sierra nevada hoptimum

I just got word in that Austin will be the only area in Texas that will see the Sierra Nevada Hoptimum this year. Well, that's good news for us Hop-heads in Austin! Supposedly the shelves at Spec's should be seeing it very soon.

A group of hop-heads and publicans challenged our Beer Camp brewers to push the extremes of whole-cone hop brewing. The result is this: a 100 IBU, whole-cone hurricane of flavor. Simply put- Hoptimum: the biggest whole-cone IPA we have ever produced. Aggressively hopped, dry-hopped and torpedoed with our exclusive new hop varieties for ultra-intense flavors and aromas. 

Hops, hops and more hops are the stars of this big, whole-cone Imperial IPA. Resinous ‘new-school’ and exclusive hop varieties carry the bold and aromatic nose. The flavor follows the aroma with layers of aggressive hoppiness, featuring notes of grapefruit rind, rose, lilac, cedar and tropical fruit – all culminating in a dry and lasting finish. 

Beer specs:

ABV: 10.4%
Original Gravity: 22.8 Plato
Final Gravity: 4.5 Plato
Bitterness Units: 100 IBU
Color: Orange Amber
Bittering Hops: German Magnum
Aroma Hops: Simcoe & New Proprietary Variety
Dry Hops: Simcoe & New Proprietary Variety
Torpedo Hops: Citra & Chinook
Malts: Two-row Pale, Golden Promise, Munich & Wheat
Yeast: Ale

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new arrival at whip-in

Check out the new arrival at Whip-In!

This special Reserve Series brew will only be offered December – February (limited distribution)

The Abyss: Stout brewed with licorice and molasses with 33% aged in oak and oak bourbon barrels. It’s dark. It’s deep. It’s mysterious. Aged in French Oak and Bourbon barrels, this special brew has immeasureable depth inviting you to explore and discover its rich, complex profile. The flavor of molasses and licorice draw you in further and further with each sip. The Abyss beckons. Enjoy the journey.

Update: Just picked up a couple bottles. I think I overheard that there is a purchase limit of 2 bottles per visit (in case you want more). Go pick up a bottle before they run out!

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jester king wytchmaker rye ipa bottling

Jester King, the very impressive, and very hyped up craft brewery in Austin, will now be bottling their Wytchmaker Rye IPA. According to their Facebook page, they will begin bottling 750 ml champagne style bottles on Sunday. The beer will be bottle conditioned for natural carbonation. I was a very big fan of this beer, so getting it in a bottle conditioned container is putting a big smile on my face.

This news also made it on Beernews.org.

UPDATE: Instead of bottling the Wytchmaker Rye IPA, they bottled their Black Metal Imperial Stout (I'm more excited than before!). They used 750-ml champagne style bottles, and the anticipate 2-3 weeks of bottle conditioning. I can't wait to pick up a bottle!

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