My blog n'at

Its videos like this that make me geek out when I think of what to brew.

La Citrueille Céleste de Citracado is a collaboration ale between Stone Brewing, The Bruery and Elysian Brewing made with pumpkin, yams, toasted fenugreek, lemon verbena and birch bark.

If you still drink the beer your dad did then you’re probably thinking to yourself  ”wtf spoon, why can’t you drink beer flavored beer”.  To which I say “leave me alone mom”

How on earth would anyone think that toasted fenugreek or lemon verbena would be a good idea? Easy, you start with a few simple ingredients and think of what will compliment it from there. These guys had an idea of what hey wanted to bring to the table and I applaud them for not making the same tired pumpkin beer that seems to have taken over the shelves.

Will we see any of this in Western PA? Probably very limited since beer doesn’t make it past Philly often but never fear because I’m sure that if anyone close does get it in you’ll have to travel to Vintage Estate (which if I haven’t told you before is WELL worth doing and making a day out of it in this craft beer shrine).

If any of my readers are homebrewers what’s the craziest thing you’ve made. If anyone says Durian I’m banning you right now.

He has a long career of making root beer in front of him.

I need your help on something. “Should I Drink That?” is a finalist for the 2011 Podcast Awards and I need your help bringing the hardware home.  This is our 4th time in the last 5 years as finalists and have been honored that our fans have gotten us that far. Now its time to finish the job and here’s how,

1. Click the banner above or go to podcastawards.com
2. scroll down to Food & Drink and select Should I Drink That
3. go to the bottom and click submit

The latest issue of Craft Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh’s ONLY publication dealing with craft beer) has been making its rounds and while I could tell you that this is a must read (which it is) or how you won’t find some snobbish pricks writing (which you won’t) and that the staff is filled with people you would gladly have a beer with (which you should) there is something that I want you to see with this issue.

Take a look at page 10 (page 6 of the pdf).  Don’t have the issue? no problem, its a pdf online also available here.

So scroll down and check out those 2 handsome young men. OK, I’m young, sickpuppy is old as shit or so I like to tell him.

Things to note about this picture:

1) At most major beer fests we have a lot of pictures taken of us. Of those at The Big Tap In THIS is the one the makes the magazine. The one where the finger is involved. Come to think of it every picture of us has it somewhere either by us or a fan.

2) It looks like I have puppy bent over the barrel. Actually wait, I may have.

3) I absolutely love this picture and it sums up why I’ve loved doing Should I Drink That for over 5 years. We have fun at every show, our fans are absolutely amazing, I get to talk about something I’m passionate about and I get to do stuff like this.

If you’re in the Pittsburgh area I highly suggest getting this magazine. I’ve spoken to the main man Tim many times and words cant describe his passion for craft beer and making Pittsburgh aware of the kickass things going on around here.

It’s free, you have no excuse not to get it if you live locally. Go to Bocktown or your favorite beer store and pick it up.

Last Friday night I resumed my traditional perch among the podcampers by providing the beverages for the Podcamp Pittsburgh Meet-n-Greet icebreaker. Not to break from tradition I also brought with me 9 cases of the finest Erie Brewing Company offerings with Presque Isle Pils, Derailed Black Cherry Ale, Misery Bay IPA, Railbender, Heritage Alt and Fallenbock.

Estimated crowd of 200 at Alpha Lab had all of the beer kicked in 75 minutes. Yeah, didn’t expect THAT to happen but thankfully there was wine that I was also pouring for people. A delicious point was proven though, women love good craft beer.

I had the assistance of Scottsweep and Mrs. Crappy since sickpuppy was under the weather.

Again it was another successful night for Should I Drink That and there are plenty of pictures to show for it.

Unfortunately for me this would be the most Podcamp action I would see. Due to work schedules I was on kid detail for most of Saturday but did make it down for 1 session and then to the afterparty.

