really simple BEER syndication » November 21, 2008

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(63 items)

November 21, 2008
23:11
Lovin' the Lager Life
» ‎ Metropolitan Brewing

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More press, people. Marty Nutley at MetromixTV in Chicago did us an incredible service by making us look good. And he did it on TV. Behold.

23:04
Pike Brewing drops Entire Wood-Aged Stout this Monday
» ‎ beernews.org

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[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is the #1 leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Also check out the new Beernews.org Board! Thanks!]

Pike Brewing drops Entire Wood-Aged Stout this Monday

[See the Pike Entire Wood Aged Stout thread for updates/beer talk.]

(Seattle, WA) - For the late Friday night folk, here is a follow-up to my post weeks ago about a special brew coming from The Pike Brewing Company out of Seattle. On Monday, the brewery will release Pike Entire Wood-Aged Stout, “a blend of three beers: Pike’s XXXXX Extra Stout, original gravity 10.73 / alcohol 7.00%; the same beer aged for more than half a year in oak Bourbon barrels; and an Imperial Stout original gravity 10.98 / alcohol 12% [...] is balanced by a generous amount of Yakima Valley Willamette, Goldings and Columbus hops in the boil; finished with even more Willamette and Goldings.” This one sounds like it has huge potential though only around 1,000 bottles will be released. I don’t see the full press release on the website, so I have attached it “below the fold” (yes, that means Click ‘Continue On’).

Pike Entire is a blend of three beers: Pike’s XXXXX Extra Stout, original gravity 10.73 / alcohol 7.00%; the same beer aged for more than half a year in oak Bourbon barrels; and an Imperial Stout original gravity 10.98 / alcohol 12%. The Entire blend contains 42.7% barrel aged beer and finishes at 9.5% alcohol. The taste is complex with velvety malt tones, a coffee aroma, and a palate and finish of bitter chocolate. The biscuity character of pale and crystal malts, along with roasted barley, is balanced by a generous amount of Yakima Valley Willamette, Goldings and Columbus hops in the boil; finished with even more Willamette and Goldings. Adding complexity are the underlying wood tones perfumed by the caramel sweetness of wood-aged Kentucky Bourbon.

Pike Entire was unveiled for the first time on November 8 at the Washington Beer Lover’s (WABL) Third Anniversary Party in Seattle that featured 20 local “rare and hard to find” beers on draft. The next morning, Seattle P-I beer writer, Geoff Kaiser, commented: “this was everything I hoped it would be…. It had plenty of bourbon and oak character without being overwhelming and it still allowed the stout to do most of the work. Quite lovely, and easily my favorite of the night.”

Until the 18th century, malt was “kilned” over wood fires making most beers dark brown or black, and contributing significantly to the pollution in cities like London. The use of coal allowed brewers a little more control, but it was not until coke, a bi-product of coal, was introduced as a fuel that pale malt could be made. Pale malt yielded more sugar than black malt. Because the Thames was polluted, soft water was drawn from wells, ideal for dark beers, but yielding unpleasant flavor to black beers unless they were blended with the paler beers made by country brewers who had access to hard water. These country brewers also bought dark beers from London and aged them in large oak casks. After aging they sold them back to the London brew pubs as highly desirable, “stale” (aged) beer. Home brew houses then began to blend the black, pale, and stale beers and the result became known as “three threads”, a corruption of “three thirds.” Ralph Harwood’s Bell Brewhouse, one of London’s original common brewers and was the first to market an already blended beer to other pubs, called “Entire”. It is believed that he blended his own black beer with purchased pale and stale. Since it saved publicans the chore of blending their own three threads, it became an immediate success and the beer style of choice that was sold by London’s train porters. Ultimately the style became known as Porter. As brewing moved away from the brew pub to common brewers, Harwood’s creation became London’s great contribution to beer. As the British Empire expanded, “Porter,” later known as “Stout Porter,” then simply “Stout,” became the world’s most widely distributed beer style.

