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Second Schlafly 20th Anniversary Label Approved
Posted: Sun, 30 Jan 2011 10:26:00 PST
Schlafly has received label approval for the second beer to celebrate their 20th Anniversary, Hop Toddy Ale. This beer should be hitting shelves in March in very limited quantities. As with the first Anniversary Beer, Schafly has brought together brewers past and present to create this experimental beer. This time they brought together brewer James "Otto" Ottolini, had of brewing operations at the Bottleworks, and Sarah Hale and Jack Petrovic, members of St. Louis' local food movement. They have created a wheat ale made with local wheat and honey, with the addition of lemon. It was then dry-hopped with Citra hops and then aged in bourbon barrels.
On Schlafly's Facebook page, brewer James "Otto" Ottolini describes the beer:
Description #1 - “ Volume # 2 in the 20th Anniversary series for Schlafly Brand Beers is Schlafly Hop Toddy Ale. This beer was brewed by the brewers who started between 1992 and 1997. Using a local farm connection which grows raw unmalted wheat was one of the elements of this beer. It is a slightly stronger wheat beer with an ABV of 7% aged in bourbon barrels. It has a light amber color mainly from the Honey Malt used in the brew, a heaping helping of locally grown wildflower honey as well as color pick up from char in the bourbon barrels. There is a citrus quality to this beer as well from both the use of lemon juice and Citra hops in both the kettle, whirlpool and dry-hopping. The combination of honey, citrus and bourbon flavors is reminiscent of a Hot Toddy and was a theme from which we worked this variation. Quite frankly we don’t know what to expect from such a beer, but look forward to when it is ready. We hope you enjoy this sampling of our personal stamp on the discovery and wonder of the art of exploration in brewing.”
Description #2 - “We don’t really know what this beer is going to taste like. But we look forward to trying it when it is ready. We hope you do as well.” -
Boulevard Chocolate Ale Label Approved
Posted: Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:37:00 PST
Boulevard Brewing's Chocolate Ale, a collaboration with chocolatier Christpher Elbow, is one step closer to hitting the shelves. The final label has been approved, which means the only thing left is to register with the state for distribution. That said, Boulevard is expecting Chocolate Ale to hit shelves right before Valentine's Day. That's one box of chocolates I want from my Valentine!
From the label:
“One of the brightest of Kansas City’s culinary stars, Christopher Elbow has earned a worldwide reputation for his handcrafted chocolate masterpieces. His sweets are distinguished by their use of unusual, sometimes surprising ingredients, and that adventurous spirit has left its print on this special ale. The aroma is given over to earthy, fruity cocoa, with just a hint of hops. Smooth layers of dark chocolate intertwine with threads of caramel, vanilla, and nutty malt as the flavor warms and rounds to a bittersweet finish.”
I am really looking forward to this beer, and I am incredibly jealous of anyone who has had a chance to have a sneak peek taste. -
Weston Finally Makes a Stout
Posted: Wed, 26 Jan 2011 07:14:00 PST
Finally, after about five years, Weston Brewing is going to create a stout. Weston's first beer was Irish Cream Ale, which I thought was an odd choice for a brewery so closely associated with one of the best Irish Pubs in the country. At the time I had emailed Weston Brewing and asked them why they didn't do a stout or porter, a style more closely associated with Irish Pubs. At the time they said they could not compete with Guinness, the perfect Irish pub beer. My response is, don't compete with Guinness. In the age of craft beer, there is no need to compete with Guinness. As a craft brewer, they could make a Oatmeal Stout, or a Milk Stout, or a Chocolate Stout, or a Double Stout. Or even an Oatmeal-Milk-Chocolate-Double-Stout. No word yet on which style Prototype Stout will be.
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Are You Feeling Lucky? - Stone Lukcy Basartd
Posted: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:37:00 PST
It is all but official, Stone Brewing is coming to Missouri. KC Beer Blog reported that a couple of Stone sales reps were in the Missouri scouting distributors and warehouse locations in St Louis and Kansas City. Once Stone does go live, which should be sooner than later, I'm expecting some pretty amazing beer events to celebrate.
I wanted to get a jump on the game, so I worked out a trade with one of my favorite beer bloggers, The Beer Buddha. We both cut our teeth over at BeerAdvocate, and progressed to beer blogging around the same time. The Beer Buddha covers the Nawlins beer scene like no other. I sent him some Show-Me State goodies in exchange for Stone Lukcy Basartd, Stone's 13th Anniversary beer that is a blend their flagship Bastard ales, Arrogant Bastard, Oaked Arrogant Bastard, and Double Bastard. The Bastards are super hop-forward strong ales, and one of the originators of the American Extreme Beer trend.
Regulation and licensing is a key factor that you must consider before choosing the best binary options company to work with.
22 oz silk screened bottle, poured into a Karmeliet tulip. A gentle pour produces a thick, custard colored head, The consistency of the foam is creamy and milky. Lacing is gorgeous, very delicate bubbles slide across the glass. The body color is the same as the brown bottle glass.
