HOT TRUB/BEER BASICS.COM
A newsletter of special interest to brewers,
members of the brewing community, chefs,
restaurateurs,
and members of the media that cover the beverage
alcohol business.
Vol. 2 No. 39 --- 10 October 2001
Published by: Peter LaFrance peter.lafrance@beerbasics.com
Journalist, covering the beverage
alcohol industry since 1985.
Author of:
Beer Basics (ISBN 0-471-11936-9)
Cooking & Eating with Beer (ISBN
0-471-31879-5)
visit www.beerbasics.com
If you wish to be dropped from this list
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===============================================
Editor: Claire Zucherman
Writers:
Marty Jones
Todd Alestrom
=================================
Greetings,
Welcome to Hot
Trub/Beer Basics.com ...
This issue puts a
different spotlight on the Great American Beer Festival. In The
State of BeerTown :
Todd Alestrom offers
his perspective on the health of the Association of Brewers, the folks that
bring us the G.A.B.F. and more....
LATEST NEWS:
For the next few
weeks I will be talking to the brewers that won gold medals at the G.A.B.F.
The first is Phil
Markowski a gold medal winner in the "English Style Strong Ale/Old
Ale"
ASK THE PRESS:
(The members of the
fourth estate get a break this week.)
PROMOTIONS
- EVENTS - DINNERS - From this issue through one calendar year.
(All
are invited to send events to be included: date, event name, brief description,
contact name & phone/web address.)
This week Claire
Zuckerman is on vacation - I put this one together all by myself.
Please welcome Todd Aelstrom from
beeradvocate.com
Thanks to Marty Jones for his
coverage of the G.A.B.F. last week.
I invite your
comment and criticism.
Cheers!
Peter LaFrance
===================================
LATEST NEWS:
===================================
by Todd
Alström of BeerAdvocate.com
Recent
rumors within the beer industry are pointing an accusing finger at the
Association of Brewers1 (AOB) saying “you’re in trouble.” Personally
I can’t stand rumors, so during my visit to the 20th Annual Great
American Beer Festival (GABF) I decided to quell or confirm them.
First,
I think it’s extremely important to note that two key players at the AOB have
recently moved on. JoAnne Carilli (ex-Marketing Director) has taken a job with
White Labs, Inc. as their Brewery Products Manager, and Julia Herz
(ex-Marketing Coordinator) has found a new home at Redstone Meadery in Boulder,
CO. Coupled with the tragic events of September 11th, I kept them in
mind and acknowledged them as probable contributors to the mumblings.
Now,
let’s go over some stats. At this year’s GABF, there were approximately 325
breweries & 1,488 beers on the floor, over 442 participating breweries
being judged with over 2,000 beers entered for the judging. 2001 was the first
year ever to hit over 2,000 entries. General attendance was below projections,
10% from last year with roughly 20,000 attendees. AOB booth & merchandise
sales were also up this year. Given the current state of travel and the unease
of American’s to travel, I’d have to say that this is most impressive.2
Impressive,
most definitely yes, however I did notice a lot less brewers/brewery reps this
year and what appeared to be an increase in volunteers. If this “lack of
brewers” were present, they weren’t behind their booths. I suspect they were
either wandering the floor, or going to one of the many non-GABF side events
that take place every year. I talked with several brewers and many seemed more
interested in these side events vs. the actual festival. Many also made a quick
one day appearance, while others didn’t even make it to a single session,
leaving volunteers to man the booths and answer questions – always a major
problem at festivals, especially when they have no knowledge of what they are
pouring to the inquisitive beer drinker. That aside the vibe at the 2001 GABF
was a very good, positive one – amongst event staff, the media, brewers and
attendees alike.
I
caught up with Cindy Jones, AOB Sales & Marketing Director, who stated that
“I'd like to quell your rumors regarding the AOB being in trouble. We operated
at a profit last year and expect to again this year. The strong turnout from
the industry and locals for the GABF says a lot about the strength and staying
power of the AOB and the GABF.” She further quelled with, “The AOB is not in
trouble, and there will be a 2002 GABF. The dates need to be finalized with the
Convention Center.”
