HOT TRUB@BEER BASICS

HOT TRUB@BEER BASICS.COM

Vol. 03 No. 22 --- 18 September 2002

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.

If you wish to be dropped from this list please respond to this posting 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

Editor: Deven Black

From Behind The Bar: Chris Halleron

On The Loose: Kurt Epps

On The Beat: Alan Wax

Travel: Sharon McDonnell

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

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LATEST NEWS:

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THREE FLOYDS BREWING PARTNER BUYOUT COMPLETED

Officials at Three Floyds Brewing Company in Munster, Indiana, have announced a finalized deal in the buyout of partner Leroy Howard. The deal was struck August 13th, 2002.

Three Floyds purchased the remaining business shares for an undisclosed amount, keeping the Three Floyds Brewing Company in the hands of the original employee owners.

The purchase allows Three Floyds to move ahead with expansion goals. What this means for Three Floyds is the purchase of a 22 ounce bottling line and additional tanks that will increase productivity four fold.

As part of the expansion, Three Floyds will also be adding a brewpub/restaurant at it's Munster facility, sometime in 2003.

For more information contact John Freyer of Freyer Marketing at fryorama@aol.com or at the brewery 888-266-0294 x 303.

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NEW STUDY SHOWS OLDER WOMEN BENEFIT FROM BEER WITH DINNER

A small sampling of women between 49 and 63 were able to increase their levels of HDL (or “good”) cholesterol by nearly 12% by enjoying three glasses of beer with their dinner over a three week time period, according to a report in the September issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, released Monday.

The findings support those of several earlier studies showing a relationship between moderate alcohol consumption and decreased risk of heart disease in men. The investigators measured levels of HDL and apolipoprotein A-1, the protein portion of HDL that carries cholesterol in the blood.

In addition to higher levels of HDL cholesterol, levels of apolipoprotein A-1 rose by nearly 9% by the end of the drinking phase. PON activity also increased by about 4% after 2 weeks, compared with levels during the non-drinking phase of the study.

According to Dr. Henk F.J. Hendriks from TNO Nutrition and Food Research in the Netherlands and colleagues, "Increased serum HDL cholesterol level and PON activity may be a mechanism of action not only in healthy middle-aged men, but also in postmenopausal women, underlying the reduced coronary heart disease risk in moderate drinkers."

SOURCE: Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 2002;26:1430-1435

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MICHELOB ULTRA LOW CARB BEER INTRODUCED

Michelob Ultra, the first U.S. first beer to claim that it's low in carbohydrates has just been introduced by Anheuser-Busch according to a company press release.

Each bottle of beer reportedly has 2.6 grams of carbohydrates; other beers have 6.6 grams. Some doctors have made claims that excess carbohydrates lead to more weight around the belly.

Michelob Ultra will cost about $7 for a six-pack. It has the same amount of alcohol as regular Michelob.

(Those of us not affected with long term memory loss might recall a product called Gablingers, created by Dr. Joe Owades in the 1970’s that claimed to have similar properties. – Peter LaFrance)

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MUNICH LOWENBRAU TO MAKE CINCINNATI DEBUT

Labatt USA has announced that it has begun importing all Lowenbrau for the U.S. market direct from the Lowenbrau brewery in Munich, Germany. One of the sponsors of the annual "Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati," Labatt USA chose that event to reintroduce the German Lowenbrau product. Since October 1999, Lowenbrau for the U.S. market had been brewed in Canada.

Lowenbrau packaging will also change from the current aqua blue label to the "Bavarian Blue" color used in every other country where Lowenbrau is sold. U.S. packaging will carry a large red stripe that clearly announces "Imported from Munich, Germany." The Lowenbrau name will also be repositioned, as Labatt USA adopts the name "Lowenbrau Original" -- the same name used worldwide for Lowenbrau -- instead of the current "Lowenbrau Original Munich Formula."

(For information on the Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati see:

www.oktoberfest-zinzinnati.com )

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KIM JORDAN TO BE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT 2003 CRAFT BREWERS CONFERENCE

Kim Jordan, CEO and President of New Belgium Brewing Co., will be the keynote speaker for the Institute for Brewing Studies 2003 Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America® at the Radisson Hotel in New Orleans May 7-10, 2003.

“We’re extremely pleased to have Kim as the keynote speaker,” said Paul

Gatza, Institute for Brewing Studies (IBS) Director. “Her company is a

model for the modern brewery. Kim is a dynamic leader for craft brewers both in the local community and national brewing scene in her work with the IBS, Brewers Association of America and the Beer Institute.”

