Here is where you can vote for me to win the trip to CANFEST in Reno, NV. Select Scott out of the list below and vote! I would sure appreciate it
Thanks
Why I should be flown to Reno for CANFEST
September 2, 2010So Buckbean Brewing Company, whom I have touted on this blog many times, is holding a contest. And I am begging you, send me to CANFEST. Details below:
Starting now and lasting until the 1st week of September, we’re offering those with an established beer blog (meaning you didn’t build a blog simply to participate in this contest) an opportunity to write one blog post, centered on why they deserve to come to CANFEST.
Once we’ve got the compiled list of blog posts, we will post every link to our blog and filter via social networks, and pick a winner based on votes. The winner will be flown to Reno for the weekend and have the opportunity to attend all of CANFEST’s festivities and even be a guest judge during the competition portion.
I found out about this in, oh, July, and as usual, I procrastinated until almost the last minute., mostly because I wanted to think of a really creative blog entry.
And I failed.
At first I thought I’d try to come up with an autotuned song explaining why I should be selected. But even autotune couldn’t help me sound halfway decent. If I make your ears bleed, I guarantee you won’t vote for me!
Then I thought I’d do a video explaining, in a funny way and pulling in various memes like the double rainbow guy and Antoine Dodson, but my video camera uses Hi-8 tapes and I don’t quite know how to convert them to digital. Yes, I know no one uses tapes much anymore, but at least I’m not still rolling with the full size VHS tapes!
Then I thought I would impress you with my engineering knowledge and explain to you why I should be there to judge the viscosity of the beer and calculate the flow rate as the canned beer is shotgunned by various folks, but thought that would bore you. Heck, it bored me!
Then I had the brilliant idea of using my extremely hyper-masculine rugged movie star looks, hoping the ladies’ votes would put me over the edge. But then I realized, I’m as ugly as a post! And not a freshly painted, brand new post….a raggedy post with peeling paint that’s been peed on by dogs and knocked askew as a result of an unfortunate meeting with a Chevette.
Finally, I decided just to appeal to your sense of sympathy. Please please please send me to CANFEST. As you can see, I am a procrastinating out-of-tune-singing obsolete-technology-using engineering-studying ugly-as-a-post beer blogger hoping you find it in your heart to take pity on me and send me to CANFEST.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart….and my beer belly.
The Beer Snob
Beer Review: Trumer Pils
August 27, 2010
I was lucky enough to score a six pack of Trumer Pils lately, thanks to Debbie Rizzo of DrinkPR!
According to Wikipedia:
Trumer Pils is an Austrian pilsner previously sold almost exclusively in the Austrian federal state of Salzburg. It is characterized by hoppy bitterness, high carbonation, and a light body.
In 2004, Trumer Brauerei opened a brewery in Berkeley, California, to reproduce for the American market the Trumer Pils it has brewed for 400 years in Austria.
The Pour
This pours to a pale straw color. A one finger thick bubbly white head floats atop this very effervescent brew. A very vigorous pour resulted in an almost three finger thick head. It sure made for one beautiful beer in the pilsner glass.
The Nose
The nose contains some citrus and a slight sweetness, with a toastiness also making an appearance.
The Taste
This light bodied beer is very effervescent on the palate. Crisp and light, this beer shows lightly grassy hoppy flavors after an initial faint sweetness. The bitter hop flavor becomes more noticeable on the finish. This beer almost has a slight crispy cracker flavor and character to it as well.
Overall
A pilsner is essentially a pale lager, and I am not much of a lager fan. But there is something I like about this beer regardless. Whatever my personal opinion about lagers and pilsners, this pilsner is a good example of the style, and has a good hop flavor. This beer really reminds me of beers I’ve had on trips to Europe.
Recommended
If you’re a pilsner or lager fan, this is a good one to enjoy, with a good hop profile.
