#Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

[auraeseer]

Legs, not back . . .

[jaxbeerguy]

Anheuser-Busch to Shed Eight Craft Brands

In a strategic maneuver that sent ripples through the beverage industry, Anheuser-Busch, the iconic beer giant, made waves with its decision to sell a portfolio of brands to Tilray, a prominent player in the cannabis market. Tilray will acquire Shock Top, Breckenridge Brewery, Blue Point Brewing Company, 10 Barrel Brewing Company, Redhook Brewery, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Square Mile Cider…

[iww-gnv]

Oregon OSHA has fined a Portland environmental services company a total of $118,800 for numerous safety violations that resulted in two workers passing out on the job. The fine against River City Environmental Inc. is one of the largest levied by the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division in recent years, division spokesman Aaron Corvin said. The citation lists 10 violations and notes that the problems date to last June, when River City assigned workers to clean filters inside a stormwater sewer at Widmer Brothers Brewing in north Portland. Widmer staff noticed the workers were not taking proper safety precautions and sent them away. They went again in mid-July for the same job, the citation said, and River City again failed to equip and train the workers properly but they were allowed to enter a maintenance hole at the brewery anyway. Their job was to clean, retrofit and remove filters in a tight space used to sift stormwater runoff from a large loading dock, an operation that’s performed yearly, according to the citation. The space was confined and dangerous: The oxygen levels were 12.5% compared with the 20.9% that’s generally in the air. Safety rules allow workers without ventilation or supplied air to enter a space as long as it has a minimum of 19.5% of oxygen. The citation said River City did not ensure that the work was supervised, failed to equip the workers with air testing and monitoring equipment, did not provide ventilation equipment, and did not give them rescue and emergency equipment. It also didn’t inform the workers on the potential hazards of the job or of the potential symptoms and consequences they could face, the citation said, and the company had no procedures to rescue the workers in the event of an emergency. The workers weren’t even trained in basic first aid or CPR, the citation said.

[justiceheartwatcher]

Here Are All the Brands Owned by Bud Light's Parent Company Anheuser-Busch

The Michelob brands, Natural Light and Natty Daddy, Cass, Castle, Corona, Harbin, Estrella Jalisco, Aguila, Beck’s, Stella Artois, Jupiler, Kona, Leffe, Landshark Lager, Modelo, Presidente, Hoegaarden, Labatt, Hurricane, Rolling Rock, Skol, Johnny Appleseed, Shock Top and Quilmes.

Alas, Corona takes its second unlucky hit since sales declined during the viral pandemic that took the beer’s name in 2020, and a pivot to Michelob will not serve American customers looking to direct their money elsewhere.

The Western Journal also provided a list of “other brands that partner with” Anheuser-Busch, which includes:

10 Barrel Brewing, Appalachian Mountain, Blue Point, Breckenridge Brewery, Cisco Brewers, Devils Backbone, Elysian, Four Peaks, Golden Road, Goose Island, Karbach Brewing, Omission Balanced Brewing, Platform Beer Company, Red Hook, Square Mile Cider Company, Veza Sur Brewing, Nirture Cider, Wicked Weed Brewing, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Wynwood Brewing, Hi Ball Energy, Babe, Nutrl, Cutwater Spirits and Ritas.

Perhaps these brands are not plagued by a “fratty” customer base similar to that from which Bud Light until recently suffered, but maybe “out-of-touch” Americans have been purchasing some of these products after all.

The endurance of the Bud Light boycott and how much it spreads to these ancillary brands is yet to be seen.

[nwbeerguide]

Workers at Widmer Brothers Brewing register with the Teamsters Local 162 as part of unionization.

Press Release

PORTLAND, Ore. … Workers at Widmer Brothers Brewing have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 162. The 54 newly organized Teamsters work in brewing, packaging, microbiology, and quality assurance.

"It is wonderful to see these workers coming together to exercise their rights," said Mark Davison, Teamsters Western Region Vice President and President of Local 162. "Fair pay, better health care, safety on the job – these are all things we'll be working on in contract negotiations."

The workers began organizing when Widmer Brothers was purchased by Anheuser-Busch Inbev, in part because they are not being paid fairly in comparison to the parent company's union breweries. The workers also have concerns about safety in the workplace, scheduling issues, and the quality of the health care plan.

"These brave men and women came together to stand up for respect and a voice on the job. It's always an incredible feeling when we help workers build power," said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, & Soft Drink Conference.

"We are grateful for the assistance of the Brewery, Bakery, & Soft Drink Conference," said Mike Mayo, Local 162 Organizer and Business Agent. "They were able to get us a streamlined election process, which made it a faster, smoother experience for our new members."

