Celebrate New Year's In Style!

New Year's Eve is happening again this year...on the same date in fact. Did you remember to get your bubbly ahead of the rush? NO?! That's ok, I didn't either. But this year, I think I'm going to forgo the typical set of bubbles and latch onto some really unique sparklers in the beer room. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to snag one of those hefty 3 liters of Double Bastard or go for the more elegant Gouden Carolus Grand Cru magnum. But this I can tell you: Whatever I'm drinking this New Year's is going to be coming out of a rediculously large bottle! Hope you'll join me in toasting the New Year is style!

Cheers and Happy New Year!
Jeff

Some ideas:
- Gouden Carolus Grand Cru of the Emporer Blue 2008 1.5 L $41.99
- Stone Brewing Double Bastard 2008 3 liter $81.99
- Gulden Draak Brown Tripel 1.5 L $34.99
- Samichlaus 2007 3 liter $114.99

Dogfish Delivers!

New Dogfish Head Yummies to hit the shelves:
+ Chicory Stout 6 packs are back!
+ Old School Barleywine-style Ale 4 packs! Oh yeh. Super limited.

Get some before George and I drink all of it!
Cheers,
Jeff

Two new tasty's and the return of a classic

It was good to see so many beer-drinking people out this past Wednesday at Flatbread! The beer and cheer were in high supply! If you didn't make it over there, you should go this weekend, they might still have some goodies left!

New to our shelves this week:
+ Monk's Café Flemish Sour Red Ale 11.2oz (Brewed by Van Steenberge for Monk's Cafe in Philly)
+ Petrus Winter Ale 750mL (comes with a free badass Petrus Goblet!)

And The Raftman by Unibroue is finally back in Vermont! It's only available right now in the Unibroue Taster 4-pack, but oh! is it worth it! It's brewed with Whisky Malt...how could you go wrong?

Cheers and Happy Holidays! Stop in and say hi sometime soon!
Jeff

Holiday Gifts

Hey Beer-drinkin' brethren!

Just a few ideas for some sweet holiday gifting:
+ Hand-selected "Craft Brews" and "Around the World" 8 packs
+ Heather Ales "Historic Ales of Scotland" 4 packs - four different classic Scottish brews including the Heather Ale, Gooseberry Wheat Ale, Alba Scots Pine Ale and Elderberry Black Ale
+ Ommegang 750mL 3 pack with Chalice
+ Otter Creek 220z World Tour 3 pack with Pint Glass
+ Duvel 11.2oz 4 packs with Duvel Chalice

And what Holiday Party would be complete without some large-format beers?! You could be the coolest gal/guy ever, and be remembered all next year for the guy/gal who brought a HUGE beer to the Office/Family Holiday party! Check 'em:
+ Magnums (1.5 liters) of Gouden Carolus Grand Cru Blue, Gulden Draak and Anchor Chirstmas Ale
+ Jeroboams (3 liters!) of Samichlaus Bier and Stone Double Bastard Ale

This Holidazed Season is going to be the BEST Vermont has ever seen with all these new brews!
Cheers,
Jeff

PS> Closeouts on Heineken 7oz 6 packs ($3.69 +dep.) and Gritty's Vacationland 6 packs ($3.69 +dep.). Still a little Narragansett Bock left, too!

New

New Arrivals:
+ Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout '08/'09 6 packs
+ N'ice Chouffe 750mL
+ Samuel Smith Winter Welcome
+ St. Peter's Winter Ale
+ Wychwood Bah Humbug!
+ Maredsous Blonde (formerly "6")
+ Berkshire Brewing Company Holidale
+ Pennichuck "Pompier" Barleywine
+ North Coast Organic "Cru D'or" and Organic "Old Plowshare Stout" 4 packs
+ Mickey's Big Mouth "Fine Malt Liquor" 6 packs
+ Bud Light 7 oz 6 packs

Super Deals:
+ Heineken 7oz 6 packs $3.69 +dep.
+ Gritty's Vacationland 6 packs $3.69 +dep.
+ Narragansett Bock 6 packs $3.99
(While supplies last. Prices subject to change at any time without notice.)

Reserve yours now!

Hey Folks,

Just got the tip from Scott at G.Housen that there's going to be some more new goodies coming in next week that are super limited. If you give us a call (802-655-2620) by Sunday 5pm, we can put your name down with your wish list and will do our very best to get some for you.

Here's what's coming:
- N'ice Chouffe 750mL
- Berkshire Brewing Company "Holidale" barley wine ale 22oz
- Pennichuck Pompier Barley wine ale 1 liter
- Anchor Brewing Christmas Ale 1.5 liter magnums (6 packs are already sold out and these are going fast)

Keep in mind that Holiday ales sell out quickly, so if there's others you'd like to add on your order, just let us know.

Thanks!

