July HOPS Meeting Review and Upcoming Beer Events

Hiya HOPS Heads,

We had a great meeting this week at the Coyote Moon in Pagosa Springs and had the opportunity to taste some mighty fine American Pale Ales (APAs). Many of you know this style via the definitive beer in the subcategory, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. This iconic beer highlights the Cascade hop and helped vault the American craft beer movement into prominence in the early 1980's.

We sampled a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale among a few others at our meeting Tuesday, July 22. Beers in the APA style, BJCP category 10A, tend to be well balanced hoppy beers with good supporting malt. To learn more about the APA style, check out http://bjcp.org/2008styles/style10.php#1a, and check out the list below of the beers we sampled.

  • Sierra Nevada Pale Ale: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, CA
  • Bridal Veil Rye Pale Ale: Telluride Brewing Company, Telluride, CO
  • Sweetgrass APA: Grand Teton Brewing Company, Victor, ID
  • St. Lupulin Extra Pale Ale: Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO

Coming up at the August meeting on August 25, we'll step it up a notch on the hops and dive into India Pale Ales, BJCP category 14 (http://bjcp.org/2008styles/style14.php). Prepare to bring an interesting array of English, American and Imperial IPAs if your color group is responsible for beer in August.

You might have an interest in a few upcoming beer events, including a homebrew competition and some fun festivals. Check out the list of a few events below for more information and keep hopping along!

  • Archuleta County Fair Homebrew Competition: Pagosa Springs, CO, Thursday, July 31; turn in entries Wednesday, July 31, between 1 and 8 pm at the Archuleta County CSU Extension Building at the Fairgrounds off Highway 84 and Mill Creek Road; no fee to enter and you'll have your homebrew judged by certified judges...more info at http://archuletacountyfair.com/exhibitor-rules-and-regulations/
  • San Juan Brewfest: Durango, CO, Saturday, Aug. 23...more info at http://sanjuanbrewfest.com/
  • Ska Anniversary Party: Durango, CO, Saturday, Sept. 6...more info at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/720721
  • Bands, Brews, Etc.: Pagosa Springs, CO, Saturday, Sept. 20...more info at http://pagosasprings.whattodo.info/Pagosa-Springs-Co/Events/Pagosa-Springs-Community-Events/Bands-Brews-Etc---2014-ColorFest/59932/