Faith, Beer, and Other Things That Interest Geoff

The Day Beer Flowed Again

Sounds like that was a very good day.

Labels: beer, prohibition

Philly Beer Week

If you are near Philadelphia and love good beer, this is a great time to be alive. For those not in the know, there are beer events happening all over the place celebrating this area's wonderful beer culture. Go here.

And the news just gets better and better. The General Lafayette is opening up a tied house in Center City.

If a brewpub opens in South Jersey, I'm going to faint.

Labels: beer, philly

Michael Jackson Dead at Age 65

Famous beer writer Michael Jackson has passed away. BeerAdvocate has a good roundup of pertinent articles.

His impact on the craft-beer community has been large. Here is a good quote:

Jackson's books and countless newspaper and magazine articles explored the far-reaching world of beer, from classic styles to obscure recipes.

He is primarily credited with establishing the language and identification of beer styles. Before Jackson, all beer was essentially the same; today, beer authorities recognize more than 100 major styles, defined by their cultural and technical characteristics.

Many of those styles – especially obscure varieties from Belgium – would be extinct today if not for Jackson's writing. In 1994, as thanks for almost single-handedly reviving that nation's brewing tradition, Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium gave Jackson its Mercurius Award.

Labels: beer

Now This Is Right Up My Alley

A Christian group in Germany has a kosher-certified beer and they are associated with Jews for Jesus.

Labels: beer, jews, jews for jesus

Study Shows Health Benefit to Hops

Labels: beer

Garrett Oliver and the Sermon on the Mount

I had the immense pleasure of being at a class taught by Garrett Oliver. He taught on beer & cheese, but he showed an immense amount of knowledge about wine.

I also learned why American cheese is not cheese and most bread we buy is not bread.

I asked a question regarding pairing beer with red sauce-based Italian foods. Short answer: Flemish sour reds. Long answer: both beer and food have trouble with red sauces.

When I asked about pairing if he releases his Monster Ale barley wine to be consumed in short order or if it was meant to be aged, I got a very interesting response. Something in between was the answer. You can make something that is terrible at the time of sale and will be great with age. You can make something that is great at the time of sale and goes downhill after that. You can make a beer that is good at the time of sale and then gets better.

For Monster Ale, Garrett Oliver chose the last option.

I've heard less-than-stellar reviews for Monster. But I have to say, the versions I had tonight were wonderful. I had a 2005 or 2006 (not sure which) and a 2001 tonight. Both were quite good.

After Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, those who heard Him were amazed because Jesus spoke with authority. He did not say "rabbi so-and-so heard from rabbi so-and-so X." He spoke with His own authority.

The authority of Garrett Oliver on beer, wine and food struck me with that parallel, albeit Garrett's authority is much, much, much less.

I always am saying "Garrett Oliver says...". It was great to hear food/beer pairings from the horse's mouth.

Labels: beer, garrett oliver

Lew Bryson, Welcome to the Blog Roll

Triumph Brewing before it is opening. And the awesome news about Philadelphia Beer Week.

I know and like Lew. He is a good beer writer and I highly recommend all his work, and know his blog.

Labels: beer

Flying Fish Imperial Espresso Porter

An Imperial Porter made with espresso from my local brewery. I'm going to have to get some of this even though I don't consume caffeine.

Labels: beer