We interrupt our normal Monday schedule (which usually airs an episode of Taste Buds) for a very Special Edition of Beer Buzz.
As you many know Beer Tap TV was at Wynkoop Brewing Company in Denver, Colorado on Saturday for the finals of the 2009 Beerdrinker of the Year. It was the biggest audience the event has had – literally standing room only.
Aside from the panel of distinguished judges (which included Alan Moen, legendary beer writer, beer artist, and editor for the Northwest Brewing News; Dick Kreck, Mr. Beer for the Denver Post; Julia Herz, director of the Craft Beer Program for the Brewer’s Association; Andy Brown, head brewer for Wynkoop; Matt Venzke, 2008 Beerdrinker of the Year; Tom Ciccateri, 2005 Beerdrinker of the Year; and Jonathan Shikes (Associate Editor for Westwood), Denver’s Mayor John Hickenlooper was in attendance.
We had three HD cameras and shot over 8 hours of video. While the full 90 minute+ video is coming later this week, we wanted to get a shortened version in your hands immediately. Enjoy.
Stay tuned throughout the week as we upload more “episodes” of the entire event. And come back tomorrow for a new episode of Taste Buds!
Beer Buzz is the weekly show that will keep you informed and updated on all the things going on in the beer world, from the noteworthy to the nutty. Know something we don’t (which is highly likely)? Email us at AlwaysHoppy@BeerTapTV.com and share the news… we just might use it.
That’s right gang! It’s the long awaited (and heavily requested) Beer Tap TV Tweetup! Come hang with us at Breckenridge Brewery & drink a FREE BEER. Some of the great things about this Tweetup:
It’s in the actual brewery, not the tasting room, so this is a semi-private tweetup just for you tweeples!
One free beer ticket is provided.
A brewer will be onsite to give personalized, behind the scenes tours to anyone that wants them.
There will be giveaways from Beer Tap TV and Breckenridge Brewery.
The Beer Tap TV crew will be there taping a live-audience show that you will be involved in…taste beer with the brewers and the BTTV guys!
Hurry! Due to the free beer and limited space, we have to cap attendance at the first 100 Tweeples. But don’t let that stop you from coming because there will be plenty of overflow room in the tasting room to hang out.
Register your attendance on our Yahoo Upcoming Events page (http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/1823388/). BEER NEWS
Just call this the legislative edition of Beer Buzz because most of today’s stories deal with different beer laws in different parts of the country. We’ve talked about our own House Bill 1192 here in Colorado, but there are more… BEER Act introduced by House
The United States House of Representatives introduced H.R. 836 – the Brewers Excise and Economic Relief (BEER) Act, which effectively returns the federal beer excise tax back to its pre-1991 level of $9 per barrel. In addition to reducing the tax burden on large brewers and beer importers the legislation provides specific relief to small brewers by reducing their tax burden from $7.00 to $3.50 per barrel.
More than 40% of the retail price of beer is comprised of various taxes, and beer taxes at all levels of government add up to more than $36 billion annually. The beer industry contributes approximately $190 billion annually to the U.S. economy and provides more than 1.7 million jobs with wages and benefits of nearly $55 billion.
Approximately 50 percent of all beer purchased in the United States is by consumers with household income of $50,000 per year or less. There are over 2,053 brewing companies in the United States. A majority of Americans live within 10 miles of a brewery. Home brewers may no longer be lawbreakers
Utahns who brew their own beer without a license would no longer be breaking the law under a bill approved by a Senate committee last week. The bill will make it legal for individuals to brew up to 100 gallons for their own consumption. Currently, it is a class B misdemeanor to brew at home without a manufacturer’s license, which is nearly impossible for a home brewer to obtain.
Sen. Wayne Niederhauser doesn’t like it, pointing to cases where alcohol abuse has exacted a high price (i.e., the recent death of a Utah State University student). Neither does Sen. John Valentine, who actually questioned if brewing beer or wine could produce dangerous pathogens or pose a risk of fire or explosion, but was assured it does not. And this guy is a state Senator?
Thankfully Sen. Steve Urquhart has some degree of competence saying, “We’re dealing with adults and this simply isn’t a big deal.”
