There is a word often used in San Diego to describe their beer market and the number of breweries that feed it. “Saturated” or “the ‘s’ word” was whispered more than a few times, but often with a taboo, we-shouldn’t-be-talking-about-this, manner that I’ll call the Voldemort effect. There’s an unspoken fear that the utterance will […]
Utah Haze Warz
The national epidemic widely known as the “Haze Craze” has finally infiltrated our state. More local brewers have succumbed to the trend and are now in the throes of a friendly battle, striving to create outstanding versions of the New England/Northeast IPA (or NEIPA), each one better than the last. Haze-heads are rejoicing as they […]
Coolship Field Trip
As a beer dilettante, I remember studying beer books and reading about the mysterious “coolship”. The name often popped up in my readings as a vessel used in the creation of the iconic Anchor Steam beer. I imagined metallic kiddie pools of sugar water sitting on the roof of some dilapidated San Francisco building, […]
Whiskey Aged in Beer Barrels?
The popularity and demand for barrel-aged beer has grown a lot over the last several years. Our ever evolving palates crave more complexity in flavor and mouthfeel, which can be achieved by infusing beer with the essences of oak barrels previously occupied by other spirits like whiskey. Now distillers are completing that circle by using […]
Fire + Metal + Beer = Bierstacheln
Behold, Bierstacheln! When I traveled to Germany last October with members of The Pink Boots Society, I was given the opportunity to experience the beer, culture, and traditions that are unique to Germany. While visiting Meinel-Bräu in Hof, Germany, Gisi and Moni Meinel-Hansen, sister brewers and family owners, gave us a tour of the brewery. […]
Favorite Beer Blends
Over the last several weeks, I have thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with various beer mixes. It’s become a bit of an obsession at this point. Not only have I discovered some winning combinations, but I’ve found the exercise to be quite enlightening when it comes to how different flavors work with each other. In my previous […]