"I can't recall the last time I saw such an effective bargaining committee," said Bobby Rispler, Local 162 Organizer and Business Agent. "They came to multiple training sessions and very quickly became extraordinarily adept at reaching out to their co-workers, rallying the group, and strengthening their bonds."

"This isn't just about me," said Brew Tech Josh Dunnivant, an organizing committee member. "I organized a union with my co-workers to make our brewery and community safer, and to improve the quality of life for my fellow workers and their families."

Established in 1903, Local 162 represents over 5,000 workers in freight, package delivery, intermodal, soft drink and beer, food distribution, construction, manufacturing, grocery, general warehousing, and trucking throughout Portland and the surrounding communities. for more information, go to teamsters162.com.

from Northwest Beer Guide - News - The Northwest Beer Guide https://bit.ly/3YQCqYs

[brewyork]

Brewers Association releases annual Top 50 U.S. Breweries list

Graphic courtesy Brewers Association

The Brewers Association has released their list of the 50 largest craft breweries in the U.S. by sales volume in 2023 — and this year, five on the list have a presence in New York State.

This year’s list shows the move toward consolidation in a weakening beer industry, particularly among some of the largest brewers. Nowhere is that more true than in New York, where Tilray, now the country’s sixth-largest craft brewing company, acquired Patchogue-based Blue Point to complement their 2022 purchase of Montauk Brewing. Tilray’s acquisitions in the past year, which include 10 Barrel, Breckenridge, Redhook, and Widmer Brothers, moved the company up from ninth on the list in 2022.

Another addition to the list this year was United States Beverage LLC, the Connecticut-based beer importer that acquired Utah’s Unita Brewing and entered into partnership with Westchester County’s Captain Lawrence Brewing in 2023. The collective volume of the two brands put the company at number 45 on the list.

The four other brewing company in New York saw just slight movement: Duvel Moorgat, the parent company of Cooperstown’s Brewery Ommegang, held onto its 4th-place position for the fourth consecutive year. Artisanal Brewing Ventures, which includes New York’s Sixpoint and Southern Tier in addition to Pennsylvania’s Victory, slipped from 6th to 7th on the list, leapfrogged by Tilray. Brooklyn Brewery jumped from 10th to 8th this year, and Matt Brewing in Utica jumped from 14th to 13th, although some of that is rooted in the fact that Stone Brewing, 7th on last year’s list, fell off the list of independent brewers when they were acquired by Japanese beer giant Sapporro.

The Brewers Association also released preliminary numbers on U.S. independent brewers’ growth in 2023. Despite all the doom and gloom (including in this newsletter), more breweries opened than closed last year, with 495 openings and 418 closings, bringing the total number of breweries in the U.S. to 9,812. The gap between those figures was the closest it’s been in a decade and a half, and it’s the fewest openings in a year in the U.S. since 2012. That said, while the entire beer market declined by 5.1% in 2023, craft breweries saw just a 1% year-over-year decline, meaning craft’s market share of all beer actually increased from 13.1% to 13.3%.

[thecruie]

Big Beer Brands: What To Know

The beer industry is dominated by several major multinational companies that own a significant number of beer brands. Here are some of the big brands that own a substantial portfolio of beer brands:

Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev):

AB InBev is the world’s largest beer company and owns a vast number of beer brands.

In addition to its flagship brand, Budweiser, AB InBev owns numerous subsidiaries and partnerships. Some of them include:

Grupo Modelo: A Mexican brewery that produces brands like Corona, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, and Pacifico.

Anheuser-Busch: This subsidiary includes brands like Michelob, Stella Artois, Beck’s, Busch, and Bud Light.

Craft Brew Alliance: AB InBev owns a significant stake in Craft Brew Alliance, a U.S.-based craft brewing company. This partnership allows AB InBev to access popular craft beer brands like Kona Brewing Co., Widmer Brothers Brewing, and Redhook Brewery.

10 Barrel Brewing Co.

Birra del Borgo (Italy)

Bosteels Brewery (Belgium)

Camden Town Brewery (United Kingdom)

Castle Brewery Van Honsebrouck (Belgium)

Cervejaria Colorado (Brazil)

Cervejaria Wäls (Brazil)

Elysian Brewing Company (United States)

Four Peaks Brewing Company (United States)

Goose Island Beer Company (United States)

Hoegaarden Brewery (Belgium)

Karbach Brewing Co. (United States)

Liefmans Brewery (Belgium)

Virtue Cider (United States)

Wicked Weed Brewing (United States)

Heineken:

Heineken is another major player in the global beer market. Heineken operates various breweries and partnerships across the globe. Some notable subsidiaries and partnerships include:

Lagunitas Brewing Company: A craft beer brewery based in the United States, known for brands like Lagunitas IPA and A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’.

Desnoes & Geddes (D&G): A Jamaican brewing company that produces Red Stripe, Dragon Stout, and other local brands.

