Portsmouth, NH- July 24- Smuttynose Brewing Company is pleased to announce, beginning July 3rd, they will now offer Saturday tours of their brewery at 11 a.m. Previously, the brewery offered only weekday tours. The new Saturday tour replaces the 3 p.m. Thursday tour. The 3 p.m. Friday tour time remains in place.

“A new approach to public relations made implementing Saturday tours a large priority,” said David Yarrington, Executive Brewer. “People have always loved our tours because we actually walk them around the brewery floor, but the hours were so restricted, not many people could make it by.“

That, happily, changes now. A Saturday tour will allow both locals and out-of-towners a more convenient time to visit Smuttynose. The new tour will offer the same experience as the weekday version, which includes a walk through the brewery, learning the brewing process, and a tasting of Smuttynose’s award-winning beers. Smuttynose staff members – brewers, salespeople, and even owner Peter Egelston – will lead the tours, which are free of charge and last about one hour. Large groups should call ahead.

Smuttynose beer is sold in 18 states and in Washington DC. Their beers have won international acclaim among rabid beer enthusiasts as well as more casual beer drinkers and can be found in an increasing number of pubs, grocery stores and restaurants.

ABOUT SMUTTYNOSE BREWING COMPANY
Founded by pioneering craft brewer Peter Egelston, we have been brewing fresh beer from the Seacoast since 1994. In addition to several medals at the Great American Beer Festival, Smuttynose beers have won top prizes at the Great British Beer Festival and The Festival of Barrel-aged Beers.

We have also been recognized by top beer writers and, most importantly, thousands of beer drinkers around the world for our deliciously diverse line-up of over 25 beer styles, including our six year round beers, four seasonal beers, the specialty Big Beer Series, and the experimental Short Batch Series.

Please visit our website for more information; http://www.smuttynose.com.

Enjoy

Sean
2Beerguys.com

Drink Craft Beer, You’ve Earned It

This article was posted on the Boston Herald on May 13th.

Small brewers toast Sen. John Kerry’s beer-tax plan

By Jay Fitzgerald – Thursday, May 13, 2010

Boston Beer Co. and Harpoon Brewery are raising pints to Sen. John Kerry’s call to lower federal taxes on suds makers.

Kerry, a member of the Senate’s Small Business Committee, is co-sponsoring new legislation that would cut the excise tax for brewers who make less than 2 million barrels of beer a year. The bill would benefit some 1,500 small beer makers nationwide, including 40 in Massachusetts.

The excise tax cuts are needed to help create jobs and to keep smaller breweries competitive with larger rivals, Kerry said.

“Massachusetts started the small craft-beer revolution, and we’re proud of it,” he said in a statement. “Small and independent brewers are vital small businesses in our state, and relieving their tax burden will help them keep hiring and expanding.”

Jim Koch, founder of Sam Adams brewer Boston Beer, and Dan Kenary, president of Boston’s Harpoon Brewery, are toasting the tax-cut idea.

“We’re obviously delighted,” said Kenary, whose company produces about 135,000 barrels of beer a year.

“It will help us grow and provide jobs in Massachusetts,” said Koch, whose company is the largest small brewer, producing about 2 million gallons of suds a year.

Massachusetts lawmakers recently slapped the state’s 6.25 sales tax on retail alcohol sales, on top of a previous wholesale tax. Liquor-store owners and beer makers say the state tax hike has harmed their businesses.

Kerry’s bill would lower the federal excise tax to $3.50 from $7 per barrel for the first 60,000 barrels made by a small brewer, while lowering the tax from $18 to $16 for the the next 60,000 to 2 million barrels.

Link to original article.

Homebrewer Rob North Scores Big and Eagerly Awaits Seeing His Beer Served at Gillette Stadium

Boston, MA – April 2010 – New Hampshire homebrewer Rob North triumphed over nearly 200 other entrants to win the third annual Samuel Adams Patriot Homebrew contest. His winning brew, a Rauchbier, meaning “smoke beer” in German, will be served and sold at Gillette Stadium during the upcoming Patriots season. Hailing from Manchester, New Hampshire, North beat out entries from all six New England states.

