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
P. 6
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.