What is Fresh Hop, or Wet Hop, beer?

These terms refer to the process of brewing beer with freshly harvested hops instead of the more traditionally used dried variety. These hops are typically harvested within 24 hours of brewing the beer. They are considered "wet" because their water content is between 80-90%, whereas dried hops have a substantially lower water content of 10-20%. Brewing with fresh hops requires a lot more hops to be used to obtain the desired flavors and aromas, which vary greatly from their dried brethren. You can taste the difference for yourself, as many brewers are adding this type of beer to their seasonal lineups. If you're not familiar with this type of brew already, go to your favorite beer spot and ask for one. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Good boy!

National Drink Beer Day

September 28th is National Drink Beer Day. You didn't know that? Shame on you! The beauty of this day is that it can actually span 365 days, depending on how you celebrate it. However you choose to spend this special day, as you sip your brew this evening think about the love that went into the glass, can, or bottle that you are drinking. Enjoy!

Name this Beer

The Irish Red has begun!

Dwile Flonking, anyone?

Dwile Flonking is an English pub game involving two teams of twelve, dancing around each other and trying to avoid being hit with a beer soaked rag from the opposite team. The loser must drink beer from a chamber pot. Who's up for a round?

Give 'em the boot!

Great Divide coming to San Diego

I had beer from Great Divide Brewing Co. while I was in Colorado for the Great American Beer Festival last weekend and was very impressed. Click on the link below for a post from San Diego Beer Blog regarding the arrival of this Colorado brew to San Diego. Enjoy!

Great Divide Brewing Co. Coming to San Diego

Is everyone ready for Oktoberfest?

Who said that?

"Who cares how time advances? I am drinking ale today."
- Edgar Allan Poe

Great American Beer Festival: The Event

I had a great time at the festival. I worked from 8:00am to 12:00pm setting up, then from 12:30pm to 10:00pm pouring beer for happy festival goers. A great time was had by all, and much beer was consumed. Throughout all of the sampling that I did, there were two that stood out above the rest.

The Bruery's Black Tuesday was like a giant, warm hug in a tasting cup. This imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels is rich and smooth. At 19.5% alcohol, it warms your throat and stomach as it goes down, and leaves the essence of the year long bourbon barrel aging on your palate. If you can score a bottle when it is released in October, I would highly recommend doing so!

On a completely different note, Billy's Chilies Beer from Twisted Pine Brewing Co. was an incredible experience. I've had beer brewed with chilies before, but the mix of fresh anaheim, fresno, serrano, jalapeno, and habanero peppers that they brew this beer with provides a huge pepper bite, yet is oddly refreshing. Although distribution of their beer is limited to Colorado, Texas, and Louisiana, you must search out and try this unique brew!

The festival is over for this year and the winners of the competition have been announced. You can view the complete list here. What will next year hold? What standout beers will be served? Who will take home top honors at the competition? We'll have to wait until next year to find out, and the best way to get the answers is in person at the 2011 Great American Beer Festival. Will you be there?

Great American Beer Festival fact #3

The festival this year will feature 36,000 gallons of beer. Enough said. Check out photos and highlights as the festival progresses here.

Great American Beer Festival fact #2

The 2007 festival sold out the week of the event, in 2008 two weeks in advance, in 2009 three weeks in advance, and this year five weeks in advance.

Great American Beer Festival fact #1

The first festival was held in 1982 at the Harvest House Hotel in Boulder. There were 22 breweries, 40 beers, and 800 attendees. This year, now held in Denver since 1984, the festival features 455 breweries, more than 2,200 beers, and an expected 49,000 attendees.

Countdown to Great American Beer Festival

As we anticipate the arrival of the country's premier beer festival, I will be counting down the final days by posting some interesting facts about the yearly event. I will be attending this year as a volunteer, setting up, pouring samples, and doing whatever else they ask me to do. If you will be attending on Saturday, look me up!

Great American Beer Festival

Thursday, 5:30-10:00pm

Friday, 5:30-10:00pm

Saturday, 12:30-4:30pm (Members Only Session)

Saturday, 5:30-10:00pm

Denver, CO

SOLD OUT!

I am a craft beer drinker

I'm sure this will be circulating around quite a bit, but is worth a look if you haven't seen it already. If you are a true craft beer enthusiast, it is sure to move you in some way. Enjoy!

I am a Craft Beer Drinker from New Brew Thursday on Vimeo.

Welcome to Monday, er... Tuesday!

How was your long weekend? Don't you hate it when holidays play with your mind, turning a perfectly good Tuesday into a Monday in your head? Perhaps a nice craft beer is in order, or at least a good laugh. Enjoy!