Mothers Day… is an annual holiday celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Mother’s Day pays tribute to all types of mothers, moms, mommies, mom in laws, expecting moms, just like a mom….. Did you know where Moms Day came from? Well at least here in America the day was established by a woman named Anna Jarvis. Jarvis, campaigned for the first official Mother’s Day and it was celebrated at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 10, 1908, three years after her mother’s death. Jarvis held a memorial ceremony to honor her mother and all mothers and that became the first know Mother’s Day although it was not a recognized holiday. But in the following years, Anna Jarvis embarked upon a campaign to make “Mother’s Day” a recognized holiday. She spent a significant amount of time writing to countless business executives, church groups, and politicians at the state and national level to promote the commemorative day. After her persistent efforts, Mother’s Day was finally proclaimed a national holiday in 1914 by President Woodrow Wilson.

Today Mothers Day is usually synonymous with a breakfast or brunch. A few gifts from your children and if you are lucky a Mothers Day mimosa at said brunch! This year in the true spirit of the Bierlady I found a place that had Beer- Mosas for that special Mom in your life.
Mr Beerman and I teamed up with another couple friend of ours (Barb and Paul – he’s a home brewer, she makes fantastic caramels http://www.etsy.com/shop/TreatsnSweetsbyBarb and they drove us out to a brewery near them called Hangar 24. http://www.hangar24brewery.com/.

These guys you would probably recognize they have a very distinctive label. We have been tasting them at Beerfests for years, and we were proud that our friend Paul (who was with us) even won a silver medal at their home brewers fest for his “Big Bill’s Brown” – American Brown Ale. We were super excited to finally make it out to Redlands to try their beers at the brewery.

Boy they sure did NOT disappoint! Beers I never would have thought I would like I did. And who can beat a Beer-Mimosa on Mom’s day! They had two types Orange juice mixed with their Belgium Summer Ale or Mango Juice mixed with the same beer. Having tried both I have to lean toward the orange juice but what a great idea. Don’t think I won’t be trying that with some beers at home!

We did two flights to try as many as we could. The Special Beers Flight (Beers that aren’t always there) and their Year Round Offerings Flight.
Much like with my last blog I will borrow some descriptions from their own website then add my 2cents! I also noted some of the awards these beers have received. I tell you this brewery is not fooling around. They are good.

First the Special Beers or Seasonal

Belgian Summer Ale Alcohol Content: 5.8% IBU: 15 –
Our summer seasonal is based on the recipe for our very popular 3rd Anniversary Ale. Aromas of clove, pineapple and bubblegum spill from the glass. The flavor is a combination of spicy Belgian yeast with hints of pear & nutmeg.
Okay this is the one they were mixing in the mimosas. As you know Im not a Belgium fan but this was a very light refreshing beer. Not in your face Belgium and was a great mixer with the OJ.

California Spring Beer Alcohol Content: 5.2% IBU: 20
A time of renewal. Renew your taste buds with our “California style” Spring Beer, a unique fusion of a hoppy wheat beer brewed with a blended fermentation of Belgian and American yeast.
Another one of those “go figure” moments. I am not a Belgium or a wheat beer fan. This seems to be a mix of both and I tell you I loved it. I even drank more than the taster. Find this one!

Ballpark Beer Alcohol Content: 4.8% IBU: 21
A unique blend of a classic Pilsner with an American Wheat Beer. Spicy hop aroma and a clean subtle bitterness are balanced by the bready malt character of wheat.
Rumor has it this was made for Angel games. I love that. It’s a Session beer that gives you the choice at a Stadium to not drink the normal “ballpark” beer. You can get a great tasting craft beer even while eating a dog at the park. Nice! That is my entire purpose to find you a beer you have been drinking for years, but the craft beer version!

Palmero Alcohol Content: 7% IBU 20
A traditional Abbey Dubble with a healthy addition of dates from the Coachella Valley.
Little too on the Belgium side for me. But Mr Beerman gave it a big thumbs up.
Red Rye, Special Release Alcohol Content: ? IBU: ?
Every year we brew a beer to celebrate American Craft Beer Week. This year weve taken our popular Redlands Red Recipe and reimaged it with additions of rye in the malt bill.
Well I have been on a Red kick lately. Just recently I tried a similar beer SpeakEasy’s Scarlett Red Rye and both that one and this one really caught my attention. The slight rye hit makes for a great addition to a typical red. I got a pint of this one while I was there.

Nitro Chocolate Porter Limited Alcohol Content 8% IBU 47
Rich Chocolate, coffee roast, hint of vanilla. Brewed with raw Cocoa Nibs.
Well now if you want true Chocolate beer, I mean really tastes like a milk shake but careful of the 8% kick, this is your beer. It’s on nitro (which makes it a different type of carbonation, like a Guinness or Murphys, thicker) which just made it more like a milk shake to me! Yum.