In order to brew a beer in keeping with the original style but still distinctly American, Pike acquired oak Bourbon barrels last year and filled them with Pike XXXXX Extra Stout in April 2008 to be blended back. Pike Head Brewer, Drew Cluley, describes the beer as “complex and chocolaty with a great vanilla wood overtone.”

On Monday, November 24, 2008, Pike Entire, in wax-dipped 22 oz. bottles, will be released. It will have very limited availabilty at the Pike Pub and in select bottle shops, primarily in the Seattle area. A few quarter-barrels will be released for sale on draft. The Pike Pub will tap its one and only quarter-barrel of Pike Entire on Friday, November 28.

The Pike Brewing Company is a family-owned gravity flow craft steam brewery and pub in the heart of Seattle next door to the entrance to historic Pike Place Public Market. Founded in 1989, it was one of the earliest American craft breweries to offer styles like Imperial Stout, IPA, and Barley Wine.

21:07
In Denmark, its almost like a knighthood
» ‎ Knut Albert's Beer Blog

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A guy I know has been declared a professional beer nerd. Cheers, John, and I guess we’ll be in closer touch when you trade EU and EFTA places with Iceland in the near future!

19:44
Cycling, beer and rock ‘n’ roll
» ‎ Draft Magazine Feed

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The Bicycle Doctor promises that tomorrow night’s cycled-powered show will be “more fun than the Sawmill after the Birkie.”

Only an exclusive fraternity can fully grasp such a reference.

I had to Google it.

The Sawmill, apparently, is a small-town Wisconsin saloon where cross country ski veterans hang out and swap war tales after the legendary Birkebeiner, the Super Bowl of their sport.

But that’s still a long way off — not until Feb 21st, to be exact.

Off The Grid: Green Rockers!

So in the meantime, the Doc is celebrating the end of the biking season and shepherding in the cross country season. And they’re doing it by throwing a party in their hometown of Dousman, Wisconsin.

To make a party you need exactly two things: Music and beer. The Bicycle Doctor has those covered with Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest and music by house band Off The Grid.

But the Doc has also added a third item to this list: Cycling. That’s because all the power for this concert will be completely generated by turning bike wheels. Pretty awesome.

You can rock with the doc for just a fiver from 8-11 p.m. THIS Saturday night. Click here for more info on the Bicycle Doctor.
19:44
Cycling, beer and rock ‘n’ roll
» ‎ Draft Magazine Feed

Tags: [edit]

The Bicycle Doctor promises that tomorrow night’s cycled-powered show will be “more fun than the Sawmill after the Birkie.”

Only an exclusive fraternity can fully grasp such a reference.

I had to Google it.

The Sawmill, apparently, is a small-town Wisconsin saloon where cross country ski veterans hang out and swap war tales after the legendary Birkebeiner, the Super Bowl of their sport.

But that’s still a long way off — not until Feb 21st, to be exact.

Off The Grid: Green Rockers!

So in the meantime, the Doc is celebrating the end of the biking season and shepherding in the cross country season. And they’re doing it by throwing a party in their hometown of Dousman, Wisconsin.

To make a party you need exactly two things: Music and beer. The Bicycle Doctor has those covered with Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest and music by house band Off The Grid.

But the Doc has also added a third item to this list: Cycling. That’s because all the power for this concert will be completely generated by turning bike wheels. Pretty awesome.

You can rock with the doc for just a fiver from 8-11 p.m. THIS Saturday night. Click here for more info on the Bicycle Doctor.

19:21
Rogue Issues Green Dragon FAQ
» ‎ Champagne of Blogs, The

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Earlier this week Rogue printed out a FAQ regarding the purchase of the Green Dragon. This would’ve posted earlier but WordPress conspired against me to lose it all in the ether, so by the time I felt like writing it again, I found John Foyston’s excellent Beer Here blog already posted the same thing, so I’m copying and pasting from there. Thanks John!

Here’s the FAQ found at the bar:

Will there be changes? Yes! Someone defined stupidity as doing the same thing and expecting different results. We will make only those changes required to survive and serve the craft industry.

