Got a note from Amanda at OSU’s Department of Professional and Non-credit Education regarding a beer proficiency class they are offering in September.
Oregon State University has just opened registration for Beer Proficiency, an onsite course hosted in Portland that gives brewery supply organizations, beer enthusiasts, beverage professionals, and food critics the tools to improve their working knowledge of beer flavors and styles while exploring the culture of Oregon.
The course takes place Thursday, Sept. 26 and Friday, Sept. 27 at the state-of-the-art OSU Food Innovation Center. After learning about food pairing principles from a guest culinary expert, Widmer Brothers Brewing will host their own optional dinner with beer tastings and a tour. The registration deadline is July 1.
The two day course is taught by our expert fermentation science faculty, and covers brewing basics, how to detect aroma defects, positive and negative flavor origins and the flavor impacts of raw materials. Participants can expect to learn sensory theory and descriptive vocabulary while participating in hands-on exercises to improve their palate. In addition, a guest culinary professional will guide students through food pairing principles and practices through activities and tastings. If you aren’t aware, Oregon is a mecca of craft brewing activity and thus a great place to learn this content. Our fermentation science program is one of two in the entire nation.
As a chef, food critic, craft beer distributor, advanced hobbyist or beer connoisseur, your profession requires you to effectively communicate the flavor sensations of many styles and varieties of beer.
Develop your insight into beer and brewing with Beer Proficiency, offered by Professional and Noncredit Education at Oregon State University. Join us this September 26-27 in Portland at the state-of-the-art Food Innovation Center for an introduction to sensory theory, descriptive vocabulary and palate development.
This hands-on beer education will equip you with the skills to evaluate the flavor, smell and quality of beer and discuss these nuances with consumers, colleagues and friends. After learning about food pairing principles from a guest culinary expert, Widmer Brothers Brewing will host their own optional dinner with beer tastings and a facility tour.
Enroll today to gain essential professional development while celebrating the brewing culture in the Pacific Northwest.
Questions? learn@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-4197.
Stone Brewing’s Steve Ponsetti (L) & Chris Katechis (R) of Oskar Blues
A well armed Chris Katechis, AKA The Gubna
Local Breweries join forces for American Craft Beer Week®
Fort Collins, CO – On May 13th, 2013, American Craft Beer Week, a celebration of the more than 2,400 small and independent American craft brewers, will kick off around the country. The brewers of Fort Collins have once again united for the weeklong celebration over a shared passion for craft beer in the spirit of camaraderie.
Undaunted by a challenge, Fort Collins’ craft brewers opted for a unique format for collaborating. The 2013 Collaboration began with the local craft brewers forming nine teams of three and deciding on one recipe containing 90% of same malts for each brew. The remaining 10% malt, hops, yeast and spices were selected by each brewing team. The result is nine very unique beers from one common starting point, much like the brewers that crafted them.
The various versions of this year’s Fort Collins Collusion will be on tap during American Craft Beer Week (May 13-19). Fort Collins beer enthusiasts are encouraged to come out and try the different brews at each brewery throughout the week.
On Monday, May 13th, the brewers will be meeting at Black Bottle Brewing Co. for a group toast. All nine beers will be available side by side for one evening only. Join Fort Collins’ Craft Brewers in celebration with their Collaboration Confabulation!
For more information on American Craft Beer Week, please visit www.craftbeer.com.
Presented by the good folks at Terrapin:
Press release and giant images from our friends at the Brewers Association:
American Craft Beer Week® 2013 Toasts the Red, White and Brew
Celebrations Expected in All 50 States from May 13-19
Boulder, CO • April 25, 2013—From May 13-19, craft beer connoisseurs and beginners alike will come together for the eighth annual celebration of American Craft Beer Week (ACBW). With the tagline “Big Week, Small Breweries,” ACBW is an opportunity to toast the more than 2,400 small and independent American craft brewers who continue to make the U.S. the world’s most diverse brewing destination. Once again, ACBW celebrations are expected to be held across all 50 states.