In a soon to be new tradition for Podcamp I joined uncapd from Bocktown and tailgated in the Station Square parking lot before the afterparty. Yes, we tailgated an afterparty. She brought 4 growlers with her which shouldn’t be a shock since people in craft beer always come prepared. We feasted on Southern Tier Pumking, Flying Dog In-Heat Wheat, Woodchuck Fall and Atwater Vanilla Java Porter. All equally as good but the Pumking is my new favorite pumpkin beer.

The entertainment was plentiful as the REO Speedwagon crowd, groups for a wedding reception and a shit-ton of strung out college aged kids for a rave wandered around in brought clothes and white t-shirts. Unfortunately these 2 didnt make it to the party.

After party was at Bar Louie in Station Square and once again they lived up to their level of sub par service. Finally getting served we made our way to the back and did the podcamp traditional 649.

The shot this year – Cruzan Black Cherry rum, SoCo and Absolut Raz.  basically it was cough syrup.

The service was bad but the friends and view were amazing. Overall it was a good night. Sucked that I had a very minimal role since the 1st Podcamp happened but that’s a role a lot of us dad’s have to take these days.

Earlier this summer when Ginny asked me if I would introduce her to craft beer I thought maybe she was setting me up for one of those prank shows. Since the day we met its been like a brother and sister bickering when it came to the best fermented beverage. She loves Zima and me… well you know. A conversation wouldn’t last more than a few minutes before she’d get me fired up over her love for the now extinct clear malt beverage (well here in the states at least. you can still buy it overseas). Even if she never said it I know she would shoot me looks saying “Hey Doug, this beer has lime and salt in it. YUM!”

We finally found time in our crazy parental schedules to meet up at Bocktown and let the lessons begin. How’d it go? Well you can either read “PittGirl Discovers Craft Beertopia” online or pick up the August issue of Pittsburgh Magazine which is now available on newsstands.

I don’t think what I did was anything more than what most craft beer fans would do. I absolutely love talking about craft beer and seeing the look in someone’s face when they have that “ah ha” moment. As advocates for craft beer it is up to us to sit down and talk to people less familiar with our favorite beverages and talk them through the beer. What do you smell? taste? breathe in when you drink and see if that changes the flavor.

There is a serious problem right now with, as sickpuppy and I like to call them, “Beer Snob Bitches”. This isn’t the beer geek that has a cellar full of homebrewing gear and aging bottles. I’m talking about the jerks whom belittle you because you’re not “at their level”. They’re all over the place and quite frankly give the rest of us a bad name. So what if you can pick out the yeast strain or all 7 of the hops used? No one cares but you. The elitism in a lot of circles is getting out of hand and it needs to end.

Craft beer is for celebration. Its for the appreciation of hard work, passion and craftsmanship. Craft beer is meant for YOU to enjoy and not for others to tell you what you should or shouldn’t like. There is a handful of new breweries opening in the Pittsburgh region this year and next. This area is a hotbed for incredible homebrewers and now they’re taking the jump from passion into career.

On the flip side I see a lot of reverse asshattery from the macro drinkers. Those who are hardcore Bud/Miller/Coors drinkers who put down craft beer fans because we like a higher quality beverage. They’re usually the ones saying you’re drinking a chick beer or “oohhh you’re all fancy” because they don’t understand craft beer and use the high school thug attitude of what they don’t know must be stupid.

Craft beer is genderless. There are plenty of great craft brewers who are women and in fact when this country was founded who do you think it was making the beer? Take a look at “Put the ‘ale’ back in female.” and read about a view of brewing you may not have considered before.

Will Ginny become a homebrewer? Eh could happen but for now chalk one up for the birth of a new fan. We’re not going to win over the entire beer drinking population but we can chip away at it one at a time.

cheers!

Its day 2 of craft beer week and I issued a challenge on Twitter/facebook in which response has been pretty cool so I’m making the same challenge here. I want you to go out and drink at least ONE craft beer this week. I’d prefer it was someone local to you but in some cases you don’t have much choice. Come back here or go to Facebook and post what you thought of it.

