Lagers and Ales - See the Difference

I like this graphic, it shows quite clearly one of the major differences between ales and lagers. Any questions?

https://www.facebook.com/deschutes.brewery/photos/a.113330085416240.20864.113318562084059/766686136747295/?type=1&fref=nf

Oskar Blues Setting Major 2015 Production goals.

Gonna do my part and drink as much Pinner, their new Session Pale, as I can.


http://www.brewbound.com/news/2015/oskar-blues-sets-sights-200000-barrels-2015?utm_source=Brewbound&utm_campaign=b626fbb56d-mailchimp&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6026cb3473-b626fbb56d-168720889

Bottle Share Fund Raiser Offers Very Rare Beers

Very educational evening yesterday at the Greenville Craft Beer Week fund raiser, bottle share event (along with birthday celebrations for Brook and David) at Barley's Tap Room in Greenville, SC. 
Discovered several new barrel-aged stouts, saisons and even a whiskey barrel aged berry Berliner Weisse-style ale from de Garde among the huge array of selections. Some very generous folks did their best to impress. Too many to cover in detail but here are a few photos of some of my (and other's) favorites. (Oh, did I mention the chocolate cake, made with Westbrook Brewing Company 's Udderly Milk Stout?)

Quest Brewing Releases a Big One

Glad I visited Quest Brewing Company today for the Rum Barrel Aged Imperial Smoking Mirror Smoked Porter (there's a name for you) because it would be a shame not to try this.

A big beer, both in flavor, body and abv (9.6%). Sweetness from the rum barrel (is my guess), chocolate and mild smoke notes, enlived with a definite alcohol heat. Immensely drinkable tho. Great late evening (or early morning, heck) sipper. Got a few photos in between sips:

A very happy smoked porter lover!

All that's left in the inventory. Not going to last much longer.

When I started this glass had a much larger pour.... good photos require good beer. I think Ansel Adams said that.

Tours were also conducted.

Colorful truck and menu.

Don takes his role as spokesman seriously.

 So I brought a bottle home so there's a good chance it will accompany the football game later tonight!

Cheers.

Highland Brewing Company IPA Release

Glad to have participated in last night's Devil's Britches Red IPA release party in Asheville, NC's Highland Brewing Company. Named for a trail at Cataloochee Ranch in Haywood County, NC, this rich, red IPA has plenty of hop aroma and flavor, but is well balanced so the malt backbone comes through. I enjoyed a couple pints and, since it was also a fund raiser, brought a six-pack home as well.
Big turn out despite the cold and all seemed to be enjoying the beers on tap as well as the music from the band, Franklin's Kite.

Here's a description of Devil's Britches from Highland's Website:

"Ashburne Mild malt produces a toasted and biscuity flavor, and Extra Special malt renders an alluring red hue. Apollo hops provide aggressive bitterness(70 IBU), while dry-hopping with Calypso hops yields complex fruity and floral aromas with hints of pear and apple."


Some photo highlights:

Tap room was busy, despite the cold.

Love those seasonals.

Franklin's Kite was a crowd pleaser with some original tunes.

Headforbeer himself, having the first pint of Devil's Britches.

Alas, they were not filling growlers at this event, as Jason and Mairr Uhrinek discovered.

Azacca, A New Hop Variety

Learning about a new hop, Azacca. Used in Bear Republic's Apex seasonal IPA along with Lemondrop. Apex will be very difficult to find here in SC, but hopefully a friend visiting from the Bay Area will sneak a 22oz in with him.

http://www.brewbound.com/news/2015/bear-republic-releases-apex?utm_source=Brewbound&utm_campaign=7034f1aa4c-mailchimp&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6026cb3473-7034f1aa4c-168720889

https://bsgcraftbrewing.com/hops-american-hops-azacca

Barley Scene in 2015

 Sort of a non-story but well worth reading, if only to keep up with the barley scene these days.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/us/article/Bad-barley-crop-probably-won-t-affect-2015-beer-5991815.php