tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32352148808669829702024-03-04T23:56:22.282-08:00Van Houten Brewing CompanyA California craft brewery-in-planning specializing in unfiltered, cask-conditioned whole artisan beer.Van Houten Brewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101936109589572440noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-10249268373786886102012-03-05T13:49:00.000-08:002012-03-05T13:49:16.305-08:00SF Beer Week Small Batch / Big Thirst Event in ReviewWe had an excellent time at the <a href="http://sfbeerweek.org/">SF Beer Week</a> Small Batch Big Thirst event. In addition to some well known local craft breweries, there was a great turn-out of nanobreweries taking part in an AHA competition. This year, eleven home brewers offered tastings of 40 beers and eight licensed brewers had 12 beers to share.<br />
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The Crowd was great - people enjoyed the beer and judging the competition. We entered a peach porter, which was both our first fruit beer (we swore we'd never do it) and a great success. Several people asked where they could pick up a six-pack. It was a great exercise in having a set policy and then changing it when it makes sense to do something different. </div>
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Lots of old friends, including Regan and Sarah from <a href="http://localbrewingco.com/welcome.html">Local Brewing Co</a>. </div>
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New faces on the scene, husband and wife team JB and Rachel Zorn, of <a href="http://zornbrewing.blogspot.com/">Zorn Brewing</a> out of Monterey. I really enjoyed their Hefeweizen.<br />
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We're always impressed by the beer and the people at <a href="http://bosworthbrewery.com/">Bosworth Brewery</a>, we adore them. </div>
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Brian, of <a href="http://www.pacbrewlab.com/">Pacific Brewing Laboratories</a>, now a licensed professional brewing operation.</div>
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Inside the <a href="http://brewtrucsf.com/">Brewtruc</a> - cozy and luxurious. </div>
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And so we continue on our journey to being a licensed brewery, one day at a time.<br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/vanhoutenbrewing">Find Van Houten Brewing on Facebook for events and other updates</a>Creek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-12655421077542976502011-11-17T21:13:00.001-08:002011-11-19T16:14:01.257-08:00West Coast Craft Beer Tour in Review - Day 3: Edgefield, Dick's Brewing, Big Horn<br />
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West Coast Craft Beer Tour - Day 3: Edgefield, Dick's Brewing, Big Horn<br />
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After a night with a friend in Portland, we drove just 15 miles to another of the <a href="http://www.mcmenamins.com/">McMeniman's</a> locations, <a href="http://www.mcmenamins.com/54-edgefield-home">Edgefield</a>, in Troutdale, Oregon. <a href="http://www.mcmenamins.com/54-edgefield-home">Edgefield</a> is one of the crown jewels in the <a href="http://www.mcmenamins.com/">McMeniman</a>'s world. The original site was built in 1911, a county run poor farm that was active for 70 years. Now, the 76 acre spread houses an almost inconceivable variety of crafts, all done extremely well.<br />
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We wandered through the herb garden with its handmade branch trellises and billowing pillows of comfrey and found ourselves in front of a set of art studios, including a glass blower and his apprentice sweating over molten swirls of glass.<br />
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Walking
past the tea house, the spa, the winery, and found ourselves at the
cafe - this one a larger version of the <a href="http://www.mcmenamins.com/286-roseburg-station-pub-brewery-home">Roseburg Station McMenimans</a>, but
with the same feeling of old world coziness complete with vintage signs
and lamp posts. They have achieved a perfect balance of comfort and
history - instilling a sense of time and Oregonness without going
overboard. It's easy to want to fake antiques and it's easy to be zany. <br />
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We did the full sampler again, which - which was the same as Roseburg Station, with the Hammerhead American Pale Ale (5.9%); Sunflower IPA
(6.7%); Hillsdale Porter (5.6%); Terminator Stout (6.5%) and the Ruby Ale - a light rasberry ale (4.4%).<br />
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This is a good time to talk about naming conventions - McMeniman's has great art and is using several of the most popular naming conventions we saw:<br />
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Beer Naming Conventions:<br />
<ul>
<li>Local Place Names </li>
<li>Hyper Masculine Bro Names (Terminator, Dominator, Kick-You-in-the-Face with Hops or ABV)</li>
<li>Beer as Person (often ladies or famous people, or obscure people)</li>
<li>Style Name - keep it simple</li>
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Here we see a sampling of "Beer as Person":<br />
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a touch of Bro naming (McMenimans also has a Hammerhead Ale)<br />
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and some local naming:<br />
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In addition to the sampler, we enjoyed - hands down - the best Mediterranean plate I've ever had. The pita bread was fresh made and tasted like it was grilled in a brick oven, served with hummus, fresh tzatziki and an olive tapenade, and olives proper. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charcuterie">charcuterie</a> skills are also in abundance - a selection of cured meats and pickled vegetables served with flat bread was a perfect mix of tang and spice and savory. With the beer - it was perfection. We were happy to see this type of comfort food that is a successful alternative to the straight pub menu. There is certainly a time and place for a burger, but the showcase of fresh local awesome was equally satisfying but much more interesting. We also left feeling refreshed and ready for whatever came next. <br />
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Walking outside, we spotted the brewhouse, and peeked in the window.
Christina, the head brewer, invited us in for a tour. She was friendly
and did not hesitate to show us around. This brewhouse was quite a bit
larger, filled with dented grundies and beautiful semi secret murals.
She chuckled about the grundies, saying they'd make the change
eventually. This brewhouse was significantly larger than the <a href="http://www.mcmenamins.com/286-roseburg-station-pub-brewery-home">Roseburg Station, McMenimans</a> seems to have a network of brewers and there is a
lot of brewing for onsite as well as some sharing between locations. The photo below is crummy, but you can see the brewhouse hard at work.<br />
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There is also a winery and distillery - the graphic sensibility is sheer delight. We left with appropriate samples of White Dog Whiskey, Herbal Liqeuer, and Gin. <br />
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Then we checked out the inside of the historic hotel, with 100 rooms covered with a random and whimsical assortment of art.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW77tEBfyD_EncWQta_EvjgsZjQNDruCI_t1PEbothDnRQUstjEiyrKOBTlXZkaXBeZ7LvurleHwmHdVnv4h4WV5pKMYioTvf8v7w3jGp7oI8wxIFjy9A8b_xn1qVEU8iLYcuHGJsdPBaQ/s1600/IMG_20110608_132221.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW77tEBfyD_EncWQta_EvjgsZjQNDruCI_t1PEbothDnRQUstjEiyrKOBTlXZkaXBeZ7LvurleHwmHdVnv4h4WV5pKMYioTvf8v7w3jGp7oI8wxIFjy9A8b_xn1qVEU8iLYcuHGJsdPBaQ/s320/IMG_20110608_132221.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
<br />
Art
is everywhere - whimsical, mystical murals cover many surfaces, but
somehow not overdone. The mix of art nouveau and earthy cosmic art
provides an endless landscape for the eye without taking itself
seriously.<br />
<br />
<br />
The fire extinguisher cover:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPfwXKJqH1ctU40tC8tDu8wLp5nJ8Z5r-IuQYtKNlqNVv_6C2D3JBm8iammPJjg7rU7bgfOB8BGl9Z9qfdSj3aueqVi3RR5FmCzr2HNoBEAnMT1myu-WmartAiBy2v4xbkoPird-DaAv6/s1600/IMG_20110608_130640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPfwXKJqH1ctU40tC8tDu8wLp5nJ8Z5r-IuQYtKNlqNVv_6C2D3JBm8iammPJjg7rU7bgfOB8BGl9Z9qfdSj3aueqVi3RR5FmCzr2HNoBEAnMT1myu-WmartAiBy2v4xbkoPird-DaAv6/s320/IMG_20110608_130640.jpg" width="162" /></a></div>
<br />
A wall in the ladies lounge:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PJKr6kTreUQ7c4D8d7VWnqlJDd58tQOQloLvpfaSUv5eHJW4BU5fOHgh-5IxSAlNUciyYIMGVHsgBX4rCkQvxbpzVqrw482HFxTfsTysYNot2oIc0996-loJ6m-BgklChDKXBMRqz3Sw/s1600/IMG_20110608_130359.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PJKr6kTreUQ7c4D8d7VWnqlJDd58tQOQloLvpfaSUv5eHJW4BU5fOHgh-5IxSAlNUciyYIMGVHsgBX4rCkQvxbpzVqrw482HFxTfsTysYNot2oIc0996-loJ6m-BgklChDKXBMRqz3Sw/s320/IMG_20110608_130359.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Trends:</b><br />
<ul>
<li> Beyond Burgers: Fresh Comfort Food</li>
<li>Brewery as Experience: Full Synergy of Brewing Philosophy, Place, Community </li>
<li>Vertical Integration - they do most everything themselves, really well</li>
</ul>
We eventually got ourselves back on the road and using the <a href="http://www.brewingnews.com/northwest/index.shtml">Northwest Brewing News</a> Map. We had most of the day to explore until arriving at a friend's house in Seattle, and aimed ourselves at a small operation a few miles off of Hwy 5 in Centralia, Washington, called <a href="http://www.nwsausage.com/">Northwest Sausage & Deli</a>, affiliated with <a href="http://www.dicksbeer.com/">Dick's Brewing </a>& Sausage. The wonders of smart phones coupled with the sometimes unobvious details of reality always makes for an adventure. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqluWmuUwGZUZGB16G6eNTKFBl8AaUVmmc9_XFh7ofBzvlFT-7Rd4gYoOUu1fC5UFSoqVS6VlzM67pjZotefVQQp6YrHFTUA3_O2qyX68GDmHTzvA3dqouDE91bbrXGfwpRlpENgoAy246/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-19+at+11.09.09+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqluWmuUwGZUZGB16G6eNTKFBl8AaUVmmc9_XFh7ofBzvlFT-7Rd4gYoOUu1fC5UFSoqVS6VlzM67pjZotefVQQp6YrHFTUA3_O2qyX68GDmHTzvA3dqouDE91bbrXGfwpRlpENgoAy246/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-19+at+11.09.09+AM.png" /></a></div>
<br />
We eventually pulled into a rather abandoned looking stripmall and came to understand that this was the sausage factory and the brewery was in another location. The staff was super friendly and we ordered a few sticks of very delicious jerkey and a couple of schooners - again we always appreciate when smaller glasses are available. Dick's Brewing opened in 1994, and now distributes bottles throughout Washington. Dick recently passed away, but the team is still producing more than 2500 BBLs per year. The sampler had 11 choices, and the total repertoire includes almost 20 beers - honestly, we did have to drive again, so we opted for a couple of half pints:<br />
<br />
Dick's flagship beer, is the <a href="http://www.dicksbeer.com/brews/brew_1.php?key=1">Dick's Danger Ale</a>, a 4.5% described as "<i>Our flagship beer. A large percentage of black malt give this
distinctive ale its dark brown/black color and that slightly roasted
flavor. Magnum hops provide a backbone of bitterness and large additions
of Mt. Hood hops later in the boil come right through in the finish. The result is a highly drinkable dark ale which bridges the gap between pale and porter</i>."<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOFbQY2X0v_YqyNoPLqUQ-3qzaGD-FwomFZLI42HEkq8tAeCS1AF32IiSUwnU-PP790FtMY9nzOxdmtgQuKkqK0VWxBWPAsEievOSyMs2kO3DFFzriDxOsGeS-cgIKuLt4STFX8nVb7xS/s1600/Danger.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOFbQY2X0v_YqyNoPLqUQ-3qzaGD-FwomFZLI42HEkq8tAeCS1AF32IiSUwnU-PP790FtMY9nzOxdmtgQuKkqK0VWxBWPAsEievOSyMs2kO3DFFzriDxOsGeS-cgIKuLt4STFX8nVb7xS/s1600/Danger.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
We also tried the <a href="http://www.dicksbeer.com/brews/brew_3.php?key=3">IPA</a>, a super hoppy 5%. I'm not a super hops lover, and this West Coast trend is alive and well at Dick's. I like that the style descriptions are less floral and more about the brewing process: "<i>A pale ale hopped to the extreme! This beer starts out as a nice pale
ale until it reaches the kettle. Throughout the course of the 90 minute
boil four massive hop additions are made which transform this beer into a
hop-head's dream come true. Both Chinook and Tomahawk hops from the
Yakima valley are added in extreme quantities for the maximum
bitterness, flavor and aroma. Fermentation is conducted as usual
with our house ale yeast at higher temperatures to produce more fruity
esters which complement the hoppiness. Just to be sure, we add even more
hops to the beer when it is transferred from the fermenter to the
bright beer tank (dry hopping), and allow the beer to rest on these hops
until all of their character is absorbed before kegging and bottling.</i>"<br />
<br />
We filled up a six-pack for future research purposes. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0BL_ew2qVhkhks2YVVawh5azc5unLkZgNMTFuW__Jk-O9vrgihs-pivwwja-FuwMfGuOI1kgJzxsH88W1m6NbX9uLU5z3TF4aETmhC_IxKIA5i8mzRmuIaDGH40R5LHn_mUhMbYcCYjM/s1600/IMG_20110608_153846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0BL_ew2qVhkhks2YVVawh5azc5unLkZgNMTFuW__Jk-O9vrgihs-pivwwja-FuwMfGuOI1kgJzxsH88W1m6NbX9uLU5z3TF4aETmhC_IxKIA5i8mzRmuIaDGH40R5LHn_mUhMbYcCYjM/s320/IMG_20110608_153846.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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To me - the more openness a brewery has about its recipe and technique, the more confidence I have in their beer and philosophy - Go Dick's!<br />
<br />
At the same time, as a woman and a beer drinker, I will say that the hyper-masculine naming and branding conventions are a real turn off. While I liked the operation, the beer and the sausage, I found the "Chick's love Dick's" bumpersticker did not make me want to drink a glass of beer. Take a moment about the images that run through your head when you say "Chick's love Dick's." Fresh, local, honest glass of beer, anyone? I don't want to be dominated or terminated by my beer. To be honest, I am not even interested in layers of personality or place or hyperbolic descriptive adjectives. I like the simple, local concept of style. You go to your local pub and see what styles are on tap. Let the beer speak for itself. <br />
<br />
<b>Themes:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Beer & Sausage Model </li>
<li>Hyper Male Naming & Marketing Conventions </li>
<li>Lots of Varieties - A few flagships and lots of rotation</li>
</ul>
Now, keep in mind, that our goal for this adventure is a survey of as much of craft beer culture as we can. The different waves and styles of establishment are beginning to shake out into pretty clear categories. So, our next stop <a href="http://www.theram.com/">the Ram</a>, might surprise some of the die-hard craft beer purists, but the 1990s sports bar niche is certainly part of the craft beer world.<br />
<br />
While <a href="http://www.theram.com/">Big Horn Brewing</a>, located in Lacey, Washington, is firmly in the <a href="http://www.bjsbrewhouse.com/">BJ</a>s realm of sports bar, the place was full of families and all sorts of more mainstream beer drinkers drinking beer brewed in that very restaurant, albeit served in extremely frozen chilled glasses. The menu was a typical pre-frozen jalapeno poppers and burgers, but we'd like to think that any expansion of local and regional craft beer production and consumption, is a pretty good thing. These guys also continue to win awards at GABF and other venues, this year picking up 3 Golds at the <a href="http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/">Great American Beer Festival</a>, including for the <a href="http://www.theram.com/beer.html">Big Horn Blonde</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.theram.com/beer.html"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAo-sLcuK5D-HligT3QtGDK-8vJjSKcv5_8u88BgG28MhUZ21U8AqjmH8B8-7E2qoB7BmcHZ4qCAwRB8quxY7Un8SJ9xywPbH4PIXIxGIipoPsCoGO6AD-UnnAMvZDNJX5QJUodb581EIb/s320/blondeGoldMedal_beerPG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
All of the beers were virtually crystal clear as well, indicating the use of plate filters. The question of filtering, taste and clarity are rather fascinating to us. It seems to be some combination of taste preference, convention, official style definitions. Over the course of our tour, we definitely saw a mix of plate filters, as well as the use of irish moss, isinglass, along with whirlpooling and other methods of pulling out the larger chunks, while leaving the complex of minerals and vitamins that give unfiltered beer it's freshness. There is lots of debate and preference about filtration methods and the value of final clarity. Keep in mind, we're not talking about chunky beer, when done well, you can get a pretty darn clear beer. Filtering played a historical role in bottling (read <a href="http://maureenogle.com/pages/the-books-ambitious-brew">Maureen Ogle's book, Ambitious Brew</a> if you haven't!) helping to make the beer durable and stable for shipping. We find it heartening to see a growing number of craft brewers using alternatives to plate filtering resulting in some amazingly fresh, subtle and complex flavors - and some B vitamins to ward off hangovers!<br />
