November 2009
The Big News
It's now the middle of fall. Here in Denver that means we're in shorts one day and buried in snow the next, but it also means that Oak Aged Yeti is back on the shelves, joining Hibernation and Fresh Hop in our fall/winter seasonal lineup. In case you've forgotten, Oak Aged Yeti is like the older, more sophisticated sibling of our award-winning imperial stout; aging on oak for four weeks rounds off Yeti's edges and provides a nice touch of vanilla to complement the big, roasty, hoppy character Yeti is known for. Oak Aged Yeti will be available in 22-ounce bottles and on draft through January 31.
Speaking of Hibernation: Our beloved strong ale gets a new look this month. Look for wintry blue six-pack carriers on the shelves, and don't fret - it's still the same robust, warming treat you've come to know and love.
The year may be almost over, but we've still got a few tricks up our sleeve, including the return of Old Ruffian, our monster of a barley wine; as always, keep it tuned right here, here, or here for all your Great Divide news needs.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Russian River Still Rockin' the Pink
There is Still Time to Save The Boooooooobs!
Every October, right about now, the Halloween decorations come out at our pub and we have this kind of bizarre train wreck of pumpkins, bras, skulls, and pink ribbons! I noticed today the pink skeleton garland survived a year in the attic and is oddly hanging behind the bar! Well, we think it’s cool and, at the rate our fundraising is going, I expect to hand the Sutter Breast Care Center an even bigger check this year! There is still time to buy our “All Hopped Up For The Cure” 2009 t-shirt (available online and at the pub), raffle tickets for the Pink Vespa and Pink Cruiser, and drink Aud Blonde! The scooter and bike raffles will be held Halloween night around 10 or 10:30, and you need not be present to win. However, if you live out of the area and win, you must arrange for your own shipping or picking up of the scooter. And if the nice guy from Midnight Sun Brewery wins, I expect him to ride it home to Alaska.
So it’s been a really fun month with great bands, pink hair, belly dancing, and just a lot of love in the air. Thanks to everyone for another successful Breast Cancer Awareness Month! It always amazes me how positive and generous people can be even when times are tough. If you live around here and are looking for a fun, FREE party on Halloween, please stop by our brewpub in Downtown Santa Rosa! And it’s not too late to make a donation to the Sutter Breast Care Center!
Happy Halloween, everyone!
And thanks for helping us save the boooooooobs!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thoughts in Passing
Dear Michael Jackson,
Life, she took you away before we had a chance to relax over a beer or a whisky together. Your legacy, your boundless love for a stimulating pint and philosophical dram will live on as future generations continue to breathe passion, diversity, ingenuity, and respect into Mother Nature's bounty, brewed and distilled.
You don't know me, but I know you. Just a few years ago, The World Guide to Beer irrevocably changed my life. Beer's beautiful bounty overflowed from each page written in lyrical prose with a splash of sophistication. Scotland and Its Whiskies transported me to the very shores you visited, traversing forgotten trails of a bygone era as faint esters of gentle heather and earthen peat tickled my nose.
Not just as a beer and whisky aficionado, but also as a writer, I was touched and inspired by a shared sense of romanticized reality. Each pen-stroke personified your immense passion, grace, stewardship, respect, humility, appreciation, and most of all, Life.
My journey is my own to pursue and create. As days future pass through me surrounded by the liquid wonders of life, I can only hope that in some way my stewardship be a worthy tribute to the original beer hunter and whiskey chaser, Michael Jackson. Should you happen to see me from that great Biergarten in the sky, or from their craggy shores, salt spray seasoning your dram...
Cheers!
This one is for you.
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Reflections: Brooklyn Beer Dinner @ Undertow
The Brooklyn Beer Dinner at Undertow Surf Cafe and Restaurant was a delectable delight. The evening started on a casual vibe which led into a cozy night of great food, great beer, and great company.
The menu was a culmination of four culinary delights paired with four beery delights. Each course somehow managed to best the one before, no easy feat since each was an epic opus of sensuous aromas, savory flavors, and artful presentation. The beers? Each one was a perfect match; their luxurious aromas, stimulating flavors, and lingering finish creating a synergistic dichotomy of yin and yang.
It was a fantabulous night of beer geek foodie delights. My thanks to Tim Hebeler of JJTaylor Distributing for presenting each beer while providing delightful insights into the legacy of Brooklyn Brewery. My thanks to Kitty, head chef and owner of Undertow, for once more crafting a decadent array of sublimely succulent dishes.
As all good things must eventually come to an end, last night once more reaffirmed my faith in Life. She is good, but even more so when being celebrated with tasteful zest and wonderful people.
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
The menu was a culmination of four culinary delights paired with four beery delights. Each course somehow managed to best the one before, no easy feat since each was an epic opus of sensuous aromas, savory flavors, and artful presentation. The beers? Each one was a perfect match; their luxurious aromas, stimulating flavors, and lingering finish creating a synergistic dichotomy of yin and yang.
Reception:
Hors D'ouevres
Brooklyn Pennant Ale
Dinner 1:
Bavarian Sausage in Lentil Soup
Brooklyn Oktoberfest
Dinner 2:
Brown Sugar and Spice Rubbed Roast Pork Loin, Apple and Red Cabbage Kraut, Shredded Potato Cake
Brooklyn Local 2
Dessert:
Deep Dish Sour Cream Streusel Torte Topped with Caramel Ice Cream
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
It was a fantabulous night of beer geek foodie delights. My thanks to Tim Hebeler of JJTaylor Distributing for presenting each beer while providing delightful insights into the legacy of Brooklyn Brewery. My thanks to Kitty, head chef and owner of Undertow, for once more crafting a decadent array of sublimely succulent dishes.
As all good things must eventually come to an end, last night once more reaffirmed my faith in Life. She is good, but even more so when being celebrated with tasteful zest and wonderful people.
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Fear No Beer
Skydiving. Rock climbing. Bull riding. Cave spelunking. Scuba diving. Auto racing. White-water rafting. Bungee jumping...
We all engage in passionate adventures that put our lives in danger. Adrenaline rushing and senses tingling, in that moment we feel the weightless rush of life.
Myself?
I walk a treacherous path of mediocrity, sameness, skunk, oxidation, and gushing bottles in a thrilling search for my next beer. Each cap pried and cork popped sends shivers of excited anticipation up and down my spine while goosebumps pepper my skin.
Sultry looks. Sensuous aromas. Exotic flavors. Inspired rapture. Priceless memories.
Flavor is an elusive mistress, and I am the suitor. Beer is as diverse, wild, inspirational, unpredictable, and dangerous as the restless minds that give them life. Together they are life's most memorable romance.
From every corner of the world, big and small, I will never give up the hunt for my lady of passion: beer. If you brew it, I will drink it, even at the risk of bitter heart-break. As our lips meet, she will reveal to me her most intimate desires over and over again, each one a beautiful memory all her own.
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
We all engage in passionate adventures that put our lives in danger. Adrenaline rushing and senses tingling, in that moment we feel the weightless rush of life.
Myself?
I walk a treacherous path of mediocrity, sameness, skunk, oxidation, and gushing bottles in a thrilling search for my next beer. Each cap pried and cork popped sends shivers of excited anticipation up and down my spine while goosebumps pepper my skin.
Sultry looks. Sensuous aromas. Exotic flavors. Inspired rapture. Priceless memories.
Flavor is an elusive mistress, and I am the suitor. Beer is as diverse, wild, inspirational, unpredictable, and dangerous as the restless minds that give them life. Together they are life's most memorable romance.
From every corner of the world, big and small, I will never give up the hunt for my lady of passion: beer. If you brew it, I will drink it, even at the risk of bitter heart-break. As our lips meet, she will reveal to me her most intimate desires over and over again, each one a beautiful memory all her own.
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Brooklyn Beer Dinner @ Undertow *TONIGHT*
tonight is the night.
join me at Undertow Surf Cafe & Restaurant in downtown Vero Beach to savor some artfully crafted Brooklyn Brewery beers paired with equally artfully crafted and savory food. personally, this will be my 2nd Brooklyn Beer Dinner at Undertow; the first impressed and i have no doubts this one will also.
Detail Breakdown:
cost per person: $35 (does not include gratuity)
reception: 6pm
dinner: 7pm - 9pm(ish)
*please RSVP in advance*
see you there!
join me at Undertow Surf Cafe & Restaurant in downtown Vero Beach to savor some artfully crafted Brooklyn Brewery beers paired with equally artfully crafted and savory food. personally, this will be my 2nd Brooklyn Beer Dinner at Undertow; the first impressed and i have no doubts this one will also.
Detail Breakdown:
cost per person: $35 (does not include gratuity)
reception: 6pm
dinner: 7pm - 9pm(ish)
*please RSVP in advance*
see you there!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Laptop Woes *Update*
So... picked up laptop Friday, and it still wasn't fixed so off it goes to get fixed.
Again.
I remained calm because it WILL get fixed eventually, and the kind staff on the receiving end have no control over the repair team. I was still crying inside though.
I'm still able to use the computer at work, but with limited functionality. I know there are areas on my blog that are beyond out-of-date and need tweaking. I'll address those as soon as I have my laptop back.
In the meantime, this of course means I still can't address my backlog of beer reviews which continues to grow. Meh. My muse is never at rest so it will all work out.
This whole fiasco has also made up my mind to get one of those little mini-me laptops next year so that should my laptop ever go on the fritz again, I am not left completely high and dry.
Kristyn
still crying inside, but it is what it is...
Again.
I remained calm because it WILL get fixed eventually, and the kind staff on the receiving end have no control over the repair team. I was still crying inside though.
I'm still able to use the computer at work, but with limited functionality. I know there are areas on my blog that are beyond out-of-date and need tweaking. I'll address those as soon as I have my laptop back.
In the meantime, this of course means I still can't address my backlog of beer reviews which continues to grow. Meh. My muse is never at rest so it will all work out.
This whole fiasco has also made up my mind to get one of those little mini-me laptops next year so that should my laptop ever go on the fritz again, I am not left completely high and dry.
Kristyn
still crying inside, but it is what it is...
BEERporting ~ Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
Florida is nowhere near the artisanal beer wasteland that it was just a few years ago, but there is still one arena in which Florida has yet to truly make a showing: the brewpub.
That's not to say there are zero brewpubs to be found in Florida, but they are few, far between, and separated by miles of lonely asphalt. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are towns, cities, and states galore where one is literally tripping over the mind-boggling volume and diversity of brewpubs. As far as the eye can see, brewpubs beckon with the promise of fresh tasty brews and fresh tasty morsels to savor separately or together. The choice is yours.
My last brewpub experience had been years past, and I feared a still long, lonely, dry road ahead. Thankfully, I was wrong. Just last month I found myself standing before a gleaming oasis of brewpub delights: the Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery in Chicago, Illinois. It was a Friday night, and I was looking to test my beer tasting mettle. My growing backlog of tasting notes ala reviews was neither a concern nor a deterrent. Where there is good beer to be drunk, I will be there.
