1842 Pils Returns

Back in April of 2009 The Bohemian Brewery together with Geoff Fischer of Crosby & Baker, got together and made a special pilsner.

What made this pils so special was it's ingredients and the attention to detail. The Pilsner named 1842 is a faithful reproduction of the original pils created by Josef Groll in 1842.

The boys used a special Floor Malted Bohemian Pilsner malt from Weyermann Specialty Malts, crafted in the last floor malting facility in the Czech Republic. It is produced from Tolar and Hanka barley varieties which have their genetic roots in Hanna barley, which was the variety used by Josef Groll to brew the first Pilsner Urquell in 1842. The malting process used to produce this malt is very labor intensive and traditional and produces as an authentic "old" malt as you can find today.

Yesterday Fischer & Head Brewer Bobby Jackson brewed another batch of the 1842 Czech Pilsner. Using Czech Saaz hops and Bohemians own Czech Yeast. This was one of my favorite beers made in Utah in quite some time and should be on tap in about eight weeks.

Pours a hazy straw color with a nice, sturdy two fingers of foam. The nose is crisp and clean with nice spicy Saaz hop aromas. Toasted malts are also strong in the background. The taste is pleasantly crisp with a firm Pilsner malt body that lets the spicy hop notes shine in the finish. Well balanced. There are some peppery notes that hang in there for a short time but then leaves the palate clean. Light to medium body, but it does possess a sturdy mouthfeel. It's gentle carbonation makes it feel almost creamy.

This is dangerously drinkable. We'll give you a heads up when it'll be on tap. Trust me, if your a fan of the Czech Pils, you'll be in heaven.

1842 won a gold medal weeks after it was tapped in the Czech style Pils category at NABA.

Prost!

Holiday Beers '09

Here it is, just days before Thanksgiving and we're already "fat" with Holiday & seasonal beers. Here's a list of brews that the Bayou has received to help you get through the rest of the year.

Ølfabrikken Kloster Jul
Mikkeller Santa's Helper
Mikkeller From/To
De Ranke Pere Noel
De La Senne Xmas Zinnebir
Serafijn Christmas Angel
Struise Tsjeeses
Jenlain Noel
Delirium Noel
Anchor Christmas
Anderson Valley Winter Solstice
Big Sky Powderhound
Deschutes Jubelale
Full Sail Wassail
Full Sail Wreck the Halls
Samuel Smiths Winter Welcome
Wasatch Winterfest
Wasatch Pumpkin
Fantome Hiver
Fantome Saison
Four+ Punkn
Samuel Smith's Cider
Wandering Aengus Cider

Ridgeway Beers
Bad Elf
Very Bad Elf
Seriously Bad Elf
Criminally Bad Elf
Insanely Bad Elf
Warm Welcome
Santa's Butt
Pickled Santa
Reindeer's Revolt

That's a damn fine list and to make it even better; Mark has created a "real-time" beer list on the the Bayou website. So check the website before you leave or hit your smart phone while your there.

Cheers!

2009 Holiday Tasting Info

This is a beer tasting, if you've never been to one the concept is pretty simple. Bring beer; a bottle or two of something that you like; to share with the group. It doesn't have to be rare - expensive or outrageous; just something you like.

We're looking into providing some beer for those who attend. I want to keep this as inexpensive as possible for everyone. There's no reason for anyone to spend more than $15-$20 on this tasting.

If the provided beers fall through we may ask that you also bring a sixer of something. The reason for this is simply to have something that you know you'll like on hand. Since the "tasting beers" are shared, the pours per person may only be a couple of ounces to make sure as many who want to try them can.

It looks like there will be a decent turnout, from the amount of responses that we've received. Plastic cups will be provided but I'd hate for anyone to have to use them. If you have a tasters glass or a piece of stemware please bring it, you'll be glad you did.

Homebrew is absolutely welcome! If you've got something that you'd like to share please bring it. Give us a heads up if it's kegged so we can make sure we have the appropriate amount of room.

The Tasting will be held at the Irving Schoolhouse located at 1155 e. 2100 s. in Sugarhouse.

We'd ask that this be limited to "Beer People". People who know beer or are interested in learning more about craft beer. Please feel free to bring a guest if you don't want to come solo. But please don't bring cousin Ted because "he's fun and knows how to get his drink-on".

Speaking of "Beer People". Some of our local craft brewers will be in attendance as well as industry professionals. It'll be a nice opportunity for you to get to know them - and they you.

Absolutely no one under 21.

So here's what we have.