<br />
Themes:<br />
<ul>
<li>1990s Brewpub, with a mainstream sport's bar leaning</li>
<li>Hyper Male Naming & Marketing Conventions </li>
<li>Plate filtering - crystal clear beer </li>
</ul>
<br />
Stay tuned for Day 4:<br />
<a href="http://halesbrewery.com/">Hales Ales, Seattle, WA</a><br />
<a href="http://stellarpizza.com/">Stellar Pizza & Ale House, Seattle, WA</a><br />
<a href="http://www.georgetownbeer.com/">Georgetown Brewing, Seattle, WA</a><br />
<a href="http://www.twobeersbrewery.com/">Two Beers Brewing, Seattle, WA</a><br />
<a href="http://www.schoonerexact.com/">Schooner Exact, Seattle, WA </a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/vanhoutenbrewing">Find Van Houten Brewing on Facebook for events and other updates</a><br />
<br />
<br />Creek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-49566420913469226592011-11-11T19:00:00.000-08:002011-11-12T18:29:46.097-08:00West Coast Craft Beer Tour: Day 2 Wild River, McMenamins, AmnesiaOur West Coast Craft Brewery tour continued after a cozy evening in Mt. Shasta and a clear and glorious morning under the colossal presence of the towering peak. On our way out of town, we stopped at the <a href="http://www.weedales.com/">Mt. Shasta Brewing Company</a> in Weed, but since it was 10am, we decided to visit on the way back.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://beermapping.com/">The Beer Mapping Project</a>, as well as <a href="http://www.brewingnews.com/northwest/index.shtml">Northwest Brewing News </a>-
both super helpful in scouting out places to stop. It's interesting to
see the brewery density in the Pacific Northwest - I've taken out the
regular bars and bottle shops, but here is some west coast urban brewery and brewpub density
comparison.<br />
<br />
Here's a Portland area map:<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://beermapping.com/maps/citymaps.php?m=seattle"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGof-iEdtaLtGc9k8jPxUp57fqWJVh5Jj7PJc8eeF8aTN0K75eQ3qcIg9F6eIt4kje_5nJ1nSLwyjLV2s1bQYQ35iDQDLA7LEyYn263lh090yGaXgSgNG-PsXDWgli7JNXMobE5LPNulME/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-12+at+6.20.53+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
And Seattle:<br />
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<a href="http://beermapping.com/maps/citymaps.php?m=seattle#lat=47.57467282332527&lng=-122.04986572265625&z=8"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGLXO02rVreFx7LAhoHSdHD0c2ohOmOGjMYzmv38MHcQyY0HFspxOUesy-21OB7LzEGPIlDQMcEMOgpLR8KwWk9NM11fKuAAbYPwm3_wiokGfGiis1p4OtV0KsF74p2kASGcfK7uyJ4rM/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-12+at+6.20.19+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here's
a map of Bay Area breweries for comparison. Despite high real
estate costs, the numbers are slowly growing in the Bay Area as well...<br />
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<a href="http://beermapping.com/maps/citymaps.php?m=sanfran"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfzyMjIUuGdhOrmiMsUg8_SF2VPCkVzwtiVRQOnPJhVwZdUAfTyqHdsqPwPxpDhfg08__O35r1WUID7mBLjLBR-oHsnfdTF_46sRPF8Lew1nZuEyy74kGJTmtturkkIWIicLIu_AupPZy/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-12+at+6.21.34+PM.png" width="313" /></a></div>
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<br />
Back to the tour....<br />
A short 2 hours later, we arrived in Grants Pass, Oregon at <a href="http://www.wildriverbrewing.com/">Wild River</a>. Again, we were lucky enough to run into the brewer, who invited us back into the brewhouse for a tour with Scott, the head brewer. Wild River is in the category for us of the 1990s brewpub, often serving pizza and catering to families, locals, mainstream and sports lovers as well as craft beer folks. Though these spots aren't cozy dens of hipsterdom, these guys paved the way in the brewpub movement of the 1980s and 1990s. The establishments that survived should be celebrated.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWlgminxcZh0y5ns5929UtdPpkoXH5BXzKqis8WWwYs5XJnEb8Bsbe4JR5u7LBnz5jzU8HTW9Hq5j6mfuq0cBeh819tQlAWlGh205lH5ZghWwH1KILpRdr7Q6XEhziM32clRUjKZuDtXV/s1600/IMG_20110607_141652.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673944722501356146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWlgminxcZh0y5ns5929UtdPpkoXH5BXzKqis8WWwYs5XJnEb8Bsbe4JR5u7LBnz5jzU8HTW9Hq5j6mfuq0cBeh819tQlAWlGh205lH5ZghWwH1KILpRdr7Q6XEhziM32clRUjKZuDtXV/s400/IMG_20110607_141652.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 299px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Scott was awesome, and showed us the steam-fired boiler, I think it was a 15 or 20BBL with 3 fermenters. They're doing some collective brewing with the Cave Junction location to supply 5 Wild River restaurants in Oregon. It was interesting to learn that they liked the direct fire system for some of the more caramelized flavors in several of the recipes.<br />
<br />
Another thing that surfaced in our conversation with Scott that would come up again and again, was the open and sharing nature of the craft brewer community. In addition to supporting a homebrew buyers collective, which provides access to affordable grain for local homebrewers while reducing brewery grain costs. He also talked about the development or proprietary yeasts used in Wild River beers.<br />
<br />
We did the sampler and again saw a collection of low gravity beers which included a clean Kolsch, a Bohemian Pilsner all in the 4%, a 3% BitterNut Brown Ale. The higher gravity beers were the Imperial Stout (6%) and an IPA (7%).<br />
<br />
Trends:<br />
<ul>
<li>Low Gravity Beers</li>
<li>Involvement with Local Homebrew Community</li>
<li>Proprietary Yeast Strains</li>
<li>1990s Brewpub Niche</li>
</ul>
After a bowl of soup and a lunch salad, we drove less than an hour and a half to <a href="http://www.mcmenamins.com/286-roseburg-station-pub-brewery-home">McMenamins Pub in Roseburg, Oregon</a>, and quite frankly entered another world. The McMenamin Brothers have created a humble empire of pubs, most of which are in historical buildings from train stations to school houses. The brothers, Mike and Brian, have been at it since 1974, and captured their approach quite well in the brochure that that they are wary of "things too formal, too complicated, and too shiny." A 1985 Oregon Law allowed breweries to brew and sell on site, starting a flurry of microbrewery activity.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwyHMn3rMEPn-FaRzPKdBS1F5YL5fyZZfDiVQkt4uMuvrhzgkTx-AChDJqLm2GoEYPC4zWOYc_AYiu21VJFYLgaweQEZYyoD0ZFXf3CxvDanfd66GmO-NlpQ2npRYVrL5r1AauDK-tMwV/s1600/IMG_20110607_162509.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673951317447886866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwyHMn3rMEPn-FaRzPKdBS1F5YL5fyZZfDiVQkt4uMuvrhzgkTx-AChDJqLm2GoEYPC4zWOYc_AYiu21VJFYLgaweQEZYyoD0ZFXf3CxvDanfd66GmO-NlpQ2npRYVrL5r1AauDK-tMwV/s320/IMG_20110607_162509.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 282px;" /></a><br />
Though we'd enjoyed each establishment thus far, the authentic old world charm and unapologetic coziness at the Roseburg Station enveloped us completely. Perhaps because we both have a history in documentary radio (I at <a href="http://www.kzsc.org/">KZSC</a> in Santa Cruz, and Johnny at <a href="http://www.kusp.org/">KUSP</a> and Free Radio Santa Cruz), and perhaps because our own house is filled with Dutch antiques - but we LOVED it. From the collection of old European ceiling lamps, the old Dutch street signs, and scores of historical local photographs, (complete with 10-page key explaining the contents of each one), each detail was complete and beautifully restored but lovingly worn.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCC85iAv-z83sUD4xy3Bsz6jZxAqcbVZS-CcxGpzXP7FzRny0hRw-vq8BPewozXr9Xm71h06FNTPpgBg1cROlLL0eTUbkDaZy8etvnyIHUYbfNZvwe1dsUR4hhKtBFwhrKP-v7uJyGSdsv/s1600/IMG_20110607_162120.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673951322981711042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCC85iAv-z83sUD4xy3Bsz6jZxAqcbVZS-CcxGpzXP7FzRny0hRw-vq8BPewozXr9Xm71h06FNTPpgBg1cROlLL0eTUbkDaZy8etvnyIHUYbfNZvwe1dsUR4hhKtBFwhrKP-v7uJyGSdsv/s320/IMG_20110607_162120.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 196px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqT6hncBCHr8SdgBs1VWftAxHIDLefCl_jQ_UInwXhuxsb7-3MW89fstJtvuYsNvr7ZbAEC0xtx7V14vxQTmaPwj7HKv6gW50ZdBeUbM-y5k08fR-NUNUV3xlnwXEVMnkuVZ9U-P5fnvpy/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+8.02.18+PM.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673955057439382370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqT6hncBCHr8SdgBs1VWftAxHIDLefCl_jQ_UInwXhuxsb7-3MW89fstJtvuYsNvr7ZbAEC0xtx7V14vxQTmaPwj7HKv6gW50ZdBeUbM-y5k08fR-NUNUV3xlnwXEVMnkuVZ9U-P5fnvpy/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+8.02.18+PM.png" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 115px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 117px;" /></a>McMenamins has embraced whimsy, combining the artistic aesthetic of the psychadelic mythical forest kingdom with an utterly down to earth local British pub experience. Art is a big part of what they care about, a head to toes empire of awesome expressed through every detail, particularly later when we went to <a href="http://www.mcmenamins.com/54-edgefield-home">Edgefield</a> in Troutdale, Oregon on Day 3. The food is excellent and comforting.<br />
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The image below is from the <a href="http://www.mcmenamins.com/">McMenamins website</a> to provide a taste of the aesthetic:<br />
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<a href="http://www.mcmenamins.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673954942919390882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgda9TkdVSqh1hexg8BmaqquDgyFeUkAaR-GYXiAuGFo6pK_9wyCXx_6iSFY8YeEZMao_ER36GKROJf9LnxWURIlk0Si3kWE_xL2rf79Z3gsO3BPxa5kd_FYTgHbT3jndIZXIU1i0M25QhJ/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+8.01.46+PM.png" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 278px;" /></a><br />
We sat in at the bar, what used to be the ticket office, and immediately were part of a conversation with the bartender, Breeze, and several friendly locals. Before long, Breeze took us back to meet the head brewer, Tom. Brewing on 6BBL equipment made from dinged-up converted dairy equipment, painted deep night night sky blue with Dr. Seuss-like yellow stars. McMenamins is really part of the first wave of microbrewing establishments in the U.S., and they are still alive and well with a network of nine hotels and more than twenty pubs.<br />
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We sampled the Hammerhead American Pale Ale (5.9%); Sunflower IPA (6.7%); Hillsdale Porter (5.6%); Terminator Stout (6.5%) and though neither of us are fruit beer people very often, I can see having a glass of the Ruby Ale - a light rasberry ale (4.4%). (Percentages were given to the hundredth of a percentage, but that seems a tad bit silly.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrmU5F2A5Hxrc8T5tU01mM9XgKx3LRmzq4JXsLvXm0wdXEP9sTqGEMeYa0xmI5qpF4lJeZfOBXF1Holsw7aZ3qyKcN6-0dF3LGYmkVDL9Z2KJgoqv_7JkvUY8cHk9zIvBVjy_IR8zWCvI/s1600/IMG_20110608_114125.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673980278978372178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrmU5F2A5Hxrc8T5tU01mM9XgKx3LRmzq4JXsLvXm0wdXEP9sTqGEMeYa0xmI5qpF4lJeZfOBXF1Holsw7aZ3qyKcN6-0dF3LGYmkVDL9Z2KJgoqv_7JkvUY8cHk9zIvBVjy_IR8zWCvI/s320/IMG_20110608_114125.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 235px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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It's good to see so many places providing really nice details about what's in the beer. This is where it's interesting to compare the ways wine and craft beer descriptions. We went recently to a really hip Marin wine and beer bar (yes, I know it's billed as a wine bar, but <span style="font-style: italic;">still</span>!!) and though the wine has four lines of information about the grapes and location and variety and year and interpretive descriptive poetry - the beers, though some were local craft beers, just had the name of the beer, sans brewery name, location etc. I think west coast restaurants seeking to cater to craft beer audience is figuring out that we, like wine folks, like to engage and nerd out about the beers we experience. I'm sure there's some variation in what people prefer, but I'd rather know about hops and grain and yeast and ABV than read interpretive sentences about the whispers of autumnal spice that will dance on my tongue.<br />
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For example, McMenamins does a really nice job:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc15T-s018eODmUEr5rVw4bmpjqk3uI1chfwXymD5zAblS3uL4r_Wqe2e34KvLW7MCBY0Yai67t6aF1pW7UquEeVLHEQuoGum7ugayDkDfvoz-PLNTff9TxpVmLlctwYIiSw1cb8zLqYJF/s1600/IMG_20110608_114257.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673980343850957234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc15T-s018eODmUEr5rVw4bmpjqk3uI1chfwXymD5zAblS3uL4r_Wqe2e34KvLW7MCBY0Yai67t6aF1pW7UquEeVLHEQuoGum7ugayDkDfvoz-PLNTff9TxpVmLlctwYIiSw1cb8zLqYJF/s320/IMG_20110608_114257.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 291px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
Craft beer culture seems to be doing a better and better job of making this improvement on this, like McMenamins, who does not waste time with the autumnal whatnot, and maybe even provided a few too many decimal points, which is better than none at all!<br />
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Trends:<br />
<ul>
<li>2nd Wave of West Coast Craft Brewers (1980s-90s)</li>
<li>Full disclosure/engagement about ingredients</li>
<li>Hoppy beers</li>
<li>Fruit Beer</li>
</ul>
Onward! Driving through Jefferson County, we made it to Portland in time to stroll around and absorb some of Portland's awesomeness. As much crap as Portlandia lovingly gets - the food trucks and public spaces and clever architecture and bright colors are nothing but enjoyable.<br />
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We saw lots of cool recycled benches and fences....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7xWRq3AkNu_OUrIWklv28x0dMbsw-mjsl-AuNDvjKD31jzFieKyu8eaPiJZfTMROGmSuqV88fle-pYFIUF-GBNkPZHrseLsI9IagM7rEXWwNsFx1KbpTg1Zzd-iYsIh6WnN34QHWNRZq/s1600/IMG_20110608_102635.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673959132410187602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7xWRq3AkNu_OUrIWklv28x0dMbsw-mjsl-AuNDvjKD31jzFieKyu8eaPiJZfTMROGmSuqV88fle-pYFIUF-GBNkPZHrseLsI9IagM7rEXWwNsFx1KbpTg1Zzd-iYsIh6WnN34QHWNRZq/s320/IMG_20110608_102635.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 239px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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and the occasional tiny garden gnome kingdom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkioPKDOr0fHzryLGVqw8nLJT8LKNdFUKddrULoYsUMVGorSQwX320s8t367CU_W1MUq5TTJxvPCEkQk7U9Aw6cTJkMtXEkIiJlu96BKu9p92iWWOxXJkObIoPvWCOYfm5X2K8UNDHWO2/s1600/IMG_20110608_103154.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673959134634558738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkioPKDOr0fHzryLGVqw8nLJT8LKNdFUKddrULoYsUMVGorSQwX320s8t367CU_W1MUq5TTJxvPCEkQk7U9Aw6cTJkMtXEkIiJlu96BKu9p92iWWOxXJkObIoPvWCOYfm5X2K8UNDHWO2/s320/IMG_20110608_103154.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 239px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
We finished off the day with sausage and a pint at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/amnesia-brewing-portland">Amnesia Brewing</a>, in Portland, Oregon. Though we were there on a Tuesday, the place was full of executive types after work and hip executives and hipsters and everyone in between.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWu4qsy4CtMX056QHvmhyjNhOI04pThDiXd1yF3wa15kjLystv3YW94t4GySmwhj7tpegTvvvY2EMarJ60DaiQq_tKnmKsRzty5T_qOkEYzlztzPMPjR33aGSsM2OjW-vK82Ob5H5a6aB/s1600/IMG_20110607_201914.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673961481351483026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWu4qsy4CtMX056QHvmhyjNhOI04pThDiXd1yF3wa15kjLystv3YW94t4GySmwhj7tpegTvvvY2EMarJ60DaiQq_tKnmKsRzty5T_qOkEYzlztzPMPjR33aGSsM2OjW-vK82Ob5H5a6aB/s320/IMG_20110607_201914.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 239px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_821031354"><br /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amnesia-Brewing/120213851323172">Amnesia Brewing</a> is firmly situated in the recent wave of west coast craft brewing, a simple industrial space combining fresh local brewing with an ultra-simple menu. The setup, complete with group table seating and the simple beer and sausage menu reminded me of a small beer garden I visited along the Rhine River - unapologetic in its simplicity and self service. They also have no website, which is sort of awesome - yelp and twitter seem to suffice. The ultra casual scene works really well.<br />
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Trends:<br />
<ul>
<li>3rd wave brewery (last 5-7ish years)</li>
<li>unapologetically simple menu</li>
<li>hip, industrial, urban</li>
<li>no website (word of mouth, twitter, yelp etc)</li>
</ul>
Stay tuned for Day 3:<br />
