Beer News

Surly Hell Promoted to Year Round

Surly Brewing announced that Hell will now be a year round offering. The summer seasonal proved to be so popular, the Todd Haug (Surly Brewmaster) said via Twitter: “Yup HELL Forever”.

Finally, a Surly beer my German mother will drink. She Continue Reading →

Verizon Issue

Dear @VZWSupport

I know this is an odd way of communicating with your company. Sadly you have been extremely hard to reach as of late, and each time I do get through, the story is inconsistent.

First, let me say, even I Continue Reading →

Posted in Beer News, Surly Brewing

Surly Hell Promoted to Year Round

Surly Brewing announced that Hell will now be a year round offering. The summer seasonal proved to be so popular, the Todd Haug (Surly Brewmaster) said via Twitter: “Yup HELL Forever”.

Finally, a Surly beer my German mother will drink. She says this one tastes like a bier from back home. Not unlike a Zwickel Bier from Germany, Hell is not filtered and fermented with lager yeast. American hops takes a back seat to the Pils malt sweetness and fresh bread aroma. The color is well… hell (Deutsch for light). It’s fiendishly drinkable, and you don’t have to sell your soul to get another.

Style: Keller/Zwickel Beer
Hops: Sterling
Malts: Pilsner, Carahell
Yeast: German Lager

Availability: 16 oz cans, Year Round

5.1% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News

Verizon Issue

Dear @VZWSupport

I know this is an odd way of communicating with your company. Sadly you have been extremely hard to reach as of late, and each time I do get through, the story is inconsistent.

First, let me say, even I think it’s a little crazy to be upset over a phone and its ordering process.

I placed my order for my iPhone 6 Plus, just before 3 am on September 12th. The store, the website, etc. all instructed me to do so at that time to receive delivery on 9/19.  Earlier that day, I gave up my unlimited plan, ahead of the upgrade.

I received my confirmation at 2:59 am, for my new iPhone 6 Plus (16gig, Space Gray) but without an estimated delivery date. There has been no shipping update since.

Now that my friends that ordered after me have tracking numbers, I’ve been trying to reach out.

After calling VZW and on hold for hours, I’ve been told – “I don’t know when you’ll get it,” “Probably November”, and “we don’t have pre-order for you.” Today I was told, if I bought one of the more expensive models, I would have gotten it on the 19th. To which I replied, if you had made that clear, I might would have.

I feel lied to, first and foremost. Or the company and website was falsely advertising your availability. Also, I wish I didn’t order it though VZW because Apple would have shipped it to me on Friday. (I’ve confirmed this twice.)

I want to know the truth, surrounding actual availability, and a ship date. Seems like Verizon is hiding something from me.

My preorder number is in the DM on Twitter.

Thank you for your assistance…

– Reid Ramsay

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News, Distribution Expansion, Stone Brewing Co.

Stone Brewing Distributes To Iowa Starting in October

Stone Brewing Co. (Escondido, CA) will starting distributing to Iowa in October, 2012. The brewery has a big list of events planned to kick it off.  [Event List]

Read more: Stone Brewing Co

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News

For First Time Ever, Disney’s Magic Kingdom Will Sell Beer


For the first time in Disney history, Magic Kingdom will serve alcohol. Be Our Guest Restaurant will open soon, and with it, beer and wine.

Why is this news? Walt Disney never wanted alcohol served in his parks. He never thought adult beverages belonged in his family themed parks. So much so, that after building the original in California he wanted to build a second one in St. Louis, Missouri. The city pressured him to sell Anheuser-Busch at the park if he built there, so Walt declined. Next stop, Orlando, Florida.

The restaurant will serve French & Belgian beer, (naming Kronenbourg 1664 by name). Step in the right direction? Or wrong? Especially when Walt Disney was so adamantly against it? One place selling alcohol opens the door for more to do so. It could start a domino effect in one of the last alcohol free places on earth. (Besides Utah.)

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Ale Asylum, Beer News, New Breweries

Ale Asylum Delays Grand Opening Due To Locusts. Frogs Expected Next

Ale Asylum was supposed have the grand opening of their new digs in Madison, Wisconsin this weekend. That has been pushed per the brewery, thanks to an ancient plague.

Due to the overwhelming onslaught of locusts, we have made the decision to delay our Grand Opening. In all seriousness, this decision was a difficult one because we truly were 99% sure we could make it happen. We are working diligently so we can to get this place in tip-top shape and will not settle for anything less than serving our Inmates the perfect pint. We are not posting the new date until we are 100% sure so stay tuned here on Facebook, Twitter, or our website. Until then, Seek Asylum at one of the many fine craft beer establishments in town and know that your A-Team is working fast and furious. Cheers!

Ale Asylum makes year round beers like Hopalicious, Ambergeddon, & Contorter Porter.
by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News

Anderson Valley Adds First Full Production Lager

Anderson Valley Brewing Company is adding a new dark lager to their lineup- “El Steinber“. The beer will be the first addition to their core lineup in nearly 7 years, and the first time they have ever put a lager into full production.

“We’ve crossed a new border with the release of ‘El Steinber,’” says Fal Allen, Brewmaster for Anderson Valley.  “We wanted to create a sessionable dark lager with a twist.  In our somewhat unusual take on the style, we add Midnight Wheat malt to give this beer its dark brown color, but also use roasted Indio-Hispano® blue corn flour to lighten the body and create a unique, toasty flavor.  German Pilsner malt and Saaz hops round out this beer, producing a crisp, clean finish and smooth drinkability that is perfect for any occasion.”

Some markets will see draft later this month. Bottles will follow to all of AVBC markets in 2013.  What’s in the name? El Steinber is a combo of Spanish and Boontling, meaning “the beer”.
Style: Dark Lager
Availability: 12 oz bottles, Draft.
Arrival: Draft, 2012. Bottles, 2013
5.5%  ABV

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News, Penn Brewery

Tom Pastorius, Founder of Penn Brewery Dies

Tom Pastorius, the man who founded Penn Brewery. in Pittsburgh, PA died last on Thursday. He was 67.

Pastorius, a graduate of Penn State, founded the brewery out of a love of German style beer in 1986. It is the first craft brewery in Pittsburgh.

by Reid Ramsay