Brouwerijen Alken-Maes: A Belgian brewery that owns brands such as Maes, Cristal, and Grimbergen.

Affligem Brewery: Heineken owns the Affligem Brewery in Belgium, which produces a range of Belgian-style abbey beers under the Affligem brand.

Brouwerij De Koningshoeven: Heineken has a majority stake in Brouwerij De Koningshoeven, which is known for brewing Trappist beers, including the famous La Trappe brand.

Molson Coors Brewing Company:

Molson Coors is a multinational brewing company that owns various beer brands.

Molson Coors operates several subsidiaries and partnerships, including:

Sharp’s Brewery: A British brewery known for its Doom Bar ale and other craft beer offerings.

Franciscan Well Brewery: An Irish craft brewery that produces beers like Rebel Red and Chieftain IPA.

Staropramen Brewery: Molson Coors owns the Staropramen Brewery, which is based in Prague, Czech Republic. Staropramen is a well-known Czech beer brand with a rich brewing heritage.

Carlsberg Group:

Carlsberg is a Danish brewing company that owns a substantial number of beer brands.

Carlsberg owns various breweries and partnerships worldwide. Some of their subsidiaries and partnerships include:

Feldschlösschen: A Swiss brewery that produces regional brands like Feldschlösschen, Cardinal, and Schützengarten.

Chongqing Brewery: A Chinese brewery with popular brands such as Chongqing and Three Horses.

Brooklyn Brewery: Carlsberg holds a minority stake in this American craft brewery known for beers like Brooklyn Lager and Brooklyn Defender IPA.

Ringnes: Carlsberg owns Ringnes, a major Norwegian brewery. Ringnes produces popular beer brands like Ringnes Pilsner, Frydenlund, and Dahls.

China Resources Snow Breweries: Carlsberg has a joint venture with China Resources Enterprise, forming China Resources Snow Breweries. This partnership allows Carlsberg to tap into the vast Chinese beer market with brands like Snow, the world’s best-selling beer by volume.

Diageo:

Although primarily known for its spirits portfolio, Diageo also owns several beer brands.

Guinness Brewery: Diageo owns the famous Guinness brand, known for its stout beers. The Guinness Brewery in Dublin, Ireland, is a significant subsidiary of the company.

Hop House 13 Brewery: Diageo operates the Hop House 13 Brewery, which produces the Hop House 13 Lager, a popular brand under the company’s portfolio.

East African Breweries Limited (EABL): Diageo has a majority stake in EABL, which operates in East Africa. EABL produces and distributes popular beer brands such as Tusker, Guinness, and Serengeti.

Asahi Group Holdings:

Asahi is a Japanese brewery that has expanded its presence globally through acquisitions.

Meantime Brewery: Asahi acquired the Meantime Brewery in the UK, which specializes in craft beers. Meantime Brewery offers a variety of ales, lagers, and seasonal brews.

Pilsner Urquell: Asahi owns the rights to the Pilsner Urquell brand, which is known for its Czech-style Pilsner beer.

This is not an exhaustive list, and by the time this is published/read by you may have changed! I say drink what you like, but it is helpful to have this information.

#TheCruIE #CraftBeer #IrishBeer #Beer

[thebrewstorian]

Some pictures of Portland’s early microbrewery scene

I’ve been spending a lot of time over the past couple of months processing collections -- putting them in order, creating guides, having my colleagues review the guides, and then (hopefully) getting those guides out there into the wider world for researchers to discover. 

I was finishing up a guide for the Fred Bowman Papers, one that we have only in digitized form (the originals still live with Bowman). 

Fred Bowman co-founded Portland Brewing Company in 1986 with Art Larrance and Jim Goodwin. 

Read about Portland Brewing Company on Wikipedia.

I’ll be posting information about that when the guide is up, but for now know that it is a delightful collection with digitized photographs showing the renovation of the original Portland Brewing location and early events at the brewery – including all the demolition, construction, and brewing equipment delivery! All the photographs from this collection have been digitized and are available in Oregon Digital. The digitized documents, which aren’t online, include newspaper articles, Portland Brewing business documents, and a personal pocketbook with Bowman’s handwritten notes.

I know, this is a long lead up to the main subject of this post... Hang with me a bit longer...

In tying up the loose ends for this guide I was reminded of a set of photographs we digitized and returned to Art Larrance. Those have also been accessible through Oregon Digital, but we didn’t have a collection called out for Larrance. That will change. Soon. Ish. 

Archivists are great at saving stuff and helping people find stuff. Sometimes archivists need help finding their own stuff. That was the case this afternoon when I went on a search through the archives shared drives for the original scans of the Larrance materials. A student who worked for me in 2014 scanned these items. He graduated. 

