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I've had a long-distance report on New Years Eve that the Standings Bar in East Village in New York City is pouring our very own Stegmaier & Lions Head on draft. Very cool to hear and thank you Lee for the report.
I know this may be old news to some, but this was officially released by Penn Brewing founder Tom Pastorius:
Penn Brewery set to close – contract out production until new location is found
The fate of the historic home of the Penn Brewery, Pittsburgh's first and largest craft beer maker, appears sealed this week as the owners prepare to leave the 19th-century structure with its custom brewhouse and restaurant for new quarters somewhere in Pittsburgh.
The last batch of Penn beer was being brewed there this week, while beer production starts at a contract brewery in Wilkes-Barre. Most of the brewery staff has been told it will be laid off by year's end. The restaurant is to close at the end of February when its lease expires.
But on Tuesday, founder Tom Pastorius, who is still a minority partner in the operation, vowed to find a new owner that would keep the brewery in place.
"I spent 22 years of my life in this building, and I'm sick at the thought of losing it," said Mr. Pastorius. "I'm actively looking for a buyer for either the building, the brewery or both."
Mr. Pastorius retired from full participation in brewery operations this year after selling majority interest to Birchmere Capital in 2003.
Penn's new president and CEO, Len Caric, said yesterday he sympathized with Mr. Pastorius but is moving ahead to find a new location for both the restaurant and brewery.
He was confirming a Nov. 23 Post-Gazette story in which he said a 360 percent rent increase by landlords E&O Partners forced the company to abandon the building. E&O Partners owns the restaurant and brewery space as well as the adjacent Brewery Innovation Center office complex.
As Penn hunts in the city for a new location for the restaurant and brewery, the company has contracted to brew its beer at the Lion Brewery in Wilkes-Barre.
Moving Penn Brewery won't be easy. Once the beer that already has been brewed is bottled, Mr. Caric said his company would remove the tanks and equipment, some of which will have to be dismantled to be removed -- to either be sold or stored until Penn builds another brewery.
Mr. Pastorius had steadily increased the amount of brewing and bottling equipment, including locally fabricated fermenters and storage tanks since installing a custom-made German brewery in 1990. He said it was a "multimillion dollar investment.
From Iron Hill:
The Philadelphia Craft Beer Festival dates has been chosen and the preliminary list of breweries are in place. This was a great event last year and named one of the top 10 beer festivals in the US.
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
The beverages were stored, in the basement with care
In hopes that St. Bernardus soon would be there
The kittens were nestled all snug in their beds
while visions of kitty-treats danced in their heads
And mrs beerbuzz in her bathrobe, and I in my gear
Had just settled down for a quick evening beer
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my seat to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew without fail
and tripped on the cat and spilled my Pale Ale
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
but a red pickup truck with 9-cases of beer.
With a little old driver making a huge fuss
That we knew in a moment it must be St Bernardus
More rapid than eagles his cases they came,
and he stumbled and stuttered and called them by name.
On ,Witbier on Double, on Abt12, on Watou.
On Triple, on Xmas, on Pater, on Grotten.
To the top of the steps to the top of the mat
Don't spill the beer, break a cork or trip on the cat.
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane veer
when they meet with a drunk carrying 9-cases of beer
So down to the basement the intruder he flew
With a sleigh full of beverages and proper glassware too.
An then in a twinkling I heard through the floor
the clinking and clanking of of every good pour.
As I drew in my head and was turning in fear
Up the steps came Bernardus wreaking of beer.
He was dressed all in saint-hood from his head to his home
And his clothes were all tarnished with wing sauce and foam
A bundle of beer he had flung on his back
And he looked like a vagrant with a bar in his pack.
His eyes how they glazed, his vision all blurry
His cheeks were all rosy, his speech very slurry.
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow
and the brew in his hand had foam white as snow.
The crown of a goblet he held tight in his teeth
and the 9-open bottles circled his hand like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a giant beer belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly Mad Elf
And I gasped at his stagger in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of the cage
Sent foam and beer shooting out with much rage.
He spoke not one word but mumbled through his work,
And filled all the snifters and turned with a jerk
Any laying a finger aside of each glass
He mapped out the sequence from first to last.
He sprang toward his truck and put on his hat
and spilled one last beer as he tripped on the cat.
But I heard him exclaim as he ground through the gears,
Pour good beers for all, Merry Christmas and Cheers!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from my beerbuzz family to yours...
May your holiday beverages be many...
