Off Tap.: April/May 2016

APRIL/MAY 2016

WHAT’S BREWIN G P. 2

Sierra Nevada

P. 4

BeerGart en Tart

P. 5

Drin k Beer f rom He re

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Beergarit as

P.8

Curious Traveler

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SIERRA NEVADA

MEGHA N GUA RI NO

To sum up Sierra Nevada in one

And that mentality is exactly why, in

word is almost impossible. Even Sierra

35 years of production, Sierra Nevada

Nevada Beer Ambassador Bill Manley,

has grown to be one of the nation’s top

who has been with the company for

craft breweries.

nearly 10 years, was stumped by the task. To do it in 1,000 words is still a challenge. But I’ll try.

At 20-something years old, an outdoorloving Ken Grossman founded Sierra Nevada in northern California with

With brewing facilities on two coasts

hardly anything to work with except

and an annual production upwards of 1

the support and generosity of other

million barrels each year, Sierra Nevada

brewers. “It was really important for him

is a big craft brewery. But don’t let the

to figure out a way to make it work by

size of their production keep you from

reusing other things, taking somebody

considering them “craft”—besides, that

else’s waste, somebody else’s things

thought never crossed your mind, did

that just weren’t going to work out for

it? Sierra Nevada, no matter how big

them and making them fit his needs.

they’ve gotten, has always maintained

That’s been kind of a cornerstone of

But sustainability is just one aspect of

the spirit of craft. “There are probably

the brewery—that’s why the brewery

what makes Sierra Nevada such an icon

a lot of ways we can squeeze an awful

exists,” Manley explained. “And Ken

in the industry. (For those of you keeping

lot more volume and therefore an

has really been mindful of that ever

count, we’re at almost 400 words and

awful lot more profit out of both of our

since.” From a facility standpoint,

haven’t even touched on the beer.)

breweries,” Manley said. “We’re just

Sierra Nevada is the poster child for

not really willing to go down that road

sustainability. They have an entire

and compromise what it’s going to take

department dedicated to making

to make the beers the right way and the

both breweries more environmentally

way we think is ultimately going to pay

friendly, from solar panels (the Chico

off flavor-wise in the long run.”

brewery has over 10,000) to capstone microturbines, permeable pavers to

landfill diversion and about a million other initiatives we didn’t even touch on.

“I mean, back in the day, ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ wasn’t a catchphrase, that was our business model,” Manley joked.

“Beer is one of the coolest

things in the world because

it combines ar t and science

and engineering and everything

else in this one little package.”

– Bill Manley

Moxee Moron Imperial Session IPA Collaborators: Bale Breaker Brewing Company, Barley Brown’s Beer, Black Raven Brewing Co., Melvin Brewing, Odell Brewing Co., Sierra Nevada

First and foremost, the beer that changed the

and dear to our Floridian hearts, made alongside

palate of America: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

brewers based in the Southeast, including Ft.

It’s piney with grapefruit aromas, body and

Lauderdale’s very own Funky Buddha. Made with

complexity. It’s a classic beer. And though it

saison yeast, three different hops, corn grits,

may not be as hoppy as some of the other beers

black tea, honeysuckle, peaches and other fruits,

you’ve sipped, this Pale Ale paved the way for

this bright ale sings of the South. In addition to

the hoppy styles we crave today. It was the first.

Funky Buddha and Sierra Nevada, Sweet Sunny

“At the time, Pale Ale was off-the-charts hoppy,”

South’s collaborators were: Austin Beerworks

Manley said. “Now the fact that you can do a

(Austin, TX), Bayou Teche Brewing (Arnaudville,

double IPA and people aren’t revolted by it,

LA), Creature Comforts (Athens, GA) and Wicked

I think a lot of that is due to the fact that Pale Ale

Weed Brewing (Asheville, NC). It’s a taste of home

kind of taught people to drink hops… It’s not just

nestled in a 12-pack of mind-blowing brews.

a beer that’s been around for a long time, it’s a beer that literally helped shape the drinking taste of millions.” It would seem Sierra Nevada is taking steps to do that again.

Recently, the brewery added an unusual style to their core lineup: gose. “This will be the largest release of gose in the history of beer,” Manley said. Otra Vez is a light, tart beer with cactus and grapefruit and salt. It’s mouth-puckering, in the most satisfying way possible. To describe

And while the other five Beer Camp offerings are just as worth looking forward to, we have to wait until May to try them all. In the meantime, we’ll surely be sipping Sierra Nevada’s other brews

ultimately, like all other Sierra Nevada beers, very, very well made. Upon its release in January

Family Values Imperial Brown Ale with Cocoa Collaborators: August Schell Brewing Co., Dark Horse Brewing Co., Half Acre Beer Company, Perennial Artisan Ales, Sun King Brewery, Sierra Nevada

in preparation.

