tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257132374638413852011-12-31T10:34:29.241-06:00Observations on Craft Beer, the Brewing Industry and the Modern Craft Beer Movementassurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-55357194600278175252011-03-27T09:59:00.049-05:002011-03-28T00:29:21.457-05:002011-03-28T00:29:21.457-05:00

A rising trend in modern craft brewing today is toward an ill-defined beer known as the black IPA, which breaks down into an American-style IPA brewed with darker malts not out of place in porters and stouts. Beginning with a disclaimer, I am not a fan of this trend as the citrusy, pine-resin bite of domestic hops does not sit well on my palate with the dark-roasted malts used in these beers.

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-45043738085623377342011-01-23T22:52:00.019-06:002011-01-25T08:39:56.699-06:002011-01-25T08:39:56.699-06:00

A few recent comments and feedback received through this website have made accusations about me hiding behind the anonymity of the Internet for my unsupportable attacks against innocent craft brewers. Of course, I find such comments almost comical as I have never made any attempts to hide my identity or contact information, which are both easily available through some competent navigation of this

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-332696844627221452010-12-12T22:57:00.020-06:002010-12-14T00:10:55.824-06:002010-12-14T00:10:55.824-06:00

If you are like thousands of other craft beer fans, your tastes will likely have passed through the revelation of Stone Brewing’s beers along the way to forming your beer identity. You most likely remember your first taste of Stone’s Arrogant Bastard Ale—possibly your first exposure to beer beyond the light lagers of the majors—and its reckless use of hops and strength as they assaulted your

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-50469326247187868542010-10-10T22:38:00.002-05:002010-10-11T23:10:56.677-05:002010-10-11T23:10:56.677-05:00

Amid a tee-shirt emblazoned mantra of “Keep Austin Weird,” the Texas state capitol has worked to maintain its local flavor and attitude. For decades, I have watched the town grow from a barely-city positioned as a quaint, convenient college-and-government town into an almost-metropolis struggling to keep its liberal, indie identity within the corporate influx and urban sprawl. Likewise, I have

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-67563690126547963902010-08-08T22:46:00.004-05:002010-08-09T23:01:27.652-05:002010-08-09T23:01:27.652-05:00

On February 12th, 2010, Fort Worth’s Rahr & Sons Brewery became the stuff of Texas legend by being the sole brewery in the history of the Lone Star State ever to be destroyed by a blizzard. Such events may be commonplace in northern climes but a record-setting 12.5-inch snowfall in just 24 hours is unheard of in North Texas, and unlikely to be repeated in our lifetimes.The weight of the

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-52556624052218242992010-05-30T22:34:00.018-05:002010-05-31T23:04:40.546-05:002010-05-31T23:04:40.546-05:00

Located in the most unlikely of spots possible is one of the best beer-focused pubs in the state of Texas, The Dancing Bear Pub. On a corner sharing a small freestanding building with a sandwich and pizza shop in Waco, this establishment has found a way to thrive amid both the Southern Baptists and the swilling college students mere blocks away at Baylor University.Last week, The Dancing Bear Pub

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-13498060041916368572010-01-30T12:06:00.001-06:002010-02-16T00:15:04.203-06:002010-02-16T00:15:04.203-06:00

I recently picked up a bottle of BrewDog’s Dogma, a new imported beer from a Scottish craft brewer previously unrepresented in this area. My intent was to evaluate and properly review the beer contained within for a future article but a few tell-tale signs lead me to abandon such an attempt. As happens on occasion in the craft beer world, especially with the new and imported, I was in possession

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-7105027801964718352010-01-10T17:26:00.007-06:002010-01-11T00:27:52.077-06:002010-01-11T00:27:52.077-06:00

In case you had not noticed, the young Texas craft beer market is currently flourishing. We are seeing an unprecedented number of national brands and imports arriving almost weekly, and our in-state commercial brewers are the strongest they have been since the reckless microbrew expansion of the dot-com era.Naturally, all the stylistic basics seem to be covered. Amber ales and Vienna-style lagers

