Out in the brewery landscape of Colorado Craft Beer there resides a place that comes with rare exclusivity and patience. In that space, you find brews with perspectives that other beer can’t match. Their wild formulation is a carefully executed aberration in a world defined by rules created by other people. If I know you, Dear Hoppers, I think you have a desire for exploration and adventure. In fact, I can only assume you are reading this on an airplane heading to Nepal for a two-month backpacking trip. You can’t be easily controlled. Neither can Amalgam Brewing, with their own special mixture of rebellion will find a way to your taste buds, your home, and your world.
I don’t really know how to categorize what I am writing. Is it a brewery review or a beer review? Or is it something altogether different – a mixture of sorts, an amalgam. Ha! See what I did there. I don’t know for sure but it is definitely part of the Craft Conversation that we are having here in Colorado.
Amalgam Brewing is a mixed culture beer project that Eric Schmidt and Phil Joyce started at Powder Keg Brewing a few years back. They share a small barrel aging and blending space with the boys from West Bound & Down. And at the moment there isn’t anywhere for folks to hang out. Hopefully, by the end of summer, it will be transformed into a tasting room. And when it does I will be sure to visit and give you the low down.
I tried a few of their latest bottle releases and one of their originals. I am no beer expert and my only qualifications for this comes through my excessive experience in drinking but I’ll try to give you a fair assessment.
Composition #2 – Backyard Peach (4.2% ABV)
This American Saison is easy like a warm summer afternoon where you pull a peach from a tree. It was fermented on 3lbs of organic peaches per gallon for a full flavor. Not too acidic. Only just a sweet enough on the ass end of every sip. I only have a mason jar to drink it from which adds to the summer aesthetic. I am drinking it out of the wrong type of glass. I know this but don’t care. Good craft beer like this is not dependent upon the glass you drink it out of. A fresh and relieved feeling rushes over me. The sun drenches my eyes as a splash of sour hits me, transitioning to a hodgepodge of sensation and finally bridging the gaps to a sweet kiss at the end.
Eric told me that Amalgam Brewing will bring mixed culture beer to a mix of people. When the taproom opens the brewers will be the people serving so asking questions is encouraged. It’s not a bar you will stumble in but it will be a refuge and a destination.
Composition #2 Plum Mix (4.2% ABV)
This American Saison has more pucker than the last through and through. The beer was fermented on 3lbs of a variety of organic plums. A heavy fruit feel gives you a little flavor smack in the face. Little morsels of plum are left lingering in this Saison that grew on me as I drink it. I feel this beer more in my face. Maybe I didn’t eat enough today. Or I need to drink more water. Either way, I like it. Funky fruit, all the way up the chain. Sex and Plum Mix, all day, for the rest of my life.
Ascension Sour Ale (6.8% ABV)
The Ascension Sour Ale is a slow dip into a pool – where you ease in and get the most out of the flavors. It’s uncanny how well the name fits this palate climbing sour ale. Aged in both oak and chardonnay barrels. Sweet fruit notes, lemon, and mellow tartness make the complexity enjoyable and accessible.
I love how all three brews surprised me and told me a fascinating story. Beer that intrigues the soul and affords you the ability to keep that child-like-wonder is so important in these crazy times. I can’t wait to see the tasting room at Amalgam Brewing and report back to you on the different releases they will have then. For now, I definitely recommend you hunt down some of these bottles at a local store and enjoy the adventure.
The Denver Hopper Notes:
Taproom coming soon. Bottle release dates and stores where you can find them will be found on the website.
Social Media!
Give them a follow: IG: @amalgambrewing, Twitter: @AmalgamBrewing, FB: @AmalgamBrewing
Amalgam Brewing
Website: amalgambrewing.com
6381 Beach St #A, Denver, CO 80221