Archeologists have discovered a large brewery complex in the mountain city ruins of Cerro Baúl. The brewery, setting 8,000 feet above sea level required that water was carried up steep mountain trails to produce the fruit & grain beverage chicha, a traditional part of Peruvian rituals.
You can also watch a video of the process as explained by some of the archeologists. After having Muscat Love, this stuff sounds good!
Time and monetary considerations prevented me from spending as much time or trying as many beers as I would have liked to this year, but I still had a great time and was able to enjoy the festival with friends.
The Good: Muscat Love from Widmer, Boundary Bay’s Dry Hopped Simcoe Pale Ale, Laurelwood’s Organic Monkey Malt Liquor, Tuck’s Red Rye Lager, the hippie New Orleans jazz band, the surprising coolness despite 100ºF weather, and the elation that several beers, good weather, and good company brings.
The Bad: Couldn’t reuse/recycle mugs from previous events, sample size increased, as well as price for samples, drinking water was scarce and warm, Mango Tango, and the blinking Ropewalk necklaces that transmitted the following message in Morse Code: “Bridgeport sells out!”
Sadly, there were a few brewers I missed this year, so I’ll have to try again next year.
In another massive beer manufacturing copulation, Molson and Coors have announced a merger.
“The new Molson Coors Brewing Company, created from Canada’s largest brewer and the third biggest in the United States, would be the fifth biggest brewer in the world by volume of beer sold.” – from CBC
Damn you Molson! The people at Coors have spent decades and millions trying to make the world less like Canada. And they’ve spent nearly a century selling crappy beer with women. And polluting Colorado.
Because I’m a big nerd who likes to keep notes on the beer that I consume, I’ve put together a small cheat sheet with all the beers being served at OBF this year. There are two formats available. A plain sheet, and my own sheet on which I’ve marked which beers I want to try. Its not that I expect the other beers to suck or anything, but I’ve identified those I want to try the most.
The Oregon Brewers Festival approaches quickly, and it will most likely be an amazing event. But just in case you don’t want to deal with the crowds, local beer patron saint Don Younger is having his own miniature Brewers Festival at his three pubs – Horse Brass, New Old Lompoc, and the Hedgehouse.
This morning I found 2 recipes from Ian McGregor in my mailbox. It the first submission from someone besides Scott or myself, and its greatly welcomed. His Grand Cru and Hoppy Amber recipes are now available in the recipe section in QBrew format. Thanks Ian.
If you’re up for some fun in the North Park Blocks on July 9,10,11th, consider stopping by for the Portland International Beer Festival. It looks like a chance to try some unique beers, and its for a good cause. If you’re looking for someone to go with, let me know.
Another home brewer that I occasionally work with promised me a sample of his wares after helping him with some online courses. There was some delay, partly due to schedule conflicts, but he did deliver. The first of the 6 beers was a thai chilli porter, which he warned wasn’t very spicy.
I tried this one out last night, and it was very good. Credit to both his brewing and creativity – it was a very good porter in its own right – nutty, malty, and satisfying. The chilli wasn’t too evident or upfront, but ws more apparent in the finish and aftertaste. It was a very complimentary flavoring, and had the added affect of suggesting to your palette that you desired more.
Thanks Jamie!
From RealBeer.com:
Drinkers of beers including Bud Light, Miller Lite and Coors Light consumed an average 5.7 beers in the past month, while consumers of regular beer drank five beers, Mintel reported.
Why do they drink more? My personal feeling is that light beer is completely unsatisfying (for starters). Light beer drinkers need to drink more to attain contentment. With less flavor, body and alcohol, you’re paying the same for less product and satisfaction.
I suppose you could argue that because the beer is “light”, you can justify drinking more of it. But by the time you’ve reached that point, you’ve consumed nearly the same number of calories.
Being a fan of ales, the calorie content isn’t the concern. Beer is part of a meal, and should be treated as such. Hell, Monks drank it instead of food during lent. (Nothing beats using Hell, Monks, and Lent in the same sentance)
So, to all the light beer drinkers out there, there’s nothing wrong with beer. Give it some consideration, drink it in moderation, a stop supporting these idiotic companies.
Hey Joe, If you’re up to it, try and pick up some Liquor de Malt before you come back west. We’ll make it worth your while. (wink, wink)