FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016
WHAT’S BREWIN G P. 2
The New High land
P. 4
Drin k Like It’s Fe B R EWa r y
P. 5
St . Pat rick’s Day & B e e r
P. 6
Living t he Beer L if e
P.8
Sierra Nevada Otra Vez
Off Tap. is a bimonthly publication of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. Copyright 2016 ABC Liquors, Inc. All rights reserved. Not all products are available in all stores. If the product you’re looking for isn’t available, ask us to order it for you! Meghan Guarino Editor Allie Smallwood Contributing Editor
Follow us on Twitter @abcbeercountry Email us at offtap@abcfws.com Our certified beer experts on Twitter: We have approximately 30 beer consultants on Twitter. To find the one nearest you, tweet us @abcbeercountry or email us at offtap@abcfws.com to be pointed in the right direction.
The NEW Highland M EG H AN G UA RI NO
If you haven’t already heard of Highland Brewing
“Highland hasn’t put out a new core beer in quite
Company, I advise you to grab a bottle of Gaelic
a long time; I want to say a little over a decade,”
Ale and sit back. This Asheville, North Carolina,
Stephenson explained. The first of the core beers was
brewery is bringing it in 2016.
introduced in January, Highland IPA, and is available
With the recent hire of head brewer Hollie Stephenson, Highland has an all-new strategy for their line-up of beers, and it doesn’t focus solely on one-offs and seasonals. No, instead Highland is set to introduce
in ABC stores across the state. “This definitely kind of steps out of the box in terms of the first foray into a style that is very uniquely American craft,” Stephenson said of the IPA. “That’s the main difference. It’s going
three new core beers to their lineup of traditional,
to be the highest—it’s not super high in alcohol,
routine brews, as well as three new seasonals and
it’s only 7%, but it’ll be the highest alcohol beer
several additions to their Warrior Series and Kinsman
in our core line-up. It’ll be—aside from the double
Project beers.
IPA I brewed earlier this summer—the highest IBU
abcfws.com
core beer that Highland has ever put out. It’ll be the
Highland IPA is available now, and a Pilsner Blanc
hoppiest beer that Highland has ever put out. So
and Mandarina IPA will be joining the core line by
as far as how it fits in the core, it doesn’t have a lot
July. Both the Pilsner Blanc and Mandarina IPA will
of similarities with anything else that we have in the
be sold in cans, another new feature from the brewery.
core line-up.”
Starting in February, the seasonals will begin to roll
Oscar Wong, founder
out, first Saw-Whet Saison, then a hoppy wheat beer and after that a Kölsch style brew. “I’m so stoked about that one,” Stephenson said of the
GAELIC ALE A deep amber-colored American ale, featuring a rich, malty body. Cascade and Willamette hops add a complex hop flavor and aroma. This ale is exceptionally balanced between malty sweetness and delicate hop bitterness. – Brewery notes
hoppy wheat seasonal. Early’s Hoppy Wheat is expected to hit shelves in April, just in time for spring weather. Though this year is focused on bringing you a whole new line of brews from Asheville’s oldest and largest native brewery, the team is sticking Hops are the important element here. While Highland
to the level of quality they’ve developed over the
has made respectable brews in the past, they
years. Between the traditional ales and the newness
aren’t the highly-hopped beers of craft popularity.
that Hollie is expected to bring to the brand, Highland
With Hollie Stephenson’s background at arguably
is set to offer a beer for every type of craft drinker.
one of the best-known hop houses in the country, we’re sure to see more hoppy beers from Highland throughout the year. Of a potential consistent trait among her recipes she said, “I’m not sure about a common thread, necessarily, I mean, I think hops would be a natural one since I’m such a fan, but… I think I’m just trying to bring newness and really what it boils down to is what I love most about craft beer. I want to make that beer that I want to drink.” And based on what’s in store (no pun intended) over the next few months from this North Carolina brewery, what Hollie wants to drink is pretty
Quick-Fire Round with Hollie Stephenson, Head Brewer at Highland Brewing Company
Favorite part of the brewery? Cellar Best season for seasonals? Can or bottle? Bottle
Flight or boot? Flights
Bottle cap or cork? Cap
Winter
nowadays
BLACK MOCHA STOUT Highland’s most robust beer, having a very malty body with a large, roasted chocolate flavor, all achieved solely through the use of special roasted barley grains. It is black in color with a very clean finish and moderate hop flavor. – Brewery notes
One-off or year-round? One-off
Page 3
Stone Brewing, and her love for West Coast IPAs,
February/March 2016
|
dang delicious.
