PUBlication: Alpha Centauri

Alpha Centauri | Hop Valley

The first brewery to get two PUBlication reviews is Hop Valley, one of the many craft beer establishments in Eugene and one of my personal favorites. Alpha Centauri is their Imperial IPA, the big brother to Alphadelic. This "Binary IPA" was far more delicate on the nose than expected. It possesses a nice level of carbonation, an unheralded trait that can make or break an ale. My partner in crime called it, "strangely effervescent." A bubbly white foam caps the almost school bus yellow hue. 

The entire interaction on the palette is much softer than the alcohol by volume would have you assume. Which makes this Imperial kind of dangerous. It's smooth going down with a slight bite in the aftertaste. Full of flavor and bursting with Oregon hops, this is a crisp IPA with a clean malt profile. Look for Alpha Centauri in 22oz bottles at your local market, or look to the heavens. 9% | 100 IBUs

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Russian River Blues Festival

First of all Taj Mahal is going to be there. Second, it's on the Russian River in the Redwoods. Third, there's a beach and tickets are reasonably priced. The Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival is celebrating 39 years of music this weekend. Temperatures in the Redwood Empire have been sweltering as of late, hopefully the forecast for the weekend holds true and the mercury will drop. Guerneville's the spot for a weekend of soaking up some sun, cooling off in the river or just getting your musical fix. The lineup includes War, Jackie Greene, Taj Mahal Trio, Buddy Guy and more. Keep in mind that Saturday focuses more on jazz and Sunday is all about the blues. Enjoy.

Taj Mahal | "Leavin Trunk"

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20th Street Block Party

There's going to be a pretty righteous block party in San Francisco on September 12th. This neighborhood bash runs from 12pm-6pm. Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, a favorite of mine, are headlining the event. The 20th Street Block Party is free, so get there early in order to claim  some real estate and catch the other acts. You may want to consider biking into the event. The 20th Street corridor will showcase San Francisco restaurants, businesses and artists in a celebration of their stomping grounds. In the Mission between Bryant and Harrison.

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PUBlication: Double Liberty

Double Liberty IPA | Argonaut Collection

Hot temperatures are always tough to bear, grabbing a cold beer can help to ease the heat. If you're looking for a new option, try Anchor Brewing. America's first craft beer company is still pulling off new tricks. They recently began brewing their Argonaut Collection. One of these limited releases is the Double Liberty IPA (sold as a four pack). The label is beautiful thanks to the hand-drawn art of Jim Stitt. Spring 2015 marked the first time this double IPA was brewed and it might already be out of circulation. It's worth your effort if found. 

Leaving the bottle this double pours apricot in color. A robust foam rises to the top. Below the froth lies a fresh subtlety. You can smell how balanced it is. The body appears heavier, it's a bit maltier than a typical DIPA. The malt base is 2-Row Pale, which melds nicely with the Cascade hops. There isn't one overly-menacing trait. It may be a bit sweet for some hop heads but don't let it fool you, it's still bitter. This palatable beast from Anchor is a rare breed, drink responsibly. 8.2% | 90 IBUs

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Night Sweats @ The Chapel

Get ready to get sweaty, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats are coming to the mission, on a mission. Drinks will be needed and I recommend bringing your dancing shoes. Their self-titled album has them touring the world, but before they head to Europe they're making sold-out stops across the U.S. One of those hard-to-get-tickets-to shows is at The Chapel in San Francisco, September 9th. Brace yourself for some good old-fashioned soul, swinging, American music. Happy Labor Day.

Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats | "S.O.B."



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Anderson East: Delilah

A little less than a month ago, Anderson East released Delilah, an album that possesses sonic diversity and poignant lyricism. Initially the songs start out swinging, energized with the snap of R&B. Soulful keys and backing vocals help to shape, "Devil In Me" and "All I Ever Need." These tracks feel inspired, moving from opposing corners like prize fighters dealing with cause and effect. Channeling his inner Ryan Adams on, "What a Woman Wants to Hear," Anderson embraces the buzz of being emotionally punch-drunk. This song is the hornet and the salve, it stings then soothes. He found a way to explain something we've all felt. 

'Wanna talk about tomorrow like it's a real thing. See you when it comes down next spring. Whisper nothings in your ear—I'll tell you what a woman, tell you what a woman wants to hear.' 

Bringing the record to a close is, "Lying in Her Arms," another heartrending number that is painted in truthful pain. Steeped in Nashville's alt-country, his words are fixed to the one he can never forget. You can hear the tremble in his voice. If you want to actually feel music, listen to this song.  

Anderson East | "Lying in Her Arms"



Anderson East | "What a Woman Wants to Hear"



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