With Austin Beer Week upon us, we checked in with our good friends at Adelbert’s Brewery, located in the North Burnet area, to see what they were cooking (or brewing up) for the week and beyond. We stopped by on Saturday and sampled a bevy of beers, from light to dark to everything in between.
The Hibiscus Saison has been proliferating in Austin heavily within the last few warm months. The light, crisp saison has become a favorite with craft beer enthusiasts in Austin over, and for good reason. It’s freaking tasty. The 100 pounds of hibiscus flowers per batch are what gives the brew its pinkish hue — a happy accident that gave the brewery a chance to work directly with breast cancer research charities. A portion of the proceeds from this brew go to the Breast Cancer Resource Center.
Hibiscus Saison
The Barrel Aged Trifecta is a beer nerd’s dream. Aged in red oak barrels, this beer was serious and complex-certainly a wit with character. Part of Adelbert’s vintage series, it’s a mash up of three beers that stand out on their own: gin barrel aged saison, barrel fermented saison, and spontaneously fermented wit. What you taste is all of the complexity; what you miss is nothing. I’ve had blended beers before and none have been this varied, yet accessible. One of the best.
Barrel Aged Trifecta
The Mango Wit, another light, fruity selection was also one of our favorites. Heavy wit tendencies start this one off and mango notes round it out nicely. Usually fruity beers are a little too overbearing for me — the Mango Wit is not one of them. One of the things I find most compelling about Adelbert’s and their beers is that none of them are trying to be something they’re not. The Mango Wit exemplifies this theory to the utmost.
Mango Wit
Another time-tested favorite, the Black Rhino, doesn’t quite live up to its name. It’s actually lighter than you think. Even so, you’re still going to get some coffee notes in the finish, which makes this one as unique as the day is long. Take a bottle of the Black Rhino home from the brewery if you don’t get to try it while there this week — It works great as a sipper while hangin’ on the couch, watching sports on a Saturday afternoon.
Black Rhino
Rounding out our list, the Travelin’ Man comes through in the clutch. Courtney’s usually not a fan of IPAs, but she really liked the Travelin’ Man. It’s an IPA that’s not going to kill your palate, but still packs enough flavor and complexity to make it really, really enjoyable.
Travelin’ Man
Other breweries in Austin do Belgians, but not quite like Adelbert’s does-that’s because it’s the ONLY traditional Belgian Brewery in Austin that strictly brews Belgian Beers. Grains from Belgium, The United Kingdom, and Germany are the only hops used at this central Austin institution that’s pumping out fantastic beers at a dizzying pace.
If you’re out and about for Austin Beer Week, Adelbert’s has an event almost every day from November 2nd through the 6th.
November 2 – Get Jazzy with It
Jazz Daddies will be performing, we’ll have 14+ beers on tap (plus wine, cider and kombucha available), and free games including giant jenga, foosball, corn hole and hula hoops.
November 3 – Music, Games and Beer
Join us in our awesome barrel-line taproom for an evening of music, games and beer. Tim Preece & Jimmy Johnson will be performing. We’ll have 14+ beers on tap (plus wine, cider and kombucha available) and free games including giant jenga, foosball, corn hole and hula hoops.
November 4th – Tap Takeover at Growler USA
Join us for an awesome tap takeover during Austin Beer Week at Growler USA on November 4th. Taps include Castaway Blonde, Hibiscus Saison, Pablo’s Wild Pale Ale, Tripel B, and Sundowner!
November 5 – Contemplating Waterloo Special Tapping
Contemplating Waterloo is returning! This highly sought after limited release will be available on tap and in bottles to go in our our awesome barrel-line taproom. Hootchcakes will be performing 7-9 pm. Free games including giant jenga, foosball, corn hole and hula hoops. Plus food truck on site.
November 6 – Football Sunday Funday
Join us in our awesome barrel-line taproom for a day games and beer. The Cowboys game will be on! We’ll have 14+ beers on tap (plus wine, cider and kombucha available) and free games including giant jenga, foosball, corn hole and hula hoops.