“The popularity of American Craft Beer Week is indicative of the craft beer renaissance that continues to captivate the U.S.,” said Julia Herz, publisher of CraftBeer.com and craft beer program director at the Brewers Association. “This week is about uniting for a common cause: support and celebration of our nation’s small and independent brewers and the millions of beer lovers who have helped evolve an industry and put the U.S. on the brewing map.”
New for 2013 is the American Craft Beer Week Coast to Coast Toast. For the first time ever, ACBW will be commemorated by a simultaneous toast. At 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT on Thursday, May 16, small brewers and craft beer lovers nationwide will raise a glass of their favorite craft brewed beer to toast ACBW and the delicious beer that it celebrates. To find a toast location near you, visit the official American Craft Beer Week events page, hosted by CraftBeer.com.
Untappd, the mobile-based social network that connects breweries with craft beer lovers, is also offering an American Craft Beer Week Badge for users who check-in during ACBW events.
Additionally, craft beer fans from across the country can sign the American Craft Beer Week Manifesto, pledging their support to craft beer and their love for “the artisans who approach their craft with originality, dedication and passion.” From tap takeovers and tasting tours to food pairings and festivals, ACBW will be celebrated in many ways across the U.S. To find a local celebration, event or promotion, visit the above-mentioned ACBW events page. A selection of scheduled 2013 celebrations includes:
American Craft Beer Week National Toast
Coast to Coast Toast to Craft Beer w/Stone Brewing Co.; Westerly, RI
ACBW Coast to Coast Toast at Iron Horse Taproom; Washington, D.C.
American Craft Beer Week Toast at Howells & Hood; Chicago, IL
Coast to Coast Toast to Boulder’s Craft Beer Phenomenon; Boulder, CO
Craft Breweries
Gritty McDuff’s Brewpub 25th Anniversary Celebration; Portland, ME
Mayflower Brewing Company 4th Annual Open House; Plymouth, MA
Anaheim Brewery Founder’s Day; Anaheim, CA
5th Annual Short’s to Short’s Paddle; Bellaire, MI
Meet the Brewers of the San Francisco Brewers Guild; San Francisco, CA
Rahr & Sons Summertime Wheat Glass Night; Dallas, TX
Right Brain Brewery – ACBW Firkin’ Friday; Traverse City, MI
Craft Beer Festivals
3rd Annual Ameri-CAN Canned Craft Beer Festival; Scottsdale, AZ
HopFest Kansas City 2013; Kansas City, MO
Brewers Association of MD “Maryland Craft Beer Festival”; Frederick, MD
2013 Wort Transformation Awards Ceremony; Papillion, NE
Third Annual Brews with Attitude Craft Beer Festival; Tampa, FL
Third EVER Mother’s Day Festival; Springfield, MO
Wheatstock; Lincoln Park, MI
Food and Beer Events
American Craft Beer Week – Spokane Style!; Spokane, WA
4 Course Dinner and Pairing Featuring Uinta Brewing Co.; Salt Lake City, UT
Elevation Beer Co. – Chef vs. Chef; Louisville, CO
Knee Deep Beer Dinner at 775 Gastropub; Reno, NV
Beer & Cheese Tasting with Teton Valley Creamery and 460 Bread; Victor, ID
Craft Beer Tastings and Tours
Brewery Rickoli American Craft Beer Week Releases; Wheat Ridge, CO
Crow Peak Night at the Ale House; Rapid City, SD
Old Chicago Tap Takeover featuring Odell Brewing Co.; All Colorado Locations
Roughtail Oaked Imperial Black Rye Ale Release at Tapwerks; Oklahoma City, OK
Shmaltz Brewing Media Ribbon Cutting Ceremony; Clifton Park, NY
Portsmouth Brewery – Brewing with Botanicals; Portsmouth, NH
State and Regional Beer Weeks Also Happening During ACBW
Chicago Craft Beer Week
Frederick Beer Week (MD)
Lexington Craft Beer Week (KY)
Long Island Craft Beer Week
San Antonio Beer Week
Santa Ynez Valley Beer Month (CA)
Seattle Beer Week
Session Beer Month
Find an expanded list of U.S. beer weeks and join the conversation on Twitter with #ACBW.
