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Saturday
Sep292012

The World Atlas of Beer

Maintaining a beer blog - even a casual one like this - occassionally has its perks. Recently I was contacted by a PR rep regarding a new book from Tim Webb and Stephen Beaumont. A fan of their work, I jumped on this opportunity to receive a copy of The World Atlas of Beer: The Essential Guide to the Beers of the World

Both Webb and Beaumont are accomplished beer writers. Beaumont is known for his prolifc nature across various publications such as Wine Enthusaist, The Celebrator, Whisky Advocate, The Globe and many others. Currently, World of Beer is the best place to get his latest updates. Tim Webb has written a number of highly regarded books about beer and travel - including my favorite companion to my Belgium trip, Good Beer Guide Belgium. He also spent six years on the board of CAMRA and co-authored the well-received Brew like a Monk. This new book - now available - show us what happens when two fantastic writers team up to celebrate a topic they are respectively quite passionate about, and the final product could not have turned out better. 

Credit: World Atlas of BeerThe hardcover version of this book is a signifcant piece of work to behold - at almost 11.5"x9.5" and over 250 pages it will rival most coffee table books in your home - if not in sheer size, then certainly in content. The impressive volume of data, gorgeous photography, infographics, brewery maps, pairing advice, and thoughtful tasting notes for over 500 beers make this one of the most comprehensive yet consise works on international beer that I have seen to date. The great beer writer Michael Jackson would have been proud to feast his eyes on such a masterful work. It is, after all, in his tradition that we continue to publish meaningful and respectful works about the greatest (though oft snubbed and under-appreciated) beverage in the world. 

Neither Beaumont nor Webb is American (Beaumont is Canadian and Webb, British) - and I actually think that is an important aspect to the success of this book. While I, like many Americans, tout the greatness of the big, bold American brews, I am guilty of missing some of the finer points of the subtler brews;

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Sunday
Aug122012

The Taxonomy of Beer

Francesca Greggs is a designer over at lemonwooddesign and sent me this great little infographic. You can own one of these prints if you head over to the site. 

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Thursday
Jul262012

Smuttynose Robust Porter

Wednesday
Jun062012

Something Borrowed, Something Brewed

Here's something sent my way: an original web series, and in this episode, a beer tasting. So happens I recently visited 508 Gastrobrewery (featured in the video) and it was quite good. Check it out...

Saturday
May192012

Movie Trailer: Behind Zion's Curtain

Check out this movie trailer for Behind Zion's Curtain. This is a doc-in-the-making about Utah's wacky alcohol laws. Thanks to one of the filmmakers for sending my way. I'm intrigued...

Sunday
Apr222012

Beer is Good

Another cool infographic, this time from frugaldad.com - thought I'd share with you all...

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Saturday
Apr212012

The State of the Union of Beer

I often get press releases and announcements sent my way from marketers, various organizations, and even occassionally brewers. Sometimes I feel I'm remiss in not turning these back around for the readers of this site - but in this case, I wanted to speak up and get this one out to you all. 

I'm a huge fan of the Brewers Association - Charlie Papazian's non-profit trade org - and they recently posted the Top 50 Breweries of 2011. The list is based on sales volume from small and craft US breweries. An interesting note from the read:

In the last 15 years, craft brewing has gone from one percent of the overall beer market to almost six percent in 2011,” said Paul Gatza, director of the Brewers Association. “We attribute a large part of that growth to the many talented brewers who are providing beer lovers with more beer style and flavor choices than ever before.

It's interesting to look at this and see

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Tuesday
Mar202012

We love infographics (about beer)!

Someone at Submit Infographics sent me a link to this lil' beauty and it reminded me... man do I love infographics! And infographics about beer are even better! This thing is pretty cool, outlining some of the preceding history and unintended consequences of the Volstead Act. Check it out after the jump! 

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Tuesday
Dec272011

Stone Belgo Anise Imperial Russian Stout

Big roasty, chocolate character, hints of licorice and coffee - a great twist on an old favorite. Bring on the winter months with this 10.5% ABV monster. 