<a href="http://www.mcmenamins.com/54-edgefield-home">McMenamins Edgefield, Troutdale, OR</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dicksbeer.com/">Northwest Sausage & Deli / Dick's Brewing, Centralia, WA</a><br />
<a href="http://www.theram.com/">Big Horn Brewing, Lacey, WA</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/vanhoutenbrewing">Find Van Houten Brewing on Facebook for events and other updates</a>Creek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-57674195728999639302011-11-10T19:53:00.000-08:002011-11-12T08:10:43.362-08:00West Coast Craft Beer & Brewery Tour in Review - A Retrospective: Day 1: Sutter Buttes, Western PacificWe're long overdue for an update - in particular about our tour this summer. Johnny and I (Creek) drove drove from San Francisco to the Olympic Peninsula, stopping at 20 breweries along the way. We sampled beers from tiny nanobreweries and large micropubs, covering the full range of west coast beer culture. Amazingly, we met brewers and got backstage tours at 10 of the 20, and were incredibly impressed by the complete open-door policy and kindness we experienced. We're going to share a bit about what we learned, the beers we drank, and the trends we saw in craft brewing techniques and establishments on the west coast.<br />
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Here we go!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYtLmV8aUjGr0pjlmRuvr37OKkBtFWqnNulyCP6slQI4P_fX4ipnbCMvuna8lz2C0EE2Vx34jpDSvv9G0gq3Gf7LNfwOSs63TZNSbiLMXfk0_AOI_ekFKAV_9AdrMGFYHmPizKoWUhw9Y/s1600/sweetiesonthetracks.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673583799771960562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYtLmV8aUjGr0pjlmRuvr37OKkBtFWqnNulyCP6slQI4P_fX4ipnbCMvuna8lz2C0EE2Vx34jpDSvv9G0gq3Gf7LNfwOSs63TZNSbiLMXfk0_AOI_ekFKAV_9AdrMGFYHmPizKoWUhw9Y/s320/sweetiesonthetracks.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 239px;" /></a><br />
Day 1:<br />
A scary ice-cream truck is always a good start to a road trip :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHHLoQUfzQYXjEtxKJ6eHKsl7oZkLWzf2xYVJgsfb65RlgqPutTIZSeFvNcVoEaMiuh1iAqILhnsoIiwxQxGDYldvxf6Wqw-Bk4oUmsuOy6BbwbUCmdVzIkNdKnewPEfOqVxTOZQEpQyo/s1600/IMG_20110606_153751.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673583767169122738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHHLoQUfzQYXjEtxKJ6eHKsl7oZkLWzf2xYVJgsfb65RlgqPutTIZSeFvNcVoEaMiuh1iAqILhnsoIiwxQxGDYldvxf6Wqw-Bk4oUmsuOy6BbwbUCmdVzIkNdKnewPEfOqVxTOZQEpQyo/s320/IMG_20110606_153751.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 239px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
Our first stop was in Yuba City, at <a href="http://sutterbuttesbrewing.com/">Sutter Buttes Brewing</a>. It is a fairly new establishment - a mixture of homey and industrial. It was light, and comfortable, with lots of wood. The beer equipment was visible and the brewing process was a focus.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU72GKK6PjxrU4gBc1jItiDcFEfAUxUQ9nYTeDk_QO_qdD7SGuY0vrqP-_6y8WeFiMkfThH02alel6aBjlSYZ1YRGl39ZhB3xX0whQhY9Fl1lHOQHw964WehcXhMEcGUJxV5HT8ZKwpxsK/s1600/sutterbuttes2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673583786054390786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU72GKK6PjxrU4gBc1jItiDcFEfAUxUQ9nYTeDk_QO_qdD7SGuY0vrqP-_6y8WeFiMkfThH02alel6aBjlSYZ1YRGl39ZhB3xX0whQhY9Fl1lHOQHw964WehcXhMEcGUJxV5HT8ZKwpxsK/s320/sutterbuttes2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 239px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
We were lucky to meet both the owner, Mark, as well as Peter of <a href="http://odonatabeer.blogspot.com/">Odanata Brewing</a> Fame, brewing a triple IPA so hoppy it was green. Both were kind and completely willing to talk with us. They were brewing on an 8.5 BBL copper clad system, with a line of fermenters, which doubled as serving tanks in a line behind a bar. We LOVED the directness of serving from the tanks and no brite tanks. This was one of our favorite, most direct set-ups.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqSVCXeVSmzOl6EsaX5IskggOZCaL4hRAEwrDzRiAGS-_6KamjvxMd7cPtAg81n48-Fidwos6JO8-rpaGA7FBDm_UrN6I8cZRb1A7yC4W-A3MOGHfHhWhkOLofyLyKmQk0NXizNouUopy/s1600/sutterbuttes1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673583778632238818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqSVCXeVSmzOl6EsaX5IskggOZCaL4hRAEwrDzRiAGS-_6KamjvxMd7cPtAg81n48-Fidwos6JO8-rpaGA7FBDm_UrN6I8cZRb1A7yC4W-A3MOGHfHhWhkOLofyLyKmQk0NXizNouUopy/s320/sutterbuttes1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 239px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
They had a wide selection of beers and a simple, menu of fresh comfort food. The Beale's Best Bitter - a 3.7% British Pale Ale was sheer delight. Most of their beers were under 5%: the Extra Pale, Kolsch, and Brown were 4.5%. We always respect the low gravity brews that still have lots of taste. This is a trend we're really happy to see (perhaps also due to my own personal preferences), but there are plenty of strong beers being made in the craft beer world, so happy to see varieties you can have 2 or 3 of and still feel your lips.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Trends:</span><br />
<ul>
<li>Low to mid gravity beers (have another!)</li>
<li>Super-Mega-Hoppy</li>
<li><span style="font-size: 100%;">Fresh California Comfort Food (best of both worlds)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 100%;">Brewing Process as Feature</span></li>
</ul>
We stopped to see some old mining equipment and a random ice cream advertisement still hanging on from another era.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvbm8GPDMzpciEm4UozqYr4yhJrTGjbOY2UGH2nt5-To-9yd7pQH6NjrUi8JhsSVeyK-ODn762jmyQBk4Hv0bUch8mHLdD-TDkJixvLOwhuWfsyJ_b_RHHsp6wjJtEhap2K_h8y45nzcZ/s1600/shot_1307405020249.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673982587310211874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvbm8GPDMzpciEm4UozqYr4yhJrTGjbOY2UGH2nt5-To-9yd7pQH6NjrUi8JhsSVeyK-ODn762jmyQBk4Hv0bUch8mHLdD-TDkJixvLOwhuWfsyJ_b_RHHsp6wjJtEhap2K_h8y45nzcZ/s320/shot_1307405020249.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBZIqq5l-ALtCF7jFwRNUo49ulLvv3t4ziAvu8-zUffCLGF4oXhYxBr0Ww1cZHOr_yu7fF8-yy-b7m9GPaWRDpzdiCkBhXZQqi7V6N5vULggqU7FMel8btaQhXr-la0BxVvlS1c_kBgIY/s1600/shot_1307405032842.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673982587278961474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBZIqq5l-ALtCF7jFwRNUo49ulLvv3t4ziAvu8-zUffCLGF4oXhYxBr0Ww1cZHOr_yu7fF8-yy-b7m9GPaWRDpzdiCkBhXZQqi7V6N5vULggqU7FMel8btaQhXr-la0BxVvlS1c_kBgIY/s320/shot_1307405032842.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFr1LiKUYYafq6utdkCGefZjuq43Vfzpr3J3wckSdSseuYjvbdXOFrY__FYwET1spMdjC_2JYvm9QaJb8RybUXtpVNAQZ5NYlNVrwCc3uh4KifvvgOw4WPfTjDyxGa4JALFQ4YTt2DpRrt/s1600/shot_1307405044789.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673982589001425362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFr1LiKUYYafq6utdkCGefZjuq43Vfzpr3J3wckSdSseuYjvbdXOFrY__FYwET1spMdjC_2JYvm9QaJb8RybUXtpVNAQZ5NYlNVrwCc3uh4KifvvgOw4WPfTjDyxGa4JALFQ4YTt2DpRrt/s320/shot_1307405044789.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">On to the next: <a href="http://www.diningandbrewing.com/">Western Pacific</a> in Oroville, California</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3d05zMIKwPESQwShW-JwMFp7I2emZDe1wFC-7gGdqm4nnHyD6qQYBuLyc92g01nhHaLhHImhW1EFxa8zB9VUxEjQTqBkdL6cT6qvab5qxJ5Mxi5XpNJRRIz-pmRxdg5yunARYOxLY6EH/s1600/IMG_20110606_165527.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673591636731509074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3d05zMIKwPESQwShW-JwMFp7I2emZDe1wFC-7gGdqm4nnHyD6qQYBuLyc92g01nhHaLhHImhW1EFxa8zB9VUxEjQTqBkdL6cT6qvab5qxJ5Mxi5XpNJRRIz-pmRxdg5yunARYOxLY6EH/s320/IMG_20110606_165527.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 239px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">Later that day, we landed in Oroville, at <a href="http://www.diningandbrewing.com/">Western Pacific</a> - built in a train depot. The venue had incredible potential, but felt just a wee bit sprawling. We found the right door and, again had the good fortune of finding the brewer, who showed us the 7BBL used system and cold room, which were impeccably clean. The grain elevator out front was also pleasing to the eye - I love that it is a feature.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_gyfPFpt5w9pN48NgzVb8QA4tsebG3eGfi43cU0REz-AYenCXKZMHP9h4jcCdt3qB826Gl9BEccjiB1XFFyB2dI9IG9KdR-8dcfuTBv5u2sVxv72DSTL5dS-e1rCz79NOVcV3CMru4TR/s1600/westernpacific1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673591228799277138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_gyfPFpt5w9pN48NgzVb8QA4tsebG3eGfi43cU0REz-AYenCXKZMHP9h4jcCdt3qB826Gl9BEccjiB1XFFyB2dI9IG9KdR-8dcfuTBv5u2sVxv72DSTL5dS-e1rCz79NOVcV3CMru4TR/s320/westernpacific1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 239px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span> <style>
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</style><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 100%;">They had a nice low gravity extra pale ale that was a 4.5% and an oatmeal stout that was 4.1. The Belgian was 5%. the Pale and Red ales were in the mid to high 5% and the highest was the IPA at 6.5%.</span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Trends:</span><br />
<ul>
<li>Lower Gravity Beers (4-5%)</li>
<li>Historical Building or Location</li>
<li>Full Transparency about Ingredients </li>
</ul>
<br />
That night, we stayed near Mt. Shasta, which, regardless of your position on the scale of scientific to skeptic to spiritualist, is impressive and colossal. We arrived at night, and woke up to the delightful presence of the mountain, urging us onward, towards more beer...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6hUSuScwoR5xPKBBWzhOuNtWyvp3FAifrm9EuDLsE8MNmb4slhnuC8-bgwBhULU0bA7mR12jvDPNinJZz1Jyt8W70JNWde1g70R3XLyidWn-M-zNMTlD0zg5TLyW7aiPMLPoKl6Og_Ui/s1600/Shastorama.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673592906603930386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6hUSuScwoR5xPKBBWzhOuNtWyvp3FAifrm9EuDLsE8MNmb4slhnuC8-bgwBhULU0bA7mR12jvDPNinJZz1Jyt8W70JNWde1g70R3XLyidWn-M-zNMTlD0zg5TLyW7aiPMLPoKl6Og_Ui/s320/Shastorama.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 113px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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Stay tuned for a review of Day 2:<br />
<a href="http://www.wildriverbrewing.com/">Wild River</a>, Grants Pass, Oregon<br />
<a href="http://www.mcmenamins.com/286-roseburg-station-pub-brewery-home">McMenamins Pub</a>, Roseburg, Oregon<br />
<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/amnesia-brewing-portland">Amnesia</a>, Portland, Oregon<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bohemian.com/bohemian/10.05.11/feature-1140.html">Read about us in a recent addition of the North Bay Bohemian issue on Craft Beer</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/vanhoutenbrewing">Find us on Facebook for events and other updates</a>Creek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-62076753730236833142011-06-23T07:08:00.001-07:002011-06-23T07:52:28.242-07:00May 14th Van Houten Beer Tasting in ReviewOk - the good news is we have so much going on that getting to the blogosphere has been delayed! Last month we had a successful semi public tasting event in our backyard beer garden. A collection of old friends and new friends from the beer community and twitterland gathered at our house on a Saturday in May to sample six of Johnny's beers.<br /><br />Johnny outfitted a freezer with built in tap towers and a temperature gauge to transform it into a serious kegerator.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7EpBGQxf9WIu8pVvm_nDo-oGUNXNobCGarLsBtW00vQ2j0m8vZ1xaGLdBECLgZ1pRAzh55-G0u1LzbOSdPkRAa5ZUUyA9dywn2i_FWvqQpWGAs67ppY4l0nnp1T_LpK6IOQOTSzCZgzx/s1600/218669_201700763198973_114504701918580_492574_3173278_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7EpBGQxf9WIu8pVvm_nDo-oGUNXNobCGarLsBtW00vQ2j0m8vZ1xaGLdBECLgZ1pRAzh55-G0u1LzbOSdPkRAa5ZUUyA9dywn2i_FWvqQpWGAs67ppY4l0nnp1T_LpK6IOQOTSzCZgzx/s320/218669_201700763198973_114504701918580_492574_3173278_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621419112690344978" border="0" /></a><br />We debated about whether to give folks feedback forms or surveys, and decided to engage folks about what they were tasting. We served our American Amber, California Common, Belgian Brown, Belgian Dubbel, Pilsner, and Northern English Brown. It was a nice opportunity to talk about beer in general and specific, why we're not filtering, why small batches matter, and to enjoy in the convivial spirit of local beer.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggshWSZX2Vn0fOAPGDlrNZRN79kdFwletkljlyRgBoIraH7Lc6YnY6tKGt6Rz___AzQj2bviMbgHQa7luS-Xl3s9fji9c3_N4ep8vt_ITWBkzQf2D-FGdTAe29O9TCbQudztzg_XWmizv-/s1600/243204_203653549670361_114504701918580_503156_5767498_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggshWSZX2Vn0fOAPGDlrNZRN79kdFwletkljlyRgBoIraH7Lc6YnY6tKGt6Rz___AzQj2bviMbgHQa7luS-Xl3s9fji9c3_N4ep8vt_ITWBkzQf2D-FGdTAe29O9TCbQudztzg_XWmizv-/s320/243204_203653549670361_114504701918580_503156_5767498_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621419924068439970" border="0" /></a><br />We were honored that our fellow-nano brewers Alan, from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.beltanebrewing.blogspot.com">Beltane Brewing</a>, JJ, from <a href="http://petalumahills.com/">Petaluma Hills</a>, and Cathy a brewer out of Novato joined us, as well as our colleague Brian, from <a href="http://www.bayareacraftbeer.com/">bayareacraftbeer.com</a>. Also a delight to meet a few folks from the twittersphere in person.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tncHkWRyESs04dAd3MC-mDnSEy54sF-AdSG7aSzoNqVx3KbWdwwOdZhvxEbwu-bgV14ZI1ut5cPYWbzteaEDqZKSmOKUebfURzZ5yzztj81pPgUopMT5gXVRuAHJd5vc8a4EmiEysFse/s1600/243988_203653686337014_114504701918580_503163_863825_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tncHkWRyESs04dAd3MC-mDnSEy54sF-AdSG7aSzoNqVx3KbWdwwOdZhvxEbwu-bgV14ZI1ut5cPYWbzteaEDqZKSmOKUebfURzZ5yzztj81pPgUopMT5gXVRuAHJd5vc8a4EmiEysFse/s320/243988_203653686337014_114504701918580_503163_863825_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621419912519336674" border="0" /></a><br />People really enjoyed themselves and most found there way to trying all 5 varieties.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNDHmx2igjMcBWvVwIUP62OYk_gDo-CdJ5Cr2HWvTCy2f39eh4FBg8RWqA4tW58WJxuPETZt6VBcP3z65D0pk7KKfzBZ4R3n6Gtk_kRu2FkcC8eCaOuqnqzlqzbmrCcPuIa9rOzttMTlR/s1600/242856_203653646337018_114504701918580_503161_2393615_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNDHmx2igjMcBWvVwIUP62OYk_gDo-CdJ5Cr2HWvTCy2f39eh4FBg8RWqA4tW58WJxuPETZt6VBcP3z65D0pk7KKfzBZ4R3n6Gtk_kRu2FkcC8eCaOuqnqzlqzbmrCcPuIa9rOzttMTlR/s320/242856_203653646337018_114504701918580_503161_2393615_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621421259733540898" border="0" /></a><br />Lots of beer gets paired with heavy pub food, which is often a delight, but with three local cheese companies, we wanted to present an overall delight of the senses with local beer, cheese, bread and fruit.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpK5rHZcjQzxzzI0Sd29Us2zFcm50B_2dL3sCqVOdR5Fo9XrFNydY5tOKRvK9wvh6297lYap6BzhjmJ1AvwaCsg7EYdJ0DkVvjl9foGKx1Xdwa7hsa4avfF9olHpNXwvILuCfvcz7R90H/s1600/221392_203653439670372_114504701918580_503151_4864134_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpK5rHZcjQzxzzI0Sd29Us2zFcm50B_2dL3sCqVOdR5Fo9XrFNydY5tOKRvK9wvh6297lYap6BzhjmJ1AvwaCsg7EYdJ0DkVvjl9foGKx1Xdwa7hsa4avfF9olHpNXwvILuCfvcz7R90H/s320/221392_203653439670372_114504701918580_503151_4864134_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621419919560172898" border="0" /></a><br />It went over rather well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpowqdA7aY2ulSEPCOFc5prgTZfvqGsELDSzYQ95Lfqn_K9bFoUBj6cqHN6nSrjB7-lEYsy0j483sHa71u9x5pXONx1i_iFydXJd_ixiyJ1BKZa6TJfq5tU4wVtS5IO-j9HfCs9XdWHEL0/s1600/240164_203653753003674_114504701918580_503166_6621785_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpowqdA7aY2ulSEPCOFc5prgTZfvqGsELDSzYQ95Lfqn_K9bFoUBj6cqHN6nSrjB7-lEYsy0j483sHa71u9x5pXONx1i_iFydXJd_ixiyJ1BKZa6TJfq5tU4wVtS5IO-j9HfCs9XdWHEL0/s320/240164_203653753003674_114504701918580_503166_6621785_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621419921022564434" border="0" /></a><br />At the end of the day, we tallied up the results and found some interesting information - Lots of people who thought they didn't like dark beers, or light beers etc - liked the Van Houten version. The California Common and Belgian Dubbel were the official winners, but most of them were rated quite well. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nxY1ucfLSixGcCp-uNOdjLaamJibN7_bcaImWwj0dEZXX1KidTLEzhRJYF7vnBNkoJhniAViNc0fRj5yKvtuzfrPx6GIiOun1p7Ta5rIQ3SWAuwCiYsbd3egOCnhUTNFFDyxLR5hMh2g/s1600/tastingresults.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nxY1ucfLSixGcCp-uNOdjLaamJibN7_bcaImWwj0dEZXX1KidTLEzhRJYF7vnBNkoJhniAViNc0fRj5yKvtuzfrPx6GIiOun1p7Ta5rIQ3SWAuwCiYsbd3egOCnhUTNFFDyxLR5hMh2g/s320/tastingresults.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621427088236731042" border="0" /></a><br />Next time - and update on our West Coast Brewery Tour - 19 Breweries in 9 Days!