Today we celebrate our home state with the anniversary of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence.  25 million Texans celebrate our liberty and honor the founding generation of Texans who secured it for us.   I can’t think of a more perfect day to announce an upcoming initiative we are launching state wide.  While New England IPAs continue to get attention and the faithful West Coast IPAs still drawing in its loyal crowd, there hasn’t been much love to the South to spotlight the nation’s third coast.  Let’s face it, if any state deserves its own unique beer style and name, its right here in the Lone Star State.

Introducing the Texas Coast IPA.

So…what is a Texas Coast IPA?  Simply put, it’s a new specialized beer style created by Texans, for Texans. 

We are partnering up with Saloon Door Brewing to kick off this project with the launch of the new series of their interpretation of a Texas Coast IPA.  The first beer, “Resting Beach Face” was tapped last Thursday in taproom and is already getting rave reviews from consumer feedback.  Considering the feedback, the brewers are already busy brewing a new variation of the style in hopes to narrow down on a IPA recipe that can be enjoyed by all IPA drinkers.

But why stop there?

We would like to extend an invitation and encourage ALL Texas breweries to get involved by designing their very own version of a Texas Coast IPA to help us celebrate this beautiful state and all IPA fans.

• Get involved and start profiling your customers on what features of an IPA they would love to see in a Texas Coast IPA.  Is the beer clear or hazy, tropical fruit forward or bitter and piney? All of the above?  You tell us! 
• Consider experimenting with local Texas ingredients for your beer.  Does your beer use Texas corn in the malt or contain local hops grown here in Texas?  Does it contain real grapefruit or other native fruit? 
• Finalize your new Texas Coast IPA style based on your customer’s feedback and launch your best version during Houston Beer Month (Event details coming soon) and celebrate the accomplishment of this new style.  Will this style make the BJCP guidelines? Probably not, but I bet it will be delicious!

Rejoice hop heads! It’s time to shine and celebrate our favorite beer style in a big Texas way! This project can only be successful with active involvement from our beer community and breweries. Share this article with your favorite local brewery and encourage them to join in on the fun!  We can’t wait to enjoy they you come up with! 

Got questions? I would love to hear from you – email me at beerfedmother@gmail.com

Cheers!

Audio version of this article is available here!

The post Introducing the Texas Coast IPA first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Introducing the Texas Coast IPA appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

Divine Reserve can be found at your local store, while supplies last. Photo courtesy of Saint Arnold Brewing Company.

If you’re like me, you might be wondering: “What is an Adambier?”

According to the Brewers Association, Adambier is a pre-Reinheitsgebot style that has been making a slow comeback in the U.S. and internationally. It was a historically smoky ale, thriving in and around the Dortmund, Germany area. Adambier was a strong (about 10% abv), dark, sour beer, which was top-fermented and then aged in wood for long periods; it was always aged for at least a year, and often for longer.

DR 16 is a unique release for Saint Arnold as it’s the first time they’ve used smoked, or “rauch,” malt in one of their beers.

The pre-opening line at Spec’s Smith Street for the DR 16 release on Monday, February 29th.

Rauchmalt is best described as German wood-smoked malt that contributes a smoky flavor to beers. The brewing operations manager from Saint Arnold, Stephen Rawlings, wanted to create a smoked beer, as German-style beers are in his brewing wheelhouse.

Saint Arnold describes the beer as follows:

DR16 is a full bodied beer with a prominent, but not overpowering, smoked wood aroma (almost like a campfire), which comes from the use of Rauchmalt. It’s the first time we’ve used smoked malt in a beer. There is a subtle Noble hop aroma and a slight caramel character that becomes more prominent as the beer warms up. The smokiness dominates through the crisp, Kölsch yeast inspired, finish.  DR16 has a moderately-high bitterness that is balanced nicely by its residual malty sweetness, and there is no lack of alcohol warmth as you easily finish a pint. DR16 comes in right at 10% ABV.

               Cheers from the staff at Spec’s Smith Street and Saint Arnold Brewery.

Here are some locations around Houston that you will find the beer on draft:

Monday, February 29
J. Henry’s Draught House & Kitchen, Clear Lake
Union Tavern, Clear Lake
The Ginger Man at 6:00 PM
Hop Scholar at 6:30 PM
Tuesday, March 1
Front Porch Pub (plus Trivia Night)
Baker St. Pub & Grill, Cinco Ranch at 5:30 PM(also featuring DR15)
Mo’s Irish Pub at 6:00 PM
Friday, March 4
Valhalla
Saturday, March 5
Dak & Bop at 7:00 PM

The post Divine Reserve 16 Release first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Divine Reserve 16 Release appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.