Switchback releases Porter

Hailing all you Switchback fans! This week brings the first official release of their new Porter into the wild! I've been following the test-batches on this beer over the past year and they nailed it in the final release - a moderately roasted, medium-bodied dark porter. Think of it as a dark version of regular Switchback! Tasty and supremely drinkable.

It's only available on draft or in kegs, and only for a limited time. Just look for the red Switchback tap handle, and if your favorite bar doesn't have it, make sure to request it.

And if you're a real fan, call in your order to the Bevy and we'll get you a 13.2 or 5 gallon keg. 655-2620.

Cheers,
Jeff

New, oh yeh.

Some tasty additions to the Beer Room:
+ Widmer Cherry Oak Doppelbock (US)
+ de Glazentoren "Cuvee Angelique" (Belgium)
+ Hitachino Red Rice Ale (Japan)
+ Baladin "Super Baladin" (Italy)
+ Harpoon 100 Barrel Series Ginger Wheat (US)

New Vintage and re-stocks:
- Stone Double Bastard 2009 22oz and 3L
- Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous (Black IPA)
- Berkshire Brewing Cabin Fever

And some recent releases from the Beer Cave (located in the "Rare and Vintage Cabinet"):
+ Stone Double Bastard 2008
+ Stone Old Guardian 2008

Cheers,
Jeff

Rural Tennessee, home to "Tastfully Engineered Beer"

Howdy y'all! I'm on vacation right now in Northeastern Tennessee visiting my folks and of course priority number one after getting settled was to seek out local brews!

My first stop was "Libation Station," a beer and tobacco store in Johnson City, TN. This proves to be the best selection I've found in these here parts. Tons of micro brews from all over the country and craft imports from the four corners of the globe. The only hitch down here is that the state caps "beer" at 6% ABV, so a lot of the usual Belgians and strong ales are missing. You can read my full review of the store on BeerAdvocate.com.

Next stop, Depot Street Brewery in Jonesborough, TN. This seems to be the only micro brewery in the whole area. I first visited Depot Street a few years back and they've grown a lot since then. The building is still a small, almost shack-like structure right on the rail lines in this historic little town, but their production has grown to fill it right up. Besides being offered on draft at dozens restaurants and bars in the surrounding areas, they now have 4 beers available in bottles. You can pick up any of 6 or so brews in growlers at the brewery for $6 plus deposit. And they offer a great Customer Appreciation program - Buy 10 growlers, get 1 free and buy 20 growlers and get an insulated growler bag! After tasting all the brews, I think my favorite are the Roundabout Rye Stout and the Freight Hopper IPA (75 IBUs). I've posted full reviews of these on BeerAdvocate.com as well, user-name SFLpunk.

Since this area is so close to the booming and brewing mecca of Asheville, NC, I'm hoping that more breweries will start setting up shop here. The success of Depot Street and their Tastefully Engineered Beers is turning the heads and taste buds of folks who might normally just drink macros and they are paving the way for a fledgling beer culture. Just today they were hosting a meeting of the State of Franklin Homebrewers club featuring "monster" beer style mash-ups.

So next time you're in Tennessee, don't pass up the chance to seek out Depot's brews!

Cheers from Tennessee! I'll be back to work on Wednesday.
Jeff

For more info on Depot Street Brewery, visit their website.

Lawson's Finest Liquids

Just a quick heads-up, Sean Lawson delivered some of his delicious and rare beers to us this week! 4 styles available and they are located in the Beer Lock-Up. Don't hesitate, these'll be gone before too much longer!

Cheers,
Jeff

Bottled Brews from Around the Globe

Another tsunami of beer has flooded the shelves of the Beer Room! Some of these are among the most sought after, some the most expensive and some just down-right tasty! Lot's of limited items on this list:

Scotland:
+ BrewDog Atlantic IPA - 7 wooden barrels of Punk IPA were sent out into the Atlantic on a trawler, some strapped to the deck for the full "at sea" experience. The barrels were then blended and bottle conditioned . This is an experimental brew made to simulate the original English IPAs that traveled on the sea from England to India, aging and growing in character in those arduous and unusual conditions.
+ BrewDog/Mikkeller "Devine Rebel" - Barleywine ale, 1/4 of which is aged in Scotch barrels
+Inveralmond Lia Fail and BlackFriar

Belgium:
+ Scaldis Prestige de Nuits
+ Scaldis Noel
+ Cantillon Grand Cru, Organic Kriek and Classic Gueuze back in stock!

Norway:
+ Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast Stout

Canada:
+ Dieu du Ciel! Aphrodite (a.k.a. Aphrodisiaque)

Australia:
+ Coopers Vintage Strong Ale 2009

USA:
+ Ommegang Adoration Ale 2009
+ Allagash Fluxus 2009 (brewed with sweet potatoes and black pepper)

And probably some I forgot!
Cheers,
Jeff

VICTORY for ROCK ART!

I just received a very short message from Matt at Rock Art that reads:

"VICTORY !!

POWER TO THE PEOPLE
POWER BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE

THE VERMONSTER LIVES AS IT HAS SINCE 2006!

satement soon, matt."

Congrats to the Rock Art Team and thanks to all the many thousands and thousands who came out to support them in their struggle!

More to come soon!
Viva la Vermonster!
Jeff

Oh man! The Beer Gods have smiled on Vermont...

The flood gates opened today and lots of beautiful delicious beer poured into the Bevy! Tons of new things from all over Europe, Japan and the US. Some of these are among my favorites of all time:

Netherlands:
+ Koningshoeven "Le Trappe" (Trappist) Dubbel, Quad and Isid'or (special release)

Belgium:
+ De Dolle "Oerbier" (Love it!)
+ Bosteels "Deus" Brut des Flanders (methode champenoise Belgian ale)
+ Bosteels "Kwak"

Switzerland:
+ Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes (BFM) "Cuvée Alex le Rouge" 2008

Italy:
+ Birra del Borgo "Té"

England:
+ Meantime IPA, London Porter and Coffee Porter
+ Wye Valley "Dorothy Goodbody" Stout
+ J.W. Lee's "Moonraker"

Japan:
+ Hitachino Espresso Stout, Lacto Sweet Stout, "Japanese Classic Ale" (IPA aged in cedar casks), and "Real Ginger Brew"

USA:
+ Kennebec "Sledhead Red"
+ Iron City and IC Light
+ American and American Light
+ Augustiner

Oh man. Time to get to work!

Cheers and Viva la Vermonster!
Jeff