OATMEAL PORTER A unique Highland creation, this robust beer is black in color, very malty with hints of chocolate-roasted flavor and a wellbalanced hop character. – Brewery notes
Drink Like it’s
FeBREWary
AL L I E S M AL LWO O D
This year, the second month isn’t about groundhogs and cupid… it’s about fresh-crafted, complexly-flavored, hit-the-spot-delicious beer. You’ll want to drink like its FeBREWary this month, so here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy this glorious liquid. Look at the next 29 days as a gateway into the world of malts, hops and creative one-offs. Because anything with the word brew in it is always worth celebrating. SIP A NEW BREW According to a recent craft beer study the gose style is the fastest growing; you’ll be seeing all the best breweries implementing gose in 2016. Sierra Nevada’s Otra Vez Gose-Style Ale is brewed with prickly pear cactus and grapefruit for a deeply layered adventure into the newest star of the craft beer world. Get more details on this beer on the back cover! THROW A TASTING PARTY Pick a Saturday, set up some tables and stop by ABC for a spread of beers—you’ll be hosting a beer and food pairing party. Start with green chili-stuffed portobello mushrooms and a schwarzbier or try creamy risotto paired with an American amber lager. WILL YOU BEER MY VALENTINE? When your beer has better flavor and texture than V-Day treats, it’s probably wiser to go with the beer. From milk stouts to chocolate porters to decadent dessert beers, FeBREWary is best celebrated with Valentine’s brews. Terrapin Liquid Bliss is peanut butter and chocolate heaven and Young’s Double Chocolate Stout mixed with a raspberry lambic is like chocolate-covered dark fruit. COOK WITH BEER Using beer in your food is not only brilliant, it’s the new trend. The malty, richness of specific beers can elevate a dish from zero to hero in 45 minutes or less. Follow us on Pinterest or check out our blog (blog.abcfws.com) for brew-infused dishes and recipe ideas. BREW YOUR OWN BEER Maybe there are some crazy beer flavors that you’ve always thought would be good, maybe you really love playing with chemistry, or perhaps you’re just super bored and looking for a new hobby… in any case you should definitely try brewing at home during FeBREWary.
Saint Patrick’s Day & Beer R ICK S WARTZ – BEER CONSULTANT @ ABC BE E RRIC K
There is a long history of brewing in Ireland, more than
Its ABV is in the 4% range and it has less calories than many
5,000 years by most accounts. Legend has it that Saint
mass-brewed, pilsner-style lagers.
Patrick even had his own brewer, a priest named Mescan (which is also the name of a current craft brewery making Belgian beers). Guinness, a name most associated with Saint Patrick’s Day, has been brewing in Ireland since 1756 and in the same location at Saint James’s Gate since 1759.
But don’t let the description of Guinness Draught’s mouthfeel fool you. This beer is surprisingly complex for such a lightbodied beer. Part of the reason for this is the bit of sourness you may have noticed in the aroma. Each batch of Guinness Draught is blended with a touch of soured beer from a
There are currently three main styles of Irish beers according
previous batch—think sour-mashed whiskey for those of you
to the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines. Most of us who are
who are Jack Daniel’s fans. This touch of sour beer adds a
“a little bit Irish”—even if it is just on Saint Patrick’s Day—are
quite unexpected layer of complexity and also makes it ideal
familiar with some of the flagship beers of one or more of
for quenching a thirst. Another interesting quality of Guinness
these styles: Irish red ale (Smithwick’s Irish Ale or Killian’s
Draught it its specific gravity. While the science of specific
Irish Red), Irish stout (Guinness Draught or Murphy’s Irish
gravities may not be very interesting, it does allow you to do
Stout) and Irish extra stout (Guinness Extra Stout, the U.S.
some fun things with Guinness when mixing drinks.
version). You can also find many versions of these styles from your favorite craft brewers.