“Rob’s Rauchbier is well balanced and has a perfect blend of smoke and malt, reminding me of the traditional Rauchbiers I’ve enjoyed while visiting Germany every year during hops selection,” said Jim Koch, founder and brewer of Samuel Adams. “Its sweet and smoky aroma and flavor will make this beer a perfect complement to the sausages and bold, full flavored grilled fare that people love during football season.”

Along with bragging rights, Rob’s prize includes the opportunity to come to the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery and brew his winning beer with support from the Samuel Adams team of brewers. Rob’s brew will be served alongside the traditional Samuel Adams beers at the Samuel Adams Brewhouse in Gillette Stadium during the entire 2010-2011 football season.

Rob has been actively homebrewing for the past three years, and is a member of the homebrew club, Brew Free or Die based in New Hampshire. He has entered a few other homebrew competitions over that course of time, and was crowned “Brewer of the Year” at the New England Regional Homebrew Competition in the fall of 2009. Today, he adds another big win to his list.

“I had planned to enter one of my homebrews into the 2008 Patriot Homebrew Contest, but because of an ice storm in New Hampshire, I couldn’t get the beer to the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery in time. Winning the contest this year definitely makes up for it!” Rob said.

“It is such an amazing feeling to know that my Rauchbier will be served at Gillette Stadium this year. Rauchbiers are not a common beer style and I’m excited to have the opportunity to put a beer like this in front of people who haven’t tried it before and open up their eyes to something different. What’s even better, this is a fantastic beer to enjoy during football season!”

The origin of Rauchbiers dates back to the 1500s in the town of Bamberg, Germany. Even today, the best known Rauchbiers are found in the historical brewpubs in Bavaria. Rauchbiers are typically dark amber in color and have a smoky aroma and flavor that varies in intensity depending on the smoked malts used in the brewing process.

Twenty five years ago, Jim Koch brewed the first batch of Samuel Adams Boston Lager in his kitchen. At a time when high-quality, flavorful beer was unavailable in the Boston area, Jim dreamed of bringing fresh, flavorful beer to local beer lovers. That first brew, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, went on to help start the craft beer revolution. Over the years, Jim has helped other aspiring homebrewers realize their brewing dreams through the brewery’s nationwide homebrew contest, Samuel Adams American Homebrew Contest and locally through the Samuel Adams Patriot Homebrew Contest, giving a nod to the Company’s Boston roots.

“I’m looking forward to working with Rob and brewing his recipe in Boston,” said Jim. “Every year since the inception of the Patriot Homebrew Contest, we’ve had the opportunity to introduce thousands of football fans to interesting styles of craft beer, from a Double IPA to an Oatmeal Stout’s and now a Rauchbier. For years, Patriots fans have been coming to the stadium in hopes of witnessing a great game, and thanks to Rob and the homebrewing community in New England, they also get to enjoy some really great beer.”

The Samuel Adams Patriot Homebrew Contest, now in its third year, kicked off in August 2007 encouraging New England football fans to brew their own beers and submit them for judging. The preliminary judging took place at Gillette Stadium on January 23, where five finalists advanced to the final round. The final judging was hosted by Jim Koch at the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery. The judging included the fine beer palates of notable beer tasters Mike Adams of WEEI-AM, Jason and Todd Alström of Beer Advocate, Wally Brine of WROR-FM, Gail Ciampa of The Providence Journal, Carolyn Faye Fox of The Improper Bostonian, Dan Hausle of WHDH-TV, Norman Miller of the MetroWest Daily News, and David Rosenbaum, winner of the 2008 Patriot Homebrew Contest.

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY BACKGROUND:
The Boston Beer Company began in 1984 with a generations-old family recipe that founder and brewer Jim Koch uncovered in his father’s attic. After bringing the recipe to life in his kitchen, Jim brought it to bars in Boston with the belief that drinkers would appreciate a complex, full-flavored beer, brewed fresh in America. That beer was Samuel Adams Boston Lager, and it helped catalyze what became known as the American craft beer revolution.

Today, the Company brews more than 21 styles of beer. The Company uses the traditional four-vessel brewing process and often takes extra steps like dry-hopping and a secondary fermentation known as krausening. It passionately pursues the development of new styles and the perfection of its classic beers by constantly searching for the world’s finest ingredients. While resurrecting traditional brewing methods, the Company has earned a reputation as a pioneer in another revolution, the “extreme beer” movement, where it seeks to challenge drinkers’ perceptions of what beer can be.

