Tasting beer at Motorworks

By , Herald-Tribune
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  • Staff photo / Alan Shaw

    It had been a while since I visited Motorworks Brewing at 1014 9th St. W. in Bradenton. Manatee County's first production craft brewery, which opened in January (their official grand opening festival will be in the fall), made the big step of rolling out their beers in bars and restaurants at the end of July. So when they invited me up to taste a bunch of their beers Tuesday, how could I resist? Click on for more photos and my tasting notes.

  • Staff photo / Alan Shaw
    Beer garden

    Motorworks has one of the prettiest beer gardens I've seen. I may be a Florida native, but early in the August afternoon is too darn hot to be outside, so I spent my visit cooly ensconced inside the air-conditioned tasting room.

    Kolsch style: This German beer is crisp and light with wonderful hop flavors. The freshness is really showcased in this beer (about 4.75 percent alcohol) brewed with lager yeast at higher-than-normal temperatures. One of my favorites.

  • Staff photo / Alan Shaw
    The bar

    Ah, blessed air conditioning. Motorworks' tasting room (which also serves liquor and wine for those who don't drink beer) is larger than some breweries.

    Vienna Lager: Brewmaster Bob Haa Jr. says this beer is "a little brother of an Octoberfest" brew. It's malty and toasty but not strong at 4.75 percent.

  • Staff photo / Alan Shaw
    The brewmaster

    Brewmaster Bob Haa Jr. graciously took the time to give me a tasting tour of his beers.

    Pilsner: At 5.4 percent, this is classic European-style lager is crisp with a noticeable bitterness and hop flavor that you don't get in the so-called macro American pilsners.

  • Staff photo / Alan Shaw
    Brews

    I had to include a picture of the beers, right? The Kolsch is to the left of the Vienna Lager.

    A Bizarre Gardening Accident: Great name for a beer that's growing in popularity -- Berliner Weisse. Haa brews this with grain containing lactobacillus bacteria to give the beer its trademark tartness. Haa, a sour beer geek, says this 3.7 percent brew is "what I would call a medium sour." Another must-try.

  • Staff photo / Alan Shaw
    Tap handle

    Kristin Martin, Motorworks social media director and mastermind of my visit, shows off the brewery's new tap handles, which (along with the logo) look like a classic car hood ornament. Look for these handles at bars and restaurants soon.

    Schwarzbier: A dark brew that's perfect for showing people that not all lagers are golden. Lots of toasted and roasted flavors in this 5 percent beer that brewmaster Haa says has more roasted flavors than other beers in its style. The flavors remind me of a porter.

  • Staff photo / Alan Shaw
    Bright bike

    Even the light fixtures have automotive theme. This one looks like a motorcycle; I saw another that looked like a race car.

    Amber: Motorworks owner Frank Tschida said they have been kegging beer like crazy. During my visit they were putting 90 barrels (nearly 3,000 gallons) of this ale into kegs. Hop flavors and bitterness are balanced by a nice malt sweetness.

  • Staff photo / Alan Shaw
    Taps

    Motorworks older-style tap handles. These are in the process of being upgraded, Martin said.

    Scotch Ale: Peated malts (like the malts used in Scotch whisky) give this 7.5 percent beer a lightly smoky flavor. It's rich and delightful. Another standout.

  • Staff photo / Alan Shaw
    Tanks

    These fermenters hold nearly 1,000 gallons of beer each, ready for kegging. 

    India Brown Ale: A 7 percent beer brewed by Motorworks production manager Dave Byrn, who "likes his hoppy brown ales," brewmaster Haa said, adding that it turned out pretty good. I agree: It's hoppy and bitter like an India pale ale but with added flavors of roasted malt.

  • Staff photo / Alan Shaw
    Chilling

    A big tank of coolant sits behind a gate at the brewery. Glycol is a critical brewing tool because temperature control is critical to making good beer, and Florida is way too hot to brew at room temperature. Note that glycol never touches the beer: It's used in insulating jackets.

    Porter: A great style that doesn't get much love from beer geeks. Motorworks brews theirs in the English style to have lots of roasted flavors, but also notes of dried fruit. 

  • Staff photo / Alan Shaw
    Light show

    The stage area where live acts perform. Motorworks has live music multiple nights a week.

    IPA: Motorworks had to have an India pale ale, it's about the hottest beer style out there. Haa said he's brewed a lot of versions of this beer, which now clocks in at 7 percent alcohol and is very bitter. Haa doesn't like the look of unfiltered IPAs, so this one is bright and clear.