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March 25, 2008
23:55
Russian River Beatification to arrive in late April, new beer in 2009?
» ‎ beer news - info on new beer for beer geeks

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——————————————————————————————— (Santa Rosa, CA) - Russian River sent out two updates yesterday. The email newsletter confirmed the release of a few barrel-aged beers which we already know are Beatification, Supplication, and Temptation late next month. More interesting is what Vinnie is ‘brewing’ about in his blog…the release of a unique version of Beatification to [...]

23:50
Like my living room, but with a stock ticker
» ‎ Pfiff!

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Which, if I were you, I'd be leaving turned off for the time being, especially if you're trying to relax with friends over a drink. This story from yesterday's AP newswire offers an interesting glimpse into what some people think is missing from the bar scene: pour-it-yourself beer taps, at your table. While the creators obviously left no legal stone unturned before unveiling this depressing convenience in Georgia, they're certainly missing out on some other aspects - the social one being the biggest head-scratcher for me, as I imagine it is for anyone who goes to bars hoping to a) talk to people other than those at my "private reserved table", b) chat with a bartender about what's on tap, what's new around the joint, and other general breeze-shooting, and c) crazily, pay someone else to pour me a drink for a change.

Here's the video for even more insight. Why not just stay at home, folks? Granted, if those taps were hooked up to something like Delirium Tremens instead of Miller Lite, this post might have had a different tone...

23:46
Define Decadent
» ‎ a beer sort of blog

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Per Merriam-Webster
1 : marked by decay or decline
2 : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of the decadents
3 : characterized by or appealing to self-indulgence decadent pleasures>

By those definitions, the Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout is either in decline, or a self-indulgent treat. Hrm.

I took my 22 oz bottle and managed almost 2 pint glasses from it. (Think about much beer you miss when the barkeep leaves a little too much room or the waitress sloshes it around?!) This is very dark beer. Almost black, but with enough rust around the edge and brown in the sticky foamy head that you realize it is dark, dark, dark oily brown. It reminded me a bit of Rogue’s Chocolate, but probably because Lee said he & his lovely were drinking some, and I wanted it.

The bubbly head didn't last through the whole glass. Actually, it didn’t even last through the first third. I was yakking on the phone to a friend about rings and dresses and other girly wedding themed items, and took a big swig without really thinking, and was smacked with a mouthful of bitter chocolate and roasted coffee. One glass into my bottle, and I was feeling a little light headed. This isn’t a “thick” feeling beer, but it is a tiny bit grainy. There was the typical dry aftertaste, but seemed a little more bitter and greasy than normal.

Overall it was good, but now I just want Rogue. Guess it’s another trip to Batson for me this week. I really need to transition to springy beers, despite my love for dark brews. It's diet time again. Time to update the pointy post!

23:10
TBR Beer A Day Podcast - Wednesday, March 26th
» ‎ Beer Report with Groucho & CHUD, The

Enclosure: [download]

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HUMP Day! You made it this far… The Weekend is just around the corner!

Lets use this midweek break for a nice import. Something to bring a little culture and taste of the world into our pathetic mid-week lives!

Beer Style of the day: ESB

Beer of the day: Fullers ESB

22:52
#9 (Magic Hat)
» ‎ Beer, Maine & Me

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It only seems fitting that Magic Hat would have a flagship beer that is a "not quite pale ale" infused with apricot. You really can't expect anything less from such an eccentric group of people. Nevertheless, this was my first introduction to Magic Hat back in the day and I was a big fan.

Things have changed a bit when it comes to my palate. I am not such a fan of sweet, fruit laden beers. I do love the taste of apricots so that could be a big reason why I was originally drawn to this one.

Pours super clean, clear and rather dark apricot in color (can I call it that?). Anyways, this is a nice amber colored beer with absolutely no imperfections in the glass. Its super clean with a nice thick white head. The smell is actually kind of like hay infused with fruit syrup. I can't think of a better way to describe it. The actual apricot smell is not overly detectable, its a sweet fruit smell but to make it out as a apricot would take some skills.

