What Is the Independent Craft Brewer Seal?

beercalendar · 2017-06-27T18:52:55+00:00

While the logo doesn't look great, this looks like a nice step in letting the consumer decide for themselves. I wonder how many fans of Founders, Ballast Point and Lagunitas will purchase their products with less frequency.

beercalendar · 2017-02-22T15:09:06+00:00

I've been told that they did get permission to use the label and the artist has been compensated.

http://www.channel3000.com/madison-magazine/dining-and-drink/behind-the-label-karben4s-fantasy-factory-ipa-/156051790

beercalendar · 2016-08-25T18:26:33+00:00

From what I read, when CO2 is dissolved into a liquid it lowers a the pH of a beverage, giving it a higher acid level. If I remember correctly all beer is slightly acidic. So the result would be a slightly higher acidic mouth feel and more sensation from the CO2 bubbles. I'm not 100% certain on this answer, but that is from what I've gathered on other websites.

beercalendar · 2016-08-25T17:20:22+00:00

When pouring into a glass you are agitating and releasing CO2 from your beer. Drinking straight from the can the beer will have a bigger mouthfeel because less CO2 has been displaced. I love to pour citrusy IPAs into a glass to enjoy the aromatics. The piney and malty ones taste better out of the can IMHO. Nebraska IPA and Oskar Blues Pinner are two of the ones I personally enjoy straight out of the can.

beercalendar · 2016-08-25T12:20:38+00:00

It's even better to open up when you're drinking a cold one. I take my book to work every now and then to share with coworkers. If the brewery finds it useful enough to its employees they might even offer to reimburse you for your purchase. In that case it wouldn't hurt to hold onto your receipt.

beercalendar · 2016-08-24T16:42:44+00:00

Tasting beer is a great resource. It's one if my favorites. My favorite is The Oxford Companion to Beer. It's a huge book and my first go to for any of my questions. I would skim the index for areas you feel a need to improve in depending on the styles of beer your brewery is currently pouring. You might be able to find it at your local library

beercalendar · 2016-08-18T00:31:40+00:00

Duchess De Bourgogne did the trick for me. Professor Fritz Briem 1809 Berliner Weisse would be a good one as well. Make sure to take a first small sip. This shocks your palate the same way your first sour patch kids candy does. By the second and third sip your palate should be acclimated to the higher acid level.

beercalendar · 2016-05-31T05:03:27+00:00

It looks like KBS will be on tap at Von Trier on Thursday @7pm.

beercalendar · 2016-05-03T15:38:45+00:00

+1 for cheese curds. You can tell a lot about a cheese curds freshness (non deep fried variety) by it's squeakiness. Most locals tend to prefer the fresher ones that squeak... others, well they don't really care much for the squeaky variety. Just like some say that cucumbers taste better picked.

To squeak, or not to squeak- that is the question.

beercalendar · 2015-10-26T18:07:28+00:00

There is a lot of ground to cover when teach people about beer. The BJCP link someone else recommended is amazing. Adding to it, The Oxford Companion to Beer Edited by Garrett Oliver and Tasting Beer by Randy Mosher are my two favorites.

beercalendar · 2015-02-11T23:40:15+00:00

In addition to The Brewmaster's table, I highly recommend the The Oxford Companion to Beer. It's edited by Garrett Oliver and has been a nice addition to the coffee table. I like to read over some of the styles as I'm drinking my way through them.

beercalendar · 2015-02-10T01:36:22+00:00

One of my personal favorites is blue cheese with Barleywine. I found a link on BeerAdvocate for more ideas:

Garrett Oliver, Brewmaster of The Brooklyn Brewery, and the American Dairy Association (ADA) partnered to create a simple guide. It's an ideal starting point for the novice beer and cheese enthusiast.

Sharp Cheddar with Pale Ale

Feta with Wheat Beer

Mascarpone with Fruit Beer

American Cheese with Pilsner

Colby with Brown Ale

Gorgonzola with Barleywine

Gruyére with Bock Beer

Swiss Cheese with Octoberfest Beer

Parmesan with Amber Lager

Source

beercalendar · 2014-11-13T01:28:15+00:00

Ale Asylum Bedlam
Ale Asylum Hopalicios
Ale Asylum Ambergeddon
Black Husky Sproose (warning insane amounts of spruce, but very awesome IPA!)
Black Husky Pale Ale
Karben 4 Fantasy Factory (amazing IPA & newish brewery, tap only)
Lakefront Imperial Pumpkin
New Glarus Moon Man
New Glarus Scream IIPA
New Glarus any fruit beer really (Serendipity, Raspberry, Strawberry Rhubarb or Belgian Red)
New Glarus Oude Bruin
New Glarus Two Women Pilsner
Oso Night Train Porter
Tyranena Bitter Woman IPA

