Name: Elysian Brewing Company
Location: Seattle, WA
Website: www.elysianbrewing.com
Type: Production brewery and brewpub
Available in DC Market: Yes
What you need to know: Founded in 1995, Elysian is a veritable old-timer in the American craft beer world, but don’t let that fool you. These guys are gutsy and inventive, always willing to push the boundaries. While they’ve gained acclaim for a range of styles, they’re best known as masters of hops – unsurprising given their NW pedigree.
Beer #1: Dayglow IPA (India pale ale / 6.5% ABV)
In Their Own Words: It drips with tropical, sunshiney Mosaic, and twinkles with touches of Eldorado and Centennial. A touch of wheat hazes the malt bill a bit around the edges and the IBUs are stuck in the mid-sixties.
Food Pairing: Scallop crudo with citrus fruits (Diver scallop crudo presented with orange, grapefruit and Meyer lemon segments, finished with a light peppercorn oil.)
Our Thoughts: The newest addition to the Manic IPA series, Dayglow plays to Mosaic’s tropical fruit punch. The inclusion of wheat adds some spritz and brings Dayglow near the territory of hoppy wheat, but it’s really an IPA at heart. A great bit of sunshine to liven up the palate, especially at tasting marathons like SAVOR. And if it doesn’t steamroll the crudo, you’ll get citrus on citrus going on.
Beer #2: Dragonstooth (Stout / 7.5% ABV)
In Their Own Words: Pours a deep, midnight black with a light tan head. Smells of coffee and dark chocolate and the mouthfeel is velvety smooth with flavors of roasted malts, oatmeal, and warm bread. Dragonstooth is a very drinkable stout – satisfying but not heavy.
Food Pairing: Turkey braised in mole (Turkey breast braised in a fragrant mole of dried chiles, tomato, almonds, Mexican chocolate and toasted pumpkin seeds.)
Our Thoughts: A big, luscious stout from the American school. The complex grain bill imparts nuance and velvety richness, while three classic NW hops bump it up to 60 IBUs. Not the most out-there beer, but a rock solid interpretation worth a visit, especially with mole. Seriously, big stout and mole. Legit.
This profile is a part of the DCBeer.com SAVOR Brewery Profile series. For more information, follow the link to see profiles of all 2014 SAVOR participants.