The Senate Business and Labor Committee approved the bill and sent it to the full Senate. It’s already cleared the House.
Oregon is facing the largest beer tax in the nation’s history. House Bill 2461 will raise current taxes 19 x (1900%) the current tax.
Verbatim from the actual bill: In addition to and not in lieu of any charge imposed under ORS 473.030 or other law, in order to recover a portion of the government costs incurred as a result of the consumption of malt beverages, a manufacturer or an importing distributor of malt beverages shall be subject to a prevention, treatment and recovery tax of $49.61 per barrel of 31 gallons of malt beverage.
This absurd bill would cost Oregonians their jobs and would only amount to about $140 million in new tax revenue for the state. If that tax is passed it would mean consumers would pay $315 million more (in 2009) to buy the same amount of beer they bought in 2008. A pint of beer would go from $4.50 to $6.
Learn about the bill here –> http://landru.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measures/hb2400.dir/hb2461.intro.html
A PDF copy of House Bill 2461 can be found here –> http://www.kgw.com/news/pdf/Bill.pdf
Led by the grassroots organization Free the Hops, the Alabama Senate approved the sale of beer up to 13.9 % by volume. Currently Alabama is limited beer 6% alcohol by volume.
Beer enthusiasts have been missing out craft beer styles such as barleywine, imperial stouts, many Belgian-style ales, some classic India pale ales and other specialty beers.
In recent years, North Carolina, Vermont and South Carolina have all lifted the “cap” on beer alcohol limits. In doing so, there has been no increase in crime or other debauchery, contrary to the fears of some (those of little intelligence obviously) who opposed these initiatives.
According to anonymous tips from employees, Google has changed the beer selection at their weekly TGIF parties. A cost cutting “buy American” move some say. Where once there was Heineken, Beck’s and Carlsberg… now there’s Bud, Miller, Coors.
But there’s one problem: Bud is owned by a Belgian/Spanish conglomerate. Miller is owned by South Africans, and Coors is owned by Canadians. None of them are “American” any longer.
Google… a word of advice from Beer Tap TV: If you want to really “buy American” then you need to SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MICRO-BREWERY!
Claymore Scotch Ale – named for the medieval Scottish sword seen in some of my fave movies like Highlander and Braveheart – is a tribute to the legendary “Wee Heavy” beers of Scotland. Malty, deep-ruby-hued ale, it features a generous amount of caramel sweetness, a reserved hop profile and a subtle warming character, at 7.7% alcohol by volume. Claymore will be available in six-packs and on draft through mid-April.
Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout is a blend of the award-winning Oak Aged Yeti with a generous amount of espresso sourced from Denver’s own Pablo’s Coffee. The espresso combines with Oak Aged Yeti’s vanilla oak character, intense roasty maltiness and bold hop profile. Espresso Oak Aged Yeti weighs in at 9.5% alcohol by volume and 75 IBUS. It will be available in 22-ounce bottles and on draft through mid-April.
Claymore and Espresso Oak Aged Yeti will be the first beers in a new seasonal schedule that Great Divide is debuting this year. Claymore will be part of a series of four rotating six-packs, which will also include the brewery’s original winter seasonal, Hibernation Ale. Espresso Oak Aged Yeti will lead a new series of rotating 22-ounce bottles, which will include established favorites Oak Aged Yeti and Old Ruffian Barley Wine as well as several new beers to come.
Sesquicentennial Ale, dedicated to 150 years of Oregon: The State of Beer. The initial brew features 5 ingredients: Two-row and Munich malts – a portion of which were grown in Oregon’s Klamath Basin – Willamette hops from Rogue Farms’ hop yard in Independence, Rogue’s proprietary PacMan yeast from Hood River and free range coastal water. Sesquicentennial Ale is brewed at Rogue’s Newport brewery. Even the bottles are from Oregon, manufactured at Owens-Illinois’ Portland plant and serigraphed at TriS in Tualatin. Sesquicentennial Ale will be available starting Feb. 14-Oregon’s birthday – on draft and in limited edition 22-ounce serigraphed bottles.
