Friday, January 31, 2014

SF Beer Week Opening Gala

Greetings!

With only one week left until the SF Beer Week Opening Gala I decided that I will keep my beer reviews local for the next week or so.  I do plan to get back to posting reviews of all the beers I purchased on vacation as well as other great non-NorCal beers, but for now...NorCal only.

From the SF Beer Week 2014 website:

"We’re only one week away from SF Beer Week!

It all gets started at the Opening Gala, which will feature 80 breweries from Northern California, an all-time high for the event. Check out the list of participating breweries below.

The Opening Gala will take place inside the East Hall of San Francisco’s Concourse Exhibition Center on Friday, February 7th, from 6:00 to 10:00pm. Tickets are priced at $75 each. Attendees will receive a commemorative glass and get to enjoy unlimited samples of the best beer Northern California has to offer.

In addition to great beer, we’ll also be featuring some of the best local food and music you can find in the Bay Area. Skilled chefs from Belly Burgers,Good Foods Catering, 4505 Meats, Rosamunde, Alicia Tamales, Kung Fu Tacos, and Soul Groove will serve up a range of delicious options for purchase, while the musical acts deliver a lively foot-stomping tone.

The event is SOLD OUT. No more tickets will be sold online or at the event.

Participating Breweries

101 North Brewing Co.

If you were lucky enough to get tickets seek me out.  I'll be there trying to keep level.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

Thursday, January 30, 2014

B. Nektar Meadery Dwarf Invasion Honey Wine with Cherry and Hops Added

Hello beer and adult beverage lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beverage is B. Nektar Meadery Dwarf Invasion Honey Wine with Cherry and Hops Added.  I picked up a few bottles of this over at Royal Liquors (here) in San Jose.  I cannot recommend this place enough.  If you haven’t visited Royal Liquors you really should.

From the B. Nektar Meadery website: “After the epic release of our critically acclaimed Imperial Funky Monky, we followed up with a "small" version that is aptly named, Dwarf Invasion. The name was partly inspired by the song of the same name by the Common Denominators, an alter-ego of the band Reggie and the Full Effect. But the story was inspired by a mock alternative ending of the history of Detroit. In Detroit, there is a legend of the Detroit Dwarf, or as he's known in French, Le Nain Rouge. The dwarf would appear randomly throughout Detroit history and is thought to be a bad omen. But being the twisted minded people we are, we thought about how the story might be told from the perspective of the dwarf. And what if there wasn't just this lone dwarf, but thousands of them living in the area surrounding what we now know of as Detroit. What if the dwarfs had attacked?

The mead is inspired by a cherry lambic. We use Michigan wildflower honey as the base for this mead, and add tart Michigan Balaton cherry juice and then dry hop it with Styrian Golding hops. The taste is sweet, tart, acidic, with a mild bitterness from the hops. The aroma is pure heaven.”
Let’s get started!
Appearance: Pours a clear dark burgundy with a thin bubbly off-white head.
Aroma: Sweet cherries, honey, slightly spicy and floral from the hops.
Taste: Tart cherry, sweet and with a subtle hop bitterness.
Overall: Delicious and tremendously drinkable, B. Nektar Meadery Dwarf Invasion Honey Wine is excellent.  At 6% ABV I could drink this all night long.  Every time another one of B. Nektar Meadery’s beverages make it to CA I rush out and grab some.  That’s the sign of a good beverage producer (if you ask me).

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

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Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Boulevard Brewing Company Bourbon Barrel Quad

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Boulevard Brewing Company Bourbon Barrel Quad - 16% Ale, 84% Ale Aged in Bourbon Barrels with Cherries. In honor of my trip to Kansas City, MO I scheduled this review (and the last) to drop just before I get into town.  I am hoping to visit Boulevard Brewing Company on this trip…I guess we’ll see how the “business” part of the trip shapes up.  I usually like to visit local breweries when I’m on business trips.

From the Boulevard Brewing Company website: “Based loosely on the Smokestack Series’ The Sixth Glass, this abbey-style quadrupel is separated into a number of oak bourbon barrels where it ages for varying lengths of time, some for up to three years. Cherries are added to make up for the “angel's share” of beer lost during barrel aging. Selected barrels are then blended for optimum flavor. The resulting beer retains only very subtle cherry characteristics, with toffee and vanilla notes coming to the fore.”
Let’s get started!
Appearance: Pours a dark caramel color with a touch of haze, a large off-white head and nice lacing.
Aroma: Cherry, oak, bourbon, Belgian yeast, vanilla, sweet malts, dark fruit, clove and toffee.
Taste: Sweet caramel and toffee, toasted malt, dark fruit, bourbon, oak barrel, vanilla, Belgian yeast, clove and cherry.
Overall: Exceptional - Boulevard Brewing Company Bourbon Barrel Quad is delicious and well balanced.  This 11.8% ABV offering is tasty and exactly what I had hoped it would be.  I need to purchase several more bottles of this to age and to drink now. I completely enjoyed this one!

