WILK Friday BeerBuzz - 15 Mar 2013 New Albion Ale w/Jim Koch

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Three years ago when we launched the WILK Friday BeerBuzz, I started the very first show with a mixture of excitement & terror.  As each show passed and we began welcoming guests, I couldn’t quite believe what we were doing.  Featuring great craft beer and getting to chat with some really special members of the brewing community, it was all too good to be true…but things changed in Nov 2011. 

On our final show of Nov 2011, we hit another gear and welcomed a superstar in the brewing industry, Jim Koch from Boston Beer Co. on to the show.  This was a tipping point for me and it was not only an honor to talk to Jim, but a tremendous accomplishment personally to get the chance.

Jump forward to March 2013 and we thought the timing was perfect to invite Jim back on the show, but this time it was a little different.  Today on the show we welcomed Jim Koch back, but not to feature a traditional Samuel Adams beer…instead we featured a beer that was something much more.

Today we highlighted a beer brewed by Boston Beer Co, but a recipe and brand that dates back 30-years.  New Albion Brewing Co was opened by Jack McAuliffe in 1976 in Sonoma CA.  Jack literally built the brewery by hand and even though it failed in 1982, Jacks accomplishments created the blueprint and roadmap for the U.S. craft brewing industry and many future breweries.
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In 2012, with the trademark for New Albion Ale reaching expiration, Jim Koch & Jack McAuliffe bought the brand and revived the recipe (and even yeast) for the original 30-year old New Albion Ale.  In July 2012 Jack & Jim met to brew the beer, launching it at GABF 2012 and releasing it to the public in Jan 2013.

So how is the beer?  New Albion Ale pours a deep golden color with notes of citrus and floral in the nose, the taste is somewhat hop forward with a cereal flavor up front and a clean but sweet finish that leaves you wanting more.  It’s a very good beer and an amazing taste of history.

Get out there now and try this beer…and as you taste the beer, you’ll also get a chance to taste the history and genesis of the American craft brewing scene.  This is a classic recipe for a brewery that was ahead of it’s time and I congratulate Jack McAuliffe for his vision and Jim Koch for his creativity and appreciation for the significance of this beer.  As a bonus, all profits go to Jack McAuliffe so be sure to try it for yourself.

Thank you to Jim Koch from Boston Beer (and Jack McAuliffe from New Albion Brewing), Nancy, John & Joe for yet another

fun Friday.

The Friday BeerBuzz…bringing good beers and good people together.As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday BeerBuzz page by clicking HERE.
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About MyBeer Buzz

Founder, owner, author, graphic designer, CEO, CFO, webmaster, president, mechanic and janitor for mybeerbuzz.com. Producer and Co-host of the WILK Friday BeerBuzz live weekly craft beer radio show. Small craft-brewer of the craft beer news sites and one-man-band with way too many instruments to play........Copyright 2007-2024 mybeerbuzz.com All Rights Reserved: Use of this content on ANY site without written permission is not allowed.

50 comments (click to read or post):

  1. Our thanks to Boston Beer Company/Sam Adams own Jim Koch for joining us this morning on the WILK FBB! A thrill to welcome him back and what a story to tell today!

    Jim's teamed up with Jack McAuliffe, who many say is the Father of the Modern Craft Beer Movement!

    Jim and Jack have collaborated to make Jack's 1976 Sonoma, California brewery beer, New Albion Ale! Get it while it lasts.

    It's the next best thing to a time machine trip back through the annals of a great beer's past.

    Loved the chance to taste some history and even if I didn't know this beer was thirty years in the making I would have been glad to have it in my glass!

    Thanks Jim Koch, thank you Jack McAulliffe, of course thanks to Bill from MyBeerBuzz.com and as always, thanks to you for listening!

    Best, John
    webster@wilknewsradio.com

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  2. Absolutely cool to hear rock star Kim Koch on our local beer show. Cheers to Jim and everyone at WILK. Great show and I can't wait to try this beer. Jan

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  3. This is a historic beer and a historic show too. Nice job WILK. Eric

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  4. Jim KOch is a god among craft beer drinkers. I knew he'd be great on the Friday beer buzz. Was this his 2nd visit? Eric

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  5. Eric...yes he was on in Nov 2011 with us to feature Tasman Red.

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  6. Today's show has to be one of my favorites. You all need to take it onto TV soon. Jim Koch is a great guest but I had not heard of New Albion Ale. This is an amazing story and thank you to Bill for bringing it to us. Cheers. Jaared

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  7. Outstanding show with Jim Koch. You guys always surprise me. Ray

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  8. Great show. Following PBR with Jim Koch was brilliant! Amy

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  9. Thank you WILK. You keep getting the best beer guests. Jim Koch on NEPA's craft beer show is the best. I liked the show and I do want to try New Albion too. Thank you. Marcus

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  10. Wow Kim Koch! Great show and a nice beer surprise on the radio today. Rock on guys!