Smell is a harsh and aggressive pine hops with some alcohol back burn. There is a woody resin aroma in there around the edges. This is kind of pungeant. The taste is equally aggressive, but at least there is an attempt at balance from the caramel malts. There is just a hint of vanilla. But over all it is like fresh pine and spruce needles. It is sharp and biting. Even though it is only 8.5% ABV, there is a deffinate alcohol rub.
The mouthfeel is medium bodied with lots of active carbonation. The body itself is smooth where flavors are harsh. That creates an interesting contrast. Stone is not afraid to challenge their drinkers, and that is why so many craft beer fans love them. I have had all three of the base beers for Lukcy Basartd in the past. Blended together, I feel that the Double Bastard is the dominant beer. Since Lukcy Basartd is a one shot anniversary beer, I doubt it will be part of the Missouri launch. However I do anticipate picking up the other Bastards. -
Schlafly No 20, Volume 1 - Imperial Pilsner
Posted: Sun, 09 Jan 2011 08:28:00 PST
Schlafly is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year with four special brews. Each beer will be a collaboration with brewers past and present. The first release, an Imperial Pilsner, was just released in Kansas City in very limited quantities. Most stores around town were only allocated one case. Only the largest volume stores got two. Because of the scarcity, there was a limit of one per person when I bought my bottle. If you are interested in this release, I would go out now to get yours.
750 ml bottle poured into a Schlafly Kölsch stange glass. The first poured gives a three finger tall, powdery white head. Lacing is minimal and spotty. Body color is a deeper straw yellow than a traditional pilsner. I would think this is due to the increased malt bill. The body still has the clarity of a good pilsner. I can read the bottle information through the glass.
Smell has an interesting shift as the beer breathes. With the first pour there is a clean, grassy hops aroma. After a few minutes it shifts to a dry cracker smell. Towards the end it becomes a heavier bread aroma. Through out the smell shift, the taste pretty much stays the same. A very slight floral hops flavor with a hint of grass. The primary flavor is a doughy malt character.
The mouthfeel is heavy. In fact this is one of the heaviest Imperial Pilsners I have ever had. This bottle is nearly more than I can handle on my own. Not so much for the 9 % ABV, but more for the density. This is a very different Imperial Pilsner than Boulevard's version from last year. -
Looking to 2011
Posted: Mon, 03 Jan 2011 11:06:00 PST
Hello 2011. What will you show us this year?
I have to admit that this year has started a little rough for me. My Grandmother passed away on New Year's Day. It is incredibly sad, but it has also been a relief. Had she lived she would have been 91 years old today. That's an amazing run, and even more amazing was that she was still very aware of everything around her until the end. It was her body that just wore out. She was staying at the Kansas City Hospice House, and they did a wonderful job of making sure she was comfortable. My whole family really appreciate the attention the gave my Grandmother.
With all of that going on, I haven't been much in the mood for drinking. That's OK. My state of mind has a big impact on how things taste to me. When I'm down everything kind of tastes the same, so I might as well not waste good beer. Because of this, I will probably not post as often as I have before. I need to spend more time with the family right now.
I do hope to get back into a regular schedule by the end of the month. 2011 will still have a lot of beer releases that I'm looking forward to.
First off is Boulevard's Chocolate Ale collaboration with Christopher Elbow. Chocolate and beer go great together, and I have high expectations for this release. Christopher Elbow makes the best chocolate I've ever had, and Boulevard is my favorite KC brewery. This should be out by February.
Next on my list is Schlafly's 20th Anniversary releases. The first release is an Imperial Pilsner, which is a style that has become a favorite of mine.
Next up is Stone Brewing coming to Missouri. I have it on good authority that Stone should be in Missouri by early Spring. Stone excels at monstrously big beers. This should be exciting.
Finally, I looking forward to the unknown that 2011 will bring. The craft beer scene is constantly changing and evolving. I can't wait to find the next beer that takes me by surprise. Who knows what that will be.
Cheers and beers -
Beery Christmas to All, and To All a Good Pint
Posted: Sat, 25 Dec 2010 08:25:00 PST
I hope every one has had a merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, joyous Kwanzaa, and a festive Festivus.
As part of my family's Christmas Eve tradition, we made a gingerbread house with the kids. I don't particularly care how it ends up, but if they would just stop touching everything for a second so I could build the house part, that would be great. I think I need to start with a couple of beers next time.
Christmas morning was a great success. There were a few beers in my stocking. I have a big stocking. I will try and get these reviewed before New Year's Eve.
Cheers and Beers! -
I Hate it When I Wake Up Dead
Posted: Fri, 24 Dec 2010 09:04:00 PST
I was hoping to tie Left Hand Brewing's new Barrel Aged Wake Up Dead with the finale of Walking Dead, but the timing was off a bit. Walking Dead finished up a few weeks ago, and Wake Up Dead just hit shelves recently. Instead I did the next best thing, I paired it with a childhood favorite, Mystery Science Theater 3000. We just started watching Netflix streaming through the Wii. Pretty cool setup, and there is a solid library of MST3K to choose from.
