California Beer - The Beer Thrillers

Ballast Point Shutting Down Production

B. Kline — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 22:15:11 +0000

Ballast Point Brewery (Long Beach) (photo courtesy of Ballast Point)

Ballast Point Shutting Down Production in Miramar

Ballast Point Brewing’s headquarters is located at 9045 Carroll Way in Miramar.

Ballast Point Brewing has ceased production at its Miramar headquarters, turning to contract brewing as it continues to focus on distribution and maintain its consumer-facing venues while exploring new brewery locations.

The trend of contract brewing has gained traction over recent years, allowing companies to reduce overheads such as equipment maintenance, staff payroll, and operational costs, while concentrating on sales, marketing, and managing public venues like tasting rooms and restaurants. Notable breweries like Latitude 33 Brewing and Mason Ale Works have successfully adopted this model, with the latter now planning to open a branded taproom after increasing its production capacity through contract brewing.

Ballast Point, one of the largest breweries in the county, follows this path as it suspends operations at its 107,000-square-foot Miramar site, which includes a brewery, bar, and restaurant. This transition led to layoffs within the production staff. The brewery, under the management of Kings & Convicts Brewing, shifted its base to Miramar after purchasing Ballast Point from Constellation Brands in 2019 for a fraction of its initial $1 billion sale price in 2015.

“It’s been a challenging week, but necessary adjustments were needed,” stated CEO Brendan Watters. He expressed that the large-scale facility was unsustainable and not reflective of the original Ballast Point ethos, which he recalls as being more grassroots at Scripps Ranch, operating intensely around the clock.

Since taking over, Kings & Convicts aimed to revitalize the Ballast Point brand, a plan complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic and other setbacks despite increased visibility through local sports sponsorships and new venues like a brewery-restaurant in San Francisco.

In 2022, Kings & Convicts expanded into spaces previously occupied by Saint Archer Brewery, including the Miramar brewery and a Leucadia tasting room, both of which are now managed by Fall Brewing and Duck Foot Brewing, respectively.

Despite these changes, Ballast Point will keep its bar and restaurant at the Miramar location operational, along with its Little Italy brewpub in downtown San Diego, the Home Brew Mart in Morena, and several other venues across California, including in Long Beach and Anaheim.

“We’ve secured a contract with another company to oversee the Miramar brewery. In the interim, they will handle production to supply our taprooms and distributors as we look to establish a new facility in San Diego, ideally with an 80-to-100-barrel brewhouse,” Watters explained. “Our goal is to restore Ballast Point as a premier West Coast brand.”

Ballast Point was best known for its Sculpin series of craft beers and was one of the early forerunners of the craft beer boom in America.

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Beer Review of Pliny the Elder: Is It the Best Double IPA of 2024?

B. Kline — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 03:00:26 +0000

Pliny the Elder by Russian River Brewing Company

Introduction

Pliny the Elder, brewed by Russian River Brewing Company, is one of the most celebrated Double IPAs in the craft beer world. Since its introduction, it has consistently ranked high on beer lists and won numerous awards. In this review, we’ll delve into what makes Pliny the Elder so special and whether it still holds up in 2024.

History and Background

Russian River Brewing Company, located in Santa Rosa, California, was founded by Korbel Champagne Cellars in 1997. Vinnie Cilurzo, the current owner and brewmaster, took over in 2003. Pliny the Elder, named after the Roman naturalist and historian who first documented hops, was one of the early trailblazers of the Double IPA style. Its creation set a new standard for hoppy beers and helped popularize the style.

Russian River Brewing Company

Russian River Brewing Company, founded in 1997 in Santa Rosa, California, has become a cornerstone of the American craft beer movement. Initially started by Korbel Champagne Cellars, the brewery underwent a significant transformation when Vinnie and Natalie Cilurzo took ownership in 2003. Under their stewardship, Russian River quickly garnered a reputation for producing high-quality, innovative beers. Vinnie Cilurzo, a pioneer in the industry, is credited with brewing the first commercially marketed Double IPA, which set the stage for the brewery’s future successes.

Russian River’s commitment to excellence is evident in their diverse beer portfolio, which includes both hop-forward beers and expertly crafted sour ales. Their flagship beer, Pliny the Elder, has become a benchmark for Double IPAs, celebrated for its balance and complex hop profile. In addition to Pliny, the brewery is renowned for its barrel-aged sour beers, such as Supplication and Consecration, which showcase their expertise in blending and aging. These beers have not only won numerous awards but also have captivated the palates of beer enthusiasts around the world.

Beyond their beer, Russian River Brewing Company has played a significant role in fostering a sense of community within the craft beer industry. They host the annual “Pliny the Younger” release, a much-anticipated event that draws beer lovers from across the globe to their Santa Rosa and Windsor locations. This dedication to community engagement extends to their philanthropic efforts, with the brewery regularly supporting local charities and causes. Through their commitment to quality, innovation, and community, Russian River Brewing Company continues to be a leader in the craft beer world, inspiring brewers and drinkers alike.

Russian River Brewing Company is a pinnacle in the craft beer community.

Appearance

Pliny the Elder by Russian River Brewing Company

Pliny the Elder pours a clear golden amber with a moderate, foamy white head that leaves a nice lacing on the glass. The beer’s clarity and color are immediately inviting, signaling a well-crafted brew. The head retention is impressive, maintaining a thin cap throughout the drinking experience, which enhances the visual appeal.

Aroma

The aroma of Pliny the Elder is a delightful bouquet of fresh pine, citrus, and floral notes. There’s a dominant scent of grapefruit and pine needles, complemented by subtle hints of malt sweetness. The aroma is robust and tantalizing, setting high expectations for the taste. As the beer warms, additional nuances of tropical fruits, such as mango and pineapple, become more apparent, adding to its complexity.

Taste

On the palate, Pliny the Elder delivers a complex yet balanced flavor profile. The initial taste is a burst of citrus and pine, with grapefruit and orange zest leading the way. As the beer settles on the mid-palate, notes of resinous pine and floral hops become more pronounced. The malt backbone provides a slight caramel sweetness that perfectly balances the hop bitterness. The aftertaste is clean and crisp, with a lingering bitterness that invites another sip.

What sets Pliny the Elder apart is its ability to be intensely hoppy without being overwhelming. The interplay between the hops and malt creates a harmonious balance that many Double IPAs struggle to achieve. Each sip reveals new layers of flavor, making it a beer that you can enjoy both quickly and thoughtfully.

Mouthfeel

Pliny the Elder has a medium body with a smooth, slightly dry mouthfeel. The carbonation is just right, providing a refreshing effervescence without being too fizzy. The beer feels well-rounded and satisfying on the tongue, making it easy to enjoy despite its higher alcohol content (8% ABV). The finish is dry and crisp, encouraging the next sip.

Overall Impression

Pliny the Elder lives up to its legendary status. It’s a well-balanced, flavorful Double IPA that showcases the best qualities of hops and malt. Whether you’re a seasoned craft beer enthusiast or new to the world of IPAs, Pliny the Elder is a must-try. It’s no wonder this beer has remained a favorite among beer aficionados for years.

Rating: 9.5/10

Food Pairings

Pliny the Elder pairs wonderfully with a variety of foods. Here are some suggestions:

Spicy Dishes: The beer’s hoppy bitterness can complement and cool down spicy foods like buffalo wings or spicy Thai curry.
Grilled Meats: The citrus and pine notes enhance the flavors of grilled chicken, pork, or steak.
Cheeses: Pair with aged cheddar or gouda for a delightful contrast between the beer’s bitterness and the cheese’s richness.
Seafood: The beer’s bright, citrusy notes complement the delicate flavors of seafood dishes like grilled shrimp or fish tacos.
Desserts: Try pairing with a citrus-based dessert like lemon tart to highlight the beer’s fruity notes.

Brewer’s Notes

Pliny the Elder was first brewed in 2000 and was one of the first commercially brewed Double IPAs. It is named after the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder, who first mentioned hops in his writings. The beer is brewed with Amarillo, Centennial, CTZ, and Simcoe hops, which contribute to its distinctive aroma and flavor. The brewing process involves multiple hop additions, including a generous dry hopping stage, to maximize the hop character.

Untappd notes: 8% ABV, 100 IBU, and has over 280,000 ratings, with a global average rating of 4.5.

