American Homebrewers Association Kickoff

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Conferencelogo
Shel and I went to pick up our press kits for the American Homebrewer’s Association convention, which is happening in Sharonville, just north of Cincinnati this year. We received the regular press kit handouts: speaker lists, author schedules, press pass, beer glass and specially brewed beer. The last one might not be part of the standard conference welcome package, but after getting it home and chilling it off for a few hours, I’m happy to provide a quick write up on: Bosmo’s Brewing Down the Haus in Zinzinnati Imperial Cream Ale and Fireball Mead.

The conference goes through Saturday and I will try and provide a few updates along the way. I’m not sure if there will any opportunity to live blog the events, but we will see what the next few days hold. Full reviews of the two conference beers after the jump.

Bosmo’s Brewing Down the Haus is an Imperial Cream Ale created specifically for the conference. I was looking
forward to trying it and was thrilled to be able to
take a bottle home with me at registration. The pale gold color,
slightly sweet aroma and bitter hoppy taste combine to create this distinctive American brew. The components of this beer are a cross
section of local breweries. Hops from the Boston Beer Company, malt
from Haufbrauhaus, and brewed and bottled by Barrelhouse; it all combines
to create a very nice, easy drinking summer beer. With the unseasonably
hot weather over the last few weeks, I think this is a relaxing
offering to help stay cool. The taste was a touch bitter for Shel, but
I thought that was nice unexpected level of complexity and helped
offset the 7.5% AbV.

Kevin:
Shel:

The Fireball Mead is exactly what it sets out to be: a liquid version
of an atomic fireball candy. The aroma was of sugar, cinnamon and honey. The
taste starts with syrupy sweet flavor and eventually the cinnamon takes
over from the honey on a surprisingly long finish that has unexpected
complexity for what could be be a simple candy-coated drink. This one is
combines elements from Boston Beer Company, Great Lakes Brewing
Company, Listermann Brewer and Woodstone Creek. Not quite my cup of
tea, but I love the idea of creating a new version of the candy I have
enjoyed for years.

Kevin:
Shel: