Updated Beer Fest Drinking Game

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Another year, another season of Beer Festivals. We decided to update our list after the announcement that Columbus's Hullabaloo Festival is dead.  I was able to attend the last Hullabaloo, It was one of the better beer festivals in town, sad to see it go because of whiny cunts who don't represent the consumer market as a whole.

This is the first post in our rejuvenated Behind the Tap. We'll post a mission status (it'll be less beer reviews and more in depth with the brewing industry). There's the mission status). We start with a perennial favorite of ours. We turned this into a bingo game at the Six One Pour event last May (we passed out bingo squares with different 'people' to brewers and volunteers. All seemed to have fun with it. If you want to do a Bingo style, there are plenty of free generators, help yourself). So without any further ado, while listening to David Bowie, we bring you our updated Beer Fest Drinking Game. To paraphrase Zeppelin, The style is new, but the face is the same.

Beer Festival Season is upon us.

After attending a few beer festivals (be it the annual major megafest in your state or the limited release whale party or the little local suburban tinyfest), you start to notice different types of people that are always there. Print this list and take it with you to the next big event. If you collect them all, consider yourself a seasoned veteran of the beer festival circuit (and drink an entire pint). Just don't hate us in the morning.


1) Goofy-ass Hat Guy

Now, while it's fashionable to wear a hat, most festival-goers stick to ball caps or military style. But not this guy. He's proudly rocking his cowboy/outback/fedora/insert hat as if the beer festival was Coachella. Your friend, who looks like a lawyer, has a personal grudge against this guy, mocking his hat endlessly to where he wouldn't stop to help him with a broken down vehicle. Drink one if you spot This Guy. Drink two if he's rocking assless chaps to go along with the hat.

2) The Bored Girl/Boyfriend

S/he has no interest in his beer geek lifestyle. S/he can't stand the smell or taste of beer. S/he's here because his/her friends bailed on him/her (Thanks, Becky/Brody). You'll be able to point out this person in an instant- S/he looks bored and is constantly on their favorite social media site instead of taking in the sights, sounds, and tastes that the partner is loving every minute of. Drink one for each Bored Boy/Girlfriend you spot. Give them a 5 ounce sample if they fake an interest in what the partner-in-crime is saying and drink one with them.

3) The Mustachioed Menace

Also known as the Bearded Douche. One look at this guy and you are guessing he's the head brewer at the newest local nanobrewery in town, even though he has never put malt and hops together before. He's proud of his facial fur. Spends most of the evening at the mustache wax booth, with the occasional foray out to refresh his 5-ounce sample glass. He spends more time shaping and sculpting his 'stache than a teen spends getting ready for prom. And just like that teen, he's pretty sure his pristine facial pubes are getting getting him laid tonight. Well done on sharing info about which brand of mustache wax used to EVERY booth. Make him use two festival tickets to buy you a drink if you spot this guy in all his mustache wax glory.

4) The Dick

He's the person who bitches about everything at the festival. The speakers aren't right, the food isn't good enough, the beer isn't exclusive enough. In an exceptionally douchey moment, he might threaten physical harm to the festival organizers who are doing this for the love of beer instead of money. This is the kind of fuck weasel that ruins great things. This ass hat doesn't respect anyone else and will try his best to ruin your experience. If you can get away with it, catch him with an elbow, making it look accidental, avoid festival security, then drink until you can't hear his fucking idiotic voice droning on. DO NOT BE THIS GUY!!!!

5) The Enthusiastic Volunteer

They love having the chance to connect with the beer scene with an event like this. They usually know a brewer or two and do this for fun. They can hype up the beer as much as the brewmaster could. While sampling many beers at the event, they will hype up the booth where they're assigned. They like to have fun, you'll have fun with them. Drink with them. (Side note: certain states, including Ohio, restrict brewery workers from serving their own beer at festivals, so volunteers are critical to libation happiness. Don't EVER be #4 to them).

