Speaking of Beer

Prebeer Preamble: Apologies for the Lucas-like complexity of the show title, but whenever legendary hophead, author, and internet recanteur Evo Terra joins me for a beer, I dust off the bombast. Any opportunity to revel in the resiny goodness that is hops with another Humulus Lupulus fanboy is an opportunity for excess, as far as I’m concerned. Today Evo and I scale the twin peaks of IBU and ABV, engaging in some good old-fashioned “drinkin’ a coupla beers” conversation along the way.

Beer #1: Evo’s (relatively) recent trip to Vancouver, BC yielded our first beer of the day, Granville Island Whitecaps IPA. Canada isn’t exactly known as a hophead Mecca, but Evo really enjoyed this one from the tap. How does it fare when poured from a bottle?

Interbeer Interlude: Microbrewed. “El Bait Shop.” Straying from his usual East Coast haunts in a never-ending quest for the perfect pub experience, Tee Morris winds up in, of all places, Des Moines, Iowa. Flanked by co-drinkers Paul and Andrew, as well as a stray local or two, Tee dives into the Midwest mega-tap experience. What are they drinking and how does it go down? Tune in and find out! (Part 1 of 4)

Beer #2: Evo and I now turn to Breckenridge Brewing’s Small Batch 471 Double IPA. This one is touted as being “double hopped,” and it’s definitely cranked up on the EtOH. But with alcohol comes malt and with malt comes balance. Could it be that “double” just isn’t enough?

Beer Geek Moment: “Hop Horticulture” Ever had the hankerin’ to grow your own hops? Turns out it’s not that tough, especially if you’re into “projects” and have even a faintly green thumb. Take a listen and find out how it’s done!

Postbeer Postscript: We score up these spicy brews and discuss the Theory of Hop Relativity (at least, that’s what I’m calling it now…). Which beer might just have Evo Twittering away? Tune in and find out!

 

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The last couple of shows have had some widely-available beers, and I’ve heard several fun drink-along stories about them (granted, mostly from members of my own family, but still…). Thus it is with a heavy heart that I unveil next week’s show beers, two brews you almost aussuredly won’t be able to find:

Granville Island Brewing’s Whitecaps IPA [alternatives: Victory Hop Devil Ale, Redhook's Longhammer IPA, Flying Dog's Snake Dog IPA]

and

Breckenridge Brewing’s 471 Series Double-Hopped Double IPA [alternatives: Bell's HopSlam, Bear Republic's Racer X, Three's Floyd's Dreadnaught IPA]

Please do avail yourself of one of the alternabeers, or any combo of American IPA and double IPA you can find. Even without the exact brews, there’s still good listening afoot. Let’s just say my returning co-drinker’s identity should be obvious from the emphasis on Humulus Lupulus…

Prebeer Preamble: Over much of the Northern Hemisphere, summer has given way to autumn. A whole new wave of fall seasonal beers are turning up on store shelves and taps, and a growing number of them involve that apotheosis of autumnal squash, the pumpkin. Today I and my Draco Vista Review Krew (Michael R.Mennenga, Doug Kress, Tim Adamec, and Brian Brown) take a look at this phenomenon, and try to wrap our heads around the benefits (or lack thereof) of adding vegetables to your beer.

Beer #1: A sign of pumpkin beer’s ascendency is Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale, from the fine folks at Blue Moon (a.k.a. Molson-Coors). Macro-pumkin marketed like a micro, with “all natural” pumpkin flavor. Kinda gets you drooling, doesn’t it? Warning: the word “fizzy” is used in describing this one…

Interbeer Interlude: Beer As Folk. “Thom Tash from Kona Brewing Co.” Kona’s seasonal Pipeline Porter is very popular in Hawaii, on the mainland and beyond. Pubcaster and Heartland Brews contributor Phil Clark from The Brit and Yankee talks with the Kona Brewmaster about this and other brews produced with local ingredients in the 50th State.

Beer #2: A product of one of America’s oldest brewpubs, Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Ale can safely be called the progenitor of pumpkin beer. Does it’s “classic” status lead to a satisfying drinking experience, or should pumpkins remain the stuff of pies and jack-o-lanterns and stay out of beer all together?

Beer Geek Moment: “Seasonals” Pumpkin beer is but one example of “seasonal” beer, brews that only turn up at certain times of the year and reflect the vibe of the time. Take a whirlwind tour through the calendar by way of a pint glass in this little Moment.

Postbeer Postscript: It turns out where the tasters stand on pumpkin pie has a lot to do with how they score these beers. Who likes lots of spice, and who wants to actually taste the pumpkin? Tune in and see!

 

 Show 38: It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Beer Guy! [36:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2858)