Alcademics.com

Sierra Nevada Tribute Beer Release

Last week I attended a dinner at the Anchor Brewery as a launch party for the first Sierra Nevada 30th anniversary celebration line. Sierra is releasing beers as a tribute to and in collaboration with pioneers of the craft brewing industry. From a press release:

March of 2010 will see the first of four beers in a series of collaborative projects with America’s craft-brewing pioneers: Fritz Maytag of Anchor Brewing; Jack McAuliffe, founder of New Albion Brewery; and authors, homebrewers, and beer advocates Fred Eckhardt, and Charlie Papazian. Together, this group is credited as ‘the men who launched a thousand breweries;’ and without them, our current day craft-beer-renaissance might never have happened.

We also had another nine beers from both brewers during dinner, including Anchor Humming Ale that was released last fall to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the current brewery building, and some ale fresh out of Anchor's fermenters. The tribute beer, called Fritz and Ken's Ale (for Fritz Maytag of Anchor and Ken Grossman of Sierra) was rich and delicious and definitely recommended. Grossman said the beer will probably age well for a year or two so you can stock up on the stuff.

I think this is a really awesome project for Sierra Nevada. Rather than making their big anniversary all about their brand and what they've achieved, they've made it about their colleagues who allowed them to get there. Look for three other releases throughout 2010.

Obligatory St. Patrick's Day Round-Up

This St. Patrick's day, instead of [overused green beer reference], try something different! Avoid the crowds of [condemnation of college student behavior] and instead enjoy [statement of superiority even though you're participating in the same Hallmark Holiday of drinking]! Here are places to enjoy [stereotypical Irish drink] but served in new ways!

Guinness float at St. Francis Fountain. It's a vanilla ice cream float with Guinness instead of root beer. 

The Black Friar's Pint at The Fifth Floor Restaurant. This crazy cocktail developed by Jacques Bezuidenhout contains Guinness spiced with cardamom, Plymouth gin, Lustau East India Sherry, bitters, and egg white. 

Guinness Gingerbread ice cream at Humphry Slocombe. The flavors rotate at this progressive ice cream shop, but they tend to have a lot of beer flavors. Forecast for something Irish-flavored this week: Excellent. 

Valentine's Day Cocktail-Related Activities in San Francisco

Here are some drink-related things going on in San Francisco for Valentine's Day.

First up, a club partnering with a hotel to rent rooms by the hour. Scandalous!

Infusion Lounge and Hotel Fusion are turning the couples only holiday into a celebration of the single life. For one night only, Hotel Fusion offers a special $69 rate for guests who are looking for a short-term intimate setting.  The special rate includes a standard room for up to three hours so guests can get to know each other a little better in privacy.  Also included in the package are two drink tokens to use at the Infusion Lounge.

Details here.

Next up, cocktail classes for couples at Elixir.

Wed, Feb 10^th , 7pm to 9pm – Drinks Guys Like – A class to teach you a bit about what the man in your life probably wants to drink in different scenarios. You’ll learn about brown spirits like whisk(e)y, aged rum and anejo tequila and why men like these. We’ll look at the masculine side of cocktails and the flavors that abound within and you’ll have a chance to buy him something special for his bar. Your sure to surprise him this year when you’ve learned a bit more about how to please him…at the bar. $85 per person includes 4 cocktails and class; Cocktail Tools and Books available for purchase

 

Thursday, Feb 11^th  , 7pm to 9pm – Woo Her with Cocktails  -  In this look into the cocktail psyche of women, we’ll learn a bit about the flavors, aromas and textures of cocktails and spirits that women tend to order. Like anything with your girl, you need to know when to offer her what and why that will work. See if you can touch her the right way with cocktails and you might just find yourself having the best Valentine’s Day of your life…$85 per person includes 4 cocktails and class; Cocktail Tools and Books available for purchase

 

Feb 14^th - Cocktails for Couples – Bring your Sweetheart in for a side-by-side cocktail class where you’ll make and drink cocktails together. We’ll cover drinks he likes, and drinks she likes, as we explore some of the more fun and frivolous side of cocktails. You’ll be welcomed with a champagne cocktail for each of you and a surprise Valentine’s. We’ll cover romantic cocktails as a theme, as well as aphrodisiac ingredients and even a playful cocktail that you can (oh, scandal) bring into your bed…  Tickets sold in pairs for $170 and include 3 drinks each, class and treats.

Details here.

And a big beer party in Berkeley:

Trumer Brauerei Hosts Closing Party for San Francisco Beer Week

San Francisco’s Beer Week closing party at Trumer Brauerei in Berkeley, California.  20 local breweries sampling their brews, BBQ, music, silent auction and FREE shuttles from the downtown Berkeley BART to the Brauerei.

