New Beer Friday 9/27/13

Your going to have to venture out to the brewery or bar for these New Beer Friday offerings. Evertyhing available today is hard to find and far from typical.

Danish brewing legend Christian Skovdal Andersen was the founder and artistic force behind Ølfabrikken, until the brewery fell on some hard times. That didn’t stop Christian. After some saving and planning, he has now founded his own company, Beer Here, and the beer world is already talking about his new brews.

Beer Here Hopticulus: Hoptilicus is a barleywine hopped like a double IPA. The idea was to make a strong complex ale show casing both the hops and malts while retaining drinkability from the use of Danish beet sugar which ferments away leaving only alcohol drying the beer out. 9.0% ABV @ Bayou

Beer Here Kremlin Crude: This Russian Imperial Stout has vinous, rich nose is layered with malt, coffee, roasted grains and pungent smoke. Toffee from the malt and alcohol build to meet the hops, then the flavours melt together with Islay whiskey and dark sultana raisins. 10.0% ABV @ Bayou

Beer Here Rye Hopper: Called Hopfix in some markets, Rye Hopper started as a home brew recipe when Christian, founder of Beerhere started home brewing in the nineties. Wanting to brew a beer with rye, which is a stable grain of Danish cuisine he turned to the Internet and found a recipe from Denny Conn, award winning home brewer from Oregon. After brewing in the kitchen for a few years Christian started a brewery where the recipe lived on for a number of years as Ølfabrikken Rug IPA. When starting Beer Here in 2008, Hopfix would be one of the first beers to be brewed. In the intervening years the recipe has been continually modified but in its heart is it still based on Denny Rye IPA. 9.0% ABV @ Bayou

Beer Here SoD: A Baltic Porter full of dark chocolate, cocoa, carmel, figs and black fruit flavors. Full body with a smooth creamy mouthfeel.  An amazing example of this rare beer style. 7.5% ABV @ Bayou

Mikkeller SpontanCherry Frederiksdal: Mikkeller gets a little sour. SpontanCherry is an oak aged sour ale by the Danish gypsy brewery. Frederiksdal refers to the estate from which the beer gets its sour cherries.8.2% ABV @ Bayou

Mikkeller SpontanNoble: This Belgian Gueze style beer is aged in Sauternes Wine Barrels giving it an amazing wine/grape character which blends extremely well with the sour/tart gueze. 8.2% ABV @ Bayou

Mikkeller AK Alive: Only 1300 cases of this sour/wild ale by Mikkeller was Brewed at Anchorage Brewing Company. Based on Mikkeller's Wild Ale It's Alive, this beer has probably the strongest Funky Brettanomyces character of any of our wild beers. For fans of wild/funky beers only. 8.0% ABV @ Bayou

Christoffel Nobel: This Imperial Pilsner/Strong Pale Lager is dry-hopped with Brambling Cross.  91 points at ratebeer.com. The Bayou was only able to get 2 cases this time around. 8.7% ABV @ Bayou

Slaapmutske Triple Nightcap: Slaapmutske literally means ‘Sleeping Cap,’ (and, as an extension, ‘nightcap’) in Flemish. The name came about a few years ago when brewer Dany de Smet and his lovely wife, Marleen, were trying to soothe their crying baby, Jonas. When all else failed, Dany hit on the idea of giving the lad a short lick of a finger dipped into a glass of one of Dany’s beers. And with that, young Jonas was out like a light. Marleen declared the beer to be a real ‘slaapmutske,’ and thus, a brewery was born. 8.1% ABV @ Bayou

Fantôme Golden Ale: With a wonderfully musty and characterful aroma. There are many drinkers out there who believe this is the “Nectar of the Gods.” Certainly no other brewer makes beer like this, in Belgium or anywhere. How many beers of 8% plus offer such fresh fruitiness? A solid Belgian saison beer at its base, with an unusual overlay of fruitiness. 8% ABV @ Bayou


Deschutes Green Monster: 3 years ago, a batch of beer at Deschutes developed a "problem". The brewers decided to fill up some Oregon pinot barrels with the, gone astray beer and infect it with Brettanomyces,  Around the brewhouse it was known as "Green Monster," the name stuck and at the end of it's barrel aging the result is a monstrously fantastic, sour beer, with slight cherry and dried fruit aroma. In fact, the only scary thing about this beer is that it is SO LIMITED! The Beerhive managed to obtain about 5 cases. I imagine it won't last long. @ Beerhive


Bohemian Isar Rye: Predating the Reinheitsgebot of 1516, when rye was banned from brewing. is named after the main water way of Bavaria, the Isar River. This beer is made with 50% rye malt.and fermented with a traditional hefeweizen yeast strain. The result is a very full bodied 4% beer that takes from both the rich spiciness of the rye and the banana/clove esters from the yeast. You need to try this! @Bohemian

Don't forget about the Utah Brewers Guild's Oktoberfest tomorrow, starting at 1pm.

