Super Deli Mart Celebrates 3 Great Years

Super Deli Mart, the best little mini-mart in the World, is celebrating their 3rd Anniversary this Sunday, June 24th from noon to 4:00PM with another customer appreciation BBQ.  Can you believe it?  Three years already, and Super Deli Mart has attained quite the reputation and quite a following. 

If you've never been there, you're missing out. With 5 taps and hundreds of bottle choices, Super Deli Mart rivals most Puget Sound area bottle shops and even a few taprooms.  And with everyday prices of $3 pints (or schooners, depending on the style/strength of the beers on tap) and $10 growler fills (though, no growler fills are allowed for certain specialty beers), it's a craft beer bargain-hunter's dream.

'Food Truck Fridays' Announced At Two Beers Brewing

Do you enjoy Two Beers Brewing Co. beers, but don't enjoy the lack of food at the taproom (unless you're lucky enough to be there when they have a food truck - or you brought your own munchies)?  We'll now you can plan ahead and know what you'll be eating. 

Two Beers Brewing Co. has just announced 'Food Truck Fridays' at their taproom known as The Woods. 

Two Beers Brewing is excited to announce the rollout of Food Truck Fridays this summer at its popular tasting room, The Woods. Each Friday June through August, one of Seattle’s favorite food trucks – including Skillet Street Food, Dante’s Inferno Dogs, Bigfood, Maximus/Minimus and more – will be parked outside The Woods, offerings up delicious eats for purchase from 3-8 pm. To sweeten the deal, tasting room patrons who purchase food will receive their first pint of any one of Two Beers Brewing’s unique handcrafted brews for just $3.

“The combination of delicious local food, great local beer and a sun-filled patio make for a perfect end to the work week,” said Joel VandenBrink, Two Beers Brewing founder and head brewer. “We’re excited to be partnering with these local food trucks to offer our loyal fans some delicious grub to pair with their favorite Two Beers Brewing beer and yet another reason to keep coming back to The Woods.”

Kicking off June 1, hungry tasting room patrons can plan their Friday trips to Two Beers Brewing around the schedule below:

June 1: Dante’s Inferno Dogs
June 8: TBD
June 15: Streetzeria Street Pizza
June 22: Dante’s Inferno Dogs
June 29: Skillet Street Food
July 6: BigfoodJuly 13: TBD
July 20: Maximus/Minimus
July 27: Dante’s Inferno Dogs
August 3: Skillet Street Food
August 10: TBD
August 17: Bigfood
August 24: Maximus/Minimus
August 31: TBD

*Food trucks slotted for TBD dates will be announced via Facebook.              
In addition to Food Truck Fridays, Two Beers Brewing has also extended its tasting room hours and is offering up some great deals during the week. Now open on Tuesdays from 3-8 pm (in addition to Wed – Fri) and Saturdays from 1-6 pm, guests can take advantage of more time to enjoy the twelve unique beers from Two Beers Brewing and the sun-filled patio on Saturday afternoons. Weekday deals at The Woods include:

Tuesdays: Be prepared for the week and fill up your growler with any of Two Beers Brewing’s year-round offerings for only $6 (sorry, no imperials, infusions or guest handles).

Wednesdays: Stop in for Hump Day happy hour from 3-6 pm when pints of any Two Beers Brewing brew are just $3 (guest handles excluded).

Thursdays: Stock up for the weekend with our “to go” happy hour! Receive $1 off all 22-ounce bottles and six-packs of 12-ounce aluminum cans.

Two Beers Brewing offers pints, bottle, cans, growlers and kegs-to-go in its 4,800-square-foot SoDo brewery and tasting room – The Woods – in addition to being available on tap in more than 300 restaurants and bars in Washington, Idaho and Vancouver, B.C. Two Beers Brewing’s 12-ounce aluminum cans can also now be found in Portland and Alaska.

So head down to Two Beers on Fridays this summer, and get your grub on! Two Beers Brewing Co. is just one of a few craft breweries in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood.  While you're in the area, you can also check out Schooner Exact Brewing, Epic Ales Brewing and Georgetown Brewing. 

Drink responsibly and stay safe out there.

Full List Of Seattle Beer Week 2012 Events

LAST UPDATED - 5/8/2012

Seattle Beer Week kicks off this Thursday!  Below is the most up-to-date list of all Seattle Beer Week events (including a few not listed on seattlebeerweek.com!)  '

Just like last year, this year's SBW has become so crowded with events, it's literall impossible to hit every single one.  Watch soon for a new post on my event pics and where I'll be for each day of Seattle Beer Week 2012.  Cheers!

