tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21048363509185700022024-02-18T21:29:42.809-08:00FOOD, WINE & BREWS! OH MY!"But to tell you the truth, the brothers make me cook stew and stuff all day...but they don't give me money for fresh ingredients." --Nacho LibreJ.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-38579742343439101232011-02-08T21:54:00.000-08:002011-09-06T18:53:15.402-07:00HOMEBREWING FOR BEGINNERS PART 2After the mini-mashing step is complete, the product is brought to a boil on the turkey fryer. We are about to add something called “wort” in homebrew terminology, its also referred to as malt extract. There is a whole process that is followed to get to the “wort/malt extract” stage that takes a few hours, but most home brew shops carry the finished product, cutting your brew time considerably. The finished product looks like honey. In the silver packet (pictured below) is the wort, and to soften the thick texture up for better assimilation to the sparge water, Aron is running hot water on it. The kettle is then turned off its boil to add the wort. If the wort is added when there is a boil, there is danger of scorching and over boils, both “no-no’s” if can be avoided. The trouble shooting step is to stop the boil and add the wort while stirring the malt sugars. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxMRRHabSyso8_clZsm8X7C4DlmVhHB2WPTf3JsLNjfKiTAGCuvknNsGhBMPCK4D6JKP2Y4G4Xv73S3SZR2_lOiazLxvFAE6wNRJai5L8JHhtVQD3YxRC8r7F6oLSaNjPjkzpIIBdXVHP/s1600/100_0727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxMRRHabSyso8_clZsm8X7C4DlmVhHB2WPTf3JsLNjfKiTAGCuvknNsGhBMPCK4D6JKP2Y4G4Xv73S3SZR2_lOiazLxvFAE6wNRJai5L8JHhtVQD3YxRC8r7F6oLSaNjPjkzpIIBdXVHP/s200/100_0727.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border: currentColor;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzEM9dSIdqIk3DVeIBJ66nLgCUmA3iVwve2qgMqzOl8TU-DT7La_sgVp5isH0vgU_qzgcY5WDK-vn0O6ArETx_FhBzOnvBcpNRrOYUPWR3Q35BwywwX2pVCVpGexmlLC0RD1ZNlKb5LtI/s1600/100_0726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzEM9dSIdqIk3DVeIBJ66nLgCUmA3iVwve2qgMqzOl8TU-DT7La_sgVp5isH0vgU_qzgcY5WDK-vn0O6ArETx_FhBzOnvBcpNRrOYUPWR3Q35BwywwX2pVCVpGexmlLC0RD1ZNlKb5LtI/s200/100_0726.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> After the malt extract is added, the pot is brought back to a boil, which is the main boil for 60 minutes—at different times during this boil hops can be added for bittering, flavor and aroma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mIPIk-J6GECJMYkG1E6oLxhg_SxAHQXrDmOYSUObQ27bIuCcZhXBsptQd4nJqOlJ6suMIzZfk2hDSjSUEyLV9ryTnPP8OG2DC4tNIF1x-jRb45IwVDmmL6ZS3mR5rwDxmN-iAMarlcR0/s1600/100_0730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mIPIk-J6GECJMYkG1E6oLxhg_SxAHQXrDmOYSUObQ27bIuCcZhXBsptQd4nJqOlJ6suMIzZfk2hDSjSUEyLV9ryTnPP8OG2DC4tNIF1x-jRb45IwVDmmL6ZS3mR5rwDxmN-iAMarlcR0/s320/100_0730.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Our flavoring hops (added the last 15 minutes of the boil) are pictured here below in processed pellet form, vacuum sealed in metallic astronaut-like packets. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5EonvsstfKPWhvr_Wq_Szyb5k2ejbpx0P7EhCDQRhfZpvWpfHPasUI8LpiHRX8lccNJlDb-Y8cKBH4jJK1-uWDp6aW8M9Vmx3V1ocX7P9ekdgjDPwSb6tHu-9YmeiPr7528nuMx9lFA9/s1600/100_0733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5EonvsstfKPWhvr_Wq_Szyb5k2ejbpx0P7EhCDQRhfZpvWpfHPasUI8LpiHRX8lccNJlDb-Y8cKBH4jJK1-uWDp6aW8M9Vmx3V1ocX7P9ekdgjDPwSb6tHu-9YmeiPr7528nuMx9lFA9/s200/100_0733.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxp9JUHYH6SvtLYfelMth00x_DPatoeGMX-rPVaAorvzSCN35YuwQMPPnF2TIdf617w_Six65l_MxP0OsdVrm-2BlQUL1WOnbqvNI2ishczVMgUi_QNc14OqRG4q7F_XuGbTxCxayk0HCQ/s1600/100_0734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxp9JUHYH6SvtLYfelMth00x_DPatoeGMX-rPVaAorvzSCN35YuwQMPPnF2TIdf617w_Six65l_MxP0OsdVrm-2BlQUL1WOnbqvNI2ishczVMgUi_QNc14OqRG4q7F_XuGbTxCxayk0HCQ/s200/100_0734.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Hops come from a tall green vine that sprouts small green blossoms resembling little green pinecones. There are many varieties of hops you can purchase depending on what flavors you want to bring out in your brew. For the malty brown ale we’re using the “British Kent Goldings” variety of hops. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7csK0qJGxA1WnivdkY5gV8w6Fv4mg0uKutpFPQYzHqTp_DkFC1Cbmn3NOF6C4JgaxHSFFiCXi6A02ZRXypIly_lseEUhl6BfVeyXIW1FQ_l0tc9V33Qx5aJBOUGV82y_zLZjjjE9BxASU/s1600/100_0735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7csK0qJGxA1WnivdkY5gV8w6Fv4mg0uKutpFPQYzHqTp_DkFC1Cbmn3NOF6C4JgaxHSFFiCXi6A02ZRXypIly_lseEUhl6BfVeyXIW1FQ_l0tc9V33Qx5aJBOUGV82y_zLZjjjE9BxASU/s320/100_0735.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Once the last phase of boiling is done the brew kettle must be cooled down quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is done by putting the kettle usually in the kitchen sink filled with ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the kettle liquid is cooled to the correct temperature, yeast is added. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But first, the liquid must be siphoned out of the kettle into what is called a “car-boy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know not why this large 5 gallon glass bottle that resembles the ones you get bottled water in is called a “car-boy,” but it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, I didn’t take any pictures of the kettle in the ice bath, or the siphoning process, because I was pretty tanked by then from all the beer tasting and I forgot to play paparazzi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also had to walk to the corner store for extra ice, so that further distracted me from my photo-journalistic endeavors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m betting you have a healthy imagination for the time being, and are able to picture these missing steps in your minds eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Here is our magical ingredient, yeast!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The type of yeast we’re using needs to be refrigerated, however, for this part of the process the yeast has been taken out of the fridge to reach room temperature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all has to do with bringing everything to the correct temperature for fermentation, the longest step of the brewing process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This usually takes two weeks plus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For our purposes, we waited 2 weeks until the last phase of our homebrewing--bottling!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Stay tuned for Homebrewing for Beginners Part 3, Bottling! </div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbxOm0XpbwONiNJqwQUkh6ML1lK_m1LgjdbFkT5BB2NitKg9VUfzcgEeMilyyPTdPiVezhKUnergbo-btXWl_3CtZV4V2iLcvmj9HiQOo__wyho6yKfNGhIT1lkNwFNMeW2esdV3ZKEhL/s1600/100_0741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbxOm0XpbwONiNJqwQUkh6ML1lK_m1LgjdbFkT5BB2NitKg9VUfzcgEeMilyyPTdPiVezhKUnergbo-btXWl_3CtZV4V2iLcvmj9HiQOo__wyho6yKfNGhIT1lkNwFNMeW2esdV3ZKEhL/s320/100_0741.