Craft Beer Rising 2015

Craft Beer Rising 2015

After two years of failing to attend Craft Beer Rising, I made it my mission to attend the 2015 event. So last Saturday both Emma and I rose early from our bed to make the fateful trip across London. As Brick lane is located in East London, we decided to purchase day event tickets which ran from 11am to 5pm. After a long train journey, we arrived just as the doors opened. After being handed our beautiful glassware, we firstly walked around the venue in order to get our bearings. After a quick scout to locate our favorite breweries, we settled down on one of the picnic benches in the main hall. We both decided that we would open the festival with a beer from one of London's finest breweries; Beavertown. 

Kevin: Beavertown Moose Fang Imperial Brown. Rating 8/10.

Emma: Beavertown Appleton Bramley Apple Saison. Rating 7/10.

After such a strong start to the day (both of Beavertown's beers where over 7 per cent ABV), we decided (rather foolishly) to continue in the same vein. Since we are going to States in April, we decided to visit some of favourite US breweries; Lagunitas and Founders respectively. 

Kevin: Lagunitas Brown Shugga. Rating 9/10.

Emma: Founders Backwoods Bastard Scotch Ale. Rating 9/10.

After such a high ABV start to the festival, I know we needed to stop for a bite to eat. Fancying a lighter bite, we both plumped for a couple of sausage rolls. Now, I don't normally eat sausage rolls, but oh my god, these were absolutely delicious!  The only thing stopping me buying any more was the sky high price of £4 a roll. That's more than most of the pints of beer on offer at the festival! Daylight robbery I say!!

Shifting gears, I fancied a fruit IPA whilst Emma liked the taste of my last beer so much, she treated herself to some.

Kevin: Bear Hug Hibernation White IPA. Rating 5/10.
Emma: Lagunitas Brown Shugga. Rating 8/10.

It was here that I realised that Emma was starting to get very sqiffy. She had just consumed three halfs of very strong beer in under an hour, so we agree to stop for lunch. Emma plumped for beef brisket sandwich whilst I stuck to one of my festival staples; Bratwurst. Wanting to try a new brewery, I popped over to the Kiwi craft collective stand to try a Earl Grey IPA, whilst Emma (obviously wanting pudding) tried a sticky toffee flavoured beer from Young's.

Kevin: Yeastie Boys Gunnamatta Earl Grey IPA. Rating 9/10 (Beer of the Day).
Emma: Youngs Sticky Toffee Pudding. Rating 7/10

It was at this point that Emma began feeling the effects of the alcohol churning through her system so she decided to skip the next couple of rounds.

Kevin: Glastonbury Ales Equinox Black IPA. Rating 7/10

Kevin: Hop Stuff Amarillo Mild. Rating 6/10. (Emma loved the fact that this brewery used a Arsenal style cannon in thier logo).

Finding a Second wind (or possibly fueled by more sausage rolls and beer sticks), Emma decided she was ready to try a few more brews. She plumbed for a Christmas Ale from Williams brothers, whilst I decided to try Vedett's new IPA.

Kevin: Vedett IPA. Rating 7/10.
Emma: Williams Brothers Sprue Nollaig. Rating 8/10.

Kevin: Saltaire South Pacific Pale. Rating 5/10.
Emma: The Wild Beer Co. Millionaire. Rating 7/10.

It was at this point I realised that Emma had had a little too much to drink and we decided to make for home. Needless to say, the journey home was very eventful and my shoes will never be the same again!

In summary, I really enjoyed Craft Beer Rising. The range of beers on offer was excellent and everyone attending the event was in excellent spirits. I do have a couple of niggling gripes however. Firstly, when we arrived we were told that we could pay in cash for beer rather than use the tokens. Whilst this held true to a few stands, some would only accept tokens. This would often lead to you leaving your pint at the bar and walking to the token booth. Secondly, at most stands you could buy bottles or cans to take away. Wanting to cash in on this opportunity, I asked a few of the bar tenders to sell me an unopened bottle. Some where more than happy to oblige, whilst others flatly told me no. All we ask for is a little bit of consistency guys. Who knows, we may even review the beers we take home......     

Founders Backwoods Bastard

Founders Backwoods Bastard

Style: Oak Aged Ale

Alcohol Content: 10.2%

From: Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

Purchased from: Real Ale Shop, Richmond Upon Thames
http://foundersbrewing.com/

Mid week blues. Ever had them? The first couple of days back after a week off is always intense. First, you log onto you computer to find you have 200 unread emails to trawl through, then every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to ask you questions about your holiday. Before you know it, Wednesday is here and you're already dreaming of the weekend. Luckily, I have a few tasty beers in the fridge for a little pick me up. After much debate, I plump for a beer with real strength and mystical character (at least I think it's Gandalf on the label). The subject of this review is Founders Backwoods Bastard.

Canal Street Brewing Co. was founded in Grand Rapids in 1997 by Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers, home brewing enthusiasts who had recently graduated from college. The company was named after a Grand Rapids area where in 1800s several breweries were located on Canal Street, now Monroe Avenue. The beer bottle's labels originally included an old black and white photo of the original Canal Street breweries with the word "Founders" above it. Thus the company became known as Founders Brewing Company.

Since the mid-2000s, it has become one of the most prominent breweries in Michigan, expanding its market to 25 states and its production capacity to 340,000 barrels per year. Founders was the 30th largest US craft brewery by sales volume in 2012 and 41st largest US brewery by sales volume in 2012.

Colour: Pours a dark ruby red that is almost opaque when held up to the light. A bubbly tan coloured head which slowly dissipates to a light dusting of foam after a few minutes.

Aroma: Instantly you will able to smell the old oak bourbon casks used to mature this ale. Hints of peat like smokiness and a warming sweetness will rise from the glass. The smell is very reminiscent of another one of America's greatest gifts to the world; the infamous Jack Daniels.

Body: Very smooth and velvety due to the low level of carbonation. The drink will tickle your throat and warm your belly due to the high alcohol content. The sensation is very similar to that of a good whiskey; warm and satisfying.

Taste: Smoky peat from the oak bourbon casks present themselves from the off. This builds up to a crescendo of sweet sticky molasses, vinous fruit and warming pepper. The finish is long and complex, offering warming alcohol alongside liqueur, toffee, vanilla and spicy hop notes. For such a high ABV, the alcohol is extremely well hidden under the depths of flavours this beer provides. A great sipping beer to share with you dad or Gandalf the Grey as the bottle suggests.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/gordon-finest-scotch-ale.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/victory-prima-pils.html

For the latest news on reviews follow me on twitter @beefsbrewery or like me on Facebook at Beefsbrewery