Taste is immediately sweet and fruity with a drying slightly hoppy aftertaste. Its definitely apricot-ey once it gets in your mouth. But, I think that is a good fruit for beer. Its not overbearing or overly sweet and doesn't take all the other qualities of the beer away. I guess once you are over the apricot taste of this beer, there isn't a whole lot left. Its not a bad beer, it is what it is. If you've never had it, give it a shot. There are worse fruit beers out there and if you went by the amount of beer sold, this one is a winner for Magic Hat!
If you like Magic Hat's #9 be sure to check out these closely related beers:
Dogfish Head Aprihop Pyramid Apricot Weizen Middle Ages Apricot Ale
BEER FACTS

Name: #9 Style: Pale Ale, Fruit Ale (Apricot)
Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company
Location: Burlington, Vermont, USAContainer: 12 oz. bottleMalts: Pale & Crystal
Hops: Cascade & CTZ
ABV: 4.6% IBU’s: 18

22:26
2008 Ipswich Ale Mustache Pageant
» ‎ 2beerguys beer blog

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What’s the thing growing on the top of my lip, you might say. Well, it’s a mustache. Why $%#@ What @#$% WhO #$%#. Yes. After receiving the email below, I decided to step up to the challenge. Yes, this would be my FIRST ever mustache.

I’ve taken some photos along the way…
My First day

Week One

As you can see, I am fighting an uphill battle. Please let me know if you are interested in attending/participating in the contest.

Which mustache are YOU growing?

Sean
2Beerguys.com

Drink Craft Beer, You’ve Earned It!!

2008 Ipswich Ale Mustache Pageant
Saturday, April 5th 6pm-Midnight
Show Begins 7:00 PM

Hello everyone! Well, we’ve made it through another winter, which means the 2008 Ipswich Ale Mustache Pageant is just around the corner! I would like to cordially invite you and your closest friends to this year’s event, which will be held on Saturday, April 5th at Mercury Brewing Company. The festivities will begin at 6pm (we’ve got a real DJ this year!), and the show will likely start around 7pm. This year we are asking for a little monetary donation of $5 to cover the cost of the pageant, like costumes, DJ, and such.

So, look forward to seeing your staches and happy faces on April 5th.

What: Ipswich Ale Mustache Pageant
When: Saturday, April 5th, 6pm – midnight
Where: Mercury Brewing Company
Why: Why not!!!

What to Bring: $5 and/or some potluck food (any kind of snacks are fine!)

22:22
Beer Tasting at Sal and Mookies
» ‎ Mississippi Brew

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Our favorite pizza joint, Sal and Mookies is hosting a beer tasting this weekend.

WHEN: Sunday, March 30th 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
$30 per person
Call 601.368.1919 or e-mail ilovepizza@salandmookies.com

21:55
#201 Mac Queen's (Castle Brewery) - Nessie Original Red Ale
» ‎ Year of Beer

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Another Austrian beer from Castle Brewery. I have trouble finding much info about the brewery or beer because it's from Austria.

The aroma of this beer is reminiscent of a lager with a metallic chalky smell. The color is more straw or amber and not red. The head is mild starting full and slowly fizzing to a small amount keeping the beer covered.

The taste is sweet, with honey like flavors. The malt also has a grainy taste added with the honey flavor. There is little hop flavor, just a hint of bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium full adding thickness to the honey taste. The finish is sweet.

There is nothing wrong with this beer, just nothing special either. It's sweeter than most beers, but the honey taste makes the sweetness seem appropriate. The honey taste is achieved using a honey malt and not real honey, all the sugar in honey ferments away leaving very little flavor.

21:54
2008 Southern Tier BackBurner Barleywine - Tasting and Aging Notes
» ‎ The Brew Basement

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Name: BackBurner

Brewer: Southern Tier

Style: Barleywine

Vintage: 2008

Bottled On: N/A

Cellared On: February 20th, 2008

Original Tasting: March 12th, 2008

Even though my main mission on this site is obviously aging and cellaring beers, some of you may have noticed my secondary mission - exploring the fantastic beers local to me here in Upstate NY. I consider myself incredibly lucky to be surrounded by so many high-quality breweries. Given all that, it’s a bit surprising that I haven’t had a Southern Tier brew on here yet. Well no time like the present - here’s Southern Tier’s first release of 2008 - the BackBurner barleywine.

BackBurner is a dark brown ale tinting a bit towards red. Right away you’ll find yourself enjoying the unique hop smell of this brew. It’s very complex, citrusy and spicy - you almost don’t notice the roasted malt smells at all. Carbonation is at a typical level for a barleywine, very low with practically no head at all.

