tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92169414680168385232024-03-13T04:05:57.759-06:00Albuquerque Beer SceneABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.comBlogger833125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-63136777318672637022023-10-03T16:41:00.008-06:002023-10-03T16:48:20.325-06:002023 GABF Final Wrap Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_2FtG5FbD9eFdvSOLGNq5_hTXDnaYZpK3m-nm-Q0lDSwj6ilB70pDJbKG5dX1qP1AX0H2_Qn8mteLe_JpQn7uJn9lM5LE-pmV_LMowwXJ8yN1d6e31HevDW4xJLlxxPvZgFJfGo1AwhoHD_99NRQ7ghiY_OzMPTMibRgDDGKNgXlasySDUYjnkYOIZdO/s2986/crowd.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1768" data-original-width="2986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_2FtG5FbD9eFdvSOLGNq5_hTXDnaYZpK3m-nm-Q0lDSwj6ilB70pDJbKG5dX1qP1AX0H2_Qn8mteLe_JpQn7uJn9lM5LE-pmV_LMowwXJ8yN1d6e31HevDW4xJLlxxPvZgFJfGo1AwhoHD_99NRQ7ghiY_OzMPTMibRgDDGKNgXlasySDUYjnkYOIZdO/s320/crowd.jpg"/></a></div><p> I arrived at the festival early this year because there was such a backup of people waiting to enter the festival floor in 2022 that I almost missed the bagpipers. And you don't want to miss the bagpipers. I needn't have bothered, as the time it took from when I entered the Convention Center to the time I made it through the metal detectors was about 3 minutes. I call them metal detectors but they were unlike any I've been through. You could keep your phone, change, rings, etc on you and walk through with nary a beep. And the people working the detectors were actually friendly.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkIrshyphenhyphen94XtawZChFjMs_gXkaD2gNeH9FmdUtdeI-9TbNzwD2qXCqtKjNjntsAT_HKxk4SIvZKhGSmX_8jDlUkPpKCmofnmwOywy_by1tQcW8TSPldGrvhE7Cc9nvHUj4ITC5879TqGv_w6cUkGrPyEMQg49sqgC0JudTYOdnXHjxHFZY3k3EKFSN5eda/s3951/space.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2968" data-original-width="3951" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkIrshyphenhyphen94XtawZChFjMs_gXkaD2gNeH9FmdUtdeI-9TbNzwD2qXCqtKjNjntsAT_HKxk4SIvZKhGSmX_8jDlUkPpKCmofnmwOywy_by1tQcW8TSPldGrvhE7Cc9nvHUj4ITC5879TqGv_w6cUkGrPyEMQg49sqgC0JudTYOdnXHjxHFZY3k3EKFSN5eda/s320/space.jpg"/></a></div><p> So I ended up having a half hour to walk the festival floor before the crowds were unleashed. Standing out immediately was how much open space there was. Because of construction at the Convention Center, GABF had 350,000 square feet of floor space in 2022, as compared to over 580,000 in 2019. This year, they were up to 437,000, though that's still almost 150,000 less than 2019. My unofficial count had 367 different breweries' beers being poured either at their own booth or at the Heavy Medal or Wish We Were Here booths. About 340 breweries had a booth on the festival floor. This is down from the reported 800 breweries attending pre-pandemic. As stated in a previous post, Albuquerque favorite La Cumbre did not pour at the fest this year, though their Malpais Stout was available at the NM Guild booth. Boxing Bear is another large Albuquerque brewery presence not at the fest, but they were represented at the Heavy Medal booth. Santa Fe had quite the beer trailer display as one of the featured breweries, and had heavy traffic all fest long. It was interesting to see Albuquerque's 377 Brewery as a Featured Brewery, considering they are one of the smaller NM breweries and don't distribute their beers. It seems to me that one of the reasons you pony up thousands to be a Featured Brewery is to get more people to buy your beer. Will that many people who attended the fest come to Albuquerque and visit 377? Let's hope.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7THj4UKEXEoft49wlyHgh6Digd5o_gdWN53PaQ9BZwpXpa39GBCaXWWTPaesQP54UjTL8G_oIQA0JIh0zIGm1bViPyTUCXwZfMmlJIiP8ZEw2zD291htIHpKsWTulaMj9YosG3RGpSeWYlPJwdssrxd1AcjFBa9zwpzfehVF7Ro1CoHxHqMYdmsgC9Q3Y/s3424/water.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="3424" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7THj4UKEXEoft49wlyHgh6Digd5o_gdWN53PaQ9BZwpXpa39GBCaXWWTPaesQP54UjTL8G_oIQA0JIh0zIGm1bViPyTUCXwZfMmlJIiP8ZEw2zD291htIHpKsWTulaMj9YosG3RGpSeWYlPJwdssrxd1AcjFBa9zwpzfehVF7Ro1CoHxHqMYdmsgC9Q3Y/s320/water.jpg"/></a></div><p> Ironically, the 2023 GABF was not the place to go if you were thirsty. For water, that is, as the water coolers, which used to be dispersed throughout the festival, were all in one large section this year. Ths was a move that makes very little sense to me, as one of the nice features of the fest was being able to take a quick break with water that was always nearby. Those coolers also made for a good place to rinse out your glass of that 13% stout you just drank before trying a pilsner. There were squirt bottles and pitchers of water at every booth for rinsing, but those stouts really coat the glass. You can only stand there for so long rinsing your glass when there's people lined up behind you.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYodh3Cd6wO7HGL3ASa_gNv7qzdot8JQ9xEHYeshQKelf82OgowjPSgSquzIg2akSnip3M7Bb_qZ2TGdR_pFj9SSzYY4KGqD2-cljeDGVzxbl7-4qNDM3xL95Xp-EJ00MWuBlqXRWTXAqUXTxZwO_C50_f84nd307dFXT34jiXd59nAC8LxOjKvm_9OhqK/s4032/gluten.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYodh3Cd6wO7HGL3ASa_gNv7qzdot8JQ9xEHYeshQKelf82OgowjPSgSquzIg2akSnip3M7Bb_qZ2TGdR_pFj9SSzYY4KGqD2-cljeDGVzxbl7-4qNDM3xL95Xp-EJ00MWuBlqXRWTXAqUXTxZwO_C50_f84nd307dFXT34jiXd59nAC8LxOjKvm_9OhqK/s320/gluten.jpg"/></a></div><p> New to the festival this year was the large Gluten-Free beer section, which I joked would also be free of people, though they stayed busy in the times I observed the area. There was also an International Beer section, though the beers being poured were the standard ones you can find at most stores. I like the idea though. Can't expect them to bring in Cantillion. For the first time, the BA allowed seltzers, ciders, mead, and other things I don't want to drink into the fest. Also new was the National Black Brewers section, which garnered large crowds throughout the fest. The state guild section had some nice options from breweries not attending the fest, such as New York pouring Mortalis and Other Half.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjl0c2y-oVpJ2dV57RNghAIKMPVcg2Ye-4qFgkMfMBdwqRWV8DRerObnSilwyWTpwK9dJLpG_aTQ-JJWIvdzymOhyphenhyphenbaSY5lV_UomA6xApaQ3emKaxfLsVR7WXCT0pC2vwblpVAqT5fh9F73l0Q0ddwAnDTJynvRbGnH60ClCJzpEVCtnGIhj85uqDniIMm/s4032/logic.HEIC" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjl0c2y-oVpJ2dV57RNghAIKMPVcg2Ye-4qFgkMfMBdwqRWV8DRerObnSilwyWTpwK9dJLpG_aTQ-JJWIvdzymOhyphenhyphenbaSY5lV_UomA6xApaQ3emKaxfLsVR7WXCT0pC2vwblpVAqT5fh9F73l0Q0ddwAnDTJynvRbGnH60ClCJzpEVCtnGIhj85uqDniIMm/s320/logic.HEIC"/></a></div><p> On to the beer highlights: At the time the bagpipers marched into the fest (always a highlight for everyone), I was close to the 903 Brewers booth, so I thought it wise to grab a sample while I could. Last year, 903 had the longest lines at the festival at times. Weldwerks was conveniently close by, with their usual giant booth and large selection of barrel-aged goodies. They were one of the reasons I was wishing for a better glass rinsing option. Medianoche=thick. Other thick stouts were brought by Bottle Logic, who get my award for longest line at the fest. Saying that, Russian River probably had the longest sustained lines, but the longest at one time went to Bottle Logic (pictured). I will say that the Weldwerks booth was the only one that I saw two men sprinting for as the festival began. Literally sprinting. My kind of drinkers.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqrA_5iEoI6cOBXzFP2edQmCaGRGewZEcP1vcT2enYZ2KtPzhDQskW_4jxVA1N0bLSpf-xCsbN6-0KPrIeKpY7CZcoRrnDF1pH3XE6IBCFyujWTmj_OiPseneqZ33eqgLwwx7Xk3Iy-3cAXV8o3TnK-uXGWnksati4DaOpklwxEhcmQzV8l1e5-FnXQ7-/s4032/tomme.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqrA_5iEoI6cOBXzFP2edQmCaGRGewZEcP1vcT2enYZ2KtPzhDQskW_4jxVA1N0bLSpf-xCsbN6-0KPrIeKpY7CZcoRrnDF1pH3XE6IBCFyujWTmj_OiPseneqZ33eqgLwwx7Xk3Iy-3cAXV8o3TnK-uXGWnksati4DaOpklwxEhcmQzV8l1e5-FnXQ7-/s320/tomme.jpg"/></a></div><p> It was nice to see people lined up for The Lost Abbey this year. As I wrote in my GABF preview, I was the only one at Lost Abbey's booth a few years ago while Tomme Arthur was pouring me sample after sample of Duck Duck Gooze and Churchill's Finest Hour. This year I counted a line of 15 people at one point. A brewery that used to have them lining up is The Bruery, but this year it was simple to walk right up multiple times for Scoops on Dunn, which I thought was one of the memorable Stouts of the fest. The Stout with the most hype this year was Wren House's Triple Vanilla King Snake, which was poured at 6 pm. Thursday night, it was gone in eight minutes. On Friday, I watched the crowd start to gather around 5:45 and there was quite a long line to get a pour. It was a lot easier to get a pour of Nobo's BA 2nd Breakfast, the French toast and cinnamon roll inspired Imperial Stout. Best Stout of the year at GABF would have to go to Modern Times' Modem Tones: Samoa Cookie Edition. I needed to run my glass through a dishwasher after that one.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinszCf1msWcRf23MVZF32xlg7rtX50SLuw7jqa0Y5sxnNESBhJYQLdOCJOfgm71laJqNxvTL2Wz_REhZMCC5mVDhoTdlHR8wCcjbnF4uBakHlj4fl1Ru1Sa8AxXSM26FTWZDX50PZ5ScZl3tHLGVQ37TODALWBJv8syFOcUBFv_8fPxex6LCjibN557Bj-/s4032/boxofruit.HEIC" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinszCf1msWcRf23MVZF32xlg7rtX50SLuw7jqa0Y5sxnNESBhJYQLdOCJOfgm71laJqNxvTL2Wz_REhZMCC5mVDhoTdlHR8wCcjbnF4uBakHlj4fl1Ru1Sa8AxXSM26FTWZDX50PZ5ScZl3tHLGVQ37TODALWBJv8syFOcUBFv_8fPxex6LCjibN557Bj-/s320/boxofruit.HEIC"/></a></div><p> My surprise favorites of the fest are hard to admit, being someone who looks sideways at people adding lime to their lagers. But I have to say, Hoosier Brewing and Yah Brew Co were the most memorable this year, with the least-beer-like beers you could ever drink. First, Hoosier blew me away with Boxo Fruit: Cherry, a bright red fruit punch-type drink (I know, I can never judge another person's taste in beer again); and they also killed it with Fruit Fusion: The Phoenix, a strawberry, birthday cake, and birthday cake soft serve concoction.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKg7REVerxS37W39mC0wyoLerK5C9OzTXEz-njWevObc4pXZgWCSHBmfLnjHVxDVLaVUzH07VuANcgl3CDL_BxpJbQr3MlA24GvRqNwAkUabBkhzoQYvbdveHa4LeU8xVDazKmBq9ODSaQC0J1_15ghJCGcaygxY_uNzFhNyTMVQZvB3mCVau3UMWQiAB/s3306/yah.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="3306" data-original-width="2309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKg7REVerxS37W39mC0wyoLerK5C9OzTXEz-njWevObc4pXZgWCSHBmfLnjHVxDVLaVUzH07VuANcgl3CDL_BxpJbQr3MlA24GvRqNwAkUabBkhzoQYvbdveHa4LeU8xVDazKmBq9ODSaQC0J1_15ghJCGcaygxY_uNzFhNyTMVQZvB3mCVau3UMWQiAB/s320/yah.jpg"/></a></div><p> And Yah Brew Co only brought two beers to the fest: Hazed By the Bell, a perfectly serviceable hazy IPA, and Orange Sherbet Push Pop, which tastes exactly how it sounds. And it was one of the biggest hits of the fest, with word of mouth spreading about this so quickly that by the time I returned to Yah's booth Friday night, the Push Pop was nothing but a memory! It may have been gone before the end of pouring Thursday night.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bnbjlo2cL3IFjiHwg5Gr__sApRtxD8uq1rjQUm5UcUeKUHCUH9GpwHsqWKMRq1PmVK9yw5NPkij0473LIVOwcsl9yc8ZaTIVeEu0dO6gTIsUDrZgjli6q4pb_BHeBOxe8HitWZjCXT1tb7FhRusQgav5t-KRMTVJKwwUjRCI7uPRoK0dFoFf73b_50J/s4032/ounce.HEIC" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bnbjlo2cL3IFjiHwg5Gr__sApRtxD8uq1rjQUm5UcUeKUHCUH9GpwHsqWKMRq1PmVK9yw5NPkij0473LIVOwcsl9yc8ZaTIVeEu0dO6gTIsUDrZgjli6q4pb_BHeBOxe8HitWZjCXT1tb7FhRusQgav5t-KRMTVJKwwUjRCI7uPRoK0dFoFf73b_50J/s320/ounce.HEIC"/></a></div><p> As the fest ended I thought of the overall experience, which was quite positive. Organization was on point in all aspects of the event, though I do have two issues: the water cooler section, and the pour size. The water cooler section can easily be changed. Now, the one oz. pours have been in place forever, but that doesn't mean a policy has to stay in place forever. Would the BA consider a glass with two fill lines that allows you to get the standard one oz. pour, but also a four oz. pour if you choose? I can get a good idea if I like a flavorful Imperial Stout from an ounce, but a good German Pilsner deserves more than one ounce (yes, I still appreciate a good German lager even after professing my smoothie love). And yes, you can get unlimited pours at GABF, but do you like to be A) the person standing at the front of a line getting pour after pour while people wait behind you, or B) the person waiting in line, getting your one ounce, then getting back in a line you just waited in for another ounce? With a four ounce pour, you can eliminate the first option, and if you get back in line to try something else, you'll have something to drink while you wait. The BA could sell the traditional ticket, currently at $95, and maybe have a higher price of $125 for an optional pour size ticket. We all need larger pours of peanut butter maple birthday cake push pops. With a lime.
ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-81825195846217722532023-09-25T13:11:00.004-06:002023-09-25T13:15:36.448-06:00GABF Awards Ceremony 2023- Them's the Breaks<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gN74mD61jJ0Js8DmgkuKLYRlvxyj58g5nbnQS8kQkEM_15YM9bLUkALMIjgPFkekIP5WN_TRT2ZwohgTRYvzgqnuxeYm-xSks9y_GPi2P3NXHJ5VVA41iWJ0AWAWNLOhFBWUWDyRgBVQ9LzDUuds2TeGBrgFN2A_Uy6zzqvGQwIYTF7aDJz-58lzWex6/s2306/josh.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2306" data-original-width="2070" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gN74mD61jJ0Js8DmgkuKLYRlvxyj58g5nbnQS8kQkEM_15YM9bLUkALMIjgPFkekIP5WN_TRT2ZwohgTRYvzgqnuxeYm-xSks9y_GPi2P3NXHJ5VVA41iWJ0AWAWNLOhFBWUWDyRgBVQ9LzDUuds2TeGBrgFN2A_Uy6zzqvGQwIYTF7aDJz-58lzWex6/s320/josh.jpg"/></a></div><p> The morning of the 2023 GABF Awards began like so many before, with me scrambling to wake up, brush last night's beer taste out of my mouth, and find some coffee to drink while writing about the awards. I needn't have rushed, as former CO Governor and current Senator John Hickenlooper hit the stage first and gave a not short but very engaging speech on his time in the beer industry.</p>
<p> 2,033 breweries entered this year's competition, with 9,298 beers being evaluated by a panel of 250 judges. That's an average of 37 beers per judge. I had about that many pours at First Draft on Friday night after the fest.</p>
<p> On the local front, Marble Brewery took a Silver medal with Thunder From Dortmunder in the Dortmunder or German-style Oktoberfest category. Also, Flix Brewhouse won Bronze in the Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ale Category with Tropical Mirage. The two medals were the fewest New Mexico has brought home since the 2010 GABF, when Chama River took the lone NM medal for Three Dog Night Baltic Porter.</p>
<p> Here's some random observations and stats on the awards: As usual, California and Colorado were the big winners, or more specifically, California was the BIG winner, with 73 medals, while Colorado had 36. Oregon did pretty well with 23.</p>
<p> California swept the American-Style Strong Pale Ale category, as well as the Imperial IPA category. And the Imperial Stout category. And the International-Style Pale Ale category. They also took Silver and Gold in the Juicy or Hazy Imperial IPA category. Ironically, they only took one medal in the new-for-2023 West Coast Style IPA category.</p>
<p> And now for a word from our sponsors. Heard that many times during the awards this year. I get it; it's a necessary part of the ceremony in the current climate. Fewer breweries pouring at the fest means less revenue for the BA, who still put on a hell of an event and frankly deserve all the money they can bring in. Locally, Marble consolidated their production and MavLab spots into a single booth, while La Cumbre, a stalwart Featured Brewery, chose not to pour at the fest this year. On the other hand, Santa Fe and The 377 Brewery both paid to be a Featured Brewery. I did appreciate the emcee's subtle (sales) reminder of how gratifying it is to be able to pour your award winning beer on the festival floor after winning a medal. Always be closing.</p>
<p> Quick, what do 1852 Brew Co., Corn Coast Brewing Co., and Side Hustle Brewing Co. have in common? Yes, they all have Co. in their name, but I was going for the fact that they all medaled in the Juicy or Hazy IPA category this year. In the most competitive category (365 entries). And I never heard of any of those three breweries. And none got to experience the gratification of serving their award-winning IPAs on the festival floor.</p>
<p> The numerous breaks for people to "get up and dance" were curious considering that the awards ALWAYS run over into festival pouring time.</p>
<p> Remember when Iron Hill would win a bunch of medals? A lot less cowbell these days.</p>
<p> Lazarus Brewing out of Austin winning Gold in both Bohemian and German Pilsner categories means another lager stop besides ABGB next time I'm in Austin.</p>
<p> Modern Times lives! Bronze and Silver in the new Dessert or Pastry Stout category. Don't mess with a good thing, Maui.</p>
<p> Brett Pack members took Gold and Silver in the Belgian-Style Witbier category, with Adam Avery's White Rascal taking the Gold over Rob Todd's Allagash White, which took Silver. And if you were at the festival, you may have been served a sample by four of the five members of the unofficial group: Tomme at the Lost Abbey Booth, Sam at the Dogfish Head booth, Adam at the Avery Booth, and Vinnie at Russian River. Aaaanndd I'll admit here first that I didn't see if Rob was pouring at Allagash this year, really just f'ing up this whole nice little sidebar piece I was writing. But it was nice to see industry vets continuing to be a presence at their booths, though I'm not mad when there are just volunteers pouring who can't tell you anything about the beer. Even if there are brewery reps at the booth, there just isn't time to stand there and talk when there are 30 people in line and the rep has to pour for everyone.</p>
<p> German-Style Pilsner had the 4th most entries of any of the 99 categories, with 228 entries. And the Light Lager category had even more, with 284 entries. Fizzy yellow beers are for wussies, it was once said.</p>
ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-26755946374978657352023-09-21T15:22:00.002-06:002023-09-21T15:22:36.175-06:002023 GABF Breweries to Visit, T-Z<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4E9eCkU7wpblWfwaWrAG_LwpiG9SbVMn3hKUR9qfGYcwA3T4EsSOsoAXWcVIafIHEFjB5aTIOhrCGJFSZOAkBf4M8PoDKJ9gbzX2OpbGEdIA4amC7Yo7XQ65z0yE1SB8HkIww-xTFW-DnhBlA25iBYJ2VGm7GmhcoSh3cmxsNeFou7mzAQuMnlQPOeqP/s4128/adam.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2322" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4E9eCkU7wpblWfwaWrAG_LwpiG9SbVMn3hKUR9qfGYcwA3T4EsSOsoAXWcVIafIHEFjB5aTIOhrCGJFSZOAkBf4M8PoDKJ9gbzX2OpbGEdIA4amC7Yo7XQ65z0yE1SB8HkIww-xTFW-DnhBlA25iBYJ2VGm7GmhcoSh3cmxsNeFou7mzAQuMnlQPOeqP/s320/adam.jpg"/></a></div>Here ya go, the final installment of the Breweries to Visit series, circa 2023. Hopefully, there will be some gems you agree were deserving of making the list. There always end up being a few duds along the drinking journey that I expected to be winners, but that's what the dump buckets are for. Keep an eye out for festival recaps in the days following GABF.
<p><b>Templin Family Brewers</b> I don't get it when people say they can't find anything but IPAs at stores and breweries. That's just lazy talk where people parrot one another but aren't actually spewing facts. There are more lagers being produced now than any time I can remember (I was not alive 100 years ago), and brewed by IPA-centric breweries at that. A recent visit to Green Cheek had Bier, their Helles lager, on tap and in cans. And Monkish, of all breweries, had two Pilsners and a Helles available. What made Cerebral well known? Hazies, right? Check out any of their recent draft and can lists. Tons of lagers. And now here's me writing about yet another lager producing brewery for you to try at GABF: Templin Family Brewers. Templin has taken home three GABF medals for Granary Keller Bier as well as a medal for their Rauch Bier. Oh, and look at that: Their Squirrel hazy IPA won a Gold at WBC this year in the Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ale category. Nothing but damn hazies at this fest.</p>
<p><b>The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.</b> ABGB for short, this brewery looks above at the Templin medal count and says, "Hold my beer". With 11 medals between GABF/WBC, ABGB is a lager lover's dream. All five of the beers ABGB is pouring at the fest (Industry Pils, Hell Yes, Rocket 100, Velvet Revolution, The BEEginning) haven taken medals.</p>
<p><b>The Bruery</b> Ah, the good old days of lining up for some Black Tuesday! No word on whether Scoops on Dunn will be available the entire time during the fest or a dreaded "Tapping at 8!" situation, but I'll try to make it there for this blend of Black Tuesday and All The Cows with coffee, vanilla, toffee, and cocoa powder. And then, a nap.</p>
<p><b>The Lost Abbey</b> It was kind of surreal a few fests back to see Tomme Arthur standing at his booth with a buspan full of bottles of Duck Duck Gooze and nobody lined up for it. For selfish reasons, I wouldn't mind being the only one there again, as they'll be pouring the 2022 DDG as well as 2012 Angel's share. Kudos to The Lost Abbey for bringing something special.</p>
<p><b>Third Eye Brewing</b> This brewery makes some interesting fruited Milkshake IPAs, such as Jelly Brain V1 with pineapple and toasted coconut. Got my eye on Double Astral Heaven Hill BA Imperial Stout as well. Not my third eye.</p>
<p><b>Twisted Pine</b> What do Serrano, jalapeno, habanero, Fresno, and Anaheim peppers have in common? If your answer is, "None of them belong in beer!", then stay away from Twisted Pine's booth. But if you like a damn hot Chili Beer then give Ghost Face Killah a try. Good luck. </p>
<p><b>Von Ebert</b> Von Ebert does a number of styles well. Their Volatile Substance IPA won Gold at GABF 2021, and their Pils has medaled at both GABF and WBC. Both will be available at their Pearl booth, while their Festbier will be pouring at their Glendoveer booth.</p>
<p><b>Wayfinder Beer</b> Can't say enough about their lagers. Hell may be my favorite Helles lager in the world. Freiheit was the best Festbier at GABF in 2022, in my opinion. And you can have both, as well as Earth's Eris Cold IPA from the brewers that invented the style.</p>
<p><b>Wibby Brewing</b> Hot damn, more lagers! This Longmont, CO brewery is bringing five of them, including medal winners Volksbier Vienna and Moondoor Dunkel.</p>
<p><b>Wren House Brewing</b> The best brewery in Arizona? I think so. They have really come along with great lagers as well as still making quality hazies. I'm looking forward to Prasna Brana Czech Lager, FrankenWally TIPA, and Triple Vanilla King Snake, a Rip Van Winkle barrel-aged Imperial Stout with six lbs. of vanilla beans.</p>
<p><b>Weldwerks Brewing</b> And speaking of stouts, let the long lines begin! One of the most popular booths, and for good reason. Weldwerks always brings it, and this year they'll have ten beers, including three versions of Medianoche Imperial Stout. Mix that with some Extra Extra Dino Bits and some Strawberry Cheesecake fruited sour and you'll feel real awful. Enjoy!</p>
ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-5913875452253706612023-09-18T16:49:00.000-06:002023-09-18T16:49:22.649-06:00GABF 2023 Breweries to Visit, R-S<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9siOXrm4M1CQrPtOkunV25sHpyqfcnPl2xQf1XjbgwL-qIo3CSkK6ZWKJmlG9mcjHFx00Wgs_uTPww40ce4g4yhydnRH8MoE1r--_8VmE6LJ26yUOlW-7iw_7B3kecVg2Bhj2Jr6mcK03XdvzO1FwMqQc-gj7gHhQ9E_yJUNbAZZvXkj3gWd9LrKKYZR/s4048/maj.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4048" data-original-width="3036" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9siOXrm4M1CQrPtOkunV25sHpyqfcnPl2xQf1XjbgwL-qIo3CSkK6ZWKJmlG9mcjHFx00Wgs_uTPww40ce4g4yhydnRH8MoE1r--_8VmE6LJ26yUOlW-7iw_7B3kecVg2Bhj2Jr6mcK03XdvzO1FwMqQc-gj7gHhQ9E_yJUNbAZZvXkj3gWd9LrKKYZR/s320/maj.jpg"/></a></div><p><b>Pure Project</b> Ok, looks like I finished my last post without including one of the important P breweries: Pure Project. This brewery brings us our first Flanders Red sighting of the fest with Roes Red, a Flanders aged in Pinot Noir barrels. I'm also looking forward to trying this year's Corylus, a 13.4% Imperial Stout aged in Breckenridge and Heaven Hill barrels with added Oregon hazelnuts, Peruvian cacao, and Nicaraguan coffee. A melting pot of beer ingredients.</p>
<p><b>Radiant Beer Co.</b> I don't know how I keep missing out on Radiant when I visit Anaheim. Actually, I take that back. I know why, and it's all Bottle Logic's fault. I always think I can just get a few very small pours at BL and be fine, when the truth is those small 13%+ pours turn me into a worthless mess where I can barely pour myself into an Uber back to my hotel. But next time, Radiant. For now, I'll enjoy small pours of Show Me a Sign hazy IPA (Radiant has twice medaled at GABF with hazy offerings) and the 14% Luxurious Potential, a barrel-aged Imperial Stout inspired by Black Forest Cake. Yum.</p>
<p><b>Ratio Beerworks</b> Here's a brewery that knows how to do a fest- just look at the fun stuff they're bringing to GABF, including King of Carrot Flowers, a carrot juice and elderflower Saison; Dear You, a Citra-hopped French Saison; Barrel-aged Barleywine; Genius Wizard, a 14.8% barrel-aged Imperial Stout. Oh, and a Mexican-style lager.</p>
<p><b>Revision Brewing</b> This brewery that has been cranking out IPAs like crazy over the years, but I'm looking forward to trying Coconut Pie Face, an Imperial Stout with toasted coconut, Madagascar vanilla beans, and cacao nibs. Yeah, I know that I'm recommending a lot of Imperial Stouts. Want you to get the most ABV you can get out of that $100 ticket.</p>
<p><b>Revolution Brewing</b> Ever have a fruited Barleywine? I never even thought about it. Doesn't sound appealing, honestly. But I trust the brewers at Revolution when it comes to high ABV beers, so I'll at least take a sip of the 15% Life Jacket Barleywine. Deth's Tar Imperial Oatmeal Stout is also on the menu.</p>
<p><b>Right Proper Brewing</b> With a former Allagash brewer at the helm, of course I'm going to recommend Li'L Wit, a Belgian-style Witbier, and Foveal Vision, a foeder-aged Farmhouse Ale with fruit.</p>
<p><b>River North Brewing</b> I think they're trying to kill us. The 6 beers being served at the two River North booths average out to 11.7% ABV, with a max 16.9% for 2019 Vicennial: Father Time, a barrel-aged English Barleywine. But they are bringing the 5.3% River North Pils as a palate cleanser.</p>
<p><b>Russian River Brewing</b> You know you were going to visit Russian River whether it made the list or not, and there are plentyof RR goodies to choose from with both the Windsor and Santa Rosa locations represented. DDH Pliny the Elder, STS Pils, and Intinction Sauvignon Blanc barrel-aged Wild Ale with Brett are my Windsor choices, while Docta-Ron (IPA with Nectaron hops) and Jannemie Saison highlight the Santa Rosa booth.</p>
<p><b>Saint Arnold</b> I feel like there aren't nearly as many Pumpkin Ales as there used to be at GABF. Without Elysian there, that leaves off about 50 alone. Saint Arnold is bringing their 11.3% Pumpkinator Imperial Pumpkin Stout this year. </p>
<p><b>Salt Road Brewing</b> Feeling sad because there won't be a giant Stone Brewing endcap booth this year? At least you can get a taste of what you're missing with Arrogant Sellout, the 9.3% Strong Ale that is Salt Road's homage(?) to the once fiercely independent brewery.</p>
<p><b>Samuel Adams</b> It's a given that I'll miss the pouring of the 28% Utopias, which will be available from 8:19 to 8:22 or something ridiculous like that. Haven't been able to get a taste after all these GABFs. But I have to give a shoutout to the reformulated Boston Lager. I was originally skeptical, thinking they were just dumbing down a decent beer to sell to the masses. But the new version is a really nice beer. Wasn't expecting that.</p>
<p><b>Schnitz Ale Brewery</b> Interesting that a place with "Ale Brewery" in its name has me looking forward to the Poppa Pils, a Keller Pilsner.</p>
<p><b>Second Chance</b> You Robust Porter fans aren't going to walk by this booth without a taste of the four-time Gold medal-winning Tabula Rasa, are you? Didn't think so.</p>
<p><b>Seedz Brewery</b> This Michigan brewery is on my short list of must visits for lager specialists, and they'll be representing with a Helles, German Pils, and Keller Pils.</p>
<p><b>Snake River Brewing</b> If only to drink the Zonker Stout, which has taken an amazing 11 GABF/WBC medals all the way back to 1994.</p>
<p><b>Sunriver Brewing</b> Looking for some clear beers with good ol' American hop bite? Look no further than Sunriver, who have you covered with the GABF Gold Pale Ale Rippin, and the WBC Silver IPA Bondi Beach Party. </p>
<p><b>Sun King</b> Of course I have Sun King on the list. With 41 GABF/WBC medals to their name, Sun King is like the Jeff Bagby of breweries. Cherry Busey alone has taken four medals in the Belgian-style Fruit Beer category.</p>
<p><b>Spice Trade</b> In the "trying it because it's different" category goes this Spa Sidekick Gose, with cucumber, lemon, coriander, and Utah rock salt.</p>
<p><b></b></p>
<p><b></b></p>
<p><b></b></p>
ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-69342725324321057622023-09-13T16:05:00.000-06:002023-09-13T16:05:28.061-06:002023 GABF Breweries to visit, N-P<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKHeAXjbURupjEfMcgJlTCFaH31QJpxSa81VjFAPTtoLIFjmVvjUypzdqM-Drh8cqzFppzlAZTWcdsM9ruyNohIEvQr5Q8taSpK7WzvuQ6pR8YPcyvOMxDpXZDjut0OYcnUVU6q8H3uvvwoiCrEsxBKlYZm9JgvDtKyQm4lu4GcpFeMWbmjgO-cVe3Zs9/s4128/wide.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2322" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKHeAXjbURupjEfMcgJlTCFaH31QJpxSa81VjFAPTtoLIFjmVvjUypzdqM-Drh8cqzFppzlAZTWcdsM9ruyNohIEvQr5Q8taSpK7WzvuQ6pR8YPcyvOMxDpXZDjut0OYcnUVU6q8H3uvvwoiCrEsxBKlYZm9JgvDtKyQm4lu4GcpFeMWbmjgO-cVe3Zs9/s320/wide.jpg"/></a></div><p><b>Narrow Path</b> How come you only write about smoothie sours and not the good kind, someone asked me. Good question. I my have overlooked some, but I am hereby mentioning Restless Seas as a Gose you should try. This beer brought Narrow Path Brewing their first World Beer Cup medal in 2022.</p>
<p><b>Nashville Brewing</b> And speaking of award winners, Nashville Brewing took home Silver for Nashville Lager in the Helles category at WBC in 2018 and GABF in 2020, as well as a Bronze at GABF in 2018 for NashZwickel in the Keller/Zwickelbier category. Here's your chance to try them both.</p>
