Hop Talk Podcast #1 – I laughed, I cried…

Ummm…what?!

So, after one too many get-togethers where the four of us sit around and talk about beer and everything else, have a great time, and somebody says “we should be recording this”…well, this time we did it.

It’s rough. Very rough. Very, very rough. But that’s mostly by design. It is really us just talking, although we did pick a few recent beer news items to kick around just so it wasn’t a total ramble.

We had a lot of fun. So much so, we’re going to do it again. (There. You’ve been warned.)

I hope you enjoy it. If you do, or even if you didn’t, drop us a line.

 

Download it here: Hop Talk Podcast ep. 1 (fixed link to file)


…or subscribe with iTunes

News:

Anheuser-Busch InBev acquires Chicago-based Goose Island.

Anthony Bourdain alleges that the “Brew Masters” series on the Discovery channel was cancelled due to pressure from big brewers. Discovery’s position is that the show didn’t find an audience, so was cancelled.

Brewers Association: Craft Beer sales were up by 11% in 2010 (by volume). Up by 12% by dollars.

Listener mail:

Cathy from Scotland wants to know where to find Old Speckled Hen on draught in Edinburgh. Do you know? Drop us a line: http://hop-talk.com/contact/

What we drank:

(The Unofficial Hop Talk Beer Rating System)

Old Speckled Hen

Old Speckled HenBeer-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.

Old Speckled Hen

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.


Beer News Sampler

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.