Beer Release: NW: Coming Soon (Again) … 21st Amendment Fireside Chat Winter Spiced Ale
In all things seasonal the term often used is cyclical. It can be applied to the life, birth, and death of leaves. Or it be applied to the lowering, rising, and lowering of temperatures. In all things associated with the seasons it cyclical.
Which is another reason this writer was excited when he was reminded the return of 21st Amendment's next seasonal, Fireside Chat.
'Tis the season that evokes memories of good friends, delicious meals and a warm fire - the very elements that inspire the brewers at 21st Amendment Brewery as they develop their seasonal spiced ale, Fireside Chat, a holiday favorite each year. A true artisanal craft brew, Fireside Chat is in stores now and will be available throughout the holiday season.
As the days grow shorter and the leaves begin changing, Brewmaster and Co-Founder Shaun O'Sullivan follows own his fall tradition and heads over to San Francisco's Rainbow Grocery Co-op, where he loses all sense of time in the spice aisle. "It's one of my favorite days of the year, when I can just play for an afternoon, exploring all the interesting, exotic spices. It's almost dizzying to be among the galangal, orange peel, nutmeg and anise, but somehow I manage to escape with spice bags in hand, and at least a rough idea of what I'm going to include in Fireside Chat," he said. While Shaun would not reveal the secret spice mix in the 2013 Fireside Chat, he did mention that he included two of his favorites: orange peel and ginger.
For founders, Nico Freccia & Shaun O'Sullivan, this beer represents many firsts for the brewery. More precisely this is the brewery's first spiced beer ever brewed, the first one packaged (in a bottle, before they canned their beer), and the first beer to win medal. But for Nico & Shaun this is also one of their favorite beers. In fact its the "fine balance between the malty, warming English-style ale, some solid bitterness and the subtle aroma and flavor of the spices - which together conjure up the best of the holiday season."
If you are looking for a beer to pair with your Turkey dinner this beer might do the trick.
More on the beer.
Fireside Chat pairs well with the rich, often spiced foods enjoyed during the holidays. In addition to the secret spices, it is brewed with a variety of malts including aromatic, caramel and chocolate. The result is a subtle twist on the traditional seasonal brew. Like FDR's depression-era radio addresses, Fireside Chat, at 7.9% alcohol and 45 IBUs, is like "a kick in the butt and a hug at the same time," said Brewmaster Shaun.
Look for cans of Fireside Chat throughout the Northwest and wherever you find 21st Amendment's other beers.
Cheers
About 21st Amendment Brewery
Hey, we're Nico & Shaun. We live for great beer. When we opened the 21st Amendment Brewpub in San Francisco in 2000, we vowed to do things differently. To us, the 21st Amendment means much more than just an end to Prohibition. It means the right to brew beer, the freedom to be innovative, and the obligation to have fun.
