Just got the Vecenie beer news email - lo and behold, there's a Craft Beer Sampling scheduled at The Coney. Next Thursday, March 1, from 9-11pm. No details available on the Coney website yet.
I'll post more details as they come in. Hopefully, we will see some of you there.
UPDATE: At least two of the 3-4 beers will be Church Brew Works products. I was told the event is free and will be held Upstairs (in the nice bar).
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
We are still beer... er, here.
Despite how it seems here, the Club did not fall apart after the Gazette article. I think we've all just been a tad busy.
Me, I'm getting ready to brew my first batch of homebrew tomorrow night, so I've been busy planning, stressing and thinking about good brewery names and logos. You know, the important stuff.
We had a pretty good response to the article and I think things are going to just keep picking up. As the weather warms and winter goes away for a little while, I think we'll have more things planned beyond our meetings.
Speaking of meetings, we've not yet decided on a beer style/theme or meeting place, so if anyone has any ideas, please speak up or drop us a comment.
Me, I'm getting ready to brew my first batch of homebrew tomorrow night, so I've been busy planning, stressing and thinking about good brewery names and logos. You know, the important stuff.
We had a pretty good response to the article and I think things are going to just keep picking up. As the weather warms and winter goes away for a little while, I think we'll have more things planned beyond our meetings.
Speaking of meetings, we've not yet decided on a beer style/theme or meeting place, so if anyone has any ideas, please speak up or drop us a comment.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Lets try this instead, the Gazette article in digital form.
Here is the Indiana Gazette article that Nate posted on. Now, after some tweakery, it's readable. You'll have to click on it to get the big version, but you'll definitely be able to read it.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Good Gazette Article This Morning
That was a nice article by Bill this morning in the leisure section. I wish there would have been more homebrewing than wine making ;) but hopefully the plug for this blog and the club will help us grow and raise awareness about craft beer.
If an electronic version of the article ever comes available, we'll post the link.
To those who found us by reading the Gazette article - Welcome!
If an electronic version of the article ever comes available, we'll post the link.
To those who found us by reading the Gazette article - Welcome!
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Ironwood Grill's New Bar Is Open
Visited the Ironwood tonight and checked out their new bar. Full report can be found here, if you're really interested.
I encourage everyone to check it out (the bar, not my review) and give your opinion in the comments below. I think it's good that local bars are taking up the challenge of providing a place for craft beer drinkers to enjoy a pint or two. Whether or not they'll garner a lot of business from our unique niche of customer base remains to be seen - as we tend to be a bit more savvy when it comes to beer purchasing.
The beer tastings at the Ironwood should start in April and run on the first Tuesdays of each month (what a happy coincidence for the club!). Perhaps we can assemble en masse for April's meeting and share our thoughts while sampling some new beers.
I encourage everyone to check it out (the bar, not my review) and give your opinion in the comments below. I think it's good that local bars are taking up the challenge of providing a place for craft beer drinkers to enjoy a pint or two. Whether or not they'll garner a lot of business from our unique niche of customer base remains to be seen - as we tend to be a bit more savvy when it comes to beer purchasing.
The beer tastings at the Ironwood should start in April and run on the first Tuesdays of each month (what a happy coincidence for the club!). Perhaps we can assemble en masse for April's meeting and share our thoughts while sampling some new beers.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Beer Club coverage in the Post-Gazette.
Ok, its not our Club, but any coverage on clubs devoted to the appreciation of good beer can't be a bad thing.
That sounds a tad familiar.
As they describe it, the new group is all about exposing people to different, good brews.
"We're not people who know everything," Mr. Sunderman says. "We're just common guys who like beer."
That sounds a tad familiar.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
February Club Meeting Notes
First of all, a big thanks to Jon and Lacey for hosting last night's meeting and for providing food and some good beers!
We almost tripled our 'membership' last night, with 11 people and we hope that our new guests will continue to join us. Welcome to TJ, Todd, Pete, Erick, Mark, Steve, and Carl and thanks for bringing a wide array of beers for us all to try.
Last night's lineup was quite varied, but considering the limited selection in town it would have been hard to stick to Belgian ales!
We sampled:
*Hoegaarden Witbier (Belgium), a Belgian white
*Victory Golden Monkey (PA), an abbey tripel
St. Feuillien Tripel (Belgium), an abbey tripel
Unibroue's Seigneuriale (Canada), a Belgian strong/dark
Southampton Biere de Garde (NY), a biere de garde
Lindemans Cuvee Rene (Belgium), a gueuze lambic
*Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA (DE), an India pale ale
East End's The Ugly American (PA), an abbey tripel
*Stone Ruination IPA (CA), a double IPA
*Stone Arrogant Bastard (CA), an American strong ale
*Guinness Extra Stout (Canada), a dry stout
Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere (MI), a saison
*denotes beers available in Indiana; majority of others found in Pittsburgh
To find out more about these styles and their characteristics, you can check out the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) Style Guidelines. To find out how these beers are judged by the average beer lover, you can search for them at either RateBeer or Beer Advocate.
