The World of Beer

No...Did I hear that right?

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:41:00 +0000

I was flipping through a trade magazine the other day and I came across an ad for a new "Ed Hardy" branded beer. Now I have the up most respect for the man, Don Ed Hardy he is basically the god father of the modern tattoo and still remains in the tattoo industry as a fixture. Although long retired from tattooing, he has continued to produce legendary artwork in other medians. Sometime a few years ago he licensed some of this artwork to a clothing designer and people of a certain persuasion flocked to it. Seems like now it is turning into an empire, not that most of the people walking around in one of the numerous branded items from t-shirts, to sunglasses and shoes know any thing about the man himself.. But a beer? Come on, do we have to go there again? Does anyone remember the Harley Davidson beer by chance? In the days of private label wines, and designer vodkas I guess it was bound to happen but what will you do with all the beer that is left when the people who tried it (maybe because the design was the same as what was on their trucker hats) and have gone back to their Bud Lights and Mich Ultras? Ultimately what is in the bottle becomes most important after the "newness" wears off, and sadly the people who come up with ideas like this have little care how the beer tastes. Hell, they probably drink Vodka drinks anyways!

Cheers!

Beer Summit...commentary and beyond!

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:41:00 +0000

It was a historical event.. At least to CNN, Fox News, and all the other news agencies the "Beer Summit" something I am sure Obama surely did not plan to be covered the way it was. To me our new prez is kind of the man that is not used to making such a big deal over much of anything so trivial as having a beer with a few guys in the afternoon and discussing various issues they might or might not have in common with each other. This kind of thing is why I really support Obama, while I am not going to get into the political spectrum otherwise of health care, etc. the willingness of a president in office to sit down with two other somewhat public figures to discuss a dispute is something I think the world could take a hint from. In this government by the people, for the people, and all that other yada yada yada our govermental figures no matter what political party are for the most part too; well, stuffy and about their own agendas to the point that I would never expect them to sit with us commoners to have a drink so to see our president do it tells me that we do have someone who at least thinks a little differently about things..

After reading article after article about this little "meeting of the minds" (Biden even showed up!) I came across a few that were a little bit different than all of the others. Seems like craft brewers across America, and even more so the beer press, writers, and bloggers, have a lot to say about the beer choices during the "Beer Summit". Most of these folks who have been writing articles, blogs, and editorials being part of the craft beer industry had the most crucial opinions of Obama's choice of Bud Light as his beer of choice for the evening. Bud Light? I know, I know when you think of the finer things in life Bud Light is not even flowing through the toilets in the bathrooms in your fantasies believe me, I would not use the stuff to put out a fire but that isn't the point here..
One writer in his weekly column mentioned how Obama had drank craft beer on campaign stops (there was also a PBR in there if I remember), and enjoyed it but now his choice of the most unholiest brews available in the USA to the nation's craft brewers is almost a kin to treason. I mean come on as this writer stated in the course of his article that Obama's choice told craft brewers he did not care about them. Seriously?
Yes, I understand that a big reason for this is that technically AB is now not an American company but Bud Light IS the best selling beer in the US, and while in terms of taste, flavor, or (again for a different reason) taste it was not a good choice; it was one that the majority of beer drinkers could identify with. The beer itself of course was not nearly as important as the subject at hand, but if you think about, the president drinking the most popular beer in America might have been doing it to show the public that he was just a regular guy too.

Let's face it, maybe the man didn't even specify what he wanted he is, after all pretty busy. I wonder what kind of beer the White House does keep on hand and if they would accept beer from breweries directly for the president should he ever be in the mood for a real beer? Would be worth a try, but for now:

Hey Obama! Hows about an invite to the White House sometime to have a chat and a brew? I'll bring the beers! It will be a blast..

That should fix it.. Bring your own, and some for him then you won't have to worry about him drinking that swill!

Cheers!

Colorado 2007 ( A look back)

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:59:00 +0000

From a trip in 2007 to the GABF, what would a trip to Colorado be for a couple of Florida beer geeks without a trip up to Ft. Collins? We managed to hit a couple few of them including New Belgium and O'Dell which I have included a few pictures of. Notice the hop bags from O'Dell? That's nice, so was their I.P.A. we drank 5 gallons of it even in that high altitude where the beer buzz creeps in quicker!

We also spent some time hiking in Estes Park, there are a few of those pictures mixed in. Not beer related I know but you can't spend the entire time in the brewery or bar! Got to stretch those legs..

How's that for cold beer in Colorado...
Good old Redpoint E.S.B. perfect during a hike, heavy to pack in and out but at this elevation you only want to have one or two so you don't get really buzzed..

For some reason I really like this ad..

Beers like Rodenbach do not even need advertising but it is nice to see something that inspires my thirst as does this one!

The good Doctor, keeping watch over the old Flying Dog Brewery in Denver!

The "Mothership" New Belgium Brewing

If you have not been, you are late Colorado is a great place to visit and there is so much more! These are just a few of the pictures I have from the multitudes of breweries I have visited there. Truly a beer drinkers paradise, there is something for everyone and it is all fresh and served by very friendly people who love living life. I think that helps the beer ferment..Happily!

More later..

Cheers!

Excise Tax Increase

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:43:00 +0000

This is an important issue for all of us who love beer from small breweries check it out..

I am adding this from the Brewer's Association website, and numerous beer blogs, brewery websites, and anyone else who is in the industry to get informed and act against this proposed excise tax:

Date: June 8, 2009

Subject: Proposed Increase of Federal Excise Tax a Serious Threat to Small Brewers and Your Beer Choice – Contact Your Senators Now

Dear Beer Enthusiast,

Small brewers are facing an imminent and extremely serious threat to their businesses. The consequences of remaining silent have the very real potential of reducing your choice of beer and dramatically increasing the price of any beer that you purchase.

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.

If you live in the following states it is most urgent that you contact your Senator who is on the Senate Finance Committee:

Arizona	Nevada
Arkansas	New Jersey
Delaware	New Mexico
Florida	New York
Idaho	North Dakota
Iowa	Oregon
Kansas	Texas
Kentucky	Utah
Maine	Washington
Massachusetts	West Virginia
Michigan	Wyoming
Montana

If your Senators are not members of that committee, ask them to contact their Finance Committee colleagues and express their opposition to this proposal moving forward.

Your ask of them is simple:

Oppose the Tax Increase. Let them know that you oppose, in the strongest possible terms, raising the federal excise tax on beer because of the serious consequences it would have on small brewers and the craft beer they brew. Additional talking points appear below.

Once again: If one of your Senators sits on the Senate Finance Committee (roster of members below), urge them to oppose this proposal in committee deliberations.

If your Senators are not members of that committee, ask them to contact their Finance Committee colleagues and express their opposition to this proposal moving forward.

Take Action - Call and/or email your Senators’ Washington or district offices and make your personal case against this massive excise tax increase.

As always, thanks for your support.

Charlie Papazian
President, Brewers Association

This is a very serious issue for the handful of small breweries in the Tampa Bay area as well as anywhere else, even to consumers it will mean an increase in the price from retailers which no one likes!

Sounds to me like someone needs to stage a tea party.. I'll let you know.

Cheers!

Update

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Wed, 27 May 2009 11:54:00 +0000

Upon trying to get some resolve from the organization I spoke of in my last post I was informed that the discussion of correct information was overly dramatic. Correct Information=Drama? Then call me a drama queen because I like my information to be correct in nature. Don't you?

Also, in the beer world "BA" can be construed as more than one organization and I am NOT referring to the one in Boulder CO that exists to help the brewing industry with a open minded approach. I am referring to the organization that judges almost every brewery in the nation and most in the world as well based on their interpretation of the products produced at these breweries. Just wanted to clarify that. One has good intentions, the other?

Cheers!

P.S. I promise to lighten it up next time, this kind of thing just "flattens my beer" and that makes me agitated.

BA or BS?

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:46:00 +0000

I recently was flipping through a random beer magazine while sitting in a bar and found that they had done a review of Tampa beer establishments, effectively leaving out some of the best places in the Tampa Bay area to get a pint. Upon checking the website attached to this magazine I saw there was already a post about this which made me happy although with a print periodical once the magazine is already out the damage has been done.