<br /><br />Find us on twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/vanhoutenbrewco">vanhoutenbrewco</a><br />Find us on facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/vanhoutenbrewing">www.facebook.com/vanhoutenbrewing</a><br />Contact us at vanhoutenbrewing(at)gmail(dot)comCreek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-45770062681434492442011-04-27T13:10:00.000-07:002011-04-27T13:37:30.649-07:00A Taste of Van HoutenMy big dreams of blogging about how profound the <a href="http://www.craftbrewersconference.com/">Craft Brewers Conference</a> was for us and all the amazing conversations we had with our new and old friends... Let's just say for now that it was life affirming. The work of making whole beer and weaving community feels important, historical, and borders on the mystic.<br /><br />The conference opening night was at the Academy of Sciences where we drank with the fishes and it was glorious. Someone got a nice photo of me (Creek) and Johnny with our friend, Brian from <a href="http://www.bayareacraftbeer.com/">bayareacraftbeer.com</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1uZAzVwPucIbTT_nWGXr4zltco5yqxoFN2dVeptV33uH1BrKX-oScNshfR9qB6QSbBbyQ6PwJdQouSjmWzUfIAK-6r7DTTEBbtbdk800H4SI5qoosBULtkuDm230Gj4j_TCTFLNyOlqJ/s1600/CBC_vanhoutens.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1uZAzVwPucIbTT_nWGXr4zltco5yqxoFN2dVeptV33uH1BrKX-oScNshfR9qB6QSbBbyQ6PwJdQouSjmWzUfIAK-6r7DTTEBbtbdk800H4SI5qoosBULtkuDm230Gj4j_TCTFLNyOlqJ/s400/CBC_vanhoutens.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600365048653051218" border="0" /></a><br />Well, that energy got diverted into planning our June 2011 West Coast Brewery tour (more later) and getting ready for our May 14th tasting event - our own homage to <a href="http://www.craftbeer.com/pages/news-and-events/american-craft-beer-week">American Craft Beer Week</a>. Space is limited, but anyone in the Bay Area can email us to see if there is space left at vanhoutenbrewing(at)gmail(dot)com<br /><br />We'll have 5 of Johnny's homebrews on tap at the tasting: California Common, Northern English Brown, Belgian Golden, Belgian Dubbel and American Amber Ale. The garden is looking beautiful and it's time to celebrate spring.<br /><br />But first things first -<br />I just finished the coaster design, and approved the proof for our first run.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-mf2tw0AiiVcIzLWugnYGjPIRitea-YNa3JcN9o5tLuoGWBUDSun2rC7_-iilRyjB5UxMYXkwoxRIozLpMZRtzv8-x0kFV3dHvfkNlmye915sNuEu87g8rsHgvV0OuEKCMS3YZX8Q5HB/s1600/coaster_proof.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-mf2tw0AiiVcIzLWugnYGjPIRitea-YNa3JcN9o5tLuoGWBUDSun2rC7_-iilRyjB5UxMYXkwoxRIozLpMZRtzv8-x0kFV3dHvfkNlmye915sNuEu87g8rsHgvV0OuEKCMS3YZX8Q5HB/s400/coaster_proof.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600360128147411778" border="0" /></a><br />See you May 14th!<br /><br />Find us on twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/vanhoutenbrewco">vanhoutenbrewco</a><br />Find us on facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/vanhoutenbrewing">www.facebook.com/vanhoutenbrewing</a><br />Contact us at vanhoutenbrewing(at)gmail(dot)comCreek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-33252344870456202922011-02-16T19:48:00.001-08:002011-02-16T20:26:09.720-08:00Van Houten Brewing Company at Nanobrewery Fest RecapThe <a href="http://www.bayareacraftbeer.com/beer-news/social-kitchen-brewery-host-bay-area-nanobrewing-festival/">Breweries of Tomorrow Nanobrewery Festival</a> at Social Kitchen was nothing short of amazing. We wanted to post a few of our photos and share a bit about our experience. The line was insane - we heard from a few folks that had been at the <a href="http://www.russianriverbrewing.com/pages/brews/limited.html">Russian River Pliny the Younger release</a>, that this line was way longer.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hG1MTvz_i7o4qt1VZeBCbWou6FDXV-cIIjznYH_9krSYTBV0T0fe04J3sxRfQbw_DBJ_UdAE1aClJaC6itOBIeWANP4krlSD-j-mMkVSuE9e2GoVhiybKZ95cYtam9eewkmmP8c0Zn3D/s1600/PICT2855.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hG1MTvz_i7o4qt1VZeBCbWou6FDXV-cIIjznYH_9krSYTBV0T0fe04J3sxRfQbw_DBJ_UdAE1aClJaC6itOBIeWANP4krlSD-j-mMkVSuE9e2GoVhiybKZ95cYtam9eewkmmP8c0Zn3D/s400/PICT2855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574503644497360450" border="0" /></a><br />Johnny brought his California Common (6.8% ABV) as well as a Belgian Golden (4.5% ABV). There are some great strong brews out there, but we're also part of a movement for lower alcohol craft beers you can have more than one (or two) of. Johnny had a nice chat with Joe Tucker, of <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/">Ratebeer.com</a> about session beers - which the <a href="http://sessionbeerproject.blogspot.com/2011/02/interesting-trends-on-west-coast.html">Session Beer Project</a> also blogged about.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoeW-nj-IcQ2aeTGu-P6wIsBTXTHW-qwBtPzv_8XvuFuVG7jIxE34TF4STk98MkNoyIbVccGQ1ms3r_S3ygWwepaAojyiO4t3iFfRL3DXmxWbRBCKclojLslO53D0xZxqByQGwTSlvSWW/s1600/PICT2843.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoeW-nj-IcQ2aeTGu-P6wIsBTXTHW-qwBtPzv_8XvuFuVG7jIxE34TF4STk98MkNoyIbVccGQ1ms3r_S3ygWwepaAojyiO4t3iFfRL3DXmxWbRBCKclojLslO53D0xZxqByQGwTSlvSWW/s400/PICT2843.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574500767474602722" border="0" /></a><br />Brian, of <a href="http://bayareacraftbeer.com/">Bayareacraftbeer.com</a> is at left, and Social Kitchen's brewer, Rich is behind the bar on the right. These two were the main organizers and did a steller job. Brian posted some fabulous photos and a nice article, <a href="http://www.bayareacraftbeer.com/events/breweries-of-tomorrow-nanobrewery-festival-recap-2011/">Little Breweries Draw Big Crowd</a>.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-QMDK4mZR0-vvJWN7olUou8rQSjADLEfMKNaLJQ4JyUngMOzg1cJeeWhRgaYYVtrarnoBtAKOzFr4hme0vlCWUIpd_rG_Gxy-usk2ahqIoS9j35zl5VjaAaQrkV5MvX-vxqPxDXaLZ_k/s1600/PICT2840.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-QMDK4mZR0-vvJWN7olUou8rQSjADLEfMKNaLJQ4JyUngMOzg1cJeeWhRgaYYVtrarnoBtAKOzFr4hme0vlCWUIpd_rG_Gxy-usk2ahqIoS9j35zl5VjaAaQrkV5MvX-vxqPxDXaLZ_k/s400/PICT2840.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574500764132786834" border="0" /></a><br />Here are a few of the fabulous folks from fellow breweries we met. Above is Antony and Caroline Field from <a href="http://bosworthbrewery.com/">Bosworth Brewing</a> and Alan Altha from <a href="http://www.beltanebrewing.blogspot.com/">Beltane Brewing</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2-W44S2oh2FFLFr7vVt072Gf-kg0bS3oykFGzz0t20I2ZDk5M5BOmDG6aF7moHbc2lVVvIOq357F_o4DETV9rG6ML4nMIMcSQTeJhYI-bNqDkOeUIxeOGx_cYRhHe8pWXtHGLEbc654_/s1600/PICT2848.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2-W44S2oh2FFLFr7vVt072Gf-kg0bS3oykFGzz0t20I2ZDk5M5BOmDG6aF7moHbc2lVVvIOq357F_o4DETV9rG6ML4nMIMcSQTeJhYI-bNqDkOeUIxeOGx_cYRhHe8pWXtHGLEbc654_/s400/PICT2848.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574506547751374146" border="0" /></a><br />Above - bay area nanobrewers from <a href="http://bosworthbrewery.com/">Bosworth Brewing</a>, <a href="http://www.beltanebrewing.blogspot.com/">Beltane Brewing</a>, <a href="http://pacbrewlab.blogspot.com/">Pacific Brew Labs</a> , <a href="http://petalumahills.com/">Petaluma Hills Brewing</a> and <a href="http://www.510brewing.com/">510 Brewing</a> gather before the event begins. <a href="http://elizabethstreetbrewery.com/">Elizabeth Street Brewery</a> and <a href="http://localbrewingco.com/LBC/welcome.html">Local Brewing Co.</a> were also in the house.<br /><br />Brian of <a href="http://bayareacraftbeer.com/">bayareacraftbeer.com </a>put together a nice collage of the logos of all the nanobreweries involved. He is awesome.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFliz-YHUq6QsOzk5-tt3KYIAEFnkWdsV7YHhCn3vrpeB8jz4KfPGJdR4LQFlEkkOHKL1jzz9kiV1xNuXxjG6ku0CF9exfyjJWmTly5whXj25nXNOz4MYafhT7tjgJqjSH4uyvt18Xj6z/s1600/breweries-of-tomorrow-logos.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 351px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFliz-YHUq6QsOzk5-tt3KYIAEFnkWdsV7YHhCn3vrpeB8jz4KfPGJdR4LQFlEkkOHKL1jzz9kiV1xNuXxjG6ku0CF9exfyjJWmTly5whXj25nXNOz4MYafhT7tjgJqjSH4uyvt18Xj6z/s400/breweries-of-tomorrow-logos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574504542158542290" border="0" /></a>We were pretty thrilled to get the positive feedback at the event and just as satisfying was meeting a group of colleagues and peers to share ideas with. We all have a lot to learn from each other.<br /><br />There are other good write-ups at <a href="http://www.bayareacraftbeer.com/events/breweries-of-tomorrow-nanobrewery-festival-recap-2011/">bayareacraftbeer.com</a> and <a href="http://yetanotherbeershow.com/2011/02/sf-beer-week-nano-brews">yetanotherbeershow.com<br /></a><br />Next step for the Van Houtens is the <a href="http://www.craftbrewersconference.com/">Craft Brewers Conference</a> next month in San Francisco!<br /><br />Thanks again to Brians of <a href="http://alloverbeer.com/">AllOverBeer.com</a> and <a href="http://www.bayareacraftbeer.com/">www.bayareacraftbeer.com</a> and our friends at Social Kitchen & Brewery for their work!<br /><br /> Find us on twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/vanhoutenbrewco">vanhoutenbrewco</a><br />Find us on facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/vanhoutenbrewing">www.facebook.com/vanhoutenbrewing</a><br />Contact us at vanhoutenbrewing(at)gmail(dot)comCreek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-83108674141937801292011-02-10T19:01:00.000-08:002011-02-10T19:30:12.736-08:00Van Houten Brewing Co's First Public PourDuring to a few fortunate run-ins with Richard of <a href="http://elizabethstreetbrewery.com/">Elizabeth Street Brewery</a> at <a href="http://www.citybeerstore.com/">City Beer</a> and <a href="http://millvalleybeerworks.com/">Mill Valley Beer Works</a>, we were invited to pour at his annual Super Bowl party. We felt honored to pour alongside <a href="http://elizabethstreetbrewery.com/">Elizabeth Street Brewery</a> and <a href="http://pacbrewlab.blogspot.com/">Pacific Brewing Laboratory.</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGwoZexNYzB1hNStl4yluk8OAye5Z6xKZkAkc2B0hb6q2EJGpESR6dNtLHwm_24Gb5NDJisIZlq1-rhyphenhyphenzODqLEdWgm4DJEbPg81P-LYTvS2BI18KQluy6AeMH6XzIHQgGOcvE8CQLUi7x/s1600/PICT2668.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGwoZexNYzB1hNStl4yluk8OAye5Z6xKZkAkc2B0hb6q2EJGpESR6dNtLHwm_24Gb5NDJisIZlq1-rhyphenhyphenzODqLEdWgm4DJEbPg81P-LYTvS2BI18KQluy6AeMH6XzIHQgGOcvE8CQLUi7x/s400/PICT2668.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572265283014790034" border="0" /></a><br />Johnny brought his Northern English Brown Ale and his California Common and folks seemed to really enjoy. It is good to get good feedback from lots of people you don't know. Our banner also got its first use, and a christening of beer spills from happy homebrew drinkers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jhcefeuDjep74SNSpo9SyOqo2AXNsHcvMjFJiRgLjUvgI_9YzLhkGixj33Lhxtekq2MhAw1sbPB5F3Ic_0upiaxt7Zg5rR1rSqYsYxY1qwWETw3PYwmYrQG31wIZnoEEEHO9VHI9PShL/s1600/PICT2676.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jhcefeuDjep74SNSpo9SyOqo2AXNsHcvMjFJiRgLjUvgI_9YzLhkGixj33Lhxtekq2MhAw1sbPB5F3Ic_0upiaxt7Zg5rR1rSqYsYxY1qwWETw3PYwmYrQG31wIZnoEEEHO9VHI9PShL/s400/PICT2676.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572265293120386626" border="0" /></a><br />The people who have gathered around the phenomenon that is Elizabeth Street Brewing is amazing. Neighbors who donated chairs for the day. Friendly strangers who read about Richard on the internet or twitter. Old friends and colleagues from the beer world and every sort of connection. The folks at <a href="http://www.smokebbqsf.com/">Smoke BBQ SF</a> donated ribs, and the potluck delicacies were nearly endless.<br /><br />And the place is amazing. Richard's clever wife Alyson set up a "While you were out" home installation reality tv show extravaganza a few years back and they came and set up a mini home pub - the home brewers dream.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEkB7l5KvK4iIzQUOWSkx9i8m2PYRvHpIJe-Az8zQAzVXnNLN7E0xZ9NeF-E5EhiGvUt2EWgiCWQtmXWSKypF4gpuKIY4Aj61c4sGg5jl9jAF4T-He75UCElkrcD8bn33_FbDyPN0KCAB/s1600/PICT2672.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEkB7l5KvK4iIzQUOWSkx9i8m2PYRvHpIJe-Az8zQAzVXnNLN7E0xZ9NeF-E5EhiGvUt2EWgiCWQtmXWSKypF4gpuKIY4Aj61c4sGg5jl9jAF4T-He75UCElkrcD8bn33_FbDyPN0KCAB/s400/PICT2672.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572265289506398834" border="0" /></a><br />Alyson made this beer bottle mosaic window, which is awesome.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoj7vV57OxJOF6LALsGiFlz-3ftFFoqYSh1p9ETxawXt3h8u3kaoguQ3VYqTTaH9USNt-6wizhmuw5hqIESBWXwRIrPwT9iqeHQ9exSYEqGJcuYkWC5W8feu2Ook6JfKTmwBQvXr8FIzY3/s1600/PICT2673.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoj7vV57OxJOF6LALsGiFlz-3ftFFoqYSh1p9ETxawXt3h8u3kaoguQ3VYqTTaH9USNt-6wizhmuw5hqIESBWXwRIrPwT9iqeHQ9exSYEqGJcuYkWC5W8feu2Ook6JfKTmwBQvXr8FIzY3/s400/PICT2673.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572265294893964450" border="0" /></a><br />It was definitely a highlight of the year for us - but we suspect the <a href="http://www.bayareacraftbeer.com/beer-news/social-kitchen-brewery-host-bay-area-nanobrewing-festival/">SF Beerweek Nanobrewery Festival</a> at the Social Kitchen will also be pretty fabulous. Hope to see folks on Sunday at the Social Kitchen.<br /><div class="location-info"> <h3> Breweries of Tomorrow Nanobrewery Festival </h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivERkjgDeI81nWOfbCrxDorK83Mo-kptdljwDi_qHLaH-CZsPC_edhZVuAKBjjF0pW9N4rWWO7U52DwZNWjA7q8uTb3GnQ82OKexDrimRmFMZAYzvHR0FiAwvNYQBVCvlfIZDuwP3NTa2P/s1600/nanofest.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivERkjgDeI81nWOfbCrxDorK83Mo-kptdljwDi_qHLaH-CZsPC_edhZVuAKBjjF0pW9N4rWWO7U52DwZNWjA7q8uTb3GnQ82OKexDrimRmFMZAYzvHR0FiAwvNYQBVCvlfIZDuwP3NTa2P/s400/nanofest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572268919998253826" border="0" /></a><br /> February 13 from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm<br /></div> <div class="event-details"><div class="times"><p>at the <a href="http://www.socialbrewsf.com/">Social Kitchen and Brewery</a>, 1326 9th Ave. San Francisco, CA 94122<br /></p></div><p>Admission: $15 for keepsake glass, 2 SKB drafts, and lots of nanobrews. SKB's food will be available for purchase, too, should you get munchy. <a href="http://www.sfbeerweek.org/schedule?day=13&region=All">(more info</a>)<br /></p> </div> <div class="description"> <p>Join <a href="http://www.socialbrewsf.com/">SKB</a> and <a href="http://alloverbeer.com/">AllOverBeer.com</a> to try the beers of and toast the brewers looking to quit their day jobs, such as <a href="http://elizabethstreetbrewery.com/">Elizabeth St. Brewery</a>, <a href="http://www.vanhoutenbrewing.com/">Van Houten Brewing Co.</a>, <a href="http://vanhoutenbrewing.blogspot.com/www.localbrewingco.com">Local Brewing Co.</a>, <a href="http://pacbrewlab.blogspot.com/">Pacific Brew Labs</a>, <a href="http://bosworthbrewery.com/">Bosworth Brewery</a>, <a href="http://beltanebrewing.blogspot.com/">Beltane Brewing</a>, <a href="http://petalumahills.com/">Petaluma Hills</a>, <a href="http://www.510brewing.com/">510 Brewing</a>, and others.<br /></p><p>Thanks to Brians of <a href="http://alloverbeer.com/">AllOverBeer.com</a> and <a href="http://www.bayareacraftbeer.com/">www.bayareacraftbeer.com</a> and our friends at Social Kitchen & Brewery for their work!<br /></p> </div>Find us on twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/vanhoutenbrewco">vanhoutenbrewco</a><br />Find us on facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/vanhoutenbrewing">www.facebook.com/vanhoutenbrewing</a><br />Contact us at vanhoutenbrewing(at)gmail(dot)comCreek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-89640143429467698222011-01-20T08:42:00.000-08:002011-01-20T09:00:44.376-08:00Van Houten Brewing Co. at SF Beerweek Nanobrewery Festival!After drawing a sample out of one of the fermentors this morning, Johnny is pretty pleased with how the California Common is coming along. For those that don't yet know, we'll be pouring in public for the first time during SF Beer Week at the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Breweries of Tomorrow Nanobrewery Festival </span>at <a href="http://www.socialbrewsf.com/">Social Kitchen & Brewery</a>!<br /><br />Come visit and taste our beer at our first public event :<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwuDwqpLK6705SC4Wpl5VbwFNMVRkjcDyCy6b_H41oYlbzB5NvfvDnkzsr312yspnUdV-QZjrLIXV4U7GpFdHbdis5d1BdaM8NdP16W7T80_sTVgkL9kfBEu1BmDUvHaKCTUyvACdPCyf/s1600/SF-Beer-Week.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwuDwqpLK6705SC4Wpl5VbwFNMVRkjcDyCy6b_H41oYlbzB5NvfvDnkzsr312yspnUdV-QZjrLIXV4U7GpFdHbdis5d1BdaM8NdP16W7T80_sTVgkL9kfBEu1BmDUvHaKCTUyvACdPCyf/s400/SF-Beer-Week.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564311333138884578" border="0" /></a></p><div class="location-info"> <h3> Breweries of Tomorrow Nanobrewery Festival </h3></div> <div class="event-details"> <div class="times"><p>February 13 from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm<br />at the <a href="http://www.socialbrewsf.com/">Social Kitchen and Brewery</a>, 1326 9th Ave. San Francisco, CA 94122<br /></p></div><p>Admission: $15 for keepsake glass, 2 SKB drafts, and lots of nanobrews. SKB's food will be available for purchase, too, should you get munchy. <a href="http://www.sfbeerweek.org/schedule?day=13&region=All">(more info</a>)<br /></p> </div> <div class="description"> <p>Join <a href="http://www.socialbrewsf.com/">SKB</a> and <a href="http://alloverbeer.com/">AllOverBeer.com</a> to try the beers of and toast the brewers looking to quit their day jobs, such as <a href="http://elizabethstreetbrewery.com/">Elizabeth St. Brewery</a>, <a href="http://www.vanhoutenbrewing.com">Van Houten Brewing Co.