From the Brewer: Firestone’s anniversary series, a unique blend of barrel aged beers, has become quite a phenomenon each year as beer fans from all over the U.S. seek out this special limited release.  Brewmaster Matt Brynildson enlisted the help of Paso Robles area wine makers to assist in the blending of several barrel-aged beers into Anniversary 12.  Parabola, a Russian Imperial Stout and Ruby, an Imperial Amber are just two of the beers making up the final blend.  Some of the component beers have spent over 2 years aging in a combination of retired bourbon, rye, and wine barrels.  This process contributes unique and one-of-a kind flavors not typically found in beer. Only 600 cases of this vintage beer were made.

The Beer Box Score

• Style:  Blend of several barrel aged beers; read the fact sheet for all the details on this beer
• ABV: 12%
• IBUs: NA
• Hops:  NA
• Malts:  NA
• Yeast: NA
• Spices:  NA
• Final Gravity: NA
• Rapid Classification Ranking:  Class IV (Taste Buds Overboard)

New Methodology:  We respect beer too much to judge it. Every beer has its place and time. But we know that wading through the deluge of craft brews can be intimidating… even dangerous. That’s why we’ve created the “Rapid Classification System,” a simple yet powerful tool that will help you navigate the beerscape. The RCS takes the fear out of beer tasting by showing you exactly how rough it will be on your palate. The Rapid Classification System on Taste Buds… another great innovation from the muddled minds at Beer Tap TV!

Podcast versions now available: That’s right… we now have audio only versions of each episode!  Listen to the podcast for Taste Buds#234 here!

From Us:  This week Erik and Romey are joined by John Bryan, Export Director from Firestone Walker Brewing in Paso Robles, California.  John brought along a few bottles of Anniversary 12 to share with the Taste Buds!

Calling all beer making type folks – pros and home brewers alike! Want your beers featured on the show? Email us at AlwaysHoppy@BeerTapTV.com.

BEER TAP TV NEWS: Become a Tap Head  and win stuff!  Stay up to date on all things BTTV by registering here.

Make sure you follow us on:

Twitter: @ErikBoles
Twitter: @EliShayotovich
Twitter: @RomeJohn5 (John Romero)
Twitter: @WhopTbirdJones (Brandon Fontenot)
Twitter: @BeerTapTV
Facebook: BeerTapTV
YouTube: BeerTapTV

And here at Beer Tap TV:

Erik Boles
Eli Shayotovich
Brandon Fontenot

From the Brewer: Belgian Style Ales developed by John Schneider in the majestic surroundings of Pikes Peak. Black Fox Brewing made its first release on Friday March 13, 2009 with their “Debut” Saison at the tasting room in Bristol Brewing Company to a standing room only crowd.  Don’t Call Me Wit got its name from the NOFX song, Don’t Call Me White.

The Beer Box Score

• Style:  Belgian White (Witbier)/Saison
• ABV: 6.95%
• IBUs: 20
• Hops:  Cz. Saaz – all the way through, even a descent sized whirl hop addition
• Malts:  Pilsner, flaked oats, flaked wheat, acidulated
• Yeast: Blend of California Ale and Saison
• Spices:  Coriander, sweet orange peel, orange zest, lemon zest
• Original Gravity: 14.5 Plato
• Final Gravity: 1.6 Plato
• Rapid Classification Ranking:  Class II (Minor Taste Buds Turbulence)

New Methodology:  We respect beer too much to judge it. Every beer has its place and time. But we know that wading through the deluge of craft brews can be intimidating… even dangerous. That’s why we’ve created the “Rapid Classification System,” a simple yet powerful tool that will help you navigate the beerscape. The RCS takes the fear out of beer tasting by showing you exactly how rough it will be on your palate. The Rapid Classification System on Taste Buds… another great innovation from the muddled minds at Beer Tap TV!

Podcast versions now available: That’s right… we now have audio only versions of each episode!  Listen to the podcast for Taste Buds#233 here!

