The Session #17 - Going Against the Grain Bill

The 17th Session is hosted by Rob over at the PFIFF! blog. Our host asks us to think about beers we drink despite the accepted seasonal stereotypes:

The subject for July's Session could be summed up thusly: Drinking anti-seasonally. Think of this as the unorthodox cousin of such topics as "beer and food" and "beer and music". Beer and weather, perhaps? More like beer despite the weather, I guess.

I've commented on this "phenomena" in my own drinking habits a couple of times recently. Though I've never given it much thought in the past, upon reflection I find I do drink "despite the season" regularly. This is especially true in Summer. Personally, I'm not a fan of wheat beers, which so many breweries feature as their "Summer seasonal". Other breweries focus on crisp pilsener beers for the warmer months. I do enjoy a nice Summer pilsener on occasion, however I often find myself reaching for a darker, heavier beer despite the heat. I may reach for a nice imperial stout despite the high temperatures of the day.

I happen to like big beers and the heat doesn't change that. During a recent visit to Odell Brewing in Fort Collins I enjoyed (very much) their Imperial Stout. My friend Dave remarked that he'd enjoyed the beer previously, but it was too warm for such a dark beer. Personally, I was thankful the brewery still had some of this stout on hand, as it's generally only available January - June.

But, our host this month challenges us to explain ourselves. Hmm, I guess "just because" isn't a fair answer. Perhaps, after being worn out by the day's activities, it's nice to sit back and unwind. I don't want a perky pilsener trying to pick me up. That would be sort of like those so full of vim and vigor people, who, in the early morning just want to chat before you've even your first coffee. A big beer is like a quiet friend who will sit and "just be there" while you relax and wind down from the day's activities. Whatever the season.

A history of The Session can be found here. Check back later at PFIFF! to see Rob's Session summary.

Update, July 6: Rob has posted the Session roundup.

Holiday Weekend Beer Tastings

It's a holiday weekend, but the beer tasting goes on. Here are your opportunities to try out a new beer this weekend.

Saturday, July 5 - 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Kybecca
Beer Tastings in 2 Locations:
William Street (Downtown):
Legend Belgian White Ale, Green's Discovery Gluten Free Beer
Plank Road (Next to Ukrops)
Legend Belgian White Ale, Ornkey Red MacGregor Scots Red Ale

Every Saturday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Blue & Gray Brewery
Beer samples and brewery tours

Please support the folks who bring us these events. Let them know there is an active craft beer community in the area. When you attend any of these events, tell us about it in the comments, and be sure to let the proprietor know you heard about it here.
Have something to add? Let me know, my contact information is here.

Happy Independence Day!

Today is Independence Day in the U.S. We are celebrating the 232nd birthday of our great Nation. Swimming, a cookout with friends, and fireworks will mark the day for us. And of course, plenty of American craft beer. Whatever your plans for the day, be sure to take time to reflect on what it's all about. Be safe and have fun.

Check out the document that started it all, the Declaration of Independence.









Happy Birthday America!

Clipper City Beer Tasting

Clipper City representative Thomas Cizauskas was in Fredericksburg today to host a beer tasting at Total Wine. Tom poured samples of a number of Clipper City beers and offered plenty of information about the beers to a steady crowd. Clipper City BaltoMärzHon led the lineup. Next up were beers from the Heavy Seas line; Small Craft Warning Über pils, Red Sky at Night - Saison Ale, Loose Cannon Hop3 Ale, and Peg Leg Stout. Tom also had the brewery's Summer seasonal, Hang Ten Weizen Dopplebock with him. Hang Ten hasn't shown up in Virginia yet but look for it soon.

Tom had both of the new Oxford Organic Ales available for sampling as well. Oxford Class Organic Amber Ale and Oxford Organic Raspberry Wheat Beer are not yet available in Frederickburg. However I understand the distributor has them and we'll be seeing them both soon. I was quite surprised by the Raspberry Wheat. It's not what I had expected from a fruit beer. The flavor is very crisp and refreshing. I might not have picked it as out as a fruit beer in a blind tasting. Of course it's hard to describe in detail without enjoying a full glass, which I'll be doing as soon as the beer makes it to local shelves.

