One of Idaho’s biggest breweries and one of the most unique breweries in Colorado got together for a collaboration beer and I was able to try it last night at the new Sockeye Alehouse in Boise. Sockeye Brewing, which has been quietly putting together a very diverse portfolio of fun beers (including its really fun Sockeye Chronicles program) added to that list last night by partnering with Colorado’s Prost Brewing Company. At first glance, you might think that Sockeye, whose brewers have never met a hop that they didn’t like, and a 100% German-style brewery hellbent on traditional Deutsch lagers, would not have a lot in common. But, as they say, opposites attract and these two got together to make a very beautiful beer.
I was able to learn a lot about Prost Brewing from their awesome local rep, the legendary Greg Barnes, and Jacob, the director of sales. To say the least, Prost is doing old-school brews in a new-school way. They recently upgraded their brewing system to a full decoction method, which is a whole thing in and of itself. Bringing the world’s oldest method of brewing into the 21st century includes a completely automated system that eliminates the need to carry bags of grain or even dump loads of hops into the fermenters. Making things more interesting, Prost is doing all of this in the heart of the American Craft Beer movement, Denver. So, they are carving out their own niche by brewing these classic beers with the most technologically advanced system available. This sounds like a dream for people (like me) who love these traditional-style beers, but does the liquid measure up to what’s promised?
It’s always nice to hear from my beer friends in Idaho because it usually means that I will at least be invited to a fun night out and I might be getting free beer. Last night offered both of those PLUS free food. That, my friends, is what it’s all about.
Sockeye and Prost got together with our friends from Hayden Beverage and threw a little shindig at their new alehouse. Sockeye master brewer Josh King was there along with Sockeye’s head brewer, Tim Spanbauer, to talk about the collab and help me understand why they thought Prost would be a perfect partner. It was a fun evening that featured two Prost beers on tap along with the collab. So, without further ado, Friday Night Pints.
Prost Sockeye Collab Special Pale 14°
This special pale lager pours a crystal clear amber color, if that makes sense, with a nice white head that sticks to the glass. The number one word to use for this beer is clean. It looks clean, drinks clean, aroma is clean, the whole thing just came out without a flaw. This Czech-Style Pale Lager is also pretty hoppy. Saaz hops were used throughout, with a big addition at the end of the boil, to bring notes of freshly mowed grass, earthy goodness, and a bit of fresh lemon on the nose. The first sip is clean, with grassy hops and some malty sweetness that balances the beer out nicely. Honey-Nut Cheerios came to mind, just less sweet with a fresh clover honey richness. Finishes .. clean … what else, with a bit of bitterness and that unmistakable German lager finish. Sauber. Old meets new meets Sockeye’s boldness in this pale lager and the combination is fantastic. 5% 25 IBU. On tap at Sockeye and in 12 oz cans around town.
Prost Hefeweizen
I mean, if a brewery only brews German lagers, you have to try the Hefeweizen, right? This hefe is super traditional. It pours yellow with a thin white head. The nose is nice and estery with a good amount of banana and freshly mowed grass. On the first sip, you get the wheat with a little pepper, banana, and bright grassy hops. Refreshing and, say it with me, clean. 5.2% 12 IBU. Find it in 12 oz cans both in six-packs and 12-packs around town as well as on tap.
Prost Maibock
Maibock is one of those types of German lagers that really separates the beer nerds from the super duper beer nerds. At times spicy, sweet, boozy, or even dark and smoky, Maibocks tend to run the gamut of flavors depending on the brewery. I have always enjoyed the traditional ones that are light and sweet with a touch of spice and alcohol. This Maibock goes in that direction. It pours really nice and copper colored (clean, obvi) with a thin white head and plenty of bubbles. The first sip is bright, with flavors of clove, honey, lightly toasted malts, and citrusy hops. The alcohol in this beer is smooth and doesn’t really present itself until the finish, which comes off as spice. Give this one a try. 6.7% 31 IBU. Found on tap around town.
Gem State Java the Haze
I hadn’t been in to visit Gem State in a couple of months, so I went in hoping to see something new. Little did I know that Chris has been putting out new beers every Friday! So, if you haven’t been in a while, go check him out and try these beers.
Java the Haze, releasing today in time for Star Wars Day tomorrow, is one tasty hazy. It’s made with some familiar hops like Centennial, Citra, and Idaho 7. You get the peach, grapefruit zest, and lemon on the nose. It pours hazy yellow with a sticky white head. The finish is clean with a touch of lemon and stonefruit with very little, actually zero, bitterness. 6.7% 28 IBU. Releases today on tap at Gem State.
Gem State Rye’d or Die Rye IPA
If a rye IPA is on tap, I’m probably ordering it. This one is copper colored with a thin white head. Floury rye malt and citrusy hops on the nose. Rye, lemon, and grapefruit on the palate with a touch of clove. Finishes slightly bitter with lemon zest and rye. 5.2% 53 IBU. On tap at Gem State.
If you are around Eagle, there will be a Cinco de Mayo party all weekend downtown. Gem State will have BBQ and Spitfire will have food and drinks outside on the patio. Hopefully, the weather holds up!