Here are the latest articles from the Beer and Brewing site at BellaOnline.com:

Small Beer
Small Beer, also called Small Ale, was the typical beer of Colonial America. Because water supplies were often contaminated, it made sense to make beer for every segment of society, including children and laborers.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art175382.asp

Mardi Gras Beer Cocktails for Fat Tuesday
Today is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Fasnacht Day, Carnival. Nothing quite rouses my celebratory mood like the music, masquerade and rich libations associated with this festive Bacchanalian Fete.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art175304.asp

Jeremy Cowan and Shmaltz Brewing Company
A party atmosphere follows Jeremy Cowan wherever he goes. Perhaps he’s just an overgrown kid who needs to be put in the time-out chair.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art175274.asp

Craft Beer for your Valentine's Perfect Storm
And since love is as ambiguous as life, I choose to celebrate that passion with a bouquet of intriguing Craft Beers.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art175154.asp

From the Beer Fox Archives

C. Stegmaier & Son - A Photo from the Past
When you look at an old photo, do you barely notice it, or do you wonder what life was like for those surly coots? Do you look for the details? Recently, a friend brought me a copy of a photograph taken in front of the C. Stegmaier & Son brewery in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, circa 1894.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art60529.asp

Beer Fox Tip of the Week

Collaboration Ales are all the rage in the craft beer industry. Stone Brewing is "top shelf" when it comes to merging with the "top guns" of the beer world. Since 2008, Stone has collaborated on a dozen beers, including More Brown Than Black IPA, brewed in late 2011 with Jamie Floyd of Ninkasi Brewing and John Kimmich of The Alchemist. Stone Brewmaster Mitch Steele viewed this as a major triumph beer, with proceeds assisting Waterbury, Vermont, rebuild after the floods from Hurricane Irene ravaged the city in August of 2011.

In February, 2012, Stone joined with Nola Brewing of New Orleans to produce "Pour Me Sumthin Mistah", an Imperial Porter made with Satsuma orange peel and Steen's molasses.

Looking into the crystal ball, Stone will brew a 2012 beer with 21st Amendment of San Francisco and Ninkasi Brewing of Eugene, Oregon.

Beer Fox Laugh of the Week

A tour guide was showing a tourist around Washington, DC. The guide pointed out the place where George Washington supposedly threw a dollar across the Potomac River.

"That's impossible," said the tourist. "No one could throw a coin that far!"

"You have to remember," answered the guide. "A dollar went a lot farther in those days."

*****
The Stock Market Report:

Helium was up. Feathers were down. Paper was stationary. Knives were up sharply. Pencils lost a few points. Hiking equipment was trailing. Elevators rose, while escalators continued a slow decline. Light switches were off. Mining equipment hit rock bottom. Diapers remained unchanged. Shipping lines stayed at an even keel. Balloon prices were inflated. And batteries exploded in an attempt to recharge the market.

*****
A preacher went into his church and he was praying to God. While he was praying, he asked God, "How long is 10 million years to you?"

God replied, "1 second."

The next day the preacher asked God, "God, how much is 10 million dollars to you?"

And God replied, "A penny."

Then finally the next day the preacher asked God, "God, can I have one of your pennies?"

And God replied, "Just wait a sec."

Beer News:

Wynkoop Brewing Company, Denver Colorado proudly announces J. Wilson from Prescott, Iowa as 2012 Beerdrinker of the Year. J's impressive resume included a research project sparked by 17th century monks who drank Doppelbock, aka Liquid Bread, throughout their Lenten Fast. In a closely documented experiment, Wilson fasted for 46 days in 2011, drinking only doppelbock, and wrote about it in a daily blog which he dubbed, "Diary of a Part Time Monk." He also published a book of the same name.

Each year, the Beerdrinker of the Year wins free beer for life at Wynkoop Brewing Company, a $250 tab at their local brewpub or beer bar, and has their name engraved on the Beerdrinker of the Year trophy at Wynkoop. The winner also designs and brews a special batch of beer at Wynkoop Brewing (with head brewer Andy Brown) as part of their reward.

More Beer News:

What does Brasserie Dupont in Tourpes, Belgium have in common with Philadelphia, PA? Did you quickly answer: "beer"?

If you have trouble believing the connection is tight, check out Beer & Food Critic Craig LaBan's piece documenting his spellbound journey to Belgium in the Sunday, February 26, 2012 Edition of Philadelphia's Inquirer. Dupont's 4th generation brewer, Olivier Dedeycker, has collaborated with Chris LaPierre of Iron Hill Brewery Maple Shade and Vince Masciandaro, a New Jersey Homebrewer who won the Philly Beer Week raffle, to brew the official Collaboration Beer for the 2012 Opening Tap of Philly Beer Week on June 1st.

Also joining in on the collaboration are PBW co-chairs Tom Peters and Will Reed, and Mike Scotese (Scoats) of the Grey Lodge Pub. According to LaBan, it is "the first collaboration in the brewery's 166-year history."

Beer Fests and Events:

Third Annual Sacramento Beer Week - February 24, 2012 - March 4, 2012 - over 300 events celebrate Sacramento California's rich beer culture. For info: http://sacramentobeerweek.com/

Third Annual Portsmouth Beer Week - February 27 - March 5, 2012 - Portsmouth New Hampshire: a celebration of beer, culminating in the release of Kate the Great at the Portsmouth Brewery on Monday, March 5. For info: http://portsmouthbeerweek.com/

Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America - May 2-5, 2012 - San Diego Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, CA 92108 USA - Keynote Speaker - Steve Hindy of Brooklyn Brewery! http://www.craftbrewersconference.com/

World Beer Cup Judging takes place May 1-2, 2012 in conjunction with the Craft Brewers Conference. Awards will be presented at the World Beer Cup Gala Awards Dinner on May 5, 2012, during the Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego, California. Every entering brewery receives one complimentary ticket to the awards ceremony.

Craft Beer of the Week Award

Boogoop - Collaboration between Mikkeller at De Proefbrouwerij in Belgium and Three Floyds of Munster, Indiana, USA
Style: Belgian Wheatwine - 10.4% ABV

Crafted with Buckwheat, this outstanding ale has a fruity nose, filled with pine and a fresh floral scent. Its body is like an orange, iridescent skyline, with light tangerine head. The mouth is silky, despite active effervescence on the tongue. Flavors of fresh citrus orange blend with toasted Challah, pine, and a slight Belgian edge. Finish is long, filled with pine, pine, pine! A magnificent beer!
Cheers!

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

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