New Additions

Ho ho ho! Noel (beer) has landed on our rooftop and slid down our chimney and onto our shelves. New Holiday goodies include:

+ Gouden Carolus Noel 2008 750mL
+ Delirium Noel 2008 750mL
+ Gritty's Christmas Ale 22oz
+ High & Mighty Home for the Holidays 22oz
+ Samichlaus Helles 2007 750mL
+ Samichlaus Dopplebock 2007 3 liter

Other Non-Holiday related tasties include:
+ Dogfish Head Pangaea 750mL
+ Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor 750mL
+ Kasteel Tripel and Donker 750mL
+ St. Louis "Gueuze Fond Tradition" 375mL

And back from being MIA:
+ High & Mighty XPA 6 packs
+ Gouden Carolus Cuvee van de Keizer Blue and Red 2008 750mL
+ Rogue American Ale 220z


Also, we got in a lot of glassware this week. Chalices from Gouden Carolus and Leffe. Stems from St. Louis Lambics. Imperial Pints from Sam Smith and Guinness. And many many more American-style pints. They're just inside the front door, so check them out!

Happy Drinking!
Jeff

Samichlaus is back in Vermont!

Just a quick note to say that after a long prohibition in Vermont, Samichlaus Dopplebock is back on our shelves! It's come back in a rather unusual and exciting way. We scored one of four 3 liter bottles in the whole state, and the ONLY case of Samichlaus Helles 750mL swingtops in the whole state!

These beers are incredibly unusual in that they're only brewed one day a year, Dec. 6th, and then aged ten months before release. Both bottlings are the 2007 vintage, and the Helles is the first release since 1986 or so. Very exciting. And we're the only store in the state that you can find it at!

Don't miss out on these super rare and cellar-worthy bottlings!

Cheers,
Jeff

Free Pint Glass Friday continues this week!

Hi gang,

Sorry for the lack of posts...Holidays throw off beer delivery schedules and everyone puts things on hold. But this week, we're happy to announce STOUDT'S Brewing of Penn. will be added to our shelves. And to help in the Kick-Off Celebration, we're throwing another installment of "Free Pint Glass Friday" this Friday, Dec. 5th from 5pm-8pm. Swing through, taste 6 of the new additions from Stoudt's, chat with myself and Shawn Dunn of Global Brewers Guild, and keep the full-sized pint glass! Just another way for us to thank you for supporting our "habit" of bringing in every single beer available in Vermont!

Stoudt's six-packs arriving this week:
+ American Pale Ale
+ Pils
+ Gold Munich Style Helles
+ Scarlet Lady Ale
+ Fat Dog Stout
+ Winter Ale
+ Tripel Abbey-Style Ale

In other new beer news:
+ Sam Adams Imperial Pilsner 4 packs
+ Redhook Double Black Stout with Coffee 22 oz
+ O'hara's Celebration Stout swingtops are back in stock!

See you Friday!
Jeff

For more on Stoudt's, check out their website by clicking here.

Did you know it's almost Thanksgiving?

In case you thought the whole US skipped Thanksgiving and went to the much more lucrative day signifying the official holiday gift-buying scramble, also known as Black Friday, a way to "stimulate the economy," we didn't. We'll be open on Thursday, but only from 10am-1pm, but Redemption Center will be closed.

And before you reach for a cheap bottle of red and white for the table (I know we're all on a budget), consider this: You could down-grade your wine purchase and pick from the usual "Macro-wine makers," things with animal, mineral or vegetables on the labels and get what you pay for, OR you could consider reaching for a more expensive bottle of beer. Think about it. Average bottle cost for "inexpensive, but tasty" wine is $10-12 for a 750mL bottle. For less than $10/750mL, you could get an "expensive and delicious" bottle of beer. You could be drinking entry level wine for the same price as super-premium, luxury beer.

So if I've piqued your attention, here's some suggestions for the typical Thanksgiving table, vegetarians and omnivores included.
+ Belgian Saison ales are a go-to. They have light, airy carbonation and are naturally spicy from the yeast. A perfect match for the stuffings, the roasted potatoes, and anything else made with the usual herbs and spices. Try Brasserie Dupont's Saison (Belg.) or North Coast "Le Merle" saison (CA).
+ Lambic fruit beers are great on tables that use a lot of fruit glazes (cranberries, cherries, etc) and won't overpower the bird/tofurky. Try St. Louis Framboise (raspberry, a touch more sweet) or Kriek (cherry, a touch more sour). This is a great beer for the people who say they don't like any beers. Also, they're killer with cheesecakes.
+ Want something not from Belgium? You want light, crisp, but with character. North Coast Scrimshaw Pils (CA), Southhampton Altbier (MA), Castelain Biere de Garde (France).

Not a fan of light beers? There's still hope. Skip the after-dinner coffee and check out a hearty stout or porter with dessert. Hapoon's Leviathan Baltic Porter (MA/VT), and Pennichuck's Pozharnik Espresso Stout (NH) are two great beer stand-in's for the bitter black brew called coffee. Just don't add the cream and sugar.

Cheers and Happy drinking!
Jeff

Lucky find in Essex!

I stopped by the Inn @ Essex tonight and slipped into the Tavern to see what was new and exciting - low and behold, they've taken Guinness off their nitrogen tap and put on North Coast's Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout! How could I resist ordering at least a half-pint? At $4.50 for a 12 oz pour (a respectable price by most standards), this is a must for anyone who loves the bottled version. It's so light and fluffy, a touch more creamy, and just downright delicious! Try it with their Smoked Gouda Mac-n-cheese!

