The Return

 

So after rather long hiatus from tending to the Beerattitude blog, I'm now somehow inspired to make a return. When I first began writing about Craft Beer over 14 years ago, the business was a completely different beast. Brewers then were inspired to make their mark in the world by pushing the boundary's of brewing. They wanted to challenge the well established "macro" brewery philosophy of mastering lowest common denominator beer. Beer's that were being produced then were fresh, creative, flavorful and most importantly, brewed from the heart. This was exciting time to be a part of the craft beer business. With popularity, came more craft beer drinkers. With more drinkers came more breweries. And then as it does, "business" reared it's ugly head. More brewers and more breweries all across the country. Craft Beer went from the fringes, to shelves in every grocery store, bodega, bar and restaurant in major cities and backwoods neighborhood bars. The exceptionally high standards for quality beer, soon were replaced by a flood of mediocre marginal quality Ales and Lagers. Over-hopped IPA's that are nothing more than bitter bombs. Completely unbalanced and undrinkable. Then the desire to include myriad of wacky adjunct ingredients, so brewers could try to replicate flavors that have absolutely nothing to to do with beer. Do we really have this burning desire to drink "Cotton Candy", "Fruit Loop", "Slushy" and " Pickle" beers? Come the fuck on. And the repetitive trend of  brewing the same  ridiculous style as the last guy brewed, only because the next brewer thought he could do it better. No need for it! 

Well folk's, in the new incarnation of this blog we'll address that, and more. Completely unbiased and unfiltered. I'm a way too old to care about what ya think on anything related to beer or music. And if I create some mayhem along the way, then maybe, just maybe, I woke someone up to the merits of a true-to-style "Amber Ale". Figuratively speaking of course.  I've always said to new brewers, "If ya get into this business, be ready for someone to call your baby ugly".  ... and  I'm still okay with that.  

Cheers! 

 

Brewed In Chicago Launches Indiegogo Campain

 Ever thought what it would be like to create your own Craft Beer? Not a homebrew, but a beer that would actually be produced in an American craft brewery, by professional brewers. If the folks at "Brewed In Chicago" have a successful Indiegogo campaign, you might have a chance to do just that.

Have a look at their idea, contribute, and you could be the next Great "Arm Chair Craft Brewer"!

2014 Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Release

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GOOSE ISLAND AMPS UP BOURBON COUNTY BRANDS BLACK FRIDAY RELEASE

The Chicago-based, Pioneers of Barrel-aged Brewing to Host Epicurean Events in Nine Select Cities

CHICAGO, (Oct. 20, 2014) – On Friday, November 29, Goose Island, Chicago’s famed craft beer company, will release their renown Bourbon Country Brand Stout (BCBS) line up of barrel-aged beers through special beer-centric Black Friday events in nine cities including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Jacksonville, Fla., Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and San Francisco. Black Friday has become a beer drinker’s holiday and a true reminder that good things come to those that wait (literally). It’s almost that time, the moment beer fans have been waiting an entire year for, the chance to get their hands on this year’s flock of Goose Island’s award-winning barrel-aged beers.

“The magic of our Bourbon County Brand Stout is the time and unpredictable weather conditions our beer experiences in the belly of each hand-picked bourbon barrel,” said Brett Porter, Brewmaster at Goose Island Beer Company. “Our brewers, much like our fans, are passionate about Bourbon County and we’re counting down the days until Black Friday when we can all enjoy the new variants of the Bourbon County family.”

As the pioneer in the art of aging beer in bourbon barrels, the Goose Island barrel program has set the industry standard, swiftly becoming one of the world’s largest barrel-aged beer producers. First crafted in 1992, the brewery continues to push the limits of their lauded Bourbon County Brand through diverse variants, including Coffee, Barleywine, Vanilla Rye and a special release just for Chicago. The Friday after Thanksgiving, beer fanatics can now share in the tradition by enjoying the 2014 batch of Bourbon County. This year’s variants include the following:

• Bourbon County Brand Stout: The Original, a liquid as dark and dense as a black hole. The nose is an intense mix of charred oak, chocolate, vanilla, caramel and smoke. One sip has more flavor than an average case of beer. Available nationally in four and 24-packs in 12-ounce bottles.

• Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout: Everyday Goose Island smells the wonderful coffee roasting next to the brewery at Chicago's Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea. This world class roaster puts the same passion and skill into their coffee as Goose Island does with its beer. This excellent stout is made with a different coffee from the friends next door each year. With the change in coffee comes a change in the flavor profile, making each release truly unique from the previous years. The 2014 incarnation features Rwandan coffee. Available in four and 24-packs 12-ounce bottles nationally.

• Bourbon County Brand Barleywine: Aged in the third-use barrels that were once home to Kentucky bourbon and then the renowned Bourbon County Stout, this traditional English-style barleywine possess the subtlety of flavor that only comes from a barrel that’s gone through many seasons of ritual care. The intricacies of the previous barrel denizens – oak, charcoal, hints of tobacco and vanilla, and that signature bourbon heat – are all present in this beer. Hearty and complex, Bourbon County Brand Barleywine is a titan and a timeline; a bold, flavorful journey through the craft of barrel aging. Available in four and 24-packs of 12-ounce bottles.

• Vanilla Rye Bourbon County Brand Stout: First brewed for the legendary festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beer in Chicago, drinkers enjoyed this Bourbon County variant so much Goose Island bottled it the next year (2010). People flocked to stores to get their hands on a bottle and have this one of a kind barrel aged stout. Over the years that followed fans express their love for this version so Goose Island is extremely proud to bring it back in 2014. This year’s version features twist of aging the stout in Rye Whiskey barrels instead of bourbon hand-picked from four different distilleries. Each rye barrel features a two pound mix of Mexican and Madagascar vanilla beans. This limited Vanilla Rye will be available nationwide in 22-ounce bottles.

• Proprietor’s Bourbon County Brand Stout: The second annual release of Proprietor’s is aged in Rye Whiskey barrels and features panela sugar, made into syrup with coconut water, Cassia bark and cocoa nibs. This variant is meant to show Goose Island’s immense gratitude to their neighbors in Chicago – the loyal and adventurous fans whose support helped bring Bourbon County Brand Stout to towering new heights. Each year this release will differ from the previous year; a special variant created for Chicago and unique to the year it was released. Available only in Chicago, in 22-ounce bottles.

This is the fifth year Goose Island is releasing Bourbon County Brands on Black Friday. In 2013, at the release event in Chicago, more than 500 people lined up to experience the Bourbon County phenomena firsthand. In 2014, with special Black Friday events in additional cities featuring unique collaborations with local artisans from coffee roasters to donut makers, the company expects an even greater turnout.

To learn more about Goose Island’s Bourbon County Brands and the Black Friday event locations in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Jacksonville, Fla., Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco; visit www.gooseisland.com, Facebook , Twitter (@GooseIsland) and Instagram (@gooseIslandbeer).

About Goose Island

Founded in Chicago in 1988, Goose Island is one of the most successful craft breweries in the Midwest and produces some of the most popular, and award winning, beers in the U.S. Since 1989, Goose Island beers have won a variety of awards at acclaimed beer events including the World Beer Championships, World Beer Cup, European Beer Star, World Expo of Beer and the Great American Beer Festival (GABF). For more information, visit www.gooseisland.com.

SweetWater Hop Hash

Oh Yeah! Look what's coming.....

Harvest Time for Field Day IPA

Last August the Brewmasters for BJ's Restaurants set out to create their first "wet hop" IPA. Wet hop also known as "fresh hop" means that hops are introduced into the brew kettle within 24 hours of being picked from the hop bines. These whole cone hops are unprocessed in order to preserve all of the character of the hop. 

So now we bring you the story of "Field Day" India Pale Ale .. Cheers!

 

Second Line Brewing Co.

Ladies & Gentlemen, Please welcome New Orleans newest Craft Brewery..

Anchor Brewing's Fritz Maytag

 Fritz Maytag left his mark on the craft brewing business, long before it became an industry...

Utah Hoppiness Uinta Brewing Co. "Hop Nosh" IPA & "Detour" Double IPA

 With Baseball season in full swing I thought I'd get in the spirit with this Double Header of a review. Both offerings come from Utah's Uinta Brewing Co.. Uinta was founded in 1993 in a converted commercial garage space located in Salt Lake City. Uinta Brewing is named after an east-west running mountain range located in northeastern region of Utah. Uinta's beer names are derived from areas Utah which have either historical significance or reflect Utah's diverse landscapes. "Cutthroat Pale Ale", their flagship beer, is named after Utah's state fish. "King's Peak Porter" is named after Utah's highest peak.

