Breweries

Sierra Nevada Announces Asheville Head Brewer

by Jay Brooks on May 23, 2012 · 0 comments

Sierra Nevada Brewing announced today that Scott Jennings has been named the head brewer for their new brewing facility near Asheville, North Carolina. Jennings has been brewing for Sierra Nevada since 2001, and in addition to his role as Research and Development Head Brewer, he also ran the brewing side of Beer Camp, which is where I first met Scott a few years ago.

Scott (in the glowing red jacket) discussing what beer to brew at Beer Camp #41.

According to the press release:

“Scott is an incredible asset to Sierra Nevada,” said Brian Grossman, co-manager of the North Carolina brewery. “He’s had his hand in developing some of the brewery’s most popular beers, and has been instrumental in the creation and innovation that has stemmed from the beers in our Beer Camp program. His technical brewing skills are first-rate, as is his ample creativity. Under his brewing leadership, our North Carolina location will be in great hands.”

Scott joined Sierra Nevada in 2001 after visiting apprenticeships with Young & Co.’s Brewery Plc. “The Ram Brewery” in London. He holds a Certified Brewmaster certificate from the prestigious brewing institute VLB Berlin, and specializes in technical brewing and recipe development. Working under Steve Dresler, Sierra Nevada’s longtime Head Brewer, he did the primary recipe formulation for popular Sierra Nevada beers: Kellerweis, Ruthless Rye IPA, the Ovila Abbey Ales series and countless limited edition, Beer Camp, and small-batch beers. Steve Dresler will remain as Head Brewer in Chico, and Scott’s new position will oversee all of the brewing, fermentation, and filtration at the new Mills River facility and will be instrumental in commissioning the new brewhouse.

In January, Sierra Nevada announced that it was expanding its brewery with a second facility located in Mills River, North Carolina. Once online, this new facility will provide needed capacity for the brewery and will help facilitate distribution to customers across the eastern United States more quickly and with a smaller environmental footprint. The facility is expected to employ more than 100 people, and be operational by spring 2014.

Congratulations to Scott on his promotion.

Scott Jennings tasting us on Ovila Dubbel from the tank, months before its offical release.

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Montenegro Beer

by Jay Brooks on May 21, 2012 · 0 comments

in Beers,Breweries

Today in 2006, Montenegro gained their Independence from Serbia by referendum.

Montenegro

Montenegro Breweries

Montenegro Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC N/A

Full Name: Montenegro
Location: Southeastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia
Government Type: Republic
Language: Serbian 63.6%, Montenegrin (official) 22%, Bosnian 5.5%, Albanian 5.3%, unspecified (includes Croatian) 3.7%
Religion(s): Orthodox 74.2%, Muslim 17.7%, Catholic 3.5%, other 0.6%, unspecified 3%, atheist 1%
Capital: Podgorica
Population: 657,394; 167th
Area: 13,812 sq km, 162nd
Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than Connecticut
National Food: Kačamak, Raštan
National Symbols: Montenegrin Mountain Hound; Double-headed eagle
Affiliations: UN
Independence: From Serbia, May 21, 2006 / The status of the union between Montenegro and Serbia was decided by the referendum on Montenegrin independence on May 21, 2006 and Statehood Day is celebrated on July 13.

Alcohol Legal: Yes
Minimum Drinking Age: None (to drink); 18 (to buy)
BAC: N/A
Label Requirements: N/A
Number of Breweries: 1

How to Say “Beer”: pivo
How to Order a Beer: Yed-no pee-vo, mo-lim
How to Say “Cheers”: Ziveli (zjee-ve-lee, “let’s live long”) / Zivio Ziveli
Toasting Etiquette: N/A

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

Beer: N/A
Wine: N/A
Spirits: N/A
Other: N/A

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

Recorded: N/A
Unrecorded: N/A
Total: N/A
Beer: N/A

WHO Alcohol Data:

Per Capita Consumption: N/A
Alcohol Consumption Trend: N/A
Excise Taxes: N/A
Minimum Age: 18
Sales Restrictions: N/A
Advertising Restrictions: N/A
Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: N/A

Patterns of Drinking Score: N/A

Prohibition: None

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Cuba Beer

by Jay Brooks on May 20, 2012 · 2 comments

in Beers,Breweries

Today in 1902, Cuba gained their Independence from Spain (and the U.S.).

