Pub Crawlin’

D and I were just talking about Mike Hiller and how things are hopefully going in Williamsport. How timely that this news just came across my radar…

Bavarian Barbarian Brewing Company is pleased to announce that Weldspatter IPA is now on tap! Samples and growlers are available at the Horde Room in the brewery, located at 429 W. 3rd St. The beer is also on tap at Kimball’s and B21 in Williamsport.

Weldspatter I.P.A. is a hoppy, though well-balanced beer with a sweet hop flavor and Elysian aroma. This unfiltered beer has a richer, more golden color than most other pale ales. The hops in Weldspatter I.P.A. include Phoenix and Pilgrim varieties imported from England and an American variety called Nugget. India Pale Ale beers typically go very well with pungent cheeses, grilled meats and spicy foods.

Great news, and congratulations!

Weldspatter I.P.A. was the winner in the Barbarian’s Selection ’08 Campaign, which allowed voters to choose the next beer style. It was announced April 1st and immediately brewed with an expected release date of Friday, April 11. Unexpected problems arose during filtration, which ultimately ruined the characteristic hop flavors inherent to the India Pale Ale style and the release was postponed.

In celebration of the release, the brewery will offer growler fills of this new brew for $8 now through the 3rd of May.  I doubt I’ll make it up for that, but perhaps a friend or family member will get a chance to check it out.

Okay…the best thing about sharing this news is that I got to use the word “Elysian” in back-to-back blog postings - when does that ever happen?

I’ve been so busy at work that I’ve been collapsing at home, unable to concentrate long enough to post, much less think about beer or anything else. 

Well, there was that Bullfrog Smoked Porter my dad sent us, some Guinness left-over from the Irish Pumpkin Pie I baked, and the firkin tapping at Selin’s Grove which I have yet to post about - an event with Olde Frosty IPA on cask, Raspberry Baltic Porter and Snake Drive Stout. 

Okay, I lied about the “not thinking of beer” part.

Regardless, I was inspired when I got home after a 12-hour day of work and sat down with D to watch the YouTube video featuring clips from the March 4 Alabama House of Representatives debate on HB196.

Through friendships we made with a contingent of Beer Advocate folks last April and September, I’ve learned a lot about the crazy laws in AL.  Yes, they make PA look like a wonderland for beer (in terms of variety and availability on cask, we really are lucky.) It was disappointing to hear how stringent their laws are on homebrewing, container sizes, alcohol percentage… 

In Alabama, beer is the only beverage with alcohol by volume restrictions. Wine, malt liquor and hard liquor have no restrictions. The law being proposed would put the limit at 13.9% ABV for beer (it is currently 6%.) In comparison, 190 proof liquor can be purchased in any Alabama state-run ABC store.  I don’t know what our wine and liquor limits are in PA, and I’ve been playing librarian all day - I don’t feel like looking it up right now. But I do want to share a few quotes from opponents to the bill in the March 4 debate:

“What’s wrong with the beer we got?  I mean, the beer we got drink pretty good, don’t it?” - Rep. Alvin Holmes

“You know, personally, I wanna keep those hops in captivity!” - Rep. Richard Laird

“These are young people people from…I will use the term…from, maybe from Germany, that came in with Mercedes” - Rep. Thomas Jackson, when asked to explain who the Free the Hops Foundation is.

“Most of this beer comes from other countries…it is wrong, it’s wrong to…[stumbles]…sell alcohol and put it to the lips of teenage kids. And that’s exactly what this bill is going to do.” - Rep. DuWayne Bridges

The Gourmet Beer Bill did pass - 48 yeas to 42 nays - a passage nearly four years in the making, which now goes on to the Senate.

Good luck, ya’ll.  We’ll be watching and hoping for sensible legislation in Alabama.  And I’ll be wearing my Free the Hops t-shirt when I go touring the breweries of Minnesota and Wisconsin next week.