I just spoke with Mike and First Snow Ale will be released this afternoon (12/23) in the Bavarian Barbarian taproom.
From Bavarian Barbarian:
THE BARBARIAN INVASION: ONE YEAR LATER
BAVARIAN BARBARIAN BREWING COMPANY CONTINUES TO CONQUER
WILLIAMSPORT, PA – The Bavarian Barbarian Brewing Company is fast approaching its first anniversary and eagerly anticipates the second year of brewing “The People’s Beer” for Williamsport and Lycoming County. Since opening for business on December 28, 2007, the Barbarian has brewed over 300 barrels of beer, which is currently pouring from over thirty taps in Lycoming, Union, Clinton and Tioga Counties. The Barbarian has also begun distribution in the Poconos, Harrisburg, and Northeastern Pennsylvania with tentative plans for invading Philadelphia and State College in the coming months.
The Bavarian Barbarian now brews five different beers after releasing Steel Drivin’ Stout in early October, and Square Feet Wheat Dunkelweizen just before Thanksgiving. The Barbarian’s sixth beer, First Snow Ale, was released just before Christmas. First Snow Ale is a spiced winter warmer ale with cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and ginger all blending sublimely with a rich, dark chocolatey body. All of the Barbarian’s beers are available for tasting at the Horde Room in the brewery at 429 West Third Street, but many of the beers are available in bars and restaurants throughout the Williamsport Area.
For the Bavarian Barbarian’s second year, the brewery is counting on continued expansion throughout Pennsylvania and plans to offer seasonal and special batch beers including a doppelbock, a Belgian wit and original experimental beers. In addition, Head Brewer, Mike Hiller, and Operations Manager, Kira Hiller, are formulating plans to install and operate a canning line for packaging the Barbarian’s beers. The Hillers have chosen canning over bottling their beers for several reasons, but chief among them is to use packaging that is more suitable for the variety of outdoor sports and activities that are popular among the people of Lycoming County. The Barbarian also plans to participate in more local events while creating a few events of its own.
For more information on Bavarian Barbarian Brewing Company, please visit their website at www.bavarianbarbarian.com or call 570-322-5050.
OK so I'll admit last year's Bret-yeast beer from Allagash/De Proef (Les Deux Brasseurs) for the 2008 Brewmasters Collaboration Series was not a favorite at the Sabatini's beer tasting in Nov. I'll admit I brought it and yes I'll admit that I too could taste the essence of "soil under a chicken coop." But now we're on to 2009 and this years collaboration has been finalized:
Seattle, WA - SBS Imports of Seattle, Washington is pleased to announce that Bell's Brewery has agreed to be the 2009 partner for the latest brew in the De Proef Brewmaster's Collaboration Series. The yet to be designed beer will be brewed in March at De Proef in Lochristi, Belgium and released to the USA market in September 2009.
The initial beer in the series was Signature Ale - originally brewed in 2007 with Tomme Arthur of Port Brewing/Lost Abbey. Jason Perkins of Allagash collaborated in 2008 on Les Deux Brasseurs. Both beers have been exceptionally well-received by beer enthusiasts.
"Each year it is my pleasure to invite a noted American brewer to participate in this series," noted SBS Founder Alan Shapiro.
"I am thrilled that John Mallet & Bell's have agreed to be the 2009 partner.""I am really looking forward to this project," added Bell's Production Manager, John Mallet. "I have several family ties to the area which makes this invite to brew with Dirk Naudts at De Proef even more special."
With the weather mess going on it's an odd Friday and an odd show. I'll admit when you work for an academic institution, and it snows, you typically get the day off. With the weather delays I'm tuning in from home today so I'll admit I have not been up since 6AM. I'll post a little today as the show progresses but so far I've only heard the guys (and Ruthie) telling everyone to ignore the weather and come up to "our heated tent" closely followed by the end of the Xmas show. So you'll have to brave out your day without any comments from Mr. Funny-pants today.
Wait...I take it back...they just did three songes...then somehow back to the Xmas show...but again all they're discussing is snow.
Congrats to Bryan and Guy for some great publicity...
Cheers and stay safe out there today...
From Weyerbacher:
A fond mybeerbuzz.com Happy Birthday wish to the Delirium Cafe in Brussels, BE for their 5th birthday today. For those with a private jet, or those that just happened to be in Belgium today, they're giving away a a glas of Straffe Hendrick. Straffe will officially re-launch their beers at the celebration ofter a hiatus in the market. In addition they will be puling out for sale 60 bottles of Westvleteren 12-degree (2003) and 48 bottles of Rochefort 6-degree (2003).
