Lyke2Drink

My Beer Fridge in 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 16:08:00 +0000

It has been some time since my last post, but here is something I wanted to share.

Without much thought at the start of the year, I began photographing what was in my beer fridge each month. The collection of bottles and cans is a snap shot of beer styles, breweries and where I traveled during the year.

Cheers to 12 months of great beer in 2019 and here's to a happy, healthy and peaceful 2020. Hopefully we will meet up to raise a cold one and talk about good things!

Pints for Prostates Real Ale Adventure to England Scheduled for Aug. 3-13, 2017

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 14:46:00 +0000

BeerTrips.com Itinerary Features York, Cotswolds and London for Great British Beer Festival

BeerTrips.com has put together a special beer tour of England to benefit Pints for Prostates. The guided beer adventure will take place from Aug. 3-13, 2017.

The nine night trip includes stops in York, the Cotswolds and London for the Great British Beer Festival. The trip includes beer tastings, escorted pub crawls, guided city walks, brewery tours, special beer and food pairing meals, and more.

BeerTrips.com is offering this special Pints for Prostates group tour to Europe to the public on a limited basis at $3,395 per person (+ air) based on double occupancy ($735 single room supplement). A preliminary trip itinerary and details on other BeerTrips.com tours are available at www.beertrips.com.

“This will be the seventh time we have teamed up with BeerTrips.com for a special Pints for Prostates trip. This is the first time we are offering beer travelers the chance to experience English ale and pub culture,” said Lyke. “The partnership between Pints for Prostates and BeerTrips.com has helped us raise funds and spread the word to men about the importance of regular prostate health screenings and early detection.”

“England offers classic ales and a new wave of craft brewers that make this trip a time of discovery for beer fans,” said Mike Saxton, founder of BeerTrips.com. “We offer small groups an intimate experience with the chance for insider tours of some of the most famous breweries in the world. If you love beer and love to travel, this trip gives you a chance to experience the unique beer culture of Great Britain.”

As part of the BeerTrips.com partnership, Pints for Prostates will raffle a trip for two for the special tour. For a $10 donation for a single ticket, $25 donation for three tickets or $50 for seven tickets, donors will be entered to win the trip that includes:

• The BeerTrips.com trip for two Aug. 3-13, 2017
• Roundtrip Airfare for Two from the Continental United States
• Nine Nights in Fine Centrally Located Hotels
• Brewery Tours
• Escorted Pub Crawls
• Guided City Tours
• Breakfasts Daily/4 Beer Dinners and 3 Beer Lunches
• Train and Private Coach Transportation

The total value of the trip for two is estimated at $9,200. The drawing will be held on June 11, 2017. The prize is non-transferable. No cash substitute will be offered. The winner and their guest are responsible for obtaining passports and all trip related costs not outlined above. You must be 21 years old to enter.

About BeerTrips.com
Beer Trips.com was founded in 1998 to offer serious beer people the opportunity to travel to the world’s best beer destinations with other people who love great beer. Beer and travel, travel and beer — these are two of our favorite things. Both, in our estimation, are worth a fair amount of life’s energy. Our goal, and our very reason for existing, is to take our travelers the best beer destinations, drink, taste and enjoy the best beers, meet the beer-loving people of the countries we visit, and explore the history, culture, art and architecture of the interesting places where beer “grew up”. To do this we stay in nice, well-located hotels, eat at great restaurants that emphasize beer in their fare, and visit breweries, brew pubs, cafes, and museums that enhance our understanding and appreciation of beer and its rich history and culture.

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men about the importance of regular men’s health screenings by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 233,000 new prostate cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@pints4prostates).

Denver Rare Beer Tasting VIII Beer List Released

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 15:36:00 +0000

DENVER, CO – Pints for Prostates has released the provisional beer list for the Denver Rare Beer Tasting VIII to be held on Oct. 7.

The prostate cancer awareness event takes place in Colorado during the same weekend as the Great American Beer Festival. The Denver Rare Beer Tasting VIII features the chance to sample rare, exotic and vintage beers from some of America’s top craft breweries and the opportunity to meet the men and women who made them.

“The 54 craft brewers taking part in the Denver Rare Beer Tasting VIII are bringing some truly rare, exotic and vintage beers to help us reach men through the universal language of beer,” said Rick Lyke, founder of Pints for Prostates. “Ticket holders will enjoy an amazing once-in-a-lifetime collection of brews.”

Brewers have committed to pour the following beers at the event:

Adelbert’s Brewing, Austin, Texas*, Scratchin' Hippo - Barrel 106;
Alaskan Brewing, Juneau, Alaska, Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Smoked Porter;
Allagash Brewing, Portland, Maine, Coolship Resurgam;
AleSmith Brewing, San Diego, Calif, Port Barrel-Aged Wee Heavy;
Avery Brewing, Boulder, Colo., Scarlata Cucumis;
Bayou Teche Brewing, Arnaudville, La.*, Legacies Lager;
Bell’s Brewing, Kalamazoo, Mich., Le Bretteur;
Big Sky Brewing, Missoula, Mont., 2015 Barrel Aged Ivan The Terrible Imperial Stout;
Boggy Draw Brewery, Sheridan, Colo.*, Gangsta of Love and Bourbon Cowboy;
Boston Beer, Boston, Mass., Samuel Adams 2010 Wee Heavy and Utopias Barrel-Aged with Cherries;
The Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, N.Y., Lamorak;
Call to Arms Brewery, Denver, Colo.*, Shirtless Putin Nuzzling With Dolphins and Frightened Baby Chipmunk;
Cascade Brewing, Portland, Ore., Crazy Navel and Kentucky Peach;
Casey Brewing & Blending, Glenwood Springs, Colo., Casey Family Preserve: Attika Cherry;
Central Waters Brewing, Amherst, Wisc., 2015 Black Gold;
Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, Fla., Double Barrel Aged Hunahpu's Imperial Stout;
Coronado Brewing, Coronado, Calif. *, 2014 Brandy Barrel-Aged Punk’in Drublic;
Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Ore., Black Butte XXII;
Ecliptic Brewing, Portland, Ore., Rye Barrel-Aged UltraViolet Blackberry Sour Ale;
Elevation Beer Company, Poncha Springs, Colo., Elevated PSA Wheat Wine;
Empire Brewing, Cazenovia, N.Y.*, Golden Dragon;
Fonta Flora Brewery, Morganton, N.C.*, Razzmatazz: Remix;
Foothills Brewing, Winston-Salem, N.C., Dead & Berried Bourbon Barrel-Aged Blackberry Imperial Stout;
Fort Collins Brewery, Fort Collins, Colo., Such a Fine Girl: Brandy Barrel-Aged Peach Wheat Wine;
Fremont Brewing, Seattle, Wash., Rusty Nail and The Lamb;
Funky Buddha Brewing, Oakland Park, Fla., Barrel-Aged Chocwork Orange;
Gigantic Brewing, Portland, Ore.*, Brain Damage;
Great Divide Brewing, Denver, Colo., Laws Whiskey Barrel Aged Yeti Imperial Stout;
Haw River Farmhouse Ales, Saxapahaw, N.C.*, Saxy Machismo, Darius the Giant and Brah'klava;
Holy City Brewing, Charleston, S.C., Schmetterling;
Hoppin’ Frog Brewing, Akron, Ohio, 2011 B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher Oatmeal Imperial Stout and 2012 Natasha Rocks America Chocolate-Rye Imperial Stout;
Joseph James Brewing, Henderson, Nev.*, Sour Split;
Jester King Brewery, Austin, Texas, Omniscience & Proselytism;
Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Warren, Vt.*, Maple Tripple Ale and Sip of Sunshine IPA;
The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, Calif., Duck Duck Gooze;
MKE Brewing, Milwaukee, Wisc.*, Gin Barrel Aged O-Gii;
Nebraska Brewing, Papillion, Neb., Sallyweiss;
New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, Colo., Cherry Whiskey Sour;
NoDa Brewing, Charlotte, N.C., Stop Collaborate and Glisten and Rum Barrel Aged Double Chocolate Vanilla Bean Monstro Imperial Stout;
NXNW Restaurant and Brewery, Austin, Texas, Tilted Tickets;
Odyssey Beerwerks, Arvada, Colo.*, Quadratic Reality;
Portland Brewing, Portland, Ore.*, Gin Barrel-Aged Spine Tingler;
Prairie Artisan Ales, Tulsa, Okla., Sherry Bomb!;
River North Brewery, Denver, Colo., Funk the Man #1;
Rogue Ales, Newport, Ore., Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout;
Russian River Brewing, Santa Rosa, Calif., Intinction;
Saint Arnold Brewing, Houston, Texas*, Bishop’s Barrel 13;
Sierra Nevada Brewing, Chico, Calif., Trip in the Woods Maple Scotch Ale;
Stone Brewing, Escondido, Calif., Imperial Irish Stout in Bourbon Barrels;
Surly Brewing, Minneapolis, Minn., Rye Whiskey Pentagram and Misanthrope;
Two Roads Brewing, Strafford, Conn.*, Hexotic Tropical Lambic Style Ale;
WeldWerks Brewing, Greeley, Colo.*, Coconut Medianoche;
Weyerbacher Brewing, Easton, Pa., Brunicorn III: Blackberry;
Yazoo Brewing, Nashville, Tenn., Funk Fest '16 and Deux Rouges Cassis.

(* Indicates first appearance at Denver Rare Beer Tasting.)

Breweries bring some of their rarest brews to the annual tasting. A list of beers served during the first seven years is available on the Pints for Prostates website. Seventeen breweries will be pouring beer at the event for the first time, while eight breweries have participated in all of the Denver Rare Beer Tastings. Breweries representing 24 states are on the list.

In addition to the beer and silent auction donations made by participating breweries, the Denver Rare Beer Tasting VIII is being sponsored in part by DRAFT Magazine, with logistical support from MicroStar. Additional sponsorship packages are available for companies that wish to take part in this boutique tasting.

VIP tickets for the event sold out in about one hour. A very limited number of General admission tickets are still available for $115 for the 1-4 p.m. tasting. Each attendee receives a commemorative tasting glass, t-shirt, program and pen. A buffet lunch is included in the ticket price and guests will have the chance to bid in an exciting silent auction that includes a variety of unique beer experiences and collectibles. During the event, attendees can also participate in the Brewers Health Initiative, a free men’s health screening.

All Denver Rare Beer Tasting ticket holders will be entered into a drawing for a 9-night BeerTrips.com organized tour for two to England. VIP ticket holders will receive three raffle tickets and general admission ticket holders will receive one ticket. Anyone wearing a Pints for Prostates t-shirt or hat to the event will receive another free entry for the drawing. Additional tickets will be available for a donation. The winner will be drawn during the event from tickets collected exclusively at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting. The winner and a guest will travel to England in August 2017 on a trip that includes roundtrip airfare from the continental U.S., 9 nights hotel, ground transportation, brewery tours, pub crawls, guided city tours, 9 breakfasts, 4 beer lunches and 4 beer dinners.

“The Denver Rare Beer Tasting is a celebration of beer passion. Pints for Prostates is fortunate to have the generous support of so many fine breweries,” said Lyke. “It is a fun afternoon and a great atmosphere, with a serious mission: raising awareness about prostate cancer.”

Pints for Prostates is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity and all net proceeds from Denver Rare Beer Tasting go towards the group’s awareness mission and help to fund the education and support programs of the Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, and free prostates cancer screening programs provided by the Prostate Conditions Education Council.

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates European Beer Tour Scheduled for Sept. 21 to Oct. 1, 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:27:00 +0000

BeerTrips.com Itinerary Features Prague, Eck, Bamberg and Munich Oktoberfest

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – BeerTrips.com has put together a special beer tour of Germany and the Czech Republic to benefit Pints for Prostates. The guided beer adventure will take place from Sept. 21 to Oct.1, 2016.

The nine night trip includes stops in Prague, Eck, Bamberg and Munich for Oktoberfest. The trip includes beer tastings, escorted beer hall crawls, guided city walks, brewery tours, special beer and food pairing meals, and more.

