What beer should you drink?

The gang from SloshSpot.com and Eating The Road have put together another hilarious flowchart... this one to make your beer drinking decision easier!


Click on the image to see the full, much bigger chart. You won't be disappointed!

Zivjeli!

Beer Gifts for your Beer Geek

If you're having problems finding just the right gift for your beloved Beer Geek... look no further!

On this week's episode of Beer Buzz on Beer Tap TV (episode #57: On The First Day Of Christmas…) we give you a list of gifts that are sure to please any beer lover. Plus, I put together a list of my own for my Examiner.com column. Today is part one, tomorrow will part two, so be srue to check out The 12 Beer Gifts of Christmas - Part 1.

If you can't find the perfect gift from these lists.... well, you're SOL!

Beery Christmas and Hoppy Brew Year!

Risking Life & Limb

Last Thursday night we (Beer Tap TV) were hanging out at Trinity Brewing Company here in the Springs with the Dreaded One (Jason Yester, head brewer extraordinaire of TBC), Anna Nadasdy (Rocky Mountain Business Development Manager for Sierra Nevada), John Schneider (who works for Bristol while also doing his own thing at Black Fox Brewing), and several Tap Heads (including Brandon "WhopTBird" Jones).

We were all there for the official launch of the two collaboration brews by Sierra Nevada and Dogfish Head - Life & Limb and Limb & Life, and to film an episode of Taste Buds with these beers. It also happened to be one of the coldest nights we've seen in Colorado Springs in some time. Naturally, our CEO, Erik Boles (aka "One Crazy Muthafuka"), got it into his giant head that it would be a good idea to film OUTSIDE. In the single digit freezing cold night and thus the whole "risking life and limb to bring you Life & Limb" idea was born.

It went a little something like this: "We're here at Trinity Brewing Company... outside... blah blah... risking life and limb to bring you Life & Limb." Get it? Anna, being the trooper that she is, went along with the idea and it turned out to be one of the most hilarious episodes of Taste Buds we've done yet. And we've done over 170 of them now. It should air on Wednesday, so be sure to check it out here.

A word of advice: if you want to try these beers you better get them ASAP. Life & Limb is available in 22 oz bottles and on tap, whereas Limb & Life is only available on tap. What's out there sitting on retail shelves or in a pub's tapelines is all there is. Once that's gone...

While we were there Jason gave us a sampling of a "triple cherry dark sour" brew he's aging. Here's a little video I shot of that tasting session:



Cheers!

Sliding beer side up into the holiday home stretch

I realize this comes a bit late (what with this being December 2nd already), but I hope you all had a great Turkey Day.

This year I was thankful for having three NFL games on TV instead of the regular two, the continuing surge of great American craft beer, and as always... my loving wife (Fran, from "For the Love of Fran's Food" blog), who puts up with my maddening and time consuming passion of the liquid libation known as beer.

As most of you know I'm the co-host of the only televised beer news show in the known universe - Beer Buzz on Beer Tap TV. On our Thanksgiving Day episode, Tryptophantastic Beer News, we shed our Everyday Joe Clothes to become... The Bombastic Beer Busters! On it we burst the gravy bubble on a few long standing myths associated with beer, Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims. Myths like: Did the Pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock because they ran out of beer? Was the first building they erected a brewery? And, did they have beer at the first Thanksgiving? Be sure to check it out for all the answers.

On T-Day I sucked down a few incredible beers in order to wash down all that turkey, gravy, and pumpkin pie. The first was New Belgium's 2° Below Winter Ale, a super tasty winter warmer that went well with the snick-snacks prior to the larger feast. Next on the docket was Odell's Isolation Ale, another winter warmer. Last but certainly not least was Treblehook, a mighty fine barley wine from Redhook Brewing up in Woodinville, Washington. All three went very well with the food of the day. So... tell me, what beers did you imbibe on Gobble Day?

As you know I don't do in-depth analysis' of beers because everyone else on the Interwebs does them... better. However, if you want to see what Erik and Dusty from Beer Tap TV thought of these brews, check out Taste Buds #157 (Treblehook), and #161 (2° Below).

Lately I've been getting a lot of Emails asking where the heck I've been the last few months. Aside from the occasional Beer Wars entry (got another one coming soon) I haven't been updating this blog as much as I used to. Well, I've been here; just not here. Truth be told, by the time I get done with all my other beer related duties (Beer Tap TV, Rocky Mountain Brewing News, Colorado Springs Craft Beer Examiner, etc.)... I'm wiped out. All I wanna do is plop down in front of my gaming rig with a brew and frag Ruskies in Modern Warfare 2, take on the roll of Batman in Arkham Asylum (the greatest Bats game ever made!), or mindlessly massacre Mad Maxian scumbags in Borderlands. That, or cozy up with my wife (and inevitably our Alaskan Malamute Osa) on the couch and watch an episode of Fringe or Castle.

But I'll make this promise - let's call it an early New Year's Resolution... I'll post more often. All the "legit article" ideas have to go to the other spots first, but I'll try to drop in my own personal beer-adventures. After all, that's what blogs are for, right?

So with that... I hope ya'll have a wonderful holiday season. For now, I'll leave you with this: what seasonal holiday beer are you looking forward to the most?

Until next time... Zivjeli!

Beer Wars: A Tasty New Hope, Part 6

EXTERIOR: BREWOOINE -- DESERT -- DOLLARZ HOMESTEAD -- AFTERNOON.

The Worts gibber-jabber as they line up their battered
captives - including Art and Tripio - in front of the
enormous Sudscrawler, which is parked beside a homestead
made of three large holes in the ground surrounded by
several tall kegerators and one small adobe block house.

The Worts scurry around fussing over their slaves,
straightening them and brushing dust off of them. The
shrouded little creatures stink, and attract small
insects to the dark areas where their mouths and nostrils
should be.

From a dingy side-building limps Owe-me Dollarz, a
burly man in his mid-fifties. Blood shot eyes are sunken
back into a wrinkly, dust-covered face. As the brewer
carefully inspects each, he is closely followed by his
slump-shouldered nephew, Duke Flymalter. Or as Owe-Me
liked to refer to him - the village idiot. One of the
vile little Worts walks ahead of them spouting an
animated sales pitch in an odd, unintelligible language.

A voice calls out from one of the huge holes that form
the homestead. Duke goes over to the edge and sees his
Aunt Brewru standing in the main courtyard.

BREWU: Duke, tell Owe-Me that if he gets a translator to be sure it speaks BocceBall.

DUKE: Looks like we don't have much of a choice, but I'll remind him.

Duke returns to his uncle as they look over the
equipment for sale with the Wort leader.

OWE-ME: I don't need no steenkin' protocol droid.

TRIPEO: (quickly) course you don't. Not in this environment. I also know over thirty secondary functions that...

OWE-ME: What I really need is a 'borg that understands the binary language of kegarators.

TRIPEO: Kegarators! Sir, my first job was programming high pressure CO2 and nitrogen regulators... very similar to your kegarators in most respects.