Cheers! 

Info: Mark Alston

Radius Returns!

 Radius is back! Desert Edge's wet hopped/local/harvest/community beer makes it return this week. Friends of the brewery including, relatives, workers, brewers, home brewers, beer enthusiasts and many others come together to help make this truly "local" beer happen by helping to pluck hop cones from what seems like miles of of vines. Without their help the Radius would not be possible.

All the ingredients for Radius come from within 150 miles of the brewery. Radius is a golden ale with locally grown wild, wet hops added. That mean the DE gang gathers wild Utah hops from the area and pitch them into the beer with in 24 hours of picking. This wet hopping gives the beer a different hop character than you have in most hoppy beers.It has a more pollen or lupulin flavor and aroma.

Because the hops are "wild" Radius tends to have a unique hop profile every year, get over and enjoy a pint or two before it's all gone.

Cheers!

Utah Brewers Guild's Oktoberfest Celebration

The Utah Brewers Guild will be hosting a special Oktoberfest celebration at Salt Lake City's Grannery Row this Saturday the 28th of September. A dozen area breweries including Uinta,Wasatch, Squatters, RedRock, Desert Edge, Bonneville, Hoppers, Shades of Pale, Bohemian, Epic and Roosters will be pouring some of their Autumn "Oktoberfest" beers. The entry fee is $5 - 16 oz beers will go for $5 bucks each.

The festivities will run from 1:00pm - 6:00pm. Local food trucks will be there (I'm not sure which ones) serving up a wide varity of food. You must be 21 or older.

This is a fund raiser for the newly formed Utah Brewers Guild, it's purpose is to unite Utah's breweries, educate and bring awareness to Utah's craft beer scene - while providing unique social events to bring us all closer together. All proceeds will go to the UBG to ensure that future events like this can continue and grow.

So get your ass out bed early - get your shit done and support you local craft brewers.

Prost!

Photo: Inhabit.com

New Beer Friday 9/20/13

Avenues Proper's Sam Dogger Lager – (Zwickel) Helles Lager: Named for the Connelly family golden retriever Sam. Sam Dogger Lager is dry, crisp, with a pilsner malt body and just enough German Hallertauer hops to balance, notes of pear, cereal grains, and creamy lager yeast. “Zwickel” means “unfiltered” some cloudiness is appropriate. @Avenues Proper

For Firkin Friday at the Bayou, Hoppers Brewmaster & Secret Agent, Donovan Steele is presenting his Missionary Lager. Two companions, Elder Berry and Elder Flowers baptized in a Firkin full of the unfiltered GABF Bronze 2012 medal winning Bohemian-style Pilsener. He also has Stein Knocker Lager on tap at Hoppers.

Many of you have been asking about the status of the New Belgium beers. I'm hearing Tues or Wed next week. The DABC works at a "unique" pace and that should say it all.

Prost!

Epic's First 50 Firkin Fiasco

Listen up, Great American Beer Festival attendees. Epic Brewing is throwing a crazy, unheard of bash on October 10th at their new brewery in Denver.

Coined the First 50 Firkin Fiasco the event will feature fifty (yes, that's 50) unique firkins of beer that highlight Epics extensive portfolio and the creativity of their brewers and cellar staff.

The taproom at the Denver brewery will be open at 3:00pm and concluding around 11:00pm. The general public will have 10 firkins available to sample and a VIP pass will be offered for $55.00 which includes an event T-shirt, gift bag (glassware and logo goods) and access to the full brewery and all 50 firkins. The brewing staff from Salt Lake City and Denver will be on hand to discuss the beers, as VIP’s explore the brewery. Food vendors will be onsite during the event and passes will include a food voucher. The VIP passes are very limited, and are available for purchase here. 

Some of the firkins that will be on tap include: Imperial IPA high krausened with Hopulent IPA and cask hopped with whole leaf Cascade, Imperial Red Ale with cocoa nibs, Utah Sage Saison with cracked black pepper corns, Brainless Golden Ale high krausened with Hopulent IPA and cask hopped with whole leaf Amarillo, Spiral Jetty with Chipotle Peppers, Imperial IPA with toasted coconut flakes, and Captn’ Crompton’s Pale Ale high krausened with Hopulent IPA and cask hopped with whole leaf Chinook.

