My blog n'at

Finally there is a series where true craft beer appreciation is shown and isn’t an hour long brewery or a bunch of marketing fluff. There have been a lot of series over the last few years that try to show the true heart of craft beer and end up going back to Bud, its history and blah blah blah.

Brew Masters is a genuine experience into the craft beer world and why I freaking LOVE it so much. If you want a recap of the 1st episode go check out the review I wrote in my article on Examiner.

One thing that I didn’t touch on (space limit OYE!) was the Savor event. When you see craft beer fans sampling beer they’re not throwing back drinks like a $.25 draft night. You see people inspecting the color, sniffing the aroma, swirling the beer in their mouth and savoring (no pun intended) every drink. These are my people. Craft beer is more complex of a product with greater margin of error than wine. Part of the arrogance and ignorance of people is that they think if you say you’re a beer fan you’re a) a drunk b) a BIG drunk. Meanwhile they’re the same ones who down bottles of fucking Merlot like its water. I applaud you for falling into the marketing bullshite. Damn lemmings.

This series is finally shedding light into the culture. It is a craft, one that I am passionate about. If you want to see the fun of my world, check it out.

From the website
“I Am A Craft Brewer” is a collaborative video representing the camaraderie, character and integrity of the American Craft Brewing movement. Created by Greg Koch, CEO of the Stone Brewing Co. and Chris & Jared of Redtail Media…and more than 35 amazing craft brewers from all over the country. The video was shown to a packed audience of 1700 craft brewers and industry members at the 2009 Craft Brewers Conference as an introduction to Greg’s Keynote Speech entitled “Be Remarkable: Collaboration Ethics Camaraderie Passion.” As is tradition for the CBC Keynote, a toast to the audience was offered.

I get a lot, no A LOT, of slack when it comes to craft beer in my family. They see fizzy yellow stuff and spring break beer bongs instead of the complexity and craftsmanship in each brew. To them wine is the drink of the upper class and those who want to pretend to be. If you want sophistication talk to me about what goes into a craft beer. In my eyes when I see them drink Bud/Miller/Coors/Corona it would be equivalent to me stealing a bottle of hootch from a hobo to them. I’d say wine in a box but that’s some tasty beverage. fuck merlot, try an imperial IPA or bourbon aged stout.

When family and friends ask me why I’m passionate about craft beer I’ll direct them to this video. This is why I love what I do.

I got chills.

Sickpuppy and I went to one of the 2 theaters in Pittsburgh showing for Beer Wars. From what I heard on twitter both theaters were relatively empty and either that shows a lack of craft beer support or the lack of promoting the movie. I’m willing to bet it lies in promotions/marketing since everyone we asked, who wasn’t glued to Beer Advocate, had no idea it even existed. No signage in bars, distributors and virtually nothing from local beer mailing lists.

That said, here are my thoughts…

• Moonshot beer still sucks balls. I’m not joking. We had it a couple years ago when Rhonda came to 3 Sons and told her then it was a gimmick. There is NO reason for caffeine in alcohol besides to make the Jager Bomb pounding neckless roid freaks drink it. Her story could have been as effective if cut in half.
• It was centered on Dogfish Head and Rhonda. Stone had virtually no presence and it was’t their fault. I would have loved to learn more about Stone.
• Beer Advocate came across like pricks. Truthful, but pricks. See what editing can do kids. Should have been more with the bros. talking about craft beer and the internet influence.
• Sam Adams has a good presence in the movie and there is a good piece on Yuengling.
• Charlie Papazian is the greatest advocate for craft beer and I wish there was more of him. You could hear his passion and dedication the few times he was given to speak.
• $15 was too much for this movie. I would spend it however on the DVD.
• I thought as a documentary it was very well done and I enjoyed it. In fact it made me want to brew as someone who currently doesn’t and also learn the business.
• Ben Stein was the absolute worst choice for panel moderator. OK second worst. I think someone from M.A.D.D. would have topped the list. Plus, only 2 questions from online? weak.
• Movie reinforced for me that Dogfish Head is one of the most innovative breweries.
• Miller and Coors seemed more laid back while Budweiser came across as the evil empire. I’m not saying it isn’t true, just how it came across. I was waiting for Michael Moore to pop out.
• Beer drinkers should know the government bullshit behind the 3 tier system for getting the beer to the consumer.
• If you’re new to craft beer this movie is a must watch to see what exactly craft beer is and the struggles the brewers face.
• The ending seemed abrupt and thought it could have been more fluid.

We’ll go into this more on our anniversary show but my overall grade would be a C. Maybe its me but more should have been done in the area to promote it. Wholesalers, businesses and distributors should have been involved. Also check out what our friend Thom had to say about the movie. He joined us at Pittsburgh Mills for the showing.

cheers!

