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Here I am at the 2013 Craft Brewer's Conference in Washington DC contemplating what I am going to write about in the lobby of the hotel as owners, brewers and other beer industry folk mill around talking business and beer. It has been an exciting event as it always is. The last several days have been chalk full of great events from tap takeovers to beer dinners and craft beer concerts put on by all the biggest names in the industry.
The truly ironic thing about having the CBC here in DC is that in the land that makes all the laws when it comes to beer, there are no laws here. Of course there are drinking age laws but what I am referring to is the laws regarding what beer is sold here. You see in most states there are strict laws regarding beers being registered in the state and the territories that they are assigned to for each distributor. Not in DC though. It is the Wild West here! You can find almost any brewery's beer on tap at any given account at any given time. So while you cannot find a beer like New Glarus in any other state outside of Wisconsin, I have heard of a bar here that had it on tap. Pretty wild if you ask me.
But outside of all the drinking and fun that goes on here, there is also a great deal of business going on. Equipment vendors are meeting potential clients. Distributors and brewers are reviewing their businesses. Conference attendees are sharing best practices on how to run their businesses. Brewers are finding out better ways to make and sell their beers. Distributors are learning how to better sell and market the beers in their portfolio. And everyone is discussing the state of the industry, the state of their businesses and what the future holds for both. It is an exciting time to be in the craft beer business and it seems the future is looking very bright.
Adam Fine
Director of Hoperations
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NEW AND RETURNING PRODUCTS
VISIT OUR BEERFINDER TO FIND THESE PRODUCTS
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Florida Cane Vodka
They started with South Florida Sugarcane that is distilled in a handcrafted American made still and mixed with highly filtered water drawn directly from the Florida Aquifer. The charcoal filtration process is slow and meticulous using two different charcoals to achieve the perfect taste.
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Florida Cane Strawberry Vodka
They start with South Florida Sugarcane that is distilled in a handcrafted American made still and mixed with highly filtered water drawn directly from the Florida Aquifer. The charcoal filtration process is slow and meticulous using two different charcoals to achieve the perfect taste. The strawberries are local, from Plant City.
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Florida Cane Grape Vodka
They started with South Florida Sugarcane that is distilled in a handcrafted American made still and mixed with highly filtered water drawn directly from the Florida Aquifer. The charcoal filtration process is slow and meticulous using two different charcoals to achieve the perfect taste. The grapes are local, from Polk County.
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Southern Tier 2X Steam Beer
Keeping in the tradition of the 19th century California brewers, they used a lager yeast to ferment 2x Steam. Historically, this style is fermented at higher temperatures than a typical lager and that is just how they are brewing this version. The birth California Common style is rooted in the Victorian age. They used the technology of today to replicate what may have been, much like steampunks. Of course in that way, they have to twist things up a bit. As is with their 2x line of beers, 2x Steam is turned up a few clicks to be over 8% abv. An unusual take on an unusual style. 8% ABV (bottle and draft)
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Southern Tier Live
Beer is made by creating a liquid rich with fermentable material. This "wort" is moved to a fermentation vessel where yeast, a living organism, is added. Yeast swims around the fermenter gobbling up the soluble sugar and converting that energy into alcohol. Imagine the feeding frenzy of millions of tiny yeast cells eating their way around a big fermenter. It's a volatile and active environment. During this time, the beer is literally alive. Just prior to packaging, they added a little yeast to the clear beer for a secondary fermentation. This helps to add carbonation, remove oxygen, and prolong shelf life. 5.5% ABV (bottle and draft)
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Coronado Idiot IPA
It doesn't take a genius to know quality West Coast IPA's require a stupid amount of hops. A generous blend of Nugget hops and the four C's - Cascade, Centennial, Chinook and Columbus - brings forth a myriad of tropical fruit flavors and a brawny, persistent bitterness that makes for a highly intelligent brew. 8.5% ABV (bottle and draft)
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Coronado Mermaid's Red
Mermaid's Red bucks the shallow mid-range red ale stereotype. Loaded with Cascade hops, it delivers a fresh floral aroma and sharp bitter notes, all while delivering a solid kick of roasted malts that fades seamlessly into a rich, chocolaty finish with hints of clove and caramel. 5.7% ABV (bottle only)
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Coronado Islander IPA
Named after Coronado Island, their original India Pale Ale is a liquid expression of hometown pride. Cascade, Chinook and Columbus hops combine to provide an explosive burst of piney bitterness and luscious notes of apricot, grapefruit and mango that are sure to evoke imagery of swinging palms and sun-kissed shores. 7% ABV (bottle and draft)
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Coronado Orange Avenue Wit
This So-Cal take on a traditional witbier honors Coronado's main street, which is home to our brewpub and was once lined with orange trees. Bolstered by orange zest, coriander and orange blossom honey, its Belgium by way of Coronado. Expect a refreshing, light-bodied brew rife with citrus zing and a hint of earthy spice. 5.2% ABV (bottle only)