I remember as a kid, using the highest VCR technology, I would record each episode. Joel and the robots would get me laughing so hard I peed a little. After I cleaned myself up I could rewind to where I left off. It could take me about three hours to watch an hour movie.
Tonight we choose the MST3K classic, The Killer Shrews. That's the one where dogs were dressed up as giant killer shrews, and all the acting took place in front of a wet bar. It was extra special because Mrs Monkey and I watched it with Monkey Boy. We introduced a new generation to bad movies. Thankfully it is a lot easier to pause and rewind when the Boy peed his pants a little.
On to the beer. 22 oz bottle poured into a Corsendonk Christmas Ale tulip glass. A thin khaki colored head drops down quickly, only spotty lacing. This is not completely out of line for a barrel aged beer, but is a little disappointing. The body color is a light black with a reddish hue. I see a lot of highlights that come through the center.
The smell is a straight up stout. Lots of dark roasted notes, mostly coffee and dark bread. I do not get any of the char flavors that usually come with a barrel aged beer. Taste does recover the char flavoring, but it is still very light. Slightly herbal tea characteristics. Not a lot of bold moves here.
Mouthfeel is a lot thinner than what I would expect of an Imperial Stout. It drinks very smooth, I do not get the feeling that this is a beer over 10% ABV. This is not a bad beer in general, but I don't think it lives up to the expectations of a barrel aged Imperial Stout. I think I am more impressed with the label than the beer. It was absolutely the right beer for watching MST3K. -
To Infinium and Beyond
Posted: Sat, 18 Dec 2010 14:22:00 PST
The much anticipated Infinium came out this week. Infinium is the collaboration between Samuel Adams and Germany's Weihenstephan Brewery, the world's oldest brewery. The two brewers were attempting to create a completely new beer style while still following the traditional German beer purity law, Reinheitsgebot. Under that guideline, they could only use hops, barley, water, and yeast to create the beer. What they ended up with is a Champagne-like beer. Bière de Champagne is a relatively new style, mostly from Belgium, so it's not exactly a brand new style. Even still, this limited release is generating a lot of buzz. I have heard reports of a single bottle going for $30-$40 in Kansas. I picked up one bottle at Gomer's Midtown for $17, and then another bottle at Bubbles in Gladstone for $15.
750 ml corked bottle poured into a Champagne flute. There is a quick flash of white fizzy head that disappears almost immediately and leaves no lacing. The body color is a clear dark yellow. Even though there is no head or lacing, there is still a lot of carbonation activity.
Once the cork popped there was an initial dry Champagne smell. As it warmed up it became a sweet, fruiter aroma. I was getting a lot of white grapes and apples. Hops barely make an appearance. A little floral flavoring blends in with the fruitiness.
Mouthfeel is a little heavier than a traditional Champagne, but the effervescent carbonation keeps it light and crisp. The yeast creates a bone dry finish. This is an interesting experiment. The label was dated 2010 but not marked as a one time release, so I wonder if this will be a seasonal release. We will see next year. -
Better Watch Out, Better Not Cry - Southern Tier Krampus
Posted: Fri, 17 Dec 2010 10:36:00 PST
American kids get it too easy. If they are naughty all they get from Santa is coal. And these days it's probably coal-looking candy. I tried explaining this concept to our three year old, and she had no idea what coal is. So I told her coal is a black rock. If you are naughty you get rocks. She wasn't too impressed with that threat. I can see her thinking about what she will do with a rock if she doesn't get the Zombie Barbie Underwater Dream House she wants.
Naughty kids in parts of Europe have more at stake. In that part of the world naughty kids are visited by Krampus, the Christmas Devil. While Saint Nick gives out presents to good little boys and girls, Krampus goes around and beats the naughty kids with a stick. Often he will stuff the brats into a sack or basket and drag them around by chains. I would think this is more of a deterrent for bad behavior than a rock.
Southern Tier has made a seasonal beer to celebrate Krampus the Christmas Devil. 22 oz bottle poured into a pokel glass. Huge chunks of sticky head stands over two inches. Great retention leaves cotton balls of lace on the glass. Body color is a coppery amber. Great clarity here. Beautiful beer to look at.
This is a lager for hop-heads. The smell is a smack of leafy hops. A blend of citrusy grapefruit comes in around the edges. There is a hint of bready malt sweetness that is overpowered by the hops. The taste of the first sip is an assault of hops. Incredible noble hops bitterness. I still get a green leafiness more than a standard hops pine needle flavor. As my mouth adjusts, more citrus flavors come into play. Mostly grapefruit, with a hint of spearmint. All though the hops a bold malt backbone keeps things together. It has a dry breadiness quality, the sweet keeps the hops in check.
