Before I get to Leap Day, I need to say thank you to everyone who came out to Sockeye last Saturday to participate in their inaugural Chili Cook-Off. The amazing people at Sockeye - Tyson, Josh, Janice, Ben etc. - did an incredible job putting this event together and executing a fun day of chili, beer, and more chili. They asked me to judge and I, at the extreme dissatisfaction of my ear, nose, and gut doctors, agreed. I feel like everybody who attended had a great time trying the chili and that all the excellent chefs had a better time sharing their recipes. There were about 30 chilis for us to sample and it got a little hairy towards the end there, but we made and I think the best chilis ended up taking home hardware. I didn’t eat again, and this is true, until Sunday evening. So, thank you to Sockeye, and thanks to everyone who said hi or at least gave me a sideways glance as I stuffed my face with hot chili. Can’t wait for next year!
Leap Day happened! This is one of those quasi-holidays that both intrigues and annoys me. I mean, we don’t really get an extra day (time is a construct invented by man), but it sure does seem like an extra day, right? So, I know a lot of people do something fun or different or take advantage of the Leap by doing something they would never do otherwise. Me? I have a column to put out, but I did go to a beer bar that I haven’t visited in quite some time. CopenRoss Growlers is under new management and seems like the same place that opened, I don’t know, five or six years ago. Great selection, good sports on the television, and a nice bartender to talk to, which is exactly how I remember it being whenever I went there last. If you haven’t been, go check it out and show them your Boise Beer Buddies card for a nice discount. I got out of there for under $15 for two beers: not too shabby. Anyways, onto this week’s short list of new beers.
Sockeye Honey Steam Beer
Not sure if you heard, but this brewery out of San Francisco recently went out of business, so a lot of breweries that were releasing “California Common” beers are now releasing “Steam” beers. Seems like a coincidence, but it’s not. Anchor loved to sue people for using that word and now it’s fair game, thus Sockeye’s new Honey Pale Lager, “Honey Steam Beer.” (The “Steam” refers to fermenting the beer with lager yeast, but at high temperatures or it refers to the steam coming off the coolships they used to ferment in, whichever you like.) This beer is great. The nose is nice with nutty and sweet aromas, and no sign of lager yeast, which can sometimes come off as sulfury, but that doesn’t happen here. Honey, pale malt, and grassy hops on the palate all go very well together and the finish is smooth. 5.5% 30 IBU. Found wherever you buy Sockeye beers.
Firestone Walker XPA
The Michael Teeter pick of the week is back! Firestone probably put this beer out a while ago, but I haven’t ever tried it, so it’s new to me. XPA pours golden with a white head. Stonefruit, lime rind, and grapefruit on the nose. Very hoppy. Hop aromas carry through to the palate with a good amount of bitterness. I’m not really sure why they just don’t call this a pale ale or an IPA, it kinda straddles the line. 5% 50 IBU. Found on tap at CopenRoss and in cans around town.
Crux Super Spiral Imperial IPA
Saw this while I was out and about and thought it had good symmetry with the latest True Detective. Als, if Crux is putting out a big IPA, then I’m a gonna try it. This big boy was super resinous and citrusy on the nose. Big pine and a good amount of grapefruit zest to go with it. The booze also comes out on the nose a little bit, even though it’s only 8%. Lots of hops and booze on the palate, but doesn’t finish hot. Instead, it finishes a little on the sweet side, not very bitter. 8% and 32 IBU. In 16oz cans.
Crux Hang Tight West Coast IPA
This one also caught my eye while I was out, mostly because of the very familiar hop design on the can. VERY familiar. Anywho, lots of stonefruit and citrus on the nose with just a little bit of sweet malt. It drinks very smooth with flavors of orange rind, grapefruit, and apricots. Not as bitter on the finish as I would have liked, but a tasty West Coaster nonetheless. 6.4% 60 IBU. Found in 16oz cans.