The Brewers Blog

Brewers Blog 09-15-09

Dear Longmartians and other customers,

As many of you may have heard or noticed, we have changed our core line up of beers or “Year ‘Round” offerings. Gone are the Wildfire Wheat, Igniter Pale Ale and Pyro Porter. New are Firestorm White (Belgian-style white), Flashpoint IPA (American-style India Pale Ale), and Shockwave Scottish Ale (Strong Scotch Ale). The reason for this change is to give our customers a fresh or more modern look at what craft beer lovers are drinking today.

Since our opening in 1996, Igniter Pale Ale and Wildfire Wheat have been two of our three best sellers but those styles have kind of faded from popularity. American wheat is easy to drink but rather dull. Most people throw a lemon in it? Why? Any beverage with lemon in it would taste good, right? So really if you put citrus in your American wheat your one step closer to the orange peel spiced Belgian White? I am not telling you it is right or wrong, it is U.S. of A. and we can do what we want. Maybe it is my stretch of a justification? Igniter Pale Ale, the best pale ale in the nation in 1999(GABF Gold Medal), has also lost a step or two. It is now considered “weak” in the realm of modern Pale Ale and today would be more of an Extra Special Bitter. The new Flashpoint IPA is hoppier, different and bold.

We are not saying that these beers are not worthy but the staff, management and brewers think this change is much needed. We will not discontinue the Wheat, Porter or Pale but we will move them into the seasonal rotation. As brewers these moves are always challenging because we brew so many beers that become popular and there is not enough room to keep them all in rotation. We would have to have 30 taps to keep everyone happy with their preferred beer but then the beer would not be fresh. So we do what we can to keep things new, tweak the old recipes and listen to your comments. We always like to hear more from you on this or any beer related subject. So chime in. Whether you like this or not? Other beers you would like to see?
Maybe your favorite will be next?

A gentle reminder: the more you drink our beer, especially seasonals, the more we get to brew! So bring friends and enjoy……responsibly.

Cheers,

David Mentus
Head Brewer