Beer Buzz 019: Beerdrinker finalists, CBOs & Bill Brand
Beer Tap TV News:
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.
Show Notes:
BEER NEWS
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.
Please be sure to go to the website and leave your well wishes for Bill. We here at Beer Tap TV extend our most heart felt well wishes.
Wynkoop announces the 2009 Beerdrinker of the Year finalists
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.
Beer Tap TV has made a short PSA-style video that will help explain things in layman’s terms so if you haven’t watched it, please do so.
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 Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA)
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.
BEER RELEASES
Boston Beer Company – Sam Adams Imperial Series – Boston, MA
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.
Harpoon Brewery – 100 Barrel Series #26, Catamount Maple Wheat – Boston, MA
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
Harpoon Brewery – Celtic Ale – Boston, MA
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.
BEER BLOG OF THE WEEK
Four Points by Sheraton Chief Beer Officer Scott Kerkmans
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.
BEER DOUCHE OF THE WEEK
Altitude Chophouse and Brewery vandalized
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.
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