Another Session IPA - The Hits Just Keep On Coming

Add this to the list I recently posted of examples of this growing trend of making tasty, hop-intense IPA, but with alcohol below 5%, thus a session beer. This one is 4% abv, and 42 IBUs, the bitter scale.

Here is the latest to join the lineup:

http://www.uintabrewing.com/archives/uinta-cans-trader-session-ipa

Yeast, One of the Big Four

As we all know, beer basically has four ingredients: water, barely, hops and yeast.

Ok, other grains get thrown in from time to time, style to style. And fruit. And chocolate.... anyway, what I'm getting to is that each of the four has its own role to play.

The folks at Southyeast labs can tell you in greater detail, but meanwhile, here is a fairly in-depth account of yeast's importance:



http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/27/science/craft-beer-at-the-genetic-level.html?emc=eta1

Cheers!

About Those "Session" IPAs...

Lakefront, left, 4.2% abv, is from Milwaukee; Founders, right, 4.7% abv, from Michigan

Seeing that next week, following Memorial Weekend, marks the beginning of the Summer season, I thought I would begin my research into appropriate brew selections. Of course, IPAs came immediately to mind followed quickly by what's termed, "session" IPAs, lower in abv but not in flavor. While I continue my research, here's a good article and list of some you might not be familiar with.

http://www.craftbeer.com/craft-beer-muses/7-india-session-ales-for-summer

For a typical description, here's how Lakefront describes their Extended Play:

Sometimes you need an IPA that goes the distance. That’s why we put together Exteded Play. This is an India Session Ale, which means all the hoppy goodness of a legit IPA, but with less alcohol. Huge citrus and floral aromas greet the nose from the stacks of Citra and Cascade hops added toward the end of the boil and in the whirlpool. The flavor is extremly citrus forward with just a touch of light caramel malt, giving way to a mild, hoppy finish, coaxing yet another sip. In short, it’s a beer that bears repeating. - See more at: http://www.lakefrontbrewery.com/beer/year-round/extended-play#sthash.7xqYmAiu.dpuf

"This is an India Session Ale, which means all the hoppy goodness of a legit IPA, but with less alcohol. Huge citrus and floral aromas greet the nose from the stacks of Citra and Cascade hops added toward the end of the boil and in the whirlpool."
Now that's what I call "hop forward!"

My experience with this style has been very satisfying from a hop lovers point of view. These Ales are being made with no decrease in flavor and intensity while keeping the abv down. Great idea and I think the craft brew enjoying public is responding.

Now, if we could only get Lagunitas to make Daytime a year-round brew!
http://lagunitas.com/beers/daytime/#

Yet to try this, but I like anything by Stone.

Some more ideas:


http://www.boulevard.com/BoulevardBeers/pop-up-session-i-p-a/


Whatever you choose, hoppy sipping!

Cheers.

Big News: Asheville Beer Week Coming!

As if there weren't enough reason to drink good beer in Asheville, NC, here's another week-long reason;

http://ashevillebeerweek.com/#sthash.70JDnv0f.dpbs


Promises to be an exceptional year, what with all the new breweries (see my previous posts) that have opened in the past year.

For me, it's only a hour drive north, easily a day trip. Just got to choose which days now.

Notes From A Citra Hops Lover - Me!

Stopped by the Community Tap to pick up a growler of Thirsty Dog's single hop wonder, Citra Dog. 6.5% abv, very crisp, dry and filled with deliciousness.  Try some and see if you don't agree.

Another Craft Beer First

About time:

http://allaboutbeer.com/news/oliver-first-brewer-win-james-beard-award/

Heart of Friday Night

With apologies to Tom Waits.


Survived the sporadic downpours while listening to music at the TD stage as part of Artisphere, then waded over to ‪#‎GreenvilleGrowler‬ Station for ‪#‎Freehouse‬ London Porter while watching the fireworks from Fluor Field. Just another Friday night in the ol home town.


Group on stage is called Houndmouth. Who knows why....

If you want to know more about the Freehouse Porter, here's what their website says:

"Robust London-style porter hopped for export.  Roasty and bitter up front with a sweet finish.  Smooth, roast chocolate and hops!"

Cheers!