Brew Community

Cap lifted for Iowa breweries

beerman — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:25:03 +0000

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver has signed a bill that allow Iowa breweries to make and sell beers up to 12% alcohol by volume. Out of state breweries were already selling these stronger beers in Iowa, but in-state breweries were restricted to a 5% abv. A movement for Iowa Beer Equality arose to remove the competitive disadvantage Iowa breweries faced. The passing of SF 2088 now allows Iowa brewers to sell many more styles of beer.

To celebrate Olde Main Brewing in Ames will let customers pick the first strong beer the brewpub offers. “We’ve been getting a lot of questions on what will be the first high proof beer we brew,” Olde Main’s Jill Haverkamp said, “so we are planning to let the people decide by doing a poll.” Customers can vote at the brewery’s website.

The Sioux City Journal surveyed other breweries via email to see what they had planned. The responses:

Rock Bottom Brewery, Des Moines – New Era Barleywine, Belgo India Pale Ale, an imperial stout and an imperial red ale.

Granite City Food and Brewery, locations in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport – “We have an IPA that we distribute to all our 26 restaurants, but since we have three in Iowa, we have always brewed it to the Iowa limit,” brewmaster Cory O’Neel said. “We will tweak the recipe to where it always should have been.”

Old Man River Brewing Co., McGregor – A doppelbock. “I’m looking forward to giving it a go,” brewer Jacob Simmons said.

Worth Brewing Co., Northwood – “A strong Belgian ale is a definite,” said brewer Peter Ausenhus. “I am also very excited about brewing a proper English old ale and some authentic German bocks.”

Raccoon River Brewing Co., Des Moines – “I currently make a double hopped version of our Bandit IPA called Bandito Loco, that I’m looking forward into making a true double IPA” said brewer David Coy.

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Bock reviewed by Jerome M.

beerman — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:25:05 +0000

I fermented it at 15C, and I bought 2
additional fermentis S23, to keep the
lager character of this beer.
It’s fantastic, medium-full body,
malty, not too bitter, a slight taste of
caramel.
To do again and again….. – Rating:5/5

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Coopers Heritage Lager reviewed by Dr.JD

beerman — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:25:07 +0000

Coopers Heritage Lager + Brewer’s
Choice Ultra Brew
(LDM+Dex+Corn Syrup Solid). Kit yeast
worked
nicely. Fermented at 13C for 3 weeks.
Tasted at
1month. Very clean and smooth due to the
low
fermentation temp. Not sure if I’d muck
around with
this one. It will please the general
public and I find it
a nice change from full-bodied ales…
– Rating:4/5

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Craft beers sales grow 7.2 percent

beerman — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:25:04 +0000

The Brewers Association today announced that craft beers sales grew 7.2% in 2009 as the same time that overall beer sales tumbled. The dollar value of craft beer grew even more dramatically, 10.3%. Overall, craft brewers sold 613,992 additional barrels in 2009, an increase equal to about 8.5 million cases.

Overall, U.S. beer sales were down approximately 5 million barrels (31 gallons each) in 2009.

“Beer lovers continue to find great value and enjoyment in fuller flavored craft beers,” Brewers Association director Paul Gatza said for a press release. “Americans have an increasing appreciation of craft beers, and the growing number of brewers behind them. They’re eager to try the latest seasonal release and to sample a variety of beers from different breweries.”

Craft brewers, as defined by the BA, accounted for 4.3% of volume and 6.9% of retail dollars for the total U.S. beer category. The BA estimates actual dollar sales figure from craft brewers in 2009 was $7 billion, up from $6.3 billion in 2008.

The total number of U.S. craft brewers grew from 1,485 to 1,542 in 2009, and they produced 9,115,635 barrels, up from 8,501,713 barrels in 2008. Overall U.S. beer sales fell from approximately 210.4 million barrels to 205.8 million barrels.

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Oregon congressman to deliver CBC keynote

beerman — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:25:02 +0000

Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon) will deliver the keynote speech the Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) in Chicago. The conference itself runs April 8-10, with judging for the World Beer Cup bi-annual competition in the days before. More than 1,600 of the world’s leading brewers, brewery owners and brewing supply professionals are expected to attend.

