Pre Great American Beer Festival party @ Trinity!

NOW HEAR THIS! RED ALERT! ALL HANDS ON DECK! INCOMING BEER ALERT!

Jason Yester and Todd Walton from Trinity Brewing Company are hosting a massive, mega, off-the-friggin-hook, pre Great American Beer Festival party next Wednesday, October 8. This pre-festival festival kicks off at 11am at the brewery on 1466 Garden of the Gods Road in Colorado Springs.

These two guys are the rock stars of the beer world in Southern Colorado, so this is no ordinary shindig. Jason has managed to get a bunch of "one time only, wacky cool beers" from a hoary host of Colorado brewers to tap. Check out the lineup SO FAR:

• Brewer's Bitter (TommyKnocker's)
• Southwestern Braggot (Carvers)
• Gordon (Oskar Blues)
• Awaken Cask dry hopped with Oaxcan coffee and Chickory
• Flo Cask dry hopped with wild Colorado hops aged on French oak
• Patientia (Arctic)
• Bourbon Stout (Rockyard)
• Chille Ale (Shamrock)
• Kaiser Imperial Octoberfest (Avery)
• Ale to the Chief (Avery)
• Imperial Red (Amica's)
• Cranberry Saison (New Belgium)
• Hot Shots Harvest Ale (Pump House)
• Octoberfest (Lefthand)

Aside from the awesome beer selection expect to see traveling brewers making guest appearances as they head up to Denver for the completely sold out GABF!

This is bigger than big people... you do NOT want to miss it!


UPDATE... THIS JUST IN! MORE BEER!

This comes straight from Jason!

Ale to the Chief. A 100% Brettanomyces beer reminiscent of a Belgian Pale, but hopped with American cascade and dry hopped. Brewer, Steve ‘The Breeze’ Breezly.

Awaken Cask (Trinity). Naturally carbonated traditional English cask of our Awaken aged/served on a cold coffee toddy and Chicory. Brewer, Jason Yester.

Bourbon Stout (Rockyard). A Large and chewy Stout aged on ‘Four Roses’ bourbon barrels. Brewer, Jim Stinson.

Brewer’s Bitter (TommyKnocker’s): Fresh hop ale, heavy fruit hop, hops added less than 24 hrs after Harvest, Brewer, Steve Indrehus

Chile Ale (Shamrock). Amber Cold toddied with locally grown ‘Mira Sol’ making a spicy and aromatic glas of beer. Brewer, Alan Stiles.

Cranberry Saison (New Belgium).

Flo IPA Cask (Trinity). Naturally carbonated and served through a hand pump. This cask was dry hopped with wild Colorado hops and aged on French oak. Brewer, Jason Yester.

Gordon (Oskar Blues). Large and chewy Double IPA. I true treat and one of the first of it’s style in Colorado. Brewer, Dave Chichura.

Hot Shots Harvest Ale (Pump House). Brewed using Amarillo Hops less than 24 hrs after harvested. Distnct notes of peach and apricot are created by those hops. Brewer, Dave Mentus.

Imperial Red (Amica’s). A scarlet colored ale with light roast notes, a huge hop aroma, and an enormous hop character! Brewer, Mike Lacroix.

Kaiser Imperial Octoberfest (Avery). Extremely Large and toasty lager with light ester undertones. Brewer, Steve ‘Breeze’ Breezley.

Octoberfest (Left Hand). Light in body, toasty, and balanced, this is a true German-Style fest beer. Brewer, Joe Schiralde.

Patientia (Arctic Brewing). Oak-aged sour beer showcasing distinct notes of caramelized pineapple produced by Brettanomyces. Brewer, John Dunfee.

Southwestern Braggot (Carvers) A unique and very fruity beer brewed with the green fruits of Prickly Pear Cactus. Brewer, Erik Maxson.

Beer twin powers activate!

Two bottles of beery goodness collide and combine as Beer Tap TV and Confessions of a Beer Geek join forces to create something bigger and better! Check it out:

Stay tuned! Big, big, big things are coming!

Investing in your future... one beer can at a time

There's an investment strategy making the rounds on the Internet. Don't worry... it's not a fraud. Unlike so many of the "investment" banks on Wall Street.

===================================================
If you had purchased $1,000 of Delta Air Lines stock one year ago, you would have $49 left.

With Fannie Mae, you would have $2.50 left of the original $1,000.

With AIG, you would have less than $15 left.

But, if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drunk all of the beer, then turned in the cans for the aluminum recycling REFUND, you would have $214 cash.

Based on the above, the best current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle. It's called the 401-Keg!
===================================================

Thanks for passing this along to me, Nay! Now if you'll excuse me... I must go out and buy a metric ton of beer. In cans of course. After all... I'm investing in my future.

Put a porter in your pipe(line)... and drink it!

Kona Brewing Company is situated on Hawaii's Big Island. You've probably seen some of their "liquid aloha" at your local liquor store. The beers they ship off the island are: Long Board Island Lager, Fire Rock Pale Ale, Big Wave Golden Ale, Wailua Wheat and Pipeline Porter.

After doing some research I discovered that Kona has five other beers that they only serve on tap in Hawaii. To be honest, these sound more appealing to me... not that their exported bottled beers aren't good (because they are), but the draft beers sound more appealing to me personally. Tap only beers include Black Sand Porter, Duke's Blonde Ale, Lavaman Red Ale, Castaway IPA, and what would likely be my fave of the bunch -- Hula Hefeweizen. I've never been to Hawaii... I wonder if I can wrangle a beer writing trip out of this? ;)

Recently I was sent samples of Pipeline Porter and a bag of the world famous 100% Kona coffee (grown at the Cornwell Estate Plantation) that Kona Brewing uses in that porter. This was a very interesting taste test. Fran and I are big morning coffee drinkers, and just like beer -- I don't have one favorite that I drink all the time -- we like to sample a variety of different coffees. After having the Kona coffee from Cornwell (which we've never had before) it's easy to see why it's world famous.

Full disclosure: I've had Pipeline Porter before. In fact, I still have a bottle or two in my fridge from last winter. That's not a slight against Pipeline, I have other beers from last winter in there as well... remember, I'm a seasonal beer drinker.

However, this time was different. Sipping the freshly brewed Kona coffee for a few mornings prior to imbibing the beer that those same beans are used in totally changed the taste of the beer. I was able to discern the coffee nuances much more this time around.

Kona's PR description of Pipeline goes something like this: "... smooth and dark, with an earthy complexity from its blend of premium malted barley. The malt unites with freshly roasted 100% Kona coffee... a delicate blend of hops rounds out the palate-pleasing brew and the infusion of coffee gives Pipeline Porter a unique roasted aroma and flavor."

Can't argue with that. As you know I don't delve into deep, analytical, superfluous, adjective-laden reviews. I leave that to SMRT people. For me it's good or it's not to my liking. Pipeline Porter is damn good. And I'll be drinking more of it as summer gives way to fall which gives way to winter. The islanders may be sucking this down on on the North Shore of Oahu after a long day of hanging ten... I'll be sucking it down after shoveling a foot of snow off my damn driveway!