</a>, <a href="www.localbrewingco.com">Local Brewing Co.</a>, <a href="http://pacbrewlab.blogspot.com/">Pacific Brew Labs</a>, <a href="http://bosworthbrewery.com/">Bosworth Brewery</a>, <a href="http://beltanebrewing.blogspot.com/">Beltane Brewing</a>, <a href="http://petalumahills.com">Petaluma Hills</a>, <a href="http://www.510brewing.com/">510 Brewing</a>, and others.<br /></p><p>Thanks to Brians of <a href="http://alloverbeer.com/">AllOverBeer.com</a> and <a href="http://www.bayareacraftbeer.com/">www.bayareacraftbeer.com</a> and our friends at Social Kitchen & Brewery for their work!<br /></p> </div>Find us on twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/vanhoutenbrewco">vanhoutenbrewco</a><br />Find us on facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/vanhoutenbrewing">www.facebook.com/vanhoutenbrewing</a><br />Contact us at vanhoutenbrewing(at)gmail(dot)comCreek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-68891532316860744042010-12-28T09:03:00.000-08:002010-12-28T09:11:52.575-08:00Tweaking the Northern English Brown Made some changes to the Northern English brown ale. I made a few rest adjustments, as per Griz’s suggestions, and I’ve lowered the final gravity into a range more appropriate to the style.<br /><br />The result is a much more dry flavor and it lets the E Kent Goldings through a little more. I’ve also been oaking half of my batches with oak chips, with good results. The oak adds another layer of flavor and depth. It’s particularly fun to run a glass of oaked and un-oaked ale and taste them side by side.<br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIr0tu-5zvsKBd55WCrmZgZeJjCwJ8TvOxSO2pVuuivIsLayTXS0sMVi7UFwCdKxnCatekeW5o0T_rD-OiA4BAjhx-68dsSood-Rhtu4sn9i56waH7vU5ImyLFmPBlrVUGiK-Lt4x2gn1y/s1600/PICT1369.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIr0tu-5zvsKBd55WCrmZgZeJjCwJ8TvOxSO2pVuuivIsLayTXS0sMVi7UFwCdKxnCatekeW5o0T_rD-OiA4BAjhx-68dsSood-Rhtu4sn9i56waH7vU5ImyLFmPBlrVUGiK-Lt4x2gn1y/s400/PICT1369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555780249060214242" border="0" /></a></p><br />I’m not sure how authentic the flavor added by the chips is, though I’ll bet it’s close to actual barrel flavor. As it turns out, the chips are gathered from the barrel-making process and are toasted with the barrel in a perforated can. It’s not clear if there is any residual oak sugar still in the chips, as they’ve never been exposed to alcohol before. A little research is in order.<br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOek77DGHP9HacECxvkWcwm0ToruRsfzXjJ35omS0O_ahmkLRGgf141HhQrcqbLNohhCvWpY5Jz1W93hWFk_uoEowt_uiz8axPN7u0Nu-Rp-NMe0QngO4yvxP6uK2ckLZ8IA_LBXU60p5/s1600/PICT1372.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOek77DGHP9HacECxvkWcwm0ToruRsfzXjJ35omS0O_ahmkLRGgf141HhQrcqbLNohhCvWpY5Jz1W93hWFk_uoEowt_uiz8axPN7u0Nu-Rp-NMe0QngO4yvxP6uK2ckLZ8IA_LBXU60p5/s400/PICT1372.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555780251938438802" border="0" /></a></p><br />Find us on twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/vanhoutenbrewco">vanhoutenbrewco</a><p class="MsoNormal">Find us on facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/vanhoutenbrewing">www.facebook.com/vanhoutenbrewing</a></p>Creek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-55089351743030135632010-10-26T17:43:00.000-07:002010-10-26T18:35:48.027-07:00Metal Spinning, Chinchillas, and the Beer InfochartFirst - a quick brewing update:<br /><br />It is a joy for Johnny to have the pilot equipment up and running. The machining is truly beautiful, and I have a soft spot for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_spinning">metal spinning</a> involved, probably because my dad spins metal chinchilla exercise wheels, yeah, you heard me...<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_spinning">Metal Spinning</a>, which is basically the equivalent of working with metal on a potters wheel, is useful for making fancy cookware, fermenter tops, rocket cones, and rodent exercise equipment. Check out my dad's website and the <a href="http://www.chin-chillas.com/">Flying Saucer Chinchilla Exercise Wheel</a> site - which includes a video of the wheel in action.<br /><br />Many of us have seen the awesome <a href="http://popchartlab.com/index.php/poster_detail/grand_taxonomy_of_rap_names/">Grand Taxonomy of Rap Names</a> from the intensely clever folks at <a href="http://popchartlab.com/">Pop Chart Lab</a>. Now beer geeks can appreciate the <a href="http://popchartlab.com/index.php/poster_detail/the_very_many_varieties_of_beer/">Many Varieties of Beer</a> poster. Created by Brooklyn-based kickass designer <a href="http://www.ben-gibson.com/">Ben Gibson</a> and book editor Patrick Mulligan. Gibson's work is quite spectacular.<br /><br /><a href="http://popchartlab.com/index.php/poster_detail/the_very_many_varieties_of_beer/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhfDGkAkXHdFnWD8hqF7q4QrypK3ul_C9W04sAmA6et6Ah-8HEexzVRLjg8fy8f4nq8ma9VWf2q4fheO69rql-LvsznsBKS3c_9MB9G38HB2_OFmyJqAZpZtexlAOS-GkrVn_2lNsNX8e/s400/beer-chart-full.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532521239273836498" border="0" /></a><a href="http://popchartlab.com/index.php/poster_detail/the_very_many_varieties_of_beer/">You can get it for yerself at their website.</a><br /><br />They also just came out with a<a href="http://popchartlab.com/index.php/site/shirts/"> t-shirt version</a>, also at their site.Creek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-52015202160766973382010-10-14T14:27:00.001-07:002010-10-14T16:15:22.438-07:00The Brew Sculpture has Landed!Our pilot brew sculpture from <a href="http://morebeer.com/">More Beer</a> arrived!!!! It is beautiful. Johnny had a really good conversation with the guys at More Beer, one of whom got teary when Johnny was telling him about how he and his dad started brewing on their brew sculptures almost ten years ago.<br /><br />This means the beginning of phase II - pilot brewing while we finalize paperwork and logistics, which means there are still an undetermined number of phases ahead, but we are well on our way :)<br /><br />It cannot be said these photos are amazing, but they give you an idea.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MbxcHOkG8jFtQFOI39xwFipP21JMau8w_ireSvlrnHDjq6p9xMhEuf17wWZeiSzhdhTMWQFF0LKuytPh4myv4_T2-8X7izEYsz6C8ALM_37Uxc_PhozZA1kB0dqBvsknA8LRGlvlyY71/s1600/PICT9893.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MbxcHOkG8jFtQFOI39xwFipP21JMau8w_ireSvlrnHDjq6p9xMhEuf17wWZeiSzhdhTMWQFF0LKuytPh4myv4_T2-8X7izEYsz6C8ALM_37Uxc_PhozZA1kB0dqBvsknA8LRGlvlyY71/s320/PICT9893.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528017585056463538" border="0" /></a><br />The control panel has several very satisfying lights and knobs, and comes complete with personalized engraving. A personalized brew-sculture - this is true happiness.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbJHxyhYMTmmANcyeK4NwCV4fobhT0Xb0gRR29OgbDNHyXPwBLzTm9OrQaQ-Rl5xGC-68UTwjZls7J8SE3wwJLmfiFkrx_9TOGNg935OEd4k96wS6ptEvRALyDscDA6suR_vOIEcyfHzk/s1600/PICT9900.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbJHxyhYMTmmANcyeK4NwCV4fobhT0Xb0gRR29OgbDNHyXPwBLzTm9OrQaQ-Rl5xGC-68UTwjZls7J8SE3wwJLmfiFkrx_9TOGNg935OEd4k96wS6ptEvRALyDscDA6suR_vOIEcyfHzk/s320/PICT9900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528017596774461506" border="0" /></a><br />This one is from the folks at <a href="http://morebeer.com/">Morebeer.com </a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrz8cgglH6aOwzPhpz4dT2MLQm8CLFU5eQAr9c4eolk4kRfU166lH9AfM9K1CHxVHXi4StF1RItslhvV3jVa8DSi0J6_GDn8XiNS_vdxEjhyphenhyphenKHwEF1dqBNl7oLXd3KXcI8mLoiwHH6oll/s1600/2050ssdigi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrz8cgglH6aOwzPhpz4dT2MLQm8CLFU5eQAr9c4eolk4kRfU166lH9AfM9K1CHxVHXi4StF1RItslhvV3jVa8DSi0J6_GDn8XiNS_vdxEjhyphenhyphenKHwEF1dqBNl7oLXd3KXcI8mLoiwHH6oll/s320/2050ssdigi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528018531373896914" border="0" /></a><br />He'll be brewing on it for the first time this weekend - we'll keep you posted.<br /><br /><a href="http://facebook.com/vanhoutenbrewing"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Find us on Facebook</span></a>Creek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-17954491362946216082010-10-12T22:24:00.000-07:002010-10-12T22:34:29.764-07:00Conical fermenter has arrivedAs we mentioned a few weeks ago, the conical fermenter from <a href="http://morebeer.com/">More Beer,</a> is done and Johnny picked it up. It is shiny and beautifully machined. Right now while we get everything sorted, we are just brewing unoffficially as homebrewers. Selling beer seems a while off yet, but each step brings us closer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYwq6eemTYDPF6G43SuQFSKuIQut79LWlumQxRhQ1HJPZUn9s1QwZXOcV-kOKR9qrGe4tErZkM7kBB1Y2DWsIpG_A-XjjsvKPncDSa1K8nBpQJpIFq5bIHmFxG9FbBfA1jdRYJ2XVI6n9/s1600/PICT9331.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYwq6eemTYDPF6G43SuQFSKuIQut79LWlumQxRhQ1HJPZUn9s1QwZXOcV-kOKR9qrGe4tErZkM7kBB1Y2DWsIpG_A-XjjsvKPncDSa1K8nBpQJpIFq5bIHmFxG9FbBfA1jdRYJ2XVI6n9/s400/PICT9331.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527398224422789330" border="0" /></a><br />These first few moments were very exciting for both of us!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9iA7gAuJN4u__KwzHYVp1rulkJtI_jFQKJU4nELQr36w0HkT097FltWo3LLzftbsqlEDolb79MKtWIFTYAsBez6Bf0DHfZxSAQvL6HWdtcy1SjH3-zMwYAR0c6fkJDDPuhRFJqqM3bNS/s1600/PICT9332.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9iA7gAuJN4u__KwzHYVp1rulkJtI_jFQKJU4nELQr36w0HkT097FltWo3LLzftbsqlEDolb79MKtWIFTYAsBez6Bf0DHfZxSAQvL6HWdtcy1SjH3-zMwYAR0c6fkJDDPuhRFJqqM3bNS/s400/PICT9332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527398228122173842" border="0" /></a><br />The brew sculpture is next!!!Creek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-30433534321032464142010-09-26T20:05:00.001-07:002010-09-26T20:07:20.750-07:00I am a Craft BrewerMany of you may have seen this already, but it's both cheesy and inspiring :) It does make us feel we are part of a movement..<br /><br /><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ev5OZS75qaY?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ev5OZS75qaY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object><br /><br />From the <a href="http://www.youtube.com">youtube </a>site:<br /><p id="eow-description">"I Am A Craft Brewer" is a collaborative video representing the camaraderie, character and integrity of the American Craft Brewing movement. Created by Greg Koch, CEO of the Stone Brewing Co. and Chris & Jared of Redtail Media...and more than 35 amazing craft brewers from all over the country. The video was shown to a packed audience of 1700 craft brewers and industry members at the 2009 Craft Brewers Conference as an introduction to Greg's Keynote Speech entitled "Be Remarkable: Collaboration Ethics Camaraderie Passion." As is tradition for the CBC Keynote, a toast to the audience was offered. This time, the beers offered for the toast were all collaboratively brewed craft beers including Isabella Proximus, Collaboration Not Litigation, AleSmith/Mikkeller/Stone Belgian Style Triple, Jolly Pumpkin/Nøgne-Ø/Stone Special Holiday Ale, and 2009 Symposium Ale "Audacity of Hops."</p>Creek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-39053998553496441482010-09-22T15:57:00.000-07:002010-09-22T16:22:18.473-07:00Van Houten Brewing Equipment UpdateIt took us about a week to get in touch with the guys at <a href="http://www.morebeer.com/">More Beer</a> - what with the wine crush and all, they are drowning in home winemakers. But - we got news that our conical fermenter is ready for pickup and the beer sculpture will be available in early October.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7RKA8ece9oX_QaZ9IubnUHjwun49v14mbflsmX0_Zl6nIQrYbmb-r32LraEgSbj4h2GoZis0RHCJ6cyI0XGy71DGtHzbToMUdo94RGJjsv2QknNjn_34ofGbk-hU2mUnCBKqF1d1Cw4/s1600/fermenter.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7RKA8ece9oX_QaZ9IubnUHjwun49v14mbflsmX0_Zl6nIQrYbmb-r32LraEgSbj4h2GoZis0RHCJ6cyI0XGy71DGtHzbToMUdo94RGJjsv2QknNjn_34ofGbk-hU2mUnCBKqF1d1Cw4/s320/fermenter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519877113504512018" border="0" /></a>Johnny is chomping at the bit for his new equipment!Van Houten Brewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101936109589572440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-80573110307485333172010-09-22T14:54:00.000-07:002010-09-22T16:15:28.185-07:00New Logo in development<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It's important to have an good logo, but we're not quite ready to invest in a designer when we're still buying equipment. So, in the meanwhile, we're working with the skills we have. Those who know us, know our love for Holland and being Dutch. But, perhaps what is most important, is the deep respect the Dutch have for relaxation, life balance, and friendship - of which beer is certainly a part.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ESC2eKt56xC9FnrtWIpYsP10uwfiJKsaz4lowkqhJvoGIdJ66NipuFAQrdpXaitLPXY0a_6k1VNyycPfwRUb2vTKEiR7r6M9yjYLnjlRx4eWoWfavZHdYTop5wkrVIs4v_maBBC5ik/s1600/windmill_card.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ESC2eKt56xC9FnrtWIpYsP10uwfiJKsaz4lowkqhJvoGIdJ66NipuFAQrdpXaitLPXY0a_6k1VNyycPfwRUb2vTKEiR7r6M9yjYLnjlRx4eWoWfavZHdYTop5wkrVIs4v_maBBC5ik/s320/windmill_card.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519869261742114898" border="0" /></a> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">So - thanks to Public Domain and the passage of time, we're borrowing one of my favorite etchings from Rembrandt for a while. Both Johnny and I have stood in front of this etching for long stretches of time - marveling at this strange man's talents. At the </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://www.blogger.com/www.rembrandthuis.nl">Rembrandt House Museum</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, you can stand in his studio and witness for yourself the persistent northern light that transcended his work.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJcQfiCkny4X5nT5TkUMgSRvC2sEof8OUuyz9RC6oLiFgdHLY-qvpzYsvqYMg88QOwuME9dbqGrC_P6EvfQdy734DkVzmCv6QnJogGkTVumr-6RZYu1-VM0sJ4wqoqlNZcx8iqEOPlcY/s1600/VanHoutenBrewing.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 393px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJcQfiCkny4X5nT5TkUMgSRvC2sEof8OUuyz9RC6oLiFgdHLY-qvpzYsvqYMg88QOwuME9dbqGrC_P6EvfQdy734DkVzmCv6QnJogGkTVumr-6RZYu1-VM0sJ4wqoqlNZcx8iqEOPlcY/s400/VanHoutenBrewing.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519864651865193746" border="0" /></a>Van Houten Brewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101936109589572440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-11453727194231602062010-09-22T14:37:00.000-07:002010-09-22T16:14:16.514-07:00List of California Craft Breweries<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times;">This list is courtesy of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.ratebeer.com"><span style="color:blue;">ratebeer.com</span></a>'s <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/breweries/brewers-directory-5-213.htm"><span style="color:blue;">directory of California craft breweries</span></a>. It seems to be pretty up to date. Most of these folks are brewpubs, though there are folks like <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.healdsburgbeerco.com"><span style="color:blue;">Healdsburg Beer Co</span></a>., <a href="http://www.moonlightbrewing.com/"><span style="color:blue;">Moonlight Brewing Co.</span></a>, and <a href="http://hessbrewing.com/"><span style="color:blue;">Hess Brewing</span></a> - doing the brewing without the pub.<b> </b>This list does not include the smaller nanobreweries in planning...that's for another entry.