Though it may be true that to narrow down Sierra Nevada to a single word is impossible, consider this a glimpse of the coast-to-coast brewery in less than 1,000.

the beer doesn’t do the experience justice.

It’s decidedly crushable and refreshing and

Sweet Sunny South Southern Table Beer Collaborators: Austin Beerworks, Bayou Teche Brewing, Creature Comforts Brewing Co., Funky Buddha Brewery, Wicked Weed Brewing, Sierra Nevada

Images courtesy of Sierra Nevada

Pat-Rye-Ot Revolutionary Pale Ale Collaborators: Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Stoudts Brewing Co., Trillium Brewing Company, Sierra Nevada

2016, Otra Vez was only brewed in the company’s

This beer is not as simple as taking a small batch and multiplying it for large-scale brewing. Otra Vez required equipment the brewery didn’t have before. And in true Sierra Nevada form, they didn’t cop out.

West Latitude Session Rye with Hibiscus Collaborators: Bear Republic Brewing Company, Faction Brewing, Mad River Brewing, Magnolia Brewing, Maui Brewing Co., Sierra Nevada

(By the way, we’re way over 700 words at this point, but we absolutely must discuss Beer Camp.)

How many brewers does it take to make six beers? Apparently, 31.

This year’s release is a collaboration like none other, and you can experience every flavor when it is released in May. The collaborations were based on region—Sweet Sunny South is near

Stout of the Union Robust Stout Collaborators: Bagby Beer Company, Beachwood Brewing, The Lost Abbey Brewing Company, Smog City Brewing Co., Societe Brewing Company, Sierra Nevada

|

the North Carolina brewery to start production.

April/May 2016

the infrastructure will have been put in place for

Page 3

Chico, California, facility. By the end of the year,

BeerGarten Tart ME GHAN G U AR IN O

Leinenkugel is not a new name in the beer community. Known far and wide for their flavorful shandies and refreshing brews,

SENSORY BREAKDOWN APPEARANCE: Clear, golden-yellow with pale, straw highlights. A lingering, dense, bright white foam cap with uniform bubbles. Carbonation ascends from the

this German-style brewery has

base of the glass.

been crafting beer since Jacob

AROMA: Delicate, slightly toasty malt nose

Leinenkugel founded the brew-

with hints of crackery sweetness. This

ery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin,

A hint of fruitiness comes through as the

in 1867. Six generations later,

gives way to faint herbal, peppery notes. beer warms.

the Leinenkugel family is still at

TASTE: Bright tartness snaps on the

it, brewing beers with German

notes. Mellow pear and lemon peel add

tongue, followed by slightly sweet pale malt

heritage and an American twist.

complexity. The initial tartness fades after

Now, Leinenkugel is bringing us

MOUTHFEEL: Soft but brisk tartness

a new summer seasonal that is a

Medium-light body and spritzy carbonation

balanced, tart and refreshing take on the classic Berliner Weisse style. Pick up BeerGarten Tart at

a few sips, but stays surprisingly refreshing.

accentuates the impression of dryness. make for a refreshing and drinkable beer.

FINISH: Bright, crisp and dry. A light, yet characterful beer for warm weather.

an ABC near you, and compare

GRAINS: American wheat, pale malt.

your own tasting notes to this

ABV: 4.8%

beer’s sensory break down!

IBUS: 7.5 FOOD PAIRINGS: Club sandwiches, pasta with shrimp, grilled fish, spring rolls, salads with goat or feta cheese, wings with mild sauces (like garlic, lemon-pepper or teriyaki), and white pizza.

Drink Beer From Here.

AL L IE S M AL LWOOD

The only question is, which beer? There are five beer styles that everyone should have in their fridge.

No excuses. But which will you open tonight?

Why did you open your beer fridge?

Idk, bored

I’m getting ready to go out!

A “friend” just showed up

Are you hungry?

Yikes.

Good friend, or… ?

My buddy

Yikes is right

Dinner or party?

Cool, got plans?

No

Ravenous

Ok… are you up for an adventure?

What are you craving?

Netflix

Gose

It’s sour, it’s salty and it’s low in hop flavors. Reach for this essential style when you need a pick-me-up sip.

OITNB

Hefeweizen

What’s on the menu?

Wild. What kind?