Recently added or updated events (since the last update) are marked with a red asterisk.  *

Spring Seasonals Return At Two Beers Brewing

The weather may not be fully cooperating yet but it is Spring, and that means it's time for some Spring beer releases.  Two Beers Brewing Co.'s three Spring seasonals have returned:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Two Beers Brewing Announces Release of Three Spring Seasonals and Expanded Outdoor Seating Experience the first taste of spring with three refreshing seasonals; take advantage of take-anywhere cans and expanded outdoor seating at The Woods tasting room SEATTLE (April 2, 2012) – While it may still be a little chilly outside, spring has sprung at Two Beers Brewing Co. with the release of three popular spring seasonals:

Crooked Belgian Wit, Panorama Wheat and Trailhead ISA.

The First Few Events For Seattle Beer Week 2012 Are Up

April has only just begun, but the official website for Seattle Beer Week (http://seattlebeerweek.com/) has started listing the first few events that we'll be seeing for this year's Seattle Beer Week. 
Last year's Seattle Beer Week had nearly 200 different events spread over 11 days, with so much going on it was virtually impossible to hit every single event.  The events listed so for for Seattle Beer Week 2012 include:

Don't Think I Can Last The Month

Back in mid-December, I posted that I was going to attempt to make it the entire month of January without any alcohol whatsoever.  I was going 'on the wagon'.  This was a personal choice, and to be honest it hasn't really been all that bad.  I went the entire first week without any serious cravings or any slip-ups.  I switched to drinking more water, cranberry juice, limeade, etc. 

During that first week, however, I missed a few things I would have preferred to be able to take part in.  The first 'challenge' to my month of sobriety was a really enticing sounding keg from Black Raven Brewing, put on tap January 4th at Brouwer's Cafe.  From Brouwer's description: " It's a Stout with Oak, Theo's Chocolate Nibs, Coffee, and Pecans Soaked in Kahlua and Rum."  OK.  You've gotta admit, that sounds incredible!  It was the first time I really asked myself why I was doing this(?)  Why deny myself just for the heck of it?  But I stayed away. 

My Firestone Walker Proprietor's Reserve Holiday

Firestone Walker is one of my favorite brewing companies.  Two big reasons for that are their Double Jack Double IPA, which is my favorite Imperial IPA, and the plethora of oak-barrel-aged beers they offer.  I'm a sucker for a well-done barrel-aged beer and Firestone Walker definitely does them right. 

So, during the holidays this year, starting just before Christmas and finishing a few days before New Year's Eve, I decied to drink each one of the beers from Firestone Walker's Proprietor's Reserve Series of beers, which consist of the following beers:

Firestone Walker's Full Proprietor's Reserve Lineup.

(Not pictured/availble: Xth Anniversary, XIth Anniversry & XIIth Anniversary.)

From Left To Right In The Above Photo:

-Double Jack Double IPA, signed by David Walker

-Walker's Reserve Porter

-Abacus Barleywine (Now §ucaba)

-Parabola Imperial Stout, signed by David Walker & Sean Paxton - The Homebrew Chef

-XIIIth Anniversary Ale

-XIVth Anniversary Ale, signed by David Walker

-XVth Anniversary Ale

-Double Jack Double IPA, unsigned - to 'end-cap' the lineup

Big Wood 2011

I just got home from the kickoff of the 2011 Big Wood fest at Brouwer's Cafe.  I attended this year's event with a few friends, so we could share our beers and have a chance to sample a larger portion of the available menu. 

Here is the full list of beers and prices at this year's Big Wood.  The selections I enjoyed today are in bold:

 All Beers are 12oz pours unless otherwise denoted:

Allagash Curieux .................................................... $7.00

Alpine Imperial Porter in Bourbon Barrels ........... $8.00

Anacotes BBN Imperial Stout ................................. $6.00

Anderson Valley BBN Gatlin Damnosis ................ $5.00

Avery Rumpkin (6oz) .............................................. $9.00

Big Time 2010 Bourbon/Oaked Old Rip ................ $5.00

Black Raven Gunbarrel Brl Aged Porter(nitro) .... $5.00

Boundary Bay Scotch Ale in Dry Fly Barrels ........ $5.00

Cantillion Framboise ’06 (6oz) .............................. $9.00

Cantillion Lou Pepe Kriek ’10 (6oz) ..................... $9.00

Deschutes Abyss ‘10 ............................................... $6.00

Diamond Knot Oaked Shipwreck XXXIPAcask ...... $5.00

Dogfish Head Burton Baton ................................... $8.00

Dogfish Head Palo Santo ....................................... $8.00

Double Mountian Wooden Nipple Belgian Triple . $7.00

Elliot Bay Bourbon Imperial Stout ....................... $6.00

Elysian Perseus Lost Sour ..................................... $6.00

Emielisse Jack Daniels BBN Stout ......................... $9.00

Firestone DBA ........................................................ $4.00

Firestone Velvet Merkin (unblended from barrel) .. $8.00

Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout (6oz) .............. $8.00

