OR and ID
Fremont Brewing Company
We are a small, family-owned microbrewery founded in 2008 to brew small-batch artisan beers made with the best local ingredients we can find. We use barley from the Okanogan Valley in British Columbia, hops from a 4th generation hop-growing family in the Yakima Valley and water from the Cedar River Watershed in the Cascade Mountains. Located in the historic Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, you can drink our beer at our Urban Beer Garden, on draft at many fine bars and restaurants in the area — or pick up a keg or growler to go.
#1 Universale Pale Ale | Pale Ale***
6.2%, IBU:65
Fremont is the self-proclaimed “Center of the Universe” and Universale, our flagship product, honors the namesake of our unique location. Universale Pale Ale offers a distinctive Northwest twist on the classic pale ale, using a select blend of Gambrinus pale roasted malt and Old World malts balanced with classic Northwest hops to achieve a heavenly beer of rich malt flavor and subtle hop spice. This is beer. Enjoy. Where to Buy: Brewery, Seattle, Spokane, Bellingham, Tacoma
#2 Interurban IPA | IPA***
7.5%, IBU:65
Named after Fremont’s most famous outdoor sculpture, Waiting for the Interurban, Interurban India Pale Ale offers the adventurous beer lover a warm embrace of Gambrinus roasted pale malt swirled with a hand-selected blend of flavor malts and filled with the rich spice of Chinook, Centennial and Cascade hops. Interurban India Pale is a session beer, eminently drinkable throughout the year. Where to Buy: Brewery, Seattle, Spokane, Bellingham, Tacoma
Georgetown Brewing Co.
Founded by Manny Chao and Roger Bialous in September 2002, Georgetown Brewing Co. is located in south Seattle’s historic Georgetown neighborhood. We are a true, local craft brewery, with all of our ingredients coming from the Northwest.
#1 Manny’s Pale Ale | Pale Ale
5.3%, IBU: 38
A careful selection of Northwest hops, premium barley, and our unique yeast give this ale a rich and complex malty middle with a snappy hop finish. It’s truly a micro that finishes crisp, clean, and smooth. Where to Buy: On Draught at Local Pubs
#2 Lucille IPA | IPA***
6.9%, IBU: 85
Columbus, Centennial, Amarillo and Cascade hops. Floral, citrusy and awesome. Anything so innocent and built like that just gotta be named Lucille. Where to Buy: On Draught at Local Pubs
Kona Brewing Co.
In 1994, Kona Brewing Co. became the first craft brewery to take root on Hawaii (the Big Island). Since then, Kona Brewing Company has been committed to making handcrafted ales and lagers of uncompromised quality.
#1 Longboard Lager | Island Style Lager
4.6%
Longboard Lager is a beer originally introduced by Kona Brewing Company in Hawaii. It is a crisp and moderately hopped pale lager, with an exceptionally smooth after flavor. Longboard takes over four weeks to ferment and cold condition, more than twice the time of Kona’s ales.
#2 Koko Brown | Brown Ale
5.5%, IBU: 28
Is there anything more iconic of the lush tropics than the coconut? The delicious heart of this island treasure has a nutty, toffee flavor and aroma that sends you straight to the beaches of Paradise. Kick back with a Koko brewed with real toasted coconut and savor the mahogany color and smooth, roasty malt taste.
Lagunitas Brewing Company
From our earliest days of striving to make consistently good beer, and instead making beer that ranged from vile, to barely drinkable, to wonderful, to elegant, to questionable-at-best. From being castigated by our West Marin neighbors to finally suffering an ‘eviction’ by our West Marin septic system. From landing in the welcoming arms of Petaluma, and actually getting our beer into bottles, onto the streets, and into the hands of sympathatic beer geeks, to steadily losing less money each month. From all this and more, Lagunitas Brewing Company is emerging as a battle-tested brewery capable of making great beer out of goat’s milk, brambles, and asphalt on the surface of the Moon, if need be.
#1 Little Sumpin Wild | Other Ale****
7.8%, IBU: 65
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. Where to Buy: Your Friendly Neighborhood Grocery Stores
#2 Brown Shugga | Other Ale
9.9%
How Come you Taste So Good?? Boatloads of Pure Brown Sugar in Each Batch, That’s How! The Rich, Roasty and Mysteriously Drinkable Ale might best be described as… Irresponsible. It Leaves a Lot of Stories in it’s Wake. Where to Buy: Your Friendly Neighborhood Grocery Stores
Lazy Boy Brewing
Lazy Boy is a small family owned brewery. We pride ourselves in using the freshest ingredients to create delicious products.
#1 Lazy Boy Bavarian Hef | Hefeweizen
5%
German style hef that boasts the traditional flavors of banana and clove. Refreshing and delicious. Where to Buy: Local QFCs and Markets
#2 Lazy Boy Dry Hop IPA | IPA***
5.5%
This is new for us and has been well recieved. IPA infused with aromatics from dried oranges and corriander. A wonderful blend of hops and citrus. yum yum. Where to Buy: At the Brewery
Mac and Jack’s Brewery
We are a draft only brewery located in Redmond Washington.
#1 Two Tun IPA | IPA
7%
Mac & Jack’s IPA is a refreshing, smooth, & balanced India Pale Ale. Using a variety of specialty malts and plenty of locally grown Yakima valley hops, we have created an IPA that has great hop flavor without being bitter. Pale roasted malts give our IPA a deep golden hue, and solid malt backbone, which nicely compliments its crisp hop finish. Copious quantities of hops are added very late in the boil giving the beer its floral aroma and hop forward character. Where to Buy: Bars & Restaurants
#2 Serengeti Wheat | Hefeweizen
4.7%
A crisp, refreshing American style Hefeweizen that is brewed with the best ingredients the Northwest has to offer. We use 50% locally sourced two-row pale malt and 50% locally grown northwest malted wheat well above the required 30% wheat additions to be called a wheat beer. This Northwest style Hefeweizen is unfiltered for a “cloudy” appearance and brewed with plenty of Yakima valley hops yielding a wonderful citrus finish, delicious with or without a lemon garnish. Where to Buy: Bars & Restaurants
Mad River Brewing Company
Mad River Brewing Company is located in the beautiful small town of Blue Lake, California in the heart of Humboldt County. Now in our third decade we continue our commitment to producing award winning fine ales combining the most traditional brewing methods with an environmentally sound approach.
#1 Steelhead Double IPA | IPA
8.6%, IBU:95.2
Malty, hoppy and strong, Double IPA is dry hopped with Amarillo hops for a fresh piney and citrus flavor and aroma. Aggressive, but perfectly balanced.
#2 Jamaica Red Ale | Amber
6.5%, IBU:45.3
Our legendary red ale. This mahogany hued ale brings an intense spectrum of spicy aromatic hop character balanced by a full-bodied caramel richness.
New Belgium Brewing
Employee owned and 100% alternatively powered, New Belgium Brewing was started in the Basement of Jeff Lebesch and Kim Jordan back in 1991. Fast forward a few decades and now New Belgium brews are sold in 26 states and are about to celebrate it’s 20th anniversary.
