The Boston Beer Party

Everyone remembers hearing about the Boston Tea Party in History class.  To recap, people got pissed at the British government and dumped out barrels of tea in protest.  History repeated itself in Wisconsin, but instead of dumping tea it was shitty MillerCoors instead.  The protest was organized by Will Glass co-owner of Fire House bar in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and was in response to Motion 414.  This motion is the add-on law that was pushed through with the Wisconsin budget by Governor Scott Walker.  The law restricts the ability of micro brewers to self distribute and helps the large brewers corner the market.  The motion was supported by MillerCoors.  The governor refused to veto the provision.

Check out Beer & Whiskey Brothers for the full interview of Will Glass and video of some of the beer party action.

Motion 414 is just another bullshit move proving our government is lead by paid off assholes.  Our country is being puppeted by corporations and at the expense of the people.  When are we going to wake up and take a stand?  The corporations are robbing this country blind with bail outs, tax loop holes, and bribery.  Our local industries are being gutted and our jobs shipped overseas.  And now we have a global conglomerate operated MillerCoors shitting on local breweries in Wisconsin courtesy of their own governor.  Please people, read the message in the sand.  Don't base all your political views on the propoganda spewed from our televisions.  Stop the silly Republican/Democrat quabbling.  Both parties are one in the same and all of them with their own pre-paid agendas.  Our country is circling the bowl and the corporations are laughing their way to the bank.  When is enough, enough?

2011 U.S. Open Beer Championship

When you hear about the US Open you may think of golf or maybe even tennis. Well if sissy-ass clapping or people grunting obnoxiously every time they hit a tennis ball don’t excite you, check out the US Open of Beer. More than 1,200 beers in more than 50 different categories were entered into the competition. A unique aspect of this competition is that it is the only competition to include professional breweries and award-winning home brewers together. This is a great example of homebrewing getting the recognition it deserves for its part in the today’s craft brew movement. The homebrewers faced the big boys head on and went home with one silver and two bronze medals.

The top 10 breweries based on the number of beers placing first (3 points), second (2 points) or third (1 point) are:

1. Deschutes Brewery, Oregon
2. Cigar City Brewing, Florida
2. Grand Teton Brewing, Idaho
4. Boston Beer Company, Massachusetts
5. New Belgium Brewing, Colorado
6. Full Sail Ales, Oregon
7. Sprecher Brewing, Wisconsin
8. Neustadt Brewing, Canada
9. Montana Brewing, Montana
10. August Schell, Minnesota
10. Capital Brewing, Wisconsin



Check out USopnebeer.com for the complete results including the top 3 beers in each category.

Imperial IPA round-up No. 2 - Founder's Double Trouble

In our IPA shootout Founder’s dominated the field and won the coveted number one spot. So what could we expect from their Imperial IPA? Second place, that’s what. Founder’s has proven to be a solid brewing company not just from our prestigious shootouts, but by placing on just about every other beer review list you can find as well.

The artwork on the bottle is a bit disturbing to me. I guess it’s like the people that hate clowns, being disturbed by a non-imposing figure, but to me this bottle is freaky. So at the risk of being eternally condemned to some weird impressionist portrait, I ventured forth into the Founder’s Double Trouble. It poured a dark straw color with a two fingered head perched on top. The nose emanated floral notes with some citrus fighting through. The taste was balanced with a nice deep grapefruit character lingering into the finish. The deep grapefruit flavor is like eating grilled grapefruit where some of the fruit’s sugar has been caramelized on an open flame. The bitterness lingers slightly after the finish but is not astringent or unpleasant in any way. The brew overall is very smooth and drinkable. I survived the crazy looking bottle and ingested the beautiful elixir contained within. As far as I can tell I’m not stuck in any weird impressionistic world, so I think it is safe. Either way the reward of deliciousness far outweighs the consequences of being stuck in an alternate universe so drink up!


Cheers!

The Finale!!!!

We shot most of our stuff on Sunday night due to everyone having to work Tuesday.  Here is that carnage.

And the video of our finale tonight...


  Hope everyone had a safe and fun 4th of July.  And as the day comes to a close lets all remember what our Independence Day stands for.  Freedom. 

Happy 4th of July!

If there is one thing I like almost as much as beer it is fireworks!  The big plus to 4th of July is that it is the only holiday where mixing beer and explosives is an acceptable practice.  Man I love this country!  For all of those who told me, "you might as well light a $100.00 bill", I can't get that $100 to shoot 200 feet in the air and explode in a giant shower of multi-colored f'n awesomeness. So quit being sissys and detonate flaming balls 20ft from your family so you can call yourself a true patriotic American.  And please note the only official FatCat firework ignition device is a good cigar.  So get yourself a good stoagie, a good beer, the biggest consumer fireworks you can find, and celebrate our freedom.  To everyone out there have a safe and happy 4th of July. 

Cheers!

Imperial IPA round-up No. 3 - Odell Myrcenary

The Myrcenary is the only brew that I had tried prior to our shootout and I had high expectation for it.  The Myrcenary did not disappoint! 

9.3% ABV

The Odell Myrcenary poured a pale straw color with a two finger head.  The aroma was big in pine and citrus.  For an Imperial IPA this is a very balanced offering with wonderful grapefruit flavor.  It was not aggressively bitter but very refreshing instead.  This is another one of those dangerous brews because the 9.3% ABV is disguised very well.  The Myrcenary was a subdued competitor compared to the Ruination but used it’s subtlety brilliantly.  I would not hesitate to suggest this brew to anyone.

Imperial IPA round-up No. 4 - Stone Ruination

Stone is known for big aggressively hopped beers and Ruination is no exception. Their Imperial IPA is teeth shattering but in a “Please sir may I have another” type of way. This was definitely one of the most unique IPAs in our shootout .

First off, the bottle is a fairly accurate representation of the experience you are about to have. It’s a demon spawn looking gargoyle with horns looking like it’s about to pull your teeth out and eat them like Pez candy. Sounds like fun!

Ruination poors a reddish orange with a two finger head perched on top. The aroma is big aggressive grapefruit and citrus. The taste starts with a brief sweetness which is basically like going up the first hill on a roller coaster and then ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! The bitterness smacks you in the palate. The bitterness is BIG with a bit of astringency, which is usually not a desirable characteristic for me. Somehow the Ruination packs in enough citrus flavor to stand up to the huge bitterness. The malt flavor is clean without any caramel. The finish is super long with the bitterness lingering for ages. The long finish is also something I don’t normally enjoy but works well in this brew. Overall, I would describe this brew as an experience. An experience because it’s not like any other IPA I’ve tasted. I would recommend this brew to anyone wanting to try something different. If you are tired of the same old IPA then check out the Ruination. It is definitely not for the faint of heart, so enter with caution. Keep all hands and feet inside the ride at all times.

Cheers!