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Beer-articles 1038

The Shift from Beer to Cannabis: A Decline in Beer Consumption Trends

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.

December 8, 2023 beer-articles

Opening of Maryland’s First Ever “Beer Spa” This Weekend

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

December 7, 2023 beer-articles

Splendid Holiday Gifts: 18 Perfect Choices for Craft Beer Enthusiasts

Having finished Thanksgiving and approaching the festive period, it is now the time to consider the essential gifts for those in your life who love beer. Thankfully, you will always have choices when needing to gratify the beer enthusiasts you’re shopping for.

I say it annually, but it remains true: Beer is without a doubt the obvious gift for those in your life who hold a passion for beer. The main difficulty is getting to know their beer likings. What type of beer consumer are they? Are they into experimenting with new beers? Or do they usually stick to their familiar favorites? Are they fans of local beers, foreign beers or beers from other states? Do they fancy cans or bottles? These inquiries can poke you towards the appropriate choice.

Choosing seasonal variety packs could be a safe bet. Consider products like Stone Brewing’s Twelve Days of IPA Mix Pack, Dogfish Head’s Holiday IPA Variety 12-Pack, Samuel Adams’ Beers for Cheers, Cost Plus’ Beers of the World or Costco’s Brewer’s Advent Calendar 2023. These provide 24 cans of German beer and an exciting method to tick off the days leading up to Christmas.

Another apt gift option is festive beer. Some well-liked options are Sierra Nevada’s Celebration Fresh Hop IPA, Anderson Valley’s Winter Solstice, Delirium’s Noël (a Belgian strong ale featuring a Santa hat-wearing pink elephant), Deschutes’ Jubelale or Spoetzl Brewery’s Shiner Holiday Cheer. For those who prefer non-alcoholic beer, consider gifting them Clausthaler’s Santa Clausthaler Holiday Brew or Athletic Brewing’s Fireside Brew Lodge Life.

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.

December 6, 2023 beer-articles

2023: Highlighting the Year’s 8 Outstanding Beers

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.

December 5, 2023 beer-articles

Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Offers Free Beer at Steve’s Coats for Kids Event

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)

December 4, 2023 beer-articles

The Complexities Behind Choosing the Perfect Beer: More Complicated Than Initially Thought

Choosing a good beer in today’s market is more complex than most people realize, so if you’ve ever wondered why you feel overwhelmed while making a selection, you’re not alone. In an exclusive conversation with Tasting Table, Jeff Tyler, head brewer and co-owner of Spice Trade Brewery & Kitchen dives deep into this complex subject. “That is a really challenging question to answer,” Tyler says. “As beer has changed and styles have evolved, beer has gotten very complicated.” He elucidates that traditional markers such as clarity, which previously signified quality (except in styles like German hefeweizens), are not reliable anymore due to the rise of hazy IPAs. These IPAs are good beers, despite being opaque and hazy, hence the name.

Tyler also highlights the pitfalls of relating on online reviews. Platforms like Untappd or Rate Beer, although popular among enthusiasts, contain reviews that often echo personal tastes rather than objective quality and the technical merit of a beer, potentially misleading consumers. Tyler suggests a different approach: search for breweries that have won multiple awards. These accolades typically indicate that the brewery churns out high-quality beverages that are faithful to their style and tradition. Tyler states, “You can build up your knowledge of classic beer styles and gain a great understanding of what beer should taste like.” This will serve as your basis for knowing and appreciating what defines a good beer.

Read more: 15 Popular Hard Seltzer Brands, Ranked Worst To Best

Continuing our conversation, Jeff Tyler touches upon the other aspect of beer selection — the influence of innovation and personal taste. He stated that breweries experimenting with new ingredients or styles often find themselves conflicted with traditional judging standards. This is because competitions like the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) or the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) primarily evaluate beers based on established, strict comparisons to existing styles. “We [at Spice Trade Brewery & Kitchen] wrestle with being able to fit our beer into BJCP or GABF style guidelines, and I know other breweries crafting different types of beer hybrid beverages face the same issue,” says the head brewer.

However, he encourages drinkers to embrace these innovations and have confidence in their own preferences. “At the end of the day, taste is subjective,” he notes. “Trust your gut and what tastes good to you!” Tyler’s advice reminds us that while understanding traditional beer styles and guidelines is valuable, personal enjoyment should be the ultimate goal when it comes to brew selection. By prioritizing individual taste, beer lovers can confidently navigate the complex world of lagers, stouts, and everything in between while discovering beverages that genuinely resonate with their palate.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.