Refreshing seasonal ale with Northwest hops [Simcoe is featured] and a nice biscuit malt backbone. 6.0% ABV and 38 IBU’s. FY: Ninkasi is named for the Sumerian Goddess of fermentation. The first recorded brewers were the Sumerians, who gave up their nomadic way of life to become agrarian to produce barley to make bread and beer.
Barrel-aged wild ale – 8.6% ABV. Wild as in the type of yeast that it ferments with (Brettanomyces). The name Brabant refers to Belgian draft horses. This beer was made in a very limited quantity and will only be available in single 12oz bottles. Brabant pre-release party – Wednesday, February 18th at the Avery Tap Room in Boulder, Colorado - from 5pm to 8pm.
New IPA (7%abv, 70 IBU’s) – This will be a year round brew. Modus Hoperandi is set to be released in both 12 oz cans and bottles, as well as on draft. This will be only the 2nd Ska brew to be canned, joining their Special E.S.B. First IPA to be packaged and distributed. Previously, only their Decadent Imperial IPA was available to purchase in stores. Debut Party – Friday, February 20th at 5pm @ the Falling Rock Taphouse in Denver.
FINALLY tapping it this Wednesday the 18th… for the first time! What’s in it, we don’t know other then what’s on their website: “spicy hops and a complex malt interlay with a light fruit ester in this session beer.”
Made of pine with 3 coats of polyurethane. The bottom has a hole that is just the right size for turning a freshly washed growler upside down so the water and sediment can drain out. The bottom is also raised just enough so the glass lip of the jar won’t touch the ground when you turn your growler upside down. The sides of the carrier sit flush on the ground.
Not a new brewery, but a new Beer Bar… at least new to us. Over 60 brews served in 8 different “wessels” (Checkov from Star Trek voice): 12 oz can and bottle, 16 oz pint, 20 oz mega pint, good ole 40 ouncer, 50 ounce half beer bong and a full 100 oz beer bong!
Their beer menu, while above par, could get better. As it, it STILL might make “The Beer Bucket List.” You’ll just have to wait and see. We love that we’re seeing more and more of these smaller beer bar franchises popping up though… Yardhouse (Western US), Flying Saucer (Midwest and south), Capital Ale House (East Coast), Tap House Grill (Pacific Northwest).
They only have two locations at the moment: Houston, Texas and Downer’s Grove, Illinois. Word from the guy’s at the man cave is that there’s one coming to Colorado. We just don’t know when… yet. We here at Beer Tap TV would certainly love to be a part of the grand opening when it does occur though!
Start following them on Twitter (@BrickHouseGirls – http://twitter.com/BrickHouseGirls ) and let them know you want to see Beer Tap TV in Austin to film a special episode on site!
“A place for reviews of craft beer, breweries and brewpubs from the Beer Babe’s perspective!”
The Beer Babe is a twenty-six year old beer reviewer who happens to hold a different attitude towards craft beer and beer as a whole because she’s a girl. She’s been blogging about beer for more than a year, and learns something new about the world of craft beer every day. Her goal is to educate people about good beer and encourage others to try new beer because she believes that there’s a beer made for everyone… the only way to get there is to open up to new experiences.
Beer Buzz is the weekly show that will keep you informed and updated on all the things going on in the beer world, from the noteworthy to the nutty. Know something we don’t (which is highly likely)? Email us at AlwaysHoppy@BeerTapTV.com and share the news… we just might use it.
We learned via Twitter that esteemed beer writer Bill Brand was involved in an accident Sunday evening in San Francisco. According to the Contra Costa Times reporter Robert Salonga, Bill was critically injured when he was hit by a Muni train. All we know as of this writing is that he was in a coma and still in critical condition.
Wynkoop Brewing announced the three finalists for their coveted Beerdrinker of the Year Award. Beer lovers from Colorado, Georgia, and Oregon will compete for the title now in its 13th year. The finals will be held on Saturday, February 21, at 2 PM at Wynkoop in Denver, Colorado. The event is open to the public and admission is free. The three top vote getters from this year’s resume pool are:
J Mark Angelus, a Nehalem, Oregon semi-retired prosecutor, avid beer drinker and 2008 Beerdrinker of the Year finalist. Angelus sampled 1,029 beers, visited 93 breweries (in four States and three nations) and sampled 244 Oregon beers at eleven beer festivals in 2008.
