Moab's Wee Heavy

The Third beer in Moab's Desert Select Series is available for purchase Moab's Scottish Style Ale or "Wee Heavy" is a rich, full ale made with smoked malt, English hops and is aged in French oak barrels.

Head brewer Jeff Van Horn describes it as "A great winter beer with rich caramel and dark fruit flavors". The Ale was bottle conditioned for four months in one liter bottles and has an ABV of 8.6%. The cost is $12.99. Only available at the Brewpub in Moab.

In other beer news Sierra Nevada's Estate Harvest Ale is finally here. I had it at the Bayou, so it should be in select liquor stores.

Also in are two new Deschutes labels. Jubelale is a Holiday ale that's full of hops caramel, toffee malts with a light, dry fruitiness 6.70 abv.

Hop Trip is from Deschutes' Bond Street Series. You'd think with a name like Hop Trip that this would be a "hop monster". It's actually a nicely balance American Pale Ale, nice hop profile with a healthy malt backbone. 5.5% abv.

I believe Jubelale is only available at the Bayou & Beerhive. Hop Trip Should be available at state liquor stores.

And... The 9th Annual Beer Dinner at Lugano will be held November 4th. Cutthroat, Duck Confit and King's Peak Porter will be part of the six-course menu.

$45 per person
optional pairings:
beer $18
wine $39

Call Lugano for reservations: 801-412-9994.

BOO!

End of October Seasonal Brews

Here's a list of Brewpub seasonal brews available right now throughout the Wasatch Front & Back. There's some great stuff out there. Check 'em out!

Desert Edge Brewery: Shot in the Dark Coffee Stout.
Brewmaster Chris Haas describes it as a slightly sweeter stout with the addition of 15 gallons of freshly brewed coffee to it. "It gives it a real coffee aroma and flavor." The fresh-roasted beans come from Utah's Millcreek Coffee. It's served on a nitrogen tap which makes it creamy and smooth to drink. $4.25 a pint.

Roosters Brewing Co: Indian Summer Nut Brown Ale.
This is a medium-bodied, amber-colored beer it has a somewhat nutty flavor that comes from a "healthy dose of Victory malt," said head brewer Steve Kirkland. "It's been an annual favorite at the brewery for years." $2 for pint during November; $4 afterward.

Ruby River Steakhouse and Brewery: Autumn Amber.
Head brewer Rob Bunn uses special hops and yeast from Germany for this Marzen-style beer. It has a reddish hue and is malty with caramel undertones. "It's real basic, but it's one of my favorite styles," he said. $3 a pint.

Wasatch Brewpub: Pumpkin Ale.
Brewmaster Matt Beamer describes it like this "We are using real pumpkin in the mash along with all those fall spices everyone loves, like cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg,". The ale is unfiltered with an orange hue. "It's super drinkable, like liquid pumpkin pie." Look for it on the nitro tap soon. $3.50 for 12 ounce glass; $4.50 20 ounces.

Hoppers Brewpub: Face Plant Wheat.
"As German-styled wheat beers go, this one is on the milder side with soft banana aromas and flavors and mild spices like clove and nutmeg," said head brewer Donovan Steele. "Some people might notice a bubble gum flavor as it warms." Of course, these ingredients are not put in the beer, but are the by-products of the traditional German Wheat yeast strain used to ferment the beer. Face Plant, a tie-in to the upcoming ski season, is an "easy drinking beer" and one that goes with all types of foods, Steele said. $4 for a pint.

Squatters Brew Pub: Black Forest Schwarzbeir.
"This German dark lager has a medium body and a roast malt flavor. While it's a dark beer, it's not heavy and is easily drinkable" said brew master Jen Talley. The beer, a perennial customer favorite, is one of Squatters' most decorated beers. It has won gold, silver and bronze medals several times at the World Beer Cup and the Great American Beer Festival. Also available at Squatters' Roadhouse Grill in Park City. $4.79 for an 18 ounce glass.

RedRock Brewpub: Wet Hopped Pale Ale.
Brewmaster Kevin Templin, was inspired by a trip to the local High Desert Hop Farm. So, he harvested loads of Cascade and Columbus hops and rushed them into the brewery. Thus was born our Wet Hopped Pale Ale. An organic brew made from fresh, locally-grown hops. This unfiltered ale is medium amber in color. $4.50 a pint

The seasonal taps don't last long, so get on it.

