Brookston Beer Bulletin

Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Lost Abbey Found-ed One-Year Ago

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Today is the one-year anniversary of Pizza Port taking over Stone’s old brewery in San Marcos and re-making themselves into both Port Brewing and the Lost Abbey. They’ll be hosting what will surely be a great party to celebrate today at the brewery (see details below). Congratulations to Tomme Arthur and the gang at Port Brewing.

Port Brewing’s Tomme Arthur (at left) with Adam Avery (behind bars) and Eric Rose, at this year’s Craft Brewers Conference in Austin, Texas.
 

From the press release:

Fans of great beer will have an opportunity to enjoy Cinco de Mayo Belgian style at Port Brewing Company’s First Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, May 5 at the brewery’s facility in San Marcos, California. The $15 admission will entitle attendees to sample Port’s award-winning line up of house beers, as well as become the first to taste a number of special releases and limited editions from the brewery’s ground-breaking Lost Abbey Belgian-style ales. Additionally, partygoers will have the opportunity to purchase Lost Abbey’s new seasonal issue, Ten Commandments dark farmhouse ale, and the highly anticipated Cuvee de Tomme, a barrel-aged specialty of Port’s brewmaster, Tomme Arthur.

“As the brewery’s first anniversary, we want this one to be something special,” Arthur said. “So we’re not only making it the premier of our anniversary ale, Ten Commandments, but we’re also treating our guests to some special beers that I made and kept hidden in the barrel room just for this occasion.”

Since Port Brewing’s founding, Arthur has established the company’s Lost Abbey label as one of handful of American breweries committed to pushing the boundaries of the centuries-old Belgian Ale style of beer. Nearly 40 percent of the facility is dedicated to racks of French Oak, Brandy and Bourbon barrels in which the Lost Abbey’s signature beers are aged for as long as 18 months prior to release.

The Port Brewing First Anniversary Celebration runs from noon to 9 PM on Saturday, May 5th at Port Brewing Company’s facility located at 155 Mata Way, Suite 104, San Marcos (the old Stone Brewing facility). Admission of $15 entitles visitors to 8 beer tastings and unlimited access to a taco bar prepared by Port’s in-house chef, Vincent Marsaglia.

Session #3 Announced: The Mysterious Misunderstood Mild

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As I’ll be hosting next month’s “Session” on Cuatro de Mayo, or May 4, it’s time to unveil the theme for our third round. The theme will be “The Mysterious Misunderstood Mild” to coincide with CAMRA‘s May promotion Mild Month. Saturday the 5th will also be National Mild Day on the other side of the pond. For those of us here in the colonies, we may have a harder time finding a mild to review. But several craft brewers do make one, even if they don’t always call it a mild. So you may have to do a little detective work to find one, but that should prove to be half the fun. See you in the merry month.

 

Craft Brewers Pour into Austin in Two Weeks

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Austin to Host Conference on Craft Beer

Boulder, Colo. • In mid-April Austin will be flooded with flavorful craft beer and the brewers who make it. That’s when the Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade association for America’s small brewers, will hold its annual professional conference. Craft brewers from across the country will pour into Austin to attend the Craft Brewers Conference, the brewing industry’s largest gathering in North America. Attendance is expected to exceed 1,600.

Austinites will benefit from this surge of beer culture with public events at local venues featuring special beers on tap, craft beer-paired dinners and good elbow-rubbing time with the royalty of craft brewers. “Austin is a city rich in craft beer culture and we look forward to bringing the industry together in such a beer-friendly town,” said Cindy Jones, Marketing Director for the Brewers Association.

Today, sales of craft beers — beer made by small, independent and traditional brewers — are at an all-time high. 2006 marked an 11.7% increase for the category totaling a retail sales figure of $4.2 billion and 3.2% share by volume of the beer market with over 6.65 million taxable production in barrels. America’s craft beers are now a world-class brand being emulated and talked about globally.

“Having the Craft Brewers Conference come to Austin is a fantastic opportunity for the local brewers to showcase our beers,” says Chip McElroy of Live Oak Brewing Co. “We Austinites are proud of our town and the local things we have produced — especially music and beer. We just had the SXSW music conference in town, now bring on the brewers!”
 

