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. 40 --- 17 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
please respond to this posting to peter.lafrance@beerbasics.com
include the word remove in
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===============================================
Editor: Claire Zuckerman
=================================
Greetings,
Welcome
to Hot Trub/BeerBasics.com ...
LATEST
NEWS:
ASK
THE PRESS:
This
week I am asking the members of the "beer trade" press:
What
is the biggest problem with being a journalist covering the beer beat?
ASK
THE BREWER:
This
week I asked 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?
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.)
I
invite your comments and criticism.
Cheers!
Peter
LaFrance
===================================
LATEST NEWS:
===================================
Utah Legalizes Alcohol Advertising with Exceptions…
The Associated
Press reports that the state of Utah agreed last Tuesday to settle a lawsuit
over Utah's ban on liquor advertising.
Under the
settlement, the state agreed to pay the plaintiffs $70,000 and promised any new
ad rules would be constitutional.
The lawsuit was
filed in 1996 on behalf of Catalyst, a magazine that sought to publish
a dining guide listing cocktails available at local establishments. The plaintiffs
include a private citizen and the nonprofit Utah Licensed Beverage Association.
Meanwhile, the
Utah Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission proposed Monday to allow advertising
but ban ads with religious themes, raising the possibility of new litigation.
Greg Schrif,
managing partner of the Utah Brewers Cooperative, said Wasatch Brew Pub
considers the new rule an attack on one of its ad campaigns: a series of
billboard ads proclaiming the beer - ``Utah's Other Local religion.'' It
also included the phrase, - ``Baptize your taste buds.''
Schrif has
contacted the American Civil Liberties Union with questions about how the
proposed rule might violate the business's First Amendment rights.
==================================================
Today, a Reuters
report from Brussels notes that beer is often overlooked for its medicinal
properties in favor of red wine.
Not only is the
golden liquid rich in vitamins, but taken in moderation, it could cut cardiovascular
disease and protect against cancer and osteoporosis, according to
the presentations at a one-day "beer and health" conference
attended by industry experts and scientists, held in Belgium, which itself has
a proud tradition of brewing frothy, fruity, brown and blonde beers -- not
least the heady brews produced by Trappist monks.
"The mood
altering properties were considered supernatural and intoxication thought to be
divine," said Antonio Gasbarrini, professor of internal medicine at the
Catholic University of Rome.
Experts at the
event said part of the secret of beer lies in its laxative and sedative
properties, which derive from the hops used to flavor the drink. Hops have
traditionally been used to treat health problems ranging from stress to menopausal
ailments.
Danish doctor
Erik Skovenborg notes that, "A pre-supper glass of beer has been shown to
improve social relationships among the residents of old folks homes and regular
drinkers of beer seem to be less prone to developing dementia."
=====================================================
Good
Pub Guide Says London Pub-Goers Getting Gouged
The Good Pub
Guide 2002 reported that Lancashire has the cheapest pint at an average of 1.68
pounds while in London pub-goers pay 50 pence more, or 2.18 a pint, nearly a
third more for a pint of beer than people in the north, according to the new
guide published on Thursday. The price survey of more than 1,300 pubs brings
the north-south divide into sharp focus.
Cheshire,
Cumbria and Yorkshire enjoy the lowest beer prices after Lancashire. The most
expensive pints after London are in Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Kent.
"Pub-goers
... are having their money creamed off, like the froth on the top of a
pint," the guide's editor Alisdair Aird said in a statement. "Often
the best way of getting value for money is to choose a beer from one of the
smaller brewers."
The Good Pub
Guide 2002 is published by Ebury Press and lists more than 5,000 pubs.
====================================================================
US AIRCRAFT CARRIER’S BEER STAYS ON ICE –
FOR NOW
A report filed by Reuters
from aboard the USS Carl Vinson on 16 October reports that "Beer Day"
on the U.S. aircraft carrier Carl Vinson has been postponed due to their part
in the air strikes against targets in Afghanistan. This Wednesday had been the
eagerly awaited day when the 5,000 sailors on board were expecting to be able
to enjoy a cool beer after 45 "dry" days at sea.
