Here’s a weird consequence of our stunted economy; when the state government in Minnesota shut down July 1, MillerCoors “had 39 ‘brand label registrations’ that expired last month, and the employees who process renewals were laid off when state government shut down July 1 in a budget dispute,” according to an AP story published today online entitled MillerCoors becomes casualty of Minnesota shutdown. Area wholesalers and then retailers could be out of the effected brands in as little as a few days, the story cautions. Hopefully, there’s enough craft beer in the pipeline to satisfy demand and maybe even create a few converts in the process.
Beer In Ads #412: America Has Made The Test
Tuesday’s ad is for Budweiser, from 1936, when they challenged beer drinkers to drink Budweiser for five straight days, and then try a different beer, in their words “a sweet beer,” believing no one would want to drink anything else but Budweiser. Hmm.
Beer In Ads #411: Time Out For Schlitz
Monday’s ad is for Schlitz, from 1952. It shows a domestic scene where a couple is trying to decide what color to paint a room. But the husband seems far more interested in the color of his beer than any of the swatches on the wall. He’s taking “Time out for Schlitz.” And how about those red socks he’s wearing? I’m not sure he’s the best person to ask for color advice anyway.
Beer In Art #135: Michael Pacher’s Mary Of Burgundy
This week’s work of art is by an Austrian artist, Michael Pacher, who painted this portrait of Mary of Burgundy in 1490.
Mary of Burgundy “ruled the Burgundian territories in Low Countries and was suo jure Duchess of Burgundy from 1477-1482. As the only child of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, and his wife Isabella of Bourbon, she was the heiress to the vast Burgundian domains in France and the Low Countries upon her father’s death. Her mother died in 1465, but Mary was on very good terms with her stepmother Margaret of York, whom Charles married in 1468.”
But today, for the beer lover at least, what Mary’s most famous for is that the Flanders red ale, Duchesse de Bourgogne, from the Brouwerij Verhaeghe, is named for her though the label is a different painting of Mary.
Their importer, Specialty Beer, describes the beer like this:
DUCHESSE DE BOURGOGNE from Brouwerij Verhaeghe is the traditional Flemish red ale. This refreshing ale is matured in oak casks; smooth with a rich texture and interplay of passion fruit, and chocolate, and a long, dry and acidic finish. After the first and secondary fermentation, the beer goes for maturation into the oak barrels for 18 months. The final product is a blend of younger 8 months old beer with 18 months old beer. The average age of the Duchesse de Bourgogne before being bottled is 12 months.
You can read Pacher’s biography at Wikipedia and there are more links about him at ArtCyclopedia. You can also see more of Pacher’s paintings at Artilim, Jitiky and the Web Gallery of Art.
Wyoming Beer
Today in 1890, Wyoming became the 44th state.
Wyoming
Wyoming Breweries
- Altitude Chophouse and Brewery
- Bitter Creek Brewery
- Grand Teton Brewing
- Lander Brewing Company
- Library Sports Grille and Brewery
- Shadows Pub & Grill
- Snake River Brewing
- Snowy Mountain Brewery
- Suds Brothers Brewery
- Thai Me Up Restaurant & Brewery
- Wind River Brewing
- Wonder Bar
- Wyoming State Brewing
- Wyoming Territory Brewing
Wyoming Brewery Guides
Guild: None Known
State Agency: Wyoming Department of Revenue Liquor Division
- Capital: Cheyenne
- Largest Cities: Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Gillette, Rock Springs
- Population: 493,782; 50th
- Area: 97818 sq.mi., 10th
- Nickname: Equality State
- Statehood: 44th, July 10, 1890
- Alcohol Legalized: May 19, 1933
- Number of Breweries: 14
- Rank: 37th
- Beer Production: 477,598
- Production Rank: 49th
- Beer Per Capita: 27.8 Gallons
Package Mix:
- Bottles: 44%
- Cans: 47%
- Kegs: 8.7%
Beer Taxes:
- Per Gallon: $0.02
- Per Case: $0.05
- Tax Per Barrel (24/12 Case): $0.62
- Draught Tax Per Barrel (in Kegs): $0.62
Economic Impact (2010):
- From Brewing: $817,405
- Direct Impact: $138,644,265
- Supplier Impact: $26,743,631
- Induced Economic Impact: $46,510,064
- Total Impact: $211,897,960
Legal Restrictions:
- Control State: No
- Sale Hours: 6.00 a.m.-2.00 a.m.
- Grocery Store Sales: No
- Notes: Clubs holding liquor licenses may be exempt from the hours of operation here specified by local ordinance or regulation of the appropriate licensing authority, but it doesn’t seem to happen in practice.
Data complied, in part, from the Beer Institute’s Brewer’s Almanac 2010, Beer Serves America, the Brewers Association, Wikipedia and my World Factbook. If you see I’m missing a brewery link, please be so kind as to drop me a note or simply comment on this post. Thanks.
For the remaining states, see Brewing Links: United States.