Their regulars:

Orange Wheat Alcohol Content: 4.6% IBU: 17
Crisp, Tangy, and Refreshing. The citrus aroma, light airy mouthfeel, and tangy finish are this unfiltered beer’s trademarks. This is accomplished by adding whole locally grown oranges throughout the brewing process, which perfectly coalesce with the wheat and barley base.
Awards:
GOLD – 2012 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition
SILVER – 2012 California State Fair GOLD – 2011 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition
HM SILVER – 2011 California State Fair

Ok I admit Im not wheat beer person but the awards speak for themselves this is a great wheat beer and made with the oranges grown right there…you can’t get a fresher tasting beer.

Alt-Bier Ale Alcohol Content: 6.0% IBU: 22

Caramel, Toasty, and Clean. This red ale is our unique version of a northern German Alt-Bier. Enjoy silky caramel smoothness, followed by toasty, bready flavors and finished with a hint of chocolate roast. These flavors all come through in the aroma and combine in a truly unique, very clean, complex, Alt-Bier

Awards: GOLD – 2013 California State Fair Beer Competition
BRONZE – 2013 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition
SILVER – 2012 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition 3RD
SILVER – 2011 California State Fair Beer Competition
SILVER – 2011 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition
BRONZE – 2011 San Diego International Beer Festival
SILVER – 2010 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition
SILVER – 2010 San Diego International Beer Festival

Do I need to go on after that list of awards? I also got a pint of this one. What a fantastically drinkable session beer! GIANT THUMBS up. Go buy this today.

Amarillo Pale Ale Alcohol Content: 5.5% IBU: 35
Balanced and Resinous. Midwestern malted barley provides a pedestal for you to experience the flavor and aroma of the citrusy Northwestern hops which are the showcase of Hangar 24’s version of a true classic. An American Pale Ale.

This is a pale ale. So its not going to be as bitter as an IPA. See look at the IBU. It’s a kinder gentler ale. Very tasty!

Betty IPA Alcohol Content: 6.5% IBU: 68

is an American IPA boasting a blend of Mosaic, Citra, Simcoe and Centennial hops. We spent 8 months perfecting this hop blend, and we love the huge range of juicy aromas and flavors we were able to hit: tropical fruit, citrus zest, berries, stone fruit and pine are all packed in.

This is a full blown IPA. Not crazy hops or bitter, middle of the road. Slightly too hoppy for my taste but it’s a good blend of flavors for sure.

Chocolate Porter Alcohol Content: 8.0% IBU: 47

Rich and decadent. This strong porter is perfect for sipping at the end of the day or to accompany full-flavored foods. The intense, roasty flavor comes from two types of chocolate malt and raw cocoa nibs. Whole vanilla beans introduced post fermentation add complexity and enhance the dessert-like qualities of this full bodied beer

Awards:
SILVER – 2012 California State Fair
SILVER – 2012 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition
SILVER – 2011 California State Fair
SILVER – 2010 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer

Ok so this is the chocolate beer not on Nitro. So its going to be thinner, a true porter. Still super chocolate and coffee. Just look at the awards. They have figured out this beer.

Columbus IPA (India Pale Ale) Alcohol Content: 7.0% IBU: 77

Bitter and bold. This single hop american style IPA features 100 percent Columbus Hops for an intense citrus, floral and spicy aroma and flavor.

So I learned something. I love Columbus hops. Did not know that. Even though this is a true IPA again the hops they used were delicious to me. This is one I will buy!

Double IPA Alcohol Content: 9.0% IBU: 118

Assertive and drinkable. Double IPA is California’s gift to beer lovers. Ours is brewed with four distinctly American hops: Centennial, Citra, Columbus and Simcoe, all beautifully balanced by five malts and generous additions of local orange blossom honey.

Awards:
SILVER – 2012 California State Fair
SILVER – 2011 California State Fair
SILVER – 2011 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition

Little hoppy for me. But again award winner. If you like a great IPA here you go!

The brewery is small with an excellent patio with one long table all the way down. We sat on benches made new friends. Really enjoyed a few hours there. They had a food truck in Big Easy Sandwich made food for us all day. Mr Beerman had pulled pork and I had a roast beef sandwich both were incredible! They even provided roses for all the moms who came out to celebrate with beer. That’s just good people.

We did not bring out two lil guys this time out but I did see kids there hanging out on the patio enjoying their “ginger beer” and “root beer” both non alcoholic.

I highly encourage you to visit Hangar 24 and if you can’t make it out there you can always find them at Beerfests and even easier they are at Bev Mo and I bet even your grocery store I know Trader Joes carries some, and Vons, and Ralphs, even Cost Plus World Market. Right now I believe only in CA. I will check on that. For my Beer Uncle in Florida, don’t worry Uncle Jan I got you covered, I’ll be sending some soon!

Thank you Hangar 24 for a really lovely Mothers Day!!

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