BeerTrips.com is offering this special Pints for Prostates group tour to Europe to the public on a limited basis at $2,995 (+ air) based on double occupancy ($635 single room supplement). A preliminary trip itinerary and details on other BeerTrips.com tours are available at http://beertrips.com/trips/oktoberfest.htm.

“This will be the sixth time we have teamed up with BeerTrips.com for a special Pints for Prostates trip. This tour stops in some great beer cities, plus travelers get the chance to experience Oktoberfest in Munich,” said Lyke. “The partnership between Pints for Prostates and BeerTrips.com has helped us raise funds and spread the word to men about the importance of regular prostate health screenings and early detection.”

“This itinerary is one of the most popular that BeerTrips.com offers,” said Mike Saxton, founder of BeerTrips.com. “We offer small groups an intimate experience with the chance for insider tours of some of the most famous breweries in the world. If you love beer and love to travel, this trip gives you a chance to experience some truly special slices of European beer culture.”

As part of the BeerTrips.com partnership, Pints for Prostates will raffle a trip for two for the special tour. For a $10 donation for a single ticket, $25 donation for three tickets or $50 for seven tickets, donors will be entered to win the trip that includes:

The BeerTrips.com trip for two Sept. 21to Oct. 1, 2015
• Roundtrip Airfare for Two from the Continental United States
• Nine Nights in Fine Centrally Located Hotels
• Brewery Tours
• Escorted Beer Hall Crawls
• Guided City Tours
• Breakfasts Daily/4 Beer Dinners and 3 Beer Lunches
• Train and Private Coach Transportation

The total value of the trip for two is estimated at $8,500. The drawing will be held on July 31, 2016. The prize is non-transferable. No cash substitute will be offered. The winner and their guest are responsible for obtaining passports and all trip related costs not outlined above. You must be 21 years old to enter.

About BeerTrips.com
Beer Trips.com was founded in 1998 to offer serious beer people the opportunity to travel to the world’s best beer destinations with other people who love great beer. Beer and travel, travel and beer — these are two of our favorite things. Both, in our estimation, are worth a fair amount of life’s energy. Our goal, and our very reason for existing, is to take our travelers the best beer destinations, drink, taste and enjoy the best beers, meet the beer-loving people of the countries we visit, and explore the history, culture, art and architecture of the interesting places where beer “grew up”. To do this we stay in nice, well-located hotels, eat at great restaurants that emphasize beer in their fare, and visit breweries, brew pubs, cafes, and museums that enhance our understanding and appreciation of beer and its rich history and culture.

About Pints for Prostates
Pints for Prostates reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men about the importance of regular men’s health screenings by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 240,000 new prostate cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@pints4prostates).

Denver Rare Beer Tasting VII Releases Beer List

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 20:49:00 +0000

DENVER, CO – The list of beers that will be poured by 50 of America’s top craft brewers at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting VII has been released by Pints for Prostates.

The prostate cancer awareness event will be held on Sept. 25 in Colorado during the same weekend as the Great American Beer Festival. VIP tickets for the event sold out in less than three hours, but a very limited supply of general admission tickets are still available for the tasting. The Denver Rare Beer Tasting VII features rare, exotic and vintage beers and the opportunity to meet the men and women who made them.

“The beer list for the Denver Rare Beer Tasting VII is a once in a lifetime collection of craft beer indulgence,” said Rick Lyke, founder of Pints for Prostates. “This event gives us a platform to reach men through the universal language of beer and we appreciate the support of the craft beer community.”

Beers that are expected to be poured at the event include:

Abbey Tripel Reserve, Abbey Brewing, Abiquiu, N.M.*
25th Anniversary Perseverance Ale, Alaskan Brewing, Juneau, Alaska
Vallum, Avery Brewing, Boulder, Colo.
Barrel 178, Bear Republic Brewing, Healdsburg, Calif.
Bell’s Tawny Port Baltic Porter, Bell’s Brewing, Kalamazoo, Mich.
2012 Oak Aged Cherry Biere de Noel, Big Sky Brewing, Missoula, Mont.
Samuel Adams Kosmic Mother Funk Grand Cru & Samuel Adams Utopias, Boston Beer, Boston, Mass.
Love Child No. 5 & 2013 Bourbon Barrel Quad, Boulevard Brewing, Kansas City, Mo.
Brandy-Barrel Rye Wine & Birra Minestra, Breakside Brewery, Portland, Ore.*
Brooklyn Hand & Seal, Cognac Edition (Ghost Bottle), The Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Bourgogne Blanc, Bruery Terreux, Placentia, Calif.
Pumpkin Smash & White Raspberry, Cascade Brewing, Portland, Ore.
The Cut: Bing Cherry, Casey Brewing & Blending, Glenwood Springs, Colo.*
Black Gold, Central Waters Brewing, Amherst, Wisc.*
Nightmare on Brett Port Barrel Aged, Nightcap & L'Brett d'Cherry, Crooked Stave Artisan Beer, Denver, Colo.
[Banished] Tough Love I Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout I, Crux Fermentation Project, Bend, Ore.*
Collage (Conflux No. 1), Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Ore.
Barrel Aged Palo Santo & Festina Lente, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, Del.
Mango Tango, Elevation Beer Company, Poncha Springs, Colo.
Old Sage Brett & 2011Brainless on Cherries Belgian-Style Ale, Epic Brewing, Salt Lake City, Utah
Firestone Walker XVII & Maltose Falcon, Firestone Walker Brewing, Paso Robles, Calif.
Bourbon Barrel Aged Sexual Chocolate, Foothills Brewing, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Barrel Aged Snowed In, Funky Buddha Brewing, Oakland Park, Fla.*
2014 Proprietor’s Bourbon County Brand Stout, Goose Island Brewing, Chicago, Ill.
American Sour, Grand Teton Brewing, Victor, Idaho
A Sour Patch Divided, Great Divide Brewing, Denver, Colo.
Once Upon A Time & The Count Whiskey Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout, Grimm Brothers Brewhouse, Loveland, Colo.
Barrel-Aged B.O.R.I.S. VAN WINK Imperial Stout & Barrel-Aged Silk Porter, Hoppin’ Frog Brewing, Akron, Ohio*
Ursae, Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Laughing Dog Tenth Anniversary Barrel Aged Imperial Rye Ale, Laughing Dog Brewing, Ponderay, Idaho
Cable Car, The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, Calif.
Saranac Javanac & Saranac Imperial Barrel-Aged Rye Porter, F.X. Matt Brewing, Utica, N.Y.
Whiskey Barrel-Aged Blackberry Barley Wine Ale, New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, Colo.
2013 Incorrigible White Sour, New Holland Brewing, Holland, Mich.
2014 Bourbon Barrel and Vanilla Bean Aged Olde Voyager & Between the Berries and Me, NoDa Brewing, Charlotte, N.C.
Genesis 2015, NXNW Restaurant and Brewery, Austin, Texas
Ignorance is Bliss, Odell Brewing, Fort Collins, Colo.
ProCATstination, Perennial Artisan Ales, St. Louis, Mo.
Anniversary Ale #3, River North Brewery, Denver, Colo.
Cold Brew IPA, Rogue Ales, Newport, Ore.
Twig and Berry, Schooner Exact Brewing, Seattle, Wash.*
Barrel-Aged Rain Check Spiced Stout, Sierra Nevada Brewing, Mills River, N.C.
Ornette, Spangalang Brewery, Denver, Colo.*
Fydoor’s Classic, Stone Brewing, Escondido, Calif.
Barrel-Aged Batch 666: Sympathy for the Devil, Sun King Brewing, Indianapolis, Ind.
Barrel Aged Balt the More & Barrel Aged Old Pro with Peaches, Union Craft Brewery, Baltimore, Md.
Mountain Man & Verboppin' Frogoten, Verboten Brewing, Loveland, Colo.*
Dark Arts: Tequila Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout with Brett and Espresso & Montmarretto: Barrel-Aged Sour with Montmorency Cherries and Almonds, Wicked Weed Brewing, Asheville, N.C.
Tart Project: Saison, Wormtown Brewing, Worcester, Mass.
2014 Chianti Brett Saison With Sangiovese Grapes & Deux Rouges Grand Cru (Batch Two), Yazoo Brewing, Nashville, Tenn.*

(* Indicates first appearance at Denver Rare Beer Tasting.)

In addition to the beer and silent auction donations made by participating breweries, the Denver Rare Beer Tasting VII is being sponsored in part by DRAFT Magazine and Zenan USA. Additional sponsorship packages are still available for companies that wish to take part in this boutique tasting.

Each attendee receives a commemorative tasting glass, t-shirt, program and pen. A buffet lunch is included in the ticket price and guests will have the chance to bid in an exciting silent auction that includes a variety of unique beer experiences and collectibles. The first six Denver Rare Beer Tastings sold out several weeks in advance. The event will be held this year on two floors of the McNichols Civic Center Building at 144 W. Colfax Ave.

All Denver Rare Beer Tasting ticket holders will be entered into a drawing for a 9-night BeerTrips.com organized tour for two from Sept. 21 to Oct. 1, 2016, to Prague, Bamberg and Munich for Oktoberfest. VIP ticket holders will receive three raffle tickets and general admission ticket holders will receive one ticket. Anyone wearing a Pints for Prostates t-shirt or hat to the event will receive another free entry for the drawing. Additional tickets will be available for a donation. The winner will be drawn during the event from tickets collected exclusively at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting. The winner and a guest will travel to Europe on a trip that includes roundtrip airfare from the continental U.S., 9 nights hotel, ground transportation, brewery tours, pub crawls, guided city tours, 9 breakfasts, 4 beer lunches and 4 beer dinners. Complete details on this year’s destination will be announced shortly.

“The Denver Rare Beer Tasting is a fun afternoon and a great atmosphere, with a serious mission: raising awareness about prostate cancer,” said Lyke. “The craft beer community has embraced this event and made it a tradition. We are proud that brewers and beer fans alike have joined the fight against prostate cancer.”

About Pints for Prostates

# ## #

Pints for Prostates Ultimate European Beer Tour Scheduled for Oct. 8-18, 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 17:07:00 +0000

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – BeerTrips.com has put together a special beer tour of Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic to benefit Pints for Prostates. The guided beer adventure will take place from Oct. 8-18, 2015.

The nine night dream trip includes stops in Brussels, Cologne, Bamberg and Prague. The trip includes beer tastings, escorted pub crawls, guided city walks, brewery tours, special beer and food pairing meals, and more.

BeerTrips.com is offering this special Pints for Prostates group tour to Europe to the public on a limited basis at $2,995 (+ air) based on double occupancy ($635 single room supplement). The tour will be hosted by Pints for Prostates founder and beer journalist Rick Lyke. A preliminary trip itinerary is available at BeerTrips.com.

“This will be the fifth time we have teamed up with BeerTrips.com for a special Pints for Prostates trip and this tour visits the essential European beer capitals,” said Lyke. “The partnership between Pints for Prostates and BeerTrips.com has helped us raise funds and spread the word to men about the importance of regular prostate health screenings and early detection.”

“This itinerary visits some of the most popular BeerTrips.com destinations and exposes travels to a wide range of beer styles and culture,” said Mike Saxton, founder of BeerTrips.com. “We offer small groups an intimate experience with the chance for insider tours of some of the most famous breweries in the world. If you love beer and love to travel, this trip gives you a chance to experience three countries that offer a tremendous variety of beers.”

As part of the BeerTrips.com partnership, Pints for Prostates will raffle a trip for two for the special tour. For a $10 donation for a single ticket, $25 donation for three tickets or $50 for seven tickets, donors will be entered to win the trip that includes:

• The BeerTrips.com trip for two Oct. 8-18, 2015
• Roundtrip Airfare for Two from the Continental United States
• Nine Nights in Fine Centrally Located Hotels
• Brewery Tours
• Escorted Beer Hall Crawls
• Guided City Tours
• Breakfasts Daily/4 Beer Dinners and 4 Beer Lunches
• Train and Private Coach Transportation

The total value of the trip for two is estimated at $9,000. The drawing will be held on July 26, 2015. The prize is non-transferable. No cash substitute will be offered. The winner and their guest are responsible for obtaining passports and all trip related costs not outlined above. You must be 21 years old to enter.