OWE-ME: Do you speak BocceBall?

TRIPEO: You becha. It's like a second language to me. I'm...

OWE-ME: All right shut up! (turning to Wort) I'll take this one.

TRIPEO: (under his breath) Shut this ya fat sow.

OWE-ME: Duke, take these two over to the garage, will you? I want you to have both of them cleaned up before dinner.

DUKE: Waaa! But I was going into town to pick up some hemp converters...

OWE-ME: You can waste time with your friends when your chores are done. Now get to it!

DUKE: Fine! Ya fat bastich! (kicks the ground with his foot) You. And the red one, come on. Well, come on, Red... let's go.

As the Worts start to lead the three unsold slaves
back into the Sudscrawler, Art lets out a pathetic
little fart and starts after his old friend Lee. He
is held back by a slimy Wort, who zaps him with a
remote control of some kind.

Owe-Me is negotiating with the head Wort. Duke leads
Tripeo and the other bot towards the garage when
suddenly a plate pops off the head of the red droid
and sparks wildly.

DUKE: Uh, Uncle Owe-Me...

OWE-ME: Yeah?

DUKE: This 'bot has a bad motivator. Look!

OWE-ME: (to the head Wort) Hey, what the hell kind of P.O.S. are you trying to push on us?

The Wort goes into a loud spiel. Meanwhile, Art has
sneaked out of line and is moving up and down trying
to attract attention. He lets loose a loud fart.
Tripeo taps Duke on the shoulder.

TRIPEO: (pointing to Art) Yo! That little dude over there is in good condition. A real bargain.

DUKE: Uncle Owe-Me...

OWE-ME: Yeah?

DUKE: What about that one?

OWE-ME: (to Wort) What about the one that's holding his breath and turning blue? We'll take that one.

With a little reluctance the scruffy Wort trades the
damaged droid for Art.

TRIPEO: You'll be happy with him. He's really in first-class condition... even if he stinks. I've worked with him before. Here he comes now.

Owe-Me pays off the whining Wort as Duke and the two
trudge off toward the garage.

DUKE: Okay, let's go.

TRIPEO: (to Art) You better not forget this! Why I should stick my neck out for you is beyond me.

INTERIOR: DOLLARZ HOMESTEAD -- GARAGE AREA -- LATE AFTERNOON.

The garage is cluttered and worn, but a friendly
peaceful atmosphere permeates the low grey chamber.
Lee Tripeo lowers himself into a large tub filled
with warm baby lotion. Over by a battered speeder
little Art rests near a large Febreeze unit with a
cord plugged into the backside of his pants.

TRIPEO: Thank the maker! This baby lotion bath is gonna feel sooooo good. I've got such a bad case of crunk I can barely move!

Art replies with a muffled fart. Duke seems to be
lost in thought as he runs his hand over the damaged
fin of a small two-man Beerhopper spaceship resting
in a low hangar off the garage. Finally Duke's
frustrations get the better of him and he slams a
wrench across the workbench.

DUKE: It just isn't fair. Oh, Ciggs is right. I'm never gonna get out of here!

TRIPEO: (to himself) Does this kid every stop whining? (to Duke) Is there anything I can do to help?

Duke glances at the battered borg.

DUKE: Well, not unless you can alter time, speed up the harvest, or teleport me off this rock!

TRIPEO: No can do, buckwheat. I'm a 'borg not a magician. By the way, where the hell are we anyway?

DUKE: Well, if there's a bright center to the universe, you're on the planet that it's farthest from.

TRIPEO: Wonderful. Thanks for that helpful tidbit, Puke.

DUKE: Uh, you can call me Duke.

TRIPEO: That's what I said.

DUKE: No, you called me Puke.

TRIPEO: Whatever. I'm Lee Tripeo, human-cyborg relations, and this is my counterpart, Art Detzo.

DUKE: Hello.

Art farts in response. Duke wrinkles his nose.

DUKE: You're right... he stinks.

TRIPEO: Told ya so.

Duke unplugs Art and begins to scrape several
connectors on his head with a chrome pick.
Tripeo climbs out of the lotion tub and begins
wiping it from his body.

DUKE: You got a lot of carbon scoring here. It looks like you boys have seen a lot of action.

TRIPEO: Action is our middle name. With all we've been through, sometimes I'm amazed we're in as good condition as we are, what with the Rebellion and all.

DUKE: You know of the Rebellion against the Macro-Empire?

TRIPEO: Hell yes we do! That's how we came to be in your service, if you catch my drift.

DUKE: Not really.... have you been in many battles?

TRIPEO: Bottles or battles? Nevermind... same answer. Several. Actually, there's not much to tell. They shot at us, we shot at them. Had a few brews in between. I'm not much more than an interpreter, and not very good at telling stories.... until I've had a few anyways.

Duke struggles to remove a wad of gum from Art's hair.
He uses a larger pick.

DUKE: Well, my little friend, you've got this jammed in here real good. Were you on a cruiser or...

The gum snaps loose with a snap, sending Duke
tumbling head over heels. He sits up and sees a
twelve-inch three-dimensional hologram of Lay-a
Hopgana, the Rebel senator, being projected from
Art's eye patch. The image is a rainbow of colors
as it flickers and jiggles in the dimly lit garage.
Duke's mouth hangs open in awe.

LAY-A: Help me, Obi-Flan Wasabi. You're my only hope.

DUKE: WTF is this?

Art looks around and sheepishly farts. Lay-a
continues to repeat the sentence fragment over
and over.

TRIPEO: Ya, what the hell is that ya dwarf!? He asked you a question...(pointing to Lay-a) What is that?

Art whistles his surprise as he pretends to just
notice the hologram. He sheepishly farts again.
Lay-a continues to repeat the sentence fragment
over and over.

LAY-A: Help me, Obi-Flan Wasabi. You're my only hope. Help me, Obi-Flan Wasabi. You're my only hope.

TRIPEO: He says it's nothing. A malfunction. Old data.

Duke becomes intrigued by the beautiful girl.

DUKE: Who is she? She's smokin' hot!

TRIPEO: Not a clue.

LAY-A: Help me, Obi-Flan Wasabi...

TRIPEO: I think she was a passenger on our last voyage. Some big wig politico. The ship's captain was attached to...

DUKE: Is there more to this recording?

Duke reaches out for Art but he lets out several
frantic farts and a whistle.

TRIPEO: Chill out biznatch! You're going to get us in trouble. Trust him. He's our new master.

Art whistles and farts out a long message to Tripeo.

TRIPEO: He says he's the property of Obi-Flan Wasabi, a resident of these parts. And it's a private message for him. Quite frankly, I think he's full of sh*t. I don't know what he's talking about. Our last master was Captain Ant Hills, but with what we've been through, this little guy has become a bit... eccentric.

DUKE: Obi-Wan Kenobi? I wonder if he means old Ben Wasabi?

TRIPEO: Say what? You know what he's talking about?