Cuba

Cuba Breweries

Cuba Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.01% or None

Full Name: Republic of Cuba
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida
Government Type: Communist state
Language: Spanish (official)
Religion(s): Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jewish, Santeria (prior to Castro assuming power)
Capital: Havana
Population: 11,075,244; 74th
Area: 110,860 sq km, 106th
Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
National Food: Platillo Moros y Cristianos; Ropa vieja; Puerco asado; Yuca con mojo
National Symbols: Cuban Crocodile; White Ginger Lily — Mariposa; Palma Real
Affiliations: UN, OAS
Independence: From Spain, May 20, 1902 (from Spain, 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902; not acknowledged by the Cuban Government as a day of independence) / Triumph of the Revolution, January 1, 1959

Alcohol Legal: Yes
Minimum Drinking Age: None (to drink); 18 (to buy)
BAC: 0.01% or None
Label Requirements: N/A
Number of Breweries: 6

How to Say “Beer”: cerveza
How to Order a Beer: Una cerveza, por favor
How to Say “Cheers”: Salud
Toasting Etiquette: N/A

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

Beer: 33%
Wine: 1%
Spirits: 66%
Other: <1%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

Recorded: 4.41
Unrecorded: 1.10
Total: 5.51
Beer: 1.48

WHO Alcohol Data:

Per Capita Consumption: 4 litres
Alcohol Consumption Trend: Increase
Excise Taxes: Yes
Minimum Age: 18
Sales Restrictions: Time, location
Advertising Restrictions: Yes
Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: N/A

Patterns of Drinking Score: 2

Prohibition: None

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The Lagunitas Beer Circus Is Coming To Town Again

by Jay Brooks on May 15, 2012 · 1 comment

in Breweries,Events,Just For Fun,News

This weekend — Sunday May 20 to be exact — the circus is once again coming to the town of Petaluma as the fourth annual Lagunitas Beer Circus will be held on the grounds of the Lagunitas Brewery. If you haven’t been to the beer circus before, it’s one of the most amazing events of the beer festival season. As their press release promises; “Come One, Come All to Petaluma! Witness death-defying aerialists acts, be amazed by human marvels, laugh at outrageous clowns, get thrilled by exotic burlesque dancers, head-spinning sideshows and so much more to dazzle your mind.”

Tickets are a reasonable $40, which includes gets you a commemorative glass and 3 tokens good for three 16oz. beers, but you can always buy additional beers. Tickets can be be purchased at either online, by phone at 707.769.4495 or at the Lagunitas Brewery Schwag Shop, located on the same spot as where the circus will take place: 1280 N. McDowell in Petaluma. The event is for adults only, goes from 1:00-6:00 p.m., and will benefit the Petaluma Music Festival and Music In Schools.

The circus acts and musical groups performing on Sunday include the Vau de Vire Society, the Extra Action Marching Band, The Moral Minority, The Ferocious Few, the Sour Mash Hug Band, Wanderlust Circus, Kehoe Nation, Cyclecide, artist Neal Barbosa painting live, “Bed of Nails, Roller Girls, Sword Swallowers, Snake Dancers, Burlesque Dancers, Contortionists … and so much more!”

But wait, there’s more, here’s the food and beer listing from the press release:

Great food! Beyond the Glory (wings, pork sliders, pork shanks), Extreme Pizza, Hog Island Oysters, Bros BBQ (bbq & paella), Sift (cupcakes), Roy’s @ the Yard (hot dogs), Tres Hombres (burritos, tacos), Toad in the Hole (bangers on a bun) Cotton Candy, and Those Fabulous Frickle Brothers… and much more!

Great Beer! Lagunitas, Moylan’s, Marin, Russian River, 3rd St. Aleworks, Stumptown, 21st Amendment, Moonlight, Dempsey’s, Anchor Brewing, North Coast, Iron Springs, Napa Smith, Henhouse Brewing, Palo Alto Brewing, Sonoma Springs, and Ace Cider.

