The Better Beer Blog

Sierra Nevada Barrel Aged Narwhal on Bourbon

2015-12-01T13:49:00.002-08:00

A recent road trip to Ashland, Oregon took us conveniently near the vicinity of the famed Sierra Nevada Brewing. After recently reading "Beyond the Pale" I felt that it would be rude not to stop in for a bite and a beer at the Taproom. After a sampler of a few IPAs I noticed the Barrel Aged Narwhal Imperial Stout on the board and simply couldn't resist ordering it. This is one of Sierra Nevada.s specialty beers and it is only served as a ten ounce pour(at the Taproom anyhow). It is available in limited quantities in stores.

The Beer itself is huge with an ABV of 12.9% and IBU:62. It is aged in Kentucky Bourbon Barrels which impart flavors such as chocolate, espresso, honey and vanilla. As you can see the color is BLACK. The mouth feel is impressive and the finish lingers. This would pair well with a flour-less chocolate torte that we found earlier in the day at Bloomsbury Coffee House in Ashland.

Sierra Nevada describes the beer as being "inspired by the mysterious creature that thrives in the deepest fathoms of the frigid Arctic Ocean. Featuring incredible depth of malt flavor, rich with notes of espresso, baker’s cocoa, roasted grain and a light hint of smoke, Narwhal is a massive malt-forward monster. Aggressive but refined with a velvety smooth body and decadent finish."

If you are ever in Chico I would insist that you stop by the Taproom for lunch or dinner. It is well worth the adventure. If you have extra time I suggest taking the free Brewery Tour as well. The tour ends with a complimentary tasting(so free beer).

P.S. After lunch we walked right passed Ken Grossman as he was leaving his office. Probably the most humble Billionaire I've ever had the chance to meet. After I sold and installed the phone system for SNB he signed my copy of his book with a special thanks for all of the help. Class act.

Death and Taxes by Moonlight Brewing

2013-03-27T17:09:00.004-07:00

The famous statesman and historical brewer Ben Franklin once stated that "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes". I'm pretty certain that you can count on at least one other thing and that is that any beer produced by Moonlight Brewing is worth going out of your way to find. Which leads us to this post about Moonlight's "Death and Taxes Black Beer".

During our last trip up what I like to call "Beer Valley" we had hoped to stop by Moonlight Brewing but soon discovered that it wasn't quite as easy as visiting Lagunitas, Bear Republic, Russian River or any of the other great ale purveyors in the area. According to their website "We are too small to be open for tours or tasting". So without personally knowing the brewer Brian Hunt or having a press pass you probably are going to have to do a little searching to find and taste their beers.

Luckily we were able to track down Moonlight's most popular beer Death and Taxes on tap at a Ft. Bragg local pizzeria, Piaci's. This quaint little pizzeria tucked away at the northwestern end of town boasts one of the better tap lists I have ever come across in a place of this size. Since I am quoting historical figures in this post; Pulitzer Prize-winning American author and columnist Dave Barry once said “Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza.” Piaci's marries their extensive and high quality beer menu with some of the best pizza on the north coast.

Death and Taxes is a black beer with a sturdy and creamy head. The beer has notes of coffee and chocolate but isn't overly sweet. The color is as black as a moonless night but the beer has a light finish and is easy to drink. It's the kind of beer that would make a light beer drinker say "Wow that's a lot better than I thought it would be".

Where ever you are able to find Death and Taxes or any of Moonlight's other brews I highly suggest taking the opportunity to enjoy them. Moonlight's additional labels include: Homegrown Fresh Hop Ale, Lunatic Lager, Bony Finger Black Lager, 20 to Life Tart Ale, Twist of Fate Bitter Ale, Reality Czeck Style Pils, Toast (slightly burnt) Toasted Lager, Moonlight Special Beer. I was lucky enough to stumble across Toast in Ukiah at another great pizza joint named Saucy. I will be keeping my eyes peeled as I search for the rest of the brews which rarely make it more that 60 miles from the brewery.