DUKE: Well, I don't know anyone named Obi-Flan, but old Ben lives out beyond the Dune Sea. He's kind of a strange old nutbag hermit.

Duke gazes at the beautiful young princess for a
few moments. Drool forms at the corner of his mouth.

DUKE: I wonder who she is. It sounds like she's in trouble. I'd better play back the whole thing.

Art beeps something to Tripeo.

TRIPEO: He says the restraining bolt has short circuited his eye-patch recording system. He says if you remove the bolt he might be able to play back the entire recording.

Duke looks longingly at the lovely, little princess and
hasn't really heard what Tripeo has been saying.

TRIPEO: Hello!? I'm right here! Stop doing that you perv!

LUKE: H'm? Oh, yeah, well... sorry. Sure. I guess you're too small to run away on me if I take this off.

Duke pops the restraining bolt off Art.

DUKE: There you go.

The image of the princess immediately disappears.

DUKE: Hey, where'd she go? Bring her back! Play back the entire message!

Art farts an innocent reply as Tripeo sits up
in embarrassment.

TRIPEO: What message? The one you're carrying inside your crusty innards ya rat bastard!

A women's voice calls out from another room.

AUNT BREWRU: Duke? Duke! Come to dinner!

Duke stands up and shakes his head at the
malfunctioning midget.

DUKE: All right, I'll be right there, Aunt Brewru.

TRIPEO: Looks like short stuff had a brain aneurysm.

Duke tosses Art's restraining bolt on the workbench
and hurries out of the room.

DUKE: Get that stinky bastard to play back the entire message. I'll be right back. If you don't... I will. (Duke leaves the room)

TRIPEO: (to Art) You better reconsider playing that message for him or he's gonna beat the crap outta ya... literally!

Art farts in response.

TRIPEO: Nope, I don't think he likes you at all.

Art farts.

TRIPEO: Hell no! I don't like you either.

Art farts mournfully.

TO BE CONTINUED...........

Beer flows at 176th Munich Oktoberfest

Craft beers benefit

And if that weren't enough... craft beer was also on CNBC today!

Boutiqe Beers

Craft beer flows strong through recession, with Justin Phillips, Beer Table and Paul Gatza, Brewers Association.

Challenges Facing Craft Brewers in Recession

Here's a really good round table discussion on Fox Business with brewery owners Dan Kopman from Schlafly Beer, Brett Vanderkamp from New Holland Brewing Company, and Rick Rauch from The Gilded Otter on competing with large breweries during a recession.

Beer Wars: A Tasty New Hope, Part 5

EXTERIOR: BREWOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- SUNSET.

The gargantuan rock formations are shrouded in a strange
heady foam and the ominous sounds of aluminum cans
cracking open fills the air. Art moves through the rock
canyon without a care in the world. He inadvertently farts.
Suddenly, he hears a distant, hard, metallic sound. He
stops for a moment half expecting snow to start falling and
a silver train to rush by. Convinced he is alone, he continues
on his merry way.

Ahead of him a pebble tumbles down the steep canyon wall
and a small dark figure darts into the shadows. A bit
further up the canyon a slight movement inside a cracked
boulder reveals a pair of beer goggled eyes in the dark
recesses.

The unsuspecting Art waddles along the rugged trail until
suddenly, out of nowhere, a powerful blast of air freshener
shoots from the rocks and engulfs him in an eerie glow. He
manages one short fart before he topples over onto his
back. His eyes flicker closed, then open, then closed again.
Out of the rocks scurry three Worts, no taller than Art.
They holster strange and complex weapons as they
cautiously approach him. They wear grubby cloaks and
their faces are shrouded so only their glowing beer goggled
eyes can be seen. They hiss and make odd guttural sounds
as they heave Art onto their shoulders and carry him off
down the trail.

EXTERIOR: BREWOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- SUDCRAWLER -- SUNSET.

Eight Worts carry Art out of the canyon to a huge keg-like
vehicle the size of a four-story house. They adhere a small
coaster to the side of Art's head and put him under a large
vacuum tube on the side of the vehicle. One of the Worts
flick a switch and the little guy is sucked up into the giant
machine faster than shotgunning a Budweisenheimer. The
filthy little Worts scurry like rats up small ladders and
enter the main cabin of the transport.

INTERIOR: SUDCRAWLER -- HOLD AREA.

The hold area of the giant sudcrawler is dim. Art pulls a
small flashwand out of his satchel, flips it on and begins to
search the cargo area. The narrow beam swings across
junk and an array of drunks. He lets out a pathetic fart
and stumbles off toward what appears to be a door.

INTERIOR: SUDCRAWLER -- PRISON AREA.

Art enters a wide room with a four-foot ceiling. In the
middle of the scrap heap sits a dozen or so drunks in
various states of inebriation. Some are engaged in
mumbled conversation, while others simply puke on
themselves. A voice of recognition calls out from the
gloom.

TRIPEO: Art Deetzo! It's you! It's you!

A battered Tripeo scrambles up to Art and embraces
him.

EXTERIOR: BREWOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- SUDCRAWLER -- SUNSET.

The enormous Sudcrawler lumbers off toward the
twin suns, which are slowly setting over a distant
mountain ridge.

EXTERIOR: BREWOOINE -- DESERT -- DAY.

Four Imperial Beertroopers mill about in front of the
half-buried lifepod that brought Art and Lee to
Brewooine. They're sucking down cans of macro-swill.
A trooper yells to an officer some distance away.

FIRST TROOPER: Someone was in the pod. The tracks go off in this direction.

A second trooper picks a small metal beer can tab out
of the sand and gives it to the first trooper.

SECOND TROOPER: Look, sir... drunks.

EXTERIOR: BREWOOINE -- DUNES.

The Sudcrawler moves slowly down a great sand dune.

INTERIOR: SUDCRAWLER.

Tripeo and Art bounce along inside the cramped prison
chamber like two rednecks in the back of a pickup. Art
appears to be asleep.

TRIPEO: Wake up! Wake up!

Suddenly the shaking and bouncing of the Sudcrawler
stops. Tripeo's fist bangs into Art's head and wakes him
up. He lets out a noxious fart right in the direction of
Lee's face. At the far end of the long chamber a hatch
opens, filling the chamber with blinding white light. A
dozen or so Worts make their way through the odd
assortment of drunks.

TRIPEO: We're doomed.

A Wort starts moving toward them.

TRIPEO: Do you think they'll throw us in detox?

Art responds with a mournful fart as the Wort
approaches and raises his Febreze-gun.

TRIPEO: Don't shoot! Don't shoot! Will this never end?

TO BE CONTINUED...

======================================================

Seventh Annual Craft Lager Festival

The Seventh Annual Craft Lager Festival will take place August 8th and 9th from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM in Manitou Springs.

