Hell's Keep and Other Favorites Return

Hell's Keep returns today. This Belgian style strong ale from Squatters was originally released for the first time in March of '09 at Squatters Pub Downtown. It was apparently such a big hit that they decided to move the production over to the Utah Brewers Cooperative facility so they could take care of the massive bottling project. Hell's Keep is 7.75 ABV and comes in a 750 ML bottles.

Poured into a tulip: a lightly hazy honey/orange with a dense 3 fingers of white foam, which fade into a moderate sized cap. The nose is lemony coupled with dusty-oak and a wild yeastiness. The taste starts with dry apricot and pear followed by spicy malty grains. The end is lemony with notes of straw and wheat. The finish is nice and dry with a lite champagne like carbonation. This beer is very crisp and refreshing. Just so easy going down and incredibly light on the palate. The the 7.7% ABV doesn't have any burn and is well hidden.

Also available today at the Beerhive, Hop Henge from Descutes. This is a great double IPA. It's nicely balanced with a flavor-profile consisting of citrus and pine hops wrapped in a somewhat light blanket of a biscuity malt peaches and mangos. Delish!

There's more.... Andrew spotted some of the Full Sail Imperial stout and Top Sail Bourbon Barrel Porter at the 3rd east Wine Store. Have we given you enough to talk about?!!!

Cheers and have a great weekend.

XS Minis

Earlier in the week we told you about John John Ale from Rogue Brewing. What I forgot to tell you in that post was that Mark (Bayou) got a new shipment of the Rogue XS Series Russian Imperial Stout.

Normally this beer would break the bank. The typical XS bottle is a 22 oz. ceramic bomber, which really ups the price of an already expensive beer. The new XS series bottles are a handy 7 oz. glass bottle.

Wow! Who'd a thunk it? A big beer in small bottle? How many times have you wanted a strong beer but couldn't, because you didn't want to get hammered - going solo on a 10.5% 22 oz. bomber. Brilliant!

Also, due to some front office delays Donovan's Double Black lager from Hoppers has been delayed 'till the pencil pushers figure out whatever those guys figure out. Frustrating! to say the least. Call Hoppers before you go. (801) 566-0424

Cheers!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Hoppers Debuts Double Black

In the Ten plus years that Hoppers has been around it has like many brewpub limited itself to 4.0% percent draught beers. That ends today.

Today Hoppers Brewmaster & Secret Agent Donovan Steele debuts Hoppers first "high abv" beer Hopper's Double Black Lager. Coming in at 6.4% abv Dono calls this lager a Schwartz-Bock due to it's higher than normal abv for the style.

Double Black spent thirteen plus weeks cold lagering, using a grain bill consisting of all German Weyermann Grains, some floor malted CaraBohemian Malt, German hops, and a German Kloster Andechs yeast.

This is just more proof that Utah's craft beer community continues to grow as the demand for great local beers are becoming more and more in demand. If you want to see more special projects like these, get your ass to Hoppers and support Dono and his staff.

Hoppers has 348 six-packs of Double Black Lager at it's Midvale location located at 890 Fort Union Boulevard. See you there!

Prost!

If you like what we're doing over here at the Utah Beer Blog, feel free to vote for us as Best Local Blogger in Salt Lake City Weekly's Best of Utah 2010 competition. Thanks for your consideration!

New at the Bayou. John John

Rogue has a new series of barrel aged beers and Mark has acquired one of labels at the Bayou.

Rogue Brewmaster John Maier and Rogue Spirits Master Distiller John Couchot have joined forces to create an innovative series of brews called John John Ales. The series will take selected Rogue Ales and age them in Rogue Spirits barrels. The first of the John John series is John John Dead Guy Ale, Rogue’s award winning Dead Guy Ale matured in Rogue’s Dead Guy Whiskey barrels.

Poured a light orange/amber color with a bubbly white head that dissipated fairly quickly. The nose is of Bourbon whiskey, toasted malts and vanilla. The taste starts with a caramel sweetness then gives way to toasted malts and caramel. Oak comes next with a definite dose of Bourbon that seems to linger on the tongue throughout the beer. Doesn't remind me of the original Dead Guy at all.

Medium mouthfeel. Carbonation is nice and light. Very smooth and silky. Feels far more boozy than it's 6.4% suggests.

As this brew warmed it became far more interesting. If you're a fan of 'Dead Guy' you may or may not like this beer. An interesting brew to say the least. Can't wait to try the other in the series. John John Hazelnut(Rum Barrel Aged).

Cheers!

Relax Liquor License Quotas?

As it turns out, liquor sales are a source of revenue the state of Utah can reliably count on every year. This year alone, profits from liquor going directly into the state's general fund totaled nearly $60 million. And when school-lunch subsidies and sales taxes are added from liquor sales, the amount swells to more than $100 million.

As lawmakers this session struggle to make ends meet, you'd think this would be a no-brainer to help stimulate growth while adding to much needed dollars to the general fund.

Well common sense doesn't come easy in Utah. As full service liquor licenses dwindle and more businesses are looking at Utah to expand, you'd think think that those who have the responsibility to ensure our economic growth would jump at the chance to keep growth alive. But they're not.

Steven Bogden, managing director of Coldwell Banker Commercial said his firm represents the chain Buffalo Wild Wings, which is considering opening a dozen restaurants in Utah over the next four years.

If they do, they would hire 1,000 full- and part-time workers, with an anticipated sales base of $42 million a year, on top of all the contractors and laborers to build the restaurants and vendors who sell them merchandise.

They won't come, he said, if they can't get the liquor permits.

"If they can't get their business plan, let's go to Sacramento. If they jump over Salt Lake, let's go to Portland or somewhere else and we've missed it," said Bogden. "And it's got nothing to do with alcohol. It's about economic development, jobs and growth."

HB223, sponsored by Rep. Gage Froerer, would take 40 unused tavern licenses, which allow only service of low-alcohol beer, and convert them into restaurant licenses. Twenty would be limited licenses that allow service of beer and wine and 20 would be full licenses, which allow service of beer, wine and distilled spirits.

The potential economic boon was persuasive for members of the House Business and Labor Committee, who passed the bill out on a 9-1 vote.

But the prospects the bill will ultimately pass the Legislature remain slim, in large part because of the opposition from Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville. Waddoups said he doesn't want to make any changes to Utah's liquor laws, which were significantly overhauled last year.

Mayor Russ Wall of Waddoups' hometown of Taylorsville disagrees, saying the city formula allows for up to 11 restaurants that serve alcohol and it currently has three, but can't persuade any more restaurants to open because there are no licenses.

Why would anyone want to expand their business in Utah with such an immature playground pissing match going on.

