75 Years of Beer
Posted on March 12, 2008
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On April 7, 2008 breweries across the United States will be hosting events, parties, tours and tastings to celebrate the 75th anniversary of when beer was the only legal beverage to produce here in the U.SA. The full release from the Brewers Association is here detailing the events and the decisions that made it happen. Their website, 75YearsofBeer.org, also has an interactive event page detailing what breweries are doing to mark the anniversary in your state.
Ska Brewing Decadent Imperial IPA
Posted on March 12, 2008
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Ska Brewing (Durango, CO) has a series of imperial beers called “The Robust Reincarnations Series”. They are three beers based on their flagship brews done up Imperial-style. There is a Porter, IPA and a Blonde. I gave the Decadent Imperial IPA a go. According to Ska’s website is loaded at 99.9 IBU’s and an ABV of 10%!
Let’s get down to the issue with this brew. I was totally expecting a hoppy, over-the-top IPA with this beer and I didn’t think it tasted like it at all. Maybe it was the day or what I was eating (Spinach Ravioli in olive oil). Who knows!? This beer poured a dark, amber color with a limited, tan head that dissipated rather quickly. I swear the aroma on this reminded me of pineapple. More like the syrupy juice that comes in canned pineapples though.
Tasting is where I got totally thrown off by this beer. I was expecting bitter, but it came away very smooth and smokey tasting. There was a slight alcohol burn after swallow, but not really noticeable considering the 10% alcohol content. I waited on tasting the beer for about ten minutes, then I really let it warm up after about 20 minutes and it came off the same way. Very strange.
All-in-all, not too bad considering I kept thinking I was going to try a loaded IPA. It was a nice refresher on the warm day we had though.
Avery Brewing Collaboration Not Litigation 2008
Posted on March 11, 2008
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The story on this brew is that both Avery Brewing (Boulder, CO) and Russian River Brewing (Santa Rosa, CA) had a beer called Salvation in their respective lineup. However, instead of fighting one another over the name, Adam Avery and Vinnie Cilurzo came together and created a blend of their two Belgian Strong Ales. The result is a unique tasting Belgian-style Ale that brings both brewery’s Salvation beers toward a more traditional Strong Ale called Collaboration Not Litigation.
My beer poured a coppery-brown color. It was darker than a golden beer, but not dark brown. The beer was very hazy; not at all clear and the head was light colored and fluffy. I could not place the aroma after the initial pour. To me, it smelled fruity, like dried grapes…raisins perhaps. My first thoughts upon tasting was that it was surprisingly sweet, but ended with a very strong alcohol burn. I kept thinking that this beer is going to be hard to finish, but as it warmed up (or was it me that was warming up with the 8.72% alcohol content), it become increasingly smooth and easy to drink. I definitely liked it better when it was warmer. Overall, I would recommend letting this beer sit for about 10-15 minutes before drinking it. Good nonetheless.
On a side note, all the profits from their “joint venture” are funding an educational trip to Belgium for the two of them and their friends from Port Brewing (San Marcos, CA), Dogfish Head Brewing (Milton, DE) and Allagash Brewing (Portland, ME). They’re referring to it as their “pilgrimage”. Who knows, maybe their “pilgrimage” will lead them to their ultimate “Salvation”.
Cheers!
Colorado’s Southwestern Breweries Seeing Growth
Posted on March 10, 2008
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Barreling Ahead (@ The Durango Herald) - Here is an article I came across this weekend that discusses the growth in the breweries in the southwest corner. My wife and I are trying to coordinate a weekend trip (or two) in order to get down there and try these breweries. Ska and Steamworks have distribution up by me, but I have yet to go to Carver Brewing or Durango Brewing.
Session Beer
Posted on February 22, 2008
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I’ve been confused for some time over what exactly a “session beer” is. I’m sure you’ve heard the term used. I’ve confused the term with any beer that would be great during an extended period of tasting. However, apparently the term dates back to the British World War I era to allow production workers licensed drinking time during the day. To allow the workers to go back to work, the beers were generally lower in alcohol content. Beeradvocate.com has a great article describing and defining the term here.
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