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Hop Talk (10 unread)

  • Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2008/09/25/Beer_drinkers_try_to_derail_InBev___Anheuser_Busch_deal'

    Beer drinkers try to derail InBev / Anheuser-Busch deal

    Posted: September 25th, 2008, 6:00pm CEST by Al

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    Beer drinkers try to derail InBev / Anheuser-Busch deal

    Just when I though I wasn’t going to write any more about InBev’s acquisition of Anheuser-Busch…

    Apparently, ten regular drinkers of Anheuser-Busch products filed suit in St. Louis to block the deal on antitrust grounds.

    Beer Drinkers Challenge InBev-Anheuser-Busch Deal

    The suit, filed in Anheuser-Busch’s hometown of St. Louis, does not seek financial damages but asks a judge to block the deal. The Department of Justice often reviews large acquisitions to determine if they are legal under U.S. law. But attorneys behind the lawsuit said they want to halt the deal regardless of the verdict in Washington.

    “The Justice Department can do whatever they want. They have no absolutely no effect on private actions,” said Joseph Alioto, the lead attorney in the case. He declined to say Wednesday who was funding the lawsuit.

    submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2008/09/25/beer-drinkers-try-to-derail-inbev-anheuser-busch-deal/';

    Tags: anheuser-busch, inbev, merger
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  • Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2008/09/24/Beer_may_cause_infertility'

    Beer may cause infertility

    Posted: September 24th, 2008, 6:00pm CEST by Al

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    Beer may cause infertility

    Researchers in Cambridge have found that beer, red wine, peanuts, and coffee, along with other foods, contain certain hormone-like chemicals which, when consumed in large amounts, reduces sperm counts.

    It is found that when drinks are consumed along with nuts, it causes more damages than consumed separately. A lot of items were analysed using sensitive chemical procedures. The levels of oestrogen like chemicals, lignansa, and isoflavones were measured.

    Coffee, wine, nuts, beer may cause male infertility

    I guess it’s a good thing I’ve already had two kids and am not looking for any more. Maybe it’s the price we pay for the heart-healthy they offer.

    submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2008/09/24/beer-may-cause-infertility/';

    Tags: coffee, male infertility, peanuts, wine
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  • Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2008/09/23/Hop_shortage_turning_small_brewers_into_farmers'

    Hop shortage turning small brewers into farmers

    Posted: September 23rd, 2008, 6:00pm CEST by Al

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    Hop shortage turning small brewers into farmers

    It really seems to be a simple solution: If you can’t beg, borrow, or steal the hops you need, grow your own.

    Small brewers become hop farmers amid shortage

    For the second straight year, a worldwide shortage of hops has small brewers worried they might not find enough hops to produce their standard beers, let alone experiment with new ones. Many are planting hops themselves to ensure an adequate supply at a price they can afford.

    Herb Pluemer, owner of Tractor Brewing Co. in Los Lunas, N.M., bought 10,000 hop stems from Wills’ Oregon nursery to try growing the crop himself after hearing how much farmers wanted this year.

    “We had to lay out $16,000 for the hops for next year, and now they want the following year upfront and it’s just going higher,” he said. “I have a lot of land, so I got the idea, why not try hops myself?”

    submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2008/09/23/hop-shortage-turning-small-brewers-into-farmers/';

    Tags: hops shortage
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  • Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2008/09/22/Reduce_Carbon_Emissions'

    Reduce Carbon Emissions

    Posted: September 22nd, 2008, 6:00pm CEST by Al

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    Reduce Carbon Emissions

    Walk to the Pub.

    Excellent advice from Coopers Brewery in Australia. Alas, there’s not much of a pub culture here in the States.

    Treehugger: Beer Brewery Has a Solution for What Ales Us: Walk to the Pub

    Coopers’ Environmental efforts

    submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2008/09/22/reduce-carbon-emissions/';

    Tags: australia, coopers, environment
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  • Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2008/09/16/Wild_Dog_Collaborator'

    Wild Dog Collaborator

    Posted: September 16th, 2008, 3:04am CEST by Al

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    Wild Dog Collaborator

    The “Open Source Beer Project” is something that has fascinated us for some time. (For our previous coverage, read: Open Source Beer Project - Flying Dog Brewery, Open Source Beer Project - Now it has a name, and Open Source Beer Project - It’s out!)

    The result of that project is a doppelbock named Collaborator, and is part of Flying Dog’s “Wild Dog” series.

    Well, I finally got around to picking up a bottle. True to form, I’ve managed to do this just as the guys at Flying Dog are getting ready for another go ’round. They’re talking about Open Source Beer Project 2.0. (I always seem to get things just as the newer, better version is coming out.)


    From Flying Dog’s website:

    Collaborator has a full body with a sweet malt profile and a slight roast character. The complete recipe and printable labels are available for download at [www.opensourcebeerproject.com]. We want to thank everyone who contributed to creating this beer, it truly was a collaboration.

