Features
The Games Drinkers Play
by Dave GausepohlEveryone recognizes the old ploy to keep us in the pub when the publican places salty foods like peanuts, pretzels and popcorn at the bar. Even though these thirst-causing snacks keep us drinking, they will not keep us at the bar as long as a game will.
Best Cellar Ready-Mades
by Alan MoenIf convenience is more your concern than cost, there are a number of refrigerated “cellars” on the market that can provide an instant solution to long-term beer storage. Just add bottles, and plug in to an electrical outlet.
Beers for the Cellar—A Selected List
by Alan MoenVirtually any beer over 6 percent ABV is a likely candidate for cellaring. Here’s a short list of some of my favorites and when I would recommend drinking them.
Storing Beer: How to Design a Best Cellar
by Alan MoenThe concept of a wine cellar is well understood, even by people who don’t drink wine. Since the flavor of many wines improves with age, having an appropriate place to store the treasures of the grape is a practical necessity for wine lovers.
25 All-American Beer Cities: 25 for AAB’s 25th
by Paul RuschmannAs part of its silver anniversary celebration, All About Beer Magazine asked me to name my 25 favorite American beer cities. Lists like these invite controversy, which isn’t a bad thing. Differences of opinion make for good discussion and are amicably resolved over a pint or two.
Gastropubs and Fine Beer Dining, European Style
by Julie Johnson Bradford“We use the same fishmonger Gordon Ramsay does,” Mark Dorber says, not even trying to look modest. As the landlord of the White Horse at Parsons Green in West London, Dorber is well known for his cask-conditioned ales. But instead of acclaimed brewers, he is now using a three-star Michelin celebrity chef and culinary enfant... View Article
Educating the Next Generation of Restaurant Professionals
by Julie Johnson BradfordWhen Jared Rouben applied to study at the Culinary Institute of America, he was excited to see on the application that the highly-regarded school included a beer club among the various student organizations. “Then I got here and discovered it had been dismantled for a couple of years. I was devastated,” says Rouben. “The first... View Article
When Fine Dining Calls For Fine Beer
by Julie Johnson BradfordA fervent beer lover I know was sitting in a multi-starred restaurant. He’d made his food selection, and was studying the drinks menu. After glancing at the beer list, he scanned the wine pages before calling the sommelier. “I was looking for something in a jug red,” he said. “I beg your pardon?” asked the... View Article
Beer in the European Union
by Roger ProtzIf American readers are confused by the role of the European Union, they are not alone. Many of us who live in EU countries are increasingly reduced to head-scratching disbelief by its activities.
Columns
Departments
Belgian Strong Golden Ale
by K. Florian KlempBelgian brewers fairly sneer at convention, as they produce hundreds of idiosyncratic or otherwise inimitable brews. The eccentricity is the norm to the point that lovers of Belgian beers consider the quirks quintessential. The obscure Belgian specialties may be known by few, but ask even a modestly devoted beer lover to name a Belgian brew,... View Article
Beer in My Backyard
by Paul RuschmannOver the years, people have asked us where we “drink locally.” For us, “local” means Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan town where we’ve worked and played for years. The city’s population is only 114,110—Michigan Stadium could hold them all—but it offers something for every taste. Where else can you watch the Royal Shakespeare Company,... View Article
Beer Talk
Avery IPA