Here are some random beer facts.

• On average I drink 1-2 beers a week and its usually to write a review (with 2 kids aged 2yr and 4mo my time is limited so I make it count)
• I haven’t had a macro beer since December 25th
• My first beer was Golden Anniversary (I still have the bottle) that I swiped from my parents when i was 15.
• My first craft beer was Erie Railbender
• My first night in Pittsburgh my brother took me to Valhalla. It was my first time in a place that made beer and I asked for a Rolling Rock. I was also 22. suck it.
• Favorite beer is Southern Tier Unfiltered Gemini
• Favorite style is a double IPA
• Most expensive bottle I ever drank was $475 (original bottle of Sam Adams Utopias MMII) and of course that was on You Tube
• I have 20 bottles of beer I’m currently aging with the average at 2yrs.
• I once owned a beer fridge but it met an untimely end. Another will be purchased.
• I own a homebrewing kit but have yet to use it. I’m waiting for the rain to stop and Lushie to go away for a weekend because apparently it smells.
• I have ideas/partial storyboards on 3 different documentaries I’d like to film someday. All dealing with beer in Western PA. I fear that Sebak may hunt me down though.

Today kicks off American Craft Beer Week in Pittsburgh and for nothing more than shameless self promotion here is a quick piece I wrote on it.

Pittsburgh is in a unique position. We have 8 breweries in Western PA with most being located in SWPA and there are smaller breweries starting up it seems monthly. Starting a brewery isn’t a fad and takes a considerable investment so each time you hear of one popping up take into consideration that this person believes 100% in the art and craft that they make. Its like any other business, you have a passion for something you think may work and wont invest your future in a halfassed plan. Well you could and if you have that money lets talk because i can help spend it.

Pittsburgh is still warming up to the idea of craft beer in mainstream market. I know Penn has been around for 20 years and blah blah blah but hear me out on this. 5 years ago when I helped launch Should I Drink That it was almost impossible to find a decent craft beer in a bar that wasn’t specifically made for that business. There were bars on the South Side who would stock a few bottles but now we’re seeing craft beer at ballparks and most of your restaurants are at least carrying Victory or some local offering from Penn, Churchbrew or Rivertowne.

This week I ask that you get out and visit some of these breweries or when you’re out to eat give a craft beer a try. If you’re not sure what you might like feel free to ask me either here or on twitter. Join our community on facebook and you’ll really get some good suggestions for fans. There are douchebags out there who will look down on you for what you may currently drink so screw them. This is what YOU like. I can offer suggestions on what you may enjoy drinking but I won’t think anything less of you for not liking it. No matter what you do there are elitist jagoffs who think they’re above everyone else. These are also the miserable pricks who have lost the understanding of craft beer. Drink it and enjoy however you want.

Cheers Pittsburgh! Lets make this a great week.

I’ll make more posts about Pittsburgh and craft beer this week. I’m geeked to talk of how great this city really is when it comes to kickass beer.

I don’t usually write posts as soon as I hear news but this time I have to. Today MegaBus will begin service in Erie and while yinzers may go “Erie? really?” let me point out a few things for you. If you’re familiar with MegaBus you already know that prices start at $1. I’m not joking, ONE DOLLAR! You can’t even get a city block on that much gas in your car. Honestly if you want a great overview of it check out this story from KDKA’s Jim Lokay.

Here’s where it gets good. The total trip is 2 hours long and the drop off point is Presque Isle Downs. It’s a C-A-S-I-N-O with HORSERACING! If you get tired of the casino or you’re like me and don’t gamble, there is Erie’s mass transit which also picks you up at the casino and takes you downtown and to the Bayfront. I encourage anyone who takes the trip to consider making a weekend out of it and in fact the tourism groups for both cities should plan a trip deal around it. “If you’re coming in from “x” via megabus to our city here is what you can do in 1 day..” I think I missed my calling somewhere as a trip planner.