Being a Friday night in Chicago, Illinois at a popular brewpub, I reserved no delusions of having Rock Bottom all to myself. Instead, I was feeling the social itch and, even more so, the need to scratch my brewpub itch for which there is only one cure: good in-house crafted beers and food to match. An added bonus was their oh-so-convenient location just one block away from my hotel.
Stepping through their double doors, it took me a moment to gather my bearings. This particular location is huge, spanning more than half the block with an additional two-story rise above the ground floor. Of course, this is to be expected seeing as they brew all their beer in-house in a volume to impress the thirstiest palate. Gleaming copper kettles and tanks within a serpentine network of pipes keep watch behind scattered glass partitions over all who dared enter their domain.
Weaving my way in, out, and through jovial throngs and bustling staff in a foolish search for a bar stoop, I wisely headed back to the hostess who kindly sat me at a table situated in the middle of their main dining area. During my brief wait to be seated, I scoped out their limited t-shirt selection. Nothing screamed "Buy me!" which just meant I had all that more money to spend on beer, maybe some food.
Their food menu was huge, but I was on a beery mission of epic tasting proportions so I followed my desires straight to the large sampler. How large? It wasn't listed, but I know better; Rock Bottom is a brewpub and any brewpub worth their wort has at least one sampler option, sometimes more. My waiter was a friendly and charming chap who blinked not an eye when I placed said order. Along with giving me an initial run-through of each beer, we chatted off and on about beer the entirety of my stay.
My sampler? It was 9 tasting glasses 5ozs in size. My waiter even threw in two additional glasses of special Rock Bottom beers, bringing my tasting epic to a total of 11 different beers.
Life is short. Drink good beer.
And so I did.
With beer before me, I set about choosing a tasty morsel to nibble on from the appetizer section. Their Firecracker Shrimp arrived in no time flat, piping hot both in temperature and in spice. Uh-oh. I don't tolerate spicy food very well anymore, not to mention the damage it would do to my eager beer-tasting tastebuds. They weren't volcanic hot, but more than what I was expecting. If only they hadn't been so damn tasty, I might have ordered something else. Putting my beery exploits on a temporary hold, I polished off the Firecracker Shrimp along with a few glasses of water. They were good though...
On the flip side, the brief intermission gave my beers just the right amount of time to achieve optimum tasting temperature. With food in my belly and tastebuds wholly recovered, I reverted my attentions back to the true mission at hand: beer.
The tasting highlight? I popped my cask ale cherry. That's right ladies and gentleman, I wrapped my mouth around the first cask ale to ever pass these eager lips that fateful night on Friday, September 11th 2009 at the Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery in Chicago, Illinois.
Even though I know of cask ale, the first sip was still a shock to my system. The lack of overzealous carbonation and silky smooth mouthfeel quickly revealed her sensuous curves, sultry flavors, and euphoric aroma to my lustful desires. She was a night to remember always.
After thwarting a misinformed attempt to steal my unattended tasters while visiting the restroom, I resumed my unabashed self-indulgence of beer bliss. Relishing the last of my tasters (always save the best for last), I reflected on my conquests and concluded victory was indeed mine. All the beers were good, but there were a few that stood out as excellent: Redline Bourbon Imperial Stout and, unquestionably, the Cask Conditioned Chicago Gold.
Ironically, as I revelled in the glow of another fine brewpub experience, my stomach rumbled in hungry protest at about the same time my body informed me it was time for pjs. Studying the menu once more, I landed upon the Bourbonzola Burger (mm... bourbon) which was ordered to go.
My Bourbonzola Burger arrived prompt and piping hot, the ripe odors of funky blue cheese steeped in bourbon while dripping succulent meat juices whispered sweet nothings in my ear. Check please! Out the door I went for a short stroll in the mild night air back to my hotel and awaiting pjs. Grabbing a beer from the fridge (what else better to accompany a damn tasty burger), the night slipped away as I eventually settled into bed sated and satisfied.
Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery was exactly what I wanted out of a long overdue brewpub session. The food covered all the bases from standard to stellar and the beers were all solid performers. I will definitely revisit Rock Bottom next time I am in Chicago, though I may just schedule our date earlier so I can settle in for many a lazy long drink at the bar.
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
That's not to say there are zero brewpubs to be found in Florida, but they are few, far between, and separated by miles of lonely asphalt. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are towns, cities, and states galore where one is literally tripping over the mind-boggling volume and diversity of brewpubs. As far as the eye can see, brewpubs beckon with the promise of fresh tasty brews and fresh tasty morsels to savor separately or together. The choice is yours.
My last brewpub experience had been years past, and I feared a still long, lonely, dry road ahead. Thankfully, I was wrong. Just last month I found myself standing before a gleaming oasis of brewpub delights: the Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery in Chicago, Illinois. It was a Friday night, and I was looking to test my beer tasting mettle. My growing backlog of tasting notes ala reviews was neither a concern nor a deterrent. Where there is good beer to be drunk, I will be there.
Being a Friday night in Chicago, Illinois at a popular brewpub, I reserved no delusions of having Rock Bottom all to myself. Instead, I was feeling the social itch and, even more so, the need to scratch my brewpub itch for which there is only one cure: good in-house crafted beers and food to match. An added bonus was their oh-so-convenient location just one block away from my hotel.
Stepping through their double doors, it took me a moment to gather my bearings. This particular location is huge, spanning more than half the block with an additional two-story rise above the ground floor. Of course, this is to be expected seeing as they brew all their beer in-house in a volume to impress the thirstiest palate. Gleaming copper kettles and tanks within a serpentine network of pipes keep watch behind scattered glass partitions over all who dared enter their domain.
Weaving my way in, out, and through jovial throngs and bustling staff in a foolish search for a bar stoop, I wisely headed back to the hostess who kindly sat me at a table situated in the middle of their main dining area. During my brief wait to be seated, I scoped out their limited t-shirt selection. Nothing screamed "Buy me!" which just meant I had all that more money to spend on beer, maybe some food.
Their food menu was huge, but I was on a beery mission of epic tasting proportions so I followed my desires straight to the large sampler. How large? It wasn't listed, but I know better; Rock Bottom is a brewpub and any brewpub worth their wort has at least one sampler option, sometimes more. My waiter was a friendly and charming chap who blinked not an eye when I placed said order. Along with giving me an initial run-through of each beer, we chatted off and on about beer the entirety of my stay.
My sampler? It was 9 tasting glasses 5ozs in size. My waiter even threw in two additional glasses of special Rock Bottom beers, bringing my tasting epic to a total of 11 different beers.
Life is short. Drink good beer.
And so I did.
With beer before me, I set about choosing a tasty morsel to nibble on from the appetizer section. Their Firecracker Shrimp arrived in no time flat, piping hot both in temperature and in spice. Uh-oh. I don't tolerate spicy food very well anymore, not to mention the damage it would do to my eager beer-tasting tastebuds. They weren't volcanic hot, but more than what I was expecting. If only they hadn't been so damn tasty, I might have ordered something else. Putting my beery exploits on a temporary hold, I polished off the Firecracker Shrimp along with a few glasses of water. They were good though...
On the flip side, the brief intermission gave my beers just the right amount of time to achieve optimum tasting temperature. With food in my belly and tastebuds wholly recovered, I reverted my attentions back to the true mission at hand: beer.
The tasting highlight? I popped my cask ale cherry. That's right ladies and gentleman, I wrapped my mouth around the first cask ale to ever pass these eager lips that fateful night on Friday, September 11th 2009 at the Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery in Chicago, Illinois.
Even though I know of cask ale, the first sip was still a shock to my system. The lack of overzealous carbonation and silky smooth mouthfeel quickly revealed her sensuous curves, sultry flavors, and euphoric aroma to my lustful desires. She was a night to remember always.
After thwarting a misinformed attempt to steal my unattended tasters while visiting the restroom, I resumed my unabashed self-indulgence of beer bliss. Relishing the last of my tasters (always save the best for last), I reflected on my conquests and concluded victory was indeed mine. All the beers were good, but there were a few that stood out as excellent: Redline Bourbon Imperial Stout and, unquestionably, the Cask Conditioned Chicago Gold.
Ironically, as I revelled in the glow of another fine brewpub experience, my stomach rumbled in hungry protest at about the same time my body informed me it was time for pjs. Studying the menu once more, I landed upon the Bourbonzola Burger (mm... bourbon) which was ordered to go.
My Bourbonzola Burger arrived prompt and piping hot, the ripe odors of funky blue cheese steeped in bourbon while dripping succulent meat juices whispered sweet nothings in my ear. Check please! Out the door I went for a short stroll in the mild night air back to my hotel and awaiting pjs. Grabbing a beer from the fridge (what else better to accompany a damn tasty burger), the night slipped away as I eventually settled into bed sated and satisfied.
Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery was exactly what I wanted out of a long overdue brewpub session. The food covered all the bases from standard to stellar and the beers were all solid performers. I will definitely revisit Rock Bottom next time I am in Chicago, though I may just schedule our date earlier so I can settle in for many a lazy long drink at the bar.
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Maui Brewing Brew News
Aloha Friends!
This weekend marks the culmination of the first LA Beer Week. During this 11-day event, many local establishments held events featuring craft beer. On Saturday, come and celebrate the Southern California craft beer culture at Descanso Gardens.
This is a 21-and-over event and admission is $40. Your ticket price provides you with unlimited 4 oz. pours of beer. More information and tickets are available here:
http://labeerweek.com/tickets.php.
Please note that space is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets will not be sold at the door; however designated driver tickets will be available for $5. Food is available for purchase at the event as well. Please note that it is also a CASH ONLY event.
Come by our booth and sample our "Handcrafted Ales & Lagers Brewed with Aloha": Big Swell IPA, Bikini Blonde Lager and Coconut Porter! Our SAVE THE CANS! shirts will be available for purchase on-site (also CASH ONLY). 10% of each shirt purchased goes to support White Labs' "Beer for Boobs" team and benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Okole maluna!
http://www.mauibrewingco.com/
This weekend marks the culmination of the first LA Beer Week. During this 11-day event, many local establishments held events featuring craft beer. On Saturday, come and celebrate the Southern California craft beer culture at Descanso Gardens.
This is a 21-and-over event and admission is $40. Your ticket price provides you with unlimited 4 oz. pours of beer. More information and tickets are available here:
http://labeerweek.com/tickets.php.
Please note that space is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets will not be sold at the door; however designated driver tickets will be available for $5. Food is available for purchase at the event as well. Please note that it is also a CASH ONLY event.
Come by our booth and sample our "Handcrafted Ales & Lagers Brewed with Aloha": Big Swell IPA, Bikini Blonde Lager and Coconut Porter! Our SAVE THE CANS! shirts will be available for purchase on-site (also CASH ONLY). 10% of each shirt purchased goes to support White Labs' "Beer for Boobs" team and benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Okole maluna!
http://www.mauibrewingco.com/
Thursday, October 22, 2009
South Florida Gets PUNKd
The Treasure Coast and surrounding areas, to be precise.
Was MTV scouring the Florida East Coast? Hardly.
No, my fellow beer geeks and friends, BrewDog out of Aberdeensire, Scotland has officially landed in the sunshine state with a nice first showing of 6 solid beers from their diversely eclectic portfolio of envelope-pushing brews.
