A night where only
beer, shrimp toast, and mu shu pork
can satisfy me
Written by Captain Hops.
Thing of the day: Carryout Lamp – Red
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A night where only
beer, shrimp toast, and mu shu pork
can satisfy me
Written by Captain Hops.
Thing of the day: Carryout Lamp – Red
Sponsor: NetFlint.com Start your own beer blog! Best Value in Domain Names and Website Hosting
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by Rick Lyke (noreply@blogger.com) at March 14, 2010 09:17 PM
A simple visit
To my local home brew store
Keeps them in business.
Written by Captian Hops.
Thing of the day: How to Brew: Everything You Need To Know To Brew Beer Right The First Time
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by Rick Lyke (noreply@blogger.com) at March 13, 2010 10:25 PM
A friend from work brought me a couple of these after her trip to Belize. A 6.5% Caribbean export in a swell painted 284 ml bottle. On the nose, there is a strong milk chocolate scent with a little date in there, too. Deep mahogany ale under a thin mocha rim and foam. A comment maker mentioned this beer at my post on style sibling, Sri Lanka's Sinha Stout.
I love these beers, like Trinidad's Royal Stout, these echoes of the British empire that have none of the trendiness of IPAs. Easy drinking, smooth textured with some complexity in the play of roastiness, the cloy cutting minty hops along with hints of dried dark fruit. Solid BAer respect.
Double Mountain Brewery is celebrating their 3rd anniversary today with a big party at the Hood River brewery and taproom: they’ve closed off the block in front of the brewery and erected a big tent, and are featuring live music, food and reserve beers all day.
Kölsch
Alpenbrew
India Red Ale
Hop Lava
Black Irish Stout (on nitro)
Porter A-Go-Go
Imperial Chaos Imperial Stout
Nitro Pale (on nitro)
Empire Strikes Back All-English IPA
Devil’s Kriek
Terrible Two Bourbon-Barrel Aged Brown Ale
*Li’l Red Pils ‘09
*Jumpin’ Jack Flash Pub Cider
*Fa La La La La ‘09
*The Vaporizer ‘09 Dry-Hopped Pale Ale*These last four are one-and-done, we’ll only be tapping one keg of each on Saturday.
2:30pm: We start with a bang: Paris Slim and his band will be kickin’ some killer West Coast blues.
4:30pm: Next up we detour down the country-folk highway with Garrett Brennan and the Great Salt Licks, featuring Lewi Longmire and Paul Brainard (on pedal steel!).
7:00pm: A hot set as always from the incredible one-man supergroup Tony Smiley, with a little help from his friend The Bird. If you’ve never see Tony lay it down, you’re in for a special treat.
9:00pm: We wrap it up with some crucial reggae from Chronicle, a Portland band that knows how to make a party.As always, the tunes are 100% free. Come early, come often…
Our food offerings for the day will feature our regular fare plus some fresh down-home Mexican food too. Silvia (one of our wonderful servers) asked her mama to make some of her famous tamales and killer salsas. Kitchen jockeys Mark & Jonny Face will be knocking out some tasty tacos too, piled on fresh tortillas from Tortilleria De Leon in Gresham.
A quick reminder that the gig is kid-friendly until 8pm, per OLCC regs. Our big tent will be heated, but bring something warm & dry regardless.
There’s still time to head over to Hood River to enjoy the festivities—you’re only a short hop away if you’re in Portland, and just a couple hours away from Central Oregon and similar.
It was to be a night like any other night – or so I’d thought. Just an average Monday night out, sucking down a couple beers with a bro – or so I’d thought. Nay, I stumbled upon GRAND TETON BREWING pint night at Barclay’s in Oakland this past Monday, an unadvertised, barely-promoted event where “punters” could sample a range of GRAND TETON beers and even cart home their own souvenir pint glass. I’m serious!! So throwing caution to the wind, I cancelled everything; called my wife and told her not to expect me until daylight, called in sick for the next two days, and went to town with the help of my #1 favorite brewer from the great state of Idaho. Here’s what I tried:
SHEEP EATER SCOTCH ALE – ….And this one totally confirmed it. Our waitress told us this was “weird” and that we might not like it. I told her that she was weird, and that she’d better bring me one of these scotch ales, chop friggin’ chop. This beer is decidedly not weird. It’s a dark, roasted, deep and mysterious scotch ale, close to black in color and really rich and full bodied. If I didn’t have a set of car keys in my pocket and a home with a warm bed to get to (I lied above, of course), this would have been served to me in a much bigger glass than the one you see here – and then another after that to boot. 8/10.Yum. Orval-eque. A bit less lavender. A tiny bit of pear from the malt. Lovely. But explosive. The cork flew. The shirt's in the wash.