Cheers!

Photo courtesy: Katie Panzer

Bud Light Golden Wheat

Unless you've been living under a bridge for the last few weeks you may have noticed the full on media blitz that is Bud Light Golden Wheat.

This is AB/InBev's latest attempt to swoon the Beer "tweens". These are the people who are tired of the run-of-the-mill macro lagers, but are a little too afraid of really flavorful beers.

First off, this is actually a good looking Wheat beer. I was a little surprised they didn't filter the holy-hell out of it. It poured from a bottle a beautifully hazed golden orange color with a nice puffy white head. The nose is heavy with citrus rind and a hint of coriander. Thers's also a nice floral grassiness that rounds out some soft bready yeast notes. The flavor starts bready with a small amount coriander. Next comes the citrus rind with a grassy hop finish. Carbonation is high, typical of Bud Light. Mouthfeel is on the "high-side" of light.

I'm shocked! There's actually sediment in the bottom of my glass. If your a fan of Blue Moon then you will probably like Bud Light Golden Wheat. It far less interesting than Blue Moon, but it is a good gateway beer for people looking to get out of yellow, fizzy beer. I think this will do well in our market.

Overall it's an okay wheat beer. I'm surprised they didn't try to get this out during the warm weather months. Very refreshing... but it's not a beer that'll keep me coming back. Though I am glad that I didn't pass it by. 4.0% ABV. Available everywhere.

Seek out Wheat Beers from our Local Brewers and compare. I think you'll find a much more enjoyable experience.

Cheers!

Bravo Hops at the UBC

Jon Lee one of the great brewers at the Utah brewers co-op left this message in one of the posts. I moved it here for easier viewing.

Cheers!

"I didn't know where to put this but here at the UBC we have 4 brewers cuts of some Bravo hops. If some of you homebrewers want one they are one per person and first come first serve. They are with the girls in the store.

All whole flower hops above 13.5% alpha. Each weigh maybe 1#"

Bear Republic - A Monster Beating and An Apology

After month & months of waiting Bear Republic has finally invaded Utah! Mark Alston called me yesterday to say that he was moments from picking up his long awaited beer order.

The Bayou received a good portion of Bear Republic's regular line-up, including Big Bear Stout - Hop Rod Rye - Pete Brown's Tribute Ale - Red Rocket Ale - XP Pale Ale & of course Racer 5 IPA (2009 GABF Gold Medal Winner).

Mark got 12 cases of each (15 of the Racer 5). But don't wait too long. they'll be gone before you know it.

In other news, I just doesn't pay to be a dick. Well it does, for many... quite often in fact... but not this time.

Anyway, Rock Art Brewery the makers of “The Vermonster” beer, and Hansen Beverage Company, makers of Monster energy drinks, reached an agreement that will allow Rock Art to continue to use the name “Vermonster” for its beer, so long as it stays out of the energy drink market.

The media shit-storm quickly began to tarnish Hansen’s reputation as a beverage manufacturer as it began to take a real beating in the marketplace as beverage retailers, distributors and tens of thousands of everyday consumers rallied against Hansen’s efforts against quash tiny Rock Art. Personally, I'm still done with Monster.

Finally , a week ago I implied that that both of the DABC's new alcohol commissioners were teetotalers. In fact only one of the two is a non-drinker. Jeff Wright considers himself a social drinker, but doesn't think that should be a factor. My apologies to Mr. Wright.

I think we've covered everything, have a great weekend.

Cheers!

Glenn Harris Passes

Utah's Craft Beer community lost one of it's own this past weekend. Glenn Harris, brewers Assistant and brother to Brewmaster Dale Harris past away Saturday in Southern Utah.

Besides working the kettle at the Zion Canyon Brewery, Glenn made deliveries and was the brewery's cellar guy. Glenn had been with ZCBC since the summer of '06.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to an account at the Springdale branch of Zions First National Bank in the name of Glenn James Harris.

Please hoist a pint in his honor.

Here's to Glenn.

This Week in Beer 10/21/09

Here are few things you should keep an eye open for now and in the coming weeks.

Desert Edge has their Centennial Steamer on tap. Centennial Steamer is a "California Common" or "Steam beer". This is a true American beer style. "Steam" beers are unique in that they use Lager yeast to ferment, but at much higher, ale temperatures that lend the beer it's flavor. Centennial has a higher hop character and generous amount of Carmel malt flavor. Also on tap the Munich Lager, Edge's Special Bitter, and Backcountry Cream Ale.

