I recently played a round of golf in an afternoon charity tournament and made an amazing discovery. No, it had nothing to do with finding my inner scratch golfer (I gave up searching for him a long, long time ago), but it did produce a winning tin cup worthy of mention.

Past experience has shown me that playing golf and enjoying a distinctive brew don’t usually go hand in hand. There just aren’t that many options. Occasionally I can buy a cupful of something good, like Samuel Adams or Yuengling Lager, at the clubhouse bar, before heading out to the course. But my enjoyment of it usually fades as quickly as my tee shot. I either end up spilling the open cup of suds in a bumpy cart ride half way to the second hole, or it fills with bits of grass, bugs, pine needles, or that mysterious green stuff that I sprinkle liberally like Parmesan cheese to fill all the divots I create. 

There are the beer carts that crisscross the course, dispensing liquid refreshment and snacks like mechanical, four-wheel St. Bernards. You can’t beat the convenience, for sure, or the general geniality of the cart drivers. But they don’t have a tap, so fresh-tasting beer is out. And, like so much of the rest of the world, they only offer the ubiquitous Coorbudmiller Light. Why settle?

Instead, I decided to try something new — canned beer. I know, that’s not new. Except that it is. Thanks to the inventiveness of some American microbreweries, and the realization by an increasing number of European importers that Americans like the portability and durability of a metal can, there are now more options available for enjoying good beers on the go. So I bought a couple of different kinds, stuffed them in a cooler, and tried them out on my unsuspecting playing partners.

It’s uncanny, really, what fully flavored beers you can get in a can these days. For years, if you wanted something other than an Anheuser-Busch product, you were limited to a few British Empire beers, like Boddingtons, Foster’s, or Holsten Pils, or their Dutch counterpart, Heineken (with its cute little keg-shaped containers). Now there are many more canned beers from the Old Country to choose from. For instance, the “original” Czech pilsener beer, Pilsner Urquell, now comes in a can, as does its German counterpart, Bitburger, which my crew thoroughly enjoyed. We even practiced a little international relations — by playing the Scottish game and learning to order beer like a German: “Bitte ein Bit!,” as it says on the can, pass me a Bitburger, please!

Other choices for quality beer from around the world now available in a can include Tetley’s English Ale, which pours tap-smooth and creamy, via the clever little “widget” of nitrogen that, when opened, releases a delightful swish of gas that froths up the beer. Also, its wide mouth and low alcohol content (3.6%) make for a highly drinkable beer, straight from the container, that won’t inspire my divot-making. Although several brewers have been making and selling Irish stout in a widget-fired can for years, including Guinness and Beamish, that style is too bready and filling for me to enjoy during an afternoon on the course — I’d save it for breakfast.

Probably the most exciting discovery for me was finding that American craft brewers have gone to the can, too (as it were).  I picked Dale’s Pale Ale, from Oskar Blues, in Lyons, Colorado, which was deliciously hoppy with a bite of bitterness, almost like an IPA. It was sweet and refreshing, light and less carbonated, surprising since nostril-filling foam was a hallmark of my can-beer-drinking days. I have also tried the brewery’s Gordon Beer, which is similarly tasty but has an alcohol content of 8%  — too high for me to drink and not wind up making dribble castles in the sand trap.

Other craft beers that come in a can include Phoenix Pale Ale and Pikeland Pils, from Sly Fox, in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania; Brooklyn Brewery’s flagship Lager; several offerings from 21st Amendment, in San Francisco; the T-6 Red Ale from Warbird Brewing, Fort Wayne; and the whole line of beers from Butternuts Beer and Ale, Garratsville, New York.

I know what you are thinking (I was too, initially): Why would you drink from a can? Aren’t we more evolved than that now? Actually, it’s the canning process that has evolved. The guys at Oskar say that today’s aluminum cans are lined with a polymer film, virtually eliminating the old tinny taste, and provide a fresher beer because the cans hold extremely low amounts of dissolved oxygen. Besides, cans are lighter and more portable than glass bottles, they chill faster, are easier to recycle, and the beer is less likely to be spoiled by UV light (even dark colored bottles won’t guarantee protection against spoiling). They also say that, though the idea started as a joke, canning has been a boon for the brewery, which proclaims on its Web site to be in its fourth year of 100% growth. Uncanny indeed.

As always, let me know what you think of this week’s post. Have you tried any of the beers mentioned above, or can you recommend some that I missed?

Earth day is a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress. Earth Day is a time to unite around new actions. Source: U.S. Government.

