No sooner does Deep Ellum Brewing get a solid foothold and strong start on the hearts, purses and palates of Dallas craft beer consumers than a second brewer come barking at their heels. With only a single beer on the market so far, Peticolas Brewing may give the Deep Ellum guys reason to keep looking over their shoulder.
Michael Peticolas debuted his single product last week, the evocatively named Velvet Hammer. The premiere event was held at Dallas’ Meddlesome Moth last Tuesday and drew a standing-room only crowd despite the rough downpour making everyone’s evening commute miserable. One keg was gone within 45 minutes, and a second was empty before the next day ended.
The most remarkable thing about this introductory tapping that you must keep in mind is the Velvet Hammer measures a hefty 9% ABV. Opening your brewery with such a high-gravity ale is a bold move from this one-man upstart, and even more surprising is the locals’ eagerness to fill their glasses with it. Strong beers are generally slow sellers, which is why many brewers start out with easier styles.
However, once you taste the Velvet Hammer this all makes perfect sense. Styled as an “imperial red,” this beer is an American interpretation of a standard Irish red ale pushed to the far end of the scale. It pours a pale caramel color with great clarity and a largely light malt-focused flavor, although there are just enough hops (a remarkably well-hidden 85 IBUs) that the whole beer balances perfectly, sweet and bitter.
Perhaps the most astonishing thing about the Hammer is its 9% ABV. (I keep stressing this point because you will forget it.) Despite a percentage that would render most beers delicate sippers, the alcohol here is virtually undetectable. No heat at all means this beer becomes dangerously drinkable, almost quaffable, and it may not be until halfway through your second pint that you wonder who kicked you in the head.
It is a testament to the brewer’s skill to hide such alcoholic strength within an otherwise almost delicate beer. As Peticolas himself joked, he’s created “the world’s first sessionable 9% beer.” A great start, and we’re eagerly waiting to see what else this brewer can do.
Availability: Found at craft beer places like the Meddlesome Moth, Common Table, Trinity Hall and other similar select places around Dallas. Draft only at this time, as a bottling line may be some time coming for this small operation.
Cheers!
paul@scientist.com
Comments