This was sent to me from Kira Gay Hiller, Operations Manager (and self-proclaimed Battle Axe) at the Bavarian Barbarian Brewing Company - it’s an announcement we’ve been waiting for!

The Race for the Brewhouse has begun! The Bavarian Barbarian Brewing Company, brewer of “The People’s Beer,” is inviting the People to choose their next beer style. Beginning today, the Barbarian is launching Selection ‘08 in which the people of Williamsport will elect either Weldspatter IPA, or Square Feet Wheat Ale. [Editor's note: BBBC assured me that those of us not living in Williamsport are also welcome to vote!]

Early polls indicate that the Weldspatter IPA, an India Pale Ale, may be heading for a landslide victory due to the IPA’s vocal and fervent supporters. However, political experts are forecasting a strong showing from Square Feet Wheat Ale’s more subdued supporters.

“There may be a silent majority at work in this area,” says pundit Tipsy McStagger, “especially in the surrounding boroughs and among female voters.”

Polling will continue through the month of March and supporters for both beer styles are eagerly anticipating their beer’s victory to be announced on April 1. Visit the Selection ‘08 polling center to vote and track the progress.

The Barbarian encourages everyone to follow each candidate’s campaign closely. Remember your civic duty and vote your conscience. In this election, every vote counts.

The Bavarian Barbarian Brewing Company is Williamsport’s first production brewery since the 1950s and intends to expand its production and distribution beyond Pennsylvania’s borders in the ensuing years. For more information on Bavarian Barbarian Brewing Company, please visit their website or call 570-322-5050.

At the Selection ‘08 Polling Station & News Center, you can read about the candidates, view the results, and sign up to attend the April 11 Inaguration Party.

So, come on, America!  Get out there and vote! And if you haven’t made the trip, go visit the brewery to taste their initial offerings. The folks at Bavarian Barbarian are incredibly personable and serve up a decent ale. Take your growler, or use their growlers for a small deposit, because you’ll want to share the love.

I stopped paying attention to this issue with the crazy holidays, so thanks to Lew Bryson for putting up a post about the ammendment to House Bill 606.  His post, as always, is comprehensive, but if not convincing enough for you to act, read on at Beer Advocate, Beeryard News and my childhood local paper.

If you support the amendment to House Bill 606, you need to contact your legislators, and let them know you support the ammendment as written, which allows the sale of six-packs at beer distributors. Make it clear that a limit to 12-, 15-, or 18-pack sales is not acceptable.

Please - help me take back the basement - advocate for six-pack sales in PA!

Most of my life, I’ve lived within close proximity to the Susquehanna River, so it is interesting to me that so many new places are opening up within minutes of the river.  Here is a rundown of what I’ve been hearing about lately:

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant in Lancaster opened November 28. This is the seventh facility for Iron Hill. Located at 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA  17603

Spring House Brewing Company in Connestoga (nice report in Bar Fly, and reported on the tenpints blog, which says it is open; very interesting article in York Sunday News about the operation.) Located at 2519 Main Street, Conestoga, PA 17516

Bavarian Barbarian Brewing Companyin Williamsport opened December 28. I’m not sure when I’ll get to Williamsport again to check this place out, but my uncle thinks brewer Mike Hiller is a former student of his, so he’d like to check it out (I’m hoping to get a full report!) Located at 429 W. 3rd St, Williamsport, PA 17701

I learned the following from an article on Billtown Live: 

• The Horde Room (tasting room) will be open from 2-6 PM, Tuesdays through Thursdays, and 2-8 PM on Fridays & Saturdays for beer purchasing. Beer enthusiasts can enjoy a tour of the brewery, led by head brewer, Mike Hiller, every Saturday at 4 and 6 PM. 
• Hammerin’ Ale and Headbangerz Brown Ale are two of the five beers the Barbarian will brew year-round. In the spring, the Barbarian will release either the Square Feet Wheat Ale or the Weldspatter IPA (the choice of which beer to be released next will be left up to the people - a voting and comment system will be installed on the website.) The winning beer will be released in the early spring and the next beer will be released in the summer. Steel Drivin’ Stout will be released in the fall of 2008.
• The phone number is 570-322-5050.