Before you PANIC and think I can’t find stuff, my escape hatch for getting the e-versions of these records would have been to download them individually from Oregon Digital. It would have been tedious, but doable.

In my search I happened upon this set of slides/negatives we digitized from the Fred Eckhardt collection. I figured the internets would appreciate this. 

Pics of Cartwright Brewing Co. 

There are also a few lovelies from BridgePort. Karl Ockert on the left, Matt Sage on the right. 

And of the Widmer Bros (and their dad). 

Lots more where these come from! Learn about all the OHBA collections and see a list of the oral histories online at:

https://guides.library.oregonstate.edu/brewingarchives

[ot9000]

Widmer Brothers Brewing Company Hefeweizen USA - Portland, Oregon

[osuhistory]

New Finding Aids: July - September 2022

New Finding Aids: July – September 2022

SCARC completed three new finding aids from July – September 2022!  These finding aids are available through the Archives West finding aids database, website, and the OSU Library discovery system a.k.a. “the catalog.” The links below are to the guides in Archon. New collection guides created this quarter: Widmer Brothers Brewing Company Records, 1984-2013 (MSS Widmer) The Widmer Brothers…

[auraeseer]

Move along, there’s nothing of interest here . . .

[nwbeerguide]

Maui Brewing's Craft ‘Ohana announces the hiring of Trent Tokos, former VP of Sales and Marketing at Montana Craft Malt.

Press Release

Kihei, Hawaii (January 24, 2023) – Craft ‘Ohana is pleased to announce the addition of Trent Tokos, former VP of Sales and Marketing at Montana Craft Malt, as VP of Marketing effective January 16, 2023. Trent will oversee the marketing strategy for Craft ‘Ohana’s portfolio of brands, including Maui Brewing Co., Modern Times Beer + Coffee, Maui Hard Seltzer, and Kupu Spirits.

"We are happy to welcome Trent to our Craft ‘Ohana as the Vice President of Marketing," said Chris McJunkin, Chief Commercial Officer. "Trent brings to our team a wealth of experience in brand and field marketing across multiple breweries, along with his years in sales management that will help the Craft ‘Ohana family of brands with activations at wholesale and retail across our portfolio. Trent joins a talented Craft ‘Ohana marketing team and will be tasked with building out the remainder of the marketing department to extend our brand awareness and connection with our fans."

As VP of Sales and Marketing at Montana Craft Malt, Trent was an integral part of growing the company to one of the largest craft malt brands in the United States. Trent previously spent 17 years at Craft Brew Alliance in brand and field marketing management, along with leadership roles in sales, where he worked directly on Widmer Brothers, Redhook, Wynwood Brewing, Goose Island, and Kona Brewing Company brands. Prior to CBA, Trent worked in marketing for Anheuser-Busch and sports marketing for Adidas. 

“I am so excited for the opportunity to work with a great group of people on an outstanding family of beverage brands,” said Tokos. “I look forward to building on the success of these award-winning coffee, beer, seltzer, and spirits brands.”

For more information, visit MauiBrewing.com or follow @MauiBrewingCo on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

For more information on Modern Times, visit ModernTimesBeer.com or follow @ModernTimesBeer on Instagram and Twitter or @ModernTimesIsYourFriend on Facebook.

###

About Maui Brewing Company

Founded in 2005, Maui Brewing Company is Hawai'i’s largest craft brewery. MBC is based on Maui, with its grid-independent production brewery, full-service restaurant, and tasting room in Kihei, as well as restaurants in Lahaina (Maui), Kailua (Oahu), and Waikiki (Oahu). Maui Brewing Company is available in 26 states, 1 district, and 2 countries with more areas to follow.

[delfinamaggiousa]

Anheuser-Busch Swallows Up The Rest of Craft Brewers Alliance

The world’s largest beer company, Anheuser-Busch (A-B), is about to get even bigger.

According to Brewbound, A-B announced on Monday that it will pay $16.50 per share for the remaining 68.8 percent of the Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) that it does not already own.

The deal, which is expected to close in 2020, comes three months after A-B passed up on the opportunity to acquire the entirety of the CBA. At the time, shares were offered for a minimum of $24.50. By declining the opportunity, A-B had to pay a one-time fee of $20 million to the CBA.

The merger adds Kona Brewing, Widmer Brothers Brewing, and Redhook Brewery, among other brands to A-B’s portfolio of 11 craft brands. Known as the Brewers Collective, the portfolio famously includes mega-brands Goose Island and Shock Top.

“Our partnership with CBA goes back many years and we look forward to supporting CBA as they continue to bring great products to beer drinkers across the U.S.,” Michel Doukeris, CEO of Anheuser-Busch, said in a press release.

