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

Sausage & Beer Cheese Soup Recipe
You may wish to add beer to a cheese sauce, but be aware of the rules that govern cheese before you strike out on your own.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art177264.asp

Crooked Series from Uinta Brewing Company
The Uinta Mountain Range, stretching from northeastern Utah into Wyoming has its own crooked allure.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art177197.asp

Smashington - Random Thoughts on Beer
Smashington, as he is known in the beer world, shares his story on how he got started in beer; then moves on to discuss everything from beer laws to his favorite breweries, beers and goals.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art177123.asp

Philly Beer Geek 2012 Interview with Smashington
Confetti fell from the ceiling, the room started swirling, and pink elephants blasted through the walls the moment Steve Mashington was pronounced Philly Beer Geek 2012.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art176960.asp

Philadelphia Water Works - Help for Homebrewers
The Fairmount Water Works in Philadelphia, PA stands as an icon in American history.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art176944.asp

Smashington Crashes-in as Philly Beer Geek 2012
The Philly Beer Geek 2012 Competition turned out to be the biggest payday for a single beer consumer in all of Philly Beer Week.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art176819.asp

Craft Brewers Conference Supports U.S. Craft Beer
San Diego, with its mild climate and relaxed attitude was new to me. The delicate fragrance of roses, growing in abundance around the Town & Country Resort, took a back seat to the mild aroma of fresh beer.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art176688.asp

From the Beer Fox Archives

Three Tier System of Alcohol Distribution - USA
Imagine what it must have been like during Prohibition. Crazy and romantic, in its own way. Little shabby restaurants in brownstone houses…whisper the name of a mutual friend through the crack in the door, and the whiskey world would open to you. Or maybe you would drink beer.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art56856.asp

Beer Fox Tip of the Week

When bottling beer, start with the basics. Inspect your bottles beforehand to avoid any problems with "bottle bombs." Check for chips or cracks around the top of the bottle or for mold growing in the bottom. In a well-ventilated area, soak bottles overnight in ammonia and water to remove labels from pre-used bottles. Be sure to wear gloves, and remove labels and residue by gently rubbing. A jet bottle washer and bottle brush work well to clean bottles. Then be sure to sanitize with a high quality sanitizing solution.

Beer Fox Laugh of the Week

A man goes to his doctor and says, "I don't think my wife's hearing isn't as good as it used to be. What should I do?" The doctor replies, "Try this test to find out for sure.

When your wife is in the kitchen doing dishes, stand fifteen feet behind her and ask her a question, if she doesn't respond keep moving closer asking the question until she hears you."

The man goes home and sees his wife preparing dinner. He stands fifteen feet behind her and says, "What's for dinner, honey?" He gets no response, so he moves to ten feet behind her and asks again. Still no response, so he moves to five feet. still no answer. Finally he stands directly behind her and says, "Honey, what's for dinner?" She replies, "For the fourth time, I SAID CHICKEN!"

Beer News:

Brooklyn Brewery in Brooklyn, New York is sponsoring a songwriting competition that will award one gifted person a trip to Sweden to enjoy the world’s first all-Brooklyn music festival in Sweden: BROOKLYN, SWEDEN [brooklynsweden.com]. The best original song with lyrics about or inspired by Brooklyn’s infamous “G” subway train wins BROOKLYN, SWEDEN festival passes, and airfare and hotel accommodations for two from NYC to Stockholm. Additionally, the winner will perform their song live at the BROOKLYN, SWEDEN send-off party featuring Blonds, Telepathe and The So So Glos at the Rock Shop [therockshopny.com] on August 27.

Submissions are only being accepted until July 24, 2012. Go to http://brooklynbrewery.com/swedencontest for information.

Beer Fests and Events:

Great American Beer Festival - October 11-13, 2012 - Colorado Convention Center, Denver, Colorado, USA - the largest ticketed beer festival in the country featuring craft beers from every corner of the USA, Farm to Table Pavilion, Brewer's Studio, Beer and Food Pavilion, You Be the Judge, Silent Disco, the American Homebrewers Association, Bookstore and Book Signings, Support your Local Brewery Pavilion, Craft Beer Guilds, Pro-Am Competition, and the GABF Commercial Competition. Whew! Public Tickets go on sale August 2, 2012
For info:
http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/

Craft Beer of the Week Award

Rye Saison - Yazoo Brewing Company, Nashville, Tennessee USA
Style: Farmhouse Ale/Saison - 5.0% ABV

As a nice quenching beer for the hot weather, this sweetheart-of-a-beer gleams hazy gold with a sticky, eggshell head. The nose is full of fresh peaches, lemons, tropical fruit and yeast, followed by spiciness that can only come from rye. On the palate, fruit merges with light breadiness, pepper, spice and earthy Saison yeast. The mouthfeel is soft, while the finish is quenching, but not as dry as some.

Cheers!

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

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