Mouthfeel is a lot heavier than most lagers. The heavy malt bill creates a chewy quality. The 9% ABV does not even play a factor when put up against the massive hops flavor. Southern Tier calls this an Imperial Helles Lager. I don't think that is accurate, but I don't know what else to call it. An absolute slow sipper. Unless you were naughty, which in that case be prepared for a Krampus Holiday beating. -
Schlafly Launches Brewer's Choice Line with Bavarian-Style Weissbier
Posted: Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:24:00 PST
Schlafly has released images of the first label in their new Brewer's Choice line has been approved. The Bavarian-Style Weissbier uses Schlafly's No. 15 yeast strain. They will be packaged as 12 oz six-packs, and should be on the shelves Spring, 2011.
Troika Brodsky, Schlafly's Communication Director, gave me this additional information on the Weissbier and the Brewer's Choice line:
Technically, Scotch Ale will be the transition beer for the series, but the packaging will be the same. The Brewer's Choice series functions as a C seasonal where in the past we only had and A an B (for example, Coffee Stout and ESB or Summer lager & Raspberry). This will be widely available (at least thats my understanding) but probably not for very long. Once it's gone, it's gone. Most likely these will be one offs, so every Brewer's Choice will be unique, kind of like New Glarus' Unplugged Series. I know we've got one more planned for 2011 but it's too soon to announce. No reason we couldnt see more than 3 Brewer's Choice's in 2012. Lots of flexibility here to do whatever we want.
It is always exciting when brewers get to flex their muscles and show off a little. But when you are "That good," there is nothing wrong with showing off a little. I can't wait to try the Weissbier, and then see what comes next. -
Weston Brewing Wins Gold at Brain of Brewers
Posted: Tue, 14 Dec 2010 09:57:00 PST
Weston Brewing's Drop Kick Ale won a Gold Medal at the Brain of Brewing competition, hosted by Lallemand Brewing Yeast. The Gold was in the Amber Ale category. Drop Kick is sort of a hybrid English Brown/Bitter, and it is my favorite beer Weston puts out. According to Weston Brewing, Drop Kick beat out 50 other contestants to win the category.
This is a big win for Weston Brewing. For a long time they have been the local underdog. I admire their tenacity and I continue to root for them. Congratulations! -
Get What Done?
Posted: Sun, 12 Dec 2010 18:33:00 PST
A couple of new tap handles are popping up around the area from Nebraska brewer SchillingBridge. They are first introducing 70 SchillingBridge, a Scotch Ale, and Git-R-Done, a light lager. According to their website, SchillingBridge acquired a licensing agreement to use the catch-phrase "Git-R-Done." They hope that "this new venture will help to accelerate our vision of economic revitalization by creating a legacy of jobs for future generations, as well as keeping our rural dream alive and Pawnee City on the map as a destination site for years to come." That is a pretty high expectation from a catch phrase.
I found this on tap at The Stables in Kearney. Poured into a shaker pint glass. Very thin white head and no lacing at all. Body is a crystal clear pale yellow. Almost no carbonation. Smell has a grainy corn aroma. No hops or any other levels of aroma. Taste is a watered down excuse of a lager. If I wanted a Bud Light I would have ordered a Bud Light. This was an incredibly uninspired beer. I guess with the name SchillingBridge is trying to attract the Blue Collar Comedy fans. The problem with that is they already have a beer, Bud Light. Did this Git-R-Done? Not really. -
I Want a Red Ryder BB Gun...
Posted: Mon, 06 Dec 2010 17:21:00 PST
"With a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time."
Seriously, that is what I would like for Christmas. It's not all beer and games at the Monkey household. It was for a while, until someone lost an eye. I never had a BB gun as a kid, I settled for a NES Light Gun. That was OK, but now I actually have a practical reason for wanting a BB gun, as in the raccoons that think they have squatter's rights on my deck at night.
There are still many beer related items on my Christmas wish list. I'm hoping I was good enough this year to score at least some of these.
First up is a Corney Keg system for home-brewing. I have only done a few batches so far, and I already see the downside of bottling. It's a pain in the ass. I could get to the beer a lot faster if it was kegged. A Corney Keg is a five gallon keg that was originally used for soda, but have gained wide use with home-brewers. These setups vary in price around the internet, but the average seems to be around $40. Bacchus & Barleycorn have these on occasion.
Next would be some cool glass ware. I have mentioned this before, but I am a bit of a glassware junkie. Shaker pints are fine for day-to-day drinking, and a lot has already been said about proper glassware for different beers. Stemware always goes over well, especially if it comes in a gift-set with beer. Something I don't have is a stoneware tankard. 1001 Beer Steins have some nice, high-end steins. Full disclosure, 1001 Beer Steins is a paid advertiser on Show-Me Beer, but that doesn't mean I can't like the product. It would be nice to have a big Santa stein to take off the shelf every Christmas Eve. I would fill it with an Imperial Stout or Barleywine to drink as I put together another Barbie Dream House. That is going to have to be a tradition for another year.