<p><b>New Terrain</b> GABF is about expanding your palate and trying new styles, right? For some people, maybe. For others, it's seeing how much food they can fit on a string tied around their neck. Both are noble purposes, and here's a beer to please both of those types of people: Punky Masala, a beer made with Indian spices and intended to mimic the flavors of the curry soup Pumpkin Masala. Wash that soup down with Mirage, the Sour IPA (so many sours!) that has won Silver twice at GABF.</p>
<p><b>No Label Brewing</b> Like those West Coast IPAs? Try Cali Boy, the beer that took a Silver in the coveted Imperial IPA category at the 2022 World Beer Cup.</p>
<p><b>NOBO Brewing</b> Wait, you say, didn't you recommend this brewery's BA 2nd Breakfast Imperial Stout last year? Yeah, and why not again? Aged 14 months in Jim Beam barrels with added cinnamon, maple syrup, and brown sugar, this sounds like a beer worthy of a 2nd mention. And honestly, I can't remember if I liked it last year, so I need a do over.</p>
<p><b>Other Brother Beer Co.</b> Yet another sour for your drinking pleasure, this time a collaboration with Alvarado St., is Tropic Desert, a prickly pear, mango, and lime kettle sour.</p>
<p><b>Our Mutual Friend</b> And what about Saisons? Haven't written about a single one at the fest. Well, sorry, Hill Farmstead isn't at GABF and there aren't a ton of Saisons to write about. Biere Ovale is one of the few, and you can tell it's good because it has a fancy name. This foeder-aged Saison won consecutive Silver medals at GABF (2021 and 2022) in the Mixed Culture Brett Beer category.</p>
<p><b>Perennial Artisan Ales</b> You've seen it on store shelves but didnt want to pay the $30. But with your $100 GABF ticket, you can drink Abraxas for free! This stout is loaded with vanilla beans, ancho chili, cinnamon, and cacao nibs. What's that? You wih it was the barrel-aged version. Sigh. Me too. I just didn't want to sound ungrateful.</p>
<p><b>Pizza Port</b> Yes, there are four different Pizza Port locations with booths at GABF, but I'm lumping them all together here. Look at the number of medal-winning beers they're boasting at this year's fest: Oceano (Carlsbad, 2023 WBC Bronze in Australian Pale Ale category); Guillaume (Ocean Beach, GABF/WBC SIX-time medalist in Session/Belgian Table beer category); Paloma (Ocean Beach, 2023 WBC Bronze Specialty Berliner Weisse); Oats (Solana Beach, three-time GABF medalist in Oatmeal Stout category); /p>
<p><b>Prost</b> Sure, you could go to the brewery itself and enjoy a liter of any of these, and you probably should. But stop by for a shot of their Northern German-style Pilsner and their seasonal Festbier.</p>
ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-51741808143189507082023-09-05T11:23:00.001-06:002023-09-05T11:23:17.553-06:002023 GABF Breweries to Visit, H-M<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3402exWIRM8DgPgPP4J9oN8qDF6DDUEgUmS7Xuz6jPfHT1EnEn6fZy5mZK80yGSDN-HPVVddrLmFaeq9NyDSBr302ZADUOHg1YlUDdcgkyi00IhIMXPk43urldzMXZafkBZ-DYOpe6Qlcur8qkviE99AjC1Xkl6dwyrk8D0xL173ejLh_TeQpp7kJAd6/s4128/bl.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="2322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3402exWIRM8DgPgPP4J9oN8qDF6DDUEgUmS7Xuz6jPfHT1EnEn6fZy5mZK80yGSDN-HPVVddrLmFaeq9NyDSBr302ZADUOHg1YlUDdcgkyi00IhIMXPk43urldzMXZafkBZ-DYOpe6Qlcur8qkviE99AjC1Xkl6dwyrk8D0xL173ejLh_TeQpp7kJAd6/s320/bl.jpg"/></a></div><p><b>Heavy Riff Brewing Company</b> Dear Agony is a great name for a 13% barrel-aged Imperial Stout with espresso, as the morning after GABF is often agonizing. Nothing some Pedialyte and an IV can't fix. While you're at the Heavy Riff booth, give Quadraphonic Euphoria (port wine-barreled Quad) a sip. Another 13% beer won't hurt, right?</p>
<p><b>Hold Out Brewing</b> Austin, TX has a number of breweries famous for their lagers. This isn't one of them. But maybe they'll catch a buzz after GABF. I'm looking forward to Ol Gil Pilsner and Hesky Czesky Czech Dark Lager.</p>
<p><b>Hoosier Brewing</b> This Indiana brewery (duh) is making some talked about fruited sours. BOXO Fruit- Cherry and Roll the Fruit- Fruit Spirit sound fun. </p>
<p><b>Hoppin' Frog</b> This brewery has always been about the big, bold beers, and they've brought some to prove how tough they are. The 15.1% Pentuple has medaled twice at GABF in Belgian categories. The 14.1% (notice the all-important .1% on these beers) Frogichlaus tribute to Samichlaus has nagged medals at both GABF and World Beer Cup in the Doppelbock/Eisbock category.</p>
<p><b>Icicle</b> From the Great state of Washington comes a brewery that's easy to say but hard to spell. Seriously, you ever try to spell icicle? Well, Icicle has a World Beer Cup Bronze medalist in their Premium Pilsner, and they'll be pouring it at their booth.</p>
<p><b>Kern River</b> Can I just take this opportunity to say that I'm disappointed that Kern River isn't bringing the beer that made a relatively little brewery in a relatively remote area of California famous? Talking about that Citra DIPA. That was a beer that was hard to get back in the day but worth the chase.</p>
<p><b>King Cong</b>A couple of Czech style beers here I'm gonna sample from this Sacramento brewery: Prague at Night (Dark Lager), and Dzungle (Bohemian Pilsner).</p>
<p><b>Liquid Mechanics</b> Not every stout has to be over 12% to be worth drinking, I tell myself. Now to test that out with the 8.5% Coconut Milk Stout from Liquid Mechanics, with 10 lbs. of toasted coconut per barrel.</p>
<p><b>Lock 27- Dayton Taproom</b> I'm far from a beer purist anymore (though I could do without rice and corn in lagers, thanks), so sign me up for a taste of the Go Bananzas! Milkshake Hefeweizen, made with lactose, vanilla, and banana puree. Barrel-aged Aplheus Affogato Imperial Stout and GABF Bronze Witbier Wolk will be there as well, but can't pass up that unique Hefe.</p>
<p><b>Maplewood</b> I've been a fan of this Chicago brewery's IPAs for years but never had the pleasure of trying their stouts. That ends on Sept. 21, by God! Barrel Aged Cuppa- Neat is a 13% Barrel-aged Imperial Stout. The question is, which barreled version are they bringing: Blanton's, Elijah Craig 18, or Rip Van Winkle?</p>
<p><b>Modern Times</b> Yup, they're still around. And they're still making great beer, though I prefer the old Ice Pilsner to the current MT Pils. And they always bring big beers to GABF, such as Monsters' Park: Vanilla and Modem Tones: Samoa Cookie. And possibly the best beer I had in Denver during GABF last year was Modern Times Chaos Grid: Coconut, though that was at First Draft, not at the fest.</p>
<p><b>More Brewing</b> They made the list last year for the big stouts they brought, but they only are bringing one this year. But when it's Mehndi Special Reserve, a 16% Imperial Stout aged two years in Eagle Rare 10 barrels, that gets them on the list. Bummed they aren't bringing any of their underrated DIPAs this year.</p>
<p><b>Morgan Territory</b>This brewery has taken home three medals for their Old Diablo Barleywine, including a Gold in 2008 at World Beer Cup and 2019 at GABF. In fact, they've taken home 25 medals at the two fests over the years! Aside from Old Diablo, they'll be pouring HopTomic, which won Gold at the 2023 World Beer Cup in the Imperial IPA category, Metalmark Marzen, 2022 Bronze for Oktoberfest, and The Cushman, GABF Gold in 2021 for Dortmunder and Bronze in 2022 at WBC for Dortmunder. Interesting thing about The Cushman is that it's only 5% and is categorized by Morgan Territory as a Helles. Well, not the first time I've been curious about competition judging.</p>
ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-60947714209573144152023-09-01T16:05:00.004-06:002023-09-21T23:49:48.595-06:002023 GABF Breweries to Visit, A-G<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidE5FAouwux3Xh_dXQsf7NrCOdeCH9d4Lp9ao9NmDfynwmt_Q3ASjl4MCjYFEts5zXLUIl0WGOdMCN6YNulebhYwQKFs8jHTiXUanLhrA_CKxKmlVHtqY1F0Oe9zEDl0ubXgE-Ge6Rvh3d9SD5fpEGkBDzvxYR7JY7MH4UWCeK-5nqALYimySA9gsVP8Dl/s1600/IMG_2800.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidE5FAouwux3Xh_dXQsf7NrCOdeCH9d4Lp9ao9NmDfynwmt_Q3ASjl4MCjYFEts5zXLUIl0WGOdMCN6YNulebhYwQKFs8jHTiXUanLhrA_CKxKmlVHtqY1F0Oe9zEDl0ubXgE-Ge6Rvh3d9SD5fpEGkBDzvxYR7JY7MH4UWCeK-5nqALYimySA9gsVP8Dl/s320/IMG_2800.JPG"/></a></div>Last year we went in-depth with a preview of breweries I'm most excited to try at GABF. There were a lot of great, a few duds, but mostly solid beers that made the list. Gonna give a go again for GABF 2023. Be forewarned- a lot of these are high ABV, many are hazy. But I'm also after the best lagers I can find (like those from Brieux Carre last year). Many of these on the list will be breweries you have heard of, but I can't help it if they make the beers I'm looking forward to. And of course it's a given that I suggest you visit the NM breweries representing at the fest: Bosque, Boxing Bear, Canteen, Ex Novo, etc.
And don't forget to look at the non-aloholic beer booths like Ceria and Gruvi. Always good to rehydrate. So yeah, hope this guide helps you find a few gems. Here's the A-G installment.</p>
<p><b>3 Floyds</b> May as well start off with one of the OGs. Though their line at GABF isn't what it once was, they still make solid beers. And this year, they're pouring the fabled Dark Lord Imperial Stout at their booth. No Zombie Dust (boo), but Zombie Ice (yay).</p>
<p><b>903 Brewers</b> The longest lines of 2022 went to 903, which isn't necessarily fun when your waiting in it, but the "beers" 903 serves up are fun. Looking forward to the Blueberry Donut Slushy Supreme and Finer Things Club, a 13% Imperial Stout with Nutella and salted cookie flavor.</p>
<p><b>AleSmith</b> This is why I can't have more than 15 or so samples at GABF- beers like BA Speedway Stout. Gotta stop by and try this classic.</p>
<p><b>Avery</b> Another booth that I list possibly just for nostlgia (Saturday post GABF Avery tappings at Falling Rock, anyone? Yes, I definitey need that pour of Rumpkin after hours of sampling!) You don't have to worry about getting wrecked off of Rumpkin. Tweak, yes. Thirty, their Strong Ale aged in Stranahan Whiskey barrels? Definitely.</p>
<p><b>Bearded Brewers</b> Heard good things about the Memories series of Triple IPAs from these guys. Now I'll get to try them.<p/>
<p><b>Black Market</b> Worth a stop to try Gold, their New England DIPA that won Gold at the 2018 GABF. A Grungeist and Crystal hopped DIPA wins a medal? Yeah, I'm pretty skeptical too.</p>
<p><b>Boneyard Beer</b> Notorious TIPA is always worth a sip, and they brought Wooden Femur too- a rye whiskey barrel aged English Barleywine.</p>
<p><b>Bootstrap Brewing</b> Their Wreak Havoc Imperial Red is a three-time medalist at World Beer Cup. They're also pouring Stick's Pale ale, a 2021 Gold medal winner.</p>
<p><b>Bottle Logic</b> Not passing up Fundamental Obsevation, Bottle Logic's BA vanilla Imperial Stout. May as well stay for a taste of Voltaic Stack, BA Stout with walnuts, bananas, maple syrup, and cinnamon.</p>
<p><b>Chuckanut</b> Yawn. Another year, another medal, this time a Gold for Chuck Light in the Light Lager category. Oh, and throw in a Bronze for Pilsner in the Bohemian-Style Pilsener category at World Beer Cup. And they be pouring bo.th at their booth. They've amassed 32 medals at the two competitions.</p>
<p><b>Dogfish Head</b> Really reaching to try some obscure breweries, huh? I know. But listen- Oloroso Sherry Barrel-Aged 120 Minute IPA. I think I'll hate it. But I want to try it. And I'll admit, it's always cool to see Sam in person.</p>
<p><b>Dostal Alley</b> This under the radar Colorado brewery has medaled three times for Shaft House Stout in the Irish Dry Stout category.</p>
<p><b>False Idol</b> This Texas brewery is bringing some big beers, including the 13.5% E.H. Taylor/Blanton's Barrel-Aged Helm of Awe Imperial Stout with Madagascar and Ugandan vanilla beans. Got room for more? Another ounce won't kill you, so may as well go for the 17% Monstro Imperial Stout with pistachio and vanilla.</p>
<p><b>Ft. George</b> Matryoshka Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout may be the big draw here, but I'm looking forward to Half Liter, the Festbier collaboration with Stoup Brewing.</p>
<p><b>Fieldwork</b> Watermelon Pulp? I would have been more than fine with regular Pulp. Why mess with a great thing? But I will stop there to try Guardians of a Loveless Isle, a 9.8% passionfruit and kumquat Sour Ale aged in oak barrels.</p>
<p><b>Ghost Town</b> Winning the Imperial IPA category in both 2021 and 2022 at GABF is a huge feat, and Ghost Town accomplished just that with Nose Goblin, their 9.2% DIPA. Give Geisterfaust Pilsner a try while you're there.</p>
ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-36671775562691789792023-08-25T13:21:00.005-06:002023-08-25T13:26:31.120-06:00The Dog's Day of Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccw6sCPZw8fqCXcRexzQQjIiR9WnFhBVFYt0DJK_eskSHCFZk_t_4LmkObg5Htd0qQlYE9j0hSqUzT-nJQj3cdDTQFLSvxqlGThSnRzqWbjuQApnuNS-wD9X1l_kL4DpmVZl8oCz98AG3PcC9s4G9cnswKuBYHzSG2qk5wDfJBQB3UgWNrUlnrxpjljJC/s3549/libby.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="3549" data-original-width="2992" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccw6sCPZw8fqCXcRexzQQjIiR9WnFhBVFYt0DJK_eskSHCFZk_t_4LmkObg5Htd0qQlYE9j0hSqUzT-nJQj3cdDTQFLSvxqlGThSnRzqWbjuQApnuNS-wD9X1l_kL4DpmVZl8oCz98AG3PcC9s4G9cnswKuBYHzSG2qk5wDfJBQB3UgWNrUlnrxpjljJC/s320/libby.jpg"/></a></div>When was it decided that there had to be a day for everything that ever existed? And who decides which are national and which are global? Does World Radio Day carry more weight than National Hot Dog Day? I'm more inclined to celebrate National IPA Day than either. And National Beer Day must look down upon IPA day, right? So many more styles to celebrate. And now every dog has its day with National Dog Day, apparently celebrated every August 26. Even the cynic in me can get behind this one, especially knowing that Boxing Bear is holding an adoption event on Dog Day to hopefully bring some dogs the best days of their lives. The Corrales location will host the adoption part of the event from 12-3 with the Cross My Paws animal rescue. There will be more than 18 pups available to take home and love. Every pint sold between 12-3 means $1 donated to Cross My Paws, so get out there and drink until you feel you've donated enough. Dogs not adopted by 3 will still hang around to make you happy, so give them a scratch. As a bonus, Bridges Breeze Photography is donating their time with a photo booth where you can get a FREE professional photo taken of your dog from 2-5 pm. Make a donation to Cross My Paws via their <a href="https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2QOSF3NB03ZGS?ref_=wl_share">Amazon wish list</a> or <a href="https://www.chewy.com/g/cross-my-paws-animal-rescue_b78314960?utm_source=partnerize&utm_medium=shelters&utm_campaign=1101l2078" target="_blank">Chewy wish list</a> and be entered into an hourly drawing for some fun stuff. Dog in photo definitely not avalable for adoption, but always accepting of treats and pets. ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-603226452603926202023-08-16T15:55:00.002-06:002023-08-16T15:58:36.788-06:00NM Brew Fest Ticket Party <p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCH-QWpToq2QyTqzOArUmfZoUclMHGkipmTkSU1wsGvuQ94liRrwWn-P6qr7Vyh6bREeAlp8EiwSTAp9tmxLdGV-HzudKa1Kq7SRF2qJJIOLG3nWoGkqW0ps8vo9Kp8_BTrZqAJBQouaBgpdCEKGUBWy736JPHJ3g2LtlAB0DGd6J_4tOKS7ak846IhPS/s1600/IMG_0417.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCH-QWpToq2QyTqzOArUmfZoUclMHGkipmTkSU1wsGvuQ94liRrwWn-P6qr7Vyh6bREeAlp8EiwSTAp9tmxLdGV-HzudKa1Kq7SRF2qJJIOLG3nWoGkqW0ps8vo9Kp8_BTrZqAJBQouaBgpdCEKGUBWy736JPHJ3g2LtlAB0DGd6J_4tOKS7ak846IhPS/s320/IMG_0417.JPG"/></a></div>What's your favorite beer festival in New Mexico? To me, they're all like the kids I was smart enough not to have: they're <i>all</i> my favorite. But I can say that the NM Brew Fest holds a special place in my heart because I remember how impressed I was by the very first one back in 2010. I had never been to Villa Hispana at Expo New Mexico and I was blown away by how spacious, shaded, and green the area is. It was so nice to be able to take a break and relax in some grass rather than being shoved in a stuffy building with sweaty drinkers, as I have at some out of state fests. And that was back in 2010, remember, so there wasn't even Covid to consider. There were just a million other viruses to catch. NM Brew Fest did have to take 2020 and 2021 off due to Covid, but had a successful return last year.<p/>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8Y-yKjGQH90IulH4l3ppF_Xl7YX_ziwm5P_5ed6GFCRoBtS3ZEM8mr11DD8qLcR-WAKYOwnOxRke9TWYuULRecwZGj7k_NH9h3q1w-tVcCQ8ZLD4whI-IhWOHv-rFBIUYZVf3y2iL9HzIxzd0uKQaBqcccL5XLWAPhfYolf1GzxtjAeCScgoYH7mTh9C/s1600/daniel.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8Y-yKjGQH90IulH4l3ppF_Xl7YX_ziwm5P_5ed6GFCRoBtS3ZEM8mr11DD8qLcR-WAKYOwnOxRke9TWYuULRecwZGj7k_NH9h3q1w-tVcCQ8ZLD4whI-IhWOHv-rFBIUYZVf3y2iL9HzIxzd0uKQaBqcccL5XLWAPhfYolf1GzxtjAeCScgoYH7mTh9C/s320/daniel.JPG"/></a></div>And they'll be back at it this year on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the same great venue. And if you show up at Marble Brewery's downtown location this Thursday, August 17th between 6 and 8 pm, you can score yourself some discounted tickets to the festival! The NM Brew Fest peeps will be on hand to get you set up for this fun festival that promises 20+ booths pouring wonderful alcoholic beverages. Beer purveyors range from the likes of larger breweries you all know such as Ex Novo, La Cumbre (who doesn't participate in festivals much, so this is a rarity), Tractor, Turtle Mountain, Marble, Boxing Bear; but also smaller and newer to the fest scene breweries like Gravity Bound, Downshift, and Sunday Service Motor Co. Cider and spirit booths will also be at the fest. Festival entry gets you a commemorative pint glass, samples, and the nice touch of being able to buy full pints rather than just getting samples.