Price: Unknown, review samples
ABV: 4.9%
Beer Review: Sweetwater Motor Boat Ale
August 24, 2010
Yet another photo from The Full Pint
I first noticed Sweetwater Brewery because of the rainbow trout on the bottle. (I’m a sucker for trout….brook trout mostly, but I think rainbow trout are beautiful as well). I tried their 420 Extra Pale Ale first, and I found it to be a tasty but subtle brew. That was back in 2007 and I haven’t picked up any Sweetwater since then, for some reason. I recently found myself at Publix looking for beer, so I went with the subject of today’s beer review, Sweetwater’s Motor Boat Ale. As the bottle puts it, this is their “titillating version of an ESBBBBBBBBB!
The Pour
This unfiltered ESB pours to a sediment-rich orange/coppery color. My first bottle I overpoured, resulting in a very large 2 1/2 finger thick head that crested the mouth of the glass like a nice, light tan pillowy dome. When you take a look at the beer in the glass you can see the yeasty sediment slowly sinking through the beer. It’s funny, I noticed that when you raise the glass to your lips, the action of raising and then lowering the glass swirls the beer around, and the sediment swirling around the glass resembles some sort of awesome snow globe made up of yeast and golden nectar! There is a decent amount of lacing left on the glass as you drink the beer.
The Nose
This has a nicely hoppy nose that features citrus mixed with floral scents. There’s also a slightly powdery hint to the nose. It smells interesting!
The Taste
The taste of this beer nicely matches the nose. The hop in the taste, however, is more floral than citrusy, with a powdery dryness as well. The hop doesn’t linger on the finish as long as I expected it to, which makes it finish pretty clean. There’s a good malt backbone as well, giving it a well rounded body and a slight sweetness. The beer tastes of yeast and a slight dustiness as well. All of the beer’s flavors really take turns in the spotlight.
Overall
This light-medium brew has more character and depth of flavor than I expected it to. I thought I’d come out of this review thinking this beer wasn’t half bad, but I found it quite enjoyable.
Recommended
Definitely. This beer has good, simple flavors that intermingle well. No one flavor really overpowers or hogs the spotlight. They all well up on the palate on their own but also act as a well organized team.
Price: $8.69/6 12 oz bottles
ABV: 5.6%
Beer Review: Caldera IPA
August 21, 2010
Today’s beer review, Caldera IPA, is another review brought to you courtesy of my buddy Elmer. He recommended this beer to me, and I recently (finally) took his sage advice and tried what turned out to be a surprisingly tasty IPA. (Photo “borrowed” from http://www.thefullpint.com, so please visit their site!)
About the brewery
(Direct from Caldera Brewing Company’s Website) Caldera Brewing Company, located in Ashland, Oregon, was established in 1997. Caldera is dedicated and determined to produce uncompromised quality craft beers. Balancing premium malted barley, fresh whole flower hops, and natural carbonation, each beer is brewed for optimum sensory pleasures. Caldera is the first craft brewery in Oregon to brew and can its own beer.
About the beer
This beer is made with Simcoe, Centennial and Amarillo hops. According to Caldera, this beer is an American-style India Pale Ale brewed with plenty of body and an assertive hop profile.
The Pour
This slightly hazy, coppery orange colored beer pours slightly hazy and with a 2 and a half finger thick, somewhat pillowy head. The head quickly settles into a 1 finger thick, denser head that leaves great lacing clinging to the glass for dear life.
The Nose
Oh heavenly hops! The nose simply overflows with good clean floral hops and juicy grapefruit. This smells like it will be a great IPA. My mouth waters just inhaling it’s heavenly hoppy bounty!
The Taste
Smooth and extremely clean, the flavor of this beer is mildly citrusy/fruity upfront with a floral, slightly bitter hop flavor on the finish. The hops really come in on the finish, make you forget about the beer’s fruity aspects, and make you want another taste, just to experience the fruitiness again. There is a slightly thick, clinging mouthfeel to this light-medium bodied brew.