To be exact:
BrewDog Dogma
BrewDog Punk IPA
BrewDog Hardcore IPA
BrewDog Riptide Twisted Merciless Stout
BrewDog Paradox Isle of Arran
BrewDog Paradox Smokehead
A solid line-up to mark BrewDog's arrival to the Treasure Coast. I'll gladly drink to their continued success and, hopefully, growth of brand and choices here in my sunny state of Florida.
Support beer diversity in Florida.
(original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Was MTV scouring the Florida East Coast? Hardly.
No, my fellow beer geeks and friends, BrewDog out of Aberdeensire, Scotland has officially landed in the sunshine state with a nice first showing of 6 solid beers from their diversely eclectic portfolio of envelope-pushing brews.
To be exact:
BrewDog Dogma
BrewDog Punk IPA
BrewDog Hardcore IPA
BrewDog Riptide Twisted Merciless Stout
BrewDog Paradox Isle of Arran
BrewDog Paradox Smokehead
A solid line-up to mark BrewDog's arrival to the Treasure Coast. I'll gladly drink to their continued success and, hopefully, growth of brand and choices here in my sunny state of Florida.
Support beer diversity in Florida.
(original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Brooklyn Beer Dinner @ Undertow *Update*
Wednesday, October 28th.
Reception is at 6pm.
Dinner is from 7pm - 9pm.
Location is at Undertow in Vero Beach, FL. Undertow kindly asks that those who want to and will be attending to call and RSVP their spot.
I was able to find out the cost per person which is $35
This covers your meal and beer, but not the gratuity so please kindly remember to thank your waiter/waitress who takes care of you that night.
Reception is at 6pm.
Dinner is from 7pm - 9pm.
Location is at Undertow in Vero Beach, FL. Undertow kindly asks that those who want to and will be attending to call and RSVP their spot.
I was able to find out the cost per person which is $35
This covers your meal and beer, but not the gratuity so please kindly remember to thank your waiter/waitress who takes care of you that night.
Rock Art & the Vermonster Wins One for the Little Guys
It thrills me to no end to officially announce that Rock Art Brewery and the fine folks who stood up for a small craft brewery brewing a great beer, The Vermonster, in a stupid battle with the idiots and the lawyers who work for them/with them at Monster Energy Drinks, have won.
David beat Goliath once more!
In pondering, the very fact that such a penial "suit" was pursued and oppressive corporate muscle flexed just goes to show how out-of-control corporate America has become and what a sad sorry state our nation, our world, is in. What we lack most is a balance between the giants and the smaller artisanal men and women who are just as vital to the flourishment, survival, and creativity of humankind and society.
I'm just saying...
To read more, check out Rock Art.
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Empire Royal Mead in da House
That's right folks. I (Kristyn) finally has REAL mead in the store (Great Spirits).
Empire Royal Mead
Ever since my first mead experience last year with the Apis Kurpiowski and Apis Jadwiga, my passion and love for the almost lost art of traditional, artisanal 100% fermented honey mead was born. As with all liquid pleasures I am passionate about, I never once looked back.
Since then I have tasted a handful of meads from the Dansk Mjod meadery (also located in Poland) which expanded my horizons and appreciation for mead even further. Using 100% honey, Dansk Mjod also ferments their meads with artfully chosen additions such as hibiscus, hops, ginger, caraway, and so on...
It was through a fateful phone call from my good friend, eric, that I learned of another excellent true mead which, if my ears and hopes held true, I could get in for the store and also, quite selfishly, for myself.
Added bonus: it's a locally produced here in Florida using 100% pure American honey with no added sulfites.
The Empire Winery and Distillery uses 100% honey which they ferment with lots of TLC, and then they age the mead in wood barrels for a minimum of 4 years. This results in a silkily decadent mead of epic proportions.
Enjoy! I know I did!
Discover why mead was once considered the drink of Gods.
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Empire Royal Mead
Ever since my first mead experience last year with the Apis Kurpiowski and Apis Jadwiga, my passion and love for the almost lost art of traditional, artisanal 100% fermented honey mead was born. As with all liquid pleasures I am passionate about, I never once looked back.
Since then I have tasted a handful of meads from the Dansk Mjod meadery (also located in Poland) which expanded my horizons and appreciation for mead even further. Using 100% honey, Dansk Mjod also ferments their meads with artfully chosen additions such as hibiscus, hops, ginger, caraway, and so on...
It was through a fateful phone call from my good friend, eric, that I learned of another excellent true mead which, if my ears and hopes held true, I could get in for the store and also, quite selfishly, for myself.
Added bonus: it's a locally produced here in Florida using 100% pure American honey with no added sulfites.
The Empire Winery and Distillery uses 100% honey which they ferment with lots of TLC, and then they age the mead in wood barrels for a minimum of 4 years. This results in a silkily decadent mead of epic proportions.
Enjoy! I know I did!
Discover why mead was once considered the drink of Gods.
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Cigar City Brew News
Draft Lineup, Tank Status, New Hire, Warmer Winter, Winter Warmer and other assorted Blather
Tomorrow we'll have on Humidor Bolita and Wayne's Fancy Pants Gold Medal winning Humidor IPA. We also have some Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Brown Ale left. Tomorrow we'll be shipping a load of beer to Philly. Bolita Double Nut Brown Ale bottles, Improvisacion Oatmeal Rye india-style Brown Ale bottles, Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout bottles and draft, Jai Alai India Pale draft and Maduro Oatmeal Brown Ale draft will all be heading up. Friday we'll be putting on Calabaza Marrón Pumpkin Spiced Brown Ale which is our consolation prize for being doofuses and not brewing Good Gourd Imperial Pumpkin Ale.
Our new tanks are still sitting in their cradles. Which is a total pain in the ass because part of why we used the company we used to buy our tanks was their usually exemplary service. They were supposed to be set up starting Tuesday, but alas no one showed to make that a reality. Perhaps tomorrow?
We'll be working on the bottling line tomorrow. The goal is to have it functioning 100% by the time our winter warmer Old Ale dubbed Warmer Winter, Winter Warmeris ready to go to package. It's an English style Old Ale, but with allAmerican hop varietals at English hopping levels. All you really needto know though is that it has chocolate rye malt in it which translatesinto a lot of awesomeness.
So Cigar City Brewing just grew again. We hired Tim Ogden a Bay Areabrewer, formally of Hops in Palm Harbor. This brings our merry band ofmiscreants to four which while short of a throng is well on the way toa small flock. So there we go. We hope everyone will welcome Tim withthe same enthusiasm and goodwill with which everyone greeted Dougdumping peracetic acid into his pale blue eyes.
Next week we are hoping to have us some Humidor Series Imperial Stout ready,but it may take more contact time on account of Zhukov's is an orneryand uncooperative beer. Mocha Cubano is also on the docket for next week. And if you are hankering for someHunahpus Imperial Stout, Brass Tap will be getting some at the end ofthe month, but call them not us. Ohh and we'll be bottling Capricho Oscuro Batch #3 on Monday though it likely will not be released until the end of November or into December.
Cheers,
Joey
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Brooklyn Beer Dinner @ Undertow
join myself and other fellow beer geek foodie fanatics for a night of merriment, good food, good beer, and good company at The Undertow in Vero Beach, FL. Tim, our local beer geek, industry professional, and all-around great guy will be hosting the scrumptious dinner.
when i have more info (like ticket cost), i'll update accordingly.
SEE YOU THERE!
(if not, i'll haunt your dreams with ice-cold buckets of bad beer ^_- )
when i have more info (like ticket cost), i'll update accordingly.
SEE YOU THERE!
(if not, i'll haunt your dreams with ice-cold buckets of bad beer ^_- )
Saturday, October 17, 2009
BEERporting ~ The Publican
As soon as my class at Siebel was confirmed, I dove into books and poured through various online resources for at least one beer geek foodie gastropub destination that I absolutely must visit while in Chicago. I came to the quick conclusion that The Publican was my premier destination of choice come hell, high water, or all the above.
I made the trip to Chicago safe and sound, despite the L-Line's best efforts otherwise. It was a lazy Wednesday afternoon with mild humidity and a gentle breeze amidst friendly temperatures lingering in the mid-70s. After taking the edge off my travel stress, I hailed the first of many taxis and pointed him toward destiny: The Publican.
After a short drive, I arrived in one piece at The Publican despite Chicago traffic's best efforts otherwise. (I sense a pattern here...) It was somewhen in the afternoon between 4pm and 5pm, long past beer-thirty in my world. I was thirsty. I was hungry. I was craving an epic gastropub undertaking of dazzling proportions. I was not disappointed.
An added bonus to hitting up a hot gastropub during the middle of the week in the middle of the day is that you pretty much have the run of the whole place which is just the way I like it. Bustling social energy and night-life has its own merits, but not usually when one is by their lonesome. Not to mention I was feeling lazy and laid-back with any desires for mass-socializing nowhere in sight.
To my expected delight, I had their small bar pretty much to myself. After the cheerful hostess led me to my seat at said bar, their head bartender and beer geek incognito (whom I believe is Cicerone certified) welcomed me with genuine cheer and personable interest. Did his 6th sense reveal my beer geekatude? Or was it the gleam in my eye and the shameless drool trickling down the side of my mouth?
Probably both.
I also doubt I was the first nor would I be the last beer geek to sit at his bar of liquid pleasure. But at that moment and for the entirety of my stay, the bartender, his assistant, and my waitress made me feel not like a guest but like a treasured family member who has stopped by for a short visit.
I don't know which was more impressive, the beer menu or the food menu. Either way, it was immediately apparent that both were taken very seriously at The Publican. As much as I love really great food, I love really great beer even more. With that in mind, I studied the beer menu first, and it wasn't long before my destined choice rang loud and clear. After all, who is going to argue with the 10 Commandments? Certainly not I, and The Lost Abbey knows their brewy mettle. With nary a second thought, my beery fate was signed, sealed, and delivered.
With my chosen beer resting comfortably in her classy Lost Abbey chalice, I set about looking for the perfect morsel to accompany my perfect beer. Some may argue the validity of perfection, but let me propose this: while perfection is always in the mind of the beholder, beholden, and the moment, all three had converged upon my person at that specific moment of my life to be perfection.
Like a beacon of salvation atop a lighthouse nestled in the windswept craggy shores of time, she called to me, the irresistible siren's song of smoked trout topped with apples, sunchokes, escarole, and fromage blanc atop a grilled french baguette slice. No questions need be asked for the answer has already spoken.
The beer? ~ Beautiful.
The food? ~ Inspirational.
Together? ~ The earth trembled, the heavens rejoiced, and the universe shone just a little bit brighter.
Ensuing moans of pleasure and shivers of delight betrayed my enjoyment to all, not that I cared. The Publican staff fully understood. After all, what better thrill for a beer geek foodie extraordinaire than to share her delight with those of similar passions. The service was impeccable, the beer lovingly doted upon, and the food exemplified the timeless adage: Less is more. Quality over quantity.