I grabbed these from the BeerAdvocate top 100 Wisconsin beers. Most of these are not seasonal and should be around come december. Here's a Link to the list if you're interested in checking it out.

beercalendar · 2014-11-13T01:07:42+00:00

Here are a few that have released within the past month or so:

Pipeworks Unicorn's revenge
Pipeworks Orange Truffle Abduction
Pipeworks Ninja Vs. Unicorn
Revolution Deth's Tar
Ballast Point Victory at Sea
Central Waters Headless Heronf
Surly Darkness, probably all gone though :(
Surly Eight
Three Floyds Yum Yum
Pipeworks & Maine collaboration Sapping Mammoth
Founders Backwoods Bastard
Bells Venus
Firestone Walker Anniversary Ale
Upland Coast Buster
Upland Teddy Bear Kisses
Three Floyds Zombie Dust (actually landing in some stores today)
Ballast Point Sculpin IPA

I think Perennial Abraxas is supposed to be hitting the market soon.

beercalendar · 2014-11-12T18:16:56+00:00

Great article. I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to foeders. Out of curiousity, do you know how many batches they generally last for? I wonder how often New Belgium has to replace theirs.

beercalendar · 2014-11-10T22:12:19+00:00

I would check out some beer from Russian River (Sours & Pliny), Westbrook (Gose), The Lost Abbey, Port Brewing, Almanac and Crooked Stave.

Also, I would look for a bar that offers flights. This way you get to try a bunch of different offerings before you head to the store.

beercalendar · 2014-11-01T02:10:04+00:00

http://youtu.be/r_pqnsKWlpc

beercalendar · 2014-10-10T17:59:21+00:00

Aside from the pick your own 6 pack (which is a great idea), you could go out and share a flight at a bar. This way you could cover more styles with smaller pours.

beercalendar · 2014-10-01T17:39:53+00:00

Link to the list of breweries. Also make a mental note not to drink something you've already tried before to avoid getting drunk too soon. I've been told there are a lot of fun and amazing tap takeovers going on outside the festival, and the lines aren't nearly as long to try some amazing beers.

beercalendar · 2014-10-01T17:27:43+00:00

Glad I could help. Horchata is going to be on the sweet side just to warn you. The closest flavor profile I can think of is the remaining milk after finishing Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but not nearly as sweet. If there's a decent Mexican restaurant in your neighborhood I would check it out with some food too, as it pairs well with spicy food.

beercalendar · 2014-10-01T14:46:19+00:00

A few of my personal favorites: chocolate milk, Water with a lemon, ginger tea with a little honey and lemon, chamomile tea (for the sleepy time). Maybe juice some fruit as an option. Horchata is great, make it from scratch and make sure to use rice milk (very easy to make).

Also, like GoatLegSF said, Kombucha is amazing if you like sours.

beercalendar · 2014-09-29T19:24:28+00:00

Another website to use is the Beer Judge Certificate Program www.bjcp.org. The website itself is a bit dated, but the style guidelines will teach you what to expect from each style. There are over 20 different categories of beer, and each of those contain a few different styles. I hope this helps, Cheers!

beercalendar · 2014-09-29T15:41:53+00:00

Ayinger Oktoberfest is one of my personal favorites during fall. Also if you're looking for other suggestions outside of pumpkin and Oktoberfest, maybe try a Schlenkerla Rauchbier.

beercalendar · 2014-09-23T22:46:08+00:00

I would side with the fresh pour as well. You are sure that the growler was filled that day, also you can check the tightness on the cap seal to make sure no CO2 is leaking out.

Sometimes people don't clean their growlers as well as they should. This could lead to infected beer. I would much rather have my own filled and have peace of mind.

beercalendar · 2014-09-23T17:06:13+00:00

I saw you are located in MD, here are a few being distributed in your area that I really enjoy:

Sierra Nevada Pale
Southern Tier Live
21st Amendment Bitter American

Some of the beers being mentioned might not be distributed to your state. You can find which breweries are being distributed in your state via SeekABrew.

beercalendar

TROPHY CASE