Cheers!

source Salt Lake Tribune

Three Fowl Beers at the Beerhive

The are some new beers at the Beerhive this week(2/26/10) and birds seem to be the theme.

The first is the Hawk Select Ale from Mendocino Brewing. Hawk is a rich bodied ale that is "Bottle Conditioned". Coppery reddish-amber in color. The taste is a judicious mix of caramel and pale malted barley, balanced with Cluster, Cascade and Saaz hops. This gives the Eye a slightly dry finish.

Next also from Mendocino is White Hawk Select IPA. It's blended with American West Coast Cascade Hops as well as a generous dose of English Fuggle Hops. This combination makes for a very aromatic character, as well as a truly authentic English flavor. White Hawk IPA has an ABV of 7.0% and a bitterness of 60 IBU.

The last birdie beer comes from North Coast Brewing. Le Merle is a rustic Farmhouse Ale. Pale in color, inspired by the rich brewing traditions of the Flanders region of Belgium. Abundant hops and a Belgian yeast strain contribute exotic aromas of tropical fruits. ABV: 7.9%.

Fowl...Get it??? I really crack my ass up.

Anyway, I was going to announce a new Utah beer today but labeling issue have prevented it's release. Stay tuned next week and have a good weekend.

Cheers!

Squatters 529 Oud Bruin Released Today

After a lot of research and a two year commitment Squatters is finally releasing it's Oud Bruin today. 2100 bottles of the 529 will available for sale starting this afternoon.

Squatters will sell the bottles (750ml) for $18.95 out of the downtown Squatters Pub and the Park City Roadhouse Grill.

If you know sour beers, this will make you very happy. If your new too the style, give 'em a chance. They are extremely varied, characterized by a slight vinegar or lactic sourness and spiciness to smooth and sweet. A fruity-estery character is usually apparent with no hop flavor or aroma.

That's two big beer releases so far this week. Shall we go for the hat-trick? Stay tuned for number three in this weeks Utah Beer troika.

Hope to see you at Squatters this afternoon.

Proost!

Lespri Distillers get Okay'd

Club Lespri recently secured a conditional use permit for their new Park City distillery.

Club Lespri founder Scott Rogers said, the club plans to start building the distillery after the ski season. And hopes to start produce the first batch of vodka in the summer.

The distillery at the restaurant-spa-health club will purchase a neutral-grain spirit and then distill the spirit into what Rogers describes as vapor-infused vodka. He has called the product "super premium botanical vodkas." The club will not ferment the alcohol at the site.

Lespri plans to distribute their vodkas to bars and restaurants throughout Utah and operate a tasting room at the Sidewinder Drive site. Rogers says he's already expirimenting with new recipes.

Cheers!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Rêve Returns Today

That's right, it's been over year since RedRock's award winning Belgian style triple has been around and this years batch is said to be the best one yet. 1500 bottles will go on sale today at both RedRock locations - as well as the Bayou and most likely the Beerhive. These are available for take home. Two bottles - per person - per day.

Pours a light golden honey color with with a moderate fluffy white head that dissipated to a very thin froth. The nose is a little boozy with banana, cloves malt and ripe mango. The taste is very much the same starting with candied sugar and cloves that transitions into toasted malt and banana. The end is sweet and oaky. The alcohol is warming and welcomed, masked well by Rêve’s full body. It adds a whole new dimension to the beer. You really get a good sense of the oak in the finish. It’s barrel aged for one year. Don’t get me wrong it’s got a kick. It’s 10.2% abv is more than enough to warm your inner beer geek.

RedRock Rêve is more proof that that Utah beers are much more than just 4.0% anomalies. Earning the bronze medal at the ’06 Great American Beer Festival and the silver medal in ’07.

Cheers!

New at the Beerhive 2/19/10

First we'll start with Witches' Brew from Brouwerij Van Steenberge out of Ertvelde,
Belgium. This one isn't new but they got a new shipment and if you haven't had it, check it out.

The second is Firestone Walker's Union Jack IPA. One of the best damn IPA's on the planet. It's taken far too long to get this in the market, considering FW's Double Barrel Pale and Pale 31 have been here for years. I think I'm gunna have a Pale-gasm tonight.

The Third I believe is Walker's Reserve - Robust Porter. Haven't had it... but gunna tonight!

Thanks to Colbylee the inside man at the DABC for the heads up.

Also, It's time to start pissing in Del's ear about putting a Beerhive website together. With all those photo's from the 19th Century hanging in his place, I think he forgets he's in the 21st. You know I loves ya Del.

Cheers!

Please Support H.R. 4278

Utah has one of the highest Breweries Per Capita ratio as of 2008; ranked 14th out 51 states (including D.C.). As well as our local breweries are doing, things could always be better. A little tax help could help bring prices down and create jobs in the area.

H.R. 4278 the "Small Brewers Stimulus" bill is an attempt to create that stimulus for small craft breweries.

Sponsored by U.S. Representatives Richard Neal (D-Massachusetts 2nd District) and Kevin Brady (R-Texas 8th District). Currently, a small brewer that produces less than 2 million barrels of beer per year is eligible to pay $7.00 per barrel on the first 60,000 barrels produced each year. Reducing this rate to $3.50 per barrel would provide approximately $15.5 million per year to help strengthen our nation's smallest brewers and support their efforts to maintain and generate jobs.

Once production exceeds 60,000 barrels, a small brewer must pay the same $18 per barrel excise tax rate that the largest brewer pays at over 100 million barrels. Lowering the tax rate to $16 per barrel on beer production above 60,000 barrels up to 2 million barrels would provide small brewers with an additional $26.2 million per year that would be used to support significant long-term investments and create jobs by growing their businesses on a regional or national scale.

Contact our Representatives and urge them to support this bill.
http://www.house.gov/
http://www.senate.gov/

For a little clearer view here's a link to a news story on hr4278.

http://www.cbs4denver.com/video/?id=67298@kcnc.dayport.com

Cheers!

Abyss is Finally Here

I have "good news" and "not so good news". After a delay of far too many months Deschutes' Abyss is finally here! That's the good.

The not so good... it looks like your going to have to jump through the same ol' hoops to get it - you know, as your currently going through to get Uinta's Bourbon Barrel Barleywine. Which, by the way is at the downtown wine store (thanks for the heads-up Christian).

So here are your options. You can get the Abyss right now at the Bayou & the Beerhive. They got ten cases each. The rest are allocated to a hand full of liquor stores and there will most likely be a 3 bottle limit.

So, if you don't live in or near SLC it looks like your about to get "boned" once again.

On a brighter note. Kevin Templin Brewmaster at RedRock just bottled 1500 Reve. They should be done conditioning around February 22nd.

Cheers!

