American Beer History

Some American Beer History: as you will see there is so much more to this industry than the Big Mass market beers.  Each pint has a story and a history, take time to get to know your beer and embrace the history.


1612 The first known American brewery opened in New Amsterdam (now Manhattan). 

1810 ---132 breweries operated and per capita consumption of commercially brewed beer amounted to less than a gallon.

1873 the country had 4131 breweries, a high water mark, and in 1914 per capita consumption had grown to 20 gallons (compared to about 21.5 today).

1918 the country had only one quarter the number of brewers that operated 45 years before.

1920, January 16th National Prohibition (individual states had prohibition as early as 1848) began when the 18th amendment, also known as the Volstead Act, went into effect.

1933 April prohibition repealed and the return of 3.2% beer. Within a year 756 breweries were making beer, but the biggest companies remained intent on expansion, using production efficiencies and marketing to squeeze out smaller breweries.

1950 the number of breweries shrunk to 407

1961 only 207 breweries in the USA

1983 now down to 80 breweries run by 51 companies

then the revival took place
2009 over 1500 Breweries in the USA

2012 Continued growth 2126 American Breweries with an Estimated 1200+ more estimated to be opened with in the next year or two.

So what will the future hold for the Craft Beer industry???   I think after this large scale growth we will again see some consolidation and the good brands will maintain and thrive and we will lose some for various reasons.   But I hope that we never loose the freedom to brew new and exciting beers.   As in all industries I think consumers need a choice.... I choose beer!!!!

thankful for much of the above information from Craftbeer.com 

Rochefort 10 one of the best Trappist Quads in the World

Being a huge fan of Belgian Quads and Trappist beers I have been waiting to drink this Rochefort 10 for a few months.  I was not disappointed at all!!!  It is one of the best Belgium Quads in the World


Trappist Rochefort  One of the Best Belgian Quads in the World with a 11.3%ABV.
(Rated the #2 Belgian Quad and the #8 beer over all)

Aroma dark fruit Plums and raisin and slight caramel 

Appearance nice dark brown with light reddish hue.  A small beige head with little lacing.

Taste.  One of the best Belgian Quads is correct.  Full dark Raisin and plum flavors. With a little caramel.  Extremely well balanced.  The 11.3% ABV is well hidden.

Mouth feel
Lightly carbonated and mildly viscous.  a little warming aftertaste

Overall a must try and have it you want to enjoy or taste great Belgian Beer

Notre Dame de St Remy

Breed at Abbey of Notre Dame De St Remy, a Trappist Monastery located just outside of Brussels

It was first as convent in the year 1230 and then became a Monastery in 1464.  In 1595 the Monks began brewing beer.  At that time the Hops and the barley was grown inside the Abby.

The Beer is recommended to be served between 54-58 degrees. It is a bottled conditioned beer.  This was tier "liquid Bread" that the Monks drank during Lent.  The Trappist at that time did not even eat fish or cheese during Lent.  These rules have since been relaxed.  During the decade of the 2000's there was only 25 Monks living in the Abby and only 4 of them brewed the beers.  They start their day at 3:15am.  A long but rewarding work day.

The Beer is recommended to be served between 54-58 degrees. It is a bottled conditioned beer.  This was tier "liquid Bread" that.  These rules have since been relaxed.  During the decade of the 2000's there was only 25 Monks living in the Abby and only 4 of them brewed the beers.  They start their day at 3:15am.  A long but rewarding work day.

I strongly recommend that you try the Rochefort 10 and enjoy it a bit warm  It is a complex and excellent beer, but be careful of the 11.3% ABV it can sneak up on you.  

Which Craft a New Craft Beer Bar/Store

      Which Craft has finally open in Houma on Enterprise Dr.   It is a craft beer bar/store that has been a long time need in this area especially for beer lovers like myself.  At this time they are still await full permits and license, so you can only consume on site.  No carry out purchases just yet.  

     My wife and I took our first trip there Saturday evening.  We were very impressed with the beginning selection of craft beers (both domestic and imports).  Many more selections are being added daily as their inventory arrives.

    At this time there was only 2 beers on Tap (La Fin Du Monde & Delierums Tremens), but they are planning about 20-30 taps in the near future.  I spoke with the staff and One of the owners for a few hours during our stay.  They were very friendly and knowledgeable about the craft beers. The place was very inviting, clean and comfortable.  It does not appear to be the kind of place where guys are getting hammered, but more a place to sit, converse and enjoy great tasting beer.  I ask all of you to stop by and check the place out.  Support our only local craft beer store.  If for no other reason than to keep them in business for me to enjoy!!! LOL

   So enough of my public service announcement or advertisement ... Time for a little beer talk.