The Boston Beer Company strives to elevate the image of American craft beer by entering festivals and competitions the world over, and in the past five years it has won more awards in international beer competitions than any other brewery in the world. The Company remains independent, and brewing quality beer remains its single focus. While Samuel Adams is the country’s largest-selling craft beer, it accounts for only about one-half of one percent of the U.S. beer market. For more information, please visit www.samueladams.com.

Kona Brewing to use lighter bottle in an effort to curb environmental impact

Kailua-Kona, Big Island of Hawaii, March 9, 2010 . . . In a move to minimize environmental impact, Kona Brewing Company has announced its award-winning beer will be produced in glass bottles that are 11% lighter than before. The company, Hawaii’s largest brewer, has reduced its bottle weight from 8 ounces to 7.3 ounces for all Kona brands. The new lightweight Longboard Island Lager bottles will begin hitting shelves of grocers and specialty beer stores in late February, and the new bottle will be virtually identical to current bottles in look and feel. The new weight Fire Rock Pale Ale and Wailua Wheat Ale bottles will be on shelves by late March, 2010.

The famous flavors of Kona brands will be completely unaffected, and no changes will be made to the brewing process, quality or recipes of the beers. Like many sustainability programs the brewer has implemented, such as its new solar energy generating system at the brewery in Hawaii, the savings on the new lightweight bottle will be great for both the company and the environment. The reduction in bottle weight will save 3,375 tons of CO2 emitted per year, which is the same as the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a car traveling 8 million miles and equates to taking 511 cars off the road for a year. Seen another way, the savings also equates to easing the workload of 154,688 trees, which would have been taxed with offsetting the CO2 emitted by production of bottles, shipping and fuel.

“I am absolutely thrilled this day has come,” said Kona Brewing Company’s president and CEO Mattson Davis. “As we have gained in popularity on the Mainland, sustainability is even more important in getting our beer out there responsibly, and I’m proud Kona has found ways to protect the flavor of our beers while reducing use of unnecessary materials.”

*************************************

Kona Brewing Company was started in the spring of 1994 by a father and son team that had a dream to create fresh, local island brews made with spirit, passion and quality. It is a Hawaii-born and Hawaii-based craft brewery that prides itself on brewing the freshest beer of exceptional quality, closest to market. This helps to minimize its carbon footprint by reducing shipping of raw materials, finished beer and wasteful packaging materials. Recently Kona announced the installation of a 229 kW solar energy generating system at its Kailua-Kona brewery and pub on Hawaii’s Big Island.

The company is headquartered where it began, in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island. It has grown into Hawaii’s largest brewery, has three restaurant sites in Hawaii and beer distribution reaching 28 states and Japan. The brewery was named the fastest growing top-50 craft brewing company in the country based on 2008 sales figures. It posted 19.8 percent year over year growth in 2009. For more information call 808-334-BREW or visit www.KonaBrewingCo.com.

Celebrate beer during the 2010 Portsmouth Craft Beer Weekend

SALISBURY, MA, February 12, 2010: On February 27, 2beerguys.com invites you to Portsmouth to celebrate the passion and quality of craft beer by hosting their 1st annual craft beer weekend.

The Portsmouth craft beer weekend starts on Saturday, February 27th and continues into Monday, March 1st. The celebration extends into a long weekend, culminating in the release of the world-renowned Kate the Great, a Russian Imperial Stout. Kate the Great Day, hosted by Portsmouth Brewery, is a celebration that has brought craft beer fanatics together from across the nation.

As part of the weekend, the Portsmouth Gas Light Company will be hosting a special viewing of “Beer Wars!” the movie and a beer dinner in partnership with Long Trail Brewing Company. “We are excited to partner with the Gas Light Company for this event”, says Sean from 2Beerguys.com.

“The Gas Light Company is already home to many great craft beer lines and, after meeting with their management, it was an easy decision for us to partner with them” added Ian.

The Beer Wars movie will start at 6:30pm on Sunday February 28th and will be preceded by a five-course beer dinner showcasing an amazing selection of beer from Long Trail Brewery in Bridgewater Corners, VT.

Beer Wars, released in 2009, has received rave reviews from across the craft beer community. This movie highlights the increasing popularity of the Craft Beer industry and their battle against the large breweries, featuring Sam Calagione (Founder, Dogfish Head Brewery) and Rhonda Kallman (Founder, New Century Brewing).

