Heretic Brewing Company

Today, due to its hosting the AHA Members' Rally, I got to look around the new Heretic brewery in Fairfield, where Jamil Zainasheff and his partners have set up shop after moving out of E. J. Phair's brewery in Pittsburg.

The smaller tanks at back are the ones brought over from the days at E. J. Phair, and the ones in the foreground are newer 120-barrell tanks.

Evil Twin ale

The blow-off tube furiously in action from one of the 120-barrel fermenters

The fermenter from which the staff filled our carboys and buckets.

An ale with pommergranate.

120-barrel fermenter

The tap room

AHA Members' Rally

The Brewing Network kicks off its broadcast of the event

Mike McDole interviewed

Gary Glass, AHA President, addresses the attendees

Gary Glass, AHA President, conducting the raffle

Volunteers filling containers for the Wort Giveaway

2014 Bay Area Craft Beer Festival

Brewing

Brewing up a batch of beer for the homebrew tasting tent at the upcoming Bay Area Craft Beer Festival.

I'm really looking forward to the festival.  I've always had a good time, and the weather should be great this year!

Third Street Ale Works (Santa Rosa)

Today Liz and I headed to Petaluma to pick a half of a pastured pig carcass that we had ordered.  Before heading to the meat processor, we he drove a bit further north, to Santa Rosa, and had lunch at the Third Street Aleworks.

I started off with a pint of their dry Irish stout.  The brewery took home a gold medal with this recipe at last years Great American Brew Fest in Colorado.

It was very nice.  Smooth, dry, with a toasty, coffee note, but without being a big or heavy beer.  

I followed it with a pint of their red IPA, which garnered them a bronze at GABF.  Liz had a tasting portion of their Annadel Pale Ale, served straight from the conditioning cask.  It was smooth, malty, but not being force carbonated, came off a bit flat, specially having been kept and served at room temperature.