Homebrew Summer: Black is the New Black

Part of what inspired me to develop San Diego Beer News‘ Homebrew Summer program, was the kindness of local brewers taking me under their wing and allowing me to take part in collaboration brewing sessions. I’ve learned so much through them and amassed such great memories, while getting to know local industry pros better along the way. While it’s a pleasure to write about these individuals, I wanted their biggest fans, people so enamored with beer that they produce their own on an amateur level, to be able to partake in such experiences. I’m really glad it’s worked out, and I’m really glad I’ve been able to take part thanks to a longtime collaborator of mine, Nickel Beer Co. owner and Brewmaster Tom Nickel (pictured above, far right). Each year, as a celebration of the fact our birthdays are a day apart (August 13 for him and 14 for me), we get together and brew something special to toast another trip around the sun. This time around, we brewed an onyx-hued barleywine called Black is the New Black, the recipe for which can be downloaded below. Drop by the brewery’s tasting room in Julian or Nickel’s OG business, Kearny Mesa’s O’Brien’s Pub, to give it a taste starting Thursday, August 15!

New pro-am beers will debut weekly throughout the summer, so be sure to check back with San Diego Beer News on a regular basis (or subscribe to our free weekly email newsletter and we’ll send all the recipes and release information straight to your inbox). Cheers and happy homebrewing!

Brandon Hernández
Executive Editor, San Diego Beer News

How does it feel to have this beer brewed on a pro scale?
It’s always fun, not just to brew a beer with Tom, but to spend a day up in Julian applying elbow grease that hopefully makes up for drinking up so much of his beer. As it turned out, my mother (pictured above, middle right) was in town when it came time to brew this beer. Given my birthday was an impetus for its creation, I asked the woman responsible for my creation to take part in the process. She kindly donned close-toed shoes and helped grain in, grain out and toss in some hops. Then began the long wait that comes with high-octane beers. I’m glad it’s finally come to an end, because I’m stoked to taste it, especially since it’s based off one of the best beers I had in 2023, a black IPA called Boogie Shoes that Tom brewed with TapRoom Beer Co. Head Brewer Daniel Cady. That beauty was rich and roasty with notes of bitter chocolate and anise, all of which was balanced nicely care of citrusy, piney hops. It was one of the best black IPAs I’ve ever tasted…which made it all the more disappointing to learn how hard it was to sell. I’m hoping Black is the New Black will do better, as its not a crispy-boi lager or IPA. In fact, it’s the antithesis of both. But even if it sits, it’ll only get better. I really admire the fact Tom dares to brew beers that go beyond the top-level strata of consumer interest. It’s downright gutsy and adds what I love (and miss) the most about the craft-beer industry: style diversity. Cheers to that and cheers to my birthday brother-in-arms!

Tom Nickel
Owner & Brewmaster, Nickel Beer Co.

What is the story behind this beer and its recipe?
It is one of my favorite traditions to get together with my dear friend Brandon Hernández and brew a beer for our back-to-back August birthdays. And perhaps my favorite part is being able to tease Brandon endlessly for his choice in what to brew. In a San Diego summer filled with hops and pale lagers, we are releasing a 10% ABV (alcohol-by-volume) black barleywine. We used a malt-forward base of English 2-Row and American Vienna malt layered with dark grains to create color and depth without giving the beer any stout or porter-like roasted notes. Crystal malts were kept to a minimum to avoid sweetness and dark brown sugar was used to boost the alcohol without adding body. The hops, much like the two of us, were old school – Columbus, Centennial, Cascade and Amarillo. The result is a surprisingly drinkable dark beer with aromas of dark chocolate and candied figs that finishes dry with pronounced notes of dark molasses and hints of cocoa.  Where the 10% ABV gets hidden is a mystery for only the brewing gods to know. Black is the New Black was brewed by good friends to be shared amongst good friends to toast the everyday moments worth celebrating. Beer is a beverage that helps bring people together everyday without pretense, without pretention. Gather those that you are most grateful for and raise a glass of this special beer. I hope you enjoy drinking it as much as we enjoyed making it. 

Nickel Beer Co. is located at 1485 Hollow Glen Road in Julian