Ask A Los Angeles Expert: Fall Beers To Try
(credit: credit Cambria Griffith/The Bruery)
Today, beers are crafted specially for various palates. Whether beer fans have a discriminating sense of taste or not, it is always helpful when an expert rises to the occasion offering his or her personal recommendations. Anthony Games of Rock & Brews makes five selections, and with each beer, Games seeks out the unique flavors and notes that welcome the fall season.
(credit: Anthony Games/Rock & Brews)
Anthony Games
Rock & Brews
143 Main St.
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 615-9890
www.rockandbrews.com
Bar Training and Beverage Director for Rock & Brews, Anthony Games is a true "Beer Guy" for the restaurant and entertainment destination. His unique palate for ales and brews brought him to the flagship location of Rock & Brews in the South Bay in 2012. Since then, he has curated some of the finest and more interesting craft beers for the restaurant.
Games uses his knowledge and expertise to make five beer recommendations for the 2014 fall season.
"This beer embodies all of the familiar flavors of the autumn season. It's a dark, robust imperial porter made with 200 pounds of real pumpkin per batch, vanilla bean, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and clove. This holiday treat tastes of pumpkin pie, ginger bread and rich chocolate."
The Bruery (Placentia, CA) – Autumn Maple
"If I had to drink one beer with my Thanksgiving dinner, well, this would be it! It's brewed with 17 pounds of yams per barrel, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, vanilla, molasses and maple syrup, then fermented with a Belgian yeast strain. This bold and spicy beer is perfect on a cold autumn evening."
Oskar Blues (Lyons, CO)- Old Chub
"By the time spring and summer begin to come to a close, I've had enough light-bodied, crisp, citrusy beers. When I think fall, I think full-bodied malty beers with character, and Oskar Blues' Old Chub Scotch Ale certainly fulfills that craving. Staying true to the tradition of Scottish-style ales, Old Chub is loaded with an abundance of complex malts, and even uses beechwood-smoked malts for that extra 'zing.' Chocolate, toffee, caramel, leather and smoke flavors make this a perfect campfire sipper."
AleSmith Brewing (San Diego, CA) – Evil Dead Red
"This hoppy red ale that weighs in at a convenient 6.66% ABV, comes out just in time for Halloween. Blood red, this is a beer for hop-heads and festive beer drinkers alike. The profound hop-forward aroma and flavor of grapefruit and pine is perfectly balanced by the sweet, caramel malt backbone of the beer."
Spaten Bräu (Munich, Germany) – Spaten Oktoberfest /Märzen
"This list would not be complete without an authentic Oktoberfest ale. There is something about this beer that makes me want to put on lederhosen, drink from a stein and dance with beer wenches. This traditional märzen-style ale is a medium bodied, sweet and roasty amber lager. PROST!"