Get out there and drink up!
Cheers,
Jeff

New Today

Real quick:

+ Stone Double Bastard 2008 22oz and 3 liters!!!! (CA)
+ Fuller's Vintage Ale 2008 (England)
+ Pennichuck (NH) Ginger Pilsner, IPA, "Pail Ale," & Schwarzbier 220z's, and Ponzharnik (Espresso vanilla stout aged in whiskey barrels), Scottish Ale 1 liters
+ Smuttynose Big Beer Series Scotch Ale 22oz (NH)
+ Harpoon 100 Barrel Series Rauchfetzen 22oz (VT/MA)
+ Harpoon Leviathan Series Baltic Porter 4 packs (VT/MA)
+ Farnum Hill Extra Dry Sparkling Cider 750mL and a limited series one too! (NH)

And CHAUCER'S Meade (England) is back in VT! Both the standard and the Raspberry mead. Located below the cider section on the left as you head towards the beer room.

News on VT Brews

Today I met briefly with Ryan Caffin of Long Trail Brewing Co. and Rob King of Otter Creek/Wolaver's to discuss upcoming releases. Ryan said that Long Trail will be releasing soon a Belgian Dubbel (draft only), but their next big beer, released early next year, will be put into bombers and I'm racking my brain trying to remember what he said it was going to be, an Imperial Pilsner, maybe? I'll check back with him. That meeting was rather brief.

In a slightly longer, but equally rushed meeting, Rob let me know that both the Otter Creek and Wolaver's labels had new things coming soon. First, from Otter Creek, their holiday gift pack which includes three recent World Tour Series bombers and a special glass will be available starting Friday. In January, their "Mud Bock" will make it's much anticipated return from a lengthy hiatus; Stovepipe Porter will be available in 22oz bottles, and they'll release their first big beer, a Russian Imperial Stout. In March, they will release their second big beer, and Imperial IPA. I can't wait! Two of my favorite styles, finally available from a local brewer! Wolaver's will also be releasing a new bottling in January, their "All American Ale." Take that Bud/Inbev! A real American brewery brewing a real American ale! Oh snap!

And a non-VT brew tidbit, we're getting our shipment of the highly anticipated Double Bastard 2008 from Stone Brewing this Friday! 22oz bottles and glorius 3 liter swingtops! Yum!

New Arrivals and More Shelving!

So, this week it happened. We ran out of room on our bomber shelves. So instead of refusing all the new goodies, we just added more shelves! 16 feet, to be exact. We established a new New England Bombers section, just to the right as you enter the beer room. We also have an official 22oz-or-larger cider section, right next to the VT wine section (across from the cold bombers). The cider 6 packs are still in the beer room.

Here's what came in this week:
+ Les Brasseurs de Gayant (France): Amadeus Biere Blanche, Goudale, Saint Landelin Le Divine, and Saint Landelin Speciale Noel 750mL's
+ Estrella Damm Inedit (Spain) 750mL
+ Cisco Brewers (Nantucket, MA): Indie Pale Ale and Moor Porter 22oz's
+ Shipyard Brewing (Portland, ME): Pugsley's Signature Series Barley Wine Ale and Imperial Porter 22oz's
+ Gouden Haven Pilsner (Holland) 6 packs
+ Samuel Smith's Organic Cider (England)
+ Flag Hill Farm Sparkling Cider and Still Cider (VT)

Ciders!

Just got back from having dinner at American Flatbread in Burlington. Great food, and really awesome service. Jeff, their bar manager, had tipped me that they're pulling Farnum Hill's Kingston Black 2005 cider on cask, so I had to swing through to see what was what. A single apple varietal vintage cider - how could I resist? I've never had a single varietal cider, and it was an interesting and enjoyable experience. A pale golden straw color, almost no carbonation, damn near bone-dry, and nice and tart! I now know what Kingston Black cider tastes like, and feel like a better person for it. Swing through and check it out. It's on cask, so don't miss it at the bottom of the draft chalk board.

On a quick sidenote, I'd like to put it out there that Paul, the brewer at Flatbread Burlington Hearth, is perhaps one of the best brewers that I've had the pleasure of meeting. He plays with so many very different brewing styles that it's mind-boggling, but somehow manages to make them all true to form. Munich Helles, Rauchbier, and Kolsch, all distinct and show the telltale signs of the German brewing tradition. Tripel, Saison, Black Saison (yeh!), Belgian-style through and through. London Calling, Black Cat Porter - Oh, it's U.K. alright. Not many brewers can brew so many very different styles and make them all come out right, but Paul is one for the books.

Ok, back to ciders: Woodchuck released a limited-edition oak aged cider recently. I got into a bottle and was quite surprised. It's a little clunky, and very heavily influenced by oak. I thought for sure that it was aged in bourbon barrels (vanilla bean all over this one), but I checked their press release and it sees American and French oak. Not sure if it's barrel's, chips, staves or what, but it's interesting and one of their better releases.

And for the coup de grace, J. K. Scrumpy's Organic Farmhouse Cider. If you haven't tried this one, you really should. Fairly sweet (to most people), but with a beautifully textured body, almost unfiltered-feel of freshly pressed cider, this one is a crowd pleaser. Owned by John Koan, family-run farm since the mid-1800's, and Bruce Wright of Wetten Imports, this is one of the best ciders I've had. It's drinkable, fresh-tasting and produced in a manner respectful of the land and the farm. (I often compare it to Cold Hollow's Fall Blend cider that you can buy in the grocery stores around here.)