This organization which has a history of being a very reputable place to learn about beer and beer culture for some seems to in the last few years become more of an outlet for the two brothers who run it to voice their own opinions instead of the unbiased promotion of the beer culture in America and abroad it once was. While I have always been more of an independent student of all things fermentation related (yes, even bread and wine too!) I did once have a respect for this site that has slowly waned as the quality of both the magazine and website slipped. Looking back at issues I have kept from the past it is evident that somewhere along the line what they had preached about better beer went out the window to make a living which I would not fault them for except that most people would not sell out their beliefs to make a buck. Funny, I see ads in these magazines from the large breweries they at one time ostracised for their sub par beers, brewing techniques, and methods to exude power over the smaller independent breweries that they claim to be such large supporters of. Hypocrisy? Again probably not, just trying to pay bills but how is that any different that those same large breweries that spend more on their advertising than actually making their beers? Furthermore is this really a place people who are interested in learning about beer should come for information? Not in my opinion. You would be better off buying a mixed 6 pack and looking up every brewery's website, a much better way to learn about the products and as far as opinions go.. Use your brain and create your own! Want to share it? Step away from the computer and go out to one of your local better beer establishments and talk to the people sitting on the stools next to you. I guarantee this will be 100% more fufilling than inputing them into a computer, and you might learn something you did not even expect to!

When I started drinking and cataloging the beer I was experiencing there was no website that existed for rating beer or beer establishments it was all done with my trusty notebook and believe me, I have some notes that are easier to read than others depending on the amount of beer that was consumed in the night. Those I did not feel I accurately experienced I revisited, but it was all for my knowledge and advancement for something I truely have a passion for and not a quest for the maximum number of beers I could experience or ratings I could write.

These days as with any other quest men seem to be on, he who dies with the most toys (or in this case, beer ratings) wins according to this and one or two other related websites. Does that sound right to you? If it does, then by all means don't let my opinion sway you just don't expect me to want to hear you theorize beer culture as you follow the rest of the lemmings to the next big beer release from a brewery that has released wonderful beers for years but only gains attention for one product that everyone on their computers decides is now going to be sought after. I'll form my own thoughts and opinions thanks and if I "miss" out on it there is probably a reason. This lemming has turned away from the cliff.

Perhaps you agree, perhaps you don't.. Some people like to be told what to like, some don't and I am one of the latter.

Cheers!

The Travelers..

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:17:00 +0000

Did you ever notice the different between a traveler and someone who just goes on vacation? There is a difference, perhaps not in the sights that have been seen, or the activities and attractions experienced. A person can go anywhere but to me the traveler takes a life lesson of some sort home with them along with the other usual goodies. Often the vacationer brings only the t-shirts.. Or in our case, beer! Which is good of course and "to each his own", but to go somewhere and not become involved in the local culture at all to me is a trip wasted.

I thought of this while talking to a few people yesterday about different locations they had been to and were going to. In this handful of people, by the way our discussions went there both types of people. Some wanted to go someplace to relax and could care less about where they actually were and the local culture, others wanted to go an experience a location and see the sights and take something with them they will remember forever. One person, younger and thirsty to experience life just wanted to go SOMEWHERE!! I can't wait to hear his story when he makes it somewhere, where ever that is.

To me I consider myself a traveler and when I go somewhere I enjoy the journey, the location, and the people. When I go someplace I like to try to do as the locals as much as possible, eat local food, drink local beer, and hang out in local places to meet local people. It can be across the state, or across the world it all works the same way. Try it! Pass up the hotel bar, and go where the locals drink, don't eat at the big chain restaurant, hit the little cafe that is packed with local people. There is a reason it's packed! Find out and have fun!

Just a rant, not about beer but something on my mind..

Cheers!

Where did April go?

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:16:00 +0000

Whoa! That was a crazy ride... I don't know how that all passed by so quick..

I was in New Orleans for the Jazz Fest 2 weeks ago, my first time in NOLA at all what a fun town! The music scene there is for someone like me, the best in the world especially during the Jazz Fest. Abita is everywhere, which is good but there is not much selection beyond that unless you're up for a frozen drink, 64 oz. plastic bottle of Miller Lite, or a Hurricane of course.. They also have the Hand Grenade which is billed as the strongest drink on Bourbon Street, most of these cocktails are so sweet I wonder if the sugar buzz makes up for the mass consumption of alcohol?? Still, they go morning to, well early morning again as it seemed like they were still open when I went into the hotel for the night and then they were open again when I left the hotel the next morning.. To sober you up between all of this bar crawling? Cafe Du Monde, coffee (juice, water, etc..) and benigets that is pretty much all they do..Want something else? Too Bad, and watch out for the powdered sugar it's everywhere! They have a brewpub Crescent City, right down near Jackson Square they had a little jazz trio playing, and had good menu as well. The beers needed some work, seemed to me like cleaning the lines would have done wonders for start but there were some other issues there and it was disappointing but I have heard it was great at one time so I am sure it will be back eventually.

We just had the "Hoppy Ending IPA Fest" this past weekend at the brewery. It was a blast as usual, the first hour and a half being a blind tasting was a great idea and I was very glad to overhear the people discussing the beers and really using their senses to pick out their favorites.
Avery Maharaja was the overall People's Choice winner, which is not a surprise it is a favorite around the brewery.

Take me out to the ball game..

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:02:00 +0000

Spring time in Dunedin, Florida..

A wonderful time of year, pretty much anywhere in Florida the sun is getting higher in the sky and the little bit of cooler weather is gone but not yet replaced by the hot, humid summers we are used to. Perfect time for a few days of spring training baseball games, especially Blue Jays games since they are after all less than a mile away. Now I am not really a loyal baseball fan, on TV the games are the best way for me to be seduced to a nap, but to go and see a game and have a hot dog and a beer IS truly an "All-American" pastime. There is only generally one problem with this.. Beer at my local stadium sucks! I was lucky enough to sit in one of the luxury boxes for one of the games and had a never ending supply of Labatt's Blue which was palatable but when you are down in the regular Joe seats it's more meager.. The big "AB selection" and not even the new more "handcrafted" Michelob products just Regular, Light, and I think I have seen the Lime for the really adventurous.. If you really want to throw your money down the tubes you can drink Corona or Corona Light, and the guy will even hook you up with a lime..GREAT! Yuck!! I choked through 2 of them when a pal button hooked me and announced he wasn't drinking anymore at a recent game.. I thought about tossing it, but I am a little cheap so I suffered through it cursing my buddie the whole way. Man, I never thought they could make that beer less enjoyable, and I am usually the proponent for canned beer but that was another story.
Now I have to be subjective, and like I have noted before faced with the prospect of drinking cheap beer that I really do not like I consider it a learning experience. I drink a few and realize why I am dedicated to my mission to help everyone consider better beer, they are right you want it to be cold, really cold because if you taste it you might not finish believe this in their million dollar advertising campaigns..

By the way, the Phillies stadium in Clearwater has made the commitment to better beer even having Dunedin Brewery's Piper's Pale Ale on tap for the last 3 seasons now. In addition to this they have about 100 other selections in bottles and a few others on tap, definitely an easier place for a person like me to watch a ball game just not easier to get home from afterwards. I also know that soon the Devil Rays will be playing their regular season games at the Trop in St. Pete and this is another place I know you can get a quality pint if you look hard enough at least in the past. I will have to wait for an update from the beer geeks who will get down there as soon as the season opens to find out if it is still that way this season too. GO RAYs!

More later..

Cheers!

big mouths and free beers..

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:11:00 +0000

I have to say thank you to whom ever is actually reading this thing.. I have been to a few of my usual haunts in the past month or so and been treated to a pint or two from my gracious friends who run these places because of people who have seen them mentioned on my feeble little rant they call a blog (your here now!)... Again, THANK YOU!! The free pints help, I'm a working man after all! Really, I am just happy first that people are reading, and of course that people are finding the places I am mentioning because I would never steer anyone wrong but you know that already. I hope. I owe you all a pint one day, and hope to pay up soon, but in the mean time keep supporting local establishments that support local and for that matter better beers in general.

Dunedin House of Beers is going strong with a majority of their draft system up and running with a few goodies and lots of the usual better beers on tap, they are on Broadway Ave in Dunedin if you have not checked them out. Parking is a bummer but go around back to find a spot.

In other news the Dunedin Brewery will be releasing a "Wee Heavy" Highland Games Ale and " The Rock" Double IPA within the month to the pub and a few very thirst and worthy local establishments. So far initial tastings of these beers show them to be big-assed ball busters but maybe I am biased.. You should come check it out for yourself but give it a few more weeks (mid April) we will also have a cask night with "The Rock". Will keep you posted.

Cheers!

Amatuer Night

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:14:00 +0000

So tonight is St. Patrick's Day, that joyous day in which everyone claims to be a little bit Irish and is usually filled with beer, corned beef, and obnoxious clothing as I have noticed more and more to name a few of it's better features.. I work for a brewery remember, so after years of seeing this be a crazy drunken night of people who really wait for that one day of the year to lose their sense of moderation I usually do not drink on this night. As an advocate of the more than occasional beer, there are few days of the year that I do not drink and this is one of them probably the biggest..