As cool as the hops smells were, the first thing I noticed when tasting this beer was the huge malt flavor. It just envelopes your mouth was roasted malt goodness. It’s not an overly sweet malt like many barleywines, but there is a touch of caramel sweetness in there. That’s not to say the hops aren’t making themselves known - they’re just playing a much more complementary role then I was expecting. The hop presence really comes out on the medium-dry finish, with the bitterness really building as you drink on. A bit of heat from the alcohol joins in at the end as the brew wraps up.

Overall, just a really enjoyable first tasting from another great NY brewery.

Cellar Outlook: Barleywines usually do pretty well in the cellar, and this beer certainly has the malt presence to last.

Next Tasting: August 2008

Jason

jason@brewbasement.com

www.brewbasement.com

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21:50
6th Annual Hard Liver Barleywine Fest
» ‎ Quantum Beer Foam

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I have been dreaming of attending this week-long festival for years. Unfortunately, something always seems to get in the way. First, it takes place three hours away in Seattle, which means I would need to spend the night up there. Second, since 8% ABV is considers a weak barleywine, I would really prefer to have someone there, to "watch my back", but finding someone who can take off on an overnight trip in the middle of the week just to support my drinking habit has been difficult. However, this year was different, and by 5 p.m. Wednesday Noelle and I were walking into Brower's Café (unquestionably one of the greatest beer drinking establishments I have ever seen).

Sampling the 50+ barleywines reminded me a lot of ordering food at a Chinese restaurant. In order to keep things as simple as possible I would pick out several 3 oz sections from the menu and order based on the number next to that beer. The 60+ taps behind the bar all had masking tape wrapped around the handles with a number that corresponded to the menu.

First up was a very special Old Bawdy from Pike Pub & Brewery in Seattle that was kegged back in 1996. It looked dark brown but showed its ruby highlights when held up to the light. The aroma was all about the dark fruit (figs mostly) and molasses, although once it warmed up the smell of brown sugar became apparent. The bold taste of coffee and heavily roasted grains danced in my mouth. There was roasty bitterness down the sides and in the back but it was strangely sweet (molasses) down the middle of my tongue. As you might expect from a 12 year old beer, it finished dry and left and a little astringent.

Next, I couldn't resist the allure of a barleywine from Anderson Valley Brewing Co. in Northern California. This beer, called Horn Of The Beer, was a beautiful dark crimson color with a thin light tan crown. It was just as pleasant to smell as it was to look at. Plums, raisins and toffee combined with the faint smell of alcohol to make me a very thirsty camper. In my mouth, flavors of apples and plumbs swirled around in what was a surprisingly light bodied beer (for the style). I could also detect the faintest hop bitterness on the top of my tongue.

Curiosity then got the better of me and I ordered up a 2007 vintage of Pike's Old Bawdy for comparison's sake. In almost every way this was the yang to the '96s yin. This was much lighter in color, more of a medium ruby. The aroma was similar to the '96, but each individual facet seemed to blend much more easily together. I got the impression the aroma was comparatively muted. It was almost sticky sweet after having it's dried out older brother. The "lighter" flavors stood out in this one. Apple and caramel were predominant and there was a little hoppy bitterness down the middle.

It was about this time I started to let slip my attachment to sobriety. I also noticed that most of the flavors seemed to be similar from beer to beer, not so surprising since they are all the same style. So, for the rest of the tasting I only wrote down the things that stood out.

Shiver Me Liver from Skagit River Brewery in Mount Vernon, WA was up next. This too was sticky sweet and I could swear I was tasting brown sugar on my teeth. It was mellower and less bitter than the previous beers, but did seem to have more of a fusel alcohol taste. It also had more of a pear flavor rather than that of an apple.

My inner-geek (maybe not so inner sometimes) convinced me to try Old Wookie from Water Street Brewing in Port Townsend, WA. It had a pleasant floral aroma, but the flavor was incredibly bland. I didn't realize it was possible to make a virtually flavorless barleywine. I was so disillusioned that at the bottom of my notes in bold capital letters I wrote "Never drink Water Street beer again!"