Beer Dinner Menu:

• # First Course – 4-tree island with Pale Ale, Fresh tomato slices, sauteed spinach, caramelized onions, and garlic topped with feta and mozzarellla cheese.
• # Second Course – Frank Jones with IPA, Hot Italian sausage, hot cherry peppers, pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese.
• # Third Course – Prescott Park with Belgian Wheat, veggie pizza with onions, broccoli, mushrooms, and green peppers.
• # Fourth Course – Pirates Cove with Double Bag, Grilled chicken and onions on a base of mixed tomato and bbq sauces, and topped with mozzarella cheese.
• # Desert – A desert pizza with Brew Masters Coffee Stout.

Details:
Where: Gas Light Restaurant – Portsmouth NH
When: Sunday, February 28th 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Cost: $25. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

For additional information and a schedule of events, visit: http://www.2beerguys.com/craftbeerweekend

About 2Beerguys.com:
Founded in 2006, 2Beerguys.com has devoted themselves to spreading their passion of the craft beer world. Originating primarily as craft beer reviewers, they have molded their organization into premier craft beer educators and ambassadors for craft beer industry. There passion has taken them on the wild ride of home brewing and beer education. 2Beerguys.com believes that you deserve a good beer and should not waste your precious 64 calories on anything else. http://www.2beerguys.com

About the Portsmouth Gas Light Company:
Located in the heart of downtown Portsmouth, NH, the Portsmouth Gas Light Company has evolved from its humble beginnings as a 60-seat restaurant with a single dining room into a culinary and entertainment Mecca — with a cozy bar and wood-fired pizza shop downstairs, a newly renovated dining room featuring fine American cuisine on the first floor, an outdoor deck with live music out back, and one of Portsmouth’s hottest nightclubs on the third floor. Founded by Paul and Eric Sorli and Scott Fisher together in November of 1989, the Portsmouth Gas Light Company is a popular stop for many Portsmouth visitors. http://www.portsmouthgaslight.com/

About Long Trail Brewery
The Bridgewater Corners Vermont brewery was founded in 1989 by Andy Pherson, who now serves both as the company’s president and brewmaster. The company’s first brewery was located in the basement of the Bridgewater Woolen Mill in Vermont’s Green Mountains, but by 1995 the company had become popular enough that it was able to relocate to a state-of-the-art brewery and visitor center (featuring an open-air deck overlooking the Ottaquechee River) in Bridgewater Corners, VT. Beers include – Long Trail Ale (flagship beer – a Düsseldorf-style altbier), Double Bag (a “Sticke” alt), Hefeweizen, Blackberry Wheat, IPA, Seasonal beers (Belgian White, Harvets, and Hibernator) , and recently created Brewers Series (including Double IPA, Coffee Stout, Imperial Porter) and Pollenator. http://www.longtrail.com/

About Beer Wars:
In America, size matters. The bigger you are, the more power you have, especially in the business world. Director Anat Baron takes you on a no holds barred exploration of the U.S. beer industry that ultimately reveals the truth behind the label of your favorite beer. Told from an insider’s perspective, the film goes behind the scenes of the daily battles and all out wars that dominate one of America’s favorite industries. For more information, visit: http://beerwarsmovie.com

Beer Wars Movie goes Mainstream!‏

LOS ANGELES, Calif., – Ducks In A Row Entertainment announced that starting Monday, February 1st the documentary film Beer Wars will be widely available On Demand and for Download.

Originally released theatrically on April 16th, 2009 as a one-night event, the film has now found digital distribution through Warner Bros. and Netflix.

In the U.S., Beer Wars is available to rent On Demand through Digital Cable and Satellite providers Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, Cablevision, Charter, Insight, Bresnan, Verizon FiOS, AT & T U-Verse, Dish Network and DirecTV. It is also available for download on iTunes, Amazon Video On Demand, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.

In Canada, the film is available to rent On Demand through Digital Cable and Satellite providers Rogers Cable, Cogeco, Videotron, Sasktel and Shaw.

The film is also available on Netflix either on DVD or “Watch Instantly” beginning February 2nd. And the DVD is available for purchase from Amazon.

