Troegs Releases Two Splinter Series Beers – Dec 16

From Troegs:

An Early Christmas Present: Splinter Series Release Date Announced The first two offerings from the Splinter Series (Red and Gold) will go on sale on Wednesday, December 16, at 10 a.m. in the Troegs Tasting Room.

 

There is a two-bottle limit/per person for each style of beer, meaning that a single customer who wants to purchase the maximum number of bottles, can get 2 Splinter Red and 2 Splinter Gold. Bottles will be $22.95 each.
This special reserve beer lives and breathes. Captured before filtration, refermented in wood and aged in the bottle with living yeast, Splinter is an experimental series that pushes the brewing boundaries and transforms our beer in new directions.Here are some details on each beer:
Before filtering the final batch of 2008 Mad Elf we racked some beer into bourbon barrels for six weeks of tender loving care. After bottling, we aged the beer for approximately eight months. This allows the tart cherries to push to the front. Subtle vanilla, bourbon, charred wood, coconut and toasted nut endnotes emanate from Splinter Red.
The transformation of Scratch #3-2007 to Splinter Gold has been a slow rest in oak wine barrels dosed with brettanomyces. During a two-year aging period the horsey flavors of the brett combined with the Westmalle yeast used during primary fermentation to create a complex blend of flavors. Bone-dry and 12% abv, Splinter Gold is highly carbonated.
Both these bottling runs are extremely limited and will only be available at the Troegs Brewery Giftshop/Tasting Room.... See More

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Berwick Brewing Co – New Annex Opening

From Berwick Brewing Co:

Saturday night, Dec. 12, we will launch the newly-renovated Annex at the Brewery! Live music by local legends Jack Squat, featuring our very own Steve-O. It all kicks off at 7pm, cover charge $5 in the Annex (the pub will be open as normal).

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Troegs – New Chocolate-based Beer

This is purely based on a tweet John put out earlier today saying that they “met with Scharffen Berger Chocolate guys Saturday. They schooled us on as much as our brains could hold! COMPLEX! beer soon...”  I suspect we’ll be seeing either a Scratch or Splinter beer using Scharffen Bergen Chocolate in the future.  For anyone unfamiliar with Scharffen Bergen, they are a chocolate manufacturer who’s goal it is to source the best cacao in the world and use an artisan chocolate making process to create the finest chocolate in the world using vintage European chocolate making equipment.

OK guys…it’s been too long.  My vote is for a Troegs sweet chocolate oatmeal stout even though that sounds doubtful…probably more likely that we’ll see a barrel-aged Imperial Stout.

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PieroGuys Beeer Dinner – Dec 23rd

From Johnny:

Event: Pieroguys Pierogies Beer Dinner
What: Mixer
Start Time: Wednesday, December 23 at 5:00pm
End Time: Wednesday, December 23 at 8:00pm
Where: Bar 44

Meet the man behind the Pierogies!! Mr. Frank Gazella!
8 varietys of pierogies will be on hand to be sampled. Each variety has been paired with a craft beer that compliments that pierogies' attributes!!
Hosted by: Frank Gazella
Beer/Pierogie pairings by: Johnny Waering
$10... cover @ the door includes all you could eat and drink untill its gone!!
And for your listening pleasure,... Chad Szeliga of Breaking Benjamin will be rocking out the afterparty with Guido and Aaron!
After party starts @ 9.
Be there or be pierogie shaped...

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=209075251712&mid=18227dcG48de5ab1G14c3365G7

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Bullfrog Brewery Tour Video

Thanks to the guys at Brew Local for this great little peek into the basement of Bullfrog Brewery.

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Lion Brewery – Label Fun

And the Lion label beat goes on….Today’s label is the Boardy Barn Brew…correct that…it’s the “World Famous Boardy Barn Brew Fine Lager Beer.”  This is apparently a bar in the Hampton’s in New York and I love the “Take the Party Home” slogan….I guess they don’t realize “home” is Wilkes-Barre, PA.