Guinness Ad #76: Don’t Forget The Guinness
Our 76th Guinness ad features the iconic toucan reminding you not to forget the Guinness, with each bird being showing mouthing each word.
Beer In Ads #410: Kembang Bier
Friday’s ad is for an old Japanese beer, Kembang, from Soerabaja, Fukushima & Co. Though I can’t be sure, it has the look of western ads from the late 1800s, though the script is art nouveau, which is a little later in the early 20th century. Apparently Soerabaja (Surabaya) is the name of a small town in East Java, Indonesia
Beer In Ads #409: Acme Quality Wins Again
Thursday’s ad is from 1941, and is for Acme Beer, showing a decidedly western theme, showing a cowgirl and her horse. The slogan seems a bit confused, as I’m not sure what “Quality Wins Again!” has to do with the scene at hand. But I love the text under “Acme Beer.” It reads “* Dietetically NON-FATTENING” and the asterisk qualifies that statement with “* relatively so, compared with other foods.” The Main Institute would have a field day with that one, as their most recent campaign is against any perceived health claims made by alcohol companies, and the Acme Beer almost sounds like it might be good for you. Gasp!
IPA Day Holiday Set For August 4
There’s nothing I love more than a new holiday, especially one celebrating a personal favorite: IPAs. The brainchild of Ashley V. Routson and Ryan A. Ross, August 4th has been designated as the date for the new holiday.
From the announcement:
Announcing International #IPADay: A Social Celebration of Craft Beer
Attention all craft beer evangelists, brewers, bloggers, and suds-savvy citizens! On Thursday, August 4th 2011, you are cordially invited to participate in the largest international craft beer celebration and virtual conversation the world has ever seen.
International #IPADay is a grassroots movement to unite the voices of craft beer enthusiasts, bloggers, and brewers worldwide through social media. On Thursday August 4th, craft beer drinkers across the social sphere and across the globe will raise pints in a collective toast to one of craft beer’s most iconic styles: the India Pale Ale. This celebrated style represents the pinnacle of brewing innovation with its broad spectrum of diverse brands, subcategories, and regional flavor variations – making it the perfect style to galvanize craft beer’s social voice.
#IPADay is opportunity for breweries, bloggers, businesses and consumers to connect and share their love of craft beer. Getting involved is easy; the only requirements are an appreciation for great beer and the will to spread the word. Anyone can participate by enjoying IPA with friends, making some noise online with the #IPADay hashtag, and showing the world that craft beer is more than a trend!
Tips on How to Take Part:
- Organize an #IPADay event at your brewery, brewpub, restaurant, bar, home, or office (Ex: An IPA dinner/cheese pairing/comparative or educational tasting/cask night/tap takeover…). Share your events on the official #IPADay forum at http://www.ratebeer.com.
- On August 4th, share your photos, videos, blog posts, tasting notes, recipes, and thoughts with the world. Be sure to include the #IPADay hashtag in your posts Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, WordPress, RateBeer, Foursquare, Yelp, Untappd or any other social media site.
- See what other people are saying by searching “#IPADay” on Google, search.twitter.com, et cetera…
- Track down your favorite IPA’s, ones you’ve been meaning to try, and ones you’ve never heard of; share them with friends and share your thoughts with the world.
- Have a good time and know that by sharing your experiences online, you’re strengthening the craft beer community at large.
Mark your calendars, stock up on hops and get ready for IPA Day, coming to a bar or refrigerator near you on August 4.
Area Code Beer
After Anheuser-Busch InBev‘s recent acquisition of Goose Island for just under $40 million, it seems they may be taking a page from the Chicago microbrewery’s success. One of Goose Island’s most popular beers is 312 Urban Wheat Ale, named for the Chicago telephone area code.
Officially known as the Telephone Numbering Plan, it was first implemented only in large metropolitan areas in the late 1940s, and was nationwide by 1966. Until the number of area codes exploded due to fax machines, beepers (remember beepers?) and then mobile phones, many cities became closely associated with their area codes, being recognizable at once to anyone in the know. Thanks to such positive associations — not to mention being a tasty brew — Goose Island’s 312 became their best-selling beer, especially in their local market.
It appears that ABI is hoping such positive associations with local area codes will work as well in other cities as it has in Chicago. Earlier this year, in May, they applied for a federal trademark for the area codes in fourteen metropolitan areas. So far they’re seeking a trademark for 202 (Washington, D.C.), 214 (Dallas), 216 (Cleveland), 303 (Denver), 305 (Miami), 314 (St. Louis), 412 (Pittsburgh), 415 (San Francisco), 602 (Phoenix), 615 (Nashville), 619 (San Diego), 702 (Las Vegas), 704 (Charlotte), and 713 (Houston). I’m a bit surprised that both New York (212) and Philadelphia (215) are both missing from the list. Both seem more well-known to me than several on the original list. So far, there’s no information about ABI’s plans for the trademarks, whether it’s to market the Urban Wheat branded for specific markets or to do different beers in each city. But it’s certainly possible we could see some version of the beer below at some point in the future. Stay tuned.