Zivjeli!

Now that's a Fantasy Draught!

So you fancy yourself a beer lover. And you fancy yourself a fantasy sports freak. Would a fantasy league that combines the best of both these worlds entice you?

Well, if it sounds intriguing the gang at The Beer Mapping Project have just the ticket!

Beer Mapping Fantasy Draught: Season Two! In a nutshell folks participating in this competition will have a list of the breweries that are submitting beers to be judged at the Great American Beer Festival coming up in Denver in a few weeks. Competitors in the fantasy league will try to select the breweries that will win them the most points. Just like in a real draft each brewery can only be picked by one person. they are going to limit the number of participants to between 30 - 35, so you best hurry on over to the site and register!

Let Oktoberfest begin!

It's that time once again when beer lovers from around the world descend onto Munich, Germany, for the biggest and baddest Oktoberfest in all the land. This giant beer-love-in lasts for another 15 days 5 hours and 46 minutes (give or take an hour or two). Which means you still have time to grab your lederhosen and hop on a jet plane!

If you aren't Bill Gates rich you still have a few local (here in Colorado) options. Denver's Oktoberfest on Larimer Street kicked off yesterday and runs until tomorrow, then fires back up again next weekend (26th - 28th). Check out the website for all the details. Fran and I were originally set on going, but... we're not. We decided to cancel and go up to San Luis Valley Brewing Company's Ales & Rails Oktoberfest in a few weeks instead.

For all you Southern Colorado Beer Lovers (go read my SoCoBX diatribes)... Woodland Park is hosting their 11th Annual Rocky Mountain Oktoberfest today and tomorrow. Since it's a quick hop up the pass to Woodland Park this is a much more manageable excursion then climbing aboard a 747 bound for Germany. Although this 'fest probably won't have nearly the same caliber of fraulines... or beer. Oh well, that's the price you pay for staying local! I'm not saying that Rocky Mountain gals ain't the bomb, but... they're not German frau's decked out in Dirndls. I mean... look at 'em! All German-y... hoisting liter mugs of beer. COME ON! Why do you think I married one?!

And if you can't get to any of the fests remember... my good friends Dieter and Norm down at Edelweiss will again be having their weekly festival specials. This is the best German restaurant Fran (who remember is 100% German) and I have ever been to. Starting the week of October 1 they will -- as usual -- be dishing out their fantastic German cuisine and serving up the best selection of German beer in the region. Week 1 is a Bratwurst special, Week 2 is Rippchen, Week 3 is Schweinehaxen, and back by always popular demand for Week 4... Bratwurst!

Prost!

Following up on the Ultimate Beer Run

In the last few weeks my brother and I have managed to do some serious damage to the "end of the world" stockpile of beer I purchased during our Ultimate Beer Run to Daveco Liquors.

Here's the original list:

• Achel Blond 5
• St. Bernardus Wit and Abt 12
• Delirium Nocturnum and Tremens
• Pyramid Imperial Hefe and Crystal Wheat
• Widmer W'08 Crimson Wheat
• Kapuziner Hefe
• Twisted Pine Brewing craft pack (2 bottles of 6 of their Twisted Pine series brews)
• Abita Turbodog
• Westmalle Tripel Dubbel
• Ommegang Three Philosophers
• Caracole Nostradamus
• Russian River Pliny the Elder and Blind Pig
• Rogue Dead Guy
• Unibrou Don de Dieu
• Gouden Carollus Noel

Here's what I've consumed from that list:

• Achel Blond 5
• St. Bernardus Wit
  
• Delirium Tremens
• Pyramid Imperial Hefe and Crystal Wheat
• Widmer W'08 Crimson Wheat
• Kapuziner Hefe
• Twisted Pine Brewing craft pack (2 bottles of 6 of their Twisted Pine series brews)
• Abita Turbodog
• Rogue Dead Guy
• Unibrou Don de Dieu

Now for a a brief rundown of each one...

Achel Blond 5 is achely heavenly! There isn't a Trappist beer I haven't liked.

St. Bernardus Wit is perhaps my new favorite wit beer. This is the first time I've had a St. Bernardus. I've heard about it for years but had no idea it was this damn good! I will most certainly be buying more of this.

Delirium Tremens is as usual... amazing. Trinity Brewing Company now serves this ON TAP and it's even better!

Pyramid Imperial Hefe and Crystal Wheat. Pyramid is one of my "go to" breweries. I love almost everything they brew. The Imperial Hefeweizen is no exception. I've got to get more of this before it vanishes! The Crystal Wheat on the other hand... not so much. It's harsh, and doesn't appeal to my buds in the slightest. I won't buy it again.

Widmer is my Numero Uno "go to" brewery. Their hefe is the bomb during the summer and the Snowplow is the bomb in the winter. Their W'08 Crimson Wheat is majesty in a bottle... and I want more! Rob and Kurt... send me your beer! Ya, I'm pimping again. Sue me.

Kapuziner Hefe is without qeustion the smoothest hefe either of us have ever tasted. Ever. This is so sessionable one could quite frankly live on this suckulent wheat beer. You can bet I'll be buying a lot more of this! I want to try their whole line of Hefes, so if a Kapuziner rep is reading this... SEND ME ALL OF THEM! ;)

Twisted Pine Brewing craft pack (2 bottles of 6 of their Twisted Pine series brews). IN this particular pack was a Raspberry Wheat, Hoppy Boy, Honey Brown, American Amber, Blonde, and Creamy Stout. Really enjoyed the Wheat and Honey Brown, but was left wanting more from the rest.

Abita Turbodog is down in Louissiana, and they can brew some beer. I'd drink this one again... and again... and again.

Rogue Dead Guy. If you've had it, you'll love it. I've had it... and I love it.

Unibrou Don de Dieu. A triple Wheat Ale that's been refermented in the bottle with an ABV of 9 %?! What's not to love!? This is yum in a bottle, baby!

Put a hook in me... a Redhook!

Autumn is rolling in. You can smell it in the air. Summer's hot air is getting chased out of the high country faster than a beer getting drained from my pint glass.

Like many, I am a seasonal beer drinker. As the climate cools my penchant for summer beers (mostly Hefes and Wheats) dissipates. With AM temps dipping dangerously into the low 40's over the last few weeks... it's time for a change in beer! Since I'm not one to drink normal mass produced swill... it's time for something crafty. A little bit of liquid goodness would be perfect right about now.

Something like... Redhook's Late Harvest Autumn Ale.

As you know the Mad Beer Man (damn that third person) doesn't do proper beer reviews. I grunt "good" or "meh." Bad beer (unless it's skunked) is a misnomer. Every single person's palate is different, therefore what's "bad" to one person may very well be the pinnacle of beery goodness to the next. Take for instance IPAs. I cant' stand 'em. Doesn't mean they're bad, they're just not my pint o' beer.