BROTHER THELONIOUS at North Coast Brewing

2013-01-16T10:57:00.003-08:00

Our final brewery stop on our trip brings us to the home of such greats as Brother Thelonious and Old Rasputin. North Coast Brewing sits along the main street in Fort Bragg just north of town. The tasting room and restaurant are situated across the street from the brewery itself. We were lucky enough to chat with one of the brewmeisters. She had just finished her shift and stopped in for a pint and some camaraderie amongst the locals.

It is fitting that this turned out to the last brewery on our trip as it boast the most "over the top" beers that I have had a chance to taste. The brewmeister told us that she had recently left a brewing job on the east coast to try her hand out in California. I have to say she is doing a fine job.

The taproom was quaint and warm if not a little crowded, but this was Holiday weekend and folks were getting an early start on the festivities. We held off of the appetizers since dinner was waiting for us at home but the garlic fries looked and smelled delicious. Visit when you have enough time to enjoy a few brews and some food.

As for the beer, I chose Brother Thelonious, a belgian style strong dark, named after jazz great Thelonious Monk. The Brewery makes a donation to the Thelonious Monk Institute for every bottle of Brother Thelonious Belgian Style Abbey Ale sold. This beer is rich and robust with an ABV of 9.3%. It was the most outstanding beer of the week but I couldn’t have more than one. With a Bitterness of only 32 IBUs this one is just a little too malty for me. Yet a tasty treat to finalize the brewery trip.

My lovely wife Amber opted for her old standby Blue Star Wheat Beer. There is a reason this beer has been around and popular for some time now. It’s delicious, crisp and satisfying. Blue Star is unfiltered, the yeast adding a complex note to the flavor profile. Although this was quite difficult to find back when she was in college it can now be picked up at most Northern California supermarkets.

This post wraps up the brewery portion of the trip (which was my Christmas gift from Amber) but there is one more beer to come. As it turns out we couldn't visit the brewery because it was actually at the brewer's house. More to come....

Anderson Valley Brewing Company

2013-01-15T22:55:00.000-08:00

What do Frisbee golf and beer have in common? I have no idea but you can find both of them at Anderson Valley brewing Company. Our fourth brewery stop brings us to AVBC just outside of Boonville, California. Besides the amazing variety of craft beers the brewery is also home to a sanctioned 18 hole disc golf course.

Anderson Valley brewing company was established in 1987 by David Norfleet and Kim and Ken ,Allen. The original 10-barrel brew house which is now used for research and development, was designed and installed by owner and original brewer.

Since 1997, the brewery has hosted the Boonville Beer Fest. Details on this year's Boonville Beer Fest can be found here.

During our visit we tasted both the Hop Ottin IPA and the Mowkeef Saison. The Hop Ottin is true to it's name with the bitter hop style synonymous with this region and the Saison is French style which
I prefer to drink in the summer. Both were great solid beers and would have stood out in a normal crowd. This journey however has not been filled with normal beers.

Besides the amazing variety of craft beers the brewery is also home to a DPA recognized 18 hole disc golf course. Course fees are $5.00 per player, per day, and fees include a coupon that can be redeemed immediately for $5.00 OFF of any Anderson Valley Brewing Company retail purchase of $10.00 or more. The course is open from 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. All holes are par 3 with distances ranging from about 200–350 ft.

The patio outside is both dog and kid friendly so you don't have to leave either at home. On a warm sunny day I can't think of a better place to sit outside and enjoy an Anderson Valley beer. To compliment the beautiful surrounding and tasty beers the staff is both friendly and knowledgeable about the local folklore and the town's own American dialect called Boontling. You can read more about bootling in my previous blog post about Anderson Valley.

Cafe Racer 15 from Bear Republic Brewing in Healdsburg

2013-01-04T11:35:00.002-08:00

The town of Healdsburg has been synonymous with wine for a lot longer than it has with beer. That began to change when the Norgrove family founded Bear Republic Brewing in 1995.

The first stop on our second day brings us to a brewpub on the corner of Healdsburg's historic downtown square where we found a lively atmosphere and outstanding food choices. The intense flavors of Bear Republics beers are well paired with dishes like the vegetarian Roasted Garlic Plate and the Hummm Baby Crab Sandwich(Garlic and butter sautéed Dungeness crab from The Tides Wharf, fresh tomatoes on garlic-buttered, grilled sliced sourdough.Go Giants).

