DCBeer thanks Bobby John for contributing this profile.
Name: Proof Brewing Company
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Website: http://www.proofbrewingco.com/
Type: Brewery and Brewpub
Available in DC Market: No
What you need to know: Proof Brewing, opened in 2007, currently maintains an in-house retail store, pub, brewery, brew lab and tasting room, with a new 20 barrel production brewery add-on scheduled to open this spring. With their pilot brewery launching new, experimental styles year-round, Proof Brewing provides a constantly revolving variety of unique offerings on tap. The Florida beer scene has been growing in recent years, and SAVOR should provide a great opportunity to see what Proof Brewing has to offer.
Beer #1: Creatures in the Dark (Imperial Stout / 8%)
In Their Own Words: “Dense, dark & oh so chocolatey. Creatures in the Dark is an elegant and layered Chocolate Stout aged on Raw Cocoa Nibs and Whole Madagascar Vanilla Beans.”
Food Pairing: Paired with Chicken Liver Pate with Stone Fruit Chutney (Pate of chicken liver mousse on toast with stone fruit chutney)
Our Thoughts: Creatures in the Dark is an imperial stout brewed with both cocoa and vanilla leading to a complex and pleasing dessert beer. According to Chef Adam Dulye, Creatures will pair especially well with the Chicken Liver Pate as the “rich dark malts and notes of chocolate cleanse the rich pate from the palate.” There is very little information online regarding this beer, so this should be a great opportunity to sample one of those less famous, under-the-radar brews that receives no distribution in DC.
Beer #2: In Session Pale Ale (American Pale Ale / 6.5%)
In Their Own Words: “This American Pale Ale is extremely sessionable and double dry-hopped with an enormous amount of Citra lending it a vibrant, refreshing flavor profile and aroma, balanced with a smooth malt body.”
Food Pairing: Paired with Lamb Keftah (Ground lamb seasoned with paprika, parsley, lemon and coriander. Grilled and served with a yogurt and cucumber relish)
Our Thoughts: Citra has been a very trendy hop over the past few years, mostly due to it lending a lot of citrus (duh) and tropical notes to the beer. In Session Pale Ale is double dry-hopped with Citra, which should give this beer a lot of punch which will pair nicely with the Middle Eastern spices in the Lamb Keftah.
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.