Untappd description reads: “PLINY THE ELDER – (Double IPA) Brewed with Amarillo, Centennial, CTZ, Cascade, Warrior, and Simcoe hops. Well-balanced with malt, hops, and alcohol. Slightly bitter with aromas of citrus, pine, and floral”

Comparisons to Other Double IPAs

When comparing Pliny the Elder to other Double IPAs, its balance and drinkability stand out. While some Double IPAs can be overwhelmingly bitter or overly sweet, Pliny strikes a perfect harmony. Beers like The Alchemist’s Heady Topper or Tree House Brewing’s Julius offer different takes on the style, with Heady Topper leaning towards more intense bitterness and Julius showcasing juicy, fruity hop flavors. Pliny the Elder, however, maintains a classic profile that has stood the test of time.

Pliny the Elder and Nimble Giant are two highly esteemed Double IPAs that showcase the diverse approaches to the style by their respective breweries, Russian River Brewing Company and Tröegs Independent Brewing. Pliny the Elder is celebrated for its balanced profile, offering a harmonious blend of pine, citrus, and floral hop notes, supported by a subtle malt backbone that provides a smooth, drinkable experience despite its 8% ABV. Nimble Giant, on the other hand, leans towards a more robust and juicy hop character, with prominent tropical fruit flavors such as mango and pineapple, alongside resinous pine and a slightly sweeter malt presence. Both beers are exemplary in their own right, with Pliny the Elder appealing to those who appreciate a classic, well-balanced Double IPA, while Nimble Giant caters to those who enjoy a more fruit-forward, intense hop experience.

Consumer Opinions

Pliny the Elder has garnered a cult following over the years. Beer enthusiasts often praise its consistency and quality. Many reviews highlight its balanced hop profile, clean finish, and the ability to enjoy multiple servings without palate fatigue. The beer has become a benchmark for the Double IPA style, with many breweries aiming to replicate its success.

Untappd

My Rating: ****.5
Global Untappd Rating: 4.4995 (or 4.5) (as of 2.26.24).

Conclusion

Pliny the Elder is a benchmark in the world of craft beer, particularly within the Double IPA category. Its masterful balance of hops and malt, combined with its rich history and consistent quality, make it a beer that every craft beer lover should experience. Whether you’re revisiting it or trying it for the first time, Pliny the Elder is sure to impress.

Pliny the Elder stands as a testament to the artistry and dedication of Russian River Brewing Company. Its ability to balance intense hop flavors with a smooth, drinkable malt backbone sets it apart from many other Double IPAs. This beer has not only withstood the test of time but continues to be a benchmark in the craft beer industry. Its consistent quality and refined complexity make it a must-try for both seasoned beer enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Moreover, Pliny the Elder’s legacy is bolstered by its historical significance. As one of the first commercially brewed Double IPAs, it paved the way for an entire genre of hoppy beers that have become staples in the craft beer world. The beer’s namesake, Pliny the Elder, who first documented hops in his writings, adds an intriguing historical depth that complements its modern-day acclaim. This blend of history and innovation has helped Pliny the Elder maintain its iconic status.

In summary, Pliny the Elder is more than just a beer; it’s a symbol of the craft beer revolution. Its harmonious blend of flavors, rich history, and the unwavering dedication of Russian River Brewing Company make it an enduring favorite. Whether you’re enjoying it for the first time or revisiting an old favorite, Pliny the Elder offers a consistently exceptional experience that continues to set the standard for Double IPAs worldwide.

Some Other Popular Beer Reviews

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Anchor Brewing Could Be Sold Tomorrow

B. Kline — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 20:44:00 +0000

Anchor Brewing Company Could Be Sold – As Soon as Tomorrow

We will likely hear an announcement tomorrow morning, possibly as early as 10 AM EST, on the fate of Anchor Brewing Company. One of the oldest breweries in America. (Yuengling Brewing holds the distinction of being the oldest ‘continuously operating’ craft brewery.)

Tomorrow morning, employees of Anchor Brewing Co. will gather at the historic San Francisco firm’s plant on Potrero Hill for an all-hands meeting with leaders from its parent company, Sapporo USA. There, VinePair has learned, they may be told that the 127 year-old company is being acquired by another Northern California craft brewery.

Representatives for Anchor, considered by many the pioneer of the American craft brewing movement, and Sapporo USA, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate that bought the iconic brewery in 2017, declined multiple requests for comment about this situation. Three current employees have confirmed that there’s a full-team meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 9 a.m. local time. Normally, that wouldn’t warrant a story. But there’s nothing normal about what’s been going on at Anchor lately.
Anchor Brewing Could Be Sold As Soon as Tomorrow – VinePair

As we stated previously here on the blog, Anchor Brewing Company on June 11th, exactly a month ago, announced that they would cease distributing nationally. They also announced that they were stopping production of their legacy, and historic beer – Christmas Ale.

(Anchor Brewing Will No Longer Be Sold Nationally)

The last few years at Anchor Brewing Company has been tumultuous to say the least. In 2021 they underwent a rebranding that failed and fizzled out, leaving many of their workers disgruntled, annoyed, and some laid off.

Sapporo USA has been “picking fights” with the worker unions and causing issues as well. And of course, the announcement that Anchor Brewing Will No Longer Be Sold Nationally last month has done nothing to help things as well.

Roughly around the time of the announcement, Sapporo USA also removed and gutted much of their sales team, further leading many to see the writing on the wall and the brewery’s soon sale, demise, or closure coming.

Last week, the company had a mere 600 barrels of Anchor Steam scheduled to be brewed over the entire month of August, a tiny quantity that another current worker, speaking on condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation from the company, described as “absurd.”

Workers are in the dark, their livelihoods hanging in the balance. One worker tells VinePair that Sapporo USA execs had been spotted inventorying the plant’s equipment, a worrying development. But: “They haven’t mentioned shit to us” about job security, another current employee says. “Upstairs,” shorthand for Anchor’s white-collar offices above the brewhouse, has become “a ghost town.” A gradual exodus has pared the close-knit workforce from around 85 people to just 30 or 40.
Anchor Brewing Could Be Sold As Soon as Tomorrow – VinePair

Tomorrow Morning’s Meeting

Tomorrow morning’s meeting will explain the future for Anchor Brewing Company; for the public at large, and its employees. Many of who say they are completely in the dark still about what is going on with their own jobs, employment, working environment, etc.

Talk has centered around sale of the company. There has also been talk of what Sapporo USA plans on doing with the brand, and iconic beers as well. Beers such as the Anchor Steam Beer, or the Liberty Ale (IPA); talk of moving production of key beers to the newly acquired (by Sapporo USA) Stone Brewing Company in San Diego is also a possibility.

Tomorrow should offer some answers. And they may not be all bad. A source close to the proceedings who is not authorized to speak publicly about it tells VinePair that rather than Anchor’s demise, tomorrow will be “a good day for [its] future.” At the 9 a.m. meeting, “Anchor is going to announce that it is being sold to another well-known craft brewer from Northern California.”
Anchor Brewing Could Be Sold As Soon as Tomorrow – VinePair

VinePair seems to think the leading candidates to possibly buy Anchor Brewing Company are Russian River Brewing Company, Sierra Nevada Brewing, and Drake’s Brewing Company. VinePair stated that none of the breweries have responded to comments by them however. As understandably, any breweries interested in the purchasing would be keeping things close to the vest at a time like this.

Acquisitions and mergings have been quite the rage in the brewing industry lately. With several happening – including the started and failed merge of Cape May Brewing and Flying Fish Brewery; the acquisition of Flying Dog Brewery by F.X. Matt Brewing Company (Saranac Brewing), and the acquisition of DuClaw Brewing Company by River Horse Brewing.

Tomorrow’s meeting will define the future for Anchor Brewing Company no matter what. So please stay tuned here to the blog for more details then.

A brief history on Anchor Brewing Company

A brief history on Anchor Brewing Company:

Anchor began during the California Gold Rush when Gottlieb Brekle arrived from Germany and began brewing in San Francisco. In 1896, Ernst F. Baruth and his son-in-law, Otto Schinkel, Jr., bought an old brewery at 1431 Pacific Avenue and named it Anchor Brewery. The brewery burned down in the fires that followed the 1906 earthquake, but was rebuilt at a different location in 1907.^[7] There is no record of what Anchor did during Prohibition, but it resumed serving Steam Beer after Repeal, possibly as the only steam brewing company still in operation.^[8] However the brewery burned down yet again within the year, and it relocated once more, this time to a building a few blocks away.

