tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54907867509592303142024-03-05T04:25:09.844-05:00Hoppy MoonA blog devoted to craft beer and homebrewing with a focus on farmhouse and wild beer.Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-48094744427858512792012-02-12T20:11:00.002-05:002012-02-12T20:14:17.854-05:00New BlogSince this blog, "Hoppy Moon," was originally designed to update people on Amy and I's beer advocate of a honeymoon, I've decided it was time for a new name and URL associated with what I plan to blog about going forward. From now on, new posts will appear on my new blog -- <a href="http://spontaneousfunk.blogspot.com/">Spontaneous Funk</a>. Facebook and Twitter updates for new postings will occur under the new name from the new website. Thanks for reading. Cheers!Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-75081799534095929492012-02-07T08:03:00.004-05:002012-02-07T08:09:39.740-05:00Rusian River Torando 25th Anniversary<div style="text-align: justify;">Russian River is set to release Toronado's 25th Anniversary Ale this year. The beer will be called Oe Ta Meulick. This will be a follow-up to the wildly-successfully Toronado 20th Anniversary Ale, aka T20 (<a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/863/38094/">BeerAdvocate</a>). Here is a description and photo of the label, courtesy of <a href="http://beerstreetjournal.com/toronado-russian-river-create-oe-ta-meulick/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Beer Street Journal</span></a>:<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nP0llLs-hAEOv8mLcGMPAtiTWC1y7UCTyhxHhWlauZQA873pzdWEgbLHRRZsyusJWMfd0STWTC1mTbo4Cz0DgX1qQSbYriTk3w3KcR6_RfzW2AN8c0_Itf069TsoB0IpGS4lG3y1cmQ/s1600/Russian-River-Toronado-25th.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 237px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nP0llLs-hAEOv8mLcGMPAtiTWC1y7UCTyhxHhWlauZQA873pzdWEgbLHRRZsyusJWMfd0STWTC1mTbo4Cz0DgX1qQSbYriTk3w3KcR6_RfzW2AN8c0_Itf069TsoB0IpGS4lG3y1cmQ/s320/Russian-River-Toronado-25th.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706379621445775730" border="0" /></a><em></em><blockquote><em>Toronado 25th Anniversary Ale started out as six individual brews, each with their own personality, and all incorporating Brettanomyces and or micro-organisms. Once the barrel aging was complete, Russian River’s Vinnie Cilurzo and Toronado’s David Keene got together to create the final blend. To create its fine carbonation, we re fermented the Toronado 25th Anniversary Ale in this bottle. Spent yeast cells from a thin layer of sediment in the bottom of the bottle. Pour slowly, allowing the natural yeast sediment to remain in the bottle. </em></blockquote>This has the makings of a big year for Russian River, as they will also be releasing their Brett-fermented collaboration with Sierra Nevada this summer, via Sierra Nevada's distribution chain. The collaboration was fermented with Brett B., and will be called "<a href="http://beernews.org/2012/01/brux-domesticated-wild-ale-sierra-nevada-russian-river-collab-label-approved/">Brux</a>."<br /></div>Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-13220877815653606302012-02-06T16:56:00.004-05:002012-02-06T17:00:31.860-05:00Allagash CoolshipAllagash looks to be preparing another batch of Coolship Red. Rob Tod a few pictures today, including photos of unlabeled corked and caged bottles, as well as of the blending session.<br /><br />Resting bottles:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDut3q-udgJXzwgxloWm2FkNf3RToxLmDCVt9g_VNOdQ2GTTQrpbcTx9_2DdrvmEoQVB_ylxjihqAvmVpDTgnhS628dNUBvYZxywkzDhIjXSMjLR9ARqKbAko02mBtMQ9e-pUkrdXjPY/s1600/Coolship+Red+Bottles.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDut3q-udgJXzwgxloWm2FkNf3RToxLmDCVt9g_VNOdQ2GTTQrpbcTx9_2DdrvmEoQVB_ylxjihqAvmVpDTgnhS628dNUBvYZxywkzDhIjXSMjLR9ARqKbAko02mBtMQ9e-pUkrdXjPY/s320/Coolship+Red+Bottles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706145481759338034" border="0" /></a><br />Blending:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACYHTWusscBbsA4m2wqmZUcQQ5B9AlNJ_cmnrBrzqnN0wDIFjkEqfc7tV1Qv0VHTxzhNjR38TX6gf77b4GhtLfIuJAIxIF7F4AlAL2vAXlSxYU5HyZECSv-pmO7JPYcuRjdJlYAed6pc/s1600/Coolship+Red+Blending.