Moving across town Squatters has some new and returning stuff on tap. Monkey's Dunkel and Custer's Last Stout and are on tap right now and Chasing Tail is on the Cask. Also look for Wasatch's Pumpkin Ale on the Nitro-tap soon! I think the Nitro will lend itself well to that awesome Pumpkin Ale.

Also, at Squatters, a twist on the classic Black and Tan. Dark Rising is a combo of Hop Rising and Captain Bastard Oatmeal Stout. I've not tried it yet, sounds interesting though.

And one more Squatters tidbit for you. Jenny and Jason are working on a new Flanders Brown Sour. It's been aging in oak for nearly 18 months and has yet to be named. I assume this is different from the original Barrel aged Cherry Luv that came out a few years ago.

Returning along side of the Flanders Brown is the long awaited return of the incredible 5th Element Saison. Believe it or not this has become the highest rated Saison on RateBeer.com. Both of these beers are set to be released sometime around mid-February 2010. I can't wait!

Cheers!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Don't Be Afraid of Monsters

Monster Energy Drinks who's owned by Hansen Beverage Co. wants a small micro brewery in Vermont to stop using the name Vermonster on their barleywine because they claim it violates Monster's trademark.

The beer in question is made at Rock Art Brewing Co. in a small warehouse brewery in Morrisville, Vermont which employs seven people, and is sold in 22-ounce bombers.

Matt Nadeau, who owns the brewery with his wife, Renee, says hes been told by five trademark attorneys that the law is probably on his side, but that proving it through lengthy litigation could bankrupt him.

Despite the fact that the lawsuit is complete baseless, there is little that Matt can do simply because of financial limitations. We, the craft beer community of Utah, must do whatever we can to stop this bullshit from going any further.

Even though we can't get Rock Art's Beer here in Utah, we need to support our brother on the east coast. If we allow this to happen to Matt what is to say it won't happen to one of our local guys.

I know what your saying, "Why not just change the name"? He shouldn't have too? This is obviously a power play on the part of Hansen Beverage Co. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find out that they're looking at getting into the malt beverages game in the near future.

I'm going to ask that if you buy Monster or any of Hansen's products that you stop and buy from some of their competitors instead. I've been buying their coffee drink "Mean Bean" for a while now, but no more. Let these corporate hacks know how you how you feel.

Here's a video please watch it when you have the time and help a brother out.

Cheers!

More Teetotalers on the DABC?

Hey, guess what? we have new commissioners on the DABC's state liquor board! And you know what else? Gov. Gary Herbert made his nominations without asking if the candidates had ever had a sip of alcohol. In addition, neither nominee has ever worked in a bar or a restaurant.

Isn't that great?!! "It’s like hiring a lifeguard that does'nt know how to swim,” said Dave Morris, owner of the Irish pub Piper Down.

Nominee, Richard Sperry an anesthesiologist, said he did not drink. Businessman Jeff Wright declined to comment.

"It's true that when it comes to kind of the alcohol distribution business and consumption of alcohol, I'm probably not as knowledgeable as I ought to be and so one of my personal goals is to come up to speed and understand the business and the things that I perhaps don't understand now," Sperry said.

I think it's pretty obvious which way things are going to go with Governor.
Herbert recently tapped two familiar names in Utah business circles as his "dream team" to head up the state's economic-development efforts.

He announced recently that businessman and philanthropist Spencer P. Eccles will lead the Governor's Office of Economic Development, and Josh Romney will serve as the state's national business-recruitment policy adviser.

Funny how he picked guys with a background in economics to work on economic stuff, all the while handing control of the liquor board to those who don't use the products they regulate.

Now I don't know these guys, they may do a great job with the DABC. But Herbert's obvious apathy in the appointments to this very important commission, really chaps my ass.

Note: There is only one "drinker" on the liquor board.

Cheers!

RedRock Brewer's Select

Early last month we showed the RedRock crew harvesting hops from the High Desert Hop Farm. Today the fruits of their labor hits the taps in SLC.

RedRock Brewer's Select is a fresh hop beer that Kevin came up with. The CTZ hops used in this beer were off-the-vine and in the kettle in less than 24hrs.

The hop profile is said to be huge. I hope to know first hand this afternoon. I don't imagine it'll last long.

