Live Beer Blogging - Here We Go! #BBC14

Going to try to do some real-time beer tasting and blogging here at Beer Bloggers Conference during a session called “Live Beer Blogging”, described by the conference providers as follows.

Live Beer Blogging is the premier event of the Beer Bloggers Conference. It is a fast-paced, fun event that is sort of like speed dating with brewers. You will sit at a table with other conference participants as a brewery representative has five minutes to pour you a select beer, describe it, answer questions, and allow you to blog or Tweet about it live. Brewers will then rotate to a new table and you will ultimately meet 10 breweries and try 10 beers in 50 minutes. – See more at: http://beerbloggersconference.org/america/agenda/#sthash.fOHEgUER.dpuf

[Author’s Note: I’ve cleaned this blog entry up since my original posts to improve reading.]

First up – Firestone Walker Brewing PIVO Pilsner (5.3% ABV / 40 IBU)

Brief Description: Pale straw color with white foam. Malt biscuit, lemon grass flavors followed by hop bitterness. Clean, crisp, delicious. This beer is a 2013 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) Gold Medal winner.

My Impression: A nice Bohemian Pilsner with a hoppy twist.

# 2 – Lost Abbey Brewing Deliverance American Strong Ale (12% ABV)

Brief Description: This ale is a blend of bourbon barrel-aged Serpent’s Stout and brandy barrel-aged Angels Share. In the glass, this ale is a dark black color with rich brown foam. Aroma of raisins and molasses prevail as well as caramel malt. Sweet flavor of caramel malt with raisins, dates, figs and a bourbon background.

My Impression: Outstanding flavors. Great beer to sip while sitting by the fireplace on a cold night.

Here’s a nice video from Lost Abbey Brewing about this beer.

# 3 – Rough Draft Brewing Weekday IPA (4.8% ABV / 43 IBU)

Brief Description: This is a session IPA that is loaded with Citra and Simcoe hops for aroma and flavor. This beer has excellent pine and citrus aroma and flavor with a dry finish.

My Impression: Excellent flavor packed into this session IPA. Drink one and still be alert and active.

# 4 – Lagunitas Brewing Sonoma Farm Sour with Cherries (? ABV)

Brief Description: Hazy straw and gold color. Great sour tart flavor with hint of cherries in the background.

My Impression: Sour lovers delight!

# 5 – Chris Banker/Stone Brewing/Insurgente Xocoveza Mocha Stout (8% ABV)

Brief Description: This beer is not yet released and was a collaboration with Chris Banker (Homebrewer, Certified Beer Judge, Engineer at ViaSat, and Friend/Co-worker with my son). Made with Mostra coffee. Great flavors of dark cacao chocolate, coffee, and nutmeg with mild chilies.

My Impression: Absolutely delicious! Can’t wait for the September release.

Chris Baker Stone Insurgente Xocoveza Mocha Stout — Courtesy of Stone Brewing.

# 6 – Rogue Farms Marionberry Braggot (11.42% ABV)

Brief Description: Braggot is not a style I’m familiar with, but according to Beer Advocate “is made by blending spices and herbs with mead and beer, to produce a strong concoction with uncommon flavors”. This beer is very sweet and has rich honey and marionberries flavor (similar to blackberries).

My Impression: The sweet honey and fruit flavor makes this high alcohol monster too easy to drink. I can see using this beer on my bowl of vanilla ice cream.

# 7 – Goose Island Brewing Bourbon County Coffee Stout (13.4% ABV)

Brief Description: This Imperial Coffee Stout is aged in Bourbon Barrels. Pours dark black with rich foam. Rich Java coffee and dark chocolate aromas abound. Outstanding flavors of java coffee and dark cacao chocolate with bourbon and hint of tobacco. Some booziness from this monster.

My Impression: Just firkin awesome.

# 8 – Green Flash Brewing Citra Session IPA (4.5% ABV / 40 IBU)

Courtesy of Green Flash Brewing.

Brief Description: Brewed with Marris Otter and Vienna malt while Citra hops is introduced throughout the boil and again in the dry hop. Great pine and citrus aroma. Rich pine, citrus, and grapefruit pith flavors.

My Impression: Excellent session beer. Way to go Green Flash!

Boardwalk Food Company Beer Bread

Brief Description: Okay, this isn’t beer but our palates needed a break. What better way than some beer bread? I received four samples: Original, Rosemary Sea Salt, Lemon Poppyseed and Cornbread.

My Impression: Delicious!

# 9 – Samuel Adams Brewing KMF (Kosmic Mother Funk) Grand Cru (6.4% ABV)

Brief Description: This is an unreleased beer. Attendees at the conference were some of the first to sample it. Funky, tart and a hint of sweetness.