The first game of this Double Header brings us "Hop Nosh" IPA. This India Pale Ale pours a cloudy golden yellow, with a thick sticky white head. Aromas are of fresh grass with hints of tropical fruit. Flavors are piney and citrus with sweetness likened to Mango or Pineapple. Carbonation is light which complements the delicious hop to malt blend. Hop Nosh provides a resinous malt body which is light yet still flavorful. Bitterness is lingering but not over the top or spicy. "Hop Nosh" checks in at 7.3% ABV at 82 IBU's.
 

Game 2 of our Double Header, "Detour" Double IPA. Detour pours rich, clear Orange to Amber color with a frothy white head. It's aroma is grassy with notes of pine and grapefruit.  Mouth feel is rich and full of body. Detour's flavor is pretty typical for most DIPA's of the day - malty sweet, mild bitterness with a rounded alcohol punch. Our closers finish dry with a lot of alcohol shutting down the lingering bitterness.  "Detour" checks in at 9.5% ABV at 95IBU's.

Overall both beers were quite tasty and we are excited that Uinta Brewing Co. has come to Florida. 

We look forward to sampling more of the great beer from Uinta. Cheers!

Red Bull and GoPro Release Felix Baumgartner's 128k Jump Footage

Felix Baumgartner had a dream to break the record for the longest skydive, set by U.S.A.F. Colonel Joe Kittinger on Aug 16, 1960 at an altitude of 102,800 ft.. 52 years later, on Oct 14,2012, that record would fall. At an altitude of 128,000 ft above the earth Felix Baumgartner would risk everything to realize his dream. This is Felix's 4 minute journey....




(for optimum picture quality click play arrow, then pause, click the "cog" icon on the video menu, select 720HD, then click play again.)

Newcastle Releases "Teaser" For Their UpComing Super Bowl Ad

Not Enough Beer To Go Around?

 So you're absolutely perplexed as to why it's so hard to get that elusive single batch or limited edition beer at your favorite bottle shop. Maybe you've even had to wait hours in line, at the crack of dawn, in the freezing cold, only to get to the front of the line and find out that store was sold out. 

 Retailer's all across the country are faced with the challenge of just how to secure these prized beers for their customers. What makes it more frustrating for them is in states like California, where it is illegal for beer distributors to "allocate" beer products, large chain retailers seem to get more than their fair share, often times completely shutting out the small guy. These larger grocery and liquor chains have ordering systems which allow them to electronically send their order directly to the distributor, thus allowing them access to everything in the distributors portfolio. And yes, that can include limited edition beers as well. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. This story isn't as simple as you may think.

 Although the Macro brewer's are the bread and butter for the distributor they have little control over where the independent craft brewer's beer goes. The Big Boy's have "Chain Account Managers." who specifically call on large grocery chains, box stores and liquor chains. Their main concern is the distribution of their "core brands" i.e. Bud, Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light etc. They only influence the distribution and sale of their own craft brands such as Shock Top, Blue Moon, Red Hook, Goose Island etc.

 Larger craft breweries such as Dogfish Head, Rogue, Stone, SweetWater, Boulder Beer and such, may also have Chain Managers, but they as well only influence distribution of their own product. A lot of smaller breweries don't have chain people. For Craft Chain Managers, most of their time is spent making sure they merely have their product on the shelf or are being featured in the weekly ad. They deal directly with the buyers for the chain stores, usually focusing on distribution and placements of their flagship brands. Limited edition and single batch beers rarely are a topic of discussion at this level unless it's a key liquor chain.

Some of the supply issues can be tied to distribution practices. Some can be associated with how much of the beer is actually produced and how much the brewery releases to its distributors So, here's kinda how it works....

Craft brewers sign distribution agreements with local area distributors. These brewers require the distributor to provide the brewery with a projected number of cases of a specific beer they wish to purchase. This number is based on the number of cases the distributor believes they can sell over certain period of time. The Brand Manager for the distributor handles all these projections, for all the brewers flavors. The brewer collects all these forecasts, from each distributor, so they know "about" how much beer to produce. Brewers also hold distributors to the fire to actually purchase their forecasted quantities.