The brewery continued operations into the late 1950s, but suffered heavily from the country’s increasingly strong preference for the light lagers produced by the megabreweries.^[9] Whereas there had been more than 4,000 breweries at the turn of the twentieth century, only 70 remained by the 1960s.^[10]

Anchor shut its doors briefly in 1959, but was bought and reopened the following year.^[11] By 1965, however, it was doing so poorly that it nearly closed again. Anchor’s situation continued to deteriorate largely because the current owners lacked the expertise, equipment, and attention to cleanliness that were required to produce consistent batches of beer for commercial consumption. The brewery gained a reputation for producing sour, bad beer.^[12]

In 1965, Frederick Louis “Fritz” Maytag III bought the brewery, saving it from closure.^[13] He purchased 51 percent of the brewery for several thousand dollars, and later purchased the brewery outright.^[14] It moved to its current location near Potrero Hill in 1979.

……

In 1993, the company opened Anchor Distillery, a microdistillery in the same location as the brewery, and began making a single malt rye whiskey, named Old Potrero after the hill. In 1997, the microdistillery began producing gin, called Junípero—Spanish for juniper, and a reference to Fr. Junípero Serra, an important figure in San Francisco’s and California’s history. Recently they have also begun producing a Jenever style gin called Genevieve, using wheat, barley, rye, and the same herbal ingredients as their Junípero gin.

In 2010, Maytag sold the company to former Skyy vodka executives Keith Greggor and Tony Foglio, from Novato, California, who planned to expand Anchor’s business while keeping its commitment to artisan brewing.^[10] In 2013, the brewery launched Anchor California Lager, a re-creation of a historic Boca Brewing lager from the 1870s.^[25] The brewery also announced a major expansion plan at Pier 48 in the Mission Rock neighborhood near Oracle Park,^[26] which would expand Anchor’s maximum annual production capacity from 180,000 barrels to 680,000 barrels.^[26]

In 2014, Anchor officially announced Anchor IPA,^[27] the first India Pale Ale in the brewery’s history.^[1] Anchor ended production of its winter seasonal Bock in 2014^[28] and replaced it a year later with Anchor Winter Wheat.^[29]

In 2017, Anchor was purchased by Sapporo.^[30]

In 2019, Anchor Brewing workers voted by an almost 2-to-1 margin to join the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, making Anchor Brewing – including Anchor Public Taps, the brewery’s on-site brew pub – the first unionized craft brewery in the United States.^[31]

In 2021, Anchor Brewing announced a major makeover of their logo and beer labels. On the eve of their 125th birthday, the brewery replaced their vintage-looking labels with a large Anchor logo in a two-tone color schemes per beer. Most labels were not changed in decades or at all. The beer itself remained unchanged.
Anchor Brewing Company – History (Wikipedia)

Brewery News

Interested in finding out about many other brewery openings, new locations, closings, movings, and in general brewery news? You can check out our links below:

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

-B. Kline

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Anchor Brewing Will No Longer Be Sold Nationally

B. Kline — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 02:33:00 +0000

Anchor Steam Beer

Anchor Brewing Company

Anchor Brewing Company is about as old as it gets for craft beer in America; and as important as it gets for craft beer as well.

They have been a mainstay in the brewing industry since their founding in 1896. Nearly going out of business before being saved by Maytag in the 1960s (yes, the appliance company Maytag).

A brief history on Anchor Brewing Company:

Anchor began during the California Gold Rush when Gottlieb Brekle arrived from Germany and began brewing in San Francisco. In 1896, Ernst F. Baruth and his son-in-law, Otto Schinkel, Jr., bought an old brewery at 1431 Pacific Avenue and named it Anchor Brewery. The brewery burned down in the fires that followed the 1906 earthquake, but was rebuilt at a different location in 1907.^[7] There is no record of what Anchor did during Prohibition, but it resumed serving Steam Beer after Repeal, possibly as the only steam brewing company still in operation.^[8] However the brewery burned down yet again within the year, and it relocated once more, this time to a building a few blocks away.

The brewery continued operations into the late 1950s, but suffered heavily from the country’s increasingly strong preference for the light lagers produced by the megabreweries.^[9] Whereas there had been more than 4,000 breweries at the turn of the twentieth century, only 70 remained by the 1960s.^[10]

Anchor shut its doors briefly in 1959, but was bought and reopened the following year.^[11] By 1965, however, it was doing so poorly that it nearly closed again. Anchor’s situation continued to deteriorate largely because the current owners lacked the expertise, equipment, and attention to cleanliness that were required to produce consistent batches of beer for commercial consumption. The brewery gained a reputation for producing sour, bad beer.^[12]

In 1965, Frederick Louis “Fritz” Maytag III bought the brewery, saving it from closure.^[13] He purchased 51 percent of the brewery for several thousand dollars, and later purchased the brewery outright.^[14] It moved to its current location near Potrero Hill in 1979.

……

In 1993, the company opened Anchor Distillery, a microdistillery in the same location as the brewery, and began making a single malt rye whiskey, named Old Potrero after the hill. In 1997, the microdistillery began producing gin, called Junípero—Spanish for juniper, and a reference to Fr. Junípero Serra, an important figure in San Francisco’s and California’s history. Recently they have also begun producing a Jenever style gin called Genevieve, using wheat, barley, rye, and the same herbal ingredients as their Junípero gin.

In 2010, Maytag sold the company to former Skyy vodka executives Keith Greggor and Tony Foglio, from Novato, California, who planned to expand Anchor’s business while keeping its commitment to artisan brewing.^[10] In 2013, the brewery launched Anchor California Lager, a re-creation of a historic Boca Brewing lager from the 1870s.^[25] The brewery also announced a major expansion plan at Pier 48 in the Mission Rock neighborhood near Oracle Park,^[26] which would expand Anchor’s maximum annual production capacity from 180,000 barrels to 680,000 barrels.^[26]

In 2014, Anchor officially announced Anchor IPA,^[27] the first India Pale Ale in the brewery’s history.^[1] Anchor ended production of its winter seasonal Bock in 2014^[28] and replaced it a year later with Anchor Winter Wheat.^[29]

In 2017, Anchor was purchased by Sapporo.^[30]

In 2019, Anchor Brewing workers voted by an almost 2-to-1 margin to join the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, making Anchor Brewing – including Anchor Public Taps, the brewery’s on-site brew pub – the first unionized craft brewery in the United States.^[31]

In 2021, Anchor Brewing announced a major makeover of their logo and beer labels. On the eve of their 125th birthday, the brewery replaced their vintage-looking labels with a large Anchor logo in a two-tone color schemes per beer. Most labels were not changed in decades or at all. The beer itself remained unchanged.
Anchor Brewing Company – History (Wikipedia)

But now, it would seem the brewery has again fallen on hard times. They will be limiting their footprint, as well as limiting their scope, production, and beers that will be distributed, some of which are celebrated favorites of the craft beer community.

Anchor Brewing Company No Longer Nationally Distributed

According to S.F. Chronicle (The San Fransisco Chronicle) the brewery has announced that they are significantly scaling back distribution.

Anchor Brewing Co. is significantly scaling back its distribution — and canceling Christmas this year.

The San Francisco brewer will halt national distribution of all of its beers, including its signature Anchor Steam Beer. Currently, the beer is available in all 50 states. Going forward, Anchor beers will be available only within California, which represents 70% of its sales, according to a company representative.

Then, this coming holiday season, Anchor won’t be releasing one of its signature offerings: Anchor Christmas Ale, a dark winter warmer made annually since 1975. A small amount, however, will be for sale solely at Anchor Public Taps for visitors to the tasting room.
S.F.’s Anchor Brewing slashes national distribution, cancels cult-favorite beer

Directly from an unnamed employee of Anchor Brewing:

time-intensive and costly brewing and packaging requirements
Anchor Brewing Company Employee when asked why they are scaling back

It appears the craft boom is certainly on the decline. Perhaps not a complete “bubble bursting” yet; but it certainly seems to be slowing down, and possibly shrinking in on itself.

With big news in recent months of FX Matt Brewing Company (Saranac Brewing) Acquiring Flying Dog Brewing as well as River Horse Brewing Company Acquiring DuClaw Brewing Company; and now with the news of Anchor Brewing scaling back, it is certainly pointing at a shrinking of the craft beer scene.

Anchor Brewing is cancelling Christmas this year.

Going forward, the San Francisco-based company will no longer sell its beer nationally. Though people will still be able to buy the beer in California.

The brewery also won’t be putting out its signature “Anchor Christmas Ale.” A spokesperson said it wasn’t likely to return next year either.