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Breaker Brewing Co – Holiday Brewing

Just thought you all want to see what a little holiday brewing looks like @ Breaker Brewing Co.  The guys tell me they’re brewing Goldies today…and what a festive way to do it.

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Lion Brewery – Label Fun

I know we’re pushing toward Xmas, but why not have a little Hope Oktoberfest beer?

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Plaza Beverage – Yakima

Just wanted to post up a photo from today’s beer-run to Plaza Beverage.  Before you ask, this was the last case of Victory Yakima Twilight and Charlie isn’t sure he’s getting more.  So far it’s still hard to come by in our area, although Tracy from Victory assures me it’s on the way.  You’ll also note in the photo my recent favorite session beer, Yards Philly Pale.

For anyone that hasn’t stopped by Plaza Beverage be sure to do so.  Charlie has a fantastic selection of beers, with new cases coming in all the time.  He carries lots of great local beers and all sorts of hard-to-find craft beers from all over the world…so stop in and check it out.

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Breaker Brewing Co – Belsnickler on Tap & In Bottles

 

	I’ve had LOTS of requests to know where Belsnickler can be found locally…so this from Chris:
Belsnickler is on tap at: Elmer Sudds: Kelsey's Restaurant Anthracite Cafe Purvs Beer & More Madisons Vodka Bar & Steakhouse Backyard Ale House 15th St Beer Warehouse (soon)	Bottles are available @ Sudds & Ice House Pub Next week @ Purvs. probably some other places  but not sure yet.. We are almost out for the season so get it while you can...

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Chip the Beer Guy Rock 107 – Breaker Brewing Belsnickler

It’s always fun to hear Mark & Chris from Breaker Brewing Co on the show and today was no exception.  Today’s show featured the BBC Belsnickler Holiday Ale.  I was lucky enough to get to try a few of the various batches of Belsnickler at the brewery a few weeks ago, and again at the Split Rock beer festival, ok and I’ll admit I tasted it again at the Anthracite Cafe and even again last week at Elmer Sudds.  I know what you’re thinking but I assure you it was all in the name of science or journalism or both; but you can never be too sure about really liking a beer.  Of course I really like this one a lot.  I’ll admit to being a lover of holiday beers and a lover of Belgian-yeast beers, and a lover of Belgian candied sugar beers and sure enough Belsnickler has them all.

I thought it would be fun to google “Belsnickler” so I did.  Ironically enough the first page or so of hits came from breakerbrewing.com, mybeerbuzz.com and our various Twitter and Facebook accounts.  After that, there were some great Germanic and Canadian stories about groups of Belsnicklers, dressed in fur masks visiting homes, receiving treats and giving gifts to all the children.  In some German cultures, Belsnickler actually means Father Christmas or Santa Claus.  I also found out that there is a verb “Belsnickling” and as it turns out Belsnickling is much like our modern day trick-or-treating with children dressing up and receiving treats as they visited homes.  So in addition to the Belsnickler label (be sure to click on it and read the text), I also present for you some Belsnickler Masks and images.

So to all you little Belsnicklers out there, be sure to get out and try some Belsnickler Ale.  Otherwise the sinister santa ghost of christmas-past (and his whip) may come Belsnickling to your door.  If he does come knocking, be sure to have an extra snifter ready to enjoy some Breaker Brewing Belsnickler Ale.  I know there’s a bottle waiting in my basement just in case I get Belsnickled.  Cheers guys…great beer & great show.

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mybeerbuzz Members – Twitter & Facebook

A month or so ago we added a new feature to most mybeerbuzz members pages.  This new features allows you to see that member’s Twitter feeds.  This also allows any mybeerbuzz member that uses twitter to put instant updates on their mybeerbuzz page via twitter (computer or cell phone).  The good news is you get to see them without subscribing to Twitter AND those updates hit instantly without any intervention on our part.  Now you can get instant updates on your favorite beer bars, distributors and brewers on mybeerbuzz.com.