by - -Avery Brewing Co. Boulder, CO Available: AK, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MA, ME, MN, MA, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA,, TN, TX, VA, WI, WY Hops used: Columbus, Styrian Goldings, Centennial
B.B. Bürgerbraü
by - -Budejovicky Metanskyy Pivovar Ceske Budejovice Imported by: Classic Beverages Darien, CT Available: NY, IL, MI, MN, WI, MA, CT, NJ, PA, MD, DC, VA, NC, TX B.B. Burgerbraü was first brewed in 1802, with the name “Budweiser Bürgerbräu.” When the communists took over, they considered Bürgerbräu to be the “German” brewery of the town, and... View Article
Damnation Golden Ale
by - -Russian River Brewing Co. Santa Rosa, CA Available: CA, PA, DC, VA Damnation is Russian River’s version of a Belgian-style golden ale. The name evokes the Belgian tradition of giving this style of beer a curious or diabolical name. Alcohol (wt.): 5.57 Alcohol (vol.): 7 Original Gravity: 1066
Rohrbach Scotch Ale
by Stephen BeaumontRohrbach Brewing Co. Rochester, NY Available: NY Alcohol (wt.): 5.25 Alcohol (vol.): 6.6 Color: 11 Bitterness: 17 Original Gravity: 1070 Final gravity: 1020 Malts used: Pale malt and roasted barlye Hops used: Styrian Golding and Willamette
St. Feuillien Tripel
by Stephen BeaumontSt. Feuillien Brewery Le Rouilx, Belgium Imported by: Artisanal Imports Austin, TX Available: CA, WA, IDAHO, CO, ARIZONA, ALASKA Named for an Irish monk, Feuillien, martyred in the 7th century, this Belgian brewery has been operated by the Friart family on the site of the old abbey since 1873. Alcohol (wt.): 6.8 Alcohol (vol.): 8.5... View Article
LaConner IPA
by - -LaConner Brewing Co. LaConner, WA Available: WA LaConner Brewing Co. (established in 1995) is a family-owned brewpub located in the historic waterfront village of LaConner, WA. The IPA is their flagship beer. Alcohol (wt.): 5.57 Alcohol (vol.): 7 Color: 5-10 Lovabond Bitterness: 134 Original Gravity: 1068 Final gravity: 1012 Malts used: Crisp Marris Otter Hops... View Article
Warsteiner Dunkel
by Steve BeaumontWarsteiner Brauerei Warstein, Germany Imported by: Warsteiner Importers Agency Cincinnati, OH WarsteinerPremium Dunkel is brewed exclusively of barley malt, hop extract, yeast and water according to the German purity law of 1516. Alcohol (wt.): 4.0 Alcohol (vol.): 4.9 Color: 16.5 Bitterness: 20 Original Gravity: 1046 Final gravity: 1016.4 Malts used: Pilsner pale, crystal, Munich, roasted... View Article
Wheat Wine
by - -Portsmouth Brewery Place: Portsmouth, NH The Portsmouth Brewery, New Hampshire’s first brewpub, was founded in 1991, four years after its sister company, the Northampton Brewery, opened in Western Massachusetts. Today, it’s “sister company” is Smuttynose Brewing Co.
Lagunitas IPA
by - -Lagunitas Brewing Co. Petaluma, CA, Available: CA, OR, WA, ID, NV, AZ, CO, TX, VA, DC, NY, PA, MA Alcohol (wt.): 5.7 Alcohol (vol.): 7.2 Color: 9-12 Bitterness: 42 Original Gravity: 1056 Final gravity: 1011 Malts used: We use Great Western Pale Malt and a variety of other specialty malts for color and texture Hops... View Article
Rodenbach Grand Cru
by - -Brewery Rodenbach Roeselare, Belgium Imported by: Brewery Ommegang Cooperstown, NY Available: PA, MD, MA, DC, NJ, NY, GA The Rodenbach Grand Cru is matured in the oak casks for up to two years, where oxygen diffusion through the wood along with the micro-organisms in the wood contribute to the fermentation and further acidification, and help... View Article
Berghoff Solstice Wit
by - -Joseph Huber Brewing Co. Monroe, WI Available: WI, IL, IN, MO, KS, MI, IA The Joseph Huber brewing Co., the second oldest continuously operating brewery in the United States, is celebrating its’ 160th year in business. The brewhouse is a two-vessel system, consisting of a mash/lauter tun and a brewkettle with an average size of... View Article