Archive for February, 2007

 

 

 

Next weekend, March 3-4, is one of the fastest-growing beer festivals in Belgium—The Zythos Bier Festival in Sint Niklaas, East Flanders. Only in its fourth year, the festival is world-class and has become extremely popular for it’s 150+ beer line-up from 48 different breweries. (We should note that 47 of these beers are available at Bruisin’ Ales! Not too shabby!)

Like most of Belgium’s festivals, entry is free. You simply pay one Euro per 5oz sample. And, better yet, you are served by the brewers. (We were lucky to meet a select few at BeerAdvocate’s Belgian Beer Fest last year, but state-side, the focus is usually on the importers.) In addition, the ZBF has a “cheese stall” with some of the best Belgian cheeses by breweries.

Some back-story: Belgium lost the world-famous 24-Hour Festival in Antwerp when the consumer group behind it, OBP (Objective Beer Tasters), folded. A new consumer group, Zythos (pronounced Zitoss, in English, means “beer” in Greek) was formed and took over with a brand new festival.

We met an importer this week who is going to the festival (lucky!) and the great news is that he’s bringing some new Belgian brands to North Carolina very soon. More information to come…

Source: ZBF.be / White Beer Travels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re catching up on our brewery updates this week and have several little gems to report about Dogfish Head. Sam’s sweet little brew, Midas Touch Golden Elixir, won the Gold at the 2007 International Mead Festival.

Here’s the press release:

Dogfish Head’s Midas Touch Golden Elixir was awarded the Gold medal (commerical, specialty category) in the 2007 International Mead Festival held in Lakewood, Colorado February 9 & 10, 2007.

The International Mead Festival (an event through the International Mead Association) is the world’s largest and most prestigious mead competition and festival. In 2006 close to 1,000 people sampled just under 100 commercial meads from seven different countries. As well, over 200 home made meads were judged for competition. The event hosts both a public tasting of commercial meads and a private judging of commercial and home made mead entries.

A description of Midas Touch from their website:

“This recipe is the actual oldest-known fermented beverage in the world! Our recipe showcases the known ingredients of barley, white Muscat grapes, honey & saffron found in the drinking vessels in King Midas’ tomb! Somehwere between a beer, wine and mead, this smooth, dry ale will please with Chardonnay or I.P.A. drinker alike.”

Also, there are two brand-spankin’-new Belgian-style releases this spring. First up, is Red & White (Belgian Wit aged in Pinot Noir casks); then, Black & Blue (Belgian strong ale with blackberries and blueberries), due in April 07. No sign of them in NC yet. Our beer sleuths are investigating.

Source/Photo: Dogfish Head

In light of many recent reports of the ailing sales of Guinness both at home and abroad, steps are finally being taken to rejunvenate the brand.

Forbes.com reports that Guinness parent, Diageo PLC, has started a trial of a new Guinness Red in Ireland and the UK. The trial could last 3-9 months, so one might suspect they plan to unveil this for St. Patrick’s Day 2008.

“The new type of Guinness, which gets its red colour and bitter-sweet taste from a lighter roasted barley, will go on trial in 142 Mitchells & Butlers PLC pubs across country, primarily targeting the operator’s Irish-themed O’Neills outlets.”

Further, a tidbit on All About Beer describes the new Guinness Whole Grain Bread. It’s apparently a creation of Irwin’s Bakeries in Ireland, and already the product has been licensed for wider distribution by Diageo along with other “food products using the Guinness brand.” Here is their brief description:

“The bread contains 17 percent Guinness Stout, giving it a dark appearance and a malty taste.”

Also, The Great Guinness Toast celebrated is 15th anniversary last Friday, Feb. 16, with very little fanfare. A shame, considering this is the first year they officially documented the event with their Text & Toast Campaign. No reports yet if they’ve broken into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Source: Forbes.com / AllAboutBeer.com / The Great Guiness Toast

According to The Baxter Bulletin, NYC’s “Cooking With Beer” contest winner was Linda Rohr of Darien, Conn. for her Easy Seafood Risotto recipe. We love beer and we love seafood and will be giving this recipe a try this week.

Quick and Easy Seafood ‘Risotto’ With Fresh Herbs

1 12-ounce bottle white beer
1/2 cup fish stock
12 large scallops, halved
12 large shrimp, shelled and deveined
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup thinly sliced shallots
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 5.4-ounce package Boursin-style herb and garlic flavored cheese, crumbled
1/3 cup julienned sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained
3 cups hot cooked orzo
2 cups baby arugula
1/2 cup freshly snipped basil, divided
2 tablespoons minced cilantro, divided
2 tablespoons freshly snipped dill, divided
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon smoked sea salt or kosher salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup freshly shaved Parmesan cheese for garnish

Place white beer and fish stock in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add seafood and cook just two to three minutes or until just opaque. Remove seafood with slotted spoon and set aside. Increase heat; bring liquid to a boil, reducing by half.

Meanwhile, in a large deep skillet, sauté shallots in olive oil until caramelized. Stir in garlic and cook one minute more. Stir in cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, beer and stock reduction, orzo and seafood. Heat through.

Stir in arugula, fresh herbs (reserving 1 teaspoon of each for garnish).

Season with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Divide among six plates. Garnish with more fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese.

Serves 6 people.

Source: The Baxter Bulletin

 

 

 

 

 

This Thursday, we will be having a tasting in collaboration with Hart Distributing. Please come enjoy a four-beer line-up that includes two Scottish ales, and two Germans.

Orkney Skullsplitter
Fraoch Heather
Moosbacher Kellerbier
Gaffel Kölsch

This flight is full of interesting stories and trivia! Click on the links above for some history of these beers and beer styles.