Video: What your style of beer says about you
My brother sent me a link to a graphic displaying “what your style of beer says about you” the other day from IWasteSoMuchTime.com. I dug a little deeper and here’s a video from Bite.ca.
- Matt Pritchard
Like craft beer and baseball? Here’s a guide
If you’re like me, then you love baseball. And if you’re also like me, then you love drinking beer at baseball games. Problem is, usually what’s available is a Big Gulp-sized Bud Light for $14.
In Missoula, the Osprey have a pretty good selection of craft beer: Big Sky Brewing’s Summer Honey and IPA, Kettlehouse Brewing’s Cold Smoke, Eddy Out or Double Haul (it rotates) and Bayern Brewing’s Dump Truck and Dragon’s Breath. At least those were the beers available last week.
Unfortunately, while we do have the Osprey, there isn’t a major league team within about 500 miles. But if you find yourself catching a game at some point over the rest of the summer, check out CraftBeer.com’s Major League Baseball craft beer guide. It lists most of the craft beers available at major league parks. I say most because the comments seem to show the list isn’t complete. Plus, the Cubs and the Blue Jays are missing.
Judging by the list, it looks the the Pirates have about the best beer selection in majors. Surprising? Maybe. But not anymore than their season this year.
- Matt Pritchard
Does beer make you smarter? Possibly
Researchers at the University of Illinois in Chicago claim in a recent study that men who imbibed in a couple of beers were better at deducting a brain teaser than those who drank nothing.
To reach that surprising conclusion, the researchers devised a bar game in which 40 men were given three words and told to come up with a fourth that fits the pattern.
For example, the word “cheese” could fit with words like “blue” or “cottage” or “Swiss.”
Half the players were given two pints. The other half got nothing.
The result? Those who imbibed solved 40% more of the problems that their sober counterparts.
Also, the drinkers finished their problems in 12 seconds while it took the non-drinkers 15.5 seconds.
While I sometimes believe I’m a bit smarter after a couple of pints, it’s hard for me to believe that’s true. If I was, I think my brain would probably tell me to avoid that third one … cheers.
Check out the full story here.
- Matt Pritchard
Interview with BeerAdvocate founders Jason and Todd Alström
People say I like beer, but as this Imbibe Magazine interview with BeerAdvocate founders Jason and Todd Alström proves, one can never have too much love for the nectar of the gods.
I’ve always admired their dedication to providing a venue for tasting and comparing beers. And I find it really cool that these guys turned a hobby into a full-time job.
Three cheers for BeerAdvocate.com.
Hip, hip, hooray.
Hip, hip, hooray.
Hip, hip, hooray.
Prost,
GG
Take a virtual brewery tour at Blackstarbeer.com
For me, nothing will take the place of a good, old-fashioned road trip to check out a brewery. But this comes close. Take a few minutes and check out the new Brewery Tour from Blackstarbeer.com. It’s a look at the transformation going on at Great Northern Brewing Company in Whitfish, and it’s one of the nicer Web sites I’ve seen in a while.
Some of the best aspects might be the videos they have posted, particularly the one where they ask people if they can define some interesting brewing terms. So what do you think grist is?
Enjoy,
GG
Philly beer raids are a scary reminder of the power behind state liquor control
After a series of raids at three Philidelphia bars under the same ownership, the dust seems not to want to settle. The raids came after anonymous complaints of the unlawful sale of unregistered brands. As in certain unregistered craft beers, according to this article by BeerNews.org.
What implications does this have for Montana? In reality, not much. Pennsylvania has different liquor controls than Montana has. However, It’s an example of how powerful interests, especially various lobbyists and other groups carry influence that affects the craft beer industry. Alcohol is big money, and for many states, the control of the alcohol business is huge money that has ramifications for many powerful elements like the banking industry.
Here in Montana, the strict controls on the craft brewers continue to inhibit industry because of these nefarious connections. The Montana Tavern Owners Association is a very powerful group, but their power doesn’t just come from within. If I understand it right, the very expensive licenses that are the crux of the issue between craft brewers and tavern owners, are tied to real estate, which is tied to banks, which further convolutes the issue and throws a lot of big muscle behind the Tavern Owners Association.
There is a lot to unpack here, but it brings to light the fact that much will not change in this and other states unless the stakeholders (read craft beer drinkers) participate in the process of reform by starting initiatives to rewrite or do away with the old prohibition-era laws that do nothing but make it difficult to do business and to be able to enjoy craft beer from around the country.
More soon.
Pr0st,
GG
I would not drink craft beer and ale – A craft beer tribute to Dr. Seuss
Green eggs and ham are one thing. I might have trouble with that until I try it. In the craft beer world, I don’t know if it would take so many words to convince someone to try it. I gotta hand it to beer writer Jay Brooks on this one. If only I had time to write like this. Please take a moment and check out this delightful artwork and engaging parody of a Suessian classic on Brookstonbeerbulletin.com.
Prost,
GG
New York Times tastes 20 Belgian golden ales
This is a great review of some of the most popular and easy-to-find Belgian beer styles today, as well as some not-so-easy to find.
Read the New York Times review of Belgian golden ales here.
Prost,
GG
Craft brewers are writing the history of beer the way they want to
This Bon Appetit article on canned craft beer is a great example of how craft brewers, especially those in the Rocky Mountain West, are writing the history of beer they way they want to. Sometimes you have to take tradition and history and stuff it in a bottle and send it out to sea. Canning beers, while it has long been the domain of the mega breweries, has become not only acceptable because of craft brewers, it has improved the quality and shelf life of beer. And the carbon footprint is much less than glass.
Prost,
GG
Capital Brew – A look at Blackfoot River Brewing Company
Check out my article about Blackfoot River Brewing Company in the digital version of Missoula Magazine. It’s the first article on the second set of pages. Just click the little buttons at the bottom of the magazine to scan through it. Clicking on the page will make it big enough to read.
Prost,
GG