But Redhook's autumn brew... that's a different story. This sucker pours a coppery color. If you dropped a penny in it'd vanish. It has a thick, firm head. There's absolutely no smell after being poured into a glass. It tastes malty and a lot like Autumn... as it should since that is its frakin' name. Better still, there's no aftertaste. It's the ideal brew for chomping down a burger with.

So there ya go... grab yourself some Late Harvest Autumn Ale before it disappears. It's only available through October!

Craft Beer... and Sargento cheese!

Beer and cheese go as well together as wine and cheese. Maybe even better. I mean come on... cheese and beer go together like milk and cookies. Think about it. What's a burger without cheese? And beer. Cheese goes on pizza. And you can't have wine with pizza... it's un-American! Cheddar cheese brats. Wine and brats? Uuuuh... no. OK, so maybe I'm taking it a bit too far, but you get my drift.

A few months back I made a guest appearance on Beer Tap TV where we discussed/tasted Belgian beers. During the session we ate some cheese along with the beers and the degree to which the tastes of both were amplified was nothing short of amazing. Ever since then I've had my loving and understanding (thank God!) wife pick up different artisan cheese to sample along side my beers. Yuum!

Well, Sargento Cheese believes in the ability of their cheeses to bring out the best in every beer. In fact, they made a video about it. Take a look see..

So there ya have it! Those sliders look goooood! Think I'll go make some. Oh wait... I don't cook. Maybe Fran will make me some. ;)

Big thanks to Bob Krause for providing this video.

The Trinity has arrived!

Well, almost!

Last night Erik Boles (Beer Tap TV) and I attended a pre-party at Trinity Brewing Company. It was a combination private party for their friends and family, and a dry run for the employees... all in lieu of their grand opening tomorrow (Friday, August 29) at 11:00 AM MST.

When Erik and I first walked into the joint it was a maelstrom of sound and activity. Almost immediately we pitched in to (minimally) help Alex and Owen (two of the construction guys who built the place) put bar stools together, set them around the place (the bar and normal bar height tables are up in front, while several couches are in the back next to the roll up warehouse door for an intimate ), and "roughed up" the cool stainless steel tables. All that last second prepping... and the place is absolutely dazzling!

Here are two video clips Erik shot and streamed to Qik that will give you the briefest of ideas on what to expect:

The beer selection is probably the best in town. Oh sure, Old Chicago's has more, but the world class beers on tap at Trinity flat out destroys anything else. This is not only a brewery, but a first-rate beer bar. New Belgium La Folie, Delirium Tremmens, Russian River Damnation and Pliny the Elder, several selections from Stone Brewing (i.e., Arrogant Bastard, 8.08.08) -- and several other beers of world class caliber are on tap right next to Trinity's own meaty batch of brew. I sampled Soul, Awaken, and Flo. All were exceptional. And the food served here is not your typical pup grub. Not by a longshot. This will be the first establishment in the Springs that pairs the food with the beer every day, not just on special "beer dinner" nights. Nothing about this place is typical.

Myself along with the guys from Beer Tap TV will be on site tomorrow (between 1:00 - 2:00 PM MST) doing a live shoot (and streaming to the Internet), getting thoughts and impressions from guests as well as interviewing the masterminds behind Trinity, Jason Yester and Todd Walton. So keep you browser locked and loaded to Beer Tap TV for this very special event!

The Ultimate Beer Run

On Sunday afternoon my good buddy Erik Boles (from BeerTapTV) and I drove up to Daveco Liquors in Thornton, CO, where we met fellow beer geek, beer blogger and Beer Examiner, "Chipper" Dave Butler.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Daveco is the largest liquor store in all the world. After experiencing first hand the grandeur (and beer selection) that is Daveco we can resoundingly say it was the biggest one any of us had ever seen. Think the Costco of liquor stores. We all weeped with joy as we walked the isles. Heck, I think this place would even make Baby Jesus weep. We were literally like kids in a candy store.

Here's one clip of video Erik streamed via Qik (check out the other clip on Qik, as well as the tornado we saw touch down just south of Denver -- one in which we weren't more than half a mile from) while we stood before the Gates of Heaven (the Imported Singles section), which included beers from six of the world's seven Trappist monasteries (minus Westvleteren).

Needless to say, we all dropped several hundred dollars (each) on what amounted to "The Ultimate Beer Run." Here's what I got (Chipper and Erik, chime in with what you guys purchased!):

• Achel Blond 5
• St. Bernardus Wit and Abt 12
• Delirium Nocturnum and Tremens
• Pyramid Imperial Hefe and Crystal Wheat
• Widmer W'08 Crimson Wheat
• Kapuziner Hefe
• Twisted Pine Brewing craft pack (2 bottles of 6 of their Twisted Pine series brews)
• Abita Turbodog
• Westmalle Tripel Dubbel
• Ommegang Three Philosophers
• Caracole Nostradamus
• Russian River Pliny the Elder and Blind Pig
• Rogue Dead Guy
• Unibrou Don de Dieu
• Gouden Carollus Noel

Stay tuned for musings and follow ups (not reviews) on each of these beers as I've never had any of them. There will be some gooooooood drinking in the very near future!

Zivjeli!

Send me your beers!

Friends, Brewers, Cerevisaphiles, send me your brews; I come to drink your beers not to pour them out. The evil that unclean vessels can do lives on in the beer, and the good is oft interred with the wort; so let it be with bad beer. The noble Brewer hath told us he was ambitious. If it were so… HE’D SEND ME SOME!

Blah blah blah… that ancient tongue is tough. I can only do so much with it!

By now you know I'm not a shy guy. I like beer and I like trying a lot of different beer. So I'm sending out a call: Brewmeisters... I want your beer in my belly! Send me your delish brew and it will get written about/reviewed/referred to (or shunned if it's nasty) by moi -- The Mad Beer Man -- here on this blog as well as on the handful of other sites I perform my own "stylish" personal brand of commentary for.

Shameless self promotion from a shameless self promoter! Wooohooo!

That's right, I'm pimpin' out my beer belly!

You know you're a Beer Geek when...

I like to watch me some TV and movies. Over the last year or so I've found myself obsessed with trying to identify the brand of beer people are drinking in my favorite celluloidal presentation.

Have you ever found yourself doing this?

Take for instance the movie Smart People with Ellen Page (Juno), Dennis Quaid,Thomas Haden Church and Sarah Jessica Parker. If you liked Juno you'll like this movie too. However, beer makes an appearance in this flick a few times and I couldn't ID them. I thought one was a Rolling Rock, but there was another green bottle with a metallic label of some kind. Can anyone from the Pittsburgh area (that's where the movie was set) tell me what the hell that beer was? Geneesee maybe?

Ya know... this would be a good little niche project/website for some diehard movie watching beer geek. Complie a list of every movie that's had beer in it... and what the beer was! BRILLIANT! So... who's game?