Can you be more specific? We will not change tap rotation as a theory and Rogue will have only one or two more taps than now. Brewers’ nights will continue under Jim Parker’s guidance; games and shuffleboard will stay for now.

What will you change?
Turn up the lights, turn down the music, as it was when the Dragon started.
Double the number of taps.
Finish the $50,000-$75,000 improvements required by the city.
Add video poker, and Lego tables for the kids.
Ban cell phones, as we have for 18 years.
Staff will wear identifiable gear and name tags to distinguish them from the customers. (My comments, not Foyston’s: Because in the past 15+ years of going to bars, I’ve always wondered if that guy standing behind the bar making drinks worked there. I wonder if there is also a requirement for 30 pieces of flair?)
We will deliver food and beer to your home or office.
Sell to go: bottles, cans, growlers and kegs.

Will beer prices go up? TBA — They need to be high enough for the Dragon to survive.

Will Hopoes and Rogue Nation Cards be honored? Yes.

Will Rogue Farms tours originate at the Dragon? Yes, and so will the OBF bus.

Will you continue live music? Yes, for a while. Not part of original concept. Not if the city requires handrails. Not if we need the space.

Will staff be retained? Yes, if they meet our standards of customer service and conduct.

Will you change the menu? Yes. How is TBA — Hope to add items made with beer and retain and expand use of the smoker.

So, there you have it. According to comments in an earlier post, only 3 of 30 staff elected to remain at the Dragon. The great staff will definitely be missed. Here’s to the future of the Green Dragon and hoping it will grow and be even better. Also, definitely want to extend best wishes to Lolo and look forward to being there when Civil Disobedience opens.

19:14
Silent jazzman: Lawrence Wheatley
» ‎ Yours for Good Fermentables ™

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Located near Washington Circle in Washington D.C., One Step Down was the city's cool, hip jazz club from the 1980s into the mid 1990s. And, yes there was a step down at the front door.

The coolest, hippest cat who played there was also the most mysterious and the most urbane: Lawrence Wheatley, composer, pianist.

Mr. Wheatley died October 19th.

I worked at the One Step for a few years. But before that, there had been many Sundays when I would stop in for a hair-of-the-dog brunch, reviving from Saturday evenings of too much fun, as Mr. Wheatley would lead the Sunday jam sessions.

From a comment posted at Express Night Out:
Anyone associated with the jazz scene in Washington DC over the past half century or more would likely be familiar with the name Lawrence Wheatley. Certainly among players and serious fans of straight - ahead jazz the name has reach legendary status in the nation’s capital. Although awareness of his work has yet to reach national and international levels it’s just a matter of time especially in today’s internet world. Virtuosic, compelling, and fiercely original might be just a few reasons why this broader recognition is sure to come about at some point in the future.

Not only was Lawrence a great player but he also created a considerable body of original work that demonstrated his stature as a jazz composer of the highest order. Although his music has yet to be recorded and released commercially, Lawrence indeed scored it, and as he would say, ‘by hand, from scratch, with love’.

On top of all of this Lawrence was a gentleman. He carried himself with a certain dignity, grace, and courtesy that is almost unheard of these days. And although at times he spoke very eloquently and even mysteriously he also had a great sense of humor and was not pretentious in the least.

Bard of Bebop: Lawrence P. Wheatley, RIP
Express Night Out
Christopher Porter

18:46
Chicago beer enthusiasts have reason to celebrate at Goose Island Clybourne Brewpub
» ‎ Beer Examiner

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The landmark Goose Island Pub in Chicago
renews its lease for another 3 to 5 years.
That's a reason to celebrate.
The threat of having to shut down their brewpub location on Clybourne Ave in Chicago loomed like an undesirably cloudy beer.   But it turned out to be like a good hefeweizen, cloudy but with intended consequences. Chicago's 20 year old Goose Island Brewery announced that last minute negotiations were successful in renewing their lease.   All scheduled farewell parties have been cancelled.
     The landmark brewpub in Chicago, serves up a variety of ales and lagers under the direction of founder John Hall and son-brewmaster Greg Hall.
     According to a Chicago Tribune report Goose Island and their landlord "reached a last-minute deal with the pub's landlord to stay at 1800 N. Clybourn Ave. for three to five years"
18:46
Chicago beer enthusiasts have reason to celebrate at Goose Island Clybourne Brewpub
» ‎ Beer Examiner

