Drink a beer after you exercise, it's good for you!

"In fact, the researchers at the Granada University in Spain came to the conclusion after examining 25 students who were told to do strenuous exercise in temperatures of around 40C until they were close to getting exhausted.

Half of the students were given a pint of beer to drink, while the others received the same volume of water after the workout. Subsequently, the team measured their hydration levels, motor skills and concentration ability.

Prof Garzon said the re-hydration effect in the students who were given beer was "slightly better" than among those given only water. Based on the studies, the researchers have recommended moderate consumption of beer -- 500 ml a day for men or 250 ml for women -- as part of an athlete's diet.

It may be mentioned that past studies have revealed that sensible drinking of one or two units of beer a day could help reduce the risk of heart disease, dementia, diabetes and Parkinson's disease."

Read the full article here.

Fertile concept in beer advertising.

Brazilian brewers Nova Shin has created a unique way to advertise it's new non-alchoholic brew. They are taking the combination of attrative women, beer drinking and fertility to a new level! The models have been photoshopped to look pregnant, but the shock value is well established.

This isn't very suprising considering it came from Brazil, the country that brought us Carnival, maybe even the thong bathing suit. I wonder if they set up tastings in maternity or baby stores?

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.