Return of the Hops

(From last weekend)
A: Remember when you had that beer blog?
N: Yeah, I remember that. That was fun.
A: Why did you stop?
N: Well, there was no reason really. I guess I should do it again.

And here we go.

So what's happened beer-wise in the last 10 months (or since I last penned a beer blog post in April 2014)? Well, to start: I celebrated my 30th birthday in Bend, OR, which was arguably the best place I could possibly celebrate anything given its status of a beer-plus-outdoors mecca.

Favorites from that adventure included Crux Fermentation Project's Outcast IPA, GoodLife Brewing's Descender IPA, and Boneyard's Notorious Triple IPA. Bravehorse Tavern recently had Notorious on tap, making it the most recent Bend beer I've had in awhile. At a 12% ABV and an estimated 90 IBUs, the Notorious lives up to its name in stats - but not necessarily in crazed intensity. Boneyard's 3x brewski joins the ranks of a precious few triple IPAs (and their brewers) that can blend high hops, ABV, and drinkability without dropping into the brandywine abysss of doom (or at least according to my one-trick-wonder-IPA palate). This is a distinction reserved for only the hoptastic crème de la crème, such as Reuben's Brews (Blimey that's Bitter [10.5% ABV; ~80 IBUs]), Georgetown (Kick Ass Blaster [11.4% ABV; unknown IBUs), and this year's Hop Mob hero (and total darkhorse, according to some of Seattle's beer scene insiders), Snipes Mountain Brewing with Hayduke the Wrencher (9.3% ABV; 97 IBUs).

Oops, be kind and rewind to August 7: IPA Day! I had the distinct pleasure of celebrating this glorious event at Reuben's Brews, which offered a fairly fantastic IPA sampler in honor of this high holy day of hops. I took advantage of Reuben's IPA sampler, through which I got to experience the wonderment of crisp, delightful Crikey IPA (6.8% ABV; 53 IBUs). I completely agree with this untappd review: "Tastes way bigger than the ABV and IBUs suggest - grassy and piney with a background of tropical fruity flavours." Pine plus citrus plus refreshment = a major score in my hoppy book.

In October, I fully embraced Seattle's fresh hop season, ranging from the Pinebox's big fresh hop bash to the Noble Fir's daytime hoppy hour(s). For me, a decidedly amateur beer appreciator, fresh hops season offers the awesome opportunity to really delve into what types of hoppy flavors you - or in this case, I - prefer at a more in-your-face, hops-in-your-mouth level. So what did I learn? It turns out that I love Amarillo hops, which are largely responsible for the intensely citrus-y, grapefruit-imbibed IPAs I happen to adore. It also turns out that Reuben's Amarillo Fresh Hop Ale, one of the most amazing citrus-fresh-hop-bombs out there, makes me want to sing Ben Folds' "I Am the Luckiest" at the top of my lungs upon swilling this stellar brew.

Right before December, I made a beer advent calendar. Yes, that really happened. And Fremont Brewing's social media maven said "Oh my Holy Christmas Beer DIY Goddess...you win everything!" And then my life was made. 

Actually come December: oh boy, Hoppy Holidays to...me. Over. And over again.

(1) Maine beer fun with G & M, and my beloved dog niece R (yes, G "made" me drink my Baxter Stowaway IPA out of a straw. If I lived in Maine, I'd probably designate this IPA as a can go-to for every adventure.)

(2) An epic beer exchange with TM, East Coast v. West Coast IPAs (including Maine Beer Company's Lunch IPA [7% ABV; 88 IBUs] - an incredibly delectable, balanced, and crisp IPA. Me want more. Please.)

(3) An even more epic IPA showdown in upstate NY (spoiler: Fremont's Brother IPA won - a beer that's increasingly becoming my all-time favorite IPA)

(4) My dad managed to procure a 4-pack of The Alchemist's Heady Topper (!!!!!) for me through his work's gift grab-bag/White Elephant/Yankee Swap (which of course prompts all kinds of questions, like WHO GIVES AWAY HEADY TOPPER?????). This turned into a Christmas gift that truly kept on giving, as then I had the opportunity provide some of my favorite beer nuts out here in Seattle with their first HT experience.

