Assuming that someday I will create a really nice India Pale Ale via my home brewing efforts, I must make myself one of these (among many other things) to go with it:
Extracting the hoppy goodness.
That beautiful set up was at Eola Wine Company recently and filled with Cascade hops to help the visitors that evening enjoy Terrapin’s Hopsecutioner in an entirely different way. Well, at least we were told that Cascade hops were in there and based on the flavor I did believe what we were told.
If any of you are wondering what exactly you are looking at, it is a version of a randalizer. I say version because the original “Randall the Enamel Animal” was an invention from Sam and the folks at Dogfish Head (years ago) and the picture is of one based on that original stainless steel design. Actually it looks almost identical to the pictures I have seen of those used elsewhere, so I suppose this one could have been ordered through Dogfish.
Regardless, the vessel on top is filled with fresh hops and the beer is filtered through that mass of hops on its way to the glass. That process essentially dry hops the beer on the spot, or perhaps more accurately fresh hops it. The alcohol in the beer strips some of the oils from the leaves on the way through and (obviously) you end up with them in your glass.
The Wife went with a nice flight of craft beers.
In this case we got a more resin laced, spicy version of Hopsecutioner (in my opinion). Nothing at all wrong with that! The beer is great on its own, but it was nice to drink a different version of it.
That was good enough reason (for me) to be at Eola Wine Company that evening, but it was also a release event of sorts for El Wey Salsa which we received a jar of with each pint of Hopsecutioner. How sweet a deal is that?! I was going to enjoy the beer anyway, but some (very good) salsa as a bonus certainly did nothing to hurt our enjoyment of the evening.
Salsa anyone?
Thanks to Emily and Ian for giving The Wife and I the heads up on the glorious combination of beer and salsa for the evening! Also a big thank you for this . . .
Oh so tasty!
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