Over 20 other breweries will pour favorite brews as well. Meet Celebrator writers and beer industry luminaries, including pioneer figures in the craft beer movement. Catering by Emergency BBQ and beer are included! Breweries pouring include 21st Amendment, Anchor Brewery, Anderson Valley, Beach Chalet, Bear Republic, BridgePort, Lagunitas, Marin, Moylan’s, New Belgium, North Coast, Ommegang, Pacific Coast, Pyramid, Rubicon, Russian River, Sierra Nevada, Triple Rock, Trumer Pils, Valley Brewing, Widmer/Redhook and more.

Info here.

Another Class in SF:

“Love Mixology” Cocktail Class Saturday, February 13 4 – 5 p.m. The Westin St. Francis Caruso’s (Tower Lobby) 335 Powell Street San Francisco, CA $50 per couple To make reservations for the “Love Mixology” class call (415) 774-0264. Getting just the right balance of ingredients to complement each other is important for any relationship, and certainly the best drinks! Guests will shake, stir and blend as they learn how to make romantic cocktails at the “Love Mixology” cocktail class. At this specialty cocktail-making course, lead by The Westin St. Francis “Love Mixologist,” couples will learn how to make three cocktails (with tastes of each) and will then choose their favorite cocktail to create together in the class. Cocktails include “Agave Kiss,” “Cupid’s Arrow” and “Love Potion #9.” Guests will snack on “love bites” (tasty edible treats) and will depart with a copy of all three drink recipes to recreate at home.

The Naked Pint Book Review

The Naked Pint: An Unadulterated Guide to Craft Beer by Christina Perozzi and Hallie Beaune is a new book on beer that I think is terrific. I started reading the book as pretty much a beer novice and finished it really thirsty and ready to make an organized attempt at trying many different beer styles. I accidentally gave myself a lot of homework.

The book begins, as it should, describing how beer is made, and more importantly how each element in beer influences the taste. From that point on in the book the authors talk not just about what a beer style usually tastes like, but also why. Then they tackle how to taste beer, describe what makes a particular beer great, and list several examples of beers from around the world they consider the most balanced, quintessential to a category, unique, iconic, and rare.

Most of the meat of the book is dedicated to explaining the differences between and giving recommendations for the many different craft beer categories. These are organized by least to most challenging flavored beers, starting with pilsners and finishing with hoppy beers and American strong ales. You could, as I did, go through the book and mark categories and particular beers you want to try. I may very likely carry this book with me when I go to my local craft beer bar to look up menu selections before ordering.

The descriptions in the book are usually quite clear as to how a beer style will taste, the alcohol content, color, and other descriptors. They're also entertainingly written, as is the whole book- I laughed out loud in many places. This topic could be so very dry if it were penned by other writers, and this was one of its strongest factors- it was a pleasure to read what is essentially an encyclopedia.

Each beer category is described in detail and also succinctly, such as:

Spirit of the Saison. This Beer's For You If You Like: Seasons, pepper. citrus. balance. smelling freshly cut grass. classy drinks. the French countryside.

The last section of the book has information on beer glassware, home storage, beer tasting parties, and other practical matters.

Then there are many recipes for cooking with beer, and a whole section on home brewing with home brew recipes. This last bit I think was a little unnecessary or off-topic, as there are plenty of other books on home brewing whereas this feels at its heart a craft beer style guide and practical tasting and drinking guide. But too much information in a book is better than too little, and The Naked Pint felt like it had the right amount about what I wanted to know. Overall I learned a ton from this book and can't wait to put it to good use.

SF Event: San Francisco Beer Week February 5-14, 2010

Beer lovers should go ahead and block out the week of February 5-14, 2010 for about twelve zillion beer events in San Francisco. Events include:

• Beer dinners at The Republic, Beretta, and Monk's Kettle, Cafe Biere, and The Boilerhouse
• A beer brunch at Barclay's
• The Beer-Chef's beer and chocolate dinner on Treasure Island
• A opportunity to Meet the Brewer: Russian River Brewing Co. Brewmaster Vinnie Cilurzo is doing a doubleheader at Toronado followed by Pi Bar.
• Tastings of Italian beer at Delarosa, cheese and beer at Rogue Public House, sour beer and bitter chocolate at City Beer Store, Spanish cheese and cask-conditioned beer at ThirstyBear
• A brewery Tour at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing Co.
• A homebrewing demonstration at Jack's Brewing Co.
• A beer-cocktail party at 15 Romolo

And they've just announced an official beer for the week:

The beer is a collaborative brew from the SF Brewers Guild. Yesterday morning, we mashed in at 6 AM at Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, and by the end of the day, 30 barrels of Imperial Common had been brewed. A lager fermented at SF's ambient temperature, it's going to be a beautiful, copper-colored, 10% abv beer aged in St. George Spirits whiskey barrels. A little juniper might sneak into the barrels, too. There'll be a tapping ceremony at the SF Brewers Guild Opening Gala on February 5th, and the beer will be on tap during SF Beer Week at great beer bars and restaurants throughout the Bay Area. Get thirsty.