Tags: [edit]

The landmark Goose Island Pub in Chicago
renews its lease for another 3 to 5 years.
That's a reason to celebrate.
The threat of having to shut down their brewpub location on Clybourne Ave in Chicago loomed like an undesirably cloudy beer.   But it turned out to be like a good hefeweizen, cloudy but with intended consequences. Chicago's 20 year old Goose Island Brewery announced that last minute negotiations were successful in renewing their lease.   All scheduled farewell parties have been cancelled.
     The landmark brewpub in Chicago, serves up a variety of ales and lagers under the direction of founder John Hall and son-brewmaster Greg Hall.
     According to a Chicago Tribune report Goose Island and their landlord "reached a last-minute deal with the pub's landlord to stay at 1800 N. Clybourn Ave. for three to five years"
18:46
Chicago beer enthusiasts have reason to celebrate at Goose Island Clybourne Brewpub
» ‎ Beer Examiner

Tags: [edit]

The landmark Goose Island Pub in Chicago
renews its lease for another 3 to 5 years.
That's a reason to celebrate.
The threat of having to shut down their brewpub location on Clybourne Ave in Chicago loomed like an undesirably cloudy beer.   But it turned out to be like a good hefeweizen, cloudy but with intended consequences. Chicago's 20 year old Goose Island Brewery announced that last minute negotiations were successful in renewing their lease.   All scheduled farewell parties have been cancelled.
     The landmark brewpub in Chicago, serves up a variety of ales and lagers under the direction of founder John Hall and son-brewmaster Greg Hall.
     According to a Chicago Tribune report Goose Island and their landlord "reached a last-minute deal with the pub's landlord to stay at 1800 N. Clybourn Ave. for three to five years"

18:32
Badger Pickled Partridge at the Mason’s Arms
» ‎ boakandbailey.com

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We’ve been down on Badger beer since a holiday in Dorset last year where we struggled to find a decent pint of anything, and where even Badger’s own pubs in the area were serving dish-watery, boring, stale beer which made us feel a bit sad.

But the Mason’s Arms (recommended by Jeff “Stonch” Bell here) is a Badger pub which knows how to look after its ale. The seasonal beer, Pickled Partridge, is a dark, 4.6% ‘winter warmer’ and very, very drinkable.

The emphasis is on fruitiness and hop flavour, with very little bitterness — just enough to make it moreish. There might be some spices in there somewhere, but subtly done, with none of the overwhelming cinnamon and cloves that have ruined so many Christmas beers over the years.

In short: a nice cosy, quiet pub, and a very nice beer! Badger are back in our good books.

We’ve spent a fair bit of time on Seymour Place recently, for no particular reason. The Mason’s Arms, the Carpenter’s Arms and the Austrian Imbiss are all good reasons to visit if you’re in the area.

18:22
Winter beer piece coming; Kaspers in St. Louis
» ‎ Kasper On Tap

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In response to Matt's question, my winter beer column runs Wednesday, Nov. 26.
I'm in St. Louis visiting my 27-year-old son, who it turns out is also writing a beer blog called Gut Check for The Riverfront Times, a St. Louis weekly. Go figure.
Next week, I am visiting Anheuser-Busch (now owned by InBev) and will let you know if I detect any Belgian notes. Any thoughts on InBev taking over AB?
Any suggested questions for the St. Louis brew crew?
Anybody have an early pick for favorite holiday beer?

18:06
A brewery in Newton?
» ‎ Sioux Brew

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I just downloaded the .pdf listing of Brewers Association member breweries, and a listing for “Brewery in Planning, Newton, IA,” caught my eye.