December 3, 2023 beer-articles

Announcement: Six New Certifications Awarded in “The Hardest Beer Test In The World

The Cicerone Certification Program recently awarded six new designations of Master Cicerone.

Recently the Cicerone Certification Program announced that six people had attained the title of Master Cicerone. There are now a total of 28 Master Cicerones worldwide. A Master Cicerone is similar to a Master Sommelier in the wine world but the focus is less on service/hospitality and more on general beer knowledge. The exam is frequently regarded as one of the hardest tests not just in beer, but in the world.

Founded in 2008 by former Brewers Association Publisher, beer educator, and author Ray Daniels, the Cicerone (the Italian word for “guide”) Certification Program offers four levels of beer certifications ranging from an online exam in Certified Beer Server to Certified Cicerone (a half day in person exam) to Advanced Cicerone (a full day in person exam) and then Master Cicerone. There are currently 173 Advanced Cicerones, 4568 Certified Cicerones, and over 150,000 Certified Beer Servers in the world.

The Master Cicerone exam is a two day marathon of all things beer including three hours of essay writing per day, plus one on one demonstrations with some of the most celebrated individuals in beer and food. An example essay may be creating a four course tasting menu for a fine dining restaurant using only one style of beer or an essay explaining how ions in water affect beer’s flavor and mouthfeel. Demonstrations can range from setting up a British style cask system for service to pairing obscure cheeses with beer styles and more.

Multiple tasting panels are also encompassed in the process. Here, aspirants are tasked with identifying off-flavors in beer such as 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol (the cause of your beer tasting skunky), scribbling sophisticated technical descriptions of the beers placed before them, or distinguishing particular beer styles in a blind tasting. This can be incredibly challenging due to the overlapping flavor, aroma, and color characteristics shared by many beer styles. To succeed, your aggregate score for tasting, demonstrations, and written tests must equal an average of 85.

The latest Master Cicerone, Patrick Combs, who is the Director of Liquids for Stem Ciders & Howdy Beer Co, left the exam with much greater confidence, since this was his second attempt. However, he humorously conveyed, “Regardless of the number of preparation hours you’ve accumulated, I don’t believe anyone walks away from that exam thinking ‘Wow, I aced that. I can’t wait for the call…’ you’re always doubting a few aspects at least.”

The road to the exam involves several months of intense effort and hundreds of hours committed to studying, beer tasting, memorization, and beyond. Combs expressed that he devoted 45 hours a week to studying, referring to it as a “second job.” In an average year, about 24 individuals will sit for the exam, but only one or two will clear it. Six individuals passing is an unprecedented event.

“The achievement of six individuals earning the title of Master Cicerone is an exceptional outcome. Their accomplishments emphasize the importance of nurturing a culture of continuous learning and are a significant contribution to the sustained relevance of the beer category in the coming years,” commented Chris Pisney, the Cicerone Exam Director. “This is additionally a testament to the commitment and expertise prevalent in the beer industry. We are overjoyed.”

How did other Master Cicerones react to six new people passing the exam and joining their ranks?

“Of course I was shocked to see six people pass, but this also felt like a bit of a right-sizing,” said Senior Manager of Education and Training for Artisanal Brewing Ventures Max Finnance, who became the 22nd Master Cicerone last year. “These are six incredibly smart, hard working folks. I was hopefully optimistic that this would be the biggest cohort yet and I wasn’t disappointed.”

Shane McNamara, who passed the exam in 2021 and is a global director at ABInbev, was also very pleased more people are attaining this designation.

“As a Master Cicerone, it brings me immense joy each year to welcome and congratulate the new individuals who have earned this prestigious title,” said McNamara. “Their achievement showcases the hard work, extensive knowledge, and unwavering commitment necessary to reach such a high level of expertise in the world of beer.”

The newest Master Cicerones: Shelley Smith, Jen Blair, Patrick Combs, Craig Thomas, Federico Lantschner and David Reese

Passing the exam requires a lot of help from outside sources be it special classes in off-flavor training to asking loved ones and coworkers for help. Newest Master Cicerone Shelley Smith, who is a Senior Brewing Manager for Taprooms at Boston Beer Company was thankful for many people, including her coworkers as well as other new Master Cicerones like Jen Blair, who studied with Smith. Smith studied several hours a day and every weekend to be ready for the exam.

