GABF Medals: A Few States and Breweries Are Almost Sure Bets

During the last few weeks I have been plowing through the records of the Brewers Association covering the hundreds of medals that have been presented since 1987. With a huge assist from my son-in-law, Mike Wirth, we took the data and tried to visualize the history and growth of craft brewing through the eye of the professional judging panels. Looking at the pages of medal winners from the past does not give quite as clear a picture as the state map showing where the winners come from and the charts indicating the dominant beers and brewers.

This year's GABF sold out more than two weeks ago. Some 2,600 volunteers are helping serve 1,967 beers from 432 breweries on the floor of the Colorado Convention Center. Behind the scenes at the Marriott Hotel, 127 judges from 11 countries have been judging 2,961 beers from 477 breweries in 75 categories. Over the years these medals have become a yard stick for comparing one brewery to another.

In looking at the statistic from the previous judging competitions, clearly beer fans in California, Colorado, Wisconsin, Oregon and Pennsylvania enjoy some of the best beers in the land. The top medal winning brewers range from the very largest to some of the fastest growing craft brewers.

The top honored beer in the history of the history of the Great American Beer Festival is Alaskan Smoked Porter, with 15 medals. New Belgium Abbey Belgian Style Ale and Genesee Cream Ale have both captured 10 medals, while Samuel Adams Double Bock has received 9 medals.

Medals are not the end all and be all to finding a great beer, but the GABF competition has given beer fans a way of knowing about the quality of a beer before they spend their hard earned money. It has also given the marketing departments at brewers across the country something to talk about.

Win Beer Stein's Money

The Brewers Association continues to add entertainment elements to the Great American Beer Festival. One of the new features this year is something called "Win Beer Stein's Money," a trivia game show hosted by Tom Daldorf, publisher of Celebrator Beer News.

Think you know beer trivia? Win Beer Stein's Money pits festival attendees in a fast paced competition. Plenty of useless facts for sure, but knowing obscure beer facts just might win you a beer at your favorite pub.

Pints for Prostates at GABF

Thanks to the good folks at DRAFT magazine who donated a corner of their busy booth at the Great American Beer Festival, festival goers are getting the chance to learn more about prostate cancer, the importance of PSA testing and regular check ups.

Pam Barrett from Us TOO International came to Denver from Chicago to work the table. Beer fans stopped by Thursday night to ask questions, pick up literature and donate to the cause.

If you are attending the event over the next couple of days you can find us in section J among the Midwest breweries along one side of the massive hall.

Waiter, There's a Hop in My Glass

Before heading over to the Colorado Convention Center for the first GABF session we stopped at the Hyatt Hotel for a reception hosted by Michelob Brewing Co.

The good folks from St. Louis are busy creating a separate identity for their brands. This shrimp-filled reception on the 27th floor of the hotel overlook the Denver skyline is part of the process.

The brewers at Michelob have been busy. The Michelob Dunkel Weisse has been chronicled here before.

At this event I tried four of their beers. There was a rather average Marzen, a malty Porter and two experimental beers. The "Koelsch" was crisp and clean, but the surprise came in the form of a bottle with a white label with the words "Bride of Tomahop."

When this beer was poured something made a noticable "plop" in the glass. The aroma of fresh hops was clear and soon a full hop cone floated to the top of the brew. I doubt this beer will see a commercial release anytime soon, but I found it refreshing that Michelob would even bring it to Denver to share with beer writers.

Great Divide Brewing Throws Open the Doors for GABF Guests

Great Divide Brewing Company’s annual GABF kick off lunch was a jam-packed affair. Tons of brewers from across the country mixed with beer writers and other industry hangers on. It is one of the events that makes you realize that the actual festival portion of the long GABF weekend is only a small part of why the beer community descends on Denver each fall.

As usual, Great Divide had its full line-up of impressive beers on tap for sampling, along with a sandwich and sausage buffet that included some great cheeses. The Titan IPA has a crisp and pronounced hop flavor profile, which was only outdone by Great Divide’s Fresh Hop Ale, which features the aroma of fresh hops flown into Denver right after picking in Washington state.

Wandering around the brewery I found my way into the cold warehouse section where samples of two beers that had been aged in Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey barrels were being poured for lucky guests. It was at this exact moment that good friend Barron Boyd from Syracuse, N.Y., arrived on the scene. We got a healthy sample of the Old Ruffian Barley Wine that had been finished in the ex-whiskey barrels. It was a lively drink with clear notes of the whiskey from the oak breaking through the hop character.

Another unexpected treat on tables at the Great Divide were bags of wonderful malted milk balls from Briess’ Malting Co. Some “in the know” folks confessed that they were addicted to them. I think I may have joined the ranks of the people who jones for this candy.

San Francisco Beer Week Promoted at GABF

The Great American Beer Festival kicked off yesterday in Denver, Colo. Before the official ribbon cutting there was a flurry of activity around town as brewers tried to snare the attention of the assembled beer press corps.

Things kicked off pretty early, with an event at 11 a.m. hosted by promoters of San Francisco Beer Week at the Falling Rock Tap House. San Francisco Beer Week will take place Feb. 6-15, 2009. Calling itself “America’s Original Craft Beer-Drinking City,” San Francisco is working to grab its share of the beer tourism market. Other “Beer Weeks” – most notably in Philadelphia – are popping up around the country as brewers and local economic development officials recognize the spending power of beer drinkers.

San Francisco Beer Week will feature more than 100 different events, including the Bistro Double IPA Festival, the Toronado Barleywine Festival and a museum exhibition looking at the history of brewing in the city and northern California.

At the Denver promotional event I was able to taste three brews that showcase the diversity of brewing in the Bay Area:

21st Amendment Bitter American: This might just be the ultimate session beer. You would never know that it is just 2.9 percent alcohol by volume, with its herbal hop nose, fluffy head and long lasting flavor that ends with just the amount of dryness to encourage another sip.

Magnolia Brewing Rosebud: This 7 percent brew starts off with an English grain bill and Belgian yeast, but takes a left turn along the way with poppy pedals, rose buds, monks pepper and the juice of 100 pounds of syrah grapes in a seven barrel batch. This is one of those beers that reaches your palate from several different directions, making it hard to give an accurate description of the taste. The wine is clear in one sip and then the floral and spice characteristics come through in the next.