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACYHTWusscBbsA4m2wqmZUcQQ5B9AlNJ_cmnrBrzqnN0wDIFjkEqfc7tV1Qv0VHTxzhNjR38TX6gf77b4GhtLfIuJAIxIF7F4AlAL2vAXlSxYU5HyZECSv-pmO7JPYcuRjdJlYAed6pc/s320/Coolship+Red+Blending.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706145572287684994" border="0" /></a><br />Pictures via Rob Tod's <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/allagashbeer">Twitter feed</a>.Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-8679775779627202112012-02-02T16:16:00.003-05:002012-02-02T16:19:56.715-05:00New Allagash BeersAllagash is set to release two new beers in the coming months. The first -- Saison Mihm -- will be an 8% saison with Maine honey. The second -- Old HLT -- will be a wild ale with cherries. Saison Mihm will be draft-only, whereas Old HLT will be draft-only to start, followed by a limited 375mL bottle release at Allagash's store in Portland, ME. Here's the Old HLT label:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKKKOl-90qckpQpzaxgx9A1vDLvj4nPTNXYKPlmDvQ9jyiLRvRsn-gCTU5gPtUofGIJJGW9NvsVDZBbqLk-or17eHDjM9Oep6ATx7p5cVlpRWeuUuFafqBkGYbU1p4oFE__kQxAuAA50/s1600/OldHLT.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKKKOl-90qckpQpzaxgx9A1vDLvj4nPTNXYKPlmDvQ9jyiLRvRsn-gCTU5gPtUofGIJJGW9NvsVDZBbqLk-or17eHDjM9Oep6ATx7p5cVlpRWeuUuFafqBkGYbU1p4oFE__kQxAuAA50/s320/OldHLT.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704650949088090274" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks to <a href="http://beernews.org/2012/02/allagash-brewing-update-saison-mihm-old-hlt-expansion/">Beernews.org</a> for the scoop and label.Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-3441828099970044082012-01-31T12:38:00.006-05:002012-01-31T12:44:43.573-05:00Hill Farmstead Barrel-Aged BeersShaun Hill revealed on Hill Farmstead's <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/hillfarmstead">Facebook page</a> today that he just received some Niepoort Port barrels, and is likely to fill them with an imperial stout and a barleywine. Judging by Hill Farmstead's barrel-aged lineup to date -- as well as basically everything that Shaun has done -- the beers should be fantastic.<br /><br />The was followed by news <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/HillFarmstead">via Twitter</a> that Shaun also got some Pappy barrels:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnKynMX-wXkvCwPWBtd1PDMPI9QvdH3ivAL3reOTN-zgOeUnCl4sUC7AqeYUr_l2Epof_zr30_3HPtrE2X6ZZBvI2IHDlcCQGO7TskpmwX_TCoFMPjcLXzJ7pEQCw6krwSfTrNJRO4dw/s1600/HF+barrels.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnKynMX-wXkvCwPWBtd1PDMPI9QvdH3ivAL3reOTN-zgOeUnCl4sUC7AqeYUr_l2Epof_zr30_3HPtrE2X6ZZBvI2IHDlcCQGO7TskpmwX_TCoFMPjcLXzJ7pEQCw6krwSfTrNJRO4dw/s320/HF+barrels.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703853032478937042" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Joyous times are ahead.Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-56349659531609009782012-01-31T11:19:00.002-05:002012-01-31T11:22:56.848-05:00New Fermenter for CascadeOregon Live recently posted a <a href="http://blog.oregonlive.com/thebeerhere/2012/01/brewerly_ingenuity_or_how_to_r.html">piece</a> on Cascade's new fermenter, excerpted below. Let's hope their prediction regarding Cascade Noyeaux is correct, as the beer has received excellent ratings and sounds like another gem from Portland. The description, courtesy of the BeerAdvocate <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2391/56333">profile page</a>:<br /><blockquote>This one-of-a-kind NW sour is a blend of Belgian strong blondes aged in white port barrels with raspberries, then blended with select barrels of strong blondes that were aged on the toasted meat from the apricot nut, or Noyeaux.