Books always make a great gift, and "A New Religion in Mecca - Memoir of a Renegade Brewery in St. Louis
by Schlafly founder, Tom Schlafly has been on my want list for some time. Just being in Missouri we have picked up the general story of Schlafly, but it would be great to hear it in his own words. Another book I want to get is "Hometown Beer - A History of Kansas City's Breweries
." This was the companion book to the local PBS documentary on Kansas City beer from about ten years ago. The book is out of print, but it can be found. I have not been able to find the documentary on DVD.
I new bottle opener would be nice. And not just any keychain opener, I have tons of those. I want one of these babies that KC Wort Hog discovered. I have seen something like this in action before, and for a crown collector it is a beautiful thing indeed. It may be something I will have to just make.
Finally, beer. And any beer will do. It doesn't have to be something I've never had before, though that is a bonus. A six pack of Hamm's will fit into my stocking just as well as a bottle of Utopias.
Cheers and Beers, and Hoppy Holidays! -
Without Interruption - Odell Isolation Ale
Posted: Sun, 05 Dec 2010 09:21:00 PST
This time of year is hectic. Holidays, holiday shopping, kids events, family events. Too many people, too close together. It gets to be too much for me. Maybe it's my Social Anxiety Disorder kicking in, or maybe I'm just anti-social, but I need a break from being around people this time of year. That break happened for me last night. Mrs. Monkey had an overnight event with the middle Monkey Girl. Monkey Boy went down the street to spend the night with his friend, probably geeking out all night to video games. Fine by me. After little Monkey Girl went to bed, I pretty much had the house to myself.
I didn't even know what to do with myself. I could watch whatever b I wanted to. Without interruption. I could play my Wii games. Without interruption. I could surf any internet page. Without interruption. Most importantly, I could sit back and drink a beer. Without interruption.
I had picked up some Odell Isolation Ale earlier in the week. Isolation Ale is in my Top Five favorite winter warmers and I look forward to getting some each year. The intention behind the name has more to do with being snowed in, but we have yet to see any snow this year. I thought it was ironically appropriate for my evening of alone-ness.
12 oz bottle, with another very nice looking Odell woodcut label, poured into an imperial pint glass. Not much of a head, only about a 1/4 inch thick, but the lacing was persistent. Color was a dark yet clear reddish brown. Smell is mildly wood-like, sort of like fresh cut pine or spruce. Bit of smokiness. Wood flavor in the taste comes through strongly, like a campfire. Spicy notes add to the smokiness. Slight hops tang.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied and has a smooth warmth. As a Winter Warmer, it doesn't really pack a big punch, but that's OK. It's a very nice and relaxing beer. Very good for just sitting back and watching TV. Perfect for getting away from people for a while. -
Pub Warmer - Weston Brew Labs 3
Posted: Fri, 03 Dec 2010 06:19:00 PST
Weston Brewing has quietly released their third Brew Labs limited edition, Pub Warmer. This is a winter warmer spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice. I really like winter warmers and spiced beers. Anchor's Our Special Ale and Schlafly's Christmas Ale are a couple of my all time favorite beers. That said, I really want to like this beer. For too long Weston Brewing has been the punchline to beer jokes. I don't want to slam the guys from Weston, I really do like them. I think they are a bunch of nice guys who, unfortunately, have a history of putting out sub-par beers. Let's see if the jokes are over.
22 oz bottle poured into a Corsendonk Christmas Ale tulip. A thin white head quickly recedes but leaves a thin lace cap for the rest of the drink. Not much in the way of lacing on the glass. Body color has a pretty vibrant chestnut color.
The label says it was spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Boy, they are not kidding. The smell has a strong "spice shop" aroma. Not one of the spices is standing out, they are mixed in together. I like that smell, but it doesn't translate over to the taste very well. It becomes a muddy mess. I can't even tell what the base beer is through all the spices. This could be improved with a more balanced measurement of the spices.
The mouthfeel has a fine "silty" texture from the spices which I'm not enjoying very much. The initial gravity is listed as 1.049, but there is no final gravity to calculate the actual ABV. I'm guessing somewhere between 5% and 6% ABV. This may be a situation where some aging may mellow out the spices and create a better balance. I'm just not sure I want to give this the cellar space to try that out. -
Harvest Dance of Joy
Posted: Thu, 02 Dec 2010 04:43:00 PST
Boulevard Brewing Harvest Dance just came out this week. Is it just me, or has the price of a Smokestack limited release come down? I may be wrong, but seem to recall last year's version had a sticker price of around $12-$14. This year I snagged a couple of bottles for $8. Not that I'm complaining. My wallet is doing a Dance of Joy for every buck saved, especially this time of year. No matter how many times I tell them, the kids will not believe me when I tell them empty beer bottles are the latest Barbie Dream House accessory. And bottles do not plug into the XBox or Wii either.
On to the beer.
This year's Harvest Dance is really good, but it could be a little better. Even though it was released about a month later than it was last year, it seems a little young. The flavors and spices are not quite popping the way it did last year. It is still has a really good heavy wheat flavor, but I think with a little age the spiciness will develop and it will be even better. What I recommend is buying up as much as you can and then wait. Harvest Dance is still a seasonal, so once it's gone it's gone until next year.
