avatar

Welcome »

Categories »

Recent Comments »

Recent Posts »

Today is Wednesday
February 22, 2012

Search Results Category: Domestic

January 29, 2012

Bud Light Platinum: Precious Metal or Imminent Scrap?

by bryancarey — Categories: Breweries, Domestic — Tags: , , — No Comments

Anheuser- Busch InBev is the largest brewer in the world and its products can be found among the top- selling beers in the United States and the world. However, the last several years have not been kind to Anheuser- Busch InBev and the business has witnessed flat or declining sales and market share among many key brands.

 

The fortunate fact for Anheuser- Busch InBev is that it is a very large business with ample supplies of capital, making it easy to develop and market brand new products. And in a short time, beer drinkers will get to sample the latest new entry in the Anheuser- Busch InBev family: Bud Light Platinum, a higher alcohol version of the popular Bud Light brand.

 

Looking at the numbers, Bud Light Platinum has just over 40% more alcohol by volume and about 25% more calories. Bud light has 4.2% alcohol by volume and 110 calories per 12 oz. serving while the new Bud Light Platinum has 6% alcohol by volume and 137 calories per 12 oz. serving,. These increases are fairly significant and the alcohol level of this product is actually higher than that of regular Budwesier.

 

So why, exactly, would Anheuser- Busch InBev create such a product? According to the company, Bud Light Platinum was created to appeal to a market that likes Bud Light, but wants something a little more flavorful and slightly sweeter. And since Bud Light is already a top seller, it makes sense that Anheuser- Busch InBev would try to capitalize on the Bud Light name. he company also plans to go for a specific brand image with this product, bottling it in a blue bottle- something never before tried by any large commercial brewery.

 

I don’t have any problem with Anheuser- Busch InBev trying to expand and improve sales because this is, after all, an important activity of any business. But what bothers me is that this product is really pushing the limits of “lightness”. A beer with 6% alcohol by volume hardly qualifies as a light beer and even though the calories are lower than most brands, they are still pushing the limits for something that is supposedly “light”, which, in he world of malt beverages, is supposed to signify a beer that is easier on the waistline.

 

I like the use of the word Platinum in the name because it does have a certain appeal and it sounds much better than other words often used to denote a beer with stronger, more alcoholic attributes. But is the name “Bud Light Platinum” really going to be sufficient to help this product sell? I’m not so sure, even though I agree that the sweeter flavor profile will win over converts who are a little uneasy with the somewhat bitter profile associated with Budweiser and Bud Light products.

 

I guess when your market share is dwindling and your sales are in decline, you have to do what you have to do, but once again, I must question Anheuser- Busch InBev’s wisdom in introducing a product like Bud Light Platinum. Simply fortifying the alcohol of your best selling product will not necessarily result in a better tasting brew and it could even backfire with some beer drinkers who enjoy Bud Light solely for the calories and carbs it saves.

Share

January 24, 2012

St. Arnold Brewery Continues its Rapid Growth

by bryancarey — Categories: Award Winning, Breweries, Domestic, Microbrews — Tags: , , , , — No Comments

The Texas craft beer scene continues to improve and leading the pack is St. Arnold Brewery. Headquartered in Houston, St. Arnold is the oldest craft brewery in the state and the market leader in total output. Today, St. Arnold announced its production figures for the 2011 year and, once again, it reported an all- time record with 40,416 barrels of beer shipped.  

 

 

St. Arnold has been growing at a fast clip for many years as more individuals discover its many distinctive products. A quick look back at previous year’s shipments reveals the consistent, rapid growth of the business:

 

Year                          Barrels Shipped

2007                                17,811

2008                                22,749

2009                                25,710

2010                                31,445

2011                                40,416

 

As the above numbers indicate, St. Arnold added 8,971 barrels in 2011, representing a growth rate of about 28.5% from 2010 to 2011. In both percentage terms and in the number of barrels shipped, 2011 ranks among the best years in the companies history and if this percentage growth rate continues, St. Arnold will more than double its present size in just three more years.

 

Looking at shipments of individual brands, St. Arnold Fancy Lawnmower, a Great American Beer Festival winner, remains the company’s top seller, with a 42% increase in shipments from 2010. St. Arnold Amber Ale and St. Arnold Elissa IPA rank second and third respectively in 2011 and both enjoyed significant increases in total shipments. What is even more impressive is that ALL St. Arnold products, including seasonal and special edition releases, witnessed shipment increases in 2011. Even the best managed breweries in the nation usually have at least one laggard in the product lineup, so for St. Arnold to see all of its shipments increase for all brands is a remarkable achievement. 