And two more ciders will be joining our store tomorrow: Babycham Pear cider from the U.K., and Sam Smith's Organic cider, U.K. as well.

New Arrivals

Hey-yo. Back with more new arrivals:
+ Moinette Bruin 750mL
+ Moinette Blond 750mL
+ Dupont Bier de Miel 750mL
+ Ommegang Ommegeddon March '08 is back in stock!
+ North Coast "Le Merle" Saison 750mL
+ North Coast Old Stock Ale 2008 4 packs
+ Rock Art Holiday Bock 2008 22oz
+ Woodchuck Oak Aged Cider 6 packs

Tonight, I sampled the "Le Merle" with a light dinner of Baby Boucheron soft-ripened goat cheese, toasted locally-made baguette slices, and Quinta do Coa olive oil (Portugal). Aw yeh. Life is good. (Check out BA for my review of "Le Merle.")

Oh, really? New beers?

I had a great time today at the G-Housen (distributor) portfolio tasting! I went for the "Intro to Belgian Beers" seminar which was given by Scott Anderson (G-Housen's beer guru), Steven Villani of Global Beer Network and Bruce Wright of Wetten Imports, but ended up sampling some other really tasty brews that are destined for sale in VT. A few highlights from the goodies tasted: Stoudts Brewing of PA (planning to launch in VT in a "couple weeks"); Berkshire Brewing Company (MA) had a special release of their Imperial Stout aged in Jim Beam barrels; Michael Saklad of Stone Brewing Co. (CA) brought a glorious 3 liter swingtop of their 10th Anniversary Triple IPA!; also represented were Rogue, North Coast Brewing, Piraat, Bavik, Gulden Draak, Het Anker (Gouden Carolus), Kasteel, Troubadour. A great tasting, and I got to share notes with a lot of the reps. and made important connections that will hopefully pull more beer and glassware into the state.

As for the Warehouse, here's what's new so far this week:
+ Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout is back!
+ Anchor Christmas 2008 6 packs and magnums (1.5 L)
+ Unibroue Quatre-Centieme 750mL (super limited release!)
+ St. Louis Lambics: Framboise & Kriek 750 mL (made by Kasteel)

And more is to come in on Friday from North Coast and Moinette. I was told tonight that Sonte Double Bastard was on a different truck than the 12th Anniv, and should ship late next week to the store. We're taking "pre-order" wish lists for this one. Give us a call (802-655-2620). On the horizon: Gouden Carolus Triple, Kasteel Triple & Brun, Brigand (Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck), and more Belgian beer!

Oh man, I freakin' love this job!
Jeff

New Beers after Trattoria Delia

Feliz dia de los muertos! I'm just getting home from having a great dinner at Trattoria Delia with Giuseppe Mazzocolin, the General Manager of Fattoria di Felsina (named Winery of the Year 2008 by Gambero Rosso) - what a great time! Giuseppe's wines are beautifully crafted, and modestly priced. And if you've never been there, to Tratt that is, you absolutely must go. It's perhaps the best restaurant in the Greater Burlington area, bar none! Chef/Owner Tom Delia's menu is stellar and his staff is highly versed in both traditional Italian cuisine and their lengthy list of prized wines. I highly recommend having the wood-grilled fish of the day- perfectly cooked, every time! Their grill chef, who's name unfortunately escapes me at this moment, nails it. Salut!

And as I sip my Rogue Dead Guy Ale, a nod to the peaceful dead bottles we left empty at Tratt, here's a quick list of new beers:
+ Nørrebro Brynghus North Bridge Extreme IPA (Denmark) 600mL
+ Nørrebro Brynghus La Grangja Espresso Stout (Denmark) 600mL
+ Allagash Interlude 2008 750mL cork finish

Making their grand return this week:
+Jolly Pumpkin La Roja 750mL and Oro de Calabaza 750mL
+Sierra Nevada Celebration 2008

And have I mentioned the fact that on the Liquor Store side we still have inventory of Brooklyn Monster Barleywine Ale 2007!?! It's been gracefully ageing in our warehouse over the past year, and man is it drinking well! The VT DLC is selling it for $1.50/12oz! A steal! How often do you get offered a vintage beer for that cheap that is already on it's way to maturity?

New Rogue Beer List

Here's the skinny on the new Rogue's:
+ Santa's Private Reserve 220z and 6 packs
+ Yellow Snow IPA 22oz, GROWLER! (that's right!), and 5 liter mini-keg (really?! Yup, really!)
+ Dead Guy Ale Glow-in-the-Dark growlers! (5 cent deposit!)
+ XS Series swingtop ceramic 750mL additions: Imperial Stout (which I'm sampling right now! See BA for my review), Imperial Red Ale, and Imperial Porter
+ Morimoto Imperial Pilsner swingtop ceramic 750mL
+ Dry-Hopped St. Rogue Red 22oz

Good week for Pacific Northwest brews in VT!

Also, the Free Pint Glass Friday with Magic Hat/Orlio has been rescheduled for 11.14.08, 4pm-8pm. See previous posts for the low down or check out the Event Posting on BeerAdvocate.com

Cheers,
Jeff

From the Desk of Jen (Owner)

Hi-yo! I got an email today (my day off) from Co-Owner Jen regarding new beers:
"We got in new Rouge's today including more of the "XS" series and Dead Guy growlers...we also got in 5 liter cans! I already have them in the system. All hand marked and on the shelf. Phew!"