“I am grateful to all my coworkers that helped prep samples, mess up draft systems for me to fix, and quizzed me on every beer topic under the sun,” said Smith, “and to Jen Blair – we’ve had a goal to double the number of women Master Cicerones, so I love that we passed together.”

Blair, who runs her own beer education and consulting business Under the Jenfluence and also works for Cicerone as an exam manager credits her husband Tom in helping her pass the exam.

“Despite enduring ‘presentations’ on the components of draught, he arranged numerous blind tasting panels for me and assisted with flashcards, an activity I consider immensely dull. His commitment to supporting me is evident in these actions,” Blair commented.

Combs expressed gratitude for his wife Megan’s unwavering support in the lead-up to the examination.

“Her incessant encouragement and the countless samples she curated and served for me are the driving forces behind me crossing the finish line,” Combs articulated.

December 2, 2023 beer-articles

Burglary Suspect Found Unconscious on Florida Bar’s Stage After Excessive Beer Drinking, Says Police

The suspect in a bar burglary was caught at the crime scene when a worker found him intoxicated and passed out on stage, according to detectives in Central Florida.

It happened Monday, Nov. 27, at the County Line Bar near Weirsdale, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said in an affidavit. Weirsdale is about 60 miles northwest of Orlando.

A bar employee reports she was taking out the trash around 6 a.m. when she spotted a man “sleeping on stage.”

The 31-year-old suspect was awake and still at the bar when deputies arrived minutes later, the report says.

“When asked if he thought it was standard to step into an unoccupied, shut bar and freely take drinks, his reply indicated he usually likes being served,” wrote the deputy who made the arrest in his report.

Examiners indicate that the man gained access to the bar through an unlocked door leading to the patio.

Security footage shows the man arriving just past 2 a.m., instantly starting to help himself to numerous beer bottles, as per officials. (He is viewed at one point carrying a six-pack, according to the report.)

Around the hour of 6 a.m., the perpetrator is noted moving from a private booth “to the area of the stage where he lies down” and dozes off, the report suggests.

The suspect was charged with burglary and felony petit theft, officials said.

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December 1, 2023 beer-articles

Announcement: BBQ & Beer Bash Event Coming to Kalamazoo

The first BBQ and Beer Bash will be held at Homer Stryker Field in Kalamazoo on Feb. 17.Graphic provided by Outlier Events

KALAMAZOO, MI — The Kalamazoo Growlers and Outlier Events will host the first-ever Winter BBQ and Beer Bash at Homer Stryker Field on Saturday, Feb. 17.

The event will feature barbecue and beer tastings from local vendors, along with yard games, live music and non-alcoholic options indoors and on the field from 2 to 6 p.m., rain or shine.

All ages are welcome to attend, and children 12 and under receive free admission with a paid adult. Individual food and drink tokens can be purchased once inside the festival.

Attendees will receive sampling tokens with their tickets, a drink sampling cup and a branded lanyard, according to a press release. There are also a limited number of VIP tickets which grant one-hour early entry into the festival as well extra sampling tokens.

VIP tickets include six tokens for food and 10 for alcoholic beverages, while general admission tickets include four food tokens and six drink samples.

Those interested in VIP tickets can sign up now for the event’s priority list. Those on the list will be able to buy tickets beginning Dec. 14, while others will have to wait until Dec. 28. Ticket prices range from $34 to $59. There are specific tickets for those interested in just beer or just the barbecue.

Kalamazoo-based company Outlier Events has hosted other food and beer festivals in West Michigan and the Midwest, including the Donut & Beer Fest, Taco & Tequila Fest and Mac and Cheese Fest. According to a press release, Outlier Events hand-picked Kalamazoo to host the first BBQ and Beer Bash.

“We can’t wait to bring the first Winter BBQ and Beer Bash to Homer Stryker Field,” Outlier Events representative Kendall Soto said. “We have always had an amazing turnout in Kalamazoo, being where Outlier Events started.”

Though the vendor list is not yet finalized, Soto anticipates 40 to 60 vendors, including food trucks, restaurants and breweries. Interested vendors can contact admin@outliereventsgroup.com up to two weeks prior to the event.

Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free “3@3 Kalamazoo” daily newsletter.

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November 30, 2023 beer-articles

The Art of Beer Brewing: An Expert’s Insight into the Process

The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of this site or affiliated companies.

We all have personal preferences. Take, for example, how someone likes their coffee. Some prefer it light while others crave it bold. Some want cream and others want it black.

