Friday, September 27, 2013
Hi Fi Brewing, Redmond, WA
Redmond is becoming quite the hop stop.
Joining the list is Hi Fi Brewing, just outside of the main Redmond downtown, Hi Fi sits nearly across the street from another popular Redmond hop stop, Black Raven Brewing.
What's different about Hi Fi, is noticeable immediately upon walking in to the tap room (which is also where they brew their beers).
The aesthetics are very modern and clean, but also feel a bit retro. The lighting helps keep it feeling warm and inviting, while a wall of what look to be speakers keeps patron's chatter from bouncing off the polished concrete floors.
Being a chick, what I dig immediately about Hi Fi is their beers are SUPER flavorful, but lower in alcohol. So, I can have two or three beers without feeling completely out of it.
The owners of Hi Fi are fun people. They are usually at the shop, hanging out with customers, telling their stories about birthing their baby, and making sure everything looks in top-top-shape. They met at a homebrewers conference, all being highly experienced in the homebrewing game. You'll even find some of their homebrew recipes on tap here.
Ok, ok. Here's the beers:
Summer Ale: Meh. I don't like how pale-ale-ish this one is. As far as lighter beer goes, I'm a sucker for the realllly light stuff. Radeberger, etc. 4.6%, 25 IBU.
Vienna Lager: Yum. I love this one. It's a nice middle ground between an IPA and a pils. Most people I share this beer with are right with me. It's also super drinkable at 4.3% and 26 IBU.
English Pale: Come and try it and tell me what you think :)
IPA: Standard, decent session. I feel like the IPA culture is all the "knock your socks off" type IPA's, so this one that is a standard in all respects, but a few folks may think it's too light. IPA. 6.3%, 70 IBU.
Porter: Right now, it's on nitro, and it's DELICIOUS. I could drink this for a while. Not too hoppy, malty, super flavorful, feels like a "back to the roots" porter with coffee and caramel tones. 5.1%, 40 IBU's.
THEN - they have their Mixtape series. Mixtape beers are special edition blends of their other beers.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Alpine Brewing Bohemian Pilsner
During our first visit to the newly-opened "The Collection on Tap" in Woodinville, I noticed this as the only pilsner on tap. At first, I was disappointed there weren't more light options, but after trying one sip of this beer, I was happy to drink it for the rest of the night. At 5.3% AVB, this was exactly what I was looking for on a muggy NW evening.
The first flavor is a light, lager-like taste, then the light malts, and finally light hops - more complex than a standard pilsner, but not too heavy for the weather. I would have gotten a growler of this if I was in need.
Fremont Seattle Week Organic Pale Ale
Super drinkable pale ale. Light and crisp, but with the usual hoppy finish. What made this beer different was how light it was for a pale ale. At 4.5%, this was absolutely a session beer, which is expected, but hard to find in a pale ale.
Great alternative to an IPA, a beer you can drink all evening long, with whatever you're eating. Likely not to last long, get it while you can, and tell me what you think in the comments.
Black Raven Beak Tweaker Citrus IPA
We ended the night at our usual spot, Black Raven brewing.
What an amazing IPA. I might actually crave this one in the summers. Black Raven released this beer just over two weeks ago, and bottles are already gone. It's phenomenal.
It tastes like a light IPA, but add in lemon flavor, and you'd think you've got a hef with a lemon it. At 6.5% AVB, you can only have a few, but you'll be refreshed all night.
Perfect for a hot summer night. Go try it out, and report back.
Here's to beers,
Erin
During our first visit to the newly-opened "The Collection on Tap" in Woodinville, I noticed this as the only pilsner on tap. At first, I was disappointed there weren't more light options, but after trying one sip of this beer, I was happy to drink it for the rest of the night. At 5.3% AVB, this was exactly what I was looking for on a muggy NW evening.The first flavor is a light, lager-like taste, then the light malts, and finally light hops - more complex than a standard pilsner, but not too heavy for the weather. I would have gotten a growler of this if I was in need.
Fremont Seattle Week Organic Pale Ale
Super drinkable pale ale. Light and crisp, but with the usual hoppy finish. What made this beer different was how light it was for a pale ale. At 4.5%, this was absolutely a session beer, which is expected, but hard to find in a pale ale.Great alternative to an IPA, a beer you can drink all evening long, with whatever you're eating. Likely not to last long, get it while you can, and tell me what you think in the comments.
Black Raven Beak Tweaker Citrus IPA
We ended the night at our usual spot, Black Raven brewing.
What an amazing IPA. I might actually crave this one in the summers. Black Raven released this beer just over two weeks ago, and bottles are already gone. It's phenomenal.
It tastes like a light IPA, but add in lemon flavor, and you'd think you've got a hef with a lemon it. At 6.5% AVB, you can only have a few, but you'll be refreshed all night.
Perfect for a hot summer night. Go try it out, and report back.
Here's to beers,
Erin
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