Cody Christman is a Denver software engineer, beer educator and avid homebrewer and beer lover. During 2008 Christman began teaching a Beer 101 course to friends and family in his home bar. His basement features a 15’ bar, seven taps and three refrigerators. He tasted beer in 19 countries and visited over 200 breweries.
Phil Farrell is from Cummings, Georgia. A commercial pilot, homebrewer, beer judge and 2007 finalist, he has tasted beer in every country in Europe, 1000 of the world’s pubs and 400 brewpubs. His basement beer pub features six taps, two refrigerators, and a 15-gallon brewing system.
On February 21, these three finalists will be grilled by a panel consisting of previous Beerdrinker of the Year winners and national beer experts. The judges, wearing traditional wigs and robes, will challenge the finalists with difficult beer questions, and then choose the ‘09 Beerdrinker of the Year.
Beer Tap TV will be there as the event’s official internet media partner. As Colorado beer lovers and supporters of the Colorado craft beer industry, we would be remiss if we didn’t ask all of you to attend this fun (and beer) filled event to help us cheer on local Coloradan, Cody Christman as he attempts to grab this coveted award!
More on House Bill 1192
AKA the grocery store bill had been scheduled for its first hearing in the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee. on Wednesday, February 11th, at 1:30, in the Old Supreme Court Chambers (this room is located inside the State Capitol building in Denver, Colorado).
It has been RESCHEDULED to Wednesday, February 25th at 1:30. We need to have as many homebrewers and beer enthusiasts as possible come down, testify or simply be present in the committee hearing room.
Some of you have stated that you don’t understand why this is bad. Watch our video, read the FACTS and then tell us how HB 1192 is GOOD for Colorado? GOOD for breweries? GOOD for the economy? And tell us why it SHOULD pass.
The judging phase of the Australian International Beer Awards has started and wil run thgrough February 19. The AIBA is the pre-eminent showcase for premium beer and brewing excellence in the Asia Pacific Region. 1074 entries from 42 countries were received this year at the 2008 AIBA, securing its place as the second largest beer competition of its type in the world. This year there was 1136 entries. One of the judges will be the UK’s own “Beer Doctor” – Dr George Philliskirk. Presentations will be given out on March 19 at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, Australia.
The Samuel Adams Imperial Series consist of three beers that represent some of the biggest and most intense beers they’ve ever brewed. Two are brand spanking new beers, an Imperial Stout and Imperial White, plus an amped up version of their Double Bock. You’ll be able to find all the stats on each beer on the website within a few days. Since they quite literally just bottled these Imperial bad boys this very week they likely won’t be in stores before the end of February.
Mildly hopped to let the distinct flavor and aroma of real Vermont maple syrup take the lead. Brewed with wheat malt, pale malt and caramel malt. Hopped with Willamette.
BEER SPECIFICATIONS
Style: Wheat Ale
Original Gravity: 15.9
ABV: 6.75%
IBU’S: 20
Celtic Ale features a deep amber color. The flavor is malty and complex. Celtic Ale has a moderate hop finish that, along with the generous amounts of malt, makes for a medium bodied, smooth, rich beer.
BEER SPECIFICATIONS
Style: Irish-style Ale
Orig. Gravity: 14.5 P
ABV: 5.4%
IBU’S: 25
BEER GADGET OF THE WEEK
The Beer Buckle ($25 buckle only, $45 with belt, $100 “limited edition”)
The perfect way to hold your bottle or can hands free with STYLE! Made out of solid Zinc Alloy, when you fold down the face plate, a spring loaded copper ring springs up, stops and stays in place to slide your beverage through and hold hands free! The “James Bond” of buckles. Hand made in the USA. Fits to belts with a 1.5inch belt bracket.
