Cenosillicaphobia

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Here’s an interesting word I’ve been seeing around the internet: Cenosillicaphobia. According to some sources, the Fact-Archive and the Urban Dictionary, the word means “the fear of an empty glass,” as “commonly experienced by drinkers.”

Although I can’t find it listed in any of my regular dictionaries, it seems to fit at least. It’s not in either of my two unabridged ones, including the Webster’s International 2nd edition, which my librarian sister-in-laws tells me is the gold standard. The closest word in my O.E.D. is “cenotaph,” which means “empty tomb.” So along with “sillica” for glass, the word “cenosillicaphobia” seems to fit the meaning, the “fear of an empty glass.”

So look at the photo below. If seeing the beer glass empty causes you to shudder involuntarily, you probably have cenosillicaphobia. Luckily, a cure is as close as the nearest keg, can or bottle.

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Haydamaky Tour Of Ukrainian Breweries

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Today’s infographic is an interesting one, although it’s somewhat unusual. It may prove useful, however, the next time you find yourself in the Ukraine. Entitled For Every Thirst, a Beer, it comes from an article by Oleksandr Yarmola, “the leader of folk rock band Haydamaky,” as he “tours Ukraine mapping breweries that produce unpasteurized “live beer.” It almost makes me want to go there.

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Click here to see the map full size.

Beer Prices Vs. Baseball Winning Percentages

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Today’s infographic is about baseball’s Beer Prices vs. Winning Percentage, a chart showing “the projected winning percentage of Major League Baseball teams this season, per Baseball Prospectus, compared to the price of beer at their stadiums,” which they got from an earlier infographic I posted.

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Click here to see the poster full size.

Beer Birthday: Sam Calagione

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Today is Sam Calagione’s 44th birthday. Sam is the owner and marketing genius behind Delaware’s successful Dogfish Head Brewing. Sam’s also a great guy, and a rap singer of sorts, with his duo (along with his head brewer) the Pain Relievaz. See the bottom of this post for a couple videos of him singing after hours at Pike Brewery during the Craft Brewers Conference when it was held in Seattle. Join me in wishing Sam a very happy birthday.

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Sam gives the thumbs up behind his booth at the Great American Beer Festival a few years ago.

Hosts Ken Grossman & Sam Calagione
With Ken Grossman at a Life & Limb collaboration beer dinner.

Kite & Key co-owner Jim Kirk and me with Sam Calagione, Bill Covaleski & Greg Koch
Kite & Key co-owner Jim Kirk and me with Sam, Bill Covaleski & Greg Koch.

Sam Calagione @ Rare Beer Tasting
Sam at the Rare Beer Tasting at Wynkoop during GABF 2009.

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Rapping at Pike Place in Seattle in 2006.

This first video is “I Got Busy with an A-B Salesgirl,” the Pain Relievaz’ first hit single.

The second video is “West Coast Poseurs,” a smackdown to the hoppy West Coast beer and brewers.

History & Hops This Thursday

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Join us this Thursday for what’s shaping up to be a fun evening of Hops and History at the former U.S. Mint building in San Francisco. The event is being put on by Flipside, a San Francisco History Events Group, in conjunction with the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society. The Society is currently “undertaking the restoration of San Francisco’s landmark Old Mint to house the future San Francisco Museum at the Mint,” and in the meantime is using the space to hold local history-themed events. Flipside worked with the San Francisco Brewers Guild — and I helped a little bit — but especially SF Brewers Guild executive director Brian Stechschulte to create an evening that includes a program of talks about the history of beer in the city, and also includes a gallery showing of San Francisco breweriana on loan from my friend Ken Harootunian, along with some pieces from Anchor Brewing. Here’s what will be going on during the event, which takes place from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30:

  • John Freeman: The Curious 150 Year Cycle of Brewing Beer in San Francisco
  • Dave Burkhart, Anchor historian: History of California Lager
  • A History of Yeast: Man’s Oldest Industrial Organism
  • San Francisco Brewers Guild Panel Discussion (led by yours truly)
  • Screening of Brewers by the Bay film

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at eventbrite. Here’s what your ticket includes:

  • Unlimited tasting of all breweries. Participating breweries include 21st Amendment, Magnolia, Triple Voodoo, Beach Chalet, ThirstyBear Brewing Company, Cerveceria de MateVeza, Speakeasy, Pine Street Brewery, Anchor and Pacific Brewing Laboratory.
  • Presentation on brewing history
  • Interactive yeast exhibit
  • Historical brewing memorabilia exhibit by Ken Harootunian & Anchor
  • Food available for purchase from by Off The Grid
  • Docent led tours of the historic 1874 Old Mint
  • Souvenir sampling mug included
  • Photobooth sponsored by UpOutSF
  • Music by DJ Jacob

Join us Thursday for Hops & History. See you then.

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