Begin sobbing now....
Just a reminder...
Just a quick reminder that Selin's Grove Brewery will be holding a special Firkin Winter Solstice Sunday on 12/21 (2PM) to celebrate their 12th anniversary. This should be a great time and a great beer...and well worth the ride.
Read more...
I love Troegs Nugget Nectar. It's one of my favorite beers and for anyone else who feels the same...you'll be happy to know NN is (and has been) in the tanks @ Troegs. Hopefully we'll see it hitting our area in Jan/Feb..but in the mean time I guess I'll just have to break out some of my supply from last year. Yummy!
This Thursday 12/18 at 8PM, Dogfish Head will appear on the Discovery Channel progran How Stuff Works. I'm sure we all pretty much know how beer works, but I thought you may want to get a peek inside the DFH brewery...so tune in.
Read more...
From Victory:
Sat Dec 27th - Mugs for Mutts to support the Chester Co SPCA featuring Oaked St. Victorious Dopplebock and Hop Wallop Ale for $2.
Join us every Fri @ 5PM as we tap an oak barrel of an unfiltered Victory brew. Stop by early before the barrel runs dry.
Gift cards & Victory gear are available for purchase in our retail store or on-line.
Thanks to everyone from Lion Brewery & Elmer Sudds for tonight's special event. Congratulations to John from Elmer Sudds on his one year anniversary and a big thank you to Bob, Leo and Darel for making this event (and the special Stegmaier Oaked Holiday Warmer) possible. The beer and the conversation were wonderful.
As promised here's the mybeerbuzz.com video production I like to call...."Mostly dark scenes..." Cheers!
For those playing along...
Troegs will release Scratch # 16, a Winter Warmer style brew this Saturday (12/13) with bottles being available Monday 12/15. Here are the stats:
Scratch Beer(s): # 16 Winter Warmer (
Og: 16.1
Abv: 6.3%
malt: pils, munich, crystal
juju: molasseshops: warrior, amarillo, cluster
yeast: Thames valley english
Before I make any attempts to be Mr Funny-pants today, lets get the business out of the way. The beer of the day (available @ Grotto) is Smuttynose Winter Ale...and even more importantly lets talk next week. Friday Dec 20th 6AM @ Purv's Beer & More in Peckville (insert blatant commercial ad for mybeerbuzz.com member Purvs HERE) featuring Guy Hagner from One Guy brewing (insert second shameless plug for mybeerbuzz.com member One Guy Brewing HERE). I should correct one thing before anarchy occurs. After speaking with Guy it is my understanding that he is bringing his Hefe-Weizen and his Atomic Punk IPA and not the holiday beer the boys mentioned this morning. I'll also suggest you wander up to Peckville next week and say hello to Guy, Bryan, Chip and the Guys (and Ruthie) from Rock-107...oh yea and taste some of the beers. There will be tents and there will be heaters in these tents, so set your alarm and take the ride.
OK enough business...now on to Mr. Funny-pants! Hmmmmmmm...you'd be surprised how difficult it is to be funny on demand. As soon as I typed, "On to Mr. Funny-Pants"...the 'funny' seemed to drain out of my fingers. Seeking some inspiration I turned to my trusted funny companion...Google. So off we go....whoa...wait....well well...huh...let's just say your google results may vary considerably if you type 'Smuttynose' versus 'Smutty Nose' Search ONE we get a cute little sea-lion and bottles of tasty Portsmouth Brewing Co beverages, and search TWO we get...well.....lets just say neither search inspired my funny-bone and leave it at that. I'll pause here while you run to your computer to google Smutty Nose....
OK lets all take a deep breath and find something more constructive to make fun of. So did anyone else note that today's show mentioned, "We tasted a light winter ale, a dark winter ale and one winter ale in the middle...so winter ales don't have to be dark" maybe 10 times. Maybe it was just me being grumpy on my frosty snow covered commute, but I felt like maybe we ran out of things to say today...so in that spirit...."We tasted a light winter ale, a dark winter ale and one winter ale in the middle...so winter ales don't have to be dark" "We tasted a light winter ale, a dark winter ale and one winter ale in the middle...so winter ales don't have to be dark" "We tasted a light winter ale, a dark winter ale and one winter ale in the middle...so winter ales don't have to be dark" "We tasted a light winter ale, a dark winter ale and one winter ale in the middle...so winter ales don't have to be dark" "We tasted a light winter ale, a dark winter ale and one winter ale in the middle...so winter ales don't have to be dark" "We tasted a light winter ale, a dark winter ale and one winter ale in the middle...so winter ales don't have to be dark" "We tasted a light winter ale, a dark winter ale and one winter ale in the middle...so winter ales don't have to be dark."