She also told me that the Magic Hat/Orlio tasting is going to have to be postponed due to complications getting a tasting license from the Vermont DLC. I'll let you know when we get a date.

Cheers,
Jeff

It's Harvest time! And beer tasting time!

So the hops have been picked, they've been overnighted to the breweries, the beer's been made, shipped out and Wet Hop/Harvest Ales are arriving at the Bevy! Sierra Nevada's much sought after 12th release of their Harvest Ale Wet Hop is now in stock, but flying out the door by the case. Don't miss out on this once a year (well, ok, they made a Southern Hemisphere one, so twice a year) brew! Harpoon's Glacier Harvest '08 Wet Hop Beer (100 Barrell series #24) arrive just today and is on the shelf for your purchasing pleasure. I'm actually sipping on one right now, and it's mighty fine. A little less hoppy than the Sierra one, but a great big bottle session beer.

Also in, for the first time in VT, is Smuttynose Wheat Wine (Style) Ale. At 11.4%, it's the strongest beer that Smutty puts out. Somewhat sweet and really rich, this bad boy should age gracefully and improve in the cellar. Stash a few bottles, but drink a couple this winter. This beer will take the chill out of your bones. I'd serve it at cellar temp. (65 degrees F) and in a snifter or wide wine glass.

Brasserie Dupont's "Avril" has arrive in 750mL bottles. Haven't gotten into it yet, but I plan to tomorrow.

And finally: FREE BEER TASTING! (POSTPONED * See Next Blog for explanation)
Friday, November 7th, from 4pm to 8 pm, clear your calendar because Magic Hat & Orlio Organic Ales are going to be in house pouring samples of their tasty local brews. And not only that, but they'll be pouring into full-sized pint glasses, glasses which you'll get to keep if you step in and taste. Oh yeh! Free beer and a free (not stolen) pint glass! What could be better?

A couple new ones

Just in:
+ Metolius Dolly Varden IPA 6 packs & Golden Stone Amber Ale 6 packs
+ Smuttynose IPA & Old Brown Dog bombers (22oz)
+ Tooheys New Beer 6 packs (Australia) will be available this weekend
+ Gouden Carolus Grand Cru of the Emporer magnums (1.5L) will be available this weekend

Also, beer tastings are being planned!

Cheers,
Jeff

Tell 'em what you think!

Aloha gang! I just wanted to take a moment to encourage you to start sharing your thoughts about beer with others on sites like BeerAdvocate.com and RateBeer.com. I know this might sound like a commercial at first glance, but here's my reasoning: The craft beer market has been growing by leaps and bounds since the 80's, and the reason for this is that there were consumers who cared, consumers who spoke up and said what they thought about the new beers being fermented by both local micros and by the big boys. The Macro producers started to take note of all the chatter going on about these newbie Microbrews, and they too have decided to start making more robust beverages. The market has grown, and more beer has started to flow into pockets of the country that were thought to be beer-ignorant because people who lived there that appreciated fine beverages started demanding them. The internet has been a powerful tool for beer consumers expressing their opinions and connecting with other beer lovers both locally and abroad. So the long and short of it is that I'd like you to step up your beer game, and start posting your personal reviews of beers, places and events on websites like BA and RB. Writing a review of a beer also gets you thinking more critically about beers, and you might start trying things that you wouldn't normally because you stumbled across a highly rated beer on one of those sites.

So get out there and tell 'em what you think about the new beers we're getting in VT! Also, giving Beverage Warehouse a review wouldn't hurt either (We have an A- on BA and a 64% on RB! Yikes!).

As always,
Cheers,
Jeff

Stone Brewing @ American Flatbread

Holy West Coast, Batman! American Flatbread in Burlington this Wednesday (10-15) from about 5pm until 10pm will be overrun by Stone Brewing and a bunch of their tasty hop-headed, arrogant and otherwise bad-ass brews. I'll be there from about 7:30pm on, so find me at the bar and say hi! This is an event not to be missed. Michael Saklad, the Stone Rep. always has tricks up his sleeves, and always aims to please! Wherever he goes, vintage or rare Stone goodies usually follow.

From the BeerAdvocate.com Event posting:
"Every available tap line.
Selections from the brewery's "library."
Food pairings.
Michael Saklad.

These kegs are confirmed:
11th Anniversary Ale, 07.07.07 Vertical Epic, 08.08.08 Vertical Epic, 2006 Double Bastard, 2007 Old Guardian, 2008 Imperial Russian Stout, Arrogant bastard, Ruination"

Cheers,
Jeff

Beer Blowouts

Hey gang, just some heads-up on some beer blowouts that arrived today:

+ Narragansett Bock 6 packs $3.99+dep. (Regularly $6.99)
+ Narragansett Light 6 packs $2.99+dep. (Reg. $4.99)
+ Leinenkugel's Honey Weiss 6 packs $3.99+dep. (Reg. $7.99)
+ Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy (Weiss beer w/ Lemonade) 6 packs $3.99+dep. (Reg. $7.99)
+ Labatt's Summer Blond 6 packs $2.99+dep. (Reg. ~$6.99)
+ Mike's Hard "Light" Tea 6 packs $1.99+dep. (Reg. ~$6.99)

Keg blowouts:
Leffe Blond 1/4 barrel $59 + dep. (Reg. $105+)
Moretti 1/4 barrel $59 + dep. (Reg. $94+)

Enjoy while they last!