For more information, go to http://beerwarsmovie.com

Other Related Articles
Beer Wars – The Movie Review

The Maine Red Claws (www.maineredclaws.com), the new, NBA Development League’s team for the Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Bobcats, have teamed up with Maine craft brewer Gritty McDuff’s Brewing Company (www.grittys.com). The arrangement authorizes Gritty’s not only to produce the team’s official beer, “Red Claws Ale,” for sale at The Portland Exposition Building itself (“The Expo,” the Red Claws’ home court), but also to offer it throughout Maine in bars, restaurants, and market retailers – a creative move in NBA circles.

“Having this kind of product-focused relationship with an NBA development team is huge news for Gritty’s and for Portland,” agreed Richard Pfeffer, Gritty’s co-owner and publican. “We worked with the Maine Red Claws staff to create a genuinely unique sponsorship, and we all believe it’s an ideal way to raise awareness of and support for Portland’s new basketball team throughout the Northeast.”

Availability of Red Claws Ale

As official beer of the Maine Red Claws, Gritty McDuff’s beer will be the only Maine microbrew product available during games at The Expo (239 Park Avenue). Beginning December 10, Gritty’s also will be offering its signature Red Claws Ale on draught at Gritty’s three Maine brew pub locations (Portland, Freeport, and Lewiston/Auburn) and in select bars and restaurants in Maine.

Twenty-two ounce bottles of Red Claws Ale will be available at many area retailers. A sought-after item among collectors and beer and sports enthusiasts, Red Claws Ale tap handles also will be available at Gritty’s Brewtique in Portland by the first of the year.

Throughout the NBA season (December 4, 2009 – April 3, 2010), Gritty’s will offer a variety of game-night specials. In addition, Gritty’s will toast wins, new players, and the play-off season with a variety of pub specials and events throughout the season, with plans underway for a “Team Draft” party for fans during the official NBA Draft.

Scottish Style Ale

It takes a brave beer to stand up to a Maine winter. Gritty McDuff’s Scottish Ale returns to help you weather the season. Scottish Style Ale is our interpretation of the robust brews native to Scotland. Generous quantities of Pale malt along with Munich and Caramalts give this ale a deep and complex profile.

Scottish Style Ale is just a shade darker than our Bitter, with a rich, slightly sweet first impression on the palate that rounds out to a satisfying maltiness and a medium-dry hop finish. At 6.3% ABV it’s hearty but not overwhelming. Sure to please the Braveheart in all of us. Look for Scottish Ale on tap at all three Gritty locations and in 12 and 22oz bottles all over the great state of Maine this winter.

Gritty’s Brew Pub locations:

Portland
Address: 396 Fore Street. Portland, Maine 04101
Phone: 207.772.BREW

Freeport
Address: Lower Main Street. Freeport, Maine 04032
Phone: 207.865.4321

Lewiston/Auburn
Address: 68 Main Street. Auburn, Maine 04210
Phone: 207.376.BREW

Christmas Ale (Pick it up – if you can still find it!!!)
December belongs to one beer and one beer only:  Christmas Ale!  available on draft and in six-packs. Our Christmas Ale is a robust E.S.B. (Extra Special Bitter) full of holiday cheer. Christmas Ale has a lovely, dark red/amber color and a rich, full-bodied, malty taste with a slightly roasted undertone.

We brew our Christmas Ale using only the finest English Pale and Crystal Malts, with a touch of Roasted Barley as well. A blend of Clusters, Styrian Goldings, Saaz and Yakima Goldings leaf hops round out this hearty brew. Gritty’s Christmas Ale has no additives, fruits or spices. It’s just a good honest ale, perfect for the season.

Other Related Articles:

Beer Profile: Gritty McDuffs Christmas Ale
Beer Release: Gritty’s Halloween Ale – Is it too early to get your spook on?
GRITTY MCDUFF’S BREWING COMPANY UPDATES ‘GRITTY DOZEN’ VARIETY PACK

About Gritty McDuff’s

Since its founding in 1988, Gritty McDuff’s, Maine’s first brew pub since Prohibition, has brewed creative, quality beers that have earned awards ranging from repeat First Place wins at the annual Real Ale Festival in Chicago, to their most recent award: a silver medal at the prestigious 2007 Great British Beer Festival for Gritty’s cask-conditioned version of the 21 IPA. Gritty’s Brew Pubs also have frequently won in statewide polls the titles of “Maine’s Best Brew Pub,” “Best Maine Microbrew,” and “Best Bar.”