OK so now Mr. Funny-pants is just being Mr. Silly-pants so it's time to end. OK boys and girls I'm off to go google "Mr. Funny-pants" and see what I get...
Funny show guys.....Cheers!
As promised here are the beer details for the Saturday (12/13) Lion/Elmer Sudds event.
Mark your calendars and save the date!
We've been discussing some of the new beers coming from Lion, but I thought I'd pass on some new info. I have nothing to show at this time, but I thought my readers would be interested to know that Lion will be creating new packaging for Lionshead, Lionshead Light, Steg Amber (formerly known as Steg 150) and Steg Gold. Stay tuned for details and watch for the new packaging coming soon.
Clicky HERE for the article...
Looks like Damien had a soft opening of OFBC this Friday (12/5). The doors are open, they have three beers on tap and cold food only, but they're OPEN. I'm awaiting more details as we speak...
Additional Details....OFBC is currently open Wed-Sat for lunch & dinner w/3-beers on draft.
Hard not to get behind this one... Please bail me out too!
Have I mentioned Charlie has Troegs Pale Ale on draft?
Apparently while I was sleeping in last Friday, the guys actually did a show. Somehow I missed Weyerbacher Winter Ale, and since the podcast section of rock107.com is still showing Stone Smoke Porter I won't get to hear the Weyerbacher show...so to make up for that, I'll write twice as much this week.
Actually I'm kidding since I don't have a lot to say. Today's show featured an American Medical Association report by Dr. Webster, Dr. Chip, Dr. Daniels and Dr. Ruthie on the effects of mixing anti-biotics with beer. Good news is it's OK (woo hoo)! I'd love to stay and write some more, but I'm off to the doctor's office to pick up some antibiotics and then off to the sixer shop for some brewski! Woo-hoo...
Disclaimer (damn lawyers): Yes I'm kidding and no I don't think you should do anything without consulting your doctor. And no it wasn't really an AMA report and to my knowledge none of the members listed are actually medical doctors.
The beer of the day today is Bell's Winter Ale. Yes it's a winter wheat ale, and apparently yellow in color...everyone loved it and apparently it made Webster go partially blind to the point he had to have an eye operation.
Disclaimer (damn lawyers): Yes I'm kidding. Bells Winter Ale or any beer for that matter does not cause blindness...John apparently had scheduled eye surgery over the Turkey-Day break and was actually not working today but stopped in to taste some beer (with his antibiotic).
Disclaimer on the previous disclaimer (damn lawyers): Yes I'm kidding, I have no knowledge whether John was on any medication today or any day nor do I know for sure if he actually consumed any of the beer. OK so we KNOW he drank some of the beer, but we still don't know what drugs he was on.
Disclaimer (damn lawyers): OK, so that was an error...John is not on drugs and although he may perhaps be on medication due to his recent eye surgery, we have no confirmation of anything else nor does anything we've implied in any way shape or form show any intent to defame the party of the first part named above herein referred to as Webster.
Anyway...enough fun....Head to Grotto and check out the $2.50 bottle special on Bell's Winter Ale!
Great show guys....Cheers.
Disclaimer (damn lawyers): mybeerbuzz.com in no way condones drinking, especially not on the job. The mere mention of "Cheers" is meant purely as a greeting and salutation and not as any endorsement of immediate indulgence of alcoholic beverages.
A few beer updates:
OK all you hopheads, I heard your (many) requests for a really hoppy beer. This Sunday (Dec. 7) will be the debut of Atomic Punk I.P.A. I didn't hold back with the American hops--Simcoe, Cascade, Amarillo, etc. Come out to the brewery Sunday and be ready to pucker up!
Peach Wheat has been hugely popular and is almost gone. There are a few kegs for this weekend and I bet they'll kick. Once it's gone we'll all have to wait for the next peach season.
Also this weekend I'll have a limited amount of an experimental Wheat Ale brew. It's a German-style Dunkel Weizen or Dark Wheat.
Put One Guy in their stocking:
One Guy Gift Certificates are now available! They're fun, stylish and much easier to wrap than a growler. On sale now in the tap room.