6) The "Type" Drinker

You know them. "I only drink IPAs, he only drinks dark beers." They both give you condescending looks when you describe a hoppy strong ale that drinks like an IPA despite being a dark color, appealing to both. There is no pleasing these bastards, by the way. The IPA you're pouring/drinking will never measure up to King Julius (which they've never had) and the dark beer isn't as good as Guinness. Drink two if you get them to try something out of their comfort zone.

7) The Know-It-All

There's no point in describing a beer to them, they already know everything about it. They haven't done research, they just know. They'll sometimes correct you on the ingredients and flavors they give off, no matter how wrong they are. You: "This is continuously hopped with Citra which gives it..." Them (interrupting): "No, actually. This is Hallertau-Mittelfruh, which is grown exclusively in the summer in the mountainous region in New Los Angeles, New Zealand. I can taste it."... Sigh...  Drink until you forget the conversation you had with this infuriating idiot.

8) The "Brewpie"

A groupie of brewers. She came to the festival alone, but her hopes are not leaving alone. There are around 20-60 breweries at the event, each one having brewers and reps working.  Odds look good for her. She has done the research; she knows who the brewmaster is at each brewery, and she knows whether or not he is single. Most likely not wearing panties, she skips over any brewery owned or operated by a woman or corporation. She'll put on the charm, she'll bat her eyelashes, she'll give a little wiggle. She knows what she's doing, it's not her first time at the rodeo (unlike "Cowboy Hat Guy"). If you are work at a brewery, wrap it twice and run far and fast. If not, buy her a drink and tell her you work at a brewery. Or at least help her into her Uber car.

9) The Talker

They liked your beer. They were told by their friend that they need to try the beer. They were hesitant at first, as it's not normally a style they like, but their friend hasn't steered them wrong yet, and by golly, their friend was right again. They tell your their life story while holding up a line of thirsty people behind them. Drink until they stop talking.






10) The Beer Lover

This person appreciates all beer. They aren't a crude, arrogant type, not at all. They appreciate what the brewer took time to accomplish. These are people who give honest feedback, whether it's "this isn't for me" or "this is the best beer I've had tonight." They are the heart and soul of why brewers do this. You'd get too drunk seeing these people, so give them a cheers and thank them. Take a sip instead of a whole drink.





11) The Ill-Prepared Business Guy

He drinks macro light beer, but read about this event in the paper. He doesn't know a wit from a weizenbock. This guy is completely out of his element. You try and guide him toward beers he might enjoy, but he's lost, like a baby at a strip club. Try and expand his horizons, have him loosen his tie and enjoy life. Drink your favorite at the festival with him. Remind him that life's too short to drink shitty beer.

12) The Good Times Guy

Usually mid-to-late 40's, he's shit faced and doesn't care who he bumps into. He'll try and dance with them. He'll be first in the karaoke lineup, just after he has had one too many and he's going to butcher "Sweet Home Alabama"  or that Three Non-Blondes song... You know the 'hey hey hey hey' song. Fuck it, it's a festival, right? He'll try and get selfies with any attractive lady. Hell, by closing time, they don't even have to be attractive. His Hawaiian shirt lets you know he IS the life of the party. Often spotted with the Wayne to his Garth. Party on, bruh. Run as far away as possible as quickly as you can and give him a high-five across the venue. Then drink three because you made it out alive. Then duck and run, and drink one more for good measure.

13) Intellectual Rednecks

They're dressed like Larry The Cable Guy impersonators; overweight with cut-off flannels exposing their hairy arms, bearded, camo ball caps. They look like they don't know anything other than Natty or Busch. DO NOT LET THIS STEREOTYPE DETER YOU! These are some of the most knowledgeable and well-spoken people at the festival. Much more knowledgeable than those condescending Hipsters, who give sideways glances to these guys as if to say "What are you doing at OUR festival?" I like these guys. Drink one with these guys. Take an extra drink if they actually work at a brewery. Dump what's in your glass and drink what they're drinking.

