Pliny's Bellow

Humulus Lupulus
(from Hopunion)

US CASCADE

Aroma: Flowery and citrusy. Can have a grapefruit note.

Flavor: pleasant flowery, spicy and citrusy. Can have a grapefruit flavor.

Alpha Acids: 4.5-7.0%

Storageability: 48-52% AA's remaining after 6 months storage at 20C (68F)

Trade perception: Aroma variety with well-balanced bittering potential. It is the most
popular hop with the craft brewing industry. Good for dry hopping.

Possible Substitutions: Centennial, Amarillo, to a lesser extent, Columbus

Typical beer styles: American style ales, especially pale ales, IPA's, Porter, Barley wine; can also be used in Witbier.

The Session #10 - Winter Seasonal Beers

Many years ago when I was introduced to craft brews I was just happy to find one locally and drink it. It was like being 8 years old on christmas morning. Now, luckily, craft brews can be found everywhere...well almost. Now we look forward to seasonal beers, especially the winter warmers!

The winter season is a great time of year for dark hearty malty beers. Winter seasonals, in my opinion, are the best of the year and can be the most creative. Here are two I have had most recent and highly recommend; Sam Smith Winter Seasonal and Odell Brewing Isolation Ale.

The Sam Smith Winter Ale beer always has an interesting artwork on their winter seasonal to go along with the tasty complex brew. I have had this one many times and have not been dissapointed, but then again I'm sure everyone knows that.

On the other hand the Odell Brewing Isolation Ale was very very tasty. It was first time tasting this classic. It nicely balanced its american bitterness with a hefty dose of dark malts. I recommend you should try this at least once. I'm saddened that I can only have this beer once a year.

I'm gettin' cold, I need a winter warmer!

FEVER FOR THE FLAVOR FRIDAY

FEVER FOR THE FLAVOR FRIDAY

(from BJCP)

13F. Russian Imperial Stout

Aroma: Fruity esters, reminiscent of dark fruit, merged with intense roastiness and maltiness. Hop aroma is usually also present.

Appearance: Very dark reddish-black color; opaque.

Flavor: Intensely fruity and malty, backed up by balancing roastiness and prominent hop bitterness and flavor. A "burnt currant" character may be present, along with a suggestion of cocoa or strong coffee. Alcoholic strength should be evident, along with a deep, complex malt flavor. The finish can vary from relatively dry to moderatley sweet, usually with some lingering roastiness and warming character.

Mouthfeel: Very full-bodied and rich, with intense flavors and perceptible alcohol presence. Carbonation is relatively low.

Overall Impression: An iintensely flavorful beer. Roasty, fruity, and bittersweet, with a notablealcohol presence. Dark fruit melds with roasty, burnt, almost tar0like sensations.

History: Said to be popular with Russian Imperial Court

Comments: Brewed to high gravity and hopping level in England for export to the Baltic States and Russia

Ingredients: Well-modified pale malt, with generous quantities of roasted grain. Flavor and aroma hops should include English varieties for authenticity. Alkaline water would balance the abundance of acidic raosted grain in the grist.

Vital Stats: O.G. 1.075-1.095+
IBUs: 50-90+ F.G. 1.018-1.030+
SRM: 20-40 ABV: 8-12+%

Commercial Examples: Samuel Smith Imperial Stout, Courage Imperial Stout, Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, Rogue Imperial Stout, North Coast Old Rasputin Imperial Stout, Victory Storm King

The Mash - Il Vicino

Welcome to the second edition of THE MASH! Today we present to you one of the best breweries in the southwest: Il Vicino Brewery www.ilvicino.com

History:
An Italian Trattoria and now having 8 locations in New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri this pizzeria/brewery had humble beginnings. They began the brewery as an afterthought to the original Il Vicino pizzeria located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Not having much room they turned the basement into a crammed brewery and started to pump out quality beer. As a matter of fact they started to win prestigous medals as soon as they brewed the first batch, well almost. They have been winning medals more many different styles since 1995 a winning tradition that continues today. And oh they also serve GREAT FOOD!

Today they have a small brewery located just off I-25 open mon-fri and is even fit with a tap room. Here is where they make all of the beer that feeds all of its 8 restuarants. You will not find there beers in bottles as they only make the beers for their restuarants and for pick up at their brewery.

Brewers:
Brew Master - Brady Mckeown
who brews on a 7bbl system and brews 1500bbls/year

Beers:
The tap list is always changing but here are some of there beers:
Wet Mountain IPA - multiple WCP & GABF medal winner **my favorite**
Slow Down Brown - multiple WCP & GABF medal winner **my favorite**
Irish Red - WCP medal winner
Past Due Porter - medal winner
Pig Tail Blone
Joe's Stout
Grandpa's Porter

Pliny's Bellow

Humulus Lupulus
(from Hopunion)

US SAAZ

Aroma: Very mild, spicy and earthy

Flavor: Mild and pleasant, earthy and spicy

Alpha Acids: 3.0 - 4.5%

Storageability: 45-55% AA's remaining after 6 months storage at 20C

Trade perception: available in small quantities

POSSIBLE SUBSTITUTION: Czech Saaz, Polish Lubin, Sterling

Typical Beer Style: Pilsner, Lager, US Wheat, Belgian-Style Ales, Bitter

Part II - Southern New Mexico Breweries

Here is the second edition of the NM southern breweries.

So NM Breweries:

Artesia -
The Wellhead Brewpub
www.thewellhead.com

Las Cruces -
High Desert Brewing Co.
www.highdesertbrewingco.com

Los Lunas -
Tractor Brewing Co.
www.getplowed.com

Socorro -
Socorro Springs Brewing Co.
www.socorrosprings.com

Malt &Hop Shortage Update

Recently, the Brewing Network interviewed two individuals from the malting industry and the hop industry. Whether you brew beer or just drink it you need to listen to these interviews. There is a lot of valuable information discussed in both industries, hint: global warming, ethanol production, and market place demand.

Check out these two interviews at: www.thebrewingnetwork.com/sundayarchive.php

Largest Heist Ever...

...in Ireland. Irish police were hunting for a beer bandit who stole 450 (180 kegs of Guinness, 180 kegs of US budweiser, 90 kegs of Carlsberg) full kegs from the Guinness brewery - the largest heist ever at Irelands largest brewery. National police said a lone man drove into the brewery on wednesday and hitched his truck to a fully loaded trailer awaiting delivery to city pubs. The total thefts involves 39,600 pints with a retail value exceeding $235,000. No description of the subject was issued, suggesting that nobody got a good look at him.