I apologize for the tardiness of this post. Over a month and a half late, I'm beginning to feel like Ward. Jadyn and I went to the afternoon session of Beer Advocate's Belgian Beer Fest on the 27th of October. We arrived early enough to be within a half-block of the doors. This year's fest seemed less crowded than last year's. The middle row of booths was removed and replaced with seating. Overall I think this was an improvement, there's still more than enough variety and it's far less crowded. As with other fests the notes are more general, abbreviated and are probably to be trusted less as the fest progresses. 715. Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence Stout Beer Stats: Brewery: Brewery Ommegang Alcohol: ?  read more »

Here's post number two for the 5th Annual Beer Advocate Extreme Beer Fest. Find the first post here.

775. Smoke

Beer Stats:
Brewery: Surly Brewing Company
Alcohol: 9.50%
Style: Baltic Porter, BJCP Style Guide

Pours a clear, dark brown/red. Topped by a thick beige head. The aroma is smoky with a bit of maltiness and fruitiness. The flavors are malty and fruity with some light roast and a nice smokiness throughout.  read more »

Given that Dogfish Head Craft Brewery touts its line of singular beers as "off-centered ales for off-centered people," you naturally expect its owner, the 39-year-old Sam Calagione, will be a similarly eccentric character. But he's as down to earth as his beers are out of this world.

After earning an English degree from Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania in 1992, Calagione moved to Manhattan to take writing courses at Columbia with an eye toward joining its master of fine arts program. Instead, he discovered craft beer. He fell hard, becoming a home brewer almost overnight.  read more »

Brew Blog's picks of news from the beer business and beyond. Busch family members are divided over InBev's unsolicited bid for Anheuser-Busch, Bloomberg reports. While one of A-B CEO August Busch IV's uncles has said A-B should talk to InBev,..."Brew" Blog