When Good Beer Goes Bad

Do you know how to tell when something has gone terribly wrong with your crafty concoction? Do you know what to do when faced with a beer tragedy? Well, thanks to this blog (and the people at craftbeer.com who can actually take the credit), you now have the below chart to help you navigate all of the pitfalls associated with mishandling and mistreatment of your malted-grain based beverages. You’re welcome.

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!

Hopslam!

For whom the bells toll, time marches on

There is a craft brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan that has their act together. They are melding the spirit of craftiness with the outlet of poetry, and the results are pretty freaking cool. The brewery is Bell’s Brewing Company, and the event is Hopslam.

This is actually a smartly placed marketing strategy by the folks at Bell’s, as they are timing this event with the release of their double IPA called, wait for it, Hopslam Ale. In order to properly release and generate buzz for one of their signature creations, they encourage their fans to write poems that are inspired by their beer, and then they host a traveling poetry slam where people can a) enjoy some 2012 released Hopslam and b) showcase their work. Bell’s also picks their favorites and puts them on their website – ensuring at least 15 minutes of fame to their authors in exchange for the publicity that the event generates. Sounds like a pretty fair trade.

Not a bad way to go if you ask me

And because they publish their favorite poems on their website, I have the opportunity to read them and share them with you, and give these bards a sixteenth minute as it were. Here are the odes that made the Bell’s cut:

hopslammed! damn... I am!

thanks, ma'am, or sir, as it were

bright hop profusion

sweet honey soothes, so divine

two grand peers entwine

what a lovely afterglow

- Fran Hull (first place)

Those tart hoppy notes

Tickle the back of my throat

Big smile on my face

The high gravity

Alcohol fruit fantasy

Gotta buy a case

- David Mickey-Pabello (second place - Hopslam brew double haiku)

The unofficial words of House Stark

Oh bountiful hops

A delight in bitterness

GET IN MAH BELLY!

- Karla Metzger (third place)

There is a brewer named Bell.

Who makes great beers really swell

When he got in a jam

He created Hopslam

And now the world is all well.

- Roy More, via FaceBook

Pop the Hopslam top, into my gullet she flows, shoulda bought a case.

- Michael Troutwine, via Facebook

Slammed Full Of Hops

Malt, Grain, Yeast and lots of Love

Hop Heads Rejoice Now!

- J. Chandler Hall, via Google+

For more information on where to get in on the Hopslam (the event or the brew), check in on the Bell’s website at http://www.bellsbeer.com/. Go have a beer, courtesy of the pride of Kalamazoo.

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!

Memorial Day the Craft Beer Way

In the first installment of my series on Memorial Day and craft beer, I discussed my personal drinking plans and how I meant to keep things local. Today, in the second installment, we’re talking about the connections between craft beer and the holiday itself.

Courtesy of the red, white and blue

Memorial Day is a lot of things to a lot of people. For some, it marks the official beginning of the summer. Others view it as an additional day off from work and an opportunity to throw some meat on the grill. Obviously, there is the actual “spirit of the holiday” to keep in mind too, as we should all pause for a moment to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our Nation’s freedom.

Fortunately, beer has been closely associated to all of these “reasons” for celebrating the last Monday of May. Whether you’re raising a glass to honor fallen heroes, cooling off from the hot summer sun, or drinking a malted-grain-based beverage with your hamburgers and steaks, craft-beer always fits the bill. In many cases, you can fulfill all three of those noble pursuits, and since Memorial Day has a patriotic theme to it, if you remember to drink American (and I’m not talking about Bud, Miller or Coors), you can cover that base too.

Here are some of my personal favorites when it comes to pairing beer with traditional “on the grill” foods that are associated with Memorial Day:

Grilled Corn – Hefeweisen - If you like your grilled corn with butter and salt (All-American style) you want to pair it with an Hefeweisen. The mild flavors of the beer won’t overpower the grilled flavors of the corn and the sharp effervescence will cut the fattiness of the butter.

Baseball? Apple Pie? Beer and burgers!

