Notables at 2003 GABF

[ratman03]

I attended the 2003 Great American Beer Festival last week and kept some tasting notes of beers that stood out to me. I thought I'd share some of them.

First off, Celis is back, brewed by Michigan Brewing Co. I had the White and the Pale Bock, and they were both good. Someone on this site once mentioned that they thought the White might be a tad bit sweeter; if it is, it's only a little bit.

Terapin Pale Ale (or IPA?) Anyone had this? I spoke to the brewer and he said that they are trying to start a brewery in Atlanta but are contract brewing right now. They won best Pale Ale at last year's GABF. Incredible hop taste and aroma; tastes like what I would imagine eating a fresh hop flower would be like. Not bitter. Delicious!

Rogue Ales continues to impress. Rogue Smoke is excellent, and I don't usually like raunch styles. Try their Chocolate Stout too; the chocolate is well integrated.

Alesmith Brewing, San Diego CA - Never heard of these guys, but they brew some seriously potent Belgian styles, packing 10%+ ABV! I liked their Horny Devil the best.

Alaskan Brewing Co. - Hey with this stuff the Alaskan winter doesn't sound so bad... The Smoked Porter was awesome. I liked everything I tasted at this booth.

Brooklyn Brewing Co - They had a Saison style beer which was pretty good. I tasted a lot of good Belgian influenced white style beers this year.

Laurelwood, Portland, OR - These guys brew organic. Tasty IPA, and a good Vienna style lager.

Best name for a beer goes to Marin Brewing Co for their San Quentin's Breakout Stout!

Cheers!

[hops99]

I see that New Glarus had another great showing at the festival - Four medals, and "Small Brewery of the Year". Did you try any of Wisconsin's finest (or, one of Wisconsin's finest, to be fair)?

[ratman03]

Yes I did try New Glarus and enjoyed it thoroughly. The Belgian Red and the Raspberry Tart were both a treat; I would drink their stuff regularly if I could get it.

[Jeff]

I just saw today that on the Food Network they will be showing highlights of the GABF tonight (Sunday, October 5th) at 8:00 PM central time.

[brewmonkey]

They will be showing an hour special on it. I do believe this is the episode that they will be following several breweries as they prep for the GABF. One of the breweries I do believe is Brooklyn Brewing Co. but I did not catch the other's.

Edit: Here is the info from Foodtv's website for those that might miss it this evening.

AIR TIMES:
October 05, 2003 9:00 PM ET/PT
October 06, 2003 1:00 AM ET/PT
October 11, 2003 4:00 PM ET/PT
October 12, 2003 5:00 PM ET/PT


http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_sp/episode/0,1976,FOOD_9994_23992,00.html

[Fast_Eddy]

Originally posted by brewmonkey
They will be showing an hour special on it. I do believe this is the episode that they will be following several breweries as they prep for the GABF. One of the breweries I do believe is Brooklyn Brewing Co. but I did not catch the other's.

Edit: Here is the info from Foodtv's website for those that might miss it this evening.

AIR TIMES:
October 05, 2003 9:00 PM ET/PT
October 06, 2003 1:00 AM ET/PT
October 11, 2003 4:00 PM ET/PT
October 12, 2003 5:00 PM ET/PT


http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_sp/episode/0,1976,FOOD_9994_23992,00.html

This was a really good informative show. Brewers from Brooklyn Brewing, Troutbrook, and - damn I don't remember - but they make a very successful beer called "Railway Razz".

Only problem was they kept referring to it as the most prestigious contest in the "world". I don't think the rest of the world was invited so I don't think that could be true.

[Jeff]

The third brewery was Willoubhy of Willoubhy Ohio (don't quote me on spelling). Overall, it was a really great show. After seeing it, I really want to go next year, is it always held in Denver?

I thought their definitions for Lagers and Ales was a little weak. Ales ferment for 3 to 5 days and lagers ferment for 7 to 10? Maybe they know more than I do, but I always thought lagers were much longer fementation.

[brewmonkey]

Originally posted by Fast_Eddy
This was a really good informative show. Brewers from Brooklyn Brewing, Troutbrook, and - damn I don't remember - but they make a very successful beer called "Railway Razz".

Only problem was they kept referring to it as the most prestigious contest in the "world". I don't think the rest of the world was invited so I don't think that could be true.

The first year Railway won its medal there was also no gold for the category it was in.

I would agree that it is not the most prestigious, that would be the World Beer Cup also hosted by the AOB and is run every other year (even years). It is international and you see beer from all over the world in it. There is no public tasting though.

[Fast_Eddy]

Originally posted by brewmonkey
The first year Railway won its medal there was also no gold for the category it was in.

I would agree that it is not the most prestigious, that would be the World Beer Cup also hosted by the AOB and is run every other year (even years). It is international and you see beer from all over the world in it. There is no public tasting though.

It's international? You would never know it from the show. They constantly would say "And you can taste beers from all over the United States...". Never once did they mention anything about foreign beers.

I agree with Jeff though - makes me really want to go next year.

[brewmonkey]

Originally posted by Fast_Eddy
It's international? You would never know it from the show. They constantly would say "And you can taste beers from all over the United States...". Never once did they mention anything about foreign beers.

I agree with Jeff though - makes me really want to go next year.

I think you misread what I wrote. The WBC (World Beer Cup) is international.

[Fast_Eddy]

Makes sense now....I was reading what you wrote while talking to someone and pretending to be working. ;)