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-1436627791043357612009-12-13T10:42:00.010-06:002009-12-16T23:53:47.557-06:002009-12-16T23:53:47.557-06:00

Just this past December 1st, Houston’s Saint Arnold Brewing Company released the latest edition of its specialty beer series, this one sequentially dubbed the Divine Reserve No. 9. In a departure from previous versions of classic high-gravity styles, the No. 9 is a unique recipe of an “imperial pumpkin stout,” a Russian imperial stout brewed with pumpkin and traditional spices.Saint Arnold has

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-48241405256380218102009-11-29T20:01:00.002-06:002009-11-29T20:08:02.031-06:002009-11-29T20:08:02.031-06:00

News broke this week of another entry into the race to create the strongest and most extreme beer on the commercial market. Scottish brewer BrewDog, currently the largest independent brewery in Scotland, recently announced the release of a 32% ABV imperial stout aged in whisky casks quizzically named Tactical Nuclear Penguin.Aside from bragging rights used in marketing, high-gravity extreme beers

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-77759511657699703692009-11-08T17:08:00.009-06:002009-11-08T17:36:18.526-06:002009-11-08T17:36:18.526-06:00

The question was recently raised about whether or not craft beer (or beer in general) can be considered vegan. As people become more conscious about what they eat and where their food comes from, and especially as organic claims and certification more often than not blur the lines of truth and nutrition, this can be a genuine concern to those on restricted diets.First of all, all beer is clearly

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-3132099612667440322009-09-06T21:12:00.012-05:002009-09-06T21:27:55.260-05:002009-09-06T21:27:55.260-05:00

Even though Texas has a history of brewing as long as the state’s existence, it is a relative newcomer to the national craft beer movement currently in progress. Compared to other states like Colorado and Oregon, the number of Texas brewers is minor but growing. Nevertheless, some sort of guidebook for Texas breweries has been long overdue.This story begins about two years ago with a casual

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-83051289165355609812009-04-04T17:04:00.005-05:002009-08-04T18:34:06.369-05:002009-08-04T18:34:06.369-05:00

At their initial stages, some brewers do not have the necessary funds to establish, staff and open a fully functioning craft brewery. Other brewers, having established themselves in the market for years, can have excess capacity or at least equipment that is idle to some degree. The solution? Contract brewing.The concept of contract brewing—literally, brewing under contract—is similar to

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-8731051403897292812009-03-21T17:48:00.008-05:002009-07-02T22:31:20.506-05:002009-07-02T22:31:20.506-05:00

One very welcome trend on the rise recently in urban culture is the event known as the beer dinner, often also called the beer-pairing dinner. Print, broadcast and online media love the idea, as it provides a simple and cheap human-interest piece, all the time showcasing such image-friendly items as fine dining and craft beer.Many restaurants and pubs are just now becoming aware of both the

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-38994870956107144332009-03-07T17:45:00.007-06:002009-06-01T20:07:39.713-05:002009-06-01T20:07:39.713-05:00

Brewing lends itself to experimentation in the same way as cooking up a recipe in a kitchen. Ingredients can be used or featured based on their individual strengths and flavors, their seasonal availability or to the taste of the chef. And as always, limits and prescribed recipes exist only to be pushed, challenged and extended.The American craft brewing scene has an element of rogue extreme beers

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-82209453747543477472009-02-28T13:38:00.005-06:002009-05-29T13:55:23.019-05:002009-05-29T13:55:23.019-05:00

Every beer has a story to tell. Every style has an origin, whether it is invented one night by a creative commercial brewer or developed over centuries by a brewing culture. Some origins are simple and direct, and others are complex amalgams of time, society, environment, worldwide economies and even international politics.Take the India pale ale, or IPA, for example. Americans have rabidly

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-56525771716153064562009-02-14T13:39:00.007-06:002009-05-06T13:17:08.301-05:002009-05-06T13:17:08.301-05:00

