Brooklyn Brewery Fiat Lux

the last sip

This past Monday, the Brooklyn Brewery invited a lucky few to the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg Brooklyn to try the newest in their Brewmaster's Reserve Series. Fiat Lux or "Let There Be Light" is a 6.1% Belgian Wit made with lime peel and Indian coriander. As we had our first few sips on the hotel's rooftop overlooking the Manhattan skyline, we all agreed that it was the welcomed antithesis to what we've seen in the craft beer world lately; where pumpkin beers are hitting store shelves in mid-July.

Brewmaster Garrett Oliver spoke of wanting to create a beer that would be perfect for the right now of early July but would still be enjoyable come the cooler nights of September and October. At one point, Garrett compared this beer to a Binaca blast. While not the best sell for a beer, what he meant was that unlike some other beers, the finish of Fiat Lux left a refreshing sensation on the palate. Garrett then paused and added that it really isn't about the first taste. Once a customer orders a beer, they've made their decision. The brewery has made its sale. What it's really about is the last sip, as that is when the consumer decides whether or not to have another one. In the case of Fiat Lux, I was sold. More please!

Fiat Lux is a draught-only release. For more info, check out Brooklyn Brewery's website. Then watch this awesome video by Transient Pictures:

Brooklyn Brewery Gold Standard Export

It's that time again! A release of another new Brooklyn Brewmaster's Reserve beer. This time around Garrett Oliver and his team of excellent brewers are unleashing Gold Standard Export Kellerbier. Kellerbier? For those of you that are unfamiliar, Kellerbier is an unfiltered German style that is literally translated as "cellar beer".

Garrett hoists his stein to celebrate the release of Gold Standard.

Brooklyn's version of a Kellerbier is being referred to as their "Gold Standard Export" and is made with 100% floor malted Bohemian barley and flanked by effervescent Halllertau and Saaz hops. At 6.2% ABV, this beer's got everything you want for a nice Summer day (or night). Bready, yeasty, wonderful hop aromas. You really can't go wrong. Why did they tack on "Export" at the end of the name you ask? Well, that's to denote the fact that the beer is more robust than your typical pilsner. Oh let's not forget one of the coolest and beer geekiest facts about Gold Standard: the yeast that seduced this beer was lent to Brooklyn Brewery by none other than New Glarus out of Wisconsin. You know, that brewery that everyone wants but is only available in Wisco?

Gold Standard will be hitting draught lines where you'd normally find the Brewemaster's Reserve series in the coming weeks, so be on the look out.

get your last pours of Mary's Maple Porter before it's gone! And definitely try Oishi if you ever stop by the brewery.