</blockquote>Noyeaux is currently #19 on BeerAdvocate's <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/lists/style/171">top American Wild Ales list</a>. Here's the full excerpt from Oregon Live:<br /><blockquote>Ron Gansberg at the Cascade Barrel House wanted a 100-barrel fermenter (3100 gallons) in which to store the brewery's big-selling blends such as Kriek, Apricot and Noyeaux, but the diameter of such a vessel was too much for the available floor space. But if he went tall --- 18 feet tall --- he could just squeeze the tank into the taller portion of the brewery under the clerestory. That was no problem to Charlie Frye at Metalcraft Fabrication, and yesterday, Ron, Preston, Curtis and Beck raised the new tank, along with two forklifts, dollys, pallet jacks, a come-along, a dozen shackles, a few fathoms of strapping and my occasional help. It took four hours and was a shining example of brewerly ingenuity.</blockquote>Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-87146015719881077902012-01-31T10:16:00.000-05:002012-01-31T10:19:37.665-05:00Hair of the Dog / De ProefHair of the Dog and De Proef will be collaborating on a Flanders Red as part of De Proef's collaboration series. According to an <a href="http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-28161-hair_of_the_dog_heads_to_belgium.html">article</a> from Willamette Week, the beer will be named Flanders Fred, in reference to HotD's own Fred, which itself is an homage to craft-beer legend Fred Eckhardt. A summary of what's expected:<blockquote>Expect the result to pack a tart cherry sourness and bone-warming boozy heat. It'll be perfect for aging, too. Too bad we won’t get to try it until this summer, as Sprints won’t actually brew the batch of Fred in Belgium until March. The collaboration beer should first see release through the former <a href="http://rarebeerclub.beveragebistro.com/rare_selection.html" target="_blank">Michael Jackson Rare Beer Club</a> in June, with full U.S. release in July.</blockquote><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Eckhardt" target="_blank"></a>Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-71289332724782424462012-01-30T14:01:00.002-05:002012-02-07T06:57:23.510-05:00Lambic News<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTD91a0tAXphnKQBBews8AXeIcTk0iHGDJmnFRGNCnHe4-wZ1aUUvb3imc7AnIdpBplk3cThbBfuayMlobfe5nSjCeD2Ol7IeJGdFMZjwnwZC69eHXT5r1wfktJnlNf-DXfgo7Gw3ipTk/s1600/Cantillon+Amphoras.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTD91a0tAXphnKQBBews8AXeIcTk0iHGDJmnFRGNCnHe4-wZ1aUUvb3imc7AnIdpBplk3cThbBfuayMlobfe5nSjCeD2Ol7IeJGdFMZjwnwZC69eHXT5r1wfktJnlNf-DXfgo7Gw3ipTk/s320/Cantillon+Amphoras.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706361492142791154" border="0" /></a><br />Cantillon recently let fans know that they are reviving the old practice of utilizing amphoras, aka clay pots, for lambic fermentation. Read the story <a href="http://www.cantillon.be/br/3_22">here</a>. Additional pictures of the practice were posted on Cantillion's <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.311436532241663.126789.110627652322553&type=1">Facebook page</a>. A preview image is above.<br /><br />In other lambic news, <a href="http://desdemoor.co.uk/boon-meerts-tilquin/">here's</a> a tidbit on the somewhat-lost tradition of Meerts, which is essentially a table lambic made from the second runnings of a lambic mash. It's something I'd like to try brewing in the near future.Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-82847841633047448432011-08-08T09:47:00.001-04:002011-08-08T16:13:33.596-04:00Daily Beer Digest -- 08.08.2011The Brewers Association <a href="http://beernews.org/2011/08/brewers-association-reports-craft-beer-up-15-in-1st-half-2011/">reports</a> that U.S. craft beer growth is up 15% in terms of dollars and 14% in terms of volume over last year. The number of breweries in planning has also increased nearly two-fold from the same point last year.
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<br />The Chicago Tribune has an <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/sc-food-0805-drink-gypsy-brewing-20110807,0,2875556.story">article</a> about gypsy brewing, focusing on Stillwater.
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<br />Three Floyds got approval for its <a href="http://beernews.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/FFF_12ozZombieDustFINAL1.png">Zombie Dust label</a>. The label confirms that the brew will be available in 12-ounce bottles. Thanks to Beernews for the image.