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoS3ZXCU7xDnlgbq-xl-Ut0f77GCqpoTf5HeQnb519LDgH0NuXuB_Tj8FDROi0TmLqNHI_MrlXEgh7PeP9xpqYduo92Li9dG9I0sREANh3p8mhss3jY5Y0s0kwuORz18FlkU56J-j2hTK/s1600/100_0772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoS3ZXCU7xDnlgbq-xl-Ut0f77GCqpoTf5HeQnb519LDgH0NuXuB_Tj8FDROi0TmLqNHI_MrlXEgh7PeP9xpqYduo92Li9dG9I0sREANh3p8mhss3jY5Y0s0kwuORz18FlkU56J-j2hTK/s320/100_0772.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLA80zf_OAREsHYig5a4NPrTdCEjljZauY7o0xLxp-Y-EdOoK5fepcwl3nrUUOTJDkJb36eOZPJQRF5O-v__U-W5Piq3C55-hb0zP-vlkYoYwGmR4R-gM741E3OXhXUfLq-XmI36UtZDqE/s1600/100_0761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLA80zf_OAREsHYig5a4NPrTdCEjljZauY7o0xLxp-Y-EdOoK5fepcwl3nrUUOTJDkJb36eOZPJQRF5O-v__U-W5Piq3C55-hb0zP-vlkYoYwGmR4R-gM741E3OXhXUfLq-XmI36UtZDqE/s320/100_0761.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-89758419927266605842011-01-30T16:39:00.000-08:002011-02-08T20:04:43.101-08:00HOME BREWING FOR BEGINNERS Part 1<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVZI6yXH3PiGBu67M209J-UkT3R50BS_swOX6mSzDLTX2gC3M9KVqTnI8fXCaI-2W0kRPmySushHYaNJNX7AViqqk7YdB2Mie8yfNvVkZ5JPUnAQQdTdJv7SNG2LPUlVnAypDSHq93ikc/s1600/100_0741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVZI6yXH3PiGBu67M209J-UkT3R50BS_swOX6mSzDLTX2gC3M9KVqTnI8fXCaI-2W0kRPmySushHYaNJNX7AViqqk7YdB2Mie8yfNvVkZ5JPUnAQQdTdJv7SNG2LPUlVnAypDSHq93ikc/s320/100_0741.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html</span></a><br />
Above is a link to John Palmer's book How to Home Brew, which is an amazing amount of good, free information. So before you go and shell out money for a homebrewing book, check this free-bee out. As I write this, I’m hoping that the efforts from the pictures above and below, yield magnificent flavor, consistent with the first home brew I made in December with my brew-pal Aron Faria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story behind my brew endeavors are as follows: my brew lovin’ pal Wendy says to me “we should do a home brew…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say “YEAH-Let’s do it!” I didn’t even conceive this was possible before she uttered the words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two years passed to no avail; my friend got engaged and started a family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found myself talking about home brewing with an acquaintance and he turned out to be a true blue home brewer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him I didn’t know about what equipment was needed; he said he had all we needed for a 2 ½ gallon batch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Home brewing with him wasn’t as difficult a task as I thought, he knew a bit about brewing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first time we collaborated it reminded me of cooking: you buy all the ingredients, then go home and use the appropriate kitchen ware to make the dish--or in this case, brew. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve also found that home brewing is a party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were beer tasting whilst making!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It became a bonding from love of beer tasting, sharing different favorite beers, trying new ones—a true love of the old school, old world craft nostalgia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div></div><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Below are 2 pictures of the homebrew shop [http://www.homebeerwinecheese.com/] in Woodland Hills, off of Ventura Boulevard on Rigoletto Street. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinU0rMQQbo48OKRivkHgZRK79__txFuUWGrncW3HGAJMAwMgBIKuzhwTZgQmT1H6XezDvyuG8OmDIVp0R0gT3NbbLfPtLd3402V-f4_YdayiApvDaieJ0zcWomfbTwsk5Pn6QkLL8I4m_L/s1600/100_0807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinU0rMQQbo48OKRivkHgZRK79__txFuUWGrncW3HGAJMAwMgBIKuzhwTZgQmT1H6XezDvyuG8OmDIVp0R0gT3NbbLfPtLd3402V-f4_YdayiApvDaieJ0zcWomfbTwsk5Pn6QkLL8I4m_L/s200/100_0807.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HkSGa6JGje5wmRLZiLNxtZqHLt98CnMcoXhmUDyWNaYE4TrqVco63WFAwS9Vz9aT9mAXs3GbtUZ2Q9lYPkI4bH8T1kmFJtWkFBzLyOTF6bxUqevxNt0hIeemuowjpDdxMrkLYdo3w8nV/s1600/100_0702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HkSGa6JGje5wmRLZiLNxtZqHLt98CnMcoXhmUDyWNaYE4TrqVco63WFAwS9Vz9aT9mAXs3GbtUZ2Q9lYPkI4bH8T1kmFJtWkFBzLyOTF6bxUqevxNt0hIeemuowjpDdxMrkLYdo3w8nV/s200/100_0702.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I’m going to break down for you the basics of our second brewing endeavor, a British Brown Ale kit, purchased from More Beer [http://morebeer.com/], an online resource for home brewers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first collaboration at home brewing was an IPA [pictured below]; I named it <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Aurora</place></city>, for the Greek/Roman Goddess of Dawn and also the name sake of a dear friend that passed away recently. As this is also the dawning of my brewing endeavors, the name seemed appropriate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Before I tasted this first batch, </span>I never knew beer could taste that good, probably because I’d never tasted a home brewed IPA like that before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It had a deep</span> unfiltered amber color, and to taste: balanced ruby red grapefruit citris notes and an immensely smooth, lingering hop finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was my dream IPA; and it was all gone too soon. I also loved making the labels for the bottles--the front label with the name and the back label told the story behind the beer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we bottle the malty brown Ale--of which pictures you are about to see “in the making.” we’re brewing the IPA again, because I need more of that “good lovin’.”</div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySJF5l5PyQNXFKeja1iihiJMzjCbSe3H322SGnGpaZLg2z6AT6-k0qLXXO2NQmj6TNsAezPP-9YXg7zO5KorgIqUcJvzlgri2lBfuuAHRKayjb5BypD7jXHoqYGjieDgMhhQCEKuU15Mt/s1600/100_0662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySJF5l5PyQNXFKeja1iihiJMzjCbSe3H322SGnGpaZLg2z6AT6-k0qLXXO2NQmj6TNsAezPP-9YXg7zO5KorgIqUcJvzlgri2lBfuuAHRKayjb5BypD7jXHoqYGjieDgMhhQCEKuU15Mt/s320/100_0662.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3a6uJvV_GYWJ-0S-x2JnzCJmtCXbwpMjIwgDSwumWd3dfAQGhMZs4bz9VxmdTqk6RM0bWY2Z45hhVXA8ZLtEtF7KRbYLqmWLSFhiJzZ8Mepe5_-7Z4pcYlsd8rcDYRBG7ndP5on7ZHkl/s1600/100_0667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3a6uJvV_GYWJ-0S-x2JnzCJmtCXbwpMjIwgDSwumWd3dfAQGhMZs4bz9VxmdTqk6RM0bWY2Z45hhVXA8ZLtEtF7KRbYLqmWLSFhiJzZ8Mepe5_-7Z4pcYlsd8rcDYRBG7ndP5on7ZHkl/s320/100_0667.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now let’s talk equipment: basically you will be seeing some of my equipment purchased at my local home brew shop, Aron’s gallon cooler and a turkey fryer I bought at Sears on sale after Thanksgiving for $49.99 including the burner! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Turkey</place></country-region> fryers are perfect set-up pots that can do a double batch because they can take 7 ½ gallons (30 quarts) and it comes with a burner, you just have to buy a propane tank. Below is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> the turkey fryer in action during the last brewing phase.