I can remember thinking that the word, Hebrew, would make a good name for a microbrewery when I first discovered the wonder of craft beer 15-years-ago. Little did I know that Shmaltz Brewing Co. would do just that with a line of their Kosher beers. The latest version of Hebrew Origins is an Imperial Amber Pomegranate Ale.

If you’ve never had an infused ale, this might be the one to start with. The delightful pomegranate, with its sweet disposition and tangy tangent, is perfectly at play within the confines of this imperial amber. Light alcohol notes and a firm malt component give great structure for the floral and sweet tones of the ancient pomegranate seed juice.

Somewhere on the back of the mouth, all that is legendary in this fruit that has influenced so many civilizations produces a familiarity likely bred of the fact that this can’t be the first time pomegranate and beer have come together in such harmony.

Dark amber with a creamy, beige head, this Origins Imperial Amber Pomegranate Ale delves into heavy territory with a big body and strong flavor helped along by some of the finest names in hops: Willamette, Centennial, Cascade, Warrior, Crystal and Mt. Hood. Not exactly a lightweight in the world of hoppy beers, this beer triumphs in a great balance of fruit sweetness and hop bitterness.

This beer is big enough and with enough fruit on it to balance a nicely roasted pork loin or glazed short ribs. And the best part is that it is available at The Good Food Store in Missoula.

L ‘Chaim,

GG

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Here are a couple of good questions from readers:

Hi Tim, I am new to the Missoula area, actually live in Hamilton. I was looking for a place to buy ingredients so I can make my own beer. I was wondering if you know of a place in Missoula?

Cheers, craig

Craig, thanks for reading. In Missoula, members of the local homebrew club, Zoo City Zymurgists, tend to like to buy their brewing supplies at Lolo Peak Winery and brewing supply. I’m told you can also find supplies at the Axmen store on Highway 93 on the south end of town. That might be a little closer to you, but I haven’t seen what they carry. On another note, you might want to buy your local brewer a pint or take him out to dinner. I know that some brewers here in Montana tend to support local homebrewers by allowing them to purchase small amounts of grain or other supplies for homebrewing. That’s not the case with all of them, but it never hurts to ask.

Good luck,

GG

And…

Hey, Tim. I’m on my way to Missoula for a few days during my mid-tour leave from Iraq and I wondered if you could recommend a few “don’t miss” brews for me to try during my trip. I am a budding beer enthusiast (or was before I left for Iraq) and I’d like to freshen up on my skills a little while I’m home. I’m a big fan of Fall and Winter Seasonal Ales and a good Amber Ale. Can you help me out? Thanks!

-SAM-

Sam, thanks for reading. If you’re going to be in town, you won’t want to miss Kettlehouse Brewing Co.’s Lake Missoula Amber Ale. The brewery, if you’re not familiar with it, is centrally located on Myrtle Street, about a block off of Higgins and the Hip Strip. If you’re in the mood for fall seasonals, you could ask if they have any Hemptoberspliff left, it’s a great take on Oktoberfest beer. Bayern Brewing, the only German brewery in the Rockies, has an authentic Oktoberfest lager that is amazing if you like the dark marzens. If you want to try some beers from around the area in one place, I recommend checking out the selection at the Old Post. You can try great beers from Bitterroot Brewing Co., Flathead Lake Brewing Co., and Blackfoot River Brewing Co., as well as local favorites.

Send me an E-mail when you get to town. I’d love to buy you a beer. It’s the least I can do to say thanks for your sacrifice.

tim.akimoff@lee.net

Prost,

GG

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Craft brew really has made it across the Pacific.

This is from my good friend Peter Bowling, a business man, philanthropist, AIDS activist working in China.

Take it away Pete -

Here’s a shot of the import beer section. There used to be just about nothing in the way of good beer here, but now we are getting more and more appearing on the shelves of these import stores. I took this picture, but almost got my head taken off by the security guard. He came at me swinging his arms hoping to get in the way before I took a snapshot… but obviously he didn’t succeed. ‘No photography in the store… there’s a sign up front…’ I glanced around, half expecting to see armed guards with dogs, and a ‘China Customs – no photography beyond this point’ sign… but there wasn’t… just regular supermarket signage. Oh well. At least they have good beer… so what if they won’t let me take pictures. I’ll just have to be more stealthy next time.