I was in Amsterdam once during St. Patrick's Day and you would never know it was going on if you did walk by the couple Irish Pubs in town and it was mostly Americans who we heard drinking heavily being loud and crazy. I thought it was kind of funny, and a little bit of home in an unfamiliar place though I did not go into any of those places (no need for that much a taste of home).

Sorry to be the party pooper on this one.. It is still a special day for me, in another way.

Cigar City Brewing is now available on Tap in Central Florida and Tampa Bay, Maduro Brown was released in fact the first keg was tapped at Redlight, Redlight probably a blast of a party! I am sure the Taphouse will be getting it soon if not already so I am sure I will be enjoying a few of them soon. The CCB kick off/initial release party will be at the Oldsmar Taphouse by the way on March 28th starting at 2pm I believe. They will be tapping special kegs all day long.

Cheers!

What a long strange trip...

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 23:59:00 +0000

Stogie and Stout was a success, but it seemed to start a chain of events and other things to do that have kept me away from the computer. We ended up with 35 beers total, including 2 on cask and 5 in bottles! Cigars were from Don Pepin, Fuente, Rocky Patel and others.. The event was attended by about 250 people total, up from last year.

I am working on a few more festivals.. Maybe an IPA fest in May? Keep your eyes out for more info..

Now things are seemingly back to normal and have quieted down a bit which is good for the chores and other things neglected around the house while I am off drinking beer..

Yesterday was the BFBC's Brewer's Ball, the once a year that seems to be the crescendo to the month of judging and events in line with the "Best Florida Beer Championships" the Stogie and Stout being a part of that. The Brewer's Ball is always a crazy party with all of the gold medal winning beers on tap from the competition for you to try at your leisure, in fact go ahead and pour it yourself! This is the one time a year everyone for the most part comes together, and for a lot of us the only time we see each other each year. To see old friends in the brewing industry around Florida and otherwise is always fun and needless to say most wake up the next day moving a little slow..

Another beer bar is a brewing in Dunedin, the House of Beers is already open for the bottle only trial run and I am told the taps will be installed this week and they will be up and running within the next few weeks.. The location is not perfect but I think Rick and Andy will find success in their endeavors as Dunedin is quite a beer friendly town. I wish them the best and will probably be bellied up to the bar some nights as it is bicycle distance to the house and it is never the drive to my beloved Oldsmar Taphouse that is hard, it is the ride home.. Or most honestly picking it up the next day! Seriously, by the way don't booze and cruise. Not to sound like any ones momma, but be smart.. The House of Beers is set for 40 taps and about 200 bottles, there is sure to be something tasty to drink on tap or in the bottle. I look forward to it!

Lately I have been able to get Dragon Stout from Jamaica, this beer I found out is available after a long time of not being available in the states. I have not seen it a lot of places, but it is JJ Taylor (Tampa Bay Miller/Coors, craft, etc. distributor) that distributes it. This is a Sweet Stout, really almost cloying but with a cigar or the right food or mood it is really good. The sweetness is not lactic as it is with a lot of craft brewed stouts of this style, Dragon's is almost of roasted/burnt molasses, with a small crisp spice from the small addition of what hops they do add. This same brewery brews Guinness for the island of Jamaica, which is a different recipe even than the Export we can get here in the states. I have had both in my trips and this is pretty much as good as it gets for the beer snob in JA.

More to come..

Cheers!

apologies and events..

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:13:00 +0000

For those who do read, I am sorry for the lack of updates/posts in the last few weeks. Lots of fun stuff happening around the Tampa Bay area for our own little version of "beer month". For my part in this month of events organizing the Stogie and Stout held at the brewery it has been in the works for months and is finally getting to the event itself. This Saturday if you are in the Tampa Bay area or can be here this is a beer tasting like no other. I have assembled over 30 Stouts, Porters, Brown Ales, and Doppelbocks for tasting and will on Saturday change every tap in the brewery to one of these nubian beauties. We will even add some taps by bringing in our beer trailers. You can still get tickets if you are interested at dunedinbrewery.com. Check this out for a taste:

Just a few of the beers we will be featuring for this year's Stogie and Stout
Terrapin Wake n' Bake Oatmeal Imperial Stout	Left Hand Smoke Jumper Imperial Porter
Stoudt's Fat Dog Oatmeal Imperial Stout	Lefthand Milk Stout
Rogue "Paul" Black Lager part of John's Locker Series	Duck Rabbit Baltic Porter
Thomas Creek Doppelbock	Duck Rabbit Milk Stout
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout	Terrapin Monster Series "Dos Cocoa"
Dunedin Brewery Leonard Croon's Old Mean Stout	Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
Sea Dog Hazelnut Porter	Shipyard Pugsley Series Imperial Porter
Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter	Shipyard Imperial Porter
CASK Cigar City Maduro Brown Ale	Avery's Czar Imperial Stout '07

My favorite little watering hole Oldsmar Taphouse celebrated a year last week with a party and a few special goodies on tap and in bottles. Cigar City bottles even showed up there, although that was the only case that existed in the world at this point and I am sure it did not last long. I am glad I was able to get one while it was there.. Yummy!! Can't wait until those guys are up and running. The OTH has also been awarded by ratebeer.com the coveted ranking of the "Best Beer Bar in America" and #3 in the World. Awesome!! I think it is well deserved, of course I am biased but it is tough to beat..

The #2 beer bar in the U.S. just happens to be in Orlando, and to me eventhough I have only been there once holds a special place in every Florida beer lover's heart as well (hopefully) is Redlight Redlight. Brent and crew are seriously devoted to their craft and go out of their way to have some of the most amazing offerings I have seen in Florida including one of my absolute favorites Cantillion Foufoune (sp?) on tap, which I very reluctantly missed but is still very special. Brent also has a few pins (5 gallon casks) which he sends out to breweries who are willing to fill them and is able to get things on his hand pump that otherwise would not be available. I was able to be there a few weeks ago and they had 5 smoked beers on tap! How much fun is that?? Well, perhaps not much if you don't like them but for me it is almost heaven. If you are in Orlando I would not miss Redlight Redlight, while it is a little out of the way of the more well known areas of Orlando it is well worth the trip.

More to come, in the mean time..

Cheers!!

Atlanta and the Infamous Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting part 2

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Now for the report on the Atlanta Cask Ale tasting, I had been waiting for the pictures from my accomplice in this little trip but if you know who I am talking about you know we will probably never see the pictures again..

The Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting has got to be one of the best tastings/festivals in the southeastern United States. Owen Ogletree and his staff of volunteers truly care about all things ale and lager and it really shows in their dedication to events such as this. You can check out the happenings around Athens and Atlanta he is involved with by checking out his website classiccitybrew.com there is always something going somewhere between Atlanta and Athens on and beyond that the North Georgia area has become an oasis in the southeast for quality beer both in what is distributed there and the breweries that are thriving in the region. This year was the 5th year of the Cask Tasting and was held at the Atlanta Brewing Company's facility which to my knowledge in following this event for it history was the first year at a new location, for the past years it had been held at Sweetwater but I think the venue change was great and allowed me to get a look at another very great Altanta brewery.

Assembled in their traditional stillage racks 21 casks from breweries mostly around the Atlanta area with a few others (such as ours from the Dunedin Brewery and our good friends at Cigar City Brewing) there was supposed to be one more but I guess someone else had some issues with blowing the bung out of the cask which was a bummer. We arrived to a line of very thirsty enthusiasts eagerly awaiting enrty to the beer wonderland that was to come and were given our cups and let loose. We (Dunedin and Cigar City boys) immediately headed to where our beers were being poured to check them out and see how they had turned out and we were not disappointed! Our beer dubbed The Bomb, not because we are conceded or anything but because of the mishap with the first one we filled resulting in redecorating Joey's office over at Cigar City (read earlier posts) was an onyx, inky, rich mother of a beer. We had dry hopped it in the cask with a load of very high alpha hops which came through nicely although I would back it off a little for the next time as the smoothness of the oatmeal in the grain bill was lost in the grassy, citrusy aroma and flavor being dominated by the hop.. Although if you dig on the hop-bombs (excuse that term) then we hit the target dead on. The beer from Cigar City was even better than ours, definitely more robust and complex with the notes of 2 different types of chilies, chocolate, cinnamon, and vanilla. The chilies came through heavily although not overbearing with the inhearent sweetness from the abundance of the malty base. The balance of cinnamon, vanilla, and chocolate was right on par with the everything else going on and I am happy to report that the judges felt the same way and awarded this Hanahpus Imperial Stout as it was named 1st place of all beers in the event. The beers were all jusdged by BJCP judges and while it was not a "sanctioned" event it certianly will gain the guys some attention at least throughout the southeast.