Price wise, the beers on draft were surprisingly reasonable while the bottles were a mix of expected and expensive. But, I don't delusion myself with retail expectations when savoring my delights in the restaurant world. It's all a matter of balance. To those who live by fast food, frozen dinners, and early bird specials, The Publican experience will either inspire revolutionary restaurant enlightenment or instigate befuddled aggravation and bitter disappointment. Personally, I enjoy my culinary and beery pleasures slow and savory.
Come early evening, we parted ways not because I wanted to or should have, but because I got caught up in the hurried rush of trying to experience too much too fast too soon. Let's just say I learned my lesson for future exploratory jaunts.
I visited The Publican the next night for more beer and food delights which turned out to be an ill-timed venture. Thursday nights are apparently raucous with laughter, merriment, bustling patrons, and twice-bustling staff. Bursting at the seams comes to mind. My only mistake was going there alone, that's all. Raucous festivities aside, I indulged in a De Ranke XX Bitter and one of the most amazing meals of my life. Period. Each bite of my blue-fin tuna crudo sliced just right and topped with whole pistachios and a zippy marinade of lemon and mint with freshly shredded mint leaves sprinkled on top was an orchestra of flavors, textures, and aromas that would have impressed even Beethoven. Over a month later, I can taste each vivid bite as if I was still there.
In hindsight, probably not the best beer to pair with my meal, a Saison would have been better, but it didn't hinder my enjoyment any.
Overall, The Publican was every bit the beer geek foodie gastropub experience that I imagined, nay she exceeded even those vaunted expectations. The highlight of my brief trip, The Publican will once more be my first destination when I visit Chicago next year. Everything was perfect: food, beer, service, atmosphere...
Find out for yourself when next you're in Chicago. Tell them Kristyn sent you.
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
I made the trip to Chicago safe and sound, despite the L-Line's best efforts otherwise. It was a lazy Wednesday afternoon with mild humidity and a gentle breeze amidst friendly temperatures lingering in the mid-70s. After taking the edge off my travel stress, I hailed the first of many taxis and pointed him toward destiny: The Publican.
After a short drive, I arrived in one piece at The Publican despite Chicago traffic's best efforts otherwise. (I sense a pattern here...) It was somewhen in the afternoon between 4pm and 5pm, long past beer-thirty in my world. I was thirsty. I was hungry. I was craving an epic gastropub undertaking of dazzling proportions. I was not disappointed.
An added bonus to hitting up a hot gastropub during the middle of the week in the middle of the day is that you pretty much have the run of the whole place which is just the way I like it. Bustling social energy and night-life has its own merits, but not usually when one is by their lonesome. Not to mention I was feeling lazy and laid-back with any desires for mass-socializing nowhere in sight.
To my expected delight, I had their small bar pretty much to myself. After the cheerful hostess led me to my seat at said bar, their head bartender and beer geek incognito (whom I believe is Cicerone certified) welcomed me with genuine cheer and personable interest. Did his 6th sense reveal my beer geekatude? Or was it the gleam in my eye and the shameless drool trickling down the side of my mouth?
Probably both.
I also doubt I was the first nor would I be the last beer geek to sit at his bar of liquid pleasure. But at that moment and for the entirety of my stay, the bartender, his assistant, and my waitress made me feel not like a guest but like a treasured family member who has stopped by for a short visit.
I don't know which was more impressive, the beer menu or the food menu. Either way, it was immediately apparent that both were taken very seriously at The Publican. As much as I love really great food, I love really great beer even more. With that in mind, I studied the beer menu first, and it wasn't long before my destined choice rang loud and clear. After all, who is going to argue with the 10 Commandments? Certainly not I, and The Lost Abbey knows their brewy mettle. With nary a second thought, my beery fate was signed, sealed, and delivered.
With my chosen beer resting comfortably in her classy Lost Abbey chalice, I set about looking for the perfect morsel to accompany my perfect beer. Some may argue the validity of perfection, but let me propose this: while perfection is always in the mind of the beholder, beholden, and the moment, all three had converged upon my person at that specific moment of my life to be perfection.
Like a beacon of salvation atop a lighthouse nestled in the windswept craggy shores of time, she called to me, the irresistible siren's song of smoked trout topped with apples, sunchokes, escarole, and fromage blanc atop a grilled french baguette slice. No questions need be asked for the answer has already spoken.
The beer? ~ Beautiful.
The food? ~ Inspirational.
Together? ~ The earth trembled, the heavens rejoiced, and the universe shone just a little bit brighter.
Ensuing moans of pleasure and shivers of delight betrayed my enjoyment to all, not that I cared. The Publican staff fully understood. After all, what better thrill for a beer geek foodie extraordinaire than to share her delight with those of similar passions. The service was impeccable, the beer lovingly doted upon, and the food exemplified the timeless adage: Less is more. Quality over quantity.
Price wise, the beers on draft were surprisingly reasonable while the bottles were a mix of expected and expensive. But, I don't delusion myself with retail expectations when savoring my delights in the restaurant world. It's all a matter of balance. To those who live by fast food, frozen dinners, and early bird specials, The Publican experience will either inspire revolutionary restaurant enlightenment or instigate befuddled aggravation and bitter disappointment. Personally, I enjoy my culinary and beery pleasures slow and savory.
Come early evening, we parted ways not because I wanted to or should have, but because I got caught up in the hurried rush of trying to experience too much too fast too soon. Let's just say I learned my lesson for future exploratory jaunts.
I visited The Publican the next night for more beer and food delights which turned out to be an ill-timed venture. Thursday nights are apparently raucous with laughter, merriment, bustling patrons, and twice-bustling staff. Bursting at the seams comes to mind. My only mistake was going there alone, that's all. Raucous festivities aside, I indulged in a De Ranke XX Bitter and one of the most amazing meals of my life. Period. Each bite of my blue-fin tuna crudo sliced just right and topped with whole pistachios and a zippy marinade of lemon and mint with freshly shredded mint leaves sprinkled on top was an orchestra of flavors, textures, and aromas that would have impressed even Beethoven. Over a month later, I can taste each vivid bite as if I was still there.
In hindsight, probably not the best beer to pair with my meal, a Saison would have been better, but it didn't hinder my enjoyment any.
Overall, The Publican was every bit the beer geek foodie gastropub experience that I imagined, nay she exceeded even those vaunted expectations. The highlight of my brief trip, The Publican will once more be my first destination when I visit Chicago next year. Everything was perfect: food, beer, service, atmosphere...
Find out for yourself when next you're in Chicago. Tell them Kristyn sent you.
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Friday, October 16, 2009
Tired of Corporate America
i've linked the NYTimes article on the side under "Brew News", but i just had to put down a quick thought or two on this latest and dumbest act of corporate america bullying.
really? Rock Art, a small artisanal brewery that has a barleywine named Vermonster is a threat to Monster Energy Drinks? consumers might be confused between the two?
...
as an independently-minded and intelligent consumer ripe with common sense who can think for herself, i am extremely insulted by Monster's immediate assumption of my moronity and inability to know/understand the difference between a beer and a non-alcoholic energy drink.
~shakes head~
it's mean bullish corporate tactics like this that continue to disturb me, especially as they seem to be growing in trend. when the small business can't be a small business for fear of being trampled underneath by the "big boys", America and the world in general is quite simply not in a good place, and the final destination is not going to be pretty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbG_woqXTeg
(original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
really? Rock Art, a small artisanal brewery that has a barleywine named Vermonster is a threat to Monster Energy Drinks? consumers might be confused between the two?
...
as an independently-minded and intelligent consumer ripe with common sense who can think for herself, i am extremely insulted by Monster's immediate assumption of my moronity and inability to know/understand the difference between a beer and a non-alcoholic energy drink.
~shakes head~
it's mean bullish corporate tactics like this that continue to disturb me, especially as they seem to be growing in trend. when the small business can't be a small business for fear of being trampled underneath by the "big boys", America and the world in general is quite simply not in a good place, and the final destination is not going to be pretty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbG_woqXTeg
(original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Orlando Brew News
Saturday, October 17 @ 2pm to 8pm:Downtown South Family Fall Festival
A fun filled event held in the large parking lot at the corner of Michigan and Orange.(Former Albertson’s) The event includes activities for the whole family! CLICK HERE TO VIEW DETAILS
Saturday, October 24th @ 2pm: Cornhole Tournament
Orlando Brewing will be hosting a Cornhole Tournament on, Saturday, October 24th at 2 pm. $10 Entry Fee for each team. The more teams to sign up... the BIGGER the CASH PRIZE.
All entry fees must be paid before the tournament begins. Invite your friends and family to cheer you on.
Saturday, October 24th @ 6:30pm: Thrill the World 2009
Dance With Us to Thriller!
For more information and to register CLICK HERE
Friday, October 30th: BEER:30$2 Orlando Brewing Beers ALL DAY!
Saturday, October 31st: Orlando Brewing's Costume Party!
Music Performances by:Subcubensis; Fathouse Productions, and Acoustic Trails
GRAND PRIZE will be given to the MOST CREATIVE!
A fun filled event held in the large parking lot at the corner of Michigan and Orange.(Former Albertson’s) The event includes activities for the whole family! CLICK HERE TO VIEW DETAILS
Saturday, October 24th @ 2pm: Cornhole Tournament
Orlando Brewing will be hosting a Cornhole Tournament on, Saturday, October 24th at 2 pm. $10 Entry Fee for each team. The more teams to sign up... the BIGGER the CASH PRIZE.
- 1st Place Winners: will win 60% of the total entry
- 2nd Place Winners: will win 30% of the total entry
- 3rd Place Winners: will win 10% of the total entry
All entry fees must be paid before the tournament begins. Invite your friends and family to cheer you on.
Saturday, October 24th @ 6:30pm: Thrill the World 2009
Dance With Us to Thriller!
For more information and to register CLICK HERE
Friday, October 30th: BEER:30$2 Orlando Brewing Beers ALL DAY!
Saturday, October 31st: Orlando Brewing's Costume Party!
Music Performances by:Subcubensis; Fathouse Productions, and Acoustic Trails
- MOST CREATIVE
- MOST OUTRAGEOUS
- BEST LOOK ALIKE
- BEST PAIR/COUPLE IN COSTUME
GRAND PRIZE will be given to the MOST CREATIVE!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Dreaming of Boston...
...and consequantly, luckily, and amazingly of Samuel Adams. more specifically, Mr. Samuel Adams himself, Jim Koch.
(Koch = pronounced as 'cook')
i was at Vine & Barley tuesday night for an impromptu beer, or two...
*coughstoneverticalepic090909cough*
...when who should wonder on in unannounced but Mr. Jim Koch himself. after barely restraining my beer geek freak-out, Samuel Adams Boston Lager and Octoberfest flowed (in the appropriate Samuel Adams glass, of course) and my life became just a little bit more complete.
the man himself? fun, funny, and just a wee bit wicked i would say based on some of the hilarious stories he shared. Jim hung around for a good hour which gave me more than enough time for a picture, and he also graciously signed the back of my t-shirt which is going to be framed ASAP.
to great beer, to Samuel Adams, and to Jim Koch: Prost!
(inside i'm sqealing like a 3 year old at Christmas)
(Koch = pronounced as 'cook')
i was at Vine & Barley tuesday night for an impromptu beer, or two...
