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The shortest month of the year is upon us.
Here is what is planned this month for all of you readers/drinkers.
~ e-visits to four breweries of New Zealand
~ video reviews of two beers from my local, Eagle Rock Brewing (I mean it this time!)
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my opinion on the craft beer world
~ my 2011 Beer challenge will be expanded
~ plus many more posts about new beers, beer products and breweries
One of the enduring theological questions that cause great debate in the craft beer community is the theory that one can drink (insert industrial water lager) and still enjoy craft beers too.
This topic came up this month on the excellent BeerNews website in a rant from an East Coast brewer (amongst other rant targets) that I won’t attack as wrongheaded in this post.
I know that someone can drink the full gamut of beers from the lowliest malt liquor to the highest ABV beer stuffed in a squirrel.
I just don’t know how. My tastebuds do not have a reverse on them. Let me explain what that means. Once I had In ‘n’ Out burgers, I could not reverse and have McDonalds ever again. The taste of In ‘n’ Out is light years ahead of the golden arches. Same with coffee. I won’t be buying a tub of Folgers when I can have Stumptown or Intelligentsia.
I can anticipate the argument that comes next. Price. Yes, Stumptown costs more if you just look at dollars and cents. But if the gaze is widened to include how much more flavor and enjoyment you get then the equation changes.
The same for beer. Yes, you can slam more PBR’s for the same price of two of my craft beer bombers. But I am getting something that is full of complex flavors that keeps me interested. I get to sit and enjoy my beer slowly while the supposedly cost-conscious are spending more on aspirin.
Another argument I don’t buy is that it makes someone less pretentious if they are “seen” drinking the industrial water lagers of the world. You should drink beer because you love it or are curious about it. Not to sell the brand of you via the marketing dollars of a mega-brewery.
That is why no one can call you a snob or an elitist if you drink what you enjoy. I don’t drink Dogfish Head or Stone to be cool like Sam or Greg. (Which they are by the way.) I drink craft beer for the flavor.
Foreword
Usually my tours are of the electronic variety, I wish I could tour breweries and write about them for a living but that is not the case (yet!). But today is different. An actual visit, with photographic proof.
I have met the fine people (Rich and Joel) behind the Strand Brewing enterprise at a few events over the last few months. And two days ago, I got to visit the brewery!
There is no one successful model in creating a brewery. But there is one constant. Caring about the quality of the beer first. Yes, the branding is important. Yes, the customers are important. And I learned a lot from talking to Rich about his views on those topics. But I could tell that the beer really comes first at Strand. They want a product that is up to their expectations and it is why Rich is especially proud of his re-order rate (100%).
I can assure you that Strand will be talked up even more this year as more people taste the Beach House, Atticus and 24 Street.
The third installment of the Coaster Collection Chronicles…..
Last year in a post on FoodGPS, I proposed the creation of a Brewed in California growler. This year I have challenged my shy self to raising awareness of what I consider an opportunity for the State of California to promote tourism and the craft beer industry. (And maybe help close a small part of the budget gap in the process)
As with last years challenge, this won’t be easy and may not be finished in one year. It is government after all. Putting things off is their specialty. But that’s why it’s challenging.
Two items to start:
1. I want to show you the actual wording of the California law so that alternate legislation can be crafted.
2. Get an online petition going (thanks internet) so that I can contact legislators with some muscle behind me.
Both items will pop up in February so keep your eyes peeled!
Cigar City. Critical darlings of the craft beer world have a new beer available for those lucky enough to be in Florida.
Cigar City Brewing joined forces with Denmark based Grassroots Brewing and Hill Farmstead of Vermont on four beers. Half of the bounty is now close to seeing the light of day. Either and Or, which the labels describe as a high gravity black ale brewed with special honey, hops and aged on toasted Spanish Cedar.
Thanks to a major expansion Fort George has 16 oz. cans upcoming!
1811 Pre-Prohibition Lager & Vortex IPA are the first two to show up.
The Lager is being brewed for Astoria’s Bicentennial next month. That is how you celebrate history.
One of the great surprises of 2010 were Firestone Walker bombers made for Trader Joesunder the Mission Street Label. The Hefeweizen was solid and even better was the brown ale that had just the right balance of malt and thickness with a spice kick.
Now they have produced a new beer, Mission Street 2011 Anniversary Ale. The copy on the label explains: “This year’s Mission St. Anniversary Ale showcases complex malt flavors with roasty notes layered in and medium hop character. It is a blend of three incredible brews carefully blended for maxiumum aroma and flavor. We affectionately call this brew an Imperial Brown Ale. 8.5% ABV.”.
I just had to share two of the best Christmas gifts (Beer related category) that I received this year…
So what you see is MALTed milk balls, a rabbit that is HOPping, some wheat and a packet of yeast. All of the ingredients in beer! A clever sister-in-law I have.
I have had great help in chasing my 50 Beers / 50 States goal but this wins a big prize. My wife found a friend who was traveling in the vicinity of some of my missing states and enlisted her to help me. And did she ever. She got beer from 5 states! Thanks to Ayn for single-handedly knocking 10% of my list away! Unbelievable!
For those who love the elusive Pliny the Younger, here are the details according to Russian River …..
We are releasing Younger at our pub in Santa Rosa on February 4th. When the pub receives it’s allocation, those kegs will be allocated to last for exactly 2 weeks. Therefore, we may run out at the pub each day, but will have more the following day for 2 weeks. It will be available in 10 oz. glasses only- no growlers or bottles to go. This will allow more beer enthusiasts like you, as well as our regular customers, to enjoy some Younger this year! And we won’t see it on Ebay!
Following are the markets to which we will send Younger (same as last year):
San Francisco
East Bay
North Bay
Southern California
Seattle, WA
Portland, OR
Colorado
Philadelphia, PA
I will celebrate the start of PTY season with a nice Blind Pig a great IPA that I don’t have to fight through a crowd to get.