August / Not just a state of wine

California is top of mind for consumers when one thinks of wine produced in the United States. California’s winemakers have taken reign to even trademark Napa Valley, comparatively to the Champagne region in France. One ingredient, fermented grape juice has entirely transformed the beverage industry and until recently many winemakers have created new blends and profuse accessories too attract the common man and woman. When pairing food and wine, many believed that wine went with finer cuisine, typically French, and beer went with… well, hot dogs.

As I see many of my friends and family take to wine with respect and ultimately, beverage separatism, I see that they are potentially the same advocates who should approach beer with the same excitement. Beer will challenge your senses and help to peel away the notion of beer as simply a product for quick consumption. What other beverage can enhance the range of life’s simple pleasures from fishing with buddies to having dinner at a fine restaurant, other than a great brew?

Some of my A-list breweries from California include: AleSmith, Anchor, Anderson Valley, Firestone Walker, Lost Abbey, Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada, and Stone. Beer trumps wine in two distinct ways – carbonation and at least four hearty ingredients: water, hops, yeast, and barley. I recommend that the next time you want to have grilled steak and are at the liquor store, peek in their beer section and grab an Pale Ale (like a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale) along with your Cabernet Sauvignon.




Red Rocket Ale
Bear Republic Brewing Co.
Healdsburg, California
bearrepublic.com

Red Rocket takes off into the glass with explosive carbonation and portrays a garnet color and tan cushiony foam leaving plenty lacing. Aroma initially opens with sweet hops then settles down with some fruit, burnt sugars, and roasted malt. Wonderful flavors of balanced hops, brown sugar, and roasted malt. No other red ale exemplifies the style so well while incorporating hops into every interaction in the brew to the bitter end - love it. Another amazing beer from Bear Republic – also try their Hop Rod Rye.

Appearance: 4.5
Smell: 4.5
Taste: 5
Mouthfeel: 4
Drinkability: 4.5
Overall = 4.65

Style: American Amber / Red Ale
Alcohol By Volume : 6.80%
Availability : Year Round
Sample Size: 22oz. bomber / brown bottle
Pairings:
Cheese: Sharp Blue, Cheddar
Cuisine: Grilled steak, spicy black bean hummus & pita bread
Glassware: Pint glass
Price: $4.89 each



PranQster
North Coast Brewing Co.
Fort Bragg, California
northcoastbrewing.com

Pours hazed apricot hue with a light sheet of lace that hugs the stemless pinot noir glass. Feeble aroma but picking up sweet vanilla, little spice, and a surprising whiff of oaky chardonnay. Amazingly, the flavor makes up for everything the nose lets down. Pranqster lives up to its name by unveiling a world-class taste. Each sip brings candi sugar that laces the lips with notes of spicy hops, pale malt and that quintessential Belgian yeast flavor. This brew is full of flavor and brings a strong mouthful with an expected powerful carbonation. This beer has high drinkability, but consume with moderation, for PranQster will fool you with it’s high alcohol content.

Appearance: 4
Smell: 2.5
Taste: 4.5
Mouthfeel: 4.5
Drinkability: 5
Overall = 4.05

Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale
Alcohol By Volume : 7.60%
Availability : Spring & Summer Release
Sample Size: 12 oz. brown bottle

Pairings:
Cheese: Aged Gouda, strong Cheddar
Cuisine: Apéritif, Shrimp Salad, mussels, Digestif,
Glassware: Over-sized wine glass, snifter
Price: $7.94 four pack