Go Green for St.Patrick's Day!
In the beer world, St. Patrick's Day means 2 things: Irish Stout and green beer. Getting in on the Stout thing is pretty easy. But, if you just ain't a dark beer drinker -- or you didn't have time to brew one up for the holiday this year -- never fear. It couldn't be easier to enjoy some festive green beer in honor of the ol' snake chaser. And the best part, you don't have to settle for the pale (green), watery lager that your local Irish Pub might have on tap. That said, the palest beers will work the best.
You've Got Some Brewing to Do!
I remember so clearly my first Mr.Beer kit. I was brimming with such glee that if I had had a tail, I'm pretty sure it would have been wagging uncontrollably. I just have always loved beer so much, and I couldn't wait to make my own. Never one to pay very close attention to instructions or rules, I decided it would be awesome to brew a strawberry blonde, and so there I went with my fresh strawberries – I don't even think I mashed them even a little bit – and brewed my first batch. Thankfully, it turned out fantastically, and I was blissfully unaware that I should have pasteurized and pureed my fresh strawberries, or that I should have allowed a little more time in the keg for the extra fermentables. Those details would follow later, but I had picked up on the heart of what makes home brewing so wonderfully fun, and so attractive to so many different types of people around the world and even so many cultures throughout time. Creativity. Possibility. The idea that there's always a better recipe, a better combination, a better beer, around the corner. It's what drives us. Don't let summer slip away!
As we lament the passing of summer, many of us are questioning how we will survive this holiday season. You know the feeling: if you hear Feliz Navidad one more time you’re going to pop. It’s been said, “No man is an island entire of itself.” But, as winter sets in the skies gray and the temperature drops, many of our loyal brewmasters are wishing for just such an island. When it seems like no amount of hot cocoa will warm your bones, Mr. Beer understands the inclination to throw caution to the wind howling outside your door, take all the money you’ve saved up for holiday gifts, and book the next flight to Cabo. Rather than disappointing little Timmy’s Christmas wish for the Lego Millennium Falcon, or if being a Cheeseburger in Paradise just doesn’t fit into your holiday stimulus package, Mr.Beer has a few suggestions for turning your garage (spare bedroom, shed, walk-in closet, etc.) into that tropical paradise of your dreams. Add a few decorations, a smattering of friends in hawaiian print, and a space heater, to our Cervesa de Cinco de Mayo recipe, and you’ve got yourself a party the Tiki Gods are sure to smile upon.
Great American Beer Festival 2010
It has been over 2 weeks since the Great American beer festival ended, and I believe that my body is beginning to heal. For those of you that don't know what the GABF is (or have never been), let's start off with the basics.
The GABF is, as you might imagine, a beer festival of epic proportions. It consists of 4 tasting "sessions" (which last about 5 hours each) over 3 days -- 1 session each on Thursday and Friday, with 2 sessions packed into Saturday. Sunday is the official GABF day of rest (or travel). When you purchase a ticket to one of the sessions (or all 4 if you are brave and strong of liver), you are entitled to walk into the great hall, where you are presented with a map and a 1-ounce tasting glass. The Brewers Association reports that approximately 49,000 pairs of feet carried their thirsty bosses to 462 brewery pouring stations, where attendees chose from 2,200 different beers. Mind boggling.