Summer Hot Enough For You?

Well, if it is or isn't, still a good time to enjoy a delicious cool one. Found a site that is composing lists of top hot weather beer recommendations for cities around the country. Having just visited Austin, I investigated their list and found several new beers I would like to try. Problem is, when it's that hot outside, who wants to travel?

Check this out:
http://www.thrillist.com/drink/austin/the-best-summer-beers-five-austin-brew-experts-picks

Cheers! (whew)

Karl Strauss' Medal Haul!

Karl Strauss makes one of my favorite ales, Red Trolley. Apparently I'm not the only one as this article from Brewbound explains:
http://www.brewbound.com/news/2013/karl-strauss-claims-16-medals-in-june?utm_source=Brewbound&utm_campaign=c6c32ceef7-mailchimp&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6026cb3473-c6c32ceef7-168700793

Congrats on the medal haul and keep that Trolley coming!

http://www.karlstrauss.com/PAGES/Brews/OurBeer/RedTrolley.html 

Photo: karlstrauss.com website.

Best Beers in California: It's Official

The California State Fair has released the results of the 18th annual California State Fair Craft Beer Competition which makes for some interesting reading, especially the Best of Show, a beer from Left Coast Brewing, down in San Clemente, a Vienna Amber Lager called Una Mas. Brewed with Sterling hops, it has an ABV of 5.8%, just passing the session criterion

Photo: Left Coast Brewing website.

Also a big winner was Half Moon Bay Brewing Company in Half Moon Bay, Calif.,
for a new award, Best of Show Session Beer (under 5% alcohol) which was awarded to a wood-aged saison called Ocho Barril. I'm not a big fan of saisons (I have to confess that I have not tried that many) but this one I want to sample some day. From their FB page, the beer is thus described: "This exceptional beer was aged for six months in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio French oak barrels and is currently on tap, but will not last long! Cheers!"


If you care the read the entire list of winners, it's here.

However, I discovered a blog by one of the judges which does a better job of displaying the winners. Written by Jay Brooks, it's much easier to follow.

Pliney Wins Again - Let's Hear It For Elders!

Just saw the news that Russian River Brewing's Pliny the Elder has done it again:

"...as voted by Zymurgy Magazine, the journal of the American Homebrewers Association (AHA). For the fifth consecutive year, the AHA gave the top spot to Russian River’s Pliny the Elder, which was followed by Bell’s Two Hearted Ale, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, Bell’s Hopslam Ale and Ballast Point Sculpin IPA."

All very special beers but I must admit my bias for Pliny. I lived less than 8 miles from the brewery for 20 years!

If you know what a randall is, you are a true beer geek!

Crowd of hop lovers awaiting the release of Pliny the Younger.

 Read the entire list here: http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/

Thomas Creek Revisited

Paid another visit to Thomas Creek yesterday to see how they were adapting to the new legislation allowing them to sell pints (in limited quantities) to visitors for the first time. On my first visit, Bill Davis, co-founder, could only give me a 4 oz. taster's worth. This time: Yowza! A whole pint of Class 5 IPA. Also took the opportunity to get my tickets for their big Anniversary bash coming up on July 13. Don't want to miss that, since it will be my first!

Before:

Small glass

After:

Big glass

As the French (tho not known as big beer drinkers) say: Vive la difference!

Hooray For IPA Class - Wannabe Hopheads Rejoice!

Had the opportunity to attend the Hooray for IPA class offered by Total Wine & Beer here in Greenville this week.

The beers offered ran the gamut from English style to West Coast Hop Bombs, the perfect introduction to folks who are just beginning to investigate what the hop world is all about. 

Beers were poured in the left to right order pictured.

For those bereft of a magnifying glass, here's the list of beers:

Sam Smith Classic IPA (English)
Clown Shoes Tramp Stamp (Belgian IPA)
Bell's Two Hearted American IPA (from Michigan and an example of East Coast style)
Diamond Knot American IPA (from Washington State, West Coast example)
Laughing Dog Sneaky Pete Double IPA (DIPA), example of Hopbombiness, 10% abv
Stone Ruination, Imperial/Double IPA (from San Diego county), Hopbomb poster boy
Oskar Blues G'Knight Amber Ale , East Coast style, West Coast would be Red Ale
Clown Shoes Hoppy Feet Black IPA

Looking at my beer tasting sheet, I rated Stone's Ruination 100 (the max) because, of the samples, it was the truest IPA for my taste. Hops in the nose, hops mid-palate and hops in the finish. 'Nuff said.
My second highest rated was, at 97%, the Laughing Dog Sneaky Pete. Good hop presence in the nose, well balanced medium body and dry finish. Plus it was a newbie for me.

A highlight of an event like this is meeting people who are just getting interested in IPAs and are adventurous enough to try something new. This class was no exception and I was pleased to make the acquaintance of Michael Myers and his wife Sherri. The class was a Father's Day present to Michael, a great opportunity for him to broaden his IPA horizons, so to speak. 

Michael and Sherri taking their beer ratings seriously.

After the class had wrapped up and all judging done, I asked Michael to name his favorite which turned out to be mine as well, Stone's Ruination. Sherri, not quite the hophead just yet, chose the milder Clown Shoes Tramp Stamp Belgian IPA. 

All were good beers, and two of them were new to me so I consider that a very succesful evening.

The class presenters:

Michael Austin, left, moves comfortably between wine and beer appreciation while Charles "Chuck" Epps, right, is a self-described beer geek. His knowledge of hops added substantially to the class. Well done, fellows!

Citra Hops (My New Fave) Featured in Beer of the Month

Photo: RJ Rockers Newsletter

Just a little behind the curve (but, hey, I'm homeless) I discovered that RJ Rockers Brewery, Spartanburg, SC, in a collaboration with Holy City Brewing Company Charlston, to produce a single hop citra IPA, called "Holy Citra, RJ," featured as the Beer of the Month of May.
 At 7% ABV the alcohol (a modest amount IMHO) is said to 
balance the intensely refreshing hop flavor. Sounds good to me. Will try it next week when I return to the area.