About BeerTrips.com
Beer Trips.com was founded in 1998 to offer serious beer people the opportunity to travel to the world’s best beer destinations with other people who love great beer. Beer and travel, travel and beer — these are two of our favorite things. Both, in our estimation, are worth a fair amount of life’s energy. Our goal, and our very reason for existing, is to take our travelers the best beer destinations, drink, taste and enjoy the best beers, meet the beer-loving people of the countries we visit, and explore the history, culture, art and architecture of the interesting places where beer “grew up”. To do this we stay in nice, well-located hotels, eat at great restaurants that emphasize beer in their fare, and visit breweries, brew pubs, cafes, and museums that enhance our understanding and appreciation of beer and its rich history and culture.

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men about the importance of regular men’s health screenings by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 240,000 new prostate cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@pints4prostates).

# ## #

Denver Rare Beer Tasting VI Beer List Features Exotic Brews from 50 Leading Craft Brewers

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 11:27:00 +0000

DENVER, CO – Pints for Prostates has released a list of beers that 50 brewers are scheduled to pour beer at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting VI on Oct. 3.

The prostate cancer awareness event will be held during the same weekend as the Great American Beer Festival. The Denver Rare Beer Tasting VI features the chance to sample rare, exotic and vintage beers and the opportunity to meet the men and women who made them.

“The Denver Rare Beer Tasting is about the passion and craftsmanship behind some of America’s hardest to find brews,” said Rick Lyke, founder of Pints for Prostates. “These talented craft brewers bring out some amazing exotic and vintage beers to help us raise awareness about a disease that impacts nearly 240,000 men annually in the United States.”

The beer list for Denver Rare Beer Tasting VI includes:

Alaskan Brewing, Juneau, Alaska, Alaskan Eisbock;

AleSmith Brewing, San Diego, Calif., 2012 Barrel Aged Grand Cru;

Allagash Brewing, Portland, Maine, Neddles;

Avery Brewing, Boulder, Colo., Thensaurum;

Big Sky Brewing, Missoula, Mont., 2012 Barrel Aged Biere de Noel;

Boston Beer, Boston, Mass., Samuel Adams KMF Grand Cru;

Breckenridge Brewery, Breckenridge, Colo.*, 2014 Barleywine Batch #1;

The Bruery, Placentia, Calif., Befuddlement;

Cascade Brewing, Portland, Ore., 2011 Tangerine Dream NW & 2013 Cerise Nouveau;

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, Del., Bourbon Barrel Aged WWS & Wood Aged Noble Rot;

Ecliptic Brewing, Portland, Ore.*, Orange Giant Barleywine;

Elevation Beer, Poncha Springs, Colo., Elitist;

Elysian Brewing, Seattle, Wash., The Gourdfather Pumpkin Barleywine;

Figueroa Mountain Brewing, Santa Barbara, Calif.*, The Grendel;

Firestone Walker Brewing, Paso Robles, Calif., Helldorado & Tequila Merkin;

Fremont Brewing, Seattle, Wash.*, Cowiche Canyon Fresh Hop;

Full Sail Brewing, Hood River, Ore., 2007 Old Boardhead Barleywine;

Fullsteam Brewery, Durham, N.C.*, Tree-to-Sea Gose;

AC Golden Brewing, Golden, Colo., 2012 Ctyat, Dark Kriek, 2014 Imperial Stout;

Grand Teton Brewery, Victor, Idaho*, Huckleberry Sour;

Great Divide Brewing, Denver, Colo., Red Sophia;

Green Flash Brewing, San Diego, Calif.*, Little Freak;

Grimm Brothers Brewhouse, Loveland, Colo.*, The Wooden Path;

Harpoon Brewery, Boston, Mass., Oatmeal Pale Ale & 2011 Chocolate Stout on Brett;

Hogshead Brewery, Denver, Colo.*, Divine Right Russian Imperial Stout;

Holy City Brewing, Charleston, S.C.*, 2012 Barrel-Aged New Year’s Resolution Doppelbock;

Jester King Craft Brewery, Austin, Texas, Snörkel;

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, Dexter, Mich., Lupulo de Hielo;

Laughing Dog Brewing, Ponderay, Idaho, 2008 Dogfather Imperial Stout;

Laughing Sun Brewing, Bismarck, N.D.*, 19th Amendment Stout;

The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, Calif., Whiskey Barrel-Aged Serpent's Stout;

Maui Brewing, Lahaina, Hawaii*, A'a Imperial Golden Ale;

Nebraska Brewing, Papillion, Neb., Attack of the 50 Foot Brunette;

New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, Colo., Oscar Kissed Cherry;

NoDa Brewing, Charlotte, N.C., Bourbon Barrel-Aged Olde Voyager & Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Monstro;

NXNW Restaurant & Brewery, Austin, Texas*, Funk Jack;

Olde Mecklenburg Brewing, Charlotte, N.C., Bourbon Barrel-Aged Anniversary Alt;

Oskar Blues Brewing, Lyons, Colo., The White Buffalo West Coast IPA;

Perennial Artisan Ales, St. Louis, Mo., Barrel-Aged Sump;

Prairie Artisan Ales, Krebs, Ok., Return of the Legend (Balcones Barrel);

River North Brewery, Denver, Colo., River North Oud Bruin;

Rogue Ales, Newport, Ore., Rogue Oregon Oak Whiskey Barrel-Aged Doppelsticke;

Sierra Nevada Brewing, Chico, Calif., Barrel-Aged Breakfast at Chico’s;

Stone Brewing, Escondido, Calif., 2005 Double Bastard;

Thirsty Dog Brewing, Akron, Ohio, Cerasus Dog Flanders Style Sour with Michigan Cherries;

Tröegs Brewing, Hershey, Pa., LaGrave;

Union Craft Brewery, Baltimore, Md.*, Barrel-Aged Chessie the Barleywine & 2012 Snow Pants Oatmeal Stout;

Weyerbacher Brewing, Easton, Pa., Pariah;

Wicked Weed Brewing, Asheville, N.C., Genesis;

Wormtown Brewing, Worcester, Mass.*, Tart Project Flanders Red.

(* Indicates first appearance at Denver Rare Beer Tasting.)

Tickets for the event are on sale now. VIP tickets for the event are sold out, but a limited number of general admission tickets are still available for $110 each for the 1-4 p.m. tasting. Each attendee receives a commemorative tasting glass, t-shirt, program and pen. A buffet lunch is included in the ticket price and guests will have the chance to bid in a silent auction that includes a variety of unique beer experiences and collectibles. The event will be held this year on two floors of the McNichols Civic Center Building at 144 W. Colfax Ave.

All ticket holders to this year’s Denver Rare Beer Tasting will be entered into a drawing for a 9-night BeerTrips.com organized tour for two of Belgium, the Czech Republic and Germany. VIP ticket holders will receive three raffle tickets and general admission ticket holders will receive one ticket. Anyone wearing a Pints for Prostates t-shirt or hat to the event will receive another free entry for the drawing. Additional tickets will be available for a donation. The winner will be drawn during the event from tickets collected exclusively at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting. The winner and a guest will travel to Brussels, Prague, Bamberg and Cologne from Oct. 8-18, 2015. The trip includes roundtrip airfare from the continental U.S., 9 nights hotel, ground transportation, brewery tours, pub crawls, guided city tours, 9 breakfasts, 4 beer lunches and 4 beer dinners.

“Funds raised at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting are used to fund free men’s health screenings and for support groups for men and their families fighting the disease” said Lyke. “We reach men through the universal language of beer.”

Sponsorship packages are available for companies that wish to support and take part in the event.

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men about the importance of regular men’s health screenings by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 240,000 new prostate cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@pints4prostates).

Brewery List Released for Denver Rare Beer Tasting VI

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 16:53:00 +0000

Tickets Now on Sale for Oct. 3 Pints for Prostates Awareness Event

DENVER, CO – A final list of 50 brewers committed to pour beer at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting VI has been released by Pints for Prostates.

The prostate cancer awareness event will be held on Oct. 3 in Colorado during the same weekend as the Great American Beer Festival. The Denver Rare Beer Tasting VI features the chance to sample rare, exotic and vintage beers from 50 of America’s top craft breweries and the opportunity to meet the men and women who made them.

“We are excited by the support of a terrific list of breweries that are reaching deep into their beer cellars for prized brews to pour at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting VI,” said Rick Lyke, founder of Pints for Prostates. “The craft beer community is stepping up to help us reach men through the universal language of beer.”

Brewers who have committed to attend the event include:

Alaskan Brewing, Juneau, Alaska

AleSmith Brewing, San Diego, Calif.

Allagash Brewing, Portland, Maine

Avery Brewing, Boulder, Colo.

Big Sky Brewing, Missoula, Mont.

Boston Beer, Boston, Mass.

Breckenridge Brewery, Breckenridge, Colo.*

The Bruery, Placentia, Calif.

Cascade Brewing, Portland, Ore.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, Del.

Ecliptic Brewing, Portland, Ore.*

Elevation Beer, Poncha Springs, Colo.

Elysian Brewing, Seattle, Wash.

Figueroa Mountain Brewing, Santa Barbara, Calif.*

Firestone Walker Brewing, Paso Robles, Calif.

Fremont Brewing, Seattle, Wash.*

Full Sail Brewing, Hood River, Ore.

Fullsteam Brewing, Durham, N.C.*

AC Golden Brewing, Golden, Colo.

Grand Teton Brewery, Victor, Idaho*

Great Divide Brewing, Denver, Colo.

Green Flash Brewing, San Diego, Calif.*

Grimm Brothers Brewhouse, Loveland, Colo.*

Harpoon Brewery, Boston, Mass.

Hogshead Brewery, Denver, Colo.*

Holy City Brewing, Charleston, S.C.*

Jester King Craft Brewery, Austin, Texas

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, Dexter, Mich.

Laughing Dog Brewing, Ponderay, Idaho

Laughing Sun Brewing, Bismarck, N.D.*

The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, Calif.

Maui Brewing, Lahaina, Hawaii*

Nebraska Brewing, Papillion, Neb.

New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, Colo.

NoDa Brewing, Charlotte, N.C.

NXNW Restaurant & Brewery, Austin, Texas*

Olde Mecklenburg Brewing, Charlotte, N.C.

Oskar Blues Brewing, Lyons, Colo.

Perennial Artisan Ales, St. Louis, Mo.

Prairie Artisan Ales, Krebs, Ok.

River North Brewery, Denver, Colo.

Rogue Ales, Newport, Ore.

Sierra Nevada Brewing, Chico, Calif.

Stone Brewing, Escondido, Calif.

Thirsty Dog Brewing, Akron, Ohio

Tröegs Brewing, Hershey, Pa.

Union Craft Brewery, Baltimore, Md.*

Weyerbacher Brewing, Easton, Pa.

Wicked Weed Brewing, Asheville, N.C.

Wormtown Brewing, Worcester, Mass.*

(* Indicates first appearance at Denver Rare Beer Tasting.)

Breweries bring some of their rarest brews to the annual tasting. The beer list for the Denver Rare Beer Tasting VI will be released prior to the event. A list of beers poured during the first five years is available on the Pints for Prostates website.

Tickets for the event are on sale now. VIP tickets for the event are sold out, but general admission tickets are still available for $110 each for the 1-4 p.m. tasting. Each attendee receives a commemorative tasting glass, t-shirt, program and pen. A buffet lunch is included in the ticket price and guests will have the chance to bid in an exciting silent auction that includes a variety of unique beer experiences and collectibles. The first five Denver Rare Beer Tastings sold out in advance. The event will be held this year on two floors of the McNichols Civic Center Building at 144 W. Colfax Ave.