Other notables were the Duck Rabbit Bourbon Barrel Milk Stout which by description was "Milk stout aged for 2 months in 2nd use 23-year old Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrels". This beer was wonderfully balanced in everyway with the oak and bourbon notes coming through but not overpowering the already very tasty beer. Also of note was the "This Beer" from Max Lager's in Downtown Altanta the description tells it all "This beer contains water, malt, hops and yeast. That’s it - no exotic fruits or spices, no coffee or other breakfast foods, no rice, corn or other side dishes. It wasn’t aged on foreign or domestic wood tainted with the flavor of rival spirits. It is beer. If you’ve really gotta be technical.....it’s an ale, it’s fairly red, it started at 17 degrees Plato, and finished at 2.1 degrees (if you’re a beer geek, you do the ABV math). Bittered with plenty of Northern Brewer hops and finished with Centennial, if there’s not enough hops for you then you name is probably Chris Terenzi. If it’s too much they you probably should have given your ticket to someone else." and while most of the other beers of the fest were very experimental this was a nice change from all of the extremes in flavors and actually won second place which I was glad for. It is nice to see all of the crazy idea everyone comes up with but still very refreshing that a beer like this can still hold it's own among this crowd. There were so many more, and every one of them that I tried was wonderful in it's own right although I can not list them all I thank all the breweries that participated for allowing us to sample their experiements in this very historic and traditional way of conditioning and serving ales.

I can not wait for this event to come up next year, and hope we can again be a part of it as I am already thinking of what we will do for next year. If you live in the southeast I would definitely consider trying to get tickets to this event if you can. They are very limited usually to about 250 and first come first served via email with Owen when he releases them. These ever so coveted tickets are free, but the event benefits the Atlanta Humane Society so donations are very appreciated. If you live in the Southeast in general Altanta is definitely worth a stop for a few days to check out the beer scene with a short hop up to Athens you will not be disappointed in what you find.

More to come about Atlanta in the future..

Cheers!

Atlanta and the Infamous Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting part 1

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 01:10:00 +0000

We came, we saw, we drank..

Being from Atlanta originally, I still remember how to get around the town which helps find the beer bars and breweries. We did just fine and found the help of a few taxi cab drivers as well. The journey started out early Friday morning and soon after we entered the city limits we headed to the Brick Store Pub in downtown Decatur which is considered by the "rating sites" as world class and a lot of people feel this definitely one of the south's premiere spots to quaff a pint and I agree. Their draft and bottle lists were as usual quite impressive.. Among the extensive offerings from around the Atlanta area there were a few others including a Baltic porter from Finland (Sinebrychoff Porter) that I had never had the pleasure of trying on draft and they also tapped a cask of a porter (Ola Dubh 12yr) aged in a very special single malt barrel while we were there which was very yummy. We also stopped by Twain's which is also in the downtown area of Decatur. Their beers for the most part were very consistent, we did try a Belgian Black Ale that was slightly out of character from most anything I have tried before and while it was not unenjoyable, the balance from the phenolics as a result of the typical yeast strain did not mesh well with the roasted malts within the beer itself. Totally drinkable, it just was not what we were accustomed to which could of course be our problem, although a softer strain of yeast we felt would have lent it self a better compliment to the beer. No matter what, Twain's is a place not to be missed for the beer enthusiast living or visiting Atlanta. If I lived there I would be there quite often in fact.

On Friday Night we hit the Taco Mac in Atlanta near Lindbergh Station for the Brewer's Reception for the Cask Ale tasting which would take place the next day. Taco Mac's are more sports bars with an extensive selection of beer than anything else but hey, as long as they have all of the beer I can ignore the 100's of TV's tuned in to ESPN or the like.. They literally have at least 100 taps, and probably about 4 times that in bottles so there is always something new to pick from. This little pre-party party was a blast and I was able to see some familiar faces in the southeastern beer circle, as well as meeting quite a few more people who I had never had the pleasure of talking to. I have to say the beer scene in the Atlanta area and even the southeast is very strong and I can only hope this is a sign of things to come for the Tampa Bay and Florida area in general. After the reception was over we headed to Rockbottom in Atlanta which was disappointing to say the very least. I really hate to trash anyone, my focus is to promote any place that makes and/or serves fresh local beer but this place was really lack luster in every way. From the service, to the food and especially the beer we were disappointed on all fronts in fact we did not even finish the beer it was just not, well.. Good. I have been to many Rockbottom Breweries out west and always had a very good experience. I am not sure it was this one, or what but it was not a very pleasant experience this time..

On Saturday we woke up an headed to Green's Beverages which is the best place to pick up quality beers in the Atlanta area. Adam, who handles all of the beer has really shown a lot of focus on all that is available to the state and has built up an impressive cellar of rare and specialty Belgian and other beers from all over Europe and the United States. I found Boon's Marriage Parfait 2003, Cantillion St. Lamvinous, and Peche Mortel to name a few lurking about that we are unable to find here in the Tampa Bay area. I am sure there is much more but I had no room after loading the 2 kegs of DuckRabbit beer for the up coming Stogie and Stout at the brewery in the car.

We spent the rest of our time at 5 Seasons Atlanta, both before and after the Cask Ale tasting which was basically lunch and dinner. Sure it seems odd to spend that much time at one place, but if you have ever been there you know why. This place is simply one of my favorite brewpubs in the nation hands down so I had no problem spending a good amount of my time there. The Helles and Cartoon Brune which were old favorites held to the high expectations I have always had of them, the Hopgasm a creation of new brew master Kevin McNerney who in his former life brewed for Sweetwater Brewing Company was fantastic and I am happy he has come to continue his fine talent at this wonderful little brewpub. When we were there in the afternoon it was quite a mellow place, when we returned later in the evening it was packed and full of thirsty crowds! A great site to see!!

All in all a great beer town, especially for a state that has only been able to have beer over 6% for about 4 to 5 years..

Cask ale festival review to come.. Stay Tuned!

Cask Conditioning, Pubquest.com, and more!!

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:01:00 +0000

For those who have never experienced a cask conditioned ale, you don't know what your missing. Yes, it is served at a warmer temperature and yes, it is not nearly as carbonated but this is what makes it that much better in my opinion. If you have tried this general style of enjoying ales, and did not find it for your liking, sometime in the future give it a try again perhaps you just did not have one that was properly conditioned or served. I can tell you after some funny experiences in the past week or two there is a right way and a wrong way to prepare them, our way?? Well, maybe a little of both we will see.. My cohorts at the brewery and I have been conditioning a few firkins (casks, if you will) for an upcoming tasting in Atlanta at the end of the month. Last week we delivered one of these to the guys at Cigar City for transport to Atlanta for the festival. The beer needed to be there by this past Tuesday for stillage and so they could settle and probably clear out a little bit from being jostled during the ride which in our case was about 8 hours. On Monday I took our little experiment over and left it in the very competent hands of our friends and went off to a tasting which I discussed in my last post. Those beers were brilliant by the way, I definitely need to get to Bamburg soon.. You do too!! On Tuesday while shaking a little bit of the last night's fun off I received a call from Wayne, Cigar City's head brewer who while on the way into work was called an informed there had been a little "mishap" with one of the casks... As both he and Joey told me the real concern was that it has been theirs but alas it was not it was ours and it had exploded... All over the place, oops!! I offered to come and help clean it up and Wayne stated that it couldn't be that bad he would take care of it, but he would call me if it was worse than he had imagined.. It was, I got the call about an hour later and headed over to Tampa to aid in the clean up effort. When I arrived and entered the office, I could immediately smell that smell that I live for, the wonderful sweet smell of fresh, hoppy beer, however everyone else in the office had a different way of describing it that was not so cheery and believe me, it was not a subtle smell. What I saw when I came to Joey's office where our little "bomb" was being stored I will never forget... It was EVERYWHERE!! Seems that it had blown the bag inside the firkin holding hops for dry-hopping right out of the small opening at the top (called the keystone) which was a feat in and of itself as it had not been easy to put the bag in the much larger h opening on the side when we went to fill it. Everything was splattered with the remnants of what had previously been inside the firkin/cask/bomb and we went to work cleaning. I tried to keep a straight face, but could not help it especially after we figured out that other than a good cleaning, everything of importance would be OK (sorry about the posters, and other assorted papers on the wall Joe, the office needed a little redecorating anyways!!) but it was definitely an experience. As for the tasting, we had filled 2 so we still had one to send, and it made it to Atlanta safely so we will see how we do.. If you want to read more about this it is on the Cigar City Blog, and Joey even includes a few pictures if you want the visual. Needless to say, they got to name the beer and it is "The Bomb" actually a very tasty Oatmeal Stout dry-hopped generously with some crazy hop variety that now escapes my mind. I can not wait to try it at the tasting next weekend, but feel sorry for the poor SOB who has to spile and prepare it because there is quite a chance they will wear some.. Guess I will bring them a fresh Dunbrew T-shirt!