14) The Frat Boy Type

They roam in hordes, bro. A Pride of Cock Jockeys (probably their frat house name). They aren't at the festival to appreciate good beer, no, they're there to pound brews with their bros and hit on chicks. Doesn't matter what beer, doesn't matter what chick. You'll know them from the gaggle of douchebags who are all dressed the same. Fred Durst ain't got shit on these pig fuckers. Drink one when you see them. Take an extra drink if they hit on you, take two if you are a guy.

15) The Hype Seeker


This individual only wants to seek out the hyped up breweries. 3-4 spots of the hottest, newest breweries. They get into conversation in line about what they've read about these breweries and make judgements on them before even trying them. They spend the entire time in line on beer social media reading reviews, already knowing they'll rate it at a perfect score. Looks down upon startups without the hype and dare won't touch the larger regional craft breweries. Get this guy a Bud Light. Stat.


16) The Coordinators

They made this happen. They tend to have lives outside the beer festival circuit, yet the spend tiresome months on end arranging all the details of these events. Sleepless nights and careful planning to assure you have a hell of a night. They are walking around, making sure all the breweries have ample ice and water, making sure patrons aren't too intoxicated, making sure all things are going according to plan. They may have the same shirt the volunteers do, and although volunteers are valuable, these are the hidden rare foil card in your Pokemon booster pack. These are the heroes that are forgotten. All the patrons of the event look to the breweries as their godsends when really it's the "man behind the curtain"' An endless thank you to those groups. Remind yourselves as you walk in "THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT THESE PEOPLE!" #4. #4. #4. If you happen to run into any event coordinator, talk to them. Thank them. Get them a beer. 

Repeat, Don't be #4. Don't be a dick, have fun. We're all there to have fun and enjoy ourselves. Don't ruin it for everyone else because you're a dick. Hopsus be with you.

Food pairing: Pretzels on a necklace
Music pairing: "Don't Stop Believing" as belted out by Good Times Guy
Cheese pairing: Nacho cheese sold at the food court

Behind the Tap Presents: Battle of the Beers Vol. 1 Columbus Hoppy Wheats

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So, this is only our 10th blog post this year. This is very uncharacteristic of us. Yikes. Well, truth be told, life gets in the way of things. I hope we can remember how to properly do this. Jesus, it's been over 2 months since our last post. We hope you loyal readers haven't forgotten about us.

In this (hopefully) continuing saga, we will put two similar beers in a match up against one another. We'll pick them apart in our typical review (read: unstructured banter).

For this first one, we've picked Sideswipe's Pixelated Sun and Zaftig's Hoot-spa Wheat.

Zaftig is a small brewery in Worthington, Ohio that focuses on big beers. We're reviewed one of their beers before (ZBS if you want to backtrack on our reviews). Their facility is based in an industrial complex with a garage feel to it (there are 3 in Columbus I know of like this; Zaftig, Sideswipe, and Actual). 

Sideswipe is a small brewery that's not far from the Grandview circuit. We planned on reviewing their Elegant Hoodlum smoked stout, but ended up drinking it. Twice... oops. Their facility seems like a mirror image of Zaftig's (Zaftig's garage door is on the left of the entry door, Sideswipe's is on the right). Also based in an industrial complex, be warned that your GPS will lie to you trying to get here (sending you past the road you need to turn on, then in a circle, then back to where you actually need to turn). Enjoy the mispronunciations the GPS gives you though (M.C. Kinley road, instead of McKinley and Ski-oat-o Harper instead of Scioto Harper (for those not from the region- it's pronounced 'sy-o-ta') and completely at a loss when it comes to Schrock). M.C. Kinley is an up-and-coming hip-hop artist in my mind.