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<br />Alan Sprints of Hair of the Dog gave an update to the Brewing Network on his barrel-aged collaboration with Deschutes. A <a href="http://beernews.org/2011/08/conflux-no-01-hair-of-the-dog-deschutes-collaboration-update/">transcript</a> of that portion of his talk is available via Beernews.
<br />Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-89860570059560511912011-08-04T09:59:00.001-04:002011-08-04T16:27:44.658-04:00Daily Beer Digest -- 08.04.2011Today is <a href="http://ipaday.eventbrite.com/">International IPA Day</a>.<br /><br />Stillwater is <a href="http://beernews.org/2011/08/new-beer-labels-stillwater-wolverine-rising-tide-full-pint-and-more/">releasing</a> an oak wine barrel-aged version of Cellar Door. This is part of its barrel-aged series; the brewery previously got <a href="http://beernews.org/2011/07/new-beer-labels-stillwater-dunedin-lavery-three-monkeys/">label approval</a> for a bourbon barrel-aged version of Existent.<br /><br />Miller Lite has a <a href="http://adage.com/article/news/miller-lite-sales-decline-analysts-point-marketing/229059/">problem with sales</a>. Vortex bottle and triple hops brewed no longer effective selling points? That's too bad. Granted, this is from an advertising periodical, but I love how the article points out that the solution isn't making a better beer, but "to find marketing solutions" to the problem. Miller is on top of the problem, though, assuming "record rainfall" doesn't "limit beer occasions" in future quarters. <br /><br />The Bruery has been active on Twitter lately, posting a <a href="http://twitpic.com/60jh68">photo</a> of their raspberry sour blending session, as well as a <a href="http://twitpic.com/60iqrk">photo</a> of the groundbreaking for their new warehouse, which will hold a whole bunch of new barrels. The barrel-room expansion was discussed previously <a href="http://hoppymoon.blogspot.com/2011/05/daily-beer-digest-05192011.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Hair of the Dog's <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/173/20767">Adam from the Wood</a> debuts on the Beer Advocate Top 100 at #94 with 21 reviews and a 4.63 average.Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-78609290821343763682011-08-03T15:54:00.001-04:002011-08-03T17:01:31.853-04:00Daily Beer Digest -- 08.03.2011Embrace The Funk has a<a href="http://embracethefunk.com/2011/08/02/vinnie-cilurzo-of-russian-river-qa/"> short interview</a> with Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River. In it, Vinnie states that Framboise for a Cure should be released again this October.<br /><br />The ninth installment of Avery's barrel-aged sour series, Immitis, <a href="http://beernews.org/2011/08/new-beer-labels-avery-capital-hess-heretic-venturas-surf-and-more/">will be</a> a dark sour in Zinfandel barrels.<br /><br />New Belgium will make its <a href="http://dcbeer.com/2011/08/03/new-belgium-dc-launch-details-when-and-what-newbelgium/">official launch in DC</a> on August 22, 2011. Bombers to start with kegs to follow.<br /><br />DRAFT Magazine has an <a href="http://draftmag.com/beereditor/meet-the-white-ipa/">article</a> on the "white IPA" from Boulevard and Deschutes. Is this the next IPA iteration? Aside from the standard, we already have black, red, and brown.<br /><br />SweetWater is <a href="http://sweetwaterbrew.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/sweetwaters-expansion-is-in-full-swing-check-out-the-rendering-of-what-itll-look-like/">expanding its capacity</a> to 500,000 barrels.<br /><br />Stone is <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/forum/read/3971611">finally debuting</a> its Quingenti Millilitre series, which consists of 500mL bottles of limited beers. The first installment is a barrel-aged version of the Ken Schmidt / Maui / Stone Kona Coffee Macadamia Coconut Porter.