Last year, according to the Brewers Association, the CBA’s production was down 1 percent from 2017, but the Kona Brand alone is showing strong numbers for 2019. Additional numbers from 2018 show that the combined production of A-B’s craft brands grew 1 percent.

The article Anheuser-Busch Swallows Up The Rest of Craft Brewers Alliance appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/booze-news/anheuser-busch-acquires-craft-brew-alliance/

source https://vinology1.wordpress.com/2019/11/12/anheuser-busch-swallows-up-the-rest-of-craft-brewers-alliance/

[thebrewstorian]

Widmer Bros. in the Fred Eckhardt collection

After writing down the wrong date for the first launch event for Jeff Alworth’s The Widmer Way: How Two Brothers Led Portland's Craft Beer Revolution (a Tuesday is not a Wednesday unless you have jet lag), so I am excited to be headed to Portland for the launch at Powell’s books. 

In advance of that I just had to dip into the Fred Eckhardt collection to see what he had for the early years. Of course there was a nice fat folder and here are some of the favorites I had to scan/share. 

Before I do, I want to put in my plug for people who have filing cabinets, closets with shelves, or boxes of things stashed under tables. I love the Fred Eckhardt collection because it is eclectic, personal, reflective of regional history, and super fun to explore. 

It is nicely organized and easy to use now, but that’s because a student and I worked very hard to work archival magic. Here’s what you need to know. 

There is an archive in Oregon that would LOVE to be the permanent home for your beer history collection whether you run a brewery or just enjoy collecting coasters and menus. 

We can take digital files from your computer or Google Drive.

You don’t have to organize things before donating them to an archive. 

If you are donating things to an archive make sure there will be someone to organize and provide access to the materials you donate. We don’t want beer history languishing on the shelves.

There are other documentary projects throughout the country and I can put you in touch with people if you have things from the “not Northwest” region. 

Pleading pitch over. 

Here’s a sampling what was happening in 1985 c/o the Eckhardt collection. 

Fred takes some notes. 

Fred types some notes. 

Fred writes an article. 

Fred saves a paper with places people can find Widmer beer. 

Fred saves/makes (?) some recipes for Widmer beer. 

Fred also kept notes through the years on specific beers, like these on Festbeer (1985-1988).

From 1987 comes this comparison with Michelob and Widmer Weizenbier. 

And in 1989 we get this article about the move to the other side of the river -- punny headline included free of charge. 

In between the article above the the opening announcement, Fred had a couple of nice gems that show how the beers are described and give a glimpse into company culture (newsletters, I love newsletters). 

In 1995 there is this announcement. 

And the next year this article. 

A 2004 article about the Widmer / Red Hook merger. 

And a 2006 article about Widmer Alt. 

There are also two emails (printed, of course) between Fred and John Foyston. The first is from 1998 and is about Alt.  

And the next is about wheat beers. Beyond interesting content, this gem starts with a line I might need to steal: “Friends, I keep telling this story and no one ever listens.” And then he tells the story again. 

There were many I couldn’t date, so I’ll share them here in no particular order. Here are some related to beer profiles. 

And then the brewery layout. 

Some more article notes. 

Not to do with Widmer directly, but a fabulous example of the “other side of the page” Fred archives. Seriously, we should have described the front AND the back side because he reused so much paper that you get his writings or other repurposed fliers many times over. Love it. 

[samanthasroberts]

IPAs for people who think they hate hoppy, bitter beers

 (Courtesy of Otter Creek Brewing)

 (Courtesy of Sixpoint Brewery)

 (Courtesy of Founders Brewing)

 (Courtesy of 21st Amendment Brewery)

 (Courtesy of Dogfish Head Brewery)

Previous Next

Everyone loves IPAs, right? That was my theory when I started writing Complete IPA, my deep dive into the recent phenomenon thats seen IPAs take over tap lines from L.A. to Tokyo, Rio to Berlin and beer-soaked lands in between. But as I, uh, endlessly researched (hey, that double IPA aint going to drink itself), I discovered both bitter revelation and opposition: I dont like IPAs, I heard time and again.

Anchovies? Blue cheese? I get the intense dislike. Whats not to love about fragrant IPAs? Theyre flavor chameleons, tasting like rainbow sorbet or evoking pine forests, sipping as smooth as gelato or spiky with bitterness. Theyre blank slates for breweries experimental whims.

The IPA is not one thing, its everything, with flavor combinations as infinite and inventive as Ben and Jerrys ice cream. Ive heard the complaints, the bitterness and booziness, staleness and uncertainty. Whatever your beef with IPAs, I guarantee Ive got one youll actually like.

Problem: You dont like bitter beers

Fix: Try the new-breed Northeast-style IPAs.

During the IPAs early millennium ascent, brewers escalated bitterness, constantly one-upping each other with beers so bitter you could barely finish a bottle. It was like sports bars serving ever-fierier chicken wings.