Overall
I love love love a good, complex beer, with endless depth of flavor and great character. This is not one of those beers. But I also appreciate a simple, very well crafted and flavorful beer, and this definitely fits the bill. This is an excellent example if what an IPA can be. Juicy grapefruit and floral hops can’t be done any better than they are here.
Recommended
Absolutely. I can recommend this without a doubt. If you like a good IPA, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. A template for what a great IPA could taste like.
Price: $2.29/12 oz. can
ABV: 6.1%
Contest: Win VIP passes to Stella Artois Las Vegas Regional Draught Master competitio
August 20, 2010THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED
UPDATE: So far I’ve only had one entrant! You can’t simply follow me on twitter or retweet my tweet to enter…you must follow me on twitter and @reply me to tell me you are entering the contest.
Good news! I was contacted yesterday and offered VIP passes to attend Stella Atrois Las Vegas Regional Draught Master competition Wednesday, August 25th.Bad news! It’s in Las Vegas, I’m in Nash Vegas. I can’t attend.
Good news! I’m allowed to give away these passes to one of my readers instead!
Here’s more information about the event:
Wednesday, August 25
Stella Artois Las Vegas Regional Draught Master competition
Wasted Space (at the Hard Rock)
4455 Paradise RoadLas Vegas, Nevada 89169
Time: Doors open to public around 9 p.m.; Competition starts around 9:30 p.m.What began as a city-wide search for the best local draught master will come to a head at the Stella Artois Las Vegas Regional Draught Master competition on Wednesday, August 25. Part talent and part passion, competitors from around the region will showcase Stella Artois’ signature 9-Step Pouring Ritual, designed to give consumers the best taste and experience.
Here’s what the (2) VIP Passes get you:
- Complimentary Stella Artois
- Gourmet hors de oeuvres picked to pair well with beer
- Exclusive access to local draught masters competing for a trip to Boston and a chance at the 2010 Stella Artois National Draught Master title
If you’ll be in the Vegas area Wednesday, August 25, and are interested, here’s how to enter:
- Follow me on twitter (http://www.twitter.com/the_beer_snob)
- You must @ reply me on twitter that you want to enter to win the passes or you will not be considered
- I will randomly pick one of those who respond to win the passes.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You are winning two VIP passes to the event. You have to find your own way to Vegas and your own place to stay. Lodging and travel are NOT provided.
Beer Review: Yazoo Brewing Company’s Summer Ale
August 9, 2010
Today’s beer review, Yazoo Brewing‘s Summer Ale, comes with an added bonus: 20% of the proceeds from the sale of this beer are donated to the Community Fund to help rebuild Nashville after our May floods. (The artwork on the bottle, by the way, was donated by a Nashville graphic designer, Derrick Castle.)
I first learned Yazoo’s Summer Ale was coming back in April, when I guest blogged a post about local springtime beers for OnNashville.com. According to Yazoo, this was going to be an organic English mild made with just one particular hop and one particular malt. I have since found out that the beer is made using “pilsner malt and lots of Saaz hops.”
The Pour
This pours a completely clear golden straw color, with a one finger thick, decently pillowy off-white head. It doesn’t seem to be an overly effervescent beer.
The Nose
The nose develops greater personality after the first couple of short sniffs. At first, it smells mildly hoppy and fruity, and quite clean. As the nose develops, though, a deeper fruit profile develops. I definitely picked up peaches in the nose, along with some other varieties of fruits…possibly hints of cherry and citrus?
The Taste
This starts dry and fruity and finishes dry and fruity. There is definitely a unique hoppiness to it, distinctive from other hoppy profiles I’ve experienced before. It’s not an obviously fruity or floral hop flavor to me, but more a spicy, bitter hop. It’s not a mouth puckering hoppiness but a distinctive hoppiness., that starts small at the front of the palate and quickly grows and spreads at the back of the throat. It almost has a powdery character to it as well. This beer is light-bodied and has flavors that linger well after the beer is gone.