<br /><br />Seattle Mariners pitcher Chris Ray teamed up with Femont Brewing to <a href="http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/story/_/id/6829972/brewing-company-makes-beer-flavored-mariners-maple-bats">put together</a> an IPA that was partially aged with baseball bats.<br /><br />White Labs' "<a href="http://www.whitelabs.com/beer/new_strain.html">San Diego Super Yeast</a>" (WLP090) is starting to make the rounds. This is a strain that is fairly similar to the standard California Ale (WLP001; Wyeast 1056) yeast, but features faster fermentation times and higher attenuation.<br /><br />As of April of this year, it looks like Surly still had at least <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56966630@N07/5842608179/">one keg</a> of Darkness '07 around.Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-33869650785823163822011-08-02T13:53:00.000-04:002011-08-02T13:55:15.667-04:00BelgiumAmy and I are headed to Belgium one month from today, which I'm quite excited about. There's nothing like looking forward to a week of spending nearly every morning at either Cantillon or Drie Fonteinen, then proceeding to go visit Trappist breweries and other beer-related goodies.Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-6672439501253850862011-08-02T07:18:00.000-04:002011-08-02T17:38:26.739-04:00Daily Beer Digest -- 08.02.2011Anchorage Brewing will be <a href="http://www.thebeerspot.com/news/article/2011/08/two-new-beers-coming-from-anchorage-brewing">releasing two more Brett beers</a> through the Shelton Brothers soon. The first is a Belgian Double IPA that is aged in Chardonnay barrels with Brett. The second is a saison with hibiscus and other goodies, then aged in Pinot Noir barrels with Brett.<br /><br />Charlie Papzian <a href="http://www.examiner.com/beer-in-national/pilsener-lager-beer-the-usa">explains</a> the history of adjunct lagers in the United States and why our mass-produced lagers don't replicate the original European styles.Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-39671976908618384772011-08-01T10:21:00.001-04:002011-08-01T16:32:42.865-04:00Daily Beer Digest -- 08.01.2011Bloomberg has a <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/video/72805872/">video</a> with a profile of Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione.<br /><br />It <a href="http://twitpic.com/5zgfo5">looks like</a> The Bruery did some sour barrel blending today.Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-77650745747466515332011-07-29T08:26:00.000-04:002011-07-29T16:42:27.601-04:00Daily Beer Digest -- 07.29.2011Keeping with the pattern of thinking that daily is once or twice a month:<br /><br />Good day for beer. Received my order from <a href="http://www.blackwellswines.com/">Blackwell's</a> complete with <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24940/66503/?ba=Falcon91Wolvrn03">Almanac Summer 2010 Vintage - Blackberry</a>, Russian River Consecration, and <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/812/2749">Marin White Knuckle Double IPA</a>. Also stopped by Whole Foods to pick up bottles of <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24903/70194">Anchorage Whiteout Wit</a> and <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22150/70001">Stillwater / Brewer's Art Debutante</a>.<br /><br />Anheuser-Busch <a href="http://beernews.org/2011/07/goose-island-to-split-312-urban-wheat-brewing-duties-with-anheuser-busch/">will take over some of the responsibility for brewing Goose Island's 312</a>, which isn't a bad thing at all as far as I'm concerned. Why? This means that Goose Island is going to bring back Nut Brown and Christmas Ale, and will also have more room for barrel-aged beers and sours.<br /><br />This <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/stew/chi-goose-island-312-goose-island-moves-production-of-312-to-new-york-20110729,0,6702143.story">article</a> from the Chicago Tribune provides a bit more info, including John Hall's hope to build a large brewery in Chicago in a few years, bringing all of Goose Island's production back to the Windy City. Additionally, the article reveals that Anheuser has already put $3 million into Goose Island's existing Fulton Street brewery.