Indie Winemakers business model is to reduce inefficiencies of the current 3-tier distribution model by offering wines direct from the producer.  With this model, we eliminate the need to consolidate wines and store them in multiple warehouses, transporting the wine multiple times until it finally reaches the retail shop.  We minimize greenhouse gases by offering the most efficient distribution model!  However, our winery partners are unable to use this distribution model for many states.  That’s because individual states may still determine whether or not you may receive wine shipments to your home or place of business.

This distribution system is an outgrowth of the 21^st Amendment, which ended Prohibition. To more effectively regulate alcohol sales after the repeal, most states decided to place an independent intermediary, the wholesaler, between producers and retailers. The result is our current distribution model where each state has created a patchwork of liquor laws nationwide.  In many cases, we have left it up to the wholesalers and distributors to determine how your wine gets to your state.  

Yes, that’s right we are still paying for the effect Prohibition had on our country 75 years ago! 

Even more interesting is the fact that many internet retailers are selling wine that they have purchased and moved to a central storage area! I’ll call that the 2 1/2 tier distribution solution.  These internet sales site are buying at wholesale prices from the wineries and moving the wine to their own warehouse where they then store the wine until you purchase it from them.  Consider the impact of moving the wine twice and storing it in two locations before it is shiped to you.

Before you purchase wine over the internet, make sure you understand the company’s business model.  Buy winery direct - reduce greenhouse gases!

I arrived yesterday afternoon after fighting through 45 minutes of traffic (replete with an accident on I-84 and emergency vehicles and all that business) , and even a brief 15 minute Max ride once we hit fareless square to the Oregon Brewer’s Festival (according to my pen, North America’s Largest Independent Brewfest).

Dan and I tested about 6 new beers, most from our favorite local breweries (Cascade Brewing, Widmer Bros, Deschutes Brewery) and some not-so-local (21st Amendment, Lang Creek Brewing, Iron Horse Brewery).

We both agreed on the tastiness of only two beers - Deschutes offering (20th Anniversary Wit) and Widmer Bros (Full Nelson).

Overall there were about 72 different breweries represented. I was gunning for the 21st Amendment Watermelon offering, which ended up dissapointment, as they have changed their brew. It used to be a Watermelon Wheat, and now it’s called “Hell or High Watermelon.” Very bitter, and with almost zero Watermelon zest. I didn’t let that spoil the evening though!

Afterwards, Dan and I met Steven and Angie at Gustav’s. Because after a day of drinking - what could be better than delicious German food (complete with fondue and schnitzel)?

If you’ve never done the Brewfest - treat yourself to $20 worth of delicious beers, and the intriguing Portland atmosphere.

Just remember, you’ll probably get some sand in your shoes.

Much Love, Mindy C

So, apparently this week is the official ‘American Craft Beer Week’ nationwide.  I’m not really sure what this means except that: (A) our Congress spent our tax dollars passing a resolution to this effect that is actually pretty hilarious, and  (B) we’re all being encouraged to drink craft beer. 

Well, I don’t know about you all, but at least with respect to part (B) above, in my apartment, every week is American Craft Beer Week…and Belgian Craft Beer Week, and German Craft Beer Week, English Craft Beer Week, you get the picture.   

The showcase event of the week is SAVOR, which sounds amazing but is unfortunately in Washington DC, far out of my usual traveling-for-beer radius (usually extends across the bay to the north and east, and occasionally up to Seattle).  A blurb on the event:

SAVOR: An American Craft Beer and Food Experience (May 16-17), will be held to commemorate American Craft Beer Week in Washington DC. The event will showcase craft beer and food pairings with participation from 48 independent craft brewers. SAVOR signifies food and beverage lovers’ increasing interest and knowledge of beer and food pairings.

Sadly, I’m a little late in announcing this so the most exciting of the local events, the Sam Adams dinner, has already occurred.  But here is the full listing for San Francisco (below) should you feel like checking any of these out and the lists for other areas can be found at the Brewers Association. 

