Show #12: Beers of the Pioneers, Part 2
Prebeer Preamble: This show is brought to you by the number “2″: two versions of two beers in two cities with two co-drinkers. We continue focusing on breweries what started back in “tha day,” this time enjoying both of the beers at their points of origin.
Beer #1: I’m joined by local friend Matt Brown in sunny Chico, California for an afternoon’s drinking at the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Though we have many beers to choose from, we select the flagship beer, the Pale Ale, for close scrutiny. We’re shocked to discover Sierra Nevada brews two different Pale Ale recipes: one for bottling, one for draft. How do these different beers with the same name compare?
Interbeer Interlude: Beer As Folk. “Fritz Maytag” Mr. Maytag fleshes out the tale of how he turned the once-dilapidated Anchor Brewing Co. into the template for the “microbrewery revolution”. Today we find out how and when Anchor’s stable of beers evolved. Let’s just say that when Burt Reynolds was running bootleg Coors cross-country, Fritz was brewing a barleywine in San Francisco. Part 2 of 2.
Beer #2: I suddenly find myself at the Bridgeport Alehouse in Portland, Oregon where I’m joined by my friend Jason for a Bridgeport IPA. In fact, on this day there were two IPA’s, one out of the traditional forced-CO2 tap, and one on “cask”, where the beer is naturally carbonated in the keg and pumped out at cellar temperatures for thisty patrons. We try each, and much talk of tiny bubbles ensues.
Beer Geek Moment: “Does Size Matter?” Bashing large breweries is easy, but is it fair? A special guest voice provides musings on whether beer quality is destined to suffer when a brewery becomes sufficiently large. Food for thought my friends, food for thought…
Postbeer Postscript: In a whiplash scoring binge, we cover four beers and hundreds of miles as Matt, Jason and I report out on our reactions to everything sampled today. I believe it’s here that I need to send a huge thank-you to Michael R. Mennenga for making this show sound soooooo much better than ass.
August 24th, 2006 at 8:02 am
Good show, as always, and very interesting about the different flavors of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Like you Charlie, I’ve drank (drunk?) lots of it, both bottled and on draft and have never noticed a difference. But have never tried them side-by-side. Sounds like something I’ll have to do…
August 26th, 2006 at 6:54 pm
Definitely another entertaining show. I found the two part interview with Mr. Maytag most enjoyable. The man clearly has a passion for beer - probably even more than you
It is interesting that you found that much difference in taste between the draught and bottle versions of the same beer.
Keep up the great podcast!
August 28th, 2006 at 7:51 pm
Ed it’s not uncommon with hand taps for there to be a major difference in my experience. I generally prefer the hand pump version it smooths the beer and takes the sharper edge off the beer. Anytime you can try the same beer served both styles definately take advantage!
Who do you have next up your sleeve, Charlie? Jim Koch? Michael Jackson?
If you ever get an interview with Michael here in AZ and don’t invite me along you’ll never taste my Black Lager again!
August 30th, 2006 at 11:56 am
Yet another great show. Thanks for your enthusiasm for beer. It’s intoxicating…uh did I really say that? I meant inspiring.