Cheers and Beers! -
Six Row Brewing's First Anniversary
Posted: Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:22:00 PST
Saint Louis area upstart brewer Six Row Brewing is getting ready to celebrate their first anniversary this weekend. After a humble opening a year ago, Six Row beers are now offered in over 60 locations in the Saint Louis area, with plans to expand even farther. In addition to some great beer, they have also hosted a number of very interesting beer dinners that focus on local foods.
This Saturday, from noon to midnight, Six Row will hold an anniversary celebration that will feature cask beer and commemorative glasses. -
Giving Thanks
Posted: Thu, 25 Nov 2010 11:12:00 PST
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! This year I have many things to be thankful for, including the readers of Show-Me Beer. I started this blog as a way to express and share my thoughts on beer and the region I live in. I chose a very specific niche, so I never expected to get a whole lot of attention. After about a year and half Show-Me Beer has gotten bigger than I ever expected.
I want to thank all of the other bloggers I have gotten to know, on-line and some in person. The guys from KC Beer Blog continually keep me on my game. They are funny, well informed, and some day I hope to be invited to one of their KC Gents events. KC Wort Hog from The Wort Hog Beer Blog has taught me so much about homebrewing. She is a wealth of information on style. If you are a homebrewer you must read her blog. Mark Starr from The Hopry does some of the best video blogging on the internet. Great production and great selection of beers. It first met Mark at Blanc Burger for the Life and Limb tasting. I also want to thank all of the Saint Louis bloggers from STL Hops and The Hopostle for keeping me up to date on what's going on on that side of the state. You may recognize The Hopostle, he did a couple of guest reviews on Show-Me Beer before getting the blogging bug.
I'm sure there are many more people to thank, including all of the brewers who have reached out to me, but I'm trying ot bang this out before we have to leave for my mother-in-law's. Happy Thanksgiving. -
More Updates on O'Fallon Black Hemp Ale
Posted: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 12:22:00 PST
Black Friday is this week. If you are like me, you are going to do everything in your power to avoid the crazies on Black Friday. O'Fallon's new Black Hemp Ale is not going to be out in time for Black Friday, but I do have more information this week. O'Fallon head brewer Biran Owens sent me this info on the beer:
Citra hops can have a lemony flavor especially in high doses and in lighter beers. In the Black Hemp the Citra is used in a way to promote the tropical and subtle melon fruit flavors that seem to play really well with toasted nuttiness of the hemp seeds and do not seem to overpower them.
Hemp is an ingredient that works well in many different beer styles. At the moment there are no set plans to do another hemp beer, but that doesn’t mean that we won’t.
As you may know hemp is one of the most important natural plants on the face of the earth. It has over 50,000 uses including beer. We are one of two industrialized countries that do not take advantage of commercially producing hemp for our own uses. Instead we send millions of dollars out of the country to import what we could easily produce right here. Part of the reason for the hemp beers is to help promote the many benefits and uses for hemp and to help educate people on the myths and many misconceptions about it. -
Thank You for Calling, How May I Help You - Schlafly Christmas Ale
Posted: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 10:19:00 PST
Thanksgiving is this week and I have many things to be thankful for. First off is that I started a new position at my real job (that's right, Show-Me Beer isn't paying the bills, yet).
In my old job I worked in a call center doing customer support. I can hear the groans coming across the internet with that statement. Customer support is an important position but let's be honest, no one likes calling into a call center. To start off with, no one calls in because they are happy. If you have to call customer support when there is a problem, whether it's just have a question or something is not working. At the very least you are annoyed, but more likely you are pissed.
I have done call center work for about eight years. Taking calls from annoyed/confused/pissed people all day can wear you out. If you think calling into customer support is tough, think about the guy on the other end. When you call in, you only have your problem to think about. Customer support has to take care of your problem, and then maybe a hundred problems after that. That is not an exaggeration, it was not unusual to take 100 plus calls in a day. On top of all that negativity phoning in, we had to solve your problem with a smile. That is hard to do.
With my new position I don't even really need a phone, most communication is by email. I enter data to get product ready for manufacturing. I am thankful for my old call center job because it familiarized me with the business systems needed to do my new job. What I do now maybe isn't the sexiest career in the world, but I don't have to answer the phone. Shoot me an email.
To celebrate my first day at work I picked up some Schlafly Christmas Ale. This just hit shelves within the last week and is one of my favorite winter seasonals. Christmas Ale is made with orange peel and cloves and is also one of my favorite beers to age. The spices mature after about a year so that the cloves really pop. That mix of cloves and orange peel smells and tastes like the end of Fall. That time after all of the leaves have fallen, right before it gets cold enough to snow. Even though this is a Christmas Ale, it goes well with a large Thanksgiving Dinner. The pithiness from the orange peel and the cloves compliment a big hearty meal.