*coughstoneverticalepic090909cough*
...when who should wonder on in unannounced but Mr. Jim Koch himself. after barely restraining my beer geek freak-out, Samuel Adams Boston Lager and Octoberfest flowed (in the appropriate Samuel Adams glass, of course) and my life became just a little bit more complete.
the man himself? fun, funny, and just a wee bit wicked i would say based on some of the hilarious stories he shared. Jim hung around for a good hour which gave me more than enough time for a picture, and he also graciously signed the back of my t-shirt which is going to be framed ASAP.
to great beer, to Samuel Adams, and to Jim Koch: Prost!
(inside i'm sqealing like a 3 year old at Christmas)
Cigar City Brew News
(2 days worth of beery goodness)
******
One of the Challenges Little Breweries Face
Matt Nadeau is the owner of Rock Art a small brewery in Vermont. One of the beers that Rock Art makes is a barley wine named Vermonster. At 10% abv it is one Monster of a beer. So Vermonster is fitting.
Monster Energy Drink Company is a one billion a year corporation. They sell energy drinks. Not beer. The packaging for Monster Energy Drink looks nothing like the packaging for Rock Art's Vermonster. Yet Monster Energy Drink sent a cease and desist order to Rock Art telling them that because of a likelihood of consumer confusion, Rock Art needed to stop using the name Vermonster.
It's ridiculous on its face. But the rub is that if you don't have the cash on hand to fight the mega-corporation it doesn't matter how ridiculous the claim is. The big company will win and you'll have to bow down to the, But, Matt Nadeau says it better himself:
******
New Tanks Arrived. New Beers on Draft, 110K+OT #2 Ready To Go
We unloaded our new tanks today. When they are in place it will roughly double our tank capacity, which will in theory alleviate some of the beer shortages we have had lately. We also got the bottler running yesterday and ran a few test bottles through it and it actually ran through its processes fairly well. We still need to do a lot of work to get it where it needs to be, but it was a promising day.
We'll have a few beers on draft for growlers this week: Humidor Bolita, Cuban Espresso Maduro, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Brown Ale, Vanilla Maduro and Humidor Series India Pale Ale. We'll also be prepping some Humidor Series Imperial Stout that will be available in growlers in the coming weeks.
We have a very busy schedule this week. Brewed IPA and packaged IPA today. We will be brewing/filtering tomorrow. Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout will start going out to distributors this week, but we still have some for sale until then. And of course Barrel Aged 110K+OT Batch #2 will be available tomorrow between 11 AM and 5 PM. The limit is 8 bottles per person and the price is $20 per 750ml bottle. 449 bottles were made.
I'll get pics of the new tanks up tomorrow. In the meantime here is a nice piece on Cigar City Brewing at dcfoodies.com.
Cheers,
Joey
******
One of the Challenges Little Breweries Face
Matt Nadeau is the owner of Rock Art a small brewery in Vermont. One of the beers that Rock Art makes is a barley wine named Vermonster. At 10% abv it is one Monster of a beer. So Vermonster is fitting.
Monster Energy Drink Company is a one billion a year corporation. They sell energy drinks. Not beer. The packaging for Monster Energy Drink looks nothing like the packaging for Rock Art's Vermonster. Yet Monster Energy Drink sent a cease and desist order to Rock Art telling them that because of a likelihood of consumer confusion, Rock Art needed to stop using the name Vermonster.
It's ridiculous on its face. But the rub is that if you don't have the cash on hand to fight the mega-corporation it doesn't matter how ridiculous the claim is. The big company will win and you'll have to bow down to the, But, Matt Nadeau says it better himself:
"What is exceptionally hilarious to me is that there is another Barely Wine
brewed by Brooklyn Brewing named literally Monster. And that beer has been around longer than Monster Energy Drink. So it makes me wonder.....if Vermonster (a beer) is infringing on Monster (an energy drink) then isn't Monster (the energy drink) infringing on the older Monster beer? Seems like Brooklyn Brewery has a great case!"
******
New Tanks Arrived. New Beers on Draft, 110K+OT #2 Ready To Go
We unloaded our new tanks today. When they are in place it will roughly double our tank capacity, which will in theory alleviate some of the beer shortages we have had lately. We also got the bottler running yesterday and ran a few test bottles through it and it actually ran through its processes fairly well. We still need to do a lot of work to get it where it needs to be, but it was a promising day.
We'll have a few beers on draft for growlers this week: Humidor Bolita, Cuban Espresso Maduro, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Brown Ale, Vanilla Maduro and Humidor Series India Pale Ale. We'll also be prepping some Humidor Series Imperial Stout that will be available in growlers in the coming weeks.
We have a very busy schedule this week. Brewed IPA and packaged IPA today. We will be brewing/filtering tomorrow. Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout will start going out to distributors this week, but we still have some for sale until then. And of course Barrel Aged 110K+OT Batch #2 will be available tomorrow between 11 AM and 5 PM. The limit is 8 bottles per person and the price is $20 per 750ml bottle. 449 bottles were made.
I'll get pics of the new tanks up tomorrow. In the meantime here is a nice piece on Cigar City Brewing at dcfoodies.com.
Cheers,
Joey
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Christmas Beer
If my "Fall Into Christmas" musings didn't clue you into the fact that I love that time of year and everything it brings me, beer especially, than allow me to further expound on the merriest of seasons: Christmas.
Religion/Faith/Spirituality/Whatever doesn't change the timeless heart of Christmas: good will. Without good will there are no joys, no moments of memory, no love to share, and no hope. Whether a family member, friend, acquaintance, or total stranger, the spirit of Christmas is infinite and boundless.
Christmas beer and the diverse family of brewers who brew them know this to be especially true. Whatever stylings the beer may take the shape of, it is without a doubt that brewer's well-wishes and good will for all his faithful drinkers and for humanity in-kind.
But just what constitutes a Christmas beer?
As a style in the most basic of explanations, a Christmas beer is any beer brewed specifically for and released only during the Christmas season. That's it. Nothing complicated or overly dramatic. In this case especially, simple is truly best.
The beers themselves though are usually anything but simple. The beers most commonly associated with Christmas are rich, deep, warming, and spiced with the flavors, aromas, and good will of the season. But again, there is no one style for Christmas beers as exampled by the many other various offerings: crisp ales, golden pilsner, and playful saisons to name a few. All a beer geek needs to rely on is their timely and limited release during the Christmas season.
I'll take a Christmas beer over candy canes, eggnog (how can people drink that nasty stuff), fruitcake, and cookies without hesitation. The best presents don't come in boxes. Instead, they come in bottles tied up with ribbons, topped by a bow, and looking for a tender-loving home to bless.
As with all things beer in this world, fear not the beer but fear itself. No matter what style she is, don't be shy.
Pour it. Smell it. Savor it. Share it.
Then repeat said indulgence over and over again until the spoils of Christmas are no more. At least, not until the next merry season is upon us.
I don't know about you, but I am thirsty, the fridge is lonely, and there is a full tank of gas in my car. I can see it now...
Coming this winter to the Treasure Coast of Florida:
Kristyn's Christmas Beer Road Trip Bonanza!
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Religion/Faith/Spirituality/Whatever doesn't change the timeless heart of Christmas: good will. Without good will there are no joys, no moments of memory, no love to share, and no hope. Whether a family member, friend, acquaintance, or total stranger, the spirit of Christmas is infinite and boundless.
Christmas beer and the diverse family of brewers who brew them know this to be especially true. Whatever stylings the beer may take the shape of, it is without a doubt that brewer's well-wishes and good will for all his faithful drinkers and for humanity in-kind.
But just what constitutes a Christmas beer?
As a style in the most basic of explanations, a Christmas beer is any beer brewed specifically for and released only during the Christmas season. That's it. Nothing complicated or overly dramatic. In this case especially, simple is truly best.
The beers themselves though are usually anything but simple. The beers most commonly associated with Christmas are rich, deep, warming, and spiced with the flavors, aromas, and good will of the season. But again, there is no one style for Christmas beers as exampled by the many other various offerings: crisp ales, golden pilsner, and playful saisons to name a few. All a beer geek needs to rely on is their timely and limited release during the Christmas season.
I'll take a Christmas beer over candy canes, eggnog (how can people drink that nasty stuff), fruitcake, and cookies without hesitation. The best presents don't come in boxes. Instead, they come in bottles tied up with ribbons, topped by a bow, and looking for a tender-loving home to bless.
As with all things beer in this world, fear not the beer but fear itself. No matter what style she is, don't be shy.
Pour it. Smell it. Savor it. Share it.
Then repeat said indulgence over and over again until the spoils of Christmas are no more. At least, not until the next merry season is upon us.
I don't know about you, but I am thirsty, the fridge is lonely, and there is a full tank of gas in my car. I can see it now...
Coming this winter to the Treasure Coast of Florida:
Kristyn's Christmas Beer Road Trip Bonanza!
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Fall Into Christmas
There is a nip in the air and the leaves are changing suit accordingly. Rich hues of gold, copper, amber, and orange paint Mother Nature's canvas with artistic flair. Summer has come and gone and fall is busily clearing the way for Old Man Winter. As for mankind's artistic flair, it comes in the abundantly diverse selection of fall beers decorating shelves both in stores and in my fridge.
Just kidding.
Well, not the delicious plethora of fall beers to feast my thirsty palate and eyes on, but as far as Mother Nature's canvas is concerned...
Palm trees sway hither and fro, their fronds gentle rippling in the soothing warm breeze of my tropical paradise. The occasional thundercloud rumbles and then passes, leaving shimmering sands under azure skies reflecting oceans so blue.
This my friends is fall in Florida, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Dismal grays, freezing spray, and driveways smothered in white need not apply. I'll take my changing of the seasons with a large does of sunshine to accompany my bounty of fall brews: oktoberfest, pumpkin, and harvest. As each delicious brew passes over thirsty lips, a little voice in the back of my head squeals and giggles in barely contained joy.
My inner child is ready and raring with stocking, candy canes, and garland in hand.
You see, for as much as I covet fall brews, I covet Christmas brews even more. There really is no comparison. When I see the fall beers roll out each year, it means that Christmas beers are right around the bend.
Christmas always has been and always will be my favorite time of the year. One sip of a Christmas beer and all is merry and right with the world. The plethora of these soul-soothing heart-warming brews is mankind's greatest gift to himself, and me. They are the embodiment of Christmas past, present, and future.
Maybe all Scrooge really needed was a chalice brimming over with Christmas cheer.
No matter how bad my day may have been or what tragedy has rent my life asunder, a Christmas beer makes it all better. The simple yet profound act of pouring her merry liquid into my glass and relaxing with her selfless generosity frees my spirit and rejuvenates my will. Christmas is giving and receiving, hope and forgiveness, love and life. Christmas is forever.
There is no Christmas like Christmas in Florida for this native. Just don't forget that seasonal of all seasonal blessings: Christmas beer. With hundreds of thousands to discover and revisit once more, I'm already itching at the door. Is it time yet? Is it? Is it?
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Just kidding.
Well, not the delicious plethora of fall beers to feast my thirsty palate and eyes on, but as far as Mother Nature's canvas is concerned...
