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.

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!