“The Denver Rare Beer Tasting is an annual celebration of beer passion. Beer fans get to taste a collection of beers that few people have the opportunity to enjoy, while rubbing elbows with the talented brewers,” said Lyke. “It is a fun afternoon and a great atmosphere, with a serious mission: raising awareness about prostate cancer.”

Sponsorship packages are available for companies that wish to support and take part in the event.

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men about the importance of regular men’s health screenings by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 240,000 new prostate cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@pints4prostates).

Seattle Artisan Beer Tasting Brewery and Beer List Released

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 11:11:00 +0000

SEATTLE – The brewery and beer list for the inaugural Seattle Artisan Beer Tasting on Aug. 16 has been released. The Pints for Prostates benefit event featuring a collection of more than two dozen artisan beers and food will be held in two sessions at the Pike Brewing Beer Garden on a roof top with a magnificent view of Puget Sound.

Presented by DRAFT Magazine and sponsored by Dendreon, the Seattle-based biotechnology company that targets cancer, the event features some of America’s leading craft brewers along with selected classic imported brews will be poured at the outdoor event accompanied by food prepared by the chefs at the Pike Pub and Brewery. The two sessions on Aug. 16, 2-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m., will each be limited to 140 guests.

Fourteen brewers and importers will be pouring a unique collection of beers at the event. The brewery and beer list includes:

AleSmith Brewing of San Diego, Calif., 2013 Barrel-Aged Speedway Stout and AleSmith Anvil ESB;
Big Sky Brewing of Missoula, Mont., Barrel-Aged Power Wagon Wheat Wine and Slow Elk Oatmeal Stout;
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery of Milton, Del., 90 Minute IPA and 2012 Red & White;
Double Mountain Brewery, Hood River, Ore., LuLu Saison, Sacre Bleu Belgian Dubbel and Double Mountain IRA;
Elysian Brewing, Seattle, Wash., Night Owl Pumpkin Ale and Space Dust IPA;
Global Beer Network, Middleton, Mass., Gulden Draak and St. Louis Gueuze Fond Tradition Kriek;
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales of Dexter, Mich., Luciérnaga and Parcela;
Laughing Dog Brewing of Ponderay, Idaho, Summer Peach Sour and Trippel Squared;
Merchant Du Vin of Seattle, Wash., Samuel Smith’s Organic Apricot Ale, Lindemans Cuvee Rene Gueuze Lambic and Brasserie du Bocq Saison 1858;
Pike Brewery of Seattle, Wash., Pike Entire Wood Aged Stout and Pike Double Hopulus IPA;
Rogue Ales of Newport, Ore., Rogue Farms 7 Hop IPA and Rogue Farms Honey Kolsch;
Schooner Exact Brewing of Seattle, Wash., Dark Raspberry Sour Ale and 2014 Barrel-Aged Imperial Porter;
Sierra Nevada Brewing of Chico, Calif., Rain Check Spiced Stout and Barrel-Aged Scotch Ale;
Unibroue of Chambly, Quebec, La Fin du Monde and Blanche de Chambly.

“The Seattle Artisan Beer Tasting celebrates beer craftsmanship and helps raise funds for the Pints for Prostates campaign,” said Rick Lyke, a beer journalist who founded Pints for Prostates following successful prostate cancer surgery in 2008. “We are bringing together some great beer and food in a unique setting to reach men with a critical message about the importance of prostate cancer screenings and paying attention to their health.”

Tickets for the event are $65 with a $5 service fee online via ETIX. Tickets include unlimited beer samples, a commemorative tasting glass and food samples in an unforgettable setting overlooking Puget Sound. The event is being held at the Pike Brewery Beer Garden, on the roof of 84 Union St. (at the Post Alley) in Seattle adjacent to the historic Pike Place Market. Funds raised by Pints for Prostates help to support the group’s awareness mission, as well as funding free men’s health screenings provided by the Prostate Conditions Education Council and support groups organized by the Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network.

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men about the importance of regular men’s health screenings by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 240,000 new prostate cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@pints4prostates).

Beer Naming Contest Gives Chance to Win a Free 6-Month Membership to The Rare Beer Club

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Sun, 06 Jul 2014 20:21:00 +0000

Lake Forest, CA – The Rare Beer Club™ is collaborating with Fullsteam Brewery in

Durham, NC to create this year’s Pints for Prostates/Rare Beer Club™ exclusive beer. Pints for Prostates raises awareness among men about the importance of regular health screenings and PSA testing through the universal language of beer and has been working together with The Rare Beer Club™ and U.S. craft breweries for the last five years creating inventive and exciting beers to help communicate their mission statement.

The beer will be featured in the club in September 2014, coinciding with National Prostate Cancer Awareness month and will be named exclusively by the public, as anyone can submit names for the beers on the official contest page.

Fullsteam wants this special beer to truly celebrate their "plow-to-pint" mission, highlighting the diversity and beauty of North Carolina. To that end, they’ve crafted a Spruce Pine Gose, a piney, tart, and slightly salty beer, incorporating ingredients from the North Carolina mountains (spruce pine tips), Piedmont (winter wheat), and coast (Outer Banks sea salt). Contestants are encouraged to visit the brewery’s website to view other beer names to note the current voice and naming conventions used by the brewery.

Entering the Contest

Although the new beer will only be available to members of The Rare Beer Club™, both members and non-members are invited to enter the contest, and submit up to three entry names for the new beer. The contest officially begins on July 3rd, 2014. Entrants will have until Friday, July 11th at 2 pm PST to submit up to three names. Finalists will be chosen by The Rare Beer Club™, Pints for Prostates and Fullsteam at which time contestants, club members and the general public can vote for their favorite name. The contest winner will be announced on Monday July 21^st.

To receive these special beers, join the Rare Beer Club™ online or call 800-625-8238 and be sure to start your membership by September, 2014 or earlier.

About The Rare Beer Club™ and The Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club™:

The Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club™ offers four different options for consumers. From the very inception of our original domestic beer of the month club in 1994, we've focused on consistently providing three primary product characteristics: Quality, Variety & Freshness. And in that spirit, we now offer you four outstanding beer club options, each dedicated to those same principles. Our owner's favorite club, The Rare Beer Club™, features the finest the world of beer has to offer in limited-release, celebratory, artisanal beers from some of Michael Jackson's favorite breweries. Two different selections are presented each month in 750 ml bottles, often cork finished, and some individually tissue wrapped. Members experience bold U.S. and imported interpretations of Farmhouse Ales, Russian Imperial Stouts, Barley Wines, Belgian Abbey Ales, varied Imperial, Extreme, Strong Ale and Grand Cru offerings, oak-aged ales imparting bourbon and vanilla notes, and much more. Many selections are pushing the envelope of creativity, are not yet distributed in the U.S., and brewed such that they can be cellared and aged. More information is available at www.beermonthclub.com.

About Fullsteam Brewery

Fullsteam is a Durham, North Carolina production brewery and tavern inspired by the food and farm traditions of the South. Their mission is to pioneer the art of Distinctly Southern Beer, brewing traditional and experimental beers with a Southern sensibility, often incorporating local farmed goods, heirloom grains, and seasonal botanicals. More information is available at http://www.fullsteam.ag/.

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men about the importance of regular men’s health screenings by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 240,000 new prostate cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@pints4prostates).

Partial Brewery List Released for Denver Rare Beer Tasting VI

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 14:11:00 +0000

DENVER, CO – A partial list of 32 brewers that have committed to pour beer at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting VI has been released by Pints for Prostates.

The prostate cancer awareness event will be held on Oct. 3 in Colorado during the same weekend as the Great American Beer Festival. The Denver Rare Beer Tasting VI features the chance to sample rare, exotic and vintage beers from more than 40 of America’s top craft breweries and the opportunity to meet the men and women who made them.

Brewers who have already committed to beer at the event include:

Alaskan Brewing, Juneau, Alaska
Allagash Brewing, Portland, Maine
Avery Brewing, Boulder, Colo.
Big Sky Brewing, Missoula, Mont.
Boston Beer, Boston, Mass.
The Bruery, Placentia, Calif.
Cascade Brewing, Portland, Ore.
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, Del.
Ecliptic Brewing, Portland, Ore.
Elysian Brewing, Seattle, Wash.
Firestone Walker Brewing, Paso Robles, Calif.
Full Sail Brewing, Portland, Ore.
Fullsteam Brewing, Durham, N.C.
Grand Teton Brewery, Victor, Idaho
Great Divide Brewing, Denver, Colo.
Jester King Craft Brewery, Austin, Texas
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, Dexter, Mich.
Laughing Dog Brewing, Ponderay, Idaho
The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, Calif.
Nebraska Brewing, Papillion, Neb.
New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, Colo.
NoDa Brewing, Charlotte, N.C.
NXNW Restaurant & Brewery, Austin, Texas
Perennial Artisan Ales, St. Louis, Mo.
River North Brewery, Denver, Colo.
Rogue Ales, Newport, Ore.
Sierra Nevada Brewing, Chico, Calif.
Stone Brewing, Escondido, Calif.
Thirsty Dog Brewing, Akron, Ohio
Tröegs Brewing, Hershey, Pa.
Weyerbacher Brewing, Easton, Pa.
Wicked Weed Brewing, Asheville, N.C.

Breweries bring some of their rarest brews to the event. The beer list for the Denver Rare Beer Tasting VI will be released prior to the event. A list of beers poured during the first five years is available on the Pints for Prostates website.

Tickets for the event are on sale now. A very limited number of $150 VIP tickets allowing early entry to the event at Noon remain. General admission tickets are $110 each for the 1-4 p.m. event. Each attendee receives a commemorative tasting glass, t-shirt, program and pen. A buffet lunch is included in the ticket price and guests will have the chance to bid in an exciting silent auction that includes a variety of unique beer experiences and collectibles. The first five Denver Rare Beer Tastings sold out weeks in advance. The event will be held this year on two floors of the McNichols Civic Center Building at 144 W. Colfax Ave.

“The Denver Rare Beer Tasting is an annual celebration of beer passion. Beer fans get to taste a collection of beers that most people never have the chance to enjoy, while rubbing elbows with the talented brewers,” said Lyke. “It is a fun afternoon and a great atmosphere, with a serious mission: raising awareness about prostate cancer.”

Sponsorship packages are available for companies that wish to support and take part in the event.

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men about the importance of regular men’s health screenings by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 240,000 new prostate cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@pints4prostates).

Seattle Artisan Beer Tasting Scheduled for August 16

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 19:00:00 +0000

SEATTLE – DRAFT Magazine is presenting the inaugural Seattle Artisan Beer Tasting to benefit Pints for Prostates on Aug. 16. The event featuring a collection of two dozen artisan beers and food will be held in two sessions at the Pike Brewing Beer Garden on a roof top with a magnificent view of Puget Sound.

Beer from some of America’s leading craft brewers along with selected classic imported brews will be poured at the outdoor event accompanied by food prepared by the chefs at the Pike Pub and Brewery and specialty cheese from the Pacific Northwest. The two sessions, 2-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m., will each be limited to 140 guests.

“Seattle is the perfect place to celebrate artisan beer and its inter-relationship with great food,” said Evan Hughes, publisher of DRAFT Magazine. “We are proud to partner with Pints for Prostates to produce this fundraiser and help them reach men through the universal language of beer.”

Invitations have been extended to a dozen brewers and importers to take part in the event. So far AleSmith Brewing of San Diego, Calif.; Big Sky Brewing of Missoula, Mont.; Dogfish Head Craft Brewery of Milton, Del.; Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales of Ann Arbor, Mich.; Laughing Dog Brewing of Ponderay, Idaho; Merchant Du Vin of Seattle, Wash.; Pike Brewery of Seattle, Wash.; Rogue Ales of Newport, Ore.; Schooner Exact Brewing of Seattle, Wash.; and Sierra Nevada Brewing of Chico, Calif., have confirmed they will attend.

“The Seattle Artisan Beer Tasting is going to be an intimate celebration of beer craftsmanship that will help raise funds for the Pints for Prostates campaign,” said Rick Lyke, a beer journalist who founded Pints for Prostates following successful prostate cancer surgery in 2008. “We are bringing together some of the best beers in the world in a unique setting that a small group of beer enthusiasts will get the chance to enjoy.”

