Mahon's Mash
Hello again. By now you have heard that Barley Island was the lone Indiana brewery that took home a medal from the Great American Beer Festival. Jon Lang's Black Majic Java Stout, a "kicked up a notch version of the Oatmeal Stout", took a Silver Medal. Look for this on store shelves in the near future. This is one mighty tasty beer. So much so, that I even used the same coffee beans in a Imperial Stout that I'm brewing. Brugge Brasserie Ram Rock Bottom Downtown Rock Bottom College Park Three Floyds Turoni's Upland
For those not familiar with the GABF, check out the link provided above. As you can see this year they had over 2400 entries from 450 breweries for judging.......they had over 1600 beers available to sample! And I can tell you this....I tried...I really did but I only tried about half of them! How about some information from the makers of the fizzy yellow beer? I went to an open house put on by Anheuser Busch. They were introducing a few of their new beers, that interestingly enough, should be available here as part of the test market.
First up they have...in the bullet bottles Michelob Celebrate Vanilla Oak and Chocolate. Both are surprisingly good! Not what you think a typical AB beer should be. They also has a Marzen (what most folks know as Oktoberfest), and a Porter. These beers show what the big boys can make if they wanted. As some of you know I'm an Indianapolis/Indiana Beerfly guide for Beer Advocate, as well as a wannabe Rate Beerian! Well this year the Alstorm brothers Todd and Jason, had a booth at the GABF
They were promoting their BA site, as well as promoting a new magazine. For those interested in learning more about this mag or just to check out the site Click Here!  Ok what else do I have to pass on from Denver....Oh yea I had a chance to stop in at the Breckenridge BBQ and Brew Pub. As you can see these beers are available in Indiana. I had both the Oatmeal Stout and Summer Bright Pale...mighty tasty beer! I also attended a media event that was put on by Sam Adams. It featured winning beer from employees of SA, as well as the finalists for the 2006 Long Shot American Homebrew Contest. If you ever get a chance to be around Jim Koch, you are in for a treat! He is as insane as he appears in his commercials! And is passionate about beer!  Finally at least for now....I've got to tell each and every one of you out there...if you ever get a chance to go to Denver for the GABF....DO IT! It is the most fun you could ever have with your clothes on! You might not remember everything, but you sure as hell will have had fun! So till next time, rememeber this....
|
