Beer News 9/11

Remember those who died and who sacrificed themselves on 9/11.

Do you have beer news?  E-mail us at midwest beer [at] gmail.com so we can pass the word!

So, Boulevard Beer is getting a new CEO?  Yes, it's not new news.  But just in case you haven't heard, John McDonald is stepping down as CEO and will be replaced by Mike Magoulas, formerly of Miller Coors.  McDonald will remain president and says that he will have more time to spend in the brewery, which isn't bad news.  Of course, when Magoulas was named CEO, the jokes started to flow ("So how do you know when a Boulevard is ready to drink?  When the smokestack turns blue!"), but that's unfair as another Kansas City blogger pointed out in an outstanding mock interview.

Holy crap it's Sour Beer Week!  Well, at least it is at the Kansas City Flying Saucer.  Yesterday, sad to say, was Jolly Pumpkin day, with six different releases on tap.  Oh my it was delicious.  Tonight, they have a couple Berliner Weisses to release, and later this week, the Saucer will have brett night (Thursday).  Other sour beers will be released on Wednesday and Friday, so get down there and drink damn good beer.

Anyone flying to Atlanta?  It's not local, but if you're flying to Atlanta, a Belgian beer cafe is opening in the Atlanta airport. 

Boulevard is trying to take over Wichita.  If you're in Wichita and you've not tried the 80 acre hoppy wheat or Bob's 47, you're in luck.  Free tastings are scheduled this week and weekend!  Check out RJ's on Saturday, or check out craftbeer.com's calendar for more locations and opportunities.

Do you have a favorite bar or beer store and you wish that you knew what they have have available?  Encourage them to use BeerMenus.com. 

Schlafly Pumpkin beer is all over the Kansas City metro area, as is Southern Tier Pumking and O'Fallon's Pumpkin.  Ugly Joe's, Riot Room, Grinder's, The Foundry, Granfalloon, Waldo Pizza, the Saucer, and others have the pumpkin beers.  Check them out!  I have had several debates over which one is the best of the three.  What do you think?  Of course, they are all terrific beers, so choosing a favorite can be hard to do.

Craft brewers are doing great overall in 2012, with dollar sales up 14%, according to the Brewer's Association.  I think I have contributed to about 10 of that 14% growth.  Do you part!

Review: Free State Brewery

Wednesday afternoon @FreeStateBeer tweeted that they had put C4 and Stormwatch on tap.  I knew immediately what I was doing for dinner; I was heading thirty minutes up the road to Lawrence, KS, for dinner and a couple beers.  I freely admit that I am a huge Stormwatch (and CDA/Dark IPAs in general) fan, so I was super excited to get another pint of the Stormwatch.  FS had also tweeted that they were taking C4 to the Great America Beer Fest, so I was intrigued by trying a double black IPA as well.

 

The Restaurant

 

The wait was marginal, about 20 minutes, which isn't bad (especially since we could get a beer at the bar while we waited).  Just as an FYI, Free State has a text system where you can give them your mobile phone number and get yourself in the queue.  They will text when it's almost time for your party to be seated.  I like that system.

 

Ashley was our server; she didn't seem to like the awkward questions that many guests ask, such as "Which is the better menu item between this and that?"  I can't say that I blame her; she doesn't know what the custom is in the mood for or likes.  That said, she was attentive and helpful in making selections.

 

The menu I would characterize as upscale bar food, though with a variety of ethnic menu items.  They have the typical burgers, sandwiches and fries, but also have entrees that are Thai, Cajun, Indian, Mexican, and so on, along with beer battered fish and chips.  We had beer cheese soup and hummus for an appetizer, and Korean Bolgogi (a daily special) and a turkey bacon foccasia sandwich for our entrees.  The Bolgogi was terrific and the sandwich was solid.  We didn't have any complaints with the food, and we were able to have something a little bit different.

 

The prices are very reasonable; 8-12 dollars on average for entrees.  There is a steak on the menu, but even that is less than 20 bucks.  Plus, the beer isn't expensive, so it's definitely an affordable place to eat and drink.

 

The atmosphere is not typical for a college town.  It was a bit loud, but that's because they tables are packed fairly tightly.  They want to maximize the space!  It's a clean, well kept restaurant.  I certainly appreciate that.