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Paraguay Beer

by Jay Brooks on May 14, 2012 · 0 comments

in Beers,Breweries

Today in 1811, Paraguay gained their Independence from Spain.

Paraguay

Paraguay Breweries

Cervecería Asunción

Paraguay Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.08%

Full Name: Republic of Paraguay
Location: Central South America, northeast of Argentina, southwest of Brazil
Government Type: Constitutional republic
Language: Spanish (official), Guarani (official)
Religion(s): Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1%
Capital: Asunción
Population: 6,541,591; 104th
Area: 406,752 sq km, 60th
Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than California
National Food: Sopa paraguaya
National Symbol: Lion; Lapacho (Tabebuia impetiginosa)
Affiliations: UN, OAS
Independence: From Spain, May 14, 1811 (sometimes observed 15 May)

Alcohol Legal: Yes
Minimum Drinking Age: 20
BAC: 0.08%
Label Requirements: N/A
Number of Breweries: 5

How to Say “Beer”: cerveza
How to Order a Beer: Una cerveza, por favor
How to Say “Cheers”: Salud
Toasting Etiquette: N/A

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

Beer: 54%
Wine: 15%
Spirits: 28%
Other: 3%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

Recorded: 6.38
Unrecorded: 1.50
Total: 7.88
Beer: 3.48

WHO Alcohol Data:

Per Capita Consumption: 6.4 litres
Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
Excise Taxes: N/A
Minimum Age: 20
Sales Restrictions: Specific events
Advertising Restrictions: No
Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Sponsorship

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

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Israel Beer

by Jay Brooks on May 14, 2012 · 0 comments

in Beers,Breweries

Today in 1948, Israel declared their Independence from the British Mandate.

Israel

Israel Breweries

Israel Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.05%

Full Name: State of Israel
Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon
Government Type: Parliamentary democracy
Language: Hebrew (official), Arabic (used officially for Arab minority), English (most commonly used foreign language)
Religion(s): Jewish 75.6%, Muslim 16.9%, Christian 2%, Druze 1.7%, other 3.8%
Capital: Jerusalem
Population: 7,590,758; 97th
Area: 20,770 sq km, 154th
Comparative Area: Slightly larger than New Jersey
National Food: Hummus, Falafel, Israeli salad
National Symbol: Star of David; Hoopoe; Olive; Cyclamen; Menorah
Affiliations: UN
Independence: Declared unilaterally, while awaiting a United Nations decision, from the British Mandate, May 14, 1948 [(Yom Ha'atzmaut) Independence from the British Mandate for Palestine, which took place on May 14, 1948 (5 Iyar 5708 in the Hebrew calendar). Yom Ha'atzmaut is celebrated on the Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday nearest to 5 Iyar, so it occurs between 3 and 6 Iyar each year; this means that the holiday can fall any time between and including April 15 and May 15, according to the Gregorian calendar.]

Alcohol Legal: Yes
Minimum Drinking Age: 18 [It is illegal to sell alcohol between 11:00 p.m and 6:00 a.m, outside of pubs and restaurants. It is also illegal to drink outdoors after 9:00 p.m.]
BAC: 0.05%
Label Requirements: N/A
Number of Breweries: 15

How to Say “Beer”: beera / באר / שכר / בירה
How to Order a Beer: A beer, zeit a-zoy goot (Yiddish)
How to Say “Cheers”: Le’chayim (“to life”) / Mazel Tov (“congratulations”)
Toasting Etiquette: The toast “le’chaim” (to life) is said whenever alcohol is served. Toasts are only made at formal occasions or sometimes when a contract is signed. It is acceptable to just touch the glass to your lips if you don’t wish to swallow the contents.

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

Beer: 39%
Wine: 7%
Spirits: 52%
Other: 2%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

Recorded: 2.39
Unrecorded: 0.50
Total: 2.89
Beer: 0.97

WHO Alcohol Data:

Per Capita Consumption: 2.4 litres
Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
Excise Taxes: Yes
Minimum Age: 18
Sales Restrictions: Petrol Stations
Advertising Restrictions: Yes
Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: N/A

Patterns of Drinking Score: 2

Prohibition: None

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Societe Brewing Quietly Opens In San Diego

May 11, 2012

On my way out of town last Sunday, after a week in San Diego for the Craft Brewers Conference, there was one more stop I wanted to make. I’d known brewer Travis Smith since his days at Russian River, where he brewed all the beer on their brewpub system, which was especially important while Vinnie [...]

