Rogue Hazelnut Spice Rum
Since it can’t be boredom with making beer that compels craft brewers to launch microdistilleries, it must be the perpetual drive to create something new, something fun, something distinct, and above all, something tasty. That’s the focus of this post as part of Rum Month here at the Examiner, which follows the SF Beer Examiner’s last post on rum-aged beers and cocktails.
Just as Anchor Brewing calls dibs on being the first post-Prohibition microbrewery (a fact untempered by the brand originating in 1896 because it didn’t churn out the Anchor Steam of today until 1965 when Fritz Maytag bought the brewery), it also lays claim to being the first craft brewery to launch a microdistillery .
Following in its wake, three craft brewers caught the spirit and have launched craft distilleries that offer artisanal rums/rhums. The still at Dogfish Head (Rehoboth Beach, Delaware) makes 3 brands: Brown Honey Rhum, a White Light Rhum, and Wit Spiced Rhum (akin to a White Beer spiced with Curacao orange peel and coriander). Rogue (Newport, Oregon) makes Dark, White, Hazelnut Spice (Made from toasted Oregon hazelnuts, orange peel, Madagascar bourbon vanilla bean, cinnamon, and clove) versions. And soon, Ballast Point (San Diego) will launch White and Dark barrel-aged versions of Three Sheets rum.
And this, me hearties, is just the beginning of the craft brewers-cum-craft distillers rum rebellion.
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Comments
Interesting. Seems like this is really catching on everywhere. Ska Brewing Co. in Durango, CO, also has a micro-distillery (Peach Street Distillers - www.peachstreetdistillers.com) out in Palisades which makes the best damn vodka I've ever tasted. They also make brandy, grappa, bourbon and gin, but I have no idea how those taste since I can't stand any of those hard alcohols. ;)
- Southern Colorado Beer Examiner
Cheers Brian;
Rogue does a fantastic job, can't wait to get down to Washington Square again, though I love the home base in Oregon too. I am practicing my cheddar beer soup recipe, and am trying it with the nut brown ale next.
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