14th
May
2008
Just a quick note that we are in the midst of American Craft Beer Week. This is an event, sponsored by the Brewers Association, that “highlights the industry and culture of craft beer.”
This year there is a focus on brewers’ charitable efforts. From the official press release:
This year, breweries and beer makers will also recognize their collective charitable contributions. For the first time ever, the Brewers Association announced U.S. craft breweries’ charitable contributions, and for 2007 they are estimated to be more than $20 million.
“In addition to being recognized for making world-class beer, independent craft brewers are amazing community citizens,” said Julia Herz, a spokesperson for the Brewers Association. “Craft brewers are an integral part of many communities’ charitable efforts. They donate to everything from fire departments, disaster relief efforts, local events, educational fundraisers and so much more.”
There is also a list of events (organized by state) at the ABCW site.
I’ve been doing my part by drinking craft beer this week. I’ll be topping it off on Saturday by enjoying the beers from the local brewpubs served at our minor league baseball team’s game. (It also happens to be my birthday.) I’ll even see about getting a hot dog and some apple pie.
What are you doing for American Craft Beer Week?
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written by Al | posted in Beer, Events, News | tagged american craft beer week, brewers association |
12th
May
2008
You and I and everyone who reads blogs like this know it already: Craft brewers are trying many different ways to deal with the shortages of hops. Their—and, by extension, our—plight has even been examined in the mainstream media.
Well, now it’s serious. The issue has now been covered by that paragon of journalism for geeks: Wired.com.
Craft Brewers Reformulate Beer to Cope With Hop Shortage
The beer-brewing situation demonstrates how the global-commodity shortage is spilling over to affect diverse industries in unexpected ways. The hop shortage lives on the outer edges of a food crisis that’s prompted riots across the planet, and last month led U.N. Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon to implore the world’s governments to increase food production to stave off a 40 percent jump in the cost of staples.
While nobody in the craft-beer industry is going hungry, they are being forced to adapt. There’s no replacement for hops in beer — they give the brew its flavor. But other key ingredients are in short supply, as well. Malt, which comes from sprouted barley, produces the alcohol and body of beer — its prices have doubled along with hops. The price of rice, used by industrial brewers, has charted a similar course.
(via Boing Boing)
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written by Al | posted in Beer, News | tagged hops shortage, wired |
12th
May
2008
I figured it would be a good time to update you on the Beer Blog Search Engine. I keep finding more and more quality blogs to add. Who knew there were that many people out there blogging about beer?
Anyway, here are some recently added blogs (in no particular order):
For more information on the Beer Blog Search Engine, see:
As always, if you know of any others that would be good additions, don’t hesitate to drop us a line.
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written by Al | posted in Resources | tagged beer blogs, blogosphere, search |
7th
May
2008
I heard a report this morning about ClimateCounts.org, a non-profit organization with the stated aim of bringing “consumers and companies together in the fight against global climate change.”
They’ve released their 2008 Scorecard, which summarizes 56 large companies’ self-reported efforts at environmental friendliness. Anheuser-Busch was one of the most improved companies, jumping 21 points from their 2007 score to 50 points (out of 100).
Scorecard Sectors: Beer
Of course, since ClimateCounts.org focuses on large—primarily American—companies, only three companies are listed in that sector.
- Anheuser-Busch: 50/100 (+21)
- SAB Miller: 48/100 (0)
- MolsonCoors: 34/100 (+14)
Certainly, these are awfully modest numbers and there are smaller brewers who would score significantly higher on ClimateCounts.org’s criteria. Still, considering the absolute volume produced by these three corporations, and the positive direction of their scores, kudos are warranted. Not that there isn’t room for improvement, of course. As I say to my kids when report cards come out: “Great job! Now, keep it up.”
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written by Al | posted in Beer, Megabreweries, News | tagged anheuser-busch, climate change |
6th
May
2008
Bill Bramanti of South Chicago Heights, Illinois loves Pabst Blue Ribbon so much, he’s had a coffin made to look like a can of PBR.
He’s tried it out to make sure he fits and recently had a party using the coffin as a cooler.
Macabre. It must have been some interesting party conversation, though.
USA Today: Illinois man designs beer can coffin
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written by Al | posted in Beer | tagged coffin, pabst blue ribbon, pbr |
6th
May
2008
About a month ago I was traveling around New York state and looked up a pub called John Harvard’s Brew House while out on Long Island. Looking at the website, it appears John Harvard’s is a small chain of brew houses. The one I visited is located in Lake Grove, NY.
While the restaurant was only mildly busy, the bar room was hopping with folk all watching the Islanders, the Mets, and/or the Yankees. Only a few didn’t seem to care what was on TV.
Danielle at the bar helped me out with my first beer choice, offering me a sample of a few brews to see what I liked. I liked them all and chose to start with something light, but I frankly can’t remember the exact style. I swear it was made with Amarillo hops, but the website doesn’t seem to list it. None-the-less, I recall enjoying it greatly. I was impressed with Danielle’s knowledge of the beers. Everyone had questions for her and she was ready with a descriptive answer each time. Not to mention, she was hustling her ass off as she seemed to be the only one to wait on customers.
I was in the mood for a steak and their menu was a touch more upscale than standard pub fare. I ordered a steak Belugi Style, which was spicy and heart consciously prepared with mango salsa and a side of rice. I’m always nervous when I step out of bounds ordering something like this at a pub, but they did a fantastic job with it… it was delicious.
Satisfied with my first beer and perfectly done steak, I decided it was a good time to try something else different, and for me, a first time ever. John Harvard’s offered a real hand pumped cask ale, something I’ve never been able to experience. Not carbonated, this ale is pumped with air straight from the cask to my glass. This IPA held a nice head of foam and went down smooth. Ahhh… now I know what I’ve been missing. It is too bad none of the brew houses near me offers real cask ale.
Normally I avoid chain restaurants like the plague, but this one is serving real beer to masses, with great food to boot. It is certainly a refreshing change. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend it.
Related posts
written by Ron | posted in Brewpubs, Food Pairing, Reviews | tagged brew house, brewpub, cask ale, chain restaurants, john harvard |
5th
May
2008
Over forty bloggers from around the world participated in this edition of the Session. Boak and Bailey have posted the wrap-up:
The session round up - there are many roads to good beer
Several themes emerged:
- Sudden epiphanies
- Gradual enlightenment
- The time, the place, the people
- Homebrewing
Geistbear Brewing Blog will be hosting Session #16.
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written by Al | posted in The Session |