New Breweries Continue to Make Progress

I can't remember the last time two breweries opened up in Utah in the same year(if ever). Right now it looks like Epic Brewing And Shades of Pale Brewing are on pace to open months - if not weeks apart.

Below is "Mrs. Shades of Pale" Alexandra Ortiz Fargher cutting concrete for the mop sink drain. As well as SoP's Fermenters.





And over at Epic, Brewmaster Kevin went out to Oregon this week to inspect the JVNW brew house and cellar items. Kevin says "it is beautiful in person". The tanks should be in the brewhouse sometime next month.





I've had a chance to sample some of Epic's potential "home brewed" recipes. I was quite impressed by the styles they presented. It's gunna be a great year for all.

Cheers!

A Wonderful Black Lager

Yesterday we talked about about a new "okay" lager from Sierra Nevada. Today a new "wonderful" lager from Rogue Brewing.

Dirtoir Black Lager is the second in the limited availability Chatoe Rogue series. Dirtoir Black Lager and the brews to follow are all GYO Certified (grow your own).
These products are made with hops and malt from Rogue's Hopyard and Barley Bench.

Pours opaque black with a nice dark tan head that settles to a nice foam cap. The nose is of rich, heavily roasted coffee and chocolate with toffee/caramel, dark bread and earthy tones. The taste starts with roasted coffee, milk chocolate and roasted malts. next comes a slight metallic taste followed by some big hop bitterness. The finish is a little boozy, though some maltiness lingers with strong roast/dryness on the tongue. Full-bodied and rich.

Dirtoir Black Lager is available in 22oz. bombers at the Bayou and Beerhive

Glissade, Just Okay

There have been a lot of new offerings in the area over the past few months, most have been pretty good, some... eh. One that I was really looking forward to was Sierra Nevada's Glissade. Sierra Nevada lists this as a Golden Bock, seems more like a Helles to me and not a great one.

Pours a crystal clear amber yellowish color with a nice 2 finger head. The head recedes quickly to a thin collar. The nose is fairly muted with hints of corn, estery alcohol and a slight amount yeasty funk. The taste is surprisingly simple for a SN beer in terms of flavor and complexity, all malty up front with very slight hop dryness at the end but very mildly hoped, simple easy flavor really for the most part nothing complex, simple and straightforward. Nothing offensive, mostly blah.

Kind of simple, nothing I would be seeking out again, an honest straight forward beer that really reminds of a euro lager more than anything else. Not one of SN's strongest offerings.

Cheers!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Advocating for the "New" Utah

I'm not sure exactly what this is. It was found in the travel section at abcnews.com/.

It's not a news story, at least it's not formatted that way. It's about Utah's friendlier alcohol laws. It has interviews with Squatters' Jenny Talley & Jason Stock - the Beerhive's Del Vance and David Perkins of the High West Distillery. Enjoy.

Cheers!

Bourbon Barrel Barleywine Available???

Well, yes and no. The Bayou & the Beerhive both got ten cases of Uinta's big, big 11.0% beer and have it for sale right now. However the liquor stores are still without.

The Uinta guys tell me that the BBB has been in the hands of the DABC for at least two weeks and Uinta has no idea what the hell the hold up is.

As of now it looks like it will only be sold when the monopoly decides to get it on the shelves. It will be at SLC's two Wine Stores only.

There are also conflicting numbers on the bottle limit per person. A guy from the DABC(who's name I forgot) told me there's a one bottle limit per person, while Steve (El Presidente of Uinta Brewing) tells me three. I'm going to go with Steve. I mean it's his beer for Christ's sake!

If you happen to come across any, please post it up. And Steve if you have any further info we'd love to hear from you. Go Monopolies!!!

Cheers!

-yes, I know that's not the actual barleywine pictured above.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

The Sour Batch Kids

Good News! After 18 months we're finally in the home stretch. The Squatters crew bottled, corked and caged 2100 bottles of their 529 Oud Bruin last weekend.

Sour beers can be a tough style to get into, but once you find your groove... oh man, they make for a happy tongue.

Oud Bruins are light to medium-bodied, deep copper to brown in color. They are extremely varied, characterized by a slight vinegar or lactic sourness and spiciness to smooth and sweet. A fruity-estery character is usually apparent with no hop flavor or aroma. Low to medium bitterness.

Jenny decided to keep the co2 level lower to enhance both the sourness and maltiness. "Remembering my Oud Bruin experiences from my trip to Belgium, the co2 level was very soft". So it looks like this will be very close to style.

Looks like February 16th is the "soft" release date for the 529.

Cheers!

Bohemian Brewery Seeking a Cellarman

If your looking to get into the brewing industry or are stuck in rut, looking for a change. Bohemian Brewery is looking to expand its brewing crew.

We are looking for the right person to join our team starting in the cellar. Duties would include but not limited to...
CIP
Keg washing and Filling
Cask 5 head can line operation
General Sanitation

Definite possibilities for advancement...

We are an award winning brewery, exclusively brewing Czech and Bavarian style lagers. Currently we are brewing A pilsner, marzen, schwarz and a wheat with rotating seasonals. Packaging one brand at the moment with the second and third to begin in the coming months. We are located just south of Salt Lake City, minutes from world class skiing at Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude... Incredible hiking, fishing... etc.

Send a resume to brewer@bohemianbrewery.com
Thanks

Bobby Jackson
Head Brewer
Bohemian brewery

www.bohemianbrewery.com

No More Liquid Solutions

In Utah if you want a beer that's not readily available in the state you basically have two options. Go across one of our six boarders and bring it back or have a friend or relative mail it to you. Either way it's illegal, Utah doesn't like being cheated out of it's precious alcohol taxes.

Buying beer by mail is a big no-no. Most places that ship beer, liquor or wine will not ship to Utah and various other states because of tax laws. But If you happened to be "in the know" you may have used Liquid Solutions to get your exotic craft beer fix.

From what I understand they were able to deliver items from their extensive beer list to anyone who was willing to pay for it.

Sadly Liquid Solutions is going out of business and the beer pipeline is to be no more. After nine years of operation they are shutting down the website and liquidating their entire inventory of beer, mead and cider 10-30%. Hundreds of great beers are available. Here's a list.

The sale starts Fri Jan. 29th at 3:00 and goes through Friday, Feb 5th at 8:00 pm
Sale hours: M-F 3:00 - 8:00 Sat & Sun 10:00-8:00. If you have any friends or family in Oregon I'd get them on the horn and start working something out.

If you missed out, it was a good thing while it lasted. If you were a regular customer it looks like your going to have to look for another option.