Fremont B-Bomb .................................................... $6.00

Full Sail Black Gold ............................................... $7.00

Glacier Maker's Eisbock ......................................... $7.00

Great Divide Oaked Rumble IPA............................ $6.00

Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti ................................... $7.00

Hales BBN Way Heavy ........................................... $6.00

Hitachino Classic in Schneider Barrel ................... $9.00

HOD 2008 Fred Flanders ...................................... $8.00

HOD 2008 Michael ................................................ $8.00

HUB Barrel Aged Imperial Porter ......................... $7.00

JW Lees Calvados Wooden Firkin(6oz) ................ $9.00

JW Lees Sherry Wooden Firkin(6oz) ..................... $9.00

Laughing Dog BBN Dogfather ............................... $6.00

Left Hand Oaked Imperial Stout ............................ $5.00

Lost Abbey Ad-Lib ................................................. $9.00

Maritime BBN Imperial IPA ................................... $5.00

Maritime BBN Decompression Ale Cask ............... $6.00

Morte Subite Rouge ................................................ $8.00

Morte Subite Wit .................................................... $8.00

Nectar Black Xantus ............................................... $9.00

New Belgium Special La Follie Blend ................... $6.00

New Belgium Love in Wood Barrel @6pm ............ $5.00

Ninkasi Oaked Maiden Shade ................................ $6.00

North Sound BBN Imperial Porter ......................... $6.00

Oakshire Gin Barrel Saison .................................... $6.00

Pike Oaked Imperial Stout Firkin .......................... $6.00

Port Brewing Bourbon Santa’s Imperial Stout ....... $9.00

Port Townsend Barrel Aged Mabel’s Nitro............ $5.00

Russian River Supplication .................................... $8.00

Russian River Temptation ...................................... $8.00

Schooner Exact Hoppy The Woodsman .................. $6.00

Seven Seas Le Havre Belgium Winter In Oak ........ $5.00

Shmaltz Barrel-aged Blockhead ............................. $7.00

Sierra Nevada Oaked Triple ................................... $6.00

Silver City 2010 Fat Woody ................................... $5.00

Stone 2008 Elijah Craig IRS .................................. $6.00

The Bruery 3 French Hens ..................................... $7.00

Tilquin Geuze (6oz) ................................................ $9.00

Quite an impressive lineup, as you can see.  The standout selections from the offerings I sampled were:

Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin (Unblended from the barrel) - rich and complex.  Subtly different from the blended versions I've had before.

Morte Subite Wit - with pleasant vanilla and citrus notes.  I'll have to see if I can find some of this in the botttle.  Yum!

Schooner Exact Hoppy The Woodsman - a dark, oak, bourbon barrel aged beer where the bourbon flavor really comes through.  One of my favorite winter beers this year.

Big Wood continues tomorrow and through the weekend but don't wait too long, because the best and most popular selections will run out fast. 

Drink responsibly and stay safe out there.

Is 'Children Welcome' Really Such A Good Idea?

"Children under 21 welcome until 8:00PM".

It's a sign you see often these days, at more and more bars around the Puget Sound (sometimes it's 9:00PM, but the basic idea is the same).  It means, while visiting many local pubs, taverns and breweries, you'll often see teenagers, young kids and even babies around as you enjoy your drink(s).  What prompted this change, and is it really such a good idea? 

I first started seeing these signs pop up in a few pubs/taverns I frequent a little over a year ago.  One of the places I know, Big Time Brewery in Seattle's University district, installed a 'railing' around the bar area just to facilitate this rule (children under 21 must remain outside the railing that indicates the 'bar' area at all times - even before 8:00PM).  And now, it seems even more places are adopting this rule; the latest one being The Yard Cafe in Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood. 

Old Wooly 2011 Release This Thursday

As a fan of big holiday beers, I'm already really enjoying the season.  With the likes of Hoppy The Woodsman from Schooner Exact Brewing, Jolly Roger Christmas Ale from Maritime Pacific Brewing, Elysian Brewing's Bifrost, etc. etc. I'm a very happy beer drinker this time of year.  And for Big Time Brewery fans and barleywine fans alike, it's that most wonderful time of the year.  This Thursday, December 1st, will be the annual tapping of Big Time Brewery's Old Wooly Barleywine.  I'm always a fan of this one, and I may be at Big Time this Thursday when they open to see if I can be the lucky one to get the first glass off the keg. 