In regards to the World Beer Cup 2002, its awards ceremony was abruptly moved
from its planned Montréal location (conveniently during the Mondial de la
bière) to Aspen, CO to coincide with the Food & Wine Magazine Classic.
Rumors have been spreading that the move might have been financially driven,
however Jones stated that the “Food and Wine Classic is a media heavy event for
the food and beverage world.” and that “The WBC awards ceremony has a goal of
getting a lot of media attention for winners.”
Lesson
learned? Perception is deceptive and beer, including those that support it, is
still very strong.
1The AOB is an
organization responsible for the Great American Brewers Festival (GABF), the
World Beer Cup, Zymurgy & New Brewer magazines and is home to the American
Homebrewers Association and the Institute for Brewing Studies, to name a few of
their reputable involvements & accomplishments within the beer industry.
For more information go to http://www.beertown.org.
2Numbers may not be 100% reflective of official AOB numbers which
were still being accumulated during publication of this article..
=======================================================================
(The
first of interviews with brewers who won gold medals at the 2001 Great American
Beer Festival.
Presented
in the order that I was able to get in tough with them.)
SOUTHAMPTON WINS GOLD AT 2001 G.A.B.F.
(A chat with brewer Phil Markowski.)
On 3 October
2001, The Southampton Publick House announced that it was awarded a Gold Medal
at the 2001 Great American Beer Festival for its’ SOUTHAMPTON OLD ALE, an
English-style strong ale.
“Old Ale” is a traditional English ale that
is moderately strong, between 7 and 8% alcohol, dark in color and
malt-accented. As the name “old” suggests, it is often aged in the bottle for a
period of a year or more where it develops greater complexity.
The Southampton
Publick House has brewed an “encore” batch of SOUTHAMPTON OLD ALE and will hold
a special tasting of the brew on Friday October 26 from 4-7 pm.
In the Old Ale/Strong Ale
Category (G.A.B.F. Category: 52), there were 26 entries.
The gold was awarded to
Southampton Publick House - Southampton, NY – for
their “Southampton Old Ale.”
When
I spoke to brewer Phil Markowski yesterday morning the question of “Style” came
up when I asked him to describe Southampton Old Ale.
“I think the Southampton Old
Ale was true to the style of a British Old Ale. It has the maltiness and
strength… and that aged character, not too much aged character.”
He went on to say that, “It
hit the major points in the same way a Thomas Hardy Old Ale does. Especially
with the classic invert sugar and molasses flavorings.”
His thoughts on entering
competitions such as the Great American Beer Festival were reduced down to four
words: “It’s a crap shoot.”
He pointed out that the
quality of those judging the GABF competition has improved from earlier years.
Although he maintains that there is an “East Coast” and “West Coast” way of
looking at beer styles in general, he said that the professionals and rated
judges that decide the competition do a good job.
===============================================================
Khaled Yacoub Oweis, the
Reuters reporter in Bagdad, recently filed a report on the Ferida Brewing
Company in the Zaafaranieh district southeast of Baghdad.
Muslim and Christian
industrialists established Ferida, the country’s oldest brewery, in 1956. It
resumed production last month after stopping for months for what management
described as "technical reasons."
Iraqis appear to like the
strong somewhat flat taste of Ferida.
Foreigners favor Ferida Red
Label, a less strong and more expensive brew, produced under license by
Amman-based Middle East International Investment.
"Ferida Red is actually
pretty good beer," says a foreign reporter who could not tolerate the
taste of Ferida. An Iraqi drinker disagrees. "We Iraqis want beer that has
an immediate effect," he says.
Some of the older Baghdad
restaurants still serve beer and whisky discreetly to preferred customers but
by law alcohol can only be sold at licensed stores.
===============================================================
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ASK THE PRESS:
(Edited for spelling, sometimes. Essential response
is unedited.)