Now, yes, we know the guys at both breweries. Craig O'Herron at Sideswipe is a hell of a guy and a hell of a brewer who started his operation with just him. A one man show of brewing, bottling, sales, and delivery. He since has a loyal crew of people who have helped him. Zaftig has a similar story, only with 3 guys who started the company. More recently, we've both been volunteering with the guys at Zaftig... yes.... This seems now like this is going to be a biased post, but believe us, it's not. We're keeping all of our personal ties out of this (we are still pretty hardcore into the local craft beer scene, which is rather supportive) in order to justly bring you our unbiased breakdown and hopefully entertaining review of the both.

Availability:

Sideswipe's Pixelated Sun is available in both 22oz bottles as well as on tap, 6% ABV. Zaftig's Hoot-spa is available on tap only at the moment (Zaftig does have bottles, but Hoot-spa is currently not in bottles), 8.5% ABV (a session beer by Zaftig's standards). If you would like to buy a keg of Hoot Spa, merely call, text, email, or respond to this post to Jennie.

Color:

Well, As you can see in the picture, the Sideswipe is a little more golden/straw in color, Zaftig is a little darker, almost a light amber. Both have great clarity and carbonation. It's funny, every time I pour a Hoot-spa in the tap room, I envision it coming out as lightly as the Pixelated Sun is from the bottle. We visited Swideswipe's taproom recently, and the keg had recently kicked, so we have not had it on tap.

Aroma:

Ok, this is where the differences start to come out.

Sideswipe Pixelated Sun: 

Citrus, tropical (Citra) almost caramel like at times. -N-

I requested that Nathan leave mine out of the fridge since he poured his a couple hours ago. What? I like my craft beer at nearly room temperature. I hope that isn't a problem for you. Most good beers should be enjoyed well above fridge temp. But anyway, let's dissect this aroma. I am picking up a ton of Citra in all its lychee and gooseberry and vague grapefruit and lemon glory. A bit of caramel sweetness comes in to play, as well as some lovely wheat characteristics. -j

Zaftig Hoot Spa:

Sweetness, a little dank with grapefruit (Amarillo). -N-

This is more sweet grapefruit, like the bruleed grapefruit my mom used to make on New Year's morning, with a little tropical, stone fruit (July's best plum?) coming through, with a note of winter wheat to make you say to yourself, "Hey self, not only have you forgotten how to type, but you are also forgetting how amazing this smells." Faint notes of my near-and-dear Triscuits appear, as if I had liquified a box and added some hops. This is a beer I can (and often do) drink all day long. And I'm not always a fan of wheat beers. This is like a familiar T-shirt that you forgot about in the back of your closet. That comforting aroma just comes in to remind me how much I enjoy this beer. -j

Flavor:

Pixelated Sun:

Lighter bodied, smooth drinking wheat with tropical tones that make you long for porch drinking or in the pool at your friend's house. The wheat isn't predominant like most wheat beers. Just faint hints in the background to remind you it's summer. The tropical and citrus notes from the hops come into play more toward the middle and back end of the sip, riding off in a juicy blast of awesome as it slides down your throat. This leaves a bit of hop resin on the tongue, like a good pale ale does, but not nearly as much an a IPA. Citra in a wheat, fuck me, why haven't I done this in a home brew?! We would have won last year's wheat beer home brew competition if we would have used Citra instead of El Dorado. Jolly Rancher flavors my ass! Eh, at least we took 4th and our proteges took 3rd  -N-

Shit, that reminds me, we are about to endure a shortage of Citra. I think that is one hop that should not be proprietary but necessary for all brew houses, be they home or professional breweries. Biased as I might be toward this particular hop, it has certainly earned its popularity with both craft beer lovers and home brew lovers alike. 