Lancaster Brewing Company in Harrisburg opened in the very last days of December 2007 (while we were on vacation.)  We visited for dinner on Tuesday, January 2, and were thrilled to learn it is a completely non-smoking facility, as is the Lancaster location now. Located at 469 Eisenhower Blvd, Harrisburg, PA 17111

Thoughts on our visit:

• First impression is that this location isn’t quite ready for the public yet. There is no outside signage visible from the road, and the building, which is very attractive (in a plain and simple sort of way) may not be obvious to people coming from out of town. I hope that will change.
• The bar and restaurant areas are very nice - I like the dim lighting and the dark wood and brick interior - but the bar seems very “stiff”. While I’m sure we will go there with friends, hang out and be as loud as we want to be, it reminds me a bit of a hotel bar where quiet is the expectation. I hope that isn’t the case.
• Our waitress needs to learn how to greet customers at a brewpub. After welcoming us, she said, “Can I get you a cocktail?” A what?!?! Beer, please. (She was, otherwise, a great waitress.)
• The menu is lovely. It’s not a cheap restaurant, but the prices are fair. There is a nice mix of appetizer bites, pizzas, burgers and full entrees. My meal (seared tuna salad) was big enough to share with D, who ordered soup and an appetizer.
• We can’t take our vegetarian friends to LBC Harrisburg at this time. Even the squash soup was made with chicken stock; a garden salad and two pizzas were the only veggie options I observed. Perhaps they can add a non-meat burger (spent grain, walnut & barley or otherwise), a tofu selection or even a great big vegetable salad?
• Mug Club - will there be one? We hope so.
• Pints only. This was a disappointment. They do offer a sampler tray of 5-oz glasses, but I’m always looking for an opportunity to buy just one 10-oz or 12-oz glass at a time. That way I can drink more styles with less consumption.
• Beers are currently being shipped from Lancaster (brewing facility at Harrisburg has yet to be constructed.) They offered almost any LBC beer a person could want. I know this isn’t a complete list, but I recall that they had Hop Hog IPA, Amish Four Grain, Strawberry Wheat, Milk Stout, Fest Beer Amber Lager, Winter Warmer and probably three or four more.
• The management staff seemed very interested in making sure customers were satisfied (they didn’t come to our table, which is fine, because we were generally satisfied!) I think that’s a good sign.

LBC Harrisburg, is practically in our back yard, so I’m hoping it is successful and becomes a place we frequent.

Appalachian Brewing Company in Lancaster - still waiting for one or more locations to come through.

One Guy Brewing in Berwick had a soft opening yesterday (beer has been available at B.F. J’Eats since late December; grand opening TBA.) Probably the best information available is on Lew Bryson’s blog(read the comments - it gets more and more interesting as the days pass.) Located at 328 W. Front St., Berwick, PA 18603

A friend of ours made a visit yesterday, and learned the following:

• There are four beers currently on tap.  Number 1 (the first One Guy beer ever brewed; a  golden lager), Dark Lager, Peach Wheat and Rauch Bock.
• There are two glass sizes to choose from. A small glass (perhaps 10-oz?) ranged from $2.25-2.75. Shaker “pints” were $3-3.50. Growlers were $4.01+tax for the glass, and the fills were $7.50-10.

He reported that the beers were “spot on excellent,” so this sounds like a place that needs to get on our schedule!

Both running on very little sleep these days, D and I arrived early at the ”One Final VICTORY for Heavyweight” event at The Drafting Room in Exton with an expectation that there would be a line of people.  