Cheers!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Utah is Out of Liquor Licences

Well guess what. Yesterday the liquor-control commissioners gave out the last of the liquor licenses. Commission Chairman Sam Granato officially announced that the licenses in all three state categories were gone including:

- permits for bars to serve drinks without or without a meal,

- full-service licenses that allow restaurants to serve alcohol with meals.

- and limited-service permits that allow eateries to serve only beer or wine with an order of food.

Entrepreneurs who want a permit to serve wine, spirits or heavy beer must wait for population estimates to increase or existing establishments to go out of business.

The Utah legislature won't change the population requirement that would make more licenses available. State Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, said ""it's not the right time for the Legislature to make changes to the state's license quota system".

House Speaker David Clark, R-Santa Clara, said if limiting numbers of liquor licenses significantly depresses economic growth, "we'll have another look" but that won't happen until next year.

Rep. Gage Froerer, R-Huntsville, is sponsoring a bill that would lift caps for restaurant liquor licenses but he has acknowledged the measure lacks support, including that of the LDS Church. And as we all know, if the overlords don't like it - it gets squashed.

A new poll by The Salt Lake Tribune suggests that the legislatures view may not be aligned with their constituents. Utahans are nearly evenly split on easing quotas that would create more. Overall, 46 percent of those polled oppose altering the population-based quota system, while 43 percent want it changed so the state can grant more permits.

So if your a national restaurant chain looking to expand your business into Utah I'd have to say, "stay the fuck away from Utah, our leaders don't want you here"! Unless you want to play the LDS way. Too harsh? I don't think so.

-info: Salt Lake Tribune

New Beer at the Beerhive 1/25/10

I made a stop at the Beerhive over the weekend and came across some new beers that I have not seen around before in the area.

The first was Rogue Mogul Madness. It has medium roast malt right up front with a high piney/grapefruit hops presence. A little off balance, but not bad.

Rogue Chatoe First Growth Dirtoir Black Lager. Yup that the name. This was quite nice despite the name. It's very roasty with espresso, coffee grounds, bitter cocoa, and sharp woodiness. The hops lend an equally sharp grassy, piney, earthy bitterness.

Sierra Nevada Glissade. This is a Maibock/Helles Bock. It's sweet, but not overly sweet, slightly bready. The hops do start to make their way to the forefront as the beer warms. A lot of carbonation. Nice and light but with enough flavor to keep me interested.

And Finally the 2010 Sierra Nevada Bigfoot is out. I'm sure this is the same big, yummy, warm, hoppy monster it's always been. Frankly after the first three, there was no way I was about to tackle a 9.6% Barleywine.

If you've seen these anywhere else, let us know!

Cheers!

The Beer Boomerang of Love

Building on the huge momentum of a great beer year, Utah's local brewers are full of enthusiasm and optimism for the coming year. It's a great time for a fresh start and a chance to reboot the old processes.

There will be a lot of great craft beer success stories to come this year, of this I have no doubt. Every time a new seasonal beer rears it's head, people are literally lining up for them. In some cases even before Bartenders/servers even know they're for sale. Seriously this happens!

One of the most enthusiastic brewers you will ever meet is RedRock's Kevin Templin. Weather he's eyeballing a new batch of yummy bugs in his microscope or taking delivery of oak barrels it's hard not to get swept up in this beer yogi's groove.

"I am excited and privileged to be in the middle of a brewing orgasm!!! The Utah beer scene is blowing up and if I was not a part of it I would be Bummed. New beers everywhere, people pushing for exotic perfection... It's nuts"!

This "beer boomerang of love" that Kevin is lobbing out to us means great things for you and RedRock's first quarter.

Twenty brand new casks of new French and Classic American oak have just arrived to house some new craft beer creations.

Rêve, Redrock's oak aged Belgian style Triple is said to be the best it's ever been and will be bottled by the end of the month in 750ml bottles. So look for it late February early March... Christ, I'll just tell ya when it's out.

Kevin says he's also sitting on a new unnamed sour beer that'll be ready "Whenever it wants to be ready".

Fresh off the success of Paardebloem, talks of acquiring the early sweet greens for the Paardebloem's sequel are already in the works.

And most of all the RedRock crew is excited about putting on the gloves for a Knock-out double IPA in 1/2 liter bottles for an early spring release.

"I am stoked for all my bro's that are being inspired to move forward and try new things. We will just keep trying to make high quality beers and keep our nose to the rock". Templin says. I say, Amen to that!

Cheers!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Uinta's BBB: The Sequel

A lot of people have been waiting patiently for the release of Utah's biggest beer, the Uinta Bourbon Barrel Barleywine. Well, we're in the home stretch. Uinta's President Steve Kuftinec tells me that it should go to the DABC warehouse sometime this week and show up in the stores towards the end of next week.

This is another limited release, only 720 bottles released. And like the last release it will only be available at limited liquor store locations. Once they start leaving the warehouse, we'll have a better idea of where they're going. Look for another three bottle limit as well.

In other Uinta beer news A selection of Uinta beers will now be available in the Reno, Nevada area. From Uinta's main portfolio, Angler's Pale Ale, Golden Spike Hefeweizen, King's Peak Porter, and Anniversary Barley Wine. From the Four+ Series, Wyld Organic Extra Pale Ale and Hive Honey Stung Ale.

Cheers!

Squatters 529 Oud Bruin

The Last few days have been very heavy with beer law and legislation. So, today we get back to the fun stuff. New Beers!

On the heels of the very successful release of Outer Darkness, Squatters announces their next big seasonal release. Squatters 529 Oud Bruin was inspired by a visit to Belgium's Rodenbach Brewery in 2004. Brewmaster Jennifer Tally was so impressed by the beer styles from the Flanders region of Belgium she decided to recreate some of the more popular styles.

"I started creating my Oud Bruin in July of 2008. After I removed my 1st Fifth Element I laid down 529 in oak. It has taken 18 months to get this beer to where I want it and now it is time for bottling.

Jenny and Jason are are blending the oak aged 529 with a two month old 529 to marry the acidity and malty sweetness to produce one quaffable sour ale.

Oud Bruins are light to medium-bodied, deep copper to brown in color. They are extremely varied, characterized by a slight vinegar or lactic sourness and spiciness to smooth and sweet. A fruity-estery character is usually apparent with no hop flavor or aroma. Low to medium bitterness.

529 refers to the number of days spent in the barrels (18 months). 529 should be available sometime next month for Pub and to-go sales.

Speaking of oak aged Belgian style beers Jenny will be removing the second edition Fifth Element Saison from the oak and sending it into the bottle for conditioning next week. She plans on releasing the highly regarded Saison in early spring.

Also Squatters has launched a new - updated website. Check it out.

Cheers!

No More Adaquate Beer Legilslation

It's that time of year again - when logical, well meaning people go to Utah's Capitol to plea for law changes to make their little corners of the world a little better.

