All good things come to an end...

The time has come and we have hung up our gloves. We are no longer using Blogger to host our blog and we have moved to a new home. http://www.2beerguys.com/blog/

If you stumble on this website, please visit us at our new home.

Thanks

Sean
2Beerguys.com

Drink Craft Beer, You've Earned It!!!

Where does YOUR beer come from

Here's an interesting article... Did you know?

Sean
Drink Craft Beer, You've Earned It!!




Anheuser-Busch Globalizes Beer Through Acquisitions
By Fred Delkin

Budweiser is far and away the biggest-selling beer in the USA, despite its lack of quality, which earns it avoidance by craft beer lovers. Anheuser-Busch, Bud's brewer, does not hang its stein solely on the Bud hook, however. The brewing giant's tentacles reach worldwide and its product lineup includes 60 varieties including popular imports Lowenbrau from Germany, Stella Artois and Leffe from Belgium, Hoegaarden and Grolsch from Holland, Kirin from Japan, Czechvar from the Czech Republic, Bass, Boddingtons and Tennents from the UK and Tiger from Singapore. Just in time for the Olympic Games, A-B has invested in major Chinese breweries Tsingtao and Harbin.

A-B domestic brands distributed across the U.S.are produced in 12 breweries, with the latest acquisition being Rolling Rock of Pennsylvania. Regional labels serving Colorado, Texas, Missouri and New England include Ascent 54, Ziegenbock, Mule Kick, Stone Mill and Demon's Hop Yard. A-B duplicates its Budweiser choices with the Michelob line and goes after the low cost trade with the Busch and Natural labels. The sales success of craft beers which were pioneered in the Pacific Northwest generated A-B equity investments in Seattle's Redhook and Portland's Widmer, with both retaining their original recipes. A-B also is the major player in malt beverages on the domestic market with Hurricane, King Cobra and a broad line of Bacardi flavors.

Craft Brewer Sales Soar

While mass producers such as A-B, Millers & Coors dominate U.S. sales, the craft beer industry continues to grow as a tribute to those who prefer bold tasting brews, with retail sales for this industry segment up 16% in 2007, according to a report by the Brewers Association. A 'craft' brewer is defined as "small, independent and traditional" and with an annual production of less than 2 million barrels. Flavored malt beverages are not considered beer in this definition.

There's a new challenger in the alcoholic beverage field, Sake2me, an infused rice wine drink tested in the Bay Area last year and now launched on the West Coast. This new potable was spotlighted in hospitality suites during the 2008 Oscar Academy Awards event. Infused Asian flavors include Ginger-Mango, Yuzu Citrus, Asian Pear and Green Tea. The retail package is a singe serve 6 oz. bottle. Details at www.sake2me.com

Glassware innovation simplifies wine service

Stemware has graced all proper wine serving for centuries. However, stemmed glasses have a high rate of breakage and fine crystal is always a washing risk. Now you can find the bowl-like shape of a proper wine glass without the stem and this innovation has now been adapted by an elite producer, Riedel of Austria. No need to go the Riedel expense, however. Local stores sell the stemless wine sipper for as low as 99 cents per each. This style does eliminate the traditional tasting exercise of grasping the stem and swirling the contents, but the wide-mouthed bowl still encourages sticking your nose in to absorb the wine's aromatic nuances.

Link to article

Alabama takes a small step, but still have a giant leap ahead

In February, I shared a story about the "Free the Hops" movement that was taking place in Alabama.

With Alabama being one of the last states in the country that could not sell beer higher than 6% and sold in 12 oz bottles, the beer lovers are rejoicing for the moment.

Last week, the Alabama House of Representatives passed HB196, the Gourmet Beer Bill, which would raise Alabama’s allowable Alcohol-by-Volume (ABV) in a beer from 6.0 percent to 13.9 percent.

Under the current law, beer distributors in Alabama cannot sell 98 of the world’s top 100 beers (as rated by BeerAdvocate.com) due to the ABV restrictions.

They are still battling the lobbyist of the large-scale beer distributors, but times are changing and the consumer should have the choice.

The bill goes to the state Senate, where they hope for positive results.