At that hour (just after 11 AM), there were only a few people inside, and they weren’t serving beer or food, so we scored a good table. Thank goodness, because the room filled quickly, and the event became standing room only for many. We had an enjoyable time drinking some excellent brews with a table of friends, and talking to acquaintances who passed by, and got home in time for D to get a full nap before work.

This was the official release for Victory’s Baltic Thunder, and also a last(?) opportunity to get a selection of Heavyweight products in bottles (750 ml bottles for $14.95.)  Baltic Thunder was on tap, but also available in bottles for $7.95 (Ouch! It was only $34/case at Victory, so we were really thankful that Kim made the beer run to Downingtown!)

[Perhaps it was the alcohol, but we were particularly amused by the Lindeman's Pêche description, which went something like, "flavored with fresh raspberries to complement the tartness." Ooops! Who's the editor?]

We asked for our Heavyweight bottles just a little too late, missing out on Black Ocean (a schwartzbier.) Friends at our table bought and shared a bottle of Slice of Bread (a pungent and sour rye), which also ran out before we could get one to take home. Our table did obtain the last two bottles of Jakeldricka which we shared (a spiced herb ale, which I didn’t love, however, I went into this one with a bad attitude after reading descriptions like smokey, bacon bits, boiled cabbage and freshly chopped wood.) I believe this is the one that had a “lava lamp” quality to it, in that thick waves of sediment rolled through the glass during the entire time we were drinking it. D brought home a bottle each of Biere D’Art and Doug’s Colonial Ale.

On draft, also from Heavyweight, we had Perkuno’s Hammer (2006)- a Baltic porter brewed collaboratively with Lew Bryson (who defined it as, “a train wreck between a doublebock and an imperial stout,”) - and at our table (but not tasted by us), the Lunacy (2006) - a Belgian-Style golden ale.  As far as I know, no one at our table attempted the Baltus O.V.S. (2006), which was labeled “OXIDIZED - DRINK AT YOUR OWN RISK!”

I particularly enjoyed the Seven Threads Symposium Ale.  This dark brew was a blend of 8 locally-crafted ales, served only in 10-oz glasses for $2.95. D and I decided to share one glass, and I have to say I monopolized that glass!  Here is the description they provided:

Blended for 2005 Craft Brewers Conference in Philadelphia, this amalgamation consists of Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale, Flying Fish Porter, Independence Oatmeal Stout (RIP), Iron Hill Pig Iron Porter, Nodding Head Grog, Stoudt’s Fat Dog Stout, Victory Storm King and Yard’s IPA…

I’ll have to see if D took any notes on it…I was too busy trying to maintain possession of it to write anything down!

Don’t worry about D not getting any beer, though! He started the day with Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA, of which I got no more than a single sip.

Everything else we drank was from Victory, and my favorite of the list was the cask-conditioned Hop Wallop. The 8.5% ABV was masked by the smooth drinkability. I enjoyed it so much and was disappointed that I’d only ordered a 10-oz, but in terms of minimizing the alcohol and calorie consumption, it was a good idea. We also had the Harvest Ale (2007), and as mentioned earlier, the Baltic Thunder.

I know it sounds like a lot, but we did stick to the 10-oz glasses, and did lots of sharing, so with lunch and a couple cups of coffee, it really wasn’t overwhelming at all.

This was my first trip to The Drafting Room, where there are 14 rotating taps, one cask-conditioned hand pump, and over 100 bottled beers. I especially like that the menu features “tapped on” dates (the website does, too, but it’s all out of date!) The food menu was also excellent. I really enjoyed my Moroccan salad, and the other plates looked yummy, too. And I like that they never add more than $10 to the PA sales price of a wine. This is a great place to meet with good friends for a good beer!

The so-often-mentioned-by-me “golden triangle of beer” in Central PA has become a trapezoid. That is my official position after spending Saturday night at Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks in Millheim, PA.  Tim Bowser, an owner, joked with me that perhaps it is now more like the Bermuda Triangle, which may be true as people taking the time to visit Selin’s Grove, Bullfrog and Otto’s will be drawn into the center to take in Elk Creek.

