Alcantara Vineyards - Arizona Wine Growers Association

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Point of brew The Tale of Craft Beer in Cans Article & Photo By Thomas Ale Johnson O nce upon a time, there was a little boy (over 21) who was always ready for a beer adventure. He was a fearless friend to every sort of fermented fellow including Pranqster, Dirty Old Man, and even Old Numbskull. Beers that had been labeled as evil - like the proud warriors Skull Splitter, Arrogant Bastard Ale, Damnation & Mephistopheles’ Stout - were among his closest companions. Yet, there were beers he refused to drink, ne’er-do-wells that came in strange metal containers called cans. A legend told of a diabolical king who had turned all these beers to fermented corn & rice water. Because of his avoidance of this fabled insipid blandness, his merry adventures continued without perturbance for many years. Then one fateful day he faced a challenge that shook him to the core. In the beer fridge at Duck and Decanter there was a strange looking object crouched in the corner and, lo, it was a can! “Who is this pretender amongst these noble corked bottles”, the boy asked. The can quickly answered, “My name is Dale, son of Dale.” The boy retorted, “Why are you here, Dale You’re a canned beer.” Dale proudly answered, “I’m a pale ale!” Everything the boy knew was in question. Was it possible for a pale ale to exist in a can Still fearing this was some kind of trick to get him to drink corn water, the boy opened the can and poured it into his glass. It looked safe, it smelled quite good, he tasted it, and it was good! He drank Dale’s Pale Ale and they were friends from that moment on. As you may have already guessed, that little boy (over 21) was me. Years have passed since my acceptance of the can as a worthy vessel for craft beer. After believing that no self-respecting brewer would send their beer out in public ‘dressed like that’, I found the opposite to be true. It took a real self-respecting brewer to make a leap like this. A typical craft beer drinker would be skeptical of any can, and your standard canned beer drinker either wouldn’t pay the price or would be shocked and disturbed at the intense flavor inside if he did indeed drink its contents. I now search out craft beer in cans because of the many conveniences cans provide for outdoor activities. Cans are not as safe as glass for long-term storage, but there are many positives. Cans are light in weight and can be crushed to a smaller size for the hike back. Cans are dark inside, keeping one of the greatest enemies to beer flavor -light- completely out of the beer. Aluminum cans are great thermal conductors, are very thin and thus have a lower thermal mass than glass bottles, so you can cool the beer a little faster. Cans are cheaper, too. If you’d like to pay for your beer and not so much for the container, cans win again. Contrary to popular belief, modern cans do not contribute a metallic taste to beer. They are lined inside so the beer never even contacts metal. There are several big beers like Double IPA’s and Russian Imperial Stouts in the 9% to 11% ABV range available in cans. The variety available in cans is getting very impressive. Recently I learned of a canned Braggot (honey beer) from Nebraska. There are even cans available that can store wine safely with all its complex acidity and high alcohol. Keep in mind that I’m not advocating drinking these beers from a can when you’re home or near a glass. As each can of Surly (a favorite of mine from Minnesota) says, “BEER FOR A GLASS, FROM A CAN”. You won’t get as much enjoyment from a beer you can’t see and smell, but if you’re hiking or biking, wouldn’t you prefer the muted greatness that comes directly from a can over no greatness at all I know I would. Now that you know my story and how I developed my appreciation for craft beer in cans, you won’t be surprised by what I’m about to tell you. In May I was at Four Peaks Brewing in Tempe enjoying a special release of Hopsquatch when I noticed something amazing: Kilt Lifter in cans! Yes, I’ve reached a point where I’m excited to see a beer don this casual attire, because I know an adventure is brewing and this beer is built to travel. Thomas is an accomplished all-grain brewer, third-year winemaker, amateur microbiologist & professional graphic artist, copywriter and SEO specialist. 62 Arizona Vines & Wines - FALL 2010 ArizonaVinesandWines.com
FEATURED BREWERY Four Peak Brewing Company www.FourPeaks.com Built in 1892, the historic red brick edifice that houses the brewery provides a unique setting to try some well-crafted Arizona beer. Four Peaks always has an interesting cask ale available and there’s a great variety in the beer list. On my last visit to Four Peaks, Hop Knot IPA was the cask offering. Although it tastes different each time I try it, I’ve always enjoyed the Hopsquatch Barleywine and sometimes it has been truly amazing. I have long enjoyed Kilt Lifter and 8th Street Ale in bottles. SunBru Kölsch and Kilt Lifter Scottish Style Ale are now available in cans. I’m told that more beers will be available in cans in the future. Four Peaks cans are starting to arrive at some Arizona stores and golf courses too. Four Peaks is currently expanding to double their capacity in order to increase their beer selection and production. If you can’t find Four Peaks beer at your local store or golf course, you should start asking them to carry it. The Tempe brewery is well worth the visit with good food and a vibrant atmosphere. Or if you’re in the north end of the Valley, try their Scottsdale location, Four Peaks Grill & Tap. Four Peaks Brewing Company 1340 East 8th Street Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 303-9967 Four Peaks Grill & Tap SE Corner of Frank Lloyd Wright & Hayden 480.425.7439 Open Daily 11AM-2AM (10AM Sundays) CRAFT BREWERIES BJ’s Brewhouse www.BJsBrewHouse.com Dave’s Electric Brewpub www.DavesElectricBrewPub.com Four Peak Brewery www.FourPeaks.com Gordon Biersch www.GordonBiersch.com Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Co. www.Oggis.com NORTHERN AZ Barley Brothers www.BarleyBrothers.com Beaver Street Brewery www.BeaverStreetBrewery.com Flagstaff Brewing Company www.FlagBrew.com Grand Canyon Brewing Company www.GrandCanyonBrewingCo.com Lumberyard Brewing Company www.LumberYardBrewingCompany.com Mogollon Brewing Company www.MogBrew.com Mudshark Brewing Company www.MudsharkBrewingCo.com Oak Creek Brewing Company www.OakCreekBrew.com Oak Creek Brewery & Grill www.OakCreekPub.com Prescott Brewing Company www.PrescottBrewingCompany.com PHOENIX METRO Sun Up Brewing www.SunUpBrewing.com San Tan Brewing Co. www.SanTanBrewing.com TUCSON METRO/SOUTHERN AZ Barrio Brewing www.BarrioBrewing.com BJ’s Brewhouse www.BJsBrewhouse.com Four Gentle Ben’s www.GentleBens.com Nimbus Brewing Company www.NimbusBeer.com Old Bisbee Brewing Company www.OldBisbeeBrewingCompany.com Thunder Canyon Brewery www.ThunderCanyonBrewery.com Papago Brewing www.PapagoBrewing.com Rock Bottom Brewery www.RockBottom.com Sleepy Dog Brewing www.SleepyDogBrewing.com Sonoran Brewing www.SonoranBrewing.com ArizonaVinesandWines.com Arizona Vines & Wines - fall 2010 63
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FEATURED WINERY: Alcantara Vineyard
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