NM Brew Fest has always had good food served up over the years, and this year's lineup includes food trucks Umami Moto, Gourmet Donor Kebab, and Phat Stax Burgers. You like music with your beer fest? Well, tough, because you're getting it anyways. Hooks and the Huckleberries and Hello Darlin' For you out of towners visiting for the fest, or in-towners who just don't wanna be at home, the Ramada Midtown is offering special rates on both Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th for those attending the fest. More info on the festival can be found at www.NMbrewfest.com</p>ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-68880480013837042692023-08-03T15:32:00.002-06:002023-08-03T15:32:22.224-06:00National IPA Day, Today and Back in the Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjcqX7LL4ikhYCjBA9xRUB7pfFGTkysglr1c_XFI-dSAricPwxuerSyRbACW4GObu0eWdtSGWpG0juF9N5_zQ0oYWD9WcVLzCcRBdTd9V3URodVf3ztNJ6-IM5D1rG_O36FexwpbG4DZHfe4SUR1p2Dzdnn7nCZ-UTm56kxpbqhtjtCCOsH82AYUQltVs/s2926/monk.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2540" data-original-width="2926" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjcqX7LL4ikhYCjBA9xRUB7pfFGTkysglr1c_XFI-dSAricPwxuerSyRbACW4GObu0eWdtSGWpG0juF9N5_zQ0oYWD9WcVLzCcRBdTd9V3URodVf3ztNJ6-IM5D1rG_O36FexwpbG4DZHfe4SUR1p2Dzdnn7nCZ-UTm56kxpbqhtjtCCOsH82AYUQltVs/s320/monk.jpg"/></a></div>Couldn't let the day go by without posting something about National IPA Day. Held the first Thursday in August, this holiday is one I can firmly get behind. I've benn writing about it since 2012- somehow, I missed it in 2011, the first year of celebration. I took a look back at the post from 2012, and it was funny to see some of the suggestions I threw out there for people to drink on IPA Day back then: locals like Canteen Exodus (Il Vicino Exodus back then!) Marble IPA, La Cumbre Elevated, Santa Fe Happy Camper. All still going strong, though 7K has blown out Happy Camper in popularity. Also got one of my worst hangovers after a night of Happy Camper at a concert in Santa Fe in 2011, so won't be revisiting that one even after all these years. I also threw in the suggestion of a growler of Chama River's The Big Lebrewski. Who made that one? That must have been a Justin Hamilton beer considering the year, right?? R.I.P. Chama River! For national brands, I suggested Odell Myrcenary and Sierra Nevada Hoptimum. Surprised these two high-alcohol beers haven't joined 90 Minute and Voodoo Ranger in those big cans with the alcohol prominently featured. The 40s of the 2020s. But those two are now classics that have stuck around even with the hazies coming on strong from about 2016/17 on through today. Who would have thought of such a style being so popular way back in 2012? Wish I had. Look at all those beautiful Monkish beers (pictured). I'd be riding around on yachts with Machine Gun Kelly and Post Malone. Who would have thought back in 2012 that I'd still be driving that 2008 Volvo in 2023? Wish I wasn't.ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-47057054369101454352023-07-25T13:35:00.002-06:002023-07-25T13:35:54.474-06:00Where the Craft Is, Downtown Denver Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIquCDker3qCrfzOdh9DirQjTXH4VwC5fUlVEEHVi7r1IicKJFzf-PxL5TvnuzlbSWRRB4H_eAh2AJzRmpXY0ZU1k4I6t4fMaVAFO6FVYzjyin6evFtwuy_aR0fO7Jj3sq7zMfa5auBqBHvNz-eF_DrGORAf9kVLBc6YpZoR-dnYYbqmTQRzcK2P7mwdzl/s4128/frth.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2322" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIquCDker3qCrfzOdh9DirQjTXH4VwC5fUlVEEHVi7r1IicKJFzf-PxL5TvnuzlbSWRRB4H_eAh2AJzRmpXY0ZU1k4I6t4fMaVAFO6FVYzjyin6evFtwuy_aR0fO7Jj3sq7zMfa5auBqBHvNz-eF_DrGORAf9kVLBc6YpZoR-dnYYbqmTQRzcK2P7mwdzl/s320/frth.jpg"/></a></div><p>Remember when downtown Denver was awash in craft beer destinations? Euclid Hall, Freshcraft, Lucky Pie, Falling Rock Tap House? All share the common theme of being places where I drank too much, but also are all just fond memories of beer bars who have departed. On a recent visit to the city, I was lucky enough to share hotel elevator space with crowds from both a tattoo convention and some big karate event, so there were plenty of visitors to the city. But the 16th St. Mall was a shell of its former self with the major construction going on there. Used to be you had to go back and forth between homeless people asking for money and SPCA/Greenpeace etc. asking for money. Hardly anyone asking for money there anymore. So where are people going, and more importantly, where are they drinking?</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzGZpxvgxP23CdaMmgO3-Xd3lPlGFF6kY7AThCLjisiIf88_lpZJFZxgfV7b-PWGKr83r2-lIfuzmn_SNUjWfzDhchiIFq2VEsktufCRZVSPQY00ylKLAfX96ToT6X-TpEE6c3oAR_BExIsTqqwSw6q11Tz8F3Dc7NiehACykBblfso50TXUquJM5FzlJ/s4128/dd.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2322" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzGZpxvgxP23CdaMmgO3-Xd3lPlGFF6kY7AThCLjisiIf88_lpZJFZxgfV7b-PWGKr83r2-lIfuzmn_SNUjWfzDhchiIFq2VEsktufCRZVSPQY00ylKLAfX96ToT6X-TpEE6c3oAR_BExIsTqqwSw6q11Tz8F3Dc7NiehACykBblfso50TXUquJM5FzlJ/s320/dd.jpg"/></a></div><p>Surprisingly, or maybe not, most craft beer choices in downtown Denver are down to regional or national chains. You have Rock Bottom, who deserves credit for being one of the originals in Denver and staying alive all these years. Mellow Mushroom, the pizza chain with a multitude of taps, does a good job of supporting local and doing events with breweries. Yard House is still always one of the busiest places in town. Rhien Haus, a mini-chain with locations in Colorado, Kansas, and Washington, reminds me of a frat house dropped into a German beer hall. They usually have a decent selection and also serve up good goulash. So the few outliers are places such as Stout St. Social, with a mostly Colorado tap list, as well as beers brewed at their Boulder Social location. I guess Tap Fourteen should be mentioned, though sometimes it has a feel of a frat house that was dropped into a frat house. With a better beer selecton. Also should mention One Up, which is unbearable on weekend nights but a great arcade bar with some decent beers.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisX5_GJXLCZ4Vd7VK86cvUTzvUITM4DAT3W8yitSgKMXRStDL9n1jWetuqP8mYLIoSY3N1HKl-LzjzffxHtaS0kql_MrDo_43P17l0KuroCaXv5McFDUe2Mjfd8oKwnIEraagJHx95JiQDkVZem6g4vqRsnCrTVn3f5wI7SRAfnAqZTa6xd6_9qrOMpqYw/s3024/fd.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2720" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisX5_GJXLCZ4Vd7VK86cvUTzvUITM4DAT3W8yitSgKMXRStDL9n1jWetuqP8mYLIoSY3N1HKl-LzjzffxHtaS0kql_MrDo_43P17l0KuroCaXv5McFDUe2Mjfd8oKwnIEraagJHx95JiQDkVZem6g4vqRsnCrTVn3f5wI7SRAfnAqZTa6xd6_9qrOMpqYw/s320/fd.jpg"/></a></div><p>Most of the action is going on in the RiNo district, with places like the divey Star Bar putting together great tap lists and some fine GABF events as well. Finn's Manor was hosting a Belgian beer fest this past weekend, complete with bottle pours of Cantillion. Improper City, First Draft (where else can you pour your own Maine Dinner, Lawson's Sip of Sunshine, and Russian River Pliny the Elder???), and breweries like Ratio, Our Mutual Friend, Bierstadt, Odell, round out a few reasons RiNo is drawing the crowds. Cohesion Brewing isn't technically in that official area, but close and worth a visit for a mliko pour. And of course there's all the fun historic bars on Colfax, as well as Cerebral Brewing. If you have extra time, I recommend driving up to Niwot, just outside Boulder, to Fritz Family Brewers, for some of the best lagers being made in the state. Though the Denver beer landscape is changing, there are still many reasons to drink there. You just have to venture further from that Convention Center hotel than in the past.</p>ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-21936148832290385322023-07-16T23:18:00.003-06:002023-07-16T23:18:59.848-06:00Drinkin' in the Moonslight<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLMTqldBbDVQu_IByR7x8IAEPwECb1jBe02r9rp4Mvo8UqgdexTfkLdeF1F7SoA164olGrh0AD5Yjw1WnYZ8qIm16YCT4J__7wulrFPbA612uHCK3PhNsrFrz-mre3Z9d0TMfhbBKT49pEHvwnZIaQcia_fM_u8egFnxsKEROOPhqriGWFAbEf8agZWlK/s4032/moonext.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLMTqldBbDVQu_IByR7x8IAEPwECb1jBe02r9rp4Mvo8UqgdexTfkLdeF1F7SoA164olGrh0AD5Yjw1WnYZ8qIm16YCT4J__7wulrFPbA612uHCK3PhNsrFrz-mre3Z9d0TMfhbBKT49pEHvwnZIaQcia_fM_u8egFnxsKEROOPhqriGWFAbEf8agZWlK/s320/moonext.jpg"/></a></div>Flock Of Moons opened quietly on Friday, July 14, and though the craft beer world is in a slump overall, Albuquerque craft beer fans <i>flock</i>ed to the new brewery. People are already giving it rave reviews on Google, save for the person who won't be coming back because "one of your guests was harassing me." That's a tough thing to hold against an establishment. Guests are a lot like family: you can't just pick 'em, and they're not always <i>welcome</i> guests. Here's hoping she'll give Flock Of Moons another chance. After all, the brewery opened in the former Winnings Coffee space that was notorious for having the most annoying crowd. I had to leave Winnings more than once because someone struck up a one-sided conversation with me. No, I'm not looking for life advice from someone who sits at a table outside this coffee shop every single day, all day. And who carries a sword.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm889OUIY8XuwatodqJc2RY1wfZNo2BAQtho89NkEl96AJoLWWbnTJwGe6tFTpl2ZFU8NmBCZhN19Xxcl2dEYKw43Blh8aRXNw9PxUVzfDhZJ_O-TInvm8L_8eqQou9RWfIJLwevibOnd1YI4cZY2fReNE3EfAmtyE1DvPW3wzur7bwSvm0DqcavZ-dmpJ/s2718/IMG_5289-EDIT.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2217" data-original-width="2718" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm889OUIY8XuwatodqJc2RY1wfZNo2BAQtho89NkEl96AJoLWWbnTJwGe6tFTpl2ZFU8NmBCZhN19Xxcl2dEYKw43Blh8aRXNw9PxUVzfDhZJ_O-TInvm8L_8eqQou9RWfIJLwevibOnd1YI4cZY2fReNE3EfAmtyE1DvPW3wzur7bwSvm0DqcavZ-dmpJ/s320/IMG_5289-EDIT.jpg"/></a></div>And everything at Flock Of Moons is <b>nice</b>, which should be enough for warranting a second visit. I don't expect much when visiting a new brewery for the first time, but this place had nice touches abound, from the obviously thoughtful logo'd glassware to the snack choices available for purchase (from locally made Cornivore popcorn to mini bags of Snyder's Honey Mustard and Onion pretzels... haven't seen those at a beer bar since Cologne, Germany). There is seating at the bar for about ten, and hightop and table seating throughout the space, as well as six picnic tables on the sizeable patio. Your non-beer drinking friends can even get mixed drink suggestions from 505 Spirits patrons who are just a fence across from 505's patio, and then sneak over there for a quickie while you enjoy your beer.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMg4Qcr2Um0jpU2VT6AD9lDGUBI1SAoLiHQpzb_bjzh3GDytIEmZs0Ih0vGAubg_HLRP0-jRxvz93tBnY9TOgS2Er28-zMs_vGzVNROencG74A5P7bkBagGy1Ii89Uv6Ipm2_rHxWSIHItojkH5OFTWBTKh6bUMti3lhSMj4vE4fAZqxoKgIE9aG40sXRq/s4024/moonsbar.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1797" data-original-width="4024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMg4Qcr2Um0jpU2VT6AD9lDGUBI1SAoLiHQpzb_bjzh3GDytIEmZs0Ih0vGAubg_HLRP0-jRxvz93tBnY9TOgS2Er28-zMs_vGzVNROencG74A5P7bkBagGy1Ii89Uv6Ipm2_rHxWSIHItojkH5OFTWBTKh6bUMti3lhSMj4vE4fAZqxoKgIE9aG40sXRq/s320/moonsbar.jpg"/></a></div>And <i>will</i> you enjoy your beer? I'd say yes, as all were very nice, especially for a first batch. Lagers are an ambitious endeavor to showcase in the grand opening of a brewery, yet two of the three Flock Of Moons offerings were lagers: a (New) Mexican and a Vienna, along with a hazy IPA. They also currently feature six other NM brewed beers and a Sandia cider on tap. I found their NM lager to be very drinkable, with a bit of welcome hop bite I'd associate more with a German Pilsner. The Vienna had a nutty richness to it, and the hazy, while lacking the opaqueness I prefer for the style, shined from the dominance of the Mosaic hops. Tropical Stout is soon to debut, and a west coast IPA and Czech Lager are in the works.
Flock of Moons is a welcome addition to the Albuquerque Beer Scene. I look forward to their upcoming beers.ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-60808234706234220772023-07-12T15:58:00.001-06:002023-07-12T15:58:12.016-06:00Break Out That Christmas Ale Early<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCgvIc0po6m8_Fn8X4HVf-X97ZykYBb2q1dF8PksQYyEdxd3xZrP7pThzUZDAaGAQHgRwFYTerlEFfXT0k4EUA3Fnrq6cv8wjfkLFqfLJOo1jkhx22wpe_5gx0e7GpOfrcg3LS-GeeYs76_CDk3U7zdhyunH7g6ZcPjchIDz1AoaiJ867qZOwXmPgrEG0/s4032/anchor.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCgvIc0po6m8_Fn8X4HVf-X97ZykYBb2q1dF8PksQYyEdxd3xZrP7pThzUZDAaGAQHgRwFYTerlEFfXT0k4EUA3Fnrq6cv8wjfkLFqfLJOo1jkhx22wpe_5gx0e7GpOfrcg3LS-GeeYs76_CDk3U7zdhyunH7g6ZcPjchIDz1AoaiJ867qZOwXmPgrEG0/s320/anchor.jpg"/></a></div>But not because it's time to celebrate. In yet another craft beer shocker, Anchor Brewing has announced its closure. For many of us, Anchor holds fond memories of drinking Liberty Ale (first IPA-like beer for me), the iconic Christmas release Our Special Ale (annual since 1975), and Anchor Steam (confession: I never liked it! So maybe that's not a fond memory). But the writing may have been on the wall back when Sapporo bought the Anchor brand back in 2017 for $85 million. Trying to refresh legacy breweries is a tricky business. New Belgium caught lightning in a bottle with their Juice Force, but nothing Anchor tried to do really caught on. It seemed to turn into the beer you'd see languishing on the shelf at Cost Plus. And now the brewery staff has been given a 60 day notice. Maybe I'll pop open this 2006 OSA tonight and toast the memory of Anchor Brewing, and lament this closing as a further decline of civilization. ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-61926895534658099152023-07-11T16:34:00.001-06:002023-07-11T16:54:08.385-06:00Green City Fest 2023, Pt. 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilumHh1Bj_O96me-UW4Za5URsly-WV869_hUgV0PjqK5BbZU9oVa3csU_IqGoaAE3Wnqw9vaaU3z88eKbSpxcb6-cO30DwmqWn71w3SKmVb5ijRHEKhzCtU5EII66z4PYSSYX3D-iZRWDOISOe5IDsRGcRY0HOBp6yF8UNpMDJ2-sUsyKWzxuFZ6GSxXQY/s4032/hrobot.HEIC" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilumHh1Bj_O96me-UW4Za5URsly-WV869_hUgV0PjqK5BbZU9oVa3csU_IqGoaAE3Wnqw9vaaU3z88eKbSpxcb6-cO30DwmqWn71w3SKmVb5ijRHEKhzCtU5EII66z4PYSSYX3D-iZRWDOISOe5IDsRGcRY0HOBp6yF8UNpMDJ2-sUsyKWzxuFZ6GSxXQY/s320/hrobot.HEIC"/></a></div><p>The use of Other Half's original taproom was a nice touch, and that area hosted some of my favorite beers of the fest. Human Robot even brought a stitchfass (gravity-pour keg, pictured) of their Hallertau Pils of from Philadelphia. Others were Long Live Beer Works from Providence, RI, who brought The All Seeing Eye Extra DIPA, and Fidens, who brought Triple Jasper TIPA. I would have to give that Triple Jasper my vote, if anyone asked for my vote, for best beer of the festival. Fidens also gets an extra nod for bringing more than one beer. They were also liberally pouring samples of Socratic Questioning 57, Broccoli's Axe, and Deeper Purpose Imperial Stout, as well as handing out stickers like crazy. The Fidens guys seemed to be having the most fun at the fest, or maybe I was just having fun because of how many different beers they poured. No, they were also having a good time. They did have competition in the fun category from the Human Robot guy, who at one point implored everyone to, "Make some fuckin' noise!!! This is a beer fest!!!!" As a jaded pourer at many beer fests where you have to watch for the slightest signs of intoxication, I can really appreciate his enthusiasm. Plus he started some E-A-G-L-E-S chants, which in turn got the New York guys going. Good times.</p>
<p<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigk68nrFN_buYZd2qCy45peGIxKOaI_RcfxeaYd5iw4YeXq8Fb8KqL6RzF1rSqlRJPKyCe_fABkYKGN6luRO4mIK4Mrv5hbK39xVmiumeNPkla1mKIOPIX9tTCm-25N38uzj5fdcBInjhd9OtNKtYuyhmuA1K2XNrjXPGQUv6x37npn5xjOnx2m6rwKN0c/s3060/dropacana.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigk68nrFN_buYZd2qCy45peGIxKOaI_RcfxeaYd5iw4YeXq8Fb8KqL6RzF1rSqlRJPKyCe_fABkYKGN6luRO4mIK4Mrv5hbK39xVmiumeNPkla1mKIOPIX9tTCm-25N38uzj5fdcBInjhd9OtNKtYuyhmuA1K2XNrjXPGQUv6x37npn5xjOnx2m6rwKN0c/s320/dropacana.jpg"/></a></div>Another group that was enjoying the spirit of the fest was Tin Barn Brewing out of Chester, NY, who brought some cleverness to their booth. They poured their Dropacana #3 orange, mango, and banana fruited sour out of a familiar container (pictured) over ice and garnshed with an orange slice. Does all that theatre make it taste better? Absolutely! I can't even remember what it tasted like, honestly, but I remember how much fun they were having putting it all together.</p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv54wEC8GPn0SLdCn0lZzEigsvhSd1epWJ0nniqBYDMZn1IdGExTVz8rwd_ocEGJqRkyB0sa9YzWAT5hQtMNn9KJXFIoV514cxy__afCzHM9yuutXrJxP2ekLldrflfjuKYM-69MiYKVCagAqtCjMzoY14PDJ-JCkPSUBiKyQfA8Jj4GkEXa4ICUYECNwg/s2311/bongwater.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2311" data-original-width="1793" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv54wEC8GPn0SLdCn0lZzEigsvhSd1epWJ0nniqBYDMZn1IdGExTVz8rwd_ocEGJqRkyB0sa9YzWAT5hQtMNn9KJXFIoV514cxy__afCzHM9yuutXrJxP2ekLldrflfjuKYM-69MiYKVCagAqtCjMzoY14PDJ-JCkPSUBiKyQfA8Jj4GkEXa4ICUYECNwg/s320/bongwater.jpg"/></a></div>More fun was this Other Half employee tasked with going around and pouring liberal amounts of lager directly into people's mouths via some genie bottle/bong-looking thing. Nice palate cleanser, and a nice touch by Other Half. It wasn't extreme heat in New York at the time, though lingering area storms had upped the already considerable humidity and being in some stuffy areas of the fest didn't help. A few water stations scattered around were helpful, but I think we need more people doling out lager shots at festivals. Think that would fly in NM?<p/>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvFDnZFXCedlXoV2cnbqEVMj-LmPK5lFakW6ZNDCj5cneq6_rt_yWPPP5xmZxNXcnbCpgz9DpKolekJWXqHfN_hfUDvSmCh3P-dmI5x82wySScPiV21DxJS-_nl92le8nkxWeRNPmVC7mpzM2yR5S-IT2wJG-eC2nAY4k9tkrP5X0rvcYOWeE7-R10Wi7/s4032/OHtap.HEIC" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvFDnZFXCedlXoV2cnbqEVMj-LmPK5lFakW6ZNDCj5cneq6_rt_yWPPP5xmZxNXcnbCpgz9DpKolekJWXqHfN_hfUDvSmCh3P-dmI5x82wySScPiV21DxJS-_nl92le8nkxWeRNPmVC7mpzM2yR5S-IT2wJG-eC2nAY4k9tkrP5X0rvcYOWeE7-R10Wi7/s320/OHtap.HEIC"/></a></div>The main taproom area was crowded at times, as this was the area with the restrooms and food offerings (did not get any food, thugh the brisket looked awesome. Made many trips to the restrooms. The taproom had a good setup for beers: you lined up in one of four lines, marked A,B,C, and D. The first two lines were dedicated to Other Half beers, including eight released for Green City. The other ten taps were for breweries such as Cerebral, J Wakefield, Alvarado St., Cushwa, Green Cheek. And while we're speaking of Green Cheek, I wasn't necessarily disappointed, as I've been fortunate enough to be able to visit their taprooms directly a number of times, but I felt they missed an opportunity to show off their skills at hazies. For the two days of the festival, they poured a Pilsner and a west coast IPA. Both good beers, to be sure, but I feel Green Cheek is producing some of California's best hazy DIPAs and TIPAs, up there with Monkish and North Park. Other than that, I thought all the breweries brought interesting, and in some cases, rare beers to be consumed. This fest isn't the easiest to get to every year, but I look forward to coming back next year.
ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-34915357901150047882023-07-08T17:43:00.001-06:002023-07-08T17:43:56.077-06:00Green City Fest 2023, Pt. 1<p>As a relative Luddite when it comes to social media sites, I tend to miss out on a lot of releases and festivals. Take, for instance, Other Half's Green City Festival, which I found out about about two weeks after it took place in 2022. After looking at the guest brewery list and then kicking myself for about 20 minutes, I vowed that I would not miss it in 2023.</p>
<p>And I didn't. Scaled down from 2022's larger venue that boasted over 80 breweries, this year's was held at Other Half's Centre St. location and hosted 38 breweries. I was initially disappointed in that I wouldn't get the variety from the previous year and also apprehensive that the Other Half venue would be too small to host a festival. But I bought tickets anyway, to both the Friday 6-10 and the Saturday 12-4 events, since it was promised that each brewery would be pouring a different beer each day. And can I just give out kudos to Other Half from a lifelong night owl for starting a festival at 6? I'm rarely ready for a beer before 9 pm, but 6 is doable for me.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMtly71Gs627fGDdRcPk4cklxSvUPFB4CeOvuLYsxWEkQHksNGuCPrr6lCuiih6pxt8evkz4udlRWUJbJqaENljrdlvW_oeCkYgd9-DPLheLrloc3XfS7wih-2StSpZATWN3EpsXswmcmUeWhIv6slaAa6RU-YaDQ4vI9hYAYI5HZ-RpfjB8dcIaO659m/s2967/IMG_4496-EDIT.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1951" data-original-width="2967" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMtly71Gs627fGDdRcPk4cklxSvUPFB4CeOvuLYsxWEkQHksNGuCPrr6lCuiih6pxt8evkz4udlRWUJbJqaENljrdlvW_oeCkYgd9-DPLheLrloc3XfS7wih-2StSpZATWN3EpsXswmcmUeWhIv6slaAa6RU-YaDQ4vI9hYAYI5HZ-RpfjB8dcIaO659m/s320/IMG_4496-EDIT.jpg"/></a></div>The flight into LaGuardia was surprisingly on time, and the NYC skyline never disappoints. The wait for baggage at LaGuardia always does. They should look into hiring a second person to unload baggage in the future. Once the wait for luggage was over, the wait on I-278 began, though that was to be expected with a 5:30 pm arrival time. I just can't fathom how people spend day after day in this traffic to and from work. Can the payoff be that great, especially with what you're paying for NYC rent?
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWMViXhJEK3vBwHsA0TMOS6-CW42IWCbjOJL6JmZub1zUxTjhmtBgXBLmpyAguzfJiPksdo2Z9C_n5aAdEBgCgp6WrRXHzDAs8JeP-PDqRoFSYo662Ukpe_6_eFG520FikHoXgSTgQz7tCUWg7-PoNiOejNXQHdVLuz3tG3bD3SuQwKIVPQO0DhRWj0fC/s4032/pizzaj.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWMViXhJEK3vBwHsA0TMOS6-CW42IWCbjOJL6JmZub1zUxTjhmtBgXBLmpyAguzfJiPksdo2Z9C_n5aAdEBgCgp6WrRXHzDAs8JeP-PDqRoFSYo662Ukpe_6_eFG520FikHoXgSTgQz7tCUWg7-PoNiOejNXQHdVLuz3tG3bD3SuQwKIVPQO0DhRWj0fC/s320/pizzaj.jpg"/></a></div>If you've got enough money leftover after rent, the answer may be yes, especially if you throw craft beer into the mix. Countless options for food and drink abound, though we decided to go light the night before the big festival...so we started out at Other Half's Domino Park location, a prime waterfront in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. Then rode bikes over the bridge to drink some IPAs at The Grand Delancey bar in Essex Market. They only had about, gosh, 8 or so that were worth trying, so had to do all of them. Then walked to Proletariat's new-ish location, where more IPAs called our names even though we tried to tell them we had planned on going light. They didn't listen, just kept calling. We eventually ended the night the proper way, at Joe's Pizza's Union Square location.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUcqATdGN6E5vBaAoqnQ9zHykcT87WEo3iIAzBmLf-qP0EGwjrEyZpUodD6tHUzrh3isvdDZ1kjFMJwOj2i_-AT_vIb-pU3_306shfe5TlB1VGYxq8OVxTa5PBo-sG96Axv5-mzBMQZySKIHJJq_k2jHbv2zejT0kQGAubr1u5VDz0KUx9trxSJzKw-s4/s4032/IMG_4620.HEIC" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUcqATdGN6E5vBaAoqnQ9zHykcT87WEo3iIAzBmLf-qP0EGwjrEyZpUodD6tHUzrh3isvdDZ1kjFMJwOj2i_-AT_vIb-pU3_306shfe5TlB1VGYxq8OVxTa5PBo-sG96Axv5-mzBMQZySKIHJJq_k2jHbv2zejT0kQGAubr1u5VDz0KUx9trxSJzKw-s4/s400/IMG_4620.HEIC"/></a></div>Fest day. After hitting a Brooklyn BBQ spot to fill up, we did some pre-gaming with lagers from Schilling and The Seed at Queue Beer. Located right around the corner from Other Half, Queue is from the same people who run Manhattan's fine Carmine Street Beers. Seemed like half the brewery reps had the same idea, as Queue was busier than I've ever seen it. Finally, it was time to head to the fest. Lined up about 15 minutes prior to doors and there were a good 40 or so people ahead. Other Half did the smart thing and had people scanning tickets and giving wristbands to those in line for faster entry, and it worked well. once in, there were three areas pouring beer: an outdoor tented alleyway, Other Half's original taproom (pictured), and their current taproom. In addition, the sidewalk connection the three areas was roped off so you could get away from the crowds and drink out there with more elbow room. First beer? Went big with Root and Branch Chainsaw TIPA. Big beers were predominant at the fest, and I'm not complaining. I was disappointed, however, to see that each brewery only had one offering. I thought they were going to each have one unique offering per day, as well as others that they'd pour both days. Lines in the alley space were only two or three deep for most pours, except for the Monkish line, where there were usually about 20 people waiting, but the line moved quickly.
ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-7995302588314081092022-10-08T17:02:00.003-06:002022-10-08T17:03:51.251-06:002022 GABF Awards <p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivW0OxFjr2MTaIX5mgRwazGOIp1qqx0NZ3mxsEYcFWK91lA8lcvy8NGO6ClpUOq3AGNehzkSsaYYSRZ1eLnWFYPyc27SuaUtFjj1917-ISbZyCeSuoMqT0Dx5d2Fu-JVyAKvw5yRSQC8_FQhMPm1Lcgyv033uKJvLQ-qqdOMpqwsP70om22gAGg2E27g/s1600/IMG_2793.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivW0OxFjr2MTaIX5mgRwazGOIp1qqx0NZ3mxsEYcFWK91lA8lcvy8NGO6ClpUOq3AGNehzkSsaYYSRZ1eLnWFYPyc27SuaUtFjj1917-ISbZyCeSuoMqT0Dx5d2Fu-JVyAKvw5yRSQC8_FQhMPm1Lcgyv033uKJvLQ-qqdOMpqwsP70om22gAGg2E27g/s320/IMG_2793.JPG"/></a></div>The 2022 Great American Beer Festival annual Awards Ceremony took place Saturday morning, the culmination of 2,154 breweries who entered 9,904 beers. And although there were 9,904 beers judged, there were only 235 people doing the judging, an average of over 42 beers tried per judge. I would almost begin to feel a little skeptical that the judges were able to do a completely competent job after that many beers, yet somehow they manage to award Allagash White a gold medal year after year. This competition is legit, folks.<p>
<p>Aside from Allagash, there were a number of familiar breweries taking awards this year, such as Russian River, Pizza Port OB, Left Hand, Chuckanut, and Breakside. There were 18 first-time medalists at the fest, which makes up about 6% of the medals awarded. Of particular interest to me were the medalists in the Juicy or Hazy IPA category, in which three breweries I have never heard of took the top three spots: City Barrel Brewing Co. out of Kansas City, MO; White Rock Alehouse and Brewery from Dallas, TX, and Flatland Brewing from Elk Grove, CA (it's near Sacramento. I looked it up).<p>
<p>Also of interest was the number of entries in the German-Style Pilsener (that's how the BA spells it) category. Sure, you'd expect American-Style IPA and Hazy IPA to be at the top, and they were, with 423 and 375 entries, respectively. But how about that German Pilsener, with 233 entries?? Lagers are cool, man!<p>
<p>And locally, a show of hands for those starting to sweat wondering if New Mexico was going to get shut out of the medals for the first time since 2006? Yeah, I was starting to wonder. And another show of hands from people who had their money on Flix Brewhouse to be the first NM brewery on the winner board? It took until the 40th category in the busy-named Australasian, Latin American or Tropical Light Lager category, where Flix won the silver with Luche Libre, their Mexican-Style Lager. And from there, the medals continued, not at the pace set by, say North Park Brewing Co., but at a very respectable rate. The next winner was Rowley Farmhouse Ales, who took a gold in the Belgian Fruit Beer category with Grandissant-Montmorency Cherry. Finishing up, we had two medalists in the Scotch Ale Category, where Quarter Celtic won bronze for Kill or Be Kilt, and Ex Novo took silver for Sons of Scotland. This was the first time at GABF where two New Mexico breweries medaled in the same category. The four medals earned by NM breweries matches the number won in 2021. Interestingly, it's also the seventh time in GABF history that NM has taken home four medals at one awards ceremony.<p>
ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-66501817950614923942022-10-08T12:15:00.001-06:002022-10-14T17:06:44.641-06:002022 GABF: The Saga Continues<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInyi_pdKpHcipkm2poyXmdifbl1aVxYHi3_ZZ_LBWdcyZJgg41tqMe7xsARlA23HTe3YzGqqRksaj6EDQRGgMkt1iJdAauIuSim0_YHa_vQ6E9-7S4B1A-1jB961nl3jUzuQ7awNGz5lTbTD-YXB66DhGeInM8i_j9NMJQ4DvDIKrI4vdiAGFvYTYtg/s4032/PXL_20221006_232824340.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInyi_pdKpHcipkm2poyXmdifbl1aVxYHi3_ZZ_LBWdcyZJgg41tqMe7xsARlA23HTe3YzGqqRksaj6EDQRGgMkt1iJdAauIuSim0_YHa_vQ6E9-7S4B1A-1jB961nl3jUzuQ7awNGz5lTbTD-YXB66DhGeInM8i_j9NMJQ4DvDIKrI4vdiAGFvYTYtg/s320/PXL_20221006_232824340.jpg"/></a></div>Did I neglect to mention in my previous post that the GABF is turning 40 this year? I would love to go back and drink whatever version of IPA was served then, when there were 24 breweries, 47 different beers, and only 800 attendees! That may be fewer than the amount of people that get stuffed into each corral where patrons wait inside the Convention Center from about 5:15 until 5:30, when they are unleashed to descend upon the brewery reps and festival staff. It seems that getting in line early doesnt guarantee you a spot in the front of the line; rather, you may be, say, 300th in line but end up at the rear of one corral while someone behind you in line ends up at the front of the corral right next to yours. This is a reason why they make high blood pressure medication, but everyone who wanted a sip of Pliny got one so it's all good.<p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQO8z0u4rb0MmYz6dmLHKpjgUNRFWnXkKYaKErc81xwXrGY__wb_XclxEc99Vu2NxW2NnDKVkiUIpp5S9RPBunu483AMvVY1W2SnJAUjB6K-Ih5EdHleVeqMD0MNLBC0rviXg8SZm2BtfhE9xeN4GVEhOtJqHmwJ0ZZY9-SdKVxP9YzhK8kdpmF5oZMA/s4032/PXL_20221007_004031741.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQO8z0u4rb0MmYz6dmLHKpjgUNRFWnXkKYaKErc81xwXrGY__wb_XclxEc99Vu2NxW2NnDKVkiUIpp5S9RPBunu483AMvVY1W2SnJAUjB6K-Ih5EdHleVeqMD0MNLBC0rviXg8SZm2BtfhE9xeN4GVEhOtJqHmwJ0ZZY9-SdKVxP9YzhK8kdpmF5oZMA/s320/PXL_20221007_004031741.jpg"/></a></div>One of the highlights of fests in years past, though not at the 1982 one where there might have been a New Albion or Anchor Liberty Ale shirt, was the merch area, where you could choose from a wall packed with t-shirts from probably a hundred breweries as well as BA-issued merch. This year, the shirts were GABF themed only. Most everyone who attends the fest probably has their fair share of brewery shirts already, but I'm sure there were some disappointed patrons.<p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NG-N1K9qYVnlphciE90aCWE5fxydPF9F1xGRxxfbQb6xduMW_m9zm1mgDd24vhsR0jsZ_c_tdZoqb488gpRt7EwvVbjJk2vp8sLwni5FIQ06xDNnKbjwGYv4VuAgDAXSjrgtaBYWRR4lYt2FCIwLtr3_HfzaSuET3FnWjkMw6I8FwcL98Sf7SddUKw/s2662/PXL_20221008_000536601.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2662" data-original-width="2118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NG-N1K9qYVnlphciE90aCWE5fxydPF9F1xGRxxfbQb6xduMW_m9zm1mgDd24vhsR0jsZ_c_tdZoqb488gpRt7EwvVbjJk2vp8sLwni5FIQ06xDNnKbjwGYv4VuAgDAXSjrgtaBYWRR4lYt2FCIwLtr3_HfzaSuET3FnWjkMw6I8FwcL98Sf7SddUKw/s320/PXL_20221008_000536601.jpg"/></a></div>There were a number of standout beers, but here's my own little awards ceremony: In the Smoothie Sour category, my choice is Peach Pie A La Mode from Peculiar Ales. Many people were talking up the Peach Pie sour from WeldWerks, with good reason, but the peach from Peculiar was the top fruit offering for me. In the wide world of lagers offered at GABF, it's hard to pick a favorite. The Freiheit Oktoberfest from Wayfinder, Hell Yes from ABGB, any of the Templin or Fritz Family beers were worthy. But in the end, I went for multiple samples of You Spund Me Right Round, the Czech Lager from Brieux Carre. All their lagers were top notch, though Head Brewer Charles Hall seemed most excited about Grodz Dammit Bobby, his beachwood-smoked Grodziskie. Brieux Carre gets my vote for best beer names, as they also brought Malcolm in the Mittlefruh, Marza, Marza, Marza!, and the silver-medal winning Crispy Boiz II Men.<p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1AE4_M5xYgfmLz4iP_In7spJnVyT6LH2wopmDJzfVihNpknIkm4tC0-IfDe0ywwA7n3dlxwQlqAkFacHERNO9PaoGW00FLjSN_Wy3NpQ9pVKnWYSvUwyty0oFGJIgzu9rSvpps8LWc922r8VZbenW5uQWHWBY8k_QQf6a_ny630GwKORYwZy_ywGmA/s4032/PXL_20221007_233027315.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1AE4_M5xYgfmLz4iP_In7spJnVyT6LH2wopmDJzfVihNpknIkm4tC0-IfDe0ywwA7n3dlxwQlqAkFacHERNO9PaoGW00FLjSN_Wy3NpQ9pVKnWYSvUwyty0oFGJIgzu9rSvpps8LWc922r8VZbenW5uQWHWBY8k_QQf6a_ny630GwKORYwZy_ywGmA/s320/PXL_20221007_233027315.jpg"/></a></div>For Barrel-Aged Beers, I tried to spread my samples over two sessions, as those can take a toll quickly. I hit the Kane booth early in the Thursday session and started Friday night with the 15% BA Henna from More. And though I was impressed with the Espresso Macaroon Monsters Park from Modern Times, the Kelly's Private Stash Barleywine from Third Eye, and Brew 6000 from Fremont, nothing really came close to the Coconut Coffee Medianoche from WeldWerks. The thickness of this beer was insane. Finally, we saved the IPAs for last, as is the GABF tradition. Favorites included Extra Extra Juicy Bits, the multiple PNW varities from Breakside and Von Ebert, and Double Beezer from Old Irving. But it was the DIPA duo of the West Coast-style Space Lettuce and the hazy Welcome to the Machine by Atlanta's Monday Night Brewing that take my IPA top spot. I could pick either of these as the best IPA of the fest, depending on which style I was in the mood for. Add in a Saison with cherries, a Lambic, and a Barrel-Aged Strong Ale, Monday Night Brewing's GABF lineup takes my overall Best of the Fest. No lagers, but there were plenty of breweries to grab a palate cleansing Pilsner from on the way out to go to Falling Rock...oh. Yeah.<p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNy_2GzUR2tY0c_FPKNGI-hCjjMKQjU_oKT0QcZIeiTzuMAv35cDvAC70RUmMLitcjS_YFmRyCIiu7rrSOlq6crhPTDSFmnLPHizkxsOvdcMF7mmzsN0UkWzmbO1RnILdGZnc9a461CyL9vuh1s6vNJ9O139XIzg99jbTw8lalL_ih25L7InIrezXrA/s4032/PXL_20221007_011657981.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNy_2GzUR2tY0c_FPKNGI-hCjjMKQjU_oKT0QcZIeiTzuMAv35cDvAC70RUmMLitcjS_YFmRyCIiu7rrSOlq6crhPTDSFmnLPHizkxsOvdcMF7mmzsN0UkWzmbO1RnILdGZnc9a461CyL9vuh1s6vNJ9O139XIzg99jbTw8lalL_ih25L7InIrezXrA/s320/PXL_20221007_011657981.jpg"/></a></div>So while we no longer have the Falling Rock Tap House, Euclid Hall, Freshcraft, etc., and now have to venture into RiNo for post-fest activities (and you thought Blake St. got annoying on the weekends!), we do have the triumphant return of the world's best beer gathering: the Great American Beer Festival. Welcome back, old friend. Can't wait for next year!
ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-57500596490960401332022-10-07T23:35:00.001-06:002023-09-27T15:09:31.795-06:002022 GABF Thoughts, Part 1<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAe7-5If6UB1dXlAKPEdq60RvlUi5bwSv-ivAC9wDXNSjvGLGQAWzJ_wrL9Jwxvi_TLQjDQw9m_cDOeloL-_Vlz3dm4GBaN6-4nX20pDqz2jixfWp8P_2ceo5CsaJTbEiRi3r5hBsWbdMyruhvOepvuiHWAv4v2BK1M3VO15ULpP_CxsZE5rDjgVxEcg/s4032/PXL_20221006_231340550.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAe7-5If6UB1dXlAKPEdq60RvlUi5bwSv-ivAC9wDXNSjvGLGQAWzJ_wrL9Jwxvi_TLQjDQw9m_cDOeloL-_Vlz3dm4GBaN6-4nX20pDqz2jixfWp8P_2ceo5CsaJTbEiRi3r5hBsWbdMyruhvOepvuiHWAv4v2BK1M3VO15ULpP_CxsZE5rDjgVxEcg/s320/PXL_20221006_231340550.jpg"/></a></div>Aaannnddd we're back! Not sure about you, but after two years of virtual fests and wearing a mask while walking outside in an empty neighbrhood, I was beyond ready to go grab a beer with thousands of my closest friends. But first...the metal detectors. A sign of the times that has affected large public gatherings of all interests, the detectors were a necessary annoyance that had me this close to missing the bagpipers who march into the Colorado Concention Center and signify the official start of the Great American Beer Festival. But the 20 minute wait in the security line was entertaining, with someone remarking, "Hey, if I squint, I think I'm waiting in the TSA line at DIA!" (that was me), and also, "Damn it, I knew we should have paid for Pre-Check!" (also me). So I may have been the only one entertained, but we were all in pretty good spirits as we finally entered the festival floor with one minute to spare before the start of the fest.<p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Exg6vfdXrchyEYSlhR0EY0QL0FLhBsV1hRMWOcIbMN8R-9aM4XUWNgsJu0ZXUtc2t7XMbzH89GSFJHeF-dFKyMfDq8Iv_uhe9ysIu_vD4asiGmB2o24_g7vrq_7ftess9R5U5tZcblR4zPRhk0MC-Xtny-QQXq7BkuZQVyx9XHUPcmfTitGi1AFTrA/s4032/PXL_20221007_231450181.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Exg6vfdXrchyEYSlhR0EY0QL0FLhBsV1hRMWOcIbMN8R-9aM4XUWNgsJu0ZXUtc2t7XMbzH89GSFJHeF-dFKyMfDq8Iv_uhe9ysIu_vD4asiGmB2o24_g7vrq_7ftess9R5U5tZcblR4zPRhk0MC-Xtny-QQXq7BkuZQVyx9XHUPcmfTitGi1AFTrA/s320/PXL_20221007_231450181.jpg"/></a></div>The festival floor looked different this year than in previous years for a few reasons. First, construction at the Colorado Convention Center forced the BA to reduce the floor space from what was almost 600,000 sq. ft down to under 400,000, resulting in 300 fewer breweries to try. I didn't notice a big difference in festival space or breweries to try, though there were some noticeable absences from the good old pre-buyout days with Stone, Bell's, and New Belgium non-existent. Some breweries beers were being poured from cans and bottles at a special "Wish We Were Here" booth. It did take me a few minutes to realize that I didn't have navigate breweries by region; instead, the booths were set up in alphabetical order. The BA, always keeping us on our toes. Wait until they add Cold IPA as an awards category to join India Pale Lager and Other Hoppy Lager!<p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbUoKwLXPDP51gBecdPS_OyXaEwip5GO4wL_VK-LGB47lPjWhFy2ZZ9GwDrfKLmk7jOedQ0DBM5_Rhw5viFqBy9gvww_brgVYKpLAnxVSCjEoSie-nl0sa59sLj-n5waq7Q0xtNRDdnr-xt39MTF0WNll5HyxwdojdAbp5U-JXwVP07zhR7xBMtGszg/s4032/PXL_20221006_233207854.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbUoKwLXPDP51gBecdPS_OyXaEwip5GO4wL_VK-LGB47lPjWhFy2ZZ9GwDrfKLmk7jOedQ0DBM5_Rhw5viFqBy9gvww_brgVYKpLAnxVSCjEoSie-nl0sa59sLj-n5waq7Q0xtNRDdnr-xt39MTF0WNll5HyxwdojdAbp5U-JXwVP07zhR7xBMtGszg/s320/PXL_20221006_233207854.jpg"/></a></div>Seasoned vets know to go into the fest with a plan, though vets of my reading know that my plan usually goes out the window the second after I try my first sample. This year, I had a general list of breweries to try but I didn't have a particular brewery on the list to try first. A common, and wise, strategy is to go for that first sample at a brewery that will quickly accrue a line and get out of there fast rather than spend the first 10 minutes of the fest in line. I did no such thing, instead stopping at the first booth I saw that was on my list to try, Fritz Family Brewers. All the buzz surrounding this lager producer was merited! And as I noted in my brewery roundup, lagers were everywhere at GABF. Yes, most everyone had an IPA, but the variety of lagers should keep hop haters off ledges for the time being.<p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZbfHQ0Yc87LGucDttIvzkoW3fP8AuR231wgng8e71_gZ6kfw_BoATOjGoPwQ4Cy7PbIqpbAnvtYD9vX-3HyFCBsXoCVGvjEq9ra-f8FEsTcRR5S8PKJK7XSwSiejCBh0ODBnR8kEBGSKfmF4wDWiNHdfjNEG236wKgMq7GivJtAtO7drzXLHhKbLbg/s4032/PXL_20221008_003254535.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZbfHQ0Yc87LGucDttIvzkoW3fP8AuR231wgng8e71_gZ6kfw_BoATOjGoPwQ4Cy7PbIqpbAnvtYD9vX-3HyFCBsXoCVGvjEq9ra-f8FEsTcRR5S8PKJK7XSwSiejCBh0ODBnR8kEBGSKfmF4wDWiNHdfjNEG236wKgMq7GivJtAtO7drzXLHhKbLbg/s320/PXL_20221008_003254535.jpg"/></a></div>By the time I was able to check out 903 Brewers, there were about 903 people in their line that stretched almost to the bathrooms. That's a change from previous years, where bathroom lines stretched almost to the brewers' booths. It's hard to say whether the line for 903 was the longest of the fest. WeldWerks may take that overall title, as their booth had two lines in the front and one on the side for patrons, and a very thoughtful one for industry people. Honorable mention for longest line goes to the Los Dos Potrillos food truck. GABF once again brought back the food trucks, which is great because we've all become accustomed to food truck prices from having them outside breweries. And it certainly beats wasting hours trying to mastermind a way to sneak into the Paired event every year. Back to lines for a sec, I'm still not sure why one brewery I observed that didn't have a crazy line had four beers kicked by 6:30. Was it poor planning, or was the plan to bring a few cans, "sell" out, and then hit the fest like everyone else?
ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-40311360229147326422022-10-05T12:28:00.003-06:002022-10-05T18:48:04.091-06:00GABF Breweries of Interest, T-Z<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXd0p4EnKzSIf-D7QaL14RfAA9Hu6D-QZVXO8tWTx69-m_9I1Cb_5XprW0EFC5hFdjrE3yHFZlyFPPQAIh2kQ1TEG_OYWqoLGsOLEJlMSXCOZB__Q4pUORQvlrBY6QjOLIU2nT5is9eOYMO44IpvHorJ1R-6unmOhBDzIh0QXfhpG3VWEH_VEZZppzbw/s3648/IMG_4253.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="250" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXd0p4EnKzSIf-D7QaL14RfAA9Hu6D-QZVXO8tWTx69-m_9I1Cb_5XprW0EFC5hFdjrE3yHFZlyFPPQAIh2kQ1TEG_OYWqoLGsOLEJlMSXCOZB__Q4pUORQvlrBY6QjOLIU2nT5is9eOYMO44IpvHorJ1R-6unmOhBDzIh0QXfhpG3VWEH_VEZZppzbw/s200/IMG_4253.JPG"/></a></div>Here it is, the final installment of all you need to carry you through to last call at GABF. And if you've made it to last call at GABF, congratulations! I think I may have done that twice in twelve years, though to be fair I was usually trying to get out and start a story, though I also usually just ended up at Falling Rock drinking something I didn't need...cue Chris Black on the PA system..."Ok everyone, get ready for tappings of 2007 through 2010 Full Sail Barleywine!"<p>
<p><b>Templin Family Brewing</b> How could I leave out the brewery that medaled the last two years in the Kellerbier/Zwickelbier category at GABF? Taking bronze in 2020 and 2021, Granery Kellerbier is on my hit list.
<p><b>The Austin Beer Garden Brewery</b> Looking back at these GABF choices, I think I've suggested more lagers than anything else. Whoever is complaining that all you can find anymore is hazy IPAs should buy a ticket to GABF. And again, here is a lager factory you need to try. They're also a medal factory, having won seven medals with four different lagers, all of which will be pouring at GABF (Industry Pils, Rocket 100, Hell Yes, Velvet Revolution).<p>
<p><b>Third Eye Brewing</b> Like Weller barrel-aged beers? Who doesn't?? Third Eye takes their Kelly's Private Stash Barleywine and ages it in two different Weller barrels, Full Proof and Antique 107. <p>
<p><b>Three Floyds Brewing</b> Will the Three Floyds booth be a mass of adoring fans as it was back in the day? Well, for one, there's no Zombie Dust (yesterday's Heady Topper) being served at GABF. And Three Floyds distribution has expanded, taking from the rarity and therefore some of the lore of this brewery. However, these guys still do barrel aging as well as anyone, and they'll be pouring Crushing Mass, a 15.1% barrel-aged Coffee Stout.<p>
<p><b>Tonewood Brewing</b> How many New Jersey breweries have you had beer from? For the most densely populated state in the country, there must be a lot of breweries so you'd think I would have had more than just Kane or Carton. And must have, but I can't think of any others right now. I plan on adding to my New Jersey ticks at Tonewood, who is bringing a Saison, Pale Ale, IPA, and DIPA.<p>
<p><b>Troegs Brewing</b> One of Pennsylvania's largest breweries, Troegs is still cranking out high quality beers. Sunshine Pilsner is one of my all-time favorites, as well as being a five-time medalist at GABF and WBC. That's nothing, says Troegenator Doppelbock, which has taken an astounding eleven medals at GABF and WBC.<p>
<p><b>Von Ebert Brewing</b> This Portland, OR brewery will be flexing their IPA muscle with Nothing Noble, bronze winner in the IPA category at GABF 2020, and Volatile Substance, the 2021 IPA gold medalist.<p>
<p><b>Wayfinder Beer</b> A multiple medal winner for their lagers Hell and Freiheit Oktoberfest Wiesn, Wayfinder became even more well known after "inventing" the Cold IPA style. Try all of these beers at the Wayfinder Booth, as well as a Firestone Walker collab.<p>
<p><b>WeldWerks Brewing</b > Oh, you know there's gonna be a wait to try all the goodies WeldWerks is bringing. Eleven beers spanning a variety of styles, from the Smoothie Sour Peach Pie to two BA Medianoche varities and of course some hazy IPAs, including Extra Extra Juicy Bits and Transmountain Diversion, a collaboration with Casey Brewing.<p>
<p><b>Wren House Brewing</b> If you've been to Phoenix, chances are you've checked out this little house that could. The gold medal winning hazy IPA Spellbinder is their flagship, and yeah they'll be bringing a variety of their Wally hazy Triple IPA series (Good Boy Wally), but they also make some underrated lagers. Try their Kellerbier and Little Spill Pils.<p>
<p><b>Yards Brewing</b> Raise a sample of Philthy IPA to the Philadelphia Phillies, who made the MLB playoffs for the first time in 11 years. Yards founder Tom Kehoe used to be a fixture at GABF in his Phillies gear back when the team was a perpetual contender, so if you see a guy in a Phillies shirt give him a high five. Or the finger, if you're a Mets fan.<p>
ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-35020534875292953332022-10-03T11:10:00.003-06:002022-10-03T18:39:49.377-06:00GABF Breweries of Interest, R-S<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0Jhb1h02C9ZPxYtLKRqE6ckIFrJnNh2ywXjmQlR6Fm_iCMg3YTFZABklWwa-EDHufRogj83JjrCJJPqNBEUwQ4kzF_LoB-Y1WDPLrZ1uffU_2ji1zKyeKT0Vzhs7jT4iEIlHYZbLXR7aoq20Nyc8wz9jgCDQp81UlwG7fpMx8H5kRKvxOQRtnrfR6Q/s4048/IMG_20191003_191814.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0Jhb1h02C9ZPxYtLKRqE6ckIFrJnNh2ywXjmQlR6Fm_iCMg3YTFZABklWwa-EDHufRogj83JjrCJJPqNBEUwQ4kzF_LoB-Y1WDPLrZ1uffU_2ji1zKyeKT0Vzhs7jT4iEIlHYZbLXR7aoq20Nyc8wz9jgCDQp81UlwG7fpMx8H5kRKvxOQRtnrfR6Q/s200/IMG_20191003_191814.jpg"/></a></div>My plan was to wrap up the GABF breweries in one final shot here, but it turns out there were a lot more breweries from R on than I had anticipated. I'll try to get the T-Z finished before the bagpipers begin their march through the Colorado Convention Center.<p>
<p><b>Radiant Beer Co.</b> An Anaheim Brewery that isn't nearly as known for its adjunct stouts as that other Anaheim brewery. And how could they be, with an operation so small that they won the Brewery of the Year in the 0-250 Barrels category at last year's GABF. I wonder how you could win by making 0 barrels of beer? Well, we really liked their logo, so... Anyway, I was talking about adjunct stouts, as Radiant has one worth checking out at GABF: Comfort Blanket, aged in both 17 yr Wild Turkey Master's Keep and 8 yr Elijah Craig barrels with added pecans, cacao nibs, and maple syrup. Makes me wish IHOP would start offering alcoholic syrups.<p>
<p><b>Reuben's Brews</b> Big surprise that I'll be in search of IPAs when I hit up the Reuben's Brews booth. How could I resist the Seattle brewery that's bringing Fresh Hop Double Crush (Hazy DIPA with fresh Citra hops) and Hazealicious (WBC Gold Hazy Pale Ale)?<p>
<p><b>Revision Brewing</b> Remember back in 2018 when Revision won both a gold for IPA and silver for Imperial IPA at the World Beer Cup? You can taste part of that history as Revision will pour their classic IPA at GABF. They also brought Reno as Fuck, their hazy DIPA that I enjoyed at the Falling Rock Tap House East Vs. West event
<p><b>Revolution Brewing</b> It wouldn't be fair for Revolution to show up without bringing some fantastic stouts. Thankfully, they are bringing Coconut Deth BA Imperial Stout (15%...Lord help us). Still alive? Then get a sip of Thundertaker, the 16.2% BA Imperial Rye Stout.<p>
<p><b>Russian River (Windsor, Santa Rosa)</b> You thought there'd be a list without Russian River? That's like going to GABF and skipping the New Glarus booth...oh, right. Anyway, Russian River will pour at two booths this year, representing their Windsor production facility and their Santa Rosa taproom. Standouts include STS Pils, Sauvignon Blanc barrel-aged Intinction, Beatification (waited 2 hours in line in Santa Rosa in 2012 for bottles of this. Hopefully the line for a sample won't be quite as long) and a DIPA, Pliny something or other.<p>
<p><b>Shades Brewing</b> Who wants Thai? You'll be hard pressed to find a more interesting beer list than what they're pouring at Shades brewing, where Kveik yeast is the star. You can try Kveik Nelson, Kveik Peach Cobbler, Kveik Pina Colada...it's like the Bubba Gump of beer.<p>
<p><b>Short Fuse Brewing</b> You always wanted to try beer from the GABF Brewery of the Year in the 2001-5000 Barrels Per Year category? This is your chance! Don't get nervous as you approach the booth. Act like you've been there before when you ask for a sample of their Tropical Hurt Locker, silver medalist last year in the Fruited American Sour Ale category. also be sure to try Vocal Jam, another Fruited Sour that also took a silver, this one in the Experimental Beer category.<p>
