First Impressions: The Bruery & Dogfish Head Release FBBB(GQS) At Far Bar

After a summer of anticipation, craft beer lovers were able to get a first taste of the latest beer created SoCal’s very own The Bruery in collaboration with Dogfish Head.

Astutely named Faster, Bigger, Better, Bolder (Gradually, Quietly, Steadily), this special brew was created to explore the contrasting lifestyles of American excess set against the more humble and traditional lifestyles seen in Japan using Japanese-inspired ingredients. The first kegs of FBBB(GQS) were tapped last night at Little Tokyo’s Far Bar with a portion of proceeds benefitting Japan Relief efforts.

The second day of this year’s L.A Beer Week was definitely off to a hoppin’ start (no pun intended). We made our way to one of our favorite downtown watering holes, Far Bar; a discreet and wonderful oasis for craft beer lovers and those looking to munch on a hearty Japanese-inspired burger, wasabi fries, or an inventive sushi roll. We strolled through Far Bar’s speakeasy-like narrow pathway and made our way into the lounge area. It was only minutes from 6 p.m, (the scheduled start time for the release), but there were already good amount of people there from local 9-5ers, happy hour hunters, and beer enthusiasts staking out their territory for the evening.

Far Bar hosted the event with two bar areas. The larger lounge bar was designated as the Dogfish Head room and the smaller bar dedicated to The Bruery. Both rooms had a keg of the collaboration brew as well as some of both breweries’ most sought-after creations.

At 8.2%, FBBB(GQS) was a beautiful golden yellow beer with good carbonation and a very light head (less than a centimeter). Brewed with kumquats, The Bruery’s own seven spice schichimi togarashi blend and sake yeast, this beer was amazingly well-balanced. Not at all what I had thought it would be, I was delighted by the beer’s lightness; its demure nuances and complexity. The result was fruity without being overly sweet with just a touch of savory. FBBB(GQS) had great drinkability which almost made me think this would have been a good warm-weather brew. I’ve never described a beer as being graceful before, but this one definitely fit the bill. A slightly more modest—almost feminine—offering from two very bold and innovative breweries.

Check out the complete list of Bruery and Dogfish Head beers they had on tap for this event:
Bruery Room:
-Faster, Bigger, Better, Bolder (Gradually, Quietly, Steadily)
-Oude Tart
-Rub A dub Dubbel
-Humulus Lager
-Mischief
-Loakal Red
-Autumn Maple

Dogfish Head Room:
-Faster, Bigger, Better, Bolder (Gradually, Quietly, Steadily)
-90 Minute IPA
-120 Minute IPA ’11
-Miles Davis’ Bitch’s Brew ’10

Faster, Bigger, Better, Bolder (Gradually, Quietly, Steadily) will be available in very limited quantities within The Bruery’s distribution. Visit www.thebruery.com to find it near you.

Far Bar LA is located at 347 E 1st St. Los Angeles, CA 90012 – For more info visit www.farbarla.com