Usually fairly hoppy, but with a solid and complex malt character to back it up, Old Wooly is a real treat for Seattle craft beer fans, as finding it outside of Seattle is extremely rare.  Big Time only bottles four of their beers (Prime Time Pale Ale, Atlas Amber, Coal Creek Porter and Baghwan's Best IPA), and they only sell those bottles at the brewery.  The only other way to get Big Time beers is in the keg or on tap at Big Time or other local craft beer bars that carry Big Time selections. 

In years past, every version of Old Wooly I've experienced has been brewed by Big Time's former head brewer: Bill Jenkins.  Bill has moved on and will be the head brewer at Elliott Bay Brewing's new location up in Lake City (due to open early next year), so I don't know for sure if this year's batch was brewed by Bill before he left or if it was brewed by Big Time's new head brewer (former head brewer at Pike Brewing and, incidentally, Bill Jenkins' brother in law), Drew Cluley.  They're both great brewers so it really doesn't matter.  I believe Drew may have told me earlier this year who brewed this year's batch, I just don't recall and I'm curious.  I'll have to ask Drew on Thursday.

Also, for those who've been living under a rock or don't follow my blog regularly, just another reminder that next Thursday is the Big Wood festival at Brouwer's Cafe.  I will definitely be in attendance, so maybe I'll see you there. 

Drink responsibly and stay safe out there.

Green Flash Brewery Expansion Announced A Year Early

Green Flash Brewing out of San Diego has been planning a brewery expansion since moving to San Diego in May of this year.  They had originally planned the expansion for 2013, with the assumption that their current production system could meet demand. 

It turns out that has not been the case.  Demand has increased faster than they had anticipated, and Green Flash has moved up their expansion plans to Spring 2012.  Once the expansion is complete, they'll be able to produce 45,000 barrels per year, as opposed to their current capacity of 14,000 barrels per year.  Here's the press release:

San Diego, CA - Nov 16, 2011        Today, Green Flash Brewing Co announced plans to break ground and expand within their San Diego-based brewery, just six months after beginning operations at the 45,000 sf Mira Mesa facility. The craft specialty brewer currently has the ability to produce 45,000 barrels per year and had anticipated this output would be sufficient to satisfy consumer demand until at least 2013. With an increase in sales volume nationally over the past six-months, Green Flash has exceeded sales forecasts, and is already operating at the brewery’s current full capacity. Over one year ahead of schedule, the groundbreaking for the expansion is now slated for Spring 2012 and will allow Green Flash to produce 20% more volume per year  (appx 67,000 barrels annually) by June 2012.   

The summer 2011 move from their Vista location allowed Green Flash to make a sizeable leap from producing just 14,000 barrels a year to 45,000. Green Flash has since focused on increasing beer varieties and on servicing the demand in existing territories.  They have added only a few small markets to the mix.  

“We specifically selected the Mira Mesa location with expansion potential in mind,” says CEO and Owner of Green Flash Brewing Co, Mike Hinkley.  “We have earmarked space in the facility for several phases of growth that we thought would begin in 2013. Obviously, I’m pleased to be in a position that necessitates early expansion. We are all looking forward to the possibilities of what next summer’s increased capabilities will present with regard to brewing new beers, fulfilling our existing demand and possibly expanding into a few new markets. ”  

As they move into phase 2 of expansion, Green Flash will continue to focus on meeting existing product demands, producing new beer varieties and will look at opening distribution in just a handful of small markets by the middle to end of 2012.    When all phases of expansion are complete, the Green Flash brewery in Mira Mesa will be able to produce 100,000 barrels per year. Owner, Mike Hinkley predicts they will reach this milestone late in 2013.

I'm a fan of Green Flash's hoppy libations, so it's great to hear how well they're doing.  I look forward to hearing when the expansion is complete.

Drink responsibly and stay safe out there.

Alaskan Brewer's Night, The Release of Firestone Walker XV & Coast & Coast Toast At Brouwer's Cafe

There are three exciting events coming up over the next week or so at Brouwer's Cafe, so mark your calendars and set some time aside. 

The first event is tomorrow night, Tuesday the 8th.  It's Alaskan Brewer's Night at Brouwer's, where Alaskan Brewing will have 8 dedicated taps available.  There will be no Alaskan Amber, but there will be their IPA, Oatmeal Stout, Smoked Porter (which was just released this year on November 1st) and their 25th Anniversary Perseverance Ale (A Russian Imperial Stout).  An Alaskan Brewing representative will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have. So if you're a fan of Alaskan Brewing, this is your night.