<p><b>Sierra Nevada Brewing, Chico facility</b> Line up, fanboys and girls, to be the first one to try this year's version of Celebration Ale, the beer everyone in the world loves. It's a little malty for me, but it deserves respect for being an iconic seasonal that still remains talked about and sought after. I'm curious about the three barrel-aged beers they're bringing: a BA Coffee Stout, BA Maple Blonde, and BA Bigfoot in EH Taylor barrels. They're also bringing some other one-offs or little known beers, so big props to them for that. A brewery with the notoriety of Sierra Nevada will draw a crowd no matter what, yet they chose to put together a thoughtful lineup of beers. Their Mills River facility will also have a booth, this one hosting the "Applebee's Lineup": Hazy Little Thing, Big Little Thing, and Sunny Little Thing.<p>
<p><b>Snake River Brewing</b> It's probably time for a pick me up, so head over to GABF vets Snake River for some Speargun, the 2018 GABF gold winner in the Coffee Stout category. Another gold winner they're pouring is Dark Horse, the International Style Dark Lager. And you can't leave without a sample of Zonker Stout, a 10-time GABF medalist!<p>
<p><b>Spice Trade Brewing</b> I can't vouch for their quality, but Spice Trade is bringing beers that stand out sheerly for their unique ingredients: Basil IPA, which, you guesed it, incorporates basil into an IPA, and Thai Tripel,a Belgian Tripel with kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, coriander, and ginger.<p>
<p><b>StormBreaker Brewing</b> You say you and all your friends agree, there's not enough British styles represented at GABF? Huh. Bet you're a fun bunch. Well, here ya go: ExtraStormBreaker in the house, fresh off its 2022 gold medal at World Beer Cup in ESB category. Party on, lads.<p>
<p><b>Sun King Brewery</b> Rumor has it that Sun King has won so many medals at GABF, Jeff Bagby is asking the Sun King team for tips on which pants to wear to the awards ceremony. 29 GABF medals and 9 World Beer Cup medals is quite a feat, and Sun King is nice enough to bring three medal winners to their booth this year for your drinking pleasure: Pachanga, a Mexican-style Lager (bronze, Light Lager; 4 time GABF medalist Cherry Busey, Flanders Red; Barrel-Aged Churrolicious, BA Scotch Ale (WBC gold, Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer). <p>
<p><b></b><p>ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-81792805633557233032022-09-28T12:43:00.008-06:002022-09-28T12:48:32.521-06:00GABF Breweries of Interest, N-P <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4H6i39dxUrkhO0EKFm-Lvh_ZBjzeoafLX7Dm4DlR63FpQcpEMty_vjAR_T78t_bSFnJUeSCOVv6KUX-_J42vfIRDmERWhs9SLE1hkLHbGBkVm4ofg65EWtUT76-TVyprD1c4Bt9gP9Vg8NPkKj7DxNKlrnCa51nYeNGQvb9ikGGfPRLNugqKSnpIXhw/s1600/IMG_2799.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="987" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4H6i39dxUrkhO0EKFm-Lvh_ZBjzeoafLX7Dm4DlR63FpQcpEMty_vjAR_T78t_bSFnJUeSCOVv6KUX-_J42vfIRDmERWhs9SLE1hkLHbGBkVm4ofg65EWtUT76-TVyprD1c4Bt9gP9Vg8NPkKj7DxNKlrnCa51nYeNGQvb9ikGGfPRLNugqKSnpIXhw/s320/IMG_2799.JPG"/></a></div>Almost 3/4 of the way through the breweries once this post is done. Probably a good time to stop for some water that's supposed to stave off that hangover yet never does. Also would be smart to get some food in you, but you don't have time to sit around and eat convention center pizza when you could smash a Clif Bar and be on to the N-P breweries in this list. Or be like the smart person pictured here and hang a sandwich around your neck big enough that it might last you through two GABF sessions.<p>
<p><b>Nashville Brewing Company</b> This brewery won a bronze medal at the 2018 GABF for NashZwickel. Zwickel is my favorite lager style, in case you're already thinking Christmas gifts. They also took silver in the 2020 in the Munich-Style Helles category for Nashville Lager. My only complaint is that they're not bringing Zwickel My Pickle, their pickle Zwickel.<p>
<p><b>Nebraska Brewing</b> Melange a Trois is a four-time medalist at GABF. Belgian Strong Goldens are not my favorite but this chardonnay barrel-aged beer is always worth a try. They're also pouring a BA Imperial Brown Ale, in case you're ticking that rare style.<p>
<p><b>New Terrain</b> 2019 silver for Mirage American-Style Sour, for all you sour fans out there. I can only do so many straight up sours before I start throwing up bubbles, and nobody wants that on their pretzel necklaces.<p>
<p><b>NOBO Brewing Company</b> I know I said I was going to go after all the smoothie beers this year, but I keep gravitating towards the BA Stouts. The BA 2nd Breakfast, aged for 14 months in Jim Beam barrels with cinnamon, maple, and brown sugar, sounds pretty darn good. May as well try the Jalapeno Honey Blonde while I'm there.<p>
<p><b>Old Irving</b> Super excited for this booth: for one, they won a silver in 2021 in the Kolsch category at GABF for Della. Wait, they're not bringing that? Ok, well they're bringing Beezer, the 2019 GABF gold winner in the Hazy IPA category. Now, I realize I'm listing a lot of medal winners in my recommendations, and sometimes we try these winners and wonder what the hell the judges saw in the beer in the first place. Fair enough. But you've gotta be excited about Double Beezer, the 8.5% version of Beezer. And it hasn't won a damn thing, so it must be good. And then we have Barrel Aged Gammelhjarted, which is a blend of a Barlwywine that was aged in maple and port barrels with an Imperial Milk Stout that was aged in rum barrels. Ridiculous!<p>
<p><b>Our Mutual Friend</b> You can stop by the booth and try Inner Light, the Pale Ale that has picked up multiple medals at GABF. Or you can just go to their taproom and have a whole pint of it. But all the beers are free here, if you don't count that $100 you paid for your ticket.<p>
<p><b>Peculiar Ales</b> Time to take a dessert beer break with Peach Pie A La Mode, a Smoothie Sour with white peaches, cinnamon, vanilla, graham cracker, and candied ginger. How all that is going to fit into a one oz. sample is beyone me. Save room for 305 Pineberry, a Fruited Sour with strawberry and pineapple.<p>
<p><b>Port Brewing/The Lost Abbey</b> Yup, they're still in business. I don't know that their beers carry the same weight that they did years ago, but I'm showing up for that Duck Duck Gooze 2022 Anniversary Blend. Amazing how little of a line there was last GABF for their world-class beers.<p>
<p><b>Pollyanna Brewing</b> Boo to a brewery that won two GABF medals in 2021 but isn't bringing either to pour at the fest. Yay for them bringing Fruhauf, a 2016 Marzen medal winner, and Lite Thinking, 2019 medalist in American-Style Lager category.<p>
<p><b>Port City Brewing</b> They've won medals four years straight at GABF. Not blow your mind styles, just beer done well. Worth a visit.<p>
<p><b>Prison City Brewing</b> This highly regarded brewery isn't bringing as much as I would like, but they are bringing Mass Riot hazy IPA.<p>
<p><b>Prost Brewing</b> Because their Pilsner is in my top 3 draft Pilsners in the U.S.<p>
<p><b>Pure Project</b> I love any of the murky IPAs that Pure Project produces. I also love that they're bringing Cup of Gold, their collaboration DIPA with Alvarado St. Brewery, another brewery I love. Don't skip Corylus, the 13% Imperial Stout aged in Breckenridge Bourbon barrels with hazelnuts, cacao, and coffee.<p>
ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-67182566843855920902022-09-23T16:03:00.004-06:002022-09-24T12:03:21.913-06:00GABF Breweries of Interest, H Through M<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv94KlebvyZZ8AqCY3Pao13rcW89yUaUNcKjW_vPhRw6M3anb4GTOFTpn1JEGgU50oTVe49JDBrzbSxGsDxZLq1wHZ8nJRR9p3C1-V6lAQSpLNakvlCUcSGpRaw8r-6m4xm_OHU6aSN6QiyfDxjrlh7I_Nb_Yt6OCLOWM32VMzueMDwYuo2bfhyKJKg/s1600/IMG_2744.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv94KlebvyZZ8AqCY3Pao13rcW89yUaUNcKjW_vPhRw6M3anb4GTOFTpn1JEGgU50oTVe49JDBrzbSxGsDxZLq1wHZ8nJRR9p3C1-V6lAQSpLNakvlCUcSGpRaw8r-6m4xm_OHU6aSN6QiyfDxjrlh7I_Nb_Yt6OCLOWM32VMzueMDwYuo2bfhyKJKg/s320/IMG_2744.JPG"/></a></div>Continuing on with my choices of breweries to visit at the 2022 Great American Beer Festival, I submit to you a number of interesting choices to try in the H through M-named breweries.<p>
<p><b>Handmap Brewing</b> How does a Jim Beam Barrel-Aged Rauchbier sound? Different, for sure. Gotta try BA Daryl's House.<p>
<p><b>JAFB Wooster Brewery</b> This Ohio brewery took silver in the American Style IPA category at GABF 2021 for their JAF IPA. They'll also be pouring a Mosaic single hop IPA.<p>
<p><b>Kane Brewing</b> It's a no-brainer that I'll be visiting Kane's booth early and often just for their A Night to End All Dawns BA Imperial Stout. But they're also bringing Dripping Maple, a French toast inspired bourbon and cognac-aged Imperial Stout with vanilla beans, cinnamon, and maple. Wouldn't hurt to try Bierhalle, their Marzen, while I'm there.<p>
<p><b>Kilowatt Brewing</b> Speaking of maple, Kilowatt will be pouring their GABF gold Maple Smoked Maibock. Very curious to see how all those flavors work together.<p>
<p><b>La Cumbre</b> I drank their Dortmunder until it was all gone...or so I thought. They saved some for GABF.<p>
<p><b> King's Court Brewing Company</b> Missing that local Imperial Red that was so good? Come to this booth for Frogs Like Possum, the 2019 GABF silver medal winning Imperial Red Ale.<p>
<p><b> Launch Pad Brewery</b> Not in the smoothie realm, but Strawberry Moon Blonde Ale with strawberries, lactose, and vanilla is worth a taste. I hope.<p>
<p><b> Live Oak Brewing</b> A classic brewery doing classic styles that will have people lining up for their Pilz, HefeWeizen, and Oaktoberfest. Pretend you're drinking it on a sunny summer afternoon in Austin for the perfect sip.<p>
<p><b>Living Waters</b> This Nashville brewery is bringing two sought after BA Imperial Stouts, which of course I'll force myself to sample, but it's the Triberg German-style Pilsner that I'm really interested in.<p>
<p><b>Maplewood</b> I love those Chicago breweries. Maplewood is pouring two DIPAs I can't wait for, as well as Fizzle Drizzle Cherry Limeade, a fruited sour with sweet and sour cherries and lime. It's Sonic for adults.<p>
<p><b>Marble Brewery-MavLab</b> Attack of the Keller Bs is another local lager that I couldn't get enough of. You non-NM residents reading (anyone, besides Russian bots?) should try this one. And High Plains Pilsner from Canteen. And Ex Novo. And all the other NM Breweries.<p>
<p><b>Metazoa Brewing</b> Rosie the River Otter won gold in the Herb and Spice category at GABF last year for a Blonde Ale with hibiscus and plums added.<p>
<p><b>Modern Times</b> Too many people pissing on Modern Times for their poor planning and not enough people lamenting the fact that we could be losing some of the best barrel-aged stouts if Maui messes with the MT formula too much. For now, we'll at least be able to drink the Monsters' Park BA Espresso Macaroon Edition Imperial Stout.<p>
<p><b>Monday Night Brewing</b> Staying on the heavier stuff, I'm also ready for some Tie Xi, the 11th anniversary Strong Ale from this Atlanta, GA brewery that blends Stout, Quad, Brown, Barleywine and Dopplebock.<p>
<p><b>Moontown</b> This little Indiana walked away with two bronze and one silver at GABF 2021, along with Brewery of the Year in the 501-1000 Barrels category. Two medal winners will be at their booth: Fortieth Parallel Pilsner (bronze in Bohemian Pilsner category) and Moonlite (silver in American Cream Ale category). I'd also like to try Cecil, their hazy IPA.<p>
<p><b>Mountain Cowboy Brewing</b> I'm a sucker for any Caddyshack-themed beer, so I'll be stopping here for That's a Peach, Hon, the peaches and cream sour ale with peach puree, vanilla, and lactose. Mrs. Haverkamp would approve. Think those two are still alive?<p>
<p><b>MORE Brewing</b> Did I mention I love Chicago breweries? Perhaps none <i>more</i> than this one, whose DDH Space Boots was my IPA of the fest in 2019. Sadly, they're only bringing Morever for their hoppy offering, but I'll be happy drinking Barrel-Aged Henna: Birthday, the 15% Imperial Stout with pecans, vanilla, coconut, and cacao nibs. I won't turn down a chaser of Watermelon Chula, a spiced Gose with added watermelon. Friday morning could be a rough one.<p>
ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-16482560114827176032022-09-20T17:00:00.004-06:002022-09-24T13:57:23.159-06:00GABF Breweries of Interest, A Through G<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3K6B8PeEEIZoL0gHPpaVK52WWB9JqvV9GXcOJPfJE7KfllFmx5b-oGbNDTJBhKuPyNZC19HSYLoM6zsH41zEGKgsFTMPUEssdh5w4Jgf-Qt_QbJRfl5bueDZOzmYYoIgXSuM6RrNwxm9aAM6rYQqNjlhRpw5vU58RAod3WLTC4GOyhGG58Dmj91SNYQ/s1600/IMG_0066.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3K6B8PeEEIZoL0gHPpaVK52WWB9JqvV9GXcOJPfJE7KfllFmx5b-oGbNDTJBhKuPyNZC19HSYLoM6zsH41zEGKgsFTMPUEssdh5w4Jgf-Qt_QbJRfl5bueDZOzmYYoIgXSuM6RrNwxm9aAM6rYQqNjlhRpw5vU58RAod3WLTC4GOyhGG58Dmj91SNYQ/s320/IMG_0066.JPG"/></a></div>As the 2022 GABF looms closer, I thought it was time to start making plans on which breweries to visit first. Of course, I always go in with a plan and then everything becomes a mad frenzy of samples, interviews, more samples, bathroom breaks, samples, interviews, and so on. Well see how I do this year. Here is a sample of some booths I intend to stop by, A-G.<p>
<p><b>903 Brewers</b> Yeah, I'll admit it. 2022 is the year I start searching out
all the smoothie sours I can find. Go ahead and judge me while you drink your
sweet corn adjunct Pre-Prohibition lagers. These "beers" are fun, but we'll see
how fun after 30 or so examples. I'll start with the pineapple, lactose,
vanilla, and marshmallow Pineapple Magic from 903 Brewers.<p>
<p><b>All Season</b> A Los Angeles brewery I've yet to try, but will be seeking out
the Pilsner, Dark Lager, and Dunkel they're pouring.<p>
<p><b>Avery</b> Gotta go for the 2018 Rumpkin, if only to honor when Falling Rock
would pour the BA Avery beers on Saturday after the GABF Members Session. Ah,
the hangovers!<p>
<p><b>Barebottle</b> My standout brewery a few years ago. They'll be bringing their
2021 GABF Gold Cryo Chemistry hazy DIPA.<p>
<p><b>Boston Beer Co.</b> I'm not waiting in line, but will this be the year I walk
by as they're pouring Utopias? Chances are I'll miss it, but I always try.<p>
<p><b>Bottle Logic</b> They always go big for GABF. Pistachio ice cream BA Stout?
Check. Coffee caramel rye BA Stout? Check. Fundamental Observation? Check!<p>
<p><b>Brieux Carre</b> Can't wait to cleanse my palate with the lagers from Brieux
Carre, especially You Spund Me Right Round Czech Pilsner.<p>
<p><b>Chuckanut</b> Any lager is worth trying from this perrenial GABF medal
winning brewery. I intend to try mutiples of them all.<p>
<p><b>Corporate Ladder</b> I'm excited for Tiki Sour: Zombie and Purchase Order:
002, the follow-up to 001, which was a Stout aged in both bourbon and brandy
barrels.<p>
<p><b>DankHouse</b> Heard good things about the IPAs from this small Ohio brewery.
