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Brewers Association Top 50 US Craft Breweries 2009

The Brewers Association has released their 2009 production stats for Top 50 U.S. Craft Brewing Companies and Overall Brewing Companies. I prefer to microscopically review these lists from my own perspective to determine patterns that matter to me, as an enthusiast of craft beer.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art66513.asp

2010 WBC - Large Categories & Surprising Stats

For a brewer, a World Beer Cup gold award allows them to say that their winning beer represents the best of that beer style in the world.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art66448.asp

2010 World Beer Cup Winners & Stats

Judges may taste as many as 50 beer samples in a day. Their assessment of each beer follows the Style Guidelines developed by the Brewers Association for description and specifications, while selecting beers with qualities that propel them into the category of true World-Class prominence.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art66447.asp

Craft Brewers Conference 2010 Gallery of Beer Pros

The Opening Session of the 27th Craft Brewers Conference 2010, held on Thursday, April 8th featured a treasure trove of leaders in the professional brewing community. Look below for the most recognized faces in the beer industry.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art66434.asp

2010 Craft Brewers Conference Famous Names & Faces

The Brewers Association (BA) sounds-off as the most passionate voice for craft brewers in the United States - defining craft brewers as small, independent and traditional. View the CBC gallery for a look at some of the famous beer-industry faces that dotted the sea of brewers.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art66432.asp

2010 Craft Brewers Conference & World Beer Cup

We are fortunate to see the gleam in the glass, to feel the golden elixir slosh across our lips, and to laugh with the pleasurable effects for hours afterward. But within that pleasure lays a complexity that few understand.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art66424.asp

Easter Beer - Hoppy Treats in the Easter Basket

As an adult, I still find joy in chocolate and cellophane, but look for the added pleasure of a substantially-woven basket filled with Easter beer.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art66327.asp

Crazy Beer Names that Stroke the Imagination

Certainly, Armageddon was not the original word used in the text of the New Testament, but became a word so powerful it has overflowed from its role in religious circles to touch the imagination of Rock Stars, Marvel Comics, World Wrestling Entertainment, and novelists Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art66317.asp

From the Beer Fox Archives

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Hungry Planet : What the World Eats - Book Review

Two years later, the compulsion overtook me. Hungry Planet: What the World Eats stood on the shelf at my local bookshop, tempting me with what lived within the covers.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art57163.asp

Beer Fox Tip of the Week

The latest from Merchant du Vin:
"Introducing: Zatec Dark Lager from the Czech Republic

Zatec Brewery and Merchant du Vin are extremely proud to announce the upcoming arrival of a traditional deep, dark lager that will join Zatec Bright Lager in the US - look for it after June 1, 2010.

For a thousand years, the Zatec region west of Prague has been known for the fine quality of hops grown there. Sometimes known to English speakers by the German name - Saaz - this spicy, elegant hop is one of the keys to a beer renowned for centuries.

Brewing in Zatec dates back to at least 1004 AD, confirmed by records of brewing taxes paid. The Society of Privileged Brewers was founded in Zatec in 1261, the cornerstone for the current Zatec Brewery was laid in 1798, and brewing began in 1801.

Made from Moravian two-row barley and local hops, Zatec Dark is produced via very traditional, labor-intensive means: a double-decoction mash, open primary fermentation, sand filtering, and 45 days of lagering in cool cellars 80 ft. underground. Fairly full-bodied, Zatec Dark has a clean malt flavor and aroma with pure notes of dark bread, caramel, and even a suggestion of toffee. The finish holds inimitable, elegant Saaz hops allied with biscuity malt. Na zdraví! (Cheers!)

OG: 1.058; IBU: 25; ABV 5.7%.

In an age of mass production, Zatec is a small, independent brewery upholding classic Czech brewing traditions and is one of only seven remaining production breweries in the Czech Republic.

Available at bars, restaurants, and stores nationwide after June 1, 2010.

There is a .pdf of this news release and a bottle shot on our news page: http://www.merchantduvin.com/pages/1_about/news.html "

Beer Fox Laugh of the Week

With time, women gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies.