The change is due to the cost of brewing and packaging. Beer sales dipped by about 3% last year.
San Francisco – based Anchor Brewing no longer selling nationally

Christmas (Ale) is Cancelled

Cult favorite, beloved craft beer, cherished Christmas ale, has been cancelled going forward. Much to chagrin of thousands of craft beer fans across the United States (and abroad).

arrett Kelly, a former brewer at Anchor, said the recent news confirmed concerns he and others voiced after the sale to Sapporo. “The loss of a beer as iconic as the Anchor Christmas Ale, the first American holiday beer post prohibition, is a loss for not only beer nerds like me, but anyone with an interest in preserving culture against the grinding pressure of corporate Darwinism,” Kelly wrote to The Chronicle.

Anchor typically begins brewing Christmas Ale in June at its Potrero Hill production facility, where it has operated since 1979. The beer arrives on shelves nationally each November. Christmas Ale is known for its annually changing combination of spices — last year’s version was advertised as offering “notes of orange, honeysuckle, toasted malts and eucalyptus” — and a changing, hand-drawn label of a tree to match. That was designed by artist Jim Stitt for decades until his retirement in 2019. Anchor redesigned all of its labels in 2021.
S.F.’s Anchor Brewing slashes national distribution, cancels cult-favorite beer

The San Fran area craft beer scene has also seen its own acquisitions and merges in recent months.

After a period of strong growth, the craft beer business has recently faced stagnation and consolidation. Locally, Drake’s Brewing Co. of San Leandro acquired Bear Republic of Cloverdale, and San Francisco’s Speakeasy Ales & Lagers was acquired by Fresno’s Full Circle Brewing. Beer sales were down about 3% by volume last year, according to the National Brewers Association, with craft beer sales about even. Because it’s not independently owned, Anchor doesn’t meet the association’s definition of a craft brewery.
S.F.’s Anchor Brewing slashes national distribution, cancels cult-favorite beer

For More Information on Anchor Brewing Company

The following comes from Untappd. Anchor Brewing Company is a macro brewery from San Fransisco, California. It is a subsidiary of Sapporo Breweries. They have 338 unique beers and over 1.3 Million ratings, with a global average rating of 3.52 (as of 6.11.23). Their Untappd description reads: Brewing hand-crafted beer in the heart of San Francisco since 1896.

You can follow them on the following social media pages:

Brewery News

Interested in finding out about many other brewery openings, new locations, closings, movings, and in general brewery news? You can check out our links below:

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

-B. Kline

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

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If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Modern Times Beer Announces Closure

BKline — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 23:30:00 +0000

Modern Times Beer today released an announcement about their upcoming closure.

Modern Times Beer Announcement

In very un-Valentine’s Day like news, we have the sad news that Modern Times Beer has announced their upcoming closure. This is tough news as they are a very popular brewery with a large distribution market and some really incredible beers.

Their announcement that they posted at 4PM today (2.14.22) with the above image reads:

As of the end of this week, we will be closing our Portland, Oakland, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles locations. It is a surreal and painful turn of events for us, and we realize that the suddenness of it puts many people we care about in very difficult positions. We wish that there were another way to resolve the financial issues we now face, but we have been put in a position—by the pandemic and global declines in the craft beer industry—from which this tremendously difficult path is the only way forward for us. While it is a path that we feel will lead to a renewed vision and new life for Modern Times, it doesn’t make taking these drastic measures any less heartbreaking. An instagram caption doesn’t seem like adequate space to go into great detail here, but we have prepared a statement on the closures and what’s next for MT, which you can read via our blog (link in bio). We know we’ve asked a lot of our friends and family within the last 2 years, but if we could ask just one more thing, it would be that you pay some of your favorite beer enthusiasts a last visit this week. The affected locations final day of business will be Friday.
—
*League members and those with pickup items at the affected locations will receive separate communication about next steps
Modern Times Beer (Facebook Post)

You can find their blog here: Modern Times Beer Blog – Hard Decisions and the Path Forward.

Their blog post leads off with the following:

Today is the most difficult day we’ve ever had at Modern Times. Over the last two unimaginably challenging pandemic years, we’ve done everything we could to keep all of our newly-opened locations afloat in a landscape we never could have imagined when we began building them. As new leadership has stepped up and taken the helm over the last few weeks, it became clear that the financial state of the company that we are now tasked with directing is not just unsustainable, but in immediate and unavoidable peril. As a result of this, we are forced to make some incredibly hard choices, which—while necessary for the health and continued success of our company—will result in many of our talented, hardworking staff losing their jobs.
As of the end of this week, we will be closing our Portland, Oakland, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles locations. It is a surreal and painful turn of events for us, and we realize that the suddenness of it puts many people we care about in very difficult positions. We truly wish that there were another way to resolve the financial issues we now face, but we have been put in a position—by the pandemic and global declines in the craft beer industry—from which this tremendously difficult path is the only way forward for us. While it is a path that we feel will lead to a renewed vision and new life for Modern Times, it doesn’t make taking these drastic measures any less heartbreaking.
Modern Times Beer Blog – Hard Decisions and the Path Forward.

Stay tuned as we update this post as more comes out leading up to their closure.

50% Off

(Articled Edited: 2.16.22 – 8:05PM)

HEADS-UP: Everything is 50% off at our Portland, Oakland, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles spots. This offer is valid on-site only through the end of the day on Friday (hours for each location are updated at moderntimesbeer.com). We’d be honored if you swung by to say goodbye.
—
Here are those hours, just in case:
–
DTLA
Wed-Thurs 12PM-8PM
Fri 12PM-5PM
–
SB
Wed-Thurs 12PM-8PM
Fri 12PM-5PM
–
OAK
Wed-Thurs 12PM-10PM
Fri 12PM-5PM
–
PDX
Wed-Thurs 12PM-8PM
Fri 12PM-5PM
Modern Times Social Media Accounts

Closing

(Article edited: 2.17.22 – 9:45PM)

Modern Times posted about their closure tomorrow with a series of pictures:

(Photos courtesy of Modern Times social media.)

Tomorrow at 5PM, we will close our doors in DTLA, Santa Barbara, Oakland, and Portland. We have so many great memories at these spots; a whole lot of rad beers—and even radder people—have sat at our bars, and we are eternally grateful to every person that had a hand in making these places what they were. Thank you to everyone who has come out over the past few days; our kitchens are officially out of food, and we are moving through packaged and draft beer and coffee swiftly. We heartily encourage folks to swing by and close it out strong tomorrow.—NOTE: If you have outstanding orders to pick up at any of these locations, we highly recommend collecting them tomorrow. If you are unable to, information on how to proceed is forthcoming.
Modern Times Beer Social Media

Closures

Unfortunately it seems like the bubble is not quite near bursting yet on breweries and closures. COVID-19 / coronavirus certainly hasn’t helped things (exasperated many breweries, the country, and world wide). There has been large growth for years in the number of breweries, and it seems like we are now at that tipping and bursting point where we might start to see more and more closures than openings. Hopefully not.

Other Half Brewing Company will be opening this Friday (in Philadelphia) and that is good news, and is nice to hear in counter to Modern Times Beer closing on Friday. Maybe its a yin and yang kind of thing. Who Knows. Hopefully there will be more openings than closures in the future.

For more articles on openings, closures, and brewery news, please see below:

Thanks For Reading

As I’ve said in the Other Half article, I will be making my way out to Philly on Friday to check out their grand opening. Hopefully I’ll see some of you there. The place looks banging and the tap list looks killer!

Cheers!

-B. Kline

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

Beer Review: Shallow Grave (Nitro) (Heretic Brewing Company)

BKline — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 04:45:06 +0000

Dipping into my bag of beer reviews I need to get done and posted, while slowly working on the series of articles from the trip. This isn’t as old as some, and comes from November 3rd, when I visited Al’s of Hampden (Pizza Boy) to try the I Voted Today by Tired Hands.

I had this on Nitro, had the I Voted Today, and later got a draft of this for Haley as her birthday ‘gift’ and she enjoyed it as well. So it does come …two-time recommended.

Shallow Grave (Nitro) by Heretic Brewing Company

Beer: Shallow Grave (Nitro)
Brewery: Heretic Brewing Company
Style: Porter – American
ABV: 7%
IBU: 33
Untappd Description: Shallow Grave Porter is dark as night, perfect for a cool evening out in the woods. This is a big, dark ale with a complex and rich chocolate and caramel malt character followed by a touch of warmth and light malt sweetness, leaving you ready for more after each shovelful. You will love this so much you won’t have time to dig a six-footer, so make it a Shallow Grave. We’re sure you’ll dig it.