DDH Couch Kush'n is on my list.<p>
<p><b>Deicpher</b> Looking forward to trying the Woodford Reserve Barrel Aged
Artemis Wheatwine. The non BA version won a medal at the 2022 World Beer Cup.<p>
<p><b>Deadwords</b> Want to check out the Florida lager game and heard the
Westphalia Dortmunder from this brewery is very good.<p>
<p><b>Forbidden Root</b> I've liked all the hazies I've had from this brewery in
the past, and they have three slated be be at the fest.<p>
<p><b>Fremont</b> Their Brew 4000 made my best of GABF back when there was a GABF.
This year, they're bringing Brew 6000. Oh, and Rusty Nail.<p>
<p><b>Fritz Family Brewers</b> Will tastes at the booth here keep me from driving
the 30 miles from my hotel to this brewery? Depends on how many samples I'm able
to snag of the lagers that are reputed to be as good as Bierstadt's.<p>
<p><b>Gnarley Barley</b> I've had Jucifer and liked it. But it's the Diamond in the
Fluff DIPA I'm going for here.<p>
<p><b>Gravely Brewing</b>This Kentucky brewery won gold in the German-Style Pilsner category in 2020 for Sprockets. Can't miss this one.<p>
<p><b>Great Notion</b> Blueberry Muffin Fruit in the Can? Over Ripe? Yep to both. They're bound to have a long line, but can't pass on these.
ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-17984994454050815142022-09-18T21:45:00.002-06:002022-09-20T16:10:08.956-06:00Myrtle Beach: Beer to Be Had<p>Can you expect to have a beach vacation that includes great beer destinations as well? It certainly works in a city such as San Diego, where craft beer spots are easy to find throught Ocean, Mission, and Pacific Beaches, as well as further up into Carlsbad, Ocanside, and San Clemente. But what if you find yourself in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where over 100 golf courses attract retirees and groups of dudes armed with cigars and Michelob Ultra in the spring and fall, and where summer is a destinaton for families from all over the east coast who will wait two+ hours for all you can eat crab legs. Not much room for craft beer there...Or is there?<p>
<p>There is, of course. A number of breweries are spread throughout the Grand Strand, which runs roughly 60 miles from Georgetown to Little River. I'm focusing mainly on beer bars for this piece, places you can go to at night while the non-delinquent tourists go to bed at 7 pm so they can stake out a good spot at the beach at sunrise, though there are many breweries worth a day visit, including New South, voted "most likely to be found anywhere on tap" by me. Started in the late 90s, their White Ale and IPA are stalwarts in the area. Grand Strand Brewing, Tidal Creek Brewhouse, Independent Republic, and Crooked Hammock up in North Myrtle await your judgement. Also in NMB but not featured here are beer bars Main Street Taphouse and World of Beer, both with lots of draft offerings.<p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiMuMrqo36P6PEcA4kn468PCrsXtN3TqBCPjd4MptYYGb3Bm-GRzYR92tiTpoSZdNIsuLrHs5xWrINO0Ar4QS-_ovnmm74TCTMjDflQ2Dyp9R1HkO98cHHicu3KBhquhtg0o6SNu-Cxpv3Yw4n43T4n_l1jXYI0o75ZyueI3JeUYRct8rXnnOJ_JGcg/s4048/IMG_20191125_222208.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4048" data-original-width="3036" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiMuMrqo36P6PEcA4kn468PCrsXtN3TqBCPjd4MptYYGb3Bm-GRzYR92tiTpoSZdNIsuLrHs5xWrINO0Ar4QS-_ovnmm74TCTMjDflQ2Dyp9R1HkO98cHHicu3KBhquhtg0o6SNu-Cxpv3Yw4n43T4n_l1jXYI0o75ZyueI3JeUYRct8rXnnOJ_JGcg/s320/IMG_20191125_222208.jpg"/></a></div>Let's start in the city proper, where small but rowdy spots dot the streets between Highway 17 Business and the high rise hotels overlooking the beach. Atlas Tap House has managed to serve those looking for their craft fix since 2014. A homey atmosphere awaits, along with 30 beers on tap. There is always a mix of local, national, and taps you wouldn't expect to find. For example, on a recent visit I found beers from Coast in nearby Charleston, a pickle sour from Prairie, and a DIPA from The Veil. Their taps often have a number of stouts available, and if you're lucky you might be there when Westbrook Mexican Cake is on tap.<p>
<p>A short walk from Atlas, (and I mean short: 164 feet) Bumstead's Pub is a favorite of locals and sports fans, and sports fans who are locals. That doesn't mean you're only going to find buckets of Bud Light or Corona; rather, as Bumstead's caters to craft beers fans as well. The beers lean more on the macro side as far as draft but there are over 100 bottles and cans to choose from, with a varied import selection. Become a local and join the Beer Around the World Club, where you try all the offerings Bumstead's has within a year and get a t-shirt and a plaque on the Bumstead's Wall of Fame. Better yet- try to achieve the goal while visiting on vacation.<p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHK0PMo2wykaqLkLzSdvgfrvxEUW36ZTYtQWLMWCOmrarbXDwO_ps5nDdOqp6LIYSwr5khQxSKMl77Ojenhu7xrbhaD_9KgFukg1sLn4BiDbU9ikCUGf2sBmRRHq0bBlS92aL89TI8ESNzd_Y8Yc_oxR9nrrVhbhRY8Vpmwxh5x0QKGKtoerGxAm-OA/s4048/IMG_20191127_194152.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4048" data-original-width="3036" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHK0PMo2wykaqLkLzSdvgfrvxEUW36ZTYtQWLMWCOmrarbXDwO_ps5nDdOqp6LIYSwr5khQxSKMl77Ojenhu7xrbhaD_9KgFukg1sLn4BiDbU9ikCUGf2sBmRRHq0bBlS92aL89TI8ESNzd_Y8Yc_oxR9nrrVhbhRY8Vpmwxh5x0QKGKtoerGxAm-OA/s320/IMG_20191127_194152.jpg"/></a></div>Looking for cans to drink in your room? Myrtle Beach has a few places. Green's has a smallish selection but there are usually a few things worth taking home. Total Wine has the best singles selection by far of anywhere in the area, but as you already know, check the dates!! I went away with a can dated 8/10 and the IPA was awful. Looked again and it was canned 8/10/2020! IF you don't mind traveling a bit from Myrtle Beach, the Lowe's grocery store in Carolina Forest (pictured) has a good craft selection as well as a bar with growler fills available.<p>
<p>Staying south of the bustle of Myrtle Beach? Stop by the Gordon Biersch in the Market Common area (kind of like what Winrock is supposed to eventually be, though Market Common actually happened) for decent lagers. The now closed Piggly Wiggly used to be the go-to for diehard craft fans but closed a few years ago. That same beer manager ended up at the Surfside Beach Pig, but I'm sad to say the selection pales compared to the old place. It still beats the heck out of the Food Lion and Kroger down the street, but a larger singles selection would be a bonus. You can still find plenty to keep you busy here.<p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMXbEERSppiZ8m9alQDz3qKiDHBhpuRvDuGfPcdgPk5LqCoD8jyXCihCiMzW4m4M9v_XsoTcLjq6YMbk389Y05owAJxJ92p4xB3qqgOsN15WXgn9KpcHeST1hiipn-QitZTJQL53nV8JcqaodWfnHqZpfThQGUwN1ifAvQFBg6zFabb35rcHvsPg70Q/s4032/PXL_20220913_004953438.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMXbEERSppiZ8m9alQDz3qKiDHBhpuRvDuGfPcdgPk5LqCoD8jyXCihCiMzW4m4M9v_XsoTcLjq6YMbk389Y05owAJxJ92p4xB3qqgOsN15WXgn9KpcHeST1hiipn-QitZTJQL53nV8JcqaodWfnHqZpfThQGUwN1ifAvQFBg6zFabb35rcHvsPg70Q/s320/PXL_20220913_004953438.jpg"/></a></div>Marshwalk, anyone? Drinking abounds along this boardwalk in the sleepy yet lively at the same time town of Murrell's Inlet. The Marshwalk allows you easy access to many restaurants and bars, though only one place really is a craft destination: Inlet Beer Garden. THere are 60 taps of local-centric with some national beers as well, with a good showing from the Charleston breweries. Recently had a Telstar XX from Charles Towne Fermentory and thought it was the best beer of the trip. Note: The Beer Garden is only accessible from the Marshwalk. It is located behind The Claw House restaurant.<p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnI3JP5TcyVnE2rKMkkC8GuKbrNi2cEY_UgBMa5m-XANPvUyIyQFtokJhobxeBYEof94AI15QbtbVD7S6ZLjL0twm5uR4Q1MAzBxDtBfAGakfEDpET9PV9l3HZsmmU9OuCVJXQVZOPNwMW9LBxE7nx3QoJZku7myvs2A744nZ0MiohozWRCfTNKXuXA/s4032/PXL_20220914_000212908.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnI3JP5TcyVnE2rKMkkC8GuKbrNi2cEY_UgBMa5m-XANPvUyIyQFtokJhobxeBYEof94AI15QbtbVD7S6ZLjL0twm5uR4Q1MAzBxDtBfAGakfEDpET9PV9l3HZsmmU9OuCVJXQVZOPNwMW9LBxE7nx3QoJZku7myvs2A744nZ0MiohozWRCfTNKXuXA/s320/PXL_20220914_000212908.jpg"/></a></div>New to the Murrell's Inlet as of November 2021. Cap'n Cork is a combination wine shop/bar and beer bar. Don't let the location in a strip mall scare you off; this place features a well thought out beer list with a variety of styles. and my last visit had beers from Charlotte standouts Resident Culture and Olde Mecklenberg, as well as VA's Triple Crossing and NY's Equilibrium. You can also entice your beer hating friend to come along for the wine.<p>
<p>Final verdict: It's possible to find decent offering in the Myrtle Beach area, though you may not find the most hyped hazies or BA stouts. Will not, to be more exact. But there's an ocean to play in, and if you're lucky you might catch it on a rough day. I got knocked around pretty good there and had a great time. No beer necessary.<p>
ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216941468016838523.post-72376486679053336472022-09-13T20:46:00.003-06:002022-09-27T23:02:16.832-06:00Where to Drink at MDW<p>On a layover in Chicago and deciding you need a drink at 9:30 in the morning? Sometimes I feel the same way. Must have something to do with flying Southwest, where I paid the $25 for early-bird and still ended up in the B group. Another problem with Southwest is the rinky dink airports you're stuck flying into to get somewhere else: Houston Hobby, Dallas Love Field, Chicago Midway. Yes, there is the advantage of not having to take a train to another terminal, but the dining options tend to be limited in both cuisine and hours of operation (looking at you, Hobby, with Wendy's the one place open at 8:30 at night). And at Midway, with the ONLY coffee shops being the world's busiest Dunkin' Donuts at the end of Terminal B and Big Shoulders Coffee at the end of Terminal C, you may have to consume an alcoholic beverage whether you meant to or not. So where are you gonna go?<p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WK0caTuh_5Huo4bfFIjJBlmn1u75SdJkwKJgzwQuJ4r5G9ig92bOrHiYX7Ep4KoDEagmhgbup714OGtvPRtmxxhtw6RbGHXmzXfP4v8ImjVYr9Plu2iiTlPjfqx4k_nb_cXQzqYy52ys_j2b7WoNcQDBWO7RrxQDlJgqJBzjB3jagNB02kz54U9uLQ/s4032/PXL_20220912_155909988.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WK0caTuh_5Huo4bfFIjJBlmn1u75SdJkwKJgzwQuJ4r5G9ig92bOrHiYX7Ep4KoDEagmhgbup714OGtvPRtmxxhtw6RbGHXmzXfP4v8ImjVYr9Plu2iiTlPjfqx4k_nb_cXQzqYy52ys_j2b7WoNcQDBWO7RrxQDlJgqJBzjB3jagNB02kz54U9uLQ/s320/PXL_20220912_155909988.jpg"/></a></div>Reilly's Daughter is one choice; rather, three choices, as there is one in the mini food court location in Terminal A and a two-part location in the main food court area that is separated by a seating area (pro tip- it's supposed to be seating for Reilly's but people sit there with food from other places all the time, so keep that in mind when seating elsewhere is scarce. That main food court has lost the good Greek food place and the Vienna Beef Chicago food place, and the place that sold CDs is gone from the airport as well, which I can't say is a surprise. But back to Reilly's Daughter: The Terminal A location has ten beers on tap, some of which you might even drink. Beers include Bud Light, Goose Island Green Line, Modelo, Hazy Little Thing, Coors Light, Blue Moon, Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Sumpin', and Sam Adams Summer Ale. There's not much ambience here, but most airport bars are rather soulless places.<p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWyPsqZ3SYk9U6FbQtyvABV4mE_r7GtJBT8gb5-3ix-aZ5z0DcOachn645RCOQ2A2dqks6QMztuMbB8zAYWu8U0Pm3PAzUqSvBLJ51EAZh2rgqSLIVreML-7Sy3i1mFIFMWByCyi0FYWuqjc_vHw8pc6aJpiFWMw8ARTric0UGvah7mw3NEC1-Fa-kQ/s4032/PXL_20220912_163057790.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWyPsqZ3SYk9U6FbQtyvABV4mE_r7GtJBT8gb5-3ix-aZ5z0DcOachn645RCOQ2A2dqks6QMztuMbB8zAYWu8U0Pm3PAzUqSvBLJ51EAZh2rgqSLIVreML-7Sy3i1mFIFMWByCyi0FYWuqjc_vHw8pc6aJpiFWMw8ARTric0UGvah7mw3NEC1-Fa-kQ/s200/PXL_20220912_163057790.jpg"/></a></div>The Reilly's Daughter in the Main Food court looks more the part of an Irish Pub. I could see myself forgetting that I was drinking in an airport.Fewer taps than in Terminal A, but they've got Stone IPA like all proper Irish Pubs. And much like a true Irish pub, you're bound to be stuck next to someone telling a story you don't care to hear. Interesting food options, like the $12.39 brussels sprouts with honeyed raisins and an "Irish quesadilla", which must mean it contains ginger.<p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkMo-a-SkFdNS3Dn3doTbUP8UeBXNEJstndQsDleCz-um14vnlNvC5KBFUt28WknG8n2h7pYhI91mXd7k7bDKTWd9JL3H_woFnZjuY0cvZkdpJxTjcsp_PEPcEU_MG174jho1tvxDABVBHr9kvZ6vlJxIaitPKTSjqgntvzIQHx4XwvxrWBbsduBAaQ/s4032/PXL_20220912_172746550.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkMo-a-SkFdNS3Dn3doTbUP8UeBXNEJstndQsDleCz-um14vnlNvC5KBFUt28WknG8n2h7pYhI91mXd7k7bDKTWd9JL3H_woFnZjuY0cvZkdpJxTjcsp_PEPcEU_MG174jho1tvxDABVBHr9kvZ6vlJxIaitPKTSjqgntvzIQHx4XwvxrWBbsduBAaQ/s320/PXL_20220912_172746550.jpg"/></a></div>Located at the beginning of Terminal B in the former Portillo's location, Gene's Bistro is a sleek, well-lit option with lots of TVs and a varied food menu. I don't care for a bar that bright, but at least it might keep you from falling asleep and missing your flight.<p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetj0cCnucH7JPHdboaQvnM9wG3luyEp_HcbNcJqgLrxJT05O_aqwO9WFb9tOP1lPkefQb1Ap_RvgksxHeb4HvwZJBgN5wORXQu8AnM-MggvKNuatdOuOc8a7k-CVx8bu_HttwAWQv90pX0Jf3-HzTN6OF9F_hkM5i-gGv5Ns6zMah5Jkih7Fq_Y6bGw/s4032/PXL_20220912_173119471.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetj0cCnucH7JPHdboaQvnM9wG3luyEp_HcbNcJqgLrxJT05O_aqwO9WFb9tOP1lPkefQb1Ap_RvgksxHeb4HvwZJBgN5wORXQu8AnM-MggvKNuatdOuOc8a7k-CVx8bu_HttwAWQv90pX0Jf3-HzTN6OF9F_hkM5i-gGv5Ns6zMah5Jkih7Fq_Y6bGw/s320/PXL_20220912_173119471.jpg"/></a></div>Windy City Taproom looks like an inviting bar you might find in any airport in the country. What I found ironic about this place is that this "taproom" has few tap options. Plenty of macro cans to choose from and not overly lit, unlike some of the patrons.<p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0hRj6GWjnNGV6WGORWNzONUykAf_TYb2BZ-vxaVG20fk7q76v9WNO17kKGH-gYsrFk9cG2VHUpOm69xPXDx0ztYOTdzc6CErOUFuSFIaJREqB3tJ8LKxzHXjQSSOBubbBAuPfLJ5icKSToF6NSV6Bi6UqQ5tRfr6ShM1d09eJ0UQP2mEyBWWmcR1AA/s4032/PXL_20220912_160056713.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0hRj6GWjnNGV6WGORWNzONUykAf_TYb2BZ-vxaVG20fk7q76v9WNO17kKGH-gYsrFk9cG2VHUpOm69xPXDx0ztYOTdzc6CErOUFuSFIaJREqB3tJ8LKxzHXjQSSOBubbBAuPfLJ5icKSToF6NSV6Bi6UqQ5tRfr6ShM1d09eJ0UQP2mEyBWWmcR1AA/s320/PXL_20220912_160056713.jpg"/></a></div>Situated in the middle of the councourse in Terminal A like an Albuquerque ART bus stop, Harry's
is the highlight of the MDW beer drinking experience, especially for the draft selection. Bright, cramped, and busy, Harry's is still worth the visit for the true craft lover as well as for sports fans, as there is a huge display of Chicago sports memorabilia that is worth checking out. This is also the only airport bar to offer Chicago area beers that aren't made by Goose Island. Twelve draft beers include the usual found at the other spots, as well as Revolution Anti Hero IPA, Maplewood Son of a Juice hazy IPA, and Three Floyds Gumballhead.<p>
<p>Expect to pay $9 to $11 for most draft offerings. And please, act appropriately once on the plane so they don't take away our drinking privileges again. I miss the days when a water bottle full of gin and tonic was considered a carry on.<p>ABQbeergeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206903381651823169noreply@blogger.com1