If you’re traveling Pittsburgh to Erie your day can look like this on July 9th for a 1 day trip.

1. Leave from Pittsburgh at 7:15am, arrive in Erie at Presque Isle Downs around 9:35am
2. Stretch, play some slots and hit up the buffet.
3. 3pm is post time for the horse races
4. Catch the 5:40pm EMTA into town
5. 6pm get off at 13th and State Street and walk 2 blocks to BrewErie for dinner and craft beers brewed on site or ride the bus down to the lake and have dinner on the bay while watching the sunset
6. 8pm catch the EMTA back to the casino and you’ll have 1 hour left to gamble before your 9:35pm bus takes you back to Pittsburgh by midnight. If you’re not exhausted yet you still have time to hit up a couple bars in Pittsburgh.

If you don’t want to hit up the casino the EMTA will take you into downtown Erie where you can either walk around or catch a taxi to Presque Isle and spend the day at the beach.  Honestly with this plan there should be some kinda shuttle to Presque Isle from downtown. If anyone in Erie knows of one, leave it in the comments.

total travel price for 1 person – $6.50 (plus bus fare which is $1.10 one way)

If you’re traveling Erie to Pittsburgh your day can look like this on July 9th for a 1 day trip.

1. Leave Erie at 2pm and arrive at 4:10pm in Pittsburgh at 10th St and Penn Ave (Convention Center)
2. Walk around the Strip District or through downtown checking out the city and grabbing a bite to eat
3. 7:05 Pirates vs Cubs
4. Game should end around 9:30-10pm. Post game you can head back into the city for a beverage or a walk around the cultural district. Maybe catch the T for a trip to Station Square and ride an incline to see the city
5. Return to the convention center for your pick up at 11:30pm to return to Erie at 1:45am Sunday

total travel price for 1 person – $6.50

The trip from Erie to Pittsburgh is more ideal if you want to spend a weekend or come down for an event at night and head back. Pirates and Penguins fans will be able to take advantage of this since both PNC Park and Consol Energy Center are walking distance (CEC is a tad of a hike). If there is a show in town that you want to see, the arrival at 4 is perfect to find a place to eat and relax before the curtain raises. If you want good craft beer check out Sharp Edge Bistro on Penn. Its pricey but you’ll have Belgian beers available you’ll never find in Erie.

By no means should you take my suggested schedule as gospel. Everyone has different tastes but this just shows you what is now available at a VERY LOW price if you want to get away for a day or 2.

By the way craft beer loving yinzers, Beer on the Bay is coming up in Erie. MegaBus may give a whole new meaning to beer run and I think SIDT may have a plan for you.

cheers!

It was 5 years ago on May 5th that the first episode of Should I Drink That was released. Since then the show has been downloaded over 1.25 million times,  featured in countless print/radio/tv outlets across the country and are recognized as an entertaining and educational resource for craft beer advocacy.

What started as 2 drinking buddies talking into a webcam one night in 2006 has blossomed into a cult following with fans all over the world. We felt a need for a show where you could listen about craft beer without the snobbishness and ask questions that you may shy away from because some self proclaimed beer expert was belittling you.

We do this show out of passion. Craft beer is meant to celebrate innovation, flavors and exploration of your own palate.  You’re supposed to have fun with it and not be some elitist prick looking down on people. We offer suggestions on what you may or may not like but that is the beauty of craft beer, everyone’s taste is different so don’t ever feel ashamed for what you like. Craft beer is made for your enjoyment, not for judgement.

Because of this show we’ve been able to experience craft beers from all over the world that the average drinkers never will. We’ve made very good friends and love every single one of our fans!

