Beer in the news – Page 39 – Beer Search Party

July 24, 2014September 5, 2018

Closer to Me

The big news this week (apologies to Stone in Deutschland) is the move of rightly famed brewmaster Victor Novak from OC to LA as he will be moving to Golden Road Brewing (so much closer to me) from TAPS.

ttogrb

This move leads to many Questions with a capital Q:

~Will this mean that the GRB haters will pause or will they find another excuse to complain?

~Who will take the reins at TAPS? ‘Cause past proteges have done VERY well.

~What will change at GRB?

~Will the barrel program get bigger?

All will have to wait until September when the move happens and probably later to see how the fit is.

July 22, 2014September 5, 2018

A Stone in the Marienpark

Stone Brewing Co. has finally pulled the trigger on their on “East Coast” brewery expansion with their “announced plans to open a production brewery and expansive destination restaurant in Berlin, Germany.”

I am glad to see this move progress. It has been talked about for awhile and it will be very interesting to see how a really physical export of American craft beer fares in Europe.

“With an anticipated opening in late 2015 or early 2016, Stone is making an initial investment of more than $25 million to renovate a historic gasworks complex in Marienpark Berlin, turning the more than two acres (9,290 square meters) of indoor and outdoor space into a world-class operation that will welcome beer enthusiasts from around the globe. Stone will be the first American craft brewer to independently own and operate a brewery in Europe. Stone Brewing Co. – Berlin will encompass three components: a brewery and packaging hall, a Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens restaurant and a Stone Company Store.”

What remains unsaid is how much they will Deutsch-afy this outpost. Will they brew any maltier beers? Will they just do what they do in Escondido? Or somewhere in between? I hope they take this opportunity to do something different. Embed Stone in the community. One step could be to have a lead brewer from Germany who has some free reign in the Brewhouse.

“Additionally, the company launched an Indiegogo crowd-participation campaign today, so fans can participate in the venture by purchasing special collaboration beers to be brewed with award-winning, renowned craft brewers from around the world at Stone Brewing Co. – Berlin once the facility is operational.”

This is probably the weirdest part of the press release. Why is this part of it? I would not have used crowd sourcing at all. Need extra funds? Sell those same rewards for the same price via your own website. Add a certificate stating you are helping to build the new brewery and call it a day. This is because, I believe that crowd funding is for smaller entrepreneurs without access to conventional loans.

When all is said and done, this is a really positive step forward. My questions are more along the line of, how will this turn out rather than hyper-critical.

July 17, 2014September 5, 2018

Yanks v Brits

britishclass

Though I am not terribly fond of the logo and font used on the graphic, I am down with the overall goal of this transatlantic test.

“This July and August, London- based Fuller’s Brewery invites you to explore the differences and similarities between American craft beers and the traditional British styles that inspired them. And aside from having a great educational beer experience, you are entered to win weekly giveaways and a trip to London (including a VIP tour of the Fuller’s brewery) just for sharing your comments with us.”

I love giveaways. And especially if it involves a brewery tour and not a logo’d pint glass.

“How does it work? Go to one of the participating bars or restaurants , and try a Fuller’s beer side-by-side with a beer from one of our partner breweries, Upland Brewing Co. and Epic Brewing. Then go back to the British Class Meets American Craft website and write in your thoughts. You’ll be automatically entered to win!

No participating bars or restaurants near you? No problem! Just go to your local bottle shop and create your own comparison by picking up a Fuller’s beer and an American craft beer of the same style.”

This is a nice mix of breweries. Granted no/zero Upland beers here in L.A. but a compare and contrast of Fuller’s to Epic would be much fun.

“Fuller’s and other British breweries pioneered many beer styles that inspired American craft brewers in their quest to improve the condition of American beer (pale ale, ESB, porter, and IPA, to name just a few). We look forward to hearing your thoughts as you compare the characteristics of Fuller’s British ales to American beers.”

Let’s hope the internet trolls don’t spoil this.

July 11, 2014September 5, 2018

Ska in SoCal

SKA_Brewing_Logo

Ska Brewing Company is the latest Colorado brewery to announce that they are coming to SoCal. But this is big because it is the “first new market in five years.”

Why now? Because they have added “a new high-speed canning line that has relieved capacity issues for the Southern Colorado brewery.’

And what beers will be coming to our Golden state? The flagship Modus Hoperandi India Pale Ale and Ska’s popular canned seasonal beers; Mexican Logger, Euphoria, and the Seasonal Stout Series.

I am looking forward to seeing their beers on our shelves.

June 5, 2014September 5, 2018

From the I-5

When I was a kid, my family would make treks north from Portland. And I soon would learn that when we got to Tumwater near Olympia that you could dogleg right around the Sound to go to Seattle or head left towards Hood Canal and eventually Port Angeles and Victoria BC. And there was a physical marker that would herald that turn.

The large Olympia Brewery complex.

