"Lois, everyone has their sanctuary. The Catholics have churches, fat people have Wisconsin and I have the Pawtucket Brewery" - Peter Griffin
(And this is me BEFORE the tour!! Have you ever seen such Childish GLEE?!? Tee hee!!)
I have a golden ticket and it got me into one of the best brewery tours I've ever had the pleasure of taking. Or rather... the best TWO tours that I've ever sort of remembered! The Misses, several Fairfield Alums and I got the rare opportunity to visit Jim Koch's Wonka-Like mad scientist laboratory in Jamaica Plains, MA known as the Boston Beer Co. The trip itself through "JP" was an adventure as we dodged the usual Boston traffic and pedestrians who were clearly comfortable with their mortality. The drive there is something out of Beerfest. If you're reading this blog, you know exactly the scene I'm talking about... the blind guy in the robe, the kid on the tricycle, the yodeling... Flying through neighborhoods you only see on the 10 O'Clock news and Rap videos, you question whether this is going to be a fantastic voyage or a Ghetto version of "Deliverance". "Where you goin' suburban boy!!". But finally and true to the Google maps 3D vision, we arrived at the place where Domestic Beer's renaissance began. Thanks to Jim Koch, no longer would American beer be considered the laughing stock of Bavaria, Belgium and dare I say it, Canada, eh? Jim's quest towards the perfection of a hand crafted beer and the use of quality ingredients is more than evident in his home away from home. He more than knocks the point home... he hammers it into your skull. So much so, that the tour guides invite you to taste and smell their ingredients in their raw form. For the record beer Neophytes... don't EAT the hops!! Jim's brain child Boston Lager was, for a very long time the only American beer to adhere to Reinheitgebot. Literally translated as "purity order" it is the German Beer Purity law that states that a beer sold in Deutschland can be only consist of Grain, Hops, Water and Yeast. (Yeast being added much later after the discovery that beer was not made by magic but instead, the microorganism we know and love today. However, this author isn't totally convinced that magic isn't involved...)
(L.)Rob (R.)KINNEY!! Disney, the happiest place on earth?!?! My a$$!!
When the wife and I arrived, we were greeted by my friend Kinney. You'll recognize him as the teddybear like Filipino from the Boston Globe ads and movies like "The Game Plan" with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. (You're welcome for the plug K man). While we waited for our Alumni tour group, we couldn't help but notice the sign that said "Last tour 5:30". It being about 5:27, we were worried that our group wouldn't make the last show. Having come here to see the brewery, we jumped in line and took the standard Sam Adams Tour whereupon, approximately 30 seconds into the tour, I was labeled "the Beer Geek". I wear that monniker proudly!
"Here are the fermenting tanks, Here are the ingredients, taste this, smell that, yes this is your dream kitchen, no you can't afford this, no don't touch that, no you can't sip from the tanks, no you can't take it home... yes you're an embarrasement to your wife and friends, Let's hit the tasting room!"
Generally speaking I've never had a Sam Adams beer that I didn't like. I take that back, their scottish ale is a little funky if had on it's own... not a fan. However, by and large, their dedication to providing fresh beer really does make the difference. We had the opportunity to have the Boston Lager, Cherry Wheat and the White Ale. We also had the opportunity to SMELL the Utopia Bottle. At often over $130.00US a bottle, it was a rare treat. Beer Good, company good, tour good. All in all, I would call it a successful day...
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw another tour group going through the paces. I turned to Kinney and said... "I thought WE were the last tour?" He surmised that we were the last OFFICIAL tour. It was at that moment that I saw a woman who had been in a few classes with me at Fairfield and whom I recognized through the same fuzzy beer filter that I remembered from college and our time down at "the sea grape". It was then that I realized that my tour was far from over.
Skipping perhaps a bit too gleefully from the tasting room, Kinny, another associate and I convinced my wife that we SHOULD go on the second tour. We caught up with the group and fired through the tour again. Personally I was grateful to see the Mash-ton, fermenters and various gagetry again. (hugs all around... We had a moment (Sniff...) fare thee well my lovelies) This tour moved a little quicker than the last and we waltzed our way to the "special tasting room" Yay VIP priviledges!! Thank you FU!! Through the alumni group, we had access to one of the head purchasers for Sam Adams (our personal Tour Guide). Where I consider myself to be a beer Geek... he literally has a masters in Fermentology. My hero! His review of each beer was more than thorough and frankly we all had the opportunity to try the full board of fare that Sam's had to offer for the season.
