Boo Brew Bash

When NWBeerBabe invites you over....you go.  It doesn't matter what time or how long it will take you to get there...you go.  When she invites you over for her second annual Adult Halloween...you get there early. With strict instructions to bring a snack, bottles of beer, and to arrive before the first Elsa rang the door bell, we headed up north to her very own Naughty Gallagher's Pub, a self named residential beer paradise.

The next few hours flew by.  Bottles opened.  Steaks grilled.  Laughter heard.  Elsas spotted.  Trick or Treating parents hydrated.  Stories told.  Memories shared.  Too many home brewing beer lovers were present to not have an elite beer line up.  Now that my Untappd app has recovered from overuse, let's review my favorites from the night.

1.  Eclipse Elijah Craig 12 from FiftyFifty Brewing Company
This imperial stout aged in heavily sought after Elijah Craig Bourbon barrels from Heaven Hill Distilleries was a luscious treat.  After learning more about this brewery, I am more than tempted to find a way to get my hands on a ticket to their 2014 Eclipse party on December 4th.

2.  16 Barrels from 10 Barrel Brewing Company
One thing that I love about anything else is finding a unique bottle from a favorite brewery.  I thought I had enjoyed every 10 Barrel beer there was, so when 16 Barrels came out, my jaw dropped.  This smooth Golden Ale aged in Pinot Noir barrels was nothing short of delicious.

3.  Cowiche Canyon Fresh Hop from Fremont Brewing
With the overload of barrel aged treats, this fresh hop from Fremont was a welcomed refresher.  Toting a nice bright hop aroma, its bitterness balanced perfectly with the malt.  Rumor has it that there were four cans at the table.  However, they mysteriously disappeared before I could get my hands on another taste.  If you see this treat around town, scoop it up.  Like Halloween candy, Fresh Hop Season won't last forever.

Top Pumpkin Picks

The Great Pumpkin Beer Festival, GPBF to those in the know, was this past weekend at the Elysian Brewing production facility.  Boasting 40 some beers over the course of three days, along with gourds upon gourds for the carving, this ninth annual event signified the kick off of harvest beer season.  Being my fourth beer event in that many days, I mustered up enough energy, and a few willing beerfriends, to spend the unseasonably warm afternoon together.  Here are my faves from the fest.

Alaskan Brewing: Pumpkin Porter
While I went for this one initially because it was so close to my coveted seat in the sun, I went back for a second sample because it was THAT good.  Smooth and rich, the smoky notes of the Porter melded well with the pumpkin spice.

Fremont Brewing: Pumpkin B-Bomb
Thanks to a certain someone that has gotten me into barrel aged beers, I was excited to see what Fremont did with their Abominable Winter Ale in a Heaven Hill barrel.  The result was a 9.5% ABV sipper that would pair well with stormy nights by a fire.

North Peak Brewing: Hooligan
It is obviously expected that a hophead, such as myself, might gravitate towards an IPA, even at an exclusively all pumpkin beer fest.  So, that is what I did.  Other imbibers didn't necessarily enjoy this one, as it didn't have that sweet savory taste other pumpkin beers had.  I, however, loved it.  Chocked full of hops from Michigan, this IPA was just what I needed.

Elysian Brewing: Punkuccino Coffee Pumpkin Ale
Arriving right when the fest opened at noon after a drive from Eastern Washington, this beer lover was needing some coffee.  Without hesitation, my first taste at GPBF was this coffee/pumpkin combo.  Pumpkin added all throughout the brewing process, along with my favorite Stumptown Coffee, made this one my favorite of the day.

SBM: Day 12

Day 12:  Fremont Brewing's Organic Pale Session Ale
The official beer of Seattle Beer Week 2013, this easy drinking bright pale, weighing in at 4.5 % ABV, is a perfect summer choice.  Equipped with essential camp/hike/bike/travel/summer packaging, Fremont nailed this Pale using organic Cowiche Canyon Citra and Simcoe: two hops that are near and dear to my palate.  When I was in Yakima last month, I was able to attend Pecha Kucha: an I Heart Yakima event.  Learning about all the beauty and adventure that Cowiche Canyon has to offer, it was all I could really think about while drinking this can.  Next adventure I take east of the mountains will undoubtedly include a cooler full of this Fremont creation.

www.fremontbrewing.com                    www.iheartyakima.com