Well, we've done it now... we've migrated Pacific Brew News to Wordpress. That means we're soon going to stop blogging here and put all of our content on our own site. We've migrated all the content on this blog and in a few months - after folks have gotten used to the new site - we're likely going to delete this blog. To see the updated site, which is still a work in progress, simply check out www.pacificbrewnews.com.
Thanks for your patience,
- The PBN Crew
Monday, June 15, 2009
Happy 2nd Anniversary Auburn Alehouse
One of Pacific Brew News' favorite establishments is turning two in June - Auburn Alehouse. Longtime followers of PBN may remember us imbibing fine IPAs in the brewery whilst it was still under construction. We also recorded a podcast on the patio and talked extensively with owner/brewmaster Brian Ford. Now, we've been invited back by Brian to sit with him and celebrate his two amazing years in business.Just how amazing? If you haven't yet been there, it may be hard to put into words. The place is busy night after night. Food there rocks and the beers - oh my - the beers are top-notch! In 2008, just months after opening, Auburn Alehouse won the People's Choice Award at the Raley Field Beer Fest - beating out 47 other NorCal brewers! The mayor of Auburn has brewed a batch of beer. The long-time brewmaster of the now-closed Elk Grove Brewing Company, Bill Woods, is now brewing there (and his Dead Man Red was brilliant!). In every way measurable, Auburn Alehouse has succeeded beyond anyone's expectations.
So, clearly, there's a lot to celebrate. We hope you'll join us and the AAH crew as we enjoy the second annivsary brew - Unobtainium (a big, west coast double IPA) - along with all the other festivities of the weekend. We hope to see you there.
When: June 21st
Where: Auburn Alehouse | 289 Washington St, Auburn Ca
More Info
www.AuburnAlehouse.com
Saturday, June 13, 2009
SacBrew's "IPA Palooza"
This is a quick update to let you know that Sacramento is going to be THE place for hop heads to be on July 22nd when Sacramento Brewing Co. hosts the first-ever IPA festival - IPA Palooza. Talking with Peter Hoey, SBC's Brewmaster, we've been assured you can expect to find beers not previously available in Sacramento. For certain all 24 guest taps will feature an IPA or Double IPA, on top of SBC's own Half Pint DIPA, Independence DIPA, Belgian IPA and house IPA! That's AT LEAST 28 high-hopped beers that will be flowing under one roof, right here in Sacramento.As we learn more about the beers that will be available, we'll let you know.
When: July 22nd
Where: Sacramento Brewing Co.
Price: Pay per drink | Samplers also available
More info
Sacramento Brewing Co.
Friday, June 12, 2009
UPDATE: Bruery Night at SacBrew
Peter Hoey at SacBrew has confirmed The Bruery beers that will be on tap for Monday's event, along with a few more details.First, Patrick Rue (owner/brewer) will be on hand at 6:00pm for the Meet the Brewer aspect of the show. If you want to say hello, get there around that time.
Second, the first THIRTY customers to order the complete sampler set can claim a Bruery class to take home - as shown in the image above. This is a wow glass to be certain.
Finally, the beers! Below are The Bruery beers that will be on tap on Monday.
- Black Orchard (Belgian black wheat beer, or black wit)
- White Zin (Cuvee Juene with our Zinbier, a Belgian blonde fermented with almost 1000 lbs of zinfandel grapes)
- Virgin Papier (non-barrel aged version of their forthcoming anniversary ale)
- Batch #1 Levud's (Belgian-style Golden Strong Ale)
- Hottenroth Berliner Weisse (German-style Berliner Weisse with lactobacillus and brettanomyces to sour this very unusual, low alcohol wheat beer)
More Info
Original Post
The Bruery Comes to Sacramento
The Bruery just celebrated its first year in business, which is based in Orange County, California. In that year the brewers have been praised roundly for making stunning Belgian-inspired brews like Orchard White and Saison Rue. To bring in the brewery's second year in business they're expanding the distribution of beers to include the Sacramento area!An official release party is scheduled for this Monday (June 15th) at Sacramento Brewing Company, on the corner of Fulton and Marconi. The Bruery's owner and brewmaster, Patrick Rue, will be on hand with some special beers. If you're in the region, you're gonna wanna join the party and try some truly amazing beers. Now, here's the details.