Septembeer is almost here!

Septembeer means only one thing... OKTOBERFEST!!!

I know... it makes no sense. Why call it "Oktoberfest" when it starts in September? Blame it on those silly Germans. Those silly, wonderful, beer making, beer guzzling, life loving Germans. Aaaaah...

I won't bore you with the details about the why. Check out my rant from last year that describes in detail the history (and fun) of the original Oktoberfest. I will remind you that 2 years from now Fran and I will be hopping a big ole jet plane to attend the 2010 Oktoberfest in Munich. Wanna come? Contact me for more info! (Yes, you will have to pay your own damn way!)

So... back to this year's spates of Oktoberfests. We may not be going to Munich, but we are definitely going to Denver's Oktoberfest on Larimer Street. Big. Loud. Germany. Lederhoseny. Beery. Fun. This big, bad boy of festivus' runs two consecutive weekends: September 19 - 21 and again on September 26 - 28. Wanna come? Contact me for more info! (Yes, you will have to pay your own damn way!)

We're also going to try and hit the Breckenridge Oktoberfest on September 13 -14. We've been to this one before and it's a hoot. Plus, the location (Main Street, downtown Breck) is to die for! Wanna come? Contact me for more info! (Yes, you will have to pay your own damn way!)

Let the Beer Games Begin!

Dundee does Beer!

No, not the short, funny Aussie crocodile dude from the movies. This is a whole nutha Dundee.

So it's mid-August here in Colorado and the weather has taken a decidedly wintry turn. The months of June and July encompassed record heat and record lack of rain.

Well, that's all changed. We've had substantial, measurable rainfall for something like 12 days in a row now. It's been hovering below 60 degrees for the better part of the last two days. It even snowed on top of Pikes Peak today! In the middle of August! It feels like winter... and that means only one thing: Stout and Porter weather!

Yes, I'm a seasonal beer drinker. Warm weather is all about the hefes, wheats and other "lighter" brews. But the second it's cold enough to crack out thick, heavy jackets then it's time to crack open thick, heavy beers as well.

Last night I had a porter from Dundee Brewing Company that was very tasty. Living my whole life on the left side of the United States Dundee is new to me. I first had one of their Honey Brown's a few weeks ago on a trip to California and absolutely loved it. Thankfully they're selling their brews (in 12-pack craft cases, 2 of all 6 different beers) at my local store here in Colorado.
The Honey Brown is great. The Porter is sumptuous. The Pale Bock is very sessionable. The Pale Ale is OK, and the IPA is too hoppy for my taste (but Fran liked it). Being a hefe and wheat guy I was looking forward to downing their Wheat Beer. Sadly, it wasn't my favorite... not sure I'd actually want to drink it again. But my Hefe loving brother thought it was very good.

After doing some research I found out that although Dundee may be new to me, it's been around a while. Dundee is part of High Falls Brewing Company, which was founded way back in 1878 as the Genesee Brewing Company. Genesee I know... their Cream Ale is really good. High Falls is based in Rochester, New York, and apparently one of the largest (7th to be exact) and oldest continually operating breweries in the U.S. Back in May they refreshed their image with all know logos, branding and publicity push. That's probably why I've never heard of them until now.

Gotta love finding some tasty new beers and learning a little bit of "beerstory" (beer history) as well! Now if Summer would just roll back in for a few more months...

Until next time... Zivjeli!

UPDATE (4:02 PM): Just got back from a beer run and picked up: Stone Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, Samuel Smith's Winter Ale, Left Hand Milk Stout and Young's Double Chocolate Stout. OH YA!

How now Brau Frau

Believe it or not women like beer too. If you're such a woman... one who likes her some hops, then you too are a Cervisaphile. And if you're as geeky as some of us beer swillin' men, well... then you need some beer bling to show off your beerlicious loving ways.

Enter Michelle Venzke's Brau Frau Designs. If the last name sounds familiar -- and it should, it's because her hubby Matt won Wynkoop's prestigious Beer Drinker of the Year award back in February.

And guys... if you're lucky enough to have yourself a gal (in the first place) who loves the brew, then Michelle's warez make the perfect gift!

What a Wonderful World

Everyone knows that famous song by Louis Armstrong. If you don't, check it out here:

To those of you who have been inquiring about my whereabouts... aside from the lack of "free" time I've had of late (talked about in previous posts), there's a bigger reason. I've mentioned my wife Frances here dozens of times. Well, her father Rolf passed away on July 24. The last year has been especially hard on Rolf, but the man possessed an internal fortitude rarely seen. Here's his obituary as it ran in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. It was written by Fran's sister, Kathy:

WANKEL, Rolf Beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. Six-time cancer survivor, Rolf Wankel passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on July 24, 2008 at the age of 83. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Karin Wankel, his three children and two grandchildren. Included are; daughter Katherine Love and husband Greg of Lake Oswego, OR; son Richard Wankel of Santa Rosa; daughter Frances Shayotovich and husband Eli of Colorado Springs, CO; grandson Jason Hernandez and wife Adrian of Manteca, CA; and grand daughter Krystle Hernandez of Los Angeles. Survivors also include his 92 year old sister Marianne Schlink, sister Carola Schneider, 86 and brother Klaus Wankel, 82-all living in Germany. Sister Ursula Achenbach preceded him in death. Rolf's family wishes to thank all his loving friends for their support. Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Mass which will be held Tuesday, July 29 at 11:00 a.m. at Star of the Valley Church, 545 White Oak Dr, Santa Rosa. A lunch will follow at Parish Hall. If desired, a memorial donation may be made to the American Cancer Society, Memorial Program, Redwood Empire Region, 1451 Guerneville Rd, Ste 220, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.

What the obit doesn't convey is what a great man Rolf was and how much he impacted people's lives. Eighty five people showed up at the memorial service. Eighty five. And that didn't include any of his family from Germany. These were all local friends and family who came to pay respects to a man whom they came to call a "friend." Jason (Fran's son) put together a magnificent slide show featuring the above mentioned song by Louis Armstrong. When it played, there wasn't a dry eye in the place.

Rolf was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge and wisdom. What he and his wife Karin have seen and lived through in their lives are things you only read about in fictional novels. As Kathy said, he loved life and lived it intensely. For him... this was truly a wonderful world.

So the next time you're enjoying life with a cold (German) beer, do me a favor and raise a toast to a man this world will sorely miss.

To you Rolf... it was an honor and a privilege.

Prague is Beerlicious!

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic. Bordered by Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Poland, it's home to 1.21 million people and some great Czech beer. In fact, the Czech Republic has a long and important history.

In 1842 a brewery in Plzeň hired a German brewer by the name of Josef Groll who was experienced in the then new method of brewing cold fermentation lager. Using soft Bohemian water, very pale malt, and Saaz hops, Groll brewed the first batch of a light colored beer that would become the world famous Pilsner Urquell on 5 October 1842.