#1 Ranger IPA | IPA***
6.5%, IBU: 70
This clear amber beauty bursts at the starting gate with an abundance of hops: Cascade (citrus), Chinook (floral/citrus), and Simcoe (fruity) lead off the beer, with Cascade added again for an intense dry hop flavor. Brewed with pale and dark caramel malts that harmonize the hop flavor from start to finish, Ranger is a sessionable splendor for all you hopinistas. Where to Buy: Major Chain Stores and Bottle Shops
#2 1554 Brussels Style Black Lager | Other Lager
5.6%, IBU: 21
1554 Enlightened Black Lager uses a light lager yeast strain and dark chocolaty malts to redefine what dark beer can be. In 1997, a Fort Collins flood destroyed the original recipe our researcher, Phil Benstein, found in the library. So Phil and brew master, Peter Bouckaert, traveled to Belgium to retrieve this unique style lost to the ages. Their first challenge was deciphering antiquated script and outdated units of measurement, but trial and error (and many months of in-house sampling) culminated in 1554, a highly quaffable dark beer with a moderate body and mouthfeel.
MacTarnahan’s
#1 Mac’s Amber | Amber
5.1%, IBU:32
One taste of Macs and you’ll taste the tradition of a true Portland Original. Since the beginning of the craft beer revolution, MacTarnahan’s has been producing bold and flavorful brews . MacTarnahan’s is a deep copper-hued Amber Ale balanced with fresh Cascade hops from the great Northwest. Distinct, Bold and Original It’s hard to beat a Mac. It is damn good beer! Where to Buy: Everywhere
#2 Sling Shot | Pale Ale
6.2%, IBU:27
You always know better, but sometimes you just don’t care. Mischief is just creativity stretching its legs. Sling Shot is a seasonal Extra Pale Ale for the spring with rich golden color. Its lively hopped flavor makes for a mischievously good and refreshing ale that “hits the spot!”
Ninkasi Brewing Co.
Oregon’s Ninkasi is one the nation’s fastest-growing breweries, thanks in large part to an unsubtly named beer (Ninkasi was the ancient Sumerian goddess of brewing)-Total Domination, a potent, aggressive IPA with pungent hops and flavors of citrus rind and carmel.
#1 Total Domination | IPA***
6.7%, IBU:65
Multiple hops collide in balanced perfection, dominating the senses, achieving total satisfaction. Where to Buy: On Draught and in 22 oz. Bottles
#2 Spring Reign | Pale Ale
6%, IBU:38
Notes of toasted malt up front, with a bright and crisp Northwest hop finish, it’s a session beer that everyone can enjoy! Where to Buy: On Draught and in 22 oz. Bottles
Pyramid Breweries
The Seattle Alehouse, our original location, offers a world of extraordinary tastes waiting to be explored on draft including our year-round beers, rotating seasonals, as well as a few unique Pyramid offerings you won’t find anywhere else. Enjoy a pint, explore a Pyramid Sampler, or order a growler of brewery fresh beer to go. Pair your brew with a tasty selection off of our full menu of classic brew house cuisine.
#1 Live Wire | Hefeweizen
7%, IBU:30
The first in the Series, Live Wire, is a bountiful Imperial Hefeweizen that takes Pyramid’s gold medal Haywire® Hefeweizen to impressive new heights. The gratifying result delivers a rich and full-bodied wheat character, robust hop balance, and punched-up alcohol content. Where to Buy: Pyramid Ale House and Local Restaurants, Bars and Stores
#2 Curve Ball | Blonde or Golden
5%, IBU:18
Our deceptively drinkable golden summer seasonal is a crisp, clean-tasting, cold lagered ale. This frosty thirst quencher is the perfect accompaniment to summer adventures. Where to Buy: Everywhere
Redhook Ale Brewery
Redhook has been brewing quality beers for 30 years! From its humble origins in Seattle’s Ballard & Fremont neighborhoods to a state-of-the-art brewery in Washington, Redhook continues to deliver outstanding craft beers to consumers. In July 1994, Redhook completed its Woodinville WA brewery, just 20 miles east of Seattle. The beautiful facility features expansive grounds and the Forecasters Public House, where you can sample all of the Redhook brews and pub-style meals. Forecasters Pub is open daily please see our website for detailed hours.
#1 Redhook Pilsner | Pilsner
5.3%, IBU: 25
May not look it but has a dark side. Redhook Pilsner is brewed in a traditional Czech style. It offers a very soft palate and malt flavors that are offset by a medium dose of distinct Czech hops to bring out its authentic flavors. Available year round beginning March 21, 2011.
#2 Redhook Wit | Other Ale
5.2%, IBU: 12
Made with ginger but still has his place in his heart for Mary Ann. Redhook Wit is a twist on the traditional Belgian brew. A balanced mixture of spices, orange peel, coriander and ginger give this wheat beer a smooth yet distinct flavor. It is brewed with Kolsch yeast, and we decided to steep the spices in the whirlpool for 15 mins just prior to cooling and fermentation; similar to a finishing hop addition. As with cooking, this method keeps the spice flavors and aromas intact, and soft/subtle.
Samuel Adams
The Boston Beer Company began in 1984 with a generations-old family recipe that Founder and Brewer Jim Koch uncovered in his father’s attic. After bringing the recipe to life in his kitchen, Jim brought it to bars with the belief that drinkers would appreciate a complex, full-flavored beer, brewed fresh in America. That beer was Samuel Adams Boston Lager®. Today, the Company brews more than 21 styles of beer. The Company uses the traditional four vessel brewing process and often takes extra steps like dry-hopping and a secondary fermentation known as krausening.
#1 Samuel Adams Wee Heavy | Wee Heavy
10%, IBU:30
Was inspired by both traditional Scotch ales and Scotch whiskies, for a combination of deep roasted flavor and earthy smoke character. Traditional Scottish ales vary in intensity with the strong ales known as Scotch Ale or “Wee Heavy”. To create our own version of the style we added peat smoked malt to bring the unique flavor of Scotland to this complex and satisfying brew.
#2 Samuel Adams Rustic Saison | Saison
4.3%, IBU:35
An incredibly complex yet refreshing beer in the classic style of Belgian farmhouse ales, traditionally brewed to quench the thirst of farmers throughout the summer months. The unique character of our brew comes from its Belgian yeast that imparts floral, fruity, and estery flavors. These flavors are layered with slightly sweet herbal notes and a citrusy hop character for a bright and satisfying summer brew.
Seattle Weekly
#1 Seattle Weekly Voracious Brew | Imperial Red Ale
8.2%
Brewed by Lazy Boy Brewing, the Voracious Brew is an Imperial Red made exclusively for the fine people at the Seattle Weekly. Lazy Boy has used four different kinds of malts to brew this bodacious beer. The hop flavors are a combination of Palisades and Magnum in the dry hopping stage. This 8.2% beverage is powerful yet remarkably smooth to drink. Enjoy!
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Founded in 1980, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is one of America’s first craft breweries and is highly regarded for their use of only whole-cone hops, and for the spirit of quality, and craftsmanship in everything they do. This pioneering spirit continues though their decades of innovation in the brewhouse, and through advances in environmental sustainability. Sierra Nevada sets the standard for artisan brewers worldwide with their broad line of beers including their iconic flagship Pale Ale.
#1 Pale Ale | Pale Ale
5.6%, IBU: 38
Inspired by the Sierra Nevada mountains, we created a unique beer highlighting the bold flavors and piney-citrus aromas of whole cone hops. Today, our all natural, bottle conditioned Pale Ale is recognized worldwide as a classic. Where to Buy: Just About Anywhere Beer is Sold
#2 Summerfest | Other Lager
5%, IBU: 28
Summerfest is a Pilsner-style lager brewed for your enjoyment on a warm summer days-featuring a slight malt sweetness, delicate spicy and floral hop flavor, and a crisp, refreshing finish. Where to Buy: Just About Anywhere Seasonal Beer is Sold
Silver City Brewery
Silver City Restaurant & Brewery is the Kitsap Peninsula’s premier destination for award-winning, handcrafted beers, outstanding food, excellent customer service, and great memories in a fun, friendly environment. Silver City was started in 1996 by Co-owners Steve & Scott Houmes, and it remains a locally owned and operated family establishment. Silver City Brewery’s award-winning, handcrafted beers are available at more than 350 Puget Sound area bars, restaurants, and grocery stores throughout Kitsap, Jefferson, King, and Pierce counties.