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men about the importance of regular men’s health screenings by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 240,000 new prostate cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@pints4prostates).

About DRAFT Magazine

DRAFT Magazine brings you the latest in beer and the life that pairs with it. From epicurean interests and world travel to sports and entertainment, DRAFT Magazine is a 360- degree view of the beer enthusiast’s lifestyle presented through a multi-media platform. Visit www.draftmag.com

Denver Rare Beer Tasting VI Tickets Now On Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 13:45:00 +0000

DENVER, CO -- The Denver Rare Beer Tasting VI, an awareness event and fundraiser for the Pints for Prostates campaign, will be held on Oct. 3 in Colorado during the same weekend as the Great American Beer Festival.

The event features the chance to sample rare, exotic and vintage beers from more than 40 of America’s top craft breweries and the opportunity to meet the men and women who made them.

Tickets for the event go on sale on Father’s Day, June 15, at Noon (ET). VIP tickets for the event are $150 and allow early entry to the event at Noon. General admission tickets are $110 each for the 1-4 p.m. event.

“The Denver Rare Beer Tasting has built a reputation as a truly unique boutique-style tasting,” said Rick Lyke, founder of Pints for Prostates. “We bring together America’s best craft breweries in a relaxed format where brewers and beer lovers get the chance to talk and taste one of the finest collections of rare beers to be found anywhere.”

All ticket holders to this year’s Denver Rare Beer Tasting will be entered into a drawing for a 9-night BeerTrips.com organized tour for two of Belgium, the Czech Republic and Germany. VIP ticket holders will receive three raffle tickets and general admission ticket holders will receive one ticket. Anyone wearing a Pints for Prostates t-shirt or hat to the event will receive another free entry for the drawing. Additional tickets will be available for a donation at the event. The winner will be drawn during the event from tickets collected exclusively at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting. The winner and a guest will travel to Brussels, Prague, Bamberg and Cologne from Oct. 8-18, 2015. The trip includes roundtrip airfare from the continental U.S., 9 nights hotel, ground transportation, brewery tours, pub crawls, guided city tours, 9 breakfasts, 4 beer lunches and 4 beer dinners.

Tickets to the Denver Rare Beer Tasting are among the most sought after of any beer tasting. The first five Denver Rare Beer Tastings sold out weeks in advance. The event will be held this year on two floors of the McNichols Civic Center Building at 144 W. Colfax Ave. in Denver.

“The Denver Rare Beer Tasting has become one of the most anticipated annual beer celebrations. Beer fans get to taste a collection of beers that most people never have the chance to enjoy, while rubbing elbows with brewers,” said Lyke. “It is a fun afternoon and a great atmosphere, with a serious mission: raising awareness about prostate cancer.”

Invitations are being extended to a select group of breweries and event organizers hope to be able to announce a preliminary participant list during July. Breweries bring some of their rarest brews to the event and the beer list will be released prior to the Denver Rare Beer Tasting VI. A list of beers poured during the first five years is available on the Pints for Prostates website.

Sponsorship packages are available for companies that wish to support and take part in the event.

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men about the importance of regular men’s health screenings by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 240,000 new prostate cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@pints4prostates).

# ## #

Partial Beer List Released for Funk Asheville: A Gathering of Wild & Sour Beers

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Fri, 16 May 2014 19:58:00 +0000

Wicked Weed Brewing and Pints for Prostates have announced a partial list of beers that invited breweries plan to pour at Funk Asheville: A Gathering of Wild & Sour Beers.

“We appreciate the great breweries that have committed to supply beer for this event and help us reach men through the universal language of beer,” said Rick Lyke, Founder of Pints for Prostates. “This will be one of the best selections of wild and sour beers to be found in a single event in the southeast during 2014.”

4 Hands Brewing, St. Louis, Mo., Cuvee Ange, Cuvee Diable and Passion Fruit Prussia Berliner Weisse.
7venth Sun Brewing, Dunedin, Fla., TBD.
Allagash Brewing, Portland, Maine, Mattina Rossa and Golden Brett.
Anderson Valley Brewing, Boonville, Calif., The Kimmie, The Yink & The Holy Gose.
Avery Brewing, Boulder, Colo., Rufus Corvus.
Boulevard Brewing, Kansas City, Mo., Saison-Brett and Love Child No. 4.
Cascade Brewing, Portland, Ore., TBD.

Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, Fla., Illuminating the Path.
Crooked Stave Brewing, Denver, Colo., Vielle Artisanal Saison, St. Bretta Winter and St. Bretta Spring.
Fonta Flora Brewery, Morganton, N.C., Vestige Bloom.
Green Bench Brewing, St. Petersburg, Fla., TBD.
Green Man Brewing, Asheville, N.C., Flanders-style Brown Ale.
Haw River Farmhouse Ales, Saxpahaw, N.C., Joke & Dagger and Rusted Plow Farmhouse Saison.
Mystery Brewing, Hillsborough, N.C., TBD.
Natty Greene’s Brewing, Greensboro, N.C., American Sour, Oude Kriek, Sorghum Lambic, Sake Lambic, Sorachi Brett Belgo IPA, Farmhouse Surette and Meerts Lambic.
New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, Colo., TBD.
Oskar Blues Brewing, Brevard, N.C., MILF (Mama I’d Lacto Ferment).
Perennial Artisan Ales, St. Louis, Mo., La Bohème.
Stillwater Artisanal Ales, Baltimore, Md., Premium and Gose Gone Wild.
Stone Brewing, Escondido, Calif., Stone Tiger Cub Saison aged in Red Wine Barrels and Stone Cali Belgique IPA aged in Red Wine Barrels.
Trophy Brewing, Raleigh, N.C., Loner Berliner Weisse and Rose Gose.
Wicked Weed Brewing, Asheville, N.C., 2013 Serenity, Oblivion Sour Red, Genesis, Black Angel, Bretticent, Passiflora Blanc, Divergence, Le Peche Blanc, Indulgence, Medora, Amorous and 2013 Vigilance.
Wrecking Bar, Atlanta, Ga., Flanders Red and Hibiscus Gose.
Yazoo Brewing, Nashville, Tenn., 2014 Brett Saison.

The event will be held May 30 from 7-10 p.m. at the Wicked Weed Funkitorium, a new 12,000-square-foot barrel aging facility located at 147 Coxe Ave. The event is part of the 3rd Annual Asheville Beer Week^TM and will bring some of America’s top brewers of barrel-aged sour beers to the city.

“We are excited to use Funk Asheville to introduce our new Funkitorium to Asheville,” said Walt Dickinson, Head of Brewing and Wood Cellar Manager at Wicked Weed Brewing. “Our barrel aging facility will have a tasting room that will be open to the public. Funk Asheville will be the first event we will hold at the Funkitorium.”

Tickets for Funk Asheville are $80 with a $5 service charge via Etix. VIP tickets for the event have already sold out. The event includes beer samples, food provided by Wicked Weed, music, art and the opportunity to hang with the brewers. A silent auction benefiting Pints for Prostates will be held featuring unique beer experiences and collectible items.

Sour and wild beers embrace a wide range of historic brewing styles still popular today in Belgium, France and Germany, including lambic, Flanders red, gose, gueuze, Berliner weisse and saison. The use wild yeasts like, Brettanomyces, and bacteria, like Lactobacillus, add varying degrees of sour notes to the beer, which are often enhanced through barrel aging and bottle conditioning. American craft brewers have expanded the range of these beers to develop distinctive sour and Brett-style beers.

Funk Asheville is another reason for beer lovers to visit Asheville. It helps to anchor the final weekend of Asheville Beer Week with the Beer City Festival, making this one of the most exciting two days in craft beer in the United States.

About Wicked Weed Brewing

Wicked Weed Brewing is an Asheville, N.C., based brewpub that consistently hosts 20+ beers on tap including hop forward, West Coast style ales, open fermented Belgians, and barrel aged sour beers. Opened in December 2012, Wicked Weed is striving towards becoming the largest producer of barrel aged beers in the Southeastern U.S. Wicked Weed Brewing was awarded a Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival for 100% Brettanomyces Serenity Farmhouse Ale in 2013. In addition to Serenity, Wicked Weed is known for producing Freak of Nature Double IPA, Coolcumber Ale, Tyrant Double Red Ale, Hopburglar Blood Orange IPA, Dark Age Bourbon Stout and Black Angel Cherry Sour. Most recently, Wicked Weed began small scale statewide distribution of kegs as well as bottles of barrel aged sour beers to major metropolitans in North Carolina. Learn more at www.wickedweedbrewing.com and on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WickedWeedBrewing.

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men of the importance of prostate health screenings by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, 233,000 American men will be diagnosed with the disease this year and 29,480 will die from prostate cancer. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@pints4prostates).

Partial Brewery List Released for Funk Asheville: A Gathering of Wild & Sour Beers

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Sun, 04 May 2014 13:55:00 +0000

May 30 Benefit for Pints for Prostates is Presented by Wicked Weed Brewing

Wicked Weed Brewing and Pints for Prostates have announced a partial list of breweries scheduled to pour beers at Funk Asheville: A Gathering of Wild & Sour Beers.

The 20 breweries that have committed to be at the event include: Allagash Brewing, Portland, Maine; Anderson Valley Brewing, Boonville, Calif.; Boulevard Brewing, Kansas City, Mo.; Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, Fla.; Crooked Stave Brewing, Denver, Colo.; Fonta Flora Brewery, Morganton, N.C.; Green Bench Brewing, St. Petersburg, Fla.; Green Man Brewing, Asheville, N.C.; Haw River Farmhouse Ales, Saxpahaw, N.C.; Mystery Brewing, Hillsborough, N.C.; Natty Greene’s Brewing, Greensboro, N.C.; New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, Colo.; Oskar Blues Brewing, Brevard, N.C.; Perennial Artisan Ales, St. Louis, Mo.; Stillwater Artisanal Ales, Baltimore, Md.; Stone Brewing, Escondido, Calif.; Trophy Brewing, Raleigh, N.C.; Wicked Weed Brewing, Asheville, N.C.; Wrecking Bar, Atlanta, Ga.; and Yazoo Brewing, Nashville, Tenn.

Tickets for Funk Asheville are $80 with a $5 service charge via Etix. A very limited number VIP tickets offering one hour advance entry remain for Funk Asheville at $100 with a $5 service charge. The event includes beer samples, food provided by Wicked Weed, music, art and the opportunity to hang with the brewers. A total of 500 tickets will be sold to the public for the event, which will be held on the eve of the popular Beer City Festival. A silent auction benefiting Pints for Prostates will be held featuring unique beer experiences and collectible items.

About Wicked Weed Brewing

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men of the importance of prostate health screenings by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, 233,000 American men will be diagnosed with the disease this year and 29,480 will die from prostate cancer. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@pints4prostates).

Funk Asheville: A Gathering of Wild & Sour Beers Scheduled for May 30, 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 11:58:00 +0000

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Wicked Weed Brewing is partnering with Pints for Prostates to launch Funk Asheville: A Gathering of Wild & Sour Beers to be held May 30 from 7-10 p.m. as part of the 3rd Annual Asheville Beer Week^TM. The event will bring some of America’s top brewers of barrel-aged sour beers to Asheville and will create an experience beyond just a beer festival.

Funk Asheville will be held in downtown Asheville at the Wicked Weed Funkitorium, a new 12,000-square-foot barrel aging facility located at 147 Coxe Ave., just a 3 blocks from the brewery. This will be the first event at the newly-remodeled facility. In addition to barrel-aged, sour and wild beers, Funk Asheville will feature unique entertainment and an art installation, celebrating all things funky in Asheville.

“Sour or wild beers have become the cutting edge of American craft beer. Sours have really caught the attention of beer fans and some of America’s best up and coming craft brewers are doing incredible things with the style,” said Walt Dickinson, Head of Brewing and Wood Cellar Manager at Wicked Weed Brewing. “Funk Asheville gives people in the southeast a chance to see what the best and brightest brewers are doing with American sour and wild beers.”