Heretic Brewing Company is a small microbrewery from Fairfield California. Their Untappd description reads: “Ordinary beer is boring; don’t drink it. Embrace your inner Heretic and join us to push the boundaries of beer flavors. We are crazy about beer and passionate about making it. Wanna be a Heretic too? There’s always room for one more.” They have 173 unique beers with a global average rating of 3.84 (as of 11.19.20).

This is a dark brown, but creamy looking porter. The nitro adds a layer of creaminess to the already brown silken look to it. It looks like a good dark brown porter should, not as dark as a stout, but with a heaviness that isn’t in brown ales. It had a very thin dispersed head with nice bubbles, all varying, smooth and creamy, with a lightly brown to off white coloring that dissipated pretty quickly.

Aroma is very deep complex rich and aromatic. Lots of chocolate and caramel notes. Sweet and bitter at the same time, like you are getting sweet candy and also the bitter baker’s chocolate at the same time. There is definitely some malt notes but its a little bit more subdued and hidden behind the chocolate and caramel.

This is delicious right out the gate, it starts with the bitterness of a baker’s chocolate, but very, very quickly, switches to sweeter chocolate, and sweet malt, and sweet caramel, all emphasized and stronger due to the nitro. This has a nice range of flavors amongst these – varying sweetness and bitterness, but mostly staying on the sweet side. I think the base malt gets really added to by the nitro and lays down a very solid foundation for the chocolate and the caramel. Most of the chocolate and caramel is a malty style, but there is some regular caramel and chocolate. The 7% ABV isn’t too high, but I definitely think you feel it with this, it has a bit of a heaviness to it all overall. You aren’t going into this drinking a four pack or a six pack, but this makes for a wonderful beer to drink by the campfire, or at the bar (when we can drink at bars again in Pennsylvania) in winter times. Nitro or not this has a great flavor profile, is exactly what a good porter should be, and will leave you feeling full but satisfied, everything you can really ask for in a beer during these colder months.

My Untappd Rating: ****
Average Global Untappd Rating: 3.84 (as of 11.19.20)

Well, back to writing on those Indy trip articles. They won’t write themselves after all. Until then, everyone stay safe and healthy, cheers!

-B. Kline

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

Beer Review: Broken Skull (Stone Cold IPA) (El Segundo Brewing Company)

BKline — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 01:25:00 +0000

Broken Skull IPA – The Stone Cold Steve Austin beer from El Segundo Brewing Company

As soon as I saw that Breski’s had the Stone Cold beer…. I was grabbing the keys and jumping in the car for the drive over. I picked up a four-pack of this, as well as a four-pack of the FVCK COVID beer which I did a beer review of previously. This is another one of those beers that falls into the category of ‘got it because of marketing’ over got it because of what hops are in it, or flavors, or adjuncts, or knowing the brewery’s reputation, etc. Like some bad beers I’ve had, like Trial by Wombat, or Jon Voight’s Car, where I got them because of can art or name of the beer – I got this because its the Stone Cold beer.

Stone Cold Stunner to Scott Hall, WrestleMania X8

Early 2000s, high school me was a huge wrestling fan. We watched each RAW, each SmackDown, even the minor shows like Heat, Velocity, Metal, etc. We also watched TNA when they started up with the Wednesday PPVs and their Impact show. We watched WCW at its tail end when it ended and WWF bought them out in 2001. We were big fans of ROH as well, me and D. Scott were at Final Battle 2004. D. Scott, R. Dibeler, and myself have been to a couple of shows, the more notable ones being WWE Unforgiven 2003 and WWE Royal Rumble 2004. Stone Cold was one of our favorites, mine in particular, along with (sad to say now due to everything that’s happened – but – Chris Benoit), Taz, RVD, Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero, (Rory’s favorite was always Kane) – and that’s just listing the WWF/E wrestlers. Not getting into the indies or puroresu or lucha libre and stuff.

Stunner! Stunner! The Stone Cold Stunner! – Jim Ross

And this might surprise some…. but Stone Cold Steve Austin knows a little bit about drinking…..

Maybe…. just a little.

So what better beer to do a review of on National IPA day than the Stone Cold Steve Austin IPA beer?!

Broken Skull by El Segundo Brewing Company

Beer: Broken Skull
Brewery: El Segundo Brewing Company
Style: IPA – American
ABV: 6.7%
IBU: 67
Untappd Description: Broken Skull IPA: A bad-ass 6.7% India Pale Ale designed by Steve Austin and ESBC for the working man & woman. It features Citra, Cascade, and Chinook hops to deliver big flavor with an easy finish. Now stop reading and start enjoying this awesome beer! Cheers! -Steve

According to their Untappd page, El Segundo Brewing Company (ESBC) is from El Segundo California, United States, and is a micro brewery. (I honestly thought they were from Texas, not California, so I learned something new by clicking their Untappd page.) They have 286 unique beers for a 3.87 global average rating (as of 8.6.20). Their Untappd Description reads: “El Segundo Brewing Company is the product of founder, Rob Croxall’s love and passion for beers. More than anything, Rob has a knack for hoppy beers. Being a brewer, he decided leave his longtime career in aerospace financing to establish his own microbrewery. Rob invested in the Los Angeles area. El Segundo Brewing Company specializes in hops that provide outstanding and unique bitter flavors of beers. The brewery focuses on its personal dry hopping brewing method that produces fine aromas. Rob’s great love for hops has become the motivation behind the success of El Segundo Brewing Company today.”

Lets jump right into this review and tackle the beer itself. Appearance is a clear, bubbly pilsner / light West Coast looking IPA. Not very dark, not very malty, completely clear minus the bubbles (very well carbonated), this honestly looks like it could have been a pilsner, or lager, or a lite beer – Miller or Coors – when poured out. Big foamy head to it that just kept bubbling up.

Aroma is light hoppy, and not a whole lot more. Which is pretty typical for an IPA; especially American / West Coast style, etc. There’s no adjuncts, nothing added to it, no ‘milkshake’ or ‘New England’ – ness to it, its a straight legit IPA, in the old vein. The hop combination of citra, cascade, and chinook is pretty distinguishable. I grow cascade and chinook hops at home, and I can pick out their aromas pretty distinctly. Citra is also another easy to pick out hop aroma and flavor, mainly because its name is a pretty big indicator. There is no other real aromas to this, its just hops and ‘beer is beer’ smell. No malt, no sweetness; just the citrus, grassy, slight lemon, a little bit of pine, that comes from the combination of hops in this.

Flavor… and taste…. is where this falls a bit flat. And no, the beer itself isn’t flat…. its just, there’s not a whole lot here. Its actually pretty bland. Me and D. Scott decided it tasted like a ‘starter IPA’. Do you have a friend who you want to start drinking IPAs, and want to move them away from Miller Lite, Coors Lite, and Yuengling Lager? Then this is the beer for you! And being an easily marketable beer – “The Stone Cold beer!” or “The Stone Cold IPA” it should be an easy pitch for you to get your buddy to drink it. There just sadly isn’t a whole lot going on here flavor wise. Its not bad, there’s no off flavors, nothing tastes horrible, no lingering after taste thats bad…. its just underwhelming. Its watery, its a bit thin, it tastes like hops in water, and not a whole lot much of anything else going on. The hops don’t even come off as that strong and don’t give you a complete kick or gut-punch hop flavor either. The hops give off a slight, very light, citrus flavor, like a lemon peel in water kind of thing, there is a little bit of grassy and earth notes and just a wee bit of a pine / pinecone hop taste, but none of it is severe, or even strong. That isn’t to say this is a horrible beer and you won’t like it, its a perfectly accessible and perfectly fine beer, for 12$ (a little bit less I think, maybe a little over 12.10$ with tax) a four pack, this is a very fine, crushable even (only 6.7% ABV and the light flavor makes it go down easier) beer, that you and a buddy can kill an evening playing video games and drinking this. So in that way it makes for a perfect beer for Stone Cold Steve Austin…. and that’s the bottom line…………….. Because Stone Cold Said So!

Kick.

Stunner.

Ultimately though, my opinion of this, if given the choice between this and the many other options out there, might be closer to Stacy Keibler’s:

My Untappd Rating: ***.25
Global Untappd Rating: 3.84 (as of 8.6.20)

I want to think some of that rating bump is namesake and marketing, but maybe others genuinely loved it or at least liked it better than I did. I dunno, if you’ve had it, leave me a comment and let me know what your thoughts were on it. Maybe I’m way off base. Maybe the cans we got were different or off. I dunno, let me know, I’d love to hear from you guys!