#1 Whoop Pass Double IPA | IPA***
8.5%, IBU: 85
Without a doubt the boldest and hoppiest mother of a brew Silver City has ever created. More than 50 lbs. of Washington State Columbus and Cascade hops are infused, injected or otherwise inflicted upon a single 15 barrel batch. Welcome to hop country! Where to Buy: Whole Foods
#2 Fat Woody Scotch Ale | Other Ale***
9.2%
What happens when Silver City brewers take a world class beer like Fat Scotch Ale and age it for over a month on American white oak? A completely unique and wonderful beer emerges. The slight peaty, intensely malty scotch ale and the complex vanilla character of the oak meld over time to create an exceptional beer.
Snoqualmie Falls Brewing
Proudly making fine, hand crafted ales in Washington since 1997.
#1 Wildcat IPA | IPA
6.7%, IBU: 77
The balanced hop monster! This is one IPA with enough malt backbone to stand up to its 77 IBU’s from 100% Columbus hops. Where to Buy: Select Grocery Outlets
#2 Triskaidekaphobia | Other Ale
8.6%, IBU: 36
There is no need to be afraid of the number 13, we have actually created this Belgian style tripel in celebration of our 13th anniversary. Triskaidekaphobia is a great balance of crisp clean malt, lemony hops and spice. Unfiltered but clear to the eye, Trisky is made from 100% German pilsner malt, Belgian candy sugar, 100% Czech Saaz hops and Belgian ale yeast. Where to Buy: Select Grocery Stores in the Seattle Area
Stone Brewing Co.
#1 Arrogant Bastard Ale | Other Ale
7.2%
This is an aggressive beer. You probably won’t like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth. Where to Buy: Most Stores
#2 Stone IPA | IPA***
6.9%, IBU: 77
An “India Pale Ale” by definition is highly hopped and high in alcohol – you’ll find our Stone India Pale Ale to be true to style with a huge hop aroma, flavor and bitterness throughout. If you’re a hop-head like us, then you’ll love our Stone India Pale Ale! Medium malt character with a heavy dose of over the top hops! Generous “dry hopping” gives this beer its abundant hop aroma and crisp hop flavor. Where to Buy: Everywhere
Trade Route Brewing
Trade Route Brewing was established in 2007 to explore the beer frontier. Their taproom in Pacific, WA pours beer for the adventurous made with a bounty of ingredients from around the world.
#1 Joker Ale | Pacific Northwest Amber
6%, IBU: 40
This bold amber is hoppy and unfiltered in the classic Pacific Northwest Style. We combine premium pale and crystal malts to form a pleasant malty base, then add enough Cascade and Centennial hops to create a balanced beer with a citrusy hop finish. This beer is easy to enjoy by itself and pairs well with most foods. Where to Buy: On Draught in Washington
#2 Mango Weizen | Wheat Beer***
5%, IBU: 3
A refreshing beer with the subtle aroma and flavor of mangos. We use 50% wheat malt in the brew, along with premium barley and a touch of Saaz hops. Fresh mango puree is added after fermentation to create a beverage great when enjoyed by itself or paired with your favorite barbecue. Where to Buy: On Draught and in 22 oz. Bottles in Washington
Widmer Brothers Brewing
“I quit!” In 1984, brothers Kurt and Rob Widmer, in the midst of dual quarter-life crises, decided to quit their jobs, follow their dreams and devote themselves to their true passion—brewing beer full-time. To this day, that rebellious spirit and love for all things beer define Widmer Brothers Brewing. Prost! to doing what you love.
#1 X114 IPA | IPA
6.2%, IBU: 50
Named for the experimental hop that came to be known as Citra, this aromatic IPA balances perfect proportions of big fruit and citrus flavor with hints of peppery spice, caramel malt sweetness and a bitter, but smooth finish. It’s one experiment that bears repeating. Often
#2 W’11 Russian Imperial Stout | Stout***
9.3%, IBU: 65
An extremely rich and complex beer with tremendous body and mouthfeel. Spicy hop aromas are apparent. As well as Chocolate and Coffee aromas. The generous use of roasted barley and other specialty malts, such as Midnight Wheat result in a deep opaque black beer and thick brown beer foam. Well hidden in this complex beer is nice layer of alcohol.
It is a blast every year. Expect some solid IPAs at this event. Enjoy! Cheers!
Events for Week of February 7, 2011
Spend V Day with some amazing brews at Saraveza- Pic courtesy of portlandmercury.com
What was your beer of choice during the Superbowl? Perhaps something to represent the Mid-West? For us, it was homebrew all the way- Hop Chocolate. But now for your week in beer…
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Silver City’s Whoop Pass Double IPA Event: Seattle, WA
4:00PM-10:00PM @ 74th St. Alehouse
Silver City, a brewery located across the Puget Sound on the Kitsap Peninsula, is coming to the city to show off their Double IPA, Whoop Pass. Stop by the 74th St. Alehouse and grab a pint.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Dogfish Head Night: Limerick, Pennsylvania
6:00PM-12:00AM @ Craft Ale House
Get Ready! Go! DOGFISH HEAD!
60 Minute IPA
75 Minute IPA – firkin
90 Minute IPA
**120 Minute IPA ’09
**Red & White
**Black & Blue
Sah’tea
Theobroma
**Midas Touch
Indian Brown Ale
**World Wide Stout
Raison D’Etre (being poured through Randall the Enamel Animal filled with …)
and maybe more.
I’ve double starred my favorites.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Heavy Seas Beer Dinner: Cambridge, Maryland
7:00PM-9:00PM @ Blue Point
For $60.00 you get a 5 course dinner paired with deliciously amazing Heavy Seas beers. Here is the menu- get ready to droooool.
he Menu (subject to change)
Heavy Seas Classic Lager paired with Oysters Bingo
Heavy Seas Gold Ale paired with Rock Shrimp & Corn Fritters, Smoked Paprika Aioli
Heavy Seas Marzen paired with Baked Ziti With Italian Sausage, Marinara and Parmesan
Loose Cannon paired with Loose Cannon Braised Short Ribs, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Root Vegetables
Siren Noire paired with Chocolate Bread Pudding, Caramel Anglaise
Friday, February 11, 2011
Chocolate Beer Craziness: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
5:00PM-8:00PM @ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
Check out Iron Hill Brewery‘s line up of chocolate inspired beers. Beer and chocolate, pretty much my two favorite things.