 All quantities received at the distributor are always based on what the brewery calls the "yield". This is the actual volume of beer that was generated during the brewing process. Yes it can very from batch to batch. If the yield was smaller than what the brewery anticipated then the brewery may cut the forecasted number of cases shipped to the distributor. This normally is not an issue with flagship flavors, but can be a major factor when it comes to limited ed., single batch and seasonal beers. The distributors Brand Manager is at the center of decisions made on which and how many cases are made available to retailers. Then it's the distributors sales force who actually places the order for the customer. The Brand Manager also works in conjunction with the distributors Sales Managers and, if they have, their Craft Brand Sales Managers to determine which accounts are eligible to receive the brewers limited ed. and single batch beers.

 Okay, how do you determine eligibility? Well this lies in the customers business relationship with both the distributor and brewer. If a customer is loyal to both parties, meaning they regularly carry all the brewers "focus" flavors; always has that brewery's beer on tap; has a history of purchasing a large number of cases from that brewer each year; and additional has worked with the distributor on features and promotions, then yes they will be top-of-mind to get prized beers.

 Lastly, the distributor is solely responsible for what are called "depletions". The brewery does not take back beer. If the distributor has a surplus of unsold product, they are likely to sell it to higher volume retailers who can move it quickly. 

 This may not seem like a fair system, but it's what we all have to deal with, as a result of the growing popularity of Craft Beer. Some states are not as restricted as others, making the availability of limited and single batch beers more accessible. Some smaller retailers and bottle shops have taken the position that if they can't get enough of these beers to satisfy at least a portion of their consumers, then they'd rather get nothing at all and avoid any negative backlash. 

 We'd like to hear your comments and stories on what you have gone through to get limited edition beers. Was it easy or difficult? Did you get shut out? You can use the comment box below.

 Cheers!
  

The Emperor's New "Craft" Clothes

 As 2013 comes to comes to an end, I reminisce over the multitude of craft pints which I've consumed this year. Some were memorable and some, well, not so much. But one thing comes to mind, that being the misconception that even the greatest breweries can do no wrong. The enormous growth of our industry  now compels craft brewers to divert from their (to quote Nick Lowe), "peace, love and understanding" philosophy toward the craft brewing community, to understanding the oft-used term by those evil macro breweries.. "market share". One flagship brand makes not a successful brewery. So in the quest to differentiate yourself in this highly competitive and most exciting segment of the beer industry, the need for brewers to think outside the box becomes a necessity.  But does it always work?

 Collaborations are now common place and just about everyone has a line of single batch one-offs. There are more seasonal offerings than seasons. Some seasons will see multiple releases i.e. a Winter Warmer and a Barleywine. Barrel age programs are the norm, and some breweries only barrel age. Bob's Brewery brewed a Double IPA, I better brew one too. And really,  just how many "Pumpkin Pie" beers do we need....in July none-the-less?

 Okay so what's your point? Well, I may not be BJCP certified but I believe I have a rather educated palate. Enough to tell when a beer misses the mark. So, does the label "Collaboration" always mean the beer was great? Does the subtext "limited-release" or "seasonal offering" mean the beer is infallible? I believe not. If your claim is that your White IPA is a Belgian meets American IPA then I would love to taste the Belgian part. Don't just expect me to believe it's there because you're a "hip" big name brewer. If the "Bitter Bomb" you brewed as a "collaboration" is nothing more than just that, then why bother brewing it?

 There's no room for "marginal" in this business. Your barrel-aged imperial stout or your Belgian Style Farmhouse Sour should be true to style. And if not, then as better beer drinkers, we all should have the courage the tell the Emperor.... "your Majesty, you are naked".

Cheers! 

   

Goose Island Releases Their Barrel-Aged Wild Ales

Goose Island announces the release of their limited batch barrel-aged wild ales, with two new additions to the "Four Sisters".

Goose Island Beer Co., Chicago
Press Release: Oct 16, 2013

 This month, Goose Island Beer Company is unveiling four Belgian-style wild ales from its diverse and creative portfolio.  The Chicago-based beer company will debut two completely new barrel-aged farmhouse ales called Gillian and Halia, and release the 2013 vintage of the much sought after sour ales, Lolita and Juliet. With select national availability, these Goose Island creations will be part of the brewery’s Vintage Collection, which includes award-winning beers like Sofie, Matilda and Pere Jacques. Each of the barrel-aged ales features a unique story, locally sourced fresh fruit and exceptional, complex flavor profiles.