Captain Richard Wren,
commanding officer of the Carl Vinson, was quoted in the piece as saying,
"Because of the pace of operations and what we've been asked to do for the
foreseeable future...I've asked the department heads to make (Beer Day) a
moving target," However, he insisted that there will a "Beer
Day" in the near future because his crew will need to unwind.
Nearly 10,000 cans of
various beers were loaded from a supply ship onto the Carl Vinson last Friday
during a pause in the bombing. The beers traditionally accompany a barbecue on
the flight decks.
"'Beer Day' is one of
those morale enhancing issues," Captain Wren said, "It's a day that
we want to do, a day to rest and a day you can put on some shorts and a
T-shirt...but there's more to it than that. You actually need to mentally and
physically decompress."
According to the report,
"Fighter pilots have been flying missions of up to nine hours while those
flying the refueling tankers have been taking off two or three times a day to
support the bombers… On board, the crew of more than 600 hangar and flight deck
staff has been working long shifts to keep the planes in the sky from
mid-morning until the middle of the night, not to mention maintenance
overnight. Just four hours sleep is not unusual and there are no days
off."
=======================================
=================================================
=================================================
THE 2001 GABF GOLD MEDAL INTERVIEWS:
(Next week will feature two more interviews with
brewers
who won gold medals at the 2001 Great American Beer
Festival.
They are presented in the order that I was able to
get in touch with them.)
=================================================
=================================================
ASK THE PRESS:
(Edited for spelling, sometimes. Essential response
is unedited.)
This week in ASK THE PRESS:
What is the biggest problem with being a journalist covering the beer
beat?
Cheers!
Peter LaFrance
Publisher
Send responses to peter.lafrance@beerbasics.com
(Responses posted as received.)
=================================================
======================================
From: Stan Hieronymus [ stan@realbeer.com ]
>
Hi Peter,
An ongoing challenge is the knowledge gap. As you seek a wider audience --
whether you feel that more people should know about interesting beer or for
the practical reason that publications that cater to a wider audience pay
more -- you have to provide more background. The challenge is how much and
how do you do it without interrupting the flow of your story or insulting
readers who already know the difference between a lager and an ale.
Prosit,
Stan
Stan Hieronymus
Editor, Real Beer Inc.
The world's premier beer of the month club
and largest online resource for beer information
2335 Third St., #426
San Francisco, CA 94107
====================================
From: Marty Jones [ martysjones@worldnet.att.net ]
Peter,
Hurdles to beer journalism?
My thoughts, use what you like....
The bulk of beer writing opportunities are in beer trade/consumer mags that
typically pay very little, and take forever to pay. It's tough to make a
serious check writing for these publications.
The work available in broader audience publications (newspapers, for
example, where I focus my efforts) pays much better. But the opportunities
are fewer.
Why? Unlike the wine trade, the beer trade has not convinced publications
and editors on the need for beer press. Many editors, despite the huge
numbers of beer drinkers, think consumers don't care to read about beer.
Another hurdle? Most craft breweries do a poor PR job. Few of them spend any
effort informing writers and editors of their company's doings. Writing
simple news stories about new beers, staff, etc. often requires
investigative journalist skills. It shouldn't be that way.
Low-budget indie record labels and local bands send out CDs and press packs,
and pay folks to jog the memories of music scribes like me. If beer companies
did the same, the beer world would be a better place.
More readers and editors would know about beer, more beer would be sold,
companies would enjoy a bit more success. Beer writers would have more work
and command more importance in the journalism world.
MJ
Marty Jones - Journalist
==============================================
From: berniekilkelly@cs.com
Peter -
On your question regarding problems covering the beer beat,
as a freelance writer I see one of the biggest problems
being a scarcity of mainstream media outlets in which to
place articles about beer. There seems
to be much more
coverage in newspapers, men's magazines, travel publications
and food publications about wine and wine travel.
It is hard for me to tell if the problem is a lack of
interest in beer stories among editors of these publications or
that writers have not been creative or diligent enough in
pitching stories to these outlets.