Help me forget these
Spreadsheets and presentations.
Beer? Yeah, that will work.
Written by Captain Hops.
Thing of the day: The American Brewery: From Colonial Evolution to Microbrew Revolution
Sponsor: How to buy a used car.
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A post headlined “Less is More? Are There Too Many Beers?” has provoked quite a conversation about beer distribution on the World Class Beverages blog.
But only one of the comments I noticed addressed what jumped out at me.
Right now, the Brewer’s Association will tell you that there are almost 600 breweries in the United States that bottle, can, keg or otherwise distribute beer. That number doesn’t count the many hundreds of brewpubs that brew beer for sale in their restaurants. In most markets, there are only 2 or 3 beer distributors that will carry and sell craft beer, which leaves a theoretical total of 200 to 300 brewers per distributor in any particular area, not including the wide array of import brands that are currently available.
That would imply that every packaged beer should be available in every market.
Why?

by Rick Lyke (noreply@blogger.com) at March 12, 2010 08:56 PM
Not sure where things fell down on this one, but the gap between my review-stoked expectations of AVERY BREWING’s latest IPA “DuganA” and my pleasure with actually drinking it was far wider than I’d expected. Now granted, I’m not much of an AVERY MAJARAJA fan either. But just about everything else they make is stellar, and the advance word that this was a supreme IPA fit for the kings. And while I didn’t really dig it, it’s not a bad beer at all. Let’s see if we can figure this one out together.I hadn't realized that alcohol sales were actually illegal here in Ontario before 11 am until I did a bit of a hospitality training session last year. We are barred from beer and breakfast. I just hadn't been out looking for a mid-moring drink, I guess. Things are different elsewhere. Not only is Britain's oft challenged Wetherspoon chain is serving two hours before that but also is looking to move into the drippy egg market:
'At the moment if you go into a Wetherspoon pub at 9am for breakfast and you want anything alcoholic from a glass of whisky to a pint of beer, we are licensed and we will happily serve you. 'When we go live with 7am opening across all our pubs on April 28, we are very clear that drink cannot be ordered before 9am. This is very much about serving a breakfast and coffee.' He added: 'Only about 1per cent of people who come in at 9am will want an alcoholic drink and we are happy to serve them, why shouldn't we. 'But this is not what we are after, we want to target the breakfast market. 'We get mother and toddler groups who come in for a coffee at the moment. But if they want to have breakfast or nip in after dropping their children at school, they can.
I initially read that as saying "...if they want to have breakfast or a nip..." Sounds good to me as I have a confession. I don't even really have a beer with lunch. I am not concerned about getting drunk as just getting sleepy. It doesn't work for me. But I do like going to a pub at midday and having coffee or a club soda with whatever I am having. Especially during the work week. Especially on a crappy day. If I could go to a bar for a breakfast on the way to work, all the better.
It got me through school
It will get me through the night
Pizza and Yuengling
Written by Captain Hops.
References: Yuengling
Thing of the day: Yuengling: A History of America’s Oldest Brewery
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by Rick Lyke (noreply@blogger.com) at March 11, 2010 10:13 PM
Iowa Gov. Chet Culver has signed a bill that allow Iowa breweries to make and sell beers up to 12% alcohol by volume. Out of state breweries were already selling these stronger beers in Iowa, but in-state breweries were restricted to a 5% abv. A movement for Iowa Beer Equality arose to remove the competitive disadvantage Iowa breweries faced. The passing of SF 2088 now allows Iowa brewers to sell many more styles of beer.
To celebrate Olde Main Brewing in Ames will let customers pick the first strong beer the brewpub offers. “We’ve been getting a lot of questions on what will be the first high proof beer we brew,” Olde Main’s Jill Haverkamp said, “so we are planning to let the people decide by doing a poll.” Customers can vote at the brewery’s website.
The Sioux City Journal surveyed other breweries via email to see what they had planned. The responses:
Rock Bottom Brewery, Des Moines – New Era Barleywine, Belgo India Pale Ale, an imperial stout and an imperial red ale.
Granite City Food and Brewery, locations in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport – “We have an IPA that we distribute to all our 26 restaurants, but since we have three in Iowa, we have always brewed it to the Iowa limit,” brewmaster Cory O’Neel said. “We will tweak the recipe to where it always should have been.”