Collectible Heads-Up

Hey beer followers. Just wanted to give you the pre-release heads-up on a classic cellar item: Gouden Carolus Cuvee van de Keizer Blauw (Grand Cru of the Emperor Blue) 2008 magnums (1.5L)! They're going to retail for over $40 each, but there's less than 20 bottles available in the whole state of VT, so please call in your requests, and we'll do our best to allocate them and get you a more firmed up price soon.

BeerAdvocate.com scores it an "A" and RateBeer.com has it at "99 pts."

802-655-2620 is the number...

90 Minute IPA on draft

Just a quick heads-up that Monkey Bar in Winooski has Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA on draft, $5 a pint. Yum! I've also been told that American Flatbread in Burlington is running it for about the same price.

More things to come

As we peer into the carbonated crystal beer ball, I foretell the following fortunes:

-Southern Tier will appear before the first of the New Year

-Magic Hat will be releasing a new version of their "Braggot" aged on wood chips at the brewery soon

-Uinta Brewing and Four+ Brewing will be arriving within the first two weeks of October

Keep drinking!
Cheers,
Jeff

Beverages of the Gods

Unexpected new things have graced our boisterous beer shelves from Delaware this week. The widely anticipated release of Dogfish Head's Theobroma (750mL) was under my radar, and I was surprised to get a photo-text of the new beer from co-owner, George, late Tuesday evening. Theobroma is an attempt to recreate some of the ancient South and Central American beverages that incorporated cocoa, honey, and alcohol. From the official D.H. website:
"This beer is based on chemical analysis of pottery fragments found in Honduras which revealed the earliest known alcoholic chocolate drink used by early civilizations to toast special occasions. The discovery of this beverage pushed back the earliest use of cocoa for human consumption more than 500 years to 1200 BC. As per the analysis, Dogfish Head’s Theobroma (translated into 'food of the gods') is brewed with Aztec cocoa powder and cocoa nibs (from our friends at Askinosie Chocolate), honey, chilies, and annatto (fragrant tree seeds)."

I cracked a bottle last night and let me tell you, that is one flavorful beer! It's a pale amber color, with a stiff white head, that leaves a slight lacing. The body is rather light, but the flavor of the cocoa and the chilies really come across. I was amazed at the drinkability - light body, huge flavor makes for an enjoyable experience.

+Also from Dogfish Head, Palo Santo Marron, a "brown ale" aged in palo santo wood casks. Calling this beer a brown ale is like calling Stone's Imperial Russian Stout a brown ale. This beer is dark and lush. Perhaps one of the most complex beers I've ever had! Check out my BeerAdvocate.com review for more (my handle is SFLpunk).
+90 minute IPA is back!

New Michelob beers are in (Pale Ale & Dunkelweiss), part of AB's push to break into the "craft beer" profits. And the widely advertised Budweiser American Ale is also out on the shelves.

Other news:
+Otter Creek has announced that they will be adding an IPA to their line-up, and the next stops on the World Tour Series will be a Belgian Double White (their first step into the high alcohol world), an Imperial Stout, and then an Imperial Pilsner. No release dates yet.
+Belgian brewery Bavik's "Petrus Golden Tripel" 750mL will be in for this weekend.
+Delirium Tremens will return this Friday (hopefully)
+We're in talks with Farnum Hill Cidery to plan a cider tasting in the near future. We'll also be picking up their whole line of sparkling and still ciders this week.
+BLOWOUTS: Stone Coast Knuckleball 6 packs & 420 IPA 12 packs, Labatt Heritage Classic 6 packs ($2.99+), Mike's Light Hard Tea 6 packs ($1.99+).

Rapscallions and Rogues abound!

As some of you know, I've been MIA for a week recovering from a back injury...but I'm back, baby! No pun intended.

The major news is with Rogue Ales. They just switched VT distributors and the new one is rolling out with all the beer that Rogue will send them/us. Fresh in for this weekend:
-BRAND NEW: Double Dead Guy Ale in painted red bombers!
-XS: Imperial India Pale Ale 750mL swing-top ceramic bottle*(Keep reading for a review)
-XS: Old Crustacean Barley Wine Ale 750mL swing-top ceramic bottle
-Dry Hopped St. Rogue Red 6 packs
-Also, Juniper Pale Ale bombers and Hazelnut Brown Nectar bombers are back in stock

Other NEW BEERS and whatnot this weekend include:
-Harpoon Leviathan Imperial IPA 4 packs
-Anchor Old Foghorn Barley Wine Ale 6 packs*(Keep reading for a Factoid)
-Budweiser American Ale 6 packs
-Stone Vertical Epic 08/08/08 makes it's return!
-Stone Imperial Russian Stout is in, but very limited and might not always be on the shelf. If you don't see it, ask me for it.

Still have yet to see Erdinger Oktoberfest 6 packs for sale yet, but I got to try an advance and it's great! It's a Weizen Oktoberfest, something different, but it maintains that nice crisp, lager-like mouthfeel that we've come to expect from classic Oktoberfest biers. I hope it's in soon. Most of the domestic and other German Okt's are already in-house.

