check out Jeff's new position at The Farmhouse!!!!

Hey folks,





We got some awesome news about Jeff (aka El Jefe) and his new position at the Farmhouse Tap & Grill in their press release below!!  In the short amount of time I've been in VT, Jeff has been an exceptionally awesome person and (as you know) has an astounding knowledge of beer and wine.  So please stop by the Farmhouse to say congrats and to buy one of the many amazing beers he will be selecting on draft and bottle, and keep your eyes out for some Farmhouse/Bevy promotions coming in 2012 if not earlier!

And don't forget to stop by the Bevy this weekend for some great new selections!

Victory Dark Intrigue - limited run of barrel-aged Storm King
Hill Farmstead Anna - another great saison from Shaun, this will local wildflower honey
Lawson's Sugarhouse IPA
Woodstock Inn Wassail Ale - winter warmer
Sierra Nevada 12-packs on sale!
Magic Hat Hex 12-packs on sale!  $7.99.  Kind of ridiculous.
Magic Hat Winter Variety 12-packs, including Ravell
Alchemist Heady Topper (as always)

See below!!!!!!!!

Hugs,
Evan G.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Farmhouse Tap & Grill Taps a New Bar Manager

(December 2, 2011)
We are pleased to announced that Jeff Baker will be taking the beer program & taproom reigns at The Farmhouse Tap & Grill.  Jeff brings 7 years of beverage industry and restaurant experience to the position.  Farmhouse’s former Bar Manager, Chad Rich, has left to pursue his own venture.  Chad tapped Jeff Baker to take over the helm at Farmhouse and has been grooming Mr. Baker for several weeks now.

Most recently Jeff was the Beer Buyer and “Curator of the Collection” for Beverage Warehouse in Winooski, VT, the state’s largest beer and wine retail outlet.  Before his return to Vermont, Jeff was the Wine Educator for The Wine Gallery of Brookline and Boston, MA, helping them earn the “Best of Boston: Wine Shop” two years in a row.  While in Boston Jeff also earned certificates from the International Sommelier Guild and the Elizabeth Bishop Wine Resource Center at Boston University.

Jeff’s extensive knowledge of the beer and wine industry coupled with his background in Philosophy will support The Farmhouse Tap & Grill’s mission to establish a sustainable food system and deliver superior local products from the farm to the table….not to mention keep Farmhouse’s great brews a-flowing.

About The Farmhouse Tap & Grill:
The Farmhouse Tap & Grill opened in 2010 as a joint venture between Paul Sayler, Rob Downey, Jed Davis and a group of investors all dedicated to the concept of sustainable food systems.  The farm-to-table restaurant was paired with a craft beer tap room to showcase the bounty of Vermont brews.  Brews from our backyard and beyond are tapped side by side to demonstrate that some of the best beers in the world are produced right here in the Green Mountain state.

For additional information, please contact:
Jed Davis
The Farmhouse Tap & Grill
T: 802.859.0888
F: 802.859.0889
jed@farmhousetg.com
http://www.farmhousetg.com

hi everybody!

GREETINGS!

I'm absolutely delighted to (finally) have the chance to plop myself down and write my inaugural blog post for the Bevy B(eer)-Log!

First...yeah, sorry...it's taken a bit longer than I thought to do my first bit of blogging. My wife and I are still settling in after our big move from Brooklyn, NY. We're ridiculously excited to be here, getting to know everyone at the Farmhouse, American Flatbread, VT Pub, etc, etc...life in Chittenden County is good...

...and the beer is awesome! Speaking of which, some updates...

Our Twitter feed is live. Check us out @thebevy802 for up-to-date postings on what's new, what's available, what's out, deals and steals. Our Facebook page will also be updated regularly, and the B(eer)-log is here for musings, tastings, thoughts, brainfarts, and hopefully some guest bloggers, like our buddy and consultant, El Jefe.