Events open to the public include:
 

Event: American Homebrewers Association Rally
Presented by: Independence Brewing Company
Date/Time: Sunday, April 15, 3-6 pm
Location: 3913 Todd Lane #607, Austin, TX
Contact: 303-447-0816 x 123
Cost: Free for American Homebrewers Association (AHA) members or $33 for non-members– which includes a 1 year membership to the AHA!
To kick off the Craft Brewers Conference and support the American Homebrewers Association, Independence is hosting a rally. There will be special guest speakers, brewery tours, raffle prizes, complimentary beer tasting…and to top it all off, they’ll be pouring an experimental beer they’ve been working on. Visit the website for more details. www.independencebrewing.com
 

Event: American Beer Feast
Presented by: Alamo Drafthouse Lakecreek
Date/Time: Thursday, April 19 @ 7:30 p.m.
Location: 13729 Research Blvd., Austin
Contact: 512-219-8135
Showing of “American Beer”, the movie, with director Paul Kermizian and many other special guests. Ticket price includes pre-show appetizers and a three-course craft beer meal (many great beers) to accompany the film.
Cost: Admission is $65 and includes entrance, meal and beer. Guaranteed to be a special evening. Visit the website for more details. www.drafthouse.com/lakecreek/frames.asp
 

Event: Zax Pints and Plates Beer Dinner
Presented by: Zax Pints and Plates
Date/Time: Thursday, April 19 @ 7:00 p.m.
Location: 312 Barton Springs, Austin
Contact: 512-481-0100
Join your friends at Zax Pints and Plates for a 4 course beer and food pairing featuring fine ales and lagers from Victory Brewing Company. Space is limited so make reservations early.
Cost: Open to the public. Admission is $45.
Call 512-481-0100 for more information and reservations. www.zaxaustin.com
 

Event: John Langford Live and in effect!
Presented by: Opal Divines Austin Grill (Penn Field)
Date/Time: Friday, April 20 @ 7:00 p.m.
Location: 3601 South Congress Street. Austin
Contact: 512- 707-0237
A free concert and short film featuring the music of John Langford and featuring Dogfish Head Craft brewed ales.
 

Be sure and visit craft beer hotspots in the Austin area open year-round: Blue Star Brewing, Draught House Pub and Brewery, Fredericksburg Brewing Co, Independence Brewing, Live Oak Brewing, Lovejoys Taproom and Brewery, North by Northwest Restaurant and Brewery, Real Ale Brewing Co. Visit beertown.org for a complete list of breweries by state and city.

For more information about the conference visit www.CraftBrewersConference.com. The Craft Brewers Conference is open to brewing industry professionals and media only.

Four Points Announces CBO

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The votes are in, the interviews are over, and the glasses are empty. Four Points Sheraton announced today that Scott Kerkmans, Beer Director of Phoenix, Arizona-based Draft Magazine, has been named Chief Beer Officer (CBO). He will ring the bell to open today’s New York Stock Exchange. I’m not quite sure what that has to do with beer, but what the heck, I’m sure it will be fun.

Kerkmans beat out finalists Brad Ruppert, an information technology professional from Huntington Beach, California, Chris Nelson, a Web developer from Carmel Valley, California, and Jennifer Talley, research and development director at the Salt Lake Brewing Co. in Utah, Kerkmans along with over 7,500 applicants from more than 30 countries to get one of the most-highly sought after temp jobs in history.

From the press release:

Kerkmans earned a seat at the Four Points boardroom table by impressing not only the brand’s executives, but also the beer-loving public. Nearly half of the 12,759 people from around the world who cast their vote for their favorite finalist felt Kerkmans was the perfect fit for this fabulous opportunity. Since the night his brother gave him a home brewing kit, Kerkmans has been extremely passionate about everything beer, from its production and pairings to sampling stouts and sharing his rich knowledge.

Kerkmans has dedicated both his professional and personal life to beer. This 27-year old Phoenix resident and former Head Brewer / Brewery Manager spent the past year starting and growing DRAFT, a national lifestyle magazine focused on beer and beer culture, in which he reviews this glorious libation on a weekly basis. He is also a certified beer judge who spends much of his free time seeking out new brews.

