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