When: Monday, June 15th 2:00pm-10:00pm
Where: Sacramento Brewing Co. (2713 El Paseo Ln.)
Cost: Variable, depending on what you buy. No fixed menu.
More Info
Sacramento Brewing Co.
The Bruery
Sunday, June 7, 2009
PETE'S BRASS RAIL & CAR WASH
Well...apparently the joke is pretty much on anyone and everyone that ever steps foot into Pete's Brass Rail and Car Wash located at 201 Hartz Avenue, Danville California. Pete's (there is no Pete) is a nice midsized neighborhood bar with 20 taps of all craft beer goodness and a full menu of typical and not so typical pub fare.
Terri and I stopped in at around noon on Sunday and found a couple seats at the bar. We pulled out our bar stools, she hung her purse on the conveniently placed hook under the bar top as I lifted my foot up to place it on the brass rail......nope....no brass rail either.....
The two bartenders were quick to throw us the food and beer menus claiming that "Looking at the tap handles won't tell you what's pouring".
They were right....The Stone IPA handle was actually hooked up to a Stone Pale Ale keg, The Speakeasy Big Daddy IPA was dispensing Speakeasy Untouchable Pale Ale and the Deschutes Mirror Pond handle filled a glass with Mirror Mirror Barleywine.
I stuck to reading the beer menu after that. Drakes IPA, Pliny the Elder, Red Rocket, Racer 5 stood out as did Pyramid's Imperial Hefeweizen, Russian River Damnation and surprisingly Rubicon's Purple Mia Bock. There were also tap handles for Tied House, Napa Smith, Widmer, Sierra Nevada and a couple more Drakes products.
I tried the Ale Smith Pale and Terri went straight for the Racer 5. As we sipped our first beers of the day we couldn't help notice how busy the place was becoming. The bartenders were trading jabs and insults between watching the A's and Giants games whilst simultaneously concocting some killer looking over-the-top spicy Bloody Marys. I asked if the place was always that busy and the bartender gave me a blank stare and said "It's slow so far".
We eventually had to nibble something and ordered a batch of garlic fries. The best part of those fries is that they're served with a little tub of Cayenne Mayonnaise which is apparently a house specialty. Creamy with a nice kick. Excellent.
After another couple of brews I finally found a little note on the bottom of the food menu that read "There is no Brass Rail, there is no car wash and who the hell is Pete?"
By then of course it seemed to all make at least as much sense as all the patron's names that were printed from top to bottom on the wall opposite our seats.
All the names represented customers that have tried at least 500 different pints of Pete's offerings over the years....... Deschutes Red Chair IPA was the latest beer to make the list...coming in at #1342. Only 496 more pints and I get my name on that wall. I wonder if there are any jobs and affordable housing available in the Danville area.
Terri and I stopped in at around noon on Sunday and found a couple seats at the bar. We pulled out our bar stools, she hung her purse on the conveniently placed hook under the bar top as I lifted my foot up to place it on the brass rail......nope....no brass rail either.....
The two bartenders were quick to throw us the food and beer menus claiming that "Looking at the tap handles won't tell you what's pouring".
They were right....The Stone IPA handle was actually hooked up to a Stone Pale Ale keg, The Speakeasy Big Daddy IPA was dispensing Speakeasy Untouchable Pale Ale and the Deschutes Mirror Pond handle filled a glass with Mirror Mirror Barleywine.
I stuck to reading the beer menu after that. Drakes IPA, Pliny the Elder, Red Rocket, Racer 5 stood out as did Pyramid's Imperial Hefeweizen, Russian River Damnation and surprisingly Rubicon's Purple Mia Bock. There were also tap handles for Tied House, Napa Smith, Widmer, Sierra Nevada and a couple more Drakes products.
