Ünnecessary Ümlaut

TAPS in Petaluma opened this weekend and we stopped in to check things out. Technically in “soft opening” phase, the place is looking terrific. Between TAPS, the Lagunitas TapRoom & Beer Sanctuary, and Dempsey’s Brewpub, Petaluma’s become quite the destination for beer geeks. I couldn’t be happier.

This new destination is a group effort from Eric Lafanchi (pictured), his brother, and Eric’s wife Wendy (not only co-owner, but also the driven, determined, secret-ingredient to Taps’ existence). Together they’ve culled a tasty tap and bottle selection for both Geeks and regular Peeps alike, thanks to some expert input by Mario the Brewsario behind Brewed For Thought. And since they happily offer samples of anything tapped it’s a great place to experiment or just knock back a few. Wash it all down with fries and $4 sausages & dogs, and you’re all good.

First up was this amazingly creamy ‘n biscuity Tripel Karmeliet from Bosteels, in respective glass and coaster no less. Most of their beers are served in corresponding glassware. All others get the curvy, English-style pints, thankfully not the flat shaker pints (which really just bore me). Details, folks.

On top of about 30 taps and over a dozen bottles, they’ve got six flatscreens. Count ‘em, six. All will be fired up for the big game(s).

The guys have been unearthing artifacts hidden in the basement of 1923 landmark Hotel Petaluma. Shown here, a vintage flyer for the Steamer Gold paddle wheel. You could ferry from the wharf at Washington & Jackson in SF all the way up to Lakeville landing in Petaluma for 50 cents. My bus ride costs $8.50. Each way.

Get a load of that Umlaut! That’s a bomber of Valley Brewing Überhoppy next to Lagunitas Hop Stoopid.

TAPS is located around the side of  Hotel Petaluma. Go say hi to the Lafranchi Brothers and find your new favorite beer from Lagunitas, Bear Republic, Dogfish Head, Anderson Valley, Stone, Mad River, Marin Brewing Co, Moylan’s, North Coast, Moonlight, Firestone, Anchor, New Belgium, Avery, Koningshoeven, Abita, Moortgat, Ommegang, and more.

TAPS Petaluma
205 Kentucky Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
707.763.6700

www.PetalumaTaps.com

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Lagunitas TapRoom & Beer Sanctuary Now Open

Spotted this vintage, uncut sheet of Burgermeister tin can labels at an antique shop in Sebastopol, CA. Coincidentally, the same town I saw the Burgie can below. (Read: The Old Hessel House Garage Sale)

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Well, it’s here. Like many years before, Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Ale is the first of the season’s pumpkin beers to hit shelves. Maybe ‘cuz it’s brewed just down in Hayward. Maybe ‘cuz it’s “America’s Original Pumpkin Ale” and has to secure it’s title. Either way, it was the first pumpkin brew I ever tried, so it’s been the one by which all others are judged.

Is it the best of the style? No way. The mouthfeel is on the thin side and the flavor is heavier on spice than pumpkin itself. But regardless, it tastes and smells like Fall in a bottle. And that’s enough to make me happy.

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Just a scant 12 miles north of the Lagunitas Beer Sanctuary is another must-visit brew spot, Russian River Brewing in Santa Rosa. If you’re in the Bay Area it’s well worth the trek. Since it’s a restaurant, you can bring your kids if you got ’em (witness the Lego’s above). Plus, Sunday’s have HAPPY HOUR ALL DAY. 

Obstructing Lego’s view above is a frothy glass of Hopfather. If you go, order this for sure. Like a crisper, less oily, but much hoppier Pliny the Elder. So hoppy it prompted my friend Shawn to pose the question, “Can a beer be too hoppy?”. An awkward silence followed.

The Belgian Beer Sampler was all-around tasty with two particular stand-outs:

Salvation 8.60 ABV
Nice, strong dark ale with hints of birch, pepper, dark fruits, and licorice.

Consecration 10.0 ABV
A dark, sour-aged belgian that may be the first of the sour beers (which are oh-so-hot right now for some reason) I actually appreciate. To the un-sour initiated, it tastes like dark-cherry kombucha. So if that’s your thang you’ll dig this.

Here’s what else was on tap: See the rest »

There’s a lot going on with this concept. The up-close detail factory scene. How they work together side-by-side. And, well, that’s enough.

