We have a couple of friends who are as nuts as we are about beer. Especially about saving beer...for years. Why do we do this? So we can have a vertical tasting...we can compare a beer to itself based on the year it was brewed. Example: We have four vintages of Pumpkinator (an imperial pumpkin beer from Saint Arnold, Houston) - 2011, 2012, 2014 & 2016. In a vertical tasting, we can see how the beer's character has changed with age, different conditions, and the brew master's recipe itself.
In addition, we have a vertical of Avery's Rumpkin and Tweak (2014 & 2015 - I'm heading out today to see if I can find a 2016 or 2017), and of Sierra Nevada's Bigfoot Barleywine (2015 and 2016). One friend has a three year vertical of Old Horizontal from Victory, and the other has a couple of Stickee Monkees from Firestone Walker.
The key to a good vertical tasting is to pour a snifter of each vintage and try them against each other, rather than drinking all of one year before moving on to the next. Let the beer breathe for a bit. Slosh it around in the glass and get some air into it. Put your hand over the top of the glass and swirl the beer around, then tent your hand and stick your nose in the glass to get a real sense of the aromas you've just released. We find that the older the beer, the mellower it becomes. The alcohol smooths out, flavors integrate and become less pronounced, and the mouthfeel usually gets a bit stickier. Younger beers tend to show off all the flavors, older beers attenuate and secret bolder flavors into a more satisfying mix.
It's unfortunate that IPAs, Pales and Sessions are not appropriate for verticals...the hops just doesn't hold up over time. Double IPAs are a little better at keeping their flavors, but the best options are the bigger beers, Porters, Stouts, Imperial Stouts, Barleywines, Belgians...you get the idea.
It's also vital that you have some good food to pair with each style. Of course I'm always at the ready with some good nosh for a beer tasting. Blue and creamy cheeses, milk and dark chocolates, salty crackers, caramels, stone fruit (jam, dried or fresh), a variety of nuts and olives, and cured meats. Be sure to have plenty of water on hand, as well.
Cheers to a good tasting! Enjoy!
Monday, October 23, 2017
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Happy GABF Day!
Today is the first day (of three) of the Great American Beer Fest!
Before Joe and I moved to Denver, we only dreamed of attending this festival whose competing brewers touted wins to the world. Now, as locals, we await - like children for Christmas - the opening of the doors and the resounding lilt of bagpipes announcing one of the greatest beer gatherings, like, ever.
We went in 2012, 2013, 2014, & 2015. We didn't go last year because we were moving (and had spent a fortune renovating). But this year, I had my finger on the button to be one of the first to get tickets. And here we are...day one.
Over the years the festival has gained traction as the craft brewing industry has exploded. The first several years, it was a way for brewers to convene. Tickets never sold out. Last year, tickets sold out in about 47 minutes.
Denver - and most of Colorado - has jumped on the band wagon, claiming the whole week as Colorado Craft Beer Week. There have been events at almost every major brewery; many restaurants get in on the action holding tap takeovers or special tappings. It's really quite exciting to see brewers not only convening and competing, but taking an interest in their fans, and brewing special beers for the occasion.
This year there are just over 800 breweries in attendance - and more than 3900 different beers. We have tickets for tonight and Friday night, but will only taste around 250 beers (at a couple of sips at a time - pours are about an ounce, and Joe and I share...it's the only way).
So, I've picked out the beer t-shirt I'm wearing (a vintage GABF shirt), I've made an attack plan, and noted a couple of the special must-have beers (Sam Adams Utopias). I think I'm ready!
Cheers!
Before Joe and I moved to Denver, we only dreamed of attending this festival whose competing brewers touted wins to the world. Now, as locals, we await - like children for Christmas - the opening of the doors and the resounding lilt of bagpipes announcing one of the greatest beer gatherings, like, ever.
We went in 2012, 2013, 2014, & 2015. We didn't go last year because we were moving (and had spent a fortune renovating). But this year, I had my finger on the button to be one of the first to get tickets. And here we are...day one.
Over the years the festival has gained traction as the craft brewing industry has exploded. The first several years, it was a way for brewers to convene. Tickets never sold out. Last year, tickets sold out in about 47 minutes.
Denver - and most of Colorado - has jumped on the band wagon, claiming the whole week as Colorado Craft Beer Week. There have been events at almost every major brewery; many restaurants get in on the action holding tap takeovers or special tappings. It's really quite exciting to see brewers not only convening and competing, but taking an interest in their fans, and brewing special beers for the occasion.
This year there are just over 800 breweries in attendance - and more than 3900 different beers. We have tickets for tonight and Friday night, but will only taste around 250 beers (at a couple of sips at a time - pours are about an ounce, and Joe and I share...it's the only way).
So, I've picked out the beer t-shirt I'm wearing (a vintage GABF shirt), I've made an attack plan, and noted a couple of the special must-have beers (Sam Adams Utopias). I think I'm ready!
Cheers!
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