Speaking of...um...beer...a ton of new, rare, or limited stuff has made its way into our doors, on our shelves, and hopefully into your beer caves. Some of the greatest hits:

Dogfish Faithfull - Dogfish Head's tribute to the 20th anny of Pearl Jam's "Ten." (Whew, that's a mouthful.) A belgian golden ale brewed with currant. Sold out, unfortunately, but we do also have the oft-unavailable Bitches Brew and Chicory Stout in stock right now as well as our favorite old standbys 60 and 90 Minutes, India Brown Ale, and this year's Olde School. Don't forget, we've been aging some Olde School in our beer cave - got some from '10 and I think '09. I had some '09 at the Farmhouse and lemme tell you...delicious. The alcohol is still very present but mellowed out in a way that's more cordial than super-hot barleywine.

Lawson's Finest Liquids - we've been super, super happy to be getting regular deliveries from Sean Lawson, including Sugarhouse IPA and Double Sunshine IPA. I've yet to crack into my stash but I had the former at Three Penny Taproom and the latter at Farmhouse and man...I'll just say, I'm so happy to live in VT.

Hill Farmstead - we were excited twice over for Shaun's delivery, for Arthur - his amazing saison - and for Grassroots Viola Sofia, their barrel aged imperial stout. Grassroots is Shaun's contract brewery in Denmark. While we sold out of Viola in just about an hour, we should be receiving Wachu, their saison.

And lastly, Stone - got both Vertical Epic 11/11/11 AND La Citrueille on the same day! This year's Vertical Epic is brewed with mild green Hatch chiles and cinnamon which I'm pretty psyched to try. La Citrueille is Stone's latest collaboration, and I was pretty darn excited about it given how much of a success they had with their recent collabs, Green Tea IPA and Cherry Chocolate Stout. Stone, along with The Bruery and Elysian, brewed a pumpkin beer. That's right, a pumpkin beer, pumpkins grown on Stone's farm, as well as yams, fenugreek, and birch bark. The result - an immensely drinkable autumnal beer that's recognizable to anyone who has had the pleasure of The Bruery's "Autumn Maple." I'm thoroughly enjoying this beer as I type - this pours a deep brown with a sweet, roasted smell, and some great depth of flavor. The roasted pumpkin and the yam come out nicely; the fenugreek adds that layer of flavor that you look for in a seasonal, and the birch adds just a tiny bit of smoke to balance it out.

So that's it for me tonight! Comment, go on our Facebook page, or email thebevy802@gmail.com with questions, comments, or thoughts. All feedback is welcome.

Warmest,

-e

Hill Farmstead Everett and The Alchemist Cannery

Just received cases of Hill Farmstead's Robust Porter, Everett! 500mL bottles, limited quantity, ask at the counter.

Also would like to note that today marks the official opening of The Alchemist cannery! They're selling 16oz 4 pack CANS of Heady Topper there right now. Here's more about that. We're going to be selling them too towards the end of September. But for now, drive on down to Waterbury and get ya some!

Cheers!
El Jefe

Limited Hill Farmstead bottles

Hey there all y'all you'ins! Got a small shipment of Hill Farmstead saisons in recently, all 750mL bottles:
+ Clara (a wheat Grisette)
+ Vera Mae (Spring saison brewed with dandelion and honey)
+ Arthur (a rustic saison)

Also just in:
+ Guinness Black Lager 6 packs

Cheers!
El Jefe

New adds today

Just a couple goodies:
- Samichlaus Classic 750mL (Limited edition silk-screened bottles, 2009)
+ Gouden Carolus Variety 4 packs (includes Ambria, Classic, Hopsinjoor and the previously un-available Triple!)

And there's still a tiny amount of Hill Farmstead Anna (Honey Saison) 750mL's left. Don't miss out on those!

Cheers,
Jeff

Hill Farmstead bottles and other adds!

We got in a lot of new brews this weekend and I didn't have a chance to update the blog...sorry! The biggest news is:
+ Hill Farmstead Anna (Honey Saison) 750mL's!