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Without relying upon a single superpower, Breckenridge Brewery of Colorado will unveil its latest concoction, “The Caped Brewsader” – the official 2013 Denver Comic Con beer – this Thursday, May 9, at Punch Bowl Social at 7 p.m. The limited edition Belgian Witbier was specially crafted for the Denver Comic Con event, a three-day comic book and sci-fi convention slated May 31 through June 2.
The Caped Brewsader is a Belgian Witbier (wheat beer) brewed with an ancient citron plant fruit called Buddha’s Hand. This tropical fruit is segmented into finger-like sections, resembling the hand of Buddha. The result is a slightly hazy, crisp and refreshing ale that has a subtle citrus flavor perfect for summer enjoyment. Approximately 40 pounds of Buddha’s Hand was added to the 100-barrel batch of beer.
The idea for this year’s beer sprouted when Breckenridge Brewery staff met with Comic Con co-founder Charlie La Greca and his team.
“Our Comic Con friends wanted a well-crafted, summer drinking beer, and they wanted to get a little crazy with it,” recalls brewer John Jordan. “The idea of adding fruit surfaced. This is where the light bulb immediately sparked with me. I had started developing a recipe some years back using this crazy looking citrus fruit – it looks like something right out of a sci-fi movie! It was a perfect fit!”
On the day of the brew, the Denver Comic Con team came to Breckenridge Brewery to assist with the brew. They were able to mill in malt, cut up, prepare and add the fresh Buddha’s Hand and hops.
The beer’s name, “The Caped Brewsader,” was selected from more than 300 entries in a Denver Comic Con online naming contest. More than 15,000 voters helped select the beer’s winning identity.
Renowned Australian comic book artist Ben Templesmith, known for his work on “Fell” and “30 Days of Night,” designed the label, pint glass and tap handle art. Templesmith is a New York Times best-selling artist and writer who has garnered numerous honors and awards in his industry.
The Caped Brewsader debut party at the Punch Bowl Social, 65 Broadway in Denver, will begin at 7 p.m. on May 9, and the first 200 guests to arrive will receive a limited edition commemorative pint glass designed by Templesmith. Breckenridge Brewery will be providing samples of The Caped Crusader and special giveaways. Following its launch at the Punch Bowl, the beer will be served at the Denver Comic Con as well as at numerous restaurants and bars throughout the Denver area while supplies last. For a complete list of locations click here.
This is the second year Breckenridge Brewery has sponsored the Denver Comic Con event, a three-day extravaganza May 31 through June 2 at the Colorado Convention Center. The event covers the world of comic books, film and related media. It is a fundraiser for Comic Book Classroom, a charitable organization that teaches children in underprivileged schools how to read through comic books. The Caped Brewsader will be served throughout the event, and Breckenridge Brewery will be on hand providing a photo booth, superhuman activities and Caped Brewsader comic booklets.
For more information on The Caped Brewsader, visit www.breckbrew.com.
About The Caped Brewsader
Malts: Two Row, White Wheat, Caramel 30, Carapils, Torified Wheat
Hops: Cascade
Yeast: Proprietary Belgian Strain
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 5.5%
Bittering Unites (IBU): 17
Extras: Buddha’s hand citron plant fruit
From our friend, Amanda, at Odell:
Odell Brewing announces new variety 12 pack featuring Loose Leaf American Session Ale
Fort Collins, CO. – In May, 2013 Odell Brewing will release its first variety 12 pack, Montage. The new package will feature two brewery flagships, a seasonal offering, and a new brew, Loose Leaf American Session Ale.
Loose Leaf was developed on the brewery’s five barrel pilot system. The Odell brewers wanted to create a beer that was lighter in color, lower in alcohol content, but also flavorful and distinct. The final recipe is crisp and balanced with lower IBU’s and a bright hop aroma. At 4.5% ABV, it’s delicate and refreshingly drinkable with a clean finish.
The brewery plans to issue three different versions of Montage mirroring its seasonal release schedule. Each edition of the variety pack will include brewery favorites 90 Shilling and IPA, the current seasonal offering as well as a new limited release pilot system inspired brew.
