Kolek planning to go pro
Wow. Japanese over German lagers.
Not sure what you mean by this as Kirin is a key member of the Mitusbishi keiretsu, one of Japan's 5 core Zaibatsu. Kirin is huge, with international holdings in agro, pharma, food, restaurants, logistics, real estate, and beverages. If you live in New England your are drinking Kirin Coca Cola. Kirin brews Bud and Heineken in Japan under license. Why anyone would order Bud in Tokyo is beyond me.
You are correct, I am mistaken. ABI and Kirin have a JV agreement for ABI to brew Kirin beers in the US.
but where are the cartoons?
Meanwhile... Dogfish Head will be distributing to WI again by the end of the year. Good news.
Outside of 75 min and Festina Peche - meh. The whole constant hopping thing is a marketing gimmick. Also, Sam's use of spices and other filler ingredients is cute and such, but I don't think it makes outstanding beers. Needless to say, Dogfish is better marketing company IMO than brewery. Same with Rogue. The fact they even sell that Maple Bacon Beer is a travesty. That is beer is disgusting.
I have no particular expertise in beer other than a palate hatched in the misty alleys of Georgetown, nurtured in the smoky air of the Lanche and Lenny's then honed in the world's great dive bars. But I did come to recognize then celebrate the differences in regionals from having traveled every continent and time spent living in England, Japan, and Germany. Personally, I like the great micros here in the PNW because that is what is readily available. Rogue has a fantastic brewhouse in Issaquah offering a prodigious selection of exceptional quality. Are they the best in the world? I couldn't say. But they offer a variety of styles and types of unsurpassed quality in a convivial atmosphere. I have brought German colleagues from T-Mobile/Deutsch Telekom to Rogue and they rate the various Alt and Kolsch styles as being worthy of the names. For what it's worth, the PNW has been an epicenter of the microbrewery revolution. Elysian, Pike, Red Hook, Rogue, Diamond Knot, Fremont, Naked City, Pyramid, Hale's, Road Dog, Georgetown, Mac and Jack, Schooner, Twisp River, Deschutes, Full Sail, Kettle House, Boundary Bay, Sleeping Giant, Roots, Widmer, etc... all craft world-class gems that beguile, intrigue, and enchant. To suggest that any of these do not make superb beer is both petty and naive.While I appreciate great beer it cannot compare in complexity, depth, richness, and vitality to wine or single malt. But thank god for great beer, regardless of origin.Boundary Bay, Bellingham, WA
I gotta say, Grand Rapids is more of the epicenter of the micro movement than the PNW. Could just be my midwest influence, but it's hard to beat. Founders, Bells, Dark Horse, Grand Rapids, HopCat, New Holland and more all within a 20-30 minutes is incredible.I also usually pass on Dogfish, it's a trap for rookies.Rogue has good stuff, like Dead Guy, but anyone who likes the Maple Bacon should be sentenced to drinking Blatz for the rest of eternity.
I am a big fan of Manny's Pale Ale and tried to bring back a growler in my suitcase during my last trip to Seattle. There are a lot of great breweries up in that area tho I think you need to include NoCal too for Russian River, Bear Republic, Etc. I have also heard Rogue's taproom has a lot of great beers but I need to get to Portland and Oregon soon. But yes, thank god for the expansion of good beer. Problem is, there are a lot of new craft brewers opening up that are making bad beer which I hope doesn't hurt the overall movement.
I get the stance that Sam (and more Mariah) knew about marketing early on than many breweries ever will but I do think they have enough good beers in a large (perhaps too large) portfolio to be considered one of the more influential brewers in the country. Palo, Burton, Shelter are pretty tasty mainstays. I think Immort, Fort, and Urkontinent are nice occasional brews. The Sierra Nevada collabs have been good, especially Life & Limb version.
Founders & Bells yes. Dark Horse has some great hits but some big misses. You forgot Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids - doing some great stuff. New Holland, meh. If you're ever in Holland, MI skip New Holland and walk three doors down to Our Brewing Co. Great guys and great beer. Don't forget Green Bush as well as new craft Cider companies popping up. I also think mass in Chicagoland is starting to pick up steam with original Goose Island and now Revolution, Three Floyds, Half Acre, Pipeworks, Two Brothers, etc. Needless to say, there is a lot of good beer to drink.
Rogue has good stuff, like Dead Guy, but anyone who likes the Maple Bacon should be sentenced to drinking Blatz for the rest of eternity.
Their beers have almost become redundant, especially the hoppy ones. I think calling them "a trap for rookies" is unfair, though. Palo Santo, Festina, and Midas Touch are all very solid. I'm all about breweries pushing limits and trying new things, even if they come across as gimmicky. I'll look past that if they come up with some good stuff.
New Belgium Tour de Fat Update:http://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/sometimes-the-combination-of-beer-and-bikes-can-mix.html
I will be going today in Chicago. Always a fun time.