So the next time you find yourself calling into customer support, give a little thanks that you aren't the guy on the other end. -
What Are You Drinking for Brew Masters?
Posted: Sun, 21 Nov 2010 16:19:00 PST
Craft beer has officially gone mainstream. We have a reality show. Brew Masters will premiere tonight at 9pm on the Discovery Channel. The show follows Sam Calagione, owner of Dogfish Head Brewing. Dogfish Head is one of the forfront brewers in the Extreme Beer trend. They have created beers using unique ingredients from around the world, and have even made beers using ancient recipes.
I'm not exactly sure how the show will be framed. It could be for the beer geeks, or it could be more general to capture a wider audience. Either way I'm sure this will be a water-cooler moment for beer geeks. If the show goes over well I imagine other beer shows may come along. I can imagine a homebrewers contest show on a cooking channel. How about a travel log show like No Reservations or Three Sheets? It's more than likely I would watch something like that.
Unfortunately, Dogfish Head is not available in Missouri, but it is available in Illinois. I have had an opportunity to taste a handful of Dogfish Head beers and I have enjoyed them for the most part. 60 Minute, 90 Minute, and 120 Minute IPAs all all epic. Old School Barleywine is another one I highly recommend. Chateau Jiahu was meh. I'm going to dig through my cellar tonight to see if there are any DFH left. -
Happy Birthday Boulevard!
Posted: Wed, 17 Nov 2010 09:10:00 PST
Happy Birthday Boulevard!
Boulevard officially turns 21 today, and there will be birthday parties all across the state to celebrate. Most places will have 21st Anniversary Fresh Hop Pale Ale on hand, a few will even have it on tap.- Ponak's - home of the very first Boulevard delivery
- Flying Saucer KC - The Saucer is combining their Pint Glass Night with the Celebration
- Blanc Burger + Bottles - 21st Anniversary will, of course, be in bottles
Of course, if you can't get out tonight, you can always cheer on Boulevard from home with any Boulevard beer. Will you go with a bottle of 21st Anniversary Fresh Hop Pale Ale, or will you go old school with a traditional Pale Ale? Either way, Cheers and Beers to Boulevard! -
FDA to Ban Four Loko, What About Coffee Beers?
Posted: Wed, 17 Nov 2010 07:05:00 PST
Over the last few weeks there has been a lot of buzz about Four Loko, a cheap alcoholic energy drink. For about $2.50 you could get a 24 oz can of fruity flavored, 12% ABV malt liquor. It is popular with younger and under-age drinkers because it was cheap and it would get them drunk fast. The way I understand that to work is because of the caffeine buzz, you are not aware of how intoxicated you are getting. What would happen then is the drinker would drink more, which in some cases lead to alcohol poisoning. The FDA is getting ready to step in and rule that this is not OK and that caffeine is not a safe additive for alcoholic drinks.
Some may think this is a good idea. Four Loko is obviously marketed to a younger crowd and does not advocate responsible drinking. The stuff is like Smirnoff Ice and Red Bull, no one who drinks this is going to casually sip it. They are going to slam the 24 oz at a party or before going to a club. The FDA is there to make sure the ingredients in our food and drinks are safe to consume. "Who wants asbestos pancakes?" Caffeine by itself is a pretty powerful stimulant. Mixing it with a depressant like alcohol can have dangerous effects. There is a reason Red Bull and vodka is called Liquid Cocaine.
But wait, say my Libertarian friends. This is a knee-jerk reaction by the Government to a few cases where drinkers over indulged. They chose to drink the stuff, they did it to themselves. They pay the consequences for what they put into their bodies. Not only that, but a ban on caffeine in alcoholic drinks would impact drinks like coffee liqueurs and coffee beers. How is this ban going to affect craft brewers that add ingredients like chocolate and teas that add an inconsequential amount of caffeine?
The Brewers Association is stepping in and petitioning the U.S. Tax and Trade Bureau to make an exception for craft brewers
The petition seeks to disallow synthetic and pure caffeine additions to alcohol beverages, but allow incidental caffeine from ingredients that have a long tradition in brewing, such as coffee, chocolate and tea. The petition seeks to clarify that coffee, chocolate, herbs, spices, seeds and fruit are ingredients that should remain available to brewers to make beers for responsible enjoyment by beer drinkers.
This makes sense, and I would hope regulators could see the difference between an alcoholic energy drink and a stout flavored with coffee.
UPDATE:
The FDA just posted this Q&A about Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages, and beer an liqueur with coffee flavoring have been spared! -
Blowing Leaves is for the Birds: Unibroue Trois Pistoles
Posted: Sun, 14 Nov 2010 11:03:00 PST
We have had a late Fall season. Fairly warm weather through Halloween, now it is chilly and windy. A rain came through the other day that was bitter and depressing. Because of the late weather change, we didn't get the vibrant leaf color change we usually get. We went form green to brown almost overnight. When the rain and wind came trough it knocked off almost all of the leaves. That means a day off leaf blowing and raking was on hand. I'm not the greatest gardener, nor am I uptight about keeping up with the Jonses. As long as there is more grass showing than leaves I'm OK. My dog has more interest in playing in the leaves than I do. I think I would get kicked out of Overland Park, KS with that attitude.
