Monday, November 2nd, 2009

after leaving russian river brewing the weekend before last, TM, JVG, JC and I cruised down to petaluma to check out the new taproom and beer sanctuary at lagunitas.
- I had high expectations for this place, and as soon as I walked in I knew they were going to be met.
- the taproom was great – it had funky (3-D) local artwork on the walls and a laid-back bartender pouring one of lagunitas‘ many offerings into ball jars.


- the outside beer sanctuary was just as nice – a ton of people were hanging out at enormous picnic tables under canopies and umbrellas beating the heat and enjoying a local brew.

- to top it off, a local BBQ joint was serving up food outside, and a band was jamming on a stage in the corner – it was awesome.


- I scanned the tap list and immediately ordered up a bourbon barrel-aged hairy eyeball, which I wish I could have on a weekly basis. it was malty and strong, with a boozy bourbon note infused throughout. in hindsight, I should have ordered this up as a finisher, but I got antsy and scared that the keg would kick before I had ordered up my glass.

- everyone else ordered up a variety of brews, from ruben and the jets to brown shugga. I tasted the brown shugga and it was was the best I’ve ever had – it had an intense hoppy finish that blew my mind. I wonder if they tweaked the recipe or if it was just a young batch, either way I need to get my hands on some more.

- I finished up the day with a classic lagunitas IPA fresh from the source, and with that, we took off toward novato, but not before I looked back longingly towards lagunitas and vowed I would return ASAP.




Tags:BBQ, bourbon barrel aged hairy eyeball, brown shugga, lagunitas, lagunitas IPA, petaluma, ruben and the jets, taproom and beer sanctuary
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Monday, September 21st, 2009

quite a few months ago it was brought to my attention that NB and PB were having a baby shower. I offered to supply a keg for the occasion.
- oysters and BBQ were on the menu, and the event was being held outside. I had to figure out a beer that would fit the bill.
- I chose to brew a kolsch. not only is kolsch a great session beer, but it is light and crisp, perfect with most foods on a sunny day.
- I had read somewhere that an initially sweeter kolsch dries out when aged, which is what I wanted. in order to ensure that the kolsch was light, crisp, and clear, I kegged it in June and cold crashed it in my cool shed for over 3 months.
- the strategy worked, and the beer came out dry, perfectly carbonated, and super drinkable.
- in fact, I think “drinkable” was an understatement. with about 30 people in attendance, and over 20 pouring, the keg was kicked in less than an hour!
- the couple of bottles of tripel and cider that I brewed up were the next to go. it’s a good thing I brought a case of lagunitas IPA as backup!
- thanks again NB and PB, the setup was great!




during the weekend I also managed a couple more beer-related accomplishments.
- I kegged the single-hop pale on friday. I’m thinking about letting it sit for a month max, and then breaking it out to enjoy some local hoppyness at its freshest.

- I also took down the vojvodina vine on sunday, completing the cycle. I felt bad stuffing it in the trash, but I knew it would be back even stronger next year!

Tags:baby shower, cider, cold crash, fresh hop, kolsch, lagunitas IPA, oysters, pale ale, session beer, tripel, vojvodina, wet hop
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