Overload Stout served on nitro
Shokolad Stout served on cask
Oompa Loompa Stout served on nitro
Cowabunga Porter
Bourbon-aged Cowabunga
Plus – complimentary chocolate treats from our kitchen for mug club members.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Pizza Port 2nd Annual Brewbies: Carlsbad, California
12:00PM-5:00PM @ Pizza Port Carlsbad
Pizza Port Presents its 2nd Annual Brewbies festival! Benefitting the Keep A Breast organization (a local breast cancer awareness organization)! Brewbies is a beer festival for boobies!! 25-30 local and regional beers February 12th, 2011 from noon to 5pm at Pizza Port Carlsbad. Buy your tickets online in advance for $25 or at the door for $30. Ticket includes (4)6oz tasters, collectors glass, I love Boobies Bracelet and (1) raffle ticket. Additional tasters and raffle tickets are $1 each. 100% of the proceeds are donated to breast cancer awareness.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Imperial Stout v. Imperial IPA: Plymouth, Massachusetts
12:00PM-5:00PM @ British Beer Company
This is a tough one- two amazing styles head to head- Imperial Stout vs Imperial IPA: a tag team match-up between Dogfish Head Bitches Brew and NE Brewing Co Imperial Stout Trooper vs Sierra Nevada Hoptimum and Dogfish 90 min IPA run through the Randall stuffed with fresh hops and grapefruit peel.
Monday, February 14, 2011
My Beery Valentine: Portland, Oregon
5:00PM-9:00PM @ Saraveza Bottle Shop & Pasty Tavern
Brewpublic’s 2nd Annual My Beery Valentine offers a variety of unique, specialty, and one-of-a-kind craft beers with sweethearts and sweettooths in mind.
Pouring on this night:
* Block 15 Love Potion #9
* Cascade Chocolate Raspberry
* Double Mountain Bonne Idée Avec Kriek
* Fort George Bourbon BBL Cavatica
* Fort George Murky Pearl Oyster Stout
* Ninkasi Vanilla Oatis
* Oakshire Heart Shaped Box
* Upright Blend Love
Saraveza will also feature special treats courtesy of Sugar Pimp to pair with these delicious brews.
This event is open to the public. No tickets sold, just show up. It is recommended that you arrive early. For full descriptions of the beers listed, visit http://brewpublic.com/events
If you would like us to promote an event or want to comment about an event that you went to, please leave a comment or email me at jess@beerblotter.com! Cheers!
Events for Week of January 17, 2011
Pic courtesy of http://www.ncsdproperties.com
Sorry Im late. Busy weekend with a road trip and lots of football! But now for your week in beer.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Allagash Abduction: Burlington, Vermont
4:30PM-11:30PM @ The Farmhouse Tap & Grill
Allagash Brewery…need we say more? Brewmaster Rob Tod will be in the house with the full gamut of Allagash offerings.
We suggest coming early to this one.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Duck-Rabbit Dinner: Durham, North Carolina
7:00PM-9:00PM @ Guglhupf Bakery And Patisserie
In honor of 1/3 of bb.com living the beer life in NC, I wanted to post about this event which features local NC brewery, Duck Rabbit. This menu along with the beer pairings is an event you dont want to miss:
AMBER ALE
TOASTED RACLETTE ON PAYSAN TOAST POINTS WITH HOUSE CURED DUCK AND RABBIT SAUSAGE, BRAISED CABBAGE AND CHIVE AIOLI.
BROWN ALE
HAZELNUT CRUSTED SCOTTISH SALMON WITH WHIPPED POTATOES AND WHOLE GRAIN MUSTARD SAUCE.
PORTER
SLOW BRAISED OX TAIL RAGU WITH CHESTNUT SPATZLE AND LOCAL ARUGULA.
BALTIC PORTER
MOLASSES LACQUERED BREAST OF VEAL WITH GLAZED BABY TURNIPS AND HOUSE SAUERKRAUT.
MILK STOUT
CHOCOLATE MALT TORTE WITH PRETZEL BARK AND CANDIED KUMQUATS.
We look forward to seeing you there! Contact Guglhupf to make a reservation.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Firestone Walker Pint Night and 14th Anniversary Release: San Diego, California
4:00PM-12:00AM @ Urge Gastropub
One of my favorite beers, Firestone Walker’s 14th Anniversary beer is amazing. One of the many epic beers I had in San Diego, 14th Anniversary is flavorful and complex. Tonight take home a pint, taste 14 and several other beers from Firestone Walker.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Firkin Friday Bell’s Hopslam: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
4:00PM-2:00AM @ Stubby’s Pub & Grub
Join us Friday 1/21 @ 4pm as we Tap into yet another Firkin! If you can’t make it right at 4, don’t worry it will be flowing for the duration of the evening, or at least till it’s gone.
Bell’s Hopslam is one of the Midwest’s most sought after beers, and Firkins of such a beer are surely a rarity. We @ Stubby’s are honored to get our hands on this beast of a brew and would like to invite all of our friends to come and enjoy it with us!
For those who aren’t too familiar, a Firkin is a cask conditioned ale in which the final stage of the brewing process and carbonation occurs right in the keg. A sort of old school way of making and drinking beer….the way beer should be and the Horizon Red is going to be phenomenal this way!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Belgium Fest: Seattle, WA
12:00PM-4:00PM OR 5:30PM – 9:30PM @ Warren Magnuson Park
This is a very popular event so don’t be disappointed if the tickets are sold out by the time you get to the door. For a full list of beers, click here!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Winter Beer Fest: Las Vegas, Nevada
10:00AM-10:00PM @ Aces & Ales
Details:
$15 entrance fee
Gets you a 7oz satin-etched commemorative sample glass, as well your first taste FREE and ~just $4 per 7oz tastes after~
For those of you who do not want to pay the $15 fee and get the glass, 12oz goblets of any beer on will be available for $8
In addition to all the mind-blowing beers you will be enjoying, we have lined-up a ‘who’s-who’ of the Brewing/Beer World daily for you to talk/learn/heckle/pick the brains of~! This line up is as follows:
Yuseff Cherney, Head Brewer – Ballast Point
Scott Wilke, Deschutes Brewery
Lisa Godbey, Southern Alebassadors
(Dogfish Head, Anchor Steam, Firestone, Sierra Nevada)
Kellan Bartosch, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Ed Gebler, Stone Brewing Co
Greg Green, Bonanza Alebassador (Rogue, Deschutes, Stone)
Commemorative ‘Aces & Ales Winter Beer Fest’ Shirts will also be available for purchase for $15.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Beer U: Strong Ales: Escondido, California
7:00PM-9:00PM @ Stone Brewing Co.
Here at Stone, it’s no secret that we have a special place in our hearts for huge malty brews. Join “Dr.” Bill Sysak for a delicious evening featuring one of our favorite beer styles. Hear the story behind these big beautiful brews while you do some heavy duty hands-on learning!
Tickets are $25 and are available at the Stone Company Store or online at:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/140176
If you go to an event, want me to promote an event- email me at jess@beerblotter.com! Cheers!
Events for Week of December 27, 2010
Stop by the Library Ale House this week! Happy 2011!
The New Year quickly descends upon us. What will you be drinking to ring in 2011?
After a trip to Ohio full of endless Great Lakes Christmas Ale, we arrive back in Seattle. But now for your week in beer.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Meet the Bruery Fundraiser: Santa Monica, California
6:00PM-9:00PM @ the Library Ale House
The Bruery is one of the newer, yet highly acclaimed breweries in Southern California. Tonight, they will be tapping kegs of 3 French Hens and Rugbrød. Rare bottles of Workman’s Friend Imperial Porter will also be available. A flight of all three will be available for purchase. In addition small bites for pairing will be provided:
– Workman’s Friend with Turkey Meatloaf
– Rugbrod with Jerk Chicken
– 3 French Hens with Bread Pudding
Fellow SoCal brewery Port Brewing will have Santa’s Little Helper for your enjoyment.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Pint Night with Breckenridge Brewery: Exton, Pennsylvania
6:00PM-11:00PM @ The Drafting Room Taproom and Grille
Pint Night at The Drafting Room Taproom & Grille
featuring Breckenridge BreweryJoin us on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 6:00
On Tap from Breckenridge:
Christmas Ale (Winter Warmer)
Lucky U IPA (American IPA)
Avalanche (American Amber)
471 IPA (Imperial IPA)
Vanilla Porter
Regal Pilsner (Imperial Pilsner)
Oatmeal StoutHope to see you there
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Founders and Friends Benefit and Tasting: Columbus, Ohio
7:00PM-11:00PM @ Bob’s Bar
All things good in the Midwest (and more) will be available on tap tonight!