Here’s a lineup of the beers we tasted tonight… only cost me about $20 for 8 bottles of good import beer… we divided the beers between the appetizers, the meal, and post-meal. Dried fish soaked in dark vinegar is really a great choice to go with almost any beer.

This was the first one we tried, and our least favorite. I would choose a Chinese wheat beer over this, at 1/20 the cost. The actual flavor was hard to detect because it was weak, and the beer tasted flat to begin with. I only drank it down because we don’t waste beer. If there’s ever leftover beer that no one will drink, we use it in the marinade brine for the next BBQ.

This was one of our favorites, in our top 3. Not too light or heavy, and an interesting flowery flavor or aftertaste. It’s called ‘island lager’, which I guess it kind of tasted island-ish…

We were not impressed with this beer, which made it into our bottom 3. It wasn’t bad, just wouldn’t be a top choice for me. I don’t know what ‘white beer’ is supposed to taste like, but I guess this is it. It was smooth, not sharp, weak flavor, and kind of murky appearance (as its unfiltered).

I think this is the first time I have tried an ‘auburn Lager’. The color was intriguing. The picture doesn’t show clearly the distinct sharp color. The flavor was a little bit sour, and not as good as the Long Board Lager, but I would still prefer this beer above many.

This beer had a very strong flavor, high in hops, and on the higher end of alcohol (8.5%). I didn’t particularly like the boldness of it. I could tell the beer was quality, the flavor wasn’t bad, and I didn’t dislike it, but I wouldn’t likely choose it very often as it might make me full before my meal does. Somehow this filled me up faster than a heavy dark beer does.

This is one of the beers I have been fascinated by lately. It’s a ‘lambic beer’ made by Lindemans. This is the peach flavor. I like this one as a refreshing drink, but it didn’t make it into my top 3. Very sweet, sour, good full flavor, low alcohol (2.5%). I am most intrigued by the way this beer is made.

This, although it’s not a beer, was a big disappointment. The flavor seemed watery, lower alcohol than I’d expect from a cider (5%), and just overall not very tasty, not refreshing, and not worth drinking again.

Now this one… has been my favorite so far. Since the first drink I had a couple weeks ago, I have been excited about this beer. This is also a ‘lambic’ made by Lindemans, flavored with raspberries. Just the smell gives away the secret that you’re in for a treat. The deep color is amazing, the flavor is like eating a handful of sun-ripened raspberries right off the vine. Every time I finish one of these, I wish I had bought more. And I think I most certainly will…

Thanks for sharing Pete, and keep sending those dispatches from China. We love hearing that craft beer is taking over the world.

Prost,
GG

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I’m often asked this question, and the answer is yes, you can.

There are quite a few beers labeled “organic” out there, and many are quite good.

Take the Green Lakes Organic Ale from Deschutes Brewing Co. It’s part of the Bond Street Series, the brewery’s rotating seasonal and specialty selection.

It’s one of my favorite amber ales, despite the organic label. The crystal and sterling hops really make this amber sing, while the malt sips along nicely and finishes smooth and with a hint of grassy sweetness.

Like I said, it’s a good beer despite the organic label.

I can agree that a brewery could get organic malts. I’ve seen organic malts advertised, and I believe they’ve been available for quite some time.

What I don’t quite believe is organic hops. One hop grower in Oregon told me that no organic hop has been developed because the plants are very susceptible to fungus. For the most part, hop farmers do not need to add much, in terms of fertilizers, insecticides or other additives, but they do have to add fungicide.

Because hops are one ingredient in beer, and do not constitute a majority of the ingredients, they do not have to be organic. Keep this in mind if you buy beer labeled organic. Chances are it is mostly organic, but if your conscience gets the better of you for the little discretions, you should know that the hops likely are not organic.

The good news is that farmers near Woodburn, Oregon have been experimenting with fungus resistant varieties of hops. The hope is to produce an organic variety within five years.

If you are concerned about the beer you drink, read the label carefully. The beer can say organic, and it might read like this: “Made with five types of %100 percent organic malted barley and balanced with Crystal and Salmon-safe Sterling hops, this auspicious amber ale is as easy to drink as it is on Mother Earth.”

No where does it say the hops are organic. Read your labels. Most organic beers will not say organic hops. I have seen a couple, and inquiries to the breweries went unanswered.

Prost,

GG

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