All in all, a good week for beer!

*Rogue XS: Imperial IPA - Rich, creamy white head. Nosings of tangerine, sweet light malt and a suggestion of Dulce de Leche. Deceaving because the palate is blasted with dry hoppy-goodness. Here comes the pine needles (yellow pine), the blood orange bitters, and a damn fine finish. Great IPA, diverging slightly from "West Coast," just enough to be unique, but well within the style. FFO Stone Ruination IPA.

*Anchor Brewing's "Small Beer" is the product of sparging, or re-steeping, the mash used to make Old Foghorn, creating a lighter and more delicate wort and thus a lighter ale. This is an homage to traditional English brewing techniques and a way to "recycle" resources in the brewery, creating a higher ratio of delicious products for us to drink to a lower amount of resources needed. Try 'em both in a flight and see if you can tell they're akin with one another!

Things to Come and Things That Came

I spoke with the head beer buying honcho at G-Housen (Scott) today about all things to come and I have some updates for you. Bullet-point style, of course!

• Stone is releasing more Vertical Epic 2008 fairly soon.
• Erdinger Oktoberfest Weizen is coming in later this week, but a 6pk, not a 5oomL as previously announced.
• Rogue Double Dead Guy, Old Crustacean Barley Wine Ale and Imperial IPA are all due in this week.
• Stoudts (PA) and Victory (PA) are both finishing up the final paper work and delivery will be within three weeks or so.
• Pennichuck Brewing (NH) is going through it's final label approval with the state.
• Stone Double Bastard will probably be released closer to Thanksgiving.
• Specialty glassware will be made available to us (and therefore you) within the next couple of weeks. (I'm personally really excited about this!)
• G-Housen is wrapping up talks with B-United Imports and will be bringing in Japanese craft beers, more European offerings and possibly sakés in the near future. No ETA yet though.
• More Smuttynose (NH) bombers are coming! Very, very soon.
  
• Bear Republic (CA) is on the horizon. As is Southern Tier (NY).

In other NEW BEER news, we just received our first shipment of Southampton Publick House brews - Altbier, IPA, and Double White, all in 6 packs, $7.99 +dep, all delicious and a great value. We also just released a small amount of Stone Vertical '08 and Stone Imperial Russian Stout '08. Get 'em while they last! Wolaver's Pumpkin Ale is on the shelves, as is the new Otter Creek Sphinx bomber.

And lastly, I'd like to announce officially that we've started a beer cellar and will be aging various vintage-dated gems to be re-released at later points in time. I know this doesn't do anyone much good right now, but you'll be thanking us in a year or so!
Cheers,
Jeff

High and Mighty

So, I'm just getting back from another late night trip to ye olde Switchback Brewery, and I figure it's time to write about beer. Tonight we got to check out what their wort tastes like...I know what you're thinking, "Eww, gross! Worts!" But this is basically the beer before they add the yeast. Let me tell you - Delicious. It's pleasantly sweet but immediately bitter from the Simcoe and Sterling hops that they add during the boil. My buddy Chris Galbraith took off on the culinary applications for such a raucous ingredient for braising meats and fish and etc. etc. Good times.

In other brew news, I've been exploring our new beer offerings and have been posting reviews on BeerAdvocate.com. If you're a member, check it out, my handle is SFLpunk. If you're not signed up, you should be - it's free.

One new line that I've been particularly fond of is the High & Mighty Beer Co. We've pulled in four bombers from them and I've sampled 3 of them thus far:

"Beer of the Gods" - A solid American blond ale. Very bitter and refreshing, while maintaining an amber hue and full mid-palate. Flavorful is probably the word I'm looking for, yet easy to drink. A session ale for the midnight rockers.

"Purity of Essence" - A lager of hopped proportions! Although technically a 'malt liquor,' this ain't your Daddy's 40! Medium tawny on the eye, unfiltered, and raging with dry-hoppiness. Clean and drinkable.

"Sono Distrutto" - An American stout, this beer is chock-full-o-nuts...meaning that it's an Espresso Stout. A nice bitterness from the beans and a full lush and somewhat sweet quality from the beer. Light in alcohol for the style, it's medium- to full-bodied and will acompany any fine bourbon or perhaps a hearty stew.

Keep drinking, and I will too! Hope to see you in the store soon.
Cheers,
Jeff

PS> Erdinger Oktoberfest .5L's should be in tomorrow (9/5/08). And, I know it's not beer, but it is carbonated, REAL Lambrusco is back in VT. Check out our offerings from Villa de Corlo.

After Hours with Switchback Brewing

Last night I spent some quality time at the Switchback Brewery chatting with brewer Tony Morse and my good friend and soon to be NECI grad Chris Galbraith. We rolled in, after business hours of course, to find a hard-at-work Tony tromping about the brew house, casually nodding his head to some heady metal from the Dethklok album. He invites us in and we spent some time touring the facility, sampling the oh-so-fine fresh brews, and waiting for him to clean the brew kettle with some rather caustic chemicals. Here's what I found out...