  One of the Beers the I enjoyed last night was Trappist Achel Blonde.  A Trappist Ale from Belgium.  

   

     Aroma.  Light grains with a slightly bigger floral and citrus  

         from the hops. 

     Appearance light yellow with a light haze White foamy head. 

         With great lacing

     Taste starts out sweet slightly grain flavors then fruits and mild 

         spice and hop bitterness at the end 

     Mouthfeel Moderate carbonation, smooth with little mouth 

         coating

     Overall a good Belgium Trappist beer not as complex as some 

         but makes for. Good session beer 

Brewed in the Abby of St Benedict it is the youngest of the Trappist breweries.  It was established in 1845 and brewed until the first World War.  The Germans took the kettles for the copper.  The Brothers then took up farming and live stock for means of support.  But like many religious orders the numbers of new and younger Brothers were declining.  It became difficult for them to continue the hard manual farm labor at an older age.  So they began brewing again and built the brewery where the dairy equipment was housed.  They continue to this day.   It is the only one with a pub/cafe with in the Abby.  Inside the abbey courtyard are picnic tables.  There are two shops, one on either end.  A shop that sells beer and the other sells religious items.  they got you covered no matter which mood you may be in.  All the others Abbeys have the pubs near-by, not within the Abbey walls.

I am a big fan of Trappist Beers....I urge you to give then a try.  Them Monks and Brothers make some dam good beer!

Happy National Beer Day

Today is one of the best Holidays of the year.....National Beer Day

The 18th Amendment of 1919 prohibited the sale and production of alcohol in the United States.  For nearly 14 years once law abiding citizens, were now criminals in the eyes of the 'law".  Hundreds of  back room speakeasies and bath tub gin makers sprung up all across the US.  This fortunately changed on April 7 1933, the date that the Cullen-Harrison Act was enacted.  The law was actually signed by President Franklin Roosevelt on March 23, 1933.  The Cullen-Harrison Act allowed for the production and sale of beer as long as the alcohol content was less than 4% alcohol by volume (ABV).

These beers are know as Session beers.  It is defined by beer advocate as  : 
Session Beers - Any beer that contains no higher than 5% ABV, featuring a balance between malt and hop characters and, typically, a clean finish.  A combination of which creates a beers with high drinkability.  The purpose of a session beer is to allow a beer drinker to have multiple beers, within a reasonable time period or session, without overwhelming the senses or reaching inappropriate levels of intoxication. (yes you can drink and enjoy beer without getting drunk!!)

Also on April 7,1933 the legendary icon of Budweiser...The Clydesdales began.  August Busch, Jr and Adolphus Bush III surprised their father August A. Busch, Sr, with a gift of a 6 horse Clydesdale hitch to commemorate the repeal of Prohibition.  The company also realized the marketing potential and sent a 2nd 6 horse Clydesdale hitch to New York City.  They were driven by Billy Wales.  Thousands of people followed the horses down the streets of New York to the Empire State Building where a case of beer was presented to the former Governor Alfred E Smith.  He fought against Prohibition.

The Clydesdales then continued a tour of New England and the Atlantic States before stopping in Washington DC in April of 1933 to reenact the delivery of a case of Budweiser to President Roosevelt that was sent April 7, 1933 by air.  

So remember today and every day that you raise a pint, a long neck or a can of your favorite beer that there is history behind every sip.  A story that makes each sip a bit more satisfying.  

So my friends today I raise a glass to toast BEER, because without it a toast would just not be the same

I must give a nod to  Justin Smith who is credited with creating this beer holiday.  Thanks to Justin, social media and the lovers of beer, many restaurants, pubs, home brewers & beer drinkers across the United States will be celebrating National Beer Day

Cheers!!!

Happy New Beer Eve!!!

April 7th is National Beer Day!!

Every April 6th Beer Fanatics all over these great States of BeerMerica (trademarked…patent pending) gather to celebrate New Beer’s Eve. The beginning of the end of Prohibition in the United States. I for one do not need an excuse to crack open a new beer….however I will gladly lift my stein and embrace my fellow beer fiends in celebration of New Beer’s Eve. 

So remember tonight my friends because in a time long ago and…well not that far away….your forefathers had to sneak and hide their beer from the wife AND the cops. Tonight we celebrate our FREEDOM!

For those of you worried that tonight will be the last time for you to try a new beer…..

Fear NOT friend. For tomorrow is National Beer Day! Where those of us who have enjoyed the sweet taste of beer tonight will once more lift our glasses to the sky and celebrate the delicious gift of the gods that is BEER.

