Brewing Guide
Take a look at how we handcraft our microbrews. We have two microbreweries to better serve El Paso.
Beer To Go-Growlers (2 liter jugs), Slim Kegs (5.5 gallons), Kegs (15.5 gallons). Upon availability. Advanced notice required for kegs.
Beer Terminology
Ales - Ales are beers that are fermented warm. This gives the beer fruity flavors and aromas.Lagers - Lagers are beers that are fermented and stored from a few weeks to several months. This gives the beer a clean smooth flavor.
Aroma - Our sense of smell is the most sensitive of all our five senses. Swirl a half-full glass of beer to release the carbon dioxide bubble and then sniff. Depending on the style, you'll smell a combo of ingredients; hops (floral to pungent), malt (bread-like to coffee-like), and in some cases, yeast (fruity to spicy).
Clarity - How clear is your beer? Although we are accustomed to crystal clear beers, some styles are unfiltered by design and appear cloudy. Our West Texas Wheat is just one of those beers.
Color - A beer's color is largely determined by the amount and type of malt used. By mixing a variety of malts, brewers can create beers from a pale straw color to an opaque black.
Head - The crowning glory of any beer. Is it sudsy or creamy, heavy or thin? While different styles will have a different head appearance, a head of foam should form and stay atop your brew.Some of the head should remain until you've finished your beer. The lack of a long lasting head may indicate the beer is improperly carbonated or stale, or it may mean your glass hasn't been properly cleaned.
Mouth feel - Mouth feel is literally the way beer feels inside your mouth and throat. You may notice carbonation levels, a warming sensation, dryness and of course, body. Remember, beer evaluators must swallow the beer to enjoy the full sensory experience in the mouth and throat.
Body - Body describes the overall feel or texture of the beer as you drink it. Beers are usually described as thin, light, medium, or full-bodied.
Hoppy - A dual purpose descriptor used to describe hop flavor (Wow, is this beer bitter!) and the floral or spicy aroma of hops (Smell the cascade hops in this pale ale!) Hop lovers are affectionately referred to as hop heads.
Malty - Malty describes both malt flavor and aroma. Since malts vary from light to dark, the taste and aroma vary from sweet to smoky. Paler malts taste toffee-like and sugary and add a sweet aroma that can be bread-like or reminiscent of hot cereal.
Yeasty - Yeasty refers to beers that taste or smell like yeast. You'll notice fruity or spicy flavors and smells similar to bananas or cloves. With some beer styles, such as wheat beers, this is desirable. In other beer styles, it may be considered an off-flavor.
BBL - 1 (Beer Barrel) is equal to 31 gallons. 20BBL= 620 gallons= 40 kegs= 4,960 pints= 6613 12oz. bottles
Bitterness - A mellow or sharp bite which offsets the beers sweetness. A beer without bitterness would be sweet and undrinkable.
Body - The sensation of viscosity (or fullness) of the beer. Water (thin) as compared to whole milk (thick).
Hops - The flower of the hop vine. Hops contribute bitterness and floral aroma to beer.
Malted Barley - Seeds of the barley plant that have been germinated to the point of sprouting roots. At this point, the maltster dries the grain and it is ready for brewing. Barley gives the beer sweetness.