</span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegPr0CcpChuStxAQUweSCNNczV9Wx0eseFb7Dqi4ImPVYg1HnZpRgrz4Yp1bfypgkUQ3gZDDZGSB1uS5R4ccxIl70mvIgoQ6dKvu7AsAht5VNp_yzxGmHr-1icVJlLvO7ibhZQBaZOKFC/s1600/100_0735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegPr0CcpChuStxAQUweSCNNczV9Wx0eseFb7Dqi4ImPVYg1HnZpRgrz4Yp1bfypgkUQ3gZDDZGSB1uS5R4ccxIl70mvIgoQ6dKvu7AsAht5VNp_yzxGmHr-1icVJlLvO7ibhZQBaZOKFC/s320/100_0735.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Basically brewing is a simple process with potential for fancy innovations on flavor. And if you live near a home brew shop, usually the people in that home brew shop will be able to give you free advice on brewing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if you don’t live near a home brew shop there are plenty of online home brew shops to order from and call for free advice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rcVuFM-rZDX6pt4HFSuPAyQheFREhXzbkOlP_ah9ltnpCypD0TliZKAifdrTE4q_vRFCHwkFB7P9BJY9n3vJP4Zf4HAq2lw-oqaMP1jZZQTmwhLNCjn1SvypcBBk0TLi0lPNPN31jixR/s1600/100_0711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rcVuFM-rZDX6pt4HFSuPAyQheFREhXzbkOlP_ah9ltnpCypD0TliZKAifdrTE4q_vRFCHwkFB7P9BJY9n3vJP4Zf4HAq2lw-oqaMP1jZZQTmwhLNCjn1SvypcBBk0TLi0lPNPN31jixR/s320/100_0711.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The picture above is Aron taking the water temperature to see if its ready for the grain mini-mash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> T</span>he temperature at this point of the process should be within a certain range to get the proper “steep” from the grains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like brewing tea. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Pictured below</span> the grains are being put in the cooler with the stretched grain bag around the mouth of the cooler to catch the grains, making the tea bag effect. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What you get when the water filters through the grains is called “sparging.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sparge is like the tea from brewing the grains, only what you get is sugars from the malt and barley for the yeast to feed on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I'll explain yeast later.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not all beers have this first “mini-mash” step but our “malty brown ale” does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cJVyoRqmMdOmixu5Ut1GFtzPVUHrZ0NC1cxUa1XtHGr692tb6HAbgcfnQ9b1LByjloT0P-oFHN5f4Rey1ikWHzazSHEYu-0kFtaT3D3uQAPSUdWrw8_Lcmp3exh9nm_KzwjRLk9HciAA/s1600/100_0712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cJVyoRqmMdOmixu5Ut1GFtzPVUHrZ0NC1cxUa1XtHGr692tb6HAbgcfnQ9b1LByjloT0P-oFHN5f4Rey1ikWHzazSHEYu-0kFtaT3D3uQAPSUdWrw8_Lcmp3exh9nm_KzwjRLk9HciAA/s200/100_0712.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmI3xz8BYcaFxqP97VauGXwMAscagFjPSTo-MJtSs2GuV3SnjjVzMpa2Zz_7l-GRfX2d1b7EjarzU49so413ERXldjBdyS_NGWA9xV945pjYpJ-cpveBIKZBavH_jX_C3G0BT3r3TdSV52/s1600/100_0714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmI3xz8BYcaFxqP97VauGXwMAscagFjPSTo-MJtSs2GuV3SnjjVzMpa2Zz_7l-GRfX2d1b7EjarzU49so413ERXldjBdyS_NGWA9xV945pjYpJ-cpveBIKZBavH_jX_C3G0BT3r3TdSV52/s200/100_0714.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcnQyY3l923zX0ta5i7CYk4BrbD_90H3O2YRgm88C_fvzXFfGVnLrXq7RsvxFHIhSjPHvpRER3xYj0XlTG-KiigfyJ-ai_dwcZUizbO5qs2qxhbzYn0ZuZw0eWwKGmkX2kbnSefOBxI6N/s1600/100_0715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcnQyY3l923zX0ta5i7CYk4BrbD_90H3O2YRgm88C_fvzXFfGVnLrXq7RsvxFHIhSjPHvpRER3xYj0XlTG-KiigfyJ-ai_dwcZUizbO5qs2qxhbzYn0ZuZw0eWwKGmkX2kbnSefOBxI6N/s200/100_0715.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7Wm4BYUmqC45sZLEtwODikM5GsA09BtVgS4aPOCzs8NqBjAvY1FHaViB7z6qJhe1fokmgW-FW22AZJ3idgR1Mo3bwMOvW4DplbsA8Hk6cqIVMDMYr3bN3p-ULByyLIV58Rq18mPoOxJS/s1600/100_0721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7Wm4BYUmqC45sZLEtwODikM5GsA09BtVgS4aPOCzs8NqBjAvY1FHaViB7z6qJhe1fokmgW-FW22AZJ3idgR1Mo3bwMOvW4DplbsA8Hk6cqIVMDMYr3bN3p-ULByyLIV58Rq18mPoOxJS/s200/100_0721.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-37652807835972285292011-01-23T20:53:00.000-08:002011-01-23T20:53:07.165-08:00Firestone Walker's Velvet Merlin<iframe height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UfaqU30twwU?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-50362097627109749262011-01-23T20:48:00.000-08:002011-01-23T20:48:30.842-08:00Basic Brewing Video - Firestone Walker Brewery Tour - August 13, 2009<iframe height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/E1adumMrrGk?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-33553964812370189242011-01-23T20:42:00.000-08:002011-01-23T20:42:31.730-08:00New Belgium Brewery<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mV0pq_RYqZY?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-352117497407093762011-01-23T20:40:00.000-08:002011-01-23T20:40:10.596-08:00Sierra Nevada Brewery Co. - Tour and Interview w/Ken Grossman<iframe height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Qqoxmj2I3oI?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-84582031771724045962011-01-23T20:39:00.000-08:002011-01-28T18:57:48.270-08:00Port Brewing Co.<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OdlYKmivjDQ?fs=1" width="425"></iframe><br />
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One of my favorite craft ales is brewed by Port--the Wipeout IPA. I modeled my first home brew attempt after that great taste. I'd love to check out their brewery but until then, here's my virtual tour, smiles.J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-60964290556090481602011-01-15T15:16:00.000-08:002011-01-15T15:17:06.080-08:00Tasting No. 12 @ Metche’s (day 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguX9c6b0q1m2BHMjHA7Po1eLA7nmQQ8W_sdSJCMg0mo1qcu5nVcVYRgakraxoqRZljPnypsm_ASwEsxiI6YRnCVyx50Dr5kHFjZwFm5bYYXsCOvyix4ajCZHAvFrVklOlDTzvL_mFMgPzq/s1600/100_0179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguX9c6b0q1m2BHMjHA7Po1eLA7nmQQ8W_sdSJCMg0mo1qcu5nVcVYRgakraxoqRZljPnypsm_ASwEsxiI6YRnCVyx50Dr5kHFjZwFm5bYYXsCOvyix4ajCZHAvFrVklOlDTzvL_mFMgPzq/s320/100_0179.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Firestone Walker’s Union Jack IPA </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.firestonebeer.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.firestonebeer.com/</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">ABV 7.5%</span></div>I’ve reviewed Union Jack IPA before—in fact, this was the first IPA I fell in love with so, I chose this one as the finale to the tasting @ Metche’s (See June 28, 2010 in Archives). She loved it the same as I did, and another convert to the IPA appreciator world was born. I wish I could find this on tap at every bar but so far I’ve only found it at BJ’s Brewery in Woodland Hills (<a href="http://www.bjsbrewhouse.com/">http://www.bjsbrewhouse.com/</a>), and its still a favorite. This is my true “go to” when I want an amazing IPA; my “comfort ale” if you will, hehe! I’ll always remember you Union Jack; don’t ever change!J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-32899780326450981072011-01-15T15:03:00.000-08:002011-01-15T15:05:44.142-08:00Tasting No. 11 @ Metche’s (day 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPITikrCDsXwNuic713rGSHG31IHiUrnizKbZ5OZVrXsOgZXJ8zyCVx30f33tga_12nzSxD4eQVtdC2ot8nnZL8jBr5kL9Z0Xs_k9cDeEAANbaQxyolvPWW2dEeA4ZD1vM0kh7h6bRS0FT/s1600/100_0514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPITikrCDsXwNuic713rGSHG31IHiUrnizKbZ5OZVrXsOgZXJ8zyCVx30f33tga_12nzSxD4eQVtdC2ot8nnZL8jBr5kL9Z0Xs_k9cDeEAANbaQxyolvPWW2dEeA4ZD1vM0kh7h6bRS0FT/s320/100_0514.