Let that be your warning. Zombie Dust is likely about to become even harder to obtain than it is currently. I don't know about you, but I have given up on that beer. If I come across some, fine, I'm certainly not going to ever hate on it. If I have to go out of my way for it, though, it's not worth it. I promise you there are better all-Citra hop bomb APAs and IPAs out there. This might not be an all-Citra American Pale Ale, but it is a Citra bomb of deliciousness. . For those of you who aren't complete hop nerds, Citra, as previously mentioned, give off big citrus, lychee, and gooseberry notes. While it's definitely a wheat beer in mouthfeel, the wheat lets the hops shine through beautifully. -j

Hoot Spa:

Medium bodied, yet smooth drinking with sweetness balancing out the hops. Toward... who created that word 'toward,' it's such a weird word... Toward the front there's a whole array of flavors happening where it's hard to pick apart. There are grapefruit, caramel, faint tropical, toffee, and other notes that i can't quite put my finger on that lead you on a flavor adventure that makes you forget you're drinking a wheat. There's some grapefruit that hits toward the back end, leaving you longing for more. This isn't your typical wheat, my friend, no. This is a god damned journey of trying to pull out long forgotten words from your vocabulary to give proper descriptive phrases to convey the flavor sanctuary that is resting upon your taste buds. -N-

Nathan described this so well that I don't know how much I have to add. I did hear one person with a very esteemed palate tell me that the only flaw he found with this was that the alcohol flavor was too predominant. My palate can't even tell that this is as, ahem, sessionable as it is at 8.5%. I really don't pick up a note of the alcohol, but then again, my palate isn't world-class. It's good, but then again, it's also ever-evolving to the point where it is starting to annoy me. But that is a topic for another day, perhaps even another blog. Anyway, go back and re-read Nathan's description again. Because that flavor journey should be yours. -j

Overall:

Breaking down two different beers and comparing them side by side makes me realize that I've done too many reviews and judging of competitions. These are both fantastic brews that you should check out. They are two different beasts among themselves. There is no clear winner in this category, just because they are each so unique. Go, venture outside of your norm an accept these great examples of hoppy wheat beers into your life. Will it help you find the answers in life? Maybe. Well, maybe not, but you'll have no regrets doing so.After all, it's just beer.  -N and j

Winner:

Go, taste both and make your own decision. You won't be wrong either way.

Pairings:

Food Pairings: Pluot tart

Cheese Pairings: Humboldt Fog. Maybe with some dried apricots on the side. And I don't even like apricots (j)

Music Pairing:  "The Next Storm" by Frank Turner (describes Ohio's stormy Summer to a T)

TRiNiTY Brewing Super Juice Solution

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In case you have been living under a rock in Columbus, Ohio, TRiNiTY. Brewing is the new kid in town. An esteemed and much-lauded brewery out of Colorado Springs, we are very excited to have them here. We haven't made it out to any of the launch parties -- yet! We do plan to hit at least a couple over the weekend. You know, kid and work schedule bullshit that comprise our daily lives. If you make it out to one and happen to snap a pic with Saison Man himself, Captain of the Pirate Ship at TRiNiTY, load it to your favorite social media site using the tag #selfieswithSaisonMan. Because why the hell not??? 

So there I stood, gazing upon the TRiNiTY selection at my favorite bottle shop, having decided to make one last stop on the way home to get my kid from school. I hadn't enjoyed any of the offerings at this particular location, although I loved both the Chilly Waters and Elektrick Cucumbahh. And by "loved", I mean that I fucking crushed so hard on both of those beers, as different as they are. Both are excellent examples of their respective styles, and with such funky yet understated yeast that perfectly complemented each beer. I ended up selecting the Super Juice Solution, well, because we are avowed hopheads and love our IPAs. If you have been following us for any amount of time, you should recall that Nathan has created a deity solely to glorify hops, Hopsus. 