To complement such delicacies we had to find just the right beer. Anticipating the overbearing flavor of the roasted garlic I chose the 100+ IBU Cafe Racer 15 Double IPA. This beer was originally brewed to celebrate the 15th year of innovative brewing at Bear Republic. The name also pays homage to the counterculture streetracer motorcyle. I would not suggest riding a motorcycle the same day you drink one of these hefty brews though because it packs a punch at almost 9%.

Even the high ABV can not hide the hoppiness so be ready for a wallop when you take your first sip.

I suggest that you visit the brewpub and sit on the patio to enjoy the sunshine while you dine on their amazing food. Cheers.

Russian River; Perdition, Biere De Sonoma

2013-01-03T10:24:00.000-08:00

The second stop on our "Northern California Better Beer Tour" brought us to Russian River Brewing where we attempted to have dinner. (Note to all: do not try to go to Russian River Brewing for dinner on a holiday Friday night and expect to be able to eat within 90 Minutes. It will not happen). The place was packed solid. A friendly patron was nice enough to share his table and some dining advice. We sat down long enough to have a beer and talked with him about the local cuisine.

While I couldn't pass up the chance to have a Pliny the Elder at the source, my ever increasingly daring wife took a shot at the Perdition. (Note* Pliny the Younger will be pouring mid-February.)

The Stats:

Original Gravity:	1.058
Alcohol by Volume:	6.1%
Color:	Reddish brown
Bitterness:	Mild

Perdition is called a Biere De Sonoma in the tradition of the great Biere de Garde’s of Belgium and is available as a pub draft only. Perdition is usually available year round in limited distribution only in California.

Additional Beers on Tap included:

O.V.L. Stout, Happy Hops, Row 2, Hill 56, Blind Pig, Janet’s Brown Ale, Pliny the Elder, Erudition, Supplication, Damnation, Temptation, Consecration and Mortification.

Around The World at Lagunitas Brewing

2013-01-02T09:32:00.000-08:00

Inspired by an article in Sunset Magazine my lovely wife planned a 4 day road trip to visit breweries from Petaluma to Fort Bragg. Starting in Petaluma of course means a visit Lagunitas Brewing. With so many wonderful beers on tap we couldn't decide where to start so we ordered them all. The "Around the World" includes one taste of every beer on tap or in the cask that day. As our waitress informed us today was a great day to be at the brewery. Not only was there live music provided by the "crunchy rock" sounds of the Smokehouse Gamblers but also there happened to be 23 beers on tap. As a bonus Brothers Comatose sat in for a few songs on the way to a gig at the Sebastopol Hopmonk Tavern.

Although we underestimated the time needed to sample all 23 brews and missed the free brewery tour we were treated to lively music and great conversations. The outdoor beer garden style of the Lagunitas taproom makes it easy to meet new friends who casually sit beside you and share beers, peanuts and pretzels while joyfully discussing where they are from and why they are there.

Our "Around the World" tasting included; IPA with Nelson Sauvin, Doppelomyces, Fusion II, Bourbon BA stout, So Co Stout, Fillmore Fusion, 3B Bnarly, Wet Dog, Imp. Stout, Gnarly Wine, Cappuccino Stout, Shugga, FreshKronik, Farmhaux, Sebasto-pale, Pilsner, Pale, IPA, Maximus, Hop stoopid, Censored, Sumpin and Sucks. Amber picked Shugga as her favorite while I was leaning towards the Maximus by the end of the 2 1/2 hours it took to finish.

I have to say that this is one of my new favorite places to enjoy beer. The staff is friendly and efficient. The beer is amazing, The music was lively and entertaining. As it turned out all three groups that joined us at the picnic bench were fun to talk with and told great stories. If you are in Petaluma and find yourself in need of a place to grab a beer I highly recommend stopping in the Lagunitas Brewery.

