Beer-articles 913

One year ago, the House of Beer in Dunedin initiated “The HOB Give Back,” an extensive service initiative designed to assist community members in need. Kim Polce, who co-owns the brewery and taphouse with her husband Andy Polce, said, “We observe an ongoing need in our community which motivates us to do more. It has been a staggering experience.” Surprisingly, in a short period, the House of Beer, synonymous with fun times and cordial people, has been able to support over 7,000 households facing food insecurity, as many Pinellas County elementary school students who lack weekend meals, and countless local charities.

We’re well into the holiday season, so as is my usual practice, I will spend today’s and next week’s columns providing gift ideas for the beer lover among your friends and family.

Some of these ideas (or some iteration thereof) might have been mentioned in past columns, but most are new. Let’s get started.

First up are a few different gifts from , which had a decent number of decent gift suggestions. One I found very interesting was the Ultimate At-Home Beer Pint Maker. This kit ($58-$239) gives beer aficionados a way to simply brew 10 pints of beer fairly quickly and easily. The kit includes both the brewing gear and ingredients in fresh-press packs.

According to the ad, users simply need to combine the prepackaged ingredients in the brewer, let it ferment, refrigerate, and tap in a few days. Also included are two more packages of ingredients. Further packs for more brewing are available for purchase.

I can’t vouch for how good the beer will be, but I think it’s worth taking a shot.

also offers a stocking-stuffer type of gift that I, being a huge fan of dogs, just love: the Go Fetch Magnetic Bottle Opener. Made from beechwood and stainless steel, this unique bottle opener has a dog’s head for the prying apparatus, allowing this pooch to use his mighty jaws to open your next brew. The device goes for $15.

Next up is a tried-and-true gift that can’t fail to please your beloved beer fan: a subscription to . This provides your beer buddy with a 12-pack of four different types of microbrews once a month. You can choose to make your gift for two, three, four, six or 12 months. The cost runs between $52.95 and $55.95 per month.

Membership also includes a Beer Expeditions monthly newsletter subscription that provides all the information on that month’s selection of beers and breweries, from fun facts to tips and tricks.

Last but not least for this week’s suggestions is a very classy idea: Spiegelau Craft Beer Tasting Kit Glasses. Beer aficionados are renowned for their appreciation of using the right kind of glass for various beers. This gorgeous set of four glasses includes – depending on which set you order – some combination of a tall pilsner glass, a lager glass, an IPA glass, a Hefeweizen glass, a stemmed Belgian beer glass and a tulip-shaped glass.

A set of four costs between $38-$43.

If none of these grab you enough, stay tuned. Next week I’ll be providing more ideas across an even wider price range. Cheers!

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Welcome back to FTW’s Beverage of the Week series. In this space, we mainly discuss and review a variety of beers, but we don’t limit ourselves, any drink that pairs well with sports is welcome. Indeed, even cookie dough whiskey.

Shiner Bock occupies a unique position in the realm of smaller beers that have achieved widespread popularity. It’s a beer that is mass produced but it still maintains a strong connection to its local origin.

Just as Sam Adams is intrinsically linked with the city of Boston, Shiner is unquestionably Texan. Although the iconic Massachusetts brewer is known for being a trailblazer in the craft beer sector, Shiner has a more universally appealing vibe. It seems more accessible. It lacks pretentious airs.

A lot of this down-to-earth appeal stems from Shiner Bock, the company’s centerpiece beer, which is just refreshingly simple to drink. It’s basic, unpretentious, malty goodness that’s a notch above the generic golden lagers found in most supermarkets or bottle shops. And you can often get it for just a tiny bit more than what you’d pay for a Miller High Life or a Coors Banquet beer.

Shiner is known for more than its Bock. Do the other beers produced by the company meet the expectations set by its well-regarded headliner? The arrival of cooler weather, although still mild by Texas standards, has introduced a collection of new seasonal beers from the brewery. It’s time to try these new options.