The newest member of the Alchemist Family! Cookie. pic.twitter.com/Y4nVcjhOUX

John Kimmich (@alchemistbeer) May 24, 2015

That fads phasing out. By using hops (especially varieties evocative of things like tropical fruit and ripe peaches) later in the brewing process, beer makers intensify fragrances and aromas, not bitterness. Keep the beer unfiltered for a foggier color and fuller flavor, maybe add oats and wheat for smoothness, and you have a template for the juicy new-school IPA thats sweeping the Northeast and the nation.

If youve had the Alchemists silky-smooth Heady Topper or any IPA from Hill Farmstead, youll like the dankly addictive Substance from Maines Bissell Brothers, or maybe Trilliums Congress Street IPA. Think: biscuits, sun-warmed peaches, sweet melons.

Many Northeast IPAs are hard-to-get, requiring a road trip. (Try this Vermont trek.) More widely distributed examples include Otter Creek Backseat Berner, a sweetly hazy stumble through pine forests and citrus groves, and Sixpoint Puff, as cloudy and resinous as a dorm room.

Moreover, the Northeast style has spread nationwide, with Colorado-based Odd13s Caribbean-fruity Codename: Superfan and Portland brewery Great Notion doling out hazy, hardly bitter hop bombs like Ripe and Juice Box.

Problem: IPAs all taste the same.

Fix: Seek out a new hop variety.

Pine trees. Citrus. Primo weed. Taste too many IPAs and they blur together like lunch at a cut-rate Chinese buffet. To escape the flavor fatigue, grab a pale ale or IPA humming with fresh varieties of hops, the flowers that impart bitterness, aroma, and flavor. Here are some hops to look out for:

Founders Mosaic Promise and Karl Strauss Mosaic Session IPA both showcase (you guessed it) Mosaic hops, which impart notes of blueberries, papaya, peaches, and pine.

IPAs for People Who *Think* They Hate Them: https://t.co/lasZsIfw5F from @JoshMBernstein & @bonappetit pic.twitter.com/QSGXitOkSr

Founders Brewing Co. (@foundersbrewing) August 31, 2016

Germanys Mandarina Bavaria hop adds orangey complexity to beers such as Skas Modus Mandarina IPA (it also contains sweet orange peels).

Like watermelon Jolly Ranchers? Youll love El Dorado hops, which star in Maine Beer Companys A Tiny Beautiful Something and Stone Delicious IPA, a gluten-reduced beer also containing the citrusy Lemondrop hops.

New Zealands fruity Nelson Sauvin hops provide a white winelike nuance in Widmer Brothers Upheaval IPA and SanTan Brewings MoonJuice, which also contains Australias peachy, melon-like Galaxy hops. Give it a go in Tasmanian IPA, from Schlafly, or Tallgrass 8-Bit Pale Ale.

Always want to be surprised by an IPA? Firestone Walkers canned and bottled Luponic Distortion features a new blend of experimental hops every 90 days.

Problem: IPAs are too strong.

Fix: Grab a session IPAor six.

Over the years, the IPAs baseline ABV has crept up to around 7 percent. Two or three pints can swirl eyes like peppermint candy. Thats to say nothing of the double, triple, and quadruple IPAs, rivaling Riesling and Cabernet for ABV supremacy.

Instead of sacrificing sobriety for flavor, breweries have created low-alcohol, high-aroma IPAs that are about as boozy as Bud Lightbut about a million times more flavorful. Try Evil Twin Citra Sunshine Slacker, as bright and tropical as a Caribbean vacation; 21st Amendment Down to Earth, reminiscent of toast topped with berry jam; or a Founders citrus-spritzed All Day IPA, a party beer sold by the 15-pack suitcase.

Problem: IPAs never, ever taste fresh.

Fix: Check for the bottled- or canned-on date, or hit a brewery for a release.

To savor an IPA as the brewer intended, you should drink them close to their birthday.

Deciphering freshness used to be difficult, the date code a hieroglyphic string of numbers and letters. Increasingly, breweries utilize a simplified best by or packaged on code, commonly found on a beer bottles neck or label, or a cans bottom. Generally speaking, IPAs are ideally enjoyed within 90 days. And seek out beers stored cold, far from sunshine.

Instead of stalking a delivery truck, you can also look for Stones Enjoy By series of IPAs. Their expiration dates37 days after packagingare built directly into the label, while Sam Adams similarly themed Rebel Raw double IPA has a 35-day shelf life.

Problem: You dont know what an IPA tastes like

Fix: Try a fruited IPA.

Buying IPAs has never been easieror more mystifying. But labels dont always accurately describe the liquid inside, sometimes leading to disappointment. To hedge your bets, look to the new breed of fruit-infused IPAs. Done deftly, adding blood oranges, grapefruit, or pineapple can accentuate the inherent fruity profile of hops. Fruited IPAs are never subtle, sure, but they are truth in advertising, a trusted commodity.