And now there is hope that the long shuttered brewery to become vital again. It would be great to drive by and smell hops and see craft beer activity from the I-5 freeway.

June 4, 2014September 5, 2018

Earthy in OC

BpTCAUICcAEpZM_

Exciting news from The Bruery. They are changing up the infrastructure of their beer brands with the new Bruery Terreux (“Earthy Bruery”), a “brand that will focus solely on farmhouse-style ales fermented with wild yeasts as well as oak-aged sour ales. The Bruery’s original brand will rededicate its focus specifically on experimentation with non-wild ales, modern twists on classic styles and aging beer in bourbon and other spirit barrels.”

All brewing operations will remain as is with the exception of the Terreux wort will be then “transported to their own facility a few miles down the road. All fermentation, barrel aging and packaging will take place at this second facility.”

And the two brands will eventually have two separate tasting rooms by 2015 (if all goes to plan).

According to the new website, the “current brands from The Bruery that are brewed with wild yeasts or bacteria such as Saison Rue, Oude Tart, or Hottenroth Berliner Weisse, will be transitioned to Bruery Terreux. The recipes will remain the same, but will be overseen by wild beer specialists and will be bottled under the new branding.”

I am still processing this change and what it means from a marketing and customer standpoint. But at first glance it seems a change more for streamlining brewing operations. I do see that down the road, some loyal customers may be confused that one person who likes Hottenroth and another that likes Burly Gourd may have to drink at separate locations. Unless beers from each arm are made available at each location. That is all speculative though since this is 2014 and things will probably evolve from here.

More news on this change as it becomes available.

May 20, 2014September 5, 2018

Acres of Hops

The IPA binge and growth in breweries is rippling through the ingredient sector. Water is a major concern here in California and hops have gone through some peaks and valleys in recent times as well. Maybe the slow and steady growth of hop acreage will ameliorate that problem.

You can read the full piece HERE but my take-aways are….

1. ” Hop acreage in Idaho increased by 39 percent last year ”

2. “the average U.S. price for hops rose from $3.18 a pound in 2012 to $3.59 in 2013. ”

Bear this in mind when you order up an IPA that you think is too expensive. It may just be a passing of costs down the chain.

Hop acreage in Idaho increased by 39 percent last year – See more at: http://www.capitalpress.com/Idaho/20140419/idaho-hop-acres-increase-again#sthash.8VaHc7iG.dpuf

May 18, 2014September 5, 2018

Hop on the Bar Car

Maybe, I have watched too much Mad Men but the thought of a “bar car” on a train line doesn’t seem so far fetched (or even wrong) to me.

And yet this piece in the NY Times made it seem like it was something best left in the “Good Old Days”. I thought that people taking public transit or taxis was preferred. But if the article is to be believed then people were getting blitzed on the train and then driving home once they reached their destination. The mixed message that I get is that it is OK to have bars in train stations and everywhere else but a train car is too much.

photo from the New York Times article linked to above.

I am a big advocate for enjoying your drinks in moderation, be it wine, cocktails or craft beer. Primarily because I have a Slow Food type of motto. That you shouldn’t wolf down food or drink. You just don’t enjoy it as much that way. And if people did that, then we could have beer and wine and spirits on planes, trains (but not automobiles).

I would think that a great tourism idea would be to have the public transport take visitors to various culinary spots around town with local beer and wine on the train as a way to show off Los Angeles without having to fight our so much fun traffic.

Don’t ban something when it can be turned into something creative and fun.

May 16, 2014September 5, 2018

Canned for Parks

anchor-california-lager

Anchor Brewing Company is putting it’s 4.9% California Lager into cans and “through two unique partnerships, a portion of proceeds from Anchor California Lager sales will support the National Parks Conservation Association.”

According to the press release heralding the new packaging, we her in Californiahave 280 state parks and 26 of America’s 401 national parks in which to get in touch with nature.

Beginning this month, Anchor California Lager “will also be available in 6-pack cans both nationally and year-round..”

I didn’t like that the Bock beer was stopped but between the lager and new saison and this initiative. I think the new owners at Anchor are doing things right.

April 21, 2014September 5, 2018

It there a cleat in there too?

brahma-seleção-especial-640x360

I love the World Cup. Yes it is as corrupt (if not more) than the Olympics (which I hate) but the game is on the pitch. No heartwarming stories. No cutting away to curling or synchronized swimming. You get world class soccer. And no Bob Costas and his pink eye.

And now there is a beer for the occasion (if you are fond of AB) Brahma Selecao Especial which uses barley grown on the pitch of the Granja Comar training centre. Home of the Brazilian National team!

Normally, the barley would get beat to shit by soccer cleats and bouncing balls but the grounds were being renovated and while that was going on the ground was put to an extra use not normally associated with the Beautiful Game.

I am sure that it won’t taste good so I am glad it probably won’t show up in the states. I am sure that I can find some beer to drink while watching the US team play in the Group of Death.

(Special thanks to Erika Taylor for pointing this out to me)