The first taste confirms this. Its roasted malt leans toward caramel instead of chocolate, but overall its taste mirrors its aroma: rich and full-bodied. A subtle note of hoppiness emerges towards the end, adding a touch of bitterness.

The roasted malt hints at a bit of coffee. Despite its lack of complexity, it’s a high-quality beer that’s readily available at most liquor stores at reasonable prices for a six-pack. It’s easy to enjoy, and not one that would become tiresome after two or three drinks. Whilst the chilly weather sets in, this beer may not exactly be a warmer, but it’s a good choice to sip by a fire, or more likely, while enjoying a lineup of bowl games from the comfort of your couch.

The beer is a rosy golden yellow shade when poured, topped with about half an inch of frothy white foam. The aroma reveals a touch of juicy citrus – perhaps tangerine or pineapple – along with some light hops.

Enriched with fruity flavors yet having a dry finish that imparts a subtle bitter hop taste. Far from overwhelming, it gives you gentle reminder of its pale ale roots, veiled under a vibrant pour and tangy aroma. The dry inclusion keeps the juice from dominating the brew and encourages repeat tasting.

However, the flavorful quotient could have been enhanced a notch. It stands in the good range, missing out on greatness. That said, having in mind the $7 cost per six-pack, it presents good value and is conveniently available everywhere.

This beer has less than 100 calories, comes with a large frothy head that fades away quickly indicating that the carbonation’s main role here is to make a less memorable taste linger on your taste buds only briefly. The aroma is refreshing and slightly like soap, this quality diminishing when you pour it out of the can.

Overall, the beer experience can be summed up as a smooth, carbonated journey devoid of any robust flavor. You’ll get some corn and light beer traits but mostly, it’s an unremarkable 99 calorie beverage. Still it’s alright. Perhaps it trumps a Miller or Coors light, but remember, taste preferrences can differ.

Releasing the seal on the can brings out a potent blend of citrusy sweetness with a hint of floral nuances. It offers a two-inch froth that promptly fizzles out. Everything indicates this would be an ideal beer to gulp down during hot weather conditions.

However, the balance seems a bit off. It’s sort of halfway between fructose sweetness and being a lager, without fully gratifying either aspect. The aroma is delightful but tastes slightly lacking, like an Abita Purple Haze that gave up midway between brewing and bottling. It’s a perfect choice on a scorching day, but there’s not much to it. It’s a disappointing start in a can, but not entirely off-putting.

The pour is consistent with Shiner’s other beers; showcasing a sizeable head that scurries away before you can whinge about the froth. It gives off a malty fragrance with a hint of fruitiness. It reminds one of grainy malts and carbonation, in the most wonderful manner. It’s an easy-to-drink beer that tastes distinctly like beer, a touch that works exceptionally well at a tailgate, a gathering, or a formal dinner.

Shiner Bock is like a chameleon, a budget-friendly beer that surpasses its expected taste and exudes an elegant look uncharacteristic of a Southeastern Texas origin. It’s an ideal choice for those shopping at Target, being more reasonably priced than the overhyped craft beers that a bulk retailer with minor interest in beer tends to promote, and outshines the other typical beers lined up beside it. Although options better than Shiner Bock are available, but in terms of accessibility and cost, the Spoetzl Brewery’s has got your covered.

Shiner exists on the same plane as Hamm’s for me. Inexpensive and utterly drinkable. I don’t quite hold it in the same reverence as Hamm’s — seriously, Hamm’s is great, dirt cheap beer — but I’ll never turn one down. Except maybe the Prickly Pear. That was a little disappointing.

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Westlake police cruiser (file photo)

WESTLAKE, Ohio –

OVI: Center Ridge Road

An officer at 2:45 a.m. on Nov. 27 stopped a weaving vehicle on Center Ridge Road near Glenmore.