Over the past day or so we’ve started to add another instant social networking feature to mybeerbuzz member pages.  We have now added the feeds necessary to push out mybeerbuzz member Facebook links.  This will allow you to see their Facebook links instantly as they are posted to Facebook.  There are unfortunately more than a few limitations thanks to Facebook and thanks to how some members have set their Facebook Privacy Settings.  We can only push links, so not every status update is available.  We can only push members that have allowed RSS feeds on their links in their privacy settings, and finally there are some additional limitations if that member maintains a “fan” page versus a regular page.

The good news is, we can do it.  The bad news is most mybeerbuzz members are either not on Facebook at all, or not allowing these feeds in their privacy settings.  If you want to check one out, take a peek at the Shawnee Craft mybeerbuzz page.

Yes this may seem like a lot of effort, but once again our goal is to provide our readers with the MOST current information on our local beer scene and what better way to do it.  Please also remember that mybeerbuzz DOES maintain a presence on Twitter and Facebook so be sure to “follow” and “friend” us there.

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Lion Brewery – Label Fun

How about a little Kappy’s ?!…Premium Quality Beer…Pocono Brewing Company and it has the government warning label.  So who was Kappy?

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mybeerbuzz.com Welcomes Flow Bar & Restaurant

Cheers & welcome to Flow Bar & Restaurant...now officially participating with mybeerbuzz.com. Welcome aboard Joan...the beer loving community thanks you! Click HERE to go to the mybeerbuzz Flow page.

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Lion Brewery – Label Fun (Sort of)

Here’s a reader contribution (Thank Jeff)—dated Dec 1959.  It’s not exactly a label, but cool nonetheless.  Look closely….woof!

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Shawnee Craft Beers Get Better & Better

I just thought you’d want a peek at the latest tap list update from Leo @ Shawnee Craft Brewing…

Vienna Lager (Bonne Vienne, if you prefer)- A little green, but good to go. Unfiltered, so it will continue to lager in the kegs. Just like the Pils, and the Blanche this one is a 100% organic grist, modestly hopped and @ 4.85% ABV is an easy drinker.
Biere Blanche- At its peak right now, Balance of this batch is going into a barrel or two w/a cocktail of Bretts and Lactos. I can't wait to see what happens and when.
Bohemian Pilsner(La Boheme)- Nothing fancy, but a fatty (phatty?) @ 5.8% ABV
Bourbon Porter- 'Nuff said
Entire- on nitro-draft 6.5% ABV
I'm recomending the "Fitty-fitty" this week, that half a glass of Bourbon Porter, topped off w/ Entire.

Coming Soon; Tripartite, six month old porter + Bourbon Porter + the fresh stuff. And, also too VSOP

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mybeerbuzz.com – In The News

Just a quick note to help my readers keep up with mybeerbuzz.com in the media.  It’s been a busy few weeks so I thought I’d post out a few press photos of my various activities.  In order the photos below are:  1) My trip to the White House State Dinner, Here I am saying hello to President Obama.  Too bad there was some mix up in the guest list and I wasn’t able to sneak my beer in, 2)  My trip to visit my old pal Tiger Woods in Windermere FL, Here I am giving Tiger a ride home in his Escalade.  Sad to say my driving is much like my golfing…I sliced off to the right and scratched Tiger’s caddy (the car got the golf helper) on a tree.

Finally be sure to CLICK HERE to watch the filming of my new Hip-Hop Xmas video Jingle Bling Yo!

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Lion Brewery – Label Fun

This may (or may not) be our last Professor Bartel’s label in the bunch…guess we’ll see.  Of interest in this one is that the label says Edwardsville, PA (not Wilkes-Barre).  I present to you Bartel’s Extra Light beer.  I also remind you to submit your labels…we’ve been running this series one label every other day since Sept and here we are in Dec with no end in sight.

