From Andy Crouch's BeerScribe: For Charlie Papazian, founder of the Brewers Association, inspiration struck twice in remarkably similar ways. In the late 1970s, Papazian traveled to London, England, to attend the British Beer Festival. While sampling stouts, porters, and cask conditioned ales from around the United Kingdom, Papazian, an avid home brewer, started thinking about beer in the United States. When Papazian wondered aloud about whether Americans could host a similar festival, famed beer writer Michael Jackson famously quipped, Yes, but where will you get the beer?  read more »

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 »

By Angelo M. De Ieso II

2008's Oregon Brewers Festival was the best yet with more beer and more attendees than ever before. The state's rich culture of craft beer was highlighted by more than 70 breweries offering their tasty selections to a boisterously jolly quaffing crowd.

The crowds on a Thursday afternoon at the OBF are big, but nothing compared to those on Friday and Saturday.

I always enjoy getting down to the festival early to ensure short lines and that the beers I really want to sample are still available. One thing I've learned from years past is that by Friday and Saturday, the festivities are in full swing and Tom McCall Park can feel a bit more like a moshpit with seemingly endless lines. Another time that I like to visit the festival is early Sunday afternoon. At this time I hoped to try the remainder of the beers undiscovered by my palate in hopes that many of them will still be available.  read more »

On Saturday the 16th of February David, Win, Jadyn and I went to the afternoon session of the Extreme Beer Fest. The setup was pretty similar to the last fest I went to at the Cyclorama. There was a nice selection of beers. Three Floyd's had a booth, as well as Surly. As usual the notes are abbreviated and more general. This beer fest will be split into two posts. 763-765. Harpoon Parti-Gyle Harpoon brewed a series of three beers for the beer fest. The beers were all brewed from the same mash. A Stock Ale was brewed from the first runnings, a Pub Ale was brewed from the second runnings, and a Table Beer was brewed from the third runnings. We started with the weakest beer of the three and worked our way up.  read more »

Chimay 25th Anniversary Celebrations and Special Package Released Throughout U.S.A.AUSTIN, October 06, 2008 - Chimay Trappist Ales have been brewing in Belgium for 146 years and U.S.A. inhabitants have been able to take pleasure in this incomparable beverage for 25 years in the states. In recognition of this grand occasion, Bires de Chimay has designed a special collector goblet to recognize the exportation of Chimay Trappist Ales to the United States for 25 consecutive years. Various Chimay-selling bars throughout the United States will host Chimay 25th Anniversary Celebrations throughout the remainder of the year.  read more »

States Brew Pubs Enjoying Golden Days By TAMMY LA GORCE THOSE who would place brew pubs on a list of 1990s relics with oxygen bars and salad spinners havent stopped by Kroghs here lately. The seasonal stout they make here, its like ice cream its so good, said Tom Corbett, a product manager at Panasonic who on a recent Monday evening was one of a dozen or so regulars at the brew pub an establishment defined in New Jersey as a restaurant with a brewery on the premises. And the pale ale its dry and hoppy, said Mr. Corbett, who lives in Sparta. It reminds me of Ireland. I like the way it smells. Thus, Mr.  read more »

20 McMenamins brewers present 20 beers in competition at the historic "Battle of the Belt" PORTLAND, Ore. - On Saturday, February 16, 2008, the notorious "Battle of the Belt" rages for the fifteenth time at Hillsdale Brewery & Public House (1505 SW Sunset Blvd.). McMenamins' Hillsdale Brewfest is a day-long event featuring twenty original brews, food specials, revelry, merriment and most important a competition for the coveted Belt. The Hillsdale Brewfest is free to attend, begins at 11 a.m. and is open to guests of all ages; those 21 and over may taste the ales. Twenty of the finest ales from all over McMenamins' Kingdom of Fun are sent into battle, their brewers vying for bragging rights, the notorious championship belt and a berth in the annual Oregon Brewers Festival.  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 »

Is American beer any good? TheStar.com - living - Is American beer any good? The idea of weak American suds is being laid to rest by the boom in indie ales, stouts and pilsners Buffalo's Premier Gourmet has become a magnet for Canadian beer lovers by stocking around 1,000 beers, half of them brewed in the U.S. Where does the best beer come from?  read more »

May 13, 2008 Chewing the Fat: The Brooklyn Brewery's Garrett Oliver The SAVOR Beer and Food Festival takes place this weekend and for the past week, D.C. has been crawling with several top figures in the beer crafting industry. To kick off this week's beer festivities , DCist got a chance to sit down and talk with Garrett Oliver, Brooklyn Brewery brewmaster, food and beer pairing expert, author, and though maybe not as glamorous as the St. Pauli girl the face of top-notch, traditional beer brewing. We caught up with him before an Italian beer tasting at the National Geographic.  read more »