Drakes Imperial Stout Experimental Beer: This thick, black brew put an exclamation point on this mini San Francisco tasting. Aged for five years in a port barrel, with whole blueberries added along the way, this beer was loaded with flavor notes that had hints of sourness and wine. Obviously a high octane beer, no one was aware of the exact ABV, but we agreed it was likely north of 10 percent.

One Hit Wonders: The Quest for Great American Beer Festival Glory

In the Marriott Hotel a few blocks from where I'm staying in Denver around 100 hardy souls are starting day two of an important task: they are judges for the Great American Beer Festival competition.

While this might sound like a job you would like to have, it does come with a heavy workload, deadlines and a good amount of responsibility. The judges -- brewers, journalists and industry members -- meet in panels for the better part of three days, carving down hundreds of entries in dozens of categories to hand out gold, silver and bronze medals.

The GABF went to a professional judging system in 1987. Before that, a consumer preference poll determined the award winners. Since that time thousands of medals have been handed out to brewers. These are valued for their marketing power and the bragging rights that come with them. In the 21 competitions judged under this system, the panels have deliberated over the beers and occasionally decided not to award a certain medal in a category. This has happened just 25 times in the history of the GABF.

More common is the phoenominon of the "one hit wonder" -- a brewery that wins just a single GABF medal. The list is a long one and shows just how tough it is to win at the GABF. Some of the breweries have gone out of business, others may have stopped sending beers to Denver for judging. Others are still trying to capture a second gold, silver or bronze. Here's a snap shot by year of just some of the nearly 190 GABF "one hit wonders."

Year Brewery (State) Beer (Medal)

1987 Chesapeake Bay Brewing (Md.) Chesbay Double Bock (Gold)
1988 Ambier Brewing (Wisc.) Ambier (Gold)
1989 Catamont Brewing (Vt.) Catamont Gold (Gold)
1990 Black Mountain Brewing (N.M.) Crazy Ed's Arizona Pilsner (Bronze)
1991 Broad Ripple Brewing (Ind.) Extra Special Bitter (Gold)
1992 Dilworth Micro Brewery (N.C.) Albermale Ale (Bronze)
1993 Flying Aces Brewing (Fla.) Old West Amber (Gold)
1994 Martha's Exchange (N.H.) Untouchable Scotch Ale (Silver)
1995 Irish Times Pub & Brewery (Fla.) Fin MacCool Irish Red (Gold)
1996 Aspen Beer Co. (Colo.) Naked Aspen Honey Wheat (Silver)
1997 Bavarian Brewing Co. (Ohio) Bavarian Pilsener (Bronze)
1998 Big House Brewing (N.Y.) Ma Barker Ale (Gold)
1999 Bitter Creek Brewing (Wy.) A Beer Named Bob (Bronze)
2000 Delafield Brewhaus (Wisc.) Old No. 27 Barley Wine (Gold)
2001 Rohrbach Brewing (N.Y.) Barley Wine (Bronze)
2002 Smiling Moose Brewpub (Colo.) McAllister's Ale (Gold)
2003 Ortlieb's Brewery & Grille (Pa.) Ortlieb's Select 69 Lager (Silver)
2004 Unique Beers (Fla.) Orange Blossom Pilsner (Bronze)
2005 Olde Auburn Ale House (Ala.) Catch Her in the Rye (Bronze)
2006 Butte Creek Brewing (Cailf.) Organic Pilsner (Gold)
2007 Atlanta Brewing Co. (Ga.) Red Brick Blonde (Gold)

GABF Set to Tip Off in Denver

The Great American Beer Festival is set to go in Denver. Even before the first session kicks off on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. the town is buzzing with brewers, beer fans and talk of great beer.

I arrived in the Mile High City earlier today. I had to catch up on some blogging and other work before heading out for a beer and dinner. I decided to make my first stop the Falling Rock Tap House on Blake Street. The Falling Rock is one of those places where you can always find someone you know during the GABF. It is the unofficial headquarters for many people attending the festival. You can check out the crowds by visiting www.fallingrocktaphouse.com and checking out the web cam.

It was not long before I ran into Jake Norris, the distiller at nearby Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey. Before I could slip out I ran into Julie Johnson Bradford and Amy Dalton from All About Beer. It was not long before Daniel Bradford from All About Beer, beer writer Jay Brooks, publican Don Younger from the Horse Brass in Portland, Ore., Brooklyn Brewery's Garrett Oliver, author Maureen Ogle and San Francisco beer chef Bruce Paton arrived, along with dozens of others from the industry.

It felt like the Falling Rock was as good a place as any to spend the evening. I ended up having a pretty eclectic mix of brews.

Lost Abbey Witches Wit was light, yet flavorful. The beer had a slightly fruity upfront taste. It was a good start to a couple of great hours of beer.

My next selection was Big Sky Moose Drool Brown. I had not had this beer in several years and found it to be as good as I remembered it. The beer was malty and fresh with good depth.

Port Brewing's Old Viscosity Ale ("Not Your Dad's 30 Weight") was shared around the table. At 10 percent alcohol by volume this beer was coating and thick. It had a slight roasted quality and a pungent kick.

Just before departing the staff at Falling Rock announced some special brews had just arrived from Colorado's Avery Brewing, a long time favorite of mine. I decided to try the Avery Reverend Eagle Rare Ale, which was aged in barrels that once held Eagle Rare Bourbon. This was an interesting beer that had hints of grapefruit and apricot skin. It was a bright yellow color. I did not get the sense of Bourbon that you usually find with brews that spend time in whiskey barrels. In fact, my original reaction was the beer might have been aged in a chenin blanc or gewurztraminer barrel.

The real fun of GABF starts tomorrow with a number of special events and the opening session. Look for updates throughout the weekend.

Brew Crews Make Festivals Fun

Do you recall how tired you felt after throwing that last party for a few family members and friends? There was the shopping, the set up, preparing the food, getting the beer on ice, making sure there was music and when it was all done it was time to clean up.