Another event, not fully featured in this article, will also be happening on November 10th at 6:00PM, when Brouwer's will be tapping two JW Lees Wood Barrel casks: one a port cask and the other a lagavulin cask. 

Next up is an event I've been eagerly anticipating: the release of Firestone Walker's XVth Anniversary Ale.  It arrives in WA state this year on November 14th (check with your local bottle shop), and Brouwer's will have XVth Anniversary Ale on tap starting at 7:00PM, which is quite rare. 

Also availble that night at Brouwer's in the bottle (for consumption only at Brouwer's - they don't sell bottles to go) will be Firestone Walker's Parabola stout as well as their XIIIth Anniversary Ale and their XIVth Anniversary Ale.  I've never had the XIIIth Anniversary Ale myself, so I might just have to order a bottle while I'm there, and/or see if they still have any available at Bottleworks or any of my other local bottle shops. 

As well as enjoying the release of XV at Brouwer's, I also plan to pick up a few bottles at Bottleworks as soon as they open on the 14th, as well as a few bottles of XIII if they still have any.  I'm planning on taking off work early that day just for this event.  You can learn more about the blending process for Firestone Walker's XVth Anniversary Ale HERE. 

On a frosty day sometime this winter, I'm also planning to get together with a few good friends and have a Firestone Walker Proprietor's Reserve Series tasting including: Double Jack IPA, Walker's Reserve Porter, Abacus Barleywine, Parabola Stout, XIIIth Anniversary Ale, XIVth Anniversary Ale and XVth Anniversary Ale.  With that much good beer around, I might just have to pull out my smoker in the dead of winter and make some good BBQ to accompany these fine libations. 

The day after the release of Firestone Walker's XVth Anniversary Ale at Brouwer's will be an event called the Coast to Coast Toast.  This is a celebration of the 30th anniversary of Vanberg & DeWulf importers of fine Belgian beers such as: Scaldis, Dupont, Foret, and Moinette just to name a few.

Here's a bit more info about Vanberg & DeWulf:

Vanberg & DeWulf are the original, most ardent and proselytizing importers of Belgian beers in the USA. It’s no wonder they’re called the “Belgian Experts”: ever since 1982, their mission has been to support independent, family-run breweries and indigenous beer styles that express the spirit of a place. The founders, Don Feinberg & Wendy Littlefield, were the first Americans inducted into the Belgian Brewers’ Guild. They published the first edition of “The Great Beers of Belgium” by Michael Jackson, and brought Duvel, Rodenbach, and the lambics of Frank Boon to the States. In the 1990’s they pioneered cooking with beer education at the CIA and The James Beard House. Don & Wendy conceived of and built Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY, thereby constructing the first farmstead brewery to be built in over a century… on a former hops farm, no less. Their brewery Ommegang was the first brewery to make all bottle-conditioned, cork-finished, exclusively Belgian-style beers in America. Every beer in their current portfolio is a major or a minor classic.

I honestly don't drink enough Belgian beers, even though I really do enjoy them.  Perhaps this event will be a good way for me to rediscover some Belgian classics I've been overlooking or not getting enough of.  Care to join me?  As you can see, there's quite a bit to get excited about the next week or so at Brouwer's Cafe. 

Drink responsibly and stay safe out there.

California Trip Postponed

This is heartbreaking news for me, as I was really looking forward to this trip.  However, due to unforseen personal issues that have arisen just recently, I will be unable to make my December trip.

During this trip, in addition to visiting some family and spending New Years in Las Vegas, I was planning on visiting the following California Breweries:

• Sierra Nevada Brewing - Chico, CA
• Mendocino Brewing - Ukiah, CA
• Russian River Brewing - Santa Rosa, CA
• Lagunitas Brewing - Petaluma, CA
• Marin Brewing - Larkpsur, CA
• Moylan's Brewing - Novato, CA
• Firestone Walker Brewing - Paso Robles, CA (And Buellton, CA)
• Port Brewing/Lost Abbey - San Marcos, CA
• The Bruery - Placentia, CA
• Stone Brewing - Escondido, CA

The only one of these breweries I've been to before is Marin Brewing in Larksupr, CA.  Most of the others didn't exit yet when I moved from California up to Washington state years ago.  So, I was really looking forward to finally getting to the source of some of my favorite beers.

Though the trip must be postponed for now - I definitely intend to re-organize things agian as soon as possible.  Perhaps next summer - or the same time next year.  I'll keep you posted.