Approximately 1,500 representatives from breweries across America will

gather in New Orleans next May to attend the Craft Brewers Conference, the nation’s largest annual gathering of the professional brewing industry. The Craft Brewers Conference is widely known for its consistent offering of expert speakers and superior educational experience.

BrewExpo America, the nation’s largest trade show for the craft brewing

industry, will share the stage with this year’s speakers, featuring more than 150 of the top vendors in the industry. Attendees will also enjoy numerous social opportunities to sample the delicious variety of beers available in New Orleans.

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SPECIAL REPORT: MALTERNATIVE FOLLOW-UP

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Adveriswing campaigns for the malternative segment are being scaled back, a sure sign that the new “segment” may be on the way out, according to a report by Stuart Elliott, the advertising reporter for the New York Times.

Elliott quotes Dave Peacock, vice president for high-end brands at Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis, as pointing out that “everything else that came out since Smirnoff Ice, Bacardi Silver and Skyy Blue hasn’t performed really well.”

Elliot also reported that two other flavored malts, Sauza Diablo and Stolichnaya Citrona will end their national campaigns, for the time being, because sources at Miller claim they will focus on retail initiatives and trade promotions in an effort to “gain distribution.”

Despite the poor showing in the market Miller claims it is too early to make a judgement and are quoted as saying, “What we do know is that Stolichnaya Ctirona and Sauza Diablo showed great promise in consumer taste tests.”

As Chris Halloran reported last week, rules for advertising and other malt beverages are not as strict as those for distilled spirits: for instance, national broadcast TV networks will accept commercials for malternatives but not for liquor.

However, Elliot noted that states like Kentucky and Tennessee, under their regulations of alcoholic beverages, are considering whether alcopops ought to be classified along with distilled spirits. Such a move would place limits on where they could be sold as well as how they could be advertised.

- Peter LaFrance

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Subscribers Speak Out:

Subject: Re: HOT TRUB@BEER BASICS.COM - Vol. 03 No. 21 --- 11 September 2002

In response to Mr. Halleran questions, "Who's drinking this @#$%?" I have an answer, teenagers.

A nameless friend how had worked for Hooper's Hooch parent USB, was sent to Padre Island to "get young girls to drink Hooch." My friend said that 80% of the population there was under 21.

John Freyer

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Subject: Re: HOT TRUB@BEER BASICS.COM - Vol. 03 No. 21 --- 11 September

2002

re:"Malternatives, who the hell is drinking this #$/* (hope I spelled that right).

In the saloon I operate, I have observed the very same thing, only the 21 yr old drinkers ask for it...proud to say we do not and will not carry it.

One of my partners loves Zima, but then, she is female, and English. In her favour, I will note she is funny as hell, loves red wine, and a great friend and business partner. A timely and accurate article, just what I expect from HOT TRUB. Monday is cool and crisp, so I am off to the the State Fair of Oklahoma with my staff now, with a stop at our tavern, first.

Craig Roche, Galileo bar & grill, OKC. Ok

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Letters To The Publisher

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Peter,

My special thanks to you and your new reporter about the article on Andechs. We toured Andechs several years ago and there are a few other items, from my recollections, that may be of interest.

First and foremost, there is one (yes, one) licensee of Andechs in the world. This is a little known fact and I have no idea how it came about, but the only licensee is Brick Brewing in Canada. I believe the only Andechs beer brewed there is the Helles, alas, and not the fabulous doppelbock. We were fortunate enough to obtain a few bottles of the Brick version of the Andechs Helles and it was wonderful. So, yes, Andechs beer is available closer than Germany.

The pub holds 3,000 people at a time. They get 3 million visitors a year, 2.75 million of whom go to the pub and the rest of whom visit the church.

The new brewery was constructed in what looks like an antiquated barn. There is no obvious evidence of a brewery there. Our wives even refused to walk down the hill until we confirmed the existence of a brewery and met our guide.

When Napoleon took over Germany, the various monasteries were forced to sell their assets. These included many breweries. Only a handful returned to brewing and many of those have since closed. There are about 7-8 brewing monasteries at this point in Germany. To my knowledge, on Weltenberg ships to the U.S. I have found them mostly in the West and they are well worth trying if you come across them.

Steve Frank

Brews Brothers

Mid-Atlantic Brewing News, and Gazette Newspapers

PS: many thanks for your marvelous news which I always look forward to receiving. Welcome back.