As always, thanks for reading everyone. Check out our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages, you can find the links for them at the top and bottom of each page. We’re almost up to 200 Twitter Followers, so please click the follow and like buttons on each of our social media accounts, it adds up and really helps!

Cheers!

-B. Kline

And that’s the bottom line…. because Stone Cold Said So! Austin 3:16 says I just opened a cap of whoop ass on you! WHAT?! WHAT?! WHAT?!

Oh…. I could go on all day doing this! Better stop and have another beer. Cheers all!

Happy National IPA Day!

-B. Kline

Broken Skull by El Segundo Brewing Company

Beer Review: Widowmaker (Fall River Brewing Co.)

BKline — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 15:20:58 +0000

Widowmaker by Fall River Brewing Co. a Dry Hopped Double IPA straight from the West Coast. Seemed perfect for a dual podcast night of LOST Seasons 3 and 4; and commentary track of Evil Dead.

It was podcast taping night. And we had a full plate. First up, Esteban, Trevor, and myself were covering LOST Seasons 3 and 4. After this, D. Scott, Esteban, and I did a commentary track for Evil Dead (the 1981 version). We recorded both podcasts for their “So a Mexican and a Scot Walk Into a Bar…” podcast. Its a pop culture (movies, TV, etc.) that the two of them (Esteban and D. Scott / Drew) run; I often guest-star on it.

Widowmaker is yet another beer from the West Coast; part of my beer mail from Eureka California. This time coming from the brewery of – Fall River Brewing Co. They are a micro-brewery out of Redding California. They have 155 beers listed on Untappd for a global rating of 3.89 (as of 3.3.20). Their Untappd description reads: “Come visit the Fall River Brewing Co. brewery and tasting room at 4001 Eastside Road in Redding. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays we’re joined by food trucks that serve delicious local cuisine. Check our social media profiles to see which food trucks are joining us that day. You can also bring your favorite food from one of our local restaurants or have it delivered. We welcome kids and have games they can play, too! At the Fall River Brewing Co. Taphouse located at 1030 E. Cypress Ave. in Redding, you can pull up a barstool, meet interesting people, drink great beer, and make new friends! Enjoy our handcrafted IPAs, ales, stouts, lagers, porters and more at a dog-friendly hangout with a sweet patio, TVs, and complimentary WiFi for customers. Feel free to bring in your favorite food from one of several nearby restaurants. Children are welcome at the Taphouse until 9:00pm and can enjoy any one of the soft drink options we have available. Well behaved dogs on leashes are welcome at both locations. There’s always something great on tap! Stop in and try our ever-changing seasonal craft beers. 4-packs of many of our beers are available to purchase. Or if you prefer, bring in or buy a growler container and take home 64oz of your favorite Fall River beers to enjoy later.”

California beer mail package

As you can see in the above picture, I’ve already covered Sunshine and Opportunity, Chocolate Confidential, and Daebak. So the Widowmaker makes the fourth from this beer package to be covered here on the blog. I will be getting to all of them in time, have no fear.

This article was supposed to go up last night. I had one of those “productive feeling” kind of days at work, where I said to myself: “Self. Its your Friday (despite it being Tuesday), after work, the world s your oyster. You are going to go home. Crack open a new craft beer from your beer mail or one of the others in the fridge, your going to write your article, and your going to finish the book your reading. This weekend you are going to do one new beer, one new book, and one new article each day.” ….This was me at 3PM telling myself this; yesterday (3.3.20). Well….. Obviously, plans changed. Got told a co-worker was having his “leaving work” party…. so obviously I had to stop out for that; which required us all meeting at the local (local to our work) drinking hole dive bar. And then, my friend D. Scott says about hanging out (D. Arndt, also messaged that he was at Newfangled Brew Works, but by the time I was done at the dive bar they had went home). So, after rounds of Yuengling’s and some shots at the dive bar, I hung out with D. Scott for a bit drinking Elysian’s Space Dust (his go-to easy quick pickup at the Sheetz just down the road from his house). Got home at 11PM… and theoretically thought I could still do some work and reading… and then well… I started eating. Which is sporadic enough that I do, so when I do, the body goes into “sleep mode” almost immediately. And I was probably zonked out by 12:30AM. (This would be considered an early sleep for me, as its typically 2-3:30AM; and then up at 6:30AM to get the girls ready for school.) So needless to say, I’m now doing the article this morning (3.4.20). In between getting Child 1 to her school, Child 3 to her pre-school activity, and now Child 2 ready and going to her school. I’ll make up for it by turning this into a double-blog day.

Ok, now that I got that spiel out my way, and a look into the daily life of B. Kline (which nobody asked for or probably cares about), lets move on and actually review some good stinking beer ok?

Widowmaker by Fall River Brewing Co.

Beer: Widowmaker
Brewery: Fall River Brewing Co.
Style: IPA – Imperial / Double
ABV: 10.2%
IBU: 100
Untappd Description: Our Double IPA is designed with the hop-head in mind. This beer is not only loaded with late kettle additions, but is also dry hopped many times after fermentation making it very aromatic. Clean, crisp, and easy to drink this Double IPA packs a punch with 10% ABV.

This is made for the hop-head in mind; like they said. This is a good clean Double West Coast IPA from the West Coast. Like everything is alignment, Mars, Venus, Earth, The Moon, The Sun, Saturn, Jupiter, the former planet Pluto, and the little green guys on Neptune. All in alignment.

This has your traditional west coast IPA clarity and appearance. Clean, clear, golden light amber honey looking hue. The carbonation was especially strong with this one, rocking a huge head that lasted and left lacing the whole day down. Big giant fluffy head to this bad boy.

The smell was exactly what you wanted from a good hoppy West Coast (D)IPA. Bam – HOP. BAM – HOP. Piney, cedar, earthy, musky, hoppy, little hint of floral hops, but mostly the heavy bitter, pounding hops. Like walking through both a hopyard and a pine and cedar forest at the same time. From the crack of the can to the pour to the last sip; the aroma just hung in the air.

Taste is first sip bitter, punch face bitter, but then mellows and you get just great crisp hop beer. A wonderfully well rounded, hoppy, crisp, clean taste. Unlike New England IPAs or Milkshake IPAs, this has a very defined bitterness, a very hoppy through and through taste, with large notes of pine tips and cedar tips. There’s an earthy, musky, ground-floor of the forest taste that hangs in your mouth as you drink and as the bitterness wears off and gives way to the clean crisp taste of the beer. The dry hopping really lends this an additional hop punch throughout the drink, and its high ABV gives it a very heavy punch as well. This finishes strong, with a nice, full, well rounded taste, good mouthfeel, not watery, crisp, clean, and leaves you with a good buzz after just one can.

My Untappd Rating: ****
Global Untappd Rating: 3.91 (as of 3.4.20)

Thank you all for reading, as always, take the time to like us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and here on the blog itself. Also, be sure to check out some of our newest posts: A Sneak Peak at Rubber Soul Brewery, Chocolate Confidential, Daebak, Valentine’s Day Beers, I Cannot Tell a Lie, Intemperance, Back to Reality, Florence; and even check out some older posts like Fuzzy Nudge, King Crunch, King Sue, Cinnamon Toast Brunch, and Mellow Mink Visit.

Last tidbit note; with this being March and March being Women’s Month, like to break the great news about the latest science article saying women should drink a beer a day to stay healthy. So women, keep staying healthy, and men, stay healthy too! Cheers!

-B. Kline

Beer Review: Chocolate Confidential (Sudwerk Brewing Co.)

BKline — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 15:45:46 +0000

Chocolate Confidential by Sudwerk Brewing Co. is the latest beer review via my beer mail from California.

We’re back at it, bright and early this morning (7AM early). Which is pretty sticking bright and early when your co-worker tells you that you’re doing karaoke at the Stadium’s Club, and you end up closing the place down at 2AM. (For those curious, I did a heart wrenching rendition of “Hit Me Baby One More Time”, it brought a tear to many a rough neck and biker in the bar, and if Brittney Spears herself would have heard it she’d pack up her bags and never sing it again, leaving my version the last known utterance of the song.)

