Beer Blends
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ben Lipman on -
So here is my unsolicited opinion on the subject...
would you go to a nice restauant, Flemmings let's say, and order a steak, order a soup but then ask the waitress to slice up the steak and put it in the soup because you like the idea of chicken noodle filet soup? If I were a chef and you did that to my food I would punch you in the junk...
Why is this appropriate to do with beer? Are craft brewers making something flawed that should be corrected by mixing with another beer of theirs (or some other brand)?
Sure, float a stout on a light english beer, that is traditional but notice the beers are kept as separate as possible by floating the stout on the pale beer...novelty at best.
Don't take this the wrong way, if you like it then it is what you should do but I struggle with seeing bars (hungry monk for example) padding their menu with blends...or suggesting that it is something appropriate to do with someone's art/passion/craft...
I would be interested to see what some pro brewers would have to say about this, my guess is most would shrug it off thinking "well, I am getting profit either way"...watch out for a swing to your junk though because some might be insulted.
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2012 BoardPermalink Reply by Rob Fullmer on -
If I buy a beer or meal, I'll certainly want to try it as prepared, but I really don't give a flying fuck after that. It's my beer now. I can drink it, add whatever I want to it, not drink it or water the lawn with it.
The brewing process stops when it's in my glass.
Traditionally almost ALL beers were blended in the public house.
Related:
http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/bars/articles/2011/03/29/201103...
http://www.beerphxation.com/2010/09/blend-trend.html
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Permalink Reply by Justin Rawleigh on -
I wouldn't do anything as ridiculous as asking a server to cut up a steak and put it in soup, but if the steak is good and the lobster is good then i'll be having the surf & turf. this peanut butter is good and so is this jelly, i'll make a pb&j sandwich. I like chocolate, I like milk, then I drink chocolate milk. All good things alone and together.
I agree with Rob, I will drink it as it should be first. But its fun to mix things up a bit. It's not like we're mixing PBR with Duvel.
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Permalink Reply by Christian Chandler on -
Back on topic
Love me a Dark Castle. It's a Murphy's Irish Stout floated over Newcastle.
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Permalink Reply by Christian Chandler on
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Oh and for the record, I have had a filet stuffed with Alaskan king crab and it was AWESOME!
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Permalink Reply by Sean Ganser on -
When I am at Four Peaks I almost always have a blend of half HopKnot and helf Raj IPA... I think that it is better than either by themselves in my opinion.
I do have to relate that on more than one occasion at Sleepy Dog myself and/or my brew buddy Jon have gotten into good-hearted arguments with them about ordering blends... They feel that it is wasting their efforts in creating the beers flavor profile. Can I not choose my own preferred flavor profile??? I call bullshit. Nien! to bier Nazis
We all can respect a brewers intention but it seems a bit pretentious for anyone to want to protect their 'art' in this manner. Blending creates interesting flavors and variety... Blend-On!
Edit: Just read Rob's blending article about Sleepy Dog and beer blending... maybe those blending arguments helped them see the light :>
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Permalink Reply by Ben Lipman on
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That is totally fair, like I said, if you like how it tastes then it is right for YOU. Personally, I think that a beer should be seen as the closest to 'perfect' as the brewer can make; from that point of view, blending can only take their effort and bastardize the product (if you didn't notice I am very opinionated!).
If you like the results, do it! Just don't be suprised if you get funny looks from the brewer.
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Permalink Reply by Justin Rawleigh on
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FUCK YEAH!!!
Christian Chandler said:Oh and for the record, I have had a filet stuffed with Alaskan king crab and it was AWESOME!
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Permalink Reply by Ken "Triple Hopped" Forrey on -
I say down with Reinheitsgebot.
This web page gives examples of different beer blends. It mentions that beer blending has been going on for ages. It says that Porter started out as one of those mixtures.
http://beercraftbook.com/2011/06/the-blend-is-near/
Here is another example of beer blending.
http://draftmag.com/new/six-new-beer-collaborations/
If the brewers can take beer from different breweries and mix them together, then why can't I.
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Permalink Reply by Ben Lipman on
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I surveyed three major valley brewers (who will remain un-named since I did not get permission to relay their personal comments):
From a large Tempe brewery:
"between you and me, I don't like blending." "...It just seems like a cheap way for a bar to "create" their own beers, without spending the money on a brewery."
From a large Tempe brewery:
"I truly have no issues with folks blending beers. I myself have been doing this for years, and I'm sure many other people do the same. To me, it's all about getting exactly what you want out of your beer."
From a brewery in Chandler:
"I think blending is best left for the artist not the viewer at the museum. But I work for a massive corporation and blending may become a trend I am required to support."
So I guess my comments were a bit out of hand. Even if I don't personally care for the practice, if you enjoy it then it is the right thing for you!
By the way, BJ's in Chandler will be doing a lambic blending event for anyone interested in seeing the process done. I will try to get more info and pass it to Rob but I am interested in seeing how that goes!
Here is an article posted by Andy Ingram of Four Peaks on the subject, good reading: http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/bars/articles/2011/03/29/201103...
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Permalink Reply by Sean Ganser on
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Awesome sleuthing... Very interested in the lambic blending.
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Permalink Reply by cheezesteak on -
what about the Yeinglang Black and Tan in a bottle. Thats good drinking! i am thinking of trying it myslef
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