WHL #4: Tri-City Americans "Glass Pounding Fights" (2013-2014 season)

After WHL teams within an hour's drive were checked off the list, it was now time to plan a weekend venture east of the mountains to knock off the rest of the American teams in the division.  Luckily, our winter break left us with some time to high tail it over to see the Tri-City Americans.

Fans:  The moment (and yes I mean THE moment) we sat down, some enthusiastic hockey lover shook the chairs we were in asking if we were ready for some hockey.  They really had no idea, did they?  Heck yeah, we were!  Throughout the entire game, fans were on their feet pounding on the glass, screaming at the refs, cheering on the numerous fights, and high-fiving strangers for each home goal.

Arena:  Similar to where the Winterhawks play, the Toyota Center was like stepping back in time.  We quickly realized that the names above the concessions booths didn't necessarily mean that was the food they were serving.  Except when it came to the Papa Johns booth.  An enclosed corner alcove with big screen televisions playing the Husky game was sponsored by a local cable company.  Getting our much needed pic with the mascot resulted in us chasing Winger down, spinning him around, and finally getting a halfway decent photo.

Beer:  While the food didn't knock our socks off, I was impressed with the local beer choices.  I had a couple of IPAs from a Richland based brewery.  Domestic choices were available for those that feared the power of the hop.

Smashed Pumpkin Brew Day

Last weekend of October.  Pumpkin Spice Lattes on the brain.  Rainstorm outside.  It must be that time of year to make my Smashed Pumpkin Ale.  The last  time I was brave enough to brew this pesky squash quencher was back in 2010.  That year, I was still a novice brewer making partial mash/partial extract brews.  With friends and family alike begging for this harvest beer, it was time to make it an all grain masterpiece.

Smashed Pumpkin Ale

Yield:
10 gallons

Grains:
3.0 lbs Rye
3.5 lbs Crystal 80
3.5 lbs Crystal 20
18 lbs  Gambrinus Pale

Mash:
45 minutes at 152 degrees

Sparge:
12 gallons

Boil:
60 min:   2oz Cascade hops
20 min:   9.5 lbs of 100% canned pumpkin
15 min:   2oz of Mt. Hood hops
10 min:   1 tbsp each of Nutmeg, Cinnamon, All Spice, and Cloves
               1 oz of pure vanilla extract

Yeast:
NW Ale 1332 by Wyeast (2)

Original Gravity:
1058

Conditioning Options:
Four years ago, I put in a bottle of Pinnacle Whipped Vodka after fermentation was complete.  I immediately force carbonated the batch and bottled it a week later.  When the boil kettle was filling our humble garage brewery with pie spice, two alternate options came to mind: taking half the batch and throwing it in a cask with Mexican vanilla beans to be enjoyed a month from now or putting the whole batch into a Bourbon Whiskey barrel from Woodinville Whiskey and see what magic happens.  Check back in a few weeks to see what we decided.  If you try this recipe at home, let us know any adaptations you made and how it all turned out in the comment section below.  

Happy brewing!

My First Look: Heritage Distilling Company

A well timed invitation from a coworker found me out at Heritage Distilling Company in Gig Harbor yesterday afternoon.  Anxious to try his Cask Club creation, I was surprised at how well established this quaint distillery had become in just two short years.  With a bar full of bottled spirits to try, I set my eyes on their Bourbon first. 

About once a month, I tend to enjoy an Old Fashioned cocktail.  Now, the ones I make are a bit off of a traditional recipe.  I use a packet of Splenda instead of a sugar cube.  (Don't knock it until you've tried it.)  In lieu of an orange slice and splash of bitters, I generously douse handcrafted orange bitters from Scrappy's Bitters over ice.  After trying both of the Bourbons HDC had to offer, I chose the Elk Rider; a strong, yet smoothly balanced whiskey that would compliment my unique blend of bitter and sweet. 

Next up: flavored vodka.  With 23 flavors and three holiday ones in the works, HDC was not short on variety.  From Hibiscus to Cherry Lime to Sweet Ghost Pepper, it was difficult to choose which ones I wanted to try.  Tasting the Blood Orange, Coffee, and Coconut, I wanted a bottle of each.  As I looked down the line, a flavor I didn't see was Ginger.  If you know me, you know that I love anything ginger: ale, bread, cookies, chicken, etc.  I can't recall if I either asked about a ginger flavored vodka, or they could feel my yearning, because soon enough, a new bottle was brought out for tasting.  Winner.  I couldn't wait to get that home, pour over ice with a squeeze of lime, and imbibe. 

Don't make the same mistake I did and wait two years to visit Heritage Distilling Company.  Come next weekend to celebrate their second anniversary and keep an eye out for their new locations in Roslyn, WA and Eugene, OR.

From Professional Brewer to Guest Blogger

Introducing DUO Dan ... a man not necessarily with a plan, but definitely with a beer in hand.  Meet the guest blogger here at ThisGirlBrews.

Dan O'Leary is a Minnesota native, currently residing in Washington State. He is a BJCP Recognized Beer Judge with over nine years of brewing experience. He owned and operated the nanobrewery DUO Brewing from 2011 until its closing in 2013. He and his fiancé Heather enjoy beer centered travel, home brewing, and the occasional glass of wine.

While waiting for his beer posts, you can follow him on Twitter: @olearydan

WHL #3: Everett Silvertips "Twitter Mascot" (2013-2014 season)

It didn't take long for our WHL quest to get around to friends.  Soon, season tickets were coming our way and we had a fun group of beer lovers to meet with for the Everett Silvertips game.

Fans:  For this game, we were hanging with those in the know.  Sitting right on the ice in the front row near the goal opened our eyes to a whole different type of fan.  There were cowbells.  There was screaming.  Did I mention the cowbells?  I think my ears might still be ringing.

Arena:  This arena, from the moment we entered it, took our breath away.  The smells from a dozen different eateries, the encased memorabilia along the concourse, and the extensive gift shop (in which you could actually walk around in) had us mesmerized.

Beer:  Wow.  No, seriously.  Wow.  A measly little tweet of mine a few nights earlier caught the attention of a beer lover who worked for the Silvertips.  They boasted of the beer selection.  My beer friend season ticket holders did also.  It wasn't until I saw the plethora of local taps that I believed it.  Without a doubt, THE best WHL arena for craft beer.

Twitter Mascot?  Yes.  Behold the power of Twitter.  A huge thank you to Aaron who not only loves hockey and good beer, but had the ability to send Lincoln, the Silvertips' mascot, to the seats of some crazy hockey loving ladies.

Has it really been 10 months?

What happens when you get engaged, combine houses, switch jobs, and actively start brewing again? 

You don't blog as much. 

Now that life has settled down. 
Routines set.
Calendars synced.  
Priorities handled.

It is time to resume doing what I love.

Fresh off a trip to Oktoberfest in Munich, a weekend hockey bender in the Great White North, and a double brew day a week away...one can say that I have too much to write about.



Welcome back, readers.