Also on the list:
+ Tilburg's Dutch Brown Ale 4 pk
+ Northshire (VT) Chocolate Stout 22oz
+ Maine Beer Co. Lunch IPA 16.9oz
+ Cisco Brewing Summer of Lager 6 pk bottles

And a bit more glassware including more Hill Farmstead "Willy Becker" pint glasses and Duvel limited edition painted tulips!

See you soon!
Cheers,
El Jefe

New Adds

A few new highly anticipated goodies this week:

+ Hill Farmstead Apollo Single Hop IPA 5 gal. keg - SOLD OUT
+ Ommegang/Achouffe Collaboration "Gnomegang" 750mL
+ Allagash Odyssey 2011 750mL
+ Dogfish Head Namaste 750mL
- Stoudt's Karnival Kolsch
+ Labatt Blue Light Lime

Cheers,
Jeff

New Mead and incoming goodies

I'd like to start by saying that we have added two new brands of mead to our shelves in the past couple weeks: Artesano (VT) and HoneyMaker (ME)! Lots of fun flavors including a spiced one from Artesano and a Dry Hopped one from HoneyMaker (Cascade hops). Come on in and check them out for yourself. They're located on the shelves right across from the bomber cooler in our newly expanded Mead Section.

As for incoming beer goodies, I can safely tell you about the inbound Stone Old Guardian 2011 vintage, "Classic Release." We're getting a lions share of the tiny amount that was produced this year. Stone is introducing a new version of it, a Belgo-version, and drastically reduced the production of this outrageously hoppy barleywine monster. '11 won't be around for very long, but we snapped up the remaining inventory of 2010 too and will have that for a spell.

Also coming back in stock tomorrow (Fri.):
- Dieu du Ciel Peche Mortel, Corne du Diable, Route des Epices and for the first time, Solstice d'Hiver! (No Aphrodite this time, sorry!)
- De Ranke Guldenberg
- Inveralmond Lia Fail and Black Friar

And one update concerning Cantillon - a lot of fairful Sour Heads have been asking after Fou'foune, but unfortunately none of the cases that recently arrived in the US are coming to Vermont...I know, I'm just as crushed! I miss that beer. Hopefully we'll see some other Cantillon beers soon, though... But if you go to Hill Farmstead's event this Saturday, I'm told he might have some Fou'foune on draft. You'd have to confirm with Shaun though.

Cheers,
Jeff

Limited Release updates

Just wanted to give you folks some updates on a few limited releases:

- Anchor Christmas 6 packs and 1.5L magnums are due to arrive tomorrow, Friday, 12/9

- Dogfish Head "Bitches Brew," as seen on the Discovery Channel show "Brewmasters," should be arriving any day now.

- The Sam Adams / Weihenstephaner collaboration "Infinium" is on order and should be arriving next week. This is a very limited release and we have started a wait-list. Not sure about pricing yet.

And a couple keg notes:
- Hill Farmstead Edward Pale Ale 5 gallon logs now back in-stock
- Wolaver's Ben Gleason's White Ale 5 gallon logs $39 + dep on close-out!!!
- Limited amounts of Sierra Nevada Celebration 15 gal. kegs and 5 gal. logs available in-stock

And finally, more goodies coming to the Steals & Deals Room soon!

Cheers,
Jeff

Winnimere is at the Farmhouse

I feel like cheese and beer go hand-in-hand in Vermont, and I'm a big proponent of both. I drifted on down to The Farmhouse Tap & Grill in Burlington tonight and lo-and-behold they had Jasper Hill Winnimere as a special! This is a White Whale of a cheese for me. I first tried it about 3+ years ago at the Publick House Provisions in Brookline, MA (just outside Boston) and remembered it as being the stinkiest cheese I've ever smelled - washed in a lambic made by Shaun Hill (at the time) and wrapped in Birch bark - it was absolutely pungent. But on the palate it's super creamy and rich, delightfully delicate and beautiful.