More fun beer facts about the Czech Republic:

• A brewery existed in the region as far back as 1118
• The city of Brno had a right to brew beer from the 12th century
• Both Plzeň and České Budějovice (Pilsen and Budweis in German) had breweries dating back the 13th century
• It has the highest beer consumption per capita in the world. Czech's like their beer.
  

As luck would have it (or is it beer karma?) Zane Lamprey, the greatest host of the greatest show in all the land did an episode in the Czech Republic (Season Two, Episode Three). So why not visit the land of beery goodness for yourself?!

This from Budget Travel:

The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare, six nights' accommodations, some meals, and guided tours, from $1,999 per person — plus taxes of about $399.

When: April 1-Oct 31, 2009; other dates are available upon request.

The Fine Print (always read the fine print): Buffet breakfast daily, three-course welcome and farewell dinners with beer, hotel taxes, airport-hotel transfers, and all other transportation by motor coach, sightseeing tours, and select entrance fees as per itinerary are included. Airport taxes are an additional $135 per person, and fuel surcharges are an additional $264 per person. Based on double occupancy and a group of at least 20 travelers. Single supplement is $545. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.

Book By: No deadline; based on availability.

Contact: Austrian Airlines Vacation Center, 800/790-4682, austrianair-vacations.com.

Why it's a Real Deal: A recent Kayak search for round-trip travel to Prague in April 2009 yielded a fare of $661 from New York City (United/Austrian Airlines), including tax. For an additional $1,737, Austrian Airlines covers airfare as well as six night's accommodations, some meals, sightseeing tours, excursions to breweries, local transportation, and all taxes.

Trip Details: The Here for the Beer group package includes round-trip airfare on an Austrian Airlines' carrier and six nights' accommodations in Prague at the 226-room Ibis Karlin or a similar hotel. The Karlin is in walking distance to the Krizíkova metro station, and a 10-minute ride separates the hotel from the historic center.

The trip features two half-day tours of Prague. The first will take you to Old Town Square, a charming and well-preserved market square that dates back to the Middle Ages. While there, you'll get to see one of the city's most popular attractions: a medieval astronomical clock, Orloj, mounted on the southern wall of Old Town City Hall.

The second half-day tour covers the Castle District, from the 18th-century Loretto Square to the Old Castle Steps, with stops at the Archbishop's Palace, the Hradcany Hall, the gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, the Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica, and Lobkowicz Palace at Jirská Street.

In keeping with the trip's theme — beer — you'll get to take a behind-the-scenes look at four of the country's famed breweries. You'll begin with a visit to the U Fleku brewery, founded in 1499, where you'll tour the brewing house, the traditional fermentation center, and the renovated exhibition area that has antique equipment and tools. The tour concludes with a three-course traditional Czech dinner and a beer at the U Fleku restaurant.

Na Zdravi!

One year and still going... sort of.

Guess what I forgot about? It's been one year since I tapped into the beer life and started this blog. I guess the fact that it's grown by hops and bounds is a good thing. And as I've gotten busier -- writing about beer on a myriad of other sites -- the little blog that started it all has felt the brunt. I apologize for that. Sadly, the next few weeks aren't going to get much better, but stick around. By the beginning of August things should be back to some degree of normalcy. With that... here are just a few things I want to pass along:


Prospective Cicerones

Since people from across the nation have expressed interest in becoming a Certified Cicerone, Ray Daniels is expanding the number of exams this fall. This four-hour test will be held in the following cities (exact dates and times to follow):

• Boston (October or November, Monday night)
• New York (Manhatten) (October or November, Sunday during day)
• Philadelphia (October or November, Saturday during day)
• Chicago (September and November, Sunday during day)
• Kalamazoo/Ann Arbor/Detroit, MI (September and November, time TBD)
• San Diego (North county, Saturday during day)
• Oakland/Berkley (Sunday during day)
• Seattle (Monday evening)
• Denver: several sessions around GABF - Sunday Oct 5, during day; Friday Oct 10, during day; Sunday Oct 12, during day.

Speaking of GABF

Tickets for the 2008 Great American Beer Festival are now on sale. I'm a big time beer geek, and even I am having a hard time justifying the prices they're asking for admission. Evening Sessions (Thursday - Saturday) run from 5:30 to 10pm. For a mere $50 you get the "privilege" of imbibing hundreds of different beers for 4 1/2 hours with thousands of your closest friends in a noisy, raucous auditorium. The Members Only session on Saturday (12:30 - 4:30pm) is a ridiculous $78. I'm sorry... I love beer and the beer life, but not that much. Hopefully I can snag a press pass (if they exist) and get in on one of the sessions in order to write up "experience" pieces for the rest of you not fortunate enough to have the King of Beerfests in your back yard.


Once, Twice, Three Times a Brewery

The countdown to the opening of Colorado Springs newest beervana spot -- Trinity Brewing Company -- has begun. Jason and Todd received their State Liquor License to brew beer and they're in full on hire mode to get people on board, trained and ready to serve all the beery goodness they can come Friday, August 1. If you're looking for a job and want to work at what will surely become the hottest place to hang out in Colorado Springs, check out their website pronto like.

Phantom Canyon goes Ape!

Colorado Springs' Phantom Canyon Brewing Company (owned by Denver's Wynkoop if you didn't know) tapped two new brews... a Czech style pilsner and a smoked porter. The Pre-Prohibition may be a lighter brew, but at 6.7% ABV this pils packs a punch. The Silverback Smoked Porter has smooth smoked roasted flavors. Wynkoop has partnered up with the Denver-based Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund to raise money for the endangered mountain gorillas of Africa. From now until the end of October if you buy a pint of Silverback Porter 25% of the proceeds goes to the Mountain Gorilla fund. So drink a pint of smoked porter and help save an ape!

InBev in bed with A-B?

A Belgian giant walks into an American bar, sits down and tries to order a Leffe Tripel.

"Sorry, got nothing like that here," the barkeep says.

The Belgian giant, perplexed, asks: "How about a Hoegaarden?"

"A ho gardening?"

"Hoegaarden," the Belgian replies dryly.

"I don't know what kinda weirdness you're into, but you might find some down the block standing on a street corner. Can't miss 'em."

The Belgian is so mystified he doesn't notice the big American walk in and take a seat next to him at the bar. The big American orders a Bud.

"Comin' right up," the bartender replies all to readily.

"A Bud?" the Belgian asks.

The American turns and looks at the Belgian with fire in his eyes. Thinking the Belgian has never heard of the great American Lager asks: "You're in a bar and you've never heard of a Budweiser?"

"Oh, a Budweiser. That's what you Americans call beer, right?"

"Damn straight!" the burly American barks.

"Well... we need to fix that now don't we?" the Belgian retorts.

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

For some reason that's how I imagine this potentially earth shaking buy-out went down. OK, maybe I had a few too many craft beers with high ABVs. Whatever the case... until today I didn't pay much notice to the enormity of this potential consolidation. What gigantic conglomerates do amongst themselves bores me to tears. And living in the "Napa of the Beer World" -- I frankly don't care all that much. I haven't voluntarily touched an A-B product (or any other macro-beer) in years. As the Warsteiner saying goes: "Life is too (damn) short to drink cheap (crappy) beer."