North Peak Diabolical IPA at the Jolly Pumpkin Brewery

2012-09-22T11:55:00.002-07:00

A surprise vacation brings me to Northern Michigan to spend time with my Dad and hunt for Petoskey stones.. On day one I had the pleasure of dining at the Jolly Pumpkin Brewery where they were pouring the Diabolical IPA as a guest tap. The name alone was enough to convince me to try this American style India Pale Ale. The Diabolical IPA is brewed by North Peak Brewing Company in Traverse City Michigan. A good "everyday" IPA with 66.6 IBU and 6.6 ABV it's not too heavy and not too hoppy. Cascade, Perle and Willamette hops provide scents of citrus and pine with a slightly bitter finish.

I paired my Diabolical IPA with a fried whitefish sandwich and french fries(Michigan style health food) and it was amazing. If you are ever in the area be sure to stop in and visit the good people at the Jolly Pumpkin. If you have a chance to visit North Peak be sure to do it when you can sit outside and listen to live music. Both locations provide menus full of delicious options for food and libation.

Tasty Greens IPA from Seabright Brewery in Santa Cruz

2012-08-22T09:48:00.000-07:00

Our seemingly continual travels took us to Santa Cruz this past weekend for a photo shoot at Seabright Beach and tattoo at Lovedog Tattoo. Amazingly, despite our hectic schedule we were able to squeeze in a visit to the local restaurant and watering hole Seabright Brewing. This is where I found a beer that I had to try simply because of its name.

The Tasty Greens IPA incorporates 110 Lbs of malted rye to create a hoppy IPA. A large portion of Delta Hops is balanced by a small amount of Honey Malt. This IPA is dry hopped with Cascade and Calypso hops which creates a floral nose finish. The name Tasty Greens is presumably derived from large amount of hops used in brewing this beer.

At 7.6% ABV the hopiness is well balanced by the alcohol content and the overall result is a smooth and slightly sweet IPA that actually reminds me more of a Fat Tire Ale than a traditional American IPA. It paired well with my fish and chips (one of many excellent offerings) and would have been even better with one of the monstrous burgers on the menu. (Side note the two burgers we got for the kids could have fed the whole family)

The next time you are in Santa Cruz be sure to stop by Seabright Brewery and grab a bite and a brew. Sit on the patio and enjoy the tourists, surfers and locals walking, driving and biking by. As with anything in Santa Cruz it can get a little busy on the weekends but we had no trouble getting a table for our party of 7. Service was good considering how crowded the place was and our waitress never once showed up without a smile on her face.

Sierra Nevada Old Chico Crystal Wheat

2012-08-15T18:03:00.000-07:00

On the other end of the scale from my last post is the lightest offering from Sierra Nevada Brewing. Old Chico Crystal Wheat is supposedly only available in and around Chico, CA. That said, my first encounter with this wonderfully drinkable libation was in Vacaville's historic district at Merchant and Main Grill & Bar about 2 years ago. I was dining with a client when he noticed Old Chico on the menu. As a Chico State Alumni he was excited to have found the previously "Chico only" beer near his place of business. That incident caused me to double check many a beer menu searching for this elusive brew. As suspected I couldn't find it anywhere for the following 18 months.

As luck would have it my day job now takes me to the Sierra Nevada Brewery on a regular basis. After every meeting I stop by the gift shop to purchase souvenirs. So far I have picked up T-shirts, dog collars, sweatshirts, iPhone covers and of course BEER. I was delighted to find that Old Chico is now available in both bottles and cans. As you can tell from most of my posts I prefer draft beer but the portability of this incredible beer earns Old Chico an exception. Finally I can float the river without having to drink PBR (with all due respect to Pabst).

I have also noticed Old Chico bottled six packs showing up in grocery stores as far south as Santa Barbara. I asked my contacts at the brewery about the expanded distribution footprint but they declined to confirm, deny or elaborate on how the beer is wandering outside the hallowed city limits of Chico. However it is getting out we are all lucky that it is. If you come across a six pack in your local beer aisle do yourself a favor and grab it.