1) Founders Brewing – Backwoods Bastard Tapping
2) Columbus Brewing – 12 Hops of XMas (Firkin)
3) Fatheads – Headhunter IPA (1st columbus tapping) –> THIS BEER IS SO GOOD!!!
4) Stone Brewing – First tapping of their collaboration with Fatheads (brewed during Cleveland Beer Week)
5) Sierra Nevada – Celebration and 30th Anniv.
6) North Coast – TBA
7) Troegs – Mad Elf and perhaps a little surprise from the brewery
Friday, December 31, 2010
New Beer’s Eve: Chicago, Illinois
4:00PM-12:00AM @ Fountainhead
Ok this event is only $30.00 per person and the beers on tap and the food look amazing- this might be the best New Year’s Eve deal in the country.
On Draft,
New Belgium/Allagash – Vrienden
Left Hand – Fade To Black
Bierbrouwerij Emelisse – Triple IPA
Two Brothers – Bare Tree Weiss Wine
Dogfish Head – Bitches Brew
Bear Republic – Apex Imperial IPA
Mikkeller – Rauch Geek Breakfast Stout
Anderson Valley – Imperial Boont Amber
Half Acre – Big HuggsOn Cask,
Bells Two Hearted
Three Floyds Alpha KingNew Beer’s Eve Pre-Fix Dinner:
1st Course:
Choice of:
Beer Cheese Soup, Spicy Beer Cheese Soup with Potatoes, Lime Cream, Bacon, Grilled Rye & Sourdough
or
Crispy Salad, Spiced Walnuts & Diced Apple with Goat Cheese over Mixed Greens & Cherry Vinaigrette
2nd Course
Choice of:
Pot Roast, Rioja Demi and Root Vegetables over Parsnip Puree
or
Bourbon Maple Glazed Salmon with Root Vegetable Succotash and Celery Root Salad
3rd Course
Generous slice of Belgian Chocolate Bread Pudding with Caramel and Candied Pecans
Each course paired with a beer by our Beer Director
Pre-Fix Dinner by reservation only, 4-8 pm, $30 per Person
Please email by Wed. Dec. 29th with Preferred Time, Number of People, & Course Choices to: phil@fountainheadchicago.com
New Beer’s Eve Small Plates, 8-11pm
Saturday, January 1, 2011
20 Stouts on Tap: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
12:00PM-12:00AM @ Monk’s Cafe
Yep, we’re doing it again. Every line will have a stout running though the spout. As always, we’ll have some recognizable stouts and a few keg that most of you have not tasted before. Come in out of the cold and warm up with some hearty food and robust stouts.
Cash Bar, starts around noon.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
All of the events I can find today are not worth going to. Sit at home with some friends and break open something from the cellar.
Cheers!
Monday, January 3, 2010
Diners, Drive-In and Dives Party: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10:00PM-11:00PM @ Memphis Taproom
The Memphis Taproom will be featured on the Food Network’s show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Tonight, celebrate with PENNY DRAFT BEERS for one half hour! During commercials only — when the show’s on, you will have all eyes on the TV!
If you want me to post about an event, want to talk about an event you went to or just want to talk about beer, email me at jess@beerblotter.com or leave a comment!! Cheers!
Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Party Coming to Brouwers Cafe
If you still haven't tried this guy - get to Brouwers on Monday
Brouwers Cafe is continuing its onslaught of more than impressive beer events. Sierra Nevada is celebrating its 30th Anniversary – and Brouwers will be its Seattle host.
On November 15, 2010, you can enjoy some of the most amazing, and limited, beer produced by the California brewer. We were ecstatic to see that they will be bringing Life & Limb back to Seattle!
Here is the post from Brouwers’ website. Don’t miss out on the toast at 6 PM:
The Beer Line-up is looking good for the 30th Anniversary Party on Monday the 15th.
Fritz & Ken’s Imperial Stout
Charlie, Fred, & Ken’s Bock
Jack & Ken’s Barleywine
Our Brewers Reserve Oak-Aged Ale
Life & Limb Strong Dark Ale
Organic Estate Ale& more…
The Nationwide toast is at 6pm, this Monday, November 15th.
52 Weeks: The Traveler, Seattle, WA
The sign beckons the traveler in all of us.
Written by Jess R.
Week 40 of 52
The Traveler (ak.a. The Leary Traveler)
4354 Leary Way NW
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 783-4805
Rank: 4/5
Type of Establishment: Chill beer bar, brunch spot
Visit: After writing the Beers in the Hood: Ballard, I was accosted by my dear, close friends about The Traveler. How could I have left this gem off my list? Simple- I had never been there. This weekend, I changed that with back to back visits.
Sorry Photo: Yikes. Sorry for the poor quality. A night time shot via iPhone is not so hot. My apologies to the good people at the Traveler, because this place is a beaut and deserves a better shot.
Beers on Tap (at time of visit):
PBR
Ommegang Hennepin
Trumer Pils
Guiness
Manny’s Pale Ale
Maredsous 8, Belgium
—The top 6 are a constant on tap here. The bottom 4 beers are constantly changing–
Allagsh Black Belgian Stout
Glacier Brewhouse IPA (AK)
Full Sail Lupulin, Fresh Hop
Sierra Nevada Tumbler
Bottle List:
A glorious refrigerator with at least 35 bottle varieties from Russian River to Port Brewing. The Traveler also carries a seasonal selection, which makes things interesting and switches it up. It appears that the owner puts a lot of thought into selecting his bottles and rotating taps–this is all we ever ask of any and every bar owner.
Food Options:
The first visit occurred on a Friday evening. We had already indulged in a home-cooked meal, so we only perused the menu but man, does it look delicious.
The menu is served from lunch time through dinner and includes mini-burgers with crispy prosciutto and chipotle aoli and The Irish Interloper made up of house made Painted Hills corned beef (seriously made it the back of the house), sauerkraut, Russian dressing and Gruyère on rye bread with a side salad. Belgium mussels and frites showcase The Travelers’ European inspired fare.
The next morning, around 10:30AM we rallied the troops and headed back to try the food. Saturdays and Sundays until 3PM, brunch is served.
French Toast, an open-faced egg, cheese and prosciutto sandwich as well as all of the lunch options made our food choice an agonizing one. Bloody Marys and a Mimosa (served in a pint glass) started us off as we each ordered: corned beef (remember, made on site) hash with two over easy eggs and the steak and eggs were the highlights. The Bloody Mary bar is a never before seen treat – don’t miss it.
The corned beef hash was steamy, rich, chewy and the perfect start to a day and a hang over cure. The steak and eggs doesn’t sound all that exciting, but the cut of the steak was top-notch and it was cooked to perfection, making the eggs just an added bonus. The food is great, no dispute.
Bar Opinions:
A small space and barely noticeable from the busy street in Fre-lard (the small area between neighborhoods Ballard and Fremont), I present to you The Traveler. As you walk up to this bar, you can peer through the floor to ceiling windows and see the candle lit tables with the patrons laughing and drinking.
