Big Barrel of... | Brew Detective Best of 2020

Jackie Treehorn Presents:

The pandemic, police killing minorities, social unrest and protests, increased homelessness, the closure of far too many small businesses, and catastrophic fires along the west coast, were all tossed into one big barrel of WTF, better known as Portland, Oregon. To hell with an emotional state. My mind feels as though it's been overwritten. Things look fucked because they are. Time feels off, askew, now is a time for reflection, an opportunity to reconsider. 

Let's look inward to ensure a more positive direction moving forward. If we take action, if we prove that we care about one another, about the natural world, we will reap a more fruitful benefit. There's only one spaceship fit to fly us around the sun. We've been mistreating Mother Earth for far too long. Future generations are being dealt drastic doses of environmental deterioration. Reactive policies, tactics, and practices, have never been good enough. We have to do better.

Nature continues on, complete and perfect in its organic chaos, despite human influence. Time will not stop for us. We can make changes to give us new chances. There is so much to consider and I'm sorry if this was too sermon-like. I often use this platform as more of a digital journal, so as always, thanks for checking in. If you're still reading, hopefully my rambling reinforces the idea of, Do the Right Thing. Below is the positivity portion of this post. 

Buoy

I've assembled, for the first time in many moons, the best of Brew Detective. The list below showcases my favorite beers of 2020. Most selections were new beers released this calendar year, others were new to me. Having a tasty craft beer is one of life's pleasures — tastebuds need love too. Let's promote good energy through the rest of the year and beyond. Hopefully autumn feels kind, be safe out there. Enjoy these libations responsibly.

Best of Brew Detective | 2020

Dynamic Duo IPA | Ex Novo

Fanzine IPA | Fort George

Maiden West IPA | Little Beast

Eureka Pale Ale | Buoy

Panacea Pale Ale | Ex Novo

Pliny the Younger | Russian River

Jealous Butcher: Side A Pilsner | Fort George & Von Ebert

Farmers Annuary | Fort George \ Crosby Hops

Fields of Green | Fort George  \ Coleman Farms Citra Hops (canned: 9.25.20) \ 7.6% 

Shout-out to: Amalgamator IPA | BeachWood & Space Danger IPA | Fremont

Pale Ale | Beachcrest Brewing Co. 

Cheers, 

80choices

Space Danger

Danger, danger, danger Will Robinson. Er, I mean, Space Danger, a real west coast IPA. This beer is not a hazy juice bomb, thank you Fremont Brewing. A great interplay takes place between the hops and malt in this fantastic beer. The malt helps to produce a fluffy head as bubbles loft upward from perfected carbonation. Space Danger is so clean and transparent. If you see this beer, buy it.

Space Danger livens my taste buds like fresh garden greens, think escarole, arugula, even parsley. Those notes of bitterness meld perfectly with malted barley. Space Danger's complexity gives it an actually voice against the muted homogeneity of hazy IPA's. Another tasting note worth mentioning is that of moist tree bark. Mirabelle Plum comes to mind. If you've ever pruned that particular tree you know exactly what I'm talking about. I could smell that one-of-a-kind smell when I wrote this. This ale is a new favorite of mine. I will gladly seek it out between now and April 1st. 

Space Danger is one of the best IPA's I've had in quite some time. It's truly memorable. Hops include Centennial, Simcoe, and Sabro. The grain bill consists of 2-row pale malt, rolled oats, and white wheat. Find this IPA and drink it responsibly. 

Space Danger IPA | 7% | 61 IBU

Cheers,
80choices

Brew Detective: Head Full of Fresh Hops

Holy cornucopia of hops producing orchard fruit Batman. Fremont Brewing's Head Full of Fresh Hops presents a soft aroma that's big on flavor. This hazy IPA shines in marigold, glowing with taste. Juice-like traits arrive early, then bitterness counteracts. Great carbonation creates a better feel. 

Yakima hops are loaded into the brew kettle within 24 hours of being harvested. Bitterness and juiciness work in excellent harmony. One of the best fresh hop beers of the season. I highly recommend getting your hands on this seasonal treat. Enjoy craft beer responsibly.

Head Full of Fresh Hops | Hazy IPA | 6.5%

Cheers,

80choices

Brew Detective: Fremont | Fresh Hop Pale Ale

Seattle's Fremont Brewing creates fantastic beers capable of speaking their own language. Their most recent creation, the Field to Ferment Pale Ale, is a great beer to talk about. Late summer hop harvest leads to fresh hopped falls. I love that the NW brews pale ales this time of year. A delicate balance between hop bitterness and soft maltiness calmly displays the traits evenly. 

A foamy top crowns the wonderfully transparent and carbonated clarity. This Field to Ferment offering is a great example of crafting a non-IPA with fresh hops. In case I'm not making it clear, the clarity of this pale ale is resounding. Dense aromas transform into a light-bodied mouthfeel, never muting the bouquet in the process. This ale pairs well with pizza, duh. Enjoy responsibly because fresh hop beer matters.

Fremont | Fresh Hop Pale Ale | 6%
Hops: Centennial, Simcoe
Brewed: 09.10.19

80choices.

Brew Detective: Fremont Sky Kraken

Haze is all the craze. Here lies another iteration, here lies the Kraken. The Sky Kraken is a hazy pale ale from Fremont Brewing. The aromas are full of tropical fruit. Poured out the color resembles a mix between poppy and straw yellow. The Sky Kraken has decent clarity considering it's hazy. A bubbly head forms above the somewhat murky ale. 

A second dose of things to smell and taste is highlighted by mango, melon and pineapple. The Kraken is super crushable. There's little to no mouth feel, which assists in making it go down easy. A slight sweetness rings at the finish, a nice change of pace. Look for this delicious pale ale in six packs, 22oz. bottles, or on draft. Release the Kraken. Enjoy summer responsibly. 

Hops: Citra, Mosaic & Strata | Malts: 2-Row, White & Flaked Wheat, Malted & Rolled Oats

Sky Kraken: 5.5%

80choices