Past Newsletters
Vol. 2 No. 7
| Brewery | Beers Featured |
| Murphy's Creek Brewing Company | Deliverance Barley Wine |
| Buffalo Bill's Brewing Company | Billy Bock |
| San Andreas Brewing Company | Oktoberquake |
Murphy's Creek Brewing Company
Murphy’s Creek Brewing Co., located in Angles Camp, CA, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, was founded in 1992 by Dan Ayala. The brewery itself is located on the banks of Murphy’s Creek, near the site of the original brewery established in 1848. The brewery uses a 12 barrel brewhouse and distributes in only 3 counties local to the brewery. Brewers Micah Millspaw and Ken Parsons began brewing their Deliverence Barley Wine in the summer of 1995 and soon thereafter it was named by a local homebrewer who, after first tasting it, proclaimed it to be an experience akin to the religious ecstasy. A quick glance at the label is all you need to know that the name took on its own refined definition over the years that obviously has nothing to do what so ever with any form of religion. The existing label is also a statement of the brewery’s sense of humor; note the sign posted and the hidden message in the mountain range. In any case, we’re confident that you too, will squeal like a pig, though hopefully in pure pleasure rather than discomfort, as you savor this truly exceptional beer.
For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call (209) 736-BREW.
Serving Temperature: 45-50° F
Original Gravity: 24.3° Plato
Final Gravity: N/A
Int'l Bittering Units: 55.0
Alcohol by Volume: 10.35%
"Danger Will Robinson: Approaching Excessively Original Gravity!" and "Now Entering High Alcohol Zone" Deliverence Barley Wine is brewed with a combination of two-row Pale and imported Crystal malts. Micah uses Columbus and only Columbus hops in an aggressive kind of way to balance this big beer’s serious flavor profile. As you may have surmised, the beer is dry-hopped. A proprietary brewery-developed ale yeast strain is used. Deliverence is also open-fermented and long term temperature control aged to perfection before being bottled resulting in a smooth, easily drinkable Barley Wine. You may consider setting one bottle aside as, like the Imperial Stout we sent last month, this sweet nectar will only improve with age.
Notes From the Panel:
Immediately note a fruity, clean and hop spicy nose. Look for good head retention in this filtered, beautiful burgundy red, very full-bodied beer. This Barley wine has an intensely sweet start, a very clean malty body perfectly balanced with a mellow bitterness and a nice hop spicy finish. High alcohols are evident leaving you with a toasty feeling. Overall, a very smooth, perfectly balanced, and extremely flavorful American Barley Wine! We loved it. Six enthusiastic thumbs way up!
Buffalo Bill's Brewing Company
Bill Owens, the founder of Buffalo Bill’s Brewing Co., is considered to be one of the, if not the (the in italics) Founding father of the Microbrewing Renaissance. He was certainly one of the first pioneers contributing to the creation of the "brewpub" concept as he opened one of the first in the country, Buffalo Bills Brewery, in late 1983. Since that time, he made use of his original career as a photojournalist by founding two of the beer industries better periodicals, BEER: The Magazine, and The American Brewer. BEER, the Magazine was intended more for beer lovers, aficionados and fanatics, and was written in a flamboyant and colorful style, not dissimilar to Bill’s personality. It is unfortunately currently on the seller’s block as Bill seeks to focus on The American Brewer which is more of a trade publication.
Bill entered the industry, as many brewers do, as a homebrewer and also brews Alimony Ale, Pumpkin Ale, Tasmanian Devil Ale and Diaper Pale Ale in addition to the Bock beer we are featuring this month.
For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call (510) 538-9500 or check out their web site at www.ambrew.com.
Serving Temperature: 40-45° F
Original Gravity: 18.3° Plato
Final Gravity: N/A
Int'l Bittering Units: 25.0
Alcohol by Volume: 7.3%
Billy Bock is brewed with a combination of two row-Pale, Munich, Caramel and Chocolate malts. Bill uses Cluster hops up front during the 90 min. boil to balance the beer’s natural maltiness and two additions of Mt. Hood hops later in the boil for their aromatic contributions. A proprietary yeast strain cultivated from both lager and ale yeast strains, is used.
Notes From the Panel:
Look for a predominantly big malty and slightly fruity hop nose with some traces alcohol evident. Note great head retention in this filtered, ruby-red, medium-to-full-bodied beer. Billy Bock starts with an intensely sweet, rich, malty flavor and ends slightly dry. Overall, one of best American interpretations of a traditional Bock that we’ve ever had. Enjoy!
San Andreas Brewing Company
Located in the sleepy agricultural town of Hollister, California, the San Andreas Brewing Co. was founded in 1988 by Brewmaster/Owner, Bill Millar. The brewer sits on several earthquake faults and Hollister is the site of a primary earthquake research center for the U.S. Geological Survey, hence the brewery’s name. Bill brews with a 15 barrel brewhouse and makes use of 9 fermenters and 8 storage tanks at the brewery/brewpub. Pubfare at the brewery includes Icelandic cod, calamari, fresh shark, burgers, nachos (rated in hotness on the Richter scale), and fresh beer bread baked daily. Hand-crafted sodas include Sarsaparilla, Ginger Beer, and Cream Soda, all brewed on site.
For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call (408) 637-7074
Serving Temperature: 45-50° F
Original Gravity: 12.5° Plato
Final Gravity: N/A
Int'l Bittering Units: 13.0
Alcohol by Volume: 5.5%
Oktoberquake is brewed with a combination of two-row Pale, Munich, and Crystal malts. Bill adds both Tettnanger and Mt. Hood hops 20 min. into the 70 min. boil and then both hops again 20 min. before the boil ends. Unlike a traditional Marzen style Oktoberfest beer, San Andreas’ interpretation of this festive style is an ale not a lager.
Notes From the Panel:
Immediately note a sweet, very malty nose as the style would call for. Note good head retention in this, amber, filtered, medium-bodied ale. Look for a clean predominantly malty flavor profile with a mild use of hops to balance out this flavorful beer. Oktoberquake finishes with a slight spicy hop note and leaves you wanting another taste. Overall, a clean, flavorful, very drinkable, and unique interpretation of this seasonal style.
Norm's Corner...
As spoken by Cheers' Norm
Sam: Hey Norm. How’s life been treating you?
Norm: Like a baby treats a diaper, Sammy. Gimme a beer.
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