Hill Staff Homebrew Contest (District Fray)

Here's my latest article for District Fray Magazine, in which I wrote about homebrewing and the Hill Staff Homebrew Contest. This one was interesting to write as I wasn't actually able to try the beer, nor was I invited to the event. 

https://districtfray.com/articles/into-the-brewhouse-how-to-start-homebrewing/

I actually was going to do a piece on homebrewing before the pandemic; there was some guy I met who was a master homebrewer and made some cool stuff. I've reviewed homebrewed beer four times on the blog so far:

• Ministry of Beer - Beer of Socialist Labor with Oak-Leaf Clusters
• Field Trip: Breakaway Brew Haus [Bolton, Connecticut]
• Beer Flash: Chris' "Off The Topper" IPA
• Beer Flash - Christine's 2014-vintage "Oktoberfest" ale

I'm not interested in getting into homebrewing, for a variety of reasons, but it's super neat. Some of the folks I've met have really gone all out with lots of complex machinery, turning their garage into a brewhouse (which is how Breakaway Brew Haus started.) 

Aslin Beer Company - "That Shiz Slaps" dopplebock

 I am several years behind the times, I'm told, but I have now learned what "that slaps" means — just in time to grab this seasonal from Aslin Beer Co.

It's called "That Shiz Slaps" and is a 9.50% ABV dopplebock. Bock beers, originally a German style, are a classification of strong beers that are typically dark and malty. Doppelbock is "double bock" and doubles down on the original taste and flavor of bock beers. Other variants, like weizenbock, hellesbock, or eisbock, are also available. In the US market, you most commonly see bock and doppelbocks in the fall or winter.

Here's Aslin's take on it. True to style, it's malty, definitely sweet, with some caramel notes and a bit of "chewy malts" alongside an interesting grainy wheat texture. It's sweeter than I would like, but still a nice American interpretation of the style, which you often seen in 500mL imported bottles. Also, damn, it does not taste like 9.50% ABV, that's for sure. 

It's $14.99 for a 4-pack of 16oz tallboys, so not bad. This beer does, in fact, slap.