The 39-year-old driver of the Mercedes appeared intoxicated, slurred his words, and said he was headed home from work, which happened to be a bar. The officer arrested the suspect for OVI and charged him with lane change violations after administering a field sobriety test.

When the suspect arrived at the Westlake jail, he asked the jail staff for a “shot and a beer,” according to a police press release. He refused a breath test. He was later released to a sober friend.

Vehicle crash into building: Crocker Road

The Westlake police and fire departments responded at 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 26 to a report of a vehicle crashing into a building in the 2000 block of Crocker Road.

The building was evacuated as a precaution. Officers determined that an elderly female driver pushed the accelerator instead of the brake, causing the car to jump the curb, hit a signpost, and finally the building, according to a police department statement.

No one was injured and the business, Mission BBQ, reopened that day, according to the police.

OVI: Crocker Road

A witness at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 22 called the Westlake Police Department to report that a possibly intoxicated driver was weaving while driving a Hyundai on Crocker Road.

Officers spotted the sedan and noted that it did not maintain its lane and almost struck stopped traffic at Union Street. When officers stopped the vehicle, the female driver said she was headed to Twinsburg and was coming from Twinsburg. Officers also spotted vomit on the floorboard.

Officers arrested the 34-year-old Twinsburg resident for operating a vehicle while impaired after administering field sobriety tests. The woman refused a breath test.

Officers discovered that she had six prior OVI convictions since 2008. Her license was still suspended due to a 2021 OVI arrest. Westlake police charged the woman with felony OVI and refusing a chemical test with prior OVI convictions, driving under suspension, and failure to drive in marked lanes.

OVI: Hilliard Boulevard

On Nov. 23, just before midnight, a caller to the Westlake Police Department reported there were two dogs at large near Hilliard and Bordeaux.

Officers checked the area and found one of the dogs, which was captured and brought to the city kennel to keep it safe.

A bit later, a resident called the police department to report that his dogs got out of the house. He was advised that one of them was relaxing with kibble in the kennel.

When the Westlake man appeared at the front window of the police department to retrieve his lost pet, officers noted that he was slurring his speech, his clothes were disheveled, and he smelled strongly of an alcoholic beverage. The 61-year-old had left his vehicle unattended and running outside the police station.

Officers initiated field sobriety testing in the lobby and noted that the dog owner stumbled into a wall during testing. The man provided a breath sample, which showed his blood alcohol level was 3½ times the legal limit. This was his third OVI arrest in a little over three months, according to a police statement. Later, a sober person arrived at WPD to bail out the driver and his canine friend.

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Read more from the West Shore Sun

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Mike Teed and Cory Smith, the brains behind Black Pond Brews located in Dayville, entered the brewing scene about twelve years ago. Their inspiration stemmed from the Anchor Steam beer produced by San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing.

Their homage to Anchor Brewing materialized in the creation of the Connecticut Uncommon beer, a play on the California Common beer style, a category under which Anchor Steam falls. However, Connecticut Uncommon took a backseat for a period of five years as lighter beers gained traction at Black Pond.

With the threat of closure looming over Anchor Brewing, Black Pond decided it was time to reintroduce Connecticut Uncommon. Part of the proceeds from the sale of this beer will be used to support Anchor.

Discussing the monumental influence of Anchor Brewing, Smith stated, “Anchor Brewing, being the oldest craft brewery in the nation, had a profound impact on us when we first got our start in homebrewing. Their influence was so substantial that we initially launched with a California Common style beer. The American craft beer industry would undoubtedly suffer a great loss if this particular brewery were to disappear.”

Connecticut Uncommon is described as an ale/lager hybrid by Smith, a concept that was initially brought to light by Anchor.

He expresses that this hybrid gives you the refreshing, pure characteristics present in a lager, whilst also exuding some fruity notes generally found in ales.