Overall
I like the fruitiness the beer has…it’s a deep fruitiness that really keeps you drinking and smelling as you try to deconstruct the flavors. This is my first experience with a Saaz hops that I am aware of (and probably safe to say it’s my first all Sazz hops beer) and I can’t say I’m a big fan. When I read about Saaz hops I see it described as earthy and spicy. I get the spicy, but not at all the earthy.
Recommended
You’d be hard pressed to find a bad Yazoo beer, so I definitely recommend them, but if asked to recommend specific Yazoo beers, this would probably be last on my list. But 20% goes to a good cause….so at least give it a shot. You may like it more than I do, plus you’ll be drinking for a good cause.
Price: $1.99/12 oz. bottle
ABV: ???
Beer Review: Lazy Magnolia’s Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale
August 8, 2010
Tonight I went to Kroger with no idea what sort of beer I would try, because Kroger doesn’t always have the best selection. (I was in a hurry though, and was going to have to be happy with what they had). This particular Kroger had more than I expected (this one even had Brooklyn Brewery’s Lager) and I ended up picking up Lazy Magnolia’s Southern Pecan, an English-style brown ale brewed with whole pecans.
About the brewery
Founded in September of 2003, Lazy Magnolia is Mississippi’s first brewery offering locally brewed beer to Mississippians and visitors to our state at all of their favorite restaurants. Located in the Bootleg capital of Mississippi, we break with tradition by offering legal brew to our customers!
Lazy Magnolia is dedicated to providing the best possible products through our tireless efforts, our superior motivation, and our Southern heritage. We offer our customers a line of refreshing beverages, made in true Southern Style, complementing the traditions of the South and remaining true to Southern tastes.
About the beer (according to the brewery)
Southern Pecan, the Original Pecan Nut Brown Ale, is the first beer in the world made with whole, roasted pecans. Using a careful balance of the finest malts, aromatic hops and roasted pecans, Southern Pecan is delightfully smooth and warm, with a nutty sweetness that accentuates a delightful depth of flavor.
The Pour
This beer pours to a deep amber/amber brown color with a definite coppery appearance. The head that develops on this beer is about two fingers thick and a beautiful tan color. The head dissipates fairly quickly and the beer itself seems quite clear.
The Nose
The nose is far milder than I expected with this beer. I expected a nasal assault of pecan, but was greeted instead by subtly sweet nutty notes and buttery hints, layered atop a malty foundation.
The Taste
This beer had a heavier body than I expected. For some reason I expected it to be a pretty light bodied brew. The beer is also smoother, sweeter and tastier than I expected. It has a slightly oily and syrupy, buttery mouthfeel, but it is not at all overdone. The overall effect of the mouthfeel is a pleasant one. The flavors of this beer are mostly as subtle as they appear in the nose. Slightly sweet pecan nuttiness and some buttery notes make themselves known, and as the beer warms, a bite of real pecan flavor develops on the finish. The buttery mouthfeel and nutty flavor linger long after the finish.
Overall
In a nutshell (sorry, I couldn’t resist!), this is a very unique and tasty beer. I wouldn’t say this is a session beer, despite its 4.5% ABV, because the mouthfeel and flavor are so buttery and unique. This is definitely a beer to appreciate, though.
Recommended
Definitely…this is very unique and quite tasty. With its buttery and nutty notes, this is like the chardonnay of the beer world. I wouldn’t say this is a beer to have all the time though…more an occasional treat.
Price: $8.99/6-pack
ABV: 4.5%
Blue Point Brews “Toxic Sludge” to Help Feathered Friends Flying South
August 4, 2010I don’t know about you, but I think I would drink some Toxic Sludge to help the bufflehead! — The Beer Snob
(Courtesy JustBeerNews.com) 
Long Island, NY (August 3, 2010) – As American’s attention spans for the Deep Water Horizon oil spill begin to wane, Blue Point Brewing Company today announced a batch of charity brew created specifically to help birds hurt by oil spills, both now and in the future. The Black IPA (India Pale Ale) called Toxic Sludge will be available for distribution in draft and 22 oz bottles just in time for fall migration.
