Humboldt Regeneration - the future for craft beer?

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by unlikelyspiderperson, Jun 30, 2017.

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  1. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'm guessing that not a ton of folks on here have visited this tiny, experimental brewery in Mckinleyville, CA so I'll give you a little unaproved and unsolicited rundown. They are a farm tied brewery who model primarily on a version of the CSA model. They produce a new beer every week and experiment wildly. The goal of the brewer is to make the most local beer possible which, way up on the far northern coast of California, means few hops and using non traditional grains that can survive in our wet and mild climate. There are lots of unusual ingredients used from grape must to reishi mushrooms to various herbs. I've talked to the owner a good bit and he has talked about wanting to find the perfect blend of local ingredients and local water that will make a truly unique and delicious beer that can't be recreated anywhere else. He's come a long way in the few years he's been open and makes some amazing gruits as well as some interesting takes on more traditional styles.
    Does anyone have experience with similar breweries or thoughts on the role of breweries working towards new local varieties instead of recreating styles tailored to old world water and ingredients?
     
  2. Mshea805

    Mshea805 Initiate (0) Apr 12, 2014 California

    There's a local brewery that seems like they are trying a similar thing by putting random stuff in their beer:

    http://ojaivalleybrewery.com/welcome

    I personally hate herbs and random crap in my beer so I haven't tried them and don't plan to.
     
  3. 3SH33TS

    3SH33TS Initiate (0) Dec 21, 2010 California

    https://www.scratchbeer.com/

    Have had some brews from this IL brewery that forages or some sh*t for their ingredients and they've been really nice.
     
  4. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'd definitely recommend at least giving them a try. If they are genuinely just putting random stuff in their beer then you're probably in for some disappointment but there are lots of herbs that can add a lot to beer flavors. Regeneration makes a cabernet thyme gruit that is amazing. like a crisp blonde ale, soo drinkable on a sunny day.
     
  5. gldnns

    gldnns Initiate (0) Nov 2, 2014 California

    You can't overlook that they do have a solid bunch of core beers as well.

    They do go far out sometimes, but they have a decent success rate that I'm always excited to taste what's new.
    Jacob is an incredible guy and I would recommend that anyone see him if they are in the area.
    Will definitely be the most unique brewery visit in Humboldt County as others don't offer much.
     
  6. jakecattleco

    jakecattleco Grand Pooh-Bah (3,749) Sep 3, 2008 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Isn't Redwood Curtain nearby? I'd say they offer very solid offerings in that region, and for my palate I was really impressed with some of their barleywines.
     
  7. fbt

    fbt Initiate (0) Jun 16, 2015 California

    Is this place anything like Jester King near Austin Texas?
     
  8. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Redwood Curtain is nearby, and is awesome. I would say RC is the best brewery in our area as far as most beer drinkers would be concerned. Great IPAs, great Belgians, solid offerings in the barleywine, stout, porter, and occasionally a good sour too. Regeneration though is sure to be the most interesting as they offer almost no 'normal' beers. Everything is made with local ingredients meaning that even the malt bills are uncommon because they aren't sourcing from Brius or whoever.
     
    Hoppedelic likes this.
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