Created by Russian illustrator/designer RAMM. See his other can designs here. (via Brookston)

A can of this would look pretty damn hot  slipped in a holster from Brew Holster Cult. Leather and Lace. Was that Don Henley and Stevie Nicks?

Remember Freezy Freakies, or was it Freaky Freezies, the 80’s gloves that changed colors in the snow? I had dragon ones that totally corroded my fingernails. Wonder why they were discontinued.

Coors Light‘s new “cold activated” can applies the same technology (of the non fingernail-warping variety) and changes color when it’s cold enough to drink. Not gimmicky at all. And sooo necessary. Cough. Cough. 

Need to chill a beer fast? Follow my instructions … 

CHILL OUT WITH THE UMLAUT
Cold beer in 3 minutes: 

1. Fill a bowl with water & ice. 
2. Toss in a handful of salt (swirl for the magic).
3. Submerge your beers for 3 mins. Enjoy.

Or, cold Coors Light in 30 seconds:

1. Fill a glass with water.
2. Toss in ice cubes.
3. Drink. 

Rim shot! Check out videos of different beer-chilling experiments at Project Cold. Some are actually scientific. Some are just plain silly.

Fresh from the brewery in sunny Petaluma. Bottled only three days ago.  It’s a bigger, better version of the limited (and unfortunately all-gone) Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Ale.

Little Sumpin’ Extra! Ale, in the words of the brewer, Tony Magee:
“Honey and tropical fruit.. This is not beer as we have known it.”

Mmm, quaffable. Look for it in stores in the comin’ weeks.

For the geeks: 72.52 IBU, OG 1.082, 8.74% Alc 

More Lagunitas on the Umlaut…

Snapped these pics back in February while at the Beer Circus. They’re super-special versions of my favorite from Lagunitas’ now defunct Frank Zappa Series, Ruben and The Jets.

According to Brewed For Thought, two versions should be hitting the TapRoom and select drafts in the coming weeks:

Bourbon Barrel-Aged Ruben and The Jets

Ruben and The Bretts
(barrel-aged, dosed with brett and cherries)

Read more at Brewed For Thought.

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More …

Fun spot. Too bad the VO at the end ruins it. [via B(abble)log]

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Gentle-persons, prepare your livers. It’s opening weekend at the new Lagunitas TapRoom and Beer Sanctuary in Petaluma, CA. Swing on by!

Tons of tasty schtuff on tap, including rarities like Bourbon Barrel Cappuccino Stout and the keg-only Farmhouse Saison.

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Wednesday thru Sunday with live music, sandwiches and snacks.

Hours of operation will be Weds, Thurs, and Fri from 3–9 pm.

Saturday and Sunday from 1–7 pm. More pics …

Fred between Lagunitas Beer Weasel, Ron Lindenbusch and head brewing beastmaster Tony Magee. Cheers, fellas!

See the rest »

“I Am Pabst”- by Jacob White, Los Gatos, CA.
Spotted off 7th Street, SF

For the past three years, Pabst Blue Ribbon has held an art contest where anyone can enter a PBR-flavored piece of Photography, Digital Media, Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, or Poetry. Check out the past year’s winners at PBRart.com .

Story at SF Citizen. (via Laughing Squid)

This happened to me almost two weeks ago, but I’m only just now able to discuss it without giggling like a schoolgirl. So here’s my short, random story: See the rest »

No self-respecting hipster would wear their Pabst in a beer helmet. Partly ‘cuz they’d have to fork over cash for two cans at once. Mostly ‘cuz it would screw up their hair.

Thankfully Brew Holster Cult understands the value of hands-free posturing with a single beer. They’ll customize a leather holster for you in three different styles: Ale Swearengen, Optical Brew-Lusion, and Bock Star. They say they’ll hold both cans and bottles.

I wonder if they hold 40 oz’s? Check them out. (Thanks Brian)

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My first organic beer. Could I taste the organic-ness? See the rest »

Click to see it in action.

Crazy. On the rare day I wear my Old Style belt buckle (it’s rare enough I even wear pants), Fang posts this sweet site takeover from my hometown-beloved, first-beer ever, Old Style. (Thanks, Jeff!)

HOW TO KRAEUSEN A SITE 
Paste this before any website address:

  http://www.oldstylebeertap.com/kraeusen/?site=http://

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