Many of our guests got to try some really good stuff that they probably hadn't had before. Many were surprised by the Cuvee Rene, as gueuze lambics aren't really well known around here. Some were surprised to find that they really enjoyed a heavily hopped beer, like the Stone beers and the DFH 60-Minute. Spread the word!
The only disappointment in the line up was the Southampton Biere de Garde. A couple of us felt that it was off, with a lot of DMS (dimethyl sulfide) and buttery notes. Those of us who keep notes on the beers we try didn't bother to record this one, since it would have been unfairly judged. Better luck next time.
In all, I think everyone enjoyed the evening. The company was varied by age, profession, and interests, but everyone seemed to appreciate the beer. Great side discussions on music, travel, and coffee, too! We hope to see everyone next month and we'll provide details in the coming weeks for theme and location of March's meeting.
Cheers!
We almost tripled our 'membership' last night, with 11 people and we hope that our new guests will continue to join us. Welcome to TJ, Todd, Pete, Erick, Mark, Steve, and Carl and thanks for bringing a wide array of beers for us all to try.
Last night's lineup was quite varied, but considering the limited selection in town it would have been hard to stick to Belgian ales!
We sampled:
*Hoegaarden Witbier (Belgium), a Belgian white
*Victory Golden Monkey (PA), an abbey tripel
St. Feuillien Tripel (Belgium), an abbey tripel
Unibroue's Seigneuriale (Canada), a Belgian strong/dark
Southampton Biere de Garde (NY), a biere de garde
Lindemans Cuvee Rene (Belgium), a gueuze lambic
*Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA (DE), an India pale ale
East End's The Ugly American (PA), an abbey tripel
*Stone Ruination IPA (CA), a double IPA
*Stone Arrogant Bastard (CA), an American strong ale
*Guinness Extra Stout (Canada), a dry stout
Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere (MI), a saison
*denotes beers available in Indiana; majority of others found in Pittsburgh
To find out more about these styles and their characteristics, you can check out the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) Style Guidelines. To find out how these beers are judged by the average beer lover, you can search for them at either RateBeer or Beer Advocate.
Many of our guests got to try some really good stuff that they probably hadn't had before. Many were surprised by the Cuvee Rene, as gueuze lambics aren't really well known around here. Some were surprised to find that they really enjoyed a heavily hopped beer, like the Stone beers and the DFH 60-Minute. Spread the word!
The only disappointment in the line up was the Southampton Biere de Garde. A couple of us felt that it was off, with a lot of DMS (dimethyl sulfide) and buttery notes. Those of us who keep notes on the beers we try didn't bother to record this one, since it would have been unfairly judged. Better luck next time.
In all, I think everyone enjoyed the evening. The company was varied by age, profession, and interests, but everyone seemed to appreciate the beer. Great side discussions on music, travel, and coffee, too! We hope to see everyone next month and we'll provide details in the coming weeks for theme and location of March's meeting.
Cheers!
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Meeting tonight!
The 2nd meeting of the Indiana Beer Club will be held tonight, at Jon's house.
We decided to have this meeting be an invite-only sort of thing, to sustain growth rather than explode, but more so because no one really knows about the club other than the people we have talked to ourselves. I think we're looking at around 10 or so folks.
The original theme for tonight was going to be Belgian Pale(ish) Ales, of any form, sort of steering clear of getting into quads. However I'm bringing a French style beer (Ok, its fairly close in relation...) on request, Nate's bringing an IPA-Tripel fusion, and based on what we have in town for other folks to pick up (I'm just assuming most folks didn't go out of their way to get beers) its going to be a tad more diverse. I did a quick survey yesterday at Ironwood, options include:
Bell's
Winter White
Celis
Grand Cru
White
Dogfish Head
Pangaea - Belgian golden - 750ml
Raison d'Etere - Belgian Strong Dark - 6pk
Weyerbacher
Merry Monks - Triple - 6pk
Victory
Golden Monkey - Triple - 6pk and 750ml
Uncle Sudsy's has pretty much same beers, with the notable addition of Bell's Hell Hath No Fury, available by the 6pk.
A range of pretty decent to excellent offerings all, so I'm not too worried. It will be a good time, for certain.