Hopefully, along the way you were able to enjoy the fruits of all of your hard work.

Now imagine for a moment that your little event was actually held in two four hour sessions, in an outdoor stadium and attended by some 8,000 people, many of whom lined up outside for an hour or two before the start of the party.

Now you get the idea of how the folks at All About Beer feel heading into each edition of the World Beer Festival. I have to say they truly have things down pretty well, thanks to a dedicated staff and some hard working volunteers. I had to show up a little early this year to get the Pints for Prostates booth set up and I found Julie Johnson Bradford, Daniel Bradford, Gregg Glaser and Amy Dalton already hard at work.

One of the key elements of any successful beer festival is the head of the event staff and the leader of the brew crew. These are basically the folks that make this sort of event run. If people attending the event have a good time, they have these folks to thank.

In the case of the World Beer Festival, Ola Nilbrink is the Events & Operations Manager, while Keith Klemp runs the Brew Crew. Just watching all of the volunteers unload and deliver beer on the morning of the festival made me a little thirsty. Without this army of workers, there would be no way to hold a festival of this size.

World Beer Festival is No Bull for Brew Fans in Durham

The World Beer Festival in Durham took place on Saturday and was another huge success for an annual event that has become one of the "must do" festivals in the southeast.

I was one of the beer writers at the event making a presentation in the All About Beer tent, along with Gregg Glaser, Julie Johnson Bradford, Lew Bryson and Jay Brooks. "Malt Maven or Hop Head. Which are You?" was my topic. As part of the session we tasted Samuel Adams Octoberfest and Deschuttes Big Butte Porter on the malty side, New Holland Mad Hatter IPA and Avery Hog Heaven (104 IBUs!) on the hoppy side, and Maudite from Quebec to give session attendees a feel for the influence of yeast on a beer's flavor profile.

There were a number of very interesting beers at the festival this year. Jay Brooks, who traveled back from England just in time for the festival, brought along some Pliny the Elder from California for his tasting. This award winning beer has a unique flavor profile that has more than a hint of spruce or juniper in the finish. Southhampton Public House had a delicious Belgian Double White Ale at its station. Highland Brewing's Imperial Black Mocha Stout was a thunderstorm of flavor. Aspall Organic Cider was a crisp and bright change of pace from the beer.

One of the big news items coming out of the event is that a third location for the World Beer Festival will be added next year when Columbia, S.C., hosts the event on Jan. 24th. Be sure to get your tickets early, because this is one festival that always sells out in advance.

Pints for Prostates Reaches Men at Beer Festivals in North Carolina and Texas

This past Saturday thousands of beer fans in North Carolina and Texas attended two great festivals and also got the chance to learn more about prostate cancer.

Pints for Prostates received donated booth space from All About Beer magazine at the World Beer Festival in Durham, N.C., and from the Flying Saucer Draught Emporium at the Fall Beer Festival in Austin, Texas. Local Us TOO International volunteers staffed the tables and answered questions.

The events were a huge success. A number of men with family histories of the disease stopped at the booths to ask questions and pick up literature. Additionally, more than $3,000 was raised through raffles and donations to help Us TOO in its mission to support, educate and advocate for men with prostate cancer and their families.

Tuesday Tasting: Roll Out the Barrels of Oktoberfest Beer

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we sample some of the Oktoberfest beers currently on the market.

Oktoberfest or Marzen-style is closely related to the Vienna lager style. These brews have plenty of flavor and match well with the foods of Central Europe. If you enjoy malty beers or just need a break from the hop monsters that many brewers now produce, Oktoberfest beers come at just the right time of year.

While you can get a number of German classics at most good beer stores, I have increasingly found that domestic craft brewers are doing a superior job with the Marzen style. Here are six beers that I recently tasted and found to be quite pleasing.

Saranac Octoberfest Lager: Firm head with a slightly cloudy amber color. The brewer uses two row and Crystal malt, along with Saaz and Tettang hops. This has a nice round flavor, with a hint of roasted sweet malt in the finish.

Samuel Adams Octoberfest: Light amber color and a small, but constant head of foam. The brew features five types of malt, which are balanced by a good amount of hops. Smooth and drinkable.

Brooklyn Oktoberfest: Thick, rocky head. Dark amber color. Malty notes at the start, roasty touches and a nice hop note in the finish. A very well built beer and a classic example of the best of this style.

Mash House Restaurant & Brewery Oktoberfest: This North Carolina beer is a hazy orange color with clear malty notes and a hint of roasted grain.

New South Oktoberfest: A reddish brown lager with mellow flavor notes. Good malt and hop balance.

Flying Dog Dogtoberfest: Nice mahogany color with a malty nose. The beer is made with 100 percent imported German hops and malt. Nicely balanced, with a good solid malt base.

Saturday Beer Festivals in North Carolina and Texas to Support Pints for Prostates

On Saturday, if you are heading to the World Beer Festival in Durham, N.C., or the Fall Beer Festival in Austin, Texas, please take time to check out the Pints for Prostates booth at each event. You will have the chance to get information on prostate cancer and also make a donation to help support the efforts of Us TOO International.

The World Beer Festival will be held at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park at 409 Blackwell St. in Durham, N.C. The Oct. 4th event, which is sold out, runs during two sessions, from Noon to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. This event, created by All About Beer magazine, is one of the best beer events in the eastern United States.

Make sure you take time to visit the All About Beer tent for one of the seminars. I will be speaking at 1 p.m. on the topic "Hop Head or Malt Maven: Which Are You?" At 2 p.m. you will get the chance to meet the brewers as they talk about their beers being poured at the event. At 3 p.m., Lew Bryson will speak on "Session Beers: Drink More, Drink Better!" At 7 p.m., Gregg Glaser will talk about "Brews That Make News." At 8 p.m. Jay Brooks will address "IPAs from Burton to Brutal." Then at 9 p.m. Julie Johnson Bradford will speak on "Pairing Beer and Chocolate."

