Many are aware of Dogfish Head's Randall at the brewery which is meant to add additional hops and spice infusion to fresh beer on tap. However, I have talked in the past about an association with newly founded brewery Living the Dream out in Littleton, CO. The brewmaster, has created and hooked up a special randall and fills it with fresh fruit for an instant infusion and sees what makes a good fit with their beers (and what complements foodtruck is outside the brewery for the day). I had personally never seen a Randall used in such a way, even so, I think the idea of Randalls in general in pretty genius. Any thoughts on Randalls? Good experiences or flavors?
To enhance something is a good notion. Some work better than others. I've seen good beers way over thought.
I use a french press. I've had good experiences and some that were so-so. It's not something I do a lot of the time but its fun to experiment once and a while. Favorite additions have been toasted coconut and vanilla to stouts and porters.
Lots of 'em in previous threads, like this six pager or this one. Well, unless it's a wedge of lime stuck in the neck of a Corona or other Mexican light lager, the orange slice on the rim of a glass of Blue Moon Belgian White or other wit, lemon squeezed into a Hefeweizen or - horrors - the salt * old-timers added to a macro... Those somehow violate the Beer Geekster Code... ___________ *Why? "It cuts the head." "It revives the head." "It makes the beer salty!"
Had 90 minutes back in 2010 at DFH. It had the Randall with fresh hops attached. It really added an extra flavor kick to the beer. Since then I have seen Randall's used to add different flavor to beer. The most recent was a friend who took Sculpin and ran it through a Randall with fresh grapefruit. It was delicious.
It may be a good notion, but a bad practice. I put my very best spin on the "notion" part. Cheers on a truly beautiful Sunday AM.
My favorite was at the pickled pig pub in Lewes,DE. I forget what stout they had running through the Randall but it was infused with tagalongs (the chocolate covered peanut butter cookies that the girl scouts sell). I was amazed at the amount of peanut butter and cookie flavor was in the beer.
That. Sounds. Epic! Not to try to plug them, but the beer that Living the Dream is well known for is called The Dude's Helluva Caucasian stout(inspired by The Big Lebowski and the Dude's drink of choice: White Russian). It's brewed with coffee, vanilla, chocolate and some peanut butter. Sounds like something you'd enjoy, but I'm gonna let them know about tagalongs and put it in the Randall. THANKS!