For those of you who don’t know who Scott Kerkmans is… he’s the Chief Beer Officer for Four Points by Sheraton – as in the hotel chain. Scott is, quite literally, in charge of all the beer that goes into every single one of their hotels – world wide. Not a bad gig, huh? He knows his beer because he’s been in the brewing industry since the age of 21, working as a beer sales rep, a brewer at Alaskan Brewing Company, and was Draft Magazine’s first Beer Director, helping get the magazine off the ground.
On Friday, a thief broke into Laramie Wyoming’s Altitude Chophouse and Brewery, opened the taps, and dumped $21,000 worth of beer all over the establishment. But the story has a happy-ish ending. Be sure to check out the email to DRAFTMag.com from brewmaster Nathan Venner which explains what happened.
Beer Buzz is the weekly show that will keep you informed and updated on all the things going on in the beer world, from the noteworthy to the nutty. Know something we don’t (which is highly likely)? Email us at AlwaysHoppy@BeerTapTV.com and share the news… we just might use it.
House Bill 1192 (HB 1192) will make craft beer market access more complex and will result is the loss of vital access to market for Colorado Craft Beer. The Colorado Brewer’s Guild is opposing this bill and needs your help today. The Guild asks that you please do the following four things immediately:
1. Visit Save Colorado Craft Beer (www.savecoloradocraftbeer.com) to obtain the contact information for your state senator and state representative.
2. Call the office phone of your state senator and state representative and leave a message saying you oppose HB 1192. If you own a brewery or liquor store follow-up your call with an mail and send a brief fax on company letter head to the senator’s and representative’s office fax. Encourage all of your staff to make similar phone calls, send emails, and if possible transmit faxes.
Talking points for the issue:
Save Colorado-based manufacturing jobs!
Beneficial economic impact for Colorado is multiplied when Colorado-based manufacturing jobs are preserved!
HB 1192 will corrode the incredible beer culture that has distinguished Colorado as the best place for craft beer in the nation
Colorado has a rich brewing history, let’s not risk destroying this bright spot of business activity in these uncertain economic times
The current state regulatory system is rationale and has served as an important incubator for Colorado craft brewers
Support Colorado craft brewers, vote “no” vote on HB 1192
3. Prepare your staff for a visit to the state capitol for the Colorado Brewers Guild rally!
The goal is to have at least 300 brewers present at the Capitol wearing their rubber boots and brewery branded regalia the day the bill is heard before committee.
There will be very little advance notice of this date, so be ready. There will only be one chance to make a strong showing. Do not assume other brewers are attending and that you do not need to do so. Commit to send at least three people from your brewery, more is better.
4. Plan on attending the next Guild meeting. There will be a full briefing on this issue at our next membership meeting at 11am on February 21 at Bristol Brewing in Colorado Springs.
Beer Tap TV will be bringing you more about this very important topic in the days to come, so stay tuned!
Believe it or not that is an actual beer made by Colorado’s own Avery Brewing Company in Boulder. A fitting choice to celebrate the inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama. Ale to the Chief is a limited release 8.75% ABV Pale Ale the brewery made “to bid a fond farewell to our current Commander in Chief and welcome a new administration.”
Did you know that President Obama likes beer? Back in May of last year, during his campaign tour across the country, President Obama stopped at The Raleigh Times Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he found himself momentarily beerless. “Where’s my beer?” he asked.
At the time I was saddened by the fact that he asked for a Pabst Blue Ribbon and not something more “crafty,” especially given what a great beer bar The Raleigh Times is, but at least he didn’t ask for wine. You have to love a President who loves his beer! While at Yuengling President Obama did something I can’t say I cared for. He double-checked the name of the beer to make sure it wasn’t “some designer beer or something.” Ouch. Come on now… what’s wrong with craft beer, Mr. President?
Rahr and Sons Brewing is donating part of the profits from its Rare Breed line of beers to help endangered species in Texas. A portion of the sales from Fort Worth-based Rahr and Sons Brewing’s Rare Breed series goes to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation to benefit endangered species in Texas.
Blind Salamander Pale Ale, which debuted in 2008, was the first in the Rare Breed series. The English pale ale’s name is a tribute to the rare cave-dwelling amphibian, a native to the San Marcos Pool in the Edwards Aquifer.