Classic Cheeseburger – American Pale Ale / Amber Ale - Nothing goes better with a classic cheeseburger than an American style like an Amber Ale or Pale Ale. Amber and Pale Ales are middle of the road beers (flavor-wise) and they have a great balance of hop character and malt flavors that pairs perfectly with the mild fattiness and richness of the burger.

Steak – It depends – Classic lawyer answer, but it actually does depend on the characteristics of your steak. If it’s just beef, pair it with a dark stout or porter, as the smoky notes of the beer will complement the smoky flavors on your steak from the grill. If your steak is an exceptionally fatty cut of meat, you need to lean more towards bitter, like an IPA or a well-hopped barley wine, as the bitter notes help to cut through the fat. If you like to load-up your steak with lots of spices, or an intense marinade, lean towards Belgian beers, as the light body and traditional spices in Belgians contrast very spicy foods and offset them perfectly.

Chicken – IPA/Belgian Style – Much like with steak, the call on which beer to pair with chicken will depend greatly on what you’re doing with the chicken. If your chicken is plain, you’ll do well to pair it with a Belgian saison or witbier, as those styles pair well with poultry. If, however, you’re one of those who likes to heavily season, spice-up or marinade your chicken, you’ll need something with some serious flavor to stand-up to the flavor in your chicken, of which I recommend an IPA. Not to mention that chicken often comes fatty and greasy, and the bitterness of an IPA will cut through that and help keep your palate in check. For a best of both worlds effect, go get a Belgian IPA to pair with your chicken, the marriage of which will make for a perfect Memorial Day meal (just make sure it’s an American brewery who made the Belgian IPA).

I think the Germans got this one right

Sausages – Lager – Anyone who has ever been to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany knows that bratwursts and marzen (the style usually known as Oktoberfest beer) go together like peas and carrots. The general principle is that sweeter, toasty malt flavors with relatively subtle hopping (i.e., bitterness) pair well with rich though not strongly flavored pork. The brats, of course, will have been soaked in beer prior to cooking. Vienna-style lagers also work well in this situation. And in case you were wondering, yes, this applies to hot dogs as well.

If you’re quenching thirst and keeping cool, and not attaching it to eating, look for any of the countless summer ales that are now on the market from the various craft breweries out there. While “summer” is not actually a style, but rather, an inspiration for most brewers, one thing they all seem to have in common is that they are light, crispy and relatively low in alcohol so that they seem to cool you off when you’re out in the hot sun. Often, they are brewed with summery spices and fruit notes to further drive home the feeling that you are on a beach somewhere without a care in the world.

My next vacation spot

As for honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our continued freedom, I can think of no better way to pay respects to them than by remembering their sacrifice and taking part in the very freedoms they fought to protect, like drinking American craft beer – a symbol of the spirit of America.

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!

Memorial Day and Starr Hill

Almost looks like the kind of business logo that
you'd find in Texas rather than Virginia...Oh well

It’s Memorial Day weekend. I personally don’t need a reason to make a beer weekend special, but if you do, I just gave you one.

I have decided to dedicate this long holiday weekend to one of my favorite local breweries… the Starr Hill Brewing Co, located outside of Charlottesville, Virginia in a little small-town-American town called Crozet. Starr Hill was founded in 1999 with the goal of giving us the gift of great beer. Sounds good to me.

The four Starr Hill brews that I have for this weekend are…

That is a beautiful looking IPA

Northern Lights India Pale Ale - A classic American-style India Pale Ale, Northern Lights weighs in at 52 IBUs and 6.5% ABV. Characterized by its full-flavored bitterness and poignant citrus-floral aroma, a perfect blend of barley and hops make this a very balanced IPA. For the craft brew connoisseur, Northern Lights is a deliciously crafted piece of the heavens.

The Love German Hefeweizen - The Love is an unfiltered wheat beer, also known as a hefeweizen. It is distinguished by its extremely light body and flavored with hints of banana and clove. A slice of lemon can complement this refreshing brew.