Beer is no different. There are so many styles and types, according to Mitch Sokolis, brewmaster at Karbach Brewing, where there are more than 20 different offerings.

“Most beer can be differentiated by the ingredients used to make them,” he said. “There are countless varieties of malt, hops, yeast, fruit and spices.”

That leads us to our question: What exactly does it look like to brew a beer?

Sokolis said the process of brewing an assortment of styles can be different.

“Adding ingredients at different times in the brewing process can impart different flavors and aromas that is expected for a particular style,” he said. “For example, hops are added at the very beginning of the brewing process to make the beer bitter in flavor. Hops that are added later in the process (during or after fermentation) give a beer its hoppy aroma. This is called dry hopping and is what gives hoppy beers like IPAs their piney, citrusy or dank aromas. Our Hopadillo IPA is a great example of a beer that incorporates dry hopping.”

As far as what that looks like from beginning to end, he said, to start, the malt is milled and added to the mash tun with water. This mixture is called the mash.

“The temperature of the mash is set to a specific temperature to allow the enzymes naturally found in the malt to break down starches into sugar,” Sokolis said. “The mash is then transferred over to another vessel called the lauter tun, where it is rinsed to collect all the sugar that we call wort.”

Sokolis said the wort is boiled in a kettle and then pumped into a big cylindrical tank called the whirlpool, where the hop and protein are separated. The bittering hops are typically added during the boil.

The wort is then cooled off in a heat exchanger and dumped into a fermenter. The yeast and oxygen are added, and the fermentation process begins.

“We call the beer at this stage ‘green beer’ and give it a few weeks up to a few months in the tank,” Sokolis said. “We then send the beer to a holding tank called the brite tank through a centrifuge and filter to clarify the beer. The beer is carbonated and tasted in our sensory panel.”

Finally, this is when the beer is ready to be packaged.

“We run the beer through many different instruments throughout the entire process to make sure our beer is consistent and tasty,” Sokolis said.

When it comes to creating non-alcoholic beer, Sokolis said there are many ways it can be executed. He would know — Karbach has an award-winning non-alcoholic option.

“It’s one of the fastest growing styles, and lots of breweries are adding it to their lineup,” he said. “Some breweries have specialized equipment that can remove the alcohol from beer. However, we use a proprietary yeast strain that is specially made for non-alcoholic beer.”

Sokolis mentioned that the yeast strain used can ferment the beer just enough to impart a flavor that is expected in beer without adding too much alcohol — less than 0.5% ABV (alcohol by volume).

“We also have a few trade secrets that we utilize to make our beer taste like the real thing,” he declared. “For instance, our Free & Easy Belgian Style White won the gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival this year, an achievement we are very proud of.”

According to Sokolis, when they’re brewing seasonal beer, the primary difference lies in the ingredients and materials they procure.

“Karbachtoberfest, our Bavarian-style Marzen, is brewed once a year,” he continued. “It seems to be the favorite among the employees, and we pay special attention when brewing it. We invest in quality ingredients and allow it extra time in the cellar for conditioning.”

He said before it is packaged, the whole brewery is invited to what they call a “tank party,” where they drink straight from the tank.

“It’s always a special moment to enjoy this beer going into the tail end of a hot summer,” Sokolis said.

When asked what his opinion is on can beer versus keg, Sokolis said every type of container has its purpose.

“Assuming the beer is packaged correctly, they can both provide beer the way the brewery intended it,” he said.

Because kegs are reusable, Sokolis said it’s important to make sure they are cleaned properly before putting beer in them.

“Also, making sure they are poured through a well-maintained tap system will reduce the chance of dirty lines, which can affect the taste of the beer,” he said. “Cans are great for portability, such as sharing with friends at a party or sticking in your fridge or cooler.”

Sokolis clearly has a love for the brewing process and the result of it.

“Beer is an awesome thing. There are lots of passionate people who work in the brewing industry. It’s tough work, but a labor of love,” he said.

Sokolis mentioned that it’s quite usual to spot Karbach workers unwinding with their beers in the biergarten after an exhaustive day.

“They take pleasure in relishing the product they’ve diligently created”, he expressed. “Every person employed here is given the shot at brewing their personal beer using our exploration and enhancement unit, and it turned out to be phenomenal in nurturing the impressive culture we’ve established here.”

Interested to know more about Karbach Brewing? Want to discover about the over 20 varieties of beers concocted in house at Karbach? Click or tap here.

November 29, 2023 beer-articles
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