On April 7th in 1933, President F Roosevelt took the first step towards ending Prohibition and signed a law that allowed people to brew and sell beer as long as it was below 4%ABV.  Despite the low ABV Americans were thrilled to be able to purchase beer for the first time in 13 years.

On December 5 1933. the 21st Amendment was ratified.  The Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment (Prohibition) of Jan 1919

Because of the Low ABV April 7th is also known as session beer day too as we as National Beer Day

New Belgium Brewery coming to Louisiana April 1st.

New Belgium Brewery from Colorado will be finally sold in Louisiana Starting April 1st.  They make some very good beers that I have had the pleasure of tasting.  Their passion for the beer and the history behind the company is what draws me to the hobby and passion of crafts beer. Watch this video and get a good understanding of why beer is and should be more than just a buzz.

The list of beers are varied.  Many are familiar with the flagship brand Fat Tire which is a very good beer, but I do you suggest you try the other beers they brew.  I have been impressed with many of the ones I have tried so far.

Year Round Rampant IPA Shift Fat Tire Ranger IPA 1554 Blue Paddle Sunshine Wheat Trippel Abbey

Seasonal Dig Snow Day Hop Kitchen Hoppy Bock Revival Springboard

Lips of Faith Cascara Quad Heavenly Feijoa Biere de Garde Imperial Coffee Chocolate Stout Peach Porch Lounger Super IPA La Folie Transatlantique Kriek Brett Beer Biere de Mars

I am a big fan of the Tripple, Fat Tire and 1554.  I am looking forward to the seasonal brews and the Stouts.

I was lucky to attend a pre-launch party last night and was able to get the 2013 Limited edition Fat Tire/New Belgium Bike.  A collectors item that I am thrilled to be a proud owner of.  

A 2013 edition, the same year the New Belgium begins their presence in Louisiana.  One that I will predict will be very rewarding to the craft drinkers of our State.  I also think that New Belgium Brewery will help grow interest and bring new drinkers to the wonderful world of Craft Beer!

Zwanze 2012

Zwanze Day 2012 at the Avenue Pub

      Zwanze Day 2012..... and I bet most of you are wondering what the hell is Zwanze Day????  Up into 2 years ago I have never heard of it either and this was my first year to be part of the celebration.  Zwanze is a Flemmish word for 'Humor".  It has been held each year since 2008.  It originated from Jean Van Roy who is  a fourth generation Belgian Lambic Beer brewer from Cantillion Brewery.  The lambic beers often takes months to ferment with the aid of naturally accruing yeast that flow into the open air vats of wort.  Then the beers take years to mature into very complex beer that is often wine-like and often has a tart or acidic finish.  

     For one day of the year this beer is celebrated.  On Dec1, 2012 the Avenue Pub in New Orleans was one of the only 16 places in the USA to have 1 of the only 36 kegs of Zwanze 2012 that were produced world wide.  35 out of the 36 Kegs were tapped at exactly the same time around the world.  Beer Geeks from around the world cherish the chance to sample such a rare and unique beer.  I was fortunate to share this event with a long time friend and fellow beer lover of mine.  We met people from Dallas, TX; Hattiesburg, MS; & Mobile AL, who all made the journey to the Avenue Pub just to sample some of the Zwanze 2012.

     Zwanze 2012 a slightly burnt orange color lambic beer that was 6%ABV.  It was very similar to the original recipe used in 2008 after a request by brewer Jean Van Roy's wife to go back to the original recipe which was her favorite.   This was the final product of a 2 and 3 year old Lambic beer that was laid on top of a macerated bed of rhubarb.

   This was my first experience with Zwanze beers and I have had little experience with Lambics.  Most of the ones I have tried have been rather sweet.  This Zwanze 2012 was very unique.  It was a dark slightly burnt orange color with a small white head.  The aroma was citrus and mildly acidic.  The taste was unlike just about all beers I have tasted.  It was very citrusy and tart.  There was subtle hints of orange, but a more pronounced grapefruit taste.  The mouthfeel was smooth, acidic and lightly carbonated.  After the first sip or two and the initial surprise to your tastebuds this became a very good and drinkable beer.  I found it to be light and refreshing.  The unusual thing about this beer is the fact that I do not like grapefruit, but I really enjoyed this beer.

     This was a great beer drinking experience and I am very glad I was one of the few people in the world to have had access to such a rare beer.  While there I was also able to have a glass of a few other rare beers including Zwanze 2009 Cantillion Mamouche & Struise Earthmonk.... I will review those in another post real soon.

   Zwanze 2012 was a success and I am glad I attended the Event.  Like the saying goes...Been there, Done that, Bought the T-shirt ( I really did) and I cannot wait till next year to do it again.  Already looking forward to Zwanze 2013.