So, this Super Juice Solution intrigues me greatly. I have enjoyed the couple of sour IPAs I have had. This one is aged on Lactobacillus delbrueckii (you might know it better as yogurt bacteria), which should lend a lovely pucker to the mouth. Insert Jamie Lee Curtis discussing her regularity here. This is a lovely pale orange color, with about a half inch of tightly laced white head. There are some yeast rafts of sediment floating throughout my portion, which is not surprising. The aroma on this is fanfuckingtastic. Floral and tropical hops (think a lot of ruby grapefruit) meld with a sharp contrast of sour apple in the nose. Drinking it, notes of peach, ruby grapefruit, passionfruit, pineapple, mango, and yes, barnyard come in to play. I expected the barnyard to lend more of an offensive flavor than I am getting from this; instead, it is faint and complementary. All of the flavors complement each other rather nicely. It is an especially juicy IPA, with no pine or bitter grapefruit to it at all. Hell, I bet this would be a killer IPA without the lacto and barnyard, but with it, it is elevated to a whole other level of interesting. The body on this is moderately thin, which doesn't surprise me, considering it is rather sessionable at 4.1% ABV. That being said, it's not nearly as thin or watery as so many session IPAs tend to be. Carbonation on this was moderately high, also about what should be expected, without being a bottle bomb. 

Overall, this is rather well done. I am looking forward to trying Red Swingline, which is another sour IPA from TRiNiTY, and the entire Swingline series. As well as anything else I can get my hands on from them. Hell yes. Oh, and do yourself a favor. In case you didn't know, absolutely do NOT pour this (or any beer from TRiNiTY) into a Boston shaker pint glass. Not only will you incur the wrath of Jason, but worse, you stand to lose out on the beautiful aromas that are present in this beer (and most other beers). 

4.75/5 caps

-Jennie

We enjoyed the Elektrick Cucumbahh with the guys from Zaftig last night. Zaftig makes BIG beers, but this saison was interesting. General consensus was interesting- unlike anything else on the market. The nose is not what the flavor reveals. The nose is off-putting for some (myself included), but the flavor was a fresh burst of Summertime memories with fresh, crisp cucumbers, slight esters that lent themselves perfectly to the flavor concoction that was the Elektrick Cucumbahh.That was my first TRiNiTY brew. Tonight, I delve into a half bottle of Super Juice Solution. 

This has had time to warm a little while Jennie spilled her fangirl all over the blog (and I vegged out to Trailer Park Boys). A long day doing factory work deserves beer. This past week and a half has not been easy. Fucking end of month, fucking end of fiscal quarter. It's a day like this that makes me appreciative of the craft beer industry; letting me temporarily forget the sheer hell that I inflict on myself, reaping the rewards of flavor after enduring a gauntlet of mental and physical agony day in and day out. I've been looking forward to this since Jennie sent me a text that we were reviewing this tonight. Today was exceptionally rough, but not to bore you, don't ever work in a factory. Please make me that promise. I'm not yet 30, but I'm in constant pain. Learn from my mistakes.

I seem to have deterred, venting about the disdain I have for my job. I seem to be forgetting about my 'fun' job: reviewing beer in a sheer Gonzo style. Then I get sidetracked by Spotify fucking with my music selection with ads (I'm too cheap to get "Spotify Premium"). Go fuck yourself stamps.com ad, I'm trying to veg out to music.

I'm a dick. I'm an asshole, a stuck-in-my-ways douche. I poured my half into a shaker pint. I can't leave my time-tested ways of my Flying Dog glass, though. She and I have all kinds of memories together (Oh, all the brews she's released into my mouth). Judge me if you want, I'll suffer the wrath of Saison Man when I meet him. Regardless, this is what I'm doing.

This, as previously mentioned, has warmed up. It's a hazy pale orange/golden color with still some head sticking around, reminding me to drink this instead of being Dicky Fucking Betts and rambling (the WORST Allman Brothers Band song if you catch the reference, Duane-era was the best). The aroma on this is a heavenly paradise of freshly-cut grapefruit, tropical fruits and sour apple (as previously mentioned by She-Who-FanGirls). The aroma hasn't changed from Jennie's depiction of it. Time for the true test, the flavor. The initial sip is interesting. Peach, Mango, and Tropical fruits take a forefront while a weird, dank yeast flavor dances in the background. They play well together. Jennie described it as barnyard, I don't get barnyard, as much as, well.... Fuck, I can't really say (for the safety of the kids)... Working on a farm growing up, I can say it's not barnyardy. The flavors blend well with the slight puckering, phlegm-inducing sour notes that gives memories of housing on Shock Tarts and War Heads until my tongue was bleeding. This drinks smooth until the sour note kicks in, then it is almost "Chewy?" (reference to The Simpsons episode where Homer becomes a food critic and is consulting the dog for descriptions).

