Omnivore Atlanta

Raining beer: The rainwater catchment system at 5 Season Westside

I just heard the best news to come down the pike since Stone Brewing came to town. Even if Judge Magnuson pulls the plug on Atlanta’s Chatahoochee River water supply in 3 years, there will still be beer at 5 Seasons Westside.

The recently opened restaurant and brewery, which already fires its brewing kettles with used cooking oil from its kitchens, announced that it has installed a rainwater catchment system from RainHarvest Systems of Cumming that will provide all the water for their beer. The water is purified through 6 stages of filtration, followed by a dual-beam ultraviolet sterilization that results in water of superior quality to tap water. “The processed rainwater not only fulfills our commitment to environmentally responsible production, but it also tastes better than municipal water, which ultimately makes a smoother, better tasting beer,” says head brewer Crawford Moran. “We’re the only brewery in the world doing this.” (more…)

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Human Blockhead nails it.

If the cold weather and gray skies have got you feeling down, buck up! It’s already time for a spring release, the return of a classic barleywine, and other random oddities.

You Blockhead! Human Blockhead, the latest in the Coney Island Lager line from Schmaltz Brewing Company, hits stores this month. Billed as a “Tough-as-Nails Strong Lager,” the seasonal offering is brewed from eight specialty malts including rye, wheat and oats, and six hop varieties that suggest a dopplebock style. It packs a whopping 10% ABV that might have you feeling like Melvin Burkhardt, who for 25 years pounded nails into his head as the original Human Blockhead at the Coney Island sideshow. The current MC of the sideshow, Donny Vomit, now keeps the act alive and is featured on the label. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Coney Island Lagers goes to support Coney Island USA, a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of American popular culture.

Magic Hat Spring Fever Variety 12-Pak. It seems a bit odd to offer a spring variety pack from Jan. 1 to April 1, since the dates only include 10 days of actual spring. But then again, the folks at Magic Hat often seem to have dipped into the psilocybin bag. This year’s Spring Fever Variety 12-Pak contains three bottles each of the #9 ale, Circus Boy, hi.P.A., and the latest Odd Notion, a Poppy Agave Pilsner that contains agave and blue poppy seeds. Perhaps that explains the odd release dates. The hi.P.A. is a regular in the spring lineup, made with English pale malts and Columbus hops. It has 45 IBU (International Bittering Units) and 5.8% ABV. (more…)

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Harvest Wet Hop Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Chico, CA
6.7% ABV

Sierra Nevada’s annual wet hop ale is in stores now in 24 oz. bottles that sell for about $5, a relative bargain. Made from hops that are shipped overnight from the Yakima Valley in Washington to the brewery in Chico for the ultimate in harvest freshness, these yearly special releases are a real treat for hopheads. This year’s version will please malt lovers too, with a soft, toasted-malt character and a hint of caramel. Hop bitterness is relatively restrained. The pine and citrus qualities of the iconic American Cascade hop are evident of course, along with some earthy, floral elements. The mouthfeel is satisfying, with a solid body and a dry, crisp finish. Although it lacks the leafy, oily, mouth-coating hops of the best harvest ales, this is a well-balanced and rewarding American ale.

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Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Chico, CA

6.7% ABV

Not content to limit its fresh hop ale to the fall when hops are harvested in the northern hemisphere, Sierra Nevada traveled to New Zealand, when the hop harvest is in our spring. This American pale ale is hopped with fresh New Zealand hops, quick dried and flown to California within a week of harvest. Isn’t the global economy grand? Orangey amber with a thick rocky head of foam, the Southern Hemisphere looks beautiful, with outstanding lacing that clings in a sheet all the way down the glass. An aroma of musky citrus, pine, tropical fruit, and bready malts greets the nose. The taste is intensely hoppy, with bright resiny pine and grapefruit peel. Bitterness is big upfront, with some biscuity, caramel malts coming through in the middle. The finish is sharp, but juicy, and seems to actually kick the salivary glands into gear, leaving you smacking your tongue. A bit of gingerbread spice comes through as well. Mouthfeel is medium-full with a moderate carbonation. Very smooth and creamy, it becomes more balanced as it warms. You’ll be glad it comes in the big 24-ounce bottle.

(Photo by Jeff Holland)

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Sierra Nevada Extra Special Bitter (ESB)
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Chico, CA
5.9% ABV

As usual, Sierra Nevada is spot on with this early spring seasonal that adds a bit of hop assertiveness to the classic English ESB. The aroma of fresh, floral hops hits the nose right away from this amber-gold beer. Spicy, citrusy hops are up front in the taste, giving way to a light malt base of traditional Maris-Otter malts. A bit of fruitiness is manifested in a hint of strawberry and a green apple tartness that befits the style. The mouthfeel is crisp and tingly, with a pleasant lingering bitterness.

(photo by Jeff Holland)

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