It is illegal for breweries in Texas to sell you beer.Let me state that once again: It is prohibited by current Texas law for a brewer (large or small) to sell beer directly to the public. If you take a tour of one of our state’s microbreweries, you can sample their beers for free and buy as many branded tee-shirts or pint glasses as you like, but you cannot purchase a single bottle. The one

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-83487278482542151182009-01-24T13:40:00.004-06:002009-04-18T13:56:55.614-05:002009-04-18T13:56:55.614-05:00

Most fans of craft beer collect branded beer glassware like stray dogs. Shelves are filled with all shapes and styles of beer glasses, most with brewery logos etched on their sides. Such brewery paraphernalia has become the currency of the craft beer market, bought and traded as often as the beers made to fill them.Of course, every brewer will want you to drink their beer out of their particular

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-70972437496786621232009-01-10T13:37:00.011-06:002009-05-29T01:21:15.918-05:002009-05-29T01:21:15.918-05:00

Beer is made of some rather common, everyday ingredients, and out of these few items literally thousands of styles and flavor profiles are possible. But do you really know of what your favorite beer is made? Could you explain and describe—on a fundamental level—each of the simple elements in the brewing process? Let’s try to do just that.Brewing begins with malt, the primary taste component and

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-76168577106387852162008-12-27T11:01:00.004-06:002009-03-16T20:28:48.666-05:002009-03-16T20:28:48.666-05:00

"Ales and lagers are the same thing."Other than both are beer, nothing is further from the truth. What distinguishes an ale from a lager is the yeast strain used and the particular method used to ferment the beer, which again depends upon the particular yeast. This yeast is the only ingredient differentiating the two, but it is important enough to make all the difference.Ale is brewed with a

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-92162309688165039362008-12-13T13:34:00.010-06:002009-03-13T01:41:07.619-05:002009-03-13T01:41:07.619-05:00

Merriam-Webster defines a trend as "a line or general direction of movement” or “a prevailing tendency or inclination." The most obvious trends are either in fashion or on Wall Street, where the skill of detecting and predicting trends is almost a science. Consumers trend constantly in their choices and purchases, from autos to household electronics, from movies to the food they eat.Likewise,

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-34842794003261099062008-11-22T19:33:00.002-06:002009-02-02T19:41:37.091-06:002009-02-02T19:41:37.091-06:00

Consumers are quite familiar with the common serving methods for beer, both mass-produced and craft. Beer may be served either from a large keg via a tap in the wall or it may be put into smaller containers, either colored glass bottles or aluminum cans. But most consumers in the United States are woefully unaware of a third, unique style of service that gives rise to a world of different

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-5156468752217177392008-11-08T17:25:00.009-06:002008-12-05T17:43:23.460-06:002008-12-05T17:43:23.460-06:00

It is a mantra that resonates throughout the craft beer community. It is part sage advice, part current trend, part modern marketing. It originates from both components of formal microeconomics theory and home-grown wisdom. It is the counsel you receive from commercial brewers, home brewers and just about all beer-centric websites: Support your local brewery.Fresh beer is better beer. Beer is a

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-62616218462468384382008-10-18T16:00:00.003-05:002008-11-22T17:30:29.971-06:002008-11-22T17:30:29.971-06:00

The term railfan or railway enthusiast is used to describe an amateur hobbyist interested in commercial and industrial rail transport. These fans indulge their passion for trains by rail travel, building websites and gathering in groups with like-minded train buffs. They read books, write books, collect photos and other material related to rail engines and transit systems around the world.Some

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125713237463841385.post-23425253805478262592008-10-04T15:34:00.004-05:002008-11-16T11:09:00.910-06:002008-11-16T11:09:00.910-06:00

On the whole, most of us are healthy individuals. However, we all must deal with infectious diseases or conditions from time to time. Bacterial or viral, our bodies cannot always successfully defend against the microbes that bathe our world. We all get infections. Our pets get infections. Even our computers get infections. And believe it or not, so does our beer.Readers should already be familiar

assurbanipaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489763431317551032noreply@blogger.com0