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Diageo’s Anti-Competitive Bullying Tactics Revealed

May 9, 2012

vs. Wow! Just wow. Anyone paying attention knows that the corporate world doesn’t like to play fair if they can get away with it, and they usually can. They bigger they are, the more resources they command, the easier it is to bully, cajole and generally get their way. It gives them an unfair advantage, [...]

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Romania Beer

May 9, 2012

Today in 1877, România gained their Independence from the Ottoman Empire. România România Breweries Albrau Grup Arbema Bere Craiova Bere Malt Robema Bere Miercurea Ciuc Bere Trei Stejari: Sibiu Bergo Fabrica de Bere Constanţa Grivita International Heineken România Silva Tuborg Romania Ursus Breweries: Cluj-Napoca Ursus Breweries: Bucuresti-Sucursala Timişoara România Brewery Guides Beer Advocate Beer Me [...]

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World Beer Cup Awards 2012

May 5, 2012

Another record crowd of 2,034 sat down to a beer dinner by Adam Dulye of Monk’s Kettle and to listen to the awards for the 2012 Brewers Association World Beer Cup. This was the 10th World Beer Cup, which takes place every two years. This year’s competition saw 3,921 beers in 95 categories from 54 [...]

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Netherlands Beer

May 5, 2012

Today in 1945, The Netherlands were liberated from Nazi Germany. Netherlands Netherlands or Dutch Breweries Alfa Bierbrouwerij Amelander Brouwerij Amersfoortse Stadsbierbrouwerij De Drie Ringen Apeldoornse Stadsbierbrouwerij Berghoeve Brewery Arcense Bierbrouwerij Bavaria N.V. Bavaria 86 Bierbrouwerij 3 Horne Brouwerij de 7de Hemel Bierbrouwerij de Eem Bierbrouwerij de Halve Maan Bierbrouwerij De Keyzer Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven / [...]

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Latvia Beer

May 4, 2012

Today in 1990, Latvia gained their Independence from the USSR. Latvia Latvia Breweries Aldaris Alus Darītava Piebalga Bauskas Alus Cēsu Alus Darītava Lāčplēša Alus Lido: Dzirnavas Lodiņa Alus Tērvetes Alus Darītava Užavas Alus Darītava Latvia Brewery Guides Beer Advocate Beer Me Rate Beer Other Guides CIA World Factbook Official Website U.S. Embassy Wikipedia Guild: None [...]

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Faction Brewing Finds Location In Alameda

May 4, 2012

I ran into Rodger Davis yesterday, who was uncharacteristically grinning from ear to ear. He had some pretty amazing news. His new venture, Faction Brewery, has found a location. He’s signed a lease on a property — a hanger, really — in Alameda right next to St. George Spirits. It’s great to see things moving [...]

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Togo Beer

April 27, 2012

Today in 1960, Togo gained their Independence from France. Togo Togo Breweries Brasserie BB Lomé Brasserie du Benin Togo Brewery Guides Beer Advocate Beer Me Rate Beer Other Guides CIA World Factbook Official Website U.S. Embassy Wikipedia Guild: None Known National Regulatory Agency: None Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.08% [...]

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Sierra Leone Beer

April 27, 2012

Today in 1961, Sierra Leone gained their Independence from the United Kingdom. Sierra Leone Sierra Leone Breweries Sierra Leone Brewery Sierra Leone Brewery Guides Beer Advocate Beer Me Rate Beer Other Guides CIA World Factbook Official Website U.S. Embassy Wikipedia Guild: None Known National Regulatory Agency: None Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known Drunk Driving [...]

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MillerCoors Looking To Hire Bay Area Beer Ambassador

April 23, 2012

Thanks to an alert reader, Susan G., who noticed this video about a Monster.com job posting for an “Import & Craft Trade Brewer” position in the Bay Area advertised by MillerCoors. Actually, the person hired will work for 10th & Blake, which is their craft and import division. The company is looking for “a beer [...]

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