January In Review

So a little bit of December bled into the beginning of January but it has been a fun month. I just wanted to take a look back and see where I had fun and what I truly enjoyed.I did 27 post this month, not counting this one. That is pretty big. Though, I was all over the place at the start of this blog. I am now finally "settled".



I only brewed twice this month, two 5 gallon batches, but they were both special beers. Ok, so I actually did a Mr Beer Kit as well, but that is for an upcoming post in a few days. I just wanted to get my tasting notes into there as well... I don't image it being pretty but lets talk about some good beers.

Pirates Booty, a Robust Oaked Rum Porter that some of the spent grain ended up being turned into Doggy Biscuits.

Also, my unnamed Flanders Red. This sour hopefully turns out good and last the test of time so that it will grow along with the little one for a number of years.

I will post further updates on those as they progress in the fermentation and aging process. I posted about Santa Berry as well.

This month I also wrote two non-beer reviews. A great Bourbon, Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and a great Shiraz, Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Shiraz. One was kind of beer related but, you know. Still not the same.

I got sent a couple of Beers From Home this year, Silver City St Florian IPA & Fremont Interurban IPA. I actually got a bottle of The Dissident from Deschutes as well, but that is for a review I am writing up after April about Conflux No. 1: Collage. I wish I was into beer before I left Washington, but I guess that gives me more to look forward to when I do go back.

I've done my second Side By Side comparison, The Lost Abbey Mo Betta Bretta vs New Belgium Brett Beer, and I am trying to put together quite a few more. Just need to figure out what beers should be a part of it. The first being Allagash White vs Blue Moon.

I got my first taste of Jolly Pumpkin this month, Calabaza Blanca. Even though I was not a fan there are several others I want to find and try. I got some great suggestions so I hope to find those soon.

And to finish things off, in Alphabetical order, my

Top Beers Of The Month:
Epic Fermentation Without Representation
Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter.
Flying Dog Horn Dog Barley Wine
New Belgium La Folie
Sierra Nevada Narwhal

This seems to have been a big month. I can only imagine what is ahead of me in my Beer-Ventures.

Cheers!

Fremont: Interurban IPA

Fremont Interurban IPA is another beer that my sister had sent me back from home. Yet again, another brewery I have never had or been to before... Though, I think these beers were on tap at Teatro ZinZanni. I love that place but I cannot remember if they were the ones I drank or not. I didn't write notes or even check it in. That is not a place you go to use Social Media. Highly recommended to check them out. Anyway, back to this IPA.

Fremont takes pride in their local area as well. This place opened up about the same time that I started hombrewing. It would have been awesome to get out there in the early days but my loss, right? Here is a little story about their IPA from the website.

Interurban India Pale Ale

Named after Fremont’s most famous outdoor sculpture, Waiting for the Interurban, Interurban India Pale Ale offers the adventurous beer lover a warm embrace of roasted pale malt swirled with a hand-selected blend of flavor malts and filled with the rich spice of Chinook, Centennial and Amarillo hops. Interurban India Pale is a session beer, eminently drinkable throughout the year.

I would not agree with their description of this beer being a session ale since it sits at 6.2% ABV, but after having tasted it, I can see how this beer can be a good conversation piece. Maybe drink it slow and then pick up their 77 Fremont Select. I have not had that one, so I cannot talk about it but that beer actually fits in the session category. It is even about to be released according to their calendar.

When I first cracked this bottle the hoppy aroma filled the room. I take that as an instant plus. I wish I knew when this beer was bottled. I believe it is code dated but there is no other indication of date on the bottle. When I poured it in the glass it was a golden honey color and a big rocky head formed on top. The nose was very fruity and tropical.

I really enjoyed drinking this one. This was a very juicy IPA. It started off sweet and a lot of pineapple and grapefruit I would say. Some pine with the bitterness creeping in and this is where you get some very earthy flavors. The finish is a little grassy and quite dry. Medium bodied and I thought it was nice this beer was a little bready. Highly drinkable and a great conversation piece, but I would not call it sessionable. I could definitely feel this one. It was hard to stop drinking it. 4/5. Also, I love their slogan.

Because Beer Matters

Cheers!