On Saturday, auctioneers Henry Aldridge and Son will sell off one bottle of Lowenbrau found by firefighter Leroy Smith at the scene of the accident. Smith’s niece now owns the beer, which is expected to fetch a shade under $9,000. Assuming it reaches the price, it will become the most expensive bottle of beer ever sold. Actually, since a $400 bottle of limited edition Carlsberg currently holds the record, we’re pretty certain the Lowenbrau will exceed that amount.

Forget Pabst; let’s buy Hindenburg.

München Haus Leavenworth, Washington
Who says only big cities have beer gardens? Nestled in the countryside of Washington State just east of Seattle, the München Haus serves up hot brats and cold beer to the tune of Bavarian music at the footsteps of the Cascade Mountains.

Three Biergartens to Remember

Students are able to earn a bachelor’s and even a master’s degree in the comfort of their own home. Since the program is strictly online, students can enjoy the thrill of graduating without the hassle of dealing with heavy freeway traffic every morning. Classes are available all day every day and are taught by instructors with first-hand experiences in the subject matter.

According to Todd Brennem, vice president of marketing for BarUniversity, the program perfectly suits candidates looking for a recession-proof career, a second job, or a part-time job that pays well.

Who says a person can’t strive in a falling economy? Once you get your degree, BarUniversity lends a helping hand by providing job placement services.

Programs start at $250. You’re sure to make that up in your first night behind the bar.

– Caitlin Torres

But it’s been a blast so far. It was kind of mind-blowing. I’ve worked one day on it. It’s one day of a few. But I think we packed seven episodes of my material in. They gave me a script for the day that was as thick as a film script and that’s what we planned to shoot in a single day. No ad-libbing. If I needed it, they said they had a TelePrompTer, but the regulars didn’t use it so I didn’t want to use it, either. Anyway, I’m pretty good at remembering lines.

We’ll buy any true Renaissance man a beer.

Ken Hunnemeder

Beer Runner: What are your beer runner credentials?

Ken Hunnemeder: I’ve become a beer collector, traveling outside of my distribution ring in order to try beer I can’t get in Chicago. I take a photo each time I add to my collection, and right now I have over 1,000 beers. Around a year ago I also began to practice home brewing. It’s been wonderfully educational, because it allows me to become familiar with the ingredients that go into making a specific style. It has expanded my palate and develop an even greater appreciation for those who make exceptional beer on a larger scale. To balance the drinking, I make running and biking regular activities. I used to be one of those people who hated running, until I tried building up to a good routine. My initial tactic was a combination of running and walking. But eventually, the walking intervals got shorter until I was running at a steady pace.

BR: How did you get involved with the Hop-Cast podcast?

KH: My co-host, Brad Chmielewski, has been a good friend for years. He used to host a Chicago food and drink podcast called ChiHookah. When that ended, he came to me with the idea of a show dedicated to sharing our love for craft beer and discussing it at length. We have a great time on the show, and it’s our goal to not only keep in informative, but entertaining as well. If we do a few shows in one night, by the end, we are definitely more than entertained.

BR: What can we look forward to coming up on Hop Cast?

KH: We’re expanding from a basic review show and starting to do more interviews with home brewers, professional brewers, and authors in the brewing business. In the near future, we’ll be covering the Three Floyds beer pairing dinner at Small Bar on Division Street in Chicago. We’ve also teamed up with Man B Que, a group of guys that specialize in all things grilled. We’re now their in-house beer pairing experts for all the barbeque aficionados. Because great beer paired with great food equals one hell of a time.

BR: What type of beer guy are you? What are your favorites?

KH: I like to think I have an appreciation for all styles. Good beer is good beer, no matter what the variation. That said, I do have some favorites. I’m a big fan of IPAs (Founders Double Trouble, Piece Camel Toe). I also love sour/wild ales, (Cantillon Classic Gueze, Russian River Consecration) and I’m currently on a big Pilsner kick. There’s something to be said for taking a big gulp of a sessionable Pilsner. Especially after a run.

BR: Who are the #gents behind your hashtag on Twitter?