 

Overall, it's definitely a good place to stop and get something to eat.  I have been their previously, and our visit on Wednesday was typical.  That said, sometimes the Free State beer is hit and miss for me; I was particularly looking forward to a beer that I knew that I would enjoy.

 

 

Stormwatch Ale

 

On tap, poured into a rinsed glass.  Nice fluffy head, nice lacing.  Well, you can see for yourself!  A deep amber/brown, not overly carbonated.  $3.75 a pint.

 

Aroma was nutty and roasty, with the roasted malts really coming through.  Definitely some hop notes mixed in; it wasn't overpowered by the roasted malt.

 

Starts with roasted malts and then mellows and the citrusy/tart, hoppy, piney, bitter hops come through.  The beer finishes bitter, with a combination of bitter from the hops and the roasted malts.

 

It has a nice mouthfeel, not too watery, not too heavy. 

 

Overall I think it's a very well balanced beer, and it doesn't leave me wishing it was something else or wanting more of anything.  Well, that's not exactly true.  It makes me want more Stormwatch Ale!

(That's a true story.  Stornwatch had gone off their rotation, but every time I had seen a Free State rep or ownner around town, I pleaded for the the beer to make a return.  I am happy they brought it back and I hope people drink and enjoy it!)

 

 

C4

 

On tap, I didn't see the glass get rinsed but I assume that it did.  10 oz. pour for $3.75.  A fair bit of head; it's a fluffy, carbonated beer.  Nice lacing.

 

Aroma is very, very roasty and very, very piney.  Super piney.  Almost overwhelmingly piney.  Not that it's a bad thing, it's just piney.

 

The taste starts very piney (imagine that!) and then fades, which is when the roasted malts come rushing to the fore.  Wow.  Very roasted malts, but no malty sweetness.  Once the roasted bitterness starts to fade, the pine comes back.  It's funny, there isn't a citrus make-up that I found in the beer-pine, roasted malts, pine.  Bitter on bitter on bitter.  I'm not bitter.

 

The beer has a nice mouthfeel.  I prefer double IPAs to be a little viscous, and the C4 is.  Not too heavy though. 

 

Overall, I am still not quite sure what I make of the beer.  I enjoyed it, but it just seemed like it was a little out of whack for my palatte.  I would have like a bit of citrus or a bit of malty sweetness to counter the bitterness from the beer.  But, that's MY palette.   I am very curious what will be said about C4 at the GABF.  I would definitely have it again, just to contemplate it more.  Definitely an interesting brew.

 

The overall experience was a plus.  We had a good meal and good beer.  Sounds like a great night to me, and it was.



 

Beer News 8/29

So I have a confession to make.  Every time I see a Free State Brewing representative, I have pleaded for a return of Stormwatch Ale.  At long last my pleas have been heard, and the restaurant has tapped Stormwatch today (which means I know what I am doing for dinner tonight).  Not only that, but Free State has also put C4 (a double black IPA) on tap too.  It's going to be a good night.  If you decide to try some of their beers, don't go on September 10 or 11.  The restaurant will be closed down those days for some paint and other refresher projects.

I have a second confession to make.  Last night I was at Royal Liquor on 103rd and State Line in Kansas City last night looking for...  well, anything and everything delicious (I wound up with a New Belgiam Lips of Faith beer and one other) including Southern Tier Pumking.  Sadly, the guys at Royal Liquor told us they are holding back part of the Southern Tier for later in the fall season.  Fair enough, especially since they pointed us across the parking to Ugly Joe's Bar, where they have the Pumking on tap!  I can now tell you, Pumking and dollar tacos are a good combination.  I can also report that Ugly Joe's has an excellent selection of televisions and has a reasonable selection of taps for a sports bar.  Who knew that they would have Mirror Pond, Southern Tier 2X IPA, Crispin Cider, and a few other tasty treats?  It just might be a good place to catch a football game in the fall.

