Category: Beer in the news

Great articles that you should read.

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Beervana (the book)

There are certain beer bloggers who I follow more than others either due to topics covered, geographic location or humor.

One person who covers all those bases is based in my former burg, Portland. Jeff Alworth’s Beervana blog has been going strong since 2006 and he has posted about places or beers that I have then HAD to visit or WILL visit soon.

So what did I see the last time I visited? Well, he’s compiled a book. With blog posts and additional material that you can physically read.

Follow the LINK to purchase a copy today.

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BeerTickers – the Movie

I heard about this movie last month on Jeff Alworth’s Beervana blog and I finally got around to renting it on iTunes and giving it a watch.

Thumbs are up on this one. It is a journey following the filmmaker as he immerses himself in British tickerdom (much different than the American version) and if that person is annoying or weird then the whole enterprise can fall apart. But Phil Parkin is engaging throughout and fond of the people while touching on beer topics too. Tickers have a bad name in the U.S. because of a feeling that their is a lack of appreciation but the main tickers in this movie all truly appreciate real ale. And they seem to be fully aware of appreciation vs obsession. That doesn’t make them any less weird or annoying at times but they are characters destined for movies in a way.

What I especially liked the side trips interspersed into the documentary. The interviews/talks with Pete Brown and Melissa Cole were too short but were great. And the Thornbidge Jaipur brew day was great. All in all, it is a peek into the British ale culture that I know very little about. The best part it that it is also a wonderful way to see the inside of British pubs that I may not visit. And to see some great tap clips that made me very thirsty.

SO, set aside the ticking debate. Enjoy the community and learn about Sheffield, the U.K. and beer.

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Beer on the TV

The trend of craft beer on the TV continues. Here is another show that I heard about from a friend of the BSP.

“Who doesn’t like craft beer? Well, the folks at New York-based indie production company Overcrest Media are betting you do. Last month they launched their first original series, The Brewery Show, which dives into the craft beer movement, one microbrewery at a time.

“We explore the greatest microbreweries, brewpubs, and craft beer houses this country has to offer. From interviews with the trendiest brewmasters, owners, technicians, and home brewers, we find out what’s brewing in the world of craft beer and beyond,” says the series’ fledgling YouTube page.

For the uninitiated, The Brewery Show provides an excellent introduction to the process and philosophy behind craft beer production. And for those well versed, it provides a thorough behind-the-scenes look at some of the East Coast’s top artisinal breweries.

The first episode takes us to Pleasantville, NY’s Captain Lawrence Brewing Company—famous for their ‘Liquid Gold’ brew—and features interviews with Owner and Head Brewer Scott Vaccaro and Cellar Operator Justin Sturges. Vaccaro offers a piece of advice you homebrewers won’t want to hear: “I’m the last person to tell you not to follow your dreams, but remember it’s a business first, and it’s not just about making beer.”

Following episodes take us to Keegan Ales, Brewery Ommegang, Thomas Hooker Brewing Company, Cavalry Brewing, and Sixpoint. Thirsty yet? New episodes are released every two weeks.”

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Stupid politicians

Ugh! Politicians make me want to scream.

Mississippi (home of the fabulous Lazy Magnolia Brewery) is losing the ABV restriction battle it seems. Check out this ARTICLE for the info.

All the politicians have to do is raise the limitation. And it isn’t even a big ask. from 5 to 8%. Mississippi would still be excluding alot of beer (if that is their goal). But more breweries might open if the cap was at 8% and Lazy Magnolia would be able to brew and (gee whiz) sell more beer too!

So check out the website for Raise Your Pints and support from wherever you are.

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from coasters to cans

The LA Times has been slowly covering more of the beer scene and in the Sunday paper a few weekends past they had this really cool page devoted to old timey beer cans…

(click on the link (twice) to embiggen the image)

My personal favorite is the Barbarossa.

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Don Younger (and other beery news)


If you want to hear one of the people that made craft beer drinking as easy and fun as it is today, then take a listen to part 1 of Lisa Morrison’s interview with Don Younger of Horse Brass fame.

You can listen on iTunes HERE or go to her website HERE to listen to Don as well as learn about Fort George Brewing’s expansion and Full Sail’s Bump in the Night.

To learn about where craft beer was back in the 1970’s is amazing. Most bars had one tap and that one tap had one beer. Their beer menu was the neon sign outside that said either Olympia, Blitz, Rainier or one of the other breweries.