A few things you need to know about the Craft Lager Festival:

• USA Today rated it as one of the top ten beer festivals in the entire country
• It's the only U.S. beer festival that highlights bottom-fermented, hand-crafted lagers
• It's a solar-powered, sustainable festival

The CLF has finally moved to a bigger venue -- Manitou's Memorial Park! What else is new for 2009? They've added a second day, 15 new breweries and 50 new beers. Oh, and get this... Michelob (don't groan) will be unveiling a number of new craft lagers for the very first time.

What's more, this particular festival is so big NBC's Today Show has contacted them. It's very possible that you'll see Al Roker strolling around the grounds (with a beer in his hand perhaps?). Who knows, you might even get your mug on national television!

Live music will be performed by some smokin' local bands:

• Big Paddy & Grass It Up on Saturday
• The Jack Trades (one of my personal faves) and Creating a Newsense on Sunday

Set that weekend aside and come taste a bunch of small batch artisanal beers you won't find anywhere else... including this year's version of the (in)famous Warning Sign Imperial Eisbock.

There are a plethora of ticket options available, ranging from a standard one person ticket (starting at $35) to a VIP six-pack (at $310), so be sure to check out the entire selection on the Craft Lager Festival ticket website. All proceeds for this event support open space and parks in Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs.

I'll see you there because I'll be there (along with my Beer Tap TV amigo Dusty "Mr. Ed." Frazier)!!

Zivjeli!

What goes through your mind when someone says "Let's go for a drink?"

Thanks to my buddy Larry for sending me these! They're brilliant!

Beer Wars: A Tasty New Hope, Part 4

CIGGS: Duke, I didn't come back just to say good-bye. I shouldn't tell you this, but... you're the only one I can trust.

Duke's eyes grow wide with anticipation over Ciggs' seriousness.

DUKE: What... are you talking about exactly?

CIGGS: I made some friends at the Beer Academy. (he leans in and whispers) When our frigate goes to one of the central systems, we're going to jump ship and join the Brewers Alliance.

Duke, dazed and stunned, is almost speechless. And disappointed.

DUKE: Join the Rebellion?! Are you kidding! How?

CIGGS: Quiet down will ya! You got a mouth bigger than a meteor crater!

LUKE: All the better to... never mind. I'm sorry. I'll be quiet. (he whispers) Listen how quiet I am. You can barely hear me.

Ciggs shakes his head angrily and then continues.

CIGGS: My friend has a friend who has a cousin on Beersteine who might help us make contact.

DUKE: Your crazy! You could wander around forever trying to find them.

CIGGS: I know it's a long shot, but if I don't find them I'll brew what I can on my own. It's what we always talked about. Luke, I'm not going to wait for the Empire to draft me into brewing macro-swill. The Rebellion is spreading and I want to be on the right side -- the side I believe in!

DUKE: And I'm stuck here...

CIGGS: I thought you were going to the Academy next term. You'll get your chance to get off this rock.

DUKE: Not likely! I had to cancel my application. There has been a lot of unrest among the Dirtpeople since you left...they've even raided the outskirts of Anchorhead.

CIGGS: Your uncle could hold off a whole colony of Dirtpeople with one racking cane!

DUKE: I know, but he's got enough mash tuns going to make the place pay off. He needs me for just one more season. I can't leave him now.

CIGGS: I feel for you, Luke, you're going to have to learn what seems to be important or what really is important. What good is all your uncle's work if it's taken over by the Empire? You know they're starting to nationalize beer commerce in the central systems. It won't be long before your uncle is merely a tenant, slaving for the greater glory of the Empire.

DUKE: It couldn't happen here. You said it yourself. The Empire won't bother with this rock.

CIGGS: Things always change.

DUKE: I wish I was going...Are you going to be around long?

CIGGS: No, I'm leaving in the morning.

DUKE: Then I guess I won't see you.

CIGGS: Maybe someday. I'll keep a lookout.

DUKE: Well, I'll be at the Academy next season...after that who knows. I won't be drafted into the Imperial Brewer's Guild that's for sure. Take care of yourself. you'll always be the best friend I've got.

CIGGS: So long, Duke.

Ciggs turns away from his old friend and heads towards the power station.

To BE CONTINUED...

===========================================================

Beer Wars: A Tasty New Hope, Part 3

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

The Imperial Beerdestroyer comes over the surface of the
planet Brewooine.

EXTERIOR: BREWOOINE -- DESERT.

Wortland Wastes, or "No Beer Land", where the rugged desert mesas
meet the foreboding Suds Sea. The two helpless dudes kick up
clouds of sand as they leave the lifepod and clumsily make their
way across the desert wasteland. The lifepod in the distance
rests half buried in the sand.

TRIPEO: How the hell did I get into this mess? We seem to be made to suffer. It's our lot in life.

Art answers with an agreeing fart.

TRIPEO: I've got to rest before I fall apart. My joints are killin' me.

Art continues to respond with a series farts.

TRIPEO: What a desolate place this is.

Suddenly Art whistles, makes a sharp right turn and starts off in
the direction of the rocky desert mesas. Tripeo stops and yells.

TRIPEO: Where the hell do you think you're going?

A stream of bodily noises pours forth from the small guy.

TRIPEO: Well, I'm not going that way. It's too damn rocky! This way is much easier.

Art counters with a long whistle.

TRIPEO: What makes you think there are settlements over there?

Art continues to make burping sounds.

TRIPEO: Don't get technical with me you overweight blob of skin!

Art continues to make burping sounds.

TRIPEO: What mission? What are you talking about? OK, I've had just about enough of you! Go that way! You'll be S.O.L within a day, you nearsighted fart factory!

Tripeo gives the little guy a kick in the ass and starts off in
the direction of the vast Suds Sea.

TRIPEO: And don't let me catch you following me begging for help... because you ain't gonna get it!

Art's reply is a rather rude sound. He turns and trudges
off in the direction of the towering mesas.

TRIPEO: No more adventures! I'm not going that way.

Art burps to himself as he makes his way toward the
distant mountains.

EXTERIOR: BREWOOINE -- SUDS SEA.

Tripeo, hot and tired, struggles up over the ridge of a sand
dune only to find more dunes, which seem to go on forever.
He looks back in the direction of the now distant rock mesas.

TRIPEO: That outta shape piece of crap! This is all his fault! He tricked me into going this way... but he'll do no better.

In a huff of anger and frustration, Tripeo knocks the
sand from his shirt. His plight seems hopeless, when a glint
of reflected light in the distance reveals an object moving
towards him.

TRIPEO: Wait, what's that? A transport! I'm saved!

The now sunburned dude waves frantically and yells at the
approaching transport.

TRIPEO: Over here! Help! Please, help!

EXTERIOR: BREWOOINE -- ANCHORSTEAM SETTLEMENT -- BREW STATION -- DAY.

Duke and Ciggs are walking and drinking a malt brew.
Brewmeister and the others can be heard working inside.

DUKE: (Very animated)...so I cut off my power, shut down the afterburners and came in low on Beak's tail. I was so close I thought I was gonna fry my instruments. As it was I busted up the Skyhopper pretty bad. Uncle O'hen was pretty upset. He grounded me for the rest of the season. You should have been there... it was fantastic!

