Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Beer Olympics: Brew Dog vs. The World

BrewDog, I salute you! The Scottish boys have done it once again and reclaimed the title of strongest beer with a new bottle they are calling "Sink the Bismarck." This is apparently clocking in at about 41%ABV.

It makes you wonder if this is just going to go back and forth to see who can make beer flavoured moonshine. Could it be the next summer craze? Think this will come in a glass with a sliced lime on the rim?

Sink the Bismarck! is beer, amplified. With the volume turned full up, it is important you that you be careful with this beer and show it the same amount of sceptical, tentative respect you would show an international chess superstar, clown or gypsy.
Even if you have no taste for extreme beer or eis/quad-IPA, you have to admit they are good at marketing. Well, we can see 2010 is off to a huge start, and huge IBU's and huge %ABV.

You can read more about the massive 41%ABV beer here. These bottles should run for about $65 and change, if not more by the time they are released for order online.

An early morning toast, Cheers!

EDIT: You can see here James from BrewDog's take on the video and the beer itself. These guys really do have a good solid head on their shoulders, love what they do, and have fun doing it.




Wednesday, February 10, 2010

McAuslan St-Ambroise Imperial Russian Stout

Thanks social networking programs!
I noticed a tweet this afternoon from Josh Rubin, the beer columnist from The Star that the purchase order has gone through this week and if all goes well, by mid-march the LCBO may be receiving the McAuslan Brewing limited release: St.-Ambroise Imperial Russian Stout.

According to Canadian Beer News:
"Only 9600 bottles have been produced"

It was assumed that the release was subject to Quebec only, though it's nice to know that things change over time.

Will this be another brew to quickly fly off the shelves? With the BA reviews we can see it will be something worth seeking out.

Cheers!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Play Nice!

Is the world becoming a giant playground? Craft brewers are on the same team! Right? The little guys, we are up against the big guys. The phrase "pick on someone you're own size!" was always meant for the larger('lager' was what I miss typed and probably did so correctly) picking on the smaller. Well, according to Beernews.org, Bear Republic Brewery is filing a lawsuit against Central City Brewing Co.

"
The Boston IP blog posted the details about the Bear Republic lawsuit over the weekend. California-based Bear Republic is suing British Columbia-based Central City over alleged trademark infringement on its “RACER 5 INDIA PALE ALE and BEAR REPUBLIC RICARDO’S RED ROCKET ALE” marks. Bear Republic takes issue with Central City’s Red Racer product line which hit cans and U.S. distribution for the first time last year. The brewery sent a cease and desist in mid-December to which Central City responded in early January, rejecting Bear Republic’s claims."

Okay, so when did this matter so much to small craft breweries? I'm also fresh after watching Beer Wars. So much effort and money goes into beating out the small guys, and craft brewers like Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head, who after watching the movie, much reminds me of Keanu Reeves as Ted, in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (in the most respectful way possible!!!) still could care less about the Japanese brewery making Catfish Head 60 Minute IIPA. Granted, it's all in the way you tip your hat and adjust to the market.

I see Canada as a place that still believes that the United States of America will never find out about their beers. However, with sites like Beer Advocate it's easy to see word spread really quick. Especially when a beer like Red Racer is getting a lot of BA respect!!!
This simply makes me feel a whole lot of mixed feelings inside. Considering, we have Stone collaborating with Jolly Pumpkin, Brew Dog, etc, and we see 3 Floyd's with Half Acre Brewing Co. collaborating. Why can't we all just get along?

I just feel a little bizarre about beer marketing these days. Everyone wants success. No one wants to fail. But, after watching Beer Wars the movie, we have to work together. Healthy competition is fine, but as such a low percentage of the total beer market share, who cares if "Red" is used in a label or as a brand. Let it slide. It's not like you are all making mass produced Lime Soda-like "beer"... I digress.

Let the small stuff slide. Life is hard enough without fighting in the sandbox while wars are going on outside. I still believe in purity and that if you believe in what you do, and what you do holds craft and merit, it will succeed regardless of the B.S.

Please, craft beer will struggle for a while yet before we even start scratching the surface of the mass market, so let's be nice to each other while we reach for a higher ground together. The underdog can, and will eventually win.

Though, I will mention that after watching Beer Wars, I often feel like screaming inside and wondering why so many people are afraid to open up their taste-buds, but willing to let a television tell them what will look good going down (NOTE: no mention of flavour in commercials!).
I'm often sure this Rooster feels the same frustration every single morning ( please enjoy):



Monday, February 8, 2010

Ontario Get's Stone(d): Worthy?