Saint Patrick’s Day brings with it beer cocktails, some of which have become classics. Among those standards are
Since Guinness reigns as king on Paddy’s Day, it might
the Black & Tan (half Guinness Draught and half traditional
be warranted to explain a little about Guinness Draught to
pale ale), the Snakebite (part Guinness and part cider) and
anyone who might not have experienced it before. First off,
the Black Velvet (served in a large stemmed glass, this drink
a “proper pint” of Guinness always benefits from a two-part
is 3 ounces sparkling wine with the remainder of the glass
pour. At a pub, this involves pouring the beer into a clean
filled with Guinness).
glass at a 45-degree angle until three-quarters full. Then you
are pouring your Guinness out of a can at home, it is usually much faster. Pour from the can into a large, clean glass in one smooth motion.
quickly lengthens to include the Irish Car Bomb (combine 1 ounce Irish whiskey, 1 ounce triple sec and 2 ounces sour mix in a glass, then fill with Guinness Blonde), the Belfast Car Bomb (in a shot glass, combine ¾ ounce of coffee liqueur topped off with 1 teaspoon Irish cream and 1 teaspoon Irish whiskey. Drop this shot glass into ⅔ pint of Guinness)
This is a process that, when done correctly according to the folks at Guinness, takes exactly 119.5 seconds.
and the Irish Margarita (combine 1 ounce Irish whiskey, 1 ounce triple sec and 2 ounces sour mix in a glass and fill with Guinness Blonde). But if you’re a bit of a skeptic and none of these drinks suit you, there is still a Saint Patrick’s Day
Regardless of whether your pint is from a pub or your home, the beer in your glass should look the same. It will appear a deep ruby color, almost black, but not quite, with a silky, tan head. The aroma should remind you of unsweetened
cocktail for you. Build the Skeptic in a highball glass with 1 ounce blue curacao, 1 ounce coffee liqueur, 1 ounce vodka, 3 ounces lemonade and float Guinness Draught on top to fill the glass.
chocolate and roast with an almost imperceptible tinge of sourness in the background. Despite its bold, dark color,
No matter your drink of choice, have fun with it and may the
Guinness Draught has a very thin and light mouthfeel. For
luck of the Irish be with you!
what many people think is a strong, heavy beer, it really isn’t.
Page 5
folks at Guinness, takes exactly 119.5 seconds. But if you
cocktails. Once spirits and cordials are included, the list
|
is a process that, when done correctly according to the
And this is just the beginning of the Saint Patrick’s Day beer
February/March 2016
pause pouring and wait for the “surge” of nitrogen bubbles to settle. Then you continue filling the glass to the top. This
Living the Beer Life MAK EN Z IE L ADD, B EER CONSULTANT @ABC BE E RMAK E N Z I E
Over recent years the phrase “Craft is a way
the one who had a bad beer from a brewery
excited about everything craft beer. That
of life” has become the mantra chanted by
and now refuses to sully their reputation
sticker from the brewery that they’ve never
an innumerable and exponentially growing
with another try, and they’re the person who
drank any beer from? Has to have it. That
crowd of beer lovers. At first snubbed as a
becomes fanatical if their beer is served in
ill-fitting jacket with the horribly stitched
fad in the beer market, craft beer has enjoyed
anything but a chalice.
decal claiming loyalty to the brewery they just visited? Has to have it. That accident
a massive explosion of popularity. Gone are the days when bars displayed tap handles for
THE LOCAL ENFORCER:
of a beer that happens even to the best of
three styles and their light brothers, here now
Often heard statements include, “I only
breweries? Has to rate it 100 and suggest it
are the days that proud craft beer bars set up
drink <insert your state or region> beers,”
to all of your friends. This person is caught
50+ handles for everyday proceedings and
and “Our brewery is known for <insert
up in the magic of craft beer, but never
saunter out with expensive bottles for special
certain beer style or ingredient>.” This Beer
fear: This stage doesn’t last long! If one of
occasions with all the formality granted to
Lover takes extreme pride in their state or
your friends is The Newbie, their rocketing
expensive restaurants. How consumers view
brewery’s ability to produce craft beer. This
enthusiasm will either die off as a new
craft beer all of a sudden has become a
place, they insist, has the ability to produce
obsession is picked up, or they’ll level out
direct reflection of how they view themselves.
the best beer/style/collaboration of all time.
as their thirst for “the new” is quenched by
Drinking something from a craft brewery on
good old information.