Brewery: North Beach Public House - Rogue Ales
City: San Francisco
State: CA
Phone: 415-362-7880
Website: www.rogue.com
Description: Rogue Ales celebrates American Craft Beer week with a special tapping of a new American Craft Beer each day. All 38 taps plus our cask engine will be will be pouring American Craft Beers, and daily tasters of our American Amber Ale will be available. Stop by for lunch and enjoy a Hoppy Meal, that’s a beer of your choice for only $2.00 more with your meal.
Tours:

Brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Company
City: San Francisco
State: CA
Phone: 818-825-8765
Website: www.shmaltz.com
Description: Join Shmaltz Brewing Company as we celebrate American Craft Beer Week with the launch of our newest beer: Rejewvenator. Half doppelbock, half Belgian-inspired dubbel, and brewed with the sacred fig; this year, we’ve pitched the yeast of monks. We will also be joined in the celebration by San Francisco’s own Speakeasy Ales and Lagers. Wednesday, May 14th 6:00 PM City Beer Store 1168 Folsom St. San Francisco, Ca, 94103 No Cover
Tours:

Brewery: 21st Amendment
City: San Francisco
State: CA
Phone: 415-369-0900
Website: www.21st-amendment.com/
Description: Four dozen independent craft brewers have been selected to showcase the pleasures of fine food enjoyed with world-class beer in Washington, D.C., May 16-17. SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience will highlight the culinary delights of beer as part of the Brewers Association’s annual American Craft Beer Week
Tours:

Brewery: Boston Beer Company
City: San Francisco
State: CA
Phone: 415-865-9523
Website: www.samueladams.com
Description: Samuel Adams Celebrates American Craft Beer Week with Beer Lovers in San Francisco What: Join Samuel Adams Brewer, Grant Wood for a three-course beer dinner in celebration of American Craft Beer Week. Where: Monk’s Kettle, 3141 16th St., San Francisco, CA 94103 When: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 6:00PM Cost: $50 Experience: Whether you’re new to the craft beer scene or a craft beer connoisseur, the night is sure to leave you with an appreciation for the variety and high-quality craft brews available today To make reservations call 415.865.9523. Seating is limited so don’t delay!
Tours: NA 

There’s a new trend in brewing that most not be aware of.  Well, it’s not exactly brewing, but packaging.  And, it’s not exactly new, it’s old, and it kinda sucked.  It’s an aluminum can, and it’s going to change the world, or the way you drink beer, one brand of beer, in select markets. 

Brewed For Thought has moved. Continue reading this site at http://www.brewedforthought.com/?p=159

So, I think it’s debatable whether April 7th is the right day to celebrate the end of Prohibition, but since the rest of the country seems to be going with it, so will I!  And possibly re-celebrating on other days as well.  I’ve included short blurb on Prohibition, but skip to the end if you just want the details on where to go celebrate.

Prohibition began in October of 1919 when Congress passed the Volstead Act, overriding a veto by President Woodrow Wilson, which specified that “no person shall manufacture, sell, barter, transport, import, export, deliver, furnish or possess any intoxicating liquor except as authorized by this act.”  This law fell under the protection of the 18th Amendment, which had been passed earlier in the year and which specified that “After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.”

Prohibition lasted through the 1920’s, forcing bars to go underground, and giving rise to the speakeasy culture.  It wasn’t until 1933 that it was repealed.  The first step in this repeal was the modification of the Volstead Act by the Cullen-Harrison Act to allow 4% alcohol by volume beers.  On April 7th, 1933, President F.D. Roosevelt signed this law, effectively repealing Prohibition, though the 21st Amendment, which repealed the 18th Amendment, was not ratified until December 5th 1933.

Apparently the Brewer’s Association has decided to celebrate the Cullen-Harris Act instead of the 21st Amendment, so breweries across the country are throwing events on April 7th.  In the San Francisco area, that includes:

Brewery: Rogue Public House
City: San Francisco
State: CA
Phone: 415-362-7880

Brewery: The Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant
City: San Francisco
State: CA
Phone: 415-386-8439
Web Site: www.beachchalet.com
Description: $3 pints in the Park Chalet, FREE brewery tours every hour (on the hour) from 6pm-8pm and a complementary toast at 7:30pm to commemorate the occasion. Prime Rib specials in the Beach Chalet.

Brewery: Russian River Brewing Co.
City: Santa Rosa
State: CA
Phone: 707-545-2337
Web Site: www.russianriverbrewing.com
Description: Did you know that “Blind Pig” was a Prohibition-era term for a speakeasy? Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Repeal of Prohibition at Russian River Brewery April 7th! Blind Pig IPA served in a traditional prohibition-era mason jar for $7 and keep the jar! Refills only $3.

I think that though it is the furthest away, I’ll head to Russian River if I can.  If not, I’ll probably head to the Beach Chalet.  If you are not in San Francisco, check out 75yearsofbeer.org for a listing of events in your state. 

Celebrate freedom and the headaches that come with it.

http://www.repealday.org/

http://www.repealday.org/