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BEER BASICS.COM
Vol.07 No.002 --- 21 December 2006
A newsletter of special interest to brewers, the brewing community, chefs, restaurateurs, and members of the beverage alcohol business media.
If you wish to be dropped from this list, please respond to peter.lafrance@beerbasics.com. Include the word "remove" in the Subject: line.
(The subscriber list is the sole property of the publisher and will not be sold, given or otherwise distributed.)
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Publisher: Peter LaFrance
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THE RANT
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Greetings,
The last week in December and the first week of January are fourteen days of obligations, irritations, and an occasion to reflect on what has gone before and what we have to look forward to.
Organized religions mark the calendar with their special events and to all who observe them I wish you all the best.
I don't know about you but I'm celebrating the Winter Solstice and leaving it at that.
(No one has found a way to commercialize that event.)
Nevertheless I have a few winter traditions.
My favorite part of this season returning to family traditions that grew from French Canadian roots. Oyster stew, Tourtiere and Buche de Noel are always on the menu.
Over the last few years Maudite (Unibroue) has been the beverage of choice.
In the last issue I asked you all to share your traditions and seasonal observations. I want to thank all how replied and note that those responses can be found in what I am now calling “MAIL CALL.”
I would also like to call your attention to this issue’s “A CHAT WITH…” This is a new section that will feature interviews with brewers, chefs, writers and interesting characters.
And yes, I am now a “Blogger” – Daily (for the most part) blog can be found at Http://www.beerbasics.blog.com
And so, as we end 2006 and gird our loins for 2007, I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.
That’s it for now….
Cheers!
Peter LaFrance
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FROM THE WIRES
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Art Appreciation
First of all I would like to draw your attention to the following piece from the Missoulian by Tristan Scott: Tapping into art
“… tap handles have
become a compelling way to entice beer drinkers into sampling a specific brand.”
“In some cases, an eye-catching tap handle constitutes a small brewery's central
method for advertising.”
“With so many craft beers available, breweries are focusing on their tap handle
designs as a way to distinguish their beers from others…”
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2006/12/09/news/local/news02.txt
My favorites come from Magic Hat in Vermont. Let me know if you have a favorite that might be worth looking at.
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More News
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Belly up to the bar?
Next I would like to draw your attention to a topic that is sure to push some "buttons" among the more conservative folks; the topic of the effect of beer and wine on the expecting mother and her unborn.
The following, as published in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel should be read and discussed:
Belly up to the bar?
To drink or not to drink when pregnant is a complicated question.
By Julia Moskin
the New York
Times
December 14, 2006
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Off The Wall
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Next we get to another case (pun intended) of “Silly Beer Laws.”
Popular beer pulled from Illinois market
By Scott Miller
scottmiller@pantagraph.com
“Bloomington -- Twin City beer drinkers must raise their glasses for a fallen
comrade.”
“A tiff between Bell’s Brewery Inc. and its distributor ousted the microbrew
from the
Illinois
market. Bell’s kegs throughout the state are drying up: Oberon Ale, Java Stout,
Two Hearted Ale and other seasonal stouts, porters and ales.”
“The loss stems from the state’s Beer Industry Fair Dealing Act of 1982 that
limits brewers to one distributor. Under the law, distributors purchase the
rights to certain beers.”
It seems that the distributor for Bell’s sold the distribution rights to a distributor that handles mass quantities of mega-brewery products. Not confident that their beers would continue to be handled the same way as in the past, the decision was to loose the market rather than have it gradually dry up.
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2006/12/11/money/doc457cf8f62af1f662151971.txt
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MAIL CALL!
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(Thanks to all who have sent in their “traditions”… )
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:
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A CHAT WITH…
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This issue features an interview with Maureen Ogle, the author of the recently published book – AMBITIOUS BREW – The Story of American Beer. Click on the link below to get to the “CHAT”…
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Dinners, Events, and New product Information
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POSTED: 4:53 pm MST December 4, 2006
UPDATED: 6:03 pm MST December 4, 2006
PORTLAND, Maine -- The state of Maine has banned a beer, not because of what's inside but because of what on the outside.
The state said that the label for "Santa's Butt Winter Porter" is "undignified and improper" and may attract children. The label shows Santa's large behind, fully clothed, sitting on a beer barrel.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/irresistible/10461902/detail.html#
FOR MORE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK:
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CHECK THESE OUT:
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Cask Ale Resource Link-
Alex Hall has put together a very helpful link to on-premise establishments that serve real cask ale.
http://www.cask-ale.co.uk/us/statemenu.html
Culinary Cultures LLC
For chefs, cooks and foodservice professionals.
Chef Ron L. Askew, Executive Director
The Food Reference Newsletter
Food History, Trivia, Quotes, Humor, Poetry, Recipes
James T. Ehler, Editor
Lew Bryson's Home Page
Beer maven Lew Bryson has a site that deserves a hit or two.
Of special interest is the Pennsylvania Breweries Update Page, for those who have his book Pennsylvania Breweries. Lew Bryson's website also offers frequent updates to his new book, NY Breweries.
Nat Decants Free Newsletter
Wine tips, sips and articles from award-winning wine writer Natalie MacLean. There are no ads and all e-mail addresses are kept confidential.
Contact: natdecants@nataliemaclean.com or http://www.nataliemaclean.com/
SALUT! (The Webb site.)
This site includes a recipe of the month (all beer-based recipes), a substitution chart so that those not lucky enough to have access to Quebec’s great beers can use an alternative beer, a brief history of beer in Quebec, and a Question & Answer section with Raymond Beauchemin.
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DIRECT ACCESS
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I have not had a chance to check these email addresses. I suggest you use the site addresses if you have any doubts.
1) BridgePort Brewing Co. www.bridgeportbrewing.com
Paula Troyer, Marketing Manager, 503-241-7179, paula.troyer@bridgeportbrewing.com
2) Pete's Brewing Co. www.peteswicked.com
Jennifer Shannon, Marketing Manager, 210-490-9128, jennifer.shannon@gambrinus.com
3) Spoetzl Brewery Inc.,Shiner, TX: www.shiner.com
Jay Finnigan, Marketing Manager,
210-490-9128,
jay.finnigan@gambrinus.com
4) Gambrinus: www.gambrinus.com
Ron Christesson, Director of Marketing, 210-490-9128, ron.christesson@gambrinus.com
5) Rogue Ales www.rogue.com
Michele Becker, Marketing 503-241-3800 x4 michele@rogue.com
6) Boston Beer Company www.bostonbeer.com
Michelle Sullivan 617-368-5165 michelle.sullivan@bostonbeer.com
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© Peter LaFrance 2006