The link between Black Pond and Anchor was established through the medium of their graphic designer, Alan Duda. Not only the creator of Black Pond’s logo, he also designs their beer labels. Hailing from San Francisco, Duda was instrumental in linking Teed and Smith with the team at Anchor.

In partnership with Joel Salisbury, Duda forms duda+salisbury – the advertising partner for Black Pond. They are the creative minds behind the new Connecticut Uncommon cans, which brandish the image of Black Pond’s mascot, Mr. Kitty, set against the backdrop of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. In fact, Mr. Kitty was a permanent resident at Black Pond Brews during their days at the old Danielson location.

Though this is the first time Black Pond has raised funds for another brewery, they are no strangers to charity. Black Pond regularly raises funds for the Paws Cat Shelter in Woodstock and collects holiday gifts for local children in need.

Smith said Friday morning that the rerelease of Connecticut Uncommon is off to a solid start. It was Black Pond’s top-selling beer Wednesday and Thursday.

“People are excited to see it back,” Smith said Friday morning. “I’m sure we’re going to see a bunch more sales over the weekend.”

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Dayville brewery re-releases beer to aid California brewery

TD Cowen names alcohol producer Constellation Brands (STZ) as the company with the best growth story in US beer as sales of Modelo surged in 2023. TD Cowen Managing Director and Senior Research Analyst Vivien Azer joins Yahoo Finance Live to break down the current state of beer and wine consumption in the US.

Azer notes the decline in beer consumption and credits “intentional abstinence” by younger age groups that appear to be shifting to cannabis consumption, an industry that has seen revenue of $26 Billion. Azer sees this trend as a “dislocation” from alcohol to cannabis, which is making a dent in the alcohol market.

Speaking to M&A activity, Azer notes a “reversal” for craft beer acquisitions.

For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live.

DIANE KING HALL: And I want to ask– I don’t know if this comes up in your research. The impact of, say, the GLP-1 discussion, and there’s been talk about it impacting people’s appetite for beverage. Is that a headwind that is facing any of these beer makers?

VIVIEN AZER: Potentially, if we assume that the early adopters of GLP-1s are higher income consumers. Higher income consumers tend to over-index to wine. Where we have been very vocal around restraint with alcohol consumption as a combination of intentional abstinence, which we find to be outsized with younger consumers taking a week or month-long breaks, something like a Sober October or Dry January, as well as the interaction with cannabis.

The cannabis market is now $26 billion in revenues as of 2022. So that’s over 10% of the alcohol market, and it’s big enough now where we believe we’re seeing dislocation away from alcohol sales into the legal cannabis market. And it’s a way for consumers to take a break from alcohol by substituting it with cannabis.

We see a particular trend with 18 to 25-year-olds. There’s been over a decade long divergence where past month alcohol consumption with 18 to 25-year-olds has been on the decline. But reported past month cannabis incidents has been on the rise.

BRAD SMITH: For many companies, their growth story often revolves around strategic acquisitions. As such, are there any significant M&A activities we should be anticipating for next year? I’m particularly interested in brands that have done well independently and might be targeted by larger entities like Constellation, which has a history of making strategic acquisitions, to expand their portfolio.

VIVIEN AZER: 2022 is definitely going to be intriguing. Throughout the pandemic, there has been a trend reversal in M&A activity for beer specifically. Previously, we saw many acquisitions of craft beer brands, including Constellation Brands’ acquisition of Ballast Point, along with several others made by ABI and Molson Coors.

Recently, however, we’ve witnessed a de-acquisition of these assets. ABI, for example, offloaded nine brands to Tilray, a Canadian cannabis company that also owns Sweetwater in Atlanta and Montauk, a craft beer offered in New York. Major operators seem to be cleaning up their portfolios, while there has been an increase in bolt-on M&A activities within distilled spirits.