    Thom

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  11. I just played the video for both Jim Koch shows. Nice job. Jim should be on all the time!

    Mary

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  12. I was just playing the show video. I'm new to the show but I have to compliment you on having Jim Koch & Brian Grossman on too. I'll be tuning in more. Cheers. Bex

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  13. I really enjoyed New Albion Ale. I think it's great that you featured this beer. Jim Koch is a hero of mine so hearing him on WILK was really cool to. Have a good weekend. Johnny J

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  14. I bought this beer at lunch today. I know it will be free samples later at Georgetown but I couldn't wait. Nice beer show today. Jim Koch is a god! Ryan W

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  15. Jim is a fantastic spokesperson for craft beer. I missed your first show so this was the first I was able to hear Jim on our local beer show. Now lets get Jim to visit! Ron

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  16. WOW Jim Koch! Very cool show! HenKit

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  17. New Albion Ale is a classic beer. I only wish I was old enough to have had it in 1979. A really good show today. Congrats to Jim Koch for doing a wonderful thing and to WILK for bringing him to Northeastern PA to talk beer. Jss

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  18. I think Jim is one of the best spokespeople for good beer. He seems like a really nice guy too. Thanks WILK!

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  19. I hope New Albion remains year-round for Jack & Jim too. Kev

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  20. I plan to buy a case of New Albion. Cheers. Ray G

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  21. Your show is the best. I agree with the guy that suggested TV! Cheers Bill Joe

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  22. How was the beer?

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  23. New Albion Ale is a classic beer made with really simple ingredients. When you sample it you are not only sampling a really nice Pale Ale, but you're also sampling the genetic beginning of just about all craft beer made in the U.S. today. Yes it's good!

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  24. What Bil said. This is a great beer. It's a really nice Pale Ale and I like it a lot. I too wish it was a year-round brew. Thanks to Jim.

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  25. I think your show continues to get more and more fun. Thank you for having Jim Koch on the show today. Cheers Manny

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  26. New Albion is a good beer. I have been though one case already. Nice show. Ed

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  27. Where did you get a case Ed?

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  28. I think it came from Plaza Beverage. Ed

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  29. You guys do more each day for craft beer in NEPA than you know. Excellent show once again and it helps to have Jim Koch. Joe

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  30. I didn't know Samuel Adams would be doing cans! I can't wait to see them. See you at Krugels tonight! Russ

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  31. Watching the video now! wow Jim Koch was cool. Ken

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  32. And don't forget as Jim mentioned, Samuel Adams is likely to be releasing Boston Lager & Summer Ale in all new cans in MAY.

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  33. Jack McAuliffe was a pioneer and way ahead of his time. He deserves the success and it's a great thing that Jim Koch did-- and cheers to you guys for bringing it to NEPA. Tony

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  34. And the money goes to Jack?

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  35. Yes. As Jim said the proceeds from New Albion Ale go directly to Jack.

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  36. My favorite line today...."in 1976 starting a brewery was like starting a car company"

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  37. Very cool that Jack gets to keep the trademark. Nice job Jim Koch!

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  38. I want to taste history too. I'll be at Krugels!

    Harpo

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  39. Who dare spill the beer!?>??

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  40. You'll have to check the video. Thankfully a minor spill and we didn't really highlight it on the air. See if you can figure it out.

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  41. I saw that. I know who spilled!

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  42. A really noble effort from Boston Beer & Jim Koch.

    EricG

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  43. I've watched the video three times. Jim Koch is just loaded with great beer info. Classic beer buzz today. Cheers Bill!

    TJ

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  44. Thanks everyone...and thank you to Jim Koch from Boston Beer for joining us to sample a beer that represents the beginning of craft beer in the U.S. It was an honor not only to sample the beer, but to have Jim Koch on with us to talk beer. Thanks Jim!

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  45. I think the video of the show is really a nice thing to do. I didn't know you had them out there so now I'm replaying all the older shows. Jenn

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  46. Thanks Jenn. Yes they are all available on wilknewsradio.com and the archive listing is at fridaybeerbuzz.com

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  47. Jim Koch is a class act and really loves his beer. Nice show. AJ

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  48. I like it! New Albion Ale. I just had it!

    Jenn

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  49. Be sure to get out to Krugel's Georgetown Deli today (3/15) from 5-7PM and try New Albion Ale for yourself.

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