<br /><br />Cigar City and Mikkeller are collaborating on a quadrupel aged with all sorts of tropical fruits (<a href="http://beernews.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/mikkeller_Quad.US_.proof-575.png">label</a>). And that's the most-normal thing about it. The official description (from <a href="http://beernews.org/2011/07/mikkeller-collaboration-with-cigar-city-and-happy-lovin-christmas-to-debut-this-fall/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+beerpulse+%28Beernews.org+%C2%BB+The+Craft+Beer+News+Leader%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">Beernews</a>): "The Quad is a Belgian-Style Ale made in collaboration with <strong style="font-weight: normal;">Cigar City Brewing</strong>. It was brewed with Citra and Simcoe hops and aged in Grand Marnier barrels with papaya, mango and Brettanomyces claussenii. It will be released in 500 ML bottles.” The beer was brewed at Amager Bryghus in Denmark."<br /><br />Cigar City <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=241865992500153&set=a.203395099680576.47405.200038243349595&type=1&comments">bottled</a> rum-barrel Hunahpu's.<br /><br />Ithaca is <a href="http://www.usabeertrends.com/2011/07/28/ithaca-announces-excelsior-brut-release/">releasing Brute today</a> with a case-per-person limit.<br /><br />An interesting <a href="http://www.thirstypilgrim.com/2011/07/riffing-on-beer-terroir-scents-of-place.html">article</a> with thoughts on the subjects of beer <span style="font-style: italic;">terroir</span> and Belgian beer (primarily on innovators such as Struise and Alvinne) over at the Thirsty Pilgrim. The blog entry links to an <a href="http://draftmag.com/features/the-dirt-on-terroir/">in-depth article</a> over at Draft Magazine.<br /><br />Alexandria's own Port City has the <a href="http://beernews.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/PCBC-Oktoberfest-keg-label.png">keg label</a> ready for its first seasonal, an Port City Oktoberfest.<br /><br />In other local news, Virginia<a href="http://beernews.org/2011/07/beer-notes-sierra-nevada-port-brewing-brewdog-epic-surly-rochester-stillwater/"> may have charged ahead</a> in the hunt to become the destination for Sierra Nevada's East Coast brewery.<br /><br />De Struise to <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/forum/read/3959754">open a shop</a> in Bruges.Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-6045903545519985992011-07-14T15:07:00.000-04:002011-07-14T15:18:07.692-04:00Blue Point ESBBlue Point finally, finally, finally re-releases their highly-acclaimed Extra Special Bitter. It's currently on draft at the Bronx Ale House in New York, and will hopefully be making the rounds. If anyone can get a growler, please help out. <br /><br />As background, Blue Point's ESB is the <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/lists/style/66">#1-ranked ESB</a> on Beer Advocate. I have long argued that it is retired, given that it has not been reviewed on either Beer Advocate or Rate Beer for over two years. If I can get a growler, I'll surely change that.Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-31753013380647044542011-06-29T11:44:00.000-04:002011-06-29T17:17:31.371-04:00Daily Beer Digest -- 06.29.2011Flying Dog now has a partial victory in its battle with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. Yesterday, the Commission reversed its earlier decision banning Flying Dog's signature Raging Bitch Belgian IPA because of the name and supposedly graphic artwork. Flying Dog previously filed a lawsuit in federal court in Michigan, alleging violation of its First Amendment rights. The brewery's <a href="http://flyingdogales.com/victory-for-raging-bitch-but-our-first-amendment-fight-with-michigan-rages-on/">blog indicates</a> that the lawsuit will still go forward as the brewery seeks to vindicate the rights of breweries to engage in free speech, and also seeks damages for lost sales during the period in which the beer was banned.<br /><br />Top 100 News: Funky Buddha's "<a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16410/69935">No Crust</a>" debuts on Beer Advocate's Top 100 list at #97 with a 4.79 average (14 reviews).