Dark Starr Stout Dry Irish Stout - Starr Hill’s Dark Starr Stout has won more national and international awards than any other Dry Irish Stout in the country. Brewed with roasted barley, and with hints of coffee and dark chocolate, it packs a robust taste into a surprisingly light body. This signature brew pours like velvet and drinks like a slice of grandma’s pumpernickel bread.

The Gift Bock - A German-style Hellerbock with a few twists, The Gift is Starr Hill’s holiday offering. The beautiful golden color only hints at the fire inside. Made with two-row and Munich malts and balanced with German noble hops, The Gift is the perfect accompaniment to any holiday event or festivity.

What’s interesting is that I’ve got a winter-warmer seasonal in that last one, but as they all came in a variety pack, it is what it is. Good thing I don’t mind drinking winter seasonal beers in the Summer.

The brewery... nothing fancy, but what they make here is delicious

So the question that you’re asking is, “what does all of this have to do with Memorial Day?” Not much, other than that I am choosing to use Memorial Day as a reason to do something special with my beer selection, and that something special is drinking some great beers from the same local brewery. You don’t have to do the same, but finding a bunch of beers from the same brewery, or from the same style of beer is a great way to expand your beer knowledge and appreciation for quality craft brews.

So, on behalf of Inspirations from Inside of a Mash Tun and the Starr Hill Brewing Company, happy Memorial Day. Please observe responsibly.

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!

Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Hobgoblin

The Wychwood Galaxy of Beer Art

I devote a large chunk of time on this blog writing about American craft beer. America is, after all, the epicenter of the craft beer revolution, and American brewers have taken the art of brewing to the next level and beyond. But just because I prefer to celebrate American craft beer doesn’t mean I completely ignore beer from across the pond. Without our Euro forefathers, we would not be brewing here in the States. Plus, there is a lot of really good beer being made over there.

Today, I want to talk about a beer that is made by the Wychwood Brewery, located in Oxfordshire, England called Hobgoblin. Hobgoblin is brewed with chocolate and crystal malts and styrian, goldings and fuggles hops to produce a full-bodied, ruby colored beer that delivers pronounced chocolate and toffee flavor notes with a subtle fruit character. It weighs in at a passive 5.2% ABV and pairs well with steak, sausages, burgers and BBQ, as well as char-grilled veggies.

So you know what to look for

Wychwood has a distribution deal firmly in place to send their flagship beers like Hobgoblin here to the States, so it is very easy to find this delicious import at your local beer depot. You may have to start your search at a higher quality beer store, but you will be able to find these 500ml beauties and enjoy them.

Yeah... take THAT Lagerboy

And then there’s that aggressive tag line, “What’s the matter Lagerboy… Afraid you might taste something?” Brilliant.

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!

When Good Ideas go Terribly Bad



Good Idea Alert!!!

We are a nation of innovators and imaginative thinkers. We constantly seek to come up with the next great idea in all things we do. This inventive spirit translates into the beer brewing industry quite well, and the results are usually pretty freaking awesome. Sometimes, however, these good ideas take a very wrong turn, and the results can become down-right scary.

The idea in question, and the genesis of this blog post, is the beer variety pack. This is not a new invention, as brewers have been offering samplers and variety packs since the beginning. But the recent craft brewing revolution has caused the variety pack concept to become very exciting as brewers seek to create new types and styles of variety packs to offer to their thirsty consumers.

Brewing up good beer and great ideas in Boston

One such example of a very exciting variety pack that’s new to the world is the Boston Brewery’s Sam Adams IPA Hop-ology variety pack, a limited release collection of six of their IPAs, their Latitude 48 IPA, their White Water IPA, their Dark Depths Baltic IPA, their Third Voyage Double IPA, their Tasman Red Red IPA and their Grumpy Monk Belgian IPA. This is an ingenious way to give Hop Heads (like me) something to cheer about and introduce the many different styles of IPA to non-IPA people. And remember, last year these very same people brought us the Latitude 48 Deconstructed variety pack, in which they gave us two-each Latitude 48 IPAs brewed with one of the five hop varieties that are found in the Lat 48 normally. Clearly, in spite of their macro-level production and distribution, Sam Adams has this crafty variety pack thing down to an art. Cheers to the boys from Boston.