Palm trees sway hither and fro, their fronds gentle rippling in the soothing warm breeze of my tropical paradise. The occasional thundercloud rumbles and then passes, leaving shimmering sands under azure skies reflecting oceans so blue.
This my friends is fall in Florida, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Dismal grays, freezing spray, and driveways smothered in white need not apply. I'll take my changing of the seasons with a large does of sunshine to accompany my bounty of fall brews: oktoberfest, pumpkin, and harvest. As each delicious brew passes over thirsty lips, a little voice in the back of my head squeals and giggles in barely contained joy.
My inner child is ready and raring with stocking, candy canes, and garland in hand.
You see, for as much as I covet fall brews, I covet Christmas brews even more. There really is no comparison. When I see the fall beers roll out each year, it means that Christmas beers are right around the bend.
Christmas always has been and always will be my favorite time of the year. One sip of a Christmas beer and all is merry and right with the world. The plethora of these soul-soothing heart-warming brews is mankind's greatest gift to himself, and me. They are the embodiment of Christmas past, present, and future.
Maybe all Scrooge really needed was a chalice brimming over with Christmas cheer.
No matter how bad my day may have been or what tragedy has rent my life asunder, a Christmas beer makes it all better. The simple yet profound act of pouring her merry liquid into my glass and relaxing with her selfless generosity frees my spirit and rejuvenates my will. Christmas is giving and receiving, hope and forgiveness, love and life. Christmas is forever.
There is no Christmas like Christmas in Florida for this native. Just don't forget that seasonal of all seasonal blessings: Christmas beer. With hundreds of thousands to discover and revisit once more, I'm already itching at the door. Is it time yet? Is it? Is it?
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Young Business-Person of the Year
Congratulations!
Truly Local, Truly No Ka Oi
(Lahaina, Maui, HI) - Maui Brewing Co. (MBC) is proud to announce that their founder, Garrett W. Marrero, was named Young Businessperson of the Year by the Maui Mayor's office. This award "honors the excellence of our young business- people". Winners will be acknowledged at an Awards Dinner on Friday, October 23, 2009 at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. "I am honored to receive this recognition but I am indebted to my wife, my family and the entire Maui Brewing Co. team." says Garrett. "Without their hard work and dedication, none of this would be possible. It is an honor to have the opportunity to build a business that the people of Maui can be proud of."
Maui Brewing Co. is the only brewer and canner of craft beer in Hawaii as 100% of the beers are brewed and canned on Maui. Additionally, Maui Brewing Co. microbrews are officially Hawaii's #1 craft beer. With a strong commitment to the local economy, and deep concern for the environment, MBC microbrews are packaged with the most eco-friendly materials. Although cans and bottles are both recyclable, bottles still break and may pose a risk at beaches. The cans are manufactured on Oahu and designed by local Maui artists and have the added bonus of protecting the beer in the best possible manner, protecting our beers from both light and oxygen damage which can seriously compromise the taste. Plastic rings are dangerous to marine life and therefore, a unique, recyclable plastic carrying device is used to hold their products. The spent grain from beer production is donated to local ranchers for cattle feed and composting; and any cans damaged in production are donated to the Maui Humane Society. MBC purchased equipment from Maui Land & Pineapple, preserving a piece of Hawaii's canning history.
Founder Garrett Marrero and his wife, Melanie, run a 7-barrel brewpub at the Kahana location as well as the 25-barrel full production brewery and canning facility in Lahaina. Maui Brewing Co. is a truly local beer as 100% of their products are made in Hawaii as opposed to other "Hawaiian" beers.
Flying Fish Brew News
GOLD FISH: 2 MEDALS AT GREAT AMERICAN BEER FESTIVAL
Congrats to the Flying Fish brew crew as Exit 4 American Trippel took home the gold in a highly competitive category at Denver's Great American Beer Festival. We also grabbed bronze for HopFish IPA. This is on the heels of last year's silver medal for Abbey Dubbel. Although the Exit 4 is pretty much gone, you can enjoy our other two medal winners all year long.
WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD PARTY AT IRON HILL MAPLE SHADE
It's been a long time since a new brewery opened in New Jersey. Even better was that it's from our friends at Iron Hill and it's really, really close to Flying Fish. To celebrate, we're doing a Brewer's Reserve there October 24, 1-5pm. They'll be pouring a quadrupel, barleywine and special cask. We'll be featuring Grand Cru Winter Reserve, the last keg of the Belgian Imperial Mild, and the very last keg ever of the Gold Medal Winning Exit 4. Check out the Iron Hill Site for more info.
OKTOBERFISH ALMOST GONE
Yeah, it's only early October, but we're done shipping it, so whatever OktoberFish is out there is all there is. Back for its eighth year, our take on this classic German style, the O'Fish uses German malts, hops and yeast. A beautiful reddish color, a savory malt profile and nice hop flavor make this Fest beer quite drinkable. OktoberFish is great with food and especially great with lederhosen.
Congrats to the Flying Fish brew crew as Exit 4 American Trippel took home the gold in a highly competitive category at Denver's Great American Beer Festival. We also grabbed bronze for HopFish IPA. This is on the heels of last year's silver medal for Abbey Dubbel. Although the Exit 4 is pretty much gone, you can enjoy our other two medal winners all year long.
WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD PARTY AT IRON HILL MAPLE SHADE
It's been a long time since a new brewery opened in New Jersey. Even better was that it's from our friends at Iron Hill and it's really, really close to Flying Fish. To celebrate, we're doing a Brewer's Reserve there October 24, 1-5pm. They'll be pouring a quadrupel, barleywine and special cask. We'll be featuring Grand Cru Winter Reserve, the last keg of the Belgian Imperial Mild, and the very last keg ever of the Gold Medal Winning Exit 4. Check out the Iron Hill Site for more info.
OKTOBERFISH ALMOST GONE
Yeah, it's only early October, but we're done shipping it, so whatever OktoberFish is out there is all there is. Back for its eighth year, our take on this classic German style, the O'Fish uses German malts, hops and yeast. A beautiful reddish color, a savory malt profile and nice hop flavor make this Fest beer quite drinkable. OktoberFish is great with food and especially great with lederhosen.
Love Your Distributor
I am excited and proud to learn that JJTaylor Distributing Florida Inc was chosen by the Brewer's Association and the National Beer Wholesalers Association as a finalist for the 2009 Craft Beer Distributor of the Year award. The award itself is in its third year of recognizing a distributor who has gone above and beyond expectations promoting, marketing, and selling artisanal craft and import beers. With 2850 distributors nationwide, this is a privileged honor indeed.
JJTaylor's distinguished nomination set this mind to pondering...
I enjoy a unique position as a beer geek in that I live on both sides of the counter. I both buy and sell beer, but it wasn't always that way.
During my three year jaunt in Eugene, Oregon surrounded by great beer culture, I couldn't help but be influenced by the vibrant beer scene. As a wondrous liquid libation, beer is also so much more than the simple sum of its parts. Whether craft or import, truly great beer is artisanal ingenuity, passion, pride, and humility at its best. Very few trades inspired by passion and vice-versa exudes camaraderie without borders as the world of great beer does.
It wasn't that long ago when I finally entered the world of beer. Wide-eyed, bursting with enthusiasm, and fueled by curiosity, this beer newbie broke the mold one fateful afternoon at the European Street Cafe in Jacksonville, Florida. From that moment onward, a spark long dormant burst into a passionate wildfire beyond any hope of quenching. My amazing journey along the path of beer had begun.
Beer is more than just a means of inebriation to me. As I savored each beer that crossed these eager lips, my thirst to learn all about beer branched out into various fascinating points of interest: history, myths, culture, brewing, cellaring, glassware, and so much more...
I loved beer, it loved me, and I couldn't get enough. I still can't get enough, and hopefully I never will.
In any corner of the world during any hour of the day hundreds of thousands, nay millions of beers are brewed, bottled, served and savored. Why then with millions to choose from was I doomed to the most deserted of deserts to quench my thirst: Florida. Specifically, Vero Beach and the Treasure Coast. Florida is my home, but what is a home without great beer to fill it with? My dilemma distressed me to no end.
The more beers I learned of, longed for, and didn't find, the more frustrated, bitter, dejected, and determined I became to enjoy said beers. Where there is a will there is a way. We do live in the most modern age of the internet, after all. Through various retail outlets, trading, and online communities, beervana was closer than ever before. At home though, I continued to be thwarted by a wide-spread epidemic of bad beers in good places and good beer in bad places.
Then one fateful afternoon that all changed. Stepping behind the other side of the counter, I watched my beery world grow in unanticipated and highly appreciated leaps and bounds.
Each leap and each bound was a blessing of immense proportions, though I didn't always immediately think so. After all, when all is said and done I am still simply a beer geek who loves beer. Through great patience and understanding on my part and even greater patience and understanding on the part of the wonderful JJTaylor associates I am privileged to work with, I have an even greater appreciation for beer now than ever before.
In my beer utopia, all beer flows freely and with the utmost respect for quality, ingenuity, and a dash of danger. In my beer reality, some beers flow freely while even more await their moment of glory in my glass and in the glass of all who love great beer. All is not lost though. In the USofA and all across the world, craft and import beers are on the cusp of a beery revolution of epic proportions. First and foremost are the stalwart and long-proven standards of quality over quantity, sustainability over immediacy, and individuality over mass-consumerism. In meeting individual needs and desires, the possibilities are as endless as the number of individuals in the world. In perpetuating mass-consumerism, the possibilities are limited and of fragile standings.
In fifteen years of retail experience through three different fields of work, no outside resource has impressed me as much as JJTaylor Distributing Florida, Inc. JJTaylor and those who represent them believe in the beer they carry, the breweries they represent, the retailers who sell them, and the beer lovers who drink them.
The beer I lovingly cusp in joyous hands didn't just appear there through magic and wishful thinking. She arrived upon my humble abode through the tireless efforts of the brewer, the distributor (and their staff), and the retailers. An intimate communion of trust, respect, education, persistence, patience, and faith all have to come together to work in enduring matrimony. When all those pieces come together and I hold in grateful hands the fruit of their labor of love: That is magic.
Petty squabbling, selfish demands, bitter grudges, underhanded tactics, and general irresponsibility benefits no one in the long run, least of all the beer. Beer is beautiful; don't ruin its timeless beauty with pointlessly counter-productive frivolous junk.
As a beer geek and beer professional, I am every watchful, ever curious, and ever learning. As a distributor, JJTaylor is ever watchful, ever curious, and ever learning. A company first, they are also a haven of beer geeks and, quite simply, good people. I know. I work with them on a daily basis and we have shared many a great beer. Their desire to grow smartly and their belief in what the craft and import beer world is and what it is growing into has brought JJTaylor Distributing Florida Inc to this moment: 2009 Craft Beer Distributor of the Year award finalist.
The underbelly of the fascinatingly delicious and diverse world of great beer is not always a pretty sight. Thankfully I am lucky enough to have a shining light amidst a din of average, mediocre, and just plain bad. Wherever I am in my never ending journey through beervana, JJTaylor will always be a model of tasteful beer magic.
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
JJTaylor's distinguished nomination set this mind to pondering...
