G'Knight

Producer: Oskar Blues Brewery

Location: Longmont, Co and Brevard, NC

Style: Imperial Red Ale

Alcohol: 8.7%

IBUs: 60

Serving style: draft and pint cans

Availability: Year-round nationally.

Appearance:  “Nice amber color.”

Aroma: "A little citrussy hoppiness, followed by malt.

Taste:  “Nicely balanced beer between hoppy and malty. Has a malty backbone balanced by an appealing hoppy bitterness.

Food Affinity:  “Would be good with spicy foods. It has enough malt to balance any of the spices.”

--reviewed by Nate Folsom, a wine merchant in Sacramento

Editor's note: In 2002 the craft brewery Oskar Blues put the first of their line of beers, Dales' Pale Ale, in a can, a revolutionary move at the time. Actually there are many advantages to “bottling” in a can and Oskar Blues, as well as 30-plus other craft brewers who've followed suit, will celebrate the Burning Can Festival at Bohn Park in Lyons, Colorado Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 of this year. We like their style.

Scott and Jana at tasting room on Sutter Creek's Main Street.

How did Winemaker Scott Harvey help transform an historical Gold Rush town known as the “Jewel of the Mother Lode” to a charming wine center?

Six years ago, Scott and his wife Jana envisioned a tasting venue where people could both dine and book lodging within walking distance of the tasting room. Sutter Creek, the most picturesque town in Gold Country, would be the ideal showcase for Amador County wine and provide just the place for responsible wine tasting—where people enjoy a flight of wine and stroll to dinner and back to the hotel. Scott and Jana took the leap in early 2007, joining just one other tasting room in town—Sutter Creek Wine Tasting.

Later in the year, Pat Crosby, former City Councilman of Sutter Creek, a registered California Landmark, approached winemaker Scott Harvey with a proposition. “Can you help develop Sutter Creek into a wine lover’s destination?” Scott approached the city with a tasting room prospectus at Pat’s behest.

Scott had already built his reputation as a winemaker, creating Amador Wines for Santino Winery, which he later developed into Renwood, and had a strong affiliation with Amador County wines. “What better place for people to appreciate the Barbera, Zinfandel, and Syrah that make the mountain region of Amador County so unique than right near the vineyards of the Shenandoah Valley?”

Scott Harvey was instrumental in contacting other wineries to open a satellite in the town Sunset Magazine calls “The Jewel of the Sierra.” By 2013, additional wineries on Main St. include Cinque, Bella Grace, Andis, Yorba with Baiocchi and Sutter Ridge opening this summer . The group of tasting rooms is now known as Wine on Main.

Today, the Scott Harvey Wines Tasting Room is ranked the #1 attraction in Sutter Creek by Trip Advisor, lauded by reviewers for the friendly and knowledgeable tasting room staff, and wide variety of celebrated wines, from Amador County Zinfandel to Napa Valley Cabernet, to a favorite among visitors, Scott Harvey’s port-style wine, Forte.

Scott and Jana have now enhanced their Sutter Creek Tasting room experience. A newly expanded and welcoming back patio that opened June 1st features comfortable tables and chairs. Flowers and greenery have been freshly planted by Scott’s daughter, Michelle, giving tasters a delightful respite for their personalized tasting experience, or to enjoy a glass of one of Scott Harvey’s award-winning selection of over 15 wines.

“We believe we have the best tasting room visitors in California,” said Tasting Room Manager Muffin Simpson. “We love making the tasting room experience fun and enjoy introducing guests to varietals they might not have tasted before, such as Scott’s J&S Reserve Barbera, winner of Gold at the California State Fair, and dessert wines such as our Riesling-based Ice-style Wine, Angel Eis.”

About Scott Harvey Wines:

Established in 2004, Scott Harvey Wines features Amador County Barberas, Zinfandels and Syrahs, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, along with a variety of one-of-a-kind white and red wine blends. Creator of “niche wines that over deliver,” Scott Harvey, owner and winemaker, has been making wines for over 30 years. The company has tasting rooms in both St. Helena and Sutter Creek.

Editor's note: Visitors to California's Gold Country can find links to many Lodging and Dining options, as well as links to all of the Sierra Foothill wineries in Taste California Travel's Resource Directory.