I enjoyed the chance to try out the new Clipper City beers, along with some old favorites. It was also good to see so many shoppers enjoying the beers and showing interest in craft beer. I saw quite a few people picking up six-packs to take with them after tasting the beers. A lot of local beer folks will be enjoying Clipper City beers with their holiday celebrations.

I've posted a few photos from the tasting event here. You can find out where Tom is pouring Clipper City beers by checking his blog at Yours For Good Fermentables.

Saranac Brewing Company Recovery Continues

After the major fire at the brewery in May, the Saranac Brewing Company is well on the path to recovery. In an email update they send this word:

We're Back!

We are proud to say that our bottling operations resumed as of 6 a.m., Monday morning (June 30th). A successful test run of Saranac Pale Ale was completed this past weekend and we are back bottling again! We thank you all for your support over the last month following the devastating fire of May 29th.

"We are really pleased to be back and running, and we will be in stores for the Fourth," says our President, Nick Matt.

Our canning operations are currently being outsourced, but as we rebuild, we hope to have this back under our roof soon. We are also pleased to announce that beer prices haven't risen at all, and they will not rise, as a result of the fire.

Their fast actions to get up and running so quickly serves to illustrate good ol' American resolve and determination. That they are putting new product in stores in time for America's birthday celebration is fitting of this American institution.

Beer Celebs' Favorite Drinks

Forbes.com is running a special report entitled The Drink. In a piece they call "A Drink With..." various food and beverage celebrities are asked to identify their favorite alcoholic drink and watering hole. Of local interest is Geoff Lively, brewmaster at the Bethesda, MD Rock Bottom. Says Jeff,

My favorite alcoholic drink is the drink in my hand. If I am having medium-rare beef tenderloin for dinner, it would probably be a nice rich cabernet from the Napa Valley. If I am on the beach in San Diego, it would probably be a margarita. The usual beverage of choice, though, is beer. Beer can be the quaff of choice for any occasion; with a meal, on the beach, at a sporting event, at a concert or just hanging out with friends. It is the most consumed alcoholic drink in the world--and by me.

A number of folks involved in craft beer are featured. Interviewees include Dan Carey, co-owner and brewmaster at New Glarus Brewing, Brooklyn Brewery brewmaster Garrett Oliver, Rob Tod of Allagash Brewing, and Jim Koch, chairman and founder of the Boston Beer Company. This is an interesting look into the preferred drinks of the folks who bring us some of our own favorite drinks. Also featured is W. Leo Kiely III, chief executive officer of Molson Coors Brewing (now MillerCoors).

Other "beer people" include Christina Perozzi of the blog Beer for Chicks and Bob Skilnik, author of "Beer & Food: An American History". Famous "foodies" such as Iron Chef Mario Batali, Anthony Bourdain, and Jamie Oliver are also listed. You can check the responses from these folks and more at Forbes.com.

Snack Time at Safeway

This might possibly be the best idea a grocery store has come up with in a long time. After all, beer is food.



Thanks to DCist Photo of the Day: July 2, 2008.

Thursday Tasting - Clipper City Beers

Clipper City Brewing representative Thomas Cizauskas will be in Fredericksburg to host a tasting on Thursday, July 3 at Total Wine. He will be pouring samples of Loose Cannon Hop3 Ale, Small Craft Warning Über Pils, and Red Sky at Night Saison Ale from the brewery's Heavy Seas lineup. Thomas is very knowledgeable about Clipper City beer (and craft beer in general) so it's sure to be interesting and informative. Be sure to stop by Total Wine in Central Park between 3:00 - 7:00 pm on Thursday.

Update, July 3: Event summary and photos here.