Brookston Beer Bulletin

Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Victory Brewing Reports Growth Milestone

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In contrast to Anheuser-Busch’s woes (see previous post), Victory Brewing Co. of Downingtown, Pennsylvania (near Philadaelphia) reported yesterday that as of January 27th they had produced more beer than during their entire first year of production. Congratulations to Bill and Ron, who provided the following press release.

Victory Brewing announced today a significant benchmark reached in their growth as a thriving craft brewery. On Friday, January 27, Victory’s 2006 production exceeded their total first year production. This event signifies a milestone for the near tenth anniversary of Victory Brewing operations. In 1996, Victory’s first year, total number of barrels produced equaled 2,550. That production amount was met and exceeded Friday, January 27, showing the more than 13 time growth in barrel production achieved in the ten years of company existence.

“This milestone shows how far we’ve come as a company and an industry [microbrewing industry]. It proves what Ron and I believed when we started Victory ten years ago, that Americans would grow to cherish full flavor beer,” said Bill Covaleski, Brewmaster and President of Victory Brewing Company.

The growth trend at Victory Brewing is part of a much larger market segment trend as U.S. craft breweries continue to steal market share away from large industrial brewers. In 2005, U.S. craft brewer sales increased by an estimated 7.1%, while domestic large brewers saw sales dip by 2%. This increase marks the 35th straight year that U.S. craft brewers have been able to increase market share.

Strong Beer Month Begins in San Francisco

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Magnolia and 21st Amendment have again teamed up to bring Strong Beer Month to the Bay Area. This is always a fun event and everyone should make a point to visit both brewpubs during the month. This year, there will be at least ten special beers available. Below is the press release with all the information you could ever want about the month’s activities:

4th ANNUAL STRONG BEER MONTH STARTS TODAY!

Here it is Strong Beer Month already. Once again, the 21st
Amendment and Magnolia have worked together to present you with a cornucopia
of very special beers, five at each brewery, and they all go on tap today.
Pick up a punch card at either brewery and sample your way through all ten to
get a commemorative tasting glass.

This year, Magnolia will be featuring:
Old Thunderpussy Barleywine
Promised Land Imperial IPA
Tweezer Tripel
Slipping Into Darkness India Brown Ale
Smokestack Lightning Imperial Stout

The 21st Amendment will serve:
Lower de Boom Barleywine
Double Trouble Double IPA
Golden Doom Belgian Tripel
Mac’s Strong Scotch Ale
Hendrick’s Espresso Imperial Stout

In addition, both breweries will dig into their beer libraries and serve some
vintage strong ales. Magnolia will kick off the month with two vintage
versions of Old Thunderpussy Barleywine in addition to the 2006 release. A
tasting flight of all three will be available for a limited time. We’ll tap a
cask of Smokestack Lightning and follow that up with casks one after
the other of Promised Land, Slipping Into Darkness, and Old Thunderpussy. A
couple of other vintages of Old Thunderpussy will make brief appearances
throughout the month, as will the last of Batch 700 and some 2004 Smokestack
Lightning. Last but not least, we’ve got some Smokestack Lightning currently
aging in a bourbon barrel (Oakstack Lightning) as well as another barrel-aged
surprise. Look for those around President’s Day Weekend.

Magnolia’s weekend food specials will be tailored for pairing with various strong
beers and there will be a few other treats throughout the month, like a
reprise of last year’s popular Old Thunderpussy/Stilton Cheese pairing.

And we are all very pleased to have legendary artist Michael Everett on board
for the glass, t-shirt and poster design this year. Michael has done a
wonderful job and we can’t wait for you to see his work. All Strong Beer
merchandise will be available for sale at both breweries while supplies last.

Planning and brewing for this exciting exploration of the more esoteric side
of craft brewing is begun as early as September and tomorrow we invite all of
you to visit both breweries to enjoy the results.

Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine Delayed

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Stone Brewing, formerly of San Marcos but now in their new facility in nearby Escondido, California, have announced a slight delay in the release date for Old Guardian Barley Wine. Instead of Januar 31, the seasonal beer will now be available on February 27.

Stone gave the following aditional information regarding the change in release date:

We originally announced that the 2006 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine would come out on January 30th, however that has changed! Seems that a new brewery kinda got in the way…The 2006 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine will now hit shelves on Monday, February 27th so change those calendars!

Your tastebuds are counting on you to check the Stone website and memorize the distribution list so you can treat them to yet another Stone Special Release. This beer is one to age in your cellar, beer ‘fridge, or someplace cool (50ish), upright, and dark.

Don’t forget about the Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine Specialty Glasses. The wallop of malt character matched with a Stone-esque amount of hops immediately tells you the Old Guardian is no standard barley wine. The Specialty Glass designed for it is equally distinctive, with a sharp angular profile that immediately tells you that this too is no standard goblet. You have no excuses to drink it out of anything else.

Always worth waiting for, Stone’s Old Guardian has consistently been one of the best bottled barleywine-style ales available.

This has been previously announced, but the 10th Anniversary Celebration has been scheduled for September 9. I still haven’t made it to one of these brouhahas yet, but perhaps this year ….

Stone also sent the following press release regarding the 10th Anniversary Party:

Are you an early riser, or an afternoon type of person? Since you’re all invited to the Stone 10th Anniversary Celebration & Invitational Beer Festival on Saturday, September 9th you need to start deciding now which session you’ll be attending. Here’s why: for this year’s event we are breaking the event into two different sessions (like last year).

Our annual event will once again be benefiting some very Worthy, local charities: the Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos, Palomar Family YMCA, the Surfrider Foundation, and Fight ALD!

Since this is our 10-year bash, we are planning on having the most guest breweries we’ve ever had, tons of great food, homebrewed sodas, and lots, lots more.

Glen Hay Falconer Foundation Announces 2006 Events

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The Glen Hay Falconer Foundation announced today two events for 2006. The foundation honors the memory of iconoclastic brewer Glen Falconer, who died in a tragic accident in 2002. He brewed at Wild Duck Brewery in Eugene, Oregon. The foundation raises money for scholarships so that worthy brewers can attend the Siebel Institute in Chicago.

The dedicated group of individuals that made the past Brew Fests so successful is already planning for the fourth annual Sasquatch Brew Fest on Saturday, June 3, 2006 in Eugene. Mark your calendar and check out the festival website created and maintained by Doug Fuchs of Flying Ink Media.

On July 28, the Foundation will produce the second annual Sasquatch BrewAm golf tournament at McMenamins Edgefield. Pair up with celebrity brewers for a morning of beer and golfing camaraderie, as the Sasquatch BrewAm is unlike any other golf tournament and is designed to appeal to beer-loving golfers of all levels. Stay tuned to the festival website for more information.

I’ve never attended either event, but have heard glowing reports about both from friends who have participated. Plus, it’s a very worthy cause. Glen was a great person and is very much missed by everyone who knew him.

Marin Brewing Names New GM

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Marin Brewing Co. of Larkspur, California announced today that Jennifer Procopio will become the new General Manager of the brewery. According to the press release, “she’s been running the show unofficially for a while now.” Join me in wishing her all the best in her new position.

Avery Releases Mephistopheles’ Stout

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Adam Avery and the gang from Boulder, Colorado have announced the release of Mephistopheles’ Stout, the final installment in their Demons of Ale series. The terse press release had this to say about the new beer:

Mephistopheles is the crafty shape shifter, the second fallen angel. Amazingly complex, coal black, velvety and liqueurish, this demon has a bouquet of vine-ripened grapes, anise and chocolate covered cherries with flavors of rum-soaked caramelized dark fruits and a double espresso finish. 15%abv.

Cellarable for 10+ years.

Sounds tasty. I can’t wait to get my hands on a sample.