I tried the Ale Smith Pale and Terri went straight for the Racer 5. As we sipped our first beers of the day we couldn't help notice how busy the place was becoming. The bartenders were trading jabs and insults between watching the A's and Giants games whilst simultaneously concocting some killer looking over-the-top spicy Bloody Marys. I asked if the place was always that busy and the bartender gave me a blank stare and said "It's slow so far".
We eventually had to nibble something and ordered a batch of garlic fries. The best part of those fries is that they're served with a little tub of Cayenne Mayonnaise which is apparently a house specialty. Creamy with a nice kick. Excellent.
After another couple of brews I finally found a little note on the bottom of the food menu that read "There is no Brass Rail, there is no car wash and who the hell is Pete?"
By then of course it seemed to all make at least as much sense as all the patron's names that were printed from top to bottom on the wall opposite our seats.
All the names represented customers that have tried at least 500 different pints of Pete's offerings over the years....... Deschutes Red Chair IPA was the latest beer to make the list...coming in at #1342. Only 496 more pints and I get my name on that wall. I wonder if there are any jobs and affordable housing available in the Danville area.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Gueneville/Santa Rosa Beer Tasting
Our PBN friend and fellow judge, Todd, was in Guerneville and Santa Rosa a few days ago and sent back this update from his fact-finding mission – if anyone will be traveling in that area, looks like there are some great beers on tap as always:
The Beer Geek
Hello PBN:
I was lucky enough to squeeze in a 2 hour tasting at Stumptown Brewery in Guerneville and lunch on the way home at Russian River. Check out www.stumptown.com.
Stumptown was very unique and interesting. I met the brewer Peter and got a chance to sample a few of his beers. Here’s what they had:
1) Black Lager – Black color. Persistent tan head. Very smoky and roasty. Light body. Low hop bitterness, finishing a little wet. Interesting having such a strong aroma and flavor while still light and easy drinking.
2) Pale Ale – Made like a steam ale. Very creamy and smooth. Floral/citrus hop aroma. Won at CA State Fair in 2004.
3) Blackberry Wheat – Nice tart flavor with all the esters of a good wheat beer. Banana, spices, blackberry go well together. Refreshing beer while we sat in the sun.
4) XPort Ale – Made with a so-called “Strain 108” yeast from some Cal Poly professors. It was a Scottish Ale. Very sweet and malty. Yeast added banana and spices. Floral/citrus hops in there too. Very complex and very enjoyable.
They also had Racer 5 and a couple guest taps, but I stuck with the house brews.
At Russian River they currently had 12 beers on tap and I sampled them all:
1) Pliny the Elder
2) Blind Pig
3) Damnation
4) Salvation
5) Perdition
6) Little White Lie
7) Russian River IPA
8) Aud Blonde
9) Hop 2 It
10) Consecration
11) OVL Stout
12) Redemption
I brought home growlers of Pliny and Blind Pig. Need to get together for a pint since these are in high demand!
Cheers,
Todd
The Beer Geek
Hello PBN:
I was lucky enough to squeeze in a 2 hour tasting at Stumptown Brewery in Guerneville and lunch on the way home at Russian River. Check out www.stumptown.com.
Stumptown was very unique and interesting. I met the brewer Peter and got a chance to sample a few of his beers. Here’s what they had:
1) Black Lager – Black color. Persistent tan head. Very smoky and roasty. Light body. Low hop bitterness, finishing a little wet. Interesting having such a strong aroma and flavor while still light and easy drinking.
2) Pale Ale – Made like a steam ale. Very creamy and smooth. Floral/citrus hop aroma. Won at CA State Fair in 2004.
3) Blackberry Wheat – Nice tart flavor with all the esters of a good wheat beer. Banana, spices, blackberry go well together. Refreshing beer while we sat in the sun.