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">PETIT LA CHOUFFE</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.achouffe.be/en"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.achouffe.be/en</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">ABV 8% </div>OH GOD! I heart the garden gnome!!! The real selling point is the hoppy coriander taste and rich garden herbs and spices all blending in on themselves in taste. This was the first ale I discovered a year or so ago that made me appreciate the Belgian ale. I don’t drink it often, because I’m not a regular Belgian ale drinker—please understand, that stuff is dynamite, but too much is explosive! I’m always a willing taster of Belgian ales if offered, but I rarely choose one to drink at the pub…unless its just to sample it. But I DO appreciate that art work in terms of the brew master.J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-85540767944282725762011-01-15T14:39:00.001-08:002011-01-15T14:39:52.780-08:00Tasting No. 10 @ Metche’s (day 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgGJffenpfe8_0V75R0TbttPhcYmQmd8X5zjtz2QPtyb-LZ_hoMv6ApSYhq91hfIim_OKZv1fF8wH6hApOSVU9We-tsAaUfRHl5VqaAkxvCXWELbqKD85maZRIcYIxrDaHHSjzEYaE4tt/s1600/100_0513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgGJffenpfe8_0V75R0TbttPhcYmQmd8X5zjtz2QPtyb-LZ_hoMv6ApSYhq91hfIim_OKZv1fF8wH6hApOSVU9We-tsAaUfRHl5VqaAkxvCXWELbqKD85maZRIcYIxrDaHHSjzEYaE4tt/s320/100_0513.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Aron Faria’s Home Brewed Porter</span></div><br />
This was the second home brew I had tasted of Aron’s and the beginning of my next step in beer appreciation: making your own at home!!! I met Aron at BevMo (of all places) pouring the wine tastings and his enthusiasm for beer chat soon caught my attention—he wasn’t talking wine anymore, and I liked it! I forgot how much I love talking about beer! See?! I’m even blogging, since I can’t always find a willing ear to listen, haha! He generously gave me a bottle of his porter and I took it willingly, even though I’m not a big porter fan. But I soon realized that the only reason I didn’t like porters is because of the amount of bad ones I’d tasted. Aron’s was good, balanced, rich porter taste—not too sweet. It was Metche’s favorite and impressed the hell out of me. Since then I’ve paid a lot more attention to home brewing. Thank you Aron! Thanks for being a generous and knowledgeable soul that understands the fine art of home brewing—tasting is SO BEE-LEE-ving! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div>J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-55587716288170415232011-01-15T14:23:00.000-08:002011-01-15T14:23:48.824-08:00Tasting No. 9 @ Metche’s (day 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEefBbo1pPbS_FNkO78_J9XE9ce9zKk9aSmU8MrdXI5m7fsVeKeuS9UaOuYLcd695Y_Uax-wC672AEjgQ8YxX10ObfrIAQ35kywoU4iPKFmfnt-f23UzWzL4-5vV_krcGtFuwvFkAtmsz/s1600/100_0515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEefBbo1pPbS_FNkO78_J9XE9ce9zKk9aSmU8MrdXI5m7fsVeKeuS9UaOuYLcd695Y_Uax-wC672AEjgQ8YxX10ObfrIAQ35kywoU4iPKFmfnt-f23UzWzL4-5vV_krcGtFuwvFkAtmsz/s320/100_0515.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery Pale Ale</span><a href="http://www.merchantduvin.com/pages/5_breweries/samsmith.html"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.merchantduvin.com/pages/5_breweries/samsmith.html</span></a> </div><br />
Oh how I love drinking this brewery and this pale ale fits right in the line-up as “holding its own” under pressure of tasting. This was the first time trying this and I’m glad I did: for one, this is classic English ale; lovely, broad tasting sweet malted barley, and a rich ale mouth feel. What I refer to as a “good sipping ale” meaning, all you need is this ale and a pal for a lovely time. Sometimes food distracts from great brew, and this ale should be tasted if only once on its own, not paired. It’s a meal in itself. Also, I LOVE the rich amber color of this brew in the glass…so inviting!<br />
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<div align="center"></div>J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-69505161247028384822011-01-15T14:13:00.000-08:002011-01-15T14:14:41.938-08:00Tasting No. 8 @ Metche’s (day 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMLE7-4mUI3zsYGd6PSJRJ7EIEeARIHPjli4s6VkzYt4JWmWmDZJwp8QCgO8U5d2G1i_DGqnjukCY5JJLLshqyVX9-oja5Ng7VYa7FON8Z8d2FEQpa8YIaa00wS9P-ssejexxi7TXLwXD/s1600/100_0511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMLE7-4mUI3zsYGd6PSJRJ7EIEeARIHPjli4s6VkzYt4JWmWmDZJwp8QCgO8U5d2G1i_DGqnjukCY5JJLLshqyVX9-oja5Ng7VYa7FON8Z8d2FEQpa8YIaa00wS9P-ssejexxi7TXLwXD/s320/100_0511.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Banana Bread Beer</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wellsandyoungs.co.uk/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.wellsandyoungs.co.uk/</span></a> </div><br />
ABV 5.2% <br />
Banana Bread Beer you say? Wonder what that tastes like? Well its like drinking banana bread made with a beer batter. Bulls-eye! Not much more to say except perhaps this beer would pair well with fried plantains. <br />
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<div align="center"></div>J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-46620957237586088062011-01-15T14:07:00.000-08:002011-01-15T14:07:02.833-08:00Tasting No. 7 @ Metche’s (day 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbX0uNXaxhH1zjwDZJN57taDNhKqxDPC-ukQc09O9PIF8Og2izqhgQ9t0FSKO5ldZxj8eNTwivJE7-OnZ7tUEw3a7mT4Y-RF-k9ZkPOlAnpaSFstGK3boBKW4RduxpnQXDr5eSnJ0FyG-/s1600/100_0509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbX0uNXaxhH1zjwDZJN57taDNhKqxDPC-ukQc09O9PIF8Og2izqhgQ9t0FSKO5ldZxj8eNTwivJE7-OnZ7tUEw3a7mT4Y-RF-k9ZkPOlAnpaSFstGK3boBKW4RduxpnQXDr5eSnJ0FyG-/s320/100_0509.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sea Dog Blue Paw Wheat Ale</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.seadogbrewing.com/seadogbrews.php"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.seadogbrewing.com/seadogbrews.php</span></a> </div><br />
ABV 4.7%<br />
Well, this one is like drinking a blueberry muffin with butter…maybe it’s a breakfast beer, haha!J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-34995665389742512692011-01-15T14:02:00.000-08:002011-01-15T14:02:20.399-08:00Tasting No. 6 @ Metche’s (day 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuH0U8pYbu7aNdVE6Bj4VbI9O93Bd6zsncJB12yuqZYIuRZhFS5rgjh-6K9BdgB_hsgNTud0mbcy5uvFJGnJM5HfEd_DWKAdSflrAtxZGVolVFWxipj9OWyAyJRXM9I2mXvB-8qj8KWPY/s1600/100_0508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuH0U8pYbu7aNdVE6Bj4VbI9O93Bd6zsncJB12yuqZYIuRZhFS5rgjh-6K9BdgB_hsgNTud0mbcy5uvFJGnJM5HfEd_DWKAdSflrAtxZGVolVFWxipj9OWyAyJRXM9I2mXvB-8qj8KWPY/s320/100_0508.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bitburger Premium Beer</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bitburger.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.bitburger.com/</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><br />