Earlier today I was contacted by Amanda Elend, who works for the CBS-owned news and politics web show MobLogic about this very topic. They did a really interesting webisode about the A-B takeover and wanted to know my thoughts. After watching it (I've embedded the show below), and reading the corresponding blog, A-B fights for America, it got me thinking.



Aside from the whole national pride thing, not wanting to give up the long held family biz, yadda yadda yadda... one has to wonder how many home grown jobs are going to be lost. InBev has to keep A-B in St. Louis because if they offshore it there will be serious negative PR ramifications. If InBev can guarantee this won't ever happen, A-B would be crazy to pass this offer up. A-B gets international PR while InBev gets American PR.

Take a gander at the MobLogic show, read the blog and come on back here to discuss. What are your thoughts on this monumental beer tapping?

Three Sheets vs. The Thirsty Traveler: TV drinking show showdown!

Do you get thirsty when you travel? Hell, I get thirsty when I "travel" from the couch to the bathroom. Fortunately, juxtaposed betwixt those two sacred things lies... The Beer Cave. Much like Batman's Bat Cave, mine is also filled with all the essential tools that any spandex wearing, caped crusader ("The Mad Beer Man") would need should someone dial in on the Beer Phone.

But I digress... as usual. (By the way, I don't wear spandex, but I do have a cape.)

As long time readers of this slice o' beery goodness know, I have a man crush on Zane Lamprey and his show, Three Sheets, which airs on MOJO HD. I pimp him (and the show) like a $2 hooker whenever I get the chance. Which is often. Ask anyone. Now for those spineless, Politically Correct (which is just another way of saying "I'm too afraid to have an opinion that might offend someone") nimrods shouting "conflict of interest" -- suck it. That is not what's going on here. I freelance for their community website (The Beer Bucket List on MOJO 135, every Wednesday - same beer time, same beer channel!) because I love the show. End of story.

For the last few months I've been hearing about another show similar in nature to Zane's, called The Thirsty Traveler. Well, Fran and I finally got a chance to catch several episodes (a big marathon ran over the weekend) which airs on the Fine Living Network. Sadly, it is not in High-Def in our neck of the woods (thanks Comcast), nor does it spell out which episode is which (thanks again Comcast). So I basically have to tape every episode. Strike one.

After doing some research (so I would sound edumacated because... that's what I do) for this particular article I discovered that Brad Schewaga was given a ROSIE award for "exemplary work as the series' Director of Photography" by the Alberta Motion Pictures Industry Association. Based on the episodes I saw, it is a well deserved award. By the way, this show needs to be in HD (talking to you Comcast; so far you're not so "Comcastic") because the cinematography is stunning.

And therein lies the rub... I thought I was watching recent episodes. Not. Apparently there are 4 seasons of the show, which started airing way back in January of 2002. Who knew?! I've never heard of this show until a few months ago. Good advertising people! The episodes we watched were: Absolutely Aquavit and Alaskan Beer (the first two episodes from Season 2); My Dear Maderia and Ga Ga for Cognac (from Season 3), and Wines Down Under (last episode of Season 4, which appears to be the last episode taped).

None of the seasons are available on DVD. At least not that I could find. Granted, I only spent a few minutes looking, but if it's not easy to find... it ain't easy to buy either. The websites for FLN and TTT are very well done, but there is no online store on either one. TTT's website is flashy and cool, but not very updated. Which leaves me wondering if this show is actually shooting new episodes, or has been canned. Strike two.

It's all too much work to be honest because, while the show is good and offers a lot of great information, it's not nearly Three Sheets good. And the host, Kevin Brauch, whom I'm sure is a decent enough fellow and I have absolutely nothing against him personally -- I just don't like him. Kevin just doesn't make me feel like pulling up a barstool and having a beer with him. Zane does. Strike three.

Now, I totally understand that the show isn't trying to be Three Sheets, and Kevin isn't trying to be Zane, but... Fran and I both came away feeling like we could have lived without watching the show. Which ain't the same feeling we get when we watch Three Sheets. We simply cannot get enough of Pleepleus and his human sidekick, Zane.

Speaking of... there's an incredibly good interview with Zane on TV.com, which lets us in on the wild and wacky Lamprey, including the origin of the show and his furry friend Pleepleus (apparently it started with his wife, naming their first born Pleepleus, a traveling companion, and secret messages). It's a must read if you're a fan!

More Medical Misnomers: Beer is Bad for you!

You know the "great" thing about medical studies? They're almost always wrong. Kind of like weathermen. One month a study will say "so and so" (take your pick, it happens to virtually everything) is bad for you, the next they say "oh no, we were wrong, it's actually good for." Then it's back to being bad for you. WTF?! How did they become doctors again?

Case in point: beer (and pork rinds)!

According to a study of over 18,000 men conducted by Brainiacs at Harvard they found those who had an average of two drinks every single day, five to seven days a week mind you, had the LOWEST risk of heart attack. THE LOWEST! Additionally, some Smarty Pants at the University of Buffalo found that men who sucked that same amount of suds every day had lower levels of abdominal fat than those who had four drinks at a time, once or twice a week. LOWER!

HA! Is it a shock? Nope. I mean, look at how many decades the nutrition pyramid was WRONG. So go ahead, toss in a cold one or two into your daily diet. I know I am.

BREAKING NEWS! New Belgium Brewing is releasing their flagship beer, Fat Tire, in cans starting Monday. Denver and Ft. Collins will be the first to get them, followed by the rest of the state, then the country! *Big thanks to John "The Beer Hermit" Morrissey (the Foam on the Range beer ranger) for dropping me the 411 about this!

Zivjeli!

Sam Adam's Beer Lover's Choice

The 4th annual Samuel Adams Beer Lover's Choice program will soon be appearing at beer fests everywhere. This year's nominees are:

Samuel Adams Blackberry Witbier
Blackberry notes with a subtle spice character. A traditional witbier with orange peel and coriander, smacked with "a hint" of blackberry. Complex flavor with malt and cereal notes, intense spice and citrus flavors and a smooth, sweet/tart finish.

Man, my mouth is watering just thinking about this beer! I can already tell ya this is the one I'm voting for! Yup, I like fruit in my beer and I'm secure enough in my manhood to say it loud and proud. Not be a wuss and bend under "peer pressure" to say you like beers that are so hopped up it feels like a prison riot going on in your mouth. Ya, I'm talking to you boyo! ;)

Samuel Adams Coffee Stout
"Dry beaned" with coffee beans from Rwanda. This full-bodied stout is brewed with a special blend of roasted barley and dark crystal malt, aged for two weeks on whole coffee beans- ¾ of a pound per barrel. Has a rich roasty flavor with a smooth finish.