4) XPort Ale – Made with a so-called “Strain 108” yeast from some Cal Poly professors. It was a Scottish Ale. Very sweet and malty. Yeast added banana and spices. Floral/citrus hops in there too. Very complex and very enjoyable.
They also had Racer 5 and a couple guest taps, but I stuck with the house brews.
At Russian River they currently had 12 beers on tap and I sampled them all:
1) Pliny the Elder
2) Blind Pig
3) Damnation
4) Salvation
5) Perdition
6) Little White Lie
7) Russian River IPA
8) Aud Blonde
9) Hop 2 It
10) Consecration
11) OVL Stout
12) Redemption
I brought home growlers of Pliny and Blind Pig. Need to get together for a pint since these are in high demand!
Cheers,
Todd
Monday, June 1, 2009
Chef's Table opens in Roseville
Written by Jeff Barber
There's now more hope for good beer in Roseville. The Chef's Table (www.chefdavidstable.com), located at 6843 Lonetree Blvd in Rocklin (right on the edge of Roseville) in the strip mall where Fitness 19 is located., opened last week. While created as a wine bar with small plate type food, it is owned and operated by David Hill, the former chef who provided the appetizer menu at Vino's. This is going to be a great place. As mentioned, food is served in small plates and currently covers a range of tastes such as scallops, calamari, spring rolls, and a charcuterie plate. Plans are for the menu to change as seasonal ingredients change. Wines are served by the taste, full glass, or bottle. And he has good beer! Currently on tap are Bear Republic Racer 5, Auburn Alehouse Scarlet Harlot, Deschutes Red Chair IPA, Anderson Valley Boont Amber, and Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat. The large refrigerator, still on the way to being fully stocked, is off to a good start with Russian River Pliny the Elder and Blind Pig IPA.
When I was there last Friday, I was able to enjoy a few beers with Sean, the original owner of Vino's, a good friend of David's, and current owner of Kona Café next door. Plans are starting to be talked about again for a pub crawl (Sean allways wanted to get one going), possibly pint nights, and other events.
It's been awhile since the closure of local favorite, Vino's, created a hole in the Roseville beer scene. The Chef's Table is off to a great start towards filling that hole. It will be great to know the Owl Club isn’t our only option for a small local "pub" with good beer. If you are looking for a place to have good beer while wine enthusisasts in your group enjoy good wine, uou have to check this place out!
There's now more hope for good beer in Roseville. The Chef's Table (www.chefdavidstable.com), located at 6843 Lonetree Blvd in Rocklin (right on the edge of Roseville) in the strip mall where Fitness 19 is located., opened last week. While created as a wine bar with small plate type food, it is owned and operated by David Hill, the former chef who provided the appetizer menu at Vino's. This is going to be a great place. As mentioned, food is served in small plates and currently covers a range of tastes such as scallops, calamari, spring rolls, and a charcuterie plate. Plans are for the menu to change as seasonal ingredients change. Wines are served by the taste, full glass, or bottle. And he has good beer! Currently on tap are Bear Republic Racer 5, Auburn Alehouse Scarlet Harlot, Deschutes Red Chair IPA, Anderson Valley Boont Amber, and Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat. The large refrigerator, still on the way to being fully stocked, is off to a good start with Russian River Pliny the Elder and Blind Pig IPA.
When I was there last Friday, I was able to enjoy a few beers with Sean, the original owner of Vino's, a good friend of David's, and current owner of Kona Café next door. Plans are starting to be talked about again for a pub crawl (Sean allways wanted to get one going), possibly pint nights, and other events.
It's been awhile since the closure of local favorite, Vino's, created a hole in the Roseville beer scene. The Chef's Table is off to a great start towards filling that hole. It will be great to know the Owl Club isn’t our only option for a small local "pub" with good beer. If you are looking for a place to have good beer while wine enthusisasts in your group enjoy good wine, uou have to check this place out!
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