This is great news, but they are only half way there. If you would like to read more about the house vote, please visit: free the hops


Sean
Drink Craft Beer, You've Earned It!!

Information from Surly Brewing Company

We met the Surly folks at the Night of the Barrels. Their email gives you a little insight to the issues that some microbreweries encounter.

Sean
2Beerguys.com

Drink Craft Beer, You've Earned It!!!



Here are a few Surly updates for those interested… Grumpy’s NE is finishing off its ten year anniversary celebration this week. We kicked off their anniversary month with a keg of two and some cask beer. They are ending it with a free bottle of Darkness!

And speaking of Grumpy’s, there is a new Grumpy’s in Roseville. They have taken over the old Majors location at 2801 Snelling Ave N. They have Bender on tap and Furious in the can. A couple events at the Happy Gnome are coming up. First up, Firkin Fest, an outdoor event that will have cask ales from breweries across the Midwest. The date is March 16th. Todd has some ideas for some great casks that we have not poured anywhere else.

Next up is the Surly Beer Dinner at the Gnome, April 15th. Call 651.287.2018 for tickets and details about both events. Who says the Gnome doesn’t get enough Surly beer events? The Surly crew will be up in Duluth/Superior for the Gitchee Gumee beer festival. See you up there.

Tours are still a ways off. We finished epoxying the floors this weekend, now all we need is 6 new tanks. Any day now…. After we get them in place, we will get tours rolling again. Because the tours have become so popular, we will be retooling how they run. Looks like we might start a weekly tour and limit the number to 50-100 people. I’ll let you know when we figure out the details.

We are also waiting for some kegs to roll in. When that happens, we will be able to add a few more bars to our account list. We have been pretty tight on kegs for a number of months, so that has been limiting our expansion in to new bar and restaurants.

Speaking of kegs, last week was an interesting one. I found out that a few people in the industry have accused Surly of stealing kegs. Most people quickly saw this for what it was - an unfounded rumor. As someone that always has and always will operate with integrity, there is no other way to feel about this other than outraged. We don’t steal kegs, period. Oh well, it’s an interesting business. See you drinking,Omar

Beer aficionado wins lifetime supply

This article was posted on Beer Advocate.com, but I thought that you would enjoy.

Sean





Matt Venzke of Yorktown, Virginia Wins 2008 Beerdrinker of the Year Contest
Posted by: Todd on Thursday - February 28, 2008 - 16:04 UTC

Virginia man wins Wynkoop Brewing Company's 12th annual search for America's ultimate beer fiend

(Denver, Colorado) - Matt Venzke, an avid beer lover from Yorktown, Virginia, has been crowned the winner of Wynkoop Brewing Company's 2008 Beerdrinker of the Year contest.

Venzke, an aircraft maintenance manager, won the title in the hotly
contested National Finals on Saturday, February 23, at Wynkoop Brewing Company. This was his fourth time at entering the contest, he was a semifinalist last year.

"For four years," Venzke said, "it's been a dream of mine to win the Beerdrinker of the Year title. It's great to now be recognized by the judges and previous winners. I'm proud to be among this very select group of beer lovers."

"I feel like I've been given a flag to carry," Venzke adds, "for all of the great things beer has to offer."

Venzke's home beer bar is The Taphouse on Queensway in Hampton, Virginia. He is the second consecutive Virginia resident to win the competition. (Diane Catanzaro of Norfolk, Virginia was the 2007 Beerdrinker of the Year.)

Venzke beat out finalists J Mark Angelus (of Nehalem, Oregon) and Richard Pedretti-Allen (McKinney, Texas). He landed the title with a combination of impressive beer drinking experiences, humor and beer ambassadorship.

Venzke's resume boasted of many beer drinking experiences. Venzke has visited 454 breweries in 16 nations and 39 states. Over the past five years, he has recorded tasting notes on over 3200 different beers in 69 different styles.

He logged 3,000 miles in 2007 while traveling to breweries across North America. While stationed in alcohol-free Kuwait on a military deployment a few years ago, Venzke conducted a tasting of 17 non-alcohol beers.