Then I realized that I could just be suffering from "taste bud fatigue" and maybe the Old Wookie wasn't as bland as I thought it was. I decided on another beer just to make sure (funny how once I get a few drinks in me all my decisions tend to lead to more beer). Walking Man Brewing Co was a brewery I trusted and they just so happened to bring Old Stumblefoot up from Stevenson, WA. Turns out I was right the first time, Old Wookie just sucked. This beer had all the flavors and aromas I had come to expect from my early beers other than it was slightly sweeter and had a mild bitterness to it.

To mix things up, I next chose the Harvest Ale that J.W. Lees & Co. brought over from jolly old England. This sort of reminded me of the '96 Old Bawdy with it's dark molasses and brown sugar aromas, but it was much softer and the fragrances blended together much more playfully. As with most heavy beers from across the pond, raisin flavors dominated the palette. Some brown sugar flavors peaked out in the back and lingered in the aftertaste where they were joined by some dark fruit flavors. There was absolutely no bitterness at all.

For my final beer of the evening I decided on Widdershins from Left Hand Brewing Co. in Longmont, CO. I wasn't able to pull much out of the aroma; however, this beer stood out because there was a strong smoke flavor component. It's not something I normally enjoy, but it was just so different and unexpected that I couldn't help but appreciate it.

Overall, the evening was a blast. I hope I can go back someday and stay for multiple sittings. Maybe I'll even get there on opening day and participate in the judging.

21:32
Special Chinookadillo #0 still sitting in the primary...
» ‎ Beer Bits 2

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Yeah whatever, I'm preoccupied with blogging and sittin on my a$$. Yeah, I'm lazy. Chinookadillo is still sittin' there in the primary. Instead of keggin' it I'm drinkin' a Weyerbacher Merry Monks'. I guess I'd rather drink a beer than keg one tonight :-)

Cheers!

21:30
Pyramid Breweries stock dives 23 percent
» ‎ 2beerguys beer blog

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Friday, March 7, 2008
Pyramid Breweries stock dives 23 percent
Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle)

Pyramid Breweries Inc. officials said they lost market share in the state of Washington in the fourth quarter, calling the West Coast craft beer market “softening.”

Company officials said that in response to disappointing fourth-quarter earnings, they plan layoffs of 11 percent of the company’s salaried work force in 2008, or 12 people; a “significant” pricing increase on beer brands; and a delay into expanding to the Eastern U.S.

Shares in the Seattle-based brewer (NASDAQ: PMID) dropped 23 percent in Friday trading, falling 46 cents to close at $1.50.

“Despite our aggressive investments in sales and marketing for brand building and expansion efforts made in 2007, we did not realize the top line growth we had anticipated due in part to a softening West Coast craft beer category and particularly soft Pyramid volume in our home Washington market,” said CEO Scott Barnum, in a statement.

On Wednesday, the company reported a fourth-quarter loss of $1.8 million, or a loss of 20 cents a share, compared with a loss of $1.2 million, or a loss of 14 cents per share in 2006. Sales fell to $12.2 million from $12.5 million a year earlier. No major analysts cover the company. For the fiscal year, sales fell to $51.6 million from $54.3 million in 2006.

21:24
Beer Diary - Jim | 4.0 is not just a grade point average in Utah
» ‎ Hoosier Beer Geek

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21 March 2008 - University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah

22 March 2008 - Sawadee Thai Restaurant, Salt Lake City, Utah

I'm in the city that is home to Mike's favorite Major League Soccer team at a conference at the University of Utah. It's been almost 25 years since I set foot in Salt Lake, and I've forgotten how beautiful this city is, nestled right up next to the Wasatch Mountain Range. And no, I'm not going to tell any Mormon or polygamy jokes here because (a) that would be way too easy, and (b) I happen to really like SLC.

Day One of the conference is over. I'm at a reception for conference presenters and attendees. Free beer awaits at the bar. I see three bottles of what looks to be local stuff. It is, from Uinta Brewing Company. The selection: Uinta's Gelande Amber Lager, Solstice Kölsch Style Ale, and Cutthroat Pale Ale. I have a feeling that I'll be disappointed by the Gelande, and I'm not into Kölsch-style beers, so I ask the bartender for a Cutthroat.