In other news, I had the good fortune to meet up with Julie from Pubquest.com last week for a few pints and a great discussion about what they are doing in helping to promote craft beer and local breweries. If you have not checked out PubQuest you should, the site it pretty solid and they can lead you to a brewery or brewpub from your spot from anywhere in the United States and Canada. They are in the process of adding beer bars too so those should be up sometime soon but this is a very valuable reference for anyone who travels and likes to taste the local flavor or tour the local brewery.

Meanwhile, while I do not like to blow my own horn too much I am now in the planning for the annual Stogie and Stout at the Dunedin Brewery my home base so to speak, the spot of most of my happiness and frustration, sometimes at the same time!! This event is in it's 9th year, pretty crazy to me although I have not been around that long it has really grown into something special in the past 5 or so that I have had the hand in putting it together (as if it was not before). This year I am anticipating 25-30 stouts, porters, brown ales, and maybe even a doppelbock available for tasting on February 21st from 7-11pm. Tickets for the event can be purchased on the Dunedin Brewery website, and the event usually sells out. Basically for your $25, you get to be in stout wonderland for the night! The entry include some appetizers from the Snug Pub kitchen, a Stogie (if you don't smoke them, share them that's what I do..) and a tasting glass then proceed to embody your taste buds with some of the darkest, most complex beers we can find. Generally there are a few you can not get around the area included in this, but most of them you can find in bottles here or there. We also feature the beers made around Florida during this time as part of the Best Florida Beer Championships, and this organization the BFBC holds a big raffle where most everyone walks away with some very coveted beer schwag. During this event I change every single tap in the house to a porter, stout, brown ale, etc. so those who like the light and mild need not apply on this night. I look forward to this every year, it is one of my favorite events and a fun time is always had by all. Perhaps you should grab a ticket and stop by to share some of these Nubian delights with us!!

Cheers!

Beers of Franconia

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:07:00 +0000

Last night I had the fortunate experience of meeting up with a friend who had a special stock of beers from Franconia. This region of Germany in northern Bavaria has one of the highest ratios of breweries in the world, most are very small serving only the local area. Few such as the much either much loved or hated smoked beers from Bamburg are included in this area and are exported to the states, as well as the Monchoff and EKU beers to name a few but we had tasted and experienced those. The beers we were tasting last night, might never have been experienced without a ticket to Germany had it not been for a slow moving container that missed it's destination and ended up at a few of the more well know beer bars in the northeast. I have to give a big thanks to Jerry from the Dirty Truth Beer Hall for this journey and experience in these very little known breweries.

While I am not going to go down the line and list and name each beer, they all enjoyed a lot of the same characteristics with each other and even other German lagers I have experienced in their clean, consistent, simplicity. Each of these beers was wonderfully balanced, most were clear almost to the point of filtration however this was more likely a result of being correctly brewed and lagered with the methodical technique that makes the beers from Germans revered as they have been throughout history. Some were past their prime, still enjoyable although it was very apparent that they were not meant to be held on to for any length of time but rather meant to be drank fresh soon after bottling.

My personal favorite was the Mönchsambacher Lagerbier Naturtrüb made by Brauerei Zehendner, this was an unfiltered, very hoppy lager with significant notes of citrus from the hops and a slight sulfuric flavor probably from the yeast present in the bottle but it was not offensive.

Another notable was a Beck Brau Lisberger Lager from Brauerei Beck Brau which had a bready maltiness and a slight very balanced hop bitterness. The name throws you off but it is not made by the much larger brewery that exports millions of cases to the US every year, this is a very small brewery. I am told that Beck is a popular moniker for breweries throughout Germany but as of the time of writing this I could not find why in my research so I will continue to try to find the answers and share them with you at a later date. If you are reading this and already know why or can shed some light on the subject let me know!

I think part of what charmed me about these beers was taking me back to being in Switzerland and their unfiltered lager beers I found when visiting. This is one style I do not see much here in the US, probably because of the care and time in the tanks involved with making such a beer. Most small breweries in the US need to get the beer in and out of the tanks to keep the overhead down, and while there are some really great lagers out there made in the states none have compared save the beers made at Hopper's a closed brewpub chain here in Tampa Bay that I used to work at as an assistant brewer. The Austrian brew master whom I worked for did 2 things very well, formulate recipes for those wonderful lager and pilsner beers, and make a complete mess of the brewery at the end of our brew days.. Needless to say I learned very well in my past experience there as to how to keep a brewery clean but I also learned quite a bit about lager beers and perhaps why they are not brewed so much by these small breweries. They take quite a bit of care, and there is little place for mistakes. In a big complex, higher gravity, heavier hopped beer (ale or lager) there is room to hide the mistakes or lesser characteristics that can arise. In a clean light lager or pilsner the flavor must be clean and precise or you have not made a perfect beer. These beers must have balance for just a few too heavy a hand with either the malt or hops and you have missed the boat. They must be fermented cold and slow and be allowed to lager for an extended period of time so that the crisp, clean, flavors dominate whether filtered or not.

These beers are not always on the top of the modern day beer "geek's" list, but for any true beer aficionado they are to be experienced and appreciated for their place in the world of beer. Germans brew with traditional methods that have changed little throughout the centuries, with all of the new thoughts and ideas that are flooding the beer industry I find this traditional approach as refreshing as many of the beers they produce, and I feel very lucky to have experienced these little breweries beers in the bottle at least until I can get close enough to enjoy them fresh where they are made.

Cheers!

Cigar City an early taste..

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:47:00 +0000

I dropped by Cigar City yesterday and was treated to a little sneak preview of a few beers they hope to one day make available and needless to say I was blown away! I had the chance to sample two; the Patio Pils and the Capricho Oscuro a few months back during a tasting of many others at the OTH, but to be able to sample this time in a correct flight (or at least in the right order so I could taste the nuances of each) without having any other beer first was great..

The first was a Saison, a little clear but with all of the earthy, apple like aromas, phenolics and spiciness you would expect with the the added complexity of a little funk from the edition of Scuppernog grapes. This beer balanced out nicely and was very drinkable, I am told processing the Scuppernogs was a pain so on a large scale they are unsure of what they will do but I hope they come up with something. This would be perfect for one of those great spring days enjoyed outdoors at your favorite beer garden. They don't plan on putting it in the production schedule for some time, but keep an eye out for it.

The second was the Sugar Plum Brown Ale which had the edition of Celestial Seasonings Sugar Plum Fairy Holiday Tea. The beer, a malty brown ale was great as a base and the tea spiced the beer nicely and gave it a wonderful aroma.

Next was the Imperial Pumpkin Ale, which while I do not necessarily have a favorite because they were all wonderful.. This would be at the top of the list, without a doubt the most sublime Pumpkin Ale I have ever had. Most people liken a great Pumpkin beer to good Pumpkin Pie, this was a few steps above that maybe like the ultimate Pumpkin Cheesecake. I say that because the beer had an almost creamy texture and an aroma that was about twice as nice as any pie I have ever smelled or tasted. The spices seemed to shine one at a time, with the rich taste of the pumpkin and the subtle taste of the malts used added just a little more depth. According to Wayne and Joey, it was at first a little "boozy" but when I tried it yesterday this had mellowed out and found it's place in the mix.

When you think it just doesn't get any better, it does! The next offering was the Mayan Chocolate made with 8 different malts and the edition of chilies, raw cacao nibs, vanilla, and cinnamon. According to the info from Wayne and the Cigar City blog this beer weighs in at 80 I.B.U.'s and about 11% ABV. It pours dark as night the a deep, dark, creamy head that gives way to a very complex experience that is perhaps one of the most interesting Imperial Stouts I have ever had.

Capricho Oscuro was next, this is a blend of about 6 different pilot batches and is aged in an oak barrel. It's result is an insanely complex experience of flavor, the vanilla from the oak the varied maltiness as result of the blend of different beers the base of which is I believe a brown ale. As mentioned, I had this beer a few months ago but based on my notes and memory which for this beer was vivid already it has changed even from that time. Funny thing, anyone can mix beers together based on their own preferences but to truly blend more than one beer with others to profection is an art form and this beer was just that. I look forward to the different incarnations of it in the future, as I have been told it will be released from time to time but will never be the same rather based on what is being brewed at the time. Most likely it will be blended, as it should be with the same experimental sense of adventure as the first but with what the brewery is producing at the time. Look for it from them in the future, and when you find it drink up!! No telling when you will see it again..

The last was the Cafe' con Leche Stout made with coffee beans roasted in the traditional Cuban fashion from Naviera Coffee Mills in Ybor City. It is a true testament to the coffee drink made famous in Tampa by the Cuban population centered around the cigar infrastructure in Ybor City in the last 150 or so years. The beer is another that pours very dark, and has a deep roasted malt complexity with the addition of course of the very strong coffee beans added. To balance there is a slight malty sweetness what adds balance and makes this stout very drinkable although I have a feeling perhaps after a few you might be up for a little while..