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

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Sunday, January 26, 2014

Boulevard Brewing Company - Sierra Nevada Brewing Company Terra Incognita Ale Aged in Whisky Barrels

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Boulevard Brewing Company - Sierra Nevada Brewing Company Terra Incognita Ale Aged in Whisky Barrels. 

From their joint Terra Incognita Beer site: “Situated at opposite ends of the California Trail, pioneering breweries Sierra Nevada and Boulevard have once again embarked upon a journey into the unknown. It was in 2012 that we first convened to craft a beer for SAVOR attendees. And it’s that collaborative effort, aptly named Terra Incognita, which brought us together to relive our collective adventure in 2013—and this time we will release it out into the world.

Earlier this year, Sierra Nevada Head Brewer Steve Dresler and Boulevard Brewmaster Steven Pauwels met in Kansas City to create a blend of three components:

Terra Incognita aged in Templeton Rye barrels
Terra Incognita aged in a 2,000-gallon foudre
Fresh Terra Incognita dry-hopped with East Kent Golding

The end result is a, fittingly, earthy beer, celebrating the unique terroir of our two locations. The blend incorporates (roughly) 45% foudre-aged, 30% Templeton-aged, and 25% fresh dry-hopped beer—all aimed at showcasing some predominant oak characteristics with a subtle hint of earthy hops. Then just prior to bottling we added a dose of the wild yeast Brettanomyces, and allowed the beer to age for over three months.

In the spirit of two breweries joining forces, we encourage you to enjoy this beer with good friends (and good food), and then join us in eager anticipation as we wait for Terra Incognita to return yet again in 2014.”
Let’s get started!
Appearance: Pours a dark murky brown color with burgundy highlights, a fluffy beige head and thick lacing.
Aroma: Sour, funky yeast, roasted and grainy malts, tart cherries, oak and earth.
Taste: Tart fruits (cherry, grape), oak, whisky, bready and caramel malts, yeast funk, slightly sweet, vanilla and brown sugar.
Overall: Enjoyable and smooth, Boulevard Brewing Company - Sierra Nevada Brewing Company Terra Incognita Ale Aged in Whisky Barrels is very drinkable.  This 8.5% ABV offering is excellent and worth trying.  I’ll probably pick up a couple of bottles for aging.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

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Friday, January 24, 2014

Clown Shoes Beer Clementine White Ale

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Clown Shoes Beer Clementine White Ale.

From the Clown Shoes Beer website: “Clementine is Clown Shoes Beer’s Belgian style White Ale. Light-bodied and crisp, this is a terrific White Ale with plenty of zest! Hazy in appearance and healthily carbonated, it utilizes Chambly yeast to energetically shape its wheat malt base. Incorporated in the brewing process is Clementine, sweet orange peel, a hint of Coriander, and Summit hops.

At a sly, easy-drinking 5.9%, Clementine is dynamic and flavorful enough to satisfy discerning craft beer palates, yet light enough to count among “sessionable” beers.

Poured high into a pint or traditional pilsner style glass, drinkers can sip away lazy summer afternoons. As for food pairings, it is the perfect complement to a range of salads and seafoods or light cheeses such as Feta, Monterey and Gruyere.”
Let’s get started!
Appearance: Pours a hazy golden color with a large off-white head and excellent lacing.
Aroma: Sweet and grainy malts, orange, citrus, Belgian yeast, coriander and a touch of peach.
Taste: Orange zest, tangerine, coriander, clove, sweet and bready malts, citrus and Belgian yeast.
Overall: Light and easy to drink, Clown Shoes Beer Clementine White Ale is a good White Ale.  This 6% ABV offering is worth a shot if you’re a fan of the style.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

If you haven’t already, please like the NorCal Beer Blog on Facebook (here)

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Avery Brewing Company Salvation Belgian-Style Golden Ale

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Avery Brewing Company Salvation Belgian-Style Golden Ale. I have previously reviewed the other two beers in “The Holy Trinity of Ales” series and thought this was a fitting night to unleash the final chapter.

From the Avery Brewing Company website: “The success of Hog Heaven and The Reverend clearly demonstrates that beer drinkers are willing to embrace “BIGGER” beers. In the fall of 2001, we decided that a lighter BIG BEER would complement its darker-colored predecessors. Luscious apricot and peach aromas are delicately interwoven with spicy suggestions of nutmeg and cinnamon in this heavenly soft, champagne-like elixir.

Salvation is the final installment of “The Holy Trinity of Ales” series.”
Let’s get started!
Appearance: Pours a slightly hazy golden pale orange color with a nice white head and soapy lacing.
Aroma: Belgian candy sugar and yeast, sweet and bready malts, banana, clove, peach, apricot, citrus and nutmeg. An amazing nose!
Taste: Peach, apricot, pear and dark fruits, citrus, Belgian candy sugar and yeast, pale and bready malts, vanilla, banana, clove, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Overall: Crisp and tasty, Avery Brewing Company Salvation Belgian-Style Golden Ale is very good.  At 9% ABV I highly suggest this to fans of the style.  I would most definitely purchase again!

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

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Monday, January 20, 2014

Anchor Brewing Company Porter

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Anchor Brewing Company Porter. Keeping it local again. 

