Since its establishment in 1996, Shmaltz Brewing Company has gone from a Mission District, San Francisco apartment operation, where Jeremy Cowan brewed his first hundred cases of He’Brew Beer that he enlisted his mother to deliver, to a massive brewery just north of Albany in Clifton Park, New York, with national distribution, including Washington state. Cowan wears his Jewish heritage proud — from “schmaltz,” which is Yiddish for “excessive sentimentality in art or music,” to the beer being Kosher certified, to the artwork and incorporation of Biblical Israel’s famous fruits and grains such as figs and pomegranates, aka the “Seven Species,” into the brews. Peaks and Pints is thrilled to host Shmaltz Brewing Company for a Seattle Beer Week Pop-Up Party tonight. We thought it would be kosher to include an all-day Shmaltz beer flight, Craft Beer Crosscut 5.16.18: A Flight of Shmaltz Brewing.
Shmaltz Star Trek Mirror Universe Terrans Unite! IPL
5% ABV
Shmaltz, who has developed several varieties of Trek-themed beers since 2016, now offers Terrans Unite! India Pale Lager, styled with artwork from J.K. Woodward’s 2017 Star Trek: TNG – Mirror Broken comics. We have no idea what that means, BUT EXCITING! We do know this IPA lands with light-medium bitterness, citrus hops, some pine hops, grapefruit, fruity, earthy, malt, light-medium sweet and a semi-dry finish.
Shmaltz Shoebelation
11.5% ABV
Shmaltz and Clown Shoes Beer teamed up for the most badass collaboration beer. Shmaltz blends its Jewbelation 11 with Clown Shoes Brewing’s Billionaire Barleywine in Wild Turkey bourbon barrels for more than two months. It kicks off with fruit notes from the barleywine, with a mixture of bright American style fruit and deeper dried fruit reminiscent of English barleywines. The finish extends the English influence, with a dark biscuity flavor of old ales, probably contributed by the Jewbelation. It’s more of a strong ale, but would pass as a quality barleywine, too. It’s deep and flavorful.
Shmaltz Jewbelation 21
12% ABV
Every year, when Shmaltz Brewing’s anniversary rolls around, they release a new edition of their iconic Jewbelation Ale. However, for their 21st anniversary, they did something a little special. By using 10 malts and 11 hops, they have redefined the strong ale. It hits the nose with dark fruit and notes of roasted malt, toffee and earthy rye. Starts with dark fruit and roasted malt flavors with a smooth, boozy mouthfeel. It finishes dry with toffee malt and earthy rye flavors as well as a boozy burn at the end.
Shmaltz Hop Manna IPA
6.8% ABV, 65 IBU
It’s easy to see why Shmaltz Brewing’s boldly hopped IPA took home gold at the 2012 World Beer Championships. Dry-hopped with Centennial, Cascade and Citra hops, following a bittering base of the aforementioned varietals in addition to high alpha Amarillo, Crystal and Warrior hops – balanced by five malts — the finished product highlights floral, citrus and catty notes that unapologetically besiege us.
Shmaltz Bittersweet Lenny’s RIPA on Rye
10% ABV, 85 IBU
Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A. on Rye IPA was brewed in honor of foul-mouthed comic Lenny Bruce’s death in 1966 with an obscene amount of malts and hops. Citrusy herbal hops, caramel malt and tropical fruit fill the mouth. Finish is long, huge and dry.