All in all, sampling these goodies from Cigar City makes me very excited to know that we will soon be able to enjoy them at our favorite local watering holes. Seeing 2 people pour their hearts into these exceptional liquids tells me there are great things to come for beer lovers in Tampa Bay and beyond in the near future.

I can't wait!

Cheers!

New Year's Resolutions..

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:45:00 +0000

This year for my New Year's resolutions, along with all of the normal promises you try to keep with yourself I am going to add one easy one.. Love Beer..

This New Year has already marked tragedy and loss and we at the Dunedin Brewery have seen many friends go, most have just moved onward to different adventures. One very special friend has left us forever in a terrible way and we will forever remember and miss him. For any of those who might have ever met Chris Crance around the brewery you know what I mean. My thoughts are with Ricky his brother who works at the brewery, and the rest of the family and friends who mourn his loss.

We filled and started conditioning a traditional REAL Ale in firkins at the brewery this past week, this is something I have been wanting to do for quite some time now and I hope it turns out the way it is supposed to. I would like to served it traditionally on the bar with a cooling blanket and gravity to feed. This has got to be the best way to enjoy a pint of IPA or stout for me, the soft carbonation and gentle oxidation that results nicely balances with the robust flavors from the hops and specialty/roasted malts. I will keep you posted on how it is and let you know when we are to tap it, just in case you are local to the Tampa Bay area and want to come out and quaff a pint with us! We filled 2 of them, one will be for the Snug Pub and the other will be for the Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting later in January. I will be attending this, probably with one of my cohorts and the guys from Cigar City Brewing in Tampa.

Speaking of Cigar City Brewing, these guys are almost ready to start brewing and I can not wait, I talked to Wayne today and he is hoping to be brewing by mid January. That would be very nice! I tasted some of the test batches and they were phenomenal, I can not wait to taste some of the others they plan on releasing. Joey, who is the founder of Cigar City has kept a blog of the entire process of opening the brewery which is very cool for anyone interested (probably anyone reading this!) that is http://blog.cigarcitybeer.com/
Joey just as myself believes that there need to be more breweries in Tampa Bay area so I am glad he is starting one up, he writes the blog in part to help others so that one day Florida will not be cursed with the nickname "Beer Wasteland".

I for one agree, hell I hope to have my own brewery someday.. Imagine that!!??!!

Slainte'

SF Part 3

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 05:16:00 +0000

It has been a few days since we have returned but I had one more post about the city, it of course has just been so hectic with the holidays..

We did no doubt hit the infamous Toronado, which even for me is the best beer bar in the country. In an enjoyable visit, I have to say that while it is still the legendary place it has always been the selection was not as elusive as it has been in the past. I think this can be credited to the availability of so much on the east coast that has not or was not there even 5 years ago. For local offerings, of course there is no better bar for Northern Cali beer for those little breweries and other special delights from some of the other favorites mostly from the western half of the U.S.. The bartender, not friendly but not rude was quick to a point but you better know what you want or else!!! No, not really but kind of. I have always ordered quick, then asked questions as I drank the previous pint after all these people know they have a killer selection but they have multiple things to do and thirsty people to serve so they are happy to help but not wanting to watch you look at the taps or the menuboard.. Being a bartender in the past and present I can understand, a little. Happy to answer questions, want to talk about and promote products of course but when someone has no idea at all what they want it can be a little aggrevating to a very busy bar keep. Where is the harm of having a good clue anyways? The menu is huge and right on the wall above when you walk in the door, how could you miss it?
From here we proceeded to Magnolia for lunch, the beers consistent as always, food wonderful but they have gone through a remodeling that has just not left the place the same as it was. Maybe this was refreshing to the local clientele' which of course matters most, but for me who has only been here a handful of times it was just more drab and subeued without the true spirit of the place. We ate and enjoyed as many beers as we could muster up which was not many but at least a couple few. This was after Anchor and Toronado so I will refer to the notes about what I had and get back to you.. I am sure by that time I did not drink anything too strong, in fact I think I drank quite a few very tasty brews with very low alcohol a bitter and mild? More on this place later...

On our last full day we decided to hit the rest of the brewpubs we usually do that we had not hit yet to see how they had been in aging, so to speak.

First was Thirsty Bear, an all organic brewpub in the SOMA area and kind of a different kind of place all together. To many I guess you could call it more on the "trendy" side, this brewpub's fare is mainly based on somewhat authentic tapas. When I say somewhat, I have never actually been to Spain just a few places that a supposed to be of the more realistic variety. For some who travel all around and appreciate the more run of the mill-ish food found at most brewpubs across the US it might seem a little out of place, but I have to say I find it quite refreshing and a little more challenging to both the clientele and the house brews themselves. We ate lunch here are completely enjoyed it. Being small plates we opted for a few and were able to share and enjoy the ways the dish complemented the house beers and the other way around. Our lunch consisted of great calamari fried perfectly with capers and lemon with a house made aioli, patatas bravas which are crispy potatoes served with fresh thick traditional mayo (not like that stuff from the jar, seek it out there is such a difference), and a brussels sprout dish with pears, bacon, shallots, and hazelnuts. All was very, very tasty, and speaking of tasty. For beer I had their Golden Vanilla; basically a kölsch infused with whole vanilla beans, the ESB poured through a sparkler and with nitrogen for a really creamy texture with just the right amount of bitterness and a nice floral aroma from the hops, and the Polar Bear which is the house pilsner which is very good but a little lighter bodied than I needed on that brisk San Francisco afternoon but very balanced and delicately bitter as a pils should be. All of my choices went wonderful with our food and while I was a little skeptical the first time I had visited this place, knowing everything has always been wonderful makes this place a must see when I am in town at least for lunch and a few beers..

Second on the list and just a little ways down the street was 21st Amendment, always pretty consistent never stellar but not disappointing either we stopped in for a few pints and were happy to find a normal happy hour crowd bellied up to the bar. Other than the spiced holiday beer and a few guest beers the line up seemed to be the usual offerings. They are now canning their beer at another facility which if I am not mistaken is actually in Minnesota. Not that that bothers me, but it seems odd they would have to go that far being in Northern California so close to the better beer regions of the United States. They package only 2 different beers, one being their I.P.A. which is a very good example of the 21st century west coast version of the style, the other a little more out there the Watermelon Wheat. In the past 10 years brewers have been trying almost every fruit imaginable in almost as many ways in lighter style wheat beers and otherwise and found a lot of success in doing so. This was no exception to those other creations, I found that the watermelon gave the beer a subtle tartness at the same time as the sweetness came through all very balanced and not lacking in watermelony goodness. Hops were of course almost nonexistent, and there is not too much complexity to this style but for summertime in Florida? SCORE!! Why is this beer not distributed here already? On a personal note, I have been trying to get my boss to put that Dunedin Brewery Apricot Wheat in cans for almost 5 years now. Warm weather, active lifestyles, the beach, the pool... There is a perfect time for everything, if you get the picture.

Third was the San Francisco Brewing Company, this place in the middle of North Beach the city's Italian neighborhood has quite a history. This is a place that has seen the Barbary Coast Days, the beat generation, hippies, and all of the other revolutionaries that have rolled through the city by the bay. Jack Dempsey once worked at this place as a bouncer in a day where they place was called "Andromeda Saloon" later in it's life it became "The Albatross" some of the pieces of this history remain there to this day including the solid piece of mahogany that makes up the length of the bar complete with the high tile trough that runs the entire length as well. In the old days before respectable women really came out to bars much the walk to the facilities was not far, just unzip and let it flow. Maybe more normal back then than I can comprehend but convenient nonetheless.. The brew house in this little place a 6bbl gravity and it is a traditional gravity feed "tower" system where everything kind of flows down from one step to the other they ferment and condition in the cellar and the beers are naturally carbonated. These beers are pumped back up to the taps at just the right temperature for serving, for me a little warmer beer makes for a bit easier quaff which after a long walk is nice. A little warmer temperature the flavor of the beer is really highlighted, I know you can always wait for it to warm up a little, and I usually do when I am really trying to analyze the nuances of a beer, but in a normal setting I just want to get to that first sip so to get it at the right temperature makes life sublime. For this brewery, while I have always their offerings to be good to very good I do seem to lean towards their dark and higher gravity beers especially the stouts. They just seem to hit me the right way. In fact I have had a few very memorable experiences at this place in just 5 trips to the place, some are more of a blur than others but all were exactly what you would expect in SF. A great place to visit, food here is ok we have had it in the past but you are in North Beach so why not go Italian? Our favorite place in the world for pasta is Caffe' Macaroni just down the block or two don't miss this either if in the area, but drink you will have to have a Moretti or a nice Chanti..

