Over the past few months, I noticed six packs of Stone Brewing’s beer showing up in stores around Missoula. This is a good thing. Stone makes some great beers, but they’d previously only been available in 22 oz. bottles. Sometimes that’s more than you want, though they’re very conducive to sharing. I picked up a…
I am not new to craft beer. I’ve spent the last 15 years or so trying far more styles, varieties, interpretations, classics, experiments and breweries than I can remember. Though I have my favorite styles, I’ve never let that confine my exploration. I’ve brewed homebrew following the advice of legend Charlie Papazian and his reassuring…
Paring beer and food may sound a bit snooty, but it really is quite the taste experience when the flavors of a fine craft beer blend perfectly with great food. And by great food, I’m not just talking about “fine dining.” I’ve enjoyed a few great wine and beer pairing dinners with multiple courses and…
Okay people, this story from the AP (as posted in the Missoulian) shows that some people can take a love of beer a little too far. I’ll admit to being pretty protective of my stash of Ivan the Terrible Russian Imperial Stout, Abyss and a few others, but I draw the line at “severe vascular…
The Brewers Association, the great folks behind the American Craft Beer Week and many other efforts in support of craft brewing, also bring us a great resource for proactively supporting state and federal legislation related to homebrewing and the craft brewing industry. “Support Your Local Brewery is a national, grassroots partnership of beer enthusiasts, professional…
Few celebratory event weeks could be easier to celebrate than American Craft Beer Week (May 17-23, 2010). Begun in 2006 by the Brewers Association, American Craft Beer Week is a celebration of small and independent craft breweries and highlights what Americans love about craft beer. Even Congress got into the act with the House of…
Next up in my Full Sail Brewmaster Reserve Round Up is Full Sail’s Imperial Stout. Right out of the 22 oz. bottle this an attractive beer. Jet black with a thick tan head. It has a strong, sweet aroma with a slight hint of alcohol. The mouthfeel is full with a bit of creaminess. Classic…
My Growler Fills inbox had a sudden flurry of activity in the past week with the arrival of two press releases for a couple of new summer brews. (Hey, when you run an upstart beer blog, two emails in one week is definitely considered a “flurry of activity.”) Redhook Ale Brewery and Widmer Brothers Brewing,…
Today’s online edition of the Flathead Beacon has a story on Tim Carlburg and his Carlburg Pottery’s venture into handcrafted ceramic growlers. Aside from being fully customizable and great looking, the insulating value of the clay apparently can keep the beer cold for many hours, even in the sun. That’s a pretty good trick.
If that’s what you think, you’re right, but we’re definitely not the only ones. Microbreweries in South Carolina can’t do direct sales or provide samples to their patrons. But that might change according to the South Carolina Brewers Association who is helping to support a bill in the South Carolina General Assembly that would (gasp!)…