 

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Breaker Brewing Co Belsnickler Bottles NOW Available

Breaker Brewing Co Belsnickler Bottles are starting to find their way out to our local beer establishments.  Stay tuned to this post for updates. So far you can find Belsnickler bottles at:

 

 

Ice House - Mountaintop

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Troegs Releases Scratch # 25

Troegs Scratch 25 has been released today.  The beer is being nicknamed “Movember Rye” and clocks in with an amazing IBU of 115.  The beer uses Bravo & Cluster hop varieties and Rye grains.  Should be very interesting.

 

More from Troegs:

Scratch
#25-2009: Magical Moustache Rye:
November
is the month of the moustache (no lie). If you don’t believe us check out www.movember.org or take a look at all the scraggly caterpillars residing on the top lips of numerous Troegs employees. In honor of the completion of the Troegs Moustache-Growing Contest we give you S...cratch #25-2009 – Magical Moustache Rye.  This mahogany ale packs a lingering, earthy hoppiness. The addition of more than 20% rye to the grain bill gives a creamy mouthfeel and hints of spice that compliment the bitterness of hops. Subtle fruitiness come through from the Bravo hops added during the boil, but the Cluster and Liberty varieties used in dry-hopping this beer are the true flavor drivers in this spicy ale. Dark in color and intense is flavor, Scratch 25-2009 finds true balance in a beer that could have easily gone way over the top. Enjoy.

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Berwick Brewing Co – Dark Days of December

This little teaser from Berwick Brewing Co…

The Pils made another stealth appearance, it will rear its head again in the near future. However the tap it was on is now pouring Atomic Punk IPA! So at the moment we're offering 5 beers.
Watch for the "Dark Days of December ". Is it possible there's one last keg of Bourbon Barrel Stout lurking in the brewery? Is something dark and raspberry-y waiting to emerge?  Will Bill's Porter continue its impressive and popular run?  These are questions that need answers...

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Weyerbacher Hotel - Now Shipping

Dan has confirmed that the next release in the Weyerbacher Brewers Select Series, Hotel will be shipping in kegs and bottles this week.  Hotel is a strong baltic-style Imperial Porter and clocks in at around 8.4% ABV.  Dan also tells me that the second release of caged Double Simcoe has hit the streets and they are brewing the final batch of Winter Ale today.

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Lion Brewery – Label Fun

Call me on this one if you’d like, but even the professor will agree that this is a label we have not posted yet….it’s subtle, but different.

 

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Troegs Brewery

Thanks to Steve for the photo and for the Scratch that came back with him!

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Lion Brewery – Label Fun

Who knew the professor did a Bock beer?  I present Bartel’s Bock Beer (with reputation old).

 

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Lion Brewery - The End of 16oz Returnable Production (The Movie)

I put together a quick movie so you can all experience what the Lion Brewery soaker machine and bottling lines are like in action and so you can all get a peek at the last day of 16oz returnable bottle production at Lion Brewery. As I said Monday, this is a very historical event and one I'm excited to be a part of. Thanks again guys!

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Lion Brewery - Sabco System

I know I mentioned a few months ago that Lion Brewery purchased a Sabco Brewing system to test and prepare for different brewing opportunities.  On my visit Monday, I had the opportunity to snap a quick photo for all of my readers to see.  So check it out….

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Lion Brewery – Label Fun

Since everyone loves the Professor, let’s hit a few Bartel’s labels in a row….in no particular order…

 

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Lion Brewery – Stegmaier IPA?

As part of my trip to Lion Brewery yesterday, the guys were nice enough to share a sample of a test beer.  Keep in mind this is VERY preliminary, and there are certainly no definite plans, names or recipes firmly in place…but I believe the beer I sampled yesterday will eventually in some format become a new beer to be sold under the Stegmaier label as Stegmaier IPA.  Again I remind you all how preliminary this news is, but very exciting to see Lion Brewery dipping their toes more and more into the craft beer market.  I’m also very excited to see the Stegmaier name be possibly gaining more and more marketing support.  Stegmaier has always been a historical local brewery line and for me a line that speaks of history and relevance in today’s market.  I’m hoping local beer drinkers get more and more opportunities to share in this history and drink from the same label that their fathers and grandfathers have enjoyed for decades.  No matter what decisions are made, I think this is a wonderful move by everyone at Lion Brewery.