Every individual has a different interpretation on what "better" is. And as usually happens, those in the minority find out that settling for "adequate" is a close as their gunna get.

That's what we're going to talk about today, adequate beer policy. As much as we bitch about how bad things are beer-wise here in Utah, I think we all know that it could be a hell of a lot worse. We have seen vast improvements in the production and availability of local craft brands as well as a broadening of brands from outside of the state. But things are still just adequate.

It comes to reason that as the beer market expands the infrastructure to manage it's growth must expand as well. The state cannot keep up with the demand that Utah's growing craft beer community is imposing on it.

The state liquor warehouse (even though expanded) is already bursting at the seams. We need to lighten the burden and move the beer end of the socialized liquor monopoly to the private sector, where it can be properly managed by the people who know this side of the business. The Beer Distributors.

This doesn't mean that the state doesn't get it's eighty something percent of the pie. It just means that the state gets it's taxes without the burden of managing the floor space the beer occupies.

If the state trusts Breweries, Wineries and Distilleries with the manufacturing and selling of their products with the class five packaging license, the leap to expand it to the distributors isn't that big.

All this leads to two things. The elimination of the 4.0% cap on draft beer and the saving of millions of dollars a year in an ever expanding beer market.

Last year Rep. Curtis Oda sponsored this very bill (HB349). The 2009 legislative ended without the bill going to a vote in the senate (passed in the House). This year Senate President Michael Whaddoups has already announced he would not hear any alcohol legislation this session. It seems he also sets the agenda on what is heard and not heard. It is beyond absurd that someone has this much power over an issue that he has such strong biases against.

My plea to you is this. If Rep. Oda manages to get this bill heard again, make sure you contact your representative and ask for their support of the bill. If it doesn't make it don't worry, there will still be next year. We don't want this bill to get the reputation as being a annual failure.

Cheers!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

The Mormon Influence on Alcohol Policy

Recently CNN's John King was in Salt Lake City to do a story on Mormon culture and how it influences the debate on alcohol related issues in Utah.

The story deals with the LDS church's influence in the state and how SLC now has a non-Mormon majority and Mayor Becker's efforts to promote and align those differences.

Beerhive owner Del Vance was one of the business owners interviewed for the story.

Cheers!

2009 Utah Beer Year in Review Part 3

Finally!

September: If you wanted Hoppers' beer before Sept '09 you had to go to the Brewpub in Midvale. Now their beer is out and available at other fine establishments. High Desert Hops a local hop farm debuted it's inaugural crop with much success, growing Cascade, Galina and Columbus varieties. Squatters celebrate their 20th Annibrewsary by brewing up a special high gravity Märzen/Oktoberfest. The Great American Beer Festival came and went with RedRock, Uinta and Wasatch bringing home medals. Wasatch Brewpub head brewer Matt Beamer put together a tasty Wheat Wine and slipped it in completely under the radar. Simply named Wasatch Wheat Wine, it has still yet to be released.

October: Uinta Brewing announced that they would be brewing a new line of high gravity beers, to be released sometime 2010. After months of searching, Epic brewing finally found a home in downtown SLC. Glenn Harris, brewers Assistant at Zion Canyon Brewing past away in Southern Utah. Bear Republic beers finally made into the state while the third beer in Moab's Desert Select Series, Moab's Scottish Style Ale or "Wee Heavy" became available for purchase.

November: I tried my hand at satire... Screw you! I'm funny - that shit was brilliant!!! While I was busy cracking myself up with my ramblings Trent Fargher & his fiancee Alexandra Ortiz were busy crossing "T"s and dotting "I"s getting Utah's newest brewery, Shades of Pale underway. And we learned that the advancements in liquor reform that we saw over the past ten months would go no further. For a while anyway.

December: Finally we come to the end. Donovan Steele at Hoppers brewed up "the First NoAle" a Patersbier styled Belgian ale. It's a traditional styled ale that is brewed and consumed by the fathers in the Trappist monasteries. Chef Gary 'Captain Bastard' Maxwell passed away. Gary was the former Master Chef of Squatters Pub Brewery, Fuggles and was working for Sizzling Platter/Hoppers as a computer tech and occasional culinary adviser. RedRock's new production brewery went online in December, the new facility will help get RR's beers out to more bars and restaurants around the state. The Utah Beer Holiday Tasting was a huge success. Beer lovers from Four counties and Idaho represented bring a wide array of excellent beers. December also saw the release of some great new seasonal beers, including Outer Darkness, Paardebloem, Schwenkelweiss Black Wheat and Donovan's Irish Breakfast Stout.
And finally Uinta Brewing received a Silver Medal in the English-Style Bitter category for their Cutthroat Pale Ale at the The sixth annual European Beer Star Awards.

Wow, what a great year. With two new breweries scheduled to open and new labels to debut, 2010 is expected to be another phenomenal year!

Cheers!

2009 Utah Beer Year in Review - Part 2

Welcome back!

May: The Hb51 Beer became reality. All of the brewpubs that participated in the brewing of the HB51 beer, kegged their individual interpretations on the collaboration amber ale. And as promised they were all very different. Four+
released a new beer Sum'r; made with lemony Sorachi Ace hops. Park City got a boost in the beer dept with the opening of Lindzee O' Michaels Park city's new place for top tier beers. Bohemian brewery's recreation of the original 1842 Czech Pilsner came to fruition and the boys nailed it with an incredible effort.

June: Utah Brewers received a shload of awards at the North American Brewers Association's - Mountain Brewers Festival In Idaho Falls, Idaho. Including six gold medals. Slug Magazine released it's second annual Beer Issue as the Logan Municipal Council repealed a law that restricted the sale of beer at city retail stores on Sundays. We also had a small beer festival in Snowbird. The Grill on the Hill featured a variety of locally made suds along with some killer BBQ. Local beer lover/craftsman Bryan Perkins, customized a Randalizer for the Bayou. It's basically a organoleptic hop transducer module (a hop cone filter) that grabs the oils off the hops in the Randall on the way from the keg to the tap/faucet transferring all the hoppy goodness into the beer, providing a pungent and fresh hop boost to the selected beer.

July: The Private Club system finally went the way of the Dodo and gave Utah citizens their dignity back. The Beerhive made it's long awaited debut after months and months of bureaucratic delays. Moab debuted and scored with it's Black IPA, the first in a trio of high ABV releases known as the Desert Select Series. Another new beer, Hop Rising came to liquor store shelves becoming Utah best selling high ABV beer. And frenzy and confusion surrounded the release of Uinta Brewing's first batch of their experimental Bourbon Barrel Barley Wine.