Continuing the trend of beers from the beer mail trade I did with a guy from Eureka California, I present Chocolate Confidential by Sudwerk Brewing Co. Sudwerk Brewing Co. is a micro brewery from Davis California. They have 367 unique beers on Untappd with a global rating of 3.64 (as of 2.21.20). Their description on Untappd is: “Sudwerk Brewing Co. has been crafting some of the finest German style lagers found in California since 1989. In 2013, the grandson of one of the original founders and his good friend took over operations of the iconic California brewery. They both carry a deep passion for the brand and the beers brewed by Sudwerk. Sudwerk has historically been known for brewing traditional German beers, however the company mission is now focused on redefining the American lager. Rooted in traditional German brewing practices mixed with an innovative Californian twist, Sudwerk is focused on creating the highest quality craft lagers known to man. The hybrid beer styles can best be described as West Coast craft lagers. We hope you join us on our path as we tirelessly work at perfecting our craft and sharing it with you.”

My beer mail package from Eureka California.

Yesterday I did the beer review of Sunshine and Opportunity. Which was a delicious beer and perfect for Wednesday’s gorgeous weather here in Central PA. Now, we’re moving on to some darker stuff (a reflection of the cooler weather and windyness we got on Thursday).

(So I had written the above before getting my youngest daughter to school yesterday – Friday the 2.21.20, but afterwards, with my other two daughters sick, I didn’t get time to finish it before work, and then after work I was busy, so I am now finishing this up on the 22nd before work, fingers crossed. Its not so much the writing that takes time – which it does – its the marketing I have to do right afterwards, and the linking and all the small edit stuff that goes unnoticed when everything seems to go [seemingly] well.)

So lets tackle this delicious Chocolate Baltic Porter.

Chocolate Confidential by Sudwerk Brewing in a Bengals Stein.

Beer: Chocolate Confidential
Brewery: Sudwerk Brewing Co.
Style: Porter – Baltic Imperial / Double
ABV: 10%
IBU: None Listed
Untappd Write-Up: Cacao nibs, vanilla and espresso beans from Chocolate Fish Roastery

As you can see in this amazing Bengals stein, the color from this is pure dark black. Motor oil, Razor Ramone hair color, black like the souls of the Bengals enemies (the dreaded Steelers), etc, etc. There’s a nice thick creamy brown head to this that stays consistent. Good lacing, good bubbles, good color, everything is a check so far.

Aroma is like opening a coffee and pastry shop door. Very heavy chocolate right out of the gate with a bready, pastry aroma behind it. Then it builds into this coffee roasting smell. The chocolate and coffee kind of swirl together giving it a decadent smell, especially with the vanilla adding a layer of sweetness to the aroma. There is a lot of subtle complexities with this that all work well in unison with each other, the chocolate and caco nibs, the vanilla, the espresso beans, all forming together to make a delicious chocolate donut like pastry porter (double baltic porter).

This is a boozy, heavy, thick, full bodied, chocolate donut, chocolate pastry, coffee dunked donut delicious monstrosity (and I use all those terms in the best and nicest of ways). This is toasted and roasted malts, its bready, its heavy, its full of chocolate and coffee flavor. Its like taking a donut and dunking it into coffee and eating it. Like the scene from Home Alone where the piece of donut falls on the phone and nobody notices it while the guy is eating listening.

This. This scene. Its like eating that donut, after it was dunked in coffee. And if that donut was half as good as this beer, you better damn well believe he takes that piece of donut and eats it afterwards. This is a smooth beer, there’s no hop bitterness, but there is a boozy heavyness to it and comes with a slight bite. The vanilla mostly smooths that out though, so the boozyness comes more as heavy than as a true bite or bitterness. Nothing overpowers anything else either, which is always nice in a complex beer like this. Its nice when one ingredient doesn’t overpower other ingredients to the point of not being able to taste them. Here its all a nice even blend, even chocolate, even coffee, even pastry. It just adds up to a sum of a great, fantastic, full, heavy, thick dark beer that is super tasty. Makes me sad I only got one of these and its gone already.

My Untappd Rating: ****
Global Untappd Rating: 3.81 (as of 2.22.20, it was 3.81 yesterday when I started this on 2.21.20).

Now, let us discuss this beautiful stein too. Bengals,Who Dey, the team of the future…. with the first pick of the draft this year, and possibly Joe Burrow as the future of the franchise. Unless… he Elways / Eli Manning’s his way out of Cincinnati which is looking like a possibility. Sigh. Fingers crossed he ends up being as good as he was last year with LSU. I’ll just be happy going 5-11 this upcoming season. Maybe Cincinnati will be the first team to go from the NFL to the XFL?

This was the second of the California beer mail beers. I still have 8 more to go. Mostly all Sours, Saisons, and IPAs (I believe one Strong Ale), so I might not review everyone of them, but will do most of them. At least the interesting ones anyway. Also still have a long list of other beer reviews I’ve started and haven’t finished yet, so there’s plenty to look forward to. So please stick around and check out the site!

Thanks and cheers everyone! Have a happy 2.22.20!

-B. Kline

Chocolate Confidential by Sudwerk Brewing Co.

Beer Review: Sunshine and Opportunity (Almanac Beer Company)

BKline — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 14:20:01 +0000

Sunshine and Opportunity (by Almanac Beer Company) was the perfect choice of beer for a gorgeous, sunny, warm, February day in Central PA. A rare opportunity for lovely sunshine had to be taken advantage of!

Imagine this: its February 19th in Central PA; its usually cold, blustery even, possibly snow on the ground or snowing, icicles usually hang from gutters and roofs and trees, nobody is outside walking their dogs, nobody is outside period – unless forced to shovel – schools might even be cancelled due to snow or bad roads, cars stay parked along the roads, plowed in by local governments snowplowers, …..this is your usual February 19th right? Not 2020. Instead, its 2PM on February 19th, 2020, in Hummelstown Pennsylvania, and my phone says its 45 degrees, sunny, with the warm rays warming me more than the 45 even suggests. There’s a slight breeze. I take a pause from my yard work and long dog walks to sit outside and enjoy a delicious beer and read some books.

My first beer from the California beer mail I did a few days prior, and my first of that batch to be reviewed for the blog. When going through the beers in the fridge looking to find one to drink on this beautiful day, the name of this one leaped out to me (for obvious reasons) and thus became the de facto first pick.

My beer mail from California

My beer mail consisted of Almanac Beer Company, The Booth Brewing, Fallen River, Sudwerk Brewing, and one Sierra Nevada can. Ironically, while sitting out and enjoying me beer and reading, my friend Dan, who had gotten me the Tree House Brewing Company beers that let me do my series (Sap, Autumn, Julius, Haze, Doppelganger, and Intemperance), texted me that he was currently in the San Diego area of California. That he had just left Belching Beaver and was wondering if I knew of any other really good breweries in the area. (I let him know about Modern Times and Pizza Port, and then used Hop Plotter [which is going away soon by the way] to locate some others.) He told me you can’t walk more than five minutes down the streets without running into a brewery there. Oh what a problem to have!

Other than just the name of this beer, the beer caught my attention for how interesting it is. Its a barrel aged, dry hopped sour. Seems like a very interesting combination to me. You don’t typically see barrel aged, sour, and dry hopped, all combined, let alone any combination therein (barrel aged sours, or dry hopped sours, or barrel aging and dry hopping), so this called out to me all the more for it.

The side of the can explaining its madness – Sunshine and Opportunity.

The picture might be hard to read, and its not listed on their Untappd profile for the beer, so I’ll re-write it here:

“This is NOT a kettle sour. This mixed-culture farmhouse ale was aged in oak barrels with pear juice. A delicate dry-hop of Citra, Sabro, and Mosaic imparts a transcendent tropical aroma. Shine on! HOPS: Citra, Sabro, Mosaic. MALT: Admiral Pale, Oats, Wheat, Aromatic.”

So as you can see, there is definitely a lot going on with this bad boy.

Almanac Beer Company is a regional brewery out of Alameda California. According to Untappd, they have 286 unique beers listed with a global rating (as of 2.20.20) of 3.98. Their description on Untappd reads: “Our motto, “Farm-to-Barrel”, means brewing beers inspired by the great brewing traditions of the world with the best in locally sourced ingredients. Almanac Beer Company was founded in 2010 by Jesse Friedman and Damian Fagan.”

Sunshine and Opportunity by Almanac Beer Company

Beer: Sunshine and Opportunity
Brewery: Almanac Beer Company
Style: Farmhouse Ale – Saison
ABV: 5.8%
IBU: None Listed
Hops: Citra, Sabro, Mosaic
Malts: Admiral Pale, Oats, Wheat, Aromatic
Untappd Write-Up: Mixed fermentation saison, aged in oak barrels and dry-hopped.

