EPISODE 35: CAPITOL BEER FEST 2020

This great event gives us 11 stouts this year that we hadn’t tried. Twelve actually, but that’s a long story. First though, something truly important: every year the Runnin’ For Rhett non-profit puts on the Capitol Beer Fest every March in Sacramento. The event raises money for Northern California’s largest afterschool youth fitness program. The organization is named for Rhett Seevers, who was born with cerebral palsy and died in March 2004 at the age of seven. This year, the event brought in nearly 120 brewers and expanded its footprint by a full city block. If you like beer and helping kids, this is worth the trip. Good beer, good cause, noisy podcast. Click HERE TO HEAR IT!

Dark Heart Oatmeal 5.7% abv

Rick Lee, Brewer: Guinness was the inspiration. Rolled oats. Balanced.

Bob: Wow. Great taste. Better than Guinness. No aftertaste. Refreshing. Can’t wait to try the other two they make. EXCELLENT.

3 Mile Brewing Ginger Snap American 7.6% abv

Joe Runner, co-founder: Intended to be holiday ginger-snappy, not sweet, pastry-snappy.

Bob: Really interesting, and strikes me as a sweet stout more than an American stout. VERY GOOD

Hooby’s Monticello American 5.5% abv

Chad Stocking, co-owner: light-bodied, chocolate notes

Bob: Kind of tangy, little fruity, hard to know what to expect. GOOD/VERY GOOD

Karl Strauss “Ten Beers For Breakfast” Maple American 6.9%

Peter Strauss, sales manager: Goal to remind you of pancake breakfast, not to go into pastry territory.

Bob: Not as sweet as I hoped but delivers as promised. GOOD/VERY GOOD

Solid Ground Devil’s Leap Russian Imperial 10.3% abv

Evan Orrick, sales rep: Named after a Wyoming landmark. Brewed with syrah for sweetness, roasted, coffee and chocolate

Bob: Sure beats that triple IPA next door. Really interesting. Comes at you in waves. Aftertaste is a little problematic GOOD/VERY GOOD

Fall River Irish Coffee Cream 6.6%

Jen Wall, brand ambassador: use cold brew coffee from Theory Collaborative in Redding, CA, plus lactose, vanilla, nitrogen infused instead of CO2

Bob: Very sweet. Chocolate is really noticeable. Some coffee-related aftertaste. Unique. I’m not a coffee drinker, so take that into account. GOOD/VERY GOOD

Dreaming Dog Scottish Sheltie Oatmeal 5.5% abv

David Brown owner/brewer: it’s Scottish not Irish. Super low hops. Edinburgh yeast.

Bob: What is this? Sweet. Drinkable. Fruity but not hoppy. GOOD/VERY GOOD.

True Symmetry Me Ol’ Chum Oatmeal 5.5% abv

Jason Ledford owner/brewer: beer engine, cask, black cherries. Going for an English-style.

Bob: Wish I didn’t know it was cherry. GOOD/VERY GOD

True Symmetry Nutty Disposition Peanut Butter Milk 6.0% abv

Jason Ledford: drinkable. Tried not to go overboard with the peanuts.

Bob: I’m not crazy about peanuts in my beer but I like this one. Pretty well-balanced. VERY GOOD

Moksa Nutterzzzzz Peanut Butter American 13.5%

Nu Boonkham: peanuts, coconut, vanilla, all real ingredients, with Forager Brewing Co. Going for a little booze and not a lot of sweetness

Bob: VERY GOOD/EXCELLENT for what it promises. I am not a fan of any of the ingredients in my beer. Think peanut butter, coconut, vanilla smore.

Lead Dog Peanut Butter American 6.7% abv

Aaron Pinkston: Went away from lactose on this.

Bob: Straight outta Reno, whoop whoop! I like that it’s not sweet. GOOD/VERY GOOD