And tonight I caught up with my Moby Dick - and it was every bit as good as I remembered it! It pairs beautifully with the 2010 Stoudt's Winter Ale (a hoppy red) and fought nicely with the Stillwater Cellar Door (wheat ale with sage).

This is a limited release from Jasper Hill and it won't be around for ever. If you like stinky delicious cheeses, get on down there and tell 'em Jeff sent ya!

Cheers,
Jeff

New Guinness and others

It's finally in Vermont! The US release of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout 4 packs have hit our shelves! It's a damn-tasty, drier, slightly more bitter and stronger (ABV-wise) version of the classic Guinness. This is the version that was typically only available in Jamaica and Africa and is brewed in Ireland, unlike a lot of the Guinness that we normally see which comes out of Canada.

We also received a shipment of Young's Double Chocolate Stout in a 4 pack of bottles.

And a draft update from my stop at Bluebird Tavern tonight - Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine Ale, Hill Farmstead Twilight of the Idols (coffee, cinnamon, vanilla and bourbon-ed porter), Smuttynose Vunderbahr Pilsner, Dogfish Head Pangaea, Trapp Helles & Dunkel, Ommegang Abbey, Allagash White, Switchback, & Scaldis Peche Mel (a personal favorite!). Stop in and have a pint and tell 'em Jeff sentcha!

Cheers,
Jeff

Hill Farmstead's Autumn Harvest Festival

This Saturday I made the 72 mile trek from Burlington up to Greensboro Bend to attend Hill Farmstead's Autumn Harvest Festival along with many other dedicated beer drinkers. As I'm driving out the dirt roads to the brewery, I'm starting to wonder how many people are going to make this long drive on an over-cast and chilly day. Not a single car on Taylor road in front nor behind me. But as I round the last bend and crest the hill, I see about ten cars parked in the clover-laden field. "Oh good!"



"I should have worn boots," passed through my mind as a I off-road up to the beer tent. I get my HF wine glass and tickets and rocket right over to the Edward cask conditioned with home-grown Cascades - what a great way to take the chill off!

As I mingle about, we're all shivering and shaking hands - some folks drove up from New Jersey to visit, a lot from New Hampshire and Massachusetts too, and of course the VT contingent of hardcore craft supporters. It's all smiles and toasts, a glass of Ephraim (triple IPA, or IIIPA as I'm going to start dubbing it) and I'm convinced to buy a $20 growler of it. We take turns waiting in the growler line, holding each other's places while glasses are refilled and we get to know each other a little bit.

I chatted with Anders Kissmeyer while sampling the three versions of Fear & Trembling - yes, a philosophy reference - and decided that although I love bourbon-barrel brews, I agree with him that the French Cabernet barrel is my favorite. I love the red berry notes swirling around with the black smoke and cream-like carbonation. All thoughts of wearing boots and long pants have long since faded from my mind.

A quick glance at the local purveyors of meats, cheeses and stews, but I've got business to do and must get back to Burlington to work the closing shift at the shop. I thank Shaun for his hospitality - he is perhaps the epitome of a Generous Host - tried a bit of the Phenomenology of Spirit collaboration dark saison (yes, another work in philosophy) and had to pack up my purchases and make the long drive back.

Besides the high level of craft in the Hill Farmstead beers, what I was most impressed with was how casual the event was. There was a bluegrass band plucking away and people from far and wide mingled at HF's first-ever bottle release, politely conversing, laughing and shaking hands with perfect strangers. This is how Vermont does business.

It was hard to pull myself away from the idyllic scene, but people back in B-ton need beer tonight and some one has to sell it.

Cheers,
Jeff

For my reviews of Hill Farmstead's beers, check out BeerAdvocate.com (username SFLpunk).

Two adds:

Two newbies for the weekend:
+ Buffalo Water Bison Blond 6 packs
- Sierra Nevada Estate Harvest 750mL's (This year's release is certified Organic and is SUPER limited).