Now about the beer. Although this is a wheat beer it is perfectly clear and not at all "gritty" like some wheat beers that you may be used to. There is no clover or floral notes and it certainly wouldn't complement a slice of lemon or orange. Sierra Nevada states that Old Chico is the lightest beer they make. Light is apparently a relative term because this beer has plenty of flavor and body. This is a great beer for a day at the beach or after mowing the lawn on a hot day. As a matter of fact I have worked up quite a thirst writing this post so I think I will go grab one myself.

Sierra Nevada Hoptimum 2012

2012-03-02T22:53:00.007-08:00

On November 15, 1980, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. produced a beer that would change the face of the American beer culture. Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale launched a cultural revolution that has spread across the country and inspired brewers from Chico to my home town of Davis(Sudwerks) to San Diego (Stone and many others) and eastward throughout the country.

Recently I have had the good fortune to bring on Sierra Nevada as one of my customers. After my most recent visit I stopped into the gift shop to pick up a gift or two for friends and family. When I noticed the 4-packs of Hotimum in the cooler I decided to grab myself a gift as well.

I have sampled the Hoptimum before at my favorite local pub Samuel Horne's Tavern and I was anxious to see how the bottle version compared to draft. In one word "WOW". This is a hop bomb and delicious to the last sip. I would compare it to a fine wine or single malt scotch in terms of drinking pleasure.

ACME IPA at the Heyday Cafe in Placerville.

2012-02-27T18:11:00.001-08:00

While visiting family in Fort Bragg last week I had the chance to grab lunch at the North Coast Brewery. Unfortunately I had a 4 hour drive ahead of me so I stuck to the food and skipped the beer. Not an easy feat for someone who loves to try out new beers. As luck would have it I popped into the Heyday Café on Main ST. in Placerville yesterday to find that they were pouring ACME IPA. I took this chance to redeem myself from last week’s bout of abstinence.

In North Coast’s words: “Acme IPA is profoundly hoppy, finished with over a pound of fresh whole hops per barrel. The result of this generous hopping is a beer that is deliciously dry, and eminently drinkable in spite of its apparent strength.” In my words this is a smooth and refreshing beer with a bit of a bite and a mellow finish. It paired perfectly with my Mediterranean veggie wrap and roasted red pepper soup.

The Acme Beer Brand has a long and entertaining history. I suggest you visit the online museum for more info; ACME Beer Museum

If you have the chance I highly recommend trying out both the Heyday Café and Acme IPA.

Vitals:

Style: India Pale Ale
Color: Pale Amber
ABV: 6.9%
Bitterness: 55 IBUs

How would you like to have one of these in your garage?

2011-09-08T12:26:00.000-07:00

Although I graduated from UC Davis with an engineering degree I have always wished that I had studied the art and science of beer and wine making. I recently came across this video on the Davis Patch Web Site and thought it would be worth sharing. How much fun would it be to have a set up like this in the garage or basement? Especially since our local "brew it yourself" Brew It Up closed down. Every year in late March or April UC Davis and the town of Davis hosts Picnic Day. The campus is open to the public and there are a multitude of science and art exhibits. My favorite (since I turned 21) has always been the brewing department's exhibit. If you have the chance to visit Davis on Picnic Day I recommend stopping by the brewing department and attending one of their lectures on beer making. You will not be dissatisfied!

+

University of California at Davis: Pilot Brewery John B. Carnett

For more information please check out the reference article about Davis' Brew Lab. Happy Brewing.

"PU 240" from Auburn Ale House

2011-08-08T17:40:00.000-07:00

With Thanksgiving past us I have heard that the "autumn beers" are about to give way to the Christmas beers (4 weeks ago I had no idea that beers changed with the seasons). As I understand it the Christmas beers have more of a lean towards maltiness and sweetness. If that theory holds true I am glad that I had a chance to sample this 100+ IBU creation from the Auburn Ale House before switching to the "holiday beers".

The Auburn Ale house puts out some seriously flavourful brews to match their tasty food offerings. The PU 240 is no exception to this rule.

"Named after the isotope essential for nuclear grade weapons, this
“Weapons Grade Ale” is the hop bomb you didn’t see coming!
At 100 bittering units, PU240 captures the explosive hop flavor and aroma necessary to achieve a critical mass that you won’t find in other high-hop ales. A classified and combustible amount of Summit and Galena hops along with a double Dry-hop bombardment of Simcoe, Columbus and Nugget contribute to PU240’s high rate of spontaneous hop fusion."