 
Gillian was inspired by an amuse bouche that was often prepared by the wife of Goose Island Brewer Keith Gabbett. New for 2013, Gillian is a Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale that brings together fresh ingredients sourced locally from family farms in Michigan and Illinois. Gillian is partially aged in wine barrels with 10,000 pounds of strawberries, 4,000 pounds of honey and white pepper. Its refreshing effervescent body is slightly tart and is complemented by a pronounced white pepper note that folds nicely into the sweeter hints of strawberry and honey. Gillian is 9.5% alcohol by volume and develops in the bottle for up to 5 years.

 

  
 


Halia, Hawaiian for “remembrance of a loved one”, was brewed by Goose Island Brewer Brian Taylor in memory of a dear friend who loved peaches. New for 2013, Halia is a Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale aged in wine barrels with 12,000 pounds of fresh peaches, sourced locally from a family farm in Michigan. The result is a bright, effervescent beer with a soft, hazy body that finishes slightly tart and a little sweet with the pleasant character of ripe, juicy peaches. Halia is 7.5% alcohol by volume and develops in the bottle for up to 5 years.






 



Juliet is fermented with wild yeast Brettanomyces, and aged in wine barrels with 9,000 pounds of blackberries, sourced locally from family farms in Michigan. Tart and fruity, with complex notes of wood, tannin, dark fruit and spice, Juliet is a unique choice for beer and wine drinkers alike. Inspired by the sour beers from the Cantillon Brewery in Belgium, we named Juliet after the sister of the owner and fourth generation brewer of Cantillon – homage to a gracious host on many travels to Belgium. Juliet is 8.0% alcohol by volume and develops in the bottle for up to 5 years.















Lolita is a rose-colored Belgian Style Pale Ale fermented with the wild yeast Brettanomyces and aged in wine barrels on 30,000 pounds of fresh raspberries, sourced locally from a family farm in Michigan. Aromas of fresh raspberries, bright jammy fruit flavors and a crisp, refreshing body make Lolita ideal for beer drinkers fond of Belgian Framboise. Lolita is 8.2% alcohol by volume and develops in the bottle for up to 5 years.

 "We’re incredibly proud of the depth and breadth of our barrel-aging program and excited to introduce two new and incredibly tasty beers to our fans with Gillian and Halia,” said Brett Porter, Brewmaster for Goose Island Beer Company. “The passion our brewers have for innovative brewing is unparalleled and it’s evident in their new creations.”The sours are part of Goose Island’s wine barrel-aging program, which began in 2007 with a small 10-barrel batch of Juliet. The brewery has introduced several more beers aged in wine barrels since then including the award-winning Lolita, Madame Rose and Sofie. Goose Island now ages a variety of styles in thousands of barrels each year. Over the course of a year - the brewers at Goose Island sample, score and test beer from the barrels on a weekly basis – waiting for the flavors to peak before creating the final blend.

 “Creating and blending our barrel-aged beers takes an incredible amount of skill, time and effort – as much art as it is science,” said brewer and Goose Island Head of Innovation Mike Siegel. “Creating these new beers is truly a labor of love; I feel lucky to be a part of a brewery where innovation is celebrated and encouraged.”

Jack-O Traveler Shandy

 In an effort to find new ways to bring you new content, this quick sampling is  brought to you courtesy of my new LG smartphone...

 Jack-O Traveler is the latest release from The Traveler Beer Co. As if we really needed another "Pumpkin Pie" Ale, our Shandy brewing friends have decided to toss their proverbial "Pumpkin Head" into the fray. With the scary number of beers already fitting this profile, it's become quite difficult to bring anything new to the table. "Jack" rides down the same cobble stone road traveled by many, many headless brewers before him. As you would expect, the story of this beer begins with a malty Amber Ale to which they add the usual array of characters, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove etc. The one twist is the addition of lemon peel, which adds a bit of tartness and gives the beer that signature shandy flavor. "Jack" shows his true colors as he warms up, becoming a much more complex sensory awakening. Although the flavors become more pronounce, all this does is make for an even more tedious "B" horror film.  Cheers!

Goose Island Harvest Ale

 Goose Island makes their way into Fall with the seasonal release of  "Harvest Ale". Harvest Ale is an American take on the traditional English ESB. ESB's, or Extra Special Bitter as they are commonly known, take "top dog" status in  the English Pale Ale category for their higher bitterness and gravity rating. However by U.S. standards these beers would be considered tame. Interesting to note that English brewers choose not to put their best foot forward with ESB, but rather in the "Best Bitter" category. Here they would brew their finest products using far more premium ingredients at lower IBU's and ABV's.