Hope to see some of you tomorrow morning up at Hill Farmstead for their Autumn Celebration!
http://beeradvocate.com/events/info/35798
http://hillfarmstead.com/wpblog/about/upcoming-special-events/

Cheers,
Jeff

New Adds

Just a few:
+ Zatec Dark Lager .5L
- Berkshire Brewing Co. Oktoberfest 22oz
+ Stoudt's Gold Helles Lager 5 gallon keg (1 in stock!)
+ Hill Farmstead Edward IPA 5 gallon keg (extremely limited supply!)

Cheers,
Jeff

Happy American Craft Beer Week!

Oh, yes good patrons of Craftily Constructed Creations of Carbonated Concoctions, 'tis American Craft Beer Week once again and time to show your support for those who Artfully render your delicious libations.

Now this is no mere ploy to get you to come in and shop, oh no! dear friends and brew-patriots! This is a call for all of you to reach out to your favorite craft brewers and give them a slap on the back, a high-five, a hoot, a "Like," a "Tweet," and to say thank you to them for what they do! They are truly artists, struggling against the giants to get their hand-made beers into your glass.

So this week, make it a special point to order a Hill Farmstead, a Rock Art, a Trapp Lager, an Otter Creek or a Wolaver's, a Magic Hat, a McNeill's, perhaps a Trout River or Harpoon, an elusive Lawson's, a Switchback or a pint of Long Trail. Make a trip to the Alchemist, the Bobcat Cafe, Three Needs, American Flatbread Burlington Hearth, Madison or Norwich Inn, the Shed or Vermont Pub. Or if you live in the Burlington area, stop in the brand new Farmhouse Tap & Grill and sample a number of these fine Vermont-brewed craft beers all (responsibly) in one sitting!

I tip my hat to all you Publicans, all you Brewers, all you who make Vermont one of the best beer states in this nation! Happy Craft Beer Week!

Cheers,
Jeff

http://www.americancraftbeerweek.org/

New Brews and Hill Farmstead

'Ello mates! New brews in this week from Scotland, Australia, Hawaii and Vermont!
+ BrewDog (Scotland): Punk IPA, Hardcore IPA, The Physics, Dogma, Rip Tide Stout, Paradox Imp. Stout in 1966 Port Dundas Cask, & Paradox Imp. Stout in Isle of Arran Cask. (Check out my reviews for Punk, Hardcore, and the two Paradox on BeerAdvocate.com or RateBeer.com - username SFLpunk.)
+ Coopers (Australia): Sparkling Ale, Lager, Extra Stout and Pale Ale 6 packs
+ McNeill's (VT) Ruby Ale (Extra Amber) 22oz
+ Kona (Hawaii) Pipeline Porter 6 packs
+ RedHook (WA & NH) Slim Chance Light Lager 6 packs

And I got in lots of solid specialty glassware today including:
+ Gouden Carolus chalice
+ Duvel tulip
+ Piraat tulip
+ Erdinger .5L dimple mug
+ BrewDog "Tokyo" pilsner glass
+ McChouffe chalice
+ Dogfish Head snifter
+ Dupont Biere de Miel tulip
+ Ommegang chalice
+ Allagash chalice
+ and more!

And finally today, I'd like to announce that Hill Farmstead, headed by Shaun e. Hill, is slated to start brewing hopefully later this year. Shaun is planning to release his Brett Saison, Pale Ale, Coffee Stout, Porter, and more in 750mL capped bottles. I've been messaging back and forth with Shaun all week about pricing and packaging and distribution. He told me today in a message sent from Denmark, that his fermenters should be shipping from the West Coast this week. He is currently the head brewer at the Nørrebro Bryghus brewpub in København. Shaun has also brewed at The Shed in Stowe, VT and Trout River in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. I'm a personal fan of his Belgian-influenced style and look forward to the release of his Black Saison! I'll keep you posted as things move along.

Hope to see you in the store soon!
Cheers,
Jeff