The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium is holding its annual Fall Beer Festivals in Austin on Oct. 4th from Noon to 10 p.m. at The Triangle, 815 W. 47th St. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Pints for Prostates campaign to support the efforts of Us TOO International. The event will include Belgian ales, German lagers, cask-conditioned beers and some of the best beers in Texas.

Rogue Ales Sponsors Pints for Prostates

Rogue Ales, one of America’s most respected craft brewers, has stepped forward as a sponsor of Pints for Prostates, a campaign developed to use the universal language of beer reach men with information about PSA testing and prostate health screening.

Pints for Prostates was created to raise the awareness of men about prostate cancer and the need for regular health check-ups. The campaign supports the efforts of Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, a not for profit group founded and governed by prostate cancer survivors that works to support, educate and advocate for men with prostate cancer.

“Rogue Ales embraces the idea of communicating with men over a pint of ale. The Pints for Prostates campaign appealed to us because it uses a friendly way to get an important health message to men,” said Brett Joyce, President of Rogue Ales. “We hope every man in Rogue Nation listens to the message and asks their doctor for a PSA test.”

“Having a brand like Rogue involved in the campaign will help us reach more men in their late 30s and early 40s, when statistics show they often skip regular physicals and avoid doctor’s offices,” said Rick Lyke of Charlotte, NC., a 47-year-old cancer survivor who founded Pints for Prostates earlier this year after successful prostate surgery. “The beer community is coming together to support Pints for Prostates and we’re going to be able to reach millions of men with a life saving message.”

All funds raised through the Pints for Prostates campaign go directly to Us TOO International, a 501(c)3 group recognized by Charity Navigator for its effectiveness and efficiency as a charity organization. Founded in 1990, Us TOO is based in a suburb of Chicago and has 325 local chapters. One in six men is at risk of developing prostate cancer during their life time. Approximately 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year.

“Early detection is the key to fighting prostate cancer and we believe Pints for Prostates can help us reach men who might otherwise miss this critical message,” said Thomas Kirk, President and CEO of Us TOO International. “The idea of reaching men about health issues through beer sounded a little strange at first, but it fits perfectly with our mission to educate and empower men and their family members so they can take an active role in their health care.”

Pints for Prostates, in conjunction with some of Us TOO’s 325 local chapters, is planning a number of events during September, which is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and October. You can get more information about the campaign at www.ustoo.org/pints.

Celebrating its second century, Rogue Ales is an Artisan Varietal Brewery founded in Oregon in 1988, as one of America’s first 50 microbreweries. Rogue has 550+ awards for taste and quality and is available nationally and in 20 countries.

Tuesday Tasting: Recent Arrivals from the Spirits World

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we taste six different unique spirits.

My magazine writing means that I get a steady stream of samples connected to the features and columns I'm working on. My editors want tasting notes, so I taste. I don't complain. I'm also lucky to receive the occasional odd sample of beer, wine and spirits that is not directly related to anything that I happen to be writing for deadline. I try whenever possible to share some background on these through the Tuesday Tastings section of my blog. It is research for down the road and some of these products end up in future stories.

Consider this Tuesday Tasting to be a bit of a catch up round. The following spirits have arrived in recent months and deserve a little attention.

Sobieski Vodka: This 80 proof vodka from Poland is named for King Jan Sobieski (1629-1696) and made using Dankowski rye. It has a slightly sweet nose and a crisp, clean flavor.

1800 Select Silver Tequila: From Jose Cuervo, this Tequila is 100 proof and 100 percent agave. The double distillation creates a Tequila with a rich agave notes of grass and earth. Long lasting flavor with pepper finish that might make you think you are tasting a reposado.

Ty Ku Liqueur: This 40 proof liqueur is made with sake. Light hazy green color and interesting aroma. A number of ingredients go into the liqueur, including ginseng and damiana. Overall this has citrus and sweet candy flavor notes. The bottle comes with a LED light in the base that you can activate so it gives off a glow on the back bar.

Mata Hari Absinthe Bohemian: At 120 proof this light green colored drink comes screaming out of the bottle. Rich herbal nose. The drink contains grand wormwood and salvia among its ingredients. Burning note at the start due to the alcohol, solid long herbal aftertaste and slight bitterness.

Hiram Walker Pumpkin Liqueur: This 60 proof liqueur is orange with a mellow, slightly sweet nose. Hints of pie filling and toffee in the flavor base.

Cruzan Coconut Rum: This clear 55 proof spirit has a direct coconut nose and flavor. It starts off sweet and stays that way. Would be perfect for mixing tropical drinks.

While some of these products might be good straight, chances are you'll want to enjoy them in cocktails. In doing these tastings, I made a couple of drinks for my wife, Sandy, and brother-in-law, Dan Pikarsky. There is quite a difference in the tastes, but both were refreshingly different.

Pumpkin Martini

1.5 ounces Vodka
0.75 ounce Pumpkin Liqueur
2 ounces Orange Juice

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Vigorously shake for 30 seconds. Pour into a martini glass rimmed with brown sugar.

Le Demon Vert

1.5 ounces Gin
0.5 ounce Absinthe
0.5 ounce Velvet Falernum
0.5 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

Add all ingredients to an ice filled cocktail shaker. Shake for 15 seconds and strain into a Martini glass. Garnish with a licorice stick.

Chicago Acts to Block Wrigleyville Alcohol Sales in Case of Championship Run

It has been 100 years since the Chicago Cubs have won the World Series. They have flirted with it in the past, only to break the hearts of the Cubbies faithful. Could this be the year? Some Chicago city officials appear to think so.

The area around Wrigley Field is filled with bars and restaurants. No one goes thirsty in Wrigleyville. A game day when the Cubs are in town resembles a beach resort on Labor Day weekend. You really start to wonder if anyone has a job in Chicago. But it is mostly good fun. Fans who cannot buy a ticket or don't want to bother with the live baseball part of the Chicago Cubs experience go to one of the dozens of nearby bars. They can drink in the experience and watch the game on big screen televisions.

Yesterday the City of Chicago negotiated a deal that is a little amazing given that the actual enforcement of the "Cubs Celebration Regulation" might be a little difficult. I remember reading in the history books that Prohibition did not quite work out in the Windy City.