A giant, smothered burrito with guac (yes, I know it’s extra)

Sushi

Nah

Party

House

What are you watching?

Always!

Dinner

A burger, 100%

House of Cards

Ripe with fun flavors of banana and citrus, a Hefeweizen serves the purpose of being playful and down to earth.

Just a few friends

Are you sharing?

Yes

IPA

While it blows you away with bold hops, it also endears with notes of pine, citrus and herbs.

Fruit beer

Shandies, ciders and flavored beers usually fall under this must-have category. Fruit beers are sweet, approachable and pair well with most foods (and activities).

Porter

No

The dark and moody porter is a classic must-have for everything from spicy foods to desserts. It always pairs well with heated games of Cards Against Humanity.

Beergaritas!

!

AL L IE S M AL LWO O D

If you’re not dreaming of beach sunsets

THE CLASSIC BEERGARITA

and Hootie & the Blowfish induced dancing

3 oz Silver tequila

sessions, you might not be prepared to

2 oz Lime juice, freshly squeezed

read this.

1 oz Simple syrup ½ oz Grand Marnier

We’re in the wonderful limbo right before

Kosher salt, for rimming the glass

summer hits, when the evenings are still balmy,

12-oz bottle Cold, light beer

the sun is on full duty and the palm trees are at just the right height to provide optimum

In a tall, large glass, mug or Mason jar rimmed

shade. Drinks that are suitable for this kind of

with salt, add large ice cubes and all the

paradise are few and far between… unless you

margarita ingredients: tequila, lime juice,

happen to have a couple of good recipes

simple syrup and orange liqueur.

for beergaritas.

Gently plop the beer into the mug so that the Beergaritas popped up on Instagram feeds

neck of the beer is submerged in the cocktail.

a few years ago, usually from mom-and-

The liquid will rise all the way to the top, and

pop beach shack bars, yet they still haven’t

it will seem like it’s going to overflow, but it

hit mass popularity (beergaritas definitely

won’t. Stick a straw in and sip!

wouldn’t be a staple on your average bar menu). But they’re flipping delicious. They’re

THE BIG BATCH BEERGARITA

everything a tropical vacation should be:

12 oz Strawberry daiquiri mix

sun-kissed, salty and revitalizing.

12 oz Lemon-lime soda 12 oz Tequila, like Cuesta Mesa Gold

Here are a few tips for crafting the perfect

⅓ cup Lime juice

beergarita before diving right into these

Kosher salt, for rimming glasses

summer recipes:

4 12-oz bottles Cold, light beer, like Negra Modelo

1. For a true beergarita, you can’t just pour

Fresh strawberries and lime wedges to garnish

the beer into the margarita; then it’s just a beer cocktail. The bottle has to be fully visible,

Rim four glasses with salt. In a pitcher, mix all

sticking out of the glass, allowing you to watch

ingredients except for beer. Add ice and pour

the beer drain out of the bottle, up your straw

margarita mixture into glasses. Dunk in one

and into your mouth.

bottle of beer per glass. Enjoy!

2. Remember, using a Belgian wheat beer (or

THE HONEY LIME BEERGARITA

any Belgian, wheat or ale, for that matter) is

3 oz Silver tequila, like Cuesta Mesa Silver

strongly advised against. It competes with the

3 oz Lime juice, freshly squeezed

sweet fruit flavors and the refreshing saltiness

1 oz Honey

of these drinks.

½ oz Grand Marnier Kosher salt, for rimming the glass

3. Have more than enough supplies on hand.

12 oz Orange Blossom Pilsner

We can almost guarantee your friends will be asking for their own when they see you

Rim glass with salt and fill with ice. Add tequila,

sippingone of these beergaritas.

lime juice, honey and Grand Marnier and stir well. Add beer and start sipping.

August/September 2014 | Page 7 April/May 2016 | Page 7

8 989 SOUT H OR ANGE AVE. OR LAND O, F LORID A 32824

Curious Traveler Curious Traveler is an American craft wheat ale brewed with fresh lemon and a touch of lime, delivering a crisp, light-bodied flavor with a juicy citrus aroma.

This refreshing brew is a take on the classic European Shandy. With HallertauHallertau hops and 2-row malted barley/malted wheat malts, it clocks in at 4.4% ABV, making it delicious, sessionable and perfect for warm Florida days.

While beer snobs typically shy away from shandies, it does go well in beer cocktails, beergaritas and cooks beautifully too! Try this shandy paired with fresh sushi, spicy Asian cuisine, light pastas and lemon-based desserts.

Curious Traveler is available in stores January-July.