(THE FOURTH ESTATE HAS BEEN GIVEN
THE WEEK OFF.)
Cheers!
Peter LaFrance
publisher
Send responses to peter.lafrance@beerbasics.com
=================================================
================================================
ASK THE BREWER:
Over the next week I will
be asking
all the breweries that subscribe to HOT TRUB/BEER
BASICS the
following two questions:
1) Did you attend the GABF this year?
2) How important was it to be there?
Feel free to respond directly and send your observation to the
email address below.
Thank you for your response.
Cheers!
Peter LaFrance
publisher
Send responses to peter.lafrance@beerbasics.com
=================================================
===================================
NEW PRODUCTS:
(All products provided by breweries.
Tasting notes are done by the publisher in beer-clean
2 oz. straight edged tasting glasses between 0900-1000 in an aroma-neutral
environment.)
(NO TASTING NOTES THIS ISSUE.)
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Alaskan Winter Ale 2001
On 10 October 2001 the
Alaskan Brewing Company, in Juno, Alaska, released their limited edition winter
seasonal, Alaskan Winter Ale.
Alaskan Winter Ale features
a unique ingredient: Sitka Spruce tips. Inspired by the use of spruce tips in
beer by seafaring adventurers during the 1700’s.
Brewed in the style of an
English Olde Ale, Alaskan’s seasonal offering is copper in color with a full
body to balance the warming sensation of alcohol. The tender new growth of Sitka Spruce tips lends a subtle, sweet
floral aroma that is balanced by the crispness of noble hops.
Brewer Brent Kesey notes
that it is a misconception that spruce tips are piney. Instead they offer a light, fresh aroma and
flavor.
Alaskan Winter Ale will be
available throughout Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming,
Northern Nevada and Northern California for a limited time this fall.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Kristi Monroe or Cindy
Burchfield
Alaskan Brewing Co. (907)
780-5866
or via email at info@alaskanbeer.com
======================================================
BridgePort Releases “BridgePort Ebenezer
Ale”
On 5 October 2001, the
BridgePort Brewing Company released its winter seasonal, BridgePort Ebenezer
Ale®.
BridgePort Ebenezer Ale is
full-bodied, malty and rich, with a deep amber color and a mild bitter finish.
Ebenezer Ale is bottle- and keg-conditioned
at 6.4 percent alcohol by volume.
BridgePort Ebenezer Ale¹s
brand packaging features pen and ink drawings of the evolution of the famous
Dickens character: one side of the six-pack carrier and case box shows Ebenezer
with his miserly "Scrooge" personality intact. The other side of the
packaging depicts the transformed Ebenezer, who, after having been visited by
spirits, has been altered into a caring and philanthropic soul.
BridgePort Ebenezer Ale will
be available in package and draught October 2001 through January 2002 in all
markets where BridgePort ales are sold, including Oregon, Washington, Idaho,
Montana, Alaska, Colorado, and Northern California.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Paula Troyer
(503) 241-7179
paula.troyer@bridgeportbrewing.com
==========================================================
Spoetzl Introduces Shiner Hefeweizen
Shiner Hefeweizen
(HEF-ay-vite-zen), is presented as a classic unfiltered Bavarian-style
wheat brew.
The distinctively cloudy
brew will be available year-round in seventeen states beginning August 31,
2001.
The brew will be sold in
bottles only. This fresh-tasting, crisp brew makes it a perfect accompaniment
to a variety of foods and is remarkably drinkable on a hot day.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Gary Hudman
The Spoetzl Brewery
(210) 490-9128
Allyson Levine/Kacey White
Fogarty Klein Monroe Public Relations
(713) 867-3135/(713)867-3256
===================================
PROMOTIONS - EVENTS - DINNERS
* NEW LISTING
===================================
*Heritage
Beer and Dinner Tour of Old Toronto
Oliver
Dawson, of the Beer Lovers' Tour Co. , has announced the fall
Heritage Beer and Dinner Tour of Old Toronto to be held on Saturday,
October 27th, 2001. It's a full day tour that will include brewery visits,
lunch, a "Wild Essen" Bavarian dinner, an exploration of
the "lost breweries" of Toronto, and tutored tastings.