August: Thanks to the legalization of homebrewing in Utah, we were able to have our first ever BJC sanctioned home brew competition. Entries came from as far away as California, Texas and Nebraska. Craft beer options in St. George got thinner. Ruby River Steakhouse had closed it's St. George location as well as their Idaho Falls & Boise restaurants. On the heels of it's successful Black IPA debut Moab Brewing started selling the second beer in their Desert Select Series - The Moab Triple. Snowbird’s 37th Annual Oktoberfest returned, Attracting over 70,000 visitors over the sixteen-day celebration. August ended with The Book of Brew. RedRock Brewing Company's bible, per say. It chronicles most every one of the 40+ beers that Red Rock has brewed over the past 15 years.

We're in the home stretch. Hang in there with me!

Cheers

2009 Utah Beer Year in Review

Originally when I started doing the Utah Beer Year in Review it could be done in one post. Well this aint one of those years. So much happened this year that it's gunna take a few days with as many posts to get it all out so here it is, Utah's biggest beer year ever!

January: We began '09 with the return of an old friend. Back in early '06 Beamish & Crawford makers of Beamish Irish Stout quietly decided to pull the plug on Beamish exports to America. The company apparently saw the error of their ways and after a near three year hiatus, Beamish came back.

February: Boulevard Brewing out of Kansas City, entered the Salt Lake Market with two 4.0% beers and later with some of their higher abv smokestack series. Also, RedRock's award winning brew Rêve came back for it's second limited release. Tom "Divot" Smith, Squadron Commander and F-16 fighter pilot had been rallying for two years for Roosters to brew up a unique beer for the Rude Rams. Roosters listened and released their honorary beer Rude Ram Red. Feb rapped-up with the 15th annual United States Beer Tasting Championship. Uinta Brewing Co., King's Peak Porter was named the Rockies/Southwest "Regional Champion" in the porter category.

March: Brought North Coast Brewing's debut into the state. The Utah Senate's decided to go home early and not debate HB 349. This bill would have made it possible to get rid of Utah 4.0% draft limit. But with sad news came good news because Squatters debuted their new Hell's Keep Belgian style Golden Ale. And Roosters in Ogden offered up Hard Times Ale. A no-nonsense, no-frills, bare-bones brew to help craft brew lovers get through the tough economic times. Four+ released Hive, the Utah brewers Coop retained it's top 50 breweries status and of course HB51 passed the into law making Homebrewing in Utah legal.

April: Saw the Utah Chapter of Mother Against Drunk Driving go off the rails and abandon MADD's policies and Philosophies. While that crap was going on RedRock collaborated with New Belgium Brewery to make a Dandelion beer. RedRock also won three awards at the 16th annual Australian International Beer Awards Held in Melbourne, Australia. Wasatch Released two new summer beers. Twilight a 4.0% Kolsch and Summerbrau a 5.6% copper-hued Czech-style
pilsner. And we learned about Epic Brewing Utah's next generation brewery.

More to come. Cheers!

Life & Limb in Utah

A lot of people have been emailing me about the availability of the Sierra Nevada - Dogfish collaboration beer Life & Limb. Here's what I know.

Yes it is available in Utah, but I believe the only place that has it, is the Beerhive in SLC.

This is a living ale (LIFE) it's naturally carbonated to enhance complexity, refinement, and to encourage aging. LIMB - for the birch and maple trees, who’s syrup gives this unique ale its flavor.

It has a deep sugary malt profile, hops are significant enough to notice, but do not take a leading role in the profile, aside from some decent bitterness on the finish. Reminds me of a Belgian noel brew. Syrup and slight spice linger on the aftertaste. I'm not really excited about this one.

Drinkability is ok. Still a bit hot, some time in the cellar might help.

Overall this is an ok beer, which is unfortunate because I like both of these craft beer giants. I just think they could have done better with the resources that both breweries have.

It's certainly worth a try. but I'd recommend one of the current local options instead.

Cheers!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Utah Craft Brands Remain Strong

As the year ends remember this. Even though beer sales have dipped slightly over the last year due to the economic crisis, sales figures continued to be healthy for craft beer brands, far greater then either imports or domestic macro beers.

And growth by dollars continued to rise, in part due to higher prices, but also due in part to the consumer’s willingness to pay a little bit more for better beer, as seen in the past months sales of local high ABV brands.

This essentially confirmed the recession-proof nature of beer, and especially craft beer. Many Local breweries are continuing to see excellent sales and sales growth in stark contrast to the big guys. Even expanding their operation into the coming year.

Cheers and Happy New Year!

More Accolades for Cutthroat

Congrats to Uinta Brewing on receiving a Silver Medal in the English-Style Bitter category for their Cutthroat Pale Ale at the The sixth annual European Beer Star Awards.

836 beers from more than 30 countries participated in the European Beer Star. 78 jurors awarded gold, silver and bronze medals in 41 categories.

Record attendance, was spurred on by a surge of foreign entries, which was 22% higher than the previous year. Submissions came from all continents: from Australia to Panama, from Russia to Thailand, from Brazil to the USA.

Uinta's Flagship beer is one of the most celebrated beers in the state. Sadly people from outside of Utah will only get to experience this great beer from within our borders. Due to some bullshit copyright laws. Oh well, more for us I guess.

Cheers

My Xmas Present to You...

...is My favorite beer commercial ever! Sadly, I think the last time I even saw a Stroh's beer in Utah, Michael Jackson was still black. But to be honest I haven't been looking.

Thanks for all the support Utah craft beer lovers.

Cheers & Happy Holidays!

More Holiday Beers

As if you didn't have enough new beer options Desert Edge had to come along and give you All the Way Alt. This is a tasty German style ale,"Alt", with a copper color and slightly bitter and dry finish. There is a bit of toasted flavor in the finish as well. They also have on tap Downtown Nut Brown, although not for long. It is almost out. As well we have the Holiday Raspberry Stout and the Augustus Amber Ale.

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If your thinking about getting some Outer Darkness or Paardebloem you'd better get on it. Both are flying out of their respective breweries. In the time I was at Squatters on Monday evening I watched at least eight cases walk out the door, and that's just when I was there.

If your wondering if you'll like O.D., it pores a thick, opaque ebony color with a good two fingers of dark copper colored foam.

The nose was heavy with coffee, chocolate, licorice and a hint of vanilla. Definite alcohol perfume in the end.

The taste starts with Chocolate covered raisins, followed by some underlying dark fruits. The sweetness fades into big roasted coffee and cocoa and finished up with a nice roasted vanilla malt taste.

The alcohol is noticeable but it doesn’t taste like a 10.5% beer. An amazing, full and complex Imperial Stout. The mouthfeel is thick and rich, you really get a sense for how heavy all of the ingredients are as you swish it around.