<br /><br />The <span style="font-style: italic;">Wall Street Journal</span> has an <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303936704576398152845003050.html?mod=ITP_offduty_2">article</a> on session beer, recommending Troegs Sunshine Pils, Full Sail Session Black Lager, Great Divide Samurai, Deschutes Twilight Summer Ale, and Sixpoint Sweet Action.<br /><br />Short's and Dogfish Head have a<a href="http://www.shortsbrewing.com/2011/06/dogfish-head-and-shorts-to-release-their-first-collaboration-brew/"> new collaboration coming out</a> -- a Baltic Porter base that includes Delaware <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunus_maritima">beach plums</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horehound">horehound</a> from Michigan, and some red popcorn sent in by Nick Floyd at Three Floyds. <br /><br />The Bruery makes beer geeks everywhere salivate with a <a href="http://ow.ly/i/dF32">photo</a> of their barrel room.Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-89292152406595768522011-05-19T17:19:00.001-04:002011-05-19T17:44:21.231-04:00Daily Beer Digest -- 05.19.2011Back at it, yet again with a big day for news.<br /><br />The Bruery announced its <a href="http://www.thebruery.com/about/pressreleases/releasequercusmaximus.html">Project Quercus Maximus</a>. The highlight is that the brewery has leased a new warehouse that will hold THOUSANDS of barrels for an expanded barrel series. With this, The Bruery will be cutting Orchard White from production and making Rugbrod available only in the fall and winter. Hottenroth will be available in the spring and summer.<br /><br />New Belgium -- following in the footsteps of Sierra Nevada's recent announcement -- also <a href="http://blogs.westword.com/cafesociety/2011/05/new_belgium_plans_a_second_bre.php">plans to open an East Coast brewery</a>. This will increase production and reduce the environmental impact of sending beer to the East Coast. This falls on the hells of the brewery's announcement that it will expand its distribution to Virginia, DC, and Maryland by the end of 2011.Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-13416508975680027642011-05-05T10:43:00.001-04:002011-05-06T08:14:55.908-04:00Daily Beer Digest - 05.05.2011Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) <a href="http://beernews.org/2011/05/boston-beer-co-q1-2011-core-shipments-up-10/">announced that its shipments were up 10%</a> in the first quarter of 2011.<div><br /></div><div>Founders line of 750mL releases -- the "Backstage Series" -- will start up this summer with the <a href="http://beernews.org/2011/05/founders-backstage-series-debuts-this-summer-with-return-of-blushing-monk/">return of Blushing Monk</a>, a Belgian-style beer with raspberries. Future beers will include some of the "one-off" beers from Founders' taproom, though there was no mention of any beers in particular. While CBS and Black Biscuit are not taproom-only, we can all hope those will be part of the series at some point.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cigar City <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=691856&id=200038243349595">bottled Batch 4 of 110k+OT </a>today. The beer will be a hoppy imperial amber.</div>Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-4053575199142582122011-04-26T12:14:00.000-04:002011-04-26T18:43:35.786-04:00Daily Beer Digest - 04.26.2011Miller plans on releasing a version of the already-atrocious <a href="http://beernews.org/2011/04/mgd-64-lemonade-low-calorie-beers-now-come-in-flavors/">MGD 64 with a "nice" twist</a>--"natural lemon flavor" and sucralose aka Splenda. Wow. Really, I mean, <a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/147969/saturday-night-live-really-with-seth-amy-and-tina">REALLY?!?! (Hulu SNL Video).</a>Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-48468183867960970822011-04-21T16:32:00.000-04:002011-04-21T16:43:59.736-04:00Daily Beer Digest -- 04.21.2011Growth updates: Stone <a href="http://beernews.org/2011/04/stone-brewing-up-42-in-q1-and-other-brewery-notes/">grew 42% in Q1 2011</a>, while Dogfish <a href="http://beernews.org/2011/04/dogfish-head-update-sales-up-25-in-q1-black-and-red-hellhound-on-my-ale/">grew 25% </a>in the same quarter. Dogfish hopes to level out at a "lower" level like this for a smoother growing process.