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NEW PRODUCTS - PROMOTIONS – EVENTS – DINNERS:

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THREE FLOYDS BREWING WINS 9 AWARDS AT INDIANA STATE FAIR

Three Floyds Brewing Company was awarded nine medals for the eight beers that they entered in the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis.

The Third Annual 2002 Indiana Brewer's Cup competition is open to brewers in all the Midwest states.

Three Floyds Dreadnaught Imperial IPA won "Best of Show". This hop monster is a huge blast of fresh hop bitterness that is balanced with a well-rounded malt character. Dreadnaught also won the Gold Medal for the IPA (India Pale Ale) category.

Others receiving Gold Medals were the Robert the Bruce Scottish Ale in the Scottish category and Behemoth Blonde Barleywine in the Barleywine category.

Alpha King Pale Ale took Silver in the American Amber category and Rabbid Rabbit received Silver in the Saison category.

Filling out the awards were Bronze Medals for Pride and Joy Mild in the Ordinary Bitter Category and Calumet Queen Kolsch in the Kolsch category.

Three Floyds brewers' newest creation Dark Lord Imperial Stout which placed a Bronze for a first time effort in the Russian Imperial Stout category. Dark Lord will not be made available commercially; it will only be sold at Three Floyds taproom in Munster.

For more information contact John Freyer of Freyer Marketing at fryorama@aol.com or 888-266-0294 x 303.

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Rock Bottom Celebrates Oktoberfest With Specialty Beer and $5,000 Grand Prize

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, announces it will tap its latest specialty brew, Rocktoberfest Bier nationwide on September 19 to honor Oktoberfest. In conjunction with the three-week long celebration, Rock Bottom will give $5,000 to one lucky winner of an enter-to-win contest.

Rock Bottom will also give away weekly kegs or happy hour parties in every market nationwide. All 30 locations are participating in the promotion; many of them are also offering flights of beers and German-style fare. For more information, please contact Jen Chavez-Hartman at 303-664-4325.

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Stone Brewing Hits A New Low with Stone Levitation Ale

Stone Brewing proudly releases their first new six-pack in over four years --- Stone Levitation Ale --- on September 23rd, 2002.

"Usually, when a brewery releases a beer that is lighter in alcohol, it also means it's lighter in character. Marketing weasels justify this by saying things like 'consumers are looking for a beer with more drinkability'" says Stone CEO Greg Koch. "Well, in our case, we never really cared too much for what the average consumer thinks they want. After all, what the hell do they know? Of course I’m very happy with the fact that not only do Stone drinkers tend to be more interesting than the average person, they’re quite a bit smarter too."

Instead, true to form, the folks at Stone Brewing tend to do what suits them. And it seems to suit them to brew Stone Levitation Ale.

"Yes, it's pretty low in alcohol for a Stone brew and no, this isn't some silly light beer," said Koch snickering audibly. "For beginners, we think light beer is for pansies and Stone Levitation has a pansy-quashing 55 IBUs (International Bitterness Units)*. Let 'em stuff that in their bonnets."

Opened in late July 1996, Stone Brewing recently celebrated its 6th Anniversary. Stone Brews can currently be found in 14 states.

* As a point of reference, an average major brand domestic beer typically has 8-12 IBUs. Light beers tend to have even less.

To view our Stone Levitation Ale Info Site:
http://www.stonebrew.com/tasting/levitation/index.html

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GREAT INTERNATIONAL BEER FESTIVAL & GREAT INTERNATIONAL BEER COMPETITION

The Great International Beer Festival and the Great International Beer Competition return to Providence, Rhode Island on November 8 and 9. This year marks the ninth year for the festival and the sixth year for the competition, both held at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

Previously named the Great Northeast International Beer Festival and the Great Northeast International Beer Competition, the two events are greatly expanded in scope this year, bringing in more beers from around the country and around the world. This expansion necessitated the dropping of the word Northeast from the events' names.

The Great International Beer Festival, held on Saturday, November 9, expects to attract approximately 5,000 people during the afternoon and evening sessions. Over 300 beers will be offered from at least 60 breweries.

The Great International Beer Competition, taking place on Friday, November 8, expects to draw several hundred professionally brewed domestic and imported beers and ciders. The beers and ciders will be judged in blind tasting panels by professional brewers. Gold, silver and bronze awards will be awarded in style categories.

