From the Beer Writer: All of my local beer-scene coverage this week centered around the #southbayuprising, the banding-together of breweries and beery hospitality venues to promote the rise of local and craft ales and lagers in San Diego’s South Bay communities. I believe the bars are ahead of the curve, while the breweries have quite a way to go. It would seem the best of South Bay’s beer bars agrees. When looking for a brewer to craft a specialty beer with which to celebrate the first anniversary of his National City business, Machete Beer House owner Eddie Trejo reached out to a brewery away from the South Bay—Ramona’s ChuckAlek Independent Brewers. Even though the beer was brewed outside the geographic area Machete celebrates, the specialty ingredient that gives it much of its flavor, color and consistency—fresh tamarind—is fitting for the region from a cultural standpoint. It’s also delicious in this tart, fruity, 6% alcohol-by-volume brew, which is extremely easy-drinking and original. Want a taste? ChuckAlek will release this beer as part of its Bottle Club online and at its tasting room, tomorrow (March 19).
From the Brewer: “Eddie Trejo of Machete Beer House reached out to me wondering if we had any specialty beers they might feature for their first anniversary. That led to our idea to collaborate on a beer not already in our cellar. Eddie jumped to our sour-side and suggested tamarind as a specialty ingredient, which immediately intrigued me given its savory and tart qualities. After some trial ‘teas’, we came upon 90 pounds of fresh tamarind for our three-barrel batch. After eight hours of bonding and tamarind-shucking, we added the sticky pods in our brew kettle and whirlpool. The resulting beer, Paper Mache’Te has a pear aroma and orange hue coming from the tamarind, on an otherwise blonde base-beer. Rustic honey at the front of the palate leads to an almost malty tamarind flavor that then dries out with a crisp tang from lactobacillus-souring, giving it a refreshing finish.”—Grant Fraley, Head Brewer, ChuckAlek Independent Brewers