“Montage gives our brewers a new avenue to share their innovations,” said Eric Smith, Director of Sales & Marketing for Odell Brewing. “Not only does it include our flagship offerings, but it also gives us the opportunity to share our seasonal brews, and it extends our creative pilot system inspired offerings beyond the brewery walls.”
Odell Brewing will release Montage initially just in Colorado in May. The brewery will continue to launch the package in its other markets beginning in June. The brewery plans to celebrate the release with a special Loose Leaf tapping during the weekend of May 10th.
Loose Leaf American Session Ale will also be available on draft exclusively at all Colorado Old Chicago locations during the week of May 13th – 19th as part of a special American Craft Beer Week® – Odell Brewing tap takeover.
From Amanda at Odell:
On May 18th, 2013 Odell Brewing will introduce Celastrina Saison as part of its Cellar Series of beers. Celastrina is named for a rare butterfly found living on wild hops along the Front Range of Colorado and was brewed in honor of a partnership with the Colorado Natural Heritage Program.
“The hops blue butterfly (Celastrina humulus) is only found in a handful of counties along Colorado’s Front Range where it spends much of its time in moist drainages that support its host plant, wild hops (Humulus lupulus),” said Robert Schorr of the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, a non-profit organization of Colorado State University’s Warner College of Natural Resources. “CNHP and Odell Brewing Company have developed a novel partnership to conserve one of Colorado’s rare species.”
Last year, Schorr presented the hops blue butterfly to a group of Odell Brewing coworkers. After his presentation, the team felt compelled to share the story, and help the CNHP learn more. The partnership developed out of a mutual interest in conserving species and landscapes that are uniquely Colorado. Odell Brewing will donate $1 for hops blue butterfly research for every bottle sold.
Celastrina Saison is a crisp French-style Saison with hints of spice derived only from the hops used. Subtle phenols are complimented by the earthy hops and a dry finish. Odell Brewing and CNHP will celebrate the release of Celastrina in the brewery’s Tap Room during the weekend of May 18th.
About CNHP: The Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) is a non-profit organization of Colorado State University’s Warner College of Natural Resources and Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology. For more than 30 years, CNHP has been collecting and analyzing data on rare species and habitats in Colorado, and providing information and expertise to promote conservation of Colorado’s biological resources. CNHP conducts biological inventories throughout Colorado and the West and provides data to private, state, and federal partners, where it can guide management and conservation of species and their habitats.
About Odell Brewing: Founded in 1989, Odell Brewing was started by Doug Odell, his wife Wynne, and his sister Corkie. Twenty-four years later, the culture of family and collaboration still thrives fostering a brewery full of beer-centric people. It is this passion for beer that inspires Odell Brewing to create quality, hand-crafted, innovative brews. As a regional craft brewery, Odell Brewing is committed to serving the communities in which it distributes by sourcing local raw materials, and through its charitable giving program known as Odell Outreach. Odell Brewing was recently named a “Top Company of 2010” by ColoradoBiz Magazine and is an award winning brewery, nationally and internationally: 2012 Brewers Association Recognition Award, 2011 Great American Beer Festival® – gold medal for Friek. 2010 North American Beer Awards – gold medal for Woodcut No. 3. 2009 BrewNZ Awards – gold for 5 Barrel Pale Ale. 2008 World Beer Cup® – gold for IPA. 2007 Great American Beer Festival® – gold medal for IPA.
Excelsior! Anniversary Fifteen release Thursday, May 16, 2013 in the Taproom.
Excelsior! Anniversary Fifteen is a dark Rye Ale brewed to celebrate our 15th year of craft brewing. Inspired by the rye beers of southern Germany, we created this mischievously potent brew using an intriguing combination of pale and rye malts, a traditional German ale yeast, and New Zealand hops.
The result is an assertive dark copper-brown ale with a full-bodied malt backbone and elegant notes of clove and spice. The finish is bracing with a sharp spiciness that parallels a gentle hint of tropical fruit.
ABV 8.4%
Pairing Recommendations: charcuterie or smoked meat, rich cheeses like Gruyère or smoked/aged gouda.
Fifteen will be available for bottle purchase and growler fills in the Taproom starting at noon on Thursday, May 16th.