Old Man River Brewing Co., McGregor – A doppelbock. “I’m looking forward to giving it a go,” brewer Jacob Simmons said.
Worth Brewing Co., Northwood – “A strong Belgian ale is a definite,” said brewer Peter Ausenhus. “I am also very excited about brewing a proper English old ale and some authentic German bocks.”
Raccoon River Brewing Co., Des Moines – “I currently make a double hopped version of our Bandit IPA called Bandito Loco, that I’m looking forward into making a true double IPA” said brewer David Coy.
This is a really interesting tripel. Not a just a candi sugar bomb, there's a lot of earthiness in there. Not funk. Earth.
It's made by the same folk at Two Brothers Brewing who made that Domaine DuPage I had last fall. It doesn't show on their website but, then again, this page was last updated on 14 April 2009. It pours a swell aged pine with a rim of white. On the nose pale malty sweetness meets loam. Not dirt. Loam. In the mouth pear juice, a bit of white pepper and twiggy pine herbs like rosemary. The label says "we brew it from pilsner malt, candy sugar and some very non-traditional hop choices." It's almost like cross between Findu Monde by Unibroue and a biere de garde like 3 Monts. A beer for a rib-eye steak.
There is some yeast sediment in the neck. I have no idea what that means as it's been upright in the stash for months. Hefty at 8.5%. Value priced at 5.99 a bomber in South Bend, Indiana. BAers show respect but not the love. I like it plenty.
Thirty five thousand
Feet above the ground so small
Alaskan amber
Written by Glyn and Mary.
References: The author was pleased to see that Alaska Air serves Alaskan Amber on their flights.
Thing of the day: Good Beer Guide West Coast USA: Including Las Vegas, Alaska and Hawaii (Good Beer Guides)
Sponsor: How to buy a new car.
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by Rick Lyke (noreply@blogger.com) at March 10, 2010 07:53 PM
The brewers at BrewDog have made a list of their six favorite (our should that be favourite?) hops. You can see why co-founder James Watt has said, “We like to think of what we do as U.S.-inspired Scottish craft brewing.”
1. Chinook
2. Amarillo
3. Nelson Sauvin
4. Bramling Cross
5. Simcoe
6. First Gold
Three hops grown in the U.S. Northwest (Chinook, Amarillo and Simcoe), two in the U.K. (Bramling Cross and First Gold) and one from New Zealand. Nelson Sauvin, released only in 2000, seems to be a hop du jour.
Its character has been likened to Sauvignon Blanc, the grape and wine variety, and New Zealand Hops Limited emphasizes its cutting edge attributes.
From the brewer’s notes: “The fruitiness may be a little overpowering for the un-initiated, however those with a penchant for bold hop character will find several applications for this true brewer’s hop.”
And from the suggested applications: “Very much at home in the new-world styles such as American Pale Ale and Super Premiums. This hop is considered by some as extreme and certainly makes it presence felt in specialty craft and seasonal beers gaining an international reputation.”

by Rick Lyke (noreply@blogger.com) at March 10, 2010 10:25 AM
Fort George Brewery over in Astoria, Oregon, is busy this month: not only are they celebrating their third birthday coming up on March 14th, they’re also holding a contest to suggest their next new beer. From their blog:
We here at Fort George take being a Public House very seriously. It has been because of our great customers that we have been able to grow and better our business and for that, we would like to give back. Fort George Brewery would like your ideas for a new beer that could be made in our brewery. If you would like to see a new style of beer, would like us to try something new with our beers, or have a recipe of your own that you would like to see pouring at Fort George, submit an entry and it could end up being brewed!
All beer entries must be able to be made with our American Ale Yeast or our Belgian yeast. The beer selected will be based on quality, creativity, availability of ingredients, and by how delicious it sounds. You may submit as many entries as you like but only one beer will be chosen.
Click through to the blog to get the details on how to submit your beer idea. You have until April 10th to get your entry in.
Finally a night
To drink beer and grill it up
Without shivering
Written by Captain Hops.
Thing of the day: Weber Summit S-420 NG Gas Grill – Stainless Steel
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Wow. A Pub Minister for Britain! Great! Has he got a Ministry staffed with people who do work? No... but he has a ministerial task force, drawing on five Whitehall departments. Is he actually given the time and resources to make change? Well, there is that thing coming up... that election. The Daily Mail notes:
A new government will be in place in less than 12 weeks, Labour or not, and Chancellor Darling is expected to unveil the last Budget of this parliament on March 23. This isn't time enough for Healey to win a campaign to Save the British pub.