Tickets for Funk Asheville are $80 with a $5 service charge and go on sale on April 15 at Noon via Etix. A total of 500 tickets will be sold to the public for the event, which will be held on the eve of the popular Beer City Festival. VIP tickets for Funk Asheville are $100 with a $5 service charge, and will provide access to guests for an hour preview including food provided by Wicked Weed, music, and the opportunity to hang with the brewers. As part of the event, a silent auction benefiting Pints for Prostates will be held featuring unique beer experiences and collectible items.

“Our mission is to reach men through the universal language of beer and this is the second year in a row that Pints for Prostates will host an Asheville Beer Week event,” said Rick Lyke, founder of Pints for Prostates. “Our message to men is simple: Get tested. Live longer. Drink more beer.”

Invitations to brewers to pour wild and sour beers at Funk Asheville have been issued and commitments are starting to arrive. A complete list of breweries and beers expected at the event will be announced shortly, however we have a preliminary list of confirmed breweries including New Belgium, Perennial, Green Man, Trophy, Yazoo, Natty Greene’s, Oskar Blues, & Green Bench.

Sour and wild beers embrace a wide range of historic brewing styles still popular today in Belgium, France and Germany, including lambic, Flanders red, gose, gueuze, Berliner weisse and saison. The use wild yeasts like, Brettanomyces, and bacteria, like Lactobacillus, add varying degrees of sour notes to the beer, which are often enhanced through barrel aging and bottle onditioning. American craft brewers have expanded the range of these beers to develop distinctive sour and Brett-style beers.

About Wicked Weed Brewing

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men of the importance of prostate health screenings by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, 233,000 American men will be diagnosed with the disease this year and 29,480 will die from prostate cancer. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@pints4prostates).

NoDa Brewing Tart Attack to be Released by Rare Beer of the Month Club™ to Support Pints for Prostates

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Sat, 21 Sep 2013 15:29:00 +0000

NoDa Brewing Co. of Charlotte, N.C., and The Rare Beer of the Month Club™, which ships unique craft beers nationwide, are teaming up on a special limited release beer to benefit the Pints for Prostates campaign.

NoDa Tart Attack is being brewed exclusively to create awareness and support the mission of Pints for Prostates, which uses the universal language of beer to reach men with an important health message.

“NoDa Brewing is proud to be partnering with Pints for Prostates and excited to be making Tart Attack, which is the first time we’ve made a Berliner Weisse on our production system,” said Todd Ford, Co-Owner at NoDa Brewing. “Pints for Prostates has done so much in bringing awareness of what prostate cancer is and the importance of screening and testing. I have no doubt they’ve saved many lives over the past five years and will continue to do so in the future.”

The limited edition beer features the Pints for Prostates logo on its label, which includes the blue ribbon to remind people of the ongoing search for a cure to prostate cancer, a leading cause of death among American men. A donation from every 750 milliliter bottle of Tart Attack sold will be made to Pints for Prostates.

According to NoDa Brewing Head Brewer Chad Henderson, Tart Attack is a Berliner Weisse style beer brewed with blackberries. The 4.2 percent alcohol by volume beer achieves its tart and dry sourness from an old brewing method, sour mashing. This brewing method involves steeping the grain after the initial sacchrification rest at a lower temperature and adding additional grains. The lactobacillus on the newly added grain are right at home in the new temperature and begin to consume sugars and give off the classic tart Lacto sour character. We allow this rest to take place for several days before boiling and adding only a small amount of hops to the boil. After fermentation begins we add our blackberries and let the fermentation take off. The result is a complex sour ale that is both clean and refreshing and layered with notes of sour lemon, wheat, and both the tart and sweet aspects of blackberries.

“This is a rare beer that will help us reach men with an important message. Pints for Prostates wants men to take charge of their health and get screened for prostate cancer,” said Rick Lyke, a prostate cancer survivor who founded Pints for Prostates after successful prostate cancer surgery in April 2008. “NoDa Brewing and The Rare Beer Club™ teaming up for this project will help get our message to men who need to hear it.”

“This is the fourth year The Rare Beer Club™ has partnered with Pints for Prostates and our members really look forward to a unique beer each year, largely distributed exclusively through the club. NoDa is a respected new brewery having earned a Silver Medal at its first Great American Beer Festival in 2012, so this beer will sell out quickly,” said President Kris Calef. “We’ll donate $1 for every bottle sold and include a Pints for Prostates coaster in each October shipment to remind our members to get tested. A little education and early detection goes a long way to save lives.”
There are only two ways for beer lovers to try the limited batch of NoDa Tart Attack:

Join The Rare Beer Club online or call 800-625-8238 and be sure to start your membership in October or earlier. The ordering deadline for October is 10-15-12.
Visit NoDa Brewing’s tasting room at 2229 North Davidson St. in Charlotte on Nov. 3 from 4-7 p.m. when the brewery will release the beer and host a Pints for Prostates awareness event.

According to the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer will claim the lives of nearly 30,000 men in the U.S. during 2013. Prostates cancer is 33 percent more common in men than breast cancer is in women, yet few men know they should get a prostate health screening at age 40.The NoDa Tart Attack release is part of the Pints for Prostates Oktoberfest for a Cure observance that is taking place from August through October.

About NoDa Brewing
NoDa Brewing Company currently has five year-round beers and multiple seasonal offerings available on-tap at local bars and restaurants and the brewery tap room. Its on-site tap room sells beer by the glass and take-home growlers, and provides brewery tours as well as hosts special events. Look and ask for Noda on tap at your local restaurant and bar. For more, visit www.NoDaBrewing.com.

About The Rare Beer Club™
The Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club™ offers four different options for consumers. From the very inception of our original domestic beer of the month club in 1994, we’ve focused on consistently providing three primary product characteristics: Quality, Variety & Freshness. And in that spirit, we now offer you four outstanding beer club options, each dedicated to those same principles. Our owner’s favorite club features the finest the world of beer has to offer in limited-release, celebratory, artisanal beers from some of Michael Jackson’s favorite breweries. Two different selections are presented each month in 750 ml bottles, often cork finished, and some individually tissue wrapped. Members experience bold U.S. and imported interpretations of Farmhouse Ales, Russian Imperial Stouts, Barley Wines, Belgian Abbey Ales, varied Imperial, Extreme, Strong Ale and Grand Cru offerings, oak-aged ales imparting bourbon and vanilla notes, and much more. Many selections are pushing the envelope of creativity, are not yet distributed in the U.S., and brewed such that they can be cellared and aged.

About Pints for Prostates
Pints for Prostates is a 501(c)3 a campaign that reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men about the importance of regular health screenings and PSA testing by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, 240,890 new prostate cancer cases were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2011. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter (@pints4prostates).

Pints for Prostates Germany Beer Tour Scheduled for Oct. 9-19, 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Sat, 14 Sep 2013 12:32:00 +0000

BeerTrips.com has put together a special beer tour of Germany to benefit Pints for Prostates. The beer adventure to Bavaria and Franconia will take place from Oct. 9-19, 2014.

The nine night dream trip includes stops in Aying, Garmisch Partenkirchen, Bayreuth, Rothenburg and Bamberg. The trip includes beer tastings, escorted beer hall crawls, guided city walks, brewery tours, monastery visits, special meals and more.

BeerTrips.com is offering this special Pints for Prostates group tour to Germany to the public on a limited basis. Just 14 slots are available for this tour at $2,995 (+ air) based on double occupancy ($625 single room supplement). The tour will be hosted by Pints for Prostates founder and beer journalist Rick Lyke. Visit www.BeerTrips.com for details.

“This will be the fourth time we have teamed up with BeerTrips.com for a special Pints for Prostates European beer trip. This itinerary includes some amazing breweries and is really a unique way to experience Germany,” said Lyke. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership to help us raise funds and spread the word to men about the importance of regular prostate health screenings and early detection.”

“This is one of the most popular BeerTrips.com itineraries because it explores the best of Bavaria and Franconia,” said Mike Saxton, founder of BeerTrips.com. “We offer small groups an intimate experience with the chance for insider tours of some of the most famous breweries in the world. If you love beer and love to travel, this trip gives you a chance to experience the German countryside and some classic small cities that offer tremendous beers.”

As part of the BeerTrips.com and Pints for Prostates partnership, Pints for Prostates will raffle a trip for two for the special trip. For a $10 donation for a single ticket, $25 donation for three tickets or $50 for seven tickets, donors will be entered to win the trip that includes:

• The BeerTrips.com trip for two Oct. 9-19, 2014
• Roundtrip Airfare for Two from the Continental United States
• Nine Nights in Fine Centrally Located Hotels
• Brewery Tours
• Escorted Beer Hall Crawls
• Guided City Tours
• Breakfasts Daily/Special Beer Dinners and Beer Lunches
• Train & Private Coach Transportation

The total value of the trip for two is estimated at $8,500. The drawing will be held on July 27, 2014. The prize is non-transferable. No cash substitute will be offered. The winner and their guest are responsible for obtaining passports and all trip related costs not outlined above. You must be 21 years old to enter.

About BeerTrips.com
Beer Trips.com was founded in 1998 to offer serious beer people the opportunity to travel to the world’s best beer destinations with other people who love great beer. Beer and travel, travel and beer — these are two of our favorite things. Both, in our estimation, are worth a fair amount of life’s energy. Our goal, and our very reason for existing, is to take our travelers the best beer destinations, drink, taste and enjoy the best beers, meet the beer-loving people of the countries we visit, and explore the history, culture, art and architecture of the interesting places where beer “grew up”. To do this we stay in nice, well-located hotels, eat at great restaurants that emphasize beer in their fare, and visit breweries, brew pubs, cafes, and museums that enhance our understanding and appreciation of beer and its rich history and culture.

About Pints for Prostates
Pints for Prostates reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men about the importance of regular health screenings and PSA testing by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, 240,890 new prostate cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2011. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter (@pints4prostates).

Denver Rare Beer Tasting V Beer List Announced

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Sat, 14 Sep 2013 12:29:00 +0000

DENVER, CO – Organizers of the Denver Rare Beer Tasting V, an awareness event and fundraiser for the Pints for Prostates campaign, have released the confirmed brewery list and beers that are expected to be poured at the event.

At total of 42 brewers are scheduled to take part in the event, which will be held at the McNichols Civic Center Building at 144 W. Colfax St. in Denver. The event takes place on Oct. 11 from 1-4 p.m., while the Great American Beer Festival is in the city.

“The Denver Rare Beer Tasting is an amazing opportunity taste rare, exotic and vintage beers and has become one of the most talked about craft beer events in the country,” said Daniel Bradford, publisher of All About Beer Magazine, which presents the event. “Some of America’s best craft brewers will be rubbing elbows with beer lovers who were lucky enough to get tickets to the sold out tasting.”