</span><b style=""><span style=";font-family:Times;font-size:24pt;" ></span></b></p><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >California Craft Brewers & Brewpubs</span><br /></span><style>@font-face { font-family: "Times"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }h1 { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 24pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }a:link, span.MsoHyperlink { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }span.Heading1Char { font-family: Times; font-weight: bold; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style=";font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/21st-amendment-brewery/1391/">21st Amendment Brewery</a>, San Francisco<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/5-points-brewing-company/11855/">5 Points Brewing Company</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/airdale-brewing-company/9800/">Airdale Brewing Company</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/alcatraz-brewing/11144/">Alcatraz Brewing</a>, Orange<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/ale-industries/10397/">Ale Industries</a>, Concord<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/alesmith-brewing-company/432/">AleSmith Brewing Company</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/alpine-beer-company-ca/2776/">Alpine Beer Company (CA)</a>, Alpine<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/alpine-village-hofbrau/1902/">Alpine Village Hofbrau</a>, Torrance<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/anacapa-brewing-company/5873/">Anacapa Brewing Company</a>, Ventura<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/anchor-brewing-company/11/">Anchor Brewing Company</a>, San Francisco<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/anderson-valley-brewing-company/60/">Anderson Valley Brewing Company</a>, Boonville<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/angel-city-brewing-company/433/">Angel City Brewing Company</a>, Torrance<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/auburn-alehouse-ca/8572/">Auburn Alehouse (CA)</a>, Auburn<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/babes-bar-b-que-grill-brewhouse/624/">Babes Bar-B-Que Grill & Brewhouse</a>, Rancho Mirage<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/back-street-brewery-irvine/10163/">Back Street Brewery (Irvine)</a>, Irvine<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/back-street-brewery-la-quinta/11892/">Back Street Brewery (La Quinta)</a>, La Quinta<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/back-street-brewery-vista/9554/">Back Street Brewery (Vista)</a>, Vista<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/back-street-brewery-ladera-ranch/9719/">Back Street Brewery (Ladera Ranch)</a>, Ladera Ranch<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/back-street-brewery-yorba-linda/3163/">Back Street Brewery (Yorba Linda)</a>, Yorba Linda<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/ballast-point-brewing-company/434/">Ballast Point Brewing Company</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/bargetto-winery/2465/">Bargetto Winery</a>, Soquel<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/bayhawk-ales/1261/">Bayhawk Ales</a>, Irvine<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/beach-chalet-brewery/447/">Beach Chalet Brewery</a>, San Francisco<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/bear-republic-brewing-company/284/">Bear Republic Brewing Company</a>, Healdsburg<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/bears-lair/6432/">Bears Lair</a>, Berkeley<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/beekman-beekman/10907/">Beekman & Beekman</a>, Hughson<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/beermanns-beerwerks-brewery/1260/">Beermanns Beerwerks Brewery</a>, Lincoln<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/belmont-brewing-company/450/">Belmont Brewing Company</a>, Long Beach<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/beverly-hills-beerhouse-company/11988/">Beverly Hills Beerhouse Company</a>, Brisbane<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/big-bear-mountain-brewery/4060/">Big Bear Mountain Brewery</a>, Big Bear Lake<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/bison-brewing-company/244/">Bison Brewing Company</a>, Berkeley<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/black-diamond-brewing-company/452/">Black Diamond Brewing Company</a>, Walnut Creek<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/black-market-brewing/10175/">Black Market Brewing</a>, Temecula<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/blind-lady-ale-house/10173/">Blind Lady Ale House</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/blue-frog-grog-and-grill/1659/">Blue Frog Grog and Grill</a>, Fairfield<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/bonaventure-brewing-company/4112/">Bonaventure Brewing Company</a>, Los Angeles<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/bonnema-brewing-co/321/">Bonnema Brewing Co.</a>, Atascadero<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/bootleggers-brewery/9483/">Bootleggers Brewery</a>, Fullerton<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/boulder-creek-brewing-co/3230/">Boulder Creek Brewing Co.</a>, Boulder Creek<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/breakwater-brewing-company/10252/">Breakwater Brewing Company</a>, Oceanside<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/brew-it-up/3495/">Brew It Up!</a>, Sacramento<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/brewbakers-brewing-company/390/">Brewbakers Brewing Company</a>, Huntington Beach<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/brewbakers-brewing-company-visalia/10639/">Brewbakers Brewing Company (Visalia)</a>, Visalia<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/broken-drum-brewery/5904/">Broken Drum Brewery</a>, San Rafael<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/brouwerij-west/12060/">Brouwerij West</a>, Palos Verdes<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/buffalo-bills-brewery/789/">Buffalo Bills Brewery</a>, Hayward<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/butte-creek-brewing-company/36/">Butte Creek Brewing Company</a>, Chico<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/california-brewing-co/11243/">California Brewing Co.</a>, Redding<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/california-cider-company/523/">California Cider Company</a>, Sebastopol<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/callahans-pub-brewery/3148/">Callahans Pub & Brewery</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/capistrano-brewing-company/6371/">Capistrano Brewing Company</a>, San Juan Capistrano<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/central-coast-brewing/5160/">Central Coast Brewing</a>, San Luis Obispo<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/chappell-brewery/11869/">Chappell Brewery</a>, Mariposa<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/chico-brewhouse/3946/">Chico Brewhouse</a>, Chico<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/cismontane-brewing/11518/">Cismontane Brewing</a>, Rancho Santa Margarita<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/coronado-brewing-company/331/">Coronado Brewing Company</a>, Coronado<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/cosmic-ales/12134/">Cosmic Ales</a>, Corona<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/craft-brewing-company/11571/">Craft Brewing Company</a>, Lake Elsinore<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/craftsman-brewing-co/2600/">Craftsman Brewing Co.</a>, Pasadena<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/creekside-brewing-company/10481/">Creekside Brewing Company</a>, San Luis Obispo<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/dale-bros-brewery/8390/">Dale Bros. Brewery</a>, Upland<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/davids-ale-works/7769/">Davids Ale Works</a>, Diamond Springs<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/deans-brothers-brewing-company/9807/">Deans Brothers Brewing Company</a>, Santa Ana<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/dempseys-restaurant-and-brewery/3464/">Dempseys Restaurant and Brewery</a>, Petaluma<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/devils-canyon-brewing-co/5008/">Devils Canyon Brewing Co.</a>, Belmont<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/downey-brewing-company/11426/">Downey Brewing Company</a>, downey<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/downtown-brewing-formerly-slo-brewing-co/414/">Downtown Brewing (formerly SLO Brewing Co)</a>, San Luis Obispo<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/downtown-joes-restaurant-brewery/3467/">Downtown Joes Restaurant & Brewery</a>, Napa<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/drakes-brewing-company/1445/">Drakes Brewing Company</a>, San Leandro<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/dust-bowl-brewing-company/10634/">Dust Bowl Brewing Company</a>, Turlock<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/e-o-trading-company/2208/">E & O Trading Company</a>, San Francisco, San Jose<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/e-j-phair-brewing-company/1481/">E. J. Phair Brewing Company</a>, Concord<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/eagle-rock-brewery/11143/">Eagle Rock Brewery</a>, Los Angeles<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/eel-river-brewing-company/456/">Eel River Brewing Company</a>, Fortuna<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/einhorn-beer-company/9892/">Einhorn Beer Company</a>, San Luis Obispo<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/el-toro-brewing-co/867/">El Toro Brewing Co.</a>, Morgan Hill<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/elizabeth-street-brewery/11068/">Elizabeth Street Brewery</a>, San Francisco<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/elsa-wine-mead/8457/">Elsa Wine & Mead</a>, Orange<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/enat-winery/10607/">Enat Winery</a>, Oakland<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/english-ales-brewery/1526/">English Ales Brewery</a>, Marina<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/etna-brewing-co/4710/">Etna Brewing Co.</a>, Etna<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/faultline-brewing-company/1930/">Faultline Brewing Company</a>, Sunnyvale<a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/feather-falls-brewing-company/11870/"><br />Feather Falls Brewing Company</a>, Oroville<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/feather-river-brewing-co/5625/">Feather River Brewing Co.</a>, Magalia<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/fiftyfifty-brewing-co/8711/">FiftyFifty Brewing Co.</a>, Truckee<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/figueroa-mountain-brewing-llc/11755/">Figueroa Mountain Brewing LLC</a>, Buellton<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/firehouse-brewing-company-ca/5717/">Firehouse Brewing Company (CA)</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/firehouse-grill-brewery/6433/">FireHouse Grill & Brewery</a>, Sunnyvale<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/firemans-brew/9263/">Firemans Brew</a>, Woodland Hills<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/firestone-walker-brewing-co/398/">Firestone Walker Brewing Co.</a>, Paso Robles<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/fitzpatrick-winery/8770/">Fitzpatrick Winery</a>, Fair Play<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/fox-barrel-cider-company/6319/">Fox Barrel Cider Company</a>, Colfax<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/full-circle-brewing-co/7727/">Full Circle Brewing Co</a>, Fresno<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/gekkeikan-sake-usa/4151/">Gekkeikan Sake (USA)</a>, Folsom<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/gold-hill-brewery/11125/">Gold Hill Brewery</a>, Placerville<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/good-microbrew-grill/10810/">Good Microbrew & Grill</a>, Los Angeles<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/gordon-biersch-brewing-company/426/">Gordon Biersch Brewing Company</a>, Palo Alto<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/graffiti-restaurant/6824/">Graffiti Restaurant</a>, Petaluma<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/great-dane-brewhouse/11101/">Great Dane Brewhouse</a>, Lake Forest<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/great-sex-brewing-company/11004/">Great Sex Brewing Company</a>, Redding<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/green-flash-brewing-co/3111/">Green Flash Brewing Co.</a>, Vista<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/half-moon-bay-brewing-company/3387/">Half Moon Bay Brewing Company</a>, Half Moon Bay<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/hamilton-gregg-brewworks/4031/">Hamilton Gregg Brewworks</a>, Hermosa Beach<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/hangar-24-craft-brewery/9398/">Hangar 24 Craft Brewery</a>, Redlands<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/harper-hills-oildale-winery/4760/">Harper Hills, Oildale Winery</a>, Bakersfield<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/healdsburg-beer-company/11239/">Healdsburg Beer Company</a>, Healdsburg<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/heidrun-meadery/6721/">Heidrun Meadery</a>, Arcata<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/hermitage-brewing-co/11753/">Hermitage Brewing Co.</a>, San Jose<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/hess-brewing-company/11798/">Hess Brewing Company</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/hollister-brewing-company/8731/">Hollister Brewing Company</a>, Goleta<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/hollywood-beach-brewing-company/10617/">Hollywood Beach Brewing Company</a>, Oxnard<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/honeyrun-winery-honey-company/7052/">Honeyrun Winery & Honey Company</a>, Chico<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/hoovers-101-cafe/11903/">Hoover’s 101 Cafe</a>, Atascadero<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/hopmonk/9572/">Hopmonk</a>, Sebastapol<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/hoppy-brewing-company/64/">Hoppy Brewing Company</a>, Sacramento<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/hopyard/11085/">Hopyard</a>, San Ramon<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/hornsbys-pubdrafts-ltd-e-and-j-gallo/189/">Hornsbys Pubdrafts Ltd./E and J Gallo</a>, Modesto<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/hoshi-sake/11434/">Hoshi Sake</a>, Hollister<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/huntington-beach-beer-company/339/">Huntington Beach Beer Company</a>, Huntington Beach<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/indian-wells-brewing/1166/">Indian Wells Brewing</a>, Inyokern<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/inland-empire-brewing/10174/">Inland Empire Brewing</a>, Riverside<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/international-import-export/8501/">International Import Export</a>, Veronica<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/iron-springs-pub-and-brewery/5892/">Iron Springs Pub and Brewery</a>, Fairfax<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/island-brewing/3011/">Island Brewing</a>, Carpinteria<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/jack-russell-brewing-company/270/">Jack Russell Brewing Company</a>, Camino<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/jacks-brewing-co-formerly-fremont-brewing-co/1446/">Jacks Brewing Co. (formerly Fremont Brewing Co.)</a>, Fremont<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/jt-schmids-brewhouse-eatery/3215/">JT Schmids Brewhouse & Eatery</a>, Anaheim<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/julian-hard-cider/11452/">Julian Hard Cider</a>, Julian<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/jupiter/1427/">Jupiter</a>, Berkeley<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/karl-strauss-brewing-company/340/">Karl Strauss Brewing Company</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/kelley-bros-brewing-company/1795/">Kelley Bros. Brewing Company</a>, Manteca<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/kern-river-brewing/6932/">Kern River Brewing</a>, Kernville<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/krash-brewery/10291/">Krash Brewery</a>, Riverside<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/la-jolla-brewery/6352/">La Jolla Brewery</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/la-jolla-brewhouse/4217/">La Jolla Brewhouse</a>, La Jolla<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/ladyface-alehouse-brasserie/11064/">Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie</a>, Agoura Hills<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/lagunitas-brewing-company/1167/">Lagunitas Brewing Company</a>, Petaluma<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/left-coast-oggis-pizza-and-brewing-company/455/">Left Coast/Oggis Pizza and Brewing Company</a>, Del Mar<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/lengthwise-brewery/2180/">Lengthwise Brewery</a>, Bakersfield<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/lightning-brewery/6604/">Lightning Brewery</a>, Poway<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/linden-street-brewery/9231/">Linden Street Brewery</a>, Oakland<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/lockdown-brewing-company/6364/">Lockdown Brewing Company</a>, Folsom<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/lodi-beer-company/8277/">Lodi Beer Company</a>, Lodi<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/los-gatos-brewing-co/1386/">Los Gatos Brewing Co.