Congressman DeFazio, himself a homebrewer, co-founded and co-chairs the House Small Brewers Caucus in Washington, D.C. Bringing together more than 60 U.S. Representatives, the Caucus strives to educate Congress about the unique issues and challenges faced by America’s small brewery businesses.

“Congressman DeFazio is a true advocate for small brewers, and we’re extremely fortunate to have him join us in Chicago,” Charlie Papazian, president of the Brewers Association, said for a press release. “He has a real passion for the breweries, the brewers and the beer, and he truly understands the unique issues of our industry. Introducing him to the 1,600-plus brewers attending CBC will be a real pleasure.”

“American small brewers are true craftsmen, producing some of the finest beers in the world. As a home brewer myself, I have a deep appreciation for the quality of their work,” Defazio said for the release. “But, perhaps more important than their fine beers, is their place in local communities. These small business men and women create jobs and economic activity, and are an integral part of local community culture. I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak to this growing group of innovative business leaders.”

More about the Craft Brewers Conference here.

More about the World Beer Cup here.

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Brewing scholarship honors memory of Greg Noonan

beerman — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:25:03 +0000

The American Brewers Guild has created a scholarship to honor the memory of brewing pioneer Greg Noonan, who died last October of cancer.

The Greg Noonan New England Brewer’s Scholarship will be awarded for the Intensive Brewing Science and Engineering class beginning June 7. The scholarship is open to residents of New England, including the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Applicants must meet the guild’s for admission into the program.

Noonan opened Vermont’s first brewpub in 1988 and two others after that but his influence was far wider. His 1986 book “Brewing Lager Beer: The Most Comprehensive Book for Home- and Microbreweries”
became a guidebook for those opening small breweries in the 1980s and ’90s. He Later wrote “Scotch Ale” in 1990 and “Seven Barrel Brewery Brewers’ Handbook: A Pragmatic Guide to Home Brewing” in 1996.

Here’s the information about how to apply.

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Florida brewers lobby for growler sales

beerman — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:25:02 +0000

This call to help the breweries of Florida comes from Support Your Local Brewery:

Florida Beer Lovers,

The Florida Brewers Guild needs your help.

Senate Bill 2062 has been filed in the Florida Legislature and seeks to amend the Florida Statutes so as to allow ‘brewpubs’ to sell beer brewed for off-premises consumption, and to remove container size restrictions for malt beverages so as to allow for the sale of ‘growlers’.

Click or copy and paste the following link to view Senate Bill 2062:

http://www.flsenate.gov/session/index.cfm?BI_Mode=ViewBillInfo&Mode=Bills&ElementID=JumpToBox&SubMenu=1&Year=2010&billnum=2062

We have a potential sponsor in the House, Representative Mike Horner, but he is being pressured to remove the provision that would allow brewpubs to sell for off-premises consumption.

We ask that you use the following link to email Representative Horner and ask that he sponsor a House bill with the same provisions as Senate Bill 2062.

Please act NOW – Tuesday March 2nd is the last day for Representatives to file bills.

Representative Horner can also be reached by phone at:

407-943-3077 or 850-488-8992

Sample Message:

I, _________, support legislation to allow brewpubs to be able to sell their beer for off-premises consumption. If passed, this legislation would:

1) Give consumers a choice in when and where they drink their favorite beer (i.e. at home)

2) Increase sales to support new jobs and increase excise and sales taxes for the state

3) Support tourism–thousands of beer enthusiasts travel to find & collect unique beer

4) Make Florida more attractive to prospective brewery projects and investment

Please support local Florida breweries and Florida beer enthusiasts by supporting a House companion bill to Senate Bill 2062.

Thank you,

The Florida Brewers Guild

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Inaugural Charlotte Craft Beer Week

beerman — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:25:11 +0000

The Schedule for Charlotte’s first Craft Beer Week has been posted. Check and bookmark the site to keep up with current and future details and updates:

charlottecraftbeerweek.org

Check out the schedule here. And let us know in the comments or in the forums if you are going or if there are events that really stand out to you as “must attend” events. Personally, I think the NC Brewers Guild event at the Flying Saucer on Sunday, March 21st sounds awesome and that is one I would have on my list if I were able to attend.