So the story goes: a bunch of arrogant bastards walk into a particular Bar Volo on a sunny Superbowl Sunday afternoon and they get Stoned.
The regulars, total strangers, passers by, and most being beer geeks from far and wide stopped by to pay respect to a brewery that deserves it. This brewery is Stone Brewing Co. If you have followed any brewing news you can see that they are making waves, or flying straight over them. A craft brewery doing everything in its power to be seen, heard, and tasted.
Is Ontario worthy of such products? From the turn out of happy drinkers sharing bottles, thoughts, and company, it's obvious that we are truly worthy. Simply by the empties left on the table at the end of the night should give an example of how far beer fans will go for a good bottle of beer. This isn't to say that Canada doesn't have good breweries, in fact we have many that are top notch and can compete with the best of the best. Though, when you taste any of the Stone brews you know the quality that goes into it. It isn't a gamble to try the beer and wonder if you'll like it. It simply demands your respect.
On top of that I've never noticed any other bottle with so much text resembling short essays. Maybe it was just the sun shining through the window, the many people admiring one brewery, and one brewery only, the cases of stone, the dead solider (empty bottles) making their way to a table, but something felt right. Even as the sun began to set it was still a great atmosphere.

I could go on and describe every beer, but I'd love to just note the Vertical Epic 060606. For a four year old bottle, this was lively, aggressive, contemplative, complex, bold, brash, and of all things, Epic. Epic, indeed.

Once again, a huge thanks to Volo for putting this off. If we are not worthy, who really is?

Needless to say none of the Stone appreciators are worried about our bone density or mineral content today. As all the news today has been over the silicon content beer provides for strong and healthy bones.
I say more barley and hops please! Who would have thought a nice barley wine or doubleIPA could keep the doctor away.
On topic, I see these beer events and the supporters giving hope for the growing market for a much wider palate. It's not just marketing anymore, but individuals hunting down quality and specific tastes. 2010 is looking good. Well, it may be an epic year for beer in Canada.

I do indeed feel worthy.


Cheers.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

When I Grow Older I Want to be Just Like...
















Ola Dubh, you make life run smoothly. I must say, I feel fortunate to have tasted the Ola Dubh Special Reserve 12 and Ola Dubh Special Reserve 40 from Harviestoun Brewery, located in Alva, Clackmannanshire, Scotland (Thanks Doug!). It truly is great to see these graze the shelves of the LCBO, if they even made it to the shelves.
Ola Dubh is based on the Old Engine Oil and aged in scotch whiskey casks from Highland Park Distillery. This is apparently a "nod to the classic Imperial Porters (and Stouts) of the 19th Century,".
It makes you wonder sometimes about how age really does affect scotch and beer in characteristics, quality, and even price. I felt like putting it to the test. I started with the Special Reserve 12.

Bottle from July 2009 : 59997
Just prying the cap off lifted a beautiful bouquet of pleasant aromas.

It has a rich molasses nose, oak, whiskey sweetness, some roasted malt characteristics, a little tobacco along with some other subtle grassy notes, moss-like. All of these aromas are very soft but enchanting as it brings the eyes to the opaque black body and a creamy tan head that lasts and laces beautifully.

Tastes of rich bittersweet chocolate, hints of black pepper, smoke, blackstrap molasses with warming alcohol bringing up some rich red fruits, plums, raisins, and currents. It tips to a dry and bitter ending of scotch whiskey, oak, and the grassy notes from the nose. This is very malt forward, no off sensations, just a very fine balanced beer.

The mouthfeel is silky and rich. A little oily, possibly from the oats. Full of warming, near hot sensations on the palate, with a nice dry finish in it's moderate carbonation. There is a mild astringency that I am linking to the hot alcohol and potentially the wheat.

This is very drinkable. Very calming.

I could have continuously put my nose in this beer. Very pleasant.

Then there was the Special Reserve 40.

Bottle # 00639 : August 2009

This pours a silky, oily, opaque black with slight burnt brown notes as it thins around the edges. Thin, fine bubble head, slightly tanned. Beautiful lacing. Markings of every sip.

The aroma is huge of cherries, chocolate, scotch, ripe plums, figs, hickory, oak, smoke and tabacco grassy notes. The roasted malt presence is very brilliant and spiked with the oak cask and scotch whiskey. Brilliant aroma.

