I suppose in other parts of the country people mark the passing of seasons in more traditional ways, the color of leaves, the length of their sleeves, and whatever sport happens to run across the television; however, in Southern California we need a few more hints. I look for mine in the beer section.
There is a beer for every season and for every season a beer, and Fresh & Easy gets it. They also get quality, which is nice. For example, in California select Fresh & Easy stores are now carrying 32 oz. growlers (half growlers) of Coachella Valley Brewing Company’s finest. That’s right, a California speciality craft beer delivered directly from the brewery to the market, and then right into your refrigerator. The whole process is so fresh and easy that they named a store after it. (UPDATED: It turns out that Fresh & Easy wasn’t actually named after the easy and awesomeness of the growler program. I got a little carried away. It happens.)
Here is a list of the Coachella Valley Brewing Company offerings that Fresh & Easy is carrying as part of the aforementioned growler program. Please note the seasonal offerings, which pretty much make calendars obsolete:
- Saison L’Automne (Belgian Farmhouse Style Ale, 8.5% AVB) – This seasonal offering is one of CVBC’s most prized Belgian Farmhouse style ales, showcasing a bountiful array of ingredients from the fall harvest including sweet potatoes and locally grown pumpkins along with sumptuous Ceylon Cinnamon, Jamaican All Spice, and Sri Lankan Cardamom, clove, and nutmeg, to provide a harmonious balance to this spicy yet crisp Saison.
- Kölschella (Kölsch, 4.5% AVB) – As fun, popular and whimsical as the annual local music festival, Kölschella is a light golden hybrid ale, fermented warm and then lagered to produce a crisp, clean and refreshing ale.
- Sessions IPA (India Pale Ale, 4% ABV) – Noted for its bright hop character and drinkability, this sessionable IPA is wonderfully balanced with deep malt layering and complex hoppiness.
- Desert Swarm (Honey Double Wit, 7% ABV) – Paying homage to the style which was once almost extinct, Desert Swarm is a take on Belgian-style Witbier and has fragrance of citrus and honeycomb.
- Dubbel Date (Abbey Dubbel Ale, 6.5% ABV) – A Belgian-style rich and malty ale, boasting notes of cherry and plum with some steely caramel flavor brewed with dates grown right in the Coachella Valley.
- Monumentous (India Pale Ale, 7% ABV) –A true west coast-style India Pale Ale, aptly named after the monumentous Joshua Tree National Park, is meant to be savored when its fresh by our fellow hop heads.
- Phoenix (Vienna Style Lager, 6.5% ABV) – Subtle German noble hop bitterness provides balance and crisp flavor for Phoenix, with notes of toffee, dates and figs shining through into the finish.
- Big Cat Brew (Saison, 6% ABV) – A Farmhouse-style Saison in collaboration with the Living Desert uses spices and herbs that can be found in the local botanical gardens including grains of paradise, desert sage and rosemary.
- Oasis Ale (Seasonal Apple Ale, 5.6% ABV) – Oasis Ale is a unique, one‑of‑a‑kind medley of ale and cider.
Yesterday I went to my local Fresh & Easy and picked up a half growler of the Saison L’Automne. It is fantastic.
Today I am going to go back to my local Fresh & Easy and I am going to buy a couple more half growlers of Saison L’Automne because, see above.
If you live in California and the idea of freshly brewed, hand-filled half growlers sounds good to you, then I would suggest you do the same. Maybe I’ll see you there. I’ll be the guy wearing shorts.
—
Follow Fresh & Easy on Facebook and Twitter
Follow Coachella Valley Brewing Company on Facebook and Twitter
I was compensated to write this post. Opinions are my own. I bought the beer.