    ABV: 8.3%
    Plato: 19.5
    IBU’s: 24
    Specialty Malts: Munich “Type I” 2240 75, Munich “Type II” 550 19, Cara-Munich 55 2, Cara-Amber 55 2, Melanoidin 55 2
    Hops: Warrior, Mt. Hood

    Had a bit of trouble with the cork since, well, it’s not made of cork, but I manage to get it out without incident. Pours a nice, deep amber with very little head. The aroma is very reminiscent of brandy and/or wine. Body is heavy (as it should be) with a bit of sweetness around the edges and a little bite from the alcohol, but mostly warmth. That’s pretty good and will be a pleasant way to wile away a crisp autumn evening. Most shocking of all, however, is that my wife likes it. Just when I thought I knew the styles of beer she liked…

    submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2008/09/15/wild-dog-collaborator/';

    Tags: collaborator, doppelbock, flying dog brewery, open source beer project, wild dog
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  • Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2008/09/09/Moylan%e2%80%99s_Kilt_Lifter'

    Moylan’s Kilt Lifter

    Posted: September 9th, 2008, 6:00pm CEST by Al

    ©Hop Talk - Use on other websites prohibited without express permission

    Moylan’s Kilt Lifter

    This is another one of those beer names that made me laugh, so I just had to try it. Moylan’s is a brewery and restaurant located in Novato, California. Shows what I know; I’ve seen several of their other beers in the cooler and passed on them ’cause I thought they were imported. *facepalm*

    This is another heavyweight beer, weighing in at 8% ABV. At 500ml it’s also something that I have to plan for. A quaffing beer this is not.

    Moylan’s Kilt Lifter

    Robust and Strapping, Our Scotch Ale takes BIG Beers to a whole new level. Rich malt balances perfectly with delicate hops to provide a concentrated and intense flavor; an ideal companion for hearty foods, or as a meal unto itsself. Allow this ale to warm slightly in your glass to enhance its truly bold character. Sharing is encouraged, as this is one beer that lives up to its name! Hey! No peeking! Slainté!
    Alcohol 8.0% by Volume.

    This, of course, reminds me of “The Drunk Scotsman”. (I’m sure that’s the inspiration for the name as well.)


    Irish Rovers - The Drunk Scotsman (YouTube)

    Pours a deep orangish-copper color with a good-sized light tan head. Hops have a grassy aroma, and I can detect the alcohol. I also detect something that I can’t describe any better than “bourbon-like”. Medium body and doesn’t seem as carbonated as the head originally seemed to indicate. Heat from the alcohol isn’t there initially but after a few sips it’s definitely there.

    Sadly, I don’t own a kilt. Nor are there two lovelies nearby to share with. Definitely a beer to have when you’re settled in for the evening.

    Well a Scotsman clad in kilt left a bar one evening fair,
    And one could tell by how he walked he’d drunk more than his share.
    He fumbled ’round until he could no longer keep his feet,
    And he stumbled off into the grass to sleep beside the street.
    Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
    He stumbled off into the grass to sleep beside the street.

    About that time two young and lovely girls just happened by,
    One says to the other with a twinkle in her eye,
    See yon sleeping Scotsman, so strong and handsome built,
    I wonder if it’s true what they don’t wear beneath the kilt?
    Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
    I wonder if it’s true what they don’t wear beneath the kilt?

    They crept up on that sleeping Scotsman, quiet as could be,
    Lifted up his kilt about an inch so they could see.
    And there, behold, for them to view beneath his Scottish skirt,
    Was nothing more than God had graced him with upon his birth.
    Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
    Was nothing more than God had graced him with upon his birth.

    They marveled for a moment then one said, we must be gone,
    Let’s leave a present for our friend before we move along.
    As a gift they left a blue silk ribbon tied into a bow,
    Around the bonnie star the Scot’s kilt did lift and show.
    Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
    Around the bonnie star the Scot’s kilt did lift and show.

    Now the Scotsman woke to nature’s call and stumbled towards a tree,
    Behind the bush he lifts his kilt and gawks at what he sees.
    And in a startled voice he says to what’s before his eyes,
    O lad I don’t know where ya been but I see you won first prize.
    Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
    O lad I don’t know where ya been but I see you won first prize.

    submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2008/09/09/moylans-kilt-lifter/';

    Tags: kilt lifter, moylan's, scotch ale, wee heavy
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  • Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2008/09/08/Green_Flash'

    Green Flash

    Posted: September 8th, 2008, 12:12pm CEST by Ron

    ©Hop Talk - Use on other websites prohibited without express permission

    Green Flash

    I found a new candy store, Oliver’s, the Brew-Crew. It’s not actually new, but new to me and convenient to my new job. It has a bigger selection and carries selections of brews that I have not been ale to find in a long time, like Clipper City Gold Ale, and brews that I have not even had a chance to try yet. Yeah for me! My one complaint is that not everything is labeled.

    In my first visit I could not stop myself and bought about $100 worth of six packs. (hey… it will last me a while and looks good in my beer cellar) So, I’m looking at the receipt with cryptic codes for each six pack and the price they rung up at, all about $7.99, $8.99, $9.50, and then there was one for $13.79! Oh crap! Which six pack did I pay $13.79 for? The code was something like GRFL IPA. So I’m looking through my beer rack and figure out it must be Green Flash West Coast IPA.

