Beers for Halloween: Scarecrow, Hobgblin, Dead Guy Ales

To celebrate Halloween I decided to try a few "in the spirit of" named beers.

Scarecrow Ale.
Wychwood Brewery, Witney, Oxfordshire, England.
USDA Organic

Caramel color with a slight haze.
Malty nose.
Slight malt taste, some hoppy bitterness.
Medium body, small bitter/dry finish.

Not my favorite ale but enjoyable overall.
Available in Austin: Yes


Hobgoblin Ale . 5.5 ABV Ale

Wychwood Brewery, Witney, Oxfordshire, England.

Ruby brown color, off white bubbly head.
Coffee and toffee nose.
Roasted malt with a slight nutty taste, thin mouth feel.
Available in Austin: Yes




Rogue Brewery
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, Oregon.

This Ale was created in the 90's to commemorate the Mayan Day of the Dead for Casa U Betcha Mexican Restaurant in Portland. The dead guy design turned out to be so popular, that is was re-incorporated into a bottled Maibock a few years later. The label even glows in the dark!!

I picked this up in a 64 oz growler to take to a Halloween gathering, when I opened the bottle is had decent carbonation but poured with little or no head. The bottle size might have had something to do with it. Overall it was a very enjoyable beer, I will pick up a smaller size next time for better notes and a re taste!
Available in Austin: Yes

I couldn't get my hands on the following beers but they seemed fitting for the event.

The Moorehouse's Brewery in Burnley, Lanconshire, England offer s few spooky styles with a Black Cat Ale, PendleWitches Brew and a Blond Witch. The Pendle Witches were put on trail in the 1600, during the rule of King James the 1st. King James produced a book 'Daemonology' to help local magistrates identify witches, that he believed were part of a plot to remove him from power. On august 20th 1612, seven Pendle Witches were hanged at Lancaster Prison.
Available in Austin: Unknown


Middle Ages Brewing Company
120 Wilkinson St.
Syracuse, New York 13204.

Offers various styles with some great mid evil names. Wizard winter Ale is 6.8 ABV Ale with a chestnut color. Another noted title is the Druid Fluid, a barley wine made with 6 different malts. 9.5 ABV
The company started producing in September, a 12th Anniversary Porter available in growler fills or tasting at the brewery.

Available in Austin: Unknown

Czech Republic Revisited: Velvet

Velvet Beer
Královský Pivovar Krušovice a.s. (The Royal Brewery of Krušovice ) Krušovice, Czech Republic. 5.1% ABV

Pours a nice amber with a Guinness type cascade effect. Thick long lasting head. Very smooth almost creamy mouthfeel with some sweet undertones. One of my favorite beers! This batch was hand delivered by my folks after a recent visit to the Czech Republic. The first time I discovered the beer was at a pub in Mikoluv, Czech Republic in 2003.

Available in Austin: Not commercially exported out of Czech Republic.
Beer Consumed During Writing: Velvet of course, had to sacrifice one for the photo.

Face in a Pint Fridays.

Face in a Pint Fridays

Sounds like a good day anytime of the week. A writer from Ireland has been drawing a face in his pint of beer every Friday for a year. Then systematically destroying his artwork by drinking it, yes we all must suffer for our art. Enjoy the full series here!

Pauwel Kwak, Belgian Ale

Pauwel Kwak

Brewery Bosteels
Kerkstraat 96
9255 Buggenhout
Belgium
T:32-52-33.23.23

Chantal and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary tonight, we decided to toast the occasion with a bottle of Kwak while we rode in style to dinner in a stretch Lincoln. Very enjoyable beer, maybe it was the occasion that added to the enjoyment, but this one is on my list.

First brewed in 1791, a Belgian Ale (Dubbel)with an 8% ABV and typically served in a "yard glass" or in my case a Trappist glass. Very full body with a nice amber or cherry wood color, slightly sweet malt flavor, no bitter aftertaste like other Belgian ales. Malty and hoppy aroma with a white head. Ideal serving temp: 5 - 6c (41-43f).

The most noted aspect of this beer is the glass it is traditionally served in, prominently displayed on the label. This glass has a rounded bottom and requires the support of a wooden holder. The design of this glass stems from the days of the stagecoach. When a coach stopped at an inn, the horseman were required to stay with the horses. I have read two theories on this next part: one is beer "mugs" could not be held by thick gloved horseman, the enterprising brewer Pauwel Kwak created this special glass for them to hold with thick gloves. The second theory is the special shaped glass was created for it's ease to fit in a horse stirrup. Regardless it provided a much needed beer for thirsty travelers.

Available in Austin: Yes

The Bosteels Brewery also offers a Tripel Karmeliet and Deus.

Fried Elephant and Rice Beer, MMM

New Delhi, India: Attracted by the aroma of fresh brewing rice beer in a village, a large herd of wild elephants went on a drinking binge. In the process a large elephant knocks over an electrical pole, causing six elephants to die from electrocution.

The isn't the first time wild elephants have gone on drinking binges and destroyed homes in India. Human encroachment on elephant habitat is blamed in the article, maybe they make a killer home brew in India? Seems like they already have.

Read the full article here.