A quaint place with exposed brick, hard wood floors, an open kitchen and a chalkboard full of glory, The Traveler can accommodate a cold winter night or a steamy summer day out on their back patio.
Glacier, Allagash, Ommegang - oh my!
Tonight, in honor of Halloween, The Traveler was holding a pumpkin carving contest. As people were busy fashioning faces and scenes into these over-sized gourds, we found a standing table by the exposed wooden columns.
A quick glance at the beer board and I was instantly intrigued. I ordered the Allagash Black Belgian Stout which had a roasted flavor complemented with a silky, chocolaty mouth-feel and had a bitter coffee nose. My companion ordered the Glacier IPA (which I had at brunch the next day) which was a pleasant surprise from a small brewery in Alaska.
With a tap list guaranteed to have a several good choices (Ommegang Hennepin is always on the list which makes this bar Ommegang’s largest Washington state account), killer food and a cozy atmosphere, I would hit up the Traveler any day. You simply can’t go wrong.
Those of you passing through from Ballard to Fremont or vice-versa should consider the same! If you have been there and have something to say – post a comment below.
Events for Week of October 25, 2010
photo creds: yoursforgoodfermentables.com
Monday, October 25, 2010
Jolly Pumpkin Beer Week: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
11:00AM-8:00PM @ The Coffee Bar
Jolly Pumpkin, an amazing brewery out of Ann Arbor, MI arrives in Philly to showcase their amazing Belgium styled beers.
We will be pouring Jolly Pumpkin’s BAM BIERE on draft as well as bottles of LA ROJA, with another release to be determined!
And despite their name, there is no pumpkin in these beers. But we will be pouring Rock Art’s Imperial Pumpkin Spruce Stout, a unique interpretation of the seasonal pumpkin ale, to help fill your pumpkin needs.
We will also be serving hot turkey and stuffing sandwiches all week as well as pumpkin pie.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Oxymoron Night with Left Hand Brewing: Arlington, Virginia
6:30PM-10:30PM @ Galaxy Hut
Left Hand Brewing teams up with Terrapin to release Oxymoron, an IPA, is the third in a series of one-time releases between these two breweries. Tonight celebrate the release and enjoy brews from both breweries: Oxymoron, Terrapin Hopzilla, Terrapin So Fresh and So Green, Green, Left Hand Warrior IPA and Left Hand Twin Sisters.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Hop Harvest 2010: Greenville, South Carolina
6:00PM-10:00PM @ Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria
This is Barley’s 4th Annual Hopfest and they are bringing the fury:
-Great Divide Fresh Hop
-Harpoon Glacier Harvest
-Sierra Nevada Estate Homegrown Ale
-Sierra Nevada Northern Hemisphere Harvest
-Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Harvest
-Southern Tier Harvest
-Terrapin So Fresh & So Green, Green
-Victory Braumeister Harvest Ale
-Victory Braumeister Harvest Pils
-Weyerbacher Harvest
Plus these hoptastic bonus brews…
-Bell’s Hopslam Ale
-Mikkeller Green Gold IPA
-Stone San Diego County Session Ale
-“Randal the Enamel Animal”: Fresh-Citra-Hopped Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Pumpkin Beer Tasting: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
6:30PM-8:30PM @ Hudson Beach Glass
Art and Beer together for one night.
Hudson Beach Glass presents an exciting evening of beer tasting and glass making. Coordinated with Triumph Brewing, pumpkin ales and appetizers will abound. All guests will be using their own crafted pint glasses (with a new pumpkin stamp) to try the delicious brews. Also, Sean will be in the studio showing how the Pint Glasses are made and everyone gets to take one home at the end of the night!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Flying Dog’s Halloween Bash and Smash: Frederick, Maryland
7:00PM-11:00PM @ Flying Dog Brewery
Are you looking for something to do this weekend for Halloween? Do you want to drink tasty brews while doing it? I suggest stopping by Flying Dog Brewing Co. to celebrate the pagan holiday. 12 Flying Dog brews will be on tap. Get to work on your costume, as there is a $500 cash prize for the best costume.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Halloween Ale Fest: Grand Rapids, Michigan
1:00PM-1:00AM @ HopCat
Enjoy the best of Halloween with seasonal ales such as Nosferatu, Hobgoblin, Wild Devil & Screaming Pumpkin! Prepare for a costume contest.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
De Dolle Beer Tasting: Louisville, Kentucky
De Dolle, a small brewery from Essen Belgium is a personal favorite. Today, for $12, you get to taste several beers from De Dolle.
Beers to be tasted:
De Dolle Dulle Teve 10
De Dolle Extra Export Stout
De Dolle Oerbier
De Dolle Arabier
De Dolle Boskeun
If you have an event that you went to, want us to post an event or just speak your mind, then leave a comment or email me at jess@beerblotter.com. Cheers!
Events for Week of July 19, 2010
The Busy Bee Cafe: Home to many great beers and beer events!
This was a good beer weekend.
A trip to Portland entailed Stone, Dogfish Head, Victory collaboration Saison Du Boef; Avery Maraja; Hair of the Dog Fred; Russian River Consecration; Double Mountain Saison and so much more! A trip to a new beer bar Apex was top notch (see our 52 weeks article later) and bottle shop, Beermongers was still impressive and reasonable priced!
As if that wasnt enough, we partook in an impromptu beer tour of Southern Washington up through Tacoma. With a Dogfish Head Sah’ Tea at Parkplace Tavern in Tacoma and a Lagunitas Lil’ Sumin’ Wild in Olympia, letting go of the weekend was very difficult. But there is a whole week ahead of us and plenty of beer events.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Captain Lawrence Imperial Porter and 2 Casks tonight!: Peekskill, New York
6:00PM-10:00PM @ Birdsall
Tonight a keg of Captain Lawrence’s new Imperial Porter will be tapped along with two exclusive CL gravity casks: Kolsch & Freshchester(dry hopped with Cascade hops). Dont miss out on this full Captain Lawrence line up, including a couple of new draught additions.
Tuesday, July, 20, 2010
Deschutes Night: Seattle, Washington
6:00PM-9:00PM @ Naked City Brewery and Taphouse
Tonight, Naked City features Bend, Oregon brewery, Deschutes. Known for amazing beers such as Abyss, the tap list includes Miss Spelt, Hop in the Dark, Jubel 2010 and Greenlakes Organic Ale. Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Hoppin’ Frog Tasting: Shawnee, Kansas
7:00PM-9:00PM @ Barley’s Brewhouse
I am really happy to see Hoppin’ Frog, this Ohio based brewery get some love outside of its home state. Tonight, for $20.00 you can taste the following (they are all o’ so good) with some delicious food pairings: Wild Frog Wheat, B.O.R.R.I.S the Crusher Stout Paired with Teriyiaki glazed Wings, Mean Manalishi, paired with Fish and Chips, Silk Porter paired with our Chocolate Tort and Hoppin’ to Heaven IPA.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
25 Tap Bells Night: Grand Rapids, Michigan
6:00PM-2:00AM @ HopCat
I know we have posted a couple of events similar to this one, but it is so amazing. 25 taps of Bell’s Brewery beers tonight including: Two Hearted Ale (poured from a tap and from a firkin), the Cherry Stout and an ’08 Expedition Stout. SO good….so good.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Meet the Brewer of Brooklyn Brewing Co.: New Orleans, Louisiana
10:00PM- 12:00AM @ The Avenue Pub
We all know how much we love this place. So lets take this place in all of its glory and throw some Brooklyn Brewing beers on tap. Sold! Tonight, for $12.00, meet Garrett Oliver, head brewer and taste a sample of 5 amazing brews.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Barleywine Fest: Largo, Florida
5:00PM-11:00:M @ Willard’s Tap House
Granted its not barleywine season. Its summer after all. However, stop by Willard’s tonight and sample some flavorful beers including: Sierra Nevada Bigfoot, Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot, Southern Tier Back Burnner and Avery Hog Heaven (a hoppy barleywine).