In addition to brewing, Gritty McDuff’s operates three popular brew pubs in Maine. Located in Portland, Freeport and Auburn, the locations draw crowds of all ages. Known for their four seasonal ales and five year-round ales, tempting pub fare and welcoming atmosphere, Gritty’s pubs have been named an Editor’s Pick by Condé Nast Traveler, highlighted as “a legend among New England brewpubs” by The Boston Globe, and cited by Playboy.com as one of the best bars in America. Gritty’s has earned numerous accolades from a wide variety of beer blogs and industry press outlets, as well.

About the Maine Red Claws

2009-10 will mark the inaugural season for the Maine Red Claws. The NBA D-League team will begin play in November at the Portland Expo Building. The franchise is owned and operated by Maine Basketball, LLC, which is principally owned by Bill Ryan Sr., the chairman of TD Bank, and Bill Ryan Jr., owner and operator of Oxford Plains Speedway. Jon Jennings, a partner in Maine Basketball, LLC and former Boston Celtics assistant coach, is the team’s president and general manager.

Once again, AAA Merrimack Valley will be offering free tows and rides to those who overindulge throughout the holiday season.

Through the T.O.W.E.D. Program (Tow Operators Working to Eliminate Drunk Driving), AAA Merrimack Valley will dispatch a tow truck from participating AAA garages to give anyone a free tow home from a holiday party as well as a free ride.

The Club is offering this free service from Dec. 17 to Jan. 1.

How the T.O.W.E.D. Program works

To get a free tow and ride, anyone may call (for themselves or for another person) (800) AAA-HELP. AAA will offer a no-cost, no-questions-asked tow and ride to anyone who has had “one too many”, regardless of whether they are a AAA Merrimack Valley member.

We will pick up a person and their car anywhere in the Merrimack Valley and Salem, N.H., areas, and tow them anywhere within our territory.

People are to be taken home – not to another party or establishment – and cars must be operable.

The Designated Driver Program

To further stress that drinking and driving don’t mix, AAA Merrimack Valley will sponsor a Holiday Designated Driver Program and will publish a brochure that gives tips on hosting a safe holiday party.

The Designated Driver Program is being co-sponsored by restaurants, lodging and nightclubs within the Merrimack Valley area.

The program encourages everyone to choose a designated driver before they head out for a holiday party. Designated drivers will receive free nonalcoholic beverages from participating area restaurants, lodgings and nightclubs during the same time period, from Dec. 17 to Jan. 1.

“Choosing a designated driver is the best way to ensure a safe ride home from holiday parties,” said Buzz Seeley, President/CEO, AAA Merrimack Valley.

The names of the participating establishments will appear in the AAA promotional materials. This campaign will be announced through the Valley area through press releases to local newspapers and radio stations along with posters, flyers and ads in local media.

Beer… A High & Mighty Liquor – Julius Caesar

High & Mighty brews are made with righteous conviction. We’re not just brewers – we’re beer-evangelists. We’re the Clergy of Zymurgy, the Priests of Yeasts, the Joyful Congregation of High Fermentation.

Every High and Mighty offering will be a powerful wallop for the spirit. Drink one and you’re going to say “Smite me again, barkeep!”

High & Mighty Beers

• Beer of the Gods
• Purity of Essence
• St. Hubbins Abbey
• Home for the Holidays
• Two Headed Beast

Enjoy!!!

Sean
2Beerguys.com
Drink Craft Beer, You’ve Earned It!!!

THE BEER NUT: Less is the best at High & Mighty (By Norman Miller/Daily News staff)

Nowadays, for a craft beer to get any kind of buzz, it has to be high in alcohol, hard to get or full of exotic ingredients.

Will Shelton hopes to change that philosophy.

The owner of the High & Mighty Brewing Company in Belchertown wants lower alcohol beers, or session beers, to get the respect they deserve alongside their higher-in-alcohol siblings.

“I’m trying to combat the idea that the only beer worth talking about is over the top in some way,” said Shelton. “There is nothing wrong with that, but I don’t see how that got associated with good quality brewing. It’s much harder to make quality low-alcohol beers.”

Shelton, who used to run the beer importer Shelton Bros. with his brother Dan for 12 years, started the High & Mighty Brewing Company in 2006.

