Beer Buzz 031: Drink Like An Egyptian
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:
UPDATES
We have a brand new WINNER this week! We’re scrapping the Beer Gloves this week ‘cuz really, who the hell wants to wear mitt toasters in the middle of summer? This week we’re giving away… a Beer Tap TV shirt! The winner is… watch the show to find out!
BEER NEWS
We received the following letter from the Brewers Association…
Dear Beer Enthusiast,
Small brewers are facing an imminent an extremely serious threat to their businesses. The Senate Finance Committee in Washington, DC is currently considering a proposal to increase and equalize the excise tax for alcohol beverages as part of healthcare reform deliberations. This proposal would triple the excise tax for 4.5% ABV beer and impose even higher excise tax rates for higher ABV beers. If such a proposal becomes reality, there is no question that many small brewery businesses will suffer, some will close and consumers will face higher prices and diminished choice in the marketplace. The Brewers Association brewery members and leadership have been actively engaged in building the case against an excise tax increase, recently submitting a letter to the Committee outlining our opposition. We need you to speak out now. Today or tomorrow at the latest.
For the of the letter be sure to check out our forum thread, where every shred of info you need to contact your Senator is listed.
Back in Episode #26 we talked about how much the beer industry helps support the economy by providing nearly 1.9 million jobs and generating nearly $62 billion in wages and benefits. Guess what’s going to happen should this excise tax actually go into effect? Those numbers will decrease dramatically, especially for the small breweries who can’t afford to pay anymore taxes on their beer.
Brewers Association Poll Finds Quality of Beer Remains Priority Despite Economy
Back on Saturday, May 30, over 1,900 attendees enjoyed craft beer and food pairings from 68 craft breweries at the sold-out SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. A post-event survey conducted by the Brewers Association finds that demand for quality beer remains high despite the economy. An overwhelming 91.4 percent of surveyed attendees said the economy has not affected the quality of beer they purchase. In addition, 98.8 percent of respondents cite “high quality” as their main priority when purchasing beer, as opposed to “low price” or “brand recognition.”
“A total of 68 craft breweries, each small and independent, participated in SAVOR, the premiere beer and food pairing event in the U.S. These breweries are succeeding despite a number of challenges including access to market, rising cost of raw materials and ingredients, and tax issues on both the federal and state level—not to mention the economy,” stated Charlie Papazian, President of the Brewers Association. “We’re happy that interest in craft beer is so strong that SAVOR, as a second year event, sold out 8 weeks in advance.”
Other Results from the SAVOR Survey
When it comes to spending habits, over half (54.9 percent) of surveyed SAVOR attendees said they spend more than $50 per month on beer, while 36.6 percent spend between $25 and $50 and only 8.6 percent spend less than $25 per month. And contrary to popular belief, many beer lovers enjoy other fermented beverages as well. Nearly half of respondents (46.9 percent) claimed to look outside the beer glass and consider themselves to be cross drinkers (enjoying a combination of beer, wine and/or liquor), while 51.6 percent identify themselves as beer lovers exclusively.
Survey Methodology: The Brewers Association survey of SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience attendees took place online from June 1-2, 2009, with data derived from 257 respondents.
The 2nd Annual Global Warming Open
The Brewing News is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual Global Warming Open, a contest pitting refreshing summer beers against one another to determine the most refreshing beer in America. Like the National IPA Championship, beers will be accepted by any brewery choosing to enter the competition. Participating breweries will be placed randomly into the competition brackets. Judges will be choosing the winning beer on a single elimination basis. Winners of the each round will advance to the next round. The judges, all craft beer connoisseurs, will sample your beer in summer conditions. They will be sitting in a hot tub while making their determinations.
At the same time, beer lovers will choose their winners for each round on-line. They will log onto their website locker room (brewingnews.com/gwo) and read a brief description of each beer as well as view an image. They will then fill out their brackets. A grand prize will be awarded to the person who gains the most bracket points. The top prize will be a free case of the winning beer. Results of each round will be posted on-line within twenty-four hours. Winners will be published in our August/September 2009 issues.