From the Anchor Brewing Company website: “Intimidating color. Unexpected taste. Welcome to American Porter.

With deep black color, a thick, creamy head, rich chocolate, toffee and coffee flavors, and full-bodied smoothness, Anchor Porter® is the epitome of a handcrafted dark beer.
A blend of specially roasted pale, caramel, chocolate, and black malts, along with our top-fermenting yeast, creates complexity without bitterness. The brew is hopped at a high rate, and naturally carbonated. The result is dark in the glass, but surprisingly light on the palate.

Anchor Porter® became the first modern American porter when it was introduced in 1972. As we celebrate its 40th anniversary, our porter continues to reward those who look beyond its intimidating appearance to discover its smooth, full-bodied drinkability. Anchor Porter® is the definitive American Porter.”
Let’s get started!
Appearance: Pours almost black with a nice tan head and nice lacing.
Aroma: Chocolate, roasted and sweet malts, coffee and a slight nutty scent.
Taste: Roasted and sweet malts, chocolate, a touch a coffee, molasses and toffee. Very little hop bitterness.
Overall: Solid and very drinkable, Anchor Brewing Company Porter is tasty.  At 5.6% ABV it is smooth, creamy and not too heavy.  I would certainly drink this one again.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

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Saturday, January 18, 2014

Mendocino Brewing Company Anniversary Ale - Single Hop Pale Ale (Cascade)

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Mendocino Brewing Company Anniversary Ale - Single Hop Pale Ale (Cascade). I’m going to stick to reviewing local for a little bit as I gear up for the NFC Championship game.  As a native Bay Area resident I always pull for the local teams and I hope the 49ers have a great game up in Seattle.

Commercial description: “We have been driven by our passion for brewing high-quality hand-crafted ales since we started in 1983 as the first brewpub in California since prohibition. Over the past three decades we honed our skills to master the art of creating Legendary Ales. To celebrate 30 years as Pioneers in the American Craft Brewing Renaissance, we present a Limited Edition of three Anniversary Ales that pay homage to the heart of beer - Hops. Our first Anniversary Ale honors the Cascade hop that started it all and changed the way people view American Craft Beer. This hop has an intense floral with a spice and clean finish. We brewed this Pale Ale with multiple additions of Cascade during the boil, then topped it off with generous dry-hopping to give you an exceptional experience. Savor this Limited Edition Anniversary Pale Ale, the first of three unique ales that will herald our celebrations. This is an ale 30 years in the making - You deserve the best.”
Let’s get started!
Appearance: Pours orange/amber with a foamy off-white head and great lacing.
Aroma: Citrus hops, bready , sweet and toasted malts.
Taste: Grapefruit, spicy, pine and citrus hops, sweet and biscuit malts.
Overall: A great single hop Pale Ale, Mendocino Brewing Company Anniversary Ale is nicely done. At 7% ABV this exceptional Pale Ale is well worth a try.  Crisp, clean and does a very nice job featuring the Cascade hop.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

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Thursday, January 16, 2014

Calicraft Brewing Company Chez Panisse Fresh Hop Ale

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Calicraft Brewing Company Chez Panisse Fresh Hop Ale.

From the Calicraft Brewing Company website: “A collaboration with Chez Panisse CafĂ© for its 33rd anniversary, Farmhouse Ale celebrates the sustainable farm. Infused with organic anise hyssop, lemon verbena blossom, and Meyer lemon leaf from Cannard Farm, this delicate, saison ale explodes with spring flavors. A peppery, citrus finish lingers in invitation to slow down.”
Let’s get started!
Appearance: Pours a dark amber color with a foamy off-white head and great lacing.
Aroma: Citrus, pine, sweet caramel and bready malts, grassy, tropical and floral.
Taste: Citrus, grassy and tropical hops, caramel, crystal and bready malts.
Overall: Crisp and clean, Calicraft Brewing Company Chez Panisse Fresh Hop Ale is refreshing.  At 5.4% ABV I found this beer to be very enjoyable as are all of Calicraft Brewing Company offerings.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

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Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Prairie Artisan Ales ‘Merica American Farmhouse Ale

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Prairie Artisan Ales ‘Merica American Farmhouse Ale.

From the Prairie Artisan Ales website: “‘Merica is a single malt, single hop farmhouse ale. It’s brewed with floor malted pilsner and 3lbs per bbl Nelson Sauvin hops. The beer is conditioned with 2 brett strains and wine yeast. The Nelson hops provide white wine flavors while Brettanomyces add a juicy quality to the beer.”
Let’s get started!
Appearance: Pours a hazy pale golden color with a large fluffy white head and sticky lacing.
Aroma: Bready malts, citrus, herbal, tropical and grassy hops, yeast funk and stone fruit.
Taste: Funky yeast, biscuity Pilsner malts, citrus, grassy and herbal hops and spice, sweet and tart stone fruit and a touch of clove.
Overall: Crisp and clean, Prairie Artisan Ales ‘Merica American Farmhouse Ale is outstanding.  This 7.5% ABV offering is easy drinking, a touch hoppy and super delicious. 

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

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