Tuesday
Nov082011

52Brews in Maine


View 52Brews in Maine in a larger map

Summer is long gone, but my memories of Maine could never fade as fast. As August came to close, my wife and I embarked on an epic journey across the great Pine Tree State - from Newry and Lovell to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, to Bangor, then south through Portland and on to Boston (yes I know Boston's not in Maine) - never did the great state disappoint.

Hailing from the metro-sprawl of New York, inundated by the modern "conveniences" of fast-paced, over-saturated living, I too-often take for granted the value of simplicity. Small business, sustainability, neighborly ways, and plain ol' peace & quiet go a long way in many of the towns we visited.

Now... before I get too warm & fuzzy on you, keep one thing in mind: many of these same values contribute to one of my favorite things about Maine: tons of local beer. It seems everywhere we went I had no problem finding something local or pseudo-local on tap. Better yet, when I wasn't drinking local beer, I was drinking great beer. 

The map above helps outline the trip a bit - where these places are located, where our journey took us. Use the map to find links and locations for each of the below. 

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Wednesday
Aug242011

Creepy Ceramic Heads

creepy little heads on the wallA proper article on how we spent our vacation in Maine, including the awesome beers I sampled, will follow in due time; but this... well, this simply could not wait. 

While dining at the Jolly Drayman Pub in Bethel, Maine this evening my wife and I couldn't help but look up and notice that the walls were lined with these creepy little ceramic heads. This was a small, dimly lit dining area off in a side room, in a pub laid out much like an early 1900's home. Despite all the crazy crap on the wall, none was crazier than these smiley, smug little buggers looking down on us as we patiently waited for our meals.

This, of course, begs the question: where do you get creepy ceramic heads these days, anyway? I wasn't aware there was even a market for such a thing. Moreover, is this a lucrative business? For folks looking to shuffle their investments, should we look to creepy ceramic heads for diversification? Creepy ceramic heads for birthdays, Bar Mitzvahs, holidays, anniversaries, for breakfast? Are we all doomed? Nonsense!

I know why you're here... more hi-rez creepy ceramic heads after the jump. 

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Wednesday
Aug242011

View from the bar: Nocturnem in Bangor, ME

Sunday
Aug212011

View from the bar: Sud's Pub in Bethel, ME

 

Saturday
Aug202011

52Brews in Europe Part 3: London

It's not entirely fair of me to resume my tale of European travels such a long time after they've commenced (over a year since the trip). If anything, London deserves a far more respectful overview than the one I'm about the recall - after all, England is the nation from which my mine originally took away its knowledge of brewing.

Moreover, the country has a devout passion for beer and is even home to a group of extreme enthusiasts - CAMRA - whom would have you believe that the processed and filtered "crap" we serve from stainless steel tanks has no right to be called "beer". Personal views aside, the point is that these people take their product seriously, and I had the pleasure of experiencing first-hand what London has to offer. 

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Friday
Aug192011

Sampler at Sunday River Brewing

 

Sunday
Jul032011

Du Dieu Ciel Dernière Volonté

Sunday
Jun192011

Lilja's Sasquatch Stout

 

Sunday
Jun192011

Wilderness Brewing: A Kickstarter Project

I try always to wield the microphone for good, never evil - I'm simply interested in supporting small brewers and the craft beer revolution. Further, I never solicit products I can't stand behind. I have - on more than one occasion, and perhaps to a fault - declined sponsored content on this site; and even when I have received a product from a company, I won't offer an inflated review. I wish only to offer my sincere support behind products, people, and events I enjoy, without contamination of financial influence. 

Mike and Nate from Thank Heaven for Beer have a good thing going with their site. I want to help them get an even better thing going, with the launch of their own brewery. I have been following their content for quite a while, and their passion for good beer is undeniable. I can tell you that their mission is sincere, and I assure you that a gift to Wilderness Brewing can and will be the gift that keeps on giving. Read further to check out their video and see how you can help Mike and Nate's cause.

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Sunday
Jun052011

Rogue Chocolate Stout

One of Rogue's best!

Sunday
May222011

Boaks Monster Mash