I’ve always beat around the bush and avoided answering a lot of questions about the show. Not because I didnt know the answer or was ashamed, just some things I didn’t feel like sharing or wanted to make shit up. So here you go, answers to a lot of the questions we get. If you have any feel free to leave them for me in comments.

1) Where did the show name come from?
The original name was going to be “monkeys with hand grenades” or “operation: shortbus”. We sent emails back and forth trying to figure out which one was best. We picked “Should I Drink That?” because it was the most popular thing we would be asked at bars. We knew each show would be able to answer that question.

2) What is with your names?
We decided right away to not use our real names. Not for privacy but hearing from “Doug and Brad” is kinda boring and craft beer is about having fun. Its entertaining. Brad has always had a sick sense of humor so sickpuppy just fit. Father Spoon comes from the podcast which inspired SIDT called The Real Happy Hour. I’ve been called “spoon” since college so the “father” part came from a forum post over there where I started forgiving people for stupid things they did while drunk but the penance would be a drink. I still have the fake collar I made and took a pic wearing that coined the name. You can thank a man named Kurt Johnson.

3) How long did we expect it to last?
Not more than a couple shows. We got rocked that first show and sickpuppy had to go close on his new house that next morning. I think we had material for 3 shows and figured after 5 that would be it because we would run out of material. Our stats went from a couple downloads from friends to a few hundred. Every anniversary we say “only one more year…”, Obviously we never listened

4) DFH 120 chug. What don’t we know?
a) Dick Hammer is a real paramedic and no that’s not his name. In fact he didn’t have one until I blurted it out b) The “10 minutes later” was filmed on my shitty digital camera and was 100% real. It really messed with my head. c) That was  filmed on Good Friday and I had fasted the entire day (I’m catholic).  We shot it at night. d) I had threats against me because of it e) Dogfish Head emailed us about it. Sam and his crew said they loved it and invited us to the brewery. Suck it haters! f) There were 18 pages in the ratebeer.com forums wishing I would die or was dead. we have a pdf of it somewhere g) the video has been viewed over 50,000 times. h) One guy on you tube hated me so much because of it he made a series of videos mocking me. Apparently I really pissed him off.

5) Random facts

• Over 1.25 million downloads. Number of those that are my wife – 0.
• I’ve lived in 3 different places in that time. “Studio B” was a running joke with us. We’ve only recorded there once and it was a garage.
• Studio B is in fact being built, thats no shit. I’m trying to figure out the power I need right now.
• I can’t drink most stouts without getting sick.
• Since the start of the show I’ve lost my dad, gained 2 sons, bought a house, won a car and got my first gray hair.
• Because of the show I learned the skills for my current profession
• I wouldn’t be where I’m at professionally and in a new career if it wasn’t for the show.

How do you get your husband to get his hair cut? First thing in the morning say he looks like Justin Bieber!

It was getting bad and now its not so bad

On any given workday it takes about an hour to get downtown. Traffic is jammed on all parkways and its mass hysteria. This morning I found the secret, leave at 6:30am. By 7am the city was barely awake and I was able to snap this pic.

Today the Penguins invited select season ticket holders to stop down and take part in a fan forum. It was our chance to let the Pens, CEC staff and Aramark know what we thought of the new digs so far.

Scheduled for only an hour we ended yup going 30 extra minutes and were just warming up. Nothing major for complaints but little things to help out. I gave my opinion of a few issues I noticed but of course I had to mention the lack of quality beer in the arena to the Aramark rep. How do you spend money bragging about all of these local ties when your beer is all Bud, Miller, Coors.

This was addressed with Penn and Rivertowne having their beers available but you can only get them in a couple stands and the ones with it can’t stock enough even when the game starts.  I got some names and emails to pass along to some local brewers whom have been unable to get someone to call them back. Seriously, PNC Park has a hella better selection of beer and at $1.50 less a glass.

Weather hit 54F today so in all it was a great day! The Pens were absolutely amazing hosts and took a serious interest in us today. You won’t find that coming from other organizations in this town.