Oh, back to Free State for a moment.  From their most recent newsletter:

NEW BREWERY EQUIPMENT ARRIVING

At the beginning of September we’ll be receiving two new large capacity tanks at our Eastside Brewery.  We’re also preparing for the delivery of multiple components of our new bottling line that will triple our bottling capabilities. The construction project to double our production space is nearly complete, and this fall promises to be an exciting time at our Eastside location.  Ultimately, it leads to even more Free State beer for your enjoyment.

Barley's Midland is having a design the coaster contest.  You could win free beer for a year.  Barley's is also hosting a redneck picnic beer dinner on September 1.  Friday, they are having a firkin, but the image isn't working for me, so I guess it's a surprise firkin!  If I was a guessing beer geek, I would guess it's a firkin of Red Hoptober.

I mentioned above that Southern Tier Pumking is in the area.  It's true.  It's 97 degrees out but fall Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers are hitting the shelves.  Boulevard's Bob's 57 hit the shelves yesterday, and many stores currently have an ample supply of Schlafly Pumpkin (my personal favorite) and O'Fallon's pumpkin (also a darn good pumpkin beer). 

That said, it's also close to stout season, and Founder's Breakfast Stout is likely to be found on shelves in the area soon.  I do love stout season.  I have been contemplating a stout and coffee diet today.  Or, just a good old fashioned coffee stout diet (at Lukas Liquors, I picked up a Southern Tier Mokah yesterday).

If you're going to attend University of Kansas football games, park at the 23rd Street Brewery in Lawrence and take the shuttle.  Drink good beer and be safe too and from the game!

Riman Liquor is having a taster for beer floats over the next few days.  An interesting concept.

That's all for now.  Be safe and drink good beer.

GNBF Brew Review - An Cat Dubh

The Great Nebraska Beer Festival was a wet and wonderful affair in the parking lot of Nebraska Brewing Company in Papillion, Nebraska, and featured many local and national breweries.  Over the next few days, I will be featuring different beers that I sampled at the festival, highlighting those that particularly stood out to me.  I don't have awards to give, but if I did, these beers would be the winners.  I will admit up front that many sour beers really were very interesting, and so several of these mini-reviews will be about some of the outstanding sour beers.

The first mini-review would be an award for the "Surprise of the Festival."  I generally don't find "chain brewery" beer to be particularly interesting, but Rock Bottom-Des Moines brewmaster Eric Sorensen has changed my mind with his An Cat Dubh, a sour/wild ale checking in at an easy drinking 4.75% alcohol.  It's a dry irish stout barrel aged three years that has two strains of brett yeast working it and then blended with fresh stout, turning it into a delicious concoction.  It is a slightly roasty, slightly chocolately, tart and floral beer; not overly sour but definitely different and worth a try!

Of course, brett beers are crazy difficult to deal with, as is explained in an article by MetroActive and by WYeast Labs.  In a brief discussion, John McDonald of Boulevard Brewery explained to me how difficult it is to control brett yeasts within a brewery; it's always a fear of brewers that the brett yeast strains will get out and damage other beers.  So it's quite an accomplishment for Rock Bottom Brewery.  Congratulations to the brewery for a fine, fine beer.  Cheers!

GNBF is over

And the Great Nebraska Beer Fest went on, even though it was raining for parts of it. That said, even in the rain, there was a great selection of beer available to taste, and taste them we did! 

My personal beer list included:

• Cigar City Jai Alai
• Morgan Street Lactovision
• Victory Headwaters Pale Ale
• Nebraska Brewing Infinite Wit
• Green Flash Rayon Vert
• Lucky Bucket Certified Evil
• Lucky Bucket Barrel Aged Kriek
• Little Apple Prarie Pale Ale
• Keg Creek Red Ale
• Keg Creek Breakdown Brown
• Green Flash Rayon Vert
• Maui Brewing Coconut Porter
• Heretic Brewing Gramarye
• Perennial Belgian Style
• Victory Hop Wallop
• Rock Bottom Saison
• Rock Bottom An Cat Dubh
• Ploughshare Weathervane
• Cinder Block Naked Wit
• Cinder Block Hopgrass Saison
• Infusion Lohr of the IPA
• Infusion Maximus Hefeweizen
• Blue Blood Ethan's Stout
• Blue Blood Wicken Snout
• Funkwerks Deceit
• Funkwerks Bastogne
• Funkwerks Tropic King
• Blind Tiger Top Gun IPA
• Homebrewers Local 402 Sofa King Barrel Aged Triple
• Moonstruck Meadery Capsumel Mead
• Gottberg Dark Star Lager
• Gottberg Red Eye IPA
• Peace Tree Templeton Red (i can't read my handwriting, imagine that)
• C.I.B. Cheri Tart
• Empyeran Brewing Watch Man IPA
• Schlafly Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout
• Firestone Walker Wookie Jack
• Schell's Shocked Radler
• Grimm Brothers Little Red Cap

