Grand Teton Brewing Company - Bitch Creek ESB

Wyoming's Bitch Creek flows down the west side of the Teton Mountains not far from the Grand Teton Brewing Company's brewhouse in Idaho's Teton Valley. Early French trappers called it "Anse de Biche" (or "Doe Creek"). Perhaps more appropriately, early valley settlers changed the name from the French "Biche" to "Bitch" because its fast flow and steep, rugged canyon made it a challenge to navigate. Like the stream, Bitch Creek ESB presents a torrent of character and is not for the timid. It is a big, chewy, medium-to-full-bodied brew with an aroma that is full of intricate notes of citrusy pine, caramel, nuts and chocolate malts. The initial hop impact takes about 15-20 seconds to fully develop, so wait between sips to fully experience the intense flavor evolution that ensues. The ample hop notes are masterfully balanced by a robust malty sweetness—this is balanced beer at its very best, people! Bitch Creek ESB has achieved what few others have—back to back Gold Medals from the Great American Beer Festival (2004 & 2005). It's also taken home Bronze (2004) and Silver (2005) Medals from the North American Brewers Association. Bronze, Silver and Gold—this beer has won them all! By now, it's probably won you over as well (don't worry, there's plenty to go around—see our reorder information at the end of this newsletter so you can order up more of this stellar brew to share with friends and family). Great with Chicken mole.

Brothers Charlie and Ernie Otto have long been familiar with great beers. In fact, prior to founding their brewing enterprise, Charlie had become a well-respected area homebrewer. Demand for his hand-crafted beers quickly grew to the point where the brothers began thinking about starting their own commercial enterprise. But because Wyoming did not issue licenses to homebrewers, Charlie had to muscle up and take on the law. Through an ambitious effort, he ultimately helped get a bill passed which would allow him to start selling his beer commercially. In 1988, he secured the first malt beverage manufacturers' permit issued in the state in over 35 years, making it possible for them to start selling their delicious brew in Wilson, Wyoming (just outside Jackson Hole), where they founded the Otto Brothers' Brewing Company, officially the first modern microbrewery in the state. They soon began presenting their original amber "Teton Ale" to local draught establishments and for the next two years their beers were only available on tap. Seeking a wider distribution through bottling, the brothers decided to get creative. In 1989 they rediscovered a long forgotten container, a European, lidded tin-pail known as a "growler". The term Growler was originally used for the tin buckets used to transport beer from the tavern at which it was purchased. The Otto Brothers' Brewing Company reintroduced it in a modern, 64-ounce glass jug version. "Growlers" have since become commonplace at breweries and brewpubs throughout the nation, and the brothers enjoy the credit for having resurrected and recreated this novel (and environmentally-friendly) idea. However, the brothers thirsted for more. They sought to bring Wyoming its first brewpub, but again, state law prohibited breweries to act as retailers. Not surprisingly, Charlie was undeterred and on the wings of previous legal triumphs he began three years of letter writing, phone calling and grass roots organizing to bring about the legalization of brewpubs in the Cowboy state. And wouldn't you know it, the guy came through for his fellow citizens; in 1992, Otto Brothers' Brewing Company opened Wyoming's first brewpub. The brewpub brought a surge in popularity to the Otto Brothers' beer line up, leading the brothers Otto to build a high-capacity brewery at the base of the Teton Pass in Victor, Idaho in 1998, and helping prompt a renaming as the Grand Teton Brewing Company. The site was chosen for its proximity to locally-grown barleys and Northwestern hops, as well as nearby Teton Glacier water. As you'll see from the ingredient lists below, they use locally grown malt, and as another eco-friendly move, provide the spent brewing grains to local farmers as cattle feed. Given the natural beauty of the region, it's no surprise that these guys respect Mother Nature. (They even host a community recycling center!) This year, along with a staggering 60% growth rate, and 120% increase in production over last year, the brewery went "green"; everything from the heat that fires their brew kettles, to their hot water, to their building heat, comes from use of Bio-diesel. So, now drinkers in their six state distribution network can get "green" beer all year long, not just on St. Patty's day! Folks in Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, California, Colorado (and soon Oregon) just don't know how good they have it—they can get these fine brews any time they want. For the rest of us—well, membership certainly has its privileges (such as being able to reorder any of the beers we feature!) If you're looking to introduce your friends to great microbrewed beer, the beers from Grand Teton Brewing Company are perfect examples of great microbrewed beer at its finest. Though we wouldn't blame you if you horded this stuff—their Bitch Creek ESB (details below) is one of our favorite brews of all time! For more information about the brewery, brewpub or scheduled tours, call (888) 899-1656, or visit their website at www.grandtetonbrewing.com.