Friday, May 30, 2008
ABs pride and Coors fried
If you haven't figured it out by now, I've never been a big fan of ABs beers. That is why I was somewhat surprised that they ranked at the tops of the "innovation" list. I suppose it depends on what you consider innovation. If Bud Light Lime is innovation then I guess you've got a winner. But I can tell you what you won't see coming out this year from AB is a Belgian inspired beer, or a beer aged on South American aromatic wood (i.e. Dogfish's Palo Santo Marron). That being said I am not surprised by many of the other metrics. Financially speaking AB I think has always been an attractive investment. I think Warren Buffet would consider them a Wide-Moat investment. As far as quality, I think it depends on how you define quality. But one thing is for sure AB does make a tremendous effort to make sure their beer is consistently the same. I mean if you were able to safely store a canned Budweiser from five years ago, you would probably find that it tastes almost exactly the same as a Budweiser you bought yesterday. That says something about their quality control.
Interesting to note is that Coors listed as the least admired company in the US. Considering that I classify most of their products in the same class as ABs products, I don't know if I could even begin to explain this disparity. I have heard that Pete Coors is an ardent right wing politically inclined individual and I'd have to wonder if that plays into their least admired status. I mean being an outspoken republican isn't exactly "popular" currently. Also the fact that Coors allowed themselves to be bought by a Canadian company (Molson), probably factored into this as well.
-HolzBrew
Friday, May 23, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Savor the Flavor
Due to the availability of some last minute tickets from a friend at work (Thanks Kevin!), M and I attended the Savor craft beer event this past Saturday at the Mellon Auditorium in DC. First, the Mellon Auditorium is a beautiful venue for an event like this. It is also conveniently close to the Federal Triangle metro stop, which a great option for a beer fest (read: designated driver).
The idea behind this brew fest was that each brewer was to bring two beers and pair them with an appropriate food selection. The food was prepared in appetizer style. The selection of breweries who attended this event was great. I’d list them, but instead I’ll link them here. Some memorable pairings were
In conclusion, I think this was a great event for craft beer. It showed the pairing versatility of craft beer and food. It also was a classy event, yet the crowd wasn’t too snooty. At the end of the day we have to remember that we are talking about beer here and its something that is fun and yet it is to be respected.
Respect Beer,
HolzBrewFriday, May 16, 2008
Contest
Monday, May 12, 2008
Stout-Tastic
Through darkness you'll find enlightenment.
-HolzBrew
Polo Loco
Before the match began we were all thirsty and looking for some beverages. There was no beer in sight, but a couple of different Virginia wineries had tents with multiple offerings. Our foursome pulled up to the Vino Curioso tent to check out their vinos. After a brief discussion with the guys working the tent Chris and I picked out a Cabernet. The Cab was OK, but lord knows I was jonesing for a brew. After seeing a few people walk by with Yuengling, I realized that the VIP tent was handing out FREE BEER! Glory Hallelujah!
Meg and Katie made a beer run for us and Meg picked us up a Bierra Morretti and a Morretti LaRossa. Now the Morretti was a fairly average Euro Pale Lager, but the LaRossa was a really nice malty Dobblebock. I was just pumped to be drinking a beer at a hoighty polo match. The best thing about it was that probably twenty people came up to our foursome to ask us where we found the beer. That crowd was thirsty and the only thirst quencher for them was beer.
All in all it was a great Saturday afternoon. I learned a little about the sport of Polo and I learned a lot about the power of beer.
Out,
HolzBrew
Friday, May 9, 2008
A party all by herself
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Whats Happening
Not much to much to post about, but I wanted to let everyone know about the Happenings in the area. Some of which I hope to attend.
1) Larry Bell will be visting Rustico in Alexandria on May 13th. Larry Bell is the owner of Bell's Brewing Company. Larry will speak to a 6 course menu created by Rustico Executive Chef Frank Morales and paired Bell's beers. Tickets are a little steep on this at $80 per ticket.
2) Sam Calagione founder of Dogfish Head, will be signing copies of his new book, "He Said Beer, She Said Wine," on Wednesday, May 14, at the Dogfish Head Alehouse in Falls Church, VA.
3) May 13 and 14 Brickskeller welcomes the Lupulin heroes!
featuring five of the countries best of the best craft brewmasters!
Tomme Arthur of San Diego 's Pizza Port and Lost Abbey Breweries
Vinnie Cilurzo of Santa Rosa 's Russian River Brewing Company
Adam Avery of Colorado 's Avery Brewing Company
Rob Tob from Maine 's great Belgian style brewery Allagash
and Sam Calagione of Delaware 's Dogfish Head Brewery
Sample what may well be the finest lineup of beers presented at one sitting in the entire country this year. Tickets for this event are $35.00 each!
Thats it for now,
HolzBrew
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
river revelry
Spring is here! Say the trees. And the weather is fantastic. Yesterday I pulled my "Isarmat" out of the cabinet (a foam mat to cushion against the notorious pebbles of the isar riverbank), stuffed it into a giant blue Ikea bag along with a blanket, pillow and some reading material, and headed off. Since I live a ten minute walk away from the "Flaucher", the isar's sunbathing and grill paradise, it didnt take long until i was strolling past the tiny beer garden hut and strolling out onto the "Flauchersteg", taking in the view of the river and small scattered islands of trees. The first island was a no-go for me--naked island as i call it, home to the most devoted of FKK sunbathers. The next few sections were mixed, so i picked a spot near a group of teenagers dressed in black and playing jack black on their guitars and spread out my goods.
Not a bad life, having time after work to read and doze... I enjoyed the muffled guitar chords and slept fitfully in the sun, every now and then reading a few pages of my book before drifting back to sleep. The flaucher is one of my favorite spots in munich, such a mix of mega fit joggers, super suntanned nudists, crowds of teenage grillers slugging river-cooled beers, families with small kids splashing about in the puddles, fishers casting into the current, and the occasional kajaker, riding the waves on the isarkanal. A good neighbor, that river.