Several of these beers really stood out, and mini reviews will be coming through the week!

Great Nebraska Beer Fest

Just arrived at the #GNBF.  The folks at the Marriott Courtyard have been terrific, and they got us in our room super early. 

The fest is going to happen rain or shine--and it looks more like a rainy day than a sunny day.  They aren't like the aviation show, which was cancelled.

Full report later today!  Hmm...  Or maybe tomorrow. 

Be safe and drink delicious beer today!

Beer News 8/23

Holy smokes!  If you haven't been to the Waldo Tap Room, stop by on a Tuesday or Thursday night and talk to Libby.  She's a sassy one but she knows her beer.  More importantly, have a flight!  Four 5 oz pours for 5 bucks.  Doesn't matter which four 5 oz pours.  On Tuesday night, I had a Deschuttes Black Butte Porter, a Founder's Breakfast Stout, an Odell's Myrcenary, and Collaboration No. 3 Stingo.  Now that, my friends, is a damn fine flight.  Oh, and it was washed down with excellent pizza and a Red's Rye.  Yum!  Look for a yelp-ish review sometime soon.

CraftBeer.com is taking nominations for the best craft beer bar in America.  Take some time and nominate your favorite--but do it soon!  From the website, "nominate your favorite place to grab a craft beer and tell us what makes it so special. Nominations will close at noon MDT on August 24, 2012."  http://www.craftbeer.com/pages/news-and-events/news/show?title=craftbeer-coms-great-american-beer-bars

This weekend is LouFest in St. Louis.  Lots of great bands and great music.  Oh, and yeah, some damn fine beer from the local St. Louis breweries will be on hand.  http://www.loufest.com/  Me?  No, I will be at the Great Nebraska Beer Fest.  I threatened to go, and yes, I am going.  Huzzah!  http://www.greatnebraskabeerfest.com/index.cfm

Speaking of St. Louis and the GNBF, a rumour has it that Perennial Artisan Ales is heading to KC just as soon as the operation gets the increased capacity.  http://www.perennialbeer.com/  I will have to check them out this weekend!  The Hommel and the Saison de Lis both sound like they are worth a taster or two.

Is it Christmas yet?  No?  Well, you can do all of your shopping for your fellow beer nerds and beer geeks on the Plaza this fall for Boulevard gear.  Yes, Boulevard is opening a gift shoppe on the Plaza during the holiday season, offering gifts not usually available at the brewery. http://www.pitch.com/plog/archives/2012/08/23/boulevard-to-open-dry-goods-store-on-the-plaza-for-the-holiday-season

Take a break from the pumpkin and new Oktoberfest beers that are hitting the store shelves, and get a Stone 16th Anniversary IPA, which is now available.  Get if fast.  It's only going to be around a month at most!

So there is homebrew at the White House?  Well, people want the recipes, and are using the Freedom of Information Act to try and get them.  God Bless America!  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/21/white-house-beer-recipe-obama_n_1818531.html?utm_hp_ref=food

Hey next weekend in Kansas City, it's Irish Fest!  Oh, fine, so the beer isn't super awesome but it's still a good time.  http://www.kcirishfest.com/

That's all the news for now.  Back to my delicious (first) pumpkin ale of the season.  Thanks to Gary Briggs and the Schlafly folks for taking care of me!