Even if you don't have tickets to the actual festival, this Epic event will provide you with the same opportunity to try one of kind, unique beers under one roof.

Just curious - who's planning on being in Denver the week of GABF?

Cheers!

Oktoberfest at The Grand

Oktoberfest at The Grand is a month long celebration held every Friday and Saturday evening in the Garden Café where a special menu and beer pairing is made available in order to celebrate in authentic German style. Each week features a beer pairing from Epic Brewery and a three course German style meal prepared by Chef Thomas Call.

Sept 13- Oct 5, Fri and Sat evenings in the Garden Café.
5 PM - 10 PM

For more info on menu & pairings click here.

Prost!

New Beer Friday 9/13/13

For this Friday the 13th edition of New Beer Friday we have a shload of local offerings to cancel out all the bad jou-jou the day may bring. 

Roosters Lightning 388: Named for the 388th Operations Support Squadron, the US Air Force’s largest combat-ready group of F-16 Fighter Falcons. Lightning 388 is light-brown ale brewed with seasonally available Carabrown malt that lends a toasty, biscuit-like flavor to the beer. It is hopped to compliment rather than overshadow the highlighted maltiness. @Roosters in Layton

Bonneville Brewing Peach Wheat Ale: is made with real peaches, select specialty malts and milk sugar for a deliciously creamy mouthfeel. @Bonneville


Squatters Emerson Ave Pale Ale: Pours a murky deep amber color with a sturdy two & a half fingers of beige foam. The nose is floral with light citrus and berry notes - clean toasty malts also present. The taste starts bitter with grapefruit/citrus rind notes. The toasty malts pop through for just a bit, but then the bitterness comes back to linger in the finish atop biscuity malts. 6% abv. Available at Squatters locations/Bottleshop.

Squatters Nachsommer Kristallweizen: Not had it yet, anyone tried it? @Bayou & Bars with a Squatters seasonal tap

Squatters Slap & Tickle: This is a simple, single malt - single hop ale made with Marris-otter and I think Kent Golding hops. @Squatters locations

Blue Moon Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale: The nose is as you'd expect, with loads of pumpkin spices. The flavor follows suit. Pumpkin notes are present, as is cinnamon and nutmeg. There is also some toffee and biscuit malt in the finish. Medium mouthfeel and carbonation. @Grocery stores & various tap handles.

There is a very, very limited batch of Utah Sage Saison at Epic's bottle shop and Uinta's Bristlecone Brown Ale is back as well and is in wide distribution.

For your Firkin Friday enjoyment today, look forward to Desert Edge's UPA aged in a neutralized bourbon barrel at the Bayou. Poplar St. Pub is pouring the UBC's Crimson Ale in support of the Utes in their game against Oregon St. Tomorrow. 

Cheers!

Six-Pack Saturday Historic Pub Craw

Lern'n and drank'n beer are two of my favorite things in life! if you're of like mind, I urge you to consider carving out some time on the first Saturday in October and check out the Six-Pack Saturday Historic Pub Crawl. The Utah Heritage Foundation will tell the history of beer in Utah and takes you into not just three, but six of Utah's most well-known watering holes, with a special Six-Pack Saturday Historic Pub Crawl pint glass included with your registration.

When:  Saturday, October 5 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. 
Cost:  $30 before September 15
$35 through October 4
$45 at the "door" on October 5.
Where:  The tour will visit six Salt Lake City establishments in downtown Salt Lake City within walking distance of each other. Details on the check-in location are TBA.

Click Here or call 801 (533-0858) ext. 107 with questions or to purchase by phone.

This is an all-weather, rain-or-shine, warm-or-cold event; dress appropriate for the weather and you must be 21 years old or older with a valid ID or Passport to participate in this event.

Cheers!

Epic's Annex Opens Soon

Epic Brewing Company's has announced that their new Gastro Brewpub, the Annex will be opening it's doors on September, 17th in Sugarhouse. The Brewpub will be little light on some new stainless steel equipment, but the menu should overshadow any of those technicalities. The "technicalities" I'm referring to is the Annex's new brewhouse. While the brewery part of the restaurant is still being fabricated, look for new unique craft beer to made in Sugarhouse sometime in the winter - Epic's full (available) portfolio of beer will be available for diners on a daily basis.

The Annex will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 12:00 am. The menu will offer a variety of dish sizes allowing patrons to share several plates or dine individually.  Duck fat fried almonds, ($4) roasted beet and goat cheese salad on greens, ($8) and beer battered oysters with chili sauce and pickled vegetables ($9) are great plates to share or light first courses.

The menu is organized into three familiar categories for Epic regular’s, Classic – Elevated – Exponential. In the classic series, guests will find contemporary takes on old favorites like: mac and cheese with pancetta, ($8) fish and chips with gemolata, ($9) and fried chicken with potato fritters. ($9) Raising the stakes a little the Elevated section features both variety and creativity. Try crispy brisket poutine, cheese curds, and mushroom gravy, ($9) Korean double fried chicken wings with spicy garlic sauce and kimchi, ($10) or locally made artisan sausages served with house made mustard and dipping sauces. ($12)

The Exponential  section presents a fusion of culture and refined flavors like the yogurt marinated chicken thighs with harissa, honey drizzle and lemon jam, ($8) or the lamb chop served with salsa verde risotto. ($13) “The Annex was designed from the ground up to be a place where people can explore and enjoy the unique food concepts we have discovered in our beer travels. The atmosphere is designed to be welcoming to all, not just craft beer enthusiasts, so bring the entire family if you’re inclined.” explains Dave Cole, Epic Brewing Co-Founder.

Long time Utah resident Chef Robert Angelilli, formerly Executive Pastry Chef at The Grand America, and Executive Chef at Vinto and Easy Street Brasserie, has drawn upon his Italian upbringing and old world influence as well as more recent travels to beer destinations and contemporary eateries, to develop a menu thatis diverse, interesting, and pairs well with Epic’s impressive selection of beer.

“Today, craft beer is wonderfully complex and prolific yet remains unpretentious. I wanted the menu to reflect the same mentality, simple, straightforward food that highlights choice ingredients and contemporary style,” says Chef Robert Angelilli.

Cheers!

Squatters Emerson Avenue Pale Ale

Today, Squatters is releasing this year's entry for the the Great American Beer Festival's Pro/Am Competition. Emerson Avenue American Pale Ale is the Gold medal winning entry from the 2012 Beehive Brew-Off, brewed by home brewers Tommy and Gabi Lopresto.

Pours a murky deep amber color with a sturdy two & a half fingers of beige foam. The nose is floral with light citrus and berry notes - clean toasty malts also present. The taste starts bitter with grapefruit/citrus rind notes. The toasty malts pop through for just a bit, but then the bitterness comes back to linger in the finish atop biscuity malts. 6% abv. Available at Squatters locations. Good luck in the competition!

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 9/6/13

Portland brewing Noble Scot: Nice caramel nose with some chestnut notes. The taste begins with toffee & caramel that transitions to a mold grassy bitterness.  The end is slightly ashy with hints of smoke. Surprisingly nice Scottish Ale. @Liquor Stores. 

LTD 07 Oktoberfest Lager: The nose is malty and nutty with a mild earthy hop aroma. The malt dominates the flavor, with a dark roasted, nutty, carmel maltiness. The hops add a bit of spice in the middle. Finishes sweet malty. @Liquor Stores

Meantime Weizen Bock: I've not had this, but Weizenbocks are generally sweet, fruity & full of spicy esters. @Bayou

Meantime Old Smoked Bock: Haven't had this one yet either. A smoked bock sounds delicious, I guess we'll find out this afternoon. @Bayou. 

St. Feuillien Amitie: Again, me no try. If this is the beer that I think it is - it's a collaboration between St. Feuillien & Green Flash Brewing out of San Diego. Look for a Duvel-ish style beer, with a lot Amarillo hop smack. I'm really excited to try this one. @Bayou. 

Anderson Valley Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Stout: The nose has notes of roasted malt, chocolate, vanilla, coffee, licorice and wood. Taste is medium sweet and & similar to the aroma with a light bitterness, vanilla, milk and chocolate finish. Medium body with a soft & oily creaminess. @Bayou. 

Did I miss anything?

Cheers!
 

Bier Brauen Entry Info

A reminder to all home brewers that the window for dropping off beer to compete in the Bier Brauen (Utah's second officially sanctioned home brew contest!) is now open. You have from now until September 14th.
Drop off sites are Grace Lutheran Church and School - 1815 E 9800 S in Sandy AND Salt City Brew Supply - 750 E. Fort Union Blvd., Midvale. For more information and contest details go to http://www.gracelutheranoktoberfest.com/

Organizers can still use a few more judges and stewards, if your a qualified judge or would simply like to help out with stewarding (two words "left overs") It'd go a long way to help make the competition a big hit.  The contact the Bier Brauen's chair, Kevin Bartel.  His email is kevin.bartel@comcast.net.

Prost!