Questions from the Finals judges elicited some revealing info from Venzke. When asked what he's doing to get around the current ban on carry-on beer for US air travelers, Venzke winkingly cited an upcoming effort to petition US brewers to start packaging beer in 3-ounce portions.

His will, Venzke said, includes instructions for him to be cremated and his ashes used in a beer brewed for his wake. ("I've instructed my wife," Venzke stated, "to tell people at the ceremony, 'Matt is more a part of you than you think.'")

The finalists weathered two hours of difficult questions from the judge panel, which included five previous Beerdrinker of the Year winners, Oregon beer writer Lisa Morrison, Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO) beer columnist Jay Dedrick, and Wynkoop head brewer Thomas Larsen.



As the 2008 Beerdrinker of the Year, Venzke wins free beer for life at Wynkoop Brewing Company, a $250 beer tab at the Taphouse on Queensway, and the opportunity to brew a special beer with Larsen for next year's Beerdrinker of the Year event.

He also won clothing proclaiming him the 2008 Beerdrinker of the Year, a place on Wynkoop's Beerdrinker of the Year trophy, and the glory that comes with the lofty title of Beerdrinker of the Year.

The resume review panel for the 2008 Beerdrinker of the Year search was comprised of the nation's top beer writers and beer experts, and previous Beerdrinker of the Year winners.

Wynkoop Brewing Company was founded in 1988 by current Denver mayor John Hickenlooper. One of America's first and most revered brewpubs, Wynkoop was a major catalyst in the revitalization of the previously neglected Lower Downtown section of Denver.

For interviews with Venzke and more information on Beerdrinker of the Year, contact Marty Jones at martysjones@att.net .

For more details on the Beerdrinker of the Year search and Wynkoop Brewing Company, visit http://www.wynkoop.com

###

Todd
Founder & Chief Executive Advocate
BeerAdvocate

New Beer from Cape Ann Brewing

The news around town is that Cape Ann Brewing just released two new beers. Try them if you can find them.

Sean
2Beerguys.com

Drink Craft Beer, You've Earned It!!



Fisherman's Tea Party - a barley wine made with 3 different styles of tea that were amongst the types dumped during the Boston Tea Party. If you can guess all three types you win a big kiss from our main man TJ. 9.0% ABV

Fisherman's Greenhorn Double IPA - at 112 IBU's and generously hop-backed with Simcoe whole hops, this is sure to please the hop-head that lives in all of us. 9.0%ABV

SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience

The Brewers Association, producers of the Great American Beer Festival, is bringing the quintessential craft beer and food event to Washington D.C. in celebration of American Craft Beer Week.

A must attend for craft beer aficionados and foodies alike, SAVOR will offer a memorable craft beer and food experience to a limited number of attendees under the columned archways of the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium.

There will be no tickets available at the door. All tickets must be purchased in advance.


From Harpoon:

On May 16th and 17th the Brewers Association is bringing "the quintessential craft beer and food event" to Washington D.C. in celebration of American Craft Beer Week.

If you're interested in food and beer pairings, then this is an event not to be missed. Harpoon will be there, of course! We'll be serving IPA and UFO each paired with different delicious dishes.

This event will sell out and you must purchase tickets in advance. To buy tickets and for more information, visit http://beertown.org/events/SAVOR/index.html.



Join Dogfish at SAVOR!‏

Enjoy beer? Eat food?

If so, you'll want to join Dogfish Head and a handful of other great breweries at "SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience" May 16-17, 2008 in Washington, D.C.

This new event is from the folks at the Brewers Association (the same folks that bring us the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, CO every fall!) and tickets are on sale now!

SAVOR will feature two Educational Salons and presentations by brewers, journalists and chefs who have helped further the American craft beer revolution. Beer booths at SAVOR will be manned by real, live brewers and brewery employees, and brewery owners, so bring your questions!

We hope to see you at this premiere East Coast beer event.

Cheers,

Mariah Calagione
Dogfish Head





From Sam Adams

Samuel Adams is proud to participate in the Brewers Association's inaugural event - SAVOR: An American Craft Beer and Food Experience in Washington D.C, May 16-17, 2008. This is going to be an amazing event and a must attend for craft beer aficionados and foodies alike.

