Guess what time it is!
Go on, don't be shy - guess. In case the title of this page was somehow too subtle of a hint, we'll just go ahead and say it to you plainly: It's Beer:30. That's what time it is. Naturally, your follow-up question would be "What's Beer:30?" Despite its time-centric name, Beer:30 isn't a strictly defined minute or hour of the day. It's more like an umbrella term for when everyone at Do512 HQ decides to stop working so hard and have a beer together like a damn family.
Beer:30 also happens to be a first-rate opportunity for us to collectively indulge our inner beer critic. While we definitely consider ourselves veterans in the art of drinking beer, we wouldn't exactly call ourselves beer experts. In other words, we know that a stout tastes different than a hefeweizen, but we probably couldn't explain why in any real detail. We just like beer, which is why every month we hop into our Do512 Lounge to lounge around while we sample some hops. This Beer:30, the Do512 crew tried out Alaskan Brewing Co.'s Amber Ale. Here are our findings.
Photo Credit: Roger Ho
STATS:
- Type: Alt Style Ale
- Alcohol by volume: 5.3%
- International Bitter Units: 18
HISTORY:
The Brewery -
Alaskan Brewing Co. started out of necessity. Co-founders Marcy and Geoff Larson were lured into moving to The Last Frontier (Alaska) by virtue of its rugged beauty and mystique. Once they had settled there, they realized they needed to make a living. Starting a brewery came as a friendly suggestion, which they took to heart. Thus, Alaskan Brewing Co. was formed out of a united desire to make something that showcased the hard-working charm of the state. The company started bottling beer in December of 1986, and have continued ever since.
Alaskan Brewing Co. makes charitable donations a firm priority - which in Alaska means sustainable living. The company donates 1% of all of its proceeds from Alaskan Icy Bay IPA to promote the health and sustainability of oceans and waterways. As of now, they've raised and donated over a quarter of a million dollars to a variety of beach cleanup organizations from Alaska to Texas. They also work with Pints for Pups by donating $1 per pint of Husky IPA to local animal shelters.
The Beer -
Alaskan Amber is composed of glacier-fed water from the 1,500 square-mile Juneau Ice Field and the more than 90 inches of rainfall the city receives each year. Its hops are a blend, sourced from both Europe and the Pacific Northwest, as well as premium two-row pale and specialty malts.
Photo Credit: Roger Ho
WHAT IT TASTES LIKE:
Alaskan Amber is, first and foremost, a tremendously smooth beer. It is brewed in the traditional old German Alt-style, in which the beer is fermented more slowly and at a colder temperature than most ales, which contributes to its rich malty, well-balanced flavor. These combined factors make Alaskan Amber easy on the eyes and mouth.
Photo Credit: Roger Ho
WHAT TO EAT WITH IT:
This is an Alaskan beer, after all, so you'll want to pair it with an Alaskan culinary mainstay - salmon. Either king or silver salmon, and or flavorful meats and hearty Italian dishes. One of the great things about drinking Alaskan Amber is that you can (just for a little while) pretend that you're not in the midst of one of Texas' hottest summers on record. Get yourself a nicely topped gourmet pizza, some Alaskan Amber and fantasize about it being as cold outside as inside the can.
Photo Credit: Roger Ho
WHERE TO GET IT:
You can get Alaskan Amber Ale on tap or in can at a variety of bars in Austin, including but not limited to Black Sheep Lodge, Chi'lantro, and El Mercado. You can also purchase 12pack cans and 6pack bottles in craft beer stores like WhichCraft or grocery local stores like H-E-B all over Texas.
Photo Credit: Roger Ho
What's your favorite beer to enjoy during Beer:30? We're open to suggestions. [email protected]