Cheers!

Photo Courtesy: Hobocline

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Epic Brewing Finally Has a Home

It's not an easy thing getting a business off the ground. I have huge respect for those with the stones to deal with the morass of shit that ricochets their way on a daily basis. You have to deal with zoning, licensing, insurance, bonds, yada-yada-yada...

I think my head would pop if I ever had to deal with all the ordinances & bureaucracy that cities and townships spew at you.

Enough about my own timid nature, today is about Epic Brewing. Not only do these guys have the stomach to deal with the ordinance machine; they also have the cajones to start a brewery that's completely different from anything that Utah has seen in nearly a century.

After months of trying, the boys have finally found a piece of real estate that they can call their own. The new brewery will be located at 825 s. State Street in Salt Lake City. At the old Pho Anh Dao Vietnamese restaurant.

The remodel and reconstruction is slated to begin asap; as soon as architects and engineers finish their work. Glad to see things are finally starting to get off the ground for Epic.

No word yet on Epic's plan for Utah's first Vietnamese style beer...

Can ly!

Uinta Brewing's New Line of Beers

If you've been paying attention to Utah's craft beer scene over the last 12 months you've noticed that there's been huge momentum from breweries and brewpubs to move beyond Utah's famed low alcohol beers.

Now we all know that Utah brewers have been brewing higher ABV beers for years, but the recent explosion in the desire to produce big beers is only being fueled by the publics craving for them.

The Utah Brewers Coop is seeing record sales with it's Hop Rising 2IPA and people in and out of the beer industry are taking notice. The game has changed and everyone is getting involved. The Utah Brewers Coop has clearly been leading the way with nearly a dozen high ABV labels to their credit. Squatters Brewpub has done some as well, along with RedRock, Wasatch Brewpub - Even Hoppers will have some high Abv Labels out soon.

Uinta Brewing company has been in the "big beer" game for a while. Their Barleywine is still Utah's biggest beer to date, annually coming in at around 10-11%. As well as their Anglers pale ale and Monkshine Belgian style Pale.

Uinta has been curiously absent from our local "beer renaissance" but no longer. Now comes word that Uinta will finally be amping-up it's game and will begin to commit to a line of big - bottle conditioned beers.

Starting early 2010 Uinta will begin production on a line of premium beers unlike anything seen in Utah. The "super premium beers" will be small batched - high alcohol beers in the 12-15% ABV range - Aged in oak barrels and cork finished.

The debut line-up is rumored to consist of an Imperial Stout(Utah's first), an Imperial IPA and a regular release of Uinta's Bourbon Barrel Barleywine; which was a bit of a phenomenon in the local beer scene.

I just hope that that 12%-15% is an exaggeration. In my opinion when beers get that boozy they start to become more of a novelty and less of a premium. I guess we'll wait and see. What are your thoughts?

These new additions, along with all the other fine brews that they do, will help to eliminate the popular and misinformed bias that Utah just can't do beer well.

Cheers!

Photo Courtesy: Aubry Sun

Rapunzel, Rapunzel - Let Down Your Hair!!!

I've been whining for months, trying to get my little Wookie paws on a bottle of Ayinger's Weizen Bock. It's never been available in the states, and I've heard very good things about it. Apparently they've been locked up in the DABC warehouse for weeks; like Rapunzel in her tower - waiting for prince charming to come and to rescue her.

Enter prince charming, Mark Alston. Yeah... not exactly the guy from the fairy tales but he does have nice hair. Anyway Mark liberated a couple cases to the Bayou, and by-Rumplstiskin's Beard it didn't disappoint.

Pours a very hazy golden honey color with three fingers of head that disappearing to a froth. The nose is of bananas, cloves, bubblegum and a little pepper. The taste starts with a huge spicey maltiness. Then comes cloves, banana and citrus. The end is slick with peppery alcohol and bubblegum. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, slick and creamy with good carbonation. This all German wheat beer. Perfect example of the style. Drinkability is good. My tongue doesn't detect too much booziness but my noggin sure does, so watch out, it could bite you in the ass if your not careful.

Now that Mark has got them out of the tower they should be hitting the stores soon. I hope...

Also, Sierra Nevada's Torpedo IPA is in. It's a big American IPA; bold, assertive and full of flavor and aromas highlighting the complex citrus, pine and herbal character of whole-cone American hops.

Prost!