We decided to have this meeting be an invite-only sort of thing, to sustain growth rather than explode, but more so because no one really knows about the club other than the people we have talked to ourselves. I think we're looking at around 10 or so folks.
The original theme for tonight was going to be Belgian Pale(ish) Ales, of any form, sort of steering clear of getting into quads. However I'm bringing a French style beer (Ok, its fairly close in relation...) on request, Nate's bringing an IPA-Tripel fusion, and based on what we have in town for other folks to pick up (I'm just assuming most folks didn't go out of their way to get beers) its going to be a tad more diverse. I did a quick survey yesterday at Ironwood, options include:
Bell's
Winter White
Celis
Grand Cru
White
Dogfish Head
Pangaea - Belgian golden - 750ml
Raison d'Etere - Belgian Strong Dark - 6pk
Weyerbacher
Merry Monks - Triple - 6pk
Victory
Golden Monkey - Triple - 6pk and 750ml
Uncle Sudsy's has pretty much same beers, with the notable addition of Bell's Hell Hath No Fury, available by the 6pk.
A range of pretty decent to excellent offerings all, so I'm not too worried. It will be a good time, for certain.
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Speaking of events...
Seems like we may have a good one for April 28, but until then, here's a quick look at what's coming up soon:
Pack your bags and get your traveling shoes, its the Northwestern PA Brewery Tour. Okay, its only one day, but its packed. Organized by the Brewerie. February 17th:
Did I just read sneak peak? Sounds fun!
That same weekend is Kelly's 'Hell with the Lid Off' Barleywine Festival. I believe its the third year for this event, and don't owrry you can do this and the bus tour, since this year its two days. Saturday and Sunday.
Yoiks!
Pack your bags and get your traveling shoes, its the Northwestern PA Brewery Tour. Okay, its only one day, but its packed. Organized by the Brewerie. February 17th:
...a tour and sampling of 5 area micro breweries including: The Brewerie at Union Station, Erie Brewing Company, Sprague Farm and Brew Works in Venango, PA, North Country Brewing in Slippery Rock, PA and a sneak peak at Voodoo Brewing Company that will be opening soon in Meadville PA.
Did I just read sneak peak? Sounds fun!
That same weekend is Kelly's 'Hell with the Lid Off' Barleywine Festival. I believe its the third year for this event, and don't owrry you can do this and the bus tour, since this year its two days. Saturday and Sunday.
Picture a room, filled with 60 of your fellow GOOD BEER fans, fully stocked with a beer friendly buffet, and - if all goes as planned, a total of 35 barleywines (including verticals).
Yoiks!
Friday, February 2, 2007
Coney to Host a Beer Event!
Yes, you heard me correctly. I spoke with Tim McQuaide tonight, and The Coney will be hosting a beer event with some regional distributors and hopefully some microbrewers on Saturday, April 28 (Upstairs). More details will be posted as they become available.
Also, Tim mentioned that he may get a van together to go to the Seven Springs BrewSki Festival the weekend of March 23-24.
February's microbrewed bottles at The Coney are: Victory Hop Devil and DFH Shelter Pale Ale. St. Nikolaus Bock is still the Penn Brewery draft selection.
Also, Tim mentioned that he may get a van together to go to the Seven Springs BrewSki Festival the weekend of March 23-24.
February's microbrewed bottles at The Coney are: Victory Hop Devil and DFH Shelter Pale Ale. St. Nikolaus Bock is still the Penn Brewery draft selection.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Good or Bad?
Today for the first time, a Sheetz in Altoona (the big one on 17th St.) will be allowed to sell beer to the public. The article can be found here. Will this be a good thing for promoting craft beer or not?
I guess it depends on their selection, first of all, then there's going to be the media attention (good/bad), and of course, the outraged handful of citizens in the minority whose 'rights' always seem to supercede the will of the majority. For example, these guys.
I guess it depends on their selection, first of all, then there's going to be the media attention (good/bad), and of course, the outraged handful of citizens in the minority whose 'rights' always seem to supercede the will of the majority. For example, these guys.
Another local beer club.
Well, the club is based in Pittsburgh and meets at D's Six Packs and Dogs in Regent Square, but so what?
Take a look at the Pittsburgh Beer Society
They meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at D's. There are no annual dues; membership is open and free! Cost for each meeting (for now) is $10 for (6) 4oz samples.
Check 'em out if you're local to them.
Take a look at the Pittsburgh Beer Society
They meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at D's. There are no annual dues; membership is open and free! Cost for each meeting (for now) is $10 for (6) 4oz samples.
Check 'em out if you're local to them.
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