The next day was a travel day, those are always the same when coming home very long, very boring, and not nearly as enjoyable as the trip out there when you were so excited and ready for an adventure! We were happy to be back to our little four legged friends and our familiar little house though, another part of the fun of traveling; coming home!

Cheers!

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday, no matter which way or what you celebrate.

SF part 2

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 01:50:00 +0000

Friday after waking up in a little bit of a haze, from LaTrappe the night before we headed to Anchor Brewing Company for what turned out to be a very, very special tour. This was not the first time I had been to the brewery, in fact this was the 4th and it began with the regular tour along with a rather large mass of tourists and otherwise and we saw the normal operations. To see those big beautiful copper tuns, and those large shallow cool ships where they pump the wort to ferment their famous steam beer is such a thing of beauty. While there are a lot of very cool small breweries in the US, this is to me one of the most important. If you have not read the story you should and you can by clicking here for the website. Fritz Maytag whose family has been made famous by both washing machines and that superb blue cheese took a chance in the mid 60's with a little brewery that was about to close and over 40 years later the brewery remains stronger than ever. Compared to the Dunedin Brewery where I work it is a very big place, but compared to other breweries that are considered "micro or craft" breweries this place is very small and the staff many of whom have been around for 20+ years at least make up a lot of it's tradition. As word has it Fritz has a lot to do with this too, still physically being at the brewery 4 to 5 days out of the week. After the tour was over, the group gathered back to in the tasting room for the customary tasting of all of the available Anchor beers available and this is where our tour got very sweet! I had arranged our tour through an industry acquaintance who has had a relationship with the brewery for almost 20 years, while I was hoping to see a little bit more than everyone else what I ended up getting to see still blows my mind!

Kendra came out to meet us in the tasting room, and proceeded to take us (after we all filled up our beers, mine with some very fresh Liberty Ale) down stairs and in the depths of the brewery where they keep their 3 very small copper pot stills. Anchor has been distilling since 1993 and produces 2 different types of gin (London style and Holland style or "genever") and 3 different Whiskies all made from a 100% Rye mash. The stills were beautiful to see, and the operation is still very small with a tiny footprint. The varieties of the whiskey were not around since they are so short on it due to it's popularity but we were able to try the genever which was absolutely wonderful. After this we headed back up to the brewery to have another half pint and then it was on to explore Fritz's other passion, San Francisco's only winery York Creek Winery. The winery is across the street in what used to be a soy sauce factory, we met up with Tom the winemaker and learned a little bit about the winery. Apparently Fritz had owned the land and grown grapes for years but sold them off to other wineries, even to this day he still sells most of the yield from each harvest to other wineries but what he keeps he turns into some very fine wine! We sampled directly from the barrels, two I remembered to write down that we tried were the MXB and the Estate Cabernet both from 07's harvest. I know this is supposed to be a beer blog but these wines were very enjoyable so if you do like to enjoy a little break from beer every once in a while I suggest seeking them out. They ship directly to a number of states and might be distributed in your area. In Florida which is my area they are currently looking for the right fit in a distributor but I hope they make it out our way soon. The wife especially liked them, which always earns me a few brownie points to come home with a good bottle of wine while shopping for the beers I am after at my local liquor store.. All in all our day at Anchor was one of the coolest brewery tour experiences I have had, and I have been lucky enough to get some really special tours in quite a few breweries. The tradition and the love that the employees have for the brewery and their part in what it has become I think has to be one of the biggest aspects of my feelings towards this amazing place..

More to come.. Toronado and Magnolia oh boy!!

Cheers!

God.. I love San Francisco, Part 1..

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 04:41:00 +0000

I am not a religious person, trust me... However someone helped me to find my favorite city on earth and I think that same person caused me to open that big heavy door tonight... More on that in a minute.

We have arrived in SF, a wonderful place indeed at least to us. A town full of beer and all things good (from a daytime drinkers standpoint).. I first had an Anchor Steam with my lunch and of course took a picture... Now, I can think of plenty of better beers, even in the SF Bay Area but some how nothing compares to the taste of an Anchor Steam Beer outside with one of those touristy sourdough bread bowls of clam chowder.. Maybe not THAT authentic to all.. But to me, it's what I do!

After this I, as always proceed to the Buena Vista Cafe which is where the modern day reincarnation of the "Irish Coffee" came from and the bar keep Larry has been there about as long as they have been... A great libation for the cutting cold and otherwise ill-mannered weather of the city of San Francisco..Only so many of those though and you need a beer..

La Trappe was the rather heavy door we found en route to somewhere else, however we quickly forgot about that other place. Whatever it was.. I am sure it did not involve beer the way this place did.. Mike the owner was tending the bar during happy hour when we found this place and he proceeded to sell me on the a Peres Noel, from De Ranke Brewery which was a wonderful start. We sat there for hours. As we were finishing our first selections we were informed of the newest addition to the draft lineup which was Beautification from Russian River Brewing, a very rare treat for my "east coast ass" to drink from the tap most matter of factly was utterly wonderful and and we had dinner there as well which began with a well thought out cheese plate and fresh potato leek soup and continued with a rabbit stew and mussels with the traditional frites. All were superb, as was the place itself perhaps the closest I have been to Belgium without actually being there. Mike the owner, as mentioned was around for a while and gave us little history about the building which dates back to the turn of the century (at least after the earthquake and fire) and spent many years as Italian Restaurants but has been in the family since the 1920's and has quite a history and it shows even with the glorious updates he has made the the place. There is a picture of the taps below, we wanted to take more but somehow forgot about the camera and everything else at the time...

More to come, it's hard to write when there is so much else to do but I can not help but sharing as much as I can. I am sure I will say this again, but if you are reading this and have never been to SF book your ticket now!

Cheers!

Oldsmar TapHouse

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:07:00 +0000

OK, so I know the last post was very critical of a few places in the Tampa Bay area and maybe even of your favorite watering hole. If your favorite place is like one of those places and you love it, good for you! Keep supporting them! I will do just the same at my favorite local place, which I have to finally fluff a little! Like anyone is actually reading these crazy posts anyways...

OK, so I know the last post was very critical of a few places in the Tampa Bay area and maybe even of your favorite watering hole. If your favorite place is like one of those places and you love it, good for you! Keep supporting them! I will do just the same at my favorite local place, which I have to finally fluff a little! Like anyone is actually reading these crazy posts anyways...

Open about 10 months the Oldsmar Taphouse lies in the town of it's namesake on a side street in an area that is just beginning to be developed. Not exactly the best location in the immediate area, but as I have mentioned in the past it isn't hurting things one bit. Here is a well thought out beer bar, I could literally say world class but then again I think I am a bit bias. When it opened it gained all of the buzz on the usual sites such as Beer Advocate and Ratebeer but has not lost it, with continuously good reviews and accolades from people in the beer circles in the west/central Florida area. Stone Brewing of San Diego held their kick off party their about a month ago when the launched distribution in the state of Florida which to all in the scene was quite a big deal.

What makes them so special? The beer is a huge start, of course! Tony, the owner is completely devoted to his mission and will compromise it for nothing. They have 35 taps and each one is well thought out and rotates often for a constant variety of some of the best beers available in the state. He also special orders quite a few things that are not widely available which brings OTH (as we affectionately refer to it as) to the next level. Beers are always served in the correct glassware, and all of the staff has a genuine interest in what they are doing and most of them know and/or are learning pretty well. Tony almost acts as a "beer sommelier" and can always offer up suggestions as well as an endless supply of samples to allow even the most discerning guests what they are after. Myself, I sample by the pint or whatever the standard pour is after all forming an opinion takes a bit and I like to savor that time whether I particularly like the beer or not. For others however this can make a huge difference.

The place itself is to me comfortable and everything I want in a local beer bar, charming and comfortable and lacking in the usual multitude of flat screen TVs with sports or whatever.. There is one but it is almost never on, and no one really asks to turn it on except for a big occasion and Tony aims to keep it that way which is very refreshing to me. In our conversations we have agreed that it just detracts from the overall experience and it really does. This is something I always notice, when TVs are on people just seem to zone out and fall into the glow. Without the boob tubes I always seem to converse with or meet someone, and this has been true in more places than I can remember in both beer bars and other bars wherever I have been. The Taphouse is just this sort of place, one where you always have someone to talk to and a quality selection from the cooler or the taps. Last night I was there and to my surprise I found newly on tap Ürige Stick, a very wonderful and perhaps classic example of that beer hailing directly from Düsseldorf which is the very birthplace of the Alt beer style. Also of notable mention was the St. Bernardus Christmas Ale, multiple offerings from Stone Brewing, and a few other very special beers he has special ordered.