So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy.

Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror, I will think, "Good grief, look how smart I am!"

Beer News:

ANNOUNCING: Philly Beer Geek 2010 Competition!
Event Coordinators: Jason Harris, Keystone Homebrew & Carolyn Smagalski, Beer Fox
Contact: jason@phillybeergeek.com or carolyn@phillybeergeek.com

Awards and Prizes:

• GRAND PRIZE of more than $1,000 in gift certificates and prizes
• AN ENGRAVED PLAQUE proclaiming you as Philly Beer Geek 2010
• PRESTIGE & HONOUR of being PHILLY BEER GEEK 2010
• OFFICIAL T-SHIRT bearing the title PHILLY BEER GEEK 2010
• AN ENGRAVED PLAQUE proclaiming your sponsor as Home of the Philly Beer Geek 2010

Philly Beer Geek 2010 Semi Finals Competition:
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Proudly Hosted by:
Manayunk Brewery & Restaurant, Philadelphia, PA
NOTE: THIS IS A FREE EVENT!

Philly Beer Geek 2010 FINALS Competition
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Proudly Hosted by:
Manayunk Brewery & Restaurant, Philadelphia, PA
NOTE: THIS IS A FREE EVENT DURING PHILLY BEER WEEK 2010!!
Competitions start at 8:00 pm
-Details at http://www.phillybeergeek.com Check back often for updates!

How to Win the Philly Beer Geek 2010 Title
• Win a Qualifying Round at a Sponsoring Beer, Brewpub, or Restaurant
See Event Calendar for places, times, and dates. Check back often for additions and changes.
• Win one of 6 spots at the Philly Beer Geek Semi-Finals 2010 Competition
• Win the Philly Beer Geek 2010 Finals Competition
• Enjoy the GLORY!

Beer Fests and Events:

17th Edition of the Mondial de la Biere - June 2-6, 2010 - Windsor Station and Courtyard, located at 1160 des Canadiens-de-Montréal street (de la Gauchetière West - 11:00 am - 10:00 pm Wednesday through Saturday and 11:00 am - 8:00 pm Sunday - This International North American Beer Festival will present greater significance on the educational side of beer, with the MBeer School of Beerology with Mario D’Eer, Guy Levesque, Tony Forder and Serge Noël, the MBeerconference with Christian Bauweraerts (Belgium), Founder of Achouffe Brewery; Philippe Gaïani (France), Beer Cocktail Specialist; Conrad Seidl (Austria), Beer Writer and Journalist; and Eric Wallace (United States), President and Co-Founder of Left Hand Brewery. The Mondial will also feature Belgium, Brazil and Italy at the Petit Pub, as well as the United States and Ontario. Throughout the hall will be beer exhibitors, food, and beverages from Cassis Mona et filles, Intermiel, Miel Nature and La Vinerie du Kildare. The International MBeer professional tasting Contest continues in its fifth year, where an international jury of experts will choose the winners of one platinum medal and 10 gold medals. For information: http://festivalmondialbiere.qc.ca/

The 2nd edition of the Mondial de la bière - October 22-24, 2010 - Exhibition Park (Wacken), Strasbourg, France - 100 breweries and 400 outstanding beers, beer & cheese workshops, restaurants on-site, and presentations on the history of beer from grain to the glass, including live brewing demonstrations. For information: http://www.mondialbierestrasbourg.com/

Craft Beer of the Week Award

Stone Smoked Porter - Stone Brewing Company, Escondido, California, USA
Style: American Porter - 9.5% ABV

Midnight black in the glass, this body sits thick and viscous, like a liquid storm waiting to unleash within your mouth. A creamy brown head seals the tempest in its place. Bottled January 6, 2010, it screams roasty, bittersweet chocolate, licorice, dark fruits, and vanilla. On the palate, roasted character interplays with deep, dark fruits and a bittersweet chocolate bomb. Easy going down and quite delicious!

Cheers!

Please visit Beer.bellaonline.com for even more great content about Beer and Brewing.

To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum all about Beer and Brewing located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=322

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free knowledge!

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

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