Information about the Great International Beer Festival and the Great International Beer Competition is available from Festivals of America: www.click2beers.com, 401-274-3234. Brewing News.com is the media sponsor for both events.

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SEPTEMBER

19-22 – 15th Annual Addison Oktoberfest, Addison, TX, 800-ADDISON,

www.addisontexas.net

20 – Oktoberfest, Modesto, CA, 209-571-6480, www.modchamber.org

20-22 – Fremont Oktoberfest, Seattle, WA, 206-706-9869, www.freemontoktoberfest.org

21 – World Beer Festival, Durham, NC, 800-977-BEER, www.allaboutbeer.com

21 – 16th Annual Great Tucson Beer Festival, 520-296-2400,

www.sunsounds.rio.maricopa.edu/Tucson/index.html

21 – McMenamin’s 5th Annual Barley Cup, Salem, OR, 503-363-7286,

www.mcmenamins.com

21- 6 – Oktoberfest Munich, Munich - Germany, www.oktoberfest.de

21- 6 – Stuttgart Beer Festival, Stuttgart, Germany,

www.stuttgart-tourist.de/english/festivals/highlights.html

26 – Beer 2001(trade show), Brussels, Belgium, 32 (0) 2 474 85 38,

www.beerexportexhibition.com

OCTOBER

3-5 – Great American Beer Festival, Denver, CO, 303-447-0816, www.beertown.org

3-5 – 4th Twickenham Beer Festival, Twickenham, England,

www.jobin.freeserve.co.uk/camra4.htm

4 – Brewfest at the Beach, New London, CT, 860-447-0425, www.jayhayes.com/rotary

4-6 – Harpoon Oktoberfest, Boston, MA, 888-HARPOON, x31, www.harpoonbrewery.com

4-6 – Pilsner Fest 160, Plzen, Czech Republic, www.pilsner-ququel.com

5-6 – Greater Saint Louis Beer Festival, St. Louis, MO, 314-576-2727 (*call first,

may be canceled), www.mhcc.com

11-19 – Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, Kitchener and Waterloo, Ontario, Canada,

888-294-HANS, www.oktoberfest.ca

12 – Waffles and Puppets at Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY, 607-547-8184,

www.belgianexperts.com

12 – Acadia's Oktoberfest and Food Festival, Southwest Harbor, ME, 800-423-9264,

www.acadiachamber.com/oktoberfest.html

12-13 – Harpoon fest in Vermont, 888-HARPOON x31, www.harpoonbrewery.com

17-20 – Tulsa Oktoberfest, Tulsa, OK, 918-744-9700, www.tulsaoktoberfest.org

18-20 – MBAA Annual Convention, Austin, TX, 414-774-8558, www.mbaa.com

19 – Shiner's BOCKTOBERFEST, Shiner, TX, 713-867-3135, www.shiner.com

19 – 11th Great Eastern Invitational Microbrewery Festival, Adamstown, PA,

717-484-4385, www.stoudtsbeer.com

25 – 9th Annual Charleston International Beer Festival, Mt Pleasant, SC,

843-689-3440, www.bearfootsports.com

25-27 – 25th PINT-Bokbierfestival, Amsterdam, www.pint.nl

26-27 – Washington Cask Beer Festival, Seattle, WA, www.washingtonbrewersguild.org

NOVEMBER

1-3 – 25th PINT Bokbierfestival, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, www.bbf.htm

2 – 4th Annual AHA Teach A Friend to Homebrew Day, Anywhere You Happen To Be,

888-822-6273, www.beertown.org/AHA/

2 – Maine Brewer's Festival, Portland, ME, 207-771-7571, www.mainebrew.com

8 – 9 -- The 6th Annual Great Northeast Beer & Cider Competition/ 9th Annual Great Northeast International Beer Fest, Providence, RI.

Contact: Competition Director: Gregg Glaser, 203-834-0800;

Contact: gregg@yankeebrew.com

Festivals of America: Maury Ryan, 401-272-0980;

Contact: ryan@lovecraft.com

22-23 – 10th The Great Canadian Beer Festival, Victoria, British Columbia,

250-383-2332, www.gcbf.com

DECEMBER

6-7 – Harpoon Christmas Party, Boston, MA, 617-574-9551 ext 3,

www.harpoonbrewery.com

14-15 – 7th Annual Kerstbierfestival (Christmas Beer Festival), Essen, Belgium,

http://home2.pi.be/gmarch/eng/kerst_eng.htm

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