Month: March 2013

Written by James Mulcahy

 

Put down that watery draft beer! The craft-beer movement has taken New York City by storm, and bars around town are tapping into a supply of artisanal brews made by small producers around the country. At these hopsheads meccas, you can geek out by learning the nuances of the various offering – and get a little tipsy to boot. Click through the slideshow below to see our guide to the best craft-beer bars New York has to offer. Got a go-to pint for the season? Let us know your favorite in the comments.Or, if cocktails are more your style, check our our guide to secret bars here.

 

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Charlie Hanchett works in a beer group at Christ Church in Massachusetts.

Written by ERICA E. PHILLIPS and BEN KESLING for wsj.com

ALLENDALE, Mich.—As several of the faithful from the Valley Church here prepared to bow their heads in prayer to open a recent Saturday-evening meeting, they introduced themselves.

“My name is Darin,” the Methodist congregation’s 37-year-old music director said, grinning. “And I like me a 30-pack of Busch Light!”

The circle broke into laughter as several people put down bottles of microbrew beer to applaud. It was a fitting introduction for the event—a semi-regular meeting of beer enthusiasts and home brewers who go by the moniker “What Would Jesus Brew?”

Pastor Matt Bistayi, who started Valley Church three years ago, says the goal of WWJB isn’t to be “churchy,” but rather to “reach out to people in a loving, grace-filled way that meets people where they are and as they are.”

Valley Church is one of several congregations around the country tapping the growing craft-beer trend as a way to attract new members.

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It’s safe to say that no beer style has defined the American craft beer revolution as assertively as the India Pale Ale. The history of the style and its development is the U.S. is well-worth investigating for those who want to explore it—from the use of hops as preservatives to help beers keep on the long journey from Britain to the colonies many centuries ago (hence the name), to pioneering American experiments like Vinnie Cilurzo’s Blind Pig IPA and, later, the use of continuous hopping by Dogfish Head’s Sam Calagione. It’s modern development has been all about attitude: When the stateside microbrew scene first started to get attention, hoppy beers were a bold and assertive middle finger to the status quo, separating craft beer from the light lagers that dominated the market and giving new brewers a much needed point of view.

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Note: look just above the main picture on each page to click so you can read about the different beers.

Last week I organized a panel of respected beer connoisseurs Brian Yaeger, Charles Culp and “SNOB” Ritch Marvin to go along with myself to the Indie Hops offices and evaluate new test hop varietals bred at Oregon State University. It’s not often the public or even media get a first hand chance to taste and more importantly smell new hops in development and the opportunity was thanks to Jim Solberg co-owner of Indie Hops.

In case you did not know Oregon is the 2nd largest farming region for hops next to the Washington’s Yakima Valley. We also have Oregon State University which in addition to having one of the only fermentation sciences programs in the country also does quite a bit of hop research and breeding.

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From foxnews.com

• Blue Mountain Dark Hollow – Afton, VA

  

  Learn more about Blue Mountain Brewery

  This imperial stout aged in oak bourbon barrels has an interesting aroma, reminiscent of coffee grinds and a hint of chili pepper.  The velvety smooth beer is 10 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), but you wouldn’t know it by its taste; and that’s a good thing.  We’d enjoy this as a nightcapper beer.  It’s a bit rich for more than one or two glasses, with its chocolate flavor, but it’s got a nice, not-too-sweet, dry finish.

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Being a mid-west native, I really didn’t know what to expect from Florida Craft Beer. I had heard of Cigar City (see interview/tour #1), but that’s about it. So you can imagine my thrill when I was able to touch base with 7venth Sun brewing in beautiful Dunedin, Florida.

It was 11am and I had maybe 4 hours of sleep the night before, but as we pulled up to 7venth Sun, I was immediately jolted with the awesome fact that I would be spending my day, experiencing some of the best craft beer that Florida has to offer. As I gazed upon the home of 7venth Sun, I wasn’t sure if I was looking at the brewery, or possibly a nearby coffee shop (and I dig coffee shops). When we entered the brewery, we were greeted by Co-Owner and Founder, Devon Kreps. This woman is as warm as the entire state; welcoming, funny, a bright soul that knows a TON about beer. While tasting the diverse selection of original brews, Devon and I discussed the growing industry of craft beer in Florida, what it takes to run a nano brewery, Umphrey’s McGee, sweet potato beers, and why 7venth Sun kicks so much ass (my words).

The Beginning – Now:

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Written by Patrick Manning for foxnews.com

The craft brew craze is exploding in the U.S. and small brewers are popping up in towns across the country.  But keeping track of the newcomers and knowing if any brewer is worth the trip can be hard to figure out.

Now, you can jump on one of the hoppiest, most tasteful road trips that cuts all the confusion – and best of all, you don’t need to worry about doing the driving. Beer Tours USA takes people on personalized tours of breweries around the country.

Beer tours operate like winery tours and they’re gaining in popularity as Americans discover their love for craft beers.

Today was a huge day for homebrewers in the state of Mississippi, as the state’s House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 2183, which authorizes the making of “homemade beer” for personal uses.

The measure was approved by a margin of 73 to 37, and now heads to Gov. Phil Bryant for his signature. The state’s Senate approved the bill on Feb. 7.

Mississippi and Alabama remain the only two U.S. states that still don’t allow residents to make beer in their own homes, but the Magnolia State is poised to shed that distinction.

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