“It is an honor to be Four Points first-ever CBO,” said Kerkmans. “I look forward to sharing my love for beer with the thirsty public and introducing this fun beverage to those who have yet to discover the joy that can be found in a perfectly poured cold one. Being named the Four Points CBO and working with the brand on its outstanding Best Brews Program is the job of a lifetime.”

Raising a Glass

On Monday, March 26th, Kerkmans will officially pull his bar stool up to the boardroom table and meet his new Four Points by Sheraton colleagues in White Plains, New York. Starwood executives and hundreds of associates will be on hand to lead the Four Points team and its newest chief in a celebratory toast.

Over the next few months, Kerkmans will collaborate with the Four Points by Sheraton team to work on the Best Brews program, host “happy hours” at select Four Points properties across the country, as well as attend high-profile beer festivals as the company’s representative.

“We are thrilled to have Scott join us as CBO,” said Four Points’ Vice President Sandy “Suds” Swider. “We took our search for our newest executive very seriously, and Scott’s passion for beer and brew eloquence is truly unparalleled. We look forward to working with him to further develop the Best Brews program and spread the word about this wonderful simple pleasure in the year ahead.”

Iron Springs’ Newest Brewer

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Join me in congratulating Mike and Anne Altman as they welcome the newest addition to the Iron Springs Brewing family. Joseph Evan Altman was born at 11:30 last night. Mother and son are doing great.

Particulars:

Original Gravity: 8 pounds, 1 ounce
Style: Boy
Release Date: March 22, 2007, 11:35 p.m.
Label: Joseph Evan Altman
 

Anne, Joseph and Mike.

Sasquatch Scholarships

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If you’ve ever been interested in becoming a brewer or a better brewer, this may be your chance. It’s time once again to apply for one of two brewing schloarships offered by the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation. It’s a terrific organization started by Glen’s brother Quentin to honor the memory of Glen and help other brewers perfect their craft.

The press release:

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR FALCONER FOUNDATION BREWING SCHOLARSHIPS

ABOUT THE BREWING SCHOLARSHIPS

In co-sponsorship with the Seibel Institute of Technology, the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation is offering two full-tuition brewing education scholarships in 2007.

One scholarship is for the World Brewing Academy Concise Course in Brewing Technology held at the Siebel Institute in Chicago in October/November 2007. The Concise Course in Brewing Technology is a two-week intensive program that covers every topic critical to successful brewery operations. The program is designed for brewers pursuing a wider knowledge of professional brewing standards and techniques in order to advance their brewing careers as well as individuals planning to enter the brewing industry.

The second scholarship allows candidates to apply for one of three two-week modules from the International Diploma in Brewing Technology Program held at Siebel’s Chicago campus in September/October 2007. This specialty brewing scholarship is intended for those brewers who seek an in-depth understanding of a specific brewing discipline. Candidates must designate which module they wish to attend.

Both scholarships are open to professional brewers as well as homebrewers from the Pacific Northwest (including Alaska and Hawaii) and Northern California regions (San Francisco Bay/Monterey Bay areas and north). Each scholarship includes a $750 stipend to help offset travel and lodging expenses.

For information on how to apply, visit the Siebel Institute website.

ABOUT THE FALCONER FOUNDATION

The Glen Hay Falconer Foundation is a non-profit organization created to commemorate and celebrate the life, interests, and good works of a well-loved and leading Northwest brewer.

The Foundation’s cornerstone event is the annual Sasquatch Brew Fest. The fifth annual Sasquatch Brew Fest will take place Saturday, June 2, 2007 in downtown Eugene, Oregon. Come join the fun and enjoy over 60 beers, live music, great food, and a lively silent auction and raffle. The Foundation is continuing the homebrewing competition with judging to coincide with the Sasquatch Brew Fest.

The Foundation also produces the Sasquatch BrewAm, a golf tournament pairing all levels of golfers and beer lovers with celebrity brewers. The third annual Sasquatch BrewAm will be held at McMenamins Edgefield on July 27, 2007 concurrent with the Oregon Brewers Festival in Portland, Oregon. Don’t miss the opportunity to play a fun-filled round of golf with brewing luminaries. Full information and registration details are posted on the Sasquatch website.