Meeting at John Barleycorn's Restaurant on Clark (yup, they negotiated the deal in a bar) city officials and bar owners agreed to cut off alcohol sales after the seventh inning of any playoff or World series game in which the Cubs have a chance of clinching the series. The prohibition on alcohol sales will last for one hour. If the game goes to extra innings, the bars can start selling beer, wine and spirits again.

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley had wanted the seventh inning ban to apply to all Cubs playoff games at Wrigley, fearing fans could spill into the streets and turn violent. The compromise on series clinching games includes bars on Sheffield from Newport to Irving; on Clark from Irving Park to Newport; and on Addison from Wilton to Racine.

Napa Valley College Graduates Vintage

Napa Valley College has harvested grapes from its vineyard since 1987. Now students in the school's Viticulture and Winery Technology program have the federal and state licenses required to bottle and sell wine.

Napa Valley College 2008 Chardonnay will be the first wine from the school when it hits shelves sometime in early 2010. Up to this point the school has sold the grapes from its vineyards to commercial wineries in the region.

The school is developing a marketing plan for the winery and students in the art program are working on potential label designs. Profits from the sale will go back into the winery program.

In addition to chardonnay, the winery plans to produce sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, Syrah and cabernet sauvignon.

DRAFT Dinner Series Offers GABF Attendees a Saturday Night Option

Veterans of previous Great American Beer Festivals will tell you that if they were going to skip one of the four sessions it would be the Saturday night finale.

Why? By that point festival fatigue has set in and most people have tired palates and tired legs. The idea of nearly 2,000 great beers in one place has started to lose its allure, especially when you consider that supplies of many of the great ones have been drained. Then there is the Saturday night crowd, which from my experience has been pre-gaming for a good part of the day and tends to be younger, less beer savvy and more in the mood to find a good looking member of the opposite sex than an interesting porter. DRAFT magazine has solved the problem.

In the mood of full disclosure, DRAFT magazine is one of the magazines that I write for and they are also providing space this year in their GABF booth for a Pints for Prostates table. That said, the DRAFT Beer Dinner Series in Denver during the GABF is a great idea.

The DRAFT GABF Dinners range in price from $50-$80. All happen on Oct. 11, four of them in Denver and one in nearby Boulder. Each features the cuisine of a good restaurant and the beers from an iconic American brewer. The multi-course meals each pair food and beer. With tickets to the GABF now officially sold out, this is an excellent alternative to paying scalpers for the Saturday night session.

Here is an overview of the DRAFT GABF Dinners. You can get complete menus and order tickets at DRAFT's website:

DRAFT and Flying Dog Brewery
at Braun's Bar and Grill
$50 Per Person

DRAFT and Left Hand Brewing Company/Terrapin Beer Company Dinner
at The Kitchen in Boulder
$80 Per Person

DRAFT and New Belgium Dinner
at 1515 Restaurant
$65 Per Person

DRAFT and Samuel Adams Dinner
at Rioja
$80 Per Person

DRAFT and Sierra Nevada Dinner
at Via
$75 Per Person

What Does Kid Rock Taste Like? We'll All Know Soon Thanks to New Beer from Drinks America

This has to violate the Reinheitsgebot. Kid Rock Beer will be launched shortly by Drinks America Holdings, the folks behind Trump Super Premium Vodka and Willie Nelson's Old Whiskey River Bourbon.

Drinks America says it signed an agreement with Kid Rock to develop and market a premium domestic beer. The company, which is talking to brewers about contracting to make the beer -- what, no giant Kid Rock Brewery? -- says the beer will be for "beer drinkers who appreciate value with an easy to drink, traditional, good tasting American manufactured beer." I don't have a copy of the press release handy that announced the launch of Billy Beer, but I bet it said something similar.

Kid Rock, who was born Robert James Ritchie, has sold 25 million albums and was once engaged to Pamela Anderson. Kid Rock also apparently has a temper. He has been arrested several times on assault charges, including an incident last year at a Waffle House in Atlanta. For that offense, Kid Rock was ordered to do 80 hours of community service and take an anger management course.

Drinks America says it is working with "Kid Rock to make sure that every aspect of the beer and the marketing support is as exciting as everything else Kid Rock does."

I can hardly wait.

Indiana Might Open Sunday Alcohol Sales

A group calling itself Hoosiers for Beverage Choices says it has gathered more than 13,000 signatures on a petition calling for Sunday alcohol sales in Indiana.

The group wants Sunday alcohol sales at grocery, convenience and drug stores. They also want to allow those stores to sell cold beer. Currently only liquor stores are able to sell cold beer in Indiana.

The Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers is against Sunday sales. The group represents liquor stores and sees this as an extra burden on small businesses. The Sunday sales would bring additional competition and spread existing sales across an extra day. The grocery store and service station lobby supports Sunday sales.

Tuesday Tasting: Three 18 Year Old Blends

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we taste a trio of 18-year-old blends.

Blended Scotch is often viewed as an entry point for the category, but when you are talking about 18-year-olds you get a ton more flavor and depth. These blends were tasted as part of a feature in the current issue of DRAFT magazine.

Buchanan’s 18 Year Old Special Reserve: This 80 proof blend is a nice amber color. The aroma offers up a hint of smoke and some citrus. The flavor includes green grass, oak and orange.

Chivas Regal Rare Old 18 Year Old Blend: This 80 proof whisky is a mellow gold color. It has a nutty, almond nose. There are hints of citrus and a nice level of wood in the flavor of this whisky.

The Famous Grouse 18 Year Old: This 86 proof blended malt is an attractive copper color. There is a slight floral and cocoa note to the nose. The flavor is rich and smooth, with nice oak to the finish.

GABF Poised for Early Sell Out

In what is becoming a habit for beer festivals across the country, the Great American Beer Festival is nearly sold out.

If you plan to attend the 27th edition of the GABF and you have not purchased tickets yet, you had better get moving. Two sessions on Saturday and the Friday night session are already sold out. The only session with tickets still available is Thursday and 77 percent of the tickets for that four hour tasting event are already gone.

