Oxbow: New Bottles

As always, sick labels.

 

What did you all think of the Saison Rosé?

I was a big fan. Prices drives me away from getting multiples as often as I'd like (though I sometimes splurge). Totally worth it.

Give me something like the BAFPA or the Rosé or another mixed ferm saison and I treat it like a good bottle of wine. We just really enjoy it.

That Wild Rivulet was unreal. Best beer of the year so far.

 

Unfortunately didn’t catch the WR, hopefully it’ll be on for Goods. I agree though, Saison Rose is killer and always love their lighter mixed ferm beers. Speaking of which, I haven’t seen La Griseta in awhile...

 

Wild Rivulet is still on tap at Oxbow blending as of last Sunday

 

I was in Portland a couple days ago. Always a nice visit to Oxbow. Mr. Sparkle accompanied my Duckfat brisket sloppy joe nicely. I couldn't stay for more than one, but brought home some cans and a lobster saison.

 

Wow...are you using Joan Didion as your avatar? A bold move that I applaud.

 

Anyone know the official date for this year’s GFTW? I’m guessing it will be October 20th.

 

She is so much cooler than me.

 

Very interesting - after researching her I am even more curious. I sometimes wish avatars could come with little descriptions of what they are / mean (mine is Jerry Garcia FYI). Any recommendations on where I should start with Joan Didier, and to keep it beer related, what your favorite Oxbow beer is? Cheers!

 

This is a difficult question for me. I really enjoy their Liquid Swords annual release, but I really do think (and this may be lame because it's a bigger name from them) that my favorite is the Barrel Aged Farmhouse Pale Ale. It's so ridiculously well done. And while I think they do a great job on their lagers -- Lupollo being the star for me -- Oxbow really shines with their mixed fermentation stuff.

As for Didion, Slouching Toward Bethlehem is my advice on where to start. There are two essays in the first section -- "Some Dreamers of the Golden Dream" and "Slouching Toward Bethlehem" -- that are perfect encapsulation of 1960's California. Of course, there are the personal essays in the middle and the famous "Goodbye to All That" to conclude it. Just a wonderful book.

 

Fantastic, I will definitely pick that up. I really like what I read about her in Wikipedia, and based on that description and her age, can't believe I hadn't been exposed to her at one point or another.

My favorite Oxbow is Arboreal. I had one that I had put away for several years recently and it just blew me away. But I also love their basic saisons and farmhouses, and wish they would bring back their Tourist Seasons that they had last summer - they were great delicate summer drinking beers. Thanks again, and cheers!

 

Was up at Newcastle brewery on Sunday - two new wild beers that were outstanding: Cohesion and Italo Disco. Praying they will be bottled for takeaway!

 

you have to like at least some hope bitterness to like cohesion but italo disco is awesome, lets hope it sticks around.
But my main wish is for them to do Uber Frisch again, that helles was up there with Marie, I have been told some was barrel aged but the straight helles was amazing.

 

Looks like GFTW is October 6th this year, Columbus Day Weekend. Just announced on Instagram. This is a change from years past, usually it is the weekend following Columbus Day.

 

Was in Portsmouth at the weekend.

Italo Disco was phenomenal.

 

Yeah I mean that seems like it's going to suck. You ever do that thing where you're like, "Man, if I were super wealthy, I'd pay someone to ..."? I think this about beer all the time. There'd be a designated trip up to Portland and Greensboro Bend every week. And St. Louis for Side Project. And probably Napa and Walla Walla too. (Though those last two would be like once a month, but we'd load up!)