“Bitte ein Bit!” (That’s German for “one Bitburger please,” but it sounds better in German.) I hate to say “skunky” about a German beer, in fact, I don’t find skunky beers offensive, there’s a time and place for skunky beers and this was the time and place. Now this was a good skunky-crisp with slightly sweet malt finish—very drinkable, excellent German beer. I love seeing this often in beer retail stores that have a good import selection.J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-30088481379769506722011-01-15T13:59:00.000-08:002011-01-15T13:59:35.933-08:00Tasting No. 5 @ Metche’s (day 2)<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkH1eok07BbMsyuAJww5ovYW5jLp3aUru5GV61nvd_3_Nmq7hRPVnmU_V9mH5f5v2UO_2XUkil7q2c3khBn0JZDS5okhD4v98ZhpOgCHOOvcxlsS-52cmxqRMQcngm5JwizeN_3niZ1iv/s1600/100_0481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkH1eok07BbMsyuAJww5ovYW5jLp3aUru5GV61nvd_3_Nmq7hRPVnmU_V9mH5f5v2UO_2XUkil7q2c3khBn0JZDS5okhD4v98ZhpOgCHOOvcxlsS-52cmxqRMQcngm5JwizeN_3niZ1iv/s400/100_0481.jpg" width="298" /></a><br />
Anderson Valley, Boont ESB (Extra Special Beer)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.avbc.com/beers/boont-extra-special-beer/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.avbc.com/beers/boont-extra-special-beer/</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><br />
ABV 6.8% <br />
This was a revelation in bitter for me; I love a hoppy brew to be sure! This fell right into place. I bought this in a variety pack and it was the surprise I love—found the ruby red hop citrus along with smooth, balanced flavor. Another staple in my ale arsenal of love.J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-40058310112647720472011-01-15T13:50:00.000-08:002011-01-15T13:50:33.628-08:00Tasting No. 4 @ Metche’s<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hc0_UAOwhbOqGlK1-3P_fh3rrZDwW5mNMEFZXNwfnlcX4uPIHtPTj0z1qjni8B6mChh2FYwaruaXZ5tBqxJfCeTCf6eSms3D5fVS7cigb2JBnEV1A7lcdahrT3ksZ7Deu3qUAvrmicg6/s1600/100_0491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hc0_UAOwhbOqGlK1-3P_fh3rrZDwW5mNMEFZXNwfnlcX4uPIHtPTj0z1qjni8B6mChh2FYwaruaXZ5tBqxJfCeTCf6eSms3D5fVS7cigb2JBnEV1A7lcdahrT3ksZ7Deu3qUAvrmicg6/s320/100_0491.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Paulaner Munich (München)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.paulaner.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.paulaner.com/</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><br />
Hefeweizen, Natural Wheat<br />
I love how the website, being German made, asks if you are over 16 to enter the website! In America the drinking age is 21! Check out the animated beer garden including the friars drinking at a table, with intermittent laughter and sounds of the outdoors, including a fly landing on the table…wanting to drown in your beer. It’s like a virtual vacation!<br />
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Wheat beers, especially the German ones have a tendency to remind me of the Belgian style ales, which showcase intense herbs (coriander), sometimes floral, like a potpourri—but here’s the thing I’ve noticed about hefeweizen: add the lemon and the floral flavor is gone and the taste takes another turn, bringing out the lemon and citrus tones of the brew. I’m not a regular German wheat beer consumer, but this experience in the tasting gave me appreciation for flavor. Another thing I really loved about this beer was the great artwork of the label on the bottle—check out the awesome garden party with the country folk, enjoying a beautiful day with beer stein in hand held high! <br />
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<div align="center"></div>J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-83252134581448191792011-01-15T13:46:00.000-08:002011-01-15T13:46:32.308-08:00Tasting No. 3 @ Metche’s<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHCHvnTYuj6bppTmi1c1Hf8Z2aTGP_B9GR8CUpPNakIv8GZL8HmrxDM78N3NW8m0OjIpwDM4L1ao25T5UwH24Xnu2seeNMAPX0dRDuwWPjPa_57e_HDjqoCwipoXkzXwWMHbj55gns5D0/s1600/100_0485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHCHvnTYuj6bppTmi1c1Hf8Z2aTGP_B9GR8CUpPNakIv8GZL8HmrxDM78N3NW8m0OjIpwDM4L1ao25T5UwH24Xnu2seeNMAPX0dRDuwWPjPa_57e_HDjqoCwipoXkzXwWMHbj55gns5D0/s320/100_0485.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lost Coast Brewery, Eureka, California</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lostcoast.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.lostcoast.com/</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat <br />
My gran lived in Eureka for a while, but that was before I was born. Beautiful Northern California…but I digress…we’re here to sing praises of the brewery. <br />
Good effort here: Bright tangerine rind (a hint of orange soda pop) with crisp-dry malt finish. Dig you 50-50 cream-sickle fans!J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-75287790588791166372011-01-15T13:43:00.000-08:002011-01-15T13:43:49.402-08:00Tasting No. 2 @ Metche’s<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTpSf1rxU-4RcSNCShNZtxx5nuMN0UCmcpnfgA0TP4m1VpKUu5v9qV_Ppnpy7zezw6DIzeRS0iduPeWgSmUCznZy8lnpBYJjk2XYngpvfKKjiAAiINbibEjQOy8gUkOZDeYKbS4W8h69j/s1600/100_0488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTpSf1rxU-4RcSNCShNZtxx5nuMN0UCmcpnfgA0TP4m1VpKUu5v9qV_Ppnpy7zezw6DIzeRS0iduPeWgSmUCznZy8lnpBYJjk2XYngpvfKKjiAAiINbibEjQOy8gUkOZDeYKbS4W8h69j/s320/100_0488.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Sea Dog Apricot Wheat Beer</div><div style="text-align: center;">– Portland, Maine </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.seadogbrewing.com/">http://www.seadogbrewing.com/</a> </span></div>ABV 4.6%<br />
Nose: lovely dried apricot. Beers infused with fruit seem to have more popularity in the warmer months with their crisp, refreshing fruit mixed with a hint of wheat in the finish. This beer lends itself well to afternoon tipples in the heat (big smiles), with the welcome taste of apricot playing on the palate.J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-79658088659661504782011-01-15T13:41:00.000-08:002011-01-15T13:41:00.345-08:00Tasting No. 1 (@ Metche’s)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GkMf0GG9I4kNDZI1Cjzuj2wYcCiETfVQnWfK2ctYNIQ6KxrCVmmDfJwhy1QDHP9Ui0u6HXeg0kNvxz6IjdELJ4LJk1rj0k9b6K7PYSiP59hPlTXFZAZlcjeeaRQB1FAQuQDzMXPmChY_/s1600/100_0487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GkMf0GG9I4kNDZI1Cjzuj2wYcCiETfVQnWfK2ctYNIQ6KxrCVmmDfJwhy1QDHP9Ui0u6HXeg0kNvxz6IjdELJ4LJk1rj0k9b6K7PYSiP59hPlTXFZAZlcjeeaRQB1FAQuQDzMXPmChY_/s320/100_0487.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Sierra Nevada Brewery, Chico California, “Summerfest”</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.sierranevada.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.sierranevada.com/</span></a> </span> </div>ABV 5.0%<br />