The PLCB came through late last Friday, and Elk Creek had a quiet opening.  Sam Komlenic reported the details of his visit and tour to Lew Bryson, but because of a heavy work and vacation schedule last week and my focus on Christmas shopping and Firkin Friday at Selin’s Grove, I wasn’t keeping up on my reading.  I learned about it via text message this weekend, and just happen to be staying less than 30 miles away so I jumped on the opportunity and my parents came right along.

Knowing the area well, I was surprised by the metropolitan flair of this place (the last great restaurant in the area - The Hummingbird Room - closed in 2005.) It’s a few doors down from the quaint Millheim Hotel where, at least when I was growing up, the salad bar is in a claw-foot bathtub (another interesting fact - this circa 1794 hotel is haunted by the mistress of President Millard Fillmore.) It, too is a fun spot to dine, but it’s charming in a small-town kind of way.

From the large windows of the Elk Creek Cafe, I watched at least three Amish horse and buggies pass by the other two restaurants on the main street - Brownies Valley Tavern and The Pizza Shop. Their polished black boxes connected by strong wood and leather strappings to a single horse offered a glimpse of women and children wrapped in blankets and men in suspenders and black dress hats. I challenge you to name another brewpub where you can see that!

Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks is located in the former Equinox Cafe location - it can’t be missed in such a small town, but just in case you decide to visit, the intersection is routes PA-45 and PA-445 (the only stoplight in town) and the address is 100 W. Main Street.  The street view is full floor-to-ceiling windows and the brightness of the interior lights up the downtown. It has a beautiful yellow glow, which reflects off the honey wood floors, and colorful displays artwork throughout the restaurant add an interesting aspect to the otherwise simple decor. There is a real feeling of openness to the restaurant - we weren’t crowded, although the tables were nearly full.

We did not sit at the bar, but it looked very nice with the handmade cherry and iron barstools.  The beer menu was on the table, and a chalkboard presentation of the beers and specials was on the wall. The food menu was printed just for the weekend, and I assume this will be a trend, as they feature fresh, local products (seen in italics where I’ve copied the menu at the end of this post.) In addition to “fresh and local”, this place features some of my other favorite buzzwords: organic, smoke-free and vegan. Chef Mark Johnson describes the his preparation style as Nouveau Dutchie Cuisine.

Brewer Tim Yarrington, who was dining two tables away with his family (but I was too shy/polite to interrupt them), has outdone the Penns Valley beer scene with his nice selection of ales. I didn’t ask if there are plans to put on a cask, but heard there are plans to expand the number and variety of offerings. I also am left wondering about the ABVs and IBUs…  Five beers were on tap yesterday, served in 5 oz glasses for $1 or pints for $3.95.  The selections were:

Winkleblink Ale- a light, perhaps kolsch-style, ale named for a nearby mountain. On the map, you will see it as Winklebleck Mountain in the Bald Eagle State Forest (the Mid-State Trail crosses this mountain when hiking from Hairy John’s picnic area to Raymond B. Winter State Park), but because of a lighted tower, the locals know it as “Winkleblink Mountain.”  The name is a bit esoteric, and should they ever look to rename it, let me offer up “Winklebleck Light.”

Great Blue Heron Pale Ale - an American Pale Ale that didn’t quite meet my expectations for flavor. It was lighter in color and lacking in the hop flavor and aroma that I expect in a Pale. This is not to say I didn’t enjoy it - I did - I just didn’t like it enough to indulge in a pint.

Elk Creek Copper Ale - this is the kind of flavor I’m looking for in a session beer. It had a stronger hop profile than the Pale, and the darker color was visually more appealing.  Toffee sweetness complimented the floral aroma.  Elk Creek, by the way, is an important area waterway which once hosted mills and now provides recreation through kayaking and fly fishing.

