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2011 War of the Worts XVI

The War of the Worts XVI was held on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at the new 24,000 square foot facility of Keystone Homebrew Supply in Montgomeryville, PA, with 765 Entries, 36 categories, 85 judges and a hefty handful of eager stewards.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art170797.asp

Competitive Homebrewing

The art of homebrewing has exploded across the American landscape with a thunderous roar. In 1978, Jimmy Carter signed legislation that legalized homebrewing on the Federal level; before that, it was considered illegal … prosecutable … an underground activity.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art170795.asp

Fork and Barrel Drums Up Rare Imported Beer

Fork and Barrel in the East Falls section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania resonates with the rustic style of old-world Europe. Thick slabs of wood topped with earthenware pitchers cast a silent invitation to revel in imported libations.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art170735.asp

Steve Hindy of Brooklyn Brewery Weighs In at Monks

Beer Hunter Michael Jackson often spoke to me about Steve Hindy, one of the co-founders of Brooklyn Brewery in New York. From my own journalistic perspective, Steve had a scintillating past.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art170705.asp

From the Beer Fox Archives

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In Pursuit of Ale Women's Club of Philadelphia

You enter the room, and the smell of malt, hops and food titillate your nose. As your eyes adjust to the softened light of the room, you notice the young lady talking passionately about good beer.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art55491.asp

Beer Fox Tip of the Week

Take a moment to explore "Beer drinking vessels." For many people, the can or bottle that beer comes in is good enough for them. The can protects beer from light, is lightweight, recyclable, and a great option for docksideuse: no shattered glass to worry about in vacation communities.

Casual beer bars, particularly those who serve exclusively BudMillerCoors style beverages, prefer to deliver beer to their patrons in bottles. Rather than cluttering their dishwashers with glass, they launch convincing arguments that it's more macho to drink from the bottle. It's probably a good choice in some cases. Beer in the bottle is sanitary because there is no contact with glassware that has not been properly washed.

But man has been drinking beer from other style vessels for ages. Lady Puabi from the city of Ur in Mesopotamia, (current-day Iraq), drank beer out of a golden tumbler. The Siccan culture of northern Peru drank from a chicha vessel.

During Medieval times, they drank beer from ceramic jugs. In 16th century England, pitch-lined leather tankards, called "blackjacks," were used as the drinking mug of choice. The Pasglass of 17th century Northern Europe was used in communal games and might typically have a greenish tint from the iron and minerals in the soil.

Beer steins with lids were in common use in19th century Germany and Austria where beer was protected from bugs during outdoor festivals. A Schnitt was used in the USA circa 1900. This was a little glass that held smaller portions of beer to use as a chaser while slamming-down shots of whiskey.

Beer Fox Laugh of the Week

Two sisters, one blonde and one brunette, inherit the family ranch. Unfortunately, after just a few years, they are in financial trouble.

In order to keep the bank from repossessing the ranch, they need to purchase a bull so that they can breed their own stock.

Upon leaving, the brunette tells her sister, "When I get there, if I decide to buy the bull, I'll contact you to drive out after me and haul it home."

The brunette arrives at the man's ranch, inspects the bull, and decides she wants to buy it.

The man tells her that he will sell it for $599, no less.

After paying him, she drives to the nearest town to send her sister a telegram to tell her the news. She walks into the telegraph office, and says,

"I want to send a telegram to my sister telling her that I've bought a bull for our ranch. I need her to hitch the trailer to our pickup truck and drive out here so we can haul it home."

The telegraph operator explains that he'll be glad to help her, then adds, it will cost 99 cents a word.

Well, after paying for the bull, the brunette realizes that she'll only be able to send her sister one word.

After a few minutes of thinking, she nods and says, "I want you to send her the word 'comfortable.'"

The operator shakes his head. "How is she ever going to know that you want her to hitch the trailer to your pickup truck and drive out here to haul that bull back to your ranch if you send her just the word 'comfortable?"

The brunette explains, "My sister's blonde. The word is big.
She'll read it very slowly......

...... com-for-da-bul."

Beer News:

Pagosa Brewing Company is holding the annual Mutton Chop Contest paired with Russian Imperial Stouts and LIVE bagpipe music on Saturday, February 26, 2011. The contest begins at 6 p.m. Prizes will be given for:
* Best Natural
* Best Enhanced
* Most Entertaining (anything goes!)

Awards will include cash prizes, gift certificates & REAL Lamb Chops from "GrassRoots Meats" - and, of course, the very coveted "CHOP CROWN."

If you are a fan of Russian Imperial Stout, this RIP selection will rock your laddies and kadiddles:
* Kitai Russian Imperial - 13%
- Pagosa Brewing Co.
* Yeti Russian Imperial - 9.5%
- Great Divide Brewing Co
* Imperial Stout - 7.5%
- Carver Brewing Co.

Pagosa Brewing Company is located at 100 North Pagosa Boulevard, Pagosa Springs, Colorado, USA.

And on the other side of the country, look for the Portsmouth (New Hampshire) Craft Beer Week from March 1-7, 2011. Events include Barley Pub's "Seven Days of Sin", Beer vs. Wine Dinner at The Blue Mermaid, Kate the Great Day, Smuttynose Brewery tours, Meet the Brewer Events, Rare Beer Tastings, and more. For information:
http://www.2beerguys.com/beerweekend/

Beer Fests and Events:

Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show - March 7-9, 2011 - Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas Nevada, USA - http://www.ncbshow.com/

2011 Brewers Association Craft Brewers Conference - March 23-26, 2011 - Hilton San Francisco Union Square, San Francisco, California, USA - Keynote Speakers are Fritz Maytag & Ken Grossman - http://www.craftbrewersconference.com/


Savor: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience - June 3-4, 2011 - National Building Museum, Washington, DC, USA - http://www.savorcraftbeer.com/

18th Mondial de la Biere - June 8-12, 2011 - Place Bonaventure and the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure, Montreal, Quebec, Canada - http://festivalmondialbiere.qc.ca/en/festivals/mondial_de_la_biere_montreal_2011/


Mondial de la Biere 2011 Strasbourg Europe - October 21-24, 2011 - Strasbourg Exhibition Park (Wacken), Strasbourg, France - http://festivalmondialbiere.qc.ca/en/festivals/mondial_de_la_biere_strasbourg_2011/

Craft Beer of the Week Award

Ten FIDY - Oskar Blues Grill & Brewery, Lyons, Colorado, USA
Style: Russian Imperial Stout, 10.5% ABV

I feel like I'm looking at a Black Hole...densely black, with no semblance of light. A moussy tan head sits on top, thick and meringue-like. Aromas explode...POW... with chocolate malt, roasted coffee, and pine. Flavors of figs, dark raisins, and prune sweetness emerge as it warms. A touch of licorice enhances the tone. Mouthfeel is full and satiating. A definite keeper.

Cheers!

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Carolyn Smagalski, Beer and Brewing Editor
http://Beer.bellaonline.com

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