One of my regular “drinkin’ pals” brought this to my house warming and I recognized its summer glory right then and there. I thought it would be a good starter beer—clean taste, crisp (German beer came to mind) with a smooth balanced malt finish. Long live the Summerfest—lovely effort—great taste!J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-64409539027425244942011-01-15T13:19:00.000-08:002011-01-15T13:28:48.645-08:00BEER TASTING @ METCHE'S (prounounced: Metch-EE)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZjN5co0YD3DC8-l89Hj5dyzkovGMJFxWh8_YYD5JtPUt6q9sNzg20fOvXs0g7cHdgURY8DCoQrICtJ9Nq44CleHVs6XaclUzKMxCLjjutXD2UgwrwviADUmezJU1yRRFlX_K6uBZfujj/s1600/100_0504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZjN5co0YD3DC8-l89Hj5dyzkovGMJFxWh8_YYD5JtPUt6q9sNzg20fOvXs0g7cHdgURY8DCoQrICtJ9Nq44CleHVs6XaclUzKMxCLjjutXD2UgwrwviADUmezJU1yRRFlX_K6uBZfujj/s320/100_0504.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">BEER TASTING @ METCHE’S (pronounced: Metch-ē)</div><br />
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It’s taken me a while to post the tasting I did with Metche last August, 2010 (yeah, I know) but please forgive me, at least its making its appearance now. I’ve been to quite a few tastings and also created the opportunity to share the great beer tasting experience with my friends and family. So, here’s hoping all you beer lovers get inspired to do a "tasting," and in doing so, create a forum for talking about beer as well as drinking it! Please drink and host responsibly; have a cab company number handy for the end of the night.<br />
Because of my fondness for tasting brew, I preach the magical culture of beer tasting when I can, including the sacramental aspects of imbibing god’s liquid miracle. Before I grew to love beer, I studied music in college and have since kept in touch with one of my favorite teachers. Now that she’s retired, I schlep down to her retirement village in Laguna Woods for visits. On my last pilgrimage down from L.A. we did a tasting. I must have told her about my weekly worship at the temple of BevMo (Beverages and More) for beer tastings on Fridays, from 4pm to 7pm (a.k.a. “Happy Hour”) for only a $1 donation. At those tastings there are anywhere from 5 beers to as many as 14—that was when a craft brew distributer was there with their line of brews. So it was all that magic in one stop at the tasting. Back then BevMo charged $4--still a great deal for a tasting! <br />
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Metche, my retired musicology teacher, has an appreciation for beer, coming from good German stock and Germans are world known for their appreciation of beer. I brought a total of 12 beers which we divided over 2 days for moderation—I didn’t want to get Metche “tanked” as it were, so I opted for spreading the beer love over 2 days. For palate cleansing I had soft pretzels (mustard optional) and soda water. Looking back, I should have melted some cheese for a fondue effect, but I digress…perhaps next time. For a little variety I threw in fruit beers, which is not like me, but since I’ll try anything once and it was the end of summer, I thought “what the heck, let’s get some fruit beer on!” <br />
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Day one, we tried five beers, the first five below. Here’s the way I set up the tasting: I start with a lager (generally milder to taste), throw in the middle fruit beers, then go with more complex and rich tastes in the spectrum of brewing, ending with the most bitter. Going light to intense with taste, you'll be able to enjoy the spectrum without palate ruination. In the order below you can see how this was accomplished (beers 1-5, were tasted on day 1; beers 6-12 were done on day 2). This was something that the pourer does at BevMo’s beer tastings on Fridays, (tastings usually every Friday from 4pm to 7pm for $2, flight of 5). There’s a beer judge that frequents the tasting that taught the “pouring whipper-snapper” the efficacies of this strategy: the palate warms up on the simple stuff, but isn’t too destroyed until the bitter, complex beers at the end. My compliments to “Jim the Judge” for the ideal form to shoot for in a tasting, it has proven time and again a good idea. The beers were selected randomly based on ones I’ve tried before and ones I was interested in trying at the time.<br />
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1. Sierra Nevada “Summerfest”<br />
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2. Sea Dog Apricot Wheat Beer<br />
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3. Lost Coast Brewing Tangerine Wheat Beer<br />
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4. Paulaner Munchen Hefe-Weizen Natural Wheat<br />
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5. Anderson Valley ESB<br />
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6. Bitburger Premium Beer<br />
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7. Sea Dog Wild Blueberry<br />
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8. Wells Banana Bread <br />
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9. Samuel Smith Old Brewery Pale Ale<br />
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10. Aron Faria’s Home Brew Porter<br />
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11. Le Chouffe<br />
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12. Firestone Walker IPA<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcVdz6MRLbguO6qKXUA0Xr9p_n7EvBaLZDGc_T3fJLfUbppt82f6emoAopc-3G2KeNJ7WqQ6HgmO1fEojVVc-IND9iIqJXTbFkG9hNDTYL_LpE_aIdXULPJzChiYAsjze30rkt2DDftKK/s1600/100_0483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcVdz6MRLbguO6qKXUA0Xr9p_n7EvBaLZDGc_T3fJLfUbppt82f6emoAopc-3G2KeNJ7WqQ6HgmO1fEojVVc-IND9iIqJXTbFkG9hNDTYL_LpE_aIdXULPJzChiYAsjze30rkt2DDftKK/s320/100_0483.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQieE2KABsW3XwsZyVr09jF4F59lGgUlvtcZ1MmJce-0oZlaWtmdZIbkOX-QaQZ60zCcZfLvipRpj54tdQI0U9DtgkHeWb1VqFTvBkRep44w7ELQlHahdIDCwg0ILK8feKhju6yI6jiyQ_/s1600/100_0482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQieE2KABsW3XwsZyVr09jF4F59lGgUlvtcZ1MmJce-0oZlaWtmdZIbkOX-QaQZ60zCcZfLvipRpj54tdQI0U9DtgkHeWb1VqFTvBkRep44w7ELQlHahdIDCwg0ILK8feKhju6yI6jiyQ_/s320/100_0482.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-46379237808630806382010-10-14T18:53:00.000-07:002010-10-14T19:02:45.468-07:00THE BIER STIEN, EUGENE, OREGON & LAURELWOOD BREWING CO., PORTLAND, OREGON<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thebierstein.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.thebierstein.com/</span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQ3DdrvDjLoqu8HuF-jjtYVKyv6QmnkFqatKdbcvUYTGB5zgqae0lS7b1ff6BMBv5HsmKRCKhQgha7mbJ-PVi1uXmtWIa_xQzIuORIMSJlS1FPV8I9dzmihd-wloxdzIbLHrX04SPFSEI/s1600/100_0604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is me and my uncle Conway at The Bier Stein in Eugene. What a fabulous place! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ArWlnV_gBBIKRkqmO5Ho28dT7zrZBviJyZoRZbWyyzXxOvSLxo1DW-ZLz4osqq1lBLWOLV1J8yFIt7unOH3kdCNLDq_1SzIJyhGwm2BuDwmnSsn6DACkZrnNR7GlMWG7PhODfWSXqBpE/s1600/100_0607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ArWlnV_gBBIKRkqmO5Ho28dT7zrZBviJyZoRZbWyyzXxOvSLxo1DW-ZLz4osqq1lBLWOLV1J8yFIt7unOH3kdCNLDq_1SzIJyhGwm2BuDwmnSsn6DACkZrnNR7GlMWG7PhODfWSXqBpE/s320/100_0607.