So that's the rest of my 2014. Sort of. Not really. But did you really want more? That's what I thought.

Coming attractions: the amazing beer I had when the Seahawks tragically lost the Superbowl (the smallest of small, small, small silver linings); SF Beer Week, otherwise known as PlinyQuest 2015; and Tahoe's finest IPA (preview: it's from Stateline Brewery).

Cheers!
N

Spring forward - or hop forward?

Whoa. So, right. A few months have passed since I touched this thing. And wow, a lot has happened.

The Seahawks won the Superbowl. I went to Zambia and Uganda. I was selected as a back-up for watching over S when M has her baby in May. I started drafting a Modern Love column. Did I mention the Seahawks and the whole Superbowl thing?

And oh yes. The beer. There's been a lot of tasty beer enjoyed by this girl recently. Or not so recently, as the case may be.

Here's what I can briefly gather from my iPhone notes:

Enjoy By 2.14.14 and Enjoy By 4.20.14, Stone Brewery
(allegedly 9.4% ABV, 88 IBUs for each iteration)
More like enjoy by whenever you can get your hands on these brews. The 2.14.14 round got me through some long days at work, largely enjoyed at Fremont's The Sixgill. Here's how it'd go: work a minimum of 10 to 12 hours. Discover I had forgotten to eat enough or had had too much caffeine to easily sleep. Swing by The Sixgill at 9 pm for foodstuffs and a delectably tasty, complex, hoppy but balanced, Enjoy By. Go home, sleep a bit, repeat. One month later, Enjoy By 4.20.14 gets bottled and hits the Seattle shelves. After a rough week, I bought an overpriced bottle at PCC and brought it over to M and S's to watch an immensely high-brow television series that rhymes with the smachelor. Again, so tasty, so interesting to the palate, hoppy but balanced - way to Stone, way to go Enjoy By. I've never been more thankful for the next four weeks.

The Brother Imperial IPA, Fremont Brewing
(8.5% ABV, about a billion IBUs, more details here)
Oh brother - you've ruined every other beer for me. It's a bold move, I know, but this beer might just be my new favorite. Perhaps even ever. I thought The Sister was pretty spectacular, but well, like my little brother, this one just rocks my socks off. Thankfully, Fremont Brewing decided to have The Brother for awhile this late winter-to-early spring, as I've enjoyed it several times: (1) post-NFC championship game wherein the Seahawks emerged oh so victorious; (2) post-report finalization with A; (3) drinks with J; (4) drinks with M; (5) drinks by myself...ok, ok, ok, have I made my point clear? This is a truly awesome IPA, bold but somehow light(ish), hoppy and citrus-y, and...sir, may I have some more?

Topcutter IPA, Bale Breaker Brewing
(6.8% ABV, 70 IBU, more details here)
So this is fun: according to N (and The Sixgill), Bale Breaker Brewing has only recently started to distribute its hoppy wares in Seattle. The Moxee-based brewery (basically Yakima - oh my upstate NY accent is wonderfully showcased by saying Yaaaaaaakima) has made this fine IPA that has a lower alcohol content without sacrificing hop-tasticity. It tickles the palate with some kind of citrus-y goodness, and I imagine this brewski would a tasty one for the summer months. Bonus - it comes in cans! All the better to pack for kayak adventures - hurrah! Is it summer yet?

Alright, this makes sound like a happy-hoppy-hippy. Indeed, I have had some disappointing beers in the last few months. For instance, I really didn't like High Water Brewing's Hop Logic in January - I actually bought one of those 22 oz bottles at Bottleworks and promptly dumped it down the drain after my first sip. "Gross brandy-wineness, ugh" says my iPhone. And subsequently, I turned down High Water brews several times due to this unfortunate experience. Sorry guys, but my hop-discerning gullet is just not that into you.

Next up: reviews of Washington's Hob Mob Triple IPA Roadshow (courtesy of myself, M, and K). Sneak preview: Georgetown's Kiss Ass Blaster "is more like kick ass!" and Spinnaker Bay's Three Sheets to the Wind is "burnt, earthy, heavy - whatever. I stick my tongue out at it."

Cheers,
N