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Admit it boys, many of you went to college for the beer.
Well, now the beer is returning the favor. On Friday, April 17 the "In good Taste" event comes to College of the Canyons and features, among other things, beer tasting. And the craft ales of Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Company will be featured. That's right. Move over wine tasting. It's time to get real.
"It's neat to do a beer event, to bring beer to the level of wine," said Rob McFerren, owner/brewmaster at Wolf Creek. "For me it will be great to get people to think about beer as an option, rather than reaching for their bottle of wine."
Though he admits he also likes wine, McFerren noted that wine doesn't really go with a lot of foods. "The carbonation in beer cleanses the palate a bit," he said. This makes it the perfect drink to go with "heavier" foods.
Beer and food parings will be part of "In Good Taste" and McFerren said, "To learn how you can pair beer with different foods will be really great for the community."
Wolf Creek is coming up on 12 years of business at its Valencia location - which was on the edge of things when it opened but now is in prime real estate. "It's a great location for that little local hangout where families can come," McFerren said. "We're that little local place where you get great food, great beer and great service in a comfortable atmosphere."
With a wide selection of tasty and imaginative food, Wolf Creek is really about the beer (at least as far as I'm concerned). With the gleaming tanks as atmosphere and the artistic pull handles calling you, it's a place where you can enjoy some quality time with the wonders hops and malt and nature and McFerren create. There is also a selection of "guest" beers (bottled and canned) from other breweries.
The Wolf Creek "Beers on Tap" list is constantly being modified, though some favorites, such as Golden Eagle Ale, always remain.
On my next vacation I may camp out at the establishment and try the full selection, but for this review we had to keep it brief. I tried four very special ales.
Golden Eagle Ale: This is probably the biggest seller at Wolf Creek. McFerren described it as a "Light malt base with lighter hop pressure. It's our initiation beer." I'll admit I know this one and like it a lot. On this day it was refreshing, with a mild sweetness. It was eminently drinkable and easy. As McFerren said, it's a good initiation beer that you'll keep going back to.
Yellowstone Wolf Pale Ale: McFerren said this one gets its "grapfruity" flavor from the hops. Maybe he was just putting thoughts in my head, but I could taste this in the light, citrus-like bite. This one had more to offer and was quite nice.
Kodiak Red Ale: "It's more of a caramel topping, malt flavor with a spicy bitterness," McFerren said. This is a darker ale and it was rich and delicious.
Sunset Wave Ale: Tasting this one begins with the nose. There is a hint of tangy fruit there, which McFerren said comes from the malt. The sharpness from the hops seems to alternate with the slight sweetness and the combination entices you to sip and think. But the more you do the more you like it.
Because the food parings at "In good Taste" hadn't been finalized when he was interviewed, and because having all the ales ready to go on April 17 takes some logistical maneuvering, McFerren wasn't positive which ales he would be showcasing at the event. However, he hoped to have Golden Eagle, Yellowstone Wolf, Kodiak Red, Howlin' Hefeweizen and Valencia Honey Wheat (made with a touch of local white sage honey).
Stop by the COC event, but you might also want to explore the many options that await you at Wolf Creek.
Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewing Company is located at 27746 N. McBean Parkway in Valencia. Call (661) 263-9653 for more information or visit the Web site at www.wolfcreekbrewco.weebly.com.