Before I go any further, I have to note that Utah has some pretty restrictive laws when it comes to the alcohol content of beers made and sold in the state. I'm not going to relate those laws in detail (I'll leave that to the Utah Beer blog). Suffice it to say that most beers you can order at a bar in Utah max out at 4.0% ABV. As a beer lover, you might balk at this limitation in anticipation of weak flavor and a minuscule buzz. If you're a brewer, I suppose you might view this restriction as a challenge. After all, how can a brewer really do an IPA justice when you can't go beyond 4.0% ABV? I'm sure that some are able to make a hearty-tasting beer despite the limitation.

I take the Cutthroat from the bartender and am pleased to feel that it's moderately cold, not ice cold. But unfortunately, the bartender has no glass to give me, so I'm forced to drink out of the bottle. I smell a moderate hop presence in this American Pale Ale, but cannot get a good enough whiff of the bouquet through the bottle opening. The first sip yields a caramel-like malty front and a mild, piney hop flavor. This beer is quite dry, mellow, and finishes very cleanly. It's a little fizzy, but doesn't have as much carbonation as I expected. Pleasant, but not fantastic.

The next night, I and some colleagues go for Thai food at a restaurant called Sawadee (also spelled "Sawasdee," which means "hello" in Thai and is also the name of my favorite Thai restaurant in Indy). The restaurant serves the full range of Uinta beers, so I decide to go for another Cutthroat to pair with my fantastic dish of Pad Thai with tofu. This time, I get the beer in a glass. It pours with a nice amber hue and an off-white, finger-thick head that dissipates slowly. This time, I get a nice nose of spicy pine. The glass, however, does not change the flavor at all.

This is a good mellow beer that would serve well as a gateway beer for craft beer newbies. It has also piqued my interest in trying other Utah beers just to see how Utah brewers deal with the hand they've been dealt by the Utah legislature.

21:17
hI.P.A. (Magic Hat)
» ‎ Beer, Maine & Me

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Another stand out label from Magic Hat. This one by famed music gig poster designer, Stanley "Mouse" Miller. hI.P.A is the spring SeasonAle and an adequate replacement for their past IPA which was called Blind Faith.
hI.P.A. pours the familiar deep orange color of most high alcohol American IPAs. Its not an Imperial or Double or anything like that, its just a solid higher strength IPA. The smell is strong, of condensed fresh hops. Its spicy and piney. There are slight smells lemon, grapefruit and fresh grass. Believe me, it goes together nicely.
This is one of those tongue-drying IPAs for sure. Along with the strong hop presence is an alcohol back and not all that much malt. This could easily be considered a rather one-sided IPA. But, if you love hops (and I do) this is still an enjoyable beer. The after taste reminds me of sucking on orange slices when I was a kid. I like beers like this, its juicy and really, really hoppy. Its not as balanced as some of the best IPAs, but its still an excellent highly hopped American beer.
BEER FACTS

Name: hI.P.A. Style: India Pale AleBrewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company
Location: Burlington, Vermont, USAContainer: 12 oz. bottleMalts: Pale
Hops: CTZ (Columbus/Tomahawk/Zeus)ABV: 6.8% IBU’s: 50
The Magic Hat "SeasonAles" are:
Roxy Rolles (Amber) - WinterhI.P.A. (IPA) - SpringHocus Pocus (Wheat Ale) - SummerJinx (Smoked Strong Ale) - Autumn

21:14
Eight Healthy Reasons To Drink Beer
» ‎ 2beerguys beer blog

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Allison Van Dusen, 03.17.08, 12:01 AM ET

Looking for a good excuse to tip back a beer?

You don’t have to wait for St. Patrick’s Day. That’s because a decade’s worth of health research shows that regular, moderate beer intake–one to two 12 ounce glasses per day for men and one for women–can be good for you, especially if you’re facing some of the most common diseases related to aging.

Experts say wine tends to get most of the attention when it comes to the health benefits of alcohol primarily because of the French paradox, a reference to the relatively low rate of heart disease in France in spite of a diet high in saturated fat. The idea is that daily sips of Merlot make the difference.

In Depth: Eight Healthy Reasons To Drink Beer
But a number of studies are showing that moderate consumption of alcohol, including beer, can have similar heart healthy effects, including making men 30 to 35% less likely to have a heart attack than those who abstain.

“Wine is still on moral high ground,” says Charlie Bamforth, chair and professor of the department of food science and technology at the University of California, Davis, “but beer deserves just the same acclamation.”

