Hello beer lovers and welcome to NorCal Beer Blog...
This past Friday, February 7th I made my way over to
San Francisco for the SF Beer Week Opening Gala. Last year I attended for the first time and
had a little too much fun so this year I was determined to have a good time,
but return home in better shape. I
happily accepted advice from a Beer Fest veteran, Jade from HopTech Homebrewing and
placed a wrist band I had received from the fine folks at Pine Street Brewing
on my glass to ensure short pours and “tasting” rather than “drinking”. I also decided that I wasn’t going to drink
beers I had tasted before (in most cases) and primarily sought beers that I
knew I HAD to try.
Upon entering I got my glass and promptly placed my wrist
band on it. My wife was surprised at how
low I placed it, but I was determined to enjoy the evening and be able to talk to
folks in a coherent manner. With a
handful of business cards in tow I began my evening. I’m not planning on writing about EVERY beer
I drank or took photos of, but rather the ones that stood out to me that
evening.
I began with 101 North Brewing Company’s Naughty Aud Imperial
Stout an 8.5% ABV offering. Black in
color with scents of mocha, vanilla and bourbon. Tasted of caramel and chocolate malts,
vanilla, molasses and a touch of bourbon. I’m looking forward to seeing this
one once it hits the market. Find 101 North Brewing Company’s website here and
a review I did of their Heroine IPA here.
Next up I stopped at Anderson Valley Brewing Company for a
taste of their Bourbon Barrel Stout (reviewed here) and although I had already
tried this one, reviewed it and am sitting on a few bottles of it I just had
to.
After some conversation a bottle of their soon to
be released Huge Arker Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout appeared. I’m really hoping to get
my hands on a bottle or two of this 13.5% ABV offering. The aroma was incredible – oak, bourbon,
candy sugar and bready malts and the flavor was equally incredible – dark chocolate,
vanilla, bourbon, molasses, coffee and dark fruits.
Find Anderson Valley
Brewing Company’s website here.
At Baeltane Brewing I tried their Tapestry
Dubbel – a 9.2% ABV Abbey Dubbel. Flavors of stone fruit, raisins and bread and
spot on for style. Really enjoyed this one.
Find Baeltane Brewing’s website here.
At Marin Brewing Company I tried their Broken Cherry Tart
Cherry Ale – a 5.7% ABV offering and an incredible sour. The cherry flavor was
exceptional. Find Marin Brewing Company’s website here.
Next up was another beer previously enjoyed and written
about (here), but I couldn’t resist having a Russian River Brewing Company
Beatification. I also had the opportunity to say “hello” to Mike “Tasty” McDole
as well as meet Liz Sale from Drake’s Brewing Company. Find Russian River
Brewing Company’s website here.
I had planned on walking past Sierra Nevada Brewing Company’s
booth, but the 2008 Bigfoot caught my eye.
Many years ago my brother in law recommended that I start cellaring
Bigfoot. He said it transforms over the
years into something magical and after about five years it is amazing. Since then I’ve been cellaring a case each
year. I believe the first case I am
about to break into is either 2008 or 2009.
Either way I’m very happy I decided to have this one poured (and a
little more than the pour line I might add).
Even my wife liked this one which is surprising as she doesn’t like the
non-aged versions. Find Sierra Nevada Brewing Company’s website here.
Next I headed over to Almanac Beer Company. Knowing I had a lot more beer to taste I decided to only try only one of theirs. Brandy Barrel Pêche – weighing in at 7% ABV
was outstanding. Sour upfront with peaches, vanilla and a slight brandy
flavor. I’ll be reviewing this one soon as I have three bottles in my beer fridge now.
Find Almanac Beer Company’s website here.
At this point I was very close to Pine Street Brewery and
wanted to say “hello” and show them how their wrist band was saving me from
getting smashed. I had the opportunity to try their Black Bay Milk Stout a 5%
ABV offering. Well balanced and
delicious – chocolate and coffee. Find Pine Street Brewery’s website here.
Across the aisle from Pine Street Brewery was 21st
Amendment Brewery and at first I thought perhaps they were only pouring beers I’ve
tried, but then I spotted the Almond Milk
Porter which was a homebrew contest winning recipe (the winner pictured
in the shot even!). Smells like
chocolate and almond milk and the flavor is excellent – roasted and chocolate
malts, almonds and vanilla. Find 21st
Amendment Brewery’s website here.
My wife brought me over to Pizza Orgasmica Brewing Company
as she’s a fan of their food and since I had not tried any of their offerings I
thought I’d drink my first IPA of the night.
Their Triple IPA weighed in at 11% ABV and was excellent! Find Pizza Orgasmica
Brewing Company’s website here.
I stopped by Uncommon Brewers as I noticed they had a barrel
aged Belgian-style Dark Strong. The
Belgian Tramp – Aged in Chardonnay Barrels is a 12.2% ABV monster. This Quad was brewed with figs, dates and
raisins and was aged for a year in Chardonnay barrels. This was a 2013
collaboration beer from the Band of Gypsies featuring folks from Bison Organic
Beer, Calicraft Brewing Co., Highwater Brewing, Lucky Hand, Oakland Brewing
Co., Pacific Brew Labs, Triple Voodoo & Uncommon Brewers. This beer was sweet
and boozy with lots of dark fruit, caramel and roasted malts, smooth and a
slight Chardonnay grape presence, oak barrel notes and hop bitterness. Find Uncommon
Brewers’ website here.
The next beer in my glass was Ale Industries Cherry Kush - 4.4%
ABV – sweet cherries with a nice wheaty finish.
Very drinkable and enjoyable and provided a nice break from the heavier
beers I was tasting. Find Ale Industries’ website here.
At Calicraft Brewing Company I got to talk with Blaine and
taste his The City IPA which I enjoyed. He mentioned his barrel aged Buzzerkeley
and I certainly wanted to try that one as well. Calicraft Brewing Company was
the only place I had more than one taste, but I’m glad I did. Both beers were great. Find Calicraft Brewing
Company’s website here.
Next up I visited Steve from Altamont Beer Works and got to
try their Scarcity Triple IPA – an 11% ABV hoppy, yet smooth beer with tons of
citrus and tropical notes. Find Altamont Beer Works’ website here.
My final beer of the night was from Linden Street Brewery
and their Hop Candi Session IPA. At 4.5%
ABV I had them fill the glass a little above my fill line. Floral nose and nice citrus hop flavor
balanced nicely with caramel malt.
Indeed VERY sessionable and delicious.
Find Linden Street Brewery's website here.
I did have a few other tastes, but decided to keep what I
didn’t really care for quiet. As I’ve
said before my blog is about positive experiences so beers I don’t care for or
brewers that aren’t cool don’t have a space here.
In closing I wanted to mention that this blog does not
generate an income and it is rare when someone offers me free beer or
gear. The reason I write this blog is
for my own enjoyment and to spread the good news of great craft beer (and
beverages). As a home brewer I know how
much work goes into brewing – that it is in an artistic extension of oneself. I
appreciate those who take the time to read what I write - whether you agree with
me or not. The key here is to keep
things positive and promote great beers from great brewers.
Cheers!
Mark Harvey
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