    This beer had better be good. I hate it when I try something new and it is disappointing and if this one is disappointing at $13+, I’m not going to be happy at all.

    Long story short, it is fantastic. It pours a golden straw color, classic for an American IPA and the hop aroma is powerful and puts a smile on my face. The beer tastes even better than it smells.

    So, every time I have a glass of Green Flash I say to myself, “it was worth every penny.”

    submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2008/09/08/green-flash/';

    Tags: Beer, candy store, green flash, ipa
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  • Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2008/09/05/A_Pleasant_Evening'

    A Pleasant Evening

    Posted: September 5th, 2008, 3:14pm CEST by Al

    ©Hop Talk - Use on other websites prohibited without express permission

    A Pleasant Evening

    The kids are asleep.

    The wife is out at a class at the community college.

    I have a perfectly chilled six-pack of Brooklyn Brewery Oktoberfest.

    The Giants beat the Redskins 16-7.

    Life is good.

    submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2008/09/05/a-pleasant-evening/';

    Tags: brooklyn brewery, new york giants, oktoberfest
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  • Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2008/09/03/Rogue_Morimoto_Imperial_Pilsner'

    Rogue Morimoto Imperial Pilsner

    Posted: September 3rd, 2008, 6:00pm CEST by Al

    ©Hop Talk - Use on other websites prohibited without express permission

    Rogue Morimoto Imperial Pilsner

    Sometimes I just have to try a beer based on the packaging. Morimoto Imperial Pilsner from Rogue is onesuch. It comes in a lovely, resealable ceramic bottle. Add to that my eldest daughter is really getting into all things Japanese and urged me to buy it.

    It also turns out to have been on Ron’s Wish List last year.

    I actually bought this several weeks ago. I just haven’t had a good opportunity to have 750ml of a 8.8% ABV beer.

    From Rogue’s website:

    Style: Pilsner

    Food Pairing: Seafood, Poultry

    Tasting Notes:
    Golden in color with a dry hop floral aroma and intense hop bitterness supported by a big malty backbone which culminates into a hedonistic mouthful.

    Ingredients:
    100% French Pilsner. 100% Sterling. Czech Pils Yeast & Free Range Coastal Water.

    Specs:
    18º PLATO
    74 IBU
    80 AA
    16º Lovibond

    I like the idea of a “hedonistic mouthful”.

    Light amber in color with a cream colored head. Seems a bit hazy. Lots and lots of spicy hoppiness in the aroma. Body is surprisingly full, and there’s plenty more spice in the flavor. It’s oddly smooth with a bite at the same time. Interesting.

    Hopheads would love this.

    It has quite a kick. If you drink the whole 1 pint 10 fluid ounces yourself, plan on not going anywhere.

    Pretty good, though. I rather liked it.

    submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2008/09/03/rogue-morimoto-imperial-pilsner/';

    Tags: imperial, morimoto, pilsner, rogue
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  • Permalink for 'Hop_Talk/2008/09/02/Fossil_Fuels_Beer'

    Fossil Fuels Beer

    Posted: September 2nd, 2008, 3:04pm CEST by Al

    ©Hop Talk - Use on other websites prohibited without express permission

    Fossil Fuels Beer

    Well, here’s something interesting from the Style section of the Washington Post.

    The Beer That Takes You Back . . . Millions of Years

    Raul Cano is the real-life “Jurassic Park” scientist. Yes, there is one.

    A day before that movie opened in 1993, Cano announced that he had extracted DNA from an ancient Lebanese weevil entombed in amber, just as the fictional employees of InGen do with a mosquito to create their dino-amusement park. One newspaper account said the “achievement” refuted “the long-held view of many biologists that DNA of so great an age” couldn’t be preserved.

    [...]

    “I was going through my collection, going, ‘Gee whiz — this is pretty nifty. Maybe we could use it to make beer,’ ” says Cano, 63 , now the director of the Environmental Biotechnology Institute at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.

    The result is Fossil Fuels Brewing Co., which ferments a yeast strain Cano found in a piece of Burmese amber dating from about 25 million to 45 million years ago. The company — in which Cano is a partner, along with another scientist and a lawyer — introduced its pale ale and German wheat beer with a party last month at one of the two Bay Area pubs where Fossil Fuels is made and served.

    In April, at the World Beer Cup in San Diego, “we had one judge give us the highest marks, one just below and one who didn’t like it,” says Chip Lambert, 63, the company’s other second microbiologist. “We learned that the issue was that in these competitions, you brew to match the traditional concept of the style, which these yeast just don’t do.”

    William Brand, the Oakland Tribune beer critic, says the ancient yeast provides the wheat beer with a distinctively “clove-y” taste and a “weird spiciness at the finish.” (The Washington Post Style section’s summer beer critic pronounced it “smooth and spicy, excellent with chicken strips.”)

    Now, not only do we have companies making beer derived from recipes that are thousands of years old, but now we also have yeast that is tens of millions of years old being used to make beer.

    Everything old is new again.

    (via bookofjoe)

    submit_url = 'http://hop-talk.com/2008/09/02/fossil-fuels-beer/';

    Tags: fossil fuels beer, prehistoric, yeast
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