Beer Consumed during article: None, but a Delirium Tremens comes to mind.

Beer: Still the favorite of Canada, Eh!

Canadians bought 2.2 billion liters of suds last year worth $8.4 billion.

On a per-capita basis, Canadians aged 15 and over spent the equivalent of $651.50 on alcoholic beverages in 2005-06, up $28 from the previous year.

Imported beer grew in popularity last year, taking 11.1 per cent of the market compared with 9.9 per cent in 2004-05.

The McKenzie Brother Approve!

Full article here.

Beer Consumed During Writing: Hoegaarden Witbier

Sam Adams Brewer VS Sam Adams Mayor

The Portland Mayoral race has a candidate named Sam Adams, this has brought objections from the Beer brewer, Sam Adams.

AP Article

"They say they've been using this trademark since 1984," Adams said. "I've been using it since 1963."

Boston Beer's representatives didn't know there was a real Sam Adams running for mayor when the letter was sent, and has previously run "Sam Adams for President" marketing campaigns.

According to the candidate's website, he announce his bid for mayor at the Roots Organic Brewing Company in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Adams even mentioned them in his speech,

"especially the small, neighborhood businesses like 100% organic, locally owned and operated, and now expanding Roots Brewery. These are the businesses form the backbone of our economy".

Since these two Sam Adams have such a strong connection, not only by namesake but an obvious support for beer, they should team up. Suppose the Portland Sam Adams becomes Mayor, maybe the next step is a bid for President. I know it's a long shot, but talk about a great way to revive an old marketing campaign for the brewer and have another namesake in office!

Now I need to find a way to get my hands on some of that Roots Beer and see what this candidate's pallet is like.

Bud VS Budvar, might finally be over.

The Czech government has started the process to sell the last European state owned brewery in the next few years. If rivals Anheiser Bush were to purchase the brewery, it would end a century long dispute over the Budweiser name.

The process will take a few years and other private investment firms have shown interest in the acquisition. Budvar considers itself the maker of the original Budweiser, it exports its lager to the U.S. under the name Czechvar, because Anheiser-Busch has firm control of the U.S. trademark on the name. There are currently 17 lawsuits in various countries between the two firms.

Full article here

Free Beer For Life!!!!!

Croucher Brewing Company is offering a great reward for the return of a stolen laptop.

The laptop, containing years of financial and creative work, was taken during a break-in at Croucher Brewing on Monday.

Co-owner Paul Croucher says the brewery will give a lifetime supply of beer to anyone with information leading to both the safe return of the laptop and the arrest of the theives; who stole it.

It works out to one dozen Croucher Brewing boutique beers per month.

Great American Beer Fest Results 07

Denver, Colorado

2,793 beers at the festival

GABF

2007 Brewery and Brewer of the Year Awards:
Large Brewing Company and Large Brewing Company Brewer of the Year
Pabst Brewing Company, Woodridge, IL
Bob Newman

Mid-Size Brewing Company and Mid-Size Brewing Company Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Crosby & Baker Ltd.
Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Paso Robles, CA
Matthew Brynildson

Small Brewing Company and Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Microstar Keg Management
Port Brewing & The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, CA
Tomme Arthur

Large Brewpub and Large Brewpub Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Brewers Supply Group
RedRock Brewing Company, Salt Lake City, UT
Kevin Templin

Small Brewpub and Small Brewpub Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.
Montana Brewing Company, Billings, MT
Travis Zeilstra

2007 Great American Beer Festival Pro-Am Beer Competition - 48 Entries
Sponsored by Briess Malt & Ingredients Co. and Hopunion CBS LLC

Gold: English Style India Pale Ale, Allentown/Bethlehem Brew Works, Allentown, PA
Beau Badem & AHA Member Chris Bowen

Silver: Kentucky Weissbier, Alltech’s Lexington Brewing Co., Lexington, KY
Brewery Team & AHA Member Bill Caldwell

Bronze: Sculpin IPA, Ballast Point Brewing Co., San Diego, CA
Ballast Point Brewers & AHA Member Doug Duffield

Saint Arnold Brewing Company: Oktoberfest

Saint Arnold Brewing Company
2522 Fairway Park Drive
Houston, TX 77092
713.686.9494

Style: Marzen/October Fest
6.0% ABV

Rich caramel color, fluffy head. Tastes of sweet malt with hints of caramel with hops in the end. Nice mouth feel.

Available in Austin: Yes

Left Handed Brewing Pale Ale

Left Hand Brewing Company
1265 Boston Ave
Longmont, CO 80501
303 772 0258

Jackman's American Pale Ale

Color: Golden
Medium Body
ABV 5.2%
Malt: Premium Pale 2-row and Crystal
Centennial Cascade Hops

Easy rider style label. Nice malty flavor, with balanced hop finish.

Available in Austin: Yes

Sam Adams Hallertau Imperial Pilsner

Samuel Adams

Hallertau Imperial Pilsner

8.8% Alc.

“An Intense Hop Experience”

Noble Hallertau Mittlefrueh Hops

Glass: Pilsner

Light honey color

Mild hop aroma in the nose with a strong but balanced hop flavor, light body. Smooth finish with a nice hoppy aftertaste.

Available in Austin: Yes