Meet Steve:
If you've been to the One Guy tap room lately, you probably noticed a much-smaller beer list. Quite simply I haven't been able to brew as fast as y'all have been drinking. I realized that the true "one guy" era was over. I'm happy to say that I've hired a great fellow to help brew and keep up with the demand. Many of you already know Steve, please say "Hi" if you see him working behind the bar or in the brewery. I'm excited to have him on board and I'm sure he'll be a big help as the business continues to grow.
Holiday hours, new beers, etc:
As always you can find current One Guy information and updates at: www.oneguybrewing.com
Thanks again for all your support!
---Guy
Readin: NO
Writin: NO
'Rithmatic: NO
Beverages: YES
Count me in!
Clicky Here...
From Dan Weirback:
The latest in our Brewer's Select series, Delta is a Spiced Stout at 7.5% abv, brewed with fresh Ginger Root and Cinnamon. Head brewer Chris Wilson's newest creation is perfect for the holiday season. As with all of our one-offs, cases will only be available at the brewery during Saturday tour hours, from Noon to 3. On December 6, we'll start the day with over 90 cases of this unique brew, but it could sell out the same day so be sure to stop by. Tastes will be available on this brew.Kegs will be available on Delta in the Phila, Pittsburgh and Baltimore markets only. Be sure to shoot us an e-mail and let us know what you think.
This time of year always brings some amazing beers and some amazing line-ups. If you're feeling a little bored this morning and you want to make your mouth spontaneously water, click on the Zeno's link and check out their tap list! Amazing stuff and road trip worthy for sure...
Who's in?
From Iron Hill:
IRON HILL BREWERY ANNOUNCESLIMITED BOTTLED RELEASE OF FOUR ACCLAIMED LAMBIC BEERS
WILMINGTON, DE – Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, the popular food and drink destination with seven area locations, announce the bottled release of four lambic-style beers: Kreik de Hill, Lambic de Hill, Framboise de Hill, and Cassis de Hill. Iron Hill will host two release parties, at the Wilmington and Media locations, to give beer enthusiasts an opportunity to sample the different styles, speak with the brewers who created them and purchase the award-winning beers. “It takes 3 to 4 years to make one batch of lambic beer. In the past, we’ve only offered these beers at special events,” says Director of Brewing Operations Mark Edelson, “We are excited to now be able to make them available to everyone who appreciates these great beers.”To kick off the release and sale of these beers, Iron Hill will hold two Kick-Off Tastings. On Saturday, December 6, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Iron Hill Wilmington (710 South Madison Street, 302.472.2739), Brewer Brian Finn will have all four of the lambic style beers available for sale in 750 mL bottles; on Saturday, December 13, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Iron Hill Media (30 East State Street, 610.627.9000), Brewer Bob Barrar will have the Lambic available for sale in 750 mL bottles and Kreik and Framboise in a smaller, 375 mL size. The 750 mL bottles will cost $24.50, while the 375 mL bottles will cost $13. The lambics will only be available in these sizes, and will be sold ONLY at these two locations, while supplies last. Supplies of these beers are limited.Iron Hill’s four lambic-style beers are their most awarded varieties. The Lambic has won two gold medals in 2008 and 2003 from the Great American Beer Festival (GABF), the Kreik one gold in 2005 and one bronze in 2007, the Cassis one bronze in 2008 and the Framboise a bronze in 2004 from the World Beer Cup (WBC).Iron Hill Lambic is a traditional Belgian-style lambic beer made with wild yeast and bacteria and aged in oak barrels for at least two years. It is golden-yellow in color and unfiltered, with a complex aroma of bananas, oak and hay and a nutty flavor that gives way to intense sour notes. Cassis is a lambic-style beer that is aged in oak barrels with black currants, which lend the beer a violet color and berry aroma. Framboise ages in oak barrels with fresh raspberries; it is ruby red in color and balanced between lambic sourness and sweet raspberry notes. Kreik is aged in oak barrels with sour cherries, light red in color and also delicately balanced between sour and fruity-sweet.Critics and readers alike have heaped praise on Iron Hill; since 1996, they have consistently been recognized for their outstanding beers and cuisine, accruing more than 100 “Best of” awards from regional magazines. Their hand-crafted beers have also won acclaim and in total, they have received 39 medals from the three most prestigious beer events, the Great American Beer Festival, World Beer Cup and Real Ale Festival. Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant has seven locations, in Newark, DE; Wilmington, DE; Media, PA; West Chester, PA; North Wales, PA; Phoenixville, PA and Lancaster, PA. All seven locations are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. For more information about Iron Hill, or to make a reservation at any of their locations, please visit their website at www.ironhillbrewery.com.
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