The Brewing Network

Last night I did an interview on The Brewing Network about single hop beers and our new barrel program. You can check out the audio here in case you missed it. While you are there check out some of the archived shows, there is a wealth of knowledge from beer experts (and JP) about brewing, tasting, and appreciating craft beer.

Sean Paxton joins the conversation to talk about our barrel project and Jamil Zainasheff stops in for a bit early in the show.

Red Horse Wins at World Beer Cup!

Sacramento Brewing Company took home their first World Beer Cup® medal this year for Red Horse Ale! We were awarded a Bronze Medal in the American Amber/Red Ale Category. There were 53 other entries in this category alone.

This is a big competition that includes international breweries so we are overjoyed for this win! There were over 2,800 entries in total divided into 91 categories in the competition.

Thanks to the brewery staff at the Oasis for this one, I couldn't do it without you guys!

You can see the complete winner list here. Our friends at Rubicon Brewing took home a gold medal for their Wheat Wine, and Elk Grove Brewing won a gold medal for their Bock Lager.

Saucerful of Merkins

At the Oasis on Monday, April 14th we will tap a keg of Saucerful of Merkins from Firestone Walker Brewing Company. It is a blend of two beers and is truly a unique drinking experience. The two beers in the blend are:

Saucerful of Secrets (10.2% ABV):
Stainless Steel Fermented
High Gravity Belgian Dark Ale, a tribute to Sid Barrett!
OG: 23P/1.100
FG: 6P/1.024
IBU: 24
Color: 40
Late Charge of Belgian Candi Sugar / Styrian Golding Hops

Velvet Merkin (5.5% ABV):
Traditional Oatmeal Stout -Aged in Bourbon Barrels
OG: 15P
FG: 5.5P
IBU: 32.5
Color: Black
15% Oats / Hopped with 100% US grown Fuggles

The final blend was 80% Velvent Merkin and 20% Saucerful of Secrets and results in a complex, bourbon accented but fruity and spicy ale with a silky smooth body. It is a really unique beer that highlights the creativity and ingenuity of Matt Brynildson, the Brewmaster at Firestone Walker. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

UPDATE: Now available at Town & Country location.

Spring Brewmaster's Dinner

Our executive Chef, Crescencio Rodriguez had been hard at work developing new recipes for our next Brewmaster's Dinner. Join us Wednesday, April 23rd at our Town and Country Location for a great 5 course meal designed to compliment our hand crafted ales. Sign up now, our Winter dinner sold out in one week!

Fresh Wild Alaskan Ivory Salmon with Spicy Pecan Butter
India Pale Ale

Robollita (Italian Bean Soup)
Nut Brown Ale

Arugula & Spinach Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes, Dry Salami, and Baby Mozzarella
Hefeweizen

Seared Breast of Duck with Mushroom Cannelloni and Golden Marsala Sauce
Red Horse Ale

Beer poached Pear Strudel Served with Brussels Blonde Reduction Sauce
Brussels Blonde

$50 Inclusive
Your payment holds your reservation
Seating begins at 6:30
Sacramento Brewing Company
Town & Country, 485-4677

The Session: Beer People

The April Session is hosted by Stonch's Beer Blog.

One thing I really love about this industry is that there are so many good people who are brewers, publicans, owners, chefs, patrons and writers. Many good friendships I have developed over the years started with a call to another brewer asking to borrow yeast or get advice on brewing techniques. Others sprung from mutual love of great beer. All these relationships are connected by the brewing industry and I am fortunate to be a part of it.

One friend I made in the industry is Rick Sellers. He produces a podcast and blog for the Pacific Brew News and his passion for beer and skill with the pen garnered the attention DRAFT Magazine where he is now director of beer content. He is now fortunate to be able to make a living in the industry he loves.

He continues to blog in addition to his duties for the magazine and does a great job of keeping beer fans in Northern California updated on events, news, legal issues or even just musings about beer. Part activist, part enthusiast and part social commentator his blog helps raise awareness of the good in our industry and helps ward off those who wish to do it harm.

I first met him when I held an organic beer tasting at my house and noticed he had a particularly sharp pallet. He is based in Sacramento so I can often find him and his wife Tracy in our local brewpubs, beer bars, beer centric events and sometimes at surprise birthday parties. We have been able to get to know one another through our common interest in beer.

Rick is someone I love to drink beer with because while he has his favorites he is not limited to all IPAs, Belgian Ales or Imperial Stouts. He appreciates nuance just as much as blunt hop force. He has a beautiful way or articulating flavors and aromas in ways a lesser experienced beer drinker can grasp and understand. This skill has been something I have been trying to incorporate into my own descriptions for our pub, writing this blog and when talking to customers.

Rick stopped by Wednesday morning to help me fill our bourbon barrels full of Old Pappy California Wheat Wine. He came camera in hand as he often does, to take some pictures of the days work. You can check out his shots of the procedure here. He is the kind of guy I would welcome into my brewery any day, a fantastic ambassador for craft beer and a great friend. I am glad that my first blog for The Session was to recognize Rick and his contributions to this industry.

UPDATE: Here is the roundup of all the posts.