Try Dogfish Heads brand-new Flesh & Blood, tart and zesty with lemon pulp and blood orange juice, and New Belgiums Citradelica sweetly tropical love letter to tangerines. Also, Ballast Point has spun off several variants of its tropical Sculpin, including pineapple and grapefruit versions that taste like never-ending summer vacation.

Source: http://allofbeer.com/ipas-for-people-who-think-they-hate-hoppy-bitter-beers/

from All of Beer https://allofbeer.wordpress.com/2018/08/06/ipas-for-people-who-think-they-hate-hoppy-bitter-beers/

[reddtabor]

Judgment Day, Cider-Style

With Nearly 170 Entries Across 14 Categories, the Fifth Annual Portland International Cider Cup Embodies the Northwest’s Blossoming Cider Revival

On the morning of April 9, 2017, contestants in the Portland’s annual Bridge to Brews race ran or jogged by the Widmer Brothers Brewery, unaware that inside a very different competition was brewing to showcase the best of the best in one of the nation’s cider epicenters.

Widmer, which also makes Square Mile Cider, was the site of the fifth annual Portland International Cider Cup, a regional cider competition for cideries within the geographic boundary supported by the Northwest Cider Association.

Map of member cideries in the Northwest Cider Association.

Founded in 2013 by Nat West of Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider, Abram Goldman-Armstrong of Cider Riot!, Dave White of Whitewood Cider, Nick Gunn of Benchgraft Cider Consulting, and Mark Crowder of Rain Barrel Ciderworks, PICC 2017 received a record 168 unique ciders vying for a medal in one of 14 categories that included Modern Dry Cider, Heritage Sweet Cider, Spiced/Herbed Cider, Wood/Oaked Cider, and Northwest-invented Hopped Cider.

I’ve run the Bridge to Brews 10K three times, and while jogging over the Willamette River on a traffic-free Fremont Bridge is amazing, the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how more than 40 regional cider, beer, and wine experts rate regional ciders couldn’t be missed.

Cider pours at Portland International Cider Cup 2017. Photo: Sean Connolly

I was on the scene as a volunteer steward, which meant serving blind tastings to a table of judges rating one particular cider category. I drew—picked, actually, pardon the pun—the Spiced/Herbed category, which had 16 entries evaluated by judges whose experience ranged from a head cidermaker to a national cider ambassador, a food, beer, cider, and wine freelance writer, and an area beer expert and blogger.  

The eclectic background of the 44 judges was intentional, according to Emily Ritchie, Executive Director of the Northwest Cider Association, which now manages PICC on behalf of its 80+ members.

More than 40 judges evaluated nearly 170 ciders across 14 different categories. Photo: Sean Connolly

“We wanted to make sure we had more women [judges] this year,” says, Ritchie. “We also want a wide variety of palates, so we invite people … including wine cellarists, chefs, professional cheese and coffee judges, beermongers, and of course cidermakers.”

Blind tasting is also a critical part of the judging process in order to eliminate bias, even though some of the judges are damned good at sussing out cider profiles, what cideries might be behind the elixir, or a certain cider makers’ style. The Northwest cider scene is, despite its growth curve, a close-knit community. As a steward, it was my job to not only provide the pours, but keep the cider makers and ciders I’m bringing down to the rating table anonymous.

A blind tasting sheet from PICC 2017. Photo: Sean Connolly

Watching judging in action was—for me—fascinating. I’d seen the rating sheets the judges they’re using: each cider was rated within its specific category on appearance, aroma, taste, body and finish, and the judges’ general impressions of the drink.

Jana Ensign-Daisy-Ensign of Finnriver Farm and Cidery is one of the judges I work with. A lover of all things fermented with an enviable ‘National Cider Ambassador’ job title, Daisy-Ensign views judging cider as a ‘dream opportunity.’

PICC judges evaluating a cider’s appearance. Photo: Sean Connolly

“Knowing how much care goes into crafting each cider that arrives anonymously at the table,” she says, “it is with great weight and consideration that we, as judges, gaze upon, smell, sip, and savor each iteration of fermented apples striving to appreciate the intent of each cidermaker. We consider both merits and flaws to appraise the drink as a whole. How a cider aligns with the definition of the category in which it is entered for competition is a guiding factor.”

For instance, entries in the Spiced/Herbed cider category at the table I stewarded were evaluated for balance between aroma and flavor and the herbs or spices used in the crafting. The ciders’ fundamental apple flavor, meanwhile, shouldn’t be masked or overpowered by the ingredients. For entries in this category using eclectic flavor enhancers like lemongrass, ginger, tamarind, or even jalapeno and habanero peppers, achieving boldness and balance can be tricky.