Brookie Brown Ale- the big surprise of the night! Pop usually avoids browns (too sweet!), but based on the description, decided to try it. His first pint was a mis-pour of the Copper and he had to send it back, so when the Brown arrived looking much like the Porter, we suspected another mistake.  Not so! This did not have the hop aroma or full-bodied roastiness of the porter, but the chocolate and caramel malts kept the flavor strong and the color dark. It was an excellent and atypical brown ale.

Poe Paddy Porter- nostalgia abounded in the name alone, and then we tasted this beer based on Tim Yarrington’s GABF award winning porter recipe. It is a perfect porter - dark, smooth and roasty with an extra hint of hops in the aroma and the finish. It could only be better if only it were on cask…  I had my pint of porter with desert, and it really complimented the bread pudding (a small slice of bread pudding (which didn’t have the taste or texture of old bread!) topped with raisin sauce, citrus zest and vanilla ice cream.) Poe Paddy is a favorite local State Park on Penns Creek and near the Paddy Mountain Railroad Tunnel, which is a favorite Mid-State Trail day hike or bike ride for our family.

Our meals were just as good as the atmosphere and the beer. We started with the chicken liver toast - a lovely pate preparation best shared by the three of us. It was a wonderful treat that melted in my mouth. Pop had the Steak Frites (a pasture-raised grilled strip steak served with steak butter and  a generous portion of fries with aioli.) Nana had the pasture-raised burger, also served with the hand-cut fries. I had the potato-crusted wild Alaskan salmon, which was balanced over roast beet cubes and topped with horseradish sour cream and chives. It was perfect in flavor, but the presentation was lacking (dramatic, yet it looked lonely on such a big plate - a few greens or something scattered on the side would make all the difference!)

Our only real complaint was the waitress assigned to our table. The other wait staff seemed to be very friendly and efficient, but ours was inattentive, extremely soft-spoken, and generally not prepared to work with the public.

Two things I neglected to do is find out a phone number for this place, and whether or not they fill growlers. All of my searches for phone numbers come up with numbers for the Equinox (it rings busy at all times), and two personal phone numbers which I found on things like the State Inspection report. I’ll want to know those things eventually.

If I lived near Millheim, I would visit at every opportunity.  As a beer traveler, I hope to get back as often as possible.

TAVERN TAPAS

• Cream of Broccoli + Parsley w/ Cheddar Soup
• Elk Creek Flatbread + Hummus w/ Kalama Olives (vg)
• Belgian Style Hand-Cut Fries + Elk CreekAioli or Tofu Mayo (vg)
• Olive Salad Bruschetta (vg)
• Mac + Frank + Fontina
• House-Cured Gravlox + Poppy Crackers w/ Dijon Drizzle
• Local Apple, Bacon, Cheddar + Baby Lettuce Salad
• Roast Beet Salad w/ Toasted Caraway Vinaigrette (vg)
• Mixed Baby Greens, choice of Vinaigrettes (vg) 

ELK CREEK ENTREES

• Pasture-Raised Burger + Hand-Cut Fries w/ Elk Creek Aioli
• Roasted Pepper + Marinated Portabella Sandwich w/ Hummus Mayo
• Valley Ham + Swiss on Gemelli Ciabatta
• Fillet of Beef Salad w/ Grilled Gemelli Ciabatta, Mixed Lettuces + Roasted Peppers
• Bucatini w/ Elk Creek Puttanesca (vg)
• Pasture-Raised Grilled Strip Steak + Fries w/ Elk Creek Aioli + Steak Butter
• Butter-Basted Over the Moon Farm Chicken w/ Broccoli + House-cured Hog Jowl + Potato Gnochi 
• Tender Callahan Pork Shoulder + Pork Belly w/ Butter Beans + Roasted Root Vegetable
• Skillet Trout w/ Crispy Potatoes in a Brown Butter, Capers, + Lemon Pan Sauce  
• Potato-Crusted Wild Alaskan Salmon, Horseradish Sour Cream + Chives w/ Roast Beets

Perhaps one day the shape of our “golden triangle of beer” will change.   Relative to the population, there are so many places popping up in the area!  Are they worthy of a side trip?  Here are a few to keep an eye on.