Interest in the health effects of beer has been growing over the past eight to 10 years in tandem with a rise in the popularity of craft beers–usually defined as products of brewers who make fewer than 2 million barrels a year, says Nancy Tringali Piho, a spokeswoman for the National Beer Wholesalers Association.

Unlike many mass-produced beers, craft beers tend to be brewed with a particular focus on flavor, appearance and aroma. Their appeal has attracted an upscale audience that’s curious about the beverage and how it compares with wine health-wise.

The news is good, particularly for baby boomers, many of whom are dealing with obesity and high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Alcohol, including beer, in moderation raises high-density lipoprotein or HDL, known as good cholesterol, says Dr. R. Curtis Ellison, chief of the section of preventive medicine and epidemiology and professor of medicine and public health at the Boston University School of Medicine. It also appears to have a favorable effect on the lining of blood vessels, making them less likely to form a clot or for a clot to rupture and plug an artery, and may help protect against Type 2 diabetes.

“People should realize that a little bit of alcohol on a regular basis decreases the risks of aging,” says Ellison, who specializes in researching, among other things, the relationship between moderate alcohol consumption and chronic diseases.

And earlier this month researchers at the National Institutes of Health released a study showing that frequent drinking in moderation may protect men from death due to cardiovascular disease. Men who reported drinking 120 to 365 days a year had a 20% lower cardiovascular death rate than those who drank one to 36 days a year. Overdoing it, however, can have the opposite effect. Men who knocked back five or more drinks when they did indulge had a 30% greater risk for death via heart disease.

Beer may also give your brain a boost.

Adults over age 65 who drank one to six alcoholic beverages over the course of the week turned out to have a lower risk of dementia than non-drinkers or heavier drinkers, according to a 2003 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Likewise, a 2006 report that appeared in an American Heart Association journal showed that a drink or two a day might be linked to better cognitive function in women.

Consume With Caution
Of course, beer isn’t good for everyone. Other studies have shown that consuming two or more glasses of alcohol a day may increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer, and few medical experts will suggest that a non-drinker take up the habit just for the health benefits, when exercise and a good diet can produce similar benefits.

And Bamforth says he’s not so sure that the growing selection of organic beers, those that don’t contain sulfites, chemical preservatives and are made with mostly, if not all, organic ingredients, or beers flavored with antioxidant-laden super-fruits will have much of a health impact. It’s the alcohol content, as well as vitamins and minerals, in beer that has proved to make a difference.

More important, he doesn’t recommend that people think of beer as medicine. Beer is something to enjoy, he says. Just don’t feel guilty about indulging.

“In moderation,” Bamforth says, “it’s part of a wholesome diet.”

Link to article.

20:57
Michigan: Sacred Cow IPA, Arbor Brewing Co., Ann Arbor
» ‎ A Good Beer Blog

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A Good Beer Blog --
The other day I had an alt. The alt by Arbor Brewing and it was so good I didn't post about it, take a note or nuttin'. I simply marveled at the most robust head on a beer I had ever seen. I also planned how I might find myself in a position to buy more
We stopped into Arbor Brewing when we visited last fall. I had their mild and I think we tried the porter as well. It was a bit too full of undergrads on a Friday night, making me feel like the old fart I am - too much of that rackety music they are listening to these days. I fried my ears listening to punk rock on Radio Shack headphones back in the late 70s so I have a hard time in that sort of setting dealing with the fact that my side of the conversation devolves into "Whaa? Whachusay? Huh?", that sort of thing. But I was impressed with the old school shuffleboard in the back room as well as the beer. On top of that, the next day we realized it was right next to a great chocolate store making perhaps the most perfect retail stretch in terms of congenial marital bliss.
The IPA also pours with a massive off white head, this time over orange amber ale. On the nose, there is plenty of candy cane and bitter greens. In the mouth there are masses of complex bitter salad greens, citrus zest, mineral dryness as well as Seville marmalade. The malt really takes second place to these hops but there are notes of sweet raisin and dried apple.
Great value at a buck sixty-nine at Bello Vino. Plenty of BAer respect.

20:57
Mississippi Beer Drinkers' Guide Tshirt
» ‎ Mississippi Brew

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Joby Bass, Assistant Professor at the University of Southern Mississippi informs us that the the Geography student organization (Gamme Theta Upsilon) at USM in Hattiesburg, MS has recently made their wet/dry county map tshirts available for purchase.