We’re bringing Teaspoon home today and since I’ve been neglecting this blog that I should have some fun with it. Really, what could I have possibly been busy with these last 4 weeks right? Start watching below and hit refresh throughout the day. I’ll post at random times when I have a chance. Newest entry at the bottom. Feel free to comment away!

This is probably also the last of continuous Teaspoon updates. I said I would keep him away from the internet and here on out I plan to do so unless its something monumental. I’ll take the weekend to get situated and then it will be back to regularly scheduled blogging. I’ve been keeping a running list of subjects I want to address.

• 11:30pm (3/25) - Checked into our nesting room. Better than any hotel room we’ve stayed but no room service. Vending machine may become my friend.
• 1:05am (3/26) – Teaspoon is eating and quacking like a duck
• 2:49am – Woke up and found teaspoon giving me the “pick me up NOW” look.  I gave in.
• 4:15am – Benson is on Fresh Prince as Will’s boss at a dealership. Nick at Nite has become a staple in our house. Benson is still a pimp.
• 4:30am - Plus side to having Teaspoon at the NICU for the last month, he’s on a schedule when he comes home. He also just baptized mommy. Running count, Mom – 3  Dad  – 0.  Daddy rules!
• 5:07am – It’s 50F! That’s a heatwave!  Watching the KDKA Morning Show and reading Jim Lokay’s tweets while Teaspoon naps before his 7am feeding.
• 5:38am – I just opened my Google Reader for the first time in less than 24 hours. 738 new entries. So far the highlight, Dogfish Head has a new IPA coming out. Awwwww yeah!
• 8:00am – Fell asleep around 6am and a nurse came at 7am to get Teaspoon from Lushie for a final checkup and feeding with the doctor. Monitor didn’t go off all night! I’m going back to sleep for a few. Could be the last I get for a long time.
• 9:26am – Just got an update. Teaspoon is going home at 5.6lbs and 19 inches long. Birth weight he was 4.1 (17 inches) and at his lowest was 3.2 pounds. Good thing Yinz Team gave me their leftover HGH.
• 10:42am – Teaspoon is pitchin a fit. He’s getting his outfit on to leave and does not like it one bit. Daddy is shutting down and getting bags ready. Here we go!
• 1:48pm – We’re home!  It was a rainy ride north but we’re all settled now. Teaspoon is sleepin, Lushie is pumpin and I’m ordering lunch. Life is good.
• 3:05pm – Pizza Hut never tasted so good. Seriously though, 8 slices in a large? I think the pizza shrank.
• 5:07pm – Got a feeding done and all 3 of us are going to try and nap at the same time.
• 6:47pm – Nap was under and hour but that’s a start. Teaspoon is ready to watch some PITT basketball tonight with daddy.
• 7:54pm – Pitt’s defense has more penetrable holes in the paint than Jenna Jameson.
• 9:05pm – Teaspoon just gave mommy (holding a bottle) this look as if saying “Should I Drink That?“. I guess it could have been “bluuuuaaarrrgggh” too.  World may never know.
• 10:37pm – Kid is fed, Pitt won and I have to record a video for a class final due tonight. This is going to be a long night.
• 11:44pm – OK, we’ve gone a full 24 hours and it’s time to end this post. I just wrapped up my video for class, Lushie is catching a nap and I’m wide awake listening to Teaspoon make noises. Everyone, life is good. Oh yeah and GO NOVA! My brackets could use it

All times Eastern Standard Time

Since word first broke of this special brew from Dogfish Head was coming out earlier this year I knew it would be a must buy at any price. Apparently I spoke too soon. This champagne size rarity came in at $15 a bottle which for a 10% ABV beer is a bit steep but this is Pennsylvania after all and we’re use to our wallets feeling a bit light after a purchase

From the Dogfish Head website:
This beer is based on chemical analysis of pottery fragments found in Honduras which revealed the earliest known alcoholic chocolate drink used by early civilizations to toast special occasions.  The discovery of this beverage pushed back the earliest use of cocoa for human consumption more than 500 years to 1200 BC.  As per the analysis, Dogfish Head’s Theobroma (translated into ‘food of the gods’) is brewed with Aztec cocoa powder and cocoa nibs (from our friends at Askinosie Chocolate), honey, chilies, and annatto (fragrant tree seeds).

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this. Samples I saw poured at 3 Sons last week made me think they were mistaken but sure enough when I poured at home it indeed had a golden hue as you see in the picture above. No way this was going to be a chocolate. As always DFH teaches us to expect the unexpected and the Theobroma lives up to it.

Using my always trustworthy Dogfish Head glass the Theo poured a hazy orange with a solid white head which didn’t stay around for long so thankfully I snapped the picture in time. I was expecting more chocolate/cocoa  *umph* to the taste but found it boring for a DFH beer. Someone had to say it, I thought it was boring, dull, the opposite of thought provoking… you get the idea. I thought this was mediocre at best. I had a faint hint of cocoa on the nose so I’m thinking that after my overall experience this needs to be aged more and that’s exactly what’s happening. Sickpuppy is saving a bottle in the SIDT Beer Cellar for us to drink at a future date.

