In a recent post I referred to Sierra Nevada’s new facility in Asheville, NC. To welcome them to the East Coast, Dogfish Head’s Sam Calagione decided to do another Life & Limb collaboration, this time on his turf (the first was brewed in Chico).
In honor of the new kids on the block from the West Coast, they’ve done an Imperial IPA, with ingredients that pay homage both brewers and both coasts. Rhizing Bines features an experimental hop from Sierra Nevada so new it doesn’t yet have a name, just a number (644). It employs both brewers’ proprietary hopping techniques — SN’s Torpedo, and DH’s Sofa King (watch the pronunciation).
What really makes this beer special to me is the wheat. To celebrate SN’s new facility, Dogfish Head sourced Carolina heirloom wheat from a South Carolina mill, which gives the beer a grassy edge, with just a touch of almost Belgian-like sweetness. Very unique, and it works well.
Oh, the Beers I’ve Had
I’m currently enjoying Firestone Walker’s Double Jack IPA. Hoppy, smooth, balanced, just delicious. An IPA on steroids, but not over the top. Tremendous. A Bronze medal winner at the 2012 GABF.
I was thrilled to find Samuel Adams’ wonderful “reissue” of the original craft brew — New Albion Pale Ale. I had read about it months ago, and figured I had missed my chance. Fortunately, I found the last six-pack at a local BevMo recently, and I’m so glad I did. This is Pale Ale’s DNA — clean, crisp, straightforward, uncomplicated. I can only imagine what drinkers in the late ’70s thought when they were able to enjoy this after wading through a sea of mass-produced dreck for so many years. I thank Samuel Adams (and Jack McAlliffe) for resuscitating this long lost treasure.
I also recently enjoyed Ballast Point’s Victory at Sea Coffee Vanilla Imperial Porter. Yes, that’s a mouthful, and so was the beer. Truly fascinating, with a sweet vanilla entry and with an assertive bitter coffee finish. One of the most complex brews I’ve tried in a while, well worth seeking out.