“Clean, bright and modern.†That’s how Samantha Lee, co-founder of the Hopewell Brewing Company in Chicago, describes her brewery’s ethos, from the balance of its beers to the airy, inviting taproom. It’s also an apt description of Brut IPA, the latest phenomenon in American craft brewing’s seemingly never-ending love affair with the India Pale Ale.
Barely a year ago, Brut IPA began as a process innovation in a San Francisco brewpub. Kim Sturdavant of Social Kitchen and Brewery took a brewer’s enzyme called amyloglucosidase—an amylase enzyme typically used either for producing light beer or for lightening the body of big, viscous stouts—and added it to the recipe of a typical 7% ABV IPA. The process produced something new in itself: An IPA with zero residual sugar, restrained bitterness, lively carbonation and unparalleled drinkability. He called it the Champagne IPA, then later: Brut IPA.
What started as a joke is now a well-studied professional pursuit, and not the only positive correlation between running and drinking. Could beer actually be a recovery drink?
Even though marijuana is legal in many states and countries, it’s still illegal to use as an ingredient in alcoholic beverages since the production of alcohol is controlled by the federal very anti-marijuana government. It’s a conundrum for breweries that want to experiment with the flavors and, ahem, effects of marijuana, a cousin of the hop plant.
The Washington Beer Blog brings us news that a few breweries got together in Washington and have found at least one way around the federal restrictions:
Wingman Brewers of Tacoma, Trap Door Brewing of Vancouver and Boundary Bay Brewery of Bellingham joined forces with Green Rose Gardens of Omak to create a beer that includes cannabis terpenes as an ingredient. Because the terpenes were extracted from the plant, and because the resulting compounds contain no TCH or CBD, this marijuana beer is entirely legal. That is, none of the psychoactive properties, but plenty of the aromatic, flavor properties.
Mighty HighPA is described as, “A smooth light bodied beer featuring Denali and Meridian hops along with Blue Dream terpenes.†The beer has already been released, but the official release party is scheduled for Friday, October 19th at Trap Door Brewing in Vancouver. The band Mighty High will perform at the event. The beer is available in 16-ounce cans at select retailers and on draft in limited supply.
Master of Northern California beer news, Jay Brooks brings us the news that Russian River’s eagerly awaited new production brewery, taproom, and gift shop has now opened in Windsor, CA.
Russian River Brewing – Windsor, CA – via brookstonbeerbulletin.com, courtesy of Natalie Cilurzo
Hit the link for more info, address, and pictures of the new Russian River Brewing location.
A great opportunity for the right candidate, a full-tuition scholarship to the Intensive Brewing Science & Engineering course offered by American Brewers Guild. Application deadline is November 8th.
In collaboration with the American Brewers Guild, we are offering a full-tuition scholarship to the Guild’s Intensive Brewing Science & Engineering program.
The Intensive Brewing Science & Engineering course is a 22-week distance education program with a final week of residential instruction. The course is designed for brewers and homebrewers who lack formal training in brewing science and covers all the fundamentals of beer production and quality assurance.
The American Brewers Guild is a premier school for the craft brewing industry dedicated to providing a comprehensive learning experience that focuses on the technical, scientific, and operational matters and issues that brewers face in a craft brewing environment.
The American Brewers Guild is now accepting applications for the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation slot in the Intensive Brewing Science & Engineering course that runs from January 20, 2019 through June 29, 2019 with the final week of on site instruction in Middlebury, Vermont. The full application must be received no later than November 8, 2018. Note: This class is full except for this scholarship slot.
The scholarship is open to professional brewers and homebrewers from the states of Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii and California’s northern geographic region (San Francisco/Monterey Bay areas and north). The full-tuition scholarship also includes a $1,000 stipend to help offset travel and lodging expenses for the residential week in Middlebury, Vermont. Full details and scholarship applications are available at www.abgbrew.com.
The Glen Hay Falconer Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities for professional and aspiring craft brewers from the Pacific Northwest to further their knowledge and expertise. For more information on the Foundation please visit www.glenfalconerfoundation.org.
The Hop Review got an early preview of this years line-up of Goose Island’s Bourbon County Stout lineup. Black Friday lines will be waiting around the block for beers like Bourbon County Brand Wheatwine, Bourbon County Brand Bramble Rye Stout, and Bourbon County Brand Midnight Orange Stout.
2018 Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Line
Hit the jump for the full list with descriptions from Goose Island. (more…)
A chuckle rippled through the craft beer industry a couple of weeks ago when one of three people to accept a Great American Beer Festival medal on behalf of Seattle’s Cloudburst Brewing used his 10 seconds of fame to unbutton his flannel shirt and display a salty sentiment to the crowd, both in the auditorium and those live streaming the event at home.
In red letters, below a mischievous grin and a Seattle Mariners cap, his white T-shirt read: “F**K AB-INBEV”
Josh Noel has a great interview up with Cloudburst Brewing’s founder and former Elysian Brewing employee Steve Luke on the now infamous shirt he flashed during the GABF awards. But the interview covers a whole lot more. For those wondering what people have against “big beer” and their tactics, the interview is a great introduction to the independent brewers mindset.
“Coors Field and Miller Park are our namesake stadiums in our brewery hometowns, which makes this series even more exciting,†Adam Dettman, director of brand experience for MillerCoors says. “These are two great clubs, and they’ve got a rivalry that extends all the way through to our employees. This is a great chance for us to celebrate with them and our fans in both cities.â€
So then MillerCoors divisions Miller and Coors had a bet based on Miller Park team the Milwaukee Brewers playing the Coors Field team the Denver Rockies in the NLDS with the winning teams fans getting free Miller or Coors. Whew.
Well now that the Milwaukee Brewers have swept the sleeping Denver Rockies, Coors will be picking up the tab for free beer at Milwaukee bars on Friday.