If any of my readers manage to visit any of these breweries, tell them Beer Monger says hello and have a pint for me!

Drink responsibly and stay safe out there. 

Planning A December Trip To Some California Breweries - UPDATED 10/28/11

Updated 10/28/2011 - The article below has been updated with a few more breweries we'd like to try and visit during this trip.  We may not be able to hit them all, but we're sure as hell gonna give it a good try!

On the road again.  I can't wait to get on the road again!  My wife and I haven't had a decent vacation in quite a while, so this year, we're going all out.  I like to think of it as a sort of warm up for the Beer Monger World Beer Tour Project, which I hope to get off the ground in a few years. 

This December we'll be making a drive from Seattle all the way down to Tuscon, AZ to visit some family.  Along the way, we've planned several brewery stops and a few gourmet food stops and will be ending our trip (before the drive home, that is), by spending New Years in Las Vegas. 

After a quick stop at Gustav's German Restaurant in Vancouver, Washington for a great, authentic German meal, our first stop will be at Hair of the Dog Brewing in Portland, Oregon.  We've been there before, but wanted to drop by on our way South to fill a growler or two with some Adam and perhaps some Doggie Claws barleywine.  After a quick visit, we'll be back on the road, headed down towards California. 

Board Membership & The Waiting Game

This past Saturday the 22nd of October, I was officially selected as the next member of the Board of Directors for the Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery.  It's been a long road since I first joined Flying Bike as member #12 earlier this year, but I'm ready to take a leadership role and do all I can to help Flying Bike move forward and become a great success. 

It seemed clear at the annual meeting, that the members desire more communication from the Board of Directors regarding what's happening with the cooperative 'behind the scenes'.  As someone who's only been a member up until now, I fully agree.  During my time on the Flying Bike Board of Directors, I intend to do all I can to make the activities of the Board as transparent to the members of the cooperative as possible. 

Fly-PA Judging Last Month at Pillager's Pub

Next up for Flying Bike is something very exciting.  Our first beer is going on tap!  For those who members who didn't get a chance to try it out at the annual meeting this past weekend, gather your friends and acquaintances and come on out this Thursday, October 27th, where Fly-PA will be on tap at the following locations:

Pillager's Pub
8551 Greenwood Ave. N
Seattle, WA  98103

Beveridge Place Pub
6413 California Ave. SW
Seattle, WA  98136
(West Seattle)

Fiddler's Inn
9219 35th Ave. NE
Seattle, WA  98115

Also, this past weekend, I took my long-anticipated BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) exam.  It was a three-hour written exam, but I was so busy writing the whole time that it felt like it was only about 15 minutes!  The test consisted of several 'essay' style questions and four beer tasting/judging challenges, done at half-hour intervals after the first hour of the exam. 

It's an extremely challenging exam, and the three-hour time limit may sound long, but it's not!  The test requires a vast amount of knowledge regarding all the various styles of beer, the 'classic' examples of what each of those styles should encompass, as well as an extremely thorough knowledge of the entire beer brewing process - all the way from grains to glass. 

Now I play the waiting game.  Unfortunately, the BJCP is so backed up in scoring exams, that I won't have my test results for approximately six months; a long time to wait.  Due to this, however, the BJCP is changing the format of the test next year.  The test will be given in two parts starting next year: The written part which, for the first time ever, will be available to take in an online format, and the tasting portion, which will have to still be scheduled and attended in-person like the current exam. 

I'm hoping I did well enough my first time taking the exam to get 'Certified' status, which requires an exam score of 70% or higher; no easy task.  Otherwise, I'll likely be 'Recognized' status, which requires an exam score of 60% or higher.  But I can always take the exam again next year in the new online format. 

My whole motivation for taking the BJCP exam has been to increase my own personal knowledge about beer and the brewing process, mainly so that I can better articulate my various beer experiences and tastings to my readers.  There is no other benefit to me or to any other BJCP judge beyond the personal satisfaction of gaining the knowledge and experience necessary to continually improve our beer tasting and evaluation skills.  And, though I have now taken the test, the journey is not over.  I'll continue to learn more and improve my tasting and evaluation skills, so that I can provide better information to my readers about all the various and wonderful beers out there to try. 

I'm looking forward to putting some of my sharpened tasting skills to the test this December, when I hope to visit as many of the following breweries during my vacation as possible.  I plan to contact each brewing I'm going to visit beforehand, to see if I can setup some interviews and get you all as much 'inside' information as I can:

Hair of the Dog Brewing Co. - Portland, OR

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. - Chico, CA

Russian River Brewing Co. - Santa Rosa, CA

Lagunitas Brewing Co. - Petaluma, CA

Moylan's Brewing Co. - Novato, CA
(Moylan's is the 'Sister' brewery to Marin Brewing below.)