Here are two examples of the delicious food & beer pairings we'll be featuring:

Samuel Adams Boston Lager - pan-seared pilsener sirloin tips with shitake blue-cheese sauce

Samuel Adams Summer Ale - shellfish-free "crab" cakes. Spicy cakes made with white and red fish, coconut, onion, garlic, red pepper and herbs. Sautéed and served with mild Cajun sauce.

It's an intimate setting, with 48 breweries and only 700 tickets available per session. Along with fantastic beer and food pairings there will be opportunities to meet the brewers and owners of the 48 participating breweries. Two educational salons will be available each session - guaranteed to deepen your appreciation and understanding of craft beer and food pairings.

For tickets and more information visit www.savorcraftbeer.com.


Flying Dog

Flying Dog Brewery to Pour and Pair at SAVOR – An American Craft Beer & Food Experience

48 American Craft Brewers Gather to Harmonize Craft Beer with Food in May

FREDERICK, MD – February 14, 2008 – Flying Dog Brewery leads a group of over four dozen independent, American craft brewers from across the country that have been selected to showcase the pleasures of fine food enjoyed with great beer in Washington D.C. later this year. SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, May 16-17, 2008, will highlight the culinary delights of beer as part of the Brewers Association's annual American Craft Beer Week celebrations.

Flying Dog will serve Kerberos Tripel, paired with Peking Duck Purses and Gonzo Imperial Porter paired with Christopher Elbow Spiced Artisan Chocolates at SAVOR. “We have been promoting this emerging trend of pairing food with craft beer through our website, beerdinners.com, so it was a natural fit for us to participate in SAVOR,” said Neal Stewart, Flying Dog Brewery’s director of marketing.

Today, American beers are judged to be among the world’s best and have earned a respected place at the table alongside wine. In fact, two-thirds of today’s wine drinkers consume beer. This past summer National Public Radio observed, "Beer has gone from the House of Commons to the House of the Lords.” Additionally, Gallup in July 2007 confirmed beer is still the most popular adult beverage in the U.S.*

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information on Flying Dog Brewery and beer and food pairings, visit: www.flyingdogales.com or www.beerdinners.com and for more information on SAVOR visit http://www.SavorCraftBeer.com.

Harpoon ST. PATRICK'S festival information

The weekend of Harpoon St. Patrick's Festival - March 7th and March 8th - is finally upon us. Time to get your green face paint, your favorite green hat, and your finest greenery and get your green self on over to the Brewery to enjoy some serious non-green Harpoon beers.

Join us at the Harpoon St. Patrick's Festival for a celebration that will have you getting jiggy with it once again. We'll all be able to prove just how easy it is 'being green'.

Here are the details:

WHEN?
Friday, March 7, 5:30 to 11:00 pm (Doors close at 9:30 pm)
Saturday, March 8, 2:00 to 9:00 PM (Doors close at 7:30 PM)
Come early - Limited capacity! Rain or shine.

WHERE?
Here at our Boston brewery. 306 Northern Ave., Boston.

WHAT ELSE?
$15 cover charge includes souvenir cup. Cash bar.
You must be 21 years or older with proper ID to attend.


Visit www.harpoonbrewery.com or call 888-HARPOON ext. 3 for more details.

*FRIDAY NIGHT FRIEND OF HARPOON ST. PATRICK'S FESTIVAL SPECIAL*
On the Friday night of our St. Patrick's Festival, present your Friend of Harpoon Card and receive 2 for 1 entry! Don't forget to bring your Friend of Harpoon card both days, so you can get in the faster Friend of Harpoon entrance. However, if the tent is at capacity, you must wait in line.

Lucky Kat - Magic Hat

Ok, Magic Hat just released a new beer called Lucky Kat.

Type: Irresistible Pale Ale
Yeast: English Ale
Alcohol: 5.8
IBUs: 58
SRM: 18.0
Gravity: 1.056
Malts: Pale, Munich, Crystal
Hops: Amarillo, Crystal - Dry-hopped with Amarillo and Crystal.

Please check out this link and click on "The story". It's rather amusing and kinda freaky :)
http://www.magichat.net/luckykat/