The 60 Second Beer Festival

If you couldn't make it to the Great American Beer festival the fine folks at the Brewers Association have created a video showing the three day fest in 60 seconds.

If you look carefully you can see me at 23 seconds into the video. I'm the one with the beer in my hand.

Cheers!

The Great American Beer Festival from Brewers Association on Vimeo.

RedRock's Oktoberfest

If your into German beer & food, RedRock is the place to be.

Each year RR celebrates with a selection of German inspired beer and food to help you find your autumn groove. Kevin and crew have brewed up six German style beers to enjoy this week.

Autumn Fest is a Marzen-style lager, amber in color, is lagered for five weeks. It has an emphasized malt flavor, is smooth with a clean hop bitterness. Backed by Crystal and Munich malts.

Bamburg Rauch Bier Rauch Bier translates in German as “smoked beer”. Drying over an open Beechwood fire imparts a smoky character to the malt. Inspired by many trips the brewers have taken to Bamberg, Germany where the Rauch Biers are world famous.

Black Bier is a German style dark lager, very smooth, medium body, low hop bitterness. Eight different malts and thirty-five days of lagering give this classic Schwarz-style beer it’s unusually dark color and remarkably smooth flavor.

German Pilsner is a Classic German Pils. Very light straw to golden in color. Head should be dense and rich. Red Rock’s version is well-hopped, brewed using Noble hops such has Saaz, Hallertauer and Tettnanger. Lagered for five weeks and filtered bright.

Munich Dunkle is a smooth, rich and complex, but without being heady or heavy. They boast brilliant ruby hues from the large amounts of Munich malts used, and these malts also lend a fuller-bodied beer.
Bitterness is often moderate, with just enough to balance out any sweetness.

Organic Zwikel Bier is a rather old, rare, and unique German beer style, Kellerbiers are unfiltered and unpasteurized lagers that date back to at least the Middle Ages. The beer is lagered. The final product is a smooth, naturally cloudy beer that's rich in vitamins (from the yeast). Hop bitterness is a compliment to the soft malt character.

These beers are only expected to be around 'till October 11th.

Also available on tap are RR's Honey Wheat, Hefeweizen, Amber Ale and Oatmeal Stout.

I also got a tour of RedRock's new production Brewery. Brewmaster Kevin Templin is hopeful he'll be online by the end of the month.This new facility will take RedRock's capabilities to a whole new level.Prost!

Radius From Desert Edge

Yesterday I told you about Sierra Nevada's Estate Beer. An ale grown & produced entirely on sight. Today we have Radius from The Desert Edge Brewpub.

While the ingredients aren't grown on sight, Radius is made with ingredients grown within 150 miles of the Wasatch Front. Brewmaster Chris Haas says he found the malt just over the state line in Idaho and the hops were picked locally.

Radius is a "harvest" or "green hopped" golden ale and it's extremely hoppy. Chris only makes it once a year and it goes fast. As I was quick to find out last year.

Cheers!

Photo: courtesy Aubrey Sun

Sierra Nevada's Estate Harvest Ale.

Wahoo! more new beer. Just in to state liquor stores is the 1st release of Sierra Nevada's Estate Brewers Harvest Ale.

This is a pretty cool beer. The Estate Ale is one of the worlds only estate-made beers, brewed with 100% all-natural, hops and barley grown on-site at the brewery in Chico, CA. Cost is $7.74 per bomber.

I imagine these are flying off the shelves, you'd better get on it.

Cheers!

Sap and Whiskey

I just spent last night watching a shload of sappy medical dramas filled with earnest, modern adult contemporary music; guaranteed send you strait into a diabetic coma!

My options are limited here. I either drink whiskey to heal from it - or I talk about. Its now 5am.. I guess I'm gunna have to talk about it.

So Damn-it, if I want to talk whiskey I'm gunna!

David Perkins at the High West Distillery in Park City got his hands on some 12 year old straight rye whiskey and 10 year old straight bourbon whiskey and has combined them to make one blended whiskey. He’s calling “Bourye”. Get it??? “bourbon” and “rye”.

The bourbon is a 10-year-old made
with 75% corn, 15% rye & 10% barley malt. The rye is a straight 12-year-old 95% rye, with 5% barley malt.

Should be available in the coming weeks. Sound pretty yummy!
Just the cure to get the Thursday-night sap out of your arteries. No offence to Mrs. Mikey.

Cheers!