Recently I have discovered that there is a backyard activity that I am good at, birdwatching. My mom gave the middle monkey a bird feeder for her birthday. It was a head-scratcher as to why an eight year old would want a bird feeder, but she seemed pretty excited about it. I guess watching birds at Nana's is a big deal. I put the feeder up outside our day room which serves as our office. Soon enough the word went out and we had avian visitors. And just as quickly I was hooked. We now have three feeders up. We have a good location, squirrels and other varmints have not found or are unable to get to the feeders. There are the common birds, chickadees, sparrows, and titmouse (tee-hee, titmouse).
Right now we also get a good variety of woodpeckers. Hairy and downy woodpeckers are most common, but on occasion we get a red-cockaded woodpecker, red-bellied woodpeckers, and a Northern Flicker. Anytime I hear tap-tap-tap I get up from the computer to see which Woody Woodpecker is visiting.
As with any yard-work, there is a yard beer to reward yourself when the job is done. Now that the weather is colder, a light crisp lager will not do. A darker, maltier beer is in order. A stout, porter or dark Belgian usually works the best.
I had picked up a four pack of Unibroue Trois Pistoles a few weeks ago. Trois Pistoles is a Dark Belgian Strong Ale that ranks in BeerAdvocate's Top 100. For the most part, I am not overly impressed with Unibroue. To me there doesn't seem to be much difference between the beers offered. Their yeast strain seems to dominate flavors. But, I wanted to give the brewery another chance. Up until this weekend, I still wasn't getting "It". Trois Pistoles was OK, but wasn't really wowing me. After spending a chilly Fall day out in the yard, I got It.
12 oz bottle poured into a Sam Adams pint glass. A good inch of tan head stops right at the lip of the glass. It recedes after a couple of minutes, not leaving any substantial lacing. The body color is a purplish brown, dense with only thin highlights around the glass.
Smell is mild, mostly a fruity malt character. I'm putting my nose way down in the glass, but it is hard to get a strong impression. Taste brings in plums, raisins, and a hint of cherry. There is that distinctive Unibroue yeast flavor. Every Unibroue beer I have had has the same dry and estery yeast profile. To finish out the flavor there is a mild chocolaty malt.
Mouthfeel has a medium body, a little thick but not too heavy. Carbonation is mild, just enough to keep the body from being syrupy. The 9% ABV warms your body, puts some feeling back into your extremities. Together it creates an image of Fall leaves. -
Links for 2010-08-14 [Digg]
Posted: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 00:00:00 PDT
- Give a Left Hand to International Left-Handers Day
Humorous look at Left-Handers Day and a review of Left Hand Oktoberfest
- Give a Left Hand to International Left-Handers Day
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Links for 2010-08-10 [Digg]
Posted: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 PDT
- W3Schools Online Web Tutorials
HTML XHTML CSS JavaScript XML XSL ASP SQL ADO VBScript Tutorials References Examples - Show-Me Beer: O'Fallon Belgian Dark Strong Ale Aged in Port
O'Fallon's new Belgian Dark Strong Ale gets aged in Port barrels - New St Louis Brewery Announced - Urban Chestnut
New brewery opening in Saint Louis
- W3Schools Online Web Tutorials
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Links for 2010-08-09 [Digg]
Posted: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:00:00 PDT
- Show-Me Beer: BA Restructures Top 100 Means More Are In MO
BeerAdvocate restructures the Top 100 and which ones are available in MO
- Show-Me Beer: BA Restructures Top 100 Means More Are In MO
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Links for 2010-08-05 [Digg]
Posted: Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:00:00 PDT
- Show-Me Beer: Happy International Beer Day - Hitachino Nest
Celebrating International Beer Day with Hitachino Nest Real Ginger Brew
- Show-Me Beer: Happy International Beer Day - Hitachino Nest
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Links for 2010-08-01 [Digg]
Posted: Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:00:00 PDT
- O'Fallon Sticke It to the Man Announced
New Sticke Alt beer from O'Fallon announced
- O'Fallon Sticke It to the Man Announced
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Links for 2010-07-29 [Digg]
Posted: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 PDT
- Show-Me Beer: Trailer 7: Boulevard Single Wide with Tank 7 Y
Single Wide IPA fermented with Tank 7 yeast
- Show-Me Beer: Trailer 7: Boulevard Single Wide with Tank 7 Y
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Links for 2010-07-28 [Digg]
Posted: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 PDT
- Show-Me Beer: Anchors Away for the USS Missouri
USS Missouri commissioning ceremony celebration - Show-Me Beer: Schlafly Raspberry Coffee Stout
New beer to b e brewed for Culinaria grocery store in St Louis
- Show-Me Beer: Anchors Away for the USS Missouri
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