The GABF takes place in Denver from Oct. 9-11. Lyke2Drink will be reporting from the event and bringing you all of action from the GABF. We'll also have several posts heading into the event on the history of the festyival.

Time to Gas Up: Waukesha, Wisc., Service Stations Can Now Sell Beer

Waukesha, Wisc., city officials recently voted 9-6 to lift a 32-year-old ban on the sale of beer at gas stations.

In ending the Prohibition on beer sales at service station convenience stores, aldermen in favor of the move said it was needed to help gas station operators compete with nearby towns where beer sales are permitted.

Gas station operators must obtain a city permit for they can begin offering beer. Mothers Against Drunk Driving opposed the measure saying it would make alcohol more readily available to underage consumers.

Pernod Ricard Scotch Brands Sales Booming

Pernod Ricard, a global big fish when it comes to spirits and wine, says several of its whisky brands are experiencing record growth.

Sales of Chivas Regal blended whisky were up 10 percent in volume to 4.5 million cases, while Ballantine's Scotch was up 9 percent.

The Glenlivet, a single malt brand, had a record year, up 10 percent to more than 600,000 cases.

Pernod Ricard is among several Scotch makers to be expanding production capacity to keep pace with global demand. It is yet to be seen the impact of the economic slow down on the continued growth of these premium brands.

Red Wine Cuts Flu Risk

When you line up this year for your flu shot, you may also want to pick up a few bottles of red wine.

Researchers at the University of South Carolina say a chemical found in red wine, apples and onions cuts the risk of influenza. This is especially true for athletes and others after rigorous workouts.

Quercetin, an anti-inflammatory compound found in the skins of fruit and vegetables, is the key ingredient. The study, published in the American Journal of Physiology—Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, found the compound offsets the susceptibility to flu created by workouts. The exact anti-viral properties of quercetin are not known, but researchers believe the compound may block the virus from replicating.

Previous studies have indicated quercetin reduces lung inflammation and may inhibit the growth of prostate cancer.

Tuesday Tasting: A Six Pack of Pumpkin Ales

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we sample a mixed six pack of pumpkin ales.

Once we get through Labor Day, the velocity of special seasonal brews -- like the holiday celebrations -- really starts to pick up to the point where you can pretty much stop drinking "standard" available year round brands. It begins with the appearance of the traditional Oktoberfest and Marzen brews and runs through the Christmas beer flurry to tasty Winter Warmers and ends with the release of Maibocks.

While Oktoberfest brews are the traditional Fall beer, Pumpkin Ales have shared the Fall beer stage since 1986 when Buffalo Bill's Brewery in California made the first one commercially.

Today, pumpkin ales are fairly common, but offer an uncommon flavor profile. Pumpkin on its own is a fairly bland squash-like flavor, so most of the tastes we remember from the Thanksgiving table at Grandma's house came from her spice cabinet. Nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, vanilla and perhaps a few secret ingredients have become part of pumpkin pie lore in most families. That's also the case with pumpkin ales. And just like home chefs, brewers have a wide range of interpretations on just how these spices should be dialed in when they create a recipe.

These are six pumpkin beers that I had the chance to sample recently with my Brother-in-Law, Darrin Pikarsky. They ranged from spice forward to fairly laid back. Kind of like the pies I've experienced across the years.

Cottonwood Pumpkin A Holiday Spiced Ale: This brew was a rich amber color and had the full body of the meat of a pumpkin pie. Good amounts of nutmeg and other spices, with a hint of brown sugar or maple syrup in the finish. This is one to look for this Fall.

Post Road Pumpkin Ale: From Brooklyn Brewery and brewed in Utica, N.Y., this is a well balanced pumpkin beer. Golden amber color. Nutmeg is upfront, with a touch of cinnamon.

Saranac Pumpkin Ale: From F.X. Matt Brewing, this was unique among the pumpkin ales tasted during this session. Perhaps more like a pumpkin mousse or a topping, than a Thanksgiving pie. Red amber in color, this brew leads with vanilla and has a slight hint of nutmeg.

Wolaver's Organic Will Stevens' Pumpkin Ale: This ale is a cloudy, orange gold color. The flavor intensity is in the mid range for the pumpkin ales tasted during this session. Nutmeg and cloves mix throughout.

Blue Moon Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale: A nice amber color, this brew is on the mild side when it comes to the spices. It has an interesting burnt caramel flavor in the finish.

Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale: Under the Michelob banner, this brew is slightly fizzy. The label says the brewer used cinnamon, ginger and clove. The cinnamon delivers the base subdued flavor note.

Flying Saucer Holds Successful Pints for Prostates Event

The first special event in the Pints for Prostates awareness campaign was held on Tuesday evening at The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium in Charlotte, N.C.

There was a good crowd on hand, including members of the Charlotte Beer Club. Donations by Carolina Beer of a kegerator, Widmer Brothers Brewing of a golf bag, pub signs from Dogfish Head Brewery and Highland Brewing, along with several gift baskets of beer items and gift certificates from Toppers Pizza and The Flying Saucer for a raffle, plus donations from patrons, helped raise more than $1,600 to back the efforts of Us TOO International as it works to support, educate and advocate for men with prostate cancer and their families.

A special thanks goes out to Daniel Parks, Jason Causey and the entire staff at The Flying Saucer for helping to organize the event and sell raffle tickets. They really went out of their way to make it a big night for Pints for Prostates.

Garrett Harkey was the grand prize winner, taking home the Danby kegerator donated by Carolina Beer. True to form upon having his winning ticket verified, Harkey said "I've never won anything in my life."

McCain vs. Obama: Cast or Drink Your Vote

For the next seven plus weeks we are going to be treated to a series of negative campaign commercials that will make watching television painful. It should not be that way because for the first time in a number of presidential campaigns the country has been presented with two pretty decent choices by the major political parties.

On one side the Republicans finally got around to nominating a guy that might have been a better choice eight years ago. A legitimate American hero with the kind of experience and free thinking nature not often on display in Washington, John McCain has earned at the very least the respect of America. The Democrats have cracked open both racial and generational barriers that bring new ideas to the table. Barack Obama has managed to elevate the discussion of race in America to a place it has not been before and he offers a different perspective on national and international issues.