A box of crap, but at least its only 95 calories per

On the other side of this coin, representing the sinister half of this whole variety pack idea is where you find monstrosities like the Michelob ULTRA fruit infused variety pack. In this abomination, which of course is brought to you by the same zero taste corn beer producers that are responsible for Bud Light Lime-a-Rita and Bud Light Platinum, Michelob’s “sophisticated” pilsner is infused with pomegranate raspberry, lime cactus and Tuscan orange grapefruit. My initial reaction is to vomit in my mouth, but after that is done, I can only sit back and wonder why anyone would think this is a good idea. Clearly, they missed the boat on the good side of this idea, and it only further condemns the industrial fizzy swill side of the brewing industry. I’m fine with it, because the more they shoot themselves in their own feet, the less time I have to spend doing it, and the more time I get to spend making beer correctly (and writing this infamous blog in order to bring the brewing wisdom to you).

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!

Record Holders and History Makers

Sometimes beer is very serious business, but most of the time, its more about having fun than anything else. In the spirit of having fun, and competition, some particularly gifted individuals have set out to go down in history and set records… records that I bet you’ve never heard of. Here are some of those heroes, and their accomplishments:



John Evans - the man with the iron neck

John Evans – Most Beer Pints Balanced on his Head

In June 2010, John Evans set a new world record for most beer pints balanced on his head: 237. Evans, the world’s pre-eminent head-balancer has also balanced a Mini Cooper on his head.

Steven Petrosino, who looks like the guy from Dazed and Confused

Steven Petrosino – Fastest Beer Drinker

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Steven Petrosino is the Beer Chugging World Champion. On June 22, 1977, he drank 1 liter of beer in 1.3 seconds at the Gingerbreadman in Carlisle, PA, a 56% improvement over the previous world record set several years earlier by Peter Dowdeswell of England (2.3 seconds for 1 liter).

Reinhard Wurtz, look at that concentration

Reinhard Wurtz – Most Beer Glasses Carried

An Australian beat the Germans at their own boozy game, smashing the world record for carrying stein glasses full of beer. Bavarian-born restaurant manager Reinhard Wurtz, an Australian citizen, broke the record for carrying one-liter steins of beer, when he carried 20 for 40 metres last. With each beer-filled stein weighing at least 2.5 kilograms, Mr. Wurtz carried 50 kilograms of beer and glass in the record-breaking effort. The previous record of 16 steins was held by German barmaid Anita Schwartz.

Peter Fowler, artisan, master craftsman, renaissance man

Peter Fowler – Creator of the Bitterest Beer

Peter Fowler, 58, who has been brewing since 1975 and runs Pitstop Brewery created the eight per cent beer The Hop, rated for its bitterness at 323 International Bittering Units – setting the new world record for the Bitterest beer. The previous Guinness world record for the bitterest beer was about 200, for an American beer Devil Dance Triple IPA. Two independent laboratories in Sunderland and Kalamazoo, Michigan, have confirmed The Hop is bitterer than any other beer on sale that has been tested. To claim the world record, Mr Fowler used powerful hop varieties of Simcoe, Centennial and Chinook, and added hop extract Isolone to preserve the extreme bitterness. American laboratory Kalsec, Inc. rated its bitterness at 323 International Bittering Units (IBUs); the highest previously recorded is around 200, for an American beer Devil Dance Triple IPA.

These are only a few rock stars that claimed a spot in beer history. I hope their accomplishments serve to inspire you as they have me. Personally, I take comfort knowing they’re out there, taking her easy for all of us sinners.

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!

A Rarity, for Rarity's Sake

Last night, while celebrating American Craft Beer Week at a beer tasting event at a local watering hole, I had the unique pleasure of being introduced to a new Dogfish Head brew. I say unique because, at this point in my beer drinking career, I have had just about every beer that Dogfish offers, so if I encounter a new one, that means it’s a rarity, which means its special. The crafty masterpiece in question is called Urkontinent.