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Rooftop Summer Wheat beer Dinner: Raleigh, North Carolina
7:00PM-9:00PM @ the Busy Bee Cafe
Now, sometime deliciously appropriate for the summer months, a wheat beer celebration. It’ll be a little more laid back than Busy Bee’s usual beer dinner and is only $35 per person. Enjoy Blanche de Bruxelles, Schneider Weiss, Great Divide Dunkel Weiss, and Terrapin Gamma Ray all on draft for this 4 course dinner! Email info@busybeeraleigh.com for tickets or more info.
Whats in stock for your beer future? Plan on attending an event? Want us to post an event? Then please leave a comment or email us at beerblotter@gmail.com! Cheers!
Notes of a Beer Nerd: Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary – Fritz & Ken’s Ale
Sierra Nevada's journey with Fritz Maytag - 30th Anniversay
***Notes of a Beer Nerd is a column written by resident cellar dwelling mammal, Timperial Stout. Feel free to e-mail him at timperialstout@beerblotter.com with any questions, concerns or comments***
Enjoyed on 4/20/2010
Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Ken Grossman) in collaboration with Fritz Maytag of Anchor Brewing Co.
Location: Chico, CA
Beer: 30th Anniversary – Fritz & Ken’s Ale
Presentation: 750 ml – Brown Glass Bottle – Corked and Caged
Vintage: 2010
Style: Imperial Stout
Barrel: N/A
ABV: 9.2%
IBU: N/A
Hops: N/A
Malt: N/A
Vessel: Snifter
Recommended Serving Temp: 55 degrees
Notes from the bottle: Fritz Maytag, owner of San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing Company, is regarded as the godfather of the craft brewing movement. Fritz agreed to guest brew this very special ale with us in honor of our 30th anniversary. As a nod to the robust black ales that seduced both Fritz and Ken in the early years, we bring you this Pioneers Stout, a rich and roasted ale, perfect for aging, and worthy of your finest snifter. Enjoy!
Food Pairings: Smoked meats, chocolate, deserts
Cheese Pairings: Gouda, brie, swiss
Beer Advocate: A-
Rate Beer: 100 (3.93)
Timperialstout’s Notes:
The Brewer’s Association just released the 2009 top 50 craft breweries list (based on beer sales volume, craft is defined, straight off the BA site below***). Sierra Nevada can be found in the 2 position, right below the Boston Beer Co. (Sam Adams). Anchor Brewing anchors in at 20. Collectively, that’s some serious volume, but that need not mean that we should look down on them in any way. In fact, since the list, by definition, only contains “small, independent, and traditional” breweries, it’s all the more reason to celebrate them.
These breweries pretty much started the craft brewing scene in America, and they are led by excellent and respected brewers, business men and spokesmen. Their success did not come over night and is, without a doubt, very well deserved. Beers like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Anchor Steam are known and enjoyed by almost every American that has ever tasted a non-Bud/Miller/Coors beer. That is incredibly impressive. It can be really hard for us beer lovers to imagine, but everyday, there are people out there having their first ever pale ale or steam beer and thinking to themselves, “wow, this is flavorful!” Chances are really high that those people picked up a Sierra Nevada or Anchor product. A lot of breweries with significantly less market share often rely on these bigger guys to create such experiences for potential customers. These are the brewing companies that have been making converts like us for about as long as was possible in this country.
The Sierra 30 series of collaborative brews is a true who’s who of the “pioneering brewers” of the craft community, and in our opinion, a highly notable milestone – a milestone that came at just the right time, when collaborative brewing is seemingly at its peak. It shouldn’t surprise you at all that these trailblazers are mingling with the trendsetters. The 5 men involved in the project are Ken Grossman, Fritz Maytag, Charlie Papazian, Fred Eckhardt, and Jack McAuliffe. A total of 4 beers will be produced, each a unique style brewed with various members of the collective, in celebration of Sierra Nevada’s 30th anniversary. This stout is the first of those 4 to be released and was crafted by Ken and Fritz, as the name suggests.
If you are not familiar with these gentlemen, shame on you, but that’s ok, we are here to educate.
Ken Grossman is the man behind Sierra Nevada. ‘Nuff said really. He started as a homebrewer, studied chemistry and physics in college, owned his own homebrew shop, and once creating Sierra Nevada brewing in Chico, CA, almost single handedly put hoppy American beers on the map. Nowadays, when the world thinks of American craft brewing, they think of highly hopped beers first and foremost. We can thank Ken for that. Some of his more recent stamps on the craft brewing world came with the production of the Harvest Series and Torpedo Extra IPA. The Harvest beers are some of the first and only 100% estate-made ales. This means that all of the malts and hops used to make the beer were grown and harvested on the breweries property. The Torpedo IPA employs a revolutionary device conceived, designed and developed at the brewery called a “hop torpedo” to dry-hop the beer.
Fritz Maytag is the great-grandson of the founder of the Maytag Corporation (yes the washing machine people). In 1965 he bought the Steam Beer Brewing Company in San Francisco and revived it. It was later renamed Anchor Brewing. Anchor is often thought of as being, along with New Albion Brewing Co. (which was founded over 10 years after Fritz bought Anchor), amongst the very first ever American craft breweries.
The potential extinction of the steam beer style was one of the main reasons Fritz got into brewing. His Anchor Steam kept the style alive and continues to be made and enjoyed by many today. Since very few breweries make steam beer, or if they do they don’t call it steam beer, many people mistakenly think that Anchor Steam is just the name of an Anchor beer and not a style of its own. Steam beer, also known today as California common beer, was developed in the San Francisco area and is basically defined as a lager fermented at ale temperatures. Though most small breweries may not want you to know this, California common yeast is often used to create their “lagers”, which are often not actually lagered due to the extended amount of time required to complete the fermentation/conditioning. This is due to some pretty simple economics: the longer a beer takes to complete, the longer it takes up precious time in the tanks, the less room you have to make more, the less money you make, etc, etc. These beers would technically be considered steam beers, but it appears that Anchor owns the rights to the word “steam” as it pertains to beer, so…California common beer it is, were these breweries to feel so inclined to use said naming moniker.
It goes without saying that these two gentlemen have an extensive amount of experience between them. When all that knowhow comes together…well, it seems that no single beer could possibly live up to the expectations, but if there were one style that Timperialstout might think could pull it off, it would be an imperial stout. Let’s see how they did.
Just as you would have expected from a robust stout, the pour fills my glass with a blackness that the brightest sun couldn’t penetrate. The kind of head that I fantasize about grew from that blackness with impressive gusto, built of an array of various sized bubbles, small near the surfaced of the fluid, crescendoing toward greatness at the apex. The color of the froth varies along with the bubbles; a stunning rust at the base and an inviting mocha on top. In time, the cap shrinks but stays remarkably sturdy, a good half-centimeter right to the very end, ever maintaining the same properties found on the initial pour. All bubbles: big, small, and everything between, shrink proportionately but remain stacked and multicolored. Lacing is present, but the majority of the glass stays transparent. The legs are most impressive. A tilt of the glass, and then a correction leaves a frothy wake slowly sliding back to meet the fluid. I am reminded of that last bit of an ocean wave, the seas bubbly fingertips reaching as far up the beach as possible before being reeled back to mother.