KH: The Fellowship of Gentlemanly Gentlemen, a.k.a #gents (Twitter shout-out!) are a group in Chicago that gets together to experience the finer things in life– craft beer and delicious cigars. What started as a get-together between co-workers slowly turned into a group of people who love sharing craft beer. Each meeting has a beer-theme, and everyone brings something from that category pot-luck style. A common misconception is that it’s for guys only — women are absolutely allowed (and encouraged!) and we’re always open to new members, whether a beer expert or someone who just wants to learn more about craft beer. Those interested can follow #gents on Twitter.

BR: How would you describe yourself as a runner and biker?

KH: I really enjoy getting out and being active. Of course there are days when I’d much rather be lazy and have a beer sitting on my couch watching the Real Housewives of Orange County. Or football. But there’s no better reward after a sweat-worthy workout than a nice craft beer. One notable example of how I brought the best of both worlds together is I took a bike trip with some Gents from Chicago to Flossmor Station Brewing Company in Illinois and onto Three Floyds in Indiana. It’s roughly a 70 mile trip. It definitely kicked my ass, but it was one of the highlights of my year. Highly recommended.

BR: How would you describe Chicago as a beer and fitness city?

KH: Chicago is lucky enough to house some prominent breweries including Goose Island, Metropolitan, Rock Bottom and Piece. Then there are the beer bars that not only have an impressive beer selection, but have a solid menu of quality food as well, such as Hopleaf, Map Room, and Small Bar. To work off the extra calories from all that eating and drinking, Chicago offers accessibility to get exercise while taking in great scenery. The path on the lake front is always a great option to run, bike or skate. I also like to run though the neighborhoods and take in my surroundings. Much more exciting to me than running on a treadmill.

BR: You just attended the Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beer. Any highlights to share?

KH: It was by far the best beer festival I’ve ever been to. What I loved about it was the experimentation level that each brewer brought to the table. There was an incredible amount of creativity involved and it certainly didn’t go unnoticed. Some of the beers that really rose to the top were Rock Bottom Chicago’s Clares Thirsty Ale, Firestone Walker’s Black Xantus, Three Floyds’ Barrel Aged Moloko Milk Stout aged with chiles, and the Duck Duck Gooze from Lost Abbey.

BR: Anything else to add?

KH: Can you help me get a solid beer to drink at a professional sporting event? Come on Draft, little help here?

As written, the law states that tastings “must be conducted in a manner that precludes the possibility of observation by children.” This clause requires owners to go above and beyond. For example, Leslie Thistle of Bangor Wine and Cheese told the Bangor Daily News that she’s “had to cover her front and back windows with black and drape a sheet across the storefront windows.”

(Why it would be so detrimental for a child to witness a beer tasting — the very concept of which encourages responsible drinking — is beyond us, but that’s another matter entirely.)

The state’s executive body will meet to consider rescinding this “ludicrous” requirement. Or maybe they’ll just have a beer tasting. Behind closed doors, of course.

Morrissey has a history of abandoning gigs for a variety of reasons. Recently, he canceled a number of shows because of a severe illness that left him in the hospital. That’s a good excuse. The Guardian thinks The Moz might have been a bit dramatic over the weekend, and we agree. What do you think?

The event took place at Hereford Racecourse and the general manager of the area doesn’t think there’s anything weird about wife-carrying.

“There are all manner of strange customs in the west of England — from cheese rolling and church clipping through to bread throwing and wassailing the apple tree,” Richard Holland said. “So we’re just adding wife carrying to the mix for our major jump racing fixture of the autumn.”

“That is 24 stones worth of beer. I don’t even drink much really, but I’m sure Christina will have a good go,” your boyfriend said after the event.

You’re going to drink 305 pounds of beer? That’s true love.

Friday Field Trip: Stella Artois Perfect Pour

See our previous Friday Field Trips here.

If you’d like to be featured in a Friday Field Trip or have an idea of a place we should tour, email us. And TGIF.

“Oh. My. Gosh. Look at all the beer!. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh, Bud Light.”