Cool Stuff

Beer Boosts Bone Mass

We’ve all heard about the health benefits of wine. Don’t go thinking that beer doesn’t have health benefits. In a recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that 3,218 women who drank one or more BEER Continue Reading →

Own Your Own Keith Shore Beer Print

Keith Shore is the brilliant artist behind the Mikkeller labels (See above). Some of his most recent artwork was for The Festival which occurred in June. The event was presented by 12% Imports and Shelton Brothers, with a Continue Reading →

Posted in Cool Stuff, Surly Brewing

The Inspiration Behind Surly SŸX Artwork

Surly release SŸX next week. The demonic artwork has an interesting backstory. The brewery just explained it’s origin on Facebook.

I need to share a story about the SŸX art. The demon is based upon some work from a late friend and colleague, Brad Krisko. A talented sculptor and all around artist, Brad worked with us at MNFX for some time before going out to Los Angeles to become an FX artist on feature films. While there, he spent several years at Stan Winston Studio, working on, among other things, Jurassic Park, Batman, and Terminator 2. Following that, he returned to Minnesota and worked with us again.

We sadly lost Brad to suicide many years ago. His great artistic ability couldn’t seem to soothe his troubled soul.

This skull was created by him and was briefly available as a model kit, called “Orc Skull”. When I began to create the demon for the art, Brad’s skull was sitting on a shelf near my workstation. I decided to evoke his work in my art as a means of tribute. Thanks for the inspiration, Brad. RIP.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Cool Stuff, Videos

L.A. Lakers Steve Nash Gets A Road Beer [Video]

I’m pretty sure the world has already seen this. Thank bad site upgrades for the delay. Steve Nash of the L.A. Lakers gets a Keystone Light on a Los Angeles freeway from fans. Steve Nash shot the video himself on this cellphone. Could it be more amateur viral marketing? RE: Milwaukee’s Best. Keystone Light informs TMZ that it was NOT staged. Absolutely real.

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Cool Stuff, Lost Abbey, Videos

Lost Abbey Crashes A D.C. Beer Geek Tasting [Videos]

The Lost Abbey crashes a D.C. tasting parts I & II. A Lost Abbey employee used an alias to jump in on a Lost Abbey mega tasting organized on Beer Advocate. Vid #1 is a teaser. Vid #2, Tomme Arthur and company show up. Let’s see how they react.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News, Cool Stuff

Beer Boosts Bone Mass

We’ve all heard about the health benefits of wine. Don’t go thinking that beer doesn’t have health benefits. In a recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that 3,218 women who drank one or more BEER a day, had a higher bone mineral density (BMD).  Why? It’s due to beer’s silicon content.

…dietary silicon intake of more than 40 mg per day correlates with increased BMD.

Silicon is prevalent in the grains used to brew the beer – barley, oats, etc.  [AJCN]

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Cool Stuff, Videos

Jose Canseco Gets In On The Milwaukee’s Best Action

Recently Will Ferrell was seen in a series of viral videos show in just one tv market for Milwaukee’s Best. (Actually the market was the second smallest in the country.) Ex Major League baseball player Jose Canseco is now in on the commerical action. Canseco has admitted that he used performance enhancing drugs during his pro career. There’s a subtle reference to it in the first video…

Kansas City & Cheating

The Best Is Back

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News, Cool Stuff, Mikkeller

Own Your Own Keith Shore Beer Print

Keith Shore is the brilliant artist behind the Mikkeller labels (See above). Some of his most recent artwork was for The Festival which occurred in June. The event was presented by 12% Imports and Shelton Brothers, with a pretty insane lineup. Both the beer AND the brewers from the likes of Evil Twin Brewing, De Molen, Sixpoint, De Graal, De Ranke, Crooked Stave, Mikkeller, Jolly Pumpkin, Cantillon, Pretty Things, Yeastie Boys and more attended. You get the idea.

If you weren’t lucky enough to be there, you are lucky enough to get a piece of Keith Shore’s artwork. Two different prints were created for The Festival by the famed artist, which are now available for purchase.

Spontandoubleberry 18×24, 3 color screenprint. ($45).  Limited to 65.

Beer Geek Brunch 18×24, 4 color screenprint ($45) Limited to 65.

Both prints are available at Keith’s website. Each print is signed and numbered.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Cool Stuff

The Best Letter My Father Ever Wrote To Me, Was About Beer

In the midst of a sea of email this afternoon, I receive one from my father (you’ll read it below.) When I see an email from him, it’s usually a joke, a story about the little town they live in, or family update.  This afternoon’s email though, is different. Apparently my beer drinking has rubbed off on him.

Reid,

You ruined me.

I know you didn’t mean to, but you did.

I was once a dedicated wine drinker,an elitist who could taste the difference between a cabernet bottled in Napa Valley and one from Lodi in the central valley.  I could tell you how old the vines were that produced the zinfandel. I could tell you what country in South America a malbec came from. Somewhere all that changed.

I don’t know if it was the Bridgeport Stumptown Tart, or the St Terese’s or the Dogfish Head Black and Blue.  It was probably that Anderson Valley Summer Solstice or that Breakfast Stout.

This week I bought two 6 packs of craft beer at one time because I ran out of the one I bought last week. Hell, before last week I had never bought a 6 pack of beer in my life. Now I browse the craft beer section in beverage stores and read Beer Street Journal.

I still have an unopened case of zinfandel.  Oh well, maybe it’s an investment.

It’s your fault.

Dad

PS. When is Highland releasing the Cold Mountain Winter Ale?

Finally. I did something right. 

by Reid Ramsay