I just haven’t made it to the Abbey Wright in Duboistown, because every time I’m in Williamsport, I just gravitate to the Bullfrog!  I’ve heard both good and bad reports, but I’d like to make the call on my own.  I just can’t get myself to that side of the river… 

We heard on good authority that Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks in Millheim is open for food (no brewery licence as of yet.)  We learned about it Tuesday, and Lew Bryson blogged about it on Wednesday in much greater detail; you can also read all about the restaurant and the talented brewer in Ken Hull’s new book, Going Local.  We’re really hopeful this place will work out well.  With Tim Yarrington as the brewer, after his award-winning successes at Long Valley Pub & Brewery, and evidence of his appreciation for cask beers, I think it will do very well.

Tonight I’ve been reading a bit about Bavarian Barbarian Brewing Company, a startup brewery in Williamsport, which I’ve heard rumblings about for the last few months and have been so curious to learn more.  A billboard went up in late November, and now there is even better news.

On Friday, Mike Hiller (Barbarian Chief) announced that he just completed brewing his first batch, although he didn’t tell us what it is.  Rumor is that the location is the old Wahl-Braun building (the listed address is 429 W 3rd St and phone number is 570-322-5050), although I had heard differently two weeks ago when we were in town.  It sounds like his focus will be selling to area restaurants and bars - no bottling.  He’s sporting the merch already - check out the logo hat and T!

Mike isn’t totally new the the craft.  He got his start at Legend Brewing Company, which has become a regular stop for us when we travel south on I-95 (sorry, Legend…for the first time in five years, we’re not going to Charleston for Christmas!) 

It looks like Mike tried to start Bavarian Barbarian while living in Massachusetts (listed address is 762 Commonwealth Ave #5, Brighton MA), but I’m glad it’s happening in Williamsport instead and I can’t wait to see what comes out of there!

As the crisp air of autumn begins to fall upon Pennsylvania, the mind wanders to beers of the season. 

On Friday, and again today, D and I made it to Selin’s Grove Brewing Company for the annual tasting of Pumpkin Ale.  The ‘07 version was made in a bigger batch than any previous, so the spices came out a bit differently - much stronger than ‘06 - but certainly not in a bad way.  Cinnamon is the primary essence that comes through on the nose.  A nitrogen pour gives this ale a creamy head, and a smooth mouthfeel.  It’s reminiscent of the creaminess of pumpkin pie (or the whipped cream on top!)  It has a beautiful dark copper hue and is a real treat for the season.

Now, just because the batch was bigger, don’t think you can delay your visit!  When we arrived today with a table of 8, Derek got the first pour and Ellen got a half…it looked as if the rest of us might be out of luck.  But Steve came through and put on another within minutes.  That’s three kegs of it kicked already, and they are dissuading people from filling growlers (because of the nitro), so this is going fast by the pint.

The Hop Nouveau was still on as of today, and there are many things to look forward to: Saint Fillin’s Scotch Ale in November, and in December, Kriek and Old Frosty IPA (the only thing better than the regular IPA!)

Back at home tonight, we gathered at Scott’s house to brew the second of our two Christmas ales (the first - made with cinnamon, fresh ginger and orange zest - was brewed on a camping trip at Watkin’s Glen; this second one is made with star anise and honey.)  As we brewed, he popped the cap on one of our ‘07 pumpkin ales.  Scott and I agreed our ‘06 was a really good pumpkin ale (sort of a pumpkin IPA.)  Our ‘o7 has a wonderful aroma.  It’s still a little young; it’s thick and has a biting tingle right now, but with a little mellowing from age, it should be good.