CIGGS: You ought to take it easy, Duke. You may be the hottest bushpilot this side of Mos Tooheys, but those little Skyhoppers are dangerous. Keep it up, and one day - WHAMMO, you're going to be nothing more than a dark spot on the side of a canyon wall.

DUKE: Look who's talking. Now that you've been around those giant starships you're beginning to sound like my Uncle. You've gotten soft in the city.

CIGGS: I've missed you kid.

DUKE: Well, things haven't been the same since you left, Ciggs. It's been so... lonely.

Ciggs looks around then leans in close to Duke.


TO BE CONTINUED...

Appetite for Life: Widmer Brothers

Chances are you've watched the Travel Channel a few times and thus are likely to know who Andrew Zimmern is. If not, he's the short, funny, bald guy who trots around the world tasting stuff you and I would never put in our mouth. "Bizarre Foods is like an hour long episode of the Survivor or Fear Factor segments where contestants eat a plate of moving... things.

Well, Zimmern also does a web show for MSN called Appetite for Life wherein he travels around the country sampling the food, and the life of the places he visits. There are currently six episodes, but beer geeks will want to watch #5 (Portland, Oregon), where Andrew visits Widmer Brothers Brewery and talks with Rob Widmer.

Beer Wars: A Tasty New Hope, Part 2

EXTERIOR: Brewooine -- BEER WASTELAND -- DAY.

A beer wasteland stretches from horizon to horizon. The tremendous
heat of the planet's twin suns settle on a lone figure, Duke
Flymalter, a hopfarm boy with heroic aspirations who looks much
older than his twenty-one years. His dreadlocks and baggy tunic
give him the air of a simple deadbeat with a goofy smile.

A light wind whips at him as he adjusts several valves on a
large battered brew kettle. He is aided by a beatup tread-robot
with six claw arms - three of which hold cans of beer. The little
robot appears to be barely functioning -- much like Duke, and
moves with jerky motions.

A bright sparkle in the morning sky catches Duke's eye.
Instinctively he dry heaves thinking it a figment of his hungover
imagination. Realizing it's not, he grabs a pair of mangobinoculars
from his prized imitation Batman utility belt and scans the sky.
He stands transfixed for a few moments studying the heavens, then
dashes toward his dented, crudely repaired hoopty... a '27 Galaxy
Groundcruiser (an auto-like vehicle that travels a few feet off
the ground on a flatulence-resonance field). He motions for the
tiny robot to follow him.

DUKE: Hurry up ya sorry sack of bolts! Come with me! What are you waiting for?! Get in gear!

The robot spins around in a tight circle, stops short, and pops
his lid. Smoke begins to pour out of every joint. Duke throws
his arms up in disgust. Exasperated, the young farm boy jumps into
his '27 Galaxy Groundcruiser and leaves the smoldering robot to
hum madly.

INTERIOR: REBEL GROWLER -- MAIN HALLWAY.

The awesome, seven-foot-tall Dark Lord of the Macro makes his
way into the blinding light of the main passageway. This is
Darth Fermentor, right hand of the Emperor. His face is blocked
by flowing black robes and a grotesque breath mask, which
stands out next to the fascist white armored suits of the
Imperial Beerstapo. Everyone instinctively backs away from
the imposing figure and a deathly quiet sweeps through the
Rebel troops. Several of the Rebel troops break and run in a
frenzied panic.

INTERIOR: REBEL GROWLER.

A woman puts a card into Art Deetzo's hand. Art burps.

INTERIOR: REBEL GROWLER.

Lee Tripeo stands in a hallway, somewhat bewildered. Art is
nowhere in sight. The pitiful screams of the doomed Rebel
soldiers can be heard in the distance.

TRIPEO: Art! Art Deetzo! Where the hell are you?

A familiar farting sound attracts Tripeo's attention and he spots
little Art at the end of the hallway in a smoke-filled alcove. A
beautiful young girl (about sixteen years old) stands in front of
Art. Surreal and out of place, dreamlike and half hidden in the
smoke, she finishes adjusting something on Art's face, then
watches as the little guy joins his companion.

TRIPEO: WTF?! You weren't doing what I think you were doing?! WERE YOU!?

Beerstapo troopers can be heard battling in the distance.

TRIPEO: They're heading in this direction. What are we going to do? We'll be sent to the torture racks of Guantánamo or smashed into who knows what!

Art waddles past his goofy friend and races down the
subhallway. Tripeo chases after him.

TRIPEO: Wait a minute, where are you going?

Art responds with a fart.

INTERIOR: REBEL GROWLER -- CORRIDOR

The evil Darth Fermentor stands amid the broken and twisted bodies
of his foes. He grabs a wounded Rebel Officer by the neck as
an Imperial Officer rushes up to the Dark Lord.

IMPERIAL OFFICER: The Beer Star plans are not in the main computer.

Fermentor squeezes the neck of the Rebel Officer, who struggles
in vain.

FERMENTOR: Where are those transmissions you intercepted?

Darth Fermentor lifts the Rebel off his feet by his throat.

FERMENTOR: What have you done with those plans?

REBEL OFFICER: We intercepted no transmissions. This is a beer wagon! We're on a beer delivery mission!

FERMENTOR: If this is a beer wagon... where is the Dalmatian?

The Rebel refuses to speak but eventually cries out as the
Dark Lord begins to squeeze the officer's throat, creating a
gruesome snapping and choking, until the soldier goes limp.
Fermentor tosses the dead soldier against the wall and turns to
his troops.

FERMENTOR: Commander, tear this ship apart until you've found those plans. Bring me the Dalmation alive. Oh, and while you're at it... a a cold beer too.

The Beerstapo troopers scurry into the subhallways.

INTERIOR: REBEL GROWLER -- SUBHALLWAY.

The lovely young girl huddles in a small alcove as the
Beerstapo troopers search through the ship. She is Princess Leia
Hopgana, a member of the Alderaan Brewers Association. The fear
in her eyes slowly gives way to anger as the muted crushing
sounds of the approaching enemy grows louder. One of the
troopers spots her.

TROOPER: There she is! Set for stun!

Leia steps from her hiding place and blasts a trooper with
her hopistol. She starts to run but is felled by a paralyzing
ray. The troopers inspect her inert body.

TROOPER: She'll be all right. Inform Lord Fermentor we have a prisoner.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Help pick the official 2009 Great American Beer Festival poster!

Every year the folks at the GABF have to choose from a number of different poster designs. Well, they want your help to pick the design for 2009! Go here and choose from the six posters they have on display and cast your vote! The winning design will be revealed in late May.

Here are a few of the posters...

Beer Wars: A Tasty New Hope

A long time ago... in a galaxy far, far away...