For more information, check out the website for San Francisco Beer Week 2010.

Glossy Booze: Early November Edition

Glossy Booze is a regular Alcademics round-up of booze stories in magazines.

Details (November) has a story on underappreciated red wines.

Imbibe (Nov/Dec) has recipes for homemade eggnog, drinks with figs, and party drink recipes, a comparison of witbiers, a story on Greg Boehm of CocktailKingdom.com,  one on barleywine, another on bargain sparkling wine, fancy hot chocolate, and a travel piece on drinking in Hawaii.

Malt Advocate (Fall 2009) has stories on Japanese Whisky, Australian whisky, water in whisky, GlenDronach, and drinking in Bardstown, KY.

Men's Journal (November) has stories on California blended wines and good Canadian Whisky.

Food & Wine (November) has stories on ten Thanksgiving wines, new wine books, a recipe for mulled wine (to use with leftover bottles), American ciders, and $10 holiday wines.

Delta's in-flight magazine Sky's October issue has a round-up of wine and food festivals, and a big feature on visiting the world's best wine regions. 

Sunset (November) has a round-up of spirits new spirits distilleries in the west, lists their annual Wine Awards, and lists a recipe for kumquat digestif.

Everyday With Rachael Ray (November), in addition to the story I wrote on avoiding hangovers, has a few recipes for simple cocktails.

GQ (November) has a recipe for a 2:1 Martini.

Esquire lists recommended single-malts from Scotland's islands, Highlands, and Lowlands, and adds two new bars to its best bars list: One Flew South in the Atlanta airport, and Dutch Kills in Queens.

In ReadyMade (November/December) Alex Day shares sherry knowledge and there's a project on making a rolling bar out of an old trunk.

And the winner for best booze coverage this month goes to Conde Nast Traveler (November), with its this huge round-up of 38 bars in New Orleans' French Quarter. 

Glossy Booze: Big October Edition

Glossy Booze is a regular Alcademics feature in which I cover the liquor coverage in glossy magazines.

Bon Appetit (October)lists a recipe for the Highland's Fall from Peter Vestinos, available here. Also, a story on dry cider and one on dessert wines. In November St. John Frizell has a recipe for the coffee/rum drink Koffie Van Brunt.

Everyday With Rachael Ray (October) has a story on "gum cocktails"- not something you get at Tailor, but combining flavors of gum to make new flavors.

GQ (September) had a big feature on the six best drinking cities in the US. They were San Francisco, New Orleans, Chicago, Portland (OR), Nashville, and New York.

Conde Nast Traveler has a list of three tropical island bars in the Bahamas, plus a recipe for the Goombay Smash.

7X7 (September) has a story on Rickhouse. In the October issue, Jordan Mackay writes about relocated NYC sommelier David Lynch. 

Men's Journal (October) list America's best beers here, and the top five beer towns here.

Sunset (October) has beer and food pairings for Octoberfest, and a story on green wine packaging.

Esquire has a recipe for the Grasshopper. Really!

Details lists some "really excellent canned beer,"and a few places in which to drink it.

And the winner for best drink coverage goes to Food & Wine- and they didn't even have any cocktail recipes. Their stories are:

• What sommeliers know best.
•  Understanding Oregon Pinot Noir country
• Wineries by the sea all over the world- France and Spain, US, Australia, Portugal, and South Africa.
• Wines for drinking, not overthinking
• American Wine Awards
• A preview of the F&W Wine Guide 2010
• How to be a smarter wine shopper
• Gruner Veltliner
• 50 classic wines to try
• 15 rules for wine and food pairings

DVD Review: Beer Wars

I received a copy of the new documentary Beer Wars, released this week. I found it to be both interesting and annoying.

The story is about the big brewers versus small ones and how hard it is in the current system to launch a small brand. It was interesting to learn how both shelf space and distribution are controlled by major brands, how they'll release "category killer" products just to knock out the competition from upstarts, and how much money is spent lobbying congress.

The big flaw with the film in my opinion is that director/writer/producer Anat Baron chose to focus on two upstart brands to follow as they faced challenges. One was DogFish Head Craft Brewery from Delaware- what you'd think of as a small brewer you'd want to succeed. The other is New Century Brewing Co, who are releasing a caffeinated beer. It's hard to feel bad for this brand's founder as she faces challenges and tries to sell out to the bigger companies when they run out of money.

There is also a theme about the American Dream running through the film as the small guys try to compete, countered by Nazi-sounding war marching music when they'd show footage of the large brands. Tacky.

Director Baron doesn't seem to care about the difference between craft products that consumers may want to succeed and small entrepreneurs trying to make a fast buck, but then again she was once the General Manager of Mike's Hard Lemonade, which she calls a beer.

So yes, this DVD has many interesting facts about the beer industry in America and I think is definitely worth watching. I just found it hard in the end to sympathize with Baron about the big bad beer brands when I didn't care if half the featured small ones failed.