</a>, Los Gatos<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/lost-coast-brewery-cafe/461/">Lost Coast Brewery & Cafe</a>, Eureka<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/lucky-hand-brewing-company/11332/">Lucky Hand Brewing Company</a>, Novato<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/mad-river-brewery/212/">Mad River Brewery</a>, Blue Lake<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/magnolia-pub-and-brewery/245/">Magnolia Pub and Brewery</a>, San Francisco<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/main-street-brewery-corona-ca/915/">Main Street Brewery (Corona, CA)</a>, Corona<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/mammoth-brewing-company/1931/">Mammoth Brewing Company</a>, Mammoth Lakes<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/manhattan-beach-brewing/3328/">Manhattan Beach Brewing</a>, Manhattan Beach<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/manzanita-brewing-company/11797/">Manzanita Brewing Company</a>, Santee<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/marin-brewing-company/222/">Marin Brewing Company</a>, Larkspur<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/mariposa-brewing-company/10524/">Mariposa Brewing Company</a>, Mariposa<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/marys-pizza-shack/9924/">Marys Pizza Shack</a>, Roseville<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/mateveza-brewing-company/11977/">MateVeza Brewing Company</a>, San Francisco<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/mayfield-brewing-company/10403/">Mayfield Brewing Company</a>, Belmont<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/mendocino-brewing-company/65/">Mendocino Brewing Company</a>, Hopland<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/mission-brewery/9191/">Mission Brewery</a>, Chula Vista<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/monterey-coast-brewing-restaurant-brewery/4977/">Monterey Coast Brewing Restaurant & Brewery</a>, Salinas<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/moonlight-brewing-company/1300/">Moonlight Brewing Company</a>, Fulton<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/mother-earth-brew-company/11586/">Mother Earth Brew Company</a>, Vista<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/mount-st-helena-brewing-company/462/">Mount St. Helena Brewing Company</a>, Middletown<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/mount-tallac-brewing-company/3529/">Mount Tallac Brewing Company</a>, South Lake Tahoe<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/mountain-meadows-mead/4200/">Mountain Meadows Mead</a>, Westwood<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/moylans-brewery-restaurant/279/">Moylans Brewery & Restaurant</a>, Novato<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/mt-shasta-brewing-company/4660/">Mt. Shasta Brewing Company</a>, Weed<a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/murrays-cyder/11212/"><br />Murray’s Cyder</a>, Forestville<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/nakhon-brewing-company/11330/">Nakhon Brewing Company</a>, Los Angeles<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/napa-smith-brewery/9487/">Napa Smith Brewery</a>, Napa<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/napa-valley-brewing--calistoga-inn/3219/">Napa Valley Brewing / Calistoga Inn</a>, Calistoga<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/new-english-brewing-company/9475/">New English Brewing Company</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/newport-beach-brewing-company/309/">Newport Beach Brewing Company</a>, Newport Beach<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/nibble-bit-tabby-brewery/11631/">Nibble Bit Tabby Brewery</a>, Los Angeles<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/noble-ale-works/11238/">Noble Ale Works</a>, Anaheim<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/north-coast-brewing-company/108/">North Coast Brewing Company</a>, Fort Bragg<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/north-star-craft-brewery/8867/">North Star Craft Brewery</a>, Shasta Lake<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/ocean-avenue-brewing-co/3337/">Ocean Avenue Brewing Co.</a>, Laguna Beach<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/oceanside-ale-works/6350/">Oceanside Ale Works</a>, Oceanside<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/odonata-beer-company/10849/">Odonata Beer Company</a>, Sacramento<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/old-river-brew-company/3499/">Old River Brew Company</a>, Bakersfield<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/omaha-jacks-steakhouse-brewery/6064/">Omaha Jacks Steakhouse & Brewery</a>, Rancho Cucamonga<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/orcutt-brew-company/11902/">Orcutt Brew Company</a>, Orcutt<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/ozeki-sake-usa-inc/4156/">Ozeki Sake (USA), Inc.</a>, Hollister<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/pacific-beach-ale-house/9560/">Pacific Beach Ale House</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/pacific-coast-brewing/1434/">Pacific Coast Brewing</a>, Oakland<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/packinghouse-brewing-company/11559/">Packinghouse Brewing Company</a>, Riverside<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/palo-alto-brewing-company/11168/">Palo Alto Brewing Company</a>, Palo Alto<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/peter-bs-brewpub/2128/">Peter Bs Brewpub</a>, Monterey<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/petes-restaurant-brewhouse/10460/">Petes Restaurant & Brewhouse</a>, Sacramento<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/ph-woods-bar-b-que-brewery/3151/">PH Woods Bar-B-Que & Brewery</a>, Moreno Valley<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/pizza-orgasmica-brewing-company/6908/">Pizza Orgasmica & Brewing Company</a>, San Francisco<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/pizza-port-carlsbad/1538/">Pizza Port (Carlsbad)</a>, Carlsbad<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/pizza-port-ocean-beach/11642/">Pizza Port (Ocean Beach)</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/pizza-port-san-clemente/3871/">Pizza Port (San Clemente)</a>, San Clemente<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/pizza-port-solana-beach/2305/">Pizza Port (Solana Beach)</a>, Solana Beach<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/placerville-brewing-company/7988/">Placerville Brewing Company</a>, Placerville<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/pleasanton-main-street-brewery/3358/">Pleasanton Main Street Brewery</a>, Pleasanton<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/pompeii-brewing-company/6725/">Pompeii Brewing Company</a>, Los Gatos<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/port-brewing-lost-abbey/7043/">Port Brewing/Lost Abbey</a>, San Marcos<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/rabbits-foot-meadery/4753/">Rabbits Foot Meadery</a>, Sunnyvale<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/rascal-creek-brewing-company/5737/">Rascal Creek Brewing Company</a>, Merced<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/reaperale-brewing-company/11167/">ReaperAle Brewing Company</a>, Lake Elsinore<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/red-car-brewery-restaurant/4111/">Red Car Brewery & Restaurant</a>, Torrance<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/redondo-beach-brewing-company/3160/">Redondo Beach Brewing Company</a>, Redondo Beach<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/redwood-coast-brewing-company/352/">Redwood Coast Brewing Company</a>, Mountain View<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/redwood-curtain-brewing-company/11768/">Redwood Curtain Brewing Company</a>, Arcata<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/river-city-brewing-california/1497/">River City Brewing (California)</a>, Sacramento<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/rock-bottom-la-jolla/4289/">Rock Bottom La Jolla</a>, La Jolla<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/rock-bottom-long-beach/4287/">Rock Bottom Long Beach</a>, Long Beach<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/rock-bottom-san-diego/4290/">Rock Bottom San Diego</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/rock-bottom-san-jose/4286/">Rock Bottom San Jose</a>, Campbell<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/rockbottom-san-diego/11978/">Rockbottom San Diego</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/roost-brewery-at-sonoma-chicken-coop-campbell/5883/">Roost Brewery at Sonoma Chicken Coop Campbell</a>, Campbell<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/rubicon-brewing-company/463/">Rubicon Brewing Company</a>, Sacramento<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/russian-river-brewing/1480/">Russian River Brewing</a>, Santa Rosa<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/ruth-mcgowans-brewpub/5607/">Ruth McGowans Brewpub</a>, Cloverdale<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/sake2me/9509/">saké2me</a>, Sausalito<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/san-diego-brewing-company/1159/">San Diego Brewing Company</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/san-francisco-brewing-company/464/">San Francisco Brewing Company</a>, San Francisco<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/san-marcos-brewery-grill/839/">San Marcos Brewery & Grill</a>, San Marcos<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/san-pedro-brewing-company/2352/">San Pedro Brewing Company</a>, San Pedro<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/santa-barbara-brewing-company/2381/">Santa Barbara Brewing Company</a>, Santa Barbara<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/santa-cruz-ale-works/9309/">Santa Cruz Ale Works</a>, Santa Cruz<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/santa-cruz-mountain-brewing/6112/">Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing</a>, Santa Cruz<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/santa-maria-brewery/10019/">Santa Maria Brewery</a>, Nipomo<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/santa-monica-distillery--excalibur-brewing/4829/">Santa Monica Distillery / Excalibur Brewing</a>, Santa Paula<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/schooners-grille-brewery/3518/">Schooners Grille & Brewery</a>, Antioch<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/seabright-brewery/1510/">Seabright Brewery</a>, Santa Cruz<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/sequoia-brewing-company/4123/">Sequoia Brewing Company</a>, Fresno<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/shmaltz-brewing-company/10947/">Shmaltz Brewing Company</a>, San Francisco<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/sierra-nevada-brewing-company/67/">Sierra Nevada Brewing Company</a>, Chico<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/silverado-brewing-co/2225/">Silverado Brewing Co.</a>, St. Helena<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/six-rivers-brewery/2258/">Six Rivers Brewery</a>, McKinleyville<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/skyscraper-brewing-company/8412/">Skyscraper Brewing Company</a>, El Monte<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/snack-xp/5807/">Snack Xp</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/snowshoe-brewing-co/869/">Snowshoe Brewing Co.</a>, Arnold<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/social-kitchen-brewery/11543/">Social Kitchen & Brewery</a>, San Francisco<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/sonoma-brewing-company/1515/">Sonoma Brewing Company</a>, Petaluma<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/sonoma-cider-mill/3800/">Sonoma Cider Mill</a>, Healdsburg<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/sonoma-springs-brewing-co/10258/">Sonoma Springs Brewing Co.</a>, Sonoma<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/speakeasy-ales-and-lagers/35/">Speakeasy Ales and Lagers</a>, San Francisco<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/st-stans-brewing-company/68/">St. Stans Brewing Company</a>, Modesto<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/stadium-brewing-company/4447/">Stadium Brewing Company</a>, Aliso Viejo<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/stateline-brewery/10635/">Stateline Brewery</a>, South Lake Tahoe<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/steelhead-brewing-co/1557/">Steelhead Brewing Co.</a>, Burlingame<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/stone-brewing-co/76/">Stone Brewing Co.</a>, Escondido<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/strand-brewing-co/11138/">Strand Brewing Co.</a>, Torrance<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/stumptown-brewery/2599/">Stumptown Brewery</a>, Guerneville<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/sudwerk-privatbrauerei-hubsch/478/">Sudwerk Privatbrauerei Hubsch</a>, Davis<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/sutter-buttes-brewing-company/11985/">Sutter Buttes Brewing Company</a>, Yuba City<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/tailgate-beer/9017/">TailGate Beer</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/takara-sake-usa/4157/">Takara Sake USA</a>, Berkeley<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/taps-fish-house-and-brewery/1673/">Taps Fish House and Brewery</a>, Brea<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/taylors-restaurant-brewery/1869/">Taylors Restaurant & Brewery</a>, San Diego<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/telegraph-brewing-company/6552/">Telegraph Brewing Company</a>, Santa Barbara<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/the-academy-of-fine-beers/9556/">The Academy of Fine Beers</a>, El Monte<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/the-big-cheese-pizza-co-and-brewery/11759/">The Big Cheese Pizza Co. and Brewery</a>, Riverside<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/the-brew-house-at-eastlake/9491/">The Brew House at Eastlake</a>, Chula Vista<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/the-brewery-at-lake-tahoe/2563/">The Brewery at Lake Tahoe</a>, South Lake Tahoe<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/the-brewhouse-california/5255/">The Brewhouse (California)</a>, Santa Barbara<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/the-bruery/9462/">The Bruery</a>, Placentia<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/the-gentleman-scholar/11052/">The Gentleman Scholar</a>, Los Angeles<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/the-great-beer-company/11455/">The Great Beer Company</a>, Chatsworth<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/third-street-aleworks/246/">Third Street Aleworks</a>, Santa Rosa<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/thirsty-bear-brewing-company/479/">Thirsty Bear Brewing Company</a>, San Francisco<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/tioga-sequoia-brewing-company/11558/">Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company</a>, Fresno<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/triple-rock-brewery-alehouse/480/">Triple Rock Brewery & Alehouse</a>, Berkeley<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/tuscan-brewing-company/1660/">Tuscan Brewing Company</a>, Red Bluff<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/tustin-brewing-company/3010/">Tustin Brewing Company</a>, Tustin<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/two-rivers-cider-company/3858/">Two Rivers Cider Company</a>, Sacramento<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/ukiah-brewing-company/1390/">Ukiah Brewing Company</a>, Ukiah<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/uncommon-brewers/9832/">Uncommon Brewers</a>, Santa Cruz<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/union-cattle-company/10710/">Union Cattle Company</a>, Hermosa Beach<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/united-brands-company/11172/">United Brands Company</a>, Los Angeles<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/valley-brewing-company/3490/">Valley Brewing Company</a>, Stockton<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/weiland-brewery-underground/9126/">Weiland Brewery Underground</a>, Los Angeles<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/western-pacific-brewing-dining/11356/">Western Pacific Brewing & Dining</a>, Oroville<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/whale-gulch-brewery/6600/">Whale Gulch Brewery</a>, Whitethorn<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/wolf-creek-brewing-co/5559/">Wolf Creek Brewing Co</a>, Valencia<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/wunder-brewing-company/8889/">Wunder Brewing Company</a>, San Francisco<br /><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/yaegaki-corporation-of-usa/4167/">Yaegaki Corporation of USA</a>, Vernon</span></p>Van Houten Brewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101936109589572440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-1313826809711070902010-09-04T20:05:00.000-07:002010-09-04T20:23:42.259-07:004 kegs of California Common<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbYYCx6o7iNirwkok6ZpEEwt71YOFEukACwV8z-ySjB5jKYfG6rbpbKyL1qy9TZYuhZ1gND6b8Mwm9BaehuoomW5IyXM_jkVmc0-vOKjEldJJ_2FKNCd8o9AOn8It26po4S7LBmFeosEr/s1600/PICT8915.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbYYCx6o7iNirwkok6ZpEEwt71YOFEukACwV8z-ySjB5jKYfG6rbpbKyL1qy9TZYuhZ1gND6b8Mwm9BaehuoomW5IyXM_jkVmc0-vOKjEldJJ_2FKNCd8o9AOn8It26po4S7LBmFeosEr/s320/PICT8915.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513264511590164962" border="0" /></a>Johnny was a whirlwind of kegging today - four kegs of California Common, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_beer">steam beer</a>, which can't be called a steam beer thanks to Anchor Brewing. Steam beers, historically from California's west coast, are brewed with lager yeasts, but fermented without refrigeration. Steam beers probably originated in the Gold Rush through the inelegance of necessity, but resulted in unexpected delectibility. Though they claim no connection to the original steam beer process, <a href="http://www.anchorbrewing.com/">Anchor Brewing</a> trademarked the term "steam beer" in 1981, rendering the rest of us unable to use it.