<br /><br />John Trogner, one of the "Troegs" brothers, is <a href="http://www.stonebrew.com/calendar/default.asp?intEventsID=1575">helping Stone brew a Cherry Chocolate Stout</a> with the winners of Stone's recent AHA contest.Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-28019901452052368162011-04-14T14:30:00.001-04:002011-04-14T17:51:22.022-04:00Daily Beer Digest - 04.14.2011Late on quite a few updates.<br /><br />Bell's announced that they'll <a href="http://www.bellsbeer.com/news/24-Bell%27s%20Brewery%20to%20Begin%20Bottle%20Dating%20Late%20April%202011">begin having bottled on dates</a> on their labels in addition to the batch number. For expiration dates, they'll have an A,B,C system for beers that will expire in 6 months, 12 months, or never, respectively. They've started experimenting with this and expect all bottles to have this labeling starting in late April.<br /><br />The Brewers Association released the<a href="http://beernews.org/2011/04/brewers-association-reveals-2010-top-50-breweries/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+beerpulse+%28Beernews.org+%C2%BB+The+Craft+Beer+News+Leader%29&utm_content=Google+Reader"> top 50 craft breweries for 2010</a> based on volume.<br /><br />Three Floyds posted "<a href="http://www.darklordday.com/uncategorized/a-few-tips-for-a-successful-darklord-day/">A Few Tips for a Successful Dark Lord Day</a>."Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-46370564421622075292011-04-07T09:16:00.000-04:002011-04-08T06:28:19.618-04:00Daily Beer Digest - 04.07.2011Today is <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=128338725750">National Beer Day</a>, celebrating the 77th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition.<div><br /></div><div>Tammy Tuck has a <a href="http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/youngandhungry/2011/04/06/a-bootleg-up-how-lax-import-regulations-made-d-c-a-craft-beer-haven/">great piece</a> on what's helping DC's beer scene thrive--the fact that any beer a retailer can obtain, there is a legal way for it to be sold in the District.</div><div><br /></div><div>Surly's expansion plans moved a step forward yesterday as the relevant Minnesota Senate Committee <a href="http://www.kare11.com/news/article/918126/391/Surly-Brewing-bill-moves-ahead-at-State-Capitol">voted to move the bill forward</a>.</div>Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-26100292563347071192011-04-06T08:52:00.001-04:002011-04-06T17:58:39.463-04:00Daily Beer Digest - 04.06.2011Dark Lord Day tickets have shipped. I received my e-mail this morning and they were already in Virginia, so it looks like they went out at least a day or two ago.<div><br /></div><div>Oskar Blues <a href="http://beernews.org/2011/04/oskar-blues-posts-50-increase-in-q1/">posted growth around 50%</a> in the first quarter of this year. Not too shabby.</div>Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490786750959230314.post-24757645678966773182011-04-05T07:21:00.001-04:002011-04-05T21:48:37.113-04:00Daily Beer Digest - 04.05.2011Sierra Nevada hops on the <a href="http://beernews.org/2011/04/beer-labels-sierra-nevada-quaff-bros-straight-to-ale-bat-creek-baying-hound/">session trend with A New Shade of Pale</a>, which will apparently make an appearance during Philly Beer Week.<div><br /></div><div>East End Brewing is <a href="http://lewbryson.blogspot.com/2011/04/brewery-news-east-end-expands-farm.html">looking into an expansion project</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>The man who has given up all by doppelbock and water for Lent says <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2011/04/04/2776833/beer-for-lent-j-wilson-halfway.html">things are going well</a>, but he's pretty sick of his brew of choice.</div>Michael Thorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18308792576392626355noreply@blogger.com0