From Us:  This week Erik and Romey slam dunk a delish Belgian White – Hey, don’t call us white! We’re just you’re average Joe Sixpacks! – from Black Fox Brewing in Colorado Springs.  Mmmm… tasty!

Calling all beer making type folks – pros and home brewers alike! Want your beers featured on the show? Email us at AlwaysHoppy@BeerTapTV.com.

BEER TAP TV NEWS: Become a Tap Head  and win stuff!  Stay up to date on all things BTTV by registering here.

Make sure you follow us on:

Twitter: @ErikBoles
Twitter: @EliShayotovich
Twitter: @RomeJohn5 (John Romero)
Twitter: @WhopTbirdJones (Brandon Fontenot)
Twitter: @BeerTapTV
Facebook: BeerTapTV
YouTube: BeerTapTV

And here at Beer Tap TV:

Erik Boles
Eli Shayotovich
Brandon Fontenot

From the Brewer: The ice bock, also known as “Bayrisch Gefrorns”, owes its discovery to a coincidence. According to the chronicles of the Kulmbacher brewery, some time around 1900 an apprentice forgot on a cold winter day to carry two barrels of bock beer into the brewery cellar. The barrels stayed outside, were covered by ice and snow and weren’t discovered until the following spring. The barrels had burst and the apprentice was reprimanded. But the carelessness was a stroke of luck because under the thick ice coat, a bock beer extract remained, strong tasting and high in alcoholic content. Even if the dark, tasty specialty is not produced in this spectacular way anymore, the chance that gave birth to this beer became a tradition. Today this beer rarity is brewed in a modern brewing and freezing process, but the incomparable taste is still the same and can always be enjoyed in winter months.

The Beer Box Score

• Style:  Eisbock
• ABV: 9.2%
• IBUs: NA
• Hops:  NA
• Malts:  NA
• Availability:  NA
• Rapid Classification Ranking:  Class IV (Taste Buds Overboard)

New Methodology:  We respect beer too much to judge it. Every beer has its place and time. But we know that wading through the deluge of craft brews can be intimidating… even dangerous. That’s why we’ve created the “Rapid Classification System,” a simple yet powerful tool that will help you navigate the beerscape. The RCS takes the fear out of beer tasting by showing you exactly how rough it will be on your palate. The Rapid Classification System on Taste Buds… another great innovation from the muddled minds at Beer Tap TV!

Podcast versions now available: That’s right… we now have audio only versions of each episode!  Listen to the podcast for Taste Buds#232 here!

From Us:  This week Erik and Romey grab some Eis to help “Snippy” (aka Brandon) take down the swelling.  Along the way they discover this particular German Eisbock from Kulmbacher is one of the best on the planet.

Calling all beer making type folks – pros and home brewers alike! Want your beers featured on the show? Email us at AlwaysHoppy@BeerTapTV.com.

BEER TAP TV NEWS: Become a Tap Head  and win stuff!  Stay up to date on all things BTTV by registering here.

Make sure you follow us on:

Twitter: @ErikBoles
Twitter: @EliShayotovich
Twitter: @RomeJohn5 (John Romero)
Twitter: @WhopTbirdJones (Brandon Fontenot)
Twitter: @BeerTapTV
Facebook: BeerTapTV
YouTube: BeerTapTV

And here at Beer Tap TV:

Erik Boles
Eli Shayotovich
Brandon Fontenot

From the Brewer: In 1919, beer was banned. Barrels were broken. Breweries went belly up. Drinking a beer became an act of protest against those in power. Each toast was a citizen’s demand to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. When beer became legal again 14 years later, it was never the same. That is, until a few years ago when we discovered an old beer recipe in the basement archives of the brewery dating back before Prohibition. Batch 19™ is inspired by the last batches of beer brewed before 1919.  Available on tap in ONLY 5 cities – San Francisco, San Jose, Milwaukee, Chicago, and Washington, DC.  Not available in roughly 18,438.