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> If I were to die tomorrow, I would hope that there’s a Bier Stein in heaven, especially since that’s what it felt like being there. Visiting my uncle last week brought me to this haven; the only vexation is I live in Tarzana, California. If I only lived in Eugene! [Sigh!] I was inspired to order--by Yelp advocacy—their “Beer-Cheese” soup. My soups rich, creamy, fondue texture was amplified when I dipped the sourdough bread into it. God, it was good. I’m going to try and recreate it at home for a fondue party in future. Along with that I had the Gouddhist Panini on a crunchy grilled chiabatta with turkey, smoked gouda, tomato, pesto and garlic aoli. I paired that with Laurelwood Public House (a brewpub in Portland) Workhorse IPA, which was on tap. In the Portland Airport, Laurelwood Brewing Company has a small restaurant/brewery stationed there, on my flight “stop-over” I also tried their Hop Monkey IPA which I preferred to the Workhorse IPA for it’s balanced hops. I wish there was a Laurelwood Brewery near my place; that Hop Monkey is still on my mind. Maybe I can find it at BevMo....hmmmm.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.laurelwoodbrewpub.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.laurelwoodbrewpub.com/</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Bier Stein’s mind-bottling (pun intended) selection of over 800 bottled beers was another vexation that I don’t live in Eugene, so many beers in one place. A great variety of German beers (a homage to the name sake) mixed with a healthy number of national micro breweries, many I recognized some new to my knowledge. And there was also a wall filled with a lovely selection of Belgian brews. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-9ElahB8okzTnL9vLPCA7FZGrghkf7y66BF_q1CH1mJuX5ir4zLSQ44AIQqcCkyAAkkiifQkXrRrMwAPDv2k-Ma7epNvBDEU58kmWljF3r8x155OdoKJanaOhJl4sCjGnESg2tL8UI6E/s1600/100_0604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-9ElahB8okzTnL9vLPCA7FZGrghkf7y66BF_q1CH1mJuX5ir4zLSQ44AIQqcCkyAAkkiifQkXrRrMwAPDv2k-Ma7epNvBDEU58kmWljF3r8x155OdoKJanaOhJl4sCjGnESg2tL8UI6E/s400/100_0604.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had the opportunity to chat with Eric, one of the employees there that was also a beer enthusiast. I was checking out their refrigerated selection when he approached me for help. I asked about Pliney the Elder, a Russian River Brewing Company double IPA that’s eluded me (a friend recommended it years ago) only to learn they didn’t have it in bottles but were serving it at a tasting Thursday, October 14th. Another vexation! My stay in Eugene would be over then. By the way, if you buy bottled beer there to take home it’s 15% off; the other option is drinking it there without the discount, but still a value. </div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the cool novelties of the Bier Stein are pub glasses (including a ½ yard glass) available for purchase at the front; I wanted to buy a few for my collection. There’s nothing like a frosty glass with the name of favorite brews at home to enjoy your favorite brews in; you feel like you’re in your own private pub! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh Beer Gods, please make a Bier Stein within staggering distance of my home! </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Craft-Beers-Breweries-Pacific-Northwest/dp/1604690895?ie=UTF8&tag=fwabo-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Craft Beers and Breweries of the Pacific Northwest: A Beer Lover's Guide to Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia</a><br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fwabo-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1155325079&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-44374825554356686472010-10-14T18:24:00.000-07:002010-10-14T18:34:12.504-07:00KING'S ESTATE WINERY, EUGENE, OREGON<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span></span><span></span><span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwQ6PYrzJmCmJyElGBJjCidEuSwfITRW2YQzG9_v3eOZyAR5_GdkfG8pR_31rCn0wIWQxxAJBvKV88Dkgdyl_xRtKVku0HHdzG_9DuZOyeLMlI9au1RynKy7vEQmsK_5kFUKg58TzehuI/s1600/100_0583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwQ6PYrzJmCmJyElGBJjCidEuSwfITRW2YQzG9_v3eOZyAR5_GdkfG8pR_31rCn0wIWQxxAJBvKV88Dkgdyl_xRtKVku0HHdzG_9DuZOyeLMlI9au1RynKy7vEQmsK_5kFUKg58TzehuI/s640/100_0583.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kingestate.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.kingestate.com/</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49e0nO2HOZKTYj_-mgsh0J5LEpMuPwgc04umQrIVzmlUsEEhrzQnhXBxdPNv_vbhVV7VfMU18prW4RQ10A1rcja7QXX1skWBGSFkogsPRAKweEM0K6xvCr3y1_zV5pmMVCvB28slTOQqr/s1600/100_0597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49e0nO2HOZKTYj_-mgsh0J5LEpMuPwgc04umQrIVzmlUsEEhrzQnhXBxdPNv_vbhVV7VfMU18prW4RQ10A1rcja7QXX1skWBGSFkogsPRAKweEM0K6xvCr3y1_zV5pmMVCvB28slTOQqr/s320/100_0597.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImAcvKo5gHusFMxWoVloh6bo2y4KX531PvofckjPt3d9ydK_C4cUOG0pECNB6LTxtBIs5NqgED_LfMp5enCxcz39x76NfFRyNfnMui9j85n8KcyhYgJuD3gSPBPxi_qUKZ7JgmmpytxfU/s1600/100_0596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImAcvKo5gHusFMxWoVloh6bo2y4KX531PvofckjPt3d9ydK_C4cUOG0pECNB6LTxtBIs5NqgED_LfMp5enCxcz39x76NfFRyNfnMui9j85n8KcyhYgJuD3gSPBPxi_qUKZ7JgmmpytxfU/s320/100_0596.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I have to say that if there was an amazing bucolic place to “settle down,” the landscape that is King’s Estate is a little bit of paradise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My uncle and I were blessed with a sunny <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Oregon</place></state> day, which displayed green as far as the eye could see and the facility of the winery looked like a French country castle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Equally beautiful inside was the tasting room, located just inside the main entrance, in a vaulted ceiling room, covered in wood finished walls. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You couldn’t ask for a better place to taste wine, unless you stepped outside and see the amazing view, wine tasting goes good with that too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s definitely a wonderful location for weddings, </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaoxDUJJ4FOagx9nbuyqwqiXU-upuqhmghtwbwY6a-mUly2LCmYEjUpwTprKv3YkRBUxhi2zt9HH7f1IkTcj8oU7S3qxdwbdrrLI2A-IzOlsEEVq_Ijg-Ydfcf6kzdEQVc-2ywMz7myAz/s1600/100_0594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaoxDUJJ4FOagx9nbuyqwqiXU-upuqhmghtwbwY6a-mUly2LCmYEjUpwTprKv3YkRBUxhi2zt9HH7f1IkTcj8oU7S3qxdwbdrrLI2A-IzOlsEEVq_Ijg-Ydfcf6kzdEQVc-2ywMz7myAz/s320/100_0594.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;">corporate parties, or just a day trip to restore your soul from the daily grind (“my case” scenario).