Consistent. Great in the clutch. The ultimate team player.
Those words describe Seattle Mariners legend and baseball Hall of Fame inductee Edgar Martinez.
Now, Foggy Noggin Brewing owner and head brewer Jim Jamison has brewed a beer that he says lives up to the Edgar tradition.
In preparation for Edgar’s induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, Jamison has been brewing EEEEEEEDDDGAARR!, a session IPA that he’s created to honor the player who is arguably the best designated hitter in Major League Baseball history.
“I was looking a few months ago to see if anyone was going to brew an Edgar beer for his Hall induction, and I couldn’t find anything,” Jamison said. “I thought someone needed to do something. So I thought, ‘I guess it’ll be me.’ ”
Jamison knew he needed to pick the right beer style. As a player, Edgar was known for his calm demeanor, meticulous preparation and avoidance of the spotlight. Jamison decided a session IPA would be perfect: the kind of beer that is a star but doesn’t hog the limelight and is easy to drink. He aimed to deliver a beer under 5% ABV to make it the perfect ale to drink at a baseball game.
“I wanted it to be the kind of beer you can really enjoy,” Jamison said, “the perfect baseball beer. It’s something that made me think of Edgar.”
EEEEEEEDDDGAARRR!, which is also known as the Designated Hitter IPA, or DHIPA, is made with Canadian Two Row and British Crystal malts, and Jamison said its an IPA that finishes dry. Hopped with Cascade and Centennial hops — “Classic hops for a classic player,” said Jamison — the beer is low in bitterness at 44 IBU, so you can easily enjoy more than one.
Foggy Noggin, located in Bothell, plans to release the beer July 20, a day before Edgar’s Hall induction. The beer will also be pouring at Elliott Bay Pizza in Mill Creek, and Jamison said he’s receiving interest from other taprooms and restaurants. The intent is to keep it on tap through the end of the baseball season, a welcome relief for M’s fans.
As for the name, Jamison said that’s how the Mariners website spells the classic EEEEEEEDDDGAARRR! shout. He says he feels it was a perfect name for the beer.
“He was Mr. Clutch,” Jamison said. “When it got to that point in the game when you needed someone to drive in the go-ahead run, he seemed to do it more times than not.
“I’m really looking forward to Sunday to hear what he has to say during the induction. He wasn’t a showboat. He was the ultimate team player.”
The kind of player who always delivered. Kind of like a beer that delivers on every sip.
Taster tray
Lazer Sword, Diamond Knot Craft Brewing: The Mukilteo brewery’s first official foray into the world of New England hazy IPAs is being released in 16-ounce cans. From the brewery: “An explosion of mango and citrus fruit aromas greet the nose and stays true through the flavor profile.” Available at local bottleshops.
Skinny Beach Low-Carb IPA, Sound to Summit Brewing: Put down that Michelob Ultra and pick up a real post-workout beer. This sessionable IPA has aromas of lemon balm and satsuma and flavors of lemongrass and clementine, according to the brewery. Available on tap at the brewery.
Triple Berry Clouds, Skookum Brewery: Big huge fruit flavors burst forth on this big IPA. A double oat IPA brewed with lactose, vanilla is finished on raspberry, blackberry and blueberry puree and hopped with Mosaic, Citra and Simcoe.
Bob’s ESB, Timber Monster Brewing: Named and brewed in honor of a regular customer and friend always asking for one, Bob’s ESB is a classic English-style bitter that finishes at 49 IBU and 5.9% ABV.
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Cherry Bomb, Soundbite Cider: This blend of dark sweet cherry and southwestern chile pepper is the top seller at the new Everett cidery. Soundbite Cider celebrates its grand opening at 1 p.m. July 20.
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