PHILLY BEER WEEK 2013 TO FEATURE COLLABORATIVE BEERS BREWED IN PHILLY AND AROUND THE WORLD
Introducing Manneken-Penn the Brasserie de la Senne/Weyerbacher Collaboration Brew for Philly Beer Week 2013
During the sixth-annual Philly Beer Week (PBW) 2013, May 31 through June 9, beer drinkers will be able to enjoy a number of collaborative beers, brewed in cooperation by top local and international brewers, to debut during PBW. One such special beer, brewed in Brussels, Belgium during PBW’s annual “Win a Trip to Belgium” event for local beer lovers, is Manneken-Penn, a Belgo-American Dubbel. This past winter, raffle winner Matt Hohorst, along with head brewer Chris Wilson of Weyerbacher and Tom Peters of Monks Café traveled abroad to brew with Yvan De Baets at Brasserie de la Senne. Manneken-Penn will be available for the first time on Friday, May 31, at Opening Tap (click for tickets).
“Collaboration beers are a huge part of what makes PBW special: brewers coming together and pushing each other to do ever more outrageous and delicious things,” says PBW Executive Director Don Russell. “As always, we’re very excited to see what amazing new beers they’ve created – and to raise a pint to ‘America’s Best Beer-Drinking City’.”
Manneken-Penn is a 7.5% Belgo-American Dubbel whose name and label art were inspired by Philadelphia’s famed William Penn statue above City Hall, and Brussels’ landmark Manneken Pis sculpture of a playful naked boy – ahem – relieving himself. Manneken-Penn was made with oats, molasses and a combination of American and European hops. It is imported for PBW by Shelton Brothers and will be available both on draft and in 11.2 oz bottles.
Throughout the 10 days of PBW, beer drinkers will be able to enjoy other collaborative brews including:
· Brotherly Suds 4, an English summer ale with a zesty citrus hop, brewed this year at Yards by Tom Kehoe, Bill Covaleski of Victory, Gordon Grubb of Nodding Head, Mark Edelson of Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant and Gene Muller of Flying Fish;
· Dock Street Trappiste Pale, a Trappist-style IPA inspired by Orval, brewed by Dock Street, Scott Morrison, Tom Peters and George Hummel, fermented with saccharomyces in the primary fermentation and brettanomyces in the secondary fermentation for a moderate sour character, plus Sonnet and East Kent Golding hops for grassy, citrus-y flavor, available in 750 mL bottles from Dock Street exclusively during PBW;
· Johnny Berliner, brewed by Dock Street and Johnny Brenda’s, a Berlinerweiss German-style sour beer that is clean, refreshing, distinctly tart and low in alcohol (4% ABV), making it perfect for summer;
· Standard Pale, the sixth collaboration between Sly Fox’s Brian O’Reilly and Standard Tap’s William Reed, an American pale ale brewed with new hop varietal Calypso, which will be tapped by the HOG when it makes its way past Standard Tap on the HOG Relay, en route to Opening Tap, and poured for free until the firkin is empty;
· DNA UK, from Dogfish Head and Charles Wells, a transatlantic collaboration that brings together the “DNA” of Dogfish Head’s famed 60 Minute IPA and a strain of yeast from Brit brewer Wells. DNA is making its debut at PBW;
· and Brewvolution II, a collaboration between Prism, Evil Genius and Boxcar that is a hard root beer drawn from Lancaster County’s Amish community and infused with root herbs and spices for all the character of a root beer with none of the saccharine sweetness.
Philly Beer Week 2013 will be held from Friday, May 31 until Sunday, June 9. PBW is a 10-day celebration of “America’s Best Beer-Drinking City.” Established in 2008, it’s the largest beer celebration of its kind in the United States, featuring hundreds of festivals, dinners, tours, pub crawls, tastings and meet-the-brewer nights throughout greater Philadelphia. PBW highlights the region’s diverse beer scene – its world-class breweries, neighborhood taverns, trend-setting restaurants and rich beer culture and history.
For more information about Philly Beer Week, including the ever-expanding schedule of events both during PBW and throughout the year, a list of participants and other details, please visit www.phillybeerweek.org and follow them on Twitter and Instagram (@PhillyBeerWeek) (#PBW2013) and like them on Facebook.