Marin Brewing Co. - Larkspur, CA

Firestone Walker Brewing Co. - Paso Robles, CA

Stone Brewing Co. - Escondido, CA

Whew!  I hope I'll have time to hit 'em all. 

Drink responsibly and stay safe out there!

Flying Bike Board Member Elections Are Coming

Since it went public earlier this year, I have been highly involved with a new venture; the Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery here in Seattle. 

If you've been following my posts, then you already know what Flying Bike is about.  For those of you unfamiliar with it, Flying Bike will be Seattle's first cooperative brewery.  We do not yet have a physical location, but have a membership over 400 strong and growing.  We're hoping to have a location secured and have our doors open by late 2012.  Things are in the early planning stages now for location, brewing system(s), taproom or brewpub, etc. 

Currently, we're gearing up for our first homebrew competition.  It's an IPA only competition (English, American or Imperial IPAs are acceptable), and it's only open to members of the Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery.  The winner of this competition will have their beer scaled up and brewed by Three Skulls Ales here in Seattle.   Though contract brewed, this will be Flying Bike's first official beer.  I will be entering an Imperial IPA into this competition myself, so wish me luck. 

Also, coming up fast are the Flying Bike Board Member elections.  There are three board positions opening up, and I am running for one of them.  If I am elected, I will have a more direct say/influence over the direction things will take for the Cooperative.  And since I'm highly motivated to see Flying Bike succeed, I'm very eager for this opportunity. 

I've been drumming up support among the Flying Bike members by attending events, spreading the word about Flying Bike and my desire to be on the board across the web, in area breweries and beer bars, etc.  I'm trying to build a buzz, that Beer Monger (Aka: Michael Dieterle - me) is very serious about this and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make Flying Bike a success.  You can view profiles for all board member candidates here: http://www.flyingbike.coop/about/2011-board-candidates/, and you can view my video appeal for your vote on Youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=889_2xRg5PY

If all goes well, I hope to be one of the three new members of the Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery Board of Directors.  So wish me luck, and if you're a Flying Bike member, please vote for me.  Thanks.

Drink responsibly and stay safe out there. 

The Beer Monger World Beer Tour Project

To quote a great man: "I have a dream!"  I bet most of you out there do as well; if not several.  Well, one of my dreams involves traveling the World.  My wife and I Love to travel, and want to see as much of this World as we can during our time here on Earth. 

I want to see it ALL!

Since we also Love good beer, however, why not combine the two Loves and try to find a way to tour the World in a quest to visit every production brewery in the World?  This, my dear friends, is the Beer Monger World Beer Tour Project. 

At the moment the project just a dream; my dream.  But I'm going to do the legwork and lay the groundwork for what I'm hoping will eventually become an either television or web-based show/series focusing on my Love of good beer and my travels around the World in the quest to try every beer the World has to offer. 

It would probably be best to focus on just one continent at a time so the show could focus on specific beer styles and the regions the originate from.  I mean, I don't want to be visiting a brewery in California one day and try to be visiting a brewery in Hawaii the next.  Oh wait; bad example.  ;)  lol   But you get the idea.  It would probably be best as well, at least financially, to start off with the show in America.  It could be something as simple as taking a motor home across the USA, stopping at every brewery. 

The World's First Beer Recipe?  Who knows.

Next up I'd have to say Europe; where it all began.  OK, OK, there are theories that brewing actually started in Africa, and I'd want to get into that debate somewhere within the show.  After Europe, we'd proceed to Africa, South America, Asia and... are there any breweries in Antarctica yet? 

As a preliminary 'warm up', and so I can get the feel of doing it, I may start bringing a video camera with me each time I visit a new brewery locally, as I often do, so I can make a little10-15 minute 'show' out of each visit.  I'd try to setup tours and possibly even interviews before my visit with the brewer and/or other staff.  It will also help me hone my woefully out of practice video editing skills. 

My current equipment (I guess I need a sponsor!)

If I can manage to pull this thing together, in the future you may see a PayPal donation link here on my blog as a way to help me start building funds to get the show off the ground.  Subscribers to the show would get to live vicariously though my wife & I, as we travel the World, and explore every nook and cranny of the brewing World. 

Drink responsibly and stay safe out there. 

My Trip To Portland

This past weekend was my birthday; and for my birthday I wanted to continue my quest to visit several different breweries.  This time, however, I decided to leave the confines of WA, leave the motorcycle at home and head down to Portland for a day trip with my wife, Lynn. 

