Barrel Day – Oaks & Owls

Even in the dog days of summer, I like to see barrel-aged beers released and Chapman Crafted, who recently hit their 7 year mark has a new one out…

“Oaks & Owls is our Barrel-Aged Barleywine aged in Blinking Owl Distillery (from nearby Santa Ana) rye barrels for 18 months. The American oak barrels give this brew a subtle spice with a hint of vanilla.This beer is malty and has notes of sweet bread, toffee, and dried fruit.”

Pisces

The Chapman Crafted Zodiac has finally come around to my sign. Not that I believe in it at all. Anything based on when and where your parents had some…. fun isn’t super science-y to me. But I think this is a cool idea for an IPA series that also tells you if it is fresh or not, subtly.

Now I have to look for Huell Melon, Citra and Amarillo hopped hazy on shelves next to hopefully only Aquarius.

Chapman Crafted – Coffee

Chapman Crafted is now more than just beer. On January 23rd at the more beer than coffee hour of 6:00pm, they will launch their cold brew, drip, and espresso that are made with their house blend roast, which they have named, Composition. Also on tap will be their First Roast Coffee Porter as well as other limited-release coffee beers.

Oktoberfest Review – Sierra Nevada v. Chapman Crafted

Now that we are in September, it is seasonally appropriate to talk Oktofest beers. Today, I will compare and contrast the gold standard (since the German collaborations have started) Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest and a local marzen from Chapman Crafted in Orange.

Starting with the latter. This is really quite biscuit rich. That creates a backbone for other flavors to play off of. I get a little citrus note as well as a bit of nutty. Good sparkle to this. May not have the mineral tinge that a classic may have but this is a beer that reminds what happens when malt is in the fore.

The Bitburger 2019 version of the Okto pours a red/brown color. Another malt forward beer but this is a notch or two lighter in both malt character and heft. There is a nice hop character here but the beer overall still tilts to the German side. Searching my memory, this seems like the lightest version so far. Part dunkel and bigger part lager.

What’s Your Sign

I do not hold much stock in Astrology.  Personality based on when your parents hooked up doesn’t seem as science-y to me but I do like that both my believing wife and non-believing me are both the same sign.  All as pre-amble to a new series of beers from Chapman Crafted. The Zodiac Series. They are starting with Aries with the following information…

♈ Zodiac Series: Aries Hazy IPA
6.7%, 30 IBU brewed with Galaxy, Simcoe, & Citra
Ripe • Pineapple • Outgoing

In the Tap Lines for August 2018

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August. The end of the silly festival season is in sight and maybe we will see an early slide into fall so that we can slide from lighter pilsners over to heavier malty options. Unfortunately, I do not control the weather but I do control the contents of the blog where we will be covering…

~ e-visits to three breweries from New York
~ special featured reviews of a TBD style
~ Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ A Book & A Beer reads Bonfire by Krysten Ritter
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.

Here are two events to get your August started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) August 4th – SoCal Mead Fest at Great Society
2) August 11th – Chapman Crafted 2nd Anniversary

Review – Pils from Chapman Crafted

Finally back on track with a review of a non-hopcentric beer. Pils from Chapman Crafted from Orange, California.

Really refreshing. Light to almost the watery point. A nice bright yellow color. Getting almost a blonde ale vibe to this one and less pils when sipping but the aroma is straight up lager. A bit of corn taste malt lodges on my tongue.

For the Vets


Chapman Crafted in Orange will have two cans released today with one being a Veterans Day beer!

Starting at 12pm. Thank You For Your Service a “hazy IPA is massively dry-hopped with Galaxy, Citra, & Amarillo giving it the most tropical nose followed by a hop explosion on your tongue. We brewed this beer specifically for the celebration of Veteran’s Day. We teamed up with a local organization called, @patriotsandpaws For every 4-pack and pint sold in the Tasting Room a $1 donation will be given to Patriots and Paws.”

You can also pick up the Hoppy Lager Yes Chef! which is one of my favorites from this brerwery.

Both cans will be released this Friday, November 10th @12pm. Thank Your For Your Service $19 4-pack ($4.75/can), Yes Chef! $16 4-pack($4/can).