Beers

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Aiming for the British working class, Anheuser-Busch Cos. is rolling out a new beer in the United Kingdom. Called Bud Silver, the beer will have a lower alcohol content and a stronger hops flavor than an American-style lager.

The stronger flavor hops and richer color also make Bud Silver attractive to young adult males, according to A-B’s Jim Gorczyca. “It kind of goes after the working-class guy,” he said.

And an interesting fact at the end: In the last five years, Anheuser-Busch has nearly tripled the volume of A-B brands sold internationally.

Does is seem likely that Bud Silver will take the UK by storm? Likely not, but quite obviously the world’s biggest brewer will continue to find a larger audience for its beers or find other beers that audience will drink.

Michael Jackson visits the host cities for the World Cup, and picks an 11-beer team for your drinking pleasure.

Taking a slight different perspective a few years ago, he made a different list of 10 German beers.

And the winners are . . .

Results form the 2006 North American Beer Awards. The competition was held in conjunction with 12th Annual Mountain Brewers Beer Fest June 3 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

The latest selection in Anheuser-Buesch’s seasonal draught program isn’t as frisky as those that have come before.

Beach Bum Blonde Ale – a 5.4% abv blond beer – seems to be aimed more at “casual” beer drinkers than, for instance, the winter offering of Bourbon Cask Ale. But it is ale and it is hopped with Cascades, so will still stand in contrast to Budweiser or Bud Light (or Miller Genuine Draft or Miller Light or Coors Light or . . . you get the point).

From the press release:

This American blonde ale is brewed with the finest pale and caramel roasted barley malts and is hopped with imported Alsace and Hallertau hops, as well as Cascade hops from the Pacific Northwest.

“Blonde ales are wonderfully crisp and easily drinkable, which makes them an ideal choice for a summer beverage,” said Florian Kuplent, brewmaster, Anheuser-Busch. “The addition of Beach Bum Blonde Ale is a nice way to conclude our first year of this program because it can be enjoyed by everyone from casual beer drinkers to beer purists who are looking for an ale with a nice balance, gentle flavor and smooth finish.”

The release also indicates that the fall selection will be a repeat from last fall – Jack’s Pumpkin Spice Ale.

The story behind Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale from Lagunitas Brewing in California.

What the label says mainly, under the beer’s title, is: “We Brewed This Especially Bitter Ale In Remembrance of the 2005 St. Patrick’s Day Massacre And in Celebration of Our 20-Day Suspension Back in January of This Year!”

“Whatever. We’re Still Here.”

This beer reminds us why we’re glad about that.

Certainly bitter and tilted toward the hop side, but also brimming with rich caramel character bordering on toffee.

Great Divide Brewing in Denver recently began shipping some of its bigger beers in smaller bottles. Hercules IPA and Yeti Imperial Stout remain available in 22-ounce bottles, but now also in 12-ounce servings, sold in four-packs.

“For a while now, beer drinkers have been telling us they’d like to see a few of our bigger beers in 12 ounce bottles – so to keep the peace, we’re meeting the request” said Great Divide founder Brian Dunn.

Hercules is 9.1% abv, 85 IBU, while Yeti – a silver medal winner at the 2005 Great American Beer Festival – checks in at 9.5% abv and 75 IBU.

Suggested price for a four-pack of either is $10.99.

Following up on the Anheuser-Busch initiative that let drinkers in Ohio and New England choose a beer that A-B would brew for regional distribution.

The winning “hometown beers”:

In Ohio, Burnin’ Helles – “This rich and malty Bock-style lager will tempt you as it showcases the finest domestic malts and the best hand-picked Bavarian Hallertau hops. It’s a true salute to more than 200 years of Ohio’s proud brewing tradition. This beer will appeal to those who have ‘a bit of a devil in you.’ (6.3% alcohol by volume)”

In New England, Demon’s Hop Yard IPA – “Incredibly ‘hopped-up’ and citrusy ale — using domestically grown hops varietals to get the rich and robust flavor. Only one place in New England could provide us with hops this diabolical. (7% alcohol by volume)”

The beers are scheduled to go on tap June 26.

And who doesn’t think of beer when it comes to Cinco de Mayo? It seems every brewery in the world large enough to have an advertising budget has suggested we drink its beer Saturday.

The San Francisco Chronicle has another suggestion: Rogue Chipotle Ale.

As the story notes “Rogue Chipotle Ale certainly does (go with food), with its smoky, subtly peppery palate matching the heat and spice of chile-based cuisine.”

Bottom line: Don’t try to down the heat on Saturday, pick a beer that stands up to it.

Today a New York Times (free registration) tasting panel tackles lambic beers from Belgium.

Eric Asimov writes:

If you have explored beer and decided it’s not for you, well, I toast your open mind. But if you have exiled beers to parts unknown, I have a radical proposal: Take the time to seek out and try a few lambic beers from Belgium and tell me if these are not as complex and distinctive as many fine wines.

What makes this radical? Even many beer drinkers know little about lambic beer. It’s perhaps the most unusual beer around, truly made in the old-fashioned way. It is not at all easy to find. You will most likely have to seek out a shop specializing in great beers of the world, but I assure you it is worth the effort.

The panel breaks the beers into three categories. Favorites among the gueuze category are Cantillon Organic Gueuze and Lindemans Gueuze Cuvée René, both receiving three stars (out of four). Top dry fruit lambics: Cantillon Lou Pepe Kriek 2003 and Hanssens Oude Kriek, both with three-and-a-half stars.

Asimov touches on the issue of tradition when introducing the sweet fruit lambics.

Now here’s the sticky part, and the reason I hedged before in terming all these beers lambic. As in any community of passionate devotees, serious debate rages over what constitutes authentic lambic beer. This debate focuses on the most popular style, which has penetrated the beer market right down to the deli level. I’m speaking of the sweet fruit lambic beers, which often depart from the traditional methods by adding fruit juice or syrup to the brew, resulting in a sweet, sometimes cloying beer.

The favorite was De Troch Apricot Chapeau (three-and-a-half stars).