<br /><br />While researching California Common, steam beer etc, I came across the <a href="http://www.bjcp.org/stylecenter.php">Beer Judge Certification Program style guidelines</a>, a matrix of ABV%, color and chemical breakdown, Johnny said "What I am trying to do is make something that's good, in and of itself." We're less into the statistics of style and more into just making beer that tastes good.Creek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-79372511553482874472010-07-22T15:26:00.000-07:002010-07-22T15:39:51.970-07:00Van Houten Brewing Co., Inc.So, while the brewing and recipe refining continues, we got a bit tangled up in finding a place to brew and filing the incorporation papers. We are of course trying to avoid renting full warehouse space and are interested in contract breweries and restaurants. We thought there might be a chance to do Phase 1 brewing in our garage workspace but the differing city and county regulations mean we are in search of the next option. We're pretty excited to pair up with a few local restaurants and brew for them, but we'll need to be a legal entity to approach anyone. So - we found ourselves a super cool lawyer to help move along the process and we are deciding to get registered!!!! After some research, we've decided to go with an <a href="http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98263,00.html">"S" Corp </a>formation - we get the tax and liability protection without the added complication. LLCs seem to make more sense with more parties involved, but both accomplish the same goals.<br /><br />We're a one horse show with plans to stay that way - so we prefer to keep it simple and like the "S" Corp. Maybe we'll add some sideshows or paint the pony eventually, but we'll never offer it to shareholders. We'll keep our beer horse show close to our hearts.<br /><br />Most of our colleagues are LLCs, but <a href="http://www.kernriverbrewingcompany.com/about.html">Kern River Brewing Company </a>is an "S" Corp too, so it seems we are not alone :)<br /><br />Van Houten Brewing Co., Inc. here we come.Creek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-83783689696289915582010-07-02T17:05:00.000-07:002010-07-02T17:13:31.656-07:00Porter Kegging June 26th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAPaknoTzkAeivuGI75ZdwhQDOzXYors1GpU23qofJaR5zMzMT_sPMM45IwX_alelxsKVQ3lxu1SzmT-N9Mc-ZGP8EDOcteodRDLc-pk1nBHFkAOdn18PSCF915hhpoRsSY3zbGgA6x3A/s1600/PICT7804.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAPaknoTzkAeivuGI75ZdwhQDOzXYors1GpU23qofJaR5zMzMT_sPMM45IwX_alelxsKVQ3lxu1SzmT-N9Mc-ZGP8EDOcteodRDLc-pk1nBHFkAOdn18PSCF915hhpoRsSY3zbGgA6x3A/s320/PICT7804.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489464823986907218" border="0" /></a>Johnny's brewing British. For the time being, there are plenty of IPAs in the world, and he has really been enjoying tweaking the last few batches of his Northern English Brown Ale, getting it just right.<br /><br />Last weekend he kegged a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porter_%28beer%29">Porter</a>.Creek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-24888369937421484542010-06-24T10:41:00.000-07:002010-06-24T11:39:13.771-07:00Hops in the Garden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqeAX8CMH-K5Qc8kRiNH1nGku6AimZGPXBNd4aIdfmcNqPInJrDHCEAeye1d_iukev3O_QjwgKpRiXWXZFHN1CQPntVpMhv-ay2Jhv2ccOei85vMS5SZSugi3Gw-sxtcvtYii7op_kIYv/s1600/PICT7333.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqeAX8CMH-K5Qc8kRiNH1nGku6AimZGPXBNd4aIdfmcNqPInJrDHCEAeye1d_iukev3O_QjwgKpRiXWXZFHN1CQPntVpMhv-ay2Jhv2ccOei85vMS5SZSugi3Gw-sxtcvtYii7op_kIYv/s200/PICT7333.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486399859246426914" border="0" /></a>Now that we finally have access to some dirt after a long hiatus in Amsterdam and San Francisco, we are SO pleased to havea garden, which of course includes hops. We got <a href="http://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/Cascade">Cascade</a> and <a href="http://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/Hallertauer">Hallertauer</a> rhizomes from the <a href="http://www.thymegarden.com/">Thyme Garden Herb Company</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> Johnny's dad, Tom, has grown Cascade and a few other varieties with great success down south of us in Morgan Hill. He had pretty limited growth the first year while the root systems got established followed by superb growth subsequent years. We'll hope that's the same case for us....<br /><br /><br /><br />Let's just say that the Cascade hops are thriving, even under the plum trees that have turned their open sun into dappled light.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cUMuFp-lhDBVr5-esgnr6tOzU0tpGO5fbiNg5wFnPyW_TZeDFZduQMF53LG20jaORltziHdvDLnP7LaVBbjqIRrdub_v2u0_LjTC83GfX_fc3tMe3HJ0q6ApkpuqPCft8FQFESQiYOoR/s1600/PICT7800.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cUMuFp-lhDBVr5-esgnr6tOzU0tpGO5fbiNg5wFnPyW_TZeDFZduQMF53LG20jaORltziHdvDLnP7LaVBbjqIRrdub_v2u0_LjTC83GfX_fc3tMe3HJ0q6ApkpuqPCft8FQFESQiYOoR/s200/PICT7800.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486399943824176594" border="0" /></a>The leaves are impressively large.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Rewhm3DqGa669RtLU7vHgzj36lzxmvJ4MNqafNw7TpONybzAS6Ggr2cZY_6cqMGGD_g89EyLkALaYIplPJTEycYSlRfpPQTurAWzYsR8XU2HhiExW-g_OQQ5yMdKIih8sOC2zR1FH0SH/s1600/PICT7803.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Rewhm3DqGa669RtLU7vHgzj36lzxmvJ4MNqafNw7TpONybzAS6Ggr2cZY_6cqMGGD_g89EyLkALaYIplPJTEycYSlRfpPQTurAWzYsR8XU2HhiExW-g_OQQ5yMdKIih8sOC2zR1FH0SH/s200/PICT7803.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486400253282485474" border="0" /></a>Hallertauer - not so much.....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />At this point, even as novelty hops, we love them.Creek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-63803628250270300632010-06-24T10:24:00.000-07:002010-06-24T10:40:27.312-07:00Kegging Day: Northern English Brown Ale 6.10.10Johnny kegged a Northern English Brown Ale today (today at this time was June 10th...) He's been refining this recipe for a while now and is feeling pretty damn good about it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiak0ZIDZE9aa0OYY_zMsM3nFjTrfPgNelYlIFzaf4BRPYApVuX7bzDs42xUfBoQQQA7DKayKcYqxIgT9IpPQhziDl_veJDZ0EK8_gHq6poq9N1ZRxaZecXwzl2YcB7Z_fDwITcI-pKL1Do/s1600/PICT7345.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiak0ZIDZE9aa0OYY_zMsM3nFjTrfPgNelYlIFzaf4BRPYApVuX7bzDs42xUfBoQQQA7DKayKcYqxIgT9IpPQhziDl_veJDZ0EK8_gHq6poq9N1ZRxaZecXwzl2YcB7Z_fDwITcI-pKL1Do/s320/PICT7345.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486393346064875330" border="0" /></a>Johnny is looking forward to getting the conical fermentor. Meanwhile two carboys are hard at work housing the fermentation.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkNVonpyec0X3OA7-o57i5se0vjSyHKRyadx7S_0lQsODvWylJjJuF2s8GNhSsam8NkBUFIjC-uFF_Kb-XynuAi5jfHqBAAEhy9IounYc7NKeJAPNy0Yk6clxlqGUAEnpXsgEvlsX-eLg/s1600/PICT7357.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkNVonpyec0X3OA7-o57i5se0vjSyHKRyadx7S_0lQsODvWylJjJuF2s8GNhSsam8NkBUFIjC-uFF_Kb-XynuAi5jfHqBAAEhy9IounYc7NKeJAPNy0Yk6clxlqGUAEnpXsgEvlsX-eLg/s200/PICT7357.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486395989575219410" border="0" /></a>Before going into the kegs.....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVvayNOUDTEj55hpgIy9TBdyFA7b0DXssbaMVLYDYrxSGap74OhOzz8-hSF8Ie5Q3uiKxR4mav2vEwGEOMFIQBnE2HyQGbVQo2dhP1C0u_UmdFf7sstYiQweo_TfMRKYkRLcCraRnZqc0/s1600/PICT7368.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVvayNOUDTEj55hpgIy9TBdyFA7b0DXssbaMVLYDYrxSGap74OhOzz8-hSF8Ie5Q3uiKxR4mav2vEwGEOMFIQBnE2HyQGbVQo2dhP1C0u_UmdFf7sstYiQweo_TfMRKYkRLcCraRnZqc0/s200/PICT7368.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486394109874799938" border="0" /></a>Kegged!!!!Creek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-38188810761724759172010-06-13T17:55:00.000-07:002010-09-23T12:16:53.605-07:00Beer Wars"Beer is the equivalent of the adult teddy bear..." - <a href="http://beerwarsmovie.com/">Beer Wars<br /></a><br />I watched <a href="http://beerwarsmovie.com/">Beer Wars</a>, an enjoyable ride through beer history. Director <a href="http://beerwarsmovie.com/about/filmmaker-bio/">Anat Baron</a> chronicles the development of brewing in the US, culminating with the domination of the beer market but the "big three" beer brands, <a href="http://www.anheuser-busch.com/">Anheuser Busch</a>, <a href="http://www.millercoors.com/">Miller</a>, and <a href="http://www.coors.com/">Coors</a> - who are essentially all brewing the same light pale lagers, which even their most loyal drinkers could not differentiate in a blind taste test. The big brewers have become marketing machines rather than breweries. And of course now it's pretty much all <a href="http://www.ab-inbev.com/">InBev</a>.<br /><br />It also made me want to go to the <a href="http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/">Great American Beer Festival</a>!<br /><br />Here is the <a href="http://beerwarsmovie.com/">Beer Wars</a> Trailer<br /><br /><embed src="http://beerwarsmovie.com/videos/player-viral.swf" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="bufferlength=20&file=http%3A%2F%2Fbeerwarsmovie.com%2Fvideos%2Fbeerwars_trailer_bigger.flv&stretching=fill&logo=http%3A%2F" height="340" width="660"></embed><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fun movie factoids from <a href="http://beerwarsmovie.com/">Beer Wars</a></span><br /><ul><li>85 % beer made in the US is light German lager</li><li>1948 - down to 45 breweries in the US. According to the <a href="http://www.brewersassociation.org/">Brewers Association</a>, <a href="http://www.brewersassociation.org/pages/business-tools/craft-brewing-statistics/facts">1,595 breweries operated for some or all of 2009</a>, the highest total since before Prohibition. </li><li>The big three breweries spent 1.5 billion dollars on marketing in 2009<br /></li><li>independent brewers make 5% of the beer sold in America<br /></li></ul>With the continued growth of craft brewing, finally, American beer drinkers are getting access to good beer from what we can actually call craft breweries. It's probably all cyclical, but we are honored to be participating in what we see as a very important beer movement.Creek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-16178998929485747022010-06-11T19:54:00.001-07:002010-06-13T11:10:04.601-07:00Changes at Anderson Valley BrewingLike we mentioned before, nano is the new micro.... and nanobrewers are popping up to fill the void left as microbreweries go big.<br /><br />As many of us know, <a href="http://www.avbc.com/">Anderson Valley Brewing</a> was just sold - and we wish all of them the best. According to the <a href="http://www.pressdemocrat.com/">Santa Rosa Press Democrat</a>, the new owner, Trey White has said that the only thing that's going to change is "<a href="http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100523/BUSINESS/5231005/1350?Title=Boonville-brewery-changes-hands">the marketing end of things</a>." Given his experience in marketing and distribution at <a href="http://www.unitedstatesbeverage.com/">United States Beverage</a>, this makes sense. It will be interesting to see what changes occur in the coming months and years. Hard not to somehow feel that the end of an founder-run microbrewery is the end of an era. Ken Allen certainly gave it a good run and we wish him all the best.<br /><br />We wish all our beer comrades all the best and as we watch micro move towards mega, we feel affirmed in our commitment to the taste of small batch beer and hope that you do too.Creek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235214880866982970.post-91320585292358167882010-06-06T09:31:00.000-07:002010-06-06T10:46:33.630-07:00Trends in American Specialty Beer – A Dutch Perspective<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWW_Xr7dNCF4uSmYG8y8j9FTElEsWpfKfu2ytprbwiH2Xu_G7immcl3ciZgVa2e0kpa0NRwsX2tipouqORlVKMer3RbfJXcEH2vzCZ5YJyWZZ2LoGMY8jpa1ygCwkdySYkPLzwBXdAcrcy/s1600/Amerika-nl.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 98px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWW_Xr7dNCF4uSmYG8y8j9FTElEsWpfKfu2ytprbwiH2Xu_G7immcl3ciZgVa2e0kpa0NRwsX2tipouqORlVKMer3RbfJXcEH2vzCZ5YJyWZZ2LoGMY8jpa1ygCwkdySYkPLzwBXdAcrcy/s320/Amerika-nl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479715573314117362" border="0" /></a><br />Just a few days ago, a Dutch beer critic from <a href="http://bier.blog.nl/">Bier.Blog.NL</a> provided a critical overview of what they see as the developing trends in American specialty beer. Seems like they have it about right. Perspectives from the international community on beer trends are always interesting, but the fact that it’s from Holland makes it all the more interesting to me. By translating it (to the best of my ability) – it will have the opportunity to be interesting to you too….<br /><a href="http://bier.blog.nl/biernieuws/2010/06/03/top-7-interessante-speciaalbier-trends-in-amerika"><br /></a><a href="http://bier.blog.nl/biernieuws/2010/06/03/top-7-interessante-speciaalbier-trends-in-amerika">Translated from “Top 7 interessante speciaalbier trends in Amerika” from Bie</a><a href="http://bier.blog.nl/biernieuws/2010/06/03/top-7-interessante-speciaalbier-trends-in-amerika">r.blog.nl written by Fiona de Lange</a><br /><br />"I always really enjoy following the beer trends in the rest of the world with a scrutinizing eye, particularly America. Not all that everything springs from America of course. However, it is particularly interesting to see how fast the specialty beer market is developing there. And of course we must ensure that we are not left out of the game. A review of relevant American beer sites revealed many notable trends!<br /><br />Below are listed a number of recent developments and hot trends in the American specialty beer market. First `<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nanobreweries</span> `. For me this explains the association with nanotechnology – it’s got nothing to do with it. These are comparable with homebrewers (thuisbrouwers) who produce beer for small groups. They frequently do this by partnering with a bar or restaurant for which special beer is exclusively made. This is a fast growing trend in American beer.<br /><br />In contrast to the Tripel beer trend in Belgium and the Netherlands, in America we see a rise of the “<span style="font-weight: bold;">sour beer</span>” (zure bieren) trend. These beers are seeing attention both in the US and in Belgium. Americans are pursuing the acid beer style begun in Belgium and we’re seeing the style taken over more and more by American brewers.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Locally produced</span> beers are trendy at restaurants. The beer menu at many restaurants considerably on the shovel and large brands such as Budweiser and Heineken are gone from the menu in favor of local specialty beers. This recent development is also supported where 79% of the restaurants agree that this is the recent trend of 2010.<br /><br />Another trend observed both in the Netherlands and America is <span style="font-weight: bold;">creative beer names</span>. In America this is a well-established trend with many original, modern and creative beer labels and names.<br /><br />A recent development heard on the grapevine is <span style="font-weight: bold;">extreme beers</span>. Brewers seek out more and more the extremeness such as the Scottish <a href="http://www.brewdog.com/">Brewdog</a> did with several beers with weighing in at 41%. This was echoed in the US, with the <a href="http://www.samueladams.com/">Sam Adams</a> <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35/25759">Utopias Beer</a>, brought to market with an alcohol percentage of 27%.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Experimenting with styles</span>. Where before every brewer clung desperately to the recipe, now many beers are being brewed experimentally. We’re seeing all kinds of ingredients being added to basis beer recipes. Nuts, fruit, herbs, and all kinds of other ingredients on hand hands. This ensures, that new beers and beer styles and types are arising.<br /><br />In America they are already very busy with: <span style="font-weight: bold;">cooperation</span>. This is something that is more restricted with us in the Netherlands. Of course have “<a href="http://www.smaakvanecht.nl/Echt_2010/Welkom.html">de Smaak van Echt</a>,” in which 4 brewers will brew cooperatively and “<a href="http://www.brouwerijdemolen.nl/">Brouwerij de Molen</a>,” which often brews beer abroad. Yet, we are nevertheless for the most part working by ourselves. In America we’re seeing two breweries work together to make a new beer to put on the market. An example is the cooperation between Stone Brewing and Brewdog and also between <a href="http://www.weihenstephaner.de/index2.html?lang=eng">Weihenstephan</a> and <a href="http://www.bostonbeer.com/">Boston Beer Co</a> who are working together to make a champagne beer.<br /><br />These are all serious trends developing within America, but being noticed in other corners of the world as well. Let’s hope it stays that way!”<br /><br />Translated from: <a href="http://bier.blog.nl/biernieuws/2010/06/03/top-7-interessante-speciaalbier-trends-in-amerika">Top 7 interessante speciaalbier trends in Amerika”<br />from Bier.blog.nl written by Fiona de Lange</a>Creek Van Houtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985051905252597504noreply@blogger.com0