Monday’s ad is another more recent ad, this one for the Brazilian behemoth Brahma. The cool mural drawing uses all the colors in the beer rainbow. It almost makes me want to drink the beer, but only almost.
Mermaids Love Beer
You just can’t make this stuff up. In southern Africa, two dam projects were in danger of being thwarted by … mermaids. According to the Weird Wide Web, the “mermaids had harassed workers installing water pumps at a dam near the small town of Gokwe, in northern Zimbabwe, according to local media reports.” And similar reports came from a project at the “Osborne Dam, near Mutare in the country’s east.”
“Water resources minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo told a Senate committee last week that work on the pumps at Gokwe dam had stopped after terrified workers complained of machines breaking down under mysterious circumstances, and blamed mermaids, the state-run Herald newspaper reported.” Nkomo suggested that traditional rituals be performed at both dam sites, and that apparently included the use of “traditionally brewed beer, to rid them of the mermaid menace.” And apparently it did the trick. The “mermaid-plagued dam in Zimbabwe is up and working after traditional healers brewed beer to appease the mischievous water spirits.” Who knew?
The 8th Trappist Brewery?
Currently there are seven Trappist monastery breweries authorized to use the “Authentic Trappist Product” label by the International Trappist Association. Six are in Belgium, one is in the Netherlands. It looks like an 8th monastery is applying for authorization to brew beer under the official designation. The monastery of Engelszell Stift has filed an application and expects to be notified of the ITAs decision in 4-5 weeks.
According to Trappist-Beers.com, the Engelszell Stift monastery was “founded in 1293 and needs financial input to recover the old paintings, fresco’s and paintings” and has decided to start a small brewery to raise the necessary funds. It is located a little over 120 miles from Munich in Austria. According to Wikipedia, it’s the only one in Austria and is located in the northwest part of the country known as the Innviertel.
From what I could figure out using Google Translate, they’ve already installed the brewery and have started brewing, making two beers, one light and one dark, from 7-10% a.b.v. Much of the package production will be aimed at the U.S. market, so we should be able to find it once it’s ready.
Beer In Art #161: William Harnett’s Materials For A Leisure Hour
Today’s work of art is by the Irish-born artist William Michael Harnett known for his Trompe-l’œil still life paintings.
As Laurien Gilbert explains:
William Harnett emigrated from Ireland to the US during the potato famine. Working as an engraver during the day, he took night classes at art schools in Philadelphia and New York…evidently to great effect! His still lifes fall under the heading of American Realism. While he did paint the obligatory musical instruments, tankards, and hanging game, it was his interest in the unusual (horseshoes, books, bills), and the trompe l’oeil precision of his renderings, that made him special.
This painting, Materials For A Leisure Hour, was painted in 1879 and today hangs in the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid. And how could the materials for an hour of leisure not include a bottle of beer and a tankard for your beer.
To learn more about Michael Harnett, check out his biography on Wikipedia or Encyclopedia Britannica. You can also see more of his works on Athenaeum
ArtCyclopedia and the Artchive and WikiMedia.
Three Ring Circus Brewer’s Dinner & Sideshow This Wednesday
Wow, check out the Three Ring Circus Brewer’s Dinner & Sideshow happening this Wednesday night. To me, this sounds like the most off-the-hook, amazing, one-of-a-kind beer dinner since … well, since the last one Sean Paxton, the Homebrew Chef, did. If this isn’t on your SF Beer Week itinerary, it really should be, at least in my opinion. I admit a certain bias; Sean is a friend, but honestly I’ve enjoyed every single beer dinner he’s ever done. And they just keep getting better because Sean — who I like to call “The Mad Alchemist” — is always challenging himself to do more and more amazing things with beer and food.
So instead of taking your valentine out on the 14th, or buying them some chocolates, why not treat them to something truly amazing, the Three Ring Circus Brewer’s Dinner & Sideshow. Tickets are $120 each, which might sound steep until you consider that this is a nine-course meal that includes a dozen amazing beers, 6 live circus acts, live music, an emcee and a terrific setting: the historic Elks Lodge in San Francisco. Also, the three breweries will be pouring a new beer that all three, plus Sean, collaborated on called Three Ring Circus Ale just for this event. It’s described as “an anything-but-traditional nut brown ale brewed with dulce de leche, popped corn and peanuts that pays homage to the spirit of the circus.”
Tickes can be purchased online at Eventbrite. The poster for event is here and below that is the menu. Check it out. See you there!