This is my second TRiNiTY brew, I'm looking forward to trying more. They are interesting to my palate. They are something off the radar, so-to speak, from my norm. I've done due diligence in training my taste buds to pick out malt and hops, but this is a whole other realm. 

4.6/5 Caps

-Nathan-

Food pairing: I totally want to use this beer in a citrusy vinaigrette toss with some fresh spring greens.
Cheese pairing: Butterkasse
Music pairing:   Frank Turner "Wanderlust" (hint)

Behind the Tap Presents: Jason Yester of Trinity Brewing

Photo credit: Trinity Brewing

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"Behind the Tap Presents:" will be a series of interviews with various brewers, musicians, and other wonderful people within this glorious industry. 

Last year, it seemed, every time we turned around, Trinity Brewing of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was bestowed with another award. Trinity produces all things saison and the company is also extremely environmentally focused. We had the opportunity to interview Jason Yester, self-proclaimed Captain of the Pirate Ship at Trinity (also known as founder, owner, president, and head brewer). Jason has always fascinated us; he is a masterful artist of yeast, and has a pretty unique view of the world at large and brewing in particular. He was very kind and generous to take time out of his insanely busy schedule to respond to our questions while releasing his beers to New York City this week. While Trinity's beers started appearing on Columbus, Ohio, shelves this week, the release parties are scheduled for next week (schedule below).

Behind The Tap: Why Columbus? I mean, we know we are the 16th largest city in the country and our beer scene rocks, but most of the rest of the country lumps us in with flyover country. You recently released beers to Seattle, which has a decent beer scene, too. What drew your attention to our corner of the universe?

Jason Yester: I honestly don't look at a city and think about the beer scene too much when I look towards new territory.  I will be honest in stating that my personal career is rooted in science, however I feel like our beers have evolved past science and into an approach with more conviction towards a creative culinary approach.  What specifically attracted me towards Columbus is how well rooted the food scene is, specifically the farm-to-table dedication of the city... I was impressed to say the least. 

BTT: What did the pint glass do to you? You started #killthepintglass.

Jason: The 'shaker pint glass' has compromised beers for much too long already, and I refuse to be graceful in this response!  I don't think I've ever seen a wine poured into a 'shaker pint,' nor have I ever heard anyone complain about wine served in a stemmed glass...  beer is just as complex of a drink.  As a sincere brewer, we work extremely hard on every level of creating beer in a very real artistic direction.  Pouring all of that effort into a 'shaker pint' compromises the beer immediately: head retention, presentation, and loss of aromatics.  There are such better ways to experience a beer, and using the proper glass is a completion of that journey.

BTT: One thing we often hear about larger breweries is that consistency is key if you want to make it big. What do you do to ensure consistency within each batch?

Jason: Past the theme of a recipe, we pay almost no attention to consistency, Trinity is by heart a 'Saison' brewer, we specifically rely more specifically on 'live performance' from our brewers and their inherent talents rather than replication of a product.  Because of that approach, each time we brew a beer there are a large amount of factors we have to be flexible with.  We use a blend of at least 3 different yeasts for each of our beers, and as we re-crop the flavor definitely changes... We are also at the mercy of fresh harvests, which sometimes provide more than we need, or less than we need.  Those harvests can also vary in flavor dramatically from season to season, and we just have to roll with it and make a beer.  What you receive in a bottle of Trinity beer is true 'Live performance,' from folks who pay an unrealistic level of attention to raw materials, because we like that challenge.

BTT: Trinity Brewing is releasing a limited number of beers to Columbus. We'd love to hear the thought process that went into which beers to send here. Do you have any anecdotes to share about the beers coming to Ohio distribution?