The awesome silver brew kettle of Sudsooine emerges from a total
eclipse, her two moons throbbing against the darkness. A tiny
silver spacecraft, a Rebel Beer Wagon known as a Growler, firing
hop pellets from the back of the ship, races through space. It is
pursued by a giant Imperial Beerdestroyer. Hundreds of deadly
streams of macroswill (highly condensed and focused beams of
bitter beer capable of destroying taste buds and blasting holes
into armor plating) streak from the Beerdestroyer, causing the
main solar fin of the Rebel craft to disintegrate.

INTERIOR: REBEL GROWLER -- MAIN PASSAGEWAY.

An explosion rocks the ship as two dudes, Art Deetzo and
Lee Tripeo struggle to make their way through the shaking,
bouncing passageway. Both feel old and battered. But that has
more to do with the hops and cannabis than their actual age.
Art is short, some would call him a midget. His face is a mass
of wrinkles surrounding one radar-like eye. A patch covers
his bad eye. Tripeo, on the other hand, is a tall, slender man
with sleek, angular, almost robotic features. Not a single
follicle of hair resides on his gleaming chrome dome. Another
blast shakes them as they struggle along their way.

TRIPEO: Did ya hear that? Geezuz! They've shut down the main brew kettle. We'll be destroyed for sure. This is madness!

Rebel troopers rush past the two dudes and take up positions
in the main passageway. They aim their weapons toward the
door.

TRIPEO: We're doomed!

Little Art makes a series of burps and farts that only Lee can
fully understand.

TRIPEO: Crap! There'll be no escape for the Princess this time.

Art continues making farting sounds. Tension mounts as loud
metallic latches clank and the scream of heavy equipment is
heard moving around the outside hull of the ship.

TRIPEO: What the hell... ?

EXTERIOR: SPACECRAFT IN SPACE.

The Imperial craft has easily overtaken the Rebel Growler.
The smaller Rebel ship is being drawn into the underside
dock of the giant Imperial beership.

INTERIOR: REBEL GROWLER.

The nervous Rebel troopers aim their weapons. Suddenly
a tremendous blast opens up a hole in the main passageway
and a score of fearsome, foamy white, armored Beerstapo
troopers make their way into the smoke-filled corridor.
Seconds tick by...

Suddenly the entire passageway becomes awash with
streams of macroswill. The deadly swill ricochets in wild
random patterns creating huge, wet explosions. Beestapo
scatter and duck behind empty kegs. Bolts of macroswill
hit several Rebel soldiers who scream and stagger through
the smoke, their Bitter Beer Faces telling the whole story
behind their horror and misery. An explosion hits near
the dudes.

TRIPEO: I should have known better than to trust the logic of a half-sized spaced out, homeless, douche bag like you!

Art counters with an angry burp as the battle rages around
the two hapless dudes.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Want to work for All About Beer Magazine?

You can.

All About Beer, now in its 30th year of bid'ness, is hiring an Account Manager. Basically you have to do two things really well: dig drinking cold craft beer and dig making "yucky" cold calls.

I never was a salesman.

As Account Manger, some of your duties will include (but certainly aren't limited to) managing sales of advertising space in All About Beer Magazine, World Beer Festival programs, and company websites, to homebrew suppliers, brewery suppliers, national non-beer, and local beer-related accounts.

Oh, and you'll probably be everyone's beer biotch when the beer fridge goes empty.

So if you're interested check out Craig's List and reply with a resume and cover letter to: jobs@allaboutbeer.com

Good luck!

Brewers Association releases Top 50 breweries list

Boulder, Colorado • April 13, 2009 – Brewers Association, which represents the majority of brewing companies in the U.S., announced the annual list of top 50 brewing companies. Released are lists for both Top 50 Craft Brewing Companies¹ of small and independent craft brewers (see Craft Brewing Statistics) plus a Top 50 Overall Brewing Companies list. Rankings are based on sales volume in 2008.

"In 2007, 35 of the top 50 brewing companies were small and independent craft brewers. In 2008 there were 37," states Paul Gatza, Director of the Brewers Association. "Craft brewers continue to have success and generate excitement behind the flavorful beer movement, but not without recent challenges including price increases for raw materials and supplies, as well as access to market issues."

Changes from last year's list include breweries moving up or down in the rankings based on volume sales. There was one new entrant into the Top 50 Craft list, The Saint Louis Brewery, and two craft brewers have claimed spots in the Top 50 Overall list—Big Sky Brewing Co. and Mac & Jack's Brewery. Consolidation of MillerCoors, last year's number 2 and 3 brewers, opened up a slot, and the merger of Widmer Brothers and Redhook into the company now named Craft Brewers Alliance, Inc. opened up another slot filled by emerging small and independent craft brewers.

A more extensive analysis of statistics on the craft beer segment in 2008 will be released April 22 during the Craft Brewers Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. The Association's full 2008 industry analysis, which shows regional trends and sales by individual breweries, will publish in the May/June issue of The New Brewer on May 19.

Top 50 Craft Brewing Companies by Beer Sales Volume
(Based on 2008 sales)

Rank	Brewing Company	City	State
1	Boston Beer Co.	Boston	MA
2	Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.	Chico	CA
3	New Belgium Brewing Co.	Fort Collins	CO
4	Spoetzl Brewery	Shiner	TX
5	Pyramid Breweries Inc.	Seattle	WA
6	Deschutes Brewery	Bend	OR
7	Matt Brewing Co.	Utica	NY
8	Boulevard Brewing Co.	Kansas City	MO
9	Full Sail Brewing Co.	Hood River	OR
10	Magic Hat Brewing Co.	Burlington	VT
11	Alaskan Brewing Co.	Juneau	AK
12	Harpoon Brewery	Boston	MA
13	Bell's Brewery, Inc.	Galesburg	MI
14	Kona Brewing Co.	Kailua-Kona	HI
15	Anchor Brewing Co.	San Francisco	CA
16	Shipyard Brewing Co.	Portland	ME
17	Summit Brewing Co.	Saint Paul	MN
18	Stone Brewing Co.	Escondido	CA
19	Abita Brewing Co.	Abita Springs	LA
20	The Brooklyn Brewery	Brooklyn	NY
21	New Glarus Brewing Co.	New Glarus	WI
22	Dogfish Head Craft Brewery	Milton	DE
23	Long Trail Brewing Co.	Bridgewater Corners	VT
24	Gordon Biersch Brewing Co.	San Jose	CA
25	Rogue Ales/Oregon Brewing Co.	Newport	OR
26	Great Lakes Brewing Co.	Cleveland	OH
27	The Lagunitas Brewing Co.	Petaluma	CA
28	Firestone Walker Brewing Co.	Paso Robles	CA
29	SweetWater Brewing Co.	Atlanta	GA
30	Flying Dog Brewing Co.	Frederick	MD
31	BJ's Restaurant & Brewery	Huntington Beach	CA
32	Rock Bottom Brewery Restaurants	Louisville	CO
33	BridgePort Brewing Co.	Portland	OR
34	Odell Brewing Co.	Fort Collins	CO
35	Victory Brewing Co.	Downingtown	PA
36	Mac and Jack's Brewery	Redmond	WA
37	Big Sky Brewing Co.	Missoula	MT
38	Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurants	Chattanooga	TN
39	Karl Strauss Brewing Co.	San Diego	CA
40	Breckenridge Brewery	Denver	CO
41	Lost Coast Brewery and Cafe	Eureka	CA
42	Otter Creek Brewing Co.	Middlebury	VT
43	Utah Brewers Cooperative	Salt Lake City	UT
44	North Coast Brewing Co.	Fort Bragg	CA
45	Blue Point Brewing Co.	Patchogue	NY
46	Boulder Beer Co.	Boulder	CO
47	Pete's Brewing Co.	San Antonio	TX
48	McMenamins Breweries	Portland	OR
49	Anderson Valley Brewing Co.	Boonville	CA
50	The Saint Louis Brewery, Inc.	St Louis	MO

