As the aspen trees around Camp Richardson turn gold, this time of year reminds us of other seasonal delights like cozy sweaters, crisp Tahoe mountain air… and beer. Whether you’re kicking back at the Beacon with one of the many craft beers we have rotating on tap (a few are listed below), hanging out at home with some friends, making the “beer tour” around Tahoe, or shouting “prost!” at Camp Richardson’s Oktoberfest, October 3-4, keep these brews in mind as you sip your way through fall.
Each year, our friends at Sierra Nevada team up with a celebrated German brewery to create a beer that will transport you to the festival beer tents of Bavaria. Sierra Nevada’s Oktoberfest is unique every season since each year features a new partnership. The 2015 edition features a toasty, malty, delicious brew collaboration is with Brauhaus Riegele of Ausburg. Riegele knows a thing or two about brewing, as their brewing roots go back to the 1300s. The deep gold color and fresh baked bread flavors in this beer are from the traditional German Steffi barley that’s used.
Total Domination’s floral and citrusy flavors are balanced by Munich malts for a refreshing IPA that dominates on taste but won’t overwhelm with its hop profile. Currently on tap at the Beacon, this is a go-to beer to sip after an autumn bike ride, especially when paired with the Kobe-Angus Beacon Burger or our Blackened Mahi Mahi tacos.
You might have heard of Bend’s 10 Barrel Brewery being acquired by Anheuser Bush. Beer snobs, fear not: the silver lining is that some of Oregon’s craftiest beers will have a wider distribution this fall. Enter Joe IPA. 10 Barrel is accustomed to shirking the heavy hand of corporate beer after changing this brew’s name from SAM (for the Simcoe, Amarillo and Mosaic hops it’s brewed with) to Joe after a trademark issues was raised from a certain larger-scale brewery. We’ll let you guess what happened there, but this West Coast IPA-styled beer is everything you need for sipping this season: citrus up front, a hoppy profile that’s not too intense and a refreshing pine finish.
Ok fine, this is not a beer. But fall is the perfect time to try a crisp and boozy cider. Plus, if you’re trying to pump the breaks with your gluten intake, cider is a refreshing alternative. We’ll have Angry Orchard’s Apple Cider on tap at Camp Richardson’s Oktoberfest. Take a stein for a spin and see what you think. In other cider news, Ace Cider releases a seasonal hard pumpkin cider from California’s Gravenstein apple country that’s crafted with local apples, spices and of course pumpkin in a limited edition brew.
Leave it to Ballast Point to release a bold anniversary stout to celebrate the season. Our fellow beer geeks at the Beacon say the Sextant limited edition stout has cappuccino and cookie dough flavors and a smooth, nutty finish that’s perfection when poured from a nitrous tap. It’s a great stand-alone stout, or as a component in a proper Black and Tan. Pair this with fish and chips and you’ll be working on your winter layer in good taste.
Remember to imbibe responsibly and designate a driver. And heads up, foodie and craft beer lovers: save the date for fun food and beer pairings at Camp Richardson’s Fall Feast Week, Nov. 6 – 15, 2015. For more on what’s on tap at Camp Richardson, stay tuned to our Facebook page.