They have a website (www.oldsmartaphouse.com) which is updated pretty frequently but no matter what if you are in the area and think you have a love for beer.. I mean REAL beer check this place out. I will probably be sitting at the bar, or if not I probably have just been there!

Cheers!!

Spreading like wildfire!!

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 04:43:00 +0000

Here in Tampa Bay, the "beer bar" scene is popping up like crazy, being an employee at a local brewery and beer enthusiast who is well versed in both sides of the business I check them all out. Some I have been a little more intimately involved with, but mostly I to take notes in the hopes of having my own very geeky beer hall at some point in time..

As these outlets open throughout the Tampa metro area I notice that the biggest trend is to find a prime space, and location is everything of course... However it seems like the other main element is to right away start adding as many taps as they can handle, then follow it up with as many bottles as they can fit and build a bar with some seating. Throw the obligatory beers signs on the the walls from the distributors and viola' your done. Open the doors and start making money!

One thing most of them forget though is to bring the passion they have for beer with them, or worse some of them do not even have this passion which is where they are later in trouble even if the money keeps rolling in for a while but the "franchise deals" fizzle out.. So far in the area I have encountered one bar opened in the past 5 years that truly has the passion as well as a stellar selection for having as much as they do and funny thing is it's location is not ideal but people are still finding the place! There is a reason for this, they really care about their mission. I will fluff them later, after all that is my watering hole of choice but the rest just seem to come up short for comparison. Why? Well, want my opinion? Too bad if you don't here it is:

Taps- As fore mentioned, just because you have lots of them does not mean you will have a better selection in fact it usually just means more fluff. I hate seeing a bar with 40 taps but only 10 that are really quality beers that have been objectively hand selected, and this is what I have seen most of the time in these new bars. I could name them but I am not going to, this is not about that.. 7-10 taps always rotating, all the best of the best available, with a good turn over to me is all you need. Sure if you can have more with this level of devotion it is good to have the variety, but only so often do I see it. After all you still have bottles and besides if your staff is worthy of being behind the bar at one of the "best beer bars in *(choose your location)*" they should surely know how to guide the clientele to the right choice based on what they have as long as they have covered the right bases depending on the concept. Which brings me to staff..

Staff- Bar staff at a run of the mill "Bud, Miller, Coors bar" or "Liquor bar" need not know anything more than how to take an order, perhaps pour a drink, and be nice to people. Bartenders at these new beer bars need to be well versed in beer, and this is no easy task with the multitudes of styles, flavors, and selections available from all over the country and the world. Many owners feel like all they have to do is say "drink them and look in a book or on the computer" and they are done and while this might work for some of the staff who are more interested in the first place, most of these minimum wage employees who work mainly for tips have little care to spend time beyond what is spent in the building working to learn about the beers they are actually pouring. This past weekend, the wife and I went to one of these new establishments and they could not even locate the bottle she chose from the menu in the cooler that was in alphabetical order let alone tell us anything about the beer when we quizzed them to see if they knew or not, (it was an Aventinus, and she tried to serve it to us with a pint glass!) or even pour it. Now maybe I am being picky about that last part, but if you are to spend almost the same for a world class beer as you would for fine wine isn't presentation a little important? To me it is. In Europe I found this level of service was always the case, even with the local lager in a tavern that found itself in the middle of a small village. In a somewhat "upscale" establishment that is supposed to be the next beer "hot spot" I would think this bit of service would be called for.

Bottles- Speaking of bottles, with the ever growing availability here in the area and the country in general I can see stocking up on a good diverse selection. It doesn't however mean having everything that is possibly available! Many times I have seen these places stock a couple hundred and sell maybe 50 different varieties consistently. Many of the beers in the shadow of the main stream need to be hand sold and this goes back to staff. Sadly, so many of those will end up on the "Beer of the month/week/day" or discounted otherwise after one of the owners or managers starts to notice the floating debris, etc. in the bottle...Gross!

Bar and decor- Not really going to stick too much on this one, but they are almost all looking particularly similar these days, for more than one reason. A few stick out and these are among the older and more established in the area and it shows, even if the selection is not the cream of the crop any more. When I think about my favorite beer bars around the world, most become that way by first and foremost being comfortable, welcoming, and with a good selection of what I am looking for to drink. Sheik and trendy? Not for me nor for the most part as I have seen for the rest of the beer enthusiast crowds either, we can go to the stuffy ass martini bar when our wives and their girlfriends want a night out to get that. We care about the beer! The tables and chairs do not have to match, the lighting should be pleasant as should the music, and for the love of Pete, do not stick TV's in every single corner of the place. A sports bar can have a killer beer selection, but a beer bar should be about beer plain and simple!

In the end a lot of this is pure opinion, but I would like to note that it seems like this opinion is shared by a good selection of people. Any establishment with the proper licensing can have a better selection of beer and this is something I love to see, but by all means if a place aims to be a "beer bar" it should really show some focus and I guess the real reason I would bring it up would be the lack thereof at these newer places. Some will hopefully get it, others will not and I still wish them the best after all everyone starts somewhere. They can only get people wondering what else is out there and hopefully they will seek out the challenge to their palettes eventually and challenge the bar ownership, or find one of the places that are truly devoted to their mission.

Sorry for the rant, it happens!

Cheers!

Pucker Up and Party!

travis@theworldofbeer.com (theworldofbeer.com) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:44:00 +0000

A sour beer tasting, some might cringe... Others might be jealous.. We were stoked!!

It happened on November 22nd at our local place of better beer worship The Oldsmar TapHouse. About 10 people who showed up each bringing something to share some being really old and some pretty fresh and new. I had personally acquired my offerings in a variety of places some of them even being hand carried back from the very wonderful place from which they had originated. Brussels, Belgium or more importantly Cantillion Brewery (more about that at a later date).

The winner of the day (well they were all winners for the most part, except for that Mikkeller It's Alive no one cared much for that one. Almost musty, in the finish weird..) was the Cantillion Vigneronne 2000 that I had been holding on to for quite a while. When very young this beer was more sour than anything else and it while it still pretty much was over the top as a lot of Cantillion beers tend to be the complexities from the addition of Muscat grapes had added a depth that made it more enjoyable than I think anyone imagined it would. We were also very fond of the 1997 Kreik which had mellowed only slightly and held the nuances of the cherries, usually the fruit flavor is the first part to wane however this was a nice superise. A few other notables; Matt brought a few goodies including a Lindemans's Cuvee Rene Kriek 2008 of which I believe he said there were only a few bottles around that had been bestowed as special gifts to only the best distributors.. Lucky for us, Matt is one of them!! He also brought a Girardin Kriek 2005 which he brought back from his travels in Belgium that was enjoyed by all, but I have to say even with all of those goodies my favorite was the New Belgium La Terroir 2005 which he was luck to get straight from the brewery... There is a funny story behind it, but I will leave it out to protect the innocent and the guilty!! This beer (from one of my favorite breweries) is barrel aged for 2 years then dry-hopped with amarillo and cascade hops! Yummy sour and full of that wonderful hop aroma, very limited I thoroughly liked this one! The last I will mention was the Struise Earthmonk with very distinct vinegary/tart cherry flavors, a newer brewery that I has not heard much about yet and have since definitely looked into!

There are so many more which I have listed below and they were all fantastic, I could leave notes about all of them but that would most likely get very long winded (more than already). We complemented the day with a small variety of soft cheeses fit for pairing with these wonderful treats. For this tasting I chose Chevere, Humbolt Fog, Port Salut, and one other that was my favorite but totally and forgetting as the day does become a little cloudy towards the end!

A little beer geek written porn for the eyes:

-Allagash Interlude batch #1 2005

-Cantillon Irish 2005

-Cantillon Cuvee des Champions

-Cantillon Grand Cru 2003

-Cantillon Fou Foune

-Cantillon Kriek 1997

-Cantillon 50N x 4E

-Cantillon Lou Pepe 2004

-Cantillon Vigneronne 2000

-Lindemans Cuvee Rene Kriek 2008

-Lindemans Cuvee Rene 2007

-New Belgium La Folie 2008

-New Belgium La Terroir 2005

-Girardin Kriek 2005

-Panil Barriquee 2006

-Jolly Pumpkin Blanca 2006

-Jolly Pumpkin Maracaibo batch #1

-Russian River Beatification

-Heavy Weight Saison la Soeur 05

-Heavy Weight CH-Chuck 05

-Struise Earthmonk

-Liefmans Goudenband

-Mikkeller it's Alive

-Haandbryggeriet Haandbakk

-Upland Blueberry Lambic

-3 Founteinen Schaerbeekse Kriek

We didn't even finish all of the bottles we had, hopefully we will gather again another time for a few of them.. I will keep you posted, in the mean time if you have never had these treats go and try a few. Challenge your palatte!

Cheers!