 Harvest Ale pours a rich copper color with a off-white frothy head. Its aroma is a blend of caramel and nut, with some musty hop overtones. Its flavor is malt forward with those sweet caramel and nut characters ever-present. The hops provide mild bitterness with hints of citrus and pine. The mouth-feel is mild in body with rather low levels of carbonation. This is a common characteristic of  English Mild's and Bitter's. Cascade is the Hop of choice, and well balanced against the 2-Row, Wheat, Caramel and Pale malts. Harvest Ale checks in at 5.7 %ABV and 39 IBU's and is available Sept.-Oct. I enjoyed Harvest Ale, because of its mild bitterness and crisp drinkability. It makes for a great transition from those hot summer months into the cooler weather leading into, well, OKTOBERFEST of course!  Cheers!

BrewDog Releases "Mix 8" & "How to Disappear Completely"

The awesome Mix Tape 8 our amped up, blended, barrel-aged triple IPA & the second outing of our killer imperial mild, How To Disappear Completely.

 An epic fusion of age old Belgian tradition, American new wave brewing and the world of Scotch whisky.

Mix Tape 8 is a blend of two huge oak aged beers – half a hopped up Belgian Tripel, and half a Triple India Pale Ale. These beers have both been aged in single grain whisky barrels for close to two years and finally blended to create a beer that our head brewer Stewart Bowman can most helpfully describe as ‘fucking complex’.

First seen back in 2009, How to Disappear Completely is back – but with a few new moves.

We’ve dubbed this 2.8% beer an ‘imperial mild’ because it’s mild on alcohol but unquestionably imperial on flavour. Dry hopped with Cascade, Centennial and Amarillo this is an ale with a big character that belies its small ABV.

Karl Staruss Set To Release "Oktoberfest"

San Diego, CA – Karl Strauss Oktoberfest is a labor of love created with almost two tons of Vienna, Munich, and Carahell malts hand-milled into each batch to make this award winning seasonal entry.  Unlike most beers that begin with base malt and add specialty malts for flavor, this version is made from 100% specialty malts.  To balance out the richness from the malts, the brewers stayed true to tradition using imported European Hallertau Perle hops for a spicy finish.  The characteristic toasty, nutty flavor has created a cult following in California, where fans eagerly await its annual return.
This year, Karl Strauss is brewing more than 25 batches to keep up with demand.
“People love this beer and to date we’ve already sold more Oktoberfest in Northern California than we anticipated selling this entire season.  We plan on brewing 20% more than we did last year,” says Paul Segura, Brewmaster, Karl Strauss Brewing Company. Weighing in at 5% ABV, this exceptional session lager is a great complement to traditional Oktoberfest fare, including grilled meats, burgers, and of course, sausages.

Karl Strauss Oktoberfest is available in six-packs and on draft across California while supplies last.  Since Oktoberfest is brewed in tribute to the world’s biggest beer party, the company is hosting “Karlfest” at its tasting room, complete with a local food truck and Oktoberfest steins. For more information about Karl Strauss Oktoberfest and Karlfest, visit www.karlstrauss.com/brewery. Share it. Prost.

• Specs:
• 5.0 % ABV
• 15 SRM
• 20 IBU

Label Copy:
We brew Oktoberfest in tribute to the world’s biggest beer party. Vienna and Munich malts produce the deep golden color, nutty undertones, and toasted malt flavors characteristic of this renowned Bavarian beer style. Perle hops imported directly from the Hallertau region of Germany give the beer a smooth balanced finish. This celebratory lager puts the ‘fest’ in the month of October.

Karlfest at the Tasting Room:

• October 5, 2013
• Half Liter commemorative steins – $10 keep the glass, fill with any beer.
• The Dog Shack food truck, featuring “The Rottweiler” – Bratwurst slow-cooked in local craft beer topped with house-made sauerkraut.
• Tasting Room: 5985 Santa Fe Street, San Diego, CA 92109

About Karl Strauss Brewing Company:
Karl Strauss Brewing Company has pioneered the San Diego beer scene since 1989 with innovative beer releases and award-winning favorites like Red Trolley Ale and Tower 10 IPA.  The company took home 23 medals in 2012 and is currently ranked #39 on the list of the country’s top craft breweries with sole distribution in California.  2013 is on pace to be another exciting year of double-digit sales growth, with the brewery now open to the public and a new brewery restaurant slated for this fall.  For more information visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739.  Share it. Cheers.