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Lion Brewery to End 16oz Returnable Production

I was lucky enough to be invited down this afternoon to witness the end of an era at Lion Brewery. As of the end of today’s production schedule, Lion is ceasing the use of 16oz returnable bottles. It was exciting to see the last batch of bottles going through the soaker, and the last batch of bottles being filled with Stoney’s Beer. It’s always an amazing trip inside the Lion Brewery, but I was lucky enough to see the soaker in action. As Darel put it, the soaker is an amazing Rube Godberg-type machine that cleans bottles, removes old labels and prepares them for filling. This machine is the size of a house and has been in action since 1964 at the Lion. It was incredible to witness the giant gears, shafts and arms as the soaker swallows empty bottles and kicks out sparkling clean bottles.

After today, the Lion will begin bottling in 12oz non-returnable bottles. The soaker will eventually be removed, the line changed and even a building addition will be added to allow Lion to implement a canning line in the future, so stay tuned for details on that.

The photos below show 1) The used bottles being organized to go into the soaker, 2) The bottles being loaded into the soaker chains, 3) the bottles entering the soaker, 4) The clean bottles exiting the soaker, 5) the back of the filling line before the pasteurizer, and 6) the bottling lines running the last of the 16oz returnables-- Stoney’s Beer.

Returnable bottles go way back for the Lion Brewery so it is certainly a historical day for local brewing. Thank you to Darel and the rest of the guys at Lion for inviting me down to witness it for myself.

**As an added bonus…be SURE to tune in tomorrow for some more exciting news from Lion.

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mybeerbuzz.com T-Shirts

During the beer festival yesterday, we had a lot of people asking how to buy a mybeerbuzz.com T-Shirt.  Although cafepress takes their cut, proceeds do go to supporting the mybeerbuzz site and we have LOTS and styles and colors available.  The photos below show just some of the many styles available including the one I wore yesterday (1st photo).  Click on both store links below to check them out!

http://cafepress.com/mybeerbuzz

http://myhopart.com

 

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Thank You Moose – Check Out These Beers

I can’t say thank you enough to mybeerbuzz foreign correspondent Moose for his recent gift from the motherland and it’s associated provinces (and of course to Mrs. Moose for keeping the home fires burning).   Rather than trying to spell it all out…I’ll just say thank you and show you the photos….and yes we’ll be waiting until April 23 2012 to enjoy it.

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Lion Brewery – Label Fun

Yes it’s Premium Jersey Lager Beer…another label I had not heard of.  Am I the only one amazed at how many brews have come out of Lion?  Am I the only one amazed there no one (except perhaps my feeble attempt) has compiled these into some sort of retrospective?  I’m betting I’ve only hit a small percentage of the labels.

 

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Split Rock Beer Festival 2009 - The Movie

We just hit home from the Split Rock Beer Festival. We had a great time and wanted to post up the movie...as promised. Thank you to everyone we met and shared the day (and MORE than a few beers) with...and thank you to our friends at Breaker Brewing Co for letting us be a part of the excitement. We've witnessed every year of the Split Rock festival, and it's hard to recall a more exciting release than today's release of Breaker Brewing Co Belsnickler Holiday Ale. The fun started at 3PM and the line never let up until it the keg kicked. It was amazing to see our local micro-brewery do so well at Split Rock and a ton of fun to experience it from both sides of the jockey box. Thanks and congratulations to Chris & Mark.

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Split Rock Beer Festival - Today

We’re getting ready to head up to the Split Rock Beer Festival. We’ll be rockin’ the mybeerbuzz.com T-Shirts and filming this year’s festival movie so be sure to stop and say hi. I’ll even buy you a 2oz sample beer ;) See you there! Stay tuned tonight (or tomorrow) for the MOVIE!

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