Times are busy at Switchback, with selling beer in NH, NY and Vermont, there's burning the midnight oil. I can safely say that Beverage Warehouse sells more kegs of Switch than any other beer, even though it's twice the price of our cheapest keg! I've seen kegs come into the Warehouse that were filled only hours before! So if we're moving that many kegs alone, I can't even imagine how they have any beer to sell in other markets...kudos! Oh, and the Porter, let's not forget about the Porter! For those of you lucky enough to sample this dark pint at the Burlington Brewersfest, you know what I'm talking about. Tony says that they need to tweak it a little but plan on releasing a batch just before next year's Roasted Red come out. It's very dark in the glass, but is spry because of the carbonation level and doesn't feel cloying or necessarily creamy on the palate. On the finish there's a definite earthiness that Tony says comes from using unmalted barley in the mash. Not an easy trick, but they pulled it off with great success. I can't wait until Winter so I can have some more! And Tony gives one hell of a tour. This man knows his beer and didn't dumb it down for us. He used real working terminology, interesting chemistry explanations and answered my dumb questions in a way that both made sense and helped me to learn more. Some brew tours, well actually most, are just generic this-and-that, but not at Switchback.

Here's what I learned about the brewery: Their actual Brew-house is only a fifteen barrel operation, but they manage to squeak out around seventeen and a half. Their proprietary yeast strain has been helping them brew beer for over 180 "generations" (meaning the yeast, not the people), that's over six years! Same good ol' yeast gets "pitched cone to cone" in the fermenters and keeps on making that sweet, delicious alcohol. Kegs are still filled by hand. Tours are available on Saturday, I believe, but give a ring over to the brewery to verify times. They also sell hats, shirts and tap handles (for you die-hards with Switch on draft at home) at the brewery. Stickers are free, if I remember correctly, and they'll stamp your VT Brewery Passport. And yes, asking for a keg-stand is frowned upon no matter what time of night it is.

It was a great night, and a fun time. As Chris and I got into my truck, we waved back at Tony who was carting home his very own new Guitar Hero III set-up while locking up the doors for the night. Thanks Tony for the hospitality. Oh, and like I promised I'd say - and please hear this! - NO PLANS TO BOTTLE anytime soon. From the horses mouth, please stop asking and stop spreading rumors. Just enjoy it on draft at your favorite watering-hole or pony up and get a home draft system. I'll even come over any help you set it up.

Cheers,
Jeff Baker

PS> Harpoon has announced a new four-pack series called "Leviathan" and the first round to hit VT will be an Imperial IPA in Sept.! Click for more.

A New Beginning

As I sit here and write the first ever Beverage Warehouse online publication, I think it's only fitting that I am sipping on a Stone Old Guardian 2008. I am the protector and protégé of the Old Guard and part of the New Guard of beer and wine at Ye Olde Bevy. I should introduce myself. My name is Jeff Baker and I've been hired on (again) at the Bevy as the Assistant Wine Buyer and have since taken on serious Craft Beer buying after the VT beer-law changes in July of '08. (For a short list of my credentials, check out my profile...I won't bore you here.)

So that's me, and this is my way of keeping you, our loyal customers, updated about all the new beers that are pouring into our store (and our glasses), as well as any free in-store beer tastings, events, my reviews of beers, and whatnot and what have you. To kick things off, here's a list of all the new beers that have been announced to us by our suppliers in no certain order. (Approximate dates are supplied where possible.)

Soon (or already): Delerium Tremens and Nocturnum, Gouden Carolus Grand Cru of the Emperor Red and Blue (Super Limited), North Coast Brewing (CA), Smuttynose S'Muttonator 22oz, Otter Creek Sphinx 22oz, Foret 11.2 oz bottles, Moinette Blonde and Bruin, Beire de Meil (Dupont), Avril Beer de Table (Dupont), La Chouffe, Houblon Chouffe, McChouffe Maredsous Double and Triple, Augustijn, Gulden Draak (also in 1.5L magnums!), Piraat Ale, Bavik Pilsner, Petrus Triple, Poperings Hommel, Troubador Blonde and Obscura, Stone Imperial Russian Stout, Gritty McDuff's Best Brown, Best Bitter and Scottish Ale 22oz, High and Mighty Beer of the Gods, Purity of Essence IPA, St Hubbins Belgian Golden Amber, Sono Distrutto Espresso Stout 22oz's, Orkney Skullspliter Scottish Ale, Froach Heather Ale, Orkney Dark Island Ale, Orkney Red McGregor, Orkney Dragonhead Stout, Berkshire Brewing Oktoberfest, Dogfish Head 90 Minute & Midas Touch, Southern Tier Brewing (NY) and some new A-B(InBev) products.

September: Victory Brewing (PA), Stoudts (PA), Erdinger Oktoberfest

October: Lagunitas Brewing (CA), Stone Double Bastard

On the list of "soon-ish:" Boulder Brewing (CO), Avery Brewing (CO), Dieu de Ciel (Montreal)

2009-ish: Oskar Blues (CO)

So that's that. I'll keep you updated as these beers roll into our store. Also, please be aware that our beer room is being reset, so your favorite brews might have migrated over an isle or two to make room for all these new goodies!

One last thing: FREE BEER TASTING!!!! Saturday, August 23rd from 2-5:30pm in the Beverage Warehouse. We're trying some of the new tasty's that have arrived. Free. Beer. Just come.

Cheers and beers,
Jeff