This has to be one of my favorite Utah beers of all time. The chocolate and coffee flavors are balanced perfectly. Best enjoyed in small sips where you can really savor and appreciate the great flavor and artistry in the brew.

Happy Holidays & Cheers!

Breakfast in a Glass

Tomorrow Hoppers is putting on tap Donovan's Irish Breakfast Stout. It combines an Oatmeal Stout with a Sweet 'Milk' Stout that contains unfermentable lactose milk sugars, then they added several pounds Millcreek Guatemalan coffee. Donovan uses their house London Ale yeast strain and are leaving it unfiltered, but still very bright.

The aroma starts with a rich full coffee aroma, oatmeal, chocolate, and slight fruitiness. The rich body is backed with flavors of creamed coffee and then a rich malty silky oatmeal. It finishes with a lingering Guatemalan Coffee Flavor and fresh milk chocolate and slight fruitiness. Let it warm a bit to get all the complex coffee flavors, oats, and fruity yeast aromas. It's breakfast in a pint!

Wow! What a great week for local craft beer.

Cheers!

Bohemian's Schwenkelweiss Black Wheat

The Bohemian Brewery doesn't brew seasonal beers very often, so when they do it's definitely worth talking about. Today the boys at Bohemian are releasing their Schwenkelweiss Black Wheat. It utilizes a wide array of wheat malts to give the beer a fine chocolaty aroma and flavor, that's balances well with a refreshing wheat tang. Or so they say.

Another thing that makes this beer unusual for Bohemian is that it's nitrogen conditioned instead of the normal Co2. Which should add a nice silky mouthfeel to the brew.

This is looking to be a great week for new beers. Should be on the taps by the afternoon.

Prost!

Two Big - New Releases

Today there are two big debuts on the Utah craft beer scene, so lets get right to it.

First off, we have RedRock's long awaited version of their collaboration beer Paardebloem (Flemish for Dandelion). This beer was brewed earlier in the year at RedRock & New Belgium breweries. While NB's version was released soon after brewing RR's went into American oak barrels for aging.

Inspired by the great hop shortage of 2008, dandelion greens were used as they have a natural bittering effect much like hops. The result is a blond ale brewed with toasted pilsener malt, flavored with fresh picked dandelion greens and grains of paradise.

Paardebloem is hazy and light gold in color with peachy/lemony nose. It has a unique floral bitterness with a big malty backbone. There is a touch of added sourness(intentional)that the New Belgium version lacks. This provides a nice balance for the big spicy/sweetness the ale carries.

The ABV is at 8.8% and sells for $15.00. Most importantly there are only 150 bottle available! So I don't have to tell you that this won't be around for much more than a couple of weeks. Only available for "in house" sales at RR's downtown SLC location.
Next we have Outer Darkness. This is the first commercially produced Imperial Stout brewed in Utah.

This beer is big all around. Big espresso notes, big cocoa, Big roastiness and big alcohol. 10.5% abv to be exact. This may put Outer Darkness very close to being Utah's strongest beer ever.

Squatters has 800 bottles and they will be $14.99 for sale at the table or out the door. For the best Outer Darkness drinking experience Brewmaster Jenny Talley recommends warming it to 45f before opening and pour the beer directly down the center of the glass without any tilt. This beer is big enough that it can be cellared for 1-3 years before resurrecting.

For sale at Squatters Pub downtown SLC and at Squatters Roadhouse Grill in Park City.

Cheers!

Yet Another Distillery in Utah

Just weeks after the grand opening of the High West Distillery in Park City, comes word that another distillery is in the planning up in the mountain resort community.

Lespri Spirits would be the third entry into Utah's fledgling distilling community, behind the above mentioned High West and the newer Ogden's Own Distillery, makers of Underground; a Jägermeister-esque herbal liquor.

The founder of Club Lespri wants to start distilling vodka at their location in Prospector square, saying that it resembles in some ways the microbrewery market of years ago and that it could expand Park City's reputation as an imbibing place in a state that many outsiders perceive as being filled with teetotalers.

Scott Rogers, Club Lespri founder, said he wants the product to be "super premium botanical vodkas." According to his description, Lespri Spirits will purchase a neutral-grain spirit and then distill the spirit into vodka at the Sidewinder Drive restaurant-spa-health club.

Club Lespri has hired consultants to assist with the distillery, Rogers said, Club Lespri expects to test up to 12 recipes of vodka before deciding on five or six to produce and that the alcohols will be "vapor-infused vodka," but he does not consider them to be flavored vodkas.

Club Lespri is seeking state and federal permits to operate the distillery as it seeks an approval from City Hall. Rogers said he hopes the permits are granted by the end of 2009. Rogers wants to start making the vodka this winter and begin selling
the product by the end of the ski season.

Cheers!

Sourse: Jay Hamburger Park Record

New Menu and Attitude at the Wasatch Brewpub

Beer in America is not just the "working man's" drink any more. It has a much broader base that it's had, well...ever. Every style of beer produced around the world is available or recreated at some point every year in Utah.

With the demand for quality beers ever increasing brewpub owners are looking to complement their ales and lagers with cuisines that will make them shine.

Recently the Wasatch Brewpub in Park City brought on Chef Michael Jewell to create a new menu specifically designed to complement the wide range of beer that come from Wasatch's Brewhouse.

From Polygamy Porter Bratwurst Sandwiches to Pan seared Idaho Trout you'll find the right beer for the job.

And speaking of the right beer for the job. The Wasatch Brepub has it's Polygamy Porter on nitro tap right now. Think of it as the best mocha/espresso milk shake you could ever dream of, but better 'cause it's beer!

Cheers!

1000 Brews & A Rare Night

In the nine years that the Bohemian Brewery has been around little has changed at the old world style Brewpub. Sure they've added a brand new brewery and canning line, but what comes out of the taps still remains the same.

Bohemian is all about tradition and they make some of the most authentic tasting lagers you'll find brewed in the states.

Last November the Bohemian crew brewed up their 1000th brew and will be tapping it tomorrow; December 14th to share with all of those who care to come by.

Besides the specially priced beer, look for prizes and a general great time. Hope to see you there.



Also, Id like to thanks everyone who made it out to the Holiday Tasting last Friday. We were all blown away by the turnout. We estimate that there were 40-45 people in attendance and had nearly double that amount with great, rare beers from all over the world.

Id especially like to thank our local brewers who attended, the home brew clubs, Eric(host), Doug, Geoff, Kevin(for fetch'n the gasket) and Mrs. Mikey.

We couldn't have done it without everyone's great enthusiasm and passion for great beer. I think we might be able to pull this off again... What do you think?

I posted photos on my Facebook page and a few at UtahBeer's Facebook page if you care to check them out.

