Posts Tagged ‘cherry blossom ale’
The Friday Question
Sunday, March 13th, 2011
Yeah, o.k. it’s Sunday but cut me some slack people, it was a brutal 5 brew day week last week and yesterday I had a long day in D.C. for the Brewer’s Ball (which was a great event by the way). I had planned to post Friday evening after Jacob went down for the night but made the mistake of deciding to watch CSI first! Of course I woke up on the couch in the middle of the night barely able to move my neck, ho hum. So anyway, here it is … the fashionably late Friday Question. But first let me ramble on about other beer related news. Strongman Sorachi Ace is out and about now, seek it out and let me know what you think. Sorachi Ace is like no other hop I’ve used, it imparts some very interesting flavors & aromas. It’s famed for having a lemon citrus finish but there is so much more happening in this beer. It has the malt backbone & underlying sweetness you’d expect of my Strongman series, with hints of caramel/toffee as a result of both the crystal malt used (hence the golden color) and of course the yeast metabolism. The first thing that I noticed about the beer were hints of vanilla, almost as if it had been oaked and indeed a gentleman at The Brewer’s Ball last night was convinced that it was barrel aged. Personally it’s my favorite of the series so far. I’m not sure what hop(s) I’ll use for the next brew yet but your suggestions are welcome. I’m also edging closer to brewing the single hop Bramling Cross version of Ironman that I’ve been threatening for the last year (trying the wonderful BrewDog Bramling Cross “IPA Is Dead” has served to strengthen my resolve!) By the way we shared some of the leaf Bramling with our friends at The Brewer’s Art which they have used in their latest Zodiac brew, which I believe should be on tap by the end of this week …can’t wait to try it. Speaking of the Brewer’s Art, we’re planning a “triple brewery tap takeover” of Meridian Pint in D.C. in April along with Stillwater Ales. You can expect to see a few exclusives there, including a blended “sweet & sour” cherry ale … half of our sweet Cherry Blossom Ale, half Brewer’s Art Sour Cherry Ale! Yum! The latest Meridian brew will also debut at the event.
The whole “exclusive” brew for a particular bar thing seems to be catching on! In the wake of the Meridian brew we’ve received a couple of enquiries from other venues interested in brewing something … I’ll keep you posted should these ventures progress beyond the planning stage.
So, onto the Friday Question. Last week I asked how many owner operated brewpubs brewing in Great Britain at the end of 1972.? The answer, I’ve got to admit, surprised me. My source material informs me that a hundred years previously there had been 30,000 pubs & beerhouses brewing, representing almost 25% of the total commercially brewed beer. In 1972 there were 4! Incredible! That makes Bryan F. this weeks winner. Congratulations sir, you win a growler of Oliver Ale and a bottle of something (I’ll pick up from the Wine Source later).
I’ll be brewing the Cherry Blossom Ale very soon, what is the percentage of malted wheat in the grist for this brew? As usual please answer via the comment option below. A growler of Oliver Ale is up for grabs.
Cherry Blossom Ale
Saturday, April 10th, 2010
It’s looking like it’s going to be a beautiful day and, who knows, maybe the O’s can win a game tonight so come along to the Pratt Street Ale House and try a Cherry Blossom Ale, on tap today! Each hand crafted 7 barrel batch is brewed using 210 lbs of sweet cherries and is available in 10 oz pours or as a “chocolate covered cherry” pint, a 50:50 mix with the Bishop’s Breakfast stout. Enjoy!
Cherry Blossom Ale on cask now
Saturday, April 3rd, 2010
It’s official …. Spring has sprung at The Pratt Street Ale House. The Cherry Blossom Ale is now on cask. This beautiful red colored English wheat ale is available in 10 oz pours from the beer engine now! It will also be served on regular tap soon (just as soon as tap space becomes available). Each 7 barrel batch is fermented with 210 lbs of pureed dark sweet cherries and is a very drinkable 5.5% a.b.v. Come and sip a little bit of liquid Springtime!
Cherry Blossom Ale ... now on cask @ the Ale House