The Beer Box Score

• Style:  Pre-Prohibition Lager
• ABV: .5.5%
• IBUs: 26
• Hops:  Hersbrucker (herbal notes), Strisslespalt (black currant)
• Specialty Malts:  NA
• Availability:  VERY VERY limited
• Rapid Classification Ranking:  Class I (Pure Flatwater)

New Methodology:  We respect beer too much to judge it. Every beer has its place and time. But we know that wading through the deluge of craft brews can be intimidating… even dangerous. That’s why we’ve created the “Rapid Classification System,” a simple yet powerful tool that will help you navigate the beerscape. The RCS takes the fear out of beer tasting by showing you exactly how rough it will be on your palate. The Rapid Classification System on Taste Buds… another great innovation from the muddled minds at Beer Tap TV!

Podcast versions now available: That’s right… we now have audio only versions of each episode!  Listen to the podcast for Taste Buds#231 here!

From Us:  This week Erik and Romey don the Mafia garb and go all Pre-Prohibition on you thanks to Batch 19 brewed by Coors in Golden, Colorado.

Calling all beer making type folks – pros and home brewers alike! Want your beers featured on the show? Email us at AlwaysHoppy@BeerTapTV.com.

BEER TAP TV NEWS: Become a Tap Head  and win stuff!  Stay up to date on all things BTTV by registering here.

Make sure you follow us on:

Twitter: @ErikBoles
Twitter: @EliShayotovich
Twitter: @RomeJohn5 (John Romero)
Twitter: @WhopTbirdJones (Brandon Fontenot)
Twitter: @BeerTapTV
Facebook: BeerTapTV
YouTube: BeerTapTV

And here at Beer Tap TV:

Erik Boles
Eli Shayotovich
Brandon Fontenot

From the Brewer: Colorado Native is a brilliant amber lager. Its malt character has been carefully balanced against select bittering hops resulting in a full-flavored, yet balanced beer. Fermentation with the oldest know strain of lager yeast in Colorado gives rise to a slight fruitiness which complements a citrus aroma character from a late kettle addition of Colorado-grown hops. It delivers a clean taste and dry finish that you won’t find in any ale. Native is great solo, but also pairs well with a wide range of your favorite foods. It’s the only lager we know of in the world brewed with Rocky Mountain water, only Colorado-grown Moravian barley from the San Luis Valley and hand-picked Colorado grown hops in an extra finishing step. Using Colorado-grown ingredients helps us minimize our carbon footprint; even our bottles and boxes are made in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

The Beer Box Score

• Style:  Amber Lager
• ABV: .5.5%
• IBUs: 26
• Hops:  Chinook, Centennial and Cascade. Finishing hops are a collection of hops grown in Colorado by friends and family
• Specialty Malts:  Pale and caramel malts, both malted from our Moravian two-row barley grown in the San Luis Valley of Colorado
• Availability:  Colorado only
• Calories: 160 calories per twelve-ounce serving.
• Rapid Classification Ranking:  Class I (Pure Flatwater)

New Methodology:  We respect beer too much to judge it. Every beer has its place and time. But we know that wading through the deluge of craft brews can be intimidating… even dangerous. That’s why we’ve created the “Rapid Classification System,” a simple yet powerful tool that will help you navigate the beerscape. The RCS takes the fear out of beer tasting by showing you exactly how rough it will be on your palate. The Rapid Classification System on Taste Buds… another great innovation from the muddled minds at Beer Tap TV!

Podcast versions now available: That’s right… we now have audio only versions of each episode!  Listen to the podcast for Taste Buds#230 here!

From Us:  This week Erik and Romey go native and suck down a lager made in Colorado, for Colorado… by Colorad0-ans.

Calling all beer making type folks – pros and home brewers alike! Want your beers featured on the show? Email us at AlwaysHoppy@BeerTapTV.com.

BEER TAP TV NEWS: Become a Tap Head  and win stuff!  Stay up to date on all things BTTV by registering here.