Is it Urkontinent or is it mine?

Here’s what the gang in Milton has to say about their creation: Urkontinent is a social collaboration of worldwide proportions.

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The seed was planted when Dogfish Head asked beer-loving tech types around the globe to suggest ingredients for a new off-centered ale.

A small team from the brewery (and a few of our beer-loving tech friends) then narrowed the list to five: wattleseed from Australia, toasted amaranth from South America, rooibos tea from Africa, myrica gale from Europe and honey from the United States.

The name Urkontinent, a German word for the theory that all of the continents were once connected, is a shout-out to the worldly recipe and ideas that make up this beer. The careful combination of ingredients gives this Belgian dubbel complex coffee and chocolate­covered cherry notes.

“Urkontinent is a valentine to boot-strapping creative entrepreneurs in all kinds of industries all over the world,” says Dogfish Head Founder and President Sam Calagione.

Looks almost as wonderful as she tastes

Original Release Date: 09/2011

Food Pairing Recommendations: Butternut ravioli, pumpkin soup mussels, pommes frittes, hard pecorino, or pear and fig tart with creamy cheese sauce

Wine Comparable: Oak-aged Sangiovese

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As for this blogger, all I have to say is… delicious, and a perfect addition to the Dogfish cavalcade of craftiness. Although I've never heard of any of those ingredients, other than honey, but together, they are sublime. Nicely done Dogfish.

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!

American Craft Beer Week

May 14-20, 2012

Happy American Craft Beer Week! Support your local brewers.

May 14 through May 20 is American Craft Beer Week 2012, which is an annual nationally recognized event organized by CraftBeer.com, and it is upon us! It offers an exciting opportunity for small and independent craft brewers and the community of better beer retailers to celebrate the ever advancing beer culture here in the U.S. Plus, tens of thousands of today's beer beginners, beer enthusiasts, and hard core beer geeks make time to toast the week. Check out this video:

The Declaration of Beer Independence has been an integral part of American Craft Beer Week (ACBW) since 2009. It has been signed and shared by tens of thousands of passionate and thirsty beer lovers, hung on the walls of brewery tap rooms across the country, and even carried through the halls of Congress. It also can be seen on display in forward thinking retail establishments, further confirming the importance of diversity in the beer marketplace.

Here are some things that you, the beer lover, can do:

1.      'Like' the ACBW Facebook fan page to join more than 35,000+ in support of ACBW

2.      Email or share The Declaration via Facebook and Twitter

3.      Visit the American Craft Beer Week Events page. If your local brewery is not listed then prompt them to do so!

4.      Celebrate at an ACBW event in your area. New events are being added all the time

5.      Make a goal: Print out the Declaration of Beer Independence, sign it, and hand it to 5 restaurants or other retailers you think should carry a broader selection of U.S. craft beer.

We hold these truths to be self-evident

If nothing else, I recommend you drink this week, and drink well. Treat yourself. Go find something you’ve never had before. Splurge for that really expensive bottle of beer you’ve been trying to justify. And while you’re at it, tell people about it. Explain to the other patrons in the package store or grocery store about craft beer, and why it’s important to celebrate quality over quantity. Sure, some of them might look at you like you’re a little off, but if you get through to one person, that is a success story. You’ve done your part, and craft brewing will be better for it.

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!

Give Mom a Beer!

A Mom with a beer is
a happy Mom

Today is Mother’s Day. Hopefully, you already knew that, but in case you didn’t, stop reading this blog immediately and call your mother.

For those who are still reading, I have a nickel’s worth of free advice regarding the perfect Mother’s Day gift for Mom… wait for it… give Mom a beer!

Most people feel they have to stand elbow to elbow in the hallmark aisle at the local grocery store, or hand-select from the endless (and seemingly identical) arrays of pre-arranged flower bouquets that are wrapped in cellophane and on a rack at the end of the cereal aisle next to the Entenmanns. I suspect that if anyone bothered to ask her, Mom would much rather have everyone leave the freakin’ house for the afternoon so she can enjoy a cold one in peace. Now that sounds like a Mother’s Day gift.