Top 50 Overall Brewing Companies by Beer Sales Volume
(Based on 2008 sales)

Rank	Brewing Company	City	State
1	Anheuser-Busch InBev	St. Louis	MO
2	MillerCoors Brewing Co.	Chicago	IL
3	Pabst Brewing Co.	Woodridge	IL
4	Boston Beer Co.	Boston	MA
5	D. G. Yuengling and Son Inc.	Pottsville	PA
6	Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.	Chico	CA
7	Craft Brewers Alliance, Inc.	Woodinville	WA
8	New Belgium Brewing Co.	Fort Collins	CO
9	High Falls Brewing Co.	Rochester	NY
10	Spoetzl Brewery	Shiner	TX
11	Pyramid Breweries Inc.	Seattle	WA
12	Deschutes Brewery	Bend	OR
13	Iron City Brewing Co.	Pittsburgh	PA
14	Minhas Craft Brewery	Monroe	WI
15	Matt Brewing Co.	Utica	NY
16	Boulevard Brewing Co.	Kansas City	MO
17	Full Sail Brewing Co.	Hood River	OR
18	Magic Hat Brewing Co.	Burlington	VT
19	Alaskan Brewing Co.	Juneau	AK
20	Harpoon Brewery	Boston	MA
21	Bell's Brewery, Inc.	Galesburg	MI
22	Goose Island Beer Co.	Chicago	IL
23	Kona Brewery LLC	Kailua-Kona	HI
24	Anchor Brewing Co.	San Francisco	CA
25	August Schell Brewing Co.	New Ulm	MN
26	Shipyard Brewing	Portland	ME
27	Summit Brewing Co.	Saint Paul	MN
28	Stone Brewing Co.	Escondido	CA
29	Mendocino Brewing Co.	Ukiah	CA
30	Abita Brewing Co., L.L.C.	Abita Springs	LA
31	The Brooklyn Brewery	Brooklyn	NY
32	New Glarus Brewing Co.	New Glarus	WI
33	Dogfish Head Craft Brewery	Milton	DE
34	Long Trail Brewing Co.	Bridgewater Corners	VT
35	Gordon Biersch Brewing Co.	San Jose	CA
36	Rogue Ales/Oregon Brewing Co.	Newport	OR
37	Great Lakes Brewing Co.	Cleveland	OH
38	The Lagunitas Brewing Co.	Petaluma	CA
39	Firestone Walker Brewing Co.	Paso Robles	CA
40	SweetWater Brewing Co.	Atlanta	GA
41	Flying Dog Brewing Co.	Frederick	MD
42	BJ's Restaurant & Brewery	Huntington Beach	CA
43	Rock Bottom Brewery Restaurants	Louisville	CO
44	BridgePort Brewing Co.	Portland	OR
45	Odell Brewing Co.	Fort Collins	CO
46	Victory Brewing Co.	Downingtown	PA
47	Straub Brewery	Saint Marys	PA
48	Cold Spring Brewing Co.	Cold Spring	MN
49	Mac and Jack's Brewery	Redmond	WA
50	Big Sky Brewing Co.	Missoula	MT

For additional statistics, see Craft Brewing Statistics.

¹The definition of a craft brewer as stated by the Brewers Association: An American craft brewer is small, independent, and traditional. Small: Annual production of beer less than 2 million barrels. Beer production is attributed to a brewer according to the rules of alternating proprietorships. Flavored malt beverages are not considered beer for purposes of this definition. Independent: Less than 25% of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by an alcoholic beverage industry member who is not themselves a craft brewer. Traditional: A brewer who has either an all malt flagship (the beer which represents the greatest volume among that brewer's brands) or has at least 50% of its volume in either all malt beers or in beers which use adjuncts to enhance rather than lighten flavor.

###

Based in Boulder, Colorado, USA, the Brewers Association (BA) is the not-for-profit trade and education association for small and independent American brewers, their craft beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. Visit the Web site, www.beertown.org, to learn more. The association’s activities include events and publishing: World Beer Cup®; Great American Beer Festival^sm; Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America®; National Homebrewers Conference; National Homebrew Competition; SAVOR: An American Craft Beer and Food Experience; American Craft Beer Week; Zymurgy magazine; The New Brewer magazine; and books on beer and brewing. The Brewers Association has an additional membership division of 17,000+ homebrewers: American Homebrewers Association.

New Sam Adams LongShot variety packs hits shelves

New Samuel Adams LongShot Variety Six-Pack Hits Shelves Nationwide Featuring Winning Brews From 2008 American Homebrew Contest

2009 Homebrew Contest Call for Entries Underway

BOSTON, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- As America's interest in homebrewing and craft beer is at an all time high, Jim Koch and the brewers at Samuel Adams are proud to foster the talents of aspiring homebrewers by offering their unique recipes to craft beer drinkers across the country as winners of the 2008 Samuel Adams(R) American Homebrew Contest(TM). Samuel Adams Founder and Brewer Jim Koch, was joined by a panel of industry experts to select California-resident Alex Drobshoff's Traditional Bock in the final round of judging. Alex's beer bested more than 1,300 consumer entries.

Alex's beer will be joined in the LongShot six-pack by California-resident Mike McDole's Double IPA and Samuel Adams Employee Carissa Sweigart's Cranberry Wit. Mike's Double IPA won acclaim from the judges in 2007, but due to the worldwide hops shortage and a desire to preserve the integrity of the beer's recipe, calling for seven hop varieties, Mike elected to delay the brewing of his beer for the 2009 LongShot package. All three winning homebrewers brewed their winning recipes alongside the Samuel Adams brewers in Boston and their bragging rights also include having their recipes bottled and available nationally in the 2009 Samuel Adams LongShot Variety Package. Available for a limited time starting in April.

Samuel Adams employees compete in an annual homebrew competition. This company tradition, started in 2001, encourages passion and knowledge for craft beer while paying tribute to Jim Koch's "first" batch of Samuel Adams Boston Lager(R), homebrewed in his kitchen in 1984. Jim and the other brewers at Samuel Adams selected three finalists from all of the employee entries. These three employee homebrewers attended the 2008 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) and asked festival goers to taste and vote on their favorite. In the end, Carissa Sweigart's Cranberry Wit was the favorite and will be featured in the 2009 LongShot variety pack alongside the Traditional Bock and Double IPA.