“Getting into brewing was pretty simple,” said Shelton. “I did the importing thing with my brother and, needless to say, I spent a lot of time around some pretty good beers. It’s more interesting, and more fun, and more challenging to be selling what I made, as opposed to something someone else made.

“As much as I believed in what those other guys were doing, I enjoy pushing something I actually created.”

The name of the brewery was done tongue and cheek, he said.

The Shelton brothers have always been known as opinionated, and an online blogger once said of them, “I’m sick and tired of this high & mighty Shelton Bros. (expletive deleted).” That gave him the inspiration for the name, Shelton said.

The idea behind the brewery was not to just brew what everyone else was making, but rather, to brew unique beers.

“What I’m doing is, in general, is trying to brew beer that, for the most part, doesn’t exist,” Shelton said.

The brewery’s first beer was Beer of the Gods.

The beer is a hybrid of German and American brewing styles, Shelton said. A fan of German beers, he finds a lot of them lack the hop flavor he really enjoys.

Shelton called it a cross between an altbier (German brown ale) and a Kolsh (a light German ale) “lovingly over-hopped in the American tradition.” And, keeping with what he likes, the beer is less than 5 percent alcohol by volume.

“I was trying to create the beer that I’ve always wanted but I could never get,” he said.

Another High & Mighty beer that is unique is Purity of Essence. He describes the beer as an India pale lager. It’s basically an India pale ale, brewed as a lager using German hops.

“I’ve been doing beer festivals for awhile now, and people come up to me and say they don’t like hops,” said Shelton. “It’s not the hops that people don’t like. They don’t like the harshness you get with the hops. My goal was to make a really hoppy beer that would appeal to people who don’t like hops.”

The Two Headed Beast is a chocolaty stout that comes in at a low 4.5 percent ABV. It’s made with raw organic cacao beans, which gives it a more bitter chocolate flavor than many chocolate stouts, which seems to have a milk chocolate sweetness.

The brewery’s current seasonal beer is the Home for the Holidays, an oak-aged brown ale. It’s also the highest ABV beer at more than 7 percent.

“I’m pretty happy with that one,” said Shelton. “For a winter beer, it kind of makes sense.”

All proceeds from the sale of Home for the Holidays will be donated to veterans’ organizations. The beer is available in 25 states.

The brewery is also replacing its St. Hubbins Abbey Ale, now calling it the St. Hubbins Dubbel.

Shelton said it’s similar to the Home for the Holidays, without any oak aging. The first batch is being bottled today.

Shelton said he hopes his beers, and other low-alcohol beers, will start getting more recognition.

“Drinking low-alcohol beers means you can go out and enjoy yourself without the fear of killing yourself or killing somebody else when you’re coming home,” said Shelton.

“It would be a better world if you can maintain some sort of pub culture. I just wish more people were talking about how amazing someone’s 4.5 percent beers were, wondering how you can get so much flavor from them.”

Resources:
Link to original article

Are you ready for a Samstephan or a Weihenadams? Boston Beer Co., maker of Samuel Adams, has announced their collaboration brew with Weihenstephan brewery, located in Germany. The beer, to be named later, will be marketed in Germany and the USA next spring.

This collaboration is two years in the making, but a final decision on the name has yet to be made public. A stronger beer, projected to be 10% in ABV (alcohol by volume), a decision has been made to package this brew in bottles with corks rahter than metal caps.

Fun Facts:

• Weihenstephan brewery is located in the state of Bavaria, Germany.
• Weihenstephan brewery was started by monks sometime around 1040.
• Weihenstrephan brewery strictly adhere’s to the purity brewing law named Reinheitsgebot. This law was set in page in 1516, requiring all beers to be brewed with only three ingredients: water, malt, and hops. After the discovery of yeast, it was added as the 4th ingredient.

Other Related articles (on recent collaborations):
Collaborative Evil 2009 – Strong Dark Belgian
Recap of the juxtaposition collaboration between Cambridge Brewing, Stone and Brew Dog
Beer Advocate and Dogfish Head collaboration naming competition

Resources:

Boston Beer Co., Weihenstephan to brew new beer
Boston Beer Co. Shows How Craft Beer Reaches Across Borders
Here’s to Teamwork! Boston Beer Co. and Weihenstephan to Release New German Brew Together