Remember October 2016? A new rain record was set with 10.05 inches — more than an inch above the previous record, set in 2003. November and December mellowed out for precipitation in our region, but then things stepped up again in January with a healthy (though not near the record) 7.45 inches. From October through March, it is almost constantly cloudy, there being only 17 clear days during those six months, 27 days that are classified as partly cloudy, and 137 completely cloudy. December is the darkest month, with only two clear days; March — normally associated with spring and relative lightness — averages only three. Today, it will be clear and 70 degrees. Let’s hold onto this weather while we can and enjoy our warm weather inspired beer flight, Craft Beer Crosscut 10.5.17: A Flight for Sunny October.
Anderson Valley Summer Solstice
5% ABV, 6 IBU
Founded in 1987 in Boonville, California, the Anderson Valley Brewing Company brewed out of a modest 10-barrel brewhouse located in the lower level of its original brewpub, The Buckhorn Saloon. After numerous upgrades, the brewery still brews handcrafted authentic ales and lagers with balance and complexity and a passion for sustainable brewing practices. Anderson Valley makes one of the only cream ales that is also a summer seasonal. Summer Solstice varies remarkably from most of the cream ales in its aggressive use of darker roasted barley. A brilliant copper color in the body and a darker head also show some color from the malt. Slightly sweet but very malty, this brew has an unconventional taste. With hints of caramel in the nose and a touch of spice, it’s become affectionately known as “cream soda for adults”. The unique flavors and superior drinkability make for the ultimate refreshment on a hot summer day.
Silver City Ziggy Zoggy
5% ABV, 40 IBU
Restaurateurs and brothers Steve and Scott Houmes added craft beer to their lives when they teamed up with brewmaster “Big Daddy” Don Spencer and opened Silver City Brewery in Silverdale, Washington, in September 1996. In May of 2010, the brothers moved their brewery operations to a new, 7,600 square foot production facility and taproom in Bremerton. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Silver City Brewery. Ziggy Zoggy is such an easy-drinking, tasty beer for warm weather. Brewed in the Bavarian tradition of kellerbier or zwickelbier, it’s unfiltered and has great malt flavor but enough bitter hop character to satisfy a Northwest palate.
Fremont Summer Ale
5.2% ABV, 45 IBU
If it were socially acceptable to drink beer in the morning, one with Amarillo hops would be the perfect way to start the day. Amarillo provides a super-citrusy aroma verging on oranges, lively tangerine flavor and a medium-high bitterness, that is sure to wake the taste buds. A staple at the brewery since 2010, Fremont Brewing’s Summer Ale has just four ingredients: water, grain, yeast, and Amarillo hops. It tastes like tangerine flowers in a glass — refreshing, crisp, full of flavor that won’t weigh you down on a warm day.
Georgetown Brewing Fresh Johnny Utah Pale Ale
5.6% ABV
Citra hops, well, the name says it all. A relatively new hop on the scene (released in 2008 by Hop Breeding Company of Yakima), Citra adds the trademark blend of juicy citrus and tropical fruit that scream warm weather. Georgetown Brewing brews its bright and bitter Johnny Utah Pale with Citra for fruity and herbal in the hop department, with some grapefruit bitterness. During fresh hop season Georgetown’s head brewer Reid Spencer uses 3000 pounds of fresh Citra hops from Haas Yakima Golding Farm, working out to about 25 pounds of fresh hops per barrel. Spencer made the trip to Yakima twice that day, meaning the hops went from bine to barrel within 5 hours. These little beauties never saw a kiln, so you get the freshest summer expression of the hops without chewing on them yourself.
Pelican Beak Breaker
9.5% ABV, 90 IBU
Pelican Brewing Co. has been brewing craft beer for more than 21 years. They know massive additions of Mosaic, Citra and Centennial hops will deliver a bright citrus-tropical aroma and notes of ruby red grapefruit and sweet pine. Success. Beak Breaker double IPA hits the nose with big fruit like mature citric fruit, peaches and oranges that are only possible from dry-hopping. Flavor is sweet malt, mild toffee, peach, mature citric fruit, orange peel, citric zest and good bitterness.
