June Meeting

Today is our monthly club meeting where we will be celebrating lagers. The theme was in flux the 24 hours before the meeting so a true theme and the meeting's materials are still TBD. I will update this post after the meeting with that information and the identities of the mystery selections.

On a somber note, Charles Koch passed away earlier this week. I would like to dedicate today's meeting in memoriam of Charles Koch. Here's to helping spearhead the craft brewer revolution in the 1980s.

Some New Favorites

In preparation for trivia night tonight, a few of us decided to pregame it at Galaxy Hut. I found the selections of craft brews to be plentiful and delicious. The inset picture shows their draft menu.

As soon as I saw it, I knew that I wanted to try the Heavy Seas Plank One Old Ale. Fantastic! I took my time drinking that one down but once I was finished...round 2. This time I went for the Sierra Nevada Olvia, having heard a favorable review from club mate John. It certainly was tasty. And I would try it again. However, I think I preferred the Plank One.

Soon after finishing my second pint, we walked to RiRa where the trivia was being held. On an earlier visit I had noticed a beer on tap from Palm. I decided that on my next visit I would try it. I did get the Palm this time. It was their Belgian Amber Ale. I can't say I enjoyed it that much. Maybe I was expecting more of the flavors I had tasted earlier but this one just didn't do it for me.

So in the end, I've added 2 drafts to my favorites list, and I found out that I'll go back to Guinness on my next visit to RiRa.

A Few Notes

I've added mobile templates to the blog. If you look at the blog on your phone, it should look more appropriately formatted for a small device.

Wisconsin craft brewers generally dislike the proposed 3 Tier System changes in that state. It seems as though the realignment would give AB and MillerCoors more control over distribution, potentially inhibiting the growth of craft breweries more than it already is.

I will be visiting Rehoboth Beach next month. I'm wondering whether I should try to get my hands on tour tickets for Dogfish Head Brewery that week. I'm sure I could convince 1 or 2 other people to come with me. I've already been there once but I know they've remodeled since I was there 3 or 4 years ago. What do you think? Visit or no?

Learning is Fun

There is a good read on Salon about beer tasting. The last tip is the best. Read it now.

Birch and Barley is my new favoriate place! This weekend there's lots of beer events! Saturday is beer and cigars (what more do you need?) and Sunday is "Rogue Ales Kegfest and Osyter Bash". Need I say more? Details www.birchandbarley.com/calendar

Also happening this weekend which I thought was worth mentioning...Russian River Fest in PA. It's far but I've got a things for Russian women...hehe...just kidding ;) !!!

The Russian River Fest is featuring 5 of Russian River's Best Beers at the same time - Russian River Pliny the Elder, Blind Pig IPA, Supplication, Salvation, and Damnation.

Have a good weekend!!

3 Tier System Legislation

As I mentioned in a recent post, I was looking forward to writing an article about the 3 Tier System of the beer industry. The 3 Tier System separates breweries into 3 functions: brewers, wholesale distributors, and retailers. I wanted to write the article in order to better understand how this works and the advantages and disadvantages to the system. News today from Wisconsin shows that the state is examining legislation that would change the rules. I still intend to write my article but I might have to do so sooner than later as the subject is topical.