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Rogue Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ale
Rogue Ales has collided with Voodoo Doughnut to create Chocolate, Banana & Peanut Butter Ale! This unique artisan creation contains a dozen ingredients including chocolate, banana and peanut better to match Voodoo's "Memphis Mafia" doughnut - a nod to Elvis' entourage. 5.3% ABV
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Brewery Ommegang Iron Throne Blonde Ale
Brewery Ommegang and HBO are partnering on a series of beers in support of the critically-acclaimed drama Game of Thrones. Launching in tandem with season three debut, Iron Throne is the inaugural beer in the series. Iron Throne is a blonde ale is brewed with a robust amount of pils, honey malt, aroma malts and red wheat. Gentle hopping includes Styrian Golding and Hallertau Spalter Select, appropriately noble hops. Spice with grains of paradise and lemon peel. 6.5% ABV (bottle and draft)
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Magic Hat Ticket to Rye
An all-access pass to the latest performer in the I.P.A. On Tour lineup. Ticket to Rye is a Rye I.P.A. that offers the imbiber an opening act of rye spice, nicely woven into a hearty, bitter backup from an entire band of Nugget hops. The harmony created by these by these ingredients is just what any epic show calls for. 7.1% ABV
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Pyramid Discord Dark IPA
Discord Dark IPA celebrates the marriage of two distinct styles, the Dark Ale and the IPA. The traditional bitterness of an IPA is juxtaposed against a black malt canvas, creating an ale that keeps your taste buds working to discover all the unique flavors imparted by the 5 differed hops and 5 different malts. 6.5% ABV (bottle only)
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Mercy Hangover Prevention
Mercy helps prevent hangovers. This lightly carbonated, caffeine-free, non-alcoholic beverage is packed with vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants proven to help fortify your body against the damages caused by alcohol.
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Other returning favorites:
Look out for returning hits such as: Boulder Obovoid (draft only), Pyramid Outburst (bottle and draft), and Rogue Mom's Hefeweizen (bottle and draft).
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By: Kathy Flanigan
Meagan O'Brien sipped her beer and bit her tongue as the man next to her tried to describe to his date some of the 60 craft beers at a Milwaukee bar.
Turns out, he didn't know his ales from his hefeweizens.
"She kept asking questions, and this guy just kept making up stuff," O'Brien said.
O'Brien, 31, could have set him straight easily. A sales representative for Tallgrass, a craft beer brewed in Kansas, she's also a certified cicerone -- kind of a sudsy version of a sommelier.
For full article
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By: Brad Tuttle
After another year of huge growth, it's clear that craft beer is big business-perhaps too big, or at least too snobby.
The Brewers Association, which represents "small" American breweries that produce less than six million barrels annually, proudly announced that craft beer had a terrific 2012. Across the board, craft beer numbers were up: 18% more breweries in the U.S., 15% more beer produced by volume, a 17% increase in sales, and a whopping rise of 72% in American craft beer exports.
For full article
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By: Carl Pierre
The 2013 Craft Beer Conference is in full swing here at the Washington Convention Center, and with the country's greatest brewers congregating under one roof, you better believe that some pretty interesting insider knowledge is getting passed around. One of the more interesting lectures I had the privilege of attending during today's conference sessions was "The Who, What, Where, When and How of the Craft Beer Consumer", a discussion led by Danny Brager on the relevant statistics and trends of the craft beer drinker.
For full article
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Featured Beer
Cocktail
Summer Hoedown Recipe
-1 6lb seedless watermelon, rind removed and cut into large dice
-2 tablespoons granulated sugar
-1/4 cup maraschino liqueur
-4 12oz bottles of white beer
Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl; set aside.
Place half of the watermelon in a blender and blend until liquefied, about 1 minute. Pour through the strainer into the bowl and scrape a rubber spatula against the inside surface of the strainer to push the juice through until only pulp remains. Discard the pulp and set the strainer back over the bowl. Repeat with remaining watermelon. Add the sugar to the juice and stir until dissolved, about 2 minutes. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 1/2 hours, or until ready to use. When ready to serve, transfer the chilled juice to a 3-quart container. Add the maraschino liqueur and beer and stir gently to combine.
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Featured Recipe
Beer and Bacon Mancakes By: Betty Crocker It is a mancake. Do we need to explain it more? Ingredients: -1/2 lb bacon -1/3 cup packed brown sugar -2 cups Original Bisquick mix -1 cup of your favorite beer -2 eggs
Directions: Heat over to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheet with foil. Place wire rack on top of cookie sheet. Arrange bacon in single layer on top of rack. Bake 10 minutes. Sprinkle bacon with half the brown sugar. Bake 10 minutes longer. Turn bacon over; sprinkle with remaining brown sugar. Bake 10 to 15 minutes longer or until golden brown. Remove from rack. Cool completely, about 15 minutes. Crumble bacon into small pieces; set aside. Heat griddle or skillet over medium-high heat or electric griddle to 375 degrees F; grease with vegetable oil or shortening. In medium bowl, beat Bisquick mix, beer and eggs with whisk until blended. If batter is too thick, add additional beer until desired consistency. Stir in bacon. Pour by 1/2 cupfuls onto hot griddle. Cook until edges are dry. Turn; cook until golden brown. _____________ |
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