Press release courtesy of  http://www.karlstrauss.com  9/26/13

 

Hood River Hops Fest 2013

Hood River Hops Fest Goes All Fresh-Hops for 2013

     Hood River, OR—Fresh-hopped beer will be the main attraction at this year’s 10^th annual Hood River Hops Fest on Saturday, September 28, 2013. And this year for the first time all the festival beers will be from fresh hops—with 44 breweries participating, showcasing 65 fresh-hop beers.  (See brewery list here.) An expanded menu of local culinary favorites, a host of arts and crafts vendors, a great selection of Gorge wines, a children’s play area, and a day-long lineup of live music guarantees fun for the entire family.

     The Hood River Hops Fest runs from Noon- 9pm and is situated in downtown Hood River, Oregon between 5^th and 7^th streets and Cascade and Columbia streets. Visitors can supplement their beer tasting with great local cuisine, from wood-fired pizza to American pub fare to vegetarian dishes. This year’s musical lineup features The Poor Sports, Tess Barr Band, Big City Wind Down, and Tony Smiley. 

    Those 21 and over are invited to enter two contests offering VIP passes to the Hood River Hops Fest, along with other goodies. One contest features a recipe sweepstakes and the other is a simple Facebook sign-up to win contest.                                                              

        NEW THIS YEAR, attendees may pre-purchase tickets at Brown Paper Tickets to secure quicker entry into the event. Also new is the VIP TICKET, which allows entry at 11pm for an early preview of the beers. 

      “Hops Fest started as a tribute to the great, fresh-hopped microbrews of the Pacific Northwest, and that still is the reason that thousands of people attend,” said Ashley Huckabee, Event Coordinator of the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the event.

Admission is as follows:

·         21 and over:

o    $10 General Admission includes beer-tasting stein and 4 taste tokens

o    $20 VIP Admission allows early (11am) entry into the event to preview the beers, and includes a beer-tasting stein and 8 taste tokens

o    $1 each for additional taste tokens

·         Wine drinkers and designated drivers: $4.00

·         20 and under: Free and welcome until 5pm

NOTE: Children are welcome throughout the afternoon until 5pm. The venue is open to adults only from 5pm until closing at 9pm.

“Hops Fest in Hood River has become a well-loved annual tradition for beer lovers, both local and from around the world,” said Huckaby. “It’s an event that brings a great group of people to downtown Hood River, and one the Chamber looks forward to every year.”

For information about beer vendors and event updates as they occur, follow the event on the Hood River Hops Fest Facebook page, #HRHops13 on Twitter, or visit the Hood River Hops Fest website.  

The Hood River County Chamber supports economic and tourism development for the region and provides promotional programs to its 430 members. As a county-wide organization, it supports businesses, organizations, and governmental agencies in Cascade Locks, Hood River, Parkdale, Odell, Pine Grove, and Mount Hood-Parkdale.  

Almanac Beer Co. Latest Release Dogpatch Sour

 Almanac Beer Co. is quickly making a name for themselves throughout the Northern California Craft Beer community.  Almanac was founded in 2010 by Jesse Friedman and Damian Fagin. Both began as successful homebrewers who partnered to create a brewery focused on partnerships with Northern California's sustainable farming community. Their motto "Beer Is Agriculture" is in keeping with "Farm to Table" philosophy of creating unique beers using ingredients harvested by locally owned family farms.

"Before brewing ever begins, we collaborate on ideas for interesting, unusual and seasonal beers. Once we’ve settled on that idea, we carefully select our partner farm focusing on small family run operations, just like us. Then we start with the basics.Water, malt, yeast and hops are combined to create a balanced beer with equal parts sweet and bitter. Then the fruit is added, so that the hungry yeast can eat the sugars in the fruit as well.  This creates a beer that has all of the flavors of the fruit, without overbearing sweetness.  All of our base recipes are rooted in, but not limited to, classic beer styles and brewed in very small batches."

Dogpatch Sour was created in the Flanders Red style then aged for eight months in oak wine barrels. The beer is built around a Belgian Red, then locally raised cherries are added. It's yeast is a blend of Belgian and  American. The beer comes in at 7.5% and will be available in 375ml bottles and on draught. Cheers!

For more info visit: Almanac Beer Co.