My guess is that both factors are involved, but regardless
it means that beer writers need to work harder
than ever to get into the mainstream press.
Hope this is helpful, and I hope to talk to you soon.
Cheers,
Bernie Kilkelly
Bernie Kilkelly - freelance journalist
======================================================
From: Mrmakana@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 4:39 PM
Peter,
Readers need good, solid info about beers- i.e., good ones,
bad ones, taste testing, why some beers are special, etc.
Beer writers, like beer, often are not taken very seriously.
Rodney Dangerfield would have it made being a journalist
covering the beer beat, "We get no respect."
Cheers,
Rick Calley
Rick C. Calley (Freelance Beer Writer) - Southwest Brewing
News
======================================================
From: Aleconner@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 6:57 PM
In my experience, credibility as a "beer writer"
is in short supply.
Regardless of how many different publications I contribute to, how many books
I write, or how many writing awards I win, I still feel like I have to
justify my existence. There just doesn't seem to any respect for people
who
make a living writing about beer.
-Marty Nachel
Martin Nachel -
Freelance writer/author on beer and brewing.
=======================================================
From: Matt Stinchfield [ matts@brewingnews.com ]
Yes, I have
a beef as a member of the beer press. It is the perception of those being
written about in the beer press
(brewpubs,
breweries, restaurants, distributors, etc.) that only pleasantries should be
conveyed.
Every time
I expose a brewery making or selling crap instead of beer I get lambasted in
letters to the editor.
These
disappointed parties often refuse to continue to carry the publication for which
I write.
They
implore that the press should "do no harm," or as my elders
tried to teach me, "if you haven't something nice to say,
don't say
anything at all." I heartily differ. There are numerous well-established
beer writers who cautiously dance around
the matter
of bad beer... When was the last time MJ called a beer a "pot of
swill" or worse? Perhaps, never. I've had off-line
conversations
with numerous writers who have sharp opinions about pissy beer, lousy beer
marketing tactics, egregious
profit
motive within the industry, and other unsavory topics, but they never write
about it. They're happy producing fluff.
In my case,
I write for a consumer publication whose primary purpose it is to convey
important consumer-oriented
content on
the regional beer scene to knowledgeable beer consumers. If I write about a
brewery that is producing
an infected
product, then I am clearly within my mission to serve my beer consumer
readership. However, beer is
thicker
than water, and as unseemly as it seems, in many cases, brewers of good beer
will back their piss -- producing
neighbors
rather than let each stand on their individual merits. In some cases I have
seen ad revenue withdrawn
from
concerns making perfectly excellent brew, all on behalf of some
ill-defined fraternal perception.
Surely it
is a two-sided coin. The beer press requires revenue, but the consuming public
needs straight talk.
Here's a
quote from a recent CAMRA Newsletter...
Apostles of
real ale...will not be encouraged by the retrograde step
taken by Eldridge Pope in axing its own range in favor of cheap slop
from the nationals...the timing of EP's decision reinforced how
backward-looking, cowardly and sniveling it was.
(EP's) weasel words only make the decision stink even more...It
willingly introduced those two monstrous cuckoos, Carlsberg-Tetley
and Scottish Courage, into its nest. There have been reports of area
managers busting their guts to get them to ditch EP brands in favor
of the synthetic slop the company's philistine accountants prefer.
The pathetic bleating of EP's chairman (Christopher Pope) makes it
worse still. Before the decision EP was a quality company, brewing
legendary ales and running one of Britain's best independent wine
merchants'. In four short years it has declined to the point where it
now offers its public nothing but mass-produced pap so it can trouser
the discounts.
Enjoy the money, Mr. Pope. It doesn't cure regret.
Wow! Hey
CAMRA, do you need an American correspondent?
Matt
Stinchfield
Writer,
Co-editor
Southwest
Brewing News
===================================================
From: Lisalambic@aol.com
I think the most difficult issue facing a journalist covering the beer beat is
the conflict of interest issue.