In short, I sit firmly in the undecided camp. It has been a long time since I could say that I would be happy with either choice. There have been elections when I was not happy with the Republican or the Democratic nominee. This is an interesting place to be. But the negative campaigning has to stop or we run the risk of lowering the expectations for this election. That would be too bad given the quality of the candidates. Debate the issues, gentlemen, or you will turn off more of us than you turn out at the polls.

It just might be that instead of letting the negative television spots decide the race, we should rely on beer. I'm not suggesting you get hammered on Nov. 4th before heading to the polls. Instead make your decision with the help of one of these beer promotions:

The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium chain's 13 locations are currently selling Obama and McCain glasses for $5 each. A giant banner in each Flying Saucer keeps track of the vote. The front of the glass has a caricature of the candidate of your choice (sorry, I did not see any Ron Paul glasses) and the back carries a message about getting out to vote. So far in the "Glass Poll," Obama has the lead.

At California's Half Moon Bay Brewing Co. they are selling 4-packs of 22 ounce bottles of McCain Ale and Obama Ale for $15. The "Alection" race so far is not close, with Obama leading by a wide margin.

If the polls of likely voters continues to be tight, the decision might come down to "who would you rather have a beer with?" The reality is that there are worse methods for deciding the next leader of the free world. It might be my deciding factor in this race.

Up from the Ashes: Matt Brewing Makes Donation

It would be easy to forgive the F.X. Matt Brewery in Utica, N.Y., if they decided to curtail charitable giving this year after being hit by a major fire back on May 29th. Instead, the brewery has made its largest donation ever to the United Way Foundation.

Earlier this week brewery officials turned over a check for more than $60,000 during the local United Way campaign kickoff. The money includes donations received from consumers during summer events and employee contributions.

The United Way gift by F.X. Matt Brewing is just one example of the generosity of drinks companies in supporting causes on a local and national level. The fact is that these companies are asked for donations more often than most businesses and usually find a way to help more than their fair share of causes. Through donations big and small, beer, wine and spirit makers help organizations that take on some of the tough issues and lend a helping hand to people in need.

We owe these good corporate citizens a thank you from time to time.

Theakston: Beer Can Make You Look Better

Britain's T&R Theakston Brewery has decided that people who drink beer also need to have good looking skin.

The North Yorkshire brewer is making a soap with a hop and olive oil base that will be launched with a campaign to select the grubbiest television soap stars in the United Kingdom. Theakston's soap is being manufactured by Soap of the Earth and uses a mix of hops, olive oil, coconut oil and jojoba, scented with sweet orange and clary sage.

This is just the first in a series of beer beauty products set to roll out from the brewery. Old Peculier Ale Shampoo should be available before the end of the year and work is progressing on an aftershave balm and a moisturizer.

Heaven Hill Readies Tabasco Spicy Tequila Launch

Heaven Hill Distilleries has signed a licensing agreement with McIlhenny Co., the folks behind the Tabasco Pepper Sauce brand, to roll out Tabasco Spicy Tequila.

Priced at $21.99 for a 750 milliliter bottle, Tabasco Tequila will hit this month in Dallas, Houston, Georgia, Indiana and North Carolina. Heaven Hill is using a “Heat Up the Night” tagline to promote the brand.

Kentucky-based Heaven Hill Distilleries was founded in 1934 and is a family-owned independent distiller with brands such as Evan Williams Bourbon, HPNOTIQ Liqueur and Água Luca Brazilian Rum Cachaça.

Lager Library: Passion on the Vine

Passion on the Vine by Sergio Esposito bills itself as a memoir of food, wine and family in the heart of Italy. It is a love affair with the grapes and culinary arts of Italy that just might induce you to buy a ticket on the next Alitalia flight to Rome.

Esposito takes us from his roots in Naples to his arrival in Albany, N.Y., ("a city held hostage by its weather") at the age of six, to his time working in New York City restaurants to the establishment of his wine shop, Italian Wine Merchants in New York with Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich. The rest of the book paints in glowing detail buying trips back to Italy, including the meals, winemakers and landscape.

In a book filled with family stories and assorted characters, two of the best involve Esposito's trip back to Italy at 16 with his father and brother and a later visit with his family and his elderly parents.

During his visit as a teenager, Esposito convinces his father to allow him to set out for Pisa on his own and how a waiter on his first evening tells him "orange soda won't do here" and switches his order to a half glass of Sangiovese, followed by a Merlot. He ends up meeting with a group of Italian teens and visiting wineries and small villages before finally rejoining his father and brother in Naples days later.

Later in the book, Esposito decides to take his wife, two kids and his parents, who have retired to Tucson, Ariz., on a two month buying trip around Italy. That 2004 visit includes time along Lago di Garda and a visit to Vinitaly outside of Verona that are some of the best writing in Passion on the Vine.

Two Pints for Prostates Events Taking Place in Charlotte, N.C.

Pints for Prostates will be holding two events in Charlotte, N.C., during the next two weeks. All of the money raised by these events goes directly to Us TOO International, a 501(c)3 charity that works to support, educate and advocate for men with prostate cancer and their families.

If you live around the Charlotte area or find yourself traveling through on business or a vacation, please check out one of these events.

Sept. 9: The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium (University Area at 9605 N. Tryon St.) will host a fundraiser for Pints for Prostates on Sept. 9th from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. They are holding a raffle for a bunch of great prizes, including a kegerator donated by Carolina Beer, a hammock from Labatt’s Blue, a golf bag from Widmer Bros. Brewery and a pub signs from Dogfish Head Brewery and Highland Brewery. Raffle tickets are available at Flying Saucer for $5 each or 5 for $20.

Sept. 18: Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery (Uptown at 401 N. Tryon St.) will hold its Oktoberfest beer tapping party and help raise funds for Pints for Prostates on Sept. 18th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. If you cannot make it to Munich this year, here’s your chance to catch some of the flavor. For a $5 donation you will receive a raffle ticket for prizes that include two $50 gift cards to dine at Rock Bottom.

