After the Sculpin, if anyone out there wants to send me other Ballast Point beers to sample I would gladly accept!
September 29, 2011
The Brü Revü – Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
The Ballast Point Sculpin IPA is one of the many beers I smuggled back from our recent vacation to San Diego, and another one you cannot get in Texas, for now. What a spectacular beer! I have read that many consider this the best IPA in the world and I can easily see why. The Sculpin lets you know you are drinking a damn good IPA without hitting you over the head with a one note hop bomb that wears out your palate. It starts with a nice dry hoppy bitterness that gives way to a good citrusy bite with a bit of apricot fruitiness. The strong citrusy aroma and full medium body really round out this top notch beer. At times the Sculpin begins to delve into double IPA territory which only speaks to its excellence. It’s unfortunate I was only able to bring back a 6-pack as at this rate they will be gone quickly and desperately missed.
September 28, 2011
The Brü Revü – Lagunitas IPA
Lagunitas is a great California brewery that is widely available in Austin and most of their 22oz bombers are about 5 bucks so it’s easy to give them a try. The IPA came from as recent Bums meeting that featured Lagunitas beers and this was my return to the beer after that tasting. This was a really good, if not great, west coast IPA that poured a nice amber color with a thin white head. The aroma was fruity and floral with a good citrusy hop flavor followed by a bit of the caramel malt to balance. While not an overpowering IPA, the tastes are more subtle but easily drinkable and refreshing. I am a big fan of the Lagunitas beers and their IPA would be a good one to keep on hand.
September 27, 2011
The Brü Revü – Texas Craft Brewers Festival
I had many excellent beers and missed many more. It was insanely hot and dusty, but the beer more than made up for it. Here’s a run-down of what I tried and my quick thoughts:
Ranger Creek Gulf Coast Imperial IPA – first beer of the day and a great start, excellent local imperial IPA
Real Ale XV Anniversary – very good
Real Ale Morgul – tasted like scotch, which makes sense. Excellent
Real Ale WT3F – Brett fermentation of Devil’s Backbone – I may like the regular Devil’s Backbone better, but this was a nice change.
(512) TWO – double IPA – cask-conditioned firkin - special tapping - Loved it
(512) Pale – dry hopped with Apollo in cask condition firkin - special tapping – served hot, but still smooth and tasty.
Twisted X Senor Viejo – Schwarzbier aged in Tequila barrels. Bit of a disappointment, flat, and not as good as it sounds, the long line didn’t help.
Southern Star Pro-Am The link is for the smoked porter, but that’s not how I remember it. Whatever it was it was good.
New Republic Skylight Dunkelweiss – last beer of the day, and an excellent ending. Kind of sweet with a hint of cloves. Very good Dunkelweiss from College Station?!?
Last Note: I confirmed at the (512) tent that their Third Anniversary Party will be on Saturday October 8th. Yay! See you there!
Just me and 5,000 of my closest friends....
The (512) tent. This has to be my favorite local brewery. If you haven't tried a (512) beer yet, you are missing out. Their IPA is fantastic.
No, really, it's only 4 oz. This is the New Republic Dunkleweiss
September 21, 2011
The Brü Revü – Austin Beerworks Fire Eagle IPA
Austin Beerworks is a relatively new local Brewery that offers several beers in a can and on draft. A buddy of mine does their graphic design work, and he is always eagerly promoting their beers, so I had to try their Fire Eagle IPA on draft while at Frank’s here in Austin. It had a nice clear amber pour with a good hop aroma and light body. It was a very smooth IPA that doesn’t overwhelm you with hops but still leaves you with a nice lingering bitterness. While not overly complex it is still a very refreshing and satisfying IPA. I am always looking for a good local beer and it’s great to have another very drinkable local IPA option.
September 17, 2011
Upcoming Beer Related Events in Austin
Texas Craft Brewers Festival
Saturday, September 24, 2-8 PM, at Fiesta Gardens
$8 General Admission, $58 for VIP admission (which includes VIP air-conditioned restrooms, ha!)
Looks like you will also have to purchase sampling tokens, $12 for 8 tokens?
Looks like fun!
(512) 3rd Anniversary Party
Saturday, October 8th (tentatively),
407 Radam Lane
This is tentative as I have not seen anything formally announced.
I went to their 2nd Anniversary Party and have been to several of their Open Houses, all of which were a great time and good opportunity to try the (512) beers. They will be introducing their THREE, a tripel…. I can’t miss that!
Hopefully I will see everyone at both of these!
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