The "Mother" tattoo makes everything
seem tougher

In order to pull this off, you’ll have to do a little research. Find out what kind of beer Mom likes. Is she a Belgian lover or a hop head (my kind of woman)? Does she gravitate towards lagers or are her tastes a bit darker, like those of a true stout hound? Once you have Mom’s idiom all figured out, proceed to that same grocery store, but instead of fighting the crowds in the cards and flowers aisle, go directly to the crafty beers section and hook Mom up. Then, give her the beers and take everyone with you when you leave. You’ll finally be able to tell your brothers and sisters that you are her favorite, and there’s nothing they can say or do about it.

If you’re not sure what kind of brew Mom likes, and given that Mother’s Day falls in May, I would suggest light, crispy summer seasonals and heffeweizens, or Belgian witbiers and saisons as great spots on the beer style spectrum to start looking. If Mom has a distinguished palate, opt for something spicy or brewed with fruit.

A brewery tour is a gift that both Mom and her
kid can enjoy

Note: If your Mom is a true, unabashed and unapologetic beer connoisseur, than this strategy may not be enough. You might have to think bigger if you still want to go down in Mother’s Day history. Might I suggest accompanying Mom on a tour of local brewery, or to a cask or keg tapping event at a local brewpub? The important thing is to let Mom relax and enjoy herself. Kids Day happens 364 days a year, but Mom only gets one, so don’t screw it up.

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness (and to Moms too)… Cheers!

Drink Local Beer

How can he talk and drink at the same time?

Buying local is not a new concept but it is one that is not often practiced or understood. Especially given the American mindset in which we're entitled to get whatever we want, from wherever we want, whenever we want. But buying local keeps your money circulating through your hometown: paying your neighbors' salaries, boosting local government revenues and so on. When you give your cash to a national chain, on the other hand, your money gets whisked away in that night's deposit.

If more people applied this idea to beer consumption, more local beer scenes would prosper and the chances of a giant national brand taking a foothold would decrease. Buying local beer also promotes interest in the local brewing scene, both with consumers and business owners within the industry - bars, restaurants, beer stores and whatnot. And, as a result, your chances of getting more fresh local beer on tap and on the shelves increase. Buy a mega-national brand and you merely strengthen its consumer reach, and support its mega-advertising campaigns and corporate lifestyle, but you take dollars, tap handles, shelf space and, potentially, jobs away from local breweries. And that's not cool.

There are many ways to support your local beer scene, and it doesn't mean that you have to stop buying your favorite imports. Simply think before you drink and try to introduce more local beer into your life.

Standing tall and looking good

Visit your local brewpub, pull up a seat at the bar and explore their beers. Visit a local brewery, take the tour and have some samples. Take home a growler of beer, too, because not only will the beer be extremely fresh, but you'll also be tempted to bring the empty back for a refill.

Swing by your local beer store and buy local brews. Most local beers are also cheaper than domestic or foreign imports, and again, they'll most likely be fresh. And, the more local beer purchased, the more these places will stock them. Many stores are also open to consumer suggestions.

Support local beer bars, as they often offer many local beers and help to spread the word and availability. They too are often open to consumer suggestions.

Going out to eat? Visit your local brewpub for some brews and food, or at least order local beer if you're dining at a restaurant.

Okay, now I'm hungry... and thirsty

Most smart brewpubs and many restaurants/beer bars host beer dinners throughout the year, which are a great opportunity to enhance your knowledge and gain access to some great brews. They're usually co-hosted by a local brewer and provide a great array of beer-and-food-pairing, and education.

Attend a beer festival. Many festivals are out to support the local beer scene and spread the good word of beer. They can also be educational eye-openers to the magnificent world of beer that's right under your nose by introducing you to beers that don't have deep advertising pockets to let you know about them in a flashy kind of way.

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!