Three Ring Circus Beer Dinner Menu
Pre-Dinner Reception Nibbles: Gourmet Popcorn
Bacon fat popped organic popcorn seasoned with tomato powder, roasted garlic, hop salt and smoked in bourbon barrel wood
Black Truffle Oil Scented Popcorn with cooked in vegetable oil with roasted garlic salt flakes
Thyme Infused duck fat popcorn with Sonoma Vella Dry Jack shavings, green peppercorns
First Course: The Mermaid
Lobster and prawn mousse infused with Ninkasi Believer Double Red Ale, wrapped around petrale sole filets, Speak Easy White Lightning Ale “Tide Sauce”, Ninkasi Little One Beer Foam, Speak Easy Prohibition Ale quinoa “sand”
Paired with Ninkasi Sterling Pils
Second Course: The Drumstick
Willie Bird Smoked Turkey legs rillettes layered with He’Brew Genesis 15:15, shallots, dried figs and thyme, Cowgirl Creamery Red Hawk cheese, malt pickled heirloom pumpkin, assorted crackers, breads and spiced nuts
Paired with Speak Easy Massacre Black Wheat Wine and Coney Island Geektoberfest
Third Course: The Sword Swallower
“Haute” Dogs infused with 4-H style Lamb, Speak Easy Scarface Imperial Stout, caramelized onions and rosemary Ninkasi Renewale Porter Beer mustard, fennel carrot slaw, sweet roll
Paired with He’Brew Bittersweet Lenny’s RIPA
Fourth Course: Hopped Cotton Candy
Centennial hop scented sugar, wrapped around a cube of Sonoma foie gras terrine mixed with He’Brew Genesis
Paired with Speakeasy Big Daddy IPA
Fifth Course: Slider
Ground elk and duck heart patty, rendered dry aged beef fat, Brioche bun, house made He’Brew Genesis 15:15 beer ketchup, baby arugula, Speak Easy Payback Porter braised red onions
Paired with Ninkasi Conventionale (2010 Imperial Stout), Speakeasy Scarface Imperial Stout and He’Brew Genesis 15:15
Sixth Course: Churro
Point Reyes Blue cheese mixed into a Speak Easy Double Daddy savory churro, roasted garlic powder
Paired with Ninkasi Total Domination IPA
Seventh Course: Three Ring Circus
Roasted red, gold and white baby beets, Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog crumbles, carbonated citrus segments, malt candied hazelnuts, micro greens drizzled with a Three Ring Circus Collaboration vinaigrette
Paired with Speakeasy Prohibition Ale
Eighth Course: Funnel Cake
He’Brew Bittersweet Lenny’s RIPA infused batter with bergamot zest, Three Ring Circus Wort Honey Drizzle, Malted Powdered Sugar Dust, Ninkasi Sleigh’r Beer Caramel
Paired with Coney Island Albino Python
Ninth Course: The Non-Fried Non-Twinkie Cupcake
Ninkasi Conventionale Imperial Stout Chocolate Cake, filled with a He’brew Jewbelation 15 mousse filling, Speak Easy Prohibition Frosting, THCO Cocoa Nibs, Caramel Malt
Paired with Speakeasy, Ninkasi, Shmaltz, Home Brew Chef Collaboration beer: Three Ring Circus
SF Beer Week Opening Celebration 2012
Steve Atkinson, who does great video work for the Celebrator and others, put together this fun video from last night’s SF Beer Week opening celebration at the Concourse Exhibition Hall in San Francisco. Enjoy.
Bistro Double IPA Winners 2012
Knee Deep Brewing‘s Hopologist DIPA was chosen best in show at the 12th annual Double IPA Festival today at the Bistro in Hayward, California. The full winner’s list is below.
- 1st Place: Hopologist DIPA, Knee Deep Brewing
- 2nd Place: Pliny the Elder, Russian River Brewing
- 3rd Place: Ruination, Stone Brewing
And for the second straight year:
- People’s Choice Award: Kern River Citra Double IPA
And for the first time, Triple IPAs were judged this year. Since there were only fifteen, only first and second places were awarded.
- 1st Place: Hopocalypse, Black Label Drake’s Brewing
- 2nd Place: Rodgers Last Stand, Triple Rock
Congratulations to all the winners.
Vatican Beer
Today in 1929, Vatican City signed the Lateran Treat with Italy, establishing it as an independent State.
Vatican City
Vatican City Breweries
Vatican City Brewery Guides
Other Guides
- CIA World Factbook
- Official Website
- U.S. Embassy
- Wikipedia
Guild: None
National Regulatory Agency: None
Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known
Drunk Driving Laws: Unknown
- Full Name: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)
- Location: Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome, Italy
- Government Type: Ecclesiastical
- Language: Italian, Latin, French, various other languages
- Religion(s): Roman Catholic
- Capital: Vatican City
- Population: 832; 236th
- Area: 0.44 sq km, 250th
- Comparative Area: About 0.7 times the size of The National Mall in Washington, DC
- National Food: None Known
- National Symbol: Cross
- Nickname: Vatican City, Papal City
- Affiliations: UN
- Independence: Signed the Lateran Treaty with Italy, February 11, 1929
- Alcohol Legal: Yes
- Minimum Drinking Age: 18
- BAC: Unknown
- Label Requirements: N/A
- Number of Breweries: 0
- How to Say “Beer”: birra / Latin: cerevisia, cervisia, fermentum
- How to Order a Beer: Una birra, per favore / Latin: Cervisiam, sodes
- How to Say “Cheers”: A la salute / Cin cin / Salute
- Toasting Etiquette: 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.
Guinness Ad #106: Camels Have A Guinness When They’re Tired
Our 106th Guinness ad is from the Illustrated London News, from late 1945, toward the end of World War II. Showing a sad-looking man in the desert, holding the lead to his camel, who’s piled high with boxes, barrels and luggage. I’m not 100% sure what’s going on in the ad. The camel looks like perhaps he’s refusing to give up the Guinness in one of the boxes on his back because he’s not tired yet. Maybe that’s why the hapless explorer looks so downtrodden. He is tired and he’s not getting an Guinness.
Beer In Ads #540: SF Beer Week 2012
Friday’s ad couldn’t be more new, less historical, if it tried. It’s the new poster for this year’s SF Beer Week, which begins today. This year’s poster may be the best yet. Each of the objects, people, places, things represent the name of a local beer, so it’s game, as well as a piece of cool art. See how many you can find and figure out.
