Finally, a candidate whose platform I can hoist a glass to! If you're like me and find yourself somewhat less than enthused about our current choices in November, I have good news. In a startling announcement made on Tuesday, August 12th, Russian River Brewing Company (a special interest PAC, I can only assume) released a press statement I have included in its entirety below: ---------------... Read Full Story

For those that are interested, here is a photo of the new (to most of us) Michelob Dunkel Weisse - a dark wheat ale. This beer might already be familiar to a select few in the geographical areas where it was in limited-release under the name "Ascent 54." This new release is scheduled for September 8th, 2008. Although I've not yet tried my sample bottle, I've heard rather good things about this beer. Can craft beer lovers of the world get past the name on the label though ...? Time will tell... Read Full Story

I have a little membership contest going on over on the Aleuminati right now. The winner of the contest will receive a set of six cork-backed Brooklyn Brewery coasters just for referring the most new members to the site during the remainder of the month of August. What's to lose in this deal? It's free to join the Aleuminati and it takes only minutes to set up a profile. Best of all, the site comes equipped with tools to make inviting friends and family even quicker and easier! This is all... Read Full Story

The press information that came along with a sample of Magners Irish Cider begins by stating,"Step into any pub in Ireland and you'll often see Magners served over ice." This may indeed be the case, but I was not personally familiar with this particular cider prior to receiving this sample. The Magners folks are looking to change all that by bringing this "premium, traditional Irish cider" to America in a 19.2 oz pint bottle. Magners has been quite successful in Ireland, Great Britain, and... Read Full Story

The latest boundary-pushin' brew from Dogfish Head Craft Brewers is inspired by an ancient Honduran recipe for an alcoholic chocolate drink used in a celebrations - it's called Theobroma which means "food of the gods." Here is an excerpt from the email about this new, off-centered brew: "Our next 'Occasional Rariety' coming at you is our latest release, Theobroma. This beer, like our Midas Touch and Chateau Jiahu, is based on archeological remains. The Theobroma recipe is based on chemical... Read Full Story

This story is hilarious. According to a report on NPR, scientists have discovered a particular variety of shrew - a very small fuzzy mammal that sort of looks like a cross between a squirrel and a mouse - that apparently has a voracious thirst for beer. This little pint-sized bugger climbs around in the Malaysian rain forest and licks nectar from flower clusters all day ... or all night, more accurately given that these creatures are nocturnal. One particular flowering tree this little guy... Read Full Story

I really struggled with my decision about what beer to highlight for this month's installment of The Session. Interestingly enough, I've been on a Holiday beer sampling kick lately - sort of a Christmas in July thing, I suppose. I could have chosen one of these beers and technically been somewhat consistent with this month's theme which calls for "a limited release, anniversary beer." But are Holiday/Christmas beers really "anniversary" beers? Sometimes, I guess, but not usually. So, instead... Read Full Story

The following is a very special guest post from a local craft beer enthusiast, and Aleuminati member, Rob Gallegly. A fellow Southern Illinoisan, Rob shares my passion for great beer and is active in trying to improve the availablility of craft beer in our region. This post recaps a recent trip Rob took to New York on business. While there, he also engaged in the very serious business of beer. Specifically, he shares in vivid detail the experience he had at the Belgian-inspired Brewery... Read Full Story

I received a note in my inbox yesterday from the PR folks working for Widmer Brothers Brewing that caught my attention. I flagged the email and intended to rewrite the information in my own "voice" and share the link. After reading the email again this morning, I changed my mind. No, I didn't decide I wouldn't share the info, I decided the email speaks better for itself and I could do little to improve or augment the message. So, I took the easy way out on this one. Here is the email I... Read Full Story

The folks at Redhook Ale Brewery seem to be all geeked up about fantasy football. To prove it, they're going to help some lucky fantasy players/beer lovers celebrate the upcoming fantasy football draft day in true craft beer fashion with the Ultimate Fantasy Football Draft Day Party Sweepstakes! Here's an excerpt from the press release describing what the lucky winners will receive: A beer and sports lover’s dream, this $500 sweepstakes prize kit includes a Redhook Toolbox Fridge to keep... Read Full Story