ElbowSkin's Beer Song

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PubCakes Pledge Drive

Get out there and help support a local entrepreneur, beer lover, and maker of some right fine cupcakes!



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Karl Strauss Tower 20

Karl Strauss Brewing Co. has started an "Imperial Collection", which at this point consists of Off The Rails, their Imperial Red Ale, and now Tower 20 IIPA, a kicked up version of their mainstay Tower 10 IPA.  At 9.5% alcohol, it packs the kick you would expect from this style.  I liked this beer, but to me it read more as an aggressive West Coast IPA than a IIPA.  Initially, it had the crispness that I always associate with an IPA, but as it warmed a bit the smoothness of a IIPA came to the fore.  The hops were dominant, as one would expect, weighing in a bit more heavily on the grapefruit end of the spectrum.  It was initially a bit acidic, which I either got used to or it lessened as the brew warmed.  Giving it 3.5 out of 5 stars this won't go on my list of go-to beers when I'm having a IIPA craving, but I certainly wouldn't shy away from it as an option, and I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

Great use for an empty growler

An empty growler, you say?  I know, it's a horrifying thought, but they do go empty from time to time.  In fact, if you're like me, the sheer number of growlers you own makes having them all filled at the same time nearly impossible.  Reading an article in the newest issue of Beer Magazine, I learned of a great use for the spare growlers you have sitting around.  Use them to ferment small batches of homebrew!  The size is perfect for small, experimental batches that you may not want a full 5 gallons of.  All you need is a #6 stopper and an airlock.  This is one of the best pieces of homebrew advice I have gotten in a long time, and I can't wait to put some of my dormant growlers to use.  Now, what to brew?

The brewing process

Karl Strauss Heavy Petti

I originally had this IIPA from Karl Strauss Brewing Co. at their downtown location when it was released for last year's San Diego Beer Week.  I was "fortunate" enough to get the last pint before the keg blew.  This was a fact that made me very happy, since I was anxious to try a new offering, from one of my favorite breweries, in one of my favorite styles.  I was, sadly, disappointed.  There was a funk to the beer that was hard to get past.  In talking to a friend from the brewery, he told me the flavor came from the particular strain of yeast used in the beer.  He seemed very excited about the flavor, so I didn't fully express my distaste for it.  To be honest, I didn't give this beer another thought since it struck me so poorly.  I found myself at K&B Wine Cellar yesterday, where they had this very beer on special for $3.50.  $3.50 being my sweet spot for a happy hour pint, I decided to give the brew another chance.  Am I glad I did!  In a word, this beer was delicious, delectable, and delightful!  I guess that's three words, but this beer deserves each one.  It was cloudy, smooth, and had a floral taste and aroma that I couldn't put my finger on.  Perhaps this lovely, unidentifiable character was from this yeast I had such disdain for the first time around.  Maybe the fact that I had the last of the original keg played into the off flavor.  Perhaps time has mellowed the beer.  Whatever the case, I simply loved it.  I can't imagine I will find it again anytime soon, unless they decide to brew some more, but if I do I will be sure to grab another glass.  I recommend you do the same.

International Women's Day

You can learn more about International Women's Day here.  I just learned of the Pink Boots Society.  This looks like an awesome organization with a mission and goals that I support wholeheartedly.

"The Pink Boots Society was created to inspire, encourage and empower women to advance their careers in the Beer Industry through networking and education.  Our goals include beer education outreach to women beer consumers through our Barley's Angels division.  Our Barley's Angels program was designed to foster beer appreciation in women, teach women's role in beer history, encourage women to homebrew, and inspire the next generation of potential women beer professionals to pursue careers in the Beer Industry.  Please see http://www.barleysangels.org/ for more information."

The "barmaid" of yesterday is no more.  Women are now a strong force in the craft beer community, and with groups like this they will only get stronger.  Beer is not just a "guy's" drink, industry, or lifestyle.  It's up to each of us to encourage, foster, and support this way of thinking.   So, thank you, the women of craft beer, for all that you do.  Keep up the hard work!