Brew Links: Week of 9/28

Just thought I'd pass along a few interesting beer-related links I found over the past week or so. Here's a quick round-up of what I found.

The craft pub I'm always raving about is planning a pumpkin beer festival on an empty lot beside the bar in Homestead. Aside from the place being amazing, its web presence isn't exactly the best out there (it's not like it really needs some anyway). So, the best piece of information in terms of this festival is the Facebook Event  they created.

Full Pint Brewing in North Versailles announced via its Twitter account that a new pumpkin beer would be tapped at the brewery this weekend as well as finding its way to outside parties within the next week. It's looking like this is a draft-only.

The Carson Street Deli's planned renovations are looking to now be under way. From what I can find, The Deli intends to not only give the place a new look, but to up the tap list to 20 brews, including 12 Pittsburgh beers.

This was news a few months ago, but it's started to poke through in the national media yesterday. The Rogue beer that's to be made with yeast from the brewmaster's beard is being talked about once again. I'm assuming they're getting closer to actually starting work on this? Interesting. (Via Beer Pulse)

Full Pint Brewing Company: Growing Fast

I was privileged to spend a good portion of my day, yesterday at Full Pint Brewing in North Versailles. The brewery's Twitter account bio reads "Good people, good beer." In my opinion, this holds true.

I got to meet some of the brewers there as well as tasting some of the newer concoctions it has to offer. Over the last two years or so, Full Pint has gone from newcomer to a household name on the shelves at our local beer distributors.

Full Pint's current brew house

The brewery intends on releasing a new beer series entitled Beer Nerd Saison. I was fortunate enough to try the most recent batch, which was brewed with a helping of Elderflower. Expect to see this beer on local taps soon as mostly a draft-only release.

I was also lucky enough to try the recently released Night of the Living Stout by Full Pint, which features a strong, roasted malt presence with plenty of cocoa notes. That should be both bottle and draft.

Full Pint is also getting ready to expand. According to Jake Kristophel, the brewery is planning on adding to the current brew house and possibly adding more 30-barrel bright tanks. More Rumplepilsen and White Lightning for craft beer fans in this area can only be a good thing.

A new batch of Chinookie IPA being brewed.

Beer Review: Full Pint White Lightning

Serving Type: Draft

ABV: 5.5 percent

Appearance: White Lightning is a very attractive beer. The body appears really gold with plenty of carbonation. The beer looks very thick and hazy. The head is very creamy and white. Not too thick, not too thin and will remain atop the brew the entire time down.

Smell: It smells just like you'd expect a good Belgian style witbier to smell. I got a lemony scent with a hint of wheat behind it. Very appetizing.

Taste: The citrus mixes quite well with the wheat. The taste is both zest and crisp at the same time. Goes down very, very smooth. Leaves a tart aftertaste.

Overall Rating:   

Full Pint Brewing Company hit the nail on the head with this one. Some beers this style end up being to zesty or not enough. This seems to have a very good balance.

A Festivus for the Rest of Us: Full Pint Festivus

"And as I reigned blows down upon him, I realized that there must be another way." -Frank Costanza

No, not that Festivus, but the namesake definitely comes from the famous holiday episode of Seinfeld. Most winter ales have been tapped in our local pubs. It's about time I kick off the holiday season with this brown winter ale from Full Pint Brewing here in Pittsburgh.

Serving Type: Draft

Appearance: Festivus looks like your ordinary American brown ale. It's a dark shade of brown with a somewhat thick white head, which is something I'm not accustomed to when it comes to brown or amber beers on draft.

ABV: Six percent

Smell: I got a hefty scent of cinnamon and vanilla from this beer. Perfect for a winter ale. The scent fits the time of year.

Taste: The vanilla is very dominant once the beer hits your tongue. I couldn't find a trace of the cinnamon, but I was surprised to taste a bit of what I referred to as pine needles. Not to gross you out, but I think it's sort of fitting given that it's a Christmas season beer.

Overall Rating:  

There wasn't a disturbance in the beer force when I drank this beer, but it's fitting if you're looking for a decent winter ale or if you are a connoisseur of local brewing. What I will give this beer is a nomination for one of the best-named.