If you’re in the Charlotte area, please check out these events and rsvp or buy tickets now for the events you want to attend!

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Beer – er, water – cooler fodder

beerman — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:25:05 +0000

Bill Howell — a Sterling, Alaska college administrator, retired Navy officer, homebrewer, and beer educator — was crowned the 2010 Wynkoop Beerdrinker of the Year on Saturday. One of three national finalists in Denver competing for the 2010 title, Howell withstood 2 hours of difficult beer-related questions from a panel of national beer experts to win the 14th annual title. He wins free beer for life at Wynkoop, a $250 bar tab at his favorite brewpub (Elias Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska) and other prizes for winning the title.

Saint Arnold Brewing made its first batch of beer Saturday at its new downtown brewery. The brewery opened to the public months ago while work continued on its brewhouse. The new brewery has an initial capacity of 40,000 barrels. “I tell people who think we are getting big that it takes Anheuser-Busch two hours to make as much beer as we produce in an entire year,” co-founder Brock Wagner said. “The sign of our growth is that it used to take A-B just one hour.”

After 25 years as president of Sprecher Brewing, which he founded, Randal Sprecher is giving up the job of president. Jeff Hamilton, who’s been vice president and general manager since 2005, is the new president. Sprecher, 63, said in an interview that he’s delegating more work to Hamilton. Sprecher, who lives part time in California, said he devoting more time to developing the West Coast market. He also said he has no plans to retire soon. “I’ve got a ways to go yet, although I’m getting up there,” he said.

Left Hand Brewing in Colorado has a released an India Pale Ale it calls 400 Pound Monkey IPA. “Just when you thought that the world needs another IPA like it needs another virus, we’ve started to brew a year-round IPA. But this one ain’t like them others,” explained Joe Schiraldi, vice president of brewing operations. “It’s an English-style IPA that separates itself from the ubiquitous bunch. Any monkey can throw 400 pounds of hops in a kettle.” The beer is 6.8% abv. Bittering units? From the press release: “Well, it depends on perception versus reality, but a polite monkey never tells.”

Exit 16 Wild Rice Double IPA will be the next entry in Flying Fish Brewing’s “Exit Series.” Exit 16 bottles will be available by mid-March and will also on be on draft in limited quantities throughout the region. “Exit 16 is a fun, flavorful tribute to one of the Meadowlands’ indigenous food sources: wild rice,” said Flying Fish founder Gene Muller. Exit 16 Wild Rice Double IPA is named for the exit that leads travelers across the salt-marsh of the Meadowlands to the Sportsplex and Lincoln Tunnel. The beer is brewed with wild, organic brown and white rice, and five varieties of hops. It is later dry-hopped with Chinook and Citra hops.

Firestone Walker Brewing Co. has expanded distribution into southern Oregon, including Eugene, Bend, Burns, Coos Bay, Roseburg, Klamath Falls, Medford, and Newport. “We’ve had great success already in the Portland market and look forward to bringing our beer to new areas in the rest of Beer Nirvana,” said David Walker, Firestone Walker’s co-founder.

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Coopers India Pale Ale (IPA) reviewed by DJB

beerman — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 04:25:05 +0000

Coopers calls for 500 grams light dry
malt extract and 300 grams of dextrose.
I opted for 3 pounds of pale LME and 600
grams of dextrose. I dry hopped with
1oz. Fuggles pellets in the secondary.
Originating gravity 1043 primary
fermented for 4 days racked to carboy.
After 2 weeks in carboy it has yet to
clear but did a gravity reading and it
came in at 1002. Drank the sample and it
tasted pretty good for a beer yet to be
bottled.

Nice and hoppy just like a pub IPA in
england.
Will wait a few more weeks to see if it
clears take another reading and bottle.
The ABV should come in around 6%.
Will post again when ready.

Cheers
– Rating:5/5

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