If this was such a great idea, why didn't the UK government introduce it in the previous 675 or so weeks since they gained power? Right now they trail in the polls by 5% to 7% but, to be fair, that is half of what they were behind by at Christmas. And is he the man for the job? While 5 or 6 pubs are closing a day 130 families lose their homes a day in the UK. Healey, who is also Minister of Housing, has described repossession as 'the best option' for struggling homeowners according to The Daily Mail.
Sure, it's just politics heading into a tough election but that is the point - it's just politics heading into a tough election.

by Rick Lyke (noreply@blogger.com) at March 09, 2010 07:45 AM
The roundup for Session #37 has been posted (hmm, seems a little sparse; I don’t see mine or several others I remember reading listed there yet…) and the topic for The Session #38 for April has been announced:
With Kate the Great Day a recent memory and the day of the Dark Lord fast approaching, I started thinking about what beer or beers that I would get up at 4:00 in the morning, drive across state lines, stand in a long unmoving line in the cold and rain for the chance to taste with a crowd the size of Woodstock.
So here is my question to you (with a couple addendums).
What beer have you tasted recently (say, the last six months or so) that is worthy of their own day in the media sun?
And to add a little extra to it, how does “great” expectations affect your beer drinking enjoyment?
AND If you have attended one of these release parties, stories and anecdotes of your experience will be welcomed too.
The host for April is Beer Search Party. The usual rules apply: publish your Session blog post on Friday, April 2nd, and shoot an email or leave a comment on the host blog. And be sure to read all the others posts that day, too—putting the “group” in “group blogging” you know.
Ah, bullet points. When you haven't got enough for a post there's always enough for bullet points. They are the putting green to a round of 18. The hot dog to the BBQ. But enough of my lazy blogger admissions and let's see what is going on out there:
That's a fair bit going on for a quiet late winter night. It's not all quiet. Ron's off somewhere at a festival where he is drinking stouts and lambics. Sounds alright by me.

by Rick Lyke (noreply@blogger.com) at March 08, 2010 09:19 PM

The Brewers Association today announced that craft beers sales grew 7.2% in 2009 as the same time that overall beer sales tumbled. The dollar value of craft beer grew even more dramatically, 10.3%. Overall, craft brewers sold 613,992 additional barrels in 2009, an increase equal to about 8.5 million cases.
Overall, U.S. beer sales were down approximately 5 million barrels (31 gallons each) in 2009.
“Beer lovers continue to find great value and enjoyment in fuller flavored craft beers,” Brewers Association director Paul Gatza said for a press release. “Americans have an increasing appreciation of craft beers, and the growing number of brewers behind them. They’re eager to try the latest seasonal release and to sample a variety of beers from different breweries.”
Craft brewers, as defined by the BA, accounted for 4.3% of volume and 6.9% of retail dollars for the total U.S. beer category. The BA estimates actual dollar sales figure from craft brewers in 2009 was $7 billion, up from $6.3 billion in 2008.
The total number of U.S. craft brewers grew from 1,485 to 1,542 in 2009, and they produced 9,115,635 barrels, up from 8,501,713 barrels in 2008. Overall U.S. beer sales fell from approximately 210.4 million barrels to 205.8 million barrels.
This is the first bomber I opened from my recent acquisition of East Coast beers from MM, the fella that more or less turned me onto SOUTHERN TIER BREWING and their incredible line-up of intense & wonderful beers a couple years ago. Now they’re one of my top 5 favorite brewers in the world, and the creators of the finest India Pale Ale to ever pass my lips, GEMINI. Now you may know that ½ of GEMINI is made up of another outstanding Double IPA from the Southern Tier family – UNEARTHLY. We reviewed that one right here. Now there’s an OAK-AGED UNEARTHLY. You know it’s totally gonna rule. And yes, it totally does.
Sean Inman has posted the theme for The Session #38. With Dark Lord Day 2010 right around the corner you should be able to figure out what he is aiming for.
What beer have you tasted recently (say, the last six months or so) that is worthy of their own day in the media sun?
And to add a little extra to it, how do “great” expectations affect your beer drinking enjoyment?
AND If you have attended one of these release parties, stories and anecdotes of your experience will be welcomed too.
“Was the beer worth it?” and “Was the experience worth it?” might be two different questions.
This beer reminds me
Of the ones that I used to
Seduce your mother
Written by Sparky.
Thing of the day: Beer Mug Checkers Set w/ Frosted Glass Board
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