Make sure you follow us on:

Twitter: @ErikBoles
Twitter: @EliShayotovich
Twitter: @RomeJohn5 (John Romero)
Twitter: @WhopTbirdJones (Brandon Fontenot)
Twitter: @BeerTapTV
Facebook: BeerTapTV
YouTube: BeerTapTV

And here at Beer Tap TV:

Erik Boles
Eli Shayotovich
Brandon Fontenot

From the Brewer: We present Parabola, the first-ever bottling of this barrel-aged Imperial Stout. This is an extension of Quercus Alba —the Firestone Walker Barrel aged program.  Parabola has been a major component of past anniversary blends and is one of our most aggressive offerings. Only 1,000 cases [22 oz. bottles] were produced. This bold beer features nuances of bourbon and tobacco aroma. Rich dark chocolate flavors meld with charred oak, dark cherry and espresso finishing smooth on the palate.

The Beer Box Score

• Style:  Russian Imperial Stout;  Aged in Bourbon Barrels
• ABV: 13%
• IBUs: 50 or 80 (check the bottle)
• Fermentation:  100% Stainless steel w/2 year maturation in Heavens Hill bourbon barrels
• Yeast: British Ale (House)
• Hops:  Bittering – Zeus Late Kettle – Hallertau
• Specialty Malts:  Undisclosed – Top Secret!
• Availability:  California (On Draft Only – Paso Robles Tasting Room only; Limited 22oz/draft)
• Rapid Classification Ranking:  Class IV (Taste Buds Overboard)

New Methodology:  We respect beer too much to judge it. Every beer has its place and time. But we know that wading through the deluge of craft brews can be intimidating… even dangerous. That’s why we’ve created the “Rapid Classification System,” a simple yet powerful tool that will help you navigate the beerscape. The RCS takes the fear out of beer tasting by showing you exactly how rough it will be on your palate. The Rapid Classification System on Taste Buds… another great innovation from the muddled minds at Beer Tap TV!

Podcast versions now available: That’s right… we now have audio only versions of each episode!  Listen to the podcast for Taste Buds#229 here!

From Us:  This week Erik is joined by the INfamous John Romero, local network news reporter and Beer Geek, for a pious portion of Parabola from Paso Robles, California, based Firestone Walker.

Calling all beer making type folks – pros and home brewers alike! Want your beers featured on the show? Email us at AlwaysHoppy@BeerTapTV.com.

BEER TAP TV NEWS: Become a Tap Head  and win stuff!  Stay up to date on all things BTTV by registering here.

Make sure you follow us on:

Twitter: @ErikBoles
Twitter: @EliShayotovich
Twitter: @Dusty Frazier
Twitter: @WhopTbirdJones (Brandon Fontenot)
Twitter: @BeerTapTV
Facebook: BeerTapTV
YouTube: BeerTapTV

And here at Beer Tap TV:

Erik Boles
Dusty Frazier
Eli Shayotovich
Brandon Fontenot

For marketing and sales information contact David Stanley on Twitter @KiwiGate, on Facebook at David Stanley or via Email at David.Stanely@channelsnap.com

From the Brewer: The Kolsch ale is fermented and aged cold for a crisp, refreshing taste. This beer owes its light hop finish to the addition of the noble German Hallertau hops, and its full-bodied flavor to Dundee’s proprietary, top-fermenting ale yeast.

The Beer Box Score

• Style:  Kolsch
• ABV: 5.48%
• IBUs: 10.5
• Begining Gravity:  14 plato
• Ending Gravity: 1.65 plato
• Yeast: Ale
• Bittering Hops:  Galena
• Taste & Aroma Hops:  Mt. Hood Hallertau
• Specialty Malts:  Wheat
• Rapid Classification Ranking:  Class I (Pure Flatwater)

New Methodology:  We respect beer too much to judge it. Every beer has its place and time. But we know that wading through the deluge of craft brews can be intimidating… even dangerous. That’s why we’ve created the “Rapid Classification System,” a simple yet powerful tool that will help you navigate the beerscape. The RCS takes the fear out of beer tasting by showing you exactly how rough it will be on your palate. The Rapid Classification System on Taste Buds… another great innovation from the muddled minds at Beer Tap TV!