This is certainly an interesting beer. As I cracked it open, the aromatic and citrusy and summer smelling, sunshine beaming, fruity and citrusy hops burst free, the pear juice, burst free, all of these things just from cracking the can. I poured it into my Ffej of July glass, making me think about the super fun party in July and envisioning even more sunshine and great weather, it almost looked like pouring champagne. It bubbled, it was effervescent, it was bubbly and happy and excited to be poured out. Its bright yellow / orange / wheat like golden hue was bright, bubbly, looking like a cross between a pilsner, champagne, and a saison. It had a big white fluffy bubbly head, with huge interspersed and diverse bubbles. This guy was carbonated and ready to play. As I drank, it left lacing. And as I drank, it still bubbled, tickling your nose with little pops as you drank.

This is also jam packed with a variety of smells. It is definitely an aromatic beer. Your nose is getting a workout with this one. First impression of the nose is pear and citrus and sunshine hops. You get a definitive pear juice presence right off the bat, as well as the Citra, Sabro, and Mosaic dry hopping. Quick background on those three hops:

— Citra: “American aroma hop Citra was created by John I. Haas, Inc. and Select Botanicals Group joint venture, the Hop Breeding Company. It was released to the brewing world in 2008. Now one of the most coveted high-impact aroma hops in the US, particularly among craft brewers, it boasts a complex lineage that includes the likes of Hallertau Mittelfrüh (father), Tettnanger (US), Brewer’s Gold and East Kent Golding.” (Hopslist)
— Mosaic: “Released in 2012 by the Hop Breeding Company, LLC, Mosaic hops feature complex but clean flavor characteristics and are known for their triple-use profile encompassing bittering, flavor and aroma. They have high alpha acids but low cohumulone which makes them pleasantly hoppy, carrying flavors of mango, pine, citrus and herbs and aromas of tropical and stone fruit. Mosaic is the first daughter of Simcoe and Nugget as has been humorously referred to by some as “Citra on steroids”.” (Hopslist)
— Sabro: “Sabro is an aroma hop that is notable for its complexity of fruity and citrus flavors. It imparts distinct tangerine, coconut, tropical fruit, and stone fruit aromas, with hints of cedar, mint, and cream. Sabro’s pedigree is the result of a unique cross pollination of a female neomexicanus hop.” (Yakima Valley Hops)

So as you can see, these three hops really impart a very fruity, citrusy, juicy hop characteristic. Especially for aroma. Full of mango, citrus, spicy herbs, tangerine, stone fruits, tropical fruits like coconut, kiwi, passionfruit, stone fruits, you get a large rang of gamut with these hops. And they work kind of like a trifecta together. On top of the complexities of the dry hoping with these hops, and the strong presence of the pear juice, you get the distinct oakyness of the barrel aged process in which this beer went through, imparting it with the characteristics and notes of oak barrels. This is a bit fainter, especially on the nose, but the oak is there, as well as some of the spices and the yeast strain notes that accompany farmhouse saisons and ales, a bit of a background funkyness that you know is trying to peak and stick its head through when nobody is looking.

Enough blabbering about appearance and smell, lets get to the fun part of beer – drinking it. Do you have socks on? You better have shoes on too then, because if you don’t, first sip is going to knock those socks right off. One sip, first sip, barely in your mouth, and you get an explosion of complexities. You get the dry hopping, you get the pear juice, you get the oak barrel aging, you get the funkyness of farmhouse ales and saisons, you get a full rich and immersive beer on that first sip. So lets try and break this down (if I can!). Breaking it down by drinking it is the best approach I think because this beer changes as you drink, and you get more of the complexities evening out into their own compartments and it gets kind of sectionalized. First as you take your sip, those bubbles get you. This is almost like drinking champagne, I immediately felt the bubbles tickling my mustache, could feel the interesting yeast right away, a combination of champagne yeast and farmhouse saison style yeast. Beyond this then, you start to really pick up the pear juice, and this is where the tartness and a bit of the sweetness of the beer comes through. You get that funky Saison taste, that deep tartness unlike sours (or kettle sours or even berliner weisse’s), you get a funky, resonating tart with pear notes. Then blammo the hops take over. You get the citrus and sunshine bright hops exploding like mortar blasts all around you, like the trailer of 1917 as the guy is running criss-cross through the battlefield and blasts are going off around him. Citra. BAM. Mosaic. BAM. Sabro. BAM. Pop. Pop. Pop. BAMMMM. You get citrus, tangerine, coconut, pineapple, mango, more pear, kiwi and passionfruit, some cedar, some pine, stone fruits like plum and apricot, all blending in the hops and exploding rapid fire around you. And finally, you are left with the oak, the oakyness of the barrels, like a lasting, impression on your tongue as the beer fades away. It adds to that funkyness, it adds to the tartness, and it really brings out the Saison and Farmhouse aspects of the beer. The beer is also only a 5.8% so there’s not even really a buzz afterwards. There is nothing cloying, or upsetting about this, nothing heavy, or too dry, the juice is there, the tart is there, its slightly thin, but not problematically. This is just all around unique, tasty, and fun to drink.

My Untappd Rating: ****
Global Untappd Rating: 3.85 (as of 2.20.20).

I am currently in the process of going back and editing a bit of some of the recent blog posts. Namely, the Loki – Wild IPA, the Valentine’s Day Beers, I Cannot Tell a Lie, and the Back to Reality. Adding some references and stuff to the beer titles and things like that. Nothing altering the actual review of the beer, but just providing some extra information about the beer, its name, cultural underpinnings of it all, etc.

As I said in my last reviews, Back to Reality and Intemperance, we are really starting to hit our stride here at The Beer Thrillers. I will be on several podcasts in the near future – Might Be Brews, Beers with Strangers, and the one with my friends So A Mexican and A Scot Walk Into a Bar…, as well as lots of writing news as well. Invites to Rubber Soul Brewing opening (or re-opening) in Hummelstown (my hometown), Liquid Noise, and an interesting e-mail about doing some writing about breweries for Visit Hershey. (This could be potentially about the brewery that might be opening at the Chocolate Town area – which will be the new entrance to Hershey Park. I don’t know for sure, but I’m eagerly awaiting this meeting with the representative to find out more and let you all know.)

We are up to 412 followers on Facebook now, which is absolutely fantastic, and 128 followers on Twitter. We are currently listed as the # 9 blog on FeedSpot’s Top 100 blogs. The blog is certainly growing, we just hit 150 total posts recently (this is post number 152). The blog has only been live since near the end of May 2019. I am very excited for the growth its gone through and its continual growth. Our friends at LetUsDrinkBeer blog are also about to have their latest review of a brewery from Georgia for us.

We are primarily a Central PA beer blog, but we are also very much more, we’re doing beer reviews of beers from all over thanks to beer mail trades as well as Tavour (J. Doncevic’s favorite), we are also hitting up a lot of beer events this year (upcoming for me will be the AC Brewfest in early April as well as Little Big Beer Fest, and J. Doncevic will be hitting the big Prototype Invitational with Rotunda Brewing. With the guys from LetUsDrinkBeer, we are reporting on stuff down in Georgia. We are also getting invites to podcasts and writing for other blogs as well as brewery openings and events too. So we are going to have no shortage of things to report on. And with the guys from Default Brewing, we’ll have more homebrewing articles in the upcoming months as well. (Fingers crossed they’ll get something posted soon.)

For those interested, the books behind the beer in this blog post are: “I Am C-3PO” by Anthony Daniels, and “Desert Wisdom” by Yushi Nomura and Henri J.M. Nouwen. You can read my reviews of books at my GoodReads page.

As always (I feel like a robot on repeat saying this), please click the follow, like, and subscribes. Enter your e-mail to get up to date news on new blog posts. Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to see posts and pictures and videos that don’t always make it onto the blog.

All of us here at The Beer Thrillers, from the writers like me and J. Doncevic and AJ Brechbiel, as well as those tangentially tied in (D. Scott, Esteban from the podcast; D. Arndt and others who have helped to contribute) we all greatly appreciate you reading.

We love to hear from you; so if you have anything at all, comments, suggestions, questions, writing tips, information, news, queries about writing for us, or queries about us writing for you, be sure to leave a comment or use the Contact Us page to send us some direct feedback. We love to from all of you! Be sure if you enjoyed reading this, to rate it and like the blog post as well (that also helps with the SEO and page algorithm on sites like Google, Bing, Dogpile, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, etc.).

Thank you everyone, and cheers, and enjoy these all too few beautiful February days!

-B. Kline