Elysian Brewing Co., Seattle, WA
Today was the second of the Smithsonian/Brickskeller classes. The speaker du’jour was Dick Cantwell of Elysian Brewing Co located in Seattle, WA. We had six beers: Loki Lager, Bete Blanche Belgian-style tripel, Yuzu’s Belgian Golden Ale, The Wise ESB, Avatar Jasmine IPA, Draongstooth stout.
The early ones I thought were ho-hum for a Smithsonian/Brickskeller class. Early ones often are. The Bete Blanche was pretty good I thought the line really started to become solid with the ESB. The final three turned out pretty nice, but the Dragonstooh was called an oatmeal stout when it was an Imperial stout. If you aren’t prepared for that it can be a bit shocking. I think either the ESB or IPA were the best of line. Apparently the IPA is their primary seller.
We devised a simple drinking game based on when the annoying guy asked an annoying question. There is one in every class, though I guess it could always be the same one. By simple I mean when he asked a stupid question we drank.
The speaker was decent, told interesting stories, including being submerged in the beer we were currently drinking. He could have saved that story perhaps. Admitted serving his infant children beer, etc. I wonder how many brewers come to these things and admit some crime or another.
Anyway I have other entries to write so if you’ll excuse me.