Podcast versions now available: That’s right… we now have audio only versions of each episode!  Listen to the podcast for Taste Buds#228 here!

From Us:  This week the Taste Buds share a Dundee Kolsch style ale – and a  smile – in the great outdoors!

Calling all beer making type folks – pros and home brewers alike! Want your beers featured on the show? Email us at AlwaysHoppy@BeerTapTV.com.

BEER TAP TV NEWS: Become a Tap Head  and win stuff!  Stay up to date on all things BTTV by registering here.

Make sure you follow us on:

Twitter: @ErikBoles
Twitter: @EliShayotovich
Twitter: @Dusty Frazier
Twitter: @WhopTbirdJones (Brandon Fontenot)
Twitter: @BeerTapTV
Facebook: BeerTapTV
YouTube: BeerTapTV

And here at Beer Tap TV:

Erik Boles
Dusty Frazier
Eli Shayotovich
Brandon Fontenot

For marketing and sales information contact David Stanley on Twitter @KiwiGate, on Facebook at David Stanley or via Email at David.Stanely@channelsnap.com

From the Brewer: Our first beer in the Reserve Series, Melange A Trois begins with a wonderfully big Strong Belgian-Style Blonde Ale and moves into the extraordinary category through an additional 6 month French Oak Chardonnay Wine Barrel maturation. The essense of Chardonnay permeates while a subtle sweetness remains from the Ale itself. Oak tannins combine to create a fascinating mesh of dry, sweet, and wine-like character.  Awards: Silver, 2009 U.S. Open Beer Competition, Wood/Barrel Aged Strong Ale.

The Beer Box Score

• Style:  Belgian Strong Ale
• ABV: 10%
• IBUs: NA
• Hops:  NA
• Malts:  NA
• Rapid Classification Ranking:  Class IV (Taste Buds Overboard)

New Methodology:  We respect beer too much to judge it. Every beer has its place and time. But we know that wading through the deluge of craft brews can be intimidating… even dangerous. That’s why we’ve created the “Rapid Classification System,” a simple yet powerful tool that will help you navigate the beerscape. The RCS takes the fear out of beer tasting by showing you exactly how rough it will be on your palate. The Rapid Classification System on Taste Buds… another great innovation from the muddled minds at Beer Tap TV!

Podcast versions now available: That’s right… we now have audio versions of each episode!  Listen to the podcast for Taste Buds#227 here!

From Us:  This week on Taste Buds Erik and Dusty grab a friend and have a menage a trois… thanks to Nebraska Brewing’s barrel aged Belgian strong ale.

Calling all beer making type folks – pros and home brewers alike! Want your beers featured on the show? Email us at AlwaysHoppy@BeerTapTV.com.

BEER TAP TV NEWS: Become a Tap Head  and win stuff!  Stay up to date on all things BTTV by registering here.

Make sure you follow us on:

Twitter: @ErikBoles
Twitter: @EliShayotovich
Twitter: @Dusty Frazier
Twitter: @WhopTbirdJones (Brandon Fontenot)
Twitter: @BeerTapTV
Facebook: BeerTapTV
YouTube: BeerTapTV

And here at Beer Tap TV:

Erik Boles
Dusty Frazier
Eli Shayotovich
Brandon Fontenot

For marketing and sales information contact David Stanley on Twitter @KiwiGate, on Facebook at David Stanley or via Email at David.Stanely@channelsnap.com

From the Brewer: Environmental pedigree aside, Green Lakes Organic Ale is a finely balanced beer with a mellow malt profile and  subtle hop leading edge. It’s a profoundly satisfying, easy-drinking beer.  What’s more, no mere enviro wink and nod, Green Lakes Organic Ale is a true ode to Mother Earth. Both product and process have been carefully considered.  Deschutes’s brewhouses are organically  certified by Oregon Tilth. And while all malts are organic, the hops story is a less told eco-tale. A full 80% Salmon-Safe, they’re grown so that surrounding streams are shaded, cool and run-off free, allowing migrating salmon to flourish.