Blue Point will donate 100% of net proceeds from Toxic Sludge to Delaware-based Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research to fund their Spreading Our Wings Campaign and long term efforts to build a Wildlife Response Annex.
To help jumpstart fundraising efforts, starting today “Save the Buffleheads” T-shirts will be sold online for $25 at www.bptoxicsludge.com. The smallest diving duck in North America, the Bufflehead breeds in Canada and winters off the Gulf Coast.
Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research is an internationally recognized, licensed, nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation organization that cares for nearly 3,000 injured, orphaned, and oiled native wild birds each year ranging from hummingbirds to eagles. Tri-State is currently leading the wildlife rehabilitation response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. For more information, visit www.tristatebird.org.
Founded in 1998, Long Island, NY-based Blue Point Brewing is best known for its flagship brand, Toasted Lager that won Gold at the World Beer Cup in 2006. Blue Point brands are currently distributed in 12 states including MA, RI, NH, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC and FL as well as the District of Columbia. To learn more, visit www.bluepointbrewing.com.
Beer and Craft Beer: The differences explained
July 28, 2010I was thinking about beer tonight, and thinking about what beer is, beyond the standard dictionary definition, which usually reads something like this:
an alcoholic beverage usually made from malted cereal grain (as barley), flavored with hops, and brewed by slow fermentation
Thanks, Free Merriam-Webster dictionary! That’s a good generic definition of beer.
But then I started thinking, what’s the difference between beer and craft beer? Oh, I know, usually craft breweries are usually defined as small, traditional, independent breweries, but I thought a better way to define craft beer is to examine the differences between beer and craft beer. If you have more contrasts to offer, please leave them in the comments section. I’d love to hear them! I hope you enjoy…
Beer is made by large corporations named Anheuser-Busch, InBev and South African Breweries (SAB). Craft beer is brewed by people, like Sam Calagione, Linus Hall, Douglas Booth and Daniel Kahn, craftsmen who now run successful breweries because they loved beer and wanted to share it with others.
Beer tastes like….well, beer. Craft beer tastes, at various times, like chocolate, coffee, oak, caramel, molasses, grass, floral hops, dark fruit, smoke, grapefruit, oranges, lemon, coriander, pumpkin, hazelnut, and any number of other ingredients.
Beer is usually served ice cold from the can or bottle (to numb the tastebuds and make it palatable) and in massive quantities, in the hopes of getting drunk. Craft beer is lovingly poured into a special glass, at just the right temperature, and given the chance to warm and release its flavors as the color and thickness of the head, the color and clarity and the nose of the beer are all examined, analyzed and appreciated, before the beer itself is savored on the palate and the various flavors are allowed to arise and intermingle.
Beer is marketed, on television and in print, by making you think you’ll be cool or get the girl with their product. Craft beer is marketed, mostly not on television, on its merits as a beer, with emphasis on flavor and the ingredients that went into making the product.
Beer is usually yellow or brown. Craft beer can be anything from a hazy golden straw color to a coppery orange to a ruby brown to an inky black and everything in between.
Beer is made with cheap ingredients and adjuncts such as rice, to make the beer more bland and inexpensive, with the end result being a beer that makes you feel bloated and full. Craft beer is brewed using hand selected ingredients, specifically picked with certain flavor characteristics in mind and brewed with the end goal of flavorful, quality beer. It is more expensive but a much better value for the money.
Beer is sometimes “shotgunned” or used for a keg stand. Craft beer is sometimes selected and served as an integral accompaniment to a fine meal.
As you can see, I have an obvious bias towards craft beer. I hope the contrasts I have pointed out help you understand what craft beer is, and I hope it inspires you to leave Bud, Coors and Miller behind in favor of better beer, such as Dogfish Head, Yazoo, Buckbean and so much more.
Cheers!
The Beer Snob