They can be found both in Hattiesburg at TBone Records (on Hardy St.) and online at [www.cafepress.com]

The shirts are a fundraiser for the student organization. Proceeds will be used to help pay for student events, such as travel to conferences and field trip outings.

Show them some support.

20:46
Medley of Beer Law articles
» ‎ 2beerguys beer blog

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Supermarket wine bill defeated
By Jessica FenderThe Denver Post

Hundreds of liquor-store owners flooded the Capitol on Wednesday and defeated a bill that would have expanded shoppers’ access to beer and wine and recast the fortunes of thousands of Colorado businesses.

The proposal to allow supermarkets, convenience stores and big-box retailers to sell wine and full-strength beer died on a 5-1 vote Wednesday evening after more than two hours of emotional testimony from small-business owners.

At least one lawmaker cautioned the liquor-store owners — who erupted into applause at the death of Senate Bill 149 — that booze in grocery stores is inevitable and they should start planning for the extra competition.

“I believe this concept is one whose time is coming,” said Sen. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood. She wants to “give independent small businesses ways to think ahead.”

The defeat puts new pressure on groceries and convenience stores to kill another bill that would allow liquor stores to open on Sundays and compete with grocers for beer buyers. That proposal cleared its first hurdle Wednesday and heads to the Senate Finance Committee.

Consumers have signaled they want the convenience of buying a bottle of wine with their groceries, backers of the defeated bill said.

But their pleas were no match for passionate testimony from liquor-store owners such as Jeanne McEvoy of Loveland, who said a nearby grocery store would put her out of business with nearly $1 million in debt over her head.
……

Convenience stores, which can only sell less-potent 3.2 percent alcohol beer. They fear that the bill allowing liquor stores to open and sell full-alcohol beer on Sundays would eat up their Sunday profits.

Click here for the complete story.

Click here for the direct link.
Utah laws
Homemade craft brews could become legal

Published: Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008

Utah home-brewers will no longer have to operate “under the radar” with provisions proposed in HB425, presented Thursday before the House Government Operations standing committee.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Christine Johnson, D-Salt Lake City, carves out an exemption in Utah law which currently requires any person who manufactures an alcoholic beverage to obtain a license to do so from the state, including a requisite $10,000 bond.

Johnson’s bill will allow the home manufacture of “fermented beverages” up to a limit of 100 gallons a year per person, with a 200 gallons a year limit, per household.

Johnson noted that home brewing has been recognized as a legal activity by the federal government since 1978 and over 40 states have legislation sanctioning the practice.

Mark Alston, owner of the Salt Lake City home brewing store, The Beer Nut, testified on behalf of HB425.

“People who are doing it are an amazing cross-section of Utah culture,” Alston said.

Alston also noted that home brewed beer is not a “binge drinking product” since brewers devote too much time, energy and care to brewing a batch, which is typically about five gallons.

HB425 was passed out favorably by the committee and now moves to the House for further action.

Link to Article
Aspen Brewing Co. Battling the 1 Pint law which effects their tasting room
Reasons to repeal the one-pint rule
Brad Veltman
Aspen, CO Colorado
March 24, 2008

As one of the owners of the Aspen Brewing Co., I have spoken to locals and tourists alike regarding the brewery and how we plan to operate our business. Tonight, March 24, the Aspen City Council will address amendments to the municipal code regarding Service/ Commercial/Industrial zoning and hopefully reconsider the one-pint limitation that the Community Development Department has imposed. I would like to clear up a few misconceptions that affect the way people perceive our business. There are four frequently asked questions:

1) If I can walk in to the brewery, sit down and drink beer, why is the brewery not a bar?
2) If most of the production is being sold in kegs to vendors, bars and restaurants, why is the brewery worried about being able to sell more than one pint to the public?
3) Why no liquor license?
4) Will Aspen Brewing be a brewpub?

Click here for more
Click here for the rest of the article.
20:36
Anheuser-Busch introduces a Budweiser ale
» ‎ 2beerguys beer blog

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By Jeremiah McWilliams
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/20/2008

Anheuser-Busch Cos. built its business on rivers of lager beer. But come October, the St. Louis-based brewer will have a little something extra for folks who like “heavier” brews.