"The number and quality of entries submitted to the Samuel Adams American Homebrew Contest and our annual employee contest continues to increase year after year," said Jim Koch, founder and brewer of Samuel Adams(R). "As a homebrewer for more than 25 years, I'm proud to see that passion for great beer is passed on to our employees. The brewing creativity and innovation in both the employee and consumers homebrews is more impressive every year. Alex's Bock, Mike's IPA, and Carissa Sweigart's Cranberry Wit are all exceptional brews that push the limits and demonstrate the endless boundaries of big flavor and the infinite ingredients available to today's craft brewer."

A panel of industry judges including our dear friend, the late William Brand of The Oakland Tribune, Tony Forder of Ale Street News and Marty Nachel, author of Homebrewing for Dummies, joined Jim Koch in selecting the 2008 consumer winners. Together, they determined the final winning consumer recipe based on the American Homebrewers Association Beer Judge Certificate Program guidelines. Each beer was carefully evaluated by style category and judged on how well the style characteristics and flavors were exhibited.

The 2009 Samuel Adams LongShot variety six-pack will be available nationwide in select retail stores in April 2009 for a suggested retail price of $9.99. The variety pack will include two bottles each of Alex Drobshoff's Traditional Bock, Mike McDole's Double IPA and Carissa Sweigart's Cranberry Wit.

ABOUT THE WINNERS AND 2009 CONTEST

Alex Drobshoff's Traditional Bock is a bright copper German inspired bock with a complex, full bodied mouthfeel. Underlying notes in the brew include hints of rich plum and cherry aromas paired with a toasty, malt flavor. He was inspired to create his Traditional Bock after listening to his friends travel encounters that described German beer as something that only could be experienced in Germany. Alex was up to the challenge and set out to replicate an authentic German bock right at home in California. The two year attempt to create this brew resulted in an award winning German inspired bock with a complex, full bodied mouthfeel. Alex's beer features hints of rich plum and cherry aromas paired with its toasty, malt flavor make this a great beer to linger over on a cool evening.

Mike McDole's Double IPA was inspired by the brewer's own deep appreciation for hops. Known in his West Coast Homebrewing community as having an affinity for hoppy beers, Mike used over six pounds and seven different varieties of American hops per barrel for his Double IPA. An intense beer that explodes the senses, Mike's brew is pale orange in color but makes up for it in a robust and malty taste. A full-bodied pale ale with strong spicy, floral and citrus aromas, this Double IPA is a hop-lovers' dream come true.

Carissa Sweigart, a national sales representative for Samuel Adams currently based in Colorado, chose her own hometown ingredients from Cape Cod as the inspiration for her winning Cranberry Wit. A delicious blend of cinnamon, orange peel, coriander and grains of paradise with hints of cranberry, Carissa's brew is bright, fruity and refreshing. The perfect beer to sip on a chilly day, this crisp brew is flavorful and well rounded.

2009 AMERICAN HOMEBREW CONTEST

Aspiring homebrewers have another shot at fame by entering the 2009 Samuel Adams(R) American Homebrew Contest(R). Interested beer drinkers can check online at www.SamuelAdams.com now for contest rules, regulations and information on purchasing a homebrewing kit. In addition, they can download Jim Koch's video, "The Art of Homebrewing" offering his personal tips on making a successful homebrew. Entries must be received between April 15 and May 1 and the winners will be announced at the 2009 Great American Beer Festival.

The Samuel Adams(R) American Homebrew Contest(R) continues the tradition first established with the 1996 Samuel Adams American Homebrew Contest and is a natural link to the company's roots. Jim Koch knows first hand the challenges and the personal rewards of creating a quality homebrew. He brewed the first batch of Samuel Adams Boston Lager in his kitchen in 1984. More than 20 years later, Koch is a recognized pioneer of the U.S. craft-brewing revival, and he continues to push the boundaries of brewing and follow his passion for elevating the craft beer-drinking experience.

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY BACKGROUND:

The Boston Beer Company began in 1984 with a generations-old family recipe that Founder and Brewer Jim Koch uncovered in his father's attic. After bringing the recipe to life in his kitchen, Jim brought it to bars in Boston with the belief that drinkers would appreciate a complex, full-flavored beer, brewed fresh in America. That beer was Samuel Adams Boston Lager(R), and it helped catalyze what became known as the American craft beer revolution.

Today, the Company brews more than 21 styles of beer. The Company uses the traditional four vessel brewing process and often takes extra steps like dry-hopping and a secondary fermentation known as krausening. It passionately pursues the development of new styles and the perfection of its classic beers by constantly searching for the world's finest ingredients. While resurrecting traditional brewing methods, the Company has earned a reputation as a pioneer in another revolution, the "extreme beer" movement, where it seeks to challenge drinkers' perceptions of what beer can be. The Boston Beer Company strives to elevate the image of American craft beer by entering festivals and competitions the world over, and in the past five years it has won more awards in international beer competitions than any other brewery in the world. The Company remains independent, and brewing quality beer remains its single focus. While Samuel Adams is the country's largest-selling craft beer, it accounts for just under one percent of the U.S. beer market. For more information, visit www.samueladams.com.

Source: Samuel Adams

Web site: http://www.samueladams.com/

Domo Arigato, Mr. Beerboto!

When I stumbled across this...



... which by the way I must have in my home immediately, I thought of this....



Unfortunately, according to the website, this beer pouring robot is sold out. The features of this R2-D2 looking robot:

• Stores and refrigerates 6 cans
• Programmable voice (male, female, or custom)
• Cleaning mode
• Child lock

And you got these things included in Delivery:

• 2 custom glass mugs
• 6 Foam cup bases
• Plastic floor protector
• Instructions in Japanese and English

If anyone has this, or knows how to get one... shoot me an Email! I WANT ONE!!!!!

Win a VIP trip to see "Beer Wars" in Hollywood!

As I mentioned, Beer Wars is a documentary written and directed by Anat Baron that takes you on a journey of the U.S. beer industry. It reveals the truth behind the label of your favorite beer.

Who doesn't like free VIP trips and free beer?! EXACTLY!

Sounds like a pretty good movie, right? Well, how would you like to win a VIP trip to the premier in Hollywood to see this event with the Three Drink-migos from Beer Tap TV? What's more, you'll get to attend a private reception with Anat Baron, drink with the folks in the movie (including Sam Calagione, Greg Koch, and others beer experts seen in the film), as well as shmooze with moderator Ben Stein.

Watch episode 22 of Beer Buzz to find out! It includes an exclusive interview with Anat about her highly-anticipated movie. At the end of the interview we make a very special announcement about how registered viewers of Beer Tap TV can win this incredible VIP trip!

For more info:
Beer Wars the Movie
Beer Buzz #22
Beer Wars LIVE with Ben Stein