As mentioned above, the Global Warming tournament will be interactive. Readers will be able to make their own choices as to who they think will win each round. The readers will be able to log onto the web and read a brief description of each individual beer as well as view an image. They will then fill out their brackets and choose a winner. A grand prize will be awarded to the reader who predicts the most correct GWO brackets. The top prize will be a free case of the 2008 Global Warming Open Champion beer and a $100 gift certificate for Brewing News Beerware! Results of each round will be posted on-line within twenty-four hours. Final results and winners will be published in our August/September 2008 issue.
Check out their website and join them for what will be one of the most fun events this summer!
On a side note… the new issue of the Rocky Mountain Brewing News should be out right now. Pick it up as he’s the new Lower Front Range Columnist, talking about all things craft beer related in Southern Colorado.
Arctic Craft Brewery melts away, Rocky Mountain grows
Sometime last month Arctic Craft Brewery closed their doors. I found out about this while stumbling around on another beer website. I sent an Email to both John Dunfee, brewing mad man of Arctic, to find out what happened, but I haven’t heard back from him yet. Apparently Duane Lajun of Rocky Mountain Brewery in Colorado Springs already has Arctic’s bottling line and word has it that he’s buying some of John’s other brewing equipment as well.
In addition to that, Duane is in fact opening a new brewpub in the Springs… it will be called the “Rocky Mountain Brewing Company,” and will be located next to the newish Hollywood Theatre on the north side of town, just off Interquest & I-25. It will be a sit down restaurant brewpub with 6 beers brewed on site with 4 taps featuring various Colorado beers. The original site will continue to be a production brewery where Duane brews his cutting edge beers
BEER RELEASES
White Ale – Alaskan Brewing Company – Juneau, Alaska
Alaskan White Ale is based on a Belgian-style witbier, literally translated to “white beer.” White beers, or “witbieren,” are named for the suspended wheat proteins creating a cloudy appearance in this unfiltered beer. It has a soft, slightly sweet base with the unique spice aroma of coriander and crisp, citrus finish of orange peel. A light and effervescent body combined with the smooth palate creates a complex and delicate beer that is deliciously refreshing in any season. ABV: 5.3%, OG: 1.047, IBUs: 15
Allagash Confluence Ale – Allagash Brewing Co. – Portland, Maine
Confluence Ale is created with a mixed fermentation; utilizing a house primary Belgian style yeast in combination with a proprietary Brettanomyces strain. Confluence is brewed with a blend of both imported pilsner and domestic pale malts as well as a portion of caramel malt, resulting in a complex malty profile. Tettnang and East Kent Golding hops are added in the brew process to balance the intricate malty profile while adding a sweet and spicy citrus aroma.
After fermentation, Confluence undergoes a lengthy aging process in stainless steel tanks to enhance the flavors. Prior to bottling, it is dry hopped with a Glacier hops, providing a pleasant balance of aromas. Confluence is then bottle conditioned and aged in our cellar prior to release. ABV: 7.5%, OG: 1064, Recommended Cellaring Temp: 50°F, Recommended Serving Temp: 40-50°F
NEW BEER BAR OF THE WEEK
Sin City Brewing Company opens inside The Flamingo
Sin City Brewing opened a second location inside the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. All of SC’s beers are on tap. Their new location is open from 11am until 2am. Sinners can watch sports on three plasma screen televisions, surrounded by etched red metal surfaces, and a patio adjacent to the 15-acre pool and wildlife complex.
BEER GADGET OF THE WEEK
Due to “technical errors” – like inebriation, Beer Gadget of the Week will return next week. We hope. 
BEER BLOG OF THE WEEK
Nate and Mike both share the goal of teaching and brewing. One of Mike’s goals for the site is to get you (the reader) to be passionate about beer. He wants to see you exploring and pushing your normal expectations for a beer. Nate and Mike both want you to learn and find something new each week. Speckled throughout their site is their mission statement. According to the sudsy duo “there are millions of pretentious pseudo-intellectual pen wielders across the blogosphere (beter not be talking about me!) many of whom may be the curators of a beer blog much finer than this.” They say they aren’t on a mission to be different or claim to be some esoteric knowledge of beer that can only be found on THFB. They just love beer. So check ‘em out!
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