“Budweiser American Ale” is meant to attract what A-B’s marketing department calls “experimenters” — drinkers who bounce around among various beers such as Yuengling, Fat Tire, Hoegaarden and Budweiser.

“They love beer, they just try a lot of different things,” said Dave Peacock, vice president of marketing at A-B’s domestic beer subsidiary. Although Peacock acknowledged that some craft beer enthusiasts won’t try a Bud-branded ale, the company expects that a sizeable portion of the market will have no problem with the concept.

The new ale’s task is to bring its own sales while also drawing drinkers to regular Budweiser, which is on a two-decade slide.

A-B is slamming millions of extra dollars into Budweiser’s marketing budget to promote it as the Great American Lager.

Peacock said the new ale, priced somewhat higher than regular Budweiser, is expected to enhance rather than diminish Budweiser’s image.

Introducing a Bud-branded ale now “makes sense,” said Peacock. “It builds on the credentials of Budweiser as a genuine American beer.”

Ales have traditionally been a stronghold of the fast-growing craft beer industry. Dollar sales of craft beer — generally from small beermakers — jumped 16 percent last year, according to the Brewers Association, a trade group based in Boulder, Co.

Meanwhile, sales of pale ales in the craft beer category jumped 6.8 percent to $92 million, according to Chicago-based Information Resources Inc. Amber ales rose 13 percent to $61 million, with India Pale Ale chipping in $36 million in sales.

Anheuser-Busch doesn’t have much of a presence in ales, although it does sell several imported ales — including Grolsch Amber Ale and Leffe Blonde — and its own Shock Top Belgian White.

For years, Anheuser-Busch was loath to spread the Budweiser nameplate over numerous beers for fear of diluting the brand, said Eric Shepard, executive editor of trade publication Beer Marketer’s Insights. That reluctance has diminished.

The push for Budweiser American Ale is expected to be lower-key than, say, the rollout of the new Bud Light Lime. One question, Shepard said, is how nimble A-B will be in selling the new beer without the benefit of a massive advertising campaign.

He asked: “Can they sell these brands without the marketing muscle?”

jmcwilliams@post-dispatch.com
314-340-8372

Link to article.

20:30
What I like most about your site: brewvana
» ‎ Beer Bits 2

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I've decided to take this in a little different direction after reading this post over at brewvana. Rather than the "Best thing about your site" this is "What I like most about your site:"
- thoughtful posts
- candid voice
- not just about beer, think "life, brewing and a beer"
- brewing wisdom
Great job Wilson! Keep up the good work. Cheers!

20:18
Double Bag Ale (Long Trail Brewing Co.)
» ‎ Beer, Maine & Me

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I love Long Trails beers. Too bad we can only get some of them here in Maine. Which is sort of odd considering that Vermont isn't all that far away. Why can't they just send all of their beers over here? Anyways, if you are ever anywhere near Bridgewater Corners, Vermont, stop in at the brewery. Its a great little place in a really nice location.
Double Bag, according to the label, is a "full-bodied double alt known as "Stickebier" - German for "secret brew"." This is definitely not a beer that you can throw down and walk away from unscathed. Its going to leave an impact.
Pours clean and dark amber in color with a wispy head that goes away rather quickly. Smells of malty sweetness, faint smell of alcohol, stewed fruit and cinnamon. If you really inhale this it has the smell and tingle in your nose of a strong alcohol like whiskey.
Tastes malty with a definite alcohol backbone. Kind of surprising as stronger beers mask that a little better. The alcohol content in this one is definitely not a secret. Aftertaste is slightly bitter without the initial sweetness. Its a very easy drinking beer despite the alcohol content being over 7%.
I like this beer, its not my favorite Long Trail ale, but its a good option especially if you find it on tap.

BEER FACTS

Name: Double Bag AleStyle: AltbierBrewery: Long Trail Brewing CompanyLocation: Bridgewater Corners, Vermont, USAContainer: 12 oz. bottleMalts: Crystal and chocolate malts, wheatHops: Northern Brewer and Mt. HoodABV: 7.2%IBUs: 25

19:55
Beat the Budget - get out the homebrew kit
» ‎ Stonch's Beer Blog

really simple BEER syndication » March 25, 2008

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