Then again I love stouts... and this sounds fantastic! Just not in the middle of the hot summer. I'm a seasonal beer drinker, and I wonder if chugging a thick, heavy stout in the heat will have a direct impact on who votes for what.

I'm looking forward to casting my vote since I'll be hitting up several beer fests in the next few months. So... which one are you voting for?

Beer contains female hormones! News @ 11!

Last month, scientists at the National University of Lesotho released the results of a recent analysis that revealed the presence of female hormones in beer.

Men should take a concerned look at their beer consumption.

The theory is that beer contains female hormones (hops contain phytoestrogens) and that by drinking enough beer, men turn into women. To test the theory, 100 men drank 8 pints of beer each within a 1 hour period. It was then observed that 100% of the test subjects:

1. Argued over nothing.
2. Refused to apologize when obviously wrong.
3. Gained weight.
4. Talked excessively without making sense.
5. Became overly emotional.
6. Couldn't drive.
7. Failed to think rationally.
8. Had to sit down while urinating.

No further testing was considered necessary.


*Thanks for passing this along to me Nay Nay!

The Global Warming Open

One of the many great things about the craft beer industry is this: it doesn't take itself too damn seriously. Case in point, the Great Lakes Brewing News tournaments. A few months ago they held an NCAA "March Madness" styled tournament involving IPAs. Pale Ales from around the country were randomly picked to go heads up against each other, ala the March Madness brackets, for a final National IPA Champion. Users who visited their site and signed up could make their own bracket picks. It was pure genius. Since I unfortunately am not a genius I came in waaaay down near the bottom of the list.

Well, Great Lakes is back with another tournament -- the Global Warming Open! This one matches "refreshing summer beers against one another to determine the most refreshing beer in America." Now we're talking! As before, users can participate by picking the winners in each round. Go check out the brackets, sign up and make your predictions.

Think you can you beat the Mad Beer Man in a summertime throw down? I dare ya! No... I double dog dare ya! ;)


Weekend Brew Event Alert:

Bristol Brewing here in the Springs is having a small get-together for no particular reason on Saturday. Gotta love the BB Gang! Join 'em from 3pm - 5pm for original music from local favorite John Stone!

Rocky Mountain Brewery (625 Paonia St., Colorado Springs, just off Powers Blvd. near Platte -- the location of the defunct Blick's Brewery) is having their "official" unveiling Saturday. I have no details, but swing by and check it out if you can!

Great Divide is having their 14th Anniversary party up at their newly expanded brewery in Denver Saturday from 2pm - 6pm. A ten spot (all of which is being donated to charity) will get you beer, BBQ and live music from three different bands. Check out the 411 here!

Have a great weekend all!

Zivjeli!

Mojo + AOL + SoCoBX = no time!

The old adage "I bit off more than I could chew" is one I'm rather familiar with of late. You'll never hear me say "I drank more beer than I could swallow," but the chewing thing... ya. At least metaphorically speaking.

So what's with all the gibberish in the title? Mojo refers to my weekly Beer Bucket List column I write for Mojo 135, which I'm having a ball with. AOL = the two video game websites (Massively and Big Download) that I write for - daily. But what the hell is SoCoBX?

Weeeeellll... that's my latest gig. Like I had nothing else to do, right? SoCoBX is a cute lil acronym I came up with for Southern Colorado Beer Examiner. As of yesterday, I'm the new SoCoBX - a place where I get to rant and rave specifically about Colorado beer. What better place to be a beer writer than in the Napa Valley of the Beer World, right?

All of that = no time to write here. At least for the moment. I'm in the midst of getting a schedule down so I get in a nice comfortable routine... a nirvana where I have time to play video games, drink beer and write about both of them! Bwaaaaaaaaahahaha!

Oh ya, and I'm working on a new website design. So if anyone out there in the great vastness of the Interweb has some mad HTML skillz they'd like to contribute -- give me a shout.

Please be patient and hang with me during this process. I promise it will be worth the wait!

The Colorado Beer Trail

You know craft beer has hit the big time when it gets talked about in Time magazine. But not just any craft beer -- Colorado craft beer.

Joel Stein wrote up an interesting article last month called "The Colorado Beer Trail" in which the intrepid, non-beer drinking reporter tagged along with the Big Beer Kahuna himself, Scott Kerkmans (Chief Beer Officer for Four Points by Sheraton), for a tour of Denver-area breweries.

It's a really good article, even if it's written by someone who - before going on this excursion - proclaimed not to like beer. Hey, it's OK not to like beer... my wife really doesn't, but too often beer articles written for mainstream media are done so by people who not only don't like beer, but can't tell the difference between a Hefe and an IPA. At least Joel sounds like he knows what he's talking about, thus he can accurately convey to readers what he was drinking and experiencing. There's nothing worse than a writer writing about something they know nothing about. It does a huge disservice to the writer, the magazine (or website), and most importantly... the very topic being written about. If uninformed, it might actually sway the opinion of someone who doesn't know better.

While you're reading the article be sure to check out the accompanying photo montage taken by David Bowman. There's some really good pics in there.

Oh, and Mr. Kerkmans... about that bus tour of Denver-area breweries - call me! ;)

Beer Tap TV

What's better than watching TV while drinking a good craft beer? Watching TV about good craft beer while drinking a good craft beer!

Apparently Erik Boles and Dusty Frazier had that same idea, cuz they're the creators and hosts of the new internet television show Beer Tap TV.

According to the website Beer Tap TV is more than just a drinking show. After watching the first episode I agree. Erik and Dusty have good on camera chemistry and they chat up Colorado brews (Bristol's Red Rocket and Breckenridge's Avalanche Ale) in a way that will make even beer geek noobs want to tune in. They "edumicate" viewers (myself included) as they articulate the finer points of craft beery goodness.

Iroincially, neither of the beers they discuss (and taste) are ones I personally care for, but hey... different strokes for different folks. That's why there are so many breweries making so many beers. Successfully. The craft beer industry done blowed up people!

Embedded below is the first episode, but do yourself a favor and get on over to their website, register, and become a part of the BeerTap community that Erik and Dusty hold as dearly as they do a pint of fine craft beer. The show is for the people and they want to hear from the people. So go!


P.S. Look for me on an upcoming episode. ;)

Sunday Suds

What's this -- a Sunday post?! Has hell frozen over? Have the macro-brewers learned the error of their mass produced crap beer ways and just given up? Uh... no. But tomorrow is an extra day off, and right now I need to rest after the long day spent outside in the yard doing things that should have been done weeks ago.

Which means we in fact did not go to the Beaver Creek Blues and Brews fest as originally planned. Fran and I woke up Saturday morning and realized that we were just too tired to get up and go drinking -- again. Plus, there was the little fact that when we called to cancel our reservations, it was snowing in Avon. Snowing. On Memorial Day Weekend.