I enjoy a unique position as a beer geek in that I live on both sides of the counter. I both buy and sell beer, but it wasn't always that way.
During my three year jaunt in Eugene, Oregon surrounded by great beer culture, I couldn't help but be influenced by the vibrant beer scene. As a wondrous liquid libation, beer is also so much more than the simple sum of its parts. Whether craft or import, truly great beer is artisanal ingenuity, passion, pride, and humility at its best. Very few trades inspired by passion and vice-versa exudes camaraderie without borders as the world of great beer does.
It wasn't that long ago when I finally entered the world of beer. Wide-eyed, bursting with enthusiasm, and fueled by curiosity, this beer newbie broke the mold one fateful afternoon at the European Street Cafe in Jacksonville, Florida. From that moment onward, a spark long dormant burst into a passionate wildfire beyond any hope of quenching. My amazing journey along the path of beer had begun.
Beer is more than just a means of inebriation to me. As I savored each beer that crossed these eager lips, my thirst to learn all about beer branched out into various fascinating points of interest: history, myths, culture, brewing, cellaring, glassware, and so much more...
I loved beer, it loved me, and I couldn't get enough. I still can't get enough, and hopefully I never will.
In any corner of the world during any hour of the day hundreds of thousands, nay millions of beers are brewed, bottled, served and savored. Why then with millions to choose from was I doomed to the most deserted of deserts to quench my thirst: Florida. Specifically, Vero Beach and the Treasure Coast. Florida is my home, but what is a home without great beer to fill it with? My dilemma distressed me to no end.
The more beers I learned of, longed for, and didn't find, the more frustrated, bitter, dejected, and determined I became to enjoy said beers. Where there is a will there is a way. We do live in the most modern age of the internet, after all. Through various retail outlets, trading, and online communities, beervana was closer than ever before. At home though, I continued to be thwarted by a wide-spread epidemic of bad beers in good places and good beer in bad places.
Then one fateful afternoon that all changed. Stepping behind the other side of the counter, I watched my beery world grow in unanticipated and highly appreciated leaps and bounds.
Each leap and each bound was a blessing of immense proportions, though I didn't always immediately think so. After all, when all is said and done I am still simply a beer geek who loves beer. Through great patience and understanding on my part and even greater patience and understanding on the part of the wonderful JJTaylor associates I am privileged to work with, I have an even greater appreciation for beer now than ever before.
In my beer utopia, all beer flows freely and with the utmost respect for quality, ingenuity, and a dash of danger. In my beer reality, some beers flow freely while even more await their moment of glory in my glass and in the glass of all who love great beer. All is not lost though. In the USofA and all across the world, craft and import beers are on the cusp of a beery revolution of epic proportions. First and foremost are the stalwart and long-proven standards of quality over quantity, sustainability over immediacy, and individuality over mass-consumerism. In meeting individual needs and desires, the possibilities are as endless as the number of individuals in the world. In perpetuating mass-consumerism, the possibilities are limited and of fragile standings.
In fifteen years of retail experience through three different fields of work, no outside resource has impressed me as much as JJTaylor Distributing Florida, Inc. JJTaylor and those who represent them believe in the beer they carry, the breweries they represent, the retailers who sell them, and the beer lovers who drink them.
The beer I lovingly cusp in joyous hands didn't just appear there through magic and wishful thinking. She arrived upon my humble abode through the tireless efforts of the brewer, the distributor (and their staff), and the retailers. An intimate communion of trust, respect, education, persistence, patience, and faith all have to come together to work in enduring matrimony. When all those pieces come together and I hold in grateful hands the fruit of their labor of love: That is magic.
Petty squabbling, selfish demands, bitter grudges, underhanded tactics, and general irresponsibility benefits no one in the long run, least of all the beer. Beer is beautiful; don't ruin its timeless beauty with pointlessly counter-productive frivolous junk.
As a beer geek and beer professional, I am every watchful, ever curious, and ever learning. As a distributor, JJTaylor is ever watchful, ever curious, and ever learning. A company first, they are also a haven of beer geeks and, quite simply, good people. I know. I work with them on a daily basis and we have shared many a great beer. Their desire to grow smartly and their belief in what the craft and import beer world is and what it is growing into has brought JJTaylor Distributing Florida Inc to this moment: 2009 Craft Beer Distributor of the Year award finalist.
The underbelly of the fascinatingly delicious and diverse world of great beer is not always a pretty sight. Thankfully I am lucky enough to have a shining light amidst a din of average, mediocre, and just plain bad. Wherever I am in my never ending journey through beervana, JJTaylor will always be a model of tasteful beer magic.
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Cigar City Brew News
Barrel Aged 110K+OT #2 is Ready. 2 new drafts on in the tasting room/New Tanks on Friday/More news..
The Barrel Aged 110K+OT #2 is ready. Like with Capricho Oscuro Batch #2 we aren't doing a release party for this one. We just have too much on our plate right now to plan for a release party. So it will go on sale starting Wednesday October 14th during normal tasting hours and will remain available until it sells out. We did two barrels of this one so we have a larger yield than previous barrel aged releases. So the bottle limit will be going up to 8 per person. Each 750 ml bottle is $20 per.
We also have two new brews in the tasting room, but they are very limited as I again only did 5 gallons of each and after sampling there is probably less than 4 gallons of each one. The first is Humidor Series Bolita, which I don't mind saying is awesome. Huge spicy rye notes, sandalwood, vanilla and roasted nuts. The other is Scuppernong and Peppercorn aged Guava Grove. Both will be available starting tomorrow (Thursday the 8th). These will not last long. Fair warning.
We bottled Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout last night and it will be going out to distribution late next week. It should hit Tampa/Orlando first and then make it to New York later. We are also setting aside a few cases for Denmark. If you just can't wait you can buy bottles of Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout at the brewery for the remainder of the week for $10 per 750 ml bottle.
We also held back an additional 4 bbls of Zhukov's to make Humidor Series Imperial Stout as well as other Zhukov treatments.
We have a busy schedule this week. Doug will be working up some treatments tomorrow that we hope to have on in a week or two. More Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Brown Ale, Cuban Espresso Maduro, Vanilla Maduro and a Pumpkin Spice Brown Ale since we wont be brewing Good Gourd this year (we will make it next year though).
We are also working on getting our bottle filler running, which when operational will drastically increase our bottling output. Once running we plan to bottle Jai Alai IPA unfiltered in our 750 ml package and we think we can hit the $5.99 to $6.99 retail mark on it, but we still have to crunch the numbers. We also expect to bottle Cuban Espresso Maduro in a 750 ml package as well, in addition to our other current bottle product. Regular Maduro will remain draft only.
Our new tanks are scheduled to arrive on Friday. This should help alleviate a bit of the pinch on our production. We just can't catch up on Jai Alai lately. We have 30 bbls of Jai Alai going to package next week and are brewing more today and it still wont be enough. The new 30 bbls fermenter/brite tank and additional 15 bbl brite tank will be a huge help in that regard. Once we do catch up we plan to make some more of the GABF Gold Medal Winning Humidor Series Jai Alai.
That is all for now.
Cheers,
Joey
The Barrel Aged 110K+OT #2 is ready. Like with Capricho Oscuro Batch #2 we aren't doing a release party for this one. We just have too much on our plate right now to plan for a release party. So it will go on sale starting Wednesday October 14th during normal tasting hours and will remain available until it sells out. We did two barrels of this one so we have a larger yield than previous barrel aged releases. So the bottle limit will be going up to 8 per person. Each 750 ml bottle is $20 per.
We also have two new brews in the tasting room, but they are very limited as I again only did 5 gallons of each and after sampling there is probably less than 4 gallons of each one. The first is Humidor Series Bolita, which I don't mind saying is awesome. Huge spicy rye notes, sandalwood, vanilla and roasted nuts. The other is Scuppernong and Peppercorn aged Guava Grove. Both will be available starting tomorrow (Thursday the 8th). These will not last long. Fair warning.
We bottled Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout last night and it will be going out to distribution late next week. It should hit Tampa/Orlando first and then make it to New York later. We are also setting aside a few cases for Denmark. If you just can't wait you can buy bottles of Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout at the brewery for the remainder of the week for $10 per 750 ml bottle.
We also held back an additional 4 bbls of Zhukov's to make Humidor Series Imperial Stout as well as other Zhukov treatments.
We have a busy schedule this week. Doug will be working up some treatments tomorrow that we hope to have on in a week or two. More Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Brown Ale, Cuban Espresso Maduro, Vanilla Maduro and a Pumpkin Spice Brown Ale since we wont be brewing Good Gourd this year (we will make it next year though).
We are also working on getting our bottle filler running, which when operational will drastically increase our bottling output. Once running we plan to bottle Jai Alai IPA unfiltered in our 750 ml package and we think we can hit the $5.99 to $6.99 retail mark on it, but we still have to crunch the numbers. We also expect to bottle Cuban Espresso Maduro in a 750 ml package as well, in addition to our other current bottle product. Regular Maduro will remain draft only.
Our new tanks are scheduled to arrive on Friday. This should help alleviate a bit of the pinch on our production. We just can't catch up on Jai Alai lately. We have 30 bbls of Jai Alai going to package next week and are brewing more today and it still wont be enough. The new 30 bbls fermenter/brite tank and additional 15 bbl brite tank will be a huge help in that regard. Once we do catch up we plan to make some more of the GABF Gold Medal Winning Humidor Series Jai Alai.
That is all for now.
Cheers,
Joey
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Russian River Brewing is Hopped-Up for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
in case it wasn't apparently obvious yet, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. joining their fine friends across the ocean, Russian River Brewing is also ready to fight breast cancer for the whole month of October with a slew of fund-raisers and awareness events. if you're anywhere near their area (Santa Rosa, California), be sure to stop by and Hop-Up for Breast Cancer Awareness.
******************
Vinnie and I survived our 16th G.A.B.F., and Breast Cancer Awareness Month is in full swing! Our employees are getting in the spirit by helping decorate and sporting this year’s “All Hopped Up For The Cure” t-shirt and baseball cap! Once again, we are donating 100% of the proceeds from t-shirt and cap sales, 5% of the proceeds of sales of Aud Blonde, and accepting donations on behalf of the “Sutter Breast Care Center”. If that wasn’t enough, we are partnering for a second time with Revolution Moto (RevMoto) and raffling off an adorable Pink Vespa 50cc! Raffle tickets are only $10, 3 for $25. If you live outside of the area and want to participate in the raffle, you may send me a check made out to the “Sutter Breast Care Center” and I will fill out raffle tickets for you. However, if you should be the lucky winner, you will responsible for picking up your scooter and any expenses related to getting it home. Russian River Brewing Co. and RevMoto are not responsible for shipping, handling, delivery, or anything else pertaining to you picking up your prize! We donated it, you pick it up! Raffle tickets available at RRBC and RevMoto, and the raffle will be held at our Halloween Party on October 31st! You need not be present to win, but we will call you on your cell phone no matter how late it is!