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to taste a number of their white wines and six different King’s Estate pinot noirs; all very focused wines in their structure, well executed and worth tasting again and again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately I didn’t have the time to try the heavier reds; perhaps my next visit will yield a more extended tasting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did get to experience the free tour of their state of the art wine making facility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of the tour involved walking into the temperate coolness of the barrel room, and when entered, gave off an air of wine infused French oak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I inhaled deeply, an uncontrollable reflex, I had to have more of that sensual aroma like no other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later I had lunch at the restaurant, a nice touch to the property and also, a great way to pair lovely wines with other <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Oregon</place></state> offerings from organically grown estate gardens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only wish I could have spent the day here, tasting all the wines and having both lunch and dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next time…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re in the <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Eugene</place></city> area, make King’s Estate one of your stops, you’ll be glad you did, and perhaps stop by again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check out their amazing website for a virtual tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; 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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.kingestate.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.kingestate.com/</span></a></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Estate-Estate-Winery-Eugene-Oregon/dp/B000921L52?ie=UTF8&tag=fwabo-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">King Estate. (King Estate Winery in Eugene, Oregon): An article from: Wines & Vines</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fwabo-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000921L52" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fwabo-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0964550024&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fwabo-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0033GHCJU&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span></span></div><span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fwabo-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00346IMS4&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span>J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-92135543859286964612010-08-26T20:03:00.000-07:002010-08-26T20:08:21.913-07:00ANDERSON VALLEY BREWING COMPANY, BOONTVILLE, CALIFORNIA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkH1eok07BbMsyuAJww5ovYW5jLp3aUru5GV61nvd_3_Nmq7hRPVnmU_V9mH5f5v2UO_2XUkil7q2c3khBn0JZDS5okhD4v98ZhpOgCHOOvcxlsS-52cmxqRMQcngm5JwizeN_3niZ1iv/s1600/100_0481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkH1eok07BbMsyuAJww5ovYW5jLp3aUru5GV61nvd_3_Nmq7hRPVnmU_V9mH5f5v2UO_2XUkil7q2c3khBn0JZDS5okhD4v98ZhpOgCHOOvcxlsS-52cmxqRMQcngm5JwizeN_3niZ1iv/s400/100_0481.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.avbc.com/beers/boont-extra-special-beer/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.avbc.com/beers/boont-extra-special-beer/</span></a> </div>Anderson Valley Brewing Company is doing a few things right as I sip one of my recent love affairs of taste in the form of their ESB (Extra Special Beer/Bitter). On the label is a seal Gold Medal Winner, and on the website the beer boasts 4 TIME Gold Medal Winner, which doesn’t surprise me when I taste it; the beer upon inception is a full mouth feel, mingled with sweet barley, then bitter, balanced sweet citrus, with the fantastic dry salt hop finish. It’s complimenting my halibut in a tomato basil sauce nicely; in fact it’s stealing the culinary show tonight. Every sip is a lovely complex arc of taste that screams gold medal and taste vacation. Take your time drinking this brewed art work of texture and story. I have a feeling this won’t be the last time I review this brewery. All due respect to Anderson Valley Brewing Company noting on the bottle cap it reads “solar powered brewery” which means a nod to sustainable production. I also noticed that the biography of the Brewing Director, David Gatlin, mentions he worked for Firestone Walker, who makes one of my favorite IPA’s, Union Jack—that might be another reason this beer sits so well with me in terms of balanced hop taste. Love the beer, and it’s definitely worth a try for the true blue “hophead.” Boonville, California where Anderson Valley Brewing Company is located, is about two and a half hours north of San Francisco. Makes me proud to be a Californian! Big Smiles!J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-78871681448511123862010-07-24T09:04:00.000-07:002010-07-24T09:09:56.400-07:00HOPTOPIA DOUBLE IPA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8v_PL9jMK23dQzfyn2eek_-CcWmjlvH6yxfBinvibTmNA9OFAvlOR7HGUxHDvzVNOV3ymyyriF7Xcy8GiOl4aXzmyX1CZ7P6g-rp6X3nRar9qjUAq8nJCGcr0dsb0XM-D90Q7_2t33SRl/s1600/100_0332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8v_PL9jMK23dQzfyn2eek_-CcWmjlvH6yxfBinvibTmNA9OFAvlOR7HGUxHDvzVNOV3ymyyriF7Xcy8GiOl4aXzmyX1CZ7P6g-rp6X3nRar9qjUAq8nJCGcr0dsb0XM-D90Q7_2t33SRl/s400/100_0332.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>Color: rich amber<br />
Alcohol by volume: 8%<br />
Bottle size: pint<br />
A friend recommended this new Double IPA out of San Jose's Hermitage Brewing Company, however I can't find their website online. I think the brewery is so spanking new they haven’t gotten to that yet, but I could be wrong. Let me know if you find a website for them. I’d love to look at their line of brews and I look forward to acquiring more beers from them over time after trying their HOPTOPIA Double IPA. It brings lovely rich malt sweetness to the mellow balanced hops with a juicy finish. I found it extremely easy to drink for an IPA lover and also a great way to start Happy Hour. I also love the mod "space age" design of the label; reminds me somehow of the entrance to “Tomorrowland” at Disneyland. I recommend you dig this with your favorite drinking buddy! Drink up!J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104836350918570002.post-38470377621918657052010-07-17T16:12:00.000-07:002010-07-23T18:32:48.101-07:00"OH FANCY THAT!"If you want products from the UK that you can't find in the Valley this is the place to stop by and check out! Located in Tarzana just east of Reseda Boulevard on Ventura Boulevard, at the back of the strip mall there. I've just bought some English and Irish bangers, baked beans in tomato sauce and a jar of lemon-lime Scottish marmalade for a nice little "English Breakfast" tomorrow morning. I like to stop by every now and then to see what Jean (the owner) has in stock. One time I found this great apron with a Mini Cooper and British flag motif on it. It's my favorite apron to cook in! It's a friendly little shop and I love it! If you love things British, stop by; you never know what you'll find.<br />
<br />
OH Fancy That British Gifts<br />
18399 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356<br />
(818) 996-4405 <br />
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<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YMA8Or0XgCo&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YMA8Or0XgCo&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>J.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06001170365500937134noreply@blogger.com0