Entries in the 14 different PICC 2017 cider categories. Photo credit: Carolyn Winkler, Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider

The background of the stewards and other event managers and organizers I worked with throughout the day was varied and impressive as the judges’ and the cider entries. Stewards David and Glynnis, both bartenders, are a cider-loving couple who are networking for new job opportunities. Eric is a beer and cider lover here for the scene—and the samples we occasionally get to enjoy ourselves. Helen – my colleague and boss, is Portland Cider Company’s media and marketing maven. Lisa works for NW Cider Brokers, which helps small cideries build their brand and broaden their market reach. I can relate to all of them in little ways, and they’re interesting, fun people.

Back in Cider Central—the name I’ve given the upstairs room where the stewards keep the ciders organized and pour tasting flights, we’re guided by Ritchie, who pinch hits everywhere throughout the day, Crowder, the Master of Cider Ceremony who crunched rating numbers for hours, can recall virtually every rule, entry, their category, and whose modern dry cider served as the judges’ taste calibration cider, and Carolyn Winkler, Reverend Nat’s Events Manager and the Chief PICC Competition Coordinator.

Glynnis and Dave, two volunteer cider stewards, pouring samples in preparation for judging. Photo: Sean Connolly

This was not only Carolyn’s second year in a row very capably managing PICC, it was her second day in a row organizing a major cider event. The day before Winkler, worked the Third Annual Hopped Cider Fest for 12 hours, and as I watch her bring up crate after crate of tasting glassware and handle myriad other details large and small, I’m reminded of an Energizer Bunny who traded in his drum for tasting flights.

Throughout the day, we talked in rhythm with the steady cadence of stewards filling cider flights, entering and leaving Cider Central to bring samples down to the judging area. I learned about Crowder’s plan to launch his own commercial cidery in the near future somewhere in Eastern Oregon, how Winkler juggles home-schooling her children with work, got details of my colleague Helen’s upcoming trip to explore cider markets in Colorado. We took (very) small samples of certain ciders that are eye-catching or have interesting descriptions, paying close attention to giving the judges just the right amount of cider to sample so everyone stays sharp. We laughed over Monty Python skits (hear what floats on water at minute 0:58), finicky judges, and the unfortunate baby spider that crawled into and met its end in a sample cup. [The judge demanded a re-pour].

An array of ciders judged during PICC 2017. Photo: Sean Connolly

PICC may not be as large as the Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition, which is now in its 12th year, but for Ritchie and organizers Goldman-Armstrong and Crowder, PICC is all about branding Pacific Northwest ciders within what I call the New American Cider Movement. Entering a competition is a good way for a cidery to get feedback on new releases and get reference for where they sit in a roomful of judges, Ritchie says. It’s also an opportunity for the Northwest cider-making community to encourage its members to produce high-quality, even “flawless cider.”

For Crowder, who helped create PICC, it’s a great way to watch the continued evolution of not only the Northwest cider scene, but the evolution of cider drinkers’ tastes, too. “I think the biggest take-away from that is that as consumers palates evolve with cider, more dry ciders are becoming available--and hopefully successful--on the market,” Crowder says. “[The] modern and heritage dry [category entries] both doubled in size this year, he notes, “also, fruit and spiced/herbed ciders have all seen a sizable increase in entries.”

Cider sample cups. Photo credit: Carolyn Winkler/Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider.

By 4pm, Gold and Silver awards have been awarded in each category, and the Gold medalist ciders were being poured for a smaller, select panel of head judges from the category tables that have assembled to select the Best in Show entry. Another commitment means I have to, reluctantly, leave PICC 2017 before the judging is complete. But that’s ok: the winning entries are going to be kept secret until June 15, 2017 at the 2017 Portland International Cider Cup Awards Party anyway.

As much as I dislike the phrase “everyone’s a winner,” one of the take-away messages I got as a PICC 2017 steward is that now, at this moment in the New American Cider Movement, there’s a concerted effort by the Northwest’s cideries and cider makers to collectively stay on their A-game.  For the winners, there will, of course, be bragging rights and the ability to showcase the award in marketing their product.

Cider flights at PICC 2017. Photo: Sean Connolly

But for the Northwest’s cider community as a whole, PICC is about more than who wins. Emily Ritchie sums it up this way: “We're creating a brand of Northwest-made cider right now and we want this region to be known for excellent products. The competition encourages better and better cider!”

For those of us that love cider and its myriad, eminently quaffable varieties, that’s a concept that can’t be beat.

Want to find out which ciders won in each of the PICC 2017 categories and which one took away Best in Show? Look for media announcements following the industry’s Portland International Cider Cup Awards Party at Portland Cider Company on June 15, 2017.