High Summer

Well, it's July here on the Kenai Peninsula. Sorry it's been three weeks since my last blog, but summers in Alaska are too short to spend much of them sitting at a keyboard when I could be outside doing stuff. But it's raining today, and it seemed a good time to catch up on the latest beer news around the state, so let's go.

First off, 49th State Brewing opened its new Anchorage location (the former Snow Goose Pub/Sleeping Lady Brewery) on Monday, July 4. I haven't been up to Anchorage to see it yet, but the photos I've seen posted on Facebook make the newly-renovated establishment look gorgeous. I can't wait to check it out, so if you're in Anchorage and haven't done so yet, I'd jump right on that. The soft opening will continue through Thursday with hours set from noon until 10pm. Beginning Friday, July 8th, the hours will be 11am -11pm for the full menu and 11pm-1am for an abbreviated, late-night menu. I also received this info about the band that will be in Anchorage on July 15 and Healy on July 16:

"July 15th-16th, Anchorage, AK - National jam band act, The Werks, are coming to Alaska for the first time. Fusing psychedelic shredding, wailing organ, and funk slap bass with synthesizers and modern dance beats, The Werks have quickly emerged as a national powerhouse, bringing a big dance party beloved by fans across the musical spectrum.This is their first venture into Alaska and the only chances to see them are at the 49th State Brewing Co in Denali and Anchorage."

As long as we're talking about bands, here's the info on the one that will be playing at 49th State's Healy location this weekend:

"San Francisco’s favorite musical misfits, Tumbledown House, are returning to Alaska for a string of shows in July. These purveyors of modern speakeasy music, or gritty saloon jazz, are wrapping up a new album and will be joined by some of Anchorage’s most talented instrumentalists as they head out on a two week tour around the state debuting new material. Tumbledown House will appear at the 49th State Brewing Company on Friday, July 8th at 10:30pm at The Denali Park Salmon Bake on Saturday, July 9th at 11pm."

Things are busy at Denali Brewing Company, with the heavy summer crowds in Talkeetna. Here's the latest tap list at the beer garden in downtown Talkeetna:

Click to enlarge

Denali has also announced the date for this year's Talkeetna Brewfest. It will be held on Saturday, September 17, with the Beer Dinner at Twister Creek Restaurant the night before. I attended this festival for the first time last year, and had a fantastic time. Check out my blog on 9/21/2015 for a detailed report on the goings-on. Mark you calendars now for this great fest. Denali has also announced that it will be releasing its excellent Louisville Sour in August.

Also on September 17th, the Rotary Club of Juneau will be holding the 5th Annual Capital Brewfest at the Juneau Arts & Cultural Center (JACC) from 12:30 to 5 pm. So here's an alternative for folks in the Southeast that can't make it all the way to Talkeetna.

Over at Midnight Sun Brewing Company, they are getting ready for a big event: the release of MSBC's 21st Anniversary beer, Grand Crew Brew. The beer will be released in about two weeks at $21 per bottle and will be available only at the brewery. It's 14% ABV, 59 IBUs, and should cellar very well. Here's the label art for it:

Old Man Rush Brewing in Eagle River now has a crowler machine, so you can get its beers in sealed 32 oz. cans.

Arkose Brewery in Palmer will be holding another Beer Meets Chocolate event of July 15th from 6 to 7 pm. $25 and be sure to make reservations.

Here on the Peninsula, Kenai River Brewing held its Grand Opening on Saturday, June 18th, with the ribbon cutting at 11 am and live music from 6 to 9 PM. I made it to the first but not the second, though I am told it was a great time.

Ribbon cutting at Kenai River BC on June 18

Over at St. Elias Brewing, they are extremely busy trying to keep up with the summer crowds. Here the latest tap list:

Speaking of tap lists, here's what's on at the growler bar at Three Bears in Kenai:

Here's what's on at Grace Ridge Brewing in Homer:

Photo courtesy of Grace Ridge Brewing

There's even a 6-tap growler bar in Ninilchik now, at the recently opened Ninilchik Trading Liquor:

Photo courtesy of Echo Lake Meats

Well, that about covers the news, so lets do some beer reviews.

Black Raven Brewing's Trickster IPA: It poured a clear copper color with a nice, cream-colored head that left goo lace on the glass. The aroma had plenty of crisp American hop notes. Carbonation and mouthfeel were both good. There was plenty of bitterness in the initial attack, followed by lots of hop flavors and just a hint of toffee. A very enjoyable IPA. 6.9% ABV, 70 IBUs.

Rochefort's 10 Trappist Ale: It poured a translucent ruby with a nice mocha-colored head. The nose was full of dark fruit notes. The carbonation was good and the mouthfeel was medium. The flavor profile was rich and complex, with plenty of dark fruit notes (plums, figs, raisins) mixing with sherry-like elements. A superb beer, as you'd expect from a classic. 11.3% ABV.

Logsdon Farmhouse Ale's The Conversion Sour Farmhouse Ale: It poured a clear gold with a big white head that left good lace. The aroma had a mixture of tart notes and some brett funkiness. Carbonation was excellent and the mouthfeel was light and effervescent. This continued onto the palate, where the beer was light and bright. There was a fine mixture of tartness and barnyard elements, falling away gradually to a long finish. A truly excellent sour. 7.7% ABV.

St. Elias Brewing's Sprout IPA: Advertised as "Green Giant DIPA's little brother," this beer poured a perfectly clear gold with a nice white head that dissipated to a collar. The aroma was tropical and citrus notes, from the Galaxy and Citra hops used. Carbonation was good, and the mouthfeel was light. The was a moderate amount of up-front bitterness, followed by big hop flavors, both citrus and tropical fruit. An excellent IPA for drinking in warm weather; it demonstrates how this style became so popular on the Indian subcontinent.

Anchorage Brewing's Crazy Ray's IPA: It poured a clear gold with a nice white head. The nose had lots of citrus and tropical fruit hop notes. Carbonation was good and the mouthfeel was light. Up front bitterness seems moderate, followed by lots of citrus flavor and aroma. A nice, workmanlike take on an American IPA. 8% ABV, 70 IBUs.

Black Raven Brewing's Wisdom Seeker DIPA: It poured a clear copper color with a big off-white head. The aroma was mainly of hops, plus hints of toffee or caramel. The carbonation was good and the mouthfeel was light for such a big beer. On the palate there was a nice balance between the forceful bitter attack and the malt backbone of the beer. Then the hop flavor came through, slowly falling away to a long finish. Surprisingly drinkable for a DIPA. 8.9% ABV, 85 IBUs.

Midnight Sun Brewing's 5000 Berliner Weisse: It poured a cloudy gold with a white head that dissipated to a collar. The nose was a clean tartness, very appealing. The mouthfeel was light and the carbonation was good. The flavor profile was tart and refreshing, with no discernible hops. The perfect summer beer. 5.5% ABV, 15 IBUs.

Well, that's it for this time. I'll try to keep from making you wait three weeks until my next post this time around. Meantime, get out and enjoy summer (and good summer beers) while it lasts!

Until Next Time, Cheers!