It’s time for adults to take a bath! What could be more relaxing than enjoying a beer and soaking in it? Welcome to BierBath in Sykesville, the inaugural “beer spa” in Maryland. READ MORE

There are multiple options for gifts related to beer, such as games that encompass beer themes and desserts modified with beer. Rather than driving fast to inebriation, these are games that are more contemplative and fun.

A beer-themed adaptation of Monopoly named “Brew-Opoly” (Late for the Sky, $25) could be a good option. Another entertaining game could be “Brew Ha Ha!” (Uncorked Games, $20), where players can create comical, uncomplicated, or outlandish beer descriptions by merging their cards.

Alternatively, there are games that educate about beer, like “BeerIQ” (Helvetiq, $25), a question-answer game that gauges your beer knowledge. Another fun game could be “Unlabeled — The Blind Beer Tasting Board Game” (Unlabeled, $30), where players introduce unfamiliar beers to each other, speculate, and identify the flavors using the game board.

For those who relish both beer and chocolate, you might want to explore Guinness chocolates. You can find beer-infused malted milk balls or chocolate caramels cleverly presented in imitation Guinness cans at Cost Plus. Also, Bruce Julian Heritage Foods offers craft beer brittle online in tastes like Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter, Yuletide Christmas Ale, and India Pale Ale.

Gifts related to beer, like books about beer, are always appreciated. Several engaging titles have been published this year that come highly recommended.

A few years back, I suggested the book “The Complete Beer Course: From Novice to Expert in 12 Tasting Classes” (Union Square & Co., $35), which was initially written by Joshua Bernstein in 2013. This year, he released a thoroughly revised and updated version, providing a comprehensive guide on everything a budding beer aficionado or experienced sampler needs to understand about beer.

Every year, the North American Guild of Beer Writers, which I had the honor of co-founding, bestows awards for outstanding beer journalism. This year, the top honor went to “Ted Mack and America’s First Black-Owned Brewery: The Rise and Fall of Peoples Beer” written by Clint Lanier (McFarland, $40). This book narrates a captivating tale of an African-American veteran who acquired a Wisconsin brewery in 1970.

The runner-up was “A History of Brussels Beer in 50 Objects” written by Eoghan Walsh (Independently published, $14), which offers a unique perspective of Belgium’s capital city through the prism of beer.

Lastly, we have Des De Moor’s “Cask: The Real Story of Britain’s Unique Beer Culture” (CAMRA Books; $30), shedding light on the slowly fading British cask beer culture.

Enjoy your shopping—and your drinks!

You can reach out to Jay R. Brooks at BrooksOnBeer@gmail.com.

Reflecting back on this year, it’s evident to state that some remarkable beers have emerged from breweries of all sizes. Compiling a “best of” list always brings back the joy of recalling some of the unforgettable beer experiences of the year. At the same time, I find delight in exploring other people’s lists of top beers as it’s fascinating to discover the multitude of beers produced globally, noting that preferences do differ from person to person.

A select few of these beers I’ve picked out bring back memories of certain locations or trips, while others were simply enjoyed in the casual setting of my TV room. Indeed, beer (when consumed in moderation) has the magical ability to elevate even the most routine experiences or transport you through time and space. This is what I believe makes beer truly exceptional.

Now, without any further delay, I present to you some of the finest beers I’ve had the pleasure to taste in 2023, listed in no specific order.

Concluding a Red Sox victory on May 1, 2023 with Samuel Adams Wicked Fenway IPA (displayed on the left), was just the perfect cherry on top.

I had this beverage at Fenway Park on a rather cold evening on the Sam Adams deck in right field while the Red Sox were playing the Toronto Blue Jays (the Sox clinched victory with an Alex Verdugo walk-off home run). This hazy IPA was excellently brewed and smooth, boasting a full mouthfeel and a delightful sweetness that I find appealing in New England IPAs. What’s more, I appreciate its low ABV of just 5.5%, quite unusual for a hazy IPA.