Cheers to you all!

On the Darkest Day, Outer Darkness Cometh

It looks like December 21st is going to be the release date for Outer Darkness. Coincidentally (or not) this is also the darkest (shortest) day of the year. The Winter Solstice. Jenny and Jason have brewed up about 800 bottles of the Imperial stout. It's bottle conditioning right now.

I was lucky enough to get a sample from the tank a few weeks ago, your gunna f'n love it boys and girls!

See you all at the Tasting tonight.

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Also, the funeral for Garry Maxwell is Saturday the 12th at 11am in St. George. Details in tribune. There will also be a wake at Squatters on Sunday Dec 13th at Squatters 4:00 - 9:00 pm. The email address for notifications is garryswake@hotmail.com

In lieu of flowers there will be a suggested $20 at the door to assist with funeral/estate costs for Garry. Any extra funds gathered will go to the family.

The Holiday Tasting is Full

Due to the overwhelming response we're going to have to close the invitations to the Tasting as of now 2:30pm 12/10/09. Thanks so much for all the interest, it's a true testimony to how great Utah's beer community is. I think we will try to make this at least a semi-annual thing if all goes well. Thanks again and Cheers!

RedRock's New Brewery Goes On-Line

RedRock's new brewery is finally up and running. Last Tuesday Eric Dunlap and Brewmaster Kevin Templin flipped on all the switches - got out their mash paddle and started making beer.

If your expecting the inaugural beer to be something grand and momentous; like some ancient beer/mead hybrid made with a six thousand year old yeast strain... I'm gunna have to disappoint. It was their good 'ol Hefe... Hey these boys still have a schedule to keep!

All the beer coming from the new facility will be kegged for distribution out side of RedRock. So start looking for their beer to start appearing on more taps around the state. RedRock's brewpub brewery will still be making their award winning beers as usual. Congrats Guys!

Here's a video commemorating the facilities first brew day.

Congrats Guys & Cheers to you!

Chef Gary 'Captain Bastard' Maxwell Passes

Last Sunday Chef Gary 'Captain Bastard' Maxwell passed away. Gary was the former Master Chef of Squatters Pub Brewery, Fuggles and was working for Sizzling Platter/Hoppers as a computer tech and occasional culinary adviser.

Chef Maxwell was known by many brewers and worked alongside them in creating great food to go along with their beer. He had just started down a new carer path in computer technology. I know many brewers, and those in the brewing community, have had the pleasure of knowing him and working along side of him. We all still continue to enjoy his creations and celebrate his life.

So hoist a pint of his namesake Captain Bastard's Oatmeal Stout in his honor.

Cheers Captain!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Holiday Tasting '09 update

Oy vey! I spent the past weekend in San Diego at a strong ale festival and boy is my liver tired. The Festival at Pizza Port in Carlsbad hosted some 80 plus ales & lagers from all over the world with nothing below 8%abv.

Right now, believe it or not. "I am over beer"! - Nothing until this weekend. which is where I'm headed with this post.

Friday is the first ever Big Ass Holiday Beer Tasting. If you haven't RSVP'd please do so soon so I can get an accurate head count.

Now remember, your entry is a nice bottle of beer to share with the group (22oz). Earlier I had asked for people to bring extra beer. That is no longer the case. I think we will have a sufficient amount of beer to cover it. The home brew is still absolutely welcome.

There will be food there, but if you want to bring something please feel free.

Questions or RSVP me here at utahbeer@gmail.com

Cheers!

Jesus Christ: Vintner - Entrepreneur

* Utah Beer Satire* Heaven (UB) - Being the only son of the omniscient creator-deity worshiped by billions of various faiths for more than 6,000 years, defiantly has it's advantages. Jesus Christ beloved Vitner and Jew has returned to earth after being away for nearly two millennia, to announce the creation of a new division of heaven, devoted to the making of wine and beer at home. In a move that retail-industry insiders are calling "theologically fitting," Christ is hoping to take the world by storm with his new line of "Water into Wine Kits".

"I really can't believe I never thought of this before", Christ laughed. "I've been making this stuff since my Jerusalem days, but it never clicked until recently". The brainstorm came from an evening of drinking with Julio Gallo on his cloud a few months ago. "Jules (Julio) started giving me shit about my wines, saying that 'there's no way you can make a good - full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with only water'. I really wanted to smote his ass"! Christ joked. "But we pulled out a few bottle and did a little celestial tasting".

"I was really surprised"! said Gallo; a former mortal and vitner who's was co-owners in the Gallo Winery; one of the top winemakers in the world. "The boys got talent, I'll give him that."

After the fateful meeting Jesus approached his dad for backing in the endeavor and the rest shall we say is history. "My dad was the first to encourage me to try wine making back when I was living on earth, I was poised to become one the preeminent vitners of the middle east... 'till that whole crucifixion thing came along and really screwed things up... It really sucked."

There's no word yet on how the new kits will work, but Christ insists that you'll have wine on your table in minutes instead of months or years. If the wine kits take off Jesus says he'll be working with Saint Arnold (the Patron Saint of Brewers) on a home brew version of the kit. Available Christmas '09.

Cheers!

The First NoAle

Donovan Steele, secret agent and brewmaster over at Hoppers is amping up the holiday beer competition with a brand new offering that's both new and exiting.

The beer called "the First NoAle" is a Patersbier styled Belgian ale. It's a traditional styled ale that is brewed and consumed by the fathers in the Trappist monasteries.

This version is a darker amber revivalist type once brewed by several Trappists Monasteries. The 4.0% abv fits right in the range of the style and Utah's abv on draft cap.

They were often very mildly spiced and Donovan has chosen Blue Juniper Berry as it was occasionally used and a native spice here from the Wasatch Range. It's not meant to be overtly noticeable, but rather support the rich caramel, Pilsener and biscuit malt flavors. Donovan chose a blend of two Belgian strains, both from the Ardennes Valley, one of which is originally sourced from Rochefort.

The nose is fruity, spicy and malty. The taste is very earthy/malty with flavors of citrus and spice. Some Juniper beneath to back everything up. "I really wanted something that tasted like the season". Donovan said, "so I added just a little 'dry spice' to the secondary fermentation. It's a Patersbier with a dose of local spice". The First NoAle should be on tap tomorrow 11/2/09.

Also, Hoppers first high abv beer is in the fermenter and doing nicely. The Double Black Lager is dark in color yet clean and easy to drink. It's an all German malt beer, Spalter hops, and a yeast strain from one of the German Klosters. "The brew went perfectly". Dono says "I can't wait to get this into bottles".

Nicely done Dono!

The posts will be a little late this week because I'm on vacation and that means my ass sleeps in!

Cheers!