ABOUT GLEN HAY FALCONER

Passion, dedication, and creativity defined Glen Falconer’s beers and his entire approach to life.

Glen began his brewing career as an avid homebrewer and dedicated member of the Cascade Brewers Society, a clan of skilled homebrewers based in the Eugene/Springfield, Oregon area. As a professional brewer, Glen continued to support the craft of homebrewing by providing access to brewing ingredients, procedures and unique beer recipes.

In 1990, Glen followed his dream and pursued a professional brewing career, beginning at Steelhead Brewery in Eugene. Glen completed the Siebel Concise Course in Brewing Technology in 1994. Glen then refined his skills at the renowned Rogue Ales in Newport, Oregon, working side-by-side with his close friend and mentor John Maier.

In 1996, Glen became head brewer at the Wild Duck Brewery in Eugene, providing six regular beers on tap as well as a wide variety of specialty ales and lagers each season. Glen continued as head brewer at the Wild Duck until his untimely death in 2002.

Enlarging on the tradition of brewing, laughing heartily and embracing adventure fully represented Glen’s life. While Glen won numerous professional craft brewing prizes and accolades, perhaps his finest accomplishment was the back-to-back Gold Medals received posthumously for his Auld Gnarly Head Barley Wine at the 2002 and 2003 Great American Beer Festival.

Linda Starck Loses Her Battle With Cancer

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Sad news, indeed, today as I got the word that earlier this morning Linda Starck passed away in her home. She will be deeply missed. Thanks to all the brewers, homebrewers and other caring people who gave so generously to help Linda with her battle. I know that she and her family greatly appreciated the outpouring of support. In the last correspondence I received from Linda, she wrote “I’m overwhelmed by all that you are doing to help support my treatments. It really means a lot to me and my family.”

 

Linda Starck lost her valiant fight against lung cancer Friday, February 23 at 8:25 a.m. in her home. She was surrounded by family. Since being diagnosed a year ago, on February 28, 2006, she showed unbounded courage and grace in her battle. Linda was well loved in the brewing industry. She was a Brewers Association staff member for over 20 years. She was loved by those who knew her and will be missed by many.

A memorial service is anticipated — A Celebration of Life is being planned — hopefully Friday or Saturday, March 2 or 3. Additional information will be posted as it is determined by Linda’s family. A special memorial web page has been set up by the Brewers Association so people can write thoughts in celebration of Linda’s life. This page is now up and it will be the place to get updates and share your thoughts

The family is collecting photos immediately for use at the memorial service. If you would like to submit any photos, please include your name and return information if you would like photos returned.

Email digital photos to:

Bill Wolfkiel, AWTLLP@aol.com

Send photos to:

Bill Wolfkiel
6525 Gunpark Drive, Suite 370-501
Boulder, CO 80301

The family asks that no flowers be sent, but rather, contributions be made to the American Lung Association:

American Lung Association
61 Broadway, 6th floor
New York, NY 10006.

Thanks to so many who generously supported Linda throughout this last year. Join us in remembering Linda and share your thoughts and stories here. Check the memorial page for updated information.

Pyramid Alehouse in Berkeley’s 10th Anniversary Party

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The Pyramid Alehouse located on Gilman in Berkeley will be hosting a party March 1, beginning at 7:00 p.m. to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Washington brewery in California.

3.1

Pyramid Alehouse 10th Anniversary Party in Berkeley

Pyramid Alehouse, 901 Gilman Street, Berkeley, California
510.528.9880 [ website ] [ tickets ]
 

Glass Bottle Workshop for Brewers

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On March 1, the California Small Brewers Association, in conjunction ProBrewer.com, will be leading a half-day seminar focusing on the “resources, equipment and financial requirements of transitioning from pre-pack to bulk purchasing and the supply of glass to the beer industry. Suppliers of glass bottles and other vendors will be in attendance. This forum will be an opportunity for both brewers and suppliers to discuss needs and issues in a positive and constructive conversation.”

The Glass Bottle Workshop will be held at the Lagunitas Brewery located at 1280 N. McDowell Blvd. in Petaluma, California. The seminar is free to CSBA members and registered ProBrewer.com users. The course fee is $50.00 for all others. A beer social will follow. To attend, you must pre-register by calling 530.265.0422.