1. Boston Lager: I think that even people who aren't "beer people" have had a boston lager. Let's skip that one for today... if you want me to review it, let me know... but I can sum it up in four words... good beer. 'nuff said.
2. Cherry Wheat: I've had more than a few Cherry Wheats in my day and to a bottle, they've all had this kind of weird bitter, syrupy quality to them that I've, on the whole,(giggedy) not enjoyed. Sam Adam's had a different take on the style in the fact that they used real dried Cherries in the process as opposed to an extract. While not overwhelmingly cherry-ish, it had a pleasant flavor, a great nose and a slightly rosey hue. I would pair it with perhaps Game (elk or deer) or a Duck a l'orange (Peking Duck would also be fantastic with this beverage). All in all, a decent beer although I personally couln't have more than one or two. The Misses, also a beer geek and brewster was in LOVE with this beer.
3. White Ale: If you're looking for a new favorite beer, this should be it. Sam Adam's Spring introduction is a nice segue from Winter to Spring. It is a hazy, spicy beer done in the style of a Weissbier (wheat or white beer... thank you year of German lessons). I think the experimental side of Sam Adams comes out in this as they have 6 different spices boiled in during the brewing process. I'll do my best to remember... Lemon, Rose Hips, Coriander, Anise... In short, stuff that only Beirdos (Beer weirdos like myself) would think of putting into a beer much less a muffin. This is a grand beer by itself... I'm having one right now as a matter of fact. However, this would go well with a Fish or Vegetarian dish perhaps a light Chicken Dish with Lemon Sauce (Chicken Francese would be a GREAT pairing). Also, the introduction of Anise would make it a natural pairing with any Chinese food cooked with traditional Five Spice.
4. Alors mes amis la piece de resistance!! A TRUE surprise of the VIP tour, our host presented us with the 27% ABV (alcohol by volume) wunderkind of the beer community, the Sam Adams Utopia. This beer has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records as the Highest alcohol beer in the WORLD. Now, normally, one would think a.) too much alcohol will make this beer taste awful and b.) can Yeast LIVE in almost 30% Booze? The Einsteins at Sam Adams have found a way. Yes, I asked. No they wouldn't divulge the process... trust me I BEGGED. There have been arguments and bier pundits who have pooh poohed the Utopia stating that it cannot possibly still be considered beer and in fact it's very construction defies usual brewing logic. They start the process like any other beer, put it in spent Burgundy and Whiskey Casks, age it for several years et Voila! Utopia. The drink itself drinks more like an Aperitif and has reminicient charactaristics therof It's thick, has an alcoholic afterbite and frankly tastes like a port! Now, Super Yeast apparently can't live on regular corn or cane sugar so they feed the beast straight maple sugar from our friends in Vermont. It gives it a slightly maple syrup flavor and finish and if I could afford the $130-150 price tag, I'd put it on my Waffles in the morning. Yes, it's THAT good. The employees at the Boston Beer Co. get a bottle as part of their bonus every year. I'm totally in the wrong industry... I did ask for an application although it only came out as "thanks... beer. good... Job?" I'm fairly certain that I failed the interview... Bottom line: if you're a true beer dork, then you at least have to smell the bottle (see the people in the "ordinary joe" tour line)
(Above: A clear sign that the second tour might have been a BAD idea!! No Kinney NO!!)
Suffice it to say friends, this trip was an inspiration. The misses and I will be brewing this weekend, attempting, like Icarus to touch the greatness that we were allowed to witness in this Cathederal to Suds, this Temple to Fermentation this House of Hops.
Thanks to my friends at The Fairfield U Alumni Society, (Steven thanks for setting it up, Kinney, thanks for the memories, I'll be repressing most of them), the Fine People at Sam Adams, including our tour GUIDES and the waitstaff. Most importantly, thanks to Jim Koch for inspiring a nation of brewers and showing us that yes, there CAN be better beer made right here in the States.
Thanks for reading gang, Looking forward to my next post!!
Rob Anderson (Certified and Branded by the brewers at Sam Adams as a "Beer Geek")
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