For information visit The Beer Lovers' Tour Co. website: http://www.beerloverstour.com/toronto.html
Or call:
905-850-9570
=================================================================
Philadelphia
Beer Classes
Philadelphia beer maven Jim
Anderson will present educational events exploring beer styles,
flavors and compatibility with foods.
The following sessions are now available.
THE FALL SEMESTER OF BEER CLASSES
Jim Anderson is offering the following
instructional experiences. For more information use the following link -
http://www.beerphiladelphia.com/news.htm#calendar
Tuesday October 16
The Magic of Belgian Beer
La Campagne Restaurant in Cherry Hill, NJ
856-429-7647
Friday October 19
Beer Survey Course
The Restaurant School in Philadelphia
215-222-4200
Friday October 26
Beer For Wine Lovers
The Restaurant School in Philadelphia
215-222-4200
Friday November 2
The Magic of Belgian Beer
The Restaurant School in Philadelphia
215-222-4200
Tuesday November 6
Beer For Wine Lovers
La Campagne Restaurant in Cherry Hill, NJ
856-429-7647
Friday November 9
Local Flavors
The Restaurant School in Philadelphia
215-222-4200
===================================================
*The biggest Belgian Beerfestival
This year on a new location and a new date:
The biggest Belgian Beerfestival
24 uur van het Belgische Speciaalbier
3-4 november 2001
Oude Beurs - Meir (twaalfmaandenstraat) - Antwerp - Belgium
More info: www.24-uur.be
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EVENTS:
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OCTOBER
13
-- DOGtoberfest, Portland, OR Contact: Gary Geist, 503-236-3555 www.Luckylab.com
13
-- 10th Great Eastern Invitational Microbrewery Festival, Adamstown, PA,
717-484-4385, www.stoudtsbeer.com
13-14 --
Grand Old Portsmouth Fall Brewers Festival, Portsmouth, NH, 603-422-7503
23 -- 4th Annual WhiskyFest, Marriott Marquis, NY Contact: 800-610-6258, www.maltadvocate.com
27
-- ASH Octoberfest, Tempe, AZ, 480-775-2660, www.azbrewers.com
27
-- Washington Cask Beer Festival, Seattle, WA, Contact: Doug Hindman, dhind@quidnunc.net
27
-- Ashland Oktoberfest, Ashland, OR, Contact: Robert Mathis, 541-944-4198
NOVEMBER
3 -- The 8th Annual Maine Brewers' Festival, Portland, ME, Contact: Gritty
McDuff's Brewing Co., 207-771-7571 eastcoastevents@mindspring.com
4-7 --
MBAA Annual Convention, Guadalajara, Mexico, 414-774-8558, www.mbaa.com
9-10
-- 8th Annual Great NE International Beer Festival & 4th Annual NE Beer
& Cider Competition, Providence, RI, 407-274-3234, www.click2beers.com
9-11
-- 3rd Annual Orlando Beer Festival, Orlando, FL, Contact: Dayna Garrison,
407-224-5767
17
-- 2nd Annual Whiskies of the World Expo, San Francisco, CA, Contact:
888-748-2400, www.celticmalts.com
30-Dec
2 -- Holiday Ale Festival, Portland, OR, Contact: Chris Crabb, 503-228-3119
(info), 503-282-1583 (media), crabbsoup@earthlink.net - http://www.holidayale.com
30 - Dec 1 -- Great Canadian Beer Festival,
Victoria, BC, Contact: gcbfoffice@pacificcoast.net
2002
APRIL
10-13 – National Craft Brewers Conference
& BrewExpo America, Renaissance Hotel, Cleveland, OH Contact: Nancy
Johnson, Institute for Brewing Studies 303.447.0816
###