On the agenda was Gustav's (an excellent German restaurant in Vancouver, WA, where we stopped for lunch), Hair of the Dog Brewing, Hopworks Urban Brewery and Laurelwood Brewery.  I'd like to take this opportunity to again thank my wife, Lynn, for being my designated driver for this little adventure. 

Gustav's:
If you're a German food fan, Gustav's is worth the trip!  Their menu includes schnitzels, spaetzle, red cabbage, lamb shank, sauerbraten, fondue and more; it's all here and all done very well.  They also have a full selection of German beers to accomapny your meal: Hofbrau Delicator, Aktien Zwick'l Kellerbier, Spaten Munich Helles, Radeberger Pilsner, Hacker Pschorr Dunkel Weisse, Ayinger Celebrator, Paulaner Oktoberfest, etc. etc. etc. 

The Stained Glass Behind the Bar at Gustav's

In fact, they have such a great selection of German and other European beers that Gustav's owner is strongly considering opening up a separate, German style pub in Portland in the near future. 

My Radeberger Pilsner

For my first meal of the day, I opted for the veal Jaegerschnitzel with Spaetzle and a Radeberger Pilsner.  The Jaegerschnitzel was done perfectly and I've always been a fan of Spaetzle over potatoes as my side with German meals.  The Radeberger Pilsner was spot on, with the traditional German Pilsner notes of flowery/spicy hops and a nice pilsner malt character.  It was the perfect accompaniment to my meal. 

My Trip To Scuttlebutt Brewing

As my regular readers know, in addition to being a beer enthusiast, I also enjoy motorcycle rides.  I often like to take a weekend ride out to one of the many breweries in the Puget Sound area and, this past weekend, that trip was to Scuttlebutt Brewing in Everett, WA. 

I normally look for a more 'roundabout' way to get to the breweries I'm visiting, since I'm on my motorcycle, but I got a bit of a late start on Saturday, so I took I5 from Federal Way, where I live, to the Everett waterfront.  Scuttlebutt recently moved a bit down the block from where the used to be - and a bit closer to the water.  They now share a building and parking lot with the Everett Waterfront Center; a beautiful space right on the Everett Marina. 

Usually, when I first walk into a brewery restaurant, I look for the bar.  I've always been the type of person who prefers sitting at the bar in a bar or restaurant unless, of course, it's more than just me or me and one other person.  At first, I saw no bar.  I walked into the restaurant, past the podium near the front doors, but still didn't see the bar.  It wasn't until I was a ways into the restaurant that I finally saw the bar.  It was situated in such a way that it couldn't be seen from the front door.  The bar itself was well laid out; not too cluttered and a nice bar top. 

Scuttlebutt Brewing Co.

No One Can Pick Just One (Volume 1)

Welcome to the first in a series of articles, where I will search my soul to share with you some of my favorite brews.  Every few months, there will be another volume, where I'll keep adding to the list of my all-time favorite beers. 

Pick Just One?  Good luck!

It's a question I get asked a lot: What is your favorite beer? or What is your favorite brewery? 

Really?  Do I have to pick just one?  I mean, isn't one of the joys of craft beer the fact that there are so many choices? It would be a pretty boring World if you were only able to select a single beer to drink for the rest of your life.  Most people I know have an extremely difficult, if not impossible time answering this question. 

I know, I know.  Some people aspire to just that: finding the one beer they consider barley & hop Nirvana, and then never stray.  Unfortunately, most of the beer drinkers I know with this mentality are those who drink Bud, Coors, Pabst or another similarly watered-down, mass-produced American lager.  A couple of weeks ago, while at the Dog & Pony Alehouse in Renton, WA, I saw one of the 'regulars' come in.  His usual oder is Pabst Blue Ribbon on tap, but they had run out or were having a problem with the Pabst tap that day.  He sat there, looking at the menu and tap handles (which included plenty of beers from breweries such as Stone, Fremont, Firestone Walker, Deschutes, Odin, Laurelwood, etc. etc.), for nearly 5 minutes before deciding that he'd have to settle for a can of Ranier Beer. 

That's definitely not me.  While I do have a favorite beer style (IPA - though Pale Ale, Stout, Barleywine, etc. are all a close 2nd), I couldn't stand being limited to just a single beer or even just a single brewery.  I have occasional favorite beers, but the answer is always changing because I'm always on the hunt for new beers and breweries to try.  With all this in mind, however, the question has gotten me thinking about what some of my favorite beers are.  What are the ones I've had over the years that really stick in my mind as what I might call 'favorites'? Let's see what comes to mind.