GFJ [Grapefruit Jungle] 2013

Link to the original post reviewed fresh off draft at The Brockway Pub for GFJ (Grapefruit Jungle) - 2012.

GFJ 3013

Differences between 2012 and 2013 brew? The only notables I can taste/see are the lightening of the lacing affect, polishing of the huge grapefruit finish and slight reduction in the length of time the finish sticks around.  Other than that?  Same great brew!  ONLY THIS TIME IT'S IN CANS!  I still stand by my previous 4.5 and review.  Cheers, and get it while it lasts!

 

If you are interested in the Big Brother (DIPA) to GFJ, check out our post on Jungle Room!

FUN Fact:  GFJ was canned once before in September 2011.  A limited release that utilized the classic aluminum can design of Sun King Brewing with a small Half Dollar sized sticker used for identifying it.

Can Release: September 30, 2011

http://beerpulse.com/2011/09/sun-king-grapefruit-jungle-ipa-cans-debut-on-friday-video/

The Big Guy: My tastes have totally changed in the last year. I look at O's post from last year and see that I only gave GFJ a 3. After trying IPA after IPA and really figuring out what I like, I would have to give GFJ a solid 4. It is citrusy in all the right ways. Just sweet enough to even out the bitter hops that really hit you on the front of the beer. The sour grapefruit tastes lingers just a little bit at the end of the beer and it's outstanding! Last year I only got this one on tap, but after having it on tap and canned this year, I'd have to say there is little to no difference. Its as good fresh as it is newly canned. Get out there and drink it!

Beer Gear: IPA Glass

If you read my post last week about hops, you may have seen this glass. Spiegelau and the head brewers from Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada created this glass specifically to enhance the experience when drinking an IPA. They experimented with 50 or 60 different glass designs before they settled on this design. To keep it unbiased, the two head brewers, Sam Calagione from Dogfish Head and Ken Grossman from Sierra Nevada, helped design the glasses in different places without talking, but eventually both brewers came to the same conclusion.

Basically there are two parts to the glass. The ridged bottom and the straight bowl that resembles a white wine or burgundy glass. The "bubbles" at the bottom of the glass create more head, by agitating the liquid and forcing it to release the carbonation and aroma trapped inside. It gives the glass more surface area for the liquid to have the head pulled out. The shape of the top is similar to a wineglass where it directs all of the aromas that have been released at the bottom of the glass directly into your nose.

I had to give it a try and see if it was really worthwhile. I pulled out a Pliney the Elder that was only about a month old. I put it in a standard pint glass, a Spiegelau IPA glass and I drank it out of the bottle. In theory I should get the most aroma from the IPA glass and the least by drinking it straight out of the bottle.

As a result of that little experiment, I have become a believer. The Pliney from the bottle was fine but the hops didn't seem as bold or front-forward as the beer usually does. The IPA glass and the pint glass were closer. Every sip from the IPA glass hit you with some beautiful aromas and great big flavor. The pint glass was fine, but nothing out of the ordinary. The biggest difference was head production. The IPA glass creates head nonstop while you are drinking. This gives you that great fresh taste like you just popped the brew the whole time.

I am so glad that I went out and picked one of these up. Great glasses and an essential for any true hophead out there. Thanks to my Cali bud Jeremy for the Pliney, one of the best DIPAs out there.

This is where I got mine: http://www.iwawine.com/spiegelau-ipa-beer-glasses.html?gclid=COyN-ozNorgCFYFhMgodrXYAlg

You can also get it here:

http://www.dogfish.com/store/beer-drinkin-goods/glassware/dogfish-ipa-glass.htm

http://www.sierranevadagiftshop.com/bar-supplies/drinkware/sierra-nevada-ipa-glass.html

http://www.riedelusa.net/spiegelau-ipa-glass.html

The Brewmance

Have you ever met someone in a liquor store or bar and just really hit it off? You realized right then and there that you had so much in common, like a love of hops, enjoyment of vinegary sours and a true respect for some weird craft brew styles. That's right everyone, I am talking about a brewmance.

Brewmance is that special thing that happens when a person loves the beer that you also love and you are instantly connected forever. Whether you are in line for a limited release at a brewery or the toilets at a festival, it can happen anywhere and when it does, it changes your world. You discuss beer, you drink beer. Maybe you even exchange numbers and consummate the relationship with a trade from two different beer regions.

My fellow beer geeks, this is a special thing and you should not be ashamed of it. Giving your number to strange men with beards, tattoos and piercings is only weird if it is for sexual favors or to hire a hit. Everyone, embrace the BREWMANCE!

Celebrating Our Independence

 

Happy Independence Day! 

 

To me, the fourth of July is about more than fireworks and burgers on the grill with friends. Not that those things aren't fun or aren't a great way to celebrate, but it's easy to forget the source of the celebration when you're running from one pool party to the next and trying to get your potato salad done on time. So today, I challenge all of us to remember what it is that we're celebrating: Freedom.

 

It's easy to take it for granted, because we're all so used to having it. It's easy to forget all the sacrifices that were made to achieve something that we just expect to be there. It's not just about the bravery of a group of leaders and the changes that were made 237 years ago. It's about all the people today across the globe who are praying for what we have at our finger tips.

 

Clearly, I'm a patriotic person. I'm not saying that America is perfect, I think we can all agree that there's plenty of room for improvement. Even with all our flaws, I think we're all pretty lucky to be here, and to have freedom to celebrate.

So take a moment between all the games and the food, and of course the awesome craft beer that I know you'll be having and be grateful. Give yourself one moment to forget the stress at work, the family obligations, the mountain of housework, and all the little projects waiting to be tackled this weekend. Give yourself a chance to appreciate all that you have, and all that we have.

Beer Gear: Fermostat Kickstarter

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1655011769/the-fermostattm?ref=live

The Fermostat™
by Caleb Wangerin

3 Days to go as of POSTING!

I don't home brew.  I'll be honest and up front about that.  However, enough of my friends do that I have picked up a thing or two.  One of my long time friends is both a home brewer and a bit of a handy man.  As opposed to spending $50 bucks on a wort chiller he spent $45 to build it himself. When I saw this on Kickstarter I immediately thought of home brewers like him.

Do-it-Yourselfers:  This beer gadget has your name written all over it.  Temperamental yeast being uncooperative because you warmed/cooled the fermentation tank to fast?  The Fermostat™ is your solution.  Automate your labor intensive temperature control with this thermostat.  Totally programable with two powered AC connections built in (1 for heating element, 1 for cooling).  Hit the link or the video for more information!