Sunday’s ad is for Rheingold Beer, from 1952. “‘Most of the Things I Like Best Begin with ‘B’ — beagles, bands, beer,’ says TV star Harry James. ‘Here’s my favorite beagle — Bugle. My favorite band instrument? You guessed it — the trumpet. As for beer …'” It seems odd they describe James as a “TV star,” when I always think of him as a trumpet player and a bandleader. Harry James’ birthday is today, born in Albany, Georgia in 1916. When I was younger, and a musician, I was a freak for big band music, and Harry James was one of the best of his time.
Archives for March 15, 2015
Marzen Madness 2015
I may not be college basketball’s biggest fan, but I do still enjoy March Madness every year. The tournament is usually a fun diversion for a few weeks each year, so for the fifth straight year, I’ve set up a fantasy game, similar to fantasy football. It’s a bracket game through Yahoo which I call “Märzen Madness.” It doesn’t look like there’s a limit to the number of people who can play, so sign up and make your picks starting tomorrow, but before March 19, which is when the first games take place.
To join Märzen Madness and play the Yahoo! Sports Tournament Pick’em game, just follow this instructions below. You’ll also need a Yahoo ID (which is free if you don’t already have one).
To accept the invitation, just follow this invitation link. For reference, here’s the group information.
Group ID#: 18022
Password: brookston
Good luck everybody.
Patent No. 4011896A: Apparatus For Rapidly Dispensing Beer Into Open Cups
Today in 1977, US Patent 4011896 A was issued, an invention of John W. Nilon and Thomas J. King, for their “Apparatus for Rapidly Dispensing Beer into Open Cups.” Here’s the Abstract:
Beer is stored in vessels located in a refrigerated storage area before passing through dispensing lines connected to a plurality of dispensing taps. The dispensing lines are maintained in heat-exchanging relationship with cooling apparatus which further depresses the temperature of the beer below that of the refrigerated storage area. By the time the beer reaches the cooling taps, the temperature of the beer is sufficiently depressed so as to permit the beer to be dispensed at a high rate into drinking containers which pass beneath the taps.
The Next Session Asks: Cans Or Bottles?
For the 98th Session, our host is Nathan Pierce, who writes the blog for Microbrewr. He’s asking us all to weigh in on what’s better, what you prefer, and/or what’s the deal with “Cans or Bottles?” Essentially he wants to know your take on the packaging wars. Alright, maybe not a war, more like a friendly debate. Fingers crossed.
A bottling line or a canning line is a substantial financial investment. So this question is a significant consideration to anyone starting a brewery.
The answers give great insight. However, one thing I see lacking from the discussion is solid data.
Of course aluminum can manufacturers and glass bottle manufacturers each have an interest in showing their packaging is best. I have heard a lot of arguments on both sides, even data and statistics, but I haven’t heard many references from third-party studies. If you can offer this, that would be a great help.
In any case, I’m looking forward to reading the answers not only to see where the consumer trends are going, but also as research for the brewery I dream of opening.
What’s your perspective?
Will you write from the consumer point of view? From which kind of packaging do you prefer to drink beer? Why do you prefer that packaging?
Will you write from a manufacturer perspective? How do you want your brand portrayed? Which packaging suits your beer best?
Will you write from a distributors perspective? Which packaging do you prefer to transport and stock at retail locations?
Some other insight?
So pop a cap or pull a tab, and decide which one you like better. Then to participate in the April Session, leave a comment to the original announcement on or before Friday, April 3.
Patent No. PP15663P2: Hop Plant Named ‘YCR Accession No. 4’
Today in 2005, US Patent PP15663 P2 was issued, an invention of Charles E. Zimmermann, assigned to Select Botanicals Group, L.L.C., for his “Hop Plant Named ‘YCR Accession No. 4.'” Here’s the Abstract:
A new hop plant (Humulus lupulus) is disclosed. The new variety is used for its aromatic properties. The new variety is moderately tolerant to powdery mildew, and produces a medium size moderately compact cone with good pickability and storageability. The cones mature relatively late, and produce an exceptional yield of approximately 2200 to 3000 pounds per acre (2466 to 3363 kg/ha).