Beer PM News 8/21

Paris of the Plains Cocktail Festival starts today (http://www.popfestkc.com/news/)!  You might be wondering why that's important to beer drinkers.  There is a reason!  If you're not headed to the Great Nebraska Beer Festival this weekend, join Boulevard Beer for a seminar called Beer Tails! on Saturday at 4:30 at Crown Center.  Certified Cicerone Andy Jenkins will be joined by Ryan Maybee of Manifesto (best cocktails in KC) and Ryan Conklin from Denver, discussing the role of beer in cocktail culture.  I am sure the tickets will be well worth the price!

On Friday, Schnucks Richmond Center will host Schlafly's Dan Kopman between 4 and 6 pm.  Chat with Dan and get some damn good beer!  I suggest a bourbon barrel Schlafly Imperial Stout or start the fall with a Schlafly Pumpkin (the best pumpkin beer to be had).

I might be late to the party, but a new Gallup poll found that beer is America's favorite alcoholic beverage, edging out wine.  http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-beer-wine-20120820,0,5974156.story

As mentioned above, Saturday is the Great Nebraska Beer Fest!  http://greatnebraskabeerfest.com/  Looks like some darn good breweries and beers will be there.  Check out the beer list and if you can, go and check out the beer.  Lots of local craft breweries from the Midwest will be there along with some solid national players.  I have half a mind to go just for some Coconut Porter from Maui Brewing.

Looks like a fire has taken out Jerry's Bait Shop in Lenexa.  Not really a happening beer joint, but sad none-the-less.  http://www.kctv5.com/story/19328648/lenexa-bar-could-be-shut-down-after-fire

@WaldoPizza and Stone IPA are joining forces for good--and not just good pizza and beer.  Stone donated a keg of IPA to Waldo Pizza with the proceeds going to a good cause, Gillis Home.  http://gillis.org/  Buy a beer and help a kid!

Rumor has it that @Schlafly is visiting is visiting @RoyalLiquorBeer at 103rd and State Line in KCMO ON 8/22 for an impromptu tasting from 5 to 7 with Gary Briggs.

Beer News 8/21

Not sure what happened at Royal Liquor on 103rd and State Line in Kansas City, but a car ran into the building, and it was no ordinary crash. I mean the car ran INTO the building. Take a look! http://ulocal.kmbc.com/_Car-runs-into-Royal-Liquor39s/photo/17372441/62690.html  Word on Twitter is that the beer was saved. Whew.

75th Street Brewery is celebrating their 19th anniversary this week, with beer and other specials all week.

Bier Station may be coming soon to Waldo, taking over the old Curly Sue's site. http://www.kansascity.com/2012/08/20/3770589/craft-beer-tavernretail-store.html

Rumor has it that the Flying Saucer KC will be tapping a rare beer at the Boulevard beer dinner they are hosting in September to kick off Sour Beer Week. Could they have gotten their hands on a Terra Incognita, the wild ale collaboration between Boulevard and Sierra Nevada? http://beerpulse.com/2012/06/sierra-nevada-and-boulevard-teams-talk-terra-incognita/
 No one will tell me, now matter how much I beg. @AllStarPizzaKC had some yesterday, which is why I am wondering.

Reverb Imperial Pilsner from Boulevard is hitting the shelves today, according to a tweet from @Boulevard_Beer yesterday. The Reverb is very similar to the Collaboration number 1. http://beerpulse.com/2012/05/boulevard-reverb-imperial-pilsner-coming-in-august/

Rimann Liquor store in Prarie Village is having a Schlafly tasting today from 4 to 7.

The Geography of Craft Beer

The Geography of Craft Beer

Interesting article on craft beer from The Atlantic Cities.

Hunt for exotic beers goes beyond the pale - KansasCity.com#storylink=misearch

Hunt for exotic beers goes beyond the pale - KansasCity.com#storylink=misearch

Yeah, the guys in the story?  I know them.  I might even be one.  Mwahahahahaha!

Gateway to Craft Beer

So http://drinkcraftbeer.com/ posed a very interesting question/poll yesterday:

"If you had to pick one beer as a gateway beer to craft beer, what would it be?" (paraphrased)

It’s an interesting question, because I don’t think there is one right answer.  There might be one WRONG answer—but I don’t think there is one RIGHT answer.  Why do I say there is one WRONG answer?  Well, you may know someone who immediately takes to Southern Tier Unearthly IPA, but I sure don’t.  Nothing against Southern Tier, mind you.  I am a hop head, and I am quite enjoying a Southern Tier Pumking as I type.  No, it’s just that the Unearthly, while a terrific beer, needs to be worked up to.  I imagine that truth be told any IPA is probably a failing move when trying to lure non-believers to the world of craft beer.  Sure, they may learn to love them—but definitely not the easiest gateway.  Another beer style that I would likely avoid is stouts/porters, which tend to be too bitter for many people’s palates.  Those, like IPAs, tend to be learned.