Like any group of people, those involved
the other coast? You probably shouldn’t be.
in the Beer Life are not always united in
They’re ready with an entire list of homespun
THE ANYTHING GUY (OR GAL):
their way of thinking. Bars don’t always
facts on why their state/brewery is the only
The Anything Guy will take whatever is on
have the pleasure of watching their patrons
one worth investing time and taste in, and
the menu. Whether it’s a pitch-black stout
unanimously lifting their glasses to toast their
they’re most likely decked out in state or
or an artisanal import, if it has the backing,
brethren in victory over the wine drinkers,
brewery gear. It’s not unlike them to drop
they’re going to throw it back. “What’s your
no—as with any philosophy, those involved in
thousands of dollars for that brewery’s beer
favorite style?” you may ask them, but you
the beer scene have splintered off from their
festival or to enroll in an expensive special
already know the answer: whatever’s available.
original beginnings into smaller subcultures
bottle club.
If you suggest a beer or hand them one a bottle from your coveted four pack that cost
whose identities have formed based on their approach to living a Beer Life. Below are
THE BEER GEEK:
you $20, you know they’re going to finish it. If
a few examples of Beer Lover stereotypes
The Beer Geek knows everything: the creator
you need a buddy for a festival, they excitedly
and their role in the beer scene.
of the brewery, the year they started
volunteer. A class on craft beer? They’re
brewing, the state the brewery is located
ready to go. As your beer wingman, they
THE BEER ELITIST:
in, their first beer, etc. The Beer Geek has
are ready at a moment’s notice to escort
After reading this description, you’ll
an alphabetically arranged mental list of
you into any craft beer situation.
probably recall having an encounter with
every beer made by whatever brewery you’ve
the Beer Elitist. They’re one of the most
just asked about. They’re loud, they’re
People are as unique as the beers they
easily recognizable Beer Lover categories
proud, and they don’t mind launching into
dream up, so don’t be surprised to find all
in the social forum and have the accidental
an hour-long speech containing every fact
kinds of different Beer Lover archetypes,
tendency to give Beer Lovers a snobby
they’ve gathered, much to the chagrin of
hybrids and philosophies out in the world.
reputation. At a bar, their go-to move is
their listeners. This Beer Lover, despite their
As the craft beer market changes with
looking up a beer’s rating online; if that
gushing informative tendencies, is one of
each new revolutionary idea, so do we, the
number isn’t 90 or above, they’ll never put
the best people to have on your team for
drinkers of beer; when we are exposed to
their lips to it. Beer Elitists make it well
beer trivia night.
new advertising, taste experimental styles and link up in beer communities we go
known how the beer in your hand is a poorly constructed golem of their world-class
THE NEWBIE:
through a metamorphosis of thought.
Belgium (that costs $15). Examples of Beer
All of us are new at some point, but to
Every new beer is a chance to become
Elitist tendencies: they’re the Beer Lover who
fall into the category of The Newbie, a
someone new.
only drinks IPAs brewed with certain hops,
person presents themselves as extremely
February/March 2016
|
Page 7
8 989 SOUT H OR ANGE AVE. OR LAND O, F LORID A 32824
Sierra Nevada Otra Vez
Gose-Style Ale
New to the year-round line-up of coast-to-coast
Otra Vez is a quintessential gose made with
brewery Sierra Nevada is Otra Vez Gose-Style
prickly pear cactus and grapefruit for a kick of
Ale. While this beer is currently brewed only at
refreshing tartness. With delicate balance and
Sierra Nevada’s Chico, California, location, the
just the right amount of complexity, Otra Vez
summer is ripe for expanding production to their Asheville, North Carolina, facility. The gose style originated in Germany, where it was first made by spontaneous fermentation—a process, you probably recognize as the reason
allows the cactus and the grapefruit to shine alongside notes of coriander and a tiny touch of salt. Fruity, tangy and perfectly crisp, this gose is exactly the beer you’ll be craving for casual sipping on warm days.
behind those ultra-tart sours and lambics from Belgium. While many gose ales today are made
Pair this 4.5% ABV sessionable ale with Thai
with top-fermenting yeast, that characteristically
and Vietnamese cuisine or grilled fish.
tart profile is still very much a trait of this style.