AND O.B. MAKES THREE

May 2, 2012

If you’ve read these pages often, you’ll have heard the constant drum-beat of our contributors telling our local legislators to support pro-craft beer laws. I’ve prattled on incessantly about the need for Alabama to keep breaking down the obstacles to craft beer growth in the state (not to beat a dead horse, but if you haven’t written to your local rep about the Gourmet Bottle Bill, it will be on the House calendar tomorrow! Get on it!).

One of the key points in these screeds has always been the idea that freeing up the market for craft beer will create economic growth. Naysayers could argue that even the “freest” beer market simply wouldn’t have much of an impact on a local economy. Well, to those who say “nay”, I simply say this: Asheville, North Carolina. Read the rest of this entry »


NEW BELGIUM “BELGO” IPA

February 12, 2012

I don’t usually go out of my way to try new beers from New Belgium, but in my central Illinois city there is very little beer variety in the local liquor stores (I go out-of-town to stock up). On Super Bowl Sunday I found myself browsing through the usual suspects at the local store, and decided to go with novelty instead of reliability in picking up a six pack of New Belgium’s new “Belgo” Belgian IPA. After sampling it, I’m happy to say that I don’t regret the decision.

New Belgium Belgo, Belgian India Pale Ale:

NOTES: 12 oz bottle poured into a tulip glass.

ABV: 7%

APPEARANCE: Somewhere between straw and gold, very clear and pretty, with a finger and a half of pillowy foam that mostly faded in about five minutes.

NOSE: Very funky and “Belgian-y,” with aromas of straw and banana in particular, and maybe some black pepper. The hops do not come through strongly at all for something with IPA in the name. Read the rest of this entry »


PODCAST- SIERRA NEVADA COMES TO NC (FEAT. WIN BASSETT)

January 27, 2012

Gov. Bev Perdue with the spoils of war, via Mountain XPress on Flickr

Unofficial (for now) North Carolina Craft Beer Goodwill Ambassador Win Bassett of ncbrewing.org stops by to discuss the monumental announcement that Sierra Nevada Brewing will be building an east coast production facility just south of Asheville, NC. We discuss the incentive package, the practical and philosophical implications the development might have on local brewing culture, the impending New Belgium announcement, the economic benefits to the region, and more.

We also get into some of the state’s other beer destinations in the Triangle , Charlotte, and Coastal regions, as well as Slouch’s impending hero’s welcome* to visit the state’s myriad breweries and bottleshops.

Also of note: Win has been a leading advocate for getting his local legislators to sign on as sponsors to HR 1236 Small BREW Act. Where do your representative stand on this bill that reduces the tax excise rate for craft breweries that produce less the 60,000 barrels annually? Maybe you should call and ask them!

Click below to stream this episode in your browser:


Click to download the NC Sierra Nevada announcement with Win Bassett Read the rest of this entry »


ALL BEERS CONSIDERED #23

September 23, 2011


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Slouch stays somewhat sober for this one as he and Barley take on:

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ALL BEERS CONSIDERED #19

July 14, 2011


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After a brief, summer hiatus, Slouch and Barley are back to talk:

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ALL BEERS CONSIDERED #17

May 23, 2011

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With Brother Barley on assignment Slouch, Beerford, Mashtun, and Hordeum discuss:

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I’M FINNISHED!

February 22, 2011

Like most Americans, I consider myself an indisputable product of these here United States. But when asked about my heritage, I start spouting out fractions like a 3rd grade mathlete. “Well, I’m 1/8th this and 1/4th that, and 1/16th blah blah blah.” My grandfather was Irish, so I tell people that I’m a quarter Irish. This is despite the fact that I’ve only been to Ireland once (Doc and I took a trip there while in college for the sole purpose of swimming in a vat of Guinness…didn’t pan out). I have no real connection to Ireland. I don’t know much about the culture. The only Gaelic words I know are sláinte and shillelagh (the latter only because the Celtics’ leprechaun mascot carries one at all times to beat Lakers fans with). I am, in fact, not even remotely Irish. Yet because I had relatives from the Emerald Isle, I beam proudly on St. Patrick’s Day and drink dry Irish stout with reckless abandon (to be fair, I would do that even if I was Italian). Read the rest of this entry »


ALL BEERS CONSIDERED #4

January 28, 2011


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In this week’s All Beers Considered, we discuss:


ESQUIRE’S EXPECTATIONS

January 21, 2011

I’ll admit that Esquire isn’t generally considered the go-to source for brew news, but loyal reader Smiley Brown sent us a nice little list from the esteemed men’s style magazine which discusses this year’s most anticipated beers. Take a look if you have a moment. In the meantime, here are my thoughts on their selections: Read the rest of this entry »


NO NEW BELGIUM IN NEW YORK?

July 24, 2010

On occasion, the Aleheads will have off-line conversations that end up being worthy of posting on our venerable blog. Well…maybe “worthy” is a strong word. But it’s a beautiful summer Saturday and we’re all too damn hot to come up with new content today. Instead, here’s a discussion we had yesterday about why Magnus can’t find a sixer of Fat Tire at his local package store: Read the rest of this entry »


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