Anyone have any additional information or rumors they wish to share?

FWIW, the Newton listing was one of 32 “Breweries in Planning” that were listed as Brewers Association members.

-Tim Hynds

17:30
Gourmet Food and Wine Expo Report
» ‎ That's the Spirit - Beer Blog

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I visited Day One of the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo last night, and what I reported here earlier in the week turned out to be abundantly true: Beer has now officially arrived at this notoriously wine-centric event.
17:30
Gourmet Food and Wine Expo Report
» ‎ That's the Spirit - Beer Blog

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I visited Day One of the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo last night, and what I reported here earlier in the week turned out to be abundantly true: Beer has now officially arrived at this notoriously wine-centric event.

16:25
Beer Review - Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest
» ‎ TheBrewClub.com

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The Brew Club has been trying its best to review as many Oktoberfest beers and Fall Seasonal beers as possible during this 2008 Fall Season. Today, we continue the trend (a little late) with a beer review of the Hacker-Pschorr Original Oktoberfest!

The Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest comes from another very old German brewery in Munich that was started in 1417. Jeeeez they’ve been making beer a long time!

Similar to the Paulaner Oktoberfest that was recently reviewed, the Hacker-Pschorr pours into the glass with a perfectly clear coppery medium-amber color. Initially, this Marzen created a large, cream-colored foamy head, (did I say large?) but it dissipated rather quickly into basically nothing, and there was little to no lacing on the glass except for a bit around the rim.

This Oktoberfest had a sweet malty smell, a touch of caramel, kinda bready - but otherwise nothing really jumped out at me as a dominant ingredient. Very middle-of-the-road I think in that realm.

How’s it taste? Generally, in the taste, (similar to the smell) there is some of that sweet, malty, bready action, but then it turns a bit bitter, and if I wait even longer between sips, I taste a little bit of a metallic something-or-other that was somewhat surprising to me. Hmmmm.

There is also more hop flavor that comes through afterward I think than the Paulaner version demonstrated, but it isn’t anything overwhelming. Its still pretty well balanced. I’d describe the mouthfeel as something between light and medium, and its definitely on the smooth side if you get those bubbles out in the head!

Overall, this Oktoberfest brew from Hacker-Pschorr was more than decent, but I think the Paulaner Oktoberfest version is definitely superior in the German Oktoberfest beer category!

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

© 2008-Infinity The Brew Club. All Rights Reserved. Please visit our beer review site for the original content.

Related posts:

16:18
11/21/08 Friday STL Beer Round-Up
» ‎ stlhops.com

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Stuff from around the web
- Jess Blumensheid has a write up about the 2008 Schlafly Christmas ale.
- Eating Well in STL thinks AB’s American Ale is their best beer.
- The RFT has a few suggestions for AB’s new overlords.
Beer Releases and News
- Hari Patel, of Bombay Wines & Spirits emailed to let us know about some new beers he has in stock:
  - Odell Brewing Co - Extra Special Red
  - Odell Brewing Co - Isolation Ale
  - Avery - Hog Heaven
  - Avery - Salvation
  - Avery - The Reverend
- Paul at The Wine and Cheese Place in Clayton alerts me to some new beers he has in stock:
  - Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence
  - Ommegang Gift Set
  - Left Hand Warrior IPA
  - 2008 Vintage Schlafly Imperial Stout
  - Sam Adams Winter Classic 12pk
  - Shipyard Prelude Special Ale
  - Anchor Christmas Ale Magnums and 6pks
  - Rogue Santa’s Private Reserve
  - Boulevard Nutcracker Ale
  - O’Dells Isolation Ale
  - O’Fallon Chocolate Cherry
- Lukas Liquor posts on their blog some of the new and special selections they have in stock:
  - Anchor Old Foghorn
  - Anchor Christmas Ale
  - Left Hand Warrior IPA
  - Rogue Santa’s Private Reserve Ale
  - Boulevard Nutcracker Ale
  - Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence
  - Pyramid Snow Cap Ale
  - Odell Extra Special Red
- Ryan at Randall’s Wine & Spirits alerts me to some new beers he has in stock at the Fairview Heights Randall’s:
  - Shiner - Cheer
  - Sierra Nevada - Celebration Ale
  - Rogue - Santa’s Private Reserve
  - Schlafly - Christmas
  - Weltenberg Kloster - Winter-Traum
  - Gouden - Carolus Red
  - Bluemoon - Brewmasters’ Sampler
  - Goose Island - Christmas Ale
  - Samuel Smith - Gift Packs
  - O’Fallon - We Love Beer-Sampler Pack
  - Boulevard - Nut Cracker Ale
  - Left Hand - Warrior IPA 22 oz.
  - Sam Adams - Chocolate Bock
  - Sam Adams - Imperial Pilsner
  - Red Hook - Double Black Stout 22 oz.
  - Hoeegarden
- Mike at The Wine and Cheese Place in Rock Hill alerts me to some new beers he has in stock:
  - Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence
  - Ommegang Gift Set
  - Left Hand Warrior IPA
  - 2008 Vintage Schlafly Imperial Stout
  - Anchor Christmas Ale Magnums and 6pks
  - Rogue Santa’s Private Reserve
  - Boulevard Nutcracker Ale
  - O’Dells Isolation Ale
  - O’Fallon Chocolate Cherry
  - Tin Mill Skyscraper
Local Restaurant Beer List Updates
- Jerad Gardner, of the Rotten Apple lets me know about his most current draught selection. If you haven’t been to the Rotten Apple, take the time to visit:
  - Founders Brewing - Breakfast Stout
  - Dogfish Head Brewing - 90 min IPA
  - Flying Dog Brewing - Woody Creek Wit
  - Founders Brewing - Crumudgeon
  - Lagunitas Brewing - Pils
  - Lagunitas Brewing - Lucky 13
  - Three Floyds - Alpha King
  - Victory Brewing - Storm King
  - Original Sin - Green Apple Cider
  - Bear Republic - Racer 5
  - Two Brothers Brewing - Heavy Handed IPA
  - Stag
- Jerad also let me know about the new beers on the draught list at The Stable:
  - Kasteel Rouge
  - Odell 5 Barrel Pale Ale
  - Schlafly Dry Hopped APA
  - O’Fallon 5 Day IPA
  - Bell’s Two Hearted
  - Charleville Hoptimistic
  - Arcadia London Porter
  - Charleville Half-Wit Wheat
  - Gouden Carolus Cuvee De Kiezer Grand Cru
  - Anderson Valley Hop Ottin
  - Sierra Nevada Celebration
  - Hoegaarden
  - Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye
  - Left Hand Milk Stout
  - North Coast Old Rasputin
  - Left Hand Twin Sisters
  - Southern Tier Unearthly
  - Southern Tier Hoppe
  - Bell’s Best Brown
  - Houblon Chouffe
  - O’Fallon Cocoa Cream Stout
  - Charleville Barleywine
  - Rogue Shakespeare Stout (Nitro)
  - Arcadia Hopmouth
- Dave Johnson of Buffalo Brewing Company posted in the forum to let us know about their current draught list:
  - Gold
  - Chili
  - Drool
  - Dunkel Rye (roggenbier)
  - Dubbel
  - Sam Huff’s Vanilla Brown
- Karen McVicker of Cicero’s dropped me a line to let me know about a few new beers they have available:
  - Leffe
  - Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout
  - Rochfort 10 (bottle)
Here’s a list of upcoming beer events:
- Nov 21 - Two Hearted Cask at 33 Wine Shop
- Nov 24 - Beer School at Llywelyn’s Pub

15:29
Travis, listen up
» ‎ Monday Night Brewery : Atlanta, GA

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Today’s Beer Haiku Daily has an important life lesson for Travis, who is dancing precariously close to another smackdown, like a little kid trying to prove he’s a man by touching a hot stove. He keeps leaving these little quip comments on our blog. In and out like a ninja, but not a cool ninja. More of a wimpy, annoying ninja that can’t brew beer without copying someone’s recipes (Lagunitas clone, anyone?). I reprint the haiku here without Captain Hops’ permission, in the hopes that he won’t sue us for everything we own:

Learning his lesson
He cut down on the smack talk
At the pub dart game

Travis, if you have trouble following any of this, feel free to send us an email. There’s still time to apologize to us. For those of you who have no idea what’s going on, it might be worth peeking into the archives. Or Travis’ archives.

