Grimm Artisanal Ales (December 2017)

This has been my experience as well.

 

Totally sidestepping the boiler discussion, I had a question about the process, as I think this is the first time I've read this as a marketing tactic on a beer bottle before: what does it mean when the label states that the beer has never been boiled? I have a whole list of ancillary questions that arise when I see that, but I think just coming to the source and asking for the thought process behind listing that on the bottle label will probably answer them all.

 

Simply that, that they've skipped the step of boiling the wort in the brewing process. I think this is how Crooked Stave does a lot of their wild beers.

 

Is this some kind of philosophical stance? I've never heard of anyone skipping this step...and I especially don't understand why this would be something to prominently market...

The statement on the bottle almost comes across like any other brewery that boils is either not doing it right, or is creating a harmful or less than pristine product (sort of like the "organic" movement), when in fact 99.9% of brewers worldwide do this, or at least take no stance against it.

I also wonder how they're extracting enough fermentable sugar.

 

Boiling has nothing to do with extraction of fermentable sugars, that comes in the mash which isn't skipped. Boiling achieves basically three things: 1) Sterilization of the wort, 2) Isomerization of alpha acids from hops, 3) Removing protein/driving off DMS.

As for why someone might skip boiling the wort? Well the first two issues of boiling can be solved without boiling, mashing is generally enough to pasteurize the wort and you can add hop tea or pull off a small amount of wort to boil with your hops to solve the bitterness. You can't really fix the protein issue but that effects the flavor, raw ales have a grainy characteristic to them that might be desirable.

This is a good run down of Raw Ales http://www.garshol.priv.no/blog/331.html, the whole blog is interesting if you want to take a deep dive into farmhouse brewing in Northern Europe.

 

@Feaor is correct. I would only add that berliner weisse in germany was traditionally not boiled. our berliner-based beers are some of the only ones out there that do not involve a boil and that's part of why they taste different (imo, better) and have a superior mouthfeel especially when consumed fresh. The kinesis series, dome series, super series, and pop series beers are never boiled.

 

Cassiopeia is great. So drinkable it’s hard to believe it’s 10%.

 

Agreed, the mouthfeel is insanely creamy, very round taste, the toasted malt tones are surrounded by the candi sugar sweetness. A bit different from a classic porter, but absolutely great

 

I was pleasantly surprised to see Zap today. Had no clue it was being released, I missed that post in this thread.

 

Actually came into this thread for this exact answer. Thank you!

 

Where'd you see it at? I stopped by the Columbus Circle Whole Foods to try the Hill Farmstead Abner on tap and hoped to see cans of the Zap, but no luck.

 

Beer Culture

 

Had Abner there yesterday. That was one of the best beers I’ve ever had.

 

If I had to pick an all time favourite beer Abner would probably fill the spot - always drink it when I see it.

I remember renting a house on Caspian Lake - about a 10 min drive from HF, and sitting on the porch and popping a growler of Abner on a sunny (late) morning. Definitely an elevated beer drinking experience

 

Gold Star had cans of Zap for a minute, seemed like less than their usual allotment.

 

Fraunces Tavern had Kites are Fun on Tap last night during our company holiday party..it was my beer of choice for the night.

 

The midtown one I assume? May stop by the UWS one on my way home just in case though.

 

It’s definitely the running for me and I will certainly grab it when I see it now.

That sounds like an ideal drinking/life experience.

 

Anyone know any Whole Foods with Cassiopeia in stock?

 

Bryant Park had bottles as of ~11:30 this morning in the main beer cooler.