Welcome to day 3 of our Guide to Brewmaster’s International Beer Festival!
Today we’ll continue on through the California Desert Valley, curb around the bend back to Colorado and continue on back down to Southeast Texas to highlight more of the freshly micro-brewed beers you’ll find at the Brewmaster’s International Beer Festival.
Let’s get started with California’s Indian Wells Brewing Company. Committed to a socially responsible lifestyle, this brewer uses all natural ingredients, including the freshest organic hops, barley, yeast and fruit from local growers in Southern California. Indian Wells Brewing Company’s line of micro brewed beers feature pure artesian spring water from the historic Indian Wells Spring – the same artesian spring that saved the 1849 gold rush party lost in Death Valley. Sample one of these fresh micro brews for yourself at the Brewmaster’s International Beer Festival this weekend.
LOBOTOMY BOCK – This is a classic German Dopple bock and is made in strict accordance to the German Reinheitsgebot Purity Law of Brewing, which is water, malt, hops and yeast only! It is made from five types of specialty malted barley, including Munich, black patent and other premium malts. Finished with Sterling and Perle hops for the perfect flavor balance.
AMNESIA IPA –7/2% ABV – Brewed with large amounts of hops acting as a natural preservative in transit from the British Isles to India, this IPA’s taste is distinct but not overwhelmed with bitterness. Take it in and enjoy the brilliant subtlety of the complex hops, aromas and flavors.
SILVER SUN –Golden/light amber in color, Silver Sun smells crisp and malty with hints of sweetness. Balanced hop and malt taste with a slight bitter finish.
DEATH VALLEY PALE ALE – This classic pale ale is made with lots of 2-row malt and hopped with clean Cascade hops from Yakima Valley.
Next up, New Belgium Brewing Company, the makers of Fat Amber Ale and other Belgian-inspired beers, began operations in a tiny Fort Collins basement in 1991. Today as the third largest craft brewer in theU.S., New Belgium produces seven year-round beers, as well as a host of seasonal releases.
FAT TIRE AMBER ALE – 5.3% ABV – This Amber Ale balances toasty malt flavors with crisp hopiness. It starts with a malt scent with mild c
aramel malt and dark fruits and finishes with a soft bitterness.
RANGER INDIA PALE ALE -6.5% ABV – New Belgium’s foray into the true American India Pale Ale. This clear amber beauty bursts at the start with an abundance of hops: Cascade, Chinook, and Simcoe, with Cascade added again for an intense dry hop flavor. Ranger is brewed with pale and dark caramel malts that harmonize the hop flavor from start to finish.
HOPTOBER GOLDEN ALE - 6.0% ABV – Five hops and four malts make Hoptober Golden Ale a veritable cornucopia of the earth. Pale and wheat malt are mashed with rye and oats to create medium bodied ale with a creamy mouth feel. Centennial, Cascade,Sterling,Willamette and Glacier hops form a bonfire of citrus notes, fruity cheers and a bold finale.
SUPER CRU - 10% ABV - Roll a bunch of New Belgium together and put it in a bottle. Start with the backbone of Fat Tire, but double the malt and hops; add in crisp Asian Pears, a very Belgian thing to do; and bring it to life with a Saison yeast.
Today, we’ll close with yet another brewer from the Lone Star State. Cornel’s, a Southeast Texas brewery in Beaumont, is a newbie to the brewery scene but you could never tell from the richness and full-bodied flavors of these brews. Check out the following new beers this weekend and let us know what you think!
MAELSTROM – 6% ABV - Sort of a Mild Stout/Schwartzbier. Inspired by a Brazilian Black lager and a Crème Brûlée, it has a dark black color and medium body with a very slight hint of vanilla. Nice mocha foamy head, with a flavor that starts as bitter coffee and chocolate that blends into a slightly sweeter, almost slick finish.
SMOKIN’ HOT BLONDE – 5.5% ABV – Simple, 2 Row base with 20% Smoked Grain. Hallertau and Willamette hops, also fermented with Chico and aged for 5-6 days in secondary on roasted Poblano peppers. Not a lot of heat, but a great roasted flavor on the backside. Medium light body, dark straw-colored.
Well, that’s it for now. There’s still two more days until the big event, so be sure to check back tomorrow for another round-up of our favorites!