If you enjoyed "Pliny the Elder"and the beers profiled in Day 12, Day 21 and Day 23 then you will love PU 240. Word of warning, this is nuclear grade stuff so be careful with it. You can find this wonderment at the Ale House located in Old Town Auburn or in Old Town Folsom at Samuel Hornes.

"Guiness Stout" at Plainfield Station

2011-08-08T17:39:00.000-07:00

Well of course Guinness needs no introduction as it is probably one of the most recognizable beers in the world. When you have been making beer for over 200 years you certainly know how to do it well. But in case you haven't taken the leap of faith and tried a Guinness it is about time that you give it a taste. As my sister stated today "That's pretty good for a beer of that color".

I enjoyed my Guinness at one of my favorite watering holes, Plainfield Station. Plainfield Station is an old gas station on Road 98 between Davis, Woodland and Winters, Ca. It is a place were a group of hunters in their orange hats can sit next to two nurses in scrubs who are sitting next a pair of burly looking bikers in black leather. At the table across the room a young couple (with their newborn asleep in the car seat on top of the table) dined on half pound burgers while I along with 7 other family members enjoyed a large plate of nachos. This hole in the wall bar has a substantial selection of beers on tap which ranges from Pabst to Guinness and from Widmer Heff to Boont Amber Ale. And of course they have all the old standby beers like Coors and the line of Buds.

Plainfield has a very large back yard with picnic tables, a horseshoe pit and a stage for small concerts. The food is great and the menu boasts everything from jalapeno poppers to teriyaki chicken sandwiches but for my money the Tacos are the best around. If you are ever in the area you must stop in a grab your favorite libation and game of pool. Everyone is welcome and the staff (at least these days) is very helpful and friendly. The beer is always cold and the people watching is second to none.

Photos by Shoop's Photography

"Alaskan IPA" from Alaskan Brewing company.

2011-08-08T17:38:00.000-07:00

Surfing in Alaska??? You bet. The inspiration for this beer is comes from Alaska's own surf mecca Yakutat. The label features a surfer riding a wave while Mount Saint Elias looms at an impressive elevation of 18,000 feet in the background. Who would have thought to go surfing in Alaska? Probably the same adventuresome folks that will enjoy this bold and tasty brew. I normally stick to the Alaskan Amber but had to try the IPA since I had never seen it on tap before.

Tasting notes come from the http://www.alaskanbeer.com/ website; "Alaskan IPA is honey gold in color with a fruity, citrus aroma. An enticing blend of hops and our dry hopping process, in which hops are added directly to tanks during fermentation, give this brew a very intense, complex aromatic character with a refreshing hop finish."

I enjoyed my Alaskan IPA at Plainfield Station where we braved the cold(but sunny) weather to enjoy the back yard/picnic area. The kids played football and others played horseshoes while I sat back enjoyed the late afternoon sun and sipped my Alaskan IPA.

Alaska has a long history of brewing and beer drinkers from the explores in the 1700s through the miner's gold rush there was plenty of local beer to be had. Of course prohibition put a damper on most of the local production. In 1986 Marcy and Geoff Larson opened the first brewing company in Juneau since prohibition and the Alaskan Brewing Company has flourished ever since.

"Purple Haze" by Abita

2011-08-08T17:37:00.000-07:00

A recent trip to LA provided me with several hours of "nothing to do" so I pulled up a bar stool at Dillon's Irish Pub at the corner of Hollywood and Vine. I counted 37 beers on tap and they were all just $3 a pint. Since I had already tried many of the beers I decided to try something new.

The Purple Haze by Abita look interesting. Abita's description of this beer reads; "Purple Haze is a crisp, American style wheat beer with raspberry puree added after filtration. Therefore, you may see raspberry pulp in the beer. The raspberries provide the lager with a subtle purple coloration and haze, a fruity aroma, and a tartly sweet taste."

It was definitely worth trying and I would suggested to anyone that likes fruit in their beer. For me I will stick to a lime in my Corona if I want fruit in my beer. Luckily there were 36 other choices for my second pint.