What: 2 bottle for tasting - 6 pack? for back up(maybe) - tasters glass or stemware - some snacks provided.

Where: The Irving Schoolhouse located at 1155 E 2100 S in Sugarhouse.

When: Friday December 11th at 7:00pm

questions: utahbeer@gmail.com

Cheers!

Holiday Gift Pack at Squatters

Tomorrow 11/20 begins the annual return of Squatters' Holiday Nut Brown Ale. This is quite a tasty American brown ale. The Holiday Nut Brown has a more of an assertive hop profile than most brown ales you may have tried; while staying true to it's malty/nutty roots.

Special for this years release is a cool gift pack that goes on sale along with it. For $12.99 you receive a commemorative Holiday Nut Brown Ale - flip top 1 liter growler (filled with Nut Brown Ale) and two pint glasses with the Nut Brown Ale logo on them.
Not a bad deal, eh?

Also on tap there is still some of Squatters' award winning Black Forest Schwarzbier, as well as Hop Riot.

Cheers!

Utah's Liquor Reform is Stalled

We had a good year as far as liquor reform goes. Earlier this year former Governor Huntsman abolished private clubs and the childish - ignorant curtain restrictions in restaurants went away as well.

Not bad, those were pretty big steps; especially for a ruling body who's idea of a good high is a Prozac cocktail with a Red Bull chaser. We got our pound of flesh from legislators, they recommend we take it and go home.

This is still Utah, the people in charge still want you to know that they are and that they're not going to back away from their position on what they feel is a necessary evil. "there's a fear that if there are more changes so soon, we would be retreating from our alcohol policy," said Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, who sponsored the big changes in the last session.

Another big reason that reform will be stalled is Gov. Gary Herbert's first official run for Governor next year. Trust me, this man wants to keep his job and will make no ripples in Utah's political puddles.

Even a "no brainer" like lifting liquor license restrictions will not be discussed next session. Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, said he fears that the limited number of licenses is evidence that the state may have gone too far in loosening restrictions last legislative session.

So if we're lucky and we've been good little boys and girls we'll see liquor reform return in 2012, just in time for the Earth to transform into Jello and for Jesus' triumphant return.

Cheers

RedRock's Dandelion Ale

Last April we told you about a collaboration beer between RedRock and New Belgium called Paardebloem(Flemish for dandelion). This is an old school attempt at making beer without using any hops. Instead Dandelions and other herbs or spices are used for bittering.

Chris McCombs of New Belgium Brewery. Spent some time in Salt Lake last April and Kevin Templin traveled to Fort Collins a week later to New Belgium's place to assist on the creation of the brew there.

NB released their version of Paardebloem last May and RedRock's has been aging in oak ever since. Well the wait may be over soon. Kevin tells us that his Dandelion Ale will be hitting the bottles on November 20th. He's not sure exactly when it will be on sale, but by the end of the year is an optimistic guess.

It's been a wile since I tried NB's version, but I imagine RedRock's version will be noticeably different. I know a lot of people have been looking forward to this beer for a long time.Also RedRock's Harvest ale was released last Friday. This is one of my favorite RR beers. Harvest Ale is made only once a year. It's made with whole leaf Amarillo Hops, using almost 32 lbs. per batch. Then more are added post-fermentation for a very floral, somewhat citrus like aroma and flavor. Malt character and body is medium, in this unfiltered beer. It's truly a beautiful thing.

Finally, plans for the Holiday tasting are moving along nicely. I'll have the full info for you this week. Any questions? don't hesitate to drop me a line at utahbeer@gmail.com.

Cheers!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Home Brewers' Wife Jailed for Assault.

* Utah Beer Satire* Provo, Utah (UB) - A Provo woman is in jail tonight for assaulting her 31 year old husband after she allegedly became fed-up with his apparent lack of Home brewing prowess.

Wanita Conchita Bavario, broke a glass carboy over the head of Husband Clay Bavario after his latest home brew creation came up short - once again. "Every few weeks, he'd make a big production about his latest - greatest 'Imperial Oak-aged Uber hop bomb'. Every one of his Goddamn beers tastes exactly the same—like really thick, shitty beer. I'm fed up!"

Clay Bavario is recovering at Utah County Regional Hospital, with cuts and a minor concussion. Provo Police aren't commenting on the assault, but are looking into filing charges against the Provo home brewer for "daring to go against community standards". Provo Police Lt. Grover Green said. "Assault is one thing, but when you try to be different in Provo, that's a whole different enchilada".

Police confiscated the remaining home brew in the household and placed it into the Police Cheif's fishing boat for "safe Keepin".

Cheers!