Beer to Soothe Your Independent Soul

Today, we loaded up the car and headed to south Austin for our first First Saturday event. The drive wasn't bad once we got off I-35 and its typical crazy busy weekend rush.


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Review

The day was perfect with lots of sunshine and what looked to be an enthusiastic crowd. But when we got to the table to get our wrist bands at 1:40 p.m., they'd already run out! We were told they only handed out enough wrist bands for the amount of beer being given out. I was told we should plan to arrive earlier next time (they open up at 1).

We'd driven all the way out, and I wasn't leaving without a beer. I marched up to the line, waited for 15 minutes or so, and when I reached the bar I told the man serving beer that my wife and I drove all the way out to enjoy some Independence brews. He heard the desperation in my voice and gave me some beer. I got the Saison, and I asked for the Freestyle for the little lady.

At this point, I was feeling a little better about the day and the trip, although admittedly still a little upset about the wrist band situation.

The beer: excellent. Let me just put it this way, I left wanting more Saison and when I went to Spec's to find it, they didn't have it.  Nor did Grapevine Market.  I'm wondering if it's even out in full force. The only thing we could find on it was a description from the Draught House in Austin: Cool, refreshing Belgian style summer beer from Austin's own Independence Brewery.  It's a light pour with a fruity palate and tastes like it came straight from Heaven.

We also tried (just two more!) the Bootlegger Brown and Amber, both of which were also excellent.  Here are the descriptions. 

Bootlegger Brown

Smooth, chocolatey, and easy-drinking.... Brewed with the finest two-row barley and Belgian chocolate malt, Bootlegger has a distinctive, chocolatey flavor. Bootlegger is medium-bodied and filtered for a clean, laid-back finish.

Amber

A special blend of malted barley - lightly to darkly roasted - creates layers of toasty sweetness, balanced by the citrusy notes of Vanguard hops. Burnt orange with a laid back finish, this is the beer of Austin.

Freestyle

Crisp, light-bodied, and refreshing, Freestyle is inspired by Texas summer days spent at our favorite swimming holes – hanging out with friends at Sculpture Falls ...playing hooky at Lake Travis ...doing freestyle jumps off the diving board at Barton Springs Pool. Freestyle is the taste of summer in Texas.
Brewed with the finest two-row pale malt and American white wheat, Freestyle has a crisp, dry flavor followed by a slightly sweet malt finish. It's light and refreshing, like a pilsner brewed as an ale. This could also be called a blonde ale, but since it plays fast and loose with classic beer categories, we call it Freestyle.

Jasperilla

Brilliantly golden, Jasperilla is a unique take on an old ale. Biscuity malt flavors meld with subtle plum and berry notes, produced by a special blend of English Old Ale and Chico yeasts. Brewed once a year, and aged for six months prior to release, the Jasperilla is smooth despite its 9% abv.

Overall

The Jasperilla has been one of my favorites for a while and I don't have it often.  When I went to pick up some Independence brews at the store, I picked up a Jasperilla.  I also got the Stash IPA, which I didn't taste at the brewery.

I like Independence a lot.  It's my second favorite Austin brewery, behind Live Oak which has a broader appeal on my tastes.  Independence makes great beer, but I'm just not a wheat person, and I find myself turning away from brown ales a lot also.  I was a little upset about the wrist bands, but we got some samples and walked away with a shopping list.  I just can't get that Saison out of my head!

ACS Extra

The band on stage at First Saturday was the Green Mountain Grass band.  They provided a great atmosphere for the patrons.  Here they are from a performance in 2008.  Check it out.