“Because we are a small brewery, and because we don’t’ have the marketing dollars and resources that big beer companies has, we really had to rely on the support of the community to grow,” said Formby. “So it’s kind of been a process where we’ve really become involved in a number of community affairs.”
Deschutes Brewery plans to expand its beer production – the only question is where to do it. Deschutes Brewery currently ranks No. 7 in terms of total volume of beer sold among the nation’s craft brewers.
In order to become the best-selling craft brewery in the country, Deschutes Brewery Inc. needs to make more beer because the 35 – 40 existing tanks, which produced about 180,000 barrels of beer in 2008, are nearing full capacity. Expansion plans, which will be decided within the next six to 12 months, include adding 10 new 45-foot-tall fermentation tanks outside the existing facility.
Deschutes Brewery’s beer production increased from 162,000 barrels in 2007 to 180,000 barrels in 2008, Fish said. Peak capacity at the Bend facility is about 220,000 barrels per year, he said. One barrel is equal to 31 gallons. Production will grow more slowly this year with the economic downturn. Fish projects about 185,000 barrels will be brewed in 2009.
The company’s own growth also could factor into the decision. Deschutes Brewery currently sells its craft brews in 13 states, including Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Alaska, California and Texas. The company plans expansion this year into Utah and possibly British Columbia, Fish said. Ultimately, the company plans to sell its beer in all 50 states, he said.
Tower 10 IPA features a blend of classic Centennial, Cascade, and Chinook hops for a bright, citrussy hoppiness. Coming in at 60 IBUS and just over 6.5%ABV. Named after lifeguard Tower 10 in Mission Beach where Chris and Matt first hatched their plans for Karl Strauss Brewing Company. Tower 10 IPA will be available on draft and in 12 oz bottles during the first quarter of 2009.
Mighty Arrow Pale Ale has been named the 2009 Spring Seasonal. Until now, Mighty Arrow has only been available in mixed 12-packs called Folly Packs, but starting in February 2009 it will be sold individually and on tap. Created as a tribute to the beloved pet of New Belgium Brewing’s CEO Kim Jordan, Arrow was an Aussie/Border Collie mix that literally “ran” New Belgium for 12 years.
Contains Cascade and Amarillo hops with a honey malt base. 6% ABV and 35 IBU’s. Mighty Arrow retails for approximately $7.99 and will be available in all New Belgium markets.
Their spring seasonal beer is a French style traditionally brewed in the winter and consumed in the Spring and Summer months. “Biere de Garde” means “beer for keeping.” The label’s artwork features an awesome drawing of a guard dog. Little known fact: The illustration also has something we ended up taking out – a huge pile of dog crap which was right next to the Garde Dog.
It’s hard enough to carry your keys, wallet, and phone in that sorry excuse for a pocket on your board shorts. Where in the hell are you going to put a bottle opener? Unless you’re crafty with a lighter or have teeth made of steel, something has to give. Good thing Reef knows what’s up—the Men’s Fanning Sandals come with a bottle opener built into the outer sole. Finally, a way to open your microbrews without resorting to a European carry-all. Not only do these flip-flops give you a way to drink your suds, but they feature super plush soles and thick straps that keep your feet comfortable—while you’re still standing, at least.
And who is Pete Brown? Only the British Dude who wrote “Man Walks into a Pub” and “Three Sheets to the Wind,” and the upcoming “Hops and Glory” – the story of Pete’s chaotic, eventful journey to recreate the original voyage of India Pale Ale from Burton on Trent to Calcutta. All 3 of his books try to approach the subject of beer with both the thoughtfulness and irreverence it deserves. He also writes about “stuff” in newspapers and magazines about beer, and occasionally talks about it on the television as well.
Boulder police are searching for this weeks Beer Douche after a family returned home from a basketball game to find their 4-year-old dog lying dead on the floor.
After finding the dog, the man called police, and officers asked him to double check whether anything was missing from the home. After a closer search, Huntley said, he discovered that a six-pack of Miller Genuine Draft beer was missing from the refrigerator.
A subsequent veterinarian examination of Givvy found that it probably died from a blow to the head and strangulation. Police are investigating the incident as a second-degree burglary and cruelty to animals case.