Santa Barbara Edition - Island Brewing's Weiss

2011-08-08T17:36:00.001-07:00

Our family vacation brings us to Santa Barbara and more specifically Carpinteria. Carpinteria, so named by the Spanish for the “carpentry shop” located on on of the few south facing beaches in California. Established by local Chumash tribe the “carpentry shop” was used for building canoes and other sea-going vessels. The site was chosen because of naturally-occurring surface tar which was used to seal the boats. Less than half a mile from what is now known as the popular surf spot "Tar Pits" you will find Island Brewing . This spot is as laid back as it gets. I could easily imagine myself wasting an entire afternoon sipping each and every one of their brews while sitting in the sun on the ample patio.

For today's post I sample the Island Weiss. With the phrase "The Weiss is Nice" printed on the lable I had to give it a try. This unfiltered Bavarian-Style Hefeweizen is bewed from 50% German Pilsner Malt and 50% Canadian Wheat, the result is a refreshing wheat beer with hints of vanilla ,citrus, bananas and clover. The perfect beer to enjoy while sitting on the patio of the brewery enjoying the sunshine. The next time you are in the area I high recommend stopping the brewery and sampling their spectatular offerings.

Ukiah Brewing Orr Springs IPA

2011-08-08T17:35:00.001-07:00

A recent Photography Gig allowed us to spend some time in the wonderfully diverse town of Ukiah, CA. Ukiah is full of organic taco stands, vegan lifestyle stores, quaint coffee shops and the Ukiah Brewing Company. The UBC is a rustic place on the main street of downtown Ukiah that appears to be a great concert venue. Although there were several Veggie and Vegan items on the menu they also offer some real (and tasty) food. We split a sweet potato and coconut soup and fish and chips and Cajun fries and to wash it all down I chose their Orr Springs IPA. The Orr Springs IPS is a Light-bodied, heavily-hopped India pale ale featuring Rakau hops. This is big strong IPA with an ABV of 7.0%.

The Beer is named for the Orr Hot Springs which is something I will definitely be checking out the next time I am in town.

As a side note my lovely wife chose the Willits Wit which I actually liked better than the IPA on a hot summer day.

The next time you are venturing through this little hippy enclave I suggest taking a break at the corner of School and N. State Street. Grab a beer or three and take in some tremendous people watching.

To learn more about the UBC click the link to Urbanspoon.

"Celebration Ale" from Sierra Nevada

2011-08-08T17:33:00.000-07:00

Day 24 brings us back to Folsom and my trusty neighborhood pub Samuel Hornes. With 16 beers on tap I don't expect to run out of unique beers to profile. That said I have whittled away at more than half of their selection for this Blog. Luckily their inventory rotates on a regular basis so I should be able to sample a few more of their offerings before the end of the month.

Today's beer comes from Chico, California's Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Officially dubbed Celebration Fresh Hop Ale this seasonal masterpiece was originally brewed in 1981 and has continued as a holiday tradition to date. Here is the stat sheet for the 2010 version of this dry hopped ale:

Alcohol content 6.8% by volume	Bittering hops Chinook
Beginning gravity 16.0 Plato	Finishing hops Cascade & Centennial
Ending gravity 4.0 Plato	Dry hopping Cascade & Centennial
Bitterness units 65	Malts Two-row Pale & English Caramel
Yeast Top-Fermenting Ale Yeast

"Hop Rod Rye" from Bear Republic

2011-08-08T17:32:00.000-07:00

For Day 23 I am profiling another fabulous beer from Bear Republic. The Hop Rod Rye is a high gravity IPA brewed with 18% rye malt. I enjoyed this hoppy little number along with a cheese plate and sausage roll at Murphy's Irish Pub in Sonoma.

According to the Bear Republic's website "Hop Rod Rye has a floral hop aroma and subtle caramel notes with a slightly earthy and spicy rye character." According to me it is a delicious compilation of malt and hops.
Hop Rod Rye is essentially a Strong Pale Ale with a huge hop aroma and a sweet malty finish. Awards include 2004 California State Fair, Silver Medal Winner; 2002 National Real Ale Festival, Chicago, Gold Medal Winner; 2001 San Diego Real Ale Festival, Silver Medal Winner & Best of Show (Runner Up).

