Ok, I'm going there. LGB is working on a Berliner Weizen. Yes, Sour Love in fermented form. After brewing a couple of traditional Hefe-Weizens I've found the inspiration to shift focus toward a classic northern German style. "Why not?" I thought as I contemplated methods of souring a beer. "What's the worse outcome?" I muttered to myself as I shuffled around the brewery late one night like some kind of confused street person. I could already see the crinkled and confused scowl of JP Taylor at the 2010 Bradenton Beer Festival as he draws the taster glass from his lips.
How to do it? I could have created a sour mash, I could have cultivated a monster lactobacillus -- Gosh Darn I could have just left the fermenter open in the brewery and let one of our home-spun Anna Maria wild beach-yeasts float in to grace/haunt the brew. Instead I thought of the infamous ChezBill Shafer, Chef of The Waterfront Restaurant, as he dutifully and lovingly creates a Tamarind puree from the raw pods -- a main component of his Bahi Ribeye marinade. Yes, folks, tamarinds are the key I think. Somewhat sweet, a lot of sour, complex. Very reminiscent of my love life.
So, let's hope for the best.
Mahalo,
Michael Wagner
Oh yes, the 2010 Bradenton Beer Festival takes place on February 6 in downtown Bradenton. See you there.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Festivus
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
December finds Little Giant Breweries' progress deep into all those things that draw a brewer away from the brewhouse, not the least of which is shopping. Which is actually the least thing that has kept me out of the brewhouse since I've done so little present-seeking thus far. Procrastination is key with a mad rush near the end of the month.
Luckily, beer IS being brewed. And even more importantly it is being kegged. Recently racked is a Little Giant Brewery Amber Ale. It's malty, it's a bit hoppy, it's alcoholic and almost Imperial by nature. Once you try it you might comment that it is "West Coast" in style. But, since we are on a West Coast ourselves, let's call it "The Other West Coast" American Amber Ale. We are on the Edge of the Beer Frontier after all. Visit the brewery and try some, who knows-- you might like it.
Also, if anyone has any advice on dealing with small, development-conscious town commissions or Planning & Zoning Boards, please feel free to weigh in. It's an adventure, if you know what I mean. That's where we are at in the ever-expanding development of our little community brewery here in Anna Maria.
Beers about ready to be tapped:
LGB OWC(Other West Coast) Amber Ale
LGB FMB(Festivus Miracle Bock)
Journeyman's Hefe-Weizen
Selah & Cheers,
MW
December finds Little Giant Breweries' progress deep into all those things that draw a brewer away from the brewhouse, not the least of which is shopping. Which is actually the least thing that has kept me out of the brewhouse since I've done so little present-seeking thus far. Procrastination is key with a mad rush near the end of the month.
Luckily, beer IS being brewed. And even more importantly it is being kegged. Recently racked is a Little Giant Brewery Amber Ale. It's malty, it's a bit hoppy, it's alcoholic and almost Imperial by nature. Once you try it you might comment that it is "West Coast" in style. But, since we are on a West Coast ourselves, let's call it "The Other West Coast" American Amber Ale. We are on the Edge of the Beer Frontier after all. Visit the brewery and try some, who knows-- you might like it.
Also, if anyone has any advice on dealing with small, development-conscious town commissions or Planning & Zoning Boards, please feel free to weigh in. It's an adventure, if you know what I mean. That's where we are at in the ever-expanding development of our little community brewery here in Anna Maria.
Beers about ready to be tapped:
LGB OWC(Other West Coast) Amber Ale
LGB FMB(Festivus Miracle Bock)
Journeyman's Hefe-Weizen
Selah & Cheers,
MW
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