A huge rush of vanilla, thick bitter blackstrap molasses, herbal, licorice, roasted malt, scotch, dry oats, and warming alcohol. Bold flavours of raisins, pete, and really dark stewed cherries. Each sip brings out other similar flavours, some peak more than others. The oak is ever present and really gives this beer a beautiful finish. The whiskey backing is defined very nicely and a 40 year old one at that.

This is oily, thick, somewhat chewy, medium to high carbonation for the style, a little edgy and brash, though I can only imagine how this will age. It still finishes very dry, yet milky on the end. This is complex and complete. This is a beautiful beer. It really does have a sparkle and shine that the 12 year old doesn't quite have.

Top notch.

The little medallion with the mouse is pretty awesome too.

The 40 was indeed beautiful and regardless of price, it would be well worth every penny. I hope to see more of this and look forward to when it hits the shelves again. The website actually fails to note the Special Reserve 40 is a part of the regular lineup.

(I meant to post this last night, but I was far too relaxed and caught up in the moment of great beer to write about it).

Cheers!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Ready, set...DRINK!


Out in the Franconian lake region of municipality Oberasbach, Germany lies a little brewery. This brewery is called Schorschbräu, yet there is nothing little about the beers in which they produce. "Home of the Strongest Beers on Earth." is their slogan and they appear to be correct. Their Schorschbok 40% has taken the lead in the race for highest ABV beer at 40%. Technically it is clocking in at 39.44%ABV. But, who's counting decimals and fractions?
They have knocked our BrewDog buddies over in Scotland from their perch with their 32%ABV Tactical Nuclear Penguin.
Seems like the brewing community around the world is brewing up some healthy competition. The good thing about this is that they are both different styles of "beer." The Tactical Nuclear Penguin is an "Uber-Imperial Stout" while the Schorschbok is an Eisbock.
Not a lot of reviews of this puppy (in fact, only one that I can find), as this is an extremely limited release, and I'm sure it has corresponding price tag.

Are these extreme beers worth the price tag and hype or are they simply novelty items? Is "drinkability" still considered when these beers are produced or is the shock value that makes it worth seeking out and drinking? Granted the website likes to remake that these beers are brewed under the Reinheitsgebot. One way or another, this is indeed impressive and really pushes the idea of extreme brewing.

Drink up!

Making Waves: Cannonball!!!

It only takes a quick google search to see that craft beer (or #craftbeer for those who tweet) is making waves. Stone Brewing Co. of Escondidio, California seems to be skipping the waves all together and jumping the pond to brew with other brewers as you can see on their website along with a request of proposal to brew under the Stone name in Europe.
Though back on December 22, 2009 when Stone first put up the video blog for this Steve Wagner the President and Brewmaster mentioned they were willing to open up a brewery anywhere in "Europe, except for France." Needless to say, very shortly after this there was another Video blog that popped up as a response and an apology for the comment as it was intended for humour.
It seems hard to imagine that people make phone calls or write letters (snail mail that is) anymore with all of the technology presented to us. Just think of the population that owns a cell phone yet rarely makes or receives a call, simply text messages. Communications just seem easiest by means of e-mail. Though where is our e-mail going? After it is sent, where does it go after that? Should we be concerned?
Well, to answer that, who really knows where it goes, but there is a good chance it may end up on a message board of beer advocates if you are not careful with your choice of words. As we see a flood of opinions battle it out on the topic of Cigar City Brewing's (Tampa, FL) Joey Redner and his e-mail conversation with a customer. You can see the original post here.
If you follow this link (Ta-da!) you can scroll down a bit and read Mr. Redner's (Degarth) response to the whole stir that followed.
It makes you wonder who is watching, listening, reading, or following you around every corner and where some seemingly private conversations and interactions end up. This particular incident has caused quite a bit of publicity, and it's hard to say whether it's good or bad. Some ideas on professionalism are pretty obvious and anyone who has ever entered the realm of customer service will know that it's important to have a bond with customers. It only takes one person to spread the word and we are finding out that words can be copy and pasted pretty far across the vast information highway.
In mention to my previous post we are indeed heading into a new decade with guts, glory and technology. The little guys may have a lot of attitude in there beer and marketing tactics, but maybe a friendly smile once in a while might aid in giving craft brewers everywhere a good name. Then again, even bad apples have their sweet spots.

On a similar note, it's going to be great to see Stone Brewing Co. roll across the border into Canada. Volo will be hosting a day of Stone beer for those who are worth on February 7, 2010. Details here.