The Beer Box Score

• Style:  American Amber
• ABV: 5.2%
• IBUs: 45
• Hops:  Liberty and Sterling
• Malts:  Five types of 100% organic malted barleys
• Rapid Classification Ranking:  Class II (Minor Taste Buds Turbulence)

New Methodology:  We respect beer too much to judge it. Every beer has its place and time. But we know that wading through the deluge of craft brews can be intimidating… even dangerous. That’s why we’ve created the “Rapid Classification System,” a simple yet powerful tool that will help you navigate the beerscape. The RCS takes the fear out of beer tasting by showing you exactly how rough it will be on your palate. The Rapid Classification System on Taste Buds… another great innovation from the muddled minds at Beer Tap TV!

Podcast versions now available: That’s right… we now have audio versions of each episode!  Listen to the podcast for Taste Buds#226 here!

From Us:  This week on Taste Buds Erik and Dusty lounge on a green lake with an organic ale from Deschutes Brewing in Bend, Oregon.

Calling all beer making type folks – pros and home brewers alike! Want your beers featured on the show? Email us at AlwaysHoppy@BeerTapTV.com.

BEER TAP TV NEWS: Become a Tap Head  and win stuff!  Stay up to date on all things BTTV by registering here.

Make sure you follow us on:

Twitter: @ErikBoles
Twitter: @EliShayotovich
Twitter: @Dusty Frazier
Twitter: @WhopTbirdJones (Brandon Fontenot)
Twitter: @BeerTapTV
Facebook: BeerTapTV
YouTube: BeerTapTV

And here at Beer Tap TV:

Erik Boles
Dusty Frazier
Eli Shayotovich
Brandon Fontenot

For marketing and sales information contact David Stanley on Twitter @KiwiGate, on Facebook at David Stanley or via Email at David.Stanely@channelsnap.com

From the Brewer: Crisp and flavorful, Radiant Summer Ale is a clean finishing summer offering in the Ninkasi tradition. The smooth malt character is balanced by a elegant hop bitterness, the perfect compliment to a glorious summer day.

The Beer Box Score

• Style:  American Pale Ale
• ABV: 6%
• IBUs: 40
• Hops: Dry-hopped with Liberty hops
• Malts:  NA
• Rapid Classification Ranking:  Class III (Big Boy Britches)

New Methodology:  We respect beer too much to judge it. Every beer has its place and time. But we know that wading through the deluge of craft brews can be intimidating… even dangerous. That’s why we’ve created the “Rapid Classification System,” a simple yet powerful tool that will help you navigate the beerscape. The RCS takes the fear out of beer tasting by showing you exactly how rough it will be on your palate. The Rapid Classification System on Taste Buds… another great innovation from the muddled minds at Beer Tap TV!

From Us:  This week on Taste Buds Erik and Dusty get radiant after drinking a fantastic summer ale from Oregon’s Ninkasi Brewing.

Calling all beer making type folks – pros and home brewers alike! Want your beers featured on the show? Email us at AlwaysHoppy@BeerTapTV.com.

BEER TAP TV NEWS: Become a Tap Head  and win stuff!  Stay up to date on all things BTTV by registering here.

Make sure you follow us on:

Twitter: @ErikBoles

Twitter: @EliShayotovich

Twitter: @Dusty Frazier

Twitter: @WhopTbirdJones (Brandon Fontenot)

Twitter: @BeerTapTV

Facebook: BeerTapTV

YouTube: BeerTapTV

And here at Beer Tap TV:

Erik Boles

Dusty Frazier

Eli Shayotovich

Brandon Fontenot

For marketing and sales information contact David Stanley on Twitter @KiwiGate, on Facebook at David Stanley or via Email at David.Stanely@channelsnap.com