Hop Rod Rye is no joke folks. If you are serious about beer and you haven't tried this little gem then you are doing yourself a major disservice. This is a great beer and I would suggest picking some up for Turkey Day this year.

Cheers.

"Alley Pale Ale" from Murphy's Irish Pub in Sonoma

2011-08-08T17:30:00.001-07:00

If you have never been to Murphy's Irish Pub then the name of their flagship beer may sound a little funny. If you have been there then you will certainly understand. Murphy's is located in an alley (really more of a paseo or breezeway) smack in the middle of downtown Sonoma. Voted the number one place to hear live music in Sonoma this quaint little bar serves up multiple beers on tap and some delicious pub grub including traditional Irish fare.

Their Alley Pale Ale is brewed exclusively for Murphy's by Dempsey's Brewing in Petaluma. With an ABV of 5.2% this beer is a medium bodied smooth & flavorful pale ale with gentle hop character. This very drinkable and flavorful beer that goes perfectly with their Fisherman's Pie.

"Hopmonk Dunkelweizen" from Hopmunk Tavern in Sebastopol, Ca

2011-08-08T17:29:00.000-07:00

Day 20 brings us to Sebastopol, Ca for a visit to Hopmunk Tavern. Today is my lovely Wife's Birthday and we are headed to The second annual Purple Pachyderm Pinot Party and musical extravaganza featuring the music of Les Claypool and friends.

The Hopmunk is a musci venue, restaurant and brewery. I tried all of their beers but I chose to profile the Dunkelweizen. This Bavarian-style Dark Wheat Beer is an unfiltered, top-fermented wheat beer brewed with dark roasted malted wheat and caramelized malted wheat in addition to pale malted barley. The complex flavors produced by the Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen yeast strain are enhanced by the roasted flavors from the dark malts. It is delicious as is all of their beers.

If you are ever in Sebastopol stop by and sample their brews. You won't regret it.

*Side Note. They carrey Pliny the Elder on tap.

"Bahl Hornin" from Anderson Valley Brewing Company

2011-08-08T17:27:00.000-07:00

A while back I profiled Anderson Valley's Boont Amber Ale and mentioned the phrase Bahl Hornin'. Well that was before I realized that AVBC actually made a beer called Bahl Hornin'. I figured it was only fair that I profile the Bahl Hornin' today. As I mentioned in my previous post Bahl Hornin' means "Good Drinking" in Boontling which is a language spoken in Boonville, CA where AVBC makes its home.

Here are a few more Boontling terms that I pulled from the Samuel Hornes FB page.

"roopey harpin" = aimless, empty talk, braggadocio.
"come-on boy" = a convivial, social drinker (opposed to a "silent horner" or a lone drinker)
"Higher 'n a Billy" which translates to Very Drunk; disorderly because of drink.
"Diddle Can" which translates to a bottle of whiskey, especially a container of bootleg whiskey.
"hornin region" which translates to a bar, any place drinking of alcoholic beverages is regularly done.

So being the come-on boy that I am, I think that I should head to my favorite hornin region(Samuel Hornes) to get higher 'n a billy.

To find yourself a Bahl Hornin' click here and enjoy this Wonderful beer which in only available on draught.

"Boont Amber Ale" from Anderson Valley Brewing Company

2011-08-08T17:25:00.001-07:00

Once named the “best beer brewed in Northern California,” by the San Francisco Bay Guardian the Boont Amber Ale is the flagship beer from Anderson Valley Brewing Company. This is an exceptionally smooth medium bodied Pale Ale. Boont Amber Ale weighs in at a subtle 5.8% ABV and respectively low IBU of 15. This beer will pair well with Pasta, Chicken or any flavorful meat.

As they say in Boonville "It's Bahl Hornin'" which means “Good Drinking” in Boontling which is a real language spoken in Boonville, CA. To learn more about Boontling pay visit Samuel Hornes Facebook page for Boontling lessons.