Living in New England, I rarely have the opportunity to sample wet/fresh hop beers, a type of beer that features hops harvested and quickly added to the boiling kettle, leading to more subtle flavors than those derived from pellet/dried hops. This style is prevalent in regions like the Pacific Northwest where fresh hops are readily available. However, I was fortunate enough to be in South Africa during their hop harvesting season and had the chance to taste Soul Barrel’s rendition from Franschhoek while dining in the country’s wine lands. This beer encompassed all the traits of an ideal fresh hop beer: palatable, lively, and fresh. That beer still captivates my mind.

The most extraordinary beer drinking experience I’ve had was when I tasted this beer. 7 Vidas (which translates to “seven lives”), is a Peruvian brewery, but I had this on a river cruise in Southern Chile while a DJ was spinning 90’s hits from Fatboy Slim. The 15.8% imperial stout had been aged in bourbon barrels for 23 months before toasted coconut and vanilla were added before packaging. This kind of “pastry stout” is rather popular, and it’s fantastic to see breweries worldwide producing fine examples of this style.

The award-winning Czech dark lager from Ten Eyck, based in Maryland, is definitely worth seeking out.

I am thrilled that dark lagers are becoming popular in the United States, particularly the Czech dark lager, which reminds me of smooth version of a porter or stout. Maryland based Ten Eyck’s Czech dark lager is one of the best version I had this year and I wasn’t alone, the beer won bronze at the World Beer Cup this year, known also as the “Olympics of beer competitions.”

Oregon based pFriem is making some of the best lagers in America and if you find yourself in Hood River, the pFriem tasting room has a lovely vibe where you can watch the kite surfers along the Columbia river while you enjoy elevated pub far. Their Czech lager is a lovely version of the style and it was perfect with a hamburger and fries. If you are living in the Pacific Northwest, pFriem should be on your radar.

The Veil is known for their hazies and fruited sours but it was their west coast Double IPA that caught my attention while visiting Richmond, Virginia in March. I find that breweries that focus on hazy IPAs tend to make lackluster bitter IPAs but Flooded was bright with citrus and pine. It was nearly a damn perfect version of the style.

The smoothest 9% ABV I’ve tasted in a while, this is a great beer to help you unwind after a long … [+] day.

Oskar Blues’ Dale’s Pale Ale has made a significant impact since it was first introduced in the early 2000’s. The choice of packaging was unconventional for its time, an aluminum can. I have vivid memories of spotting these cans in a liquor store window during my days in Boston and being skeptical about the idea (I couldn’t have been more mistaken!). Oskar Blues has since expanded the Dale’s brand, including the introduction of Dale’s Double – a potent, heavy-hitting variety that might be among the smoothest double IPAs I’ve tasted in a while.

Maine’s Portland-based Austin Street Brewery is renowned for delivering some of the most enjoyable beers in the state. Whenever I find myself in Maine, I usually find myself drawn towards the Patina, Austin Street’s misty pale ale. However, during my visit last June, I decided to try their kölsch – a golden ale native to Cologne, Germany. It’s safe to say that I have never used the term “easy drinking” as frequently as I did on that warm, sunny day in their tasting room, savoring that Kolsch took me on a nostalgic journey back to Cologne.

Here’s to enjoying more fantastic beers in 2024 and beyond.

Meteorologists and other members of the Channel 9 family celebrated 20 years of Steve’s Coats for Kids at the Olde Mecklenburg Brewery on Sunday.

“It’s super important to donate coats, because we have so many people in the community who might not have one, and the weather, even though it’s warm today it might not be tomorrow, so it’s important that we contribute to the cause,” event attendee and donator, Paige Layne said.

ALSO READ: Several Charlotte schools collect donations for 20th annual Steve’s Coats for Kids drive

New and gently used coats were collected from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Brewery’s annual Christmas market.

Everyone who donated a coat received a complimentary beer.

(SEE BELOW: The ongoing collection project, Steve’s Coats for Kids, at Southern Christmas show)