Jason: We've opened up the choice for our distributor, 17th Star, to carry very small allocations of most of our line up.  Our company model is low volume/wide distribution ..... and when the beer is gone, it's GONE ;).  Several of the beers in our portfolio are only brewed once a year.  My goal is to send 4-5 shipments annually to C bus.

BTT: What do you say to a potential customer who has never had a saison or a sour beer? Worse, what do you say to the person who doesn't love sour beers?

Jason: I normally ask them what their favorite beer is to drink, then I like to place a similar beer we make in front of them and gently blow their mind.

BTT: Which beer drove you over the ledge and made you Saison Man?

Jason: I am not sure it can account a single beer for that ledge ... there are many factors past beer that lead into being a Saison brewer.  I've personally sold a good amount of art work, done thesis work in microbiology, grown organic gardens for 15+ years .... etc etc.... I know, it's all boring .... but, Saison is a life experience not just a beer.

BTT: We love to pair beers with music and food and cheese. Your thoughts on what would go best with each of the beers being released in Cbus? (And/or favorite brew day music?)

Jason: Man ... that is a huuuugggge conversation.  Some of our beers go best with a light flaky white fish like fluke, the cucumber saison goes best with west coast oysters, I love to pair our Black Saison Regal with chocolate cayenne mousse... sometimes I even like to pair our beers with foods only for texture matchings... there are nearly endless possibilities, and that's what makes our culinary approach towards crafting beers so much fun!

BTT: What is your favorite Columbus- or Ohio-produced beer you have had so far?

Jason: Every beer I've had from Hoof Hearted has been much past expectations, and I'd even extend to say 'exceptional.'  I haven't met the folks making the beer there, but they have a lot to be proud of :).  I've only had one beer from Rockmill, their 'straight' Saison, and it was literally shocking!

BTT: Care to give us a technical breakdown on how brettanomyces differs from saccharomyces cerevisiae?

Jason: Let's make it this as simple as possible.... the post fermentation treatment of Brettanomyces steers each strain in different directions metabolically.  Those pathways allow for serious funky changes with age.  Saccharomyces yeast flavors are mostly set after fermentation, an aged beer brewed with this yeast will only become more smooth and not specifically increase in yeast flavor.

BTT: No, for real. People want to taste and smell horse blanket and feet in a beer?

Jason: Of course!  Have you ever had a Pont l’Eveque or a Roquefort cheese? Before the advent of refrigeration, fermented foods were one of the most common ways to preserve food for long term storage.  As these foods aged, some of the flavors which only develop 'with time,' became delicacies and sought after.  Returning to more ancient yeasts/techniques in beer we should expect the same, and celebrate the effort to create the rare flavors. 

BTT: You have been brewing for a long time... unless we read your bio wrong, about the time you were legal to drink. What drove you to say to yourself, "I can make this better than anyone else?"

Jason: I did begin to brew professionally when I was 18 years old, and I've loved it .... It seems that I find another reason to love it every day too!  I wouldn't say I try to brew beer better than anyone, I think my position in this craft is to create change and inspire both drinkers/brewers artistically.

BTT:  Do you have an opinion on "brewpies"? You know, the chicks that just want to hook up with brewers, no matter that you have been a in a committed relationship for years?

Jason: These kind of ladies exist?  Hmmm.. I guess I haven't been paying attention ?

BTT: What would it take to have a beer together when you are in town? We know Dancing Kevin and we have some pretty stellar stalking capabilities.

Jason: Haha, it's pretty easy ... meet up with me at one of our launch events :)  ... here's a list:

Yellow Brick Pizza March 24

taps start at 4 we show up at 6

House Beer March 25
7:00

The Crest March 26
5:00

Growl on High March 27
7:00

Weiland's March 28
3-5

Hales Ales
7:00

BTT: Hockey or football? There is only one correct answer. (Not really. We like both.)

Jason: Football of course!! Go #PFM !!! ... I do like a double hotdog with a tall Yuengling at Bluejackets games though :)