The confirmed brewery list and beers expected to be poured include:

Alaskan Brewing, Juneau, Alaska, 2002 Smoked Porter
AleSmith Brewing, San Diego, Calif., Barrel-Aged Wee Heavy
Avery Brewing, Boulder, Colo., Volunt Plus Erat & Momi Hiwa
Big Sky Brewing, Missoula, Mont., 2012 Ivan The Terrible Imperial Stout
Boston Beer, Boston, Mass., Samuel Adams Utopias
Boulevard Brewing, Kansas City, Mo., Tripel Julep
Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, N.Y., Black Ops LBV 2007 & Cuvee Crochet Rouge Riesling
The Bruery, Placentia, Calif., Confession
Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, Fla., ll0k + OT Batch #6
Crooked Stave Artisan Beer, Denver, Colo., WælzBlood
Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Ore., Black Butte XXII
Devils Backbone Brewing, Lexington, Va., Wood-Aged Dark Abbey
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, Del., 2011 120 Minute IPA
Drake’s Brewing, San Leandro, Calif., Reunion Barleywine
Elevation Beer, Poncha Springs, Colo., Boom! Brandy Barrel Quadruple
Fort Collins Brewery, Fort Collins, Colo., Roasted Pumpkin Seed Ale
Firestone Walker Brewing, Paso Robles, Calif., Bravo & Lil’ Mikkel
AC Golden Brewing, Golden, Colo., Blueberry Colorambic
Goose Island Brewing, Chicago, Ill., Napa County Stout
Great Divide Brewing, Denver, Colo., Barrel-Aged Cuvee Syrah #1
Great Lakes Brewing, Cleveland, Ohio, Jabberwocky
Hardywood Park Brewery, Richmond, Va., Gingerbread Stout
Laughing Dog Brewing, Sand Point, Idaho, 14 Dogs of the Apocalypse
The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, Calif., 2008 The Lost Abbey’s Angel’s Share
Melvin Brewing/Thai Me Up Restaurant, Jackson, Wy., Kirk McHale & Melvin IPA Rum Barrel-Aged
New Belgium Brewery, Fort Collins, Colo., New Belgium/Avery Sour Collaboration #1 & #2
New Holland Brewing, Holland, Mcih., Chocolate Dragon’s Milk
NoDa Brewing, Charlotte, N.C., Rum Barrel-Aged Imperial Coco Loco & Hot Pistol
Odell Brewing, Fort Collins, Colo., Foot Print
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, Charlotte, N.C., Barrel-Aged Baltic Porter
Perennial Artisan Ales, St. Louis, Mo., Barrel Quad
Prairie Artisan Ales, Krebs, Ok., Bomb De Balcones
River North Brewing, Denver, Colo., J. Marie Barreled and Bretted
Rogue Ales, Newport, Ore., Class of ’88 Barley Wine
Sierra Nevada Brewing, Chico, Calif., Barrel-Aged Narwhal
Smuttynose Brewing, Portsmouth, N.H., Apple Brandy Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
Stone Brewing, Escondido, Calif., 2007 Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial
Russian Stout & 2004 Old Guardian Barley Wine
Sun King Brewing, Indianapolis, Ind., Hot Rod Lincoln
Surly Brewing, Minneapolis, Minn., Misanthrope
Terrapin Beer, Athens, Ga., Barrel-Aged Moo-Hoo Chocolate Stout
Weyerbacher Brewing, Easton, Pa., Millennium Falco
Wicked Weed Brewing, Asheville, N.C., Black Angel Cherry Sour

“Thanks to the generosity of the brewers who donate these great beers, we have featured some amazing brews during the first four Denver Rare Beer Tastings. The list this year is impressive by anyone’s standards,” said Rick Lyke, a beer journalist and founder of Pints for Prostates. This year the 650 tickets available sold out more than 10 weeks before the event. “The Denver Rare Beer Tasting is an afternoon of beer passion and a highlight of the Denver Beer Fest week and Great American Beer Festival weekend.”

Admission includes the chance to sample rare, exotic and vintage beers from 40 of America’s top craft breweries and the opportunity to meet the men and women who made them. Each attendee receives a commemorative tasting glass, t-shirt, program and pen. Guests also receive a three issue trial subscription to the award-winning All About Beer Magazine. A buffet lunch from Breckenridge Brewery & BBQ is included in the ticket price and guests will have the chance to bid in an exciting silent auction that includes a variety of unique beer experiences and collectibles.

All net proceeds from Denver Rare Beer Tasting go towards the awareness mission of Pints for Prostates and help to fund the education and support programs of the Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, and free prostates cancer screening programs provided by the Prostate Conditions Education Council. Sponsorship packages are available for companies that wish to support the event.

About All About Beer Magazine
Now in its 34th year, All About Beer Magazine has been the essential source for the evolving beer culture. Winner of numerous awards and recognitions, All About Beer Magazine publishes the best on beer — its history and culture, beer travel, entertaining, brewing and collecting — six times a year with one additional bonus issue annually. The magazine promotes the positive attributes of the growing beer culture by hosting the World Beer Festivals where guests have the opportunity to taste samples from a wide range of beers and to discuss the beer with brewers and knowledgeable servers. For more information, please visit http://www.allaboutbeer.com, follow @allboutbeer on Twitter and like the magazine on Facebook at http://facebook.com/allaboutbeermag.

About Pints for Prostates
Pints for Prostates reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men of the importance of regular health screenings and PSA testing by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter (@pints4prostates).

Denver Rare Beer Tasting V Releases Partial Brewery List

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 11:11:00 +0000

Organizers of the Denver Rare Beer Tasting V, an awareness event and fundraiser for the Pints for Prostates campaign, have released a partial list of brewers expected to pour at the event and announced a new venue for the tasting.

“The Denver Rare Beer Tasting is the quintessential rare beer event and we are excited by the brewers that have committed to take part in the 2013 edition,” said Daniel Bradford, publisher of All About Beer Magazine, which presents the event. “Our goal is to bring together America’s best craft breweries in a relaxed format where brewers and beer lovers get the chance to talk and taste a unique collection of beers.”

Approximately 40 brewers will take part in the event. Among the brewers that are expected to serve rare, exotic and vintage beers are: AleSmith Brewing, San Diego, Calif.; Big Sky Brewing, Missoula, Mont.; Boulevard Brewing, Kansas City, Mo.; Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, N.Y.; The Bruery, Placentia, Calif.; Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, Fla.; Crooked Stave Artisan Beer, Denver, Colo.; AC Golden Brewing, Golden, Colo.; Hardywood Park Brewery, Richmond, Va.; Kokopelli Beer Co., Westminster, Colo.; Terrapin Beer, Athens, Ga.; Laughing Dog Brewing, Sand Point, Idaho; The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, Calif.; NoDa Brewing, Charlotte, N.C.; Prairie Artisan Ales, Krebs, Ok.; Rogue Brewing, Newport, Ore.; Sun King Brewing, Indianapolis, Ind.; Thai Me Up Restaurant & Brewery, Jackson, Wy.; Weyerbacher Brewing, Easton, Pa.; and Wicked Weed Brewing, Asheville, N.C.

Organizers also announced the event was moving to the McNichols Civic Center Building at 144 W. Colfax St. The event will be held on Oct. 11 from 1-4 p.m., while the Great American Beer Festival is taking place in Denver.

“We want the Denver Rare Beer Tasting to be a great experience for everyone. The move to the McNichols Civic Center Building puts us closer to the GABF site, near public transportation, gives us room to add more brewers and space for more beer fans to enjoy the event,” said Rick Lyke, a beer journalist and founder of Pints for Prostates. The event was held at the Wynkoop Brewrey the first four years and 500 tickets were sold. This year 650 tickets are available for the event. “The Denver Rare Beer Tasting has become one the most anticipated annual beer celebrations in the U.S. We want to make it possible for more fans to enjoy the tasting, while maintaining the great boutique atmosphere.”

Tickets are $100 each. More than 500 tickets have already been sold. The first four Denver Rare Beer Tastings sold out several weeks in advance.

Admission includes the chance to sample rare, exotic and vintage beers from approximately 40 of America’s top craft breweries and the opportunity to meet the men and women who made them. Each attendee receives a commemorative tasting glass, t-shirt, program and pen. Guests also receive a three issue trial subscription to the award-winning All About Beer Magazine. A buffet lunch is included in the ticket price and guests will have the chance to bid in an exciting silent auction that includes a variety of unique beer experiences and collectibles.

All net proceeds from Denver Rare Beer Tasting go towards the awareness mission of Pints for Prostates and help to fund the education and support programs of the Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, and free prostates cancer screening programs provided by the Prostate Conditions Education Council.

More information is available at www.allaboutbeer.com and www.pintsforprostates.org. Tickets are available online via a secure link through Etix. Sponsorship packages are available for companies that wish to support the event.

About All About Beer Magazine

Now in its 34th year, All About Beer Magazine has been the essential source for the evolving beer culture. Winner of numerous awards and recognitions, All About Beer Magazine publishes the best on beer — its history and culture, beer travel, entertaining, brewing and collecting — six times a year with one additional bonus issue annually. The magazine promotes the positive attributes of the growing beer culture by hosting the World Beer Festivals where guests have the opportunity to taste samples from a wide range of beers and to discuss the beer with brewers and knowledgeable servers. For more information, please visit http://www.allaboutbeer.com, follow @allboutbeer on Twitter and like the magazine on Facebook athttp://facebook.com/allaboutbeermag.

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men of the importance of regular health screenings and PSA testing by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter (@pints4prostates).

Denver Rare Beer Tasting V Tickets Go On Sale June 16

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:00:00 +0000

DENVER, CO -- The Denver Rare Beer Tasting V, an awareness event and fundraiser for the Pints for Prostates campaign, will be held on Oct. 11 from 1-4 p.m. in Denver.

Tickets for the event go on sale on Father’s Day, June 16, at Noon (ET) and are $100 each. Admission includes the chance to sample rare, exotic and vintage beers from more than 30 of America’s top craft breweries and the opportunity to meet the men and women who made them. Each attendee receives a commemorative tasting glass, t-shirt, program and pen. Guests also receive a three issue trial subscription to the award-winning All About Beer Magazine. A buffet lunch is included in the ticket price and guests will have the chance to bid in an exciting silent auction that includes a variety of unique beer experiences and collectibles.

Presented by All About Beer Magazine, tickets for the event are among the most sought after of any beer tasting. The event is held while the Great American Beer Festival is taking place in Denver. The first four Denver Rare Beer Tastings each sold out several weeks in advance.

“The Denver Rare Beer Tasting is the quintessential rare beer event and gives people in Denver for the GABF the chance to experience a true boutique-style tasting,” said Daniel Bradford, publisher of All About Beer Magazine. “Our goal is to bring together America’s best craft breweries in a relaxed format where brewers and beer lovers get the chance to talk and taste a unique collection of beers.”

Pints for Prostates is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity founded by beer writer and prostate cancer survivor Rick Lyke. All net proceeds from Denver Rare Beer Tasting go towards the awareness mission of Pints for Prostates and help to fund the education and support programs of the Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, and free prostates cancer screening programs provided by the Prostate Conditions Education Council.

“The Denver Rare Beer Tasting has become on the most anticipated annual beer celebrations in the U.S. Beer fans get to taste a collection of beers that most people never have the chance to enjoy, while rubbing elbows with brewers,” said Lyke. “It is a fun afternoon and a great atmosphere, with a serious mission: raising awareness about prostate cancer.”

The link to purchase tickets will be posted at www.allaboutbeer.com and www.pintsforprostates.org prior to the start of sales.

Invitations have been extended to a small select group of breweries and event organizers hope to be able to announce the brewery list during July. Breweries bring some of their rarest brews to the event and the beer list will be released prior to the Denver Rare Beer Tasting V. Sponsorship packages are available for companies that wish to support the event.

About All About Beer Magazine

Now in its 34th year, All About Beer Magazine has been the essential source for the evolving beer culture. Winner of numerous awards and recognitions, All About Beer Magazine publishes the best on beer — its history and culture, beer travel, entertaining, brewing and collecting — six times a year with one additional bonus issue annually. The magazine promotes the positive attributes of the growing beer culture by hosting the World Beer Festivals where guests have the opportunity to taste samples from a wide range of beers and to discuss the beer with brewers and knowledgeable servers. For more information, please visit http://www.allaboutbeer.com, follow @allboutbeer on Twitter and like the magazine on Facebook athttp://facebook.com/allaboutbeermag.

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates is a 501(c)3 a campaign that reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men of the importance of regular health screenings and PSA testing by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter (@pints4prostates).

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Breweries Announced for Asheville Rare & Wild Beer Tasting

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:54:00 +0000

Asheville, N.C. – Organizers of the inaugural Asheville Rare & Wild Beer Tasting have released a list of confirmed breweries for the May 31 event.