So, why do I think there is no one right answer?  Simply because everyone is different and has different tastes.  Heck, some people fight over whether Bud Light or Miller Lite is a better beer, and those people will fight to the death over it.  Anyway, I digress.  Let me digress a bit further—my personal gateway beer was Pilsner Urquell.  I was in college, and a bar I frequented had an Around the World beer club—and in Manhattan, KS, any break from the dregs of Meister Brau, Schaefer Light, and Weideman was welcome.  So, I tried the original pils—and I found flavor.  Yummy delicious Saaz hops.  And thus was born a beer geek.  (My move to IPAs was facilitated by Bell’s 2 Hearted, but that’s another story.)

Anyway, so my personal pilgrimage to the Promised Land was a lager.  And, I think for some people, a lager or series of lagers might be the way to go.  I have witnesses people drinking a Reissdorf  Kolsch and enjoying it.  Then moving to a Baltika 1 or a pilsner.   You might be able to get someone to taste a Spaten Optimator, just to convince him or her that dark beers aren’t all roasty.

If not the lager path, what then?  There are lots of options.  Perhaps you could take a “sweet” road.  Beers that could be gateway beers include, Southern Tier Crème Brulee, Lindeman’s Framboise, Stiegl Radler (yes, it’s cheating), or maybe, just maybe, a Monk’s Café.  This time of year, a Schlafly Pumpkin might be just the ticket to sway someone away from the dark side of American light lagers.

In Kansas City, I believe about half the craft beer drinkers, whether they will admit it or not, got a start drinking Boulevard Wheat.  Wheats are definitely another easy path to take, whether a simple American wheat like Boulevard’s variety, or a banana-y and clove-y hefeweizen, such as Weihenstephaner’s offering.  Of course, Belgian whites are also quite popular; I suggest Blanche de Bruxelles.  (The glass makes for a great talking point!  It’s at http://whiskeygoldmine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Blanche-de-Bruxelles.jpg in case you’ve not seen it.)

As a segue to the next major category, I would also suggest saisons/farmhouse ales as a starting point.  Tank 7 from Boulevard (yes, I’m showing the hometown brewery lots of love as a gateway to craft beer) has also served to convert many a soul.  Stillwater Debutante is another good choice, as is Ommegang Hennepin.

Perhaps the best way to convince someone to try different beers is a taster of Belgian ales.  Oh, sure, he or she will likely be hammered by the end, so…  well anyway, Triple Karmaliet, Chimay White, or a Delirium Tremens could help convince a person to expand his or her horizons.  Sure, a Leffe might be the simplest road.  Challenge someone with a Chimay Blue.  If you really want to set someone’s tongue a whirl, try a Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van de Kaizer.

The point is, different palates are out there.   Surely one of these approaches will work to convert even the most discriminating palate to enjoy craft beer.  Salute!

Elvis Elvis 8/15

The Flying Saucer Kansas City's glass night is Elvis themed.  They are filling the glass with Schlafly AIPA.  Be there early!

Riot Room 8/14

So I hear a rumor that Schlafly is tapping a cask of AIPA tonight at the Riot Room in Westport (that's Kansas City's Westport) tonight at 7:00.  I'm excited!

Beer Midwest

Just what you need, another damn beer blog.  Well, I drink a lot of damn beer, and I pay attention to the Midwest beer scene.  Oh, by the way, the Midwest isn't Ohio--it's Kansas, it's Missouri, it's Nebraska, it's Iowa.  The Heartland.  So, that's what this blog will be about--what's going on re: beer in the Midwest.  Boulevard, Mother's, Tallgrass, Nebraska, Schlafly--those are local breweries, but there are many more breweries that have beer available in this area.