A Real Life Beer Tasting

A few blog posts ago, I discussed hosting your very own beer tasting. In spite of your loyal readership and ability to digest my sage wisdom on the subject, the best way to learn how to host a beer tasting is to attend a beer tasting. That is exactly what I did last night.

The event was hosted by a local wine store in my neighborhood called Wine Styles. Interestingly enough, the owner of the store is a beer guy, who just happens to own a wine store. He gets very passionate about beer and it shows. There was no theme to the selections; just a collection of interesting beers (some local, some not so much) that he was able to acquire and share with the beer lovers.

The first beer in the lineup was a French blonde ale from the Brasserie la Choulette les Sans Culottes. It was expectedly Belgian, smooth and refreshing like a blonde ale should be. A good start to be sure.

I love me some collabo-brews

Next up was a collaboration beer by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, DE, Stone Brewing Co in San Diego, CA and Victory Brewing Co in Downingtown, PA called Saison du BUFF. This beer was truly a jewel, crispy like a farmhouse saison but with the clear hoppy influence of Dogfish and Stone. This is what happens when hopheads go Belgian. And the incorporation of parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme into the beer was a nice touch. Very nice.

Third was a local (for Northern Virginia) contribution called New River Pale Ale by the Lost Rhino Brewing Co in Ashburn, VA. New River is a smooth, sweet and balanced hoppy American-style pale ale that is highlighted with citrus and pine notes. Quite good.

Hello, I'm Johnny Cask

Then there was another Dogfish Head contribution in the form of their 75 Minute India Pale Ale. This beer is excellent. It is made by combining their 60 minute IPA and their 90 minute IPA, along with maple syrup. It is bottle conditioned, dry-hopped and naturally carbonated. Take my advice – GO FIND THIS BEER!!!

After the 75 Minute, we were given Troegs Brewing Co’s (from Hershey, PA) Nugget Nectar Imperial Amber Ale. The name won’t clue you in to this, but this beer is very hoppy. It’s a lot like their HopBack Amber Ale, but with more intensity in the malts and hops departments. For a hophead such as myself, this beer hit the spot.

The next beer in the lineup was the Boont Amber Ale by the Anderson Valley Brewing Co in Boonville, CA. This is a very well-balanced amber ale with mild hoppiness, but the real story is the beer’s color – a gorgeous deep copper color. Absolutely beautiful! (and delicious too)

Another Colorado craft beer

The finale was a Cocoa Porter by the Tommyknocker Brewing Co in Idaho Springs, CO. This was another delicious brew with sweet roasted malt and chocolate notes (and perhaps a touch of coffee too). It’s one of the better porters I’ve ever had – I highly recommend it.

Overall, the beer tasting was a success. These are the kind of beer events that make beer appreciation worth the effort. I am looking forward to the next beer tasting at Wine Styles.

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!