A total of 24 breweries will pour rare and exotic beers at the event. Brewers that have accepted invitations for the Asheville Rare & Wild Beer Tasting include: Asheville Brewing Co., Asheville, N.C.; Against the Grain Brewery & Smokehouse, Louisville, Kentucky; Allagash Brewing, Portland, Maine; Bell’s Brewing, Kalamazoo, Mich.; Big Boss Brewing, Raleigh, N.C.; Boulder Brewing, Boulder, Co.; Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Boston Beer Co., Boston, Mass.; Blue Mountain Barrel House, Arrington, Va.; Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Ore.; Founders Brewing, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Goose Island Brewing, Chicago, Ill.; Haw River Farmhouse Ales, Saxapahaw, N.C.; Highland Brewing Co., Asheville, N.C.; Jester King Craft Brewery, Austin, Texas; Mother Earth Brewing, Kinston, N.C.; New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, Colo.; Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, N.Y.; Oskar Blues Brewery, Brevard, N.C.; Sierra Nevada Brewing, Chico, Calif.; Stone Brewing, Escondido, Calif.; SweetWater Brewing, Atlanta, Ga.;Thirsty Monk Pub, Asheville, N.C.; and Weyerbacher Brewing, Easton, Pa.

All About Beer Magazine and the Thirsty Monk Pub will present the inaugural Asheville Rare & Wild Beer Tasting during Asheville Beer Week to benefit Pints for Prostates, a nationwide campaign designed to raise awareness about the importance of early detection in fighting prostate cancer.

“We have a great list of American craft brewers committed to appear at the Asheville Rare & Wild Beer Tasting and each will be pouring rare and exotic beers,” said Daniel Bradford, publisher of All About Beer Magazine. “We want this to be one of the highlights of Asheville Beer Week and help raise awareness about an important men’s health issue by teaming up with Pints for Prostates.”

The Asheville Rare & Wild Beer Tasting will be held at 66 Asheland Ave. in Asheville on May 31 from 6-9 p.m. Less than half of the 250 tickets for the Asheville Rare & Wild Beer Tasting are still available. They can be purchased online at: http://www.etix.com/ticket/online/venueSearch.jsp?venue_id=9521. Tickets are $75 and include admission to the event, beer sampling, commemorative tasting glass, program and heavy hors d'oeuvres. More information about the event can be found at www.arwbt.com. Each brewery will pour unique beers. Some will be rare and others will be “wild” featuring barrel aged, sours, cask conditioned and vintage beers.

“We reach men through the universal language of beer and an event like the Asheville Rare & Wild Beer Tasting gives us a platform to get guys to focus on their health,” said Rick Lyke, a prostate cancer survivor, drinks journalist and founder of the Pints for Prostates campaign. “We really appreciate the support of the brewers, All About Beer Magazine and the Thirsty Monk. This will be a great day to be a craft beer fan in Asheville.”

Pints for Prostates is a 501(c)3 charity. It raises awareness about prostate cancer at beer festivals and pub events. Funds raised by the group help support free men’s health screenings provided by the Prostate Conditions Education Council and Us TOO Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, which operates support groups for men battling the disease. You can get more information about Pints for Prostates at www.pintsforprostates.org.

“Pints for Prostates and All About Beer Magazine started the Denver Rare Beer Tasting in 2009 and it has become renowned as one of the best beer events in the country,” said Barry Bialik of Thirsty Monk Pub. “Asheville Beer Week is growing and attracting people who want to experience the growing beer culture in the region. The Asheville Rare & Wild Beer Tasting is a great addition to the celebration. And we at Thirsty Monk are so proud to be a part of making this happen.”

About All About Beer Magazine

Now in its 34th year, All About Beer Magazine has been the essential source for the evolving beer culture. Winner of numerous awards and recognitions, All About Beer Magazine publishes the best on beer — its history and culture, beer travel, entertaining, brewing and collecting — six times a year with one additional bonus issue annually. The magazine promotes the positive attributes of the growing beer culture by hosting the World Beer Festivals where guests have the opportunity to taste samples from a wide range of beers and to discuss the beer with brewers and knowledgeable servers. For more information, please visit http://www.allaboutbeer.com, follow @allboutbeer on Twitter and like the magazine on Facebook athttp://facebook.com/allaboutbeermag.

About Thirsty Monk

Thirsty Monk has received many awards and acknowledgements as being one of the best beer bars in the country and the world, including Craftbeer.com’s Best Bar in the South. They have also been featured in Garden & Gun Magazine and the Travel Channel. The Thirsty Monk has two Asheville locations- the flagship Thirsty Monk Belgian & Craft Beer Bar downtown at 92 Patton Ave., and Thirsty Monk South Pub & Nano-Brewery in South Asheville’s Gerber Village at 1836 Hendersonville Rd. All taps are constantly rotating, with more than 1,200 different beers tapped in 2012. www.monkpub.com.

About Pints for Prostates

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Tuesday Tasting: Mira 2011 Admiration White

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:10:00 +0000

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we sample a wine from a relatively new Napa Valley vineyard.

Mira Winery of Napa, Calif., is a 2009 startup winery that buys fruit from vineyards in the region. The winery makes three whites, a chardonnay, a sauvignon blanc – both made with 100 percent grapes of those styles – and Admiration White, a blend of 80 percent sauvignon blanc and 20 percent chardonnay. Mira recently made news by announcing it was testing the impact of aging wine in the ocean by sinking some cases in Charleston habor.

“Perceptions are changing about white wine in America. It’s not just for the cocktail hour anymore,” said Gustavo Gonzalez, winemaker at Mira. “More white wines are being made and they’re not all being made in a chardonnay style that had become so innocuous.”

Mira 2011 Admiration White is a blend of 80 percent sauvignon blanc and 20 percent chardonnay. Clean fruit aroma that opens to a combination of honeysuckle and citrus flavors. Clean and bright, a good wine to go with light meals.

Denver Rare Beer Tasting IV Beer List Announced

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 22:40:00 +0000

Denver, Colo. – The fourth edition of the Denver Rare Beer Tasting benefiting the Pints for Prostates campaign will feature 34 rare, exotic and vintage beers from of 32 of America’s leading craft breweries.

“We are excited by the exceptional beers that will be presented at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting IV. It is an exciting group of a rare, limited release and vintage brews from some of America’s great craft brewers,” said Rick Lyke, a prostate cancer survivor, drinks journalist and founder of the Pints for Prostates campaign. “This will be a special day for true beer fanatics and it will help us reach men through the universal language of beer.”

The Denver Rare Beer Tasting IV will feature 34 rare and exotic brews, including:

• Alaskan Perseverance Ale from Alaskan Brewing, Juneau, Alaska;

• Allagash Avancé from Allagash Brewing, Portland, Maine;

• Avery Uncle Jacob's Stout, Avery Oud Floris and Avery Odio Equum from Avery Brewing, Boulder, Colo.;

• Bear Republic Barrel 32 from Bear Republic Brewing, Healdsburg, Calif.;

• Big Sky Ivan the Terrible Imperial Stout from Big Sky Brewing, Missoula, Mont.;

• Chatoe Rogue Wet Hop Ale from Rogue Ales, Newport, Ore.;

• Dogfish Head 2007 Raison D’Extra from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, Del.;

• Elevation Prostator Smoked Doppelbock from Elevation Beer, Poncha Springs, Colo.;

• Elysian Maelstrom Blood Orange Ale from Elysian Brewing, Seattle, Wash.;

• Epic Imperial Red One Off Cask from Epic Brewing, Salt Lake City, Utah;

• Firestone Walker Lil Opal from Firestone Walker Brewing, Paso Robles, Calif.;

• Founders 15th Anniversary Bolt Cutter Barley Wine from Founders Brewing, Grand Rapids, Mich.;

• Full Sail 2010 Top Sail Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Porter from Full Sail Brewing, Hood River, Ore.;

• Great Divide Brett, Meet Colette Farmhouse Ale from Great Divide Brewing, Denver, Colo.;

• Jester King Gotlandsdricka from Jester King Craft Brewery, Austin, Texas;

• Laughing Dog 2009 Barrel Aged Dogfather Imperial Stout from Laughing Dog Brewing, Ponderay, Idaho;

• Laurelwood Cardinal Sin from Laurelwood Brewing, Portland, Ore.;

• Left Hand 2009 Oak Aged Imperial Stout from Left Hand Brewery, Longmont, Colo.;

• The Lost Abbey Track # 8 from The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, Calif.;

• New Belgium Biere de Mars and Back from New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, Colo.;

• Odell Deconstruction and Odell Funky Wooden Myrcenary from Odell Brewing, Fort Collins, Colo.;

• Perennial Barrel Aged Fantastic Voyage from Perennial Artisan Ales, St. Louis, Mo.;

• Portsmouth Kate the Great from Portsmouth Brewing, Portsmouth, N.H.;

• Samuel Adams Utopias 10th Anniversary Edition from Boston Beer, Boston, Mass.;

• Sierra Nevada Brandy Barrel Aged Imperial Smoked Porter from Sierra Nevada Brewing, Chico, Calif.;

• Short's Aww Jeah to the Face from Short's Brewing, Bellaire, Mich.;

• Stone Suitable for Cave Aging Imperial Smoked Porter Tribute to Danny Williams from Stone Brewing, Escondido, Calif.;

• Stoudt’s 5025 from Stoudt’s Brewing, Adamstown, Pa.;

• Surly SŸX from Surly Brewing, Minneapolis, Minn.;

• Tröegs Splinter Black from Tröegs Brewing, Hershey, Pa,.;

• Uinta Oak Jacked from Uinta Brewing, Salt Lake City, Utah;

• Wynkoop Brewjolais Nouveau from Wynkoop Brewing, Denver, Colo.

• New Albion Ale, a special guest beer at the event being brewed by Boston Beer, Boston, Mass., to honor craft brewing pioneer Jack McAuliffe using original New Albion yeast that has been preserved at the University of California since 1977.

“These beers are true works of art and the brewers turn out so beer fans get the chance for an afternoon to remember of tasting rare beers with the people who made them,” said Daniel Bradford, publisher of All About Beer Magazine, which presents the event. “The Denver Rare Beer Tasting is beer passion in its purest form.”

All of the tickets for the Denver Rare Beer Tasting IV have been sold. The event takes place at Wynkoop Brewing on 18th Street in Denver on Oct. 12 from 1-4 p.m., during a relatively quiet period while the Brewers Association Great American Beer Festival is taking place in the city. Only 500 tickets were sold for the event.

About All About Beer Magazine

Now in its 33rd year, All About Beer Magazine has been the essential source for the evolving beer culture. Winner of numerous awards and recognitions, All About Beer Magazine publishes the best on beer — its history and culture, beer travel, entertaining, brewing and collecting — six times a year with one additional bonus issue annually. The magazine promotes the positive attributes of the growing beer culture by hosting the World Beer Festivals where guests have the opportunity to taste samples from a wide range of beers and to discuss the beer with brewers and knowledgeable servers. For more information, please visit http://www.allaboutbeer.com, follow @allboutbeer on Twitter and like the magazine on Facebook at http://facebook.com/allaboutbeermag.

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates is a 501(c)3 a campaign that reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men of the importance of regular health screenings and PSA testing by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter (@pints4prostates).

Tuesday Tasting: Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Lyke) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 06:30:00 +0000

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we sample a wheated Bourbon that is part of the Old Fitzgerald franchise.

Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a 92 proof that pays homage to a U.S. Treasury agent who had the taste for the good stuff. An early bit of lore said that John E. Fitzgerald had founded a distillery in Frankfort , Kentucky. shortly after the Civil War. But in her 1999 book "But Always Fine Bourbon -- Pappy Van Winkle and the Story of Old Fitzgerald," Sally Van Winkle Campbell revealed John E. Campbell was not a distiller at all. He was actually a U.S. Treasury agent who had keys to distillery warehouses. He would pilfer whiskey from the best barrels and those soon became known as "the Fitzgerald barrels" around the distillery. Heaven Hill Distilleries released the whiskey to mark "a taste made famous by an infamous act."

Larceny has a tarnished copper color and a mellow nose. It is made from barrels that have aged between 6 and 12 years. The wheat is clear in this one, giving soft edges to the Bourbon. There is a good amount of hearty grain that has bits of oak, that lead nicely to a long finish.