Also worth mentioning…  Troeg’s released Mad Elf in 12-oz bottles last Monday and will release it in jeraboams before the end of the month.  Otto’s is serving Five Year Ale - a sweet and spicy ale that comes in around 10.5% - and, on cask, the deliciously smooth and light Arthur’s Amarillo Pale Ale (not holiday related, but worth mentioning since I’ve had about 5 glasses of it this week!)

I’m so behind on posting about this fabulous event, held back on Sept. 22.  My tardiness is based on several factors:

1. we had such an AMAZING time over a period of five days in Asheville that I don’t even know how to begin writing about it all, who to thank, or how to fit, in all of the beer,
2. there was no time to post during the weekend,
3. and the days following were spent driving the Blue Ridge Parkway (so peaceful) and then back to my hectic job.

Now that I’m done whining, let me shout out my heartfelt thanks to John & Melissa for playing host to us.  They were so kind to open their home and I really enjoyed getting to know them.  They have an amazing family, and it was so nice to spend time together.  It was relaxing to be in their home, and they treated us to some fabulous beers.  I hope one day we can reciprocate.

Credit for our great weekend goes to Bruisin’ Ales, too.  Not just for having the best beer selection in the east (we shopped there EVERY DAY because every day we realized there was something else in stock we wanted to get our hands on), but also because Jason and Julie are such fun people; full of enthusiasm for great beer.  We always enjoy hanging out with these Asheville “beer-lebrities”.

We were also pleased that we got to know James and Michelle over the course of our weekend.  It is always so interesting to read everything he has to share on the Asheville Pubcrawl blog, and they are such terrific people - our weekend in Asheville ended on such a nice note enjoying brunch at Tupelo Honey with them.

Our other group of new acquaintances is almost too large to mention.  I felt like I met all of Alabama that weekend, and we spent time with many people associated with Free the Hops.  “Uncle Jedi” is one of the ringleaders - BTW, he can’t be thanked enough for sharing a 1996 Samiclaus with us (1996 was the last year it was brewed at Hürlimann) - Brent was great to chat with, and KP organized the very nice Friday pubcrawl which was a nice way to meet up with other beer lovers.  I also met another AL girl who loved IPAs and I dragged her through a few lines with me while we chatted - never did remember her name.

Yeah…so about the beers.  Really, reading posts in other blogs or at Beer Advocate and Rate Beer you’ll find more comprehensive lists and descriptions.  Asheville Beer Blog covers it well, FastFreds has great photos including D’s butt and Julie’s panties, Mountain Xpress gives a preview run-down on Asheville locations associated with the event, and I located 48-seconds of video coverage.

• I couldn’t wait to try Sexual Chocolate from Foothills.  I had it back in February, and it was pretty young then.  It was so smooth and perfect now.  Heavy for the hot day (84F), but it just danced on my tongue.  I loved it.
• Imperial Kashmir IPA from Highland Brewing was such a treat.  It made a debut at the festival, and sold the next day ($8 for a 22-oz bottle; 10.2% ABV) during a very sedate release event at the brewery.  The brewer of this delightful treat was on-site (he’s as cute in person as he sounds in his podcast; couldn’t find a link to that, but found the article.)
• Duck Rabbit and Pisgah were both there, and as always, they served up some of the finest beers in North Carolina.
• Brooklyn served up Schneider Hoffen-Wiesse (mmm, mmm, good!)
• The controversial Sweetwater Donkey Punch was a lovely barleywine

Then there was the music.  I REALLY enjoyed Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand and enjoyed what I heard and saw of Carolina Chocolate Drops.  The event was held in a terrific venue, except it was hard to enjoy the music AND the beer AND the people all at the same time.

Well, now I have to get back to my busy life, but I feel less guilt that I’ve posted something about this weekend that I’m STILL talking about every chance I get!