Beer-a-Day #266
Oooh! Cascade!
Nice coppery color. The bottom of the head looks like it was cut by a knife due to the tiny nitrogen bubbles. Aroma is not quite vanilla. Mouthfeel is creamy and the taste reminds me ever so slightly of flan.
Beer-a-Day #116
Ah, no widget this time. The can proclaims that this is “brewed longer for a distinctive full flavour” and the website proclaims it is Greene King’s “flagship brand”.
A nice golden color, like a good cream soda. Head is ivory and a finger-and-a-half thick. Piney and grassy. Medium body and a good bit of bitterness, with a flavor that kinda reminds me of burnt biscuits. As I work through it, it’s growing on me.
Beer-a-Day #98
Taking another chance on an import. And one in a clear glass bottle.
Nice golden color.
*sigh*
And it’s a bit lightstruck. There’s probably a nice little beer under there, but I can’t get past the skunkiness.
Oh well.
Update: At Max’s suggestion (see the comments) I got a widgetized (canned) version of Old Speckled Hen. It’s pretty good. Not skunked, that’s for sure.
I think archaelogy is cool. Not cool enough for me to kneel in the dirt and hot sun searching for artifacts with just a toothbrush, but I’m definitely fascinated by “lost” bits of civilization.
Medieval maltings found at famous brewer
But the unearthing of an expansive domed area and flue beyond the [Bury St Edmunds] Abbey’s boundary shows there was at least one other large-scale brewer in the town at the time – and that the town had a precursor to Greene King.
The structure is thought to be a medieval malting, which was used to process and then heat soaked barley.
Appropriately enough, the discovery was made beneath the North Yard of the town’s present day brewing giant Greene King, which invited in the archaeologists before clearing up the yard for building work nearby.
Pier 55: Wine is less snobby and beer more sophisticated
Cornell University offers a course entitled “Understanding Wine and Beer”. Traditionally women drink more wine than beer and men the opposite, but recently the gap has narrowed to almost nothing. Wine is less expensive and more accessible, and craft brewed beers are becoming more sophisticated. “No longer viewed as the sole province of the barbarian, specialist brewed beer has become the new fine wine.” Even many of the health effects associated with red wine can also be had from your darker beers.
Tale of two brews
When Molson Coors bought Creemore Springs Brewery in 2005, fans of the craft brewer felt that it was like “a death in the family.” But the megabrewer has given Creemore the autonomy to stay true to their roots.
Drinkers take on brewery in beer battle
Regulars at the Lewes Arms in Lewes, England are fans of locally brewed Harveys Best Bitter beer. However, the pub’s been bought by Greene King who want to stop selling it. This has sparked something of a local revolt. Even the local politicians are weighing in.
Police flush 2,500 cans of beer
A tragedy on so many levels, beer and other alcohol confiscated from an illegal establishment had to be flushed one container at a time by police officers. What a waste of taxpayer money. Of police manpower. Of beer.
Professors debate merits of beer, wine
Faculty at University of California – Davis put on a presentation and debate arguing the merits of beer versus wine, including health effects and trivia.
Plasmax makes beer last longer
Plastic bottles coated with “Plasmax” are as good as glass, according to the German brewing institute Versuchs- und Lehranstalt für Brauerei. To me, beer in plastic is just wrong. I suppose the Miller Lite served at the stadium or all those college keg parties with Solo cups have just ruined the idea for me.
Pittsburgh Brewing reintroduces I.C. Golden Lager
The maker of Iron City beer prepares to enter one of the only segments of the beer market that has shown any signs of growth: craft brews.
New malting system saves water
Dutch brewer Bavaria says it can use up to 30% less water with a new steeping system.
Greene King to lower ABV of Old Speckled Hen to boost sales
“Feedback from our drinkers is that they love the full flavour of Old Speckled Hen, but a significant number find it too strong,” says Managing director Justin Adams.
Crying in our beer
Edmonton Sun editorial on the failures of the privatized alcohol distribution system in Alberta, Canada.
U.S. Sailors seek beer, not girls
Sailors on leave in Perth, Australia have only one thing on their mind and, according to them, it’s not women.
Sleeman agrees to $300 million buyout form Sapporo
Molson Coors, Labatt’s, and Grolsch all said to have been interested. See also: Sapporo acquires Sleeman Breweries
Japanese beer faces woes despite revival
As the Japanese economy continues to recover, domestic beer shipments are rising for the first time in a decade. But changing tastes, healthier lifestyles and Japan’s shrinking population are all posing huge obstacles for an industry that has already undergone painful restructuring.
SABMiller purchases McKenzie River Corp. for $215 million cash
McKenzie is best known for their caffeinated malt beverage, Sparks, and Steel Reserve, a high gravity lager.
Major brewers expected to raise prices
After expensive price war, the big American brewers look to raise prices in spite of losing market share to wine, liquor, imports, and craft beers.
New York first state to create a “beer trail”
Inspired by wineries to promote the approximately 60 breweries and brewpubs in the state.
Sales of craft beer make biggest jump in a decade
U.S. sales up 11% in first six months of 2006 over same period last year.
