Archive for the ‘Beer Awards’ Category

Let me tell you something. When you’re tired and freaking out over more snow coming this weekend, you know what helps? Waking up to RateBeer’s annual RateBeerBest 2010 to find that your store is holding tight at the #3 spot for Best Beer Retailer Worldwide. Yeah, that helps! Wow, we’ve been busting it out again in 2009, but I’d be lying if I didn’t think we might slip a spot or two with all the new openings of stores that (kinda) follow our business model. We are so incredibly honored and thank you immensely for supporting your local, INDEPENDENT craft beer retailer.

And let’s not forget all the other NC winners! North Carolina is a GREAT state for craft beer! Cheers to craft beer! Beerlanthropy®, y’all.

–The Thirsty Monk (Asheville) #41 Beer Bar
–Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria (Asheville) #27 Beer Restaurant
–Tyler’s Taproom (Raleigh) #36 Beer Restaurant
–Mellow Mushroom (Asheville) #41 Beer Restaurant
–Highland Brewing (Asheville) #26 Brewery to Visit
–Wedge Brewery (Asheville) #43 Brewpub (confusing, but we’ll take it)
–Duck Rabbit (Farmville) #43 Best Brewery
–Duck Rabbit (Farmville) #2 Best Beer/Dark Lager (Schwartzbier)
–Brawley’s Beverage (Charlotte) #35 Retailer
–Sam’s Quik Shop (Durham) #49 Retailer

As we approach the third anniversary of the humble storefront next week, we want you to be part of some changes to the store. (And I’ve opened the comments today, because I’m sick and need you to think for me.)

Last week on Twitter (@bruisinales), we asked a simple question: Which ratings system to you prefer, letters or numbers? In this completely unscientific poll in which a total 21 tweeps replied or sent Direct Messages, 19 said they preferred numbers stating that numbers gave a more accurate representation; the other two said they preferred letters, stating the letters give “wiggle-room.” It’s interesting to note these two very different responses also split down the lines of their respective territories. Most went with “numbers” and many were West Coast buddies, the locale of RateBeer; and the two that said “letters” were from the Boston area, home to BeerAdvocate.

We ask, because we’re updating our shelf talkers. And we know what we prefer, but what do you prefer? Which is more helpful while you shop, letters or numbers? This store is your store, so help me decide. And thank you all for the collective brain!

THURSDAY, Dec. 3: Our great friend, Don Richardson (THE “King Don” for whom Catawba Valley’s Pumpkin Ale is named), is bringing some holiday ales from his All Good Brands portfolio. The first of three holiday tastings leading up to December 25. This is a high-rated line-up. Don’t miss it! These are great beers for your dinner table or holiday gifts, too!

DUPONT Avec les Bons Voeux—Meaning “With Best Wishes,” this winter Saison is a seasonal favorite with Bruisin’ Ales customers. Amber in color with an earthy smell traditional to Saisons, it finishes both fruity and mildly bitter on the palate. [Saison, 9.5% abv | A- BeerAdvocate; 99 RateBeer]

ST. FEUILLIEN Cuvée de Nöel—”Dark ruby brown colour and a very intense aroma. The aromatic herbs and spices used greatly enhance its smell. This beer is full-bodied with a smoothness that is the result of the synergy of caramelised malts… A very subtle bitterness is the dominant flavour that strikes a perfect balance between all the ingredients.” [Belgian Strong Dark, 9.0% abv | A- BeerAdvocate; 95 RateBeer]

SCALDIS Nöel (a.k.a. Bush de Nöel, Belgium)—Strong, dark and sweet. This beer smacks of a yeasty, malty mouthfeel with hints of burnt caramel and moderate spices & dark fruits in the finish. [Belgian Strong Dark, 12.5% abv | B+ BeerAdvocate; 94 RateBeer]

HE’BREW Jewbilation Bar Mitzvah “13″—The 13th Anniversary Ale for Schmaltz Brewing Company’s He’Brew line, this brew boast 13 different malts with 13 hop additions. Robust, super hoppy with a chocolate finish, it yields minimal alcohol burn for its strength. The Jewbilation Anniversary Series “has been touted by critics receiving top accolades including “5 Stars” from Celebrator Beer News, “Best Holiday Beer” by Pacific Brew News, and Playboy Magazine.” [American Imperial Stout, 13.0% abv | A- BeerAdvocate; 94 RateBeer]

Bruisin’ Ales hits #7 on The Beer Wench’s “Top 20 Beer Personalites on Twitter”
Who’s got two thumbs and ranked on this list? We want to give a shout to our girl, and lil’ sis, The Beer Wench (@TheBeerWench), for taking the time to put together this fantabulous list of the “most compelling” beer people on Twitter. And we’re honored to be ranked #7 in her book! If you’re not already, these are the people to be following for the best of beer. And other stupid funny stuff, because beer people are funny. Often intoxicated.

Edgy’s got a new seasonal beer story in the MountainXPress
Share your opinions and thoughts about Asheville’s seasonal brews, Highland Cold Mountain, French Broad Wee-Heavy-est, and the brand-spanking-new Asheville Brewing Christmas Jam Ale. (There’s also Pisgah’s Baptista, which beer spies tell me was bottled yesterday.) I like this quote about Cold Mountain: “The spices are a closely guarded secret. I have had people ask me how we get the marshmallows or the cherries in there. I can assure you we do not use either. What I can tell you is there are some very obvious flavors going on in this beer, some new and some old. We’ll let you be the judge.”

PBR is up for sale
Got a cool $3 million just lying around? You could buy PBR! Seems the hipster beer favorite is in trouble with a little agency called the IRS. You’d think a “marketing company” would know enough that a non-profit can’t own a for-profit beer company. For three years. After a warning. Oh, well. Learning curves.

Get your beer geek AND designer geek on
Brilliant post from Typophile which makes me truly giddy inside with a giant *kaboom* of my two worlds colliding. Enjoy: The Best Typographic Beer Labels.

And in the Halloween wrap-up…
If you are going to dress as a breathalyzer for Halloween, then don’t drink and drive. Or be underage. People are stupid.

Macro beer sales are up
Remember a few months ago when the mainstream media went batshit crazy and jumped on a story about a 30-35% increase in beer, and “how dare they do that in these tough economic times?” Yeah, well, it’s like we said then, it happens every year and won’t affect anything. And it didn’t.

Thanks, Asheville and the greater Western North Carolina area for voting for Bruisin’ Ales in the MountainXPress “Best of WNC” poll. We scored a win for Best Beer Store and yours truly is #2 Twitterer @bruisinales (tied with @h0zae). We could not even be in this business if it weren’t for you lovely beer drinkers, so thanks for being die-hard lovers of craft beer and supporting our humble storefront.

As far as Twitter goes, it’s sometimes beer, sometimes not, and often times stupid. And you like me, right now, you like me!

Beerlanthropy, for the win!

Now, all I need is a purple wig…