Sierra Nevada - Beer Camp 2014

As a Master’s graduation gift my mother in law bought me the Sierra Nevada Beer Camp pack. She didn’t know exactly what it was but she knew I would like it. It was an amazing gift that kept my tastebuds guessing all through the month of September as I worked my way through the wide range of styles. I’m just going to share a few notes on this journey. I’d love to know what you thought of the Beer Camp this year and if your experience was anything like mine!

Beer Tasting: Firestone Walker Double Jack

Firestone Walker Double Jack (Double IPA)

9.5% ABV, 85 IBU

Enjoyed on 9.28.2014

Ah, Firestone Walker.  I can’t say that I’ve ever had one of their beers that I didn’t enjoy.  This particular one, like many of the beers I write about, was another gift from the wife.  It had been in the fridge (and the back of my mind) for several weeks, so after a long drive back home from Charlotte, NC, I figured the time was right.  The foil wrapper on top makes you feel extra fancy and builds anticipation for this delightful brew.

Hacksaw Homegrown Hop Halfway Harvest

Finally time to harvest one of my hop plants! Please don't ask if I'm harvesting the Nugget or the Centennial because I still haven't figured out which is which. Harvesting your own hops is one of the most exciting things you can do when you have a very small amount to harvest. My growing technique this year was to cut back all bines and only keep the two strongest. This strategy is going out the window next year. I'm letting them all grow wild and free and I will train any bine that gets long enough up a trellis.

Brewery Visit: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Thinking back to before I knew anything about craft beer, if someone were to ask me at that time to name a “craft beer”, I would have to say Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.  Chances are your experience is similar.  Whether you started your beer drinking career on the good stuff or pounded Beast Light throughout college, you've probably seen that green label sitting next to light beer city, even at that lovable dive bar down the street.

Homebrew Recipe: Matty Mike Homegrown Amber Ale

Matty Mike Homegrown Amber Ale

Brewing Premise: My homegrown centennial and nugget hops needed a place to be showcased. I didn’t have very many, but what little I had, I wanted to be on display in a beer as the aroma feature. Mrs. Hacksaw’s brother had an upcoming birthday and so I crafted an amber ale that would then be a tad bit hoppy (I hoped) with the addition of my hops at the end of the boil. One  a side note – Birthdays are an incredible way to share your homebrew and bring joy to people. Anybody who halfway enjoys craft beer typically loves having a case of beer that had the recipe and label and name crafted specifically for them.

Brewery Visit: Howard Brewing Company

Nestled in the foothills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains lies the city of Lenoir.  City really only describes the governmental structure of this little town of about 18,000 people, but what it lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in charm.  Once a prominent player in the furniture industry, consolidation efforts by furniture companies shut many of the area facilities down and robbed Lenoir of one of its major employers.  Driving around town, its industrial past is still quite evident in the shape of abandoned factories and unused shipping facilities. 

Beer Tasting: Natty Green Freedom IPA

Freedom IPA – Natty Green Brewing Company

6.5% ABV, 70 IBU

Enjoyed 08.16.14

As the Father of homebrewing said about a zillion times – “Relax, Have a Homebrew!” This has been expanded by homebrewers everywhere to imply that you ought to be drinking beer while brewing. What better time to drink that while making beer? I always feel my palette is heightened during brew sessions so I will try to review beers every time I brew. This particular brew sesh was a pale ale I’m making for an upcoming celebration dinner. I picked up the Freedom IPA from Natty Green because I honestly didn’t even realize Natty Green made an IPA! I do believe this is a seasonal offering so grabbing it while it’s available was hard to pass up. I’m an NC Beer connoisseur and pride myself on trying as many beers from NC breweries as I can.