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.....

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...

Newcastle Releases "Teaser" For Their UpComing Super Bowl Ad

Uncovering the Rogue Voodoo Doughnut Mystery

  In an effort to unravel the social media confusion surrounding Rogue's Voodoo Doughnut beers I would like to point out that Rogue has just released a second beer based on an offering from the Oregon craft doughnut pioneers, Voodoo Doughnut. Okay, this will also be a drinking game. Every time I mention "voodoo" in this article you have to drink a shot of your preferred Rogue distilled spirit. You should be 3 shots in by now (not really but I thought it was funny). Now back to our regularly scheduled program!

 For those of you who may not be that familiar, a few years back Rogue Ales released a beer based on a doughnut. Yes a doughnut. And not just any doughnut mind you, but a Voodoo Doughnut. Voodoo Doughnut is a popular doughnut shop, with various locations throughout the Portland area. Rouge's first beer was "Bacon Maple Porter" which later became "Bacon Maple Ale". The cult popularity of that offering spurned the beer's distribution to other markets outside Oregon.   

 With the success of Bacon Maple Ale, Rogue has gone back to the drawing board to create another beer with a voodoo profile. This time it's "Chocolate, Peanut Butter Banana Ale". This ale has an immense amount of Banana and Chocolate on the nose with a chocolaty nutty roasted malt flavor. It's has hints of bitter sweet chocolate and lingering notes of banana in the aftertaste. I should point out that unlike Bacon Maple Ale it has no "smoke" flavoring. So if you didn't find Bacon Maple appealing, I would suggest giving "Chocolate, Peanut Butter Banana Ale" a try.

 So how can you tell difference between the two bright pink bottles on the shelf at your local bottle shop? Well, here's a few things to look for: First, one says 'Bacon Maple Ale" on the label and the other says "Chocolate, Peanut Butter Banana Ale. Second, one has images of pigs and maple leaves in the background, and the other has images of bananas, chocolate bars and peanut butter jars.  It's just that simple! Now go out an get yourself a Rogue Voodoo Doughnut "Chocolate, Peanut Butter Banana Ale". Cheers!

Looking for info, then visit: ROGUE ALES and VOODOO DOUGHNUT

Fort Collins Brewery Major Tom's Pomegranate Wheat

This Sunday sampling takes us to Colorado, Fort Collins to be exact and the home of Fort Collins Brewery. Today's selection was plucked from their variety 12 pack aptly named "Brewers Lunchbox". "Major Tom's Pomegranate Wheat Ale" is a twist on the classic American Wheat Ale. Brewed with real pomegranate juice, this filtered wheat beer pours bright gold in color with a traditional white head. It's flavor is tart and tangy, with a fruity sweetness. Major Tom has strategically left any of the common wheat beer characteristics such as banana, clove or coriander sitting on the dock. The beer is crisp, light and refreshing which makes it a perfect choice on those warm sunny days in the Southern Hemisphere. So be sure to book a flight with Major Tom's Pomegranate Wheat. Cheers!


For Flight Schedules and Booking Information visit: Fort Collins Brewery

Cigar City Brewpub On The Horizon

  One of Florida's premier breweries, Cigar City, is just days away from opening their first gastropub. The traget date is April 1 (yeah no fool'n). Located at 15491 N Dale Mabry Highway in Northdale, a suburb of Tampa, Cigar City will occupy a newly renovated building once home to a T.G.I. Friday's. The brewpub's menu will be blend of traditional Cuban cuisine with a Floridian twist. And what would a gastropub be without beer? Founder and CEO Joey Redner has assured us that you will be able to find all the Cigar City staples in addition to a selection or beers that are unique and only available at this new location.

Dogfish Head "Brew Masters" The Lost Epsoide

 Here's the last episode of Dogfish Head's "Brew Masters" hosted by Sam Calagione. This was to be the 6th episode in the series, which was abruptly canceled by the Discovery Channel after only 5 shows. Controversy surrounded the cancellation. Discovery Channel representatives would claim low ratings for "Brew Masters" as the reason for the canceling the show. A more accurate assessment would support rumors of the undue pressure from Discovery Channel's advertisers, i.e. Macro Breweries, as the real reason for the shows demise.

"Three Beers for Batali", which never aired, documents Sam's collaborative journey to create uniquely crafted beers for renowned chef Mario Batali's latest restaurant venture "Eataly", located in New York city. This journey took Sam to Italy where he created and brewed with the visionaries at the forefront of Italian craft brewing. In this episode we also get a glimpse into Dogfish Head's recent multimillion dollar brewery expansion.

So, without further ado I give you  "Three Beers for Batali"...... and Cheers!

Shiner FM966 Farmhouse Ale

 Spoetzl Brewery, with over 100 years of German influenced brewing tradition, hales from the small Texas town known as Shiner. You may have even heard of one of their little offerings called "Shiner Bock". Okay, so who are we kidding, everyone from San Antonio to Texarkana knows SHINER BOCK!


 The K. Spoetzl Brewery was founded in 1909 by a group of German and Czech immigrants who settled in the small town of Shiner TX. With a yearning for the great Bavarian beers of their homeland, they quickly formed the Shiner Brewing Association. Then, on a shoestring budget, opened a makeshift brewery which would eventually become the K. Spoetzl Brewery. Shiner Bock was first brewed in 1913 as a seasonal offering and due to its overwhelming popularity, became their flagship beer.

 Although the brewery had been brewing many different styles of beer since their early days it was a beer called Shiner Premium which was their early mainstay. Years later, with the popularity of craft beer, these recipes, steeped in German tradition, allowed the brewery to take advantage of the growing number of educated palates. The breweries fan base spanned the gamete, college kids to the older Texan folk who grew up with Shiner.

 Shiner's FM966 is a Spring seasonal release which is based on the European tradition of brewing a beer in winter which would be ready to drink in the Spring. FM966 pours golden in color, with little to no head. It's aroma is musty with hints of fruity esters. The body is light with just a tad sticky mouth feel. The flavor is dry with sweet overtones and it finishes a mild spicy bitterness. From the appearance of the beer it's obvious light malts were used. The hops are a blend of Golding, Sterling and Meridian. It comes in at 21 IBU's and 5.7% ABV. Although this was a good beer for me, I wouldn't say it's one of Shiners best. But give it a try and judge for yourself. Cheers!



For more Shiner info visit: Shiner Brewery

Allagash Brewery Expantion

 Our friends at Allagash build a new brewhouse.... in 2 mins?