Both of the events are being supported by members of the Charlotte Beer Club, so here is your chance to meet some fellow beer fans. There are other Pints for Prostates events in the works for elsewhere in North carolina, plus Colorado, Pennsylvania and British Columbia. More on those later.

Drinks & Taxes 2008 v12: Manchester, Vt., Hopes Alcohol Taxes Closes Budget Gap

Officials in Manchester, Vt., are counting revenue from the first quarter of a new tax on meals and alcohol sales in the community. Local residents vote 61-53 at a special meeting in December to add a 1 percent tax to these items to raise $200,000 to help to close a budget gap that was expected to be $370,000.

It now appears that both the tax collections and budget gap will be less than expected.

During the first quarter of the new fiscal year the tax generated $35,500. Some restaurants had not been notified to start collecting the tax and business during the April to June period is traditionally slow. The most recent estimates of the budget gap is that it will be around $183,000.

Tuesday Tasting: 18 Year Old Single Malts

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we sample some 18 year old single malts from Scotland.

The new issue of DRAFT magazine is out and it has an article that I wrote about the joys of 18 year old Scotch. As the demand for Scotch increases around the globe the prices for aged malts climb -- and it will get harder to find some of the older expressions. Maturing whisky properly consumes a great deal of time and resources for Scotch makers.

For Scotch, 18 years represents not only longevity, but also a proper passage of time for the barrels to have married with the liquid and the angels to have taken an appropriate share of the precious whisky. There are older whiskies available that offer amazing sensory experiences, but 18-year-old Scotch makes a statement that few drinks can match.

Here are the single malts tasted for the story.

Auchentoshan 18 Year Old: This Lowlands 86 proof whisky is a bright golden color. It has a malty nose, with a coating texture that is mellow and smooth. As the drink opens it has hints of grassy bitterness, citrus, vanilla and oak.

Bowmore 18 Year Old Single Malt: This 86 proof Islay whisky is copper color and has a nice level of smoky sweetness in the aroma. The taste begins with a good amount of peat and spice, offering up dark cocoa and a hint of tobacco. The taste of the sea in the finish reminds you of where the whisky is made.

Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old: This 86 proof single malt from Islay is golden color with an aroma that offers up sweet floral and grassy notes. It has a warm, rich, coating flavor. The peat is present, yet subdued with a nice balancing toffee sweetness around the edges.

Caol Ila 18 Year Old: This 86 proof Islay single malt is a golden hue and it offers up a nice hit of peat aroma. There are firm smoke and sea notes throughout the whisky, with a good balancing citrus fruit tartness.

Glenfiddich Ancient Reserve 18 Year Old Single Malt: This Speyside whisky is 86 proof. It is an impressive tarnished brass color, with an enticing herbal nose. The flavor opens with mellow wood and a touch of toffee in the finish.

The Glenlivet 18 Year Old Single Malt: This Speyside whisky has a tarnished brass appearance and weighs in at 86 proof. The mellow nose has a hit of vanilla at the front. There is a nice measure of smoke in the taste profile that continues with pecans, heather, honey and a solid oak finish.

Highland Park 18 Year Old Single Malt: This whisky is distilled on the Orkney Islands, making it the most northern of all Scotches on the market. Copper color with an inviting mellow aroma that shows a hint of honey, it is 86 proof. There is a good level of smoke and iodine levels in the base flavor of this well built malt. It is smooth, but has a slight ginger finish.

The Macallan 18 Year Old Single Malt: Distilled in 1988 and matured in sherry casks, this whisky is a nice amber color. There is a sweet nose overall in this 86 proof package. The flavor bed is rich with the oak cooperage and has a slight peat note.

Talisker 18 Year Old Single Malt: This 91.6 proof whisky comes from the Isle of Skye. Beautiful amber color. Slightly sweet nose with a hint of peat smoke. This full bodied whisky has hints of toffee and vanilla that are finished off with smoke and a solid spicy note.

Pints for Prostates: September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. As some of you know, I was diagnosed with the disease earlier this year and had surgery in April in Chicago. Luckily, my cancer was caught early. I've had two follow up PSA tests since the surgery and both have come back at 0.0. This is the best news that my family and I could have received. My recovery has progressed rapidly and I'm back doing the things I enjoyed before the surgery.

I was lucky. I did not have any symptoms and my primary care physician told me I did not need a PSA test until I turned 50. At the urging of a good friend who was previously diagnosed with the disease, I insisted on having the PSA blood test. The test caught the cancer early and saved my life.

Since my surgery, I've talked to all of my friends about getting tested and started a campaign called Pints for Prostates to use the universal language of beer to reach men about the importance of prostate health screenings. The program (www.ustoo.org/pints) has resulted in ads running in about a dozen publications, articles in a number more and a good level of buzz on websites and blogs. The goal is to raise awareness about prostate cancer, which when detected in the early stages can be treated and cured.

As part of the effort there will be several events at retail locations and Pints for Prostates will be present at both the World Beer Festival in Durham, N.C., on Oct. 4th and the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colo., from Oct. 9-11. All funds raised through the campaign go directly to Us TOO International, a 501(c)3 group that works to support, educate and advocate for men with prostate cancer and their families. If you cannot make it to one of the events and want to help Us TOO, you can send the group a check or use the handy ChipIn donation tool above.

As we head into National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month what can you do?

1. If you are a male and 40-years-old or older, schedule a visit to your doctor and get the simple PSA blood test.

2. Tell the men in your life over 40 years old to get tested. There are more new cases of prostate cancer detected in the U.S. each year than breast cancer cases in women. The problem is that people don't talk about prostate cancer and the silence is costing men their lives. The good news is that because of early detection and advances in treatment, the death rate from prostate cancer is dropping.

3. Visit www.ustoo.org for more information. There is a ton of useful information on the Us TOO website. It is a great group and worthy of support.

4. If you have a website or blog, consider running the Pints for Prostates banner ad or badge during the month of September. You can get the code in the "Support the Cause" section at www.ustoo.org/pints. The more men reached with the message about PSA testing and regular prostate health screening, the more lives that will be saved.

Thanks for all of your kind words and support. Hopefully, we'll meet up at one of the Pints for Prostates events and we can have a beer together!