“All Hopped Up For The Cure” t-shirts and baseball caps are available on our website for our distant friends and family! The back of this year’s shirt is another cool design by my Mom, who also does many of our logos. Tony at Seacliff Designs did a beautiful job with the shirts and gave us a screaming deal so we can donate even more money to the cause! Shirts and hats are in limited supply, so don’t delay!
You can also drink Aud Blonde at the pub, or just make a donation to the “Sutter Breast Care Center”. There is a wine barrel located by the juke box which I will open on November 1st. The Breast Care Center is coming to the brewery on October 7th to officially kick-off Breast Cancer Awareness Month! There is a FREE show with Phatty that night, too. The fun begins at 8pm!
What else? Oh, don’t forget the ”Scooters For Hooters” ride on October 25th from 2-4pm. The entrance fee is one of our “All Hopped Up For The Cure” t-shirts, and the ride begins at RevMoto by the pub. More info available at RevMoto! For a complete run-down of all the shows/activities this month, check out the music calendar on our website. Each band is helping us raise money and awareness all month long!
Below is a picture of me and Johnna on the actual scooter. It’s super cute! If I don’t win it, I might just buy one! Check out the actual scooter at RevMoto all month long!
Finally, please take some time this month to remember loved ones, friends, or acquaintances you might have that are fighting or perhaps lost their fight with breast cancer, or any cancer. Thank you for helping us give back to our community, raise awareness, and have a little fun this month!
******************
Vinnie and I survived our 16th G.A.B.F., and Breast Cancer Awareness Month is in full swing! Our employees are getting in the spirit by helping decorate and sporting this year’s “All Hopped Up For The Cure” t-shirt and baseball cap! Once again, we are donating 100% of the proceeds from t-shirt and cap sales, 5% of the proceeds of sales of Aud Blonde, and accepting donations on behalf of the “Sutter Breast Care Center”. If that wasn’t enough, we are partnering for a second time with Revolution Moto (RevMoto) and raffling off an adorable Pink Vespa 50cc! Raffle tickets are only $10, 3 for $25. If you live outside of the area and want to participate in the raffle, you may send me a check made out to the “Sutter Breast Care Center” and I will fill out raffle tickets for you. However, if you should be the lucky winner, you will responsible for picking up your scooter and any expenses related to getting it home. Russian River Brewing Co. and RevMoto are not responsible for shipping, handling, delivery, or anything else pertaining to you picking up your prize! We donated it, you pick it up! Raffle tickets available at RRBC and RevMoto, and the raffle will be held at our Halloween Party on October 31st! You need not be present to win, but we will call you on your cell phone no matter how late it is!
“All Hopped Up For The Cure” t-shirts and baseball caps are available on our website for our distant friends and family! The back of this year’s shirt is another cool design by my Mom, who also does many of our logos. Tony at Seacliff Designs did a beautiful job with the shirts and gave us a screaming deal so we can donate even more money to the cause! Shirts and hats are in limited supply, so don’t delay!
You can also drink Aud Blonde at the pub, or just make a donation to the “Sutter Breast Care Center”. There is a wine barrel located by the juke box which I will open on November 1st. The Breast Care Center is coming to the brewery on October 7th to officially kick-off Breast Cancer Awareness Month! There is a FREE show with Phatty that night, too. The fun begins at 8pm!
What else? Oh, don’t forget the ”Scooters For Hooters” ride on October 25th from 2-4pm. The entrance fee is one of our “All Hopped Up For The Cure” t-shirts, and the ride begins at RevMoto by the pub. More info available at RevMoto! For a complete run-down of all the shows/activities this month, check out the music calendar on our website. Each band is helping us raise money and awareness all month long!
Below is a picture of me and Johnna on the actual scooter. It’s super cute! If I don’t win it, I might just buy one! Check out the actual scooter at RevMoto all month long!
Finally, please take some time this month to remember loved ones, friends, or acquaintances you might have that are fighting or perhaps lost their fight with breast cancer, or any cancer. Thank you for helping us give back to our community, raise awareness, and have a little fun this month!
Maui Brewing Goes PINK
(and no, i don't mean the singer)
as an active member of my local American Cancer Society chapter, i am tickled pink by Maui Brewing's involvement and interest in supporting Breast Cancer Research (and cancer in general). over the last year or so, i have seen many craft breweries all over the US offer the entirety of their support and spirit of good will to needy charities not just once or twice, but constantly and consistantly.
i have but one word for that: AWESOME!
*******************
Aloha!
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, we designed our new SAVE THE CANS! shirts. 5% of each shirt sold will be donated to the White Labs' "Beer for Boobs" team and benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.
Our shirts are only $19 and available in sizes S-2XL.
Mahalo for your kokua!
Maui Brewing Co. eShop
http://www.mauibrewingco.com/
as an active member of my local American Cancer Society chapter, i am tickled pink by Maui Brewing's involvement and interest in supporting Breast Cancer Research (and cancer in general). over the last year or so, i have seen many craft breweries all over the US offer the entirety of their support and spirit of good will to needy charities not just once or twice, but constantly and consistantly.
i have but one word for that: AWESOME!
*******************
Aloha!
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, we designed our new SAVE THE CANS! shirts. 5% of each shirt sold will be donated to the White Labs' "Beer for Boobs" team and benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.
Our shirts are only $19 and available in sizes S-2XL.
Mahalo for your kokua!
Maui Brewing Co. eShop
http://www.mauibrewingco.com/
Cigar City Brew News
Bottling Volunteers Needed
We will be bottling the other batch of Marshal Zhukov's on Tuesday starting around noon and going till early evening. We could definitely use extra hands if you have nothing much to do on Tuesday, or even Monday as we still need to label a few more bottles to cover our expected yield. If you can make it just pop on by. We'll provide grub and drinks and of course beer if you have a hankering for it.
Cheers,
Joey
We will be bottling the other batch of Marshal Zhukov's on Tuesday starting around noon and going till early evening. We could definitely use extra hands if you have nothing much to do on Tuesday, or even Monday as we still need to label a few more bottles to cover our expected yield. If you can make it just pop on by. We'll provide grub and drinks and of course beer if you have a hankering for it.
Cheers,
Joey
Sunday, October 04, 2009
laptop woes
well, my laptop aka: Yoko-san took a turn for the most unexpected this morning: moniter failure.
i'm 99% positive i was able to save my word document and blog entry i was working on at the time before she threw in both towels. i'll be bringing it by BestBuy tomorrow (thank you 3 year policy) to have it looked at and fixed. hopefully i will only be sans laptop for a week max.
i'll try n update/post as much as i can inbetween, but expect a major backlog catch-up when i have my baby back again. in the meantime, i appreciate everyone's patience and understanding, myself included.
augh! -.-
i'm 99% positive i was able to save my word document and blog entry i was working on at the time before she threw in both towels. i'll be bringing it by BestBuy tomorrow (thank you 3 year policy) to have it looked at and fixed. hopefully i will only be sans laptop for a week max.
i'll try n update/post as much as i can inbetween, but expect a major backlog catch-up when i have my baby back again. in the meantime, i appreciate everyone's patience and understanding, myself included.
augh! -.-
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Great Divide Brew News
October 2009 The Big News Hibernation and Fresh Hop!
Hibernation and Fresh Hop! Hibernation and Fresh Hop! That's right, it's now October, which means that our two favorite fall treats (and yours too, we hope) are now on the shelves. Hibernation, of course, is our beloved English-style strong ale, robust and malty but balanced with a complex hop profile and a hearty, warming character. A prime candidate for cellaring, it'll be available in six-packs and on draft through January 1. And Fresh Hop is an American pale ale brewed with fresh whole-cone hops rushed to us on a specially contracted refrigerated truck from the Pacific Northwest. The just-harvested "wet" hops are used to impart an intensely grassy hop aroma and citrusy hop flavor that cannot be obtained any other way. Fresh Hop will be available in 22-ounce bottles and on draft through December 1.
The first of October also means that we just finished taking part in this year's Great American Beer Festival, which was held here in Denver from September 24-26. And it was quite a doozy: The brewery was packed all week and we took home three medals! Yeti Imperial Stout received its third GABF medal, a silver in the Imperial Stout category; Old Ruffian took home a bronze in the Barley Wine category, making it a three-time winner as well; and Hoss, our new rye lager, received a bronze in the Rye Beer category, just two months after its inaugural release. Congratulations to all the breweries that were honored this year, and thank you to everyone - brewers and beer fans alike - who came and made it such a fantastic event.
September was such a frenzied month that we didn't quite get around to releasing this year's whiskey barrel-aged batches of Yeti, Old Ruffian and Hibernation, but keep your eyes peeled and your palates ready for them - they'll be worth the wait, we promise. And stay tuned in the coming months for the return of Oak Aged Yeti and Old Ruffian...
Hibernation and Fresh Hop! Hibernation and Fresh Hop! That's right, it's now October, which means that our two favorite fall treats (and yours too, we hope) are now on the shelves. Hibernation, of course, is our beloved English-style strong ale, robust and malty but balanced with a complex hop profile and a hearty, warming character. A prime candidate for cellaring, it'll be available in six-packs and on draft through January 1. And Fresh Hop is an American pale ale brewed with fresh whole-cone hops rushed to us on a specially contracted refrigerated truck from the Pacific Northwest. The just-harvested "wet" hops are used to impart an intensely grassy hop aroma and citrusy hop flavor that cannot be obtained any other way. Fresh Hop will be available in 22-ounce bottles and on draft through December 1.
The first of October also means that we just finished taking part in this year's Great American Beer Festival, which was held here in Denver from September 24-26. And it was quite a doozy: The brewery was packed all week and we took home three medals! Yeti Imperial Stout received its third GABF medal, a silver in the Imperial Stout category; Old Ruffian took home a bronze in the Barley Wine category, making it a three-time winner as well; and Hoss, our new rye lager, received a bronze in the Rye Beer category, just two months after its inaugural release. Congratulations to all the breweries that were honored this year, and thank you to everyone - brewers and beer fans alike - who came and made it such a fantastic event.
September was such a frenzied month that we didn't quite get around to releasing this year's whiskey barrel-aged batches of Yeti, Old Ruffian and Hibernation, but keep your eyes peeled and your palates ready for them - they'll be worth the wait, we promise. And stay tuned in the coming months for the return of Oak Aged Yeti and Old Ruffian...
Cigar City Brew News
Update:
Sold Out The Zhukov's aged on port soaked American oak is all gone. Yes I am an idiot for only making one keg. Yes you are right to curse my name if you missed out on it.
Previously:
Special Marshal Zhukov's Treatment Available Today
Putting on a small keg of Marshal Zhukov's aged on American oak that had been soaked in port wine. Growler fills will be available while it lasts. $20 per 32 oz and only available in that size. Should have Scuppernong and Peppercorn aged Guava Grove ready next week.
Sold Out The Zhukov's aged on port soaked American oak is all gone. Yes I am an idiot for only making one keg. Yes you are right to curse my name if you missed out on it.
Previously:
Special Marshal Zhukov's Treatment Available Today
Putting on a small keg of Marshal Zhukov's aged on American oak that had been soaked in port wine. Growler fills will be available while it lasts. $20 per 32 oz and only available in that size. Should have Scuppernong and Peppercorn aged Guava Grove ready next week.
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