15:25
You don’t know how good you got it
» ‎ Grizzly Growler

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We beer lovers can get to feeling pretty bad about our situation here in Montana, so it is good to sometimes walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, or, maybe, drink a beer in their state.

This little reminder from an Alabama reader brings the point home:

“antiquated beer laws”…Well, you don’t know how bad they can be…I’m in Alabama with a 6% cap on alcohol by volume (I’d love at least a 8.75% cap) and a limitation on bottle size of 16 oz. - so no bombers, no growlers, no 750 mls… Plus if you want to have a brewpub, you have to operate in a Nationally Historical Registered Building and are not allow to bottle your beer, but if you want to bottle your beer, you can but can’t serve any on-site plus the 6% cap is inforced…and of course, home-brewing is illegal, too. One bright spot…you can buy fortified wine and low gravity beer in the grocery store on Sunday and you can make your own wine! If you want to know all the details of Alabama citizen’s efforts to get their laws changed, then visit http://www.FreeTheHops.ORG … and if you feel very sorry for us living in Alabama, we will be happy to let you join our “Alabamians For Specialty Beer” cause and get a T-shirt for $25!

Thanks for the reminder -

Prost,

GG

15:24
Having Too Big A Range From The Outset
» ‎ maeib's Beerblog

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I had a beer from a Cornish brewery yesterday, which has only been going two years and already has 91 beers listed on BeerMad. I've had a few beers from the brewery, and while none of them have been bad, they have all been a bit meh, to use the latest word to hit our dictionaries.
To have produced this many supposedly different beers in just two years is a step too far, and makes me wonder which market they are aiming their beers at.
If I opened my own brewery I would concentrate on a very small core range for at least the first three months to ensure my beers were appreciated and that they were consistently well brewed.
I think three or four should be sufficient. A low strength bitter, be it golden or brown; a stronger 'best' bitter; a premium bitter, and a dark beer either a mild or a stout. The experimentation should start afterwards with the beer range increasing at my whim.
It is either a very brave, very good brewery which brings out tons of beers from the start, or a pretty poor brewery producing a lot of different beers knowing that a fair few people try anything once, and would not need to revisit the same poor beer.

15:18
Last chance for The Big Pour
» ‎ Draft Magazine Feed

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We are now less than 24 hours from the kickoff of The Big Pour. Why are you still reading this? Go get your tickets. NOW!

Seriously, if you’re anywhere in the Phoenix area, you don’t want to miss the event. Even if you’re not in the Phoenix area, you might want to consider getting on a plane, a boat, a hot-air balloon, and getting your butt to Mesa’s Hohokam Stadium. Dozens of games, hundreds of beers, thousands of people, oh my. And it all benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale.

Excitement overload in three, two, one…

14:53
What's on tap at Walking Man's Eight Anniversary...
» ‎ The Beer Here - OregonLive.com

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From brewer Jacob Leonard, here's the list of what's on tap tonight (Friday) at Walking Man in Stevenson, Wash. where they're celebrating their eight anniversary through Sunday... NOW ON TAP 1. Walking Man IPA India Pale Ale 7.2% 2. Crosswalk...

14:40
Austria in London
» ‎ Knut Albert's Beer Blog

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Boak and Bailey beat me to it. Sometimes you save a photo for a rainy day. I was thinking about a blog post giving the news about an Austrian cafe in Lodon with draft beer and a rotating range of bottles. It is even a place for coffee and a piece of torte or strudl. I was happy to [...]