Beer Birthday: Luke Nicholas

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Jay Brooks

Today is also the 42nd birthday of Luke Nicholas, founder/brewer of Epic Brewing in New Zealand. Luke brewed for many years in New Zealand before striking out on his own, and also lived in the States for a spell working for RealBeer.com and became fond of hoppy beers. As a result, his beers are some of the hoppiest in New Zealand. He also started a real beer website just for New Zealand, RealBeer.co.nz and was instrumental in starting a Brewers Guild of NZ. Luke was kind enough to show me around the beer scene in Auckland when I was there with my family a few years ago, and we run into one another at beer events surprisingly often. He’s a great beer ambassador not just for his native country, but for great beer everywhere. Join me in wishing Luke a very happy birthday.

Me and Luke outside 21st Amendment during a visit to our shores.

And at the 2010 Craft Brewers Conference in Chicago.

History Lesson: The Story Of Beer

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Jay Brooks

Today’s infographic is one I’ve posted before, I believe. It was originally created by Manolith in 2009, but has been making the round since then. It’s a concise “History Lesson: The Story of Beer.”

History Lesson: The Story of Beer infographic

Click here to see the chart full size.

Brewhog Determines An Early Spring Bock For 2013

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Jay Brooks

Over in Gobbler’s Knob, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Phil the Groundhog — a.k.a. the Brewhog — raised up his head this morning and looked around, and this year did not see his shadow. You know what that means? It means an early spring, and earlier spring bock for us. You can see a video of Punxsutawney Phil here. And there’s more information about Groundhog Day from the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.

Beer Birthday: Jamie Floyd

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Jay Brooks

Today is the 41st birthday of Jamie Floyd, co-owner/brewer of Ninkasi Brewing in Eugene, Oregon. Jamie has been a fixture in the Oregon brewing scene for many years, having brewed at Steelhead Brewing, also in Eugene, before opening Ninkasi with Nikos Ridge in 2006. Join me in wishing Jamie a very happy birthday.