And why were we too tired to go to a festival of fun and frivolity that also included three of my most favorite things in all the world (blues, brews and BBQ)? Because our Northern California vacation was nothing short of a week long bender. A human body can only consume so much beer. Plus, my taste buds felt like they were dragged over a field of dead, dry hops. Enough is enough. Besides, we're having a get together today... to drink beer. So not all is lost to yard work!

Vacations are a duel edged sword. It's all fun in the sun while you're there, but when you get back you wish you hadn't left in the first place. Hell, I already need a vacation from the vacation, and I've only been back (to work) a few days. Speaking of... I'm going to be heavily inundated with my mortgage paying "day job" through next week, but I wanted to hoist a few beers thoughts up here just to let you know I'm still alive.

Here are the breweries, wineries, and beer bars we actually hit during our drinkstorming adventure through Northern California:

Wednesday the 14th
Toronado Pub (the next place I'll be writing about on The Beer Bucket List)
21st Amendment Brewery

Friday the 16th
Sterling Vineyards
August Briggs Winery
Cuvaison Winery
Silverado Brewing Company
Calistoga Inn (which houses Napa Valley Brewing)
Hydro Bar & Grill

Sunday the 18th
Russian River Brewing Company

Tuesday the 20th
Mac & Jack's inside the Seattle-Tacoma Airport on the way home

Needles to say, lots of drinking was done. However, I do have detailed notes on most of these places, so expect a series of write-ups. Hopefully.

Oh, and it looks like I might have another beer writing gig or two lined up. More on those as (if) they solidify. Don't wanna jinx anything ya know! ;) And I thought I was busy before. HA!

Hop(e) everyone has a great Memorial Day Weekend. What's left of it anyway. So drink heartily... but drink responsibly.

Zivjeli!

Blues, Brews & BBQs!

If you find yourself with nothing to do this weekend, head on up to the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort in Avon, Colorado, for their annual Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival. Hey, at least it's beautiful up there. Just be sure you can drink at elevation!

This year the blues music will be provided by Marc Broussard (2:00 to 4:30 pm) , Marcia Ball (4:30 to 6:00 pm), and Donna Jean and the Tricksters (12:00 to 2:00 pm). Top BBQ chefs from Kansas City, Des Moines, Iowa, Colorado and other BBQ-y locations nationwide will be cooking up some great food and providing demonstrations. So if you fancy yourself some kinda BBQ genius... you'll want to be there.

Oh, and there's one other thing... the brew. What's the BB&B without the brew?! Beaver Creek supposedly hosts "the largest Colorado Microbrewery Beer Tasting in the state." Ya, not really. Fran and I have been 3 times in a row and while they tout 35 Colorado-based breweries, there most certainly was not that many last year. In fact, each year's fest has gotten smaller and smaller. We'll see what happens this year.

Hope to see you there. If not... have a great memory-laden Memorial Day Weekend! Drink heartily, but drink responsibly!

Zivjeli!

Brews, Blues and Laughter

Fran and I have lived in Colorado for almost 6 years now and it still amazes us how often we find new experiences. Those of you who know us, or run with us in the "Professional Drinker's Tour," know we like to travel the width and breadth of this great state (affectionately and appropriately entitled "Beerstate, USA" by my buddy, John "The Beer Hermit" Morrissey) looking for great beer (and soon wine and spirits), blues, food and bars.

We found all of that this past weekend down in Canon City, Colorado, a mere hour southwest of Colorado Springs. Anyone who has visited the Royal Gorge (or has a fetish for jails) has likely gone through Canon City because Highway 50 runs smack through town. Well, now they have two more claims to fame. One seriously kick ass fun brewfest and one seriously kick ass fun brew pub. First the brewfest... the 4th annual Brew Ha-Ha.

In my previous post I listed the 20 breweries that would be in attendance, and they were all there dolling out some of the finest brews available. A couple really popped out. I'm a Hefe fan, and while I like nearly all the hefe's made in the region, the one that continues to stand out is the Hefe Suave from San Luis Valley Brewing Company. It's the frakin' bomb! Sadly, while they are finally bottling this fine elixir, it's still not available in Colorado Springs. Sometime soon Fran and I are gonna have to truck out to San Luis Valley and stock up!

The great thing about hefes, and all craft beers really, is the diversity they bring. Everyone likes something different, and with all the craft brews available you're sure to find one you like. It also gives credence to the notion that there simply can't be too many breweries. The industry is exploding, and as more people learn that they don't have to stand for Macro-Crap-Beer, the demand for craft beer is only going to grow.

Case in point, two smaller breweries in the southern end of Colorado. First, McClellan's Grill & Brewing Company in Canon City. This brew pub is owned and operated by Joe and Dana McClellan, who have created an absolutely amazing beer oasis in the heart of a small (but growing) town. The after-party for the Brew Ha-Ha was held here, complete with a helluva fine reggae playing band (with their own killer twist) who's name escapes me at the moment (sorry guys and gals!). Joe and Dana pride themselves on quality "Americelt" eats, ales and atmosphere and they have all three in spades! The food was fantastic, the ales (the Blonde in particular) are awesome, and the atmosphere, well... you need to check it out for yourself. Fran and I are already planning our next trip down there just to hang out with Joe and Dana and all the fine folks at McClellan's on a night that isn't quite so... crazy. ;)

While at the Brew Ha-Ha (as well as the after-party) I was fortuitous enough to meet and hang out with Jeff Aragon, the owner and head brewer of Trinidad Brewing Company. Trinidad is about as far south on I-25 as you can get before running into New Mexico. They had a few offerings at the fest (of their many that they serve up at their brew pub) that absolutely knocked my taste buds in the dirt -- in a good way! Their Bon Carbo Stout weighs in at a robust 8.9% ABV. It's black in color, which is good since "bon carbo" means good coal. Don't worry, it tastes better than coal! Fran and I already have plans to head down Trinidad way later this summer and live the experience that is TBC.

I also met the man who has the single greatest job (other than Zane Lamprey that is) in the history of humanity. Scott Kerkmans is the Chief Beer Officer for Four Points by Sheraton, the third largest hotel chain in the world. He decides what beers go into each of them, which requires him to scour the globe and drinking beer. (sigh) What I didn't know was that he got his start at Alaskan Brewing Company (which just started distributing their brews here in Colorado). He was a guest server at their booth and we got to chatting. Recently Scott held an open call for an apprentice; they received over 1,000 applicants and finally narrowed it down to 10 people. They planned on picking the finalist this week. Good luck whoever you are... ya lucky bastich!

OK, I've rambled enough, but that's alright because Fran and I are heading to Northern California for a few days. While there we'll (for sure) be hitting the famed Toronado Pub and 21st Amendment Brewery in San Francisco. Our sojourn will also take us to the Napa Valley, where we'll be stopping by the August Briggs Winery, Sterling Vineyards, and staying at the Calistoga Inn for a night. With any luck we'll be able to swing by the Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa to toast the opening of their brand new brewery.

Needless to say I'll have a lot to talk about when we get back! Until then... Zivjeli!