Spoon’s rating: C- (that’s only because it has potential)

The story behind the Dogfish Head 120 Minute Chug
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PodCamp Pittsburgh is a FREE community UnConference, run by and for people who create, enjoy or are interested in learning more about:

* blogs
* vlogs (video podcasts)
* audio podcasts
* web video
* social and content networks
* new media monetization
* more!

PodCamp Pittsburgh 3 will take place on October 18 and 19, 2008, with a meet-and-greet the evening of October 17.  SIDT will be providing and serving the craft beer   Make sure you attend the after party Saturday Night. It’s where legends are made!

Register today!

See the PodCamp Pittsburgh 3 schedule. Add a session you’d like to give, or request one you’d like to attend.

When started “Should I Drink That” we figured that if a few people downloaded our show we would be happy. We just wanted to talk about craft beer. In the 2 years since we’ve had our fair share of local publicity, made it on G4 Tech TV, nominated for awards and started writing craft beer related articles.

A little over a month ago when we got the call about DRAFT I had to take a few minutes to let it sink in. All I knew was that they needed a hi-res picture and we may or may not be in an article they’re writing. Podcasts don’t get nearly the respect they deserve in most circles so when something big comes along in the field you’re broadcasting about it’s pretty special. Yeah, I geeked.

If you turn to page 22 of the July/August issue of DRAFT pictured above, on the bottom you’ll find SIDT. At first I was hesitant when I heard it was about the  DFH 120 Chug video but after I got my hands on a copy I realized it was a very well written piece. DRAFT had roughly 250,000 subscribers so the boost in traffic to our site has already been jaw dropping. Timing for this also couldn’t have been any better with the cover showing rockstars of the industry Sam Calagione from Dogfish Head and Jim Koch from Sam Adams. At the release of this issue we also released our 40th episode which features the GREATEST CONTEST EVER by a podcast. I guess you could say the stars aligned just right this time.

I want to thank all family, friends and fans who have supported us (those who said this was a fad last summer I say… HA! blow me where the pampers is) and helped us become the quality show we are today. Now go out to your local Barnes & Noble, Borders or anywhere you can find craft beer magazines nationwide and buy the issue

cheers!

from dogfish.com
“An unfiltered, unfettered, unprecedented brown ale aged in handmade wooden brewing vessels. The caramel and vanilla complexity unique to this beer comes from the exotic Paraguayan Palo Santo wood from which these tanks were crafted. Palo Santo means “holy tree” and it’s wood has been used in South American wine-making communities.

This beer is a 12% abv, highly roasty, and malty brown ale aged on the Palo Santo wood. It was a huge hit at our Rehoboth Beach brewpub when first released in November of 2006, so it’s coming back… into full production.

At 10,000 gallons each, these are the largest wooden brewing vessels built in America since before Prohibition. It’s all very exciting. We have wood. Now you do too.”

We’ll see about that…

When a new DFH is available in my area, I try it. It’s like a new style of Pepsi, gotta try at least once. I got word from the weekly 3 Sons mailing list that the Palo Santo Marron was in. The what? I’ve never heard of this one? I have been lax on my DFH 2008 Release calendar so eh, my bad.

The pour was exciting. As soon as I finished emptying the last drop into my pint glass, the head on this beer went from a stagnant tan line and exploded into a nice 2 finger head. Didn’t last very long but it was cool to watch. Props for effects.

The aroma caught me off guard. Vanilla? *sniff* Banana? *sniff* fruity? wtf is going on here? According to the bottle and website this is an American Brown style beer. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a brown ale and I must say that I have NEVER had one like this. I like that, a style that surprises me.

First off this is 12% ABV. I’m not kidding, 12%! The max you would normally see is 8% so really it shouldn’t shock me that DFH kicked it up. I’d wager to say that most browns I’ve tasted have been pretty much the same. A little nutty, malty and slightly hoppy. The Palo Santo(Holy Tree) Marron was de-friggin-licious. Here’s why…

First off, I can’t taste the alcohol. When you see 12% ABV you face the risk of a strong alcohol taste. Must be the holy wood that fools you. Vanilla! Vanilla! Vanilla! Oh sweet Jesus it’s not overpowering but you know it’s there. *taste* mmm That would be a little fruit and nuts. Anyone who’s a freak about lacing though won’t like that it’s non-existent. Should you care? I really don’t. It doesn’t take away from the fact that this is a fine beverage.

Price I paid was $5 for a 120z bottle and $17-$18 for a 4 pack. That may seem pricey but for the Bud/Coors/Miler drinkers that would be equivalent to 12 of your beers… in 4 bottles. Crack one open and say hello to Wonderland, bitches!