I'll use Denver Colorado and
the GABF week as an example. There are several media invite events
that take place sponsored by
Sam Adams, New Belgium and The Real Beer Page to name only a few.
We each need to deal with
the effects of the possible conflict of interests that these receptions
can present.
On one hand, these events
provide a wealth of information on a company and/or products.
On the other,
professionalism can be put to the test when we are being entertained by a
generous host.
Cheers!
Lisa
Lisa
Variano (Freelance Beer Writer)
===============================================
From: Kurt Epps [pubscout@cybernex.net]
So many beer events, so little time....and ya gotta fit family responsibilities
in there somewhere!
Kurt E. Epps
The PubScout
You've got to hand it to the Sumerians--inventing BOTH writing AND beer!
Member/NJAB
======================================
From: CHalleron@vnubusinesspublicationsusa.com
Biggest problem covering the beer beat:
Swollen livers
--Chris
Christopher M. Halleron –
Sr.Asst.Ed -
Beverage World Magazine
======================================
Can't think of one that stands out at the moment.
John
John Hansell –
Publisher / Editor - The Malt Advocate magazine
================================================
================================================
ASK THE BREWER:
This week I asked 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
=================================================
From: Barbara Groom
[ brewbarb@northcoast.com ]
To: Peter LaFrance
Subject: Re: From
Peter LaFrance at HOT TRUB/BEER BASICS
1. I did not attend
even though we won a gold medal.
2. Not
Barbara Groom
Lost
Coast Brewery
==================================================
From: Pelican Pub
& Brewery [pelicanpub@oregoncoast.com]
Hi Peter,
I attended this
year's GABF with a three other representatives from the
Pelican Pub &
Brewery. For me, the GABF is the
highlight of the year. It
is very important to
me that the Pelican Pub & Brewery attends and competes
in the GABF, and
that our staff is in the booth to talk about our beers and
our brewery to the
beer-loving public.
Darron Welch
Head Brewer
Pelican Pub &
Brewery
"Small Brewpub
of the Year"
2000 Great American
Beer Festival
==================================================
================
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.)
===================================
Alaskan Brewing Company
announces the 2001 vintage year of Alaskan Smoked Porter.
To its credit, Alaskan
Smoked Porter has won 10 medals at the nation's prestigious Great American Beer
Festival.
Brewed only once each year
in small amounts, this limited edition beer can be successfully aged. Aging
allows a unique blend of plum, raisin, and sherry notes to emerge as it
continues to develop in the bottle.
"Making a smoked beer
in Juneau made sense historically, since due to our remote location, turn of
the century breweries malted their own grain," said Alaskan Brewmaster
Geoff Larson. “Of course this was
before the advent of electricity and ovens, so the grain was dried after the
malting process over fires, hence the smoky flavor and aroma.”
Distribution in November
will include Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Northern California and Northern
Nevada.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Kristi Monroe or Cindy
Burchfield at Alaskan Brewing Company.
(907)780-5866 or via email
at info@alaskanbeer.com
===================================
From the folks at Full Sail
–
“Wassail Winter Ale is a
lush, garnet colored strong ale that is brewed with
a combination of several
specialty malts and hopped with four varieties of
imported German Hallertau
hops. This richly balanced holiday ale
promises
to please the palates of
malt and hop lovers alike. ABV 6.6% ABW
5.3% IBU
52.”
Full Sail brews a line of
handcrafted ales and lagers including the award-winning Full Sail Amber, Pale,
and India Pale Ales as well as a line of seasonal brews. Full Sail is
available in 14 western
states. www.fullsailbrewing.com
=======================================
Warrior I.P.A. is on tap in
the Tasting Room now open Monday through Saturday from 12-to-6pm.
Also on tap, the owners are
now raising capital through a stock offering. For information call and
ask for Eric Wallace at 303.772.0258, or drop by the Tasting Room and leave
your name and address to get a prospectus.
=======================================
=============================
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
EVENTS:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OCTOBER
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
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
JULY
26-28 -- Oregon Brewers
Festival, Portland, OR
###