The scent possesses all the complexity of the world’s greatest stouts. We are off to a very good start. A couple of brewing masters are behind this? ‘Tis evident indeed. What I am experiencing so far makes my heart skip. It gives me goose bumps. This is why I’m Timperialstout. This is why I write. This is why I work in the beer industry. I’m extatic!
The complexity in the nose is overwhelming. Where do I begin? The roasty scents are most prevalent when it is a bit less than room temperature. Hot, charred pretzels, cocoa beans, devil’s food cake, and a lot of anise are noted. As it warms to very near room temperature, a lot of fruitiness unfolds. There is an acidic note, similar to what you might find in coffee, with a little dab of mocha to back it up. Some bitterness and a distinct organic scent is present, like recently upturned earth. A slight hint of alcohol is detected as well.
The mouthfeel is silky smooth and coating. The flavors mingle and get comfortable. I can’t say that I had the patience to allow for much time to pass between sips, but the flavors seemed to linger eternally. The aftertaste is like eating chocolate cake with chocolate icing right after brushing your teeth with a pasty, all-natural anise flavored toothpaste. Sounds weird, but it works well for me, evoking thoughts of warm pajamas, the company of family, and the holiday season. The alcohol is out to play at this point, no longer hiding in the cold, and if I hadn’t long ago accepted that inevitability when tasting impy stouts, it may be off-putting.
My experience with this beer was so wonderful on so many levels. That is why I have chosen to share my thoughts with you. My greatest hope is that you search out this beer, take it home, and have a deep experience with it like I have. While gazing, sniffing and tasting, allow your mind to briefly escape from the stresses of everyday life. Think of the men who created it and how lucky we are as beer lovers to have lived amongst them and tasted their creations. Think of the ingredients used in the product and how they may have came to be tended and harvested. Think of the waters of California that steeped those ingredients and what they may lend to the flavor and consistency. Think of the value that you hold in the relaxation you’re now swimming in. Take a deep breath. This is beer at its best.
One final note – please take a look at the sierra30 website linked above. It is beautiful and informative.
***The definition of a craft brewer as stated by the Brewer’s Association: An American craft brewer is small, independent, and traditional. Small: Annual production of beer less than 2 million barrels. Beer production is attributed to a brewer according to the rules of alternating proprietorships. Flavored malt beverages are not considered beer for purposes of this definition. Independent: Less than 25% of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by an alcoholic beverage industry member who is not themselves a craft brewer. Traditional: A brewer who has either an all malt flagship (the beer which represents the greatest volume among that brewer’s brands) or has at least 50% of its volume in either all malt beers or in beers which use adjuncts to enhance rather than lighten flavor.
If you like 30th Anniversary – Fritz & Ken’s Ale, you should try…
The Lost Abbey’s Serpent Stout; Green Flash Brewing Co.’s Double Stout; Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro’s Imperial Oatmeal Stout
Disclaimer: This beer was purchased on my own with my own hard earned money at a local bottle shop.
Collaborative Brewing: A Growing Trend in the Craft Beer Industry, Part 3
Perhaps the most known in Seattle....New Belgium's & Elysian's Trip Series
Here, in the third installment of the collaborative brewing article, we present a bit of a list of some of the most notable collaboration projects of the past, present and future.
This write up would be remiss to not mention the prolific Danish brewer with no brewery, Mikkel Borg Bjergso of Mikkeller. If brewing beer at someone else’s brewery were criteria enough to evoke the collaboration moniker, every Mikkeller beer to hit the shelves would be just that. Even still, Mikkel has, over the years, joined forces with Stone, Brew Dog, Three Floyds, Struise, Alesmith, Nogne O, and others to make some really exciting beers.
A collaboration that us Seattleites are very familiar with is that of Elysian Brewing Co. and New Belgium Brewing Co. The ‘Trip’ series allows Elysian to brew with more volume on the New Belgium system and New Belgium to brew more experimental, small batches on the Elysian system. Lucky for us, these beers are only available on draft in the Northwest.
The first brew was Trippel (not triple) IPA, a Belgian-inspired Indian Pale Ale. Trip II was a unique hoppy Belgian Golden Ale spiced with lemongrass and grains of paradise. Trip III was a sour brown ale and Trip IV, a Finnish style sahti brewed with juniper. Beer Blotter will be on the edge of their seats in anticipation of each subsequent release.
The darlings of the Florida scene, Cigar City Brewing, just may be sending a bit of their art in Seattle’s direction when they collaborate with The Bruery in what will be the most anticipated collaboration release for yours truly. Keep your eyes peeled in July or August of this year.
Terrapin Beer Co. of Athens, GA and Left Hand Brewing of Longmont, CO have actually decided to make a somewhat regular go at collaborating together with the ‘Midnight Project’ series. Brew One in 2008 produced Terra-Rye’zd, a black rye lager. Last year’s Brew Two saw Depth Charge, an espresso milk stout. Sadly, WA is not amongst the 6 states that receive these beers, but if you are in TN, NC, SC, GA, FL or CO, we will gladly offer you our address and some packaging materials.
Left Hand Brewing and Terrapin Brewing are making their collab a regular item
Quite possibly the biggest (in terms of brewery size) collaboration yet sees Boston Beer Co. and Weihenstephan join forces. The largest American craft brewery and the oldest brewery in the world, that’s pretty monumental! The uncharacterized style will come at the intersection of brewing innovation and the old German purity law, the Reinheitsgebot. According to Realbeer.com, “their yet-to-be-named beer will be released in both the United States and Germany next spring in cork-finished bottles. Effervescent and Champagne-like beer it will weigh in at more than 10 percent alcohol by volume.”
Another fairly sizeable collaborative effort came at the hands of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. These two have been quite active lately, in fact, on the collaborative front. Life and Limb came when Sam Calagione and Ken Grossman, two monumental names in American craft brewing, decided to cook up a beer together after sharing a pint or two at the Craft Brewer’s Conference. Their concoction ended up being a 10% strong ale brewed with maple syrup, fermented with a combination of both breweries house yeast strains and naturally carbonated with birch syrup. Limb and Life was also created in this session, a small beer made from the second runnings of Life and Limb.
Boulevard Brewing Co. of Kansas City, MO just recently made its first mark on the collaboration scene with a very unlikely cohort, the Belgian Trappist brewery Orval. Using an old recipe that Orval brewmaster Jean-Marie Rock had, an Imperial Pilsner was made using only one kind of malt, Saaz hops, water, and a lager yeast. Beer Blotter has never wanted to try a pilsner so bad. This beer is available in Seattle so look for it, we will be.
The final collaboration to be discussed in this round will be another America-meets-Belgium pairing that, well…I’m sure you can all imagine just how much that concept gets our blood pumping. Green Flash Brewing Co. of San Diego County and Brasserie St. Feuillien of Le Roeulx, Belgium have teamed up to make Bière De L’Amitié, or “Beer of Friendship”. Beernews.org reports that this 9.5% blonde Belgian strong ale will be released in June of 2010. Rye and wheat malts were used, along with Amarillo hops, St. Feuillien’s yeast strain, “secret” spices, and the whole mess was dry hopped with Amarillo. Sounds stupid good.
Any thoughts on collaborations? Know any good ones we missed? Join the conversation with a comment.
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