 

The large breweries are struggling to maintain market share and many of the big brand beers like Budweiser and Michelob are in decline, but the future looks bright at Saint Arnold Brewing Company. The business is well- positioned to further increase its production and experience yet another record breaking year in 2012.

Share

January 10, 2012

Great Lakes Christmas Ale makes me yearn for Christmas in July

by bryancarey — Categories: Award Winning, Breweries, Domestic, Microbrews — Tags: , , , — No Comments

Holidays are a time for celebration and cheer and most would agree that the holiday spirit is strongest during Christmas. This is also one of the best times of the year to enjoy special seasonal beer and one of the better holiday brews is Great Lakes Christmas Ale, a seasonal brew from Cleveland Ohio’s Great Lakes Brewing Company.

 

 

 Beer Bio:

Style: Holiday Ale

Calories: 199 per 12 oz. serving

Carbs: 20 grams per 12 oz. serving

Alcohol by Volume: 7.5 percent by volume

 

Great Lakes Christmas Ale sports a copper/golden color with a nose of holiday spices. This beer offers an active level of carbonation that, when contrasted against the copper body looks like snowflakes falling from the sky. Ok, carbonation goes up, not down, but you get the idea. Based on appearance alone, it looks quite nice and is certainly enticing.

 

The taste of Great Lakes Christmas Ale continues in the spirit of Christmas. Flavors of cinnamon, ginger, honey, caramel malt, and clove dance around on the palate. The flavor, with its combination of malts and spice rack ingredients, reminds me of the great taste of spiced Christmas cookies and for this reason, I like to enjoy a bottle or two of Great Lakes Christmas Ale as an after- dinner drink, either with a sweet treat or as a dessert all by itself.

 

Great Lakes Christmas Ale is a tad bitter and there is a brief alcoholic bite in the finish, but the sweet malts and spice quickly bring the taste back in line. The pleasantness of these flavors helps you forget the slight bitter edge at the close and many will find it good for balancing the taste and preventing over- sweetness or cloying tendencies.

 

Christmas only comes once per year and considering the delicious, creative brews offered by so many breweries, it is a shame we cannot have Christmas celebrations more frequently. Great Lakes Christmas Ale is one of my favorite winter warmers and I recommend grabbing a six pack or two if you happen to be in Ohio or someplace else where Great Lakes Brewing products are sold.

 

 

Rating: 8 cheers out of 10

Share

January 3, 2012

Budweiser to Sponsor a new Reality Television Program

by bryancarey — Categories: Beer Media, Breweries, Domestic, Macrobreweries — Tags: , , — No Comments

Beer and sports are natural accompaniments. It is widely known that beer companies rely on sports to help encourage beer sales and attendees at sporting events and viewers of sports on television do not need to look far to see and hear the names of specific brands of beer.

 

Among the brands promoted at sporting events, Anheuser- Busch InBev is the brewer whose advertisements are most widely seen so it may not come as a surprise to discover that the so- called “king of beers” is considering promoting its name through a somewhat different but related marketing channel. Starting in January, 2012, Anheuser- Busch InBev is going to sponsor its own reality program. Titled Budweiser: The Big Time, this reality program is going to focus on competitions in different sports and in different activities.

 

Now, what exactly would encourage Budweiser to sponsor a reality television program? Well, (more…)

Share

December 15, 2011

Full Sail Brewer’s Share Series goes National

by bryancarey — Categories: Beer Media, Breweries, Domestic, Microbrews — Tags: , , — No Comments

Full Sailing Brewing, an Oregon craft beer operation with a national following, is going forward with its Brewer’s Share series with the first release expected next month.

Full Sail Lineup

 

Brewer’s Share is a series of craft beers created by Full Sail’s own employees and the idea actually originated back in 2008. At the time, Brewer’s Share products were sold only on tap and only in Full Sail’s exclusive pub. Now, the brewery is expanding the series to include 22 oz. bottles for sale on a national basis. The series will include a new, employee- inspired brew each season and will continue through the end of 2012 and possibly beyond.

 

The first offering planned is Extra Special Barney (ESB), a product created by Full Sail Brewing Supervisor Barney Brennan. According to Brennan, Extra Special Barney is going to be brewed in the tradition of an English style ale. It will be brewed with five different malts and Challenger hops, including one pound per barrel of dry hop. The product will weigh in at 6.5% alcohol by volume with a modest bitterness rating of 35 IBU.

 

Brewer’s share might seem like an unusual name for a series of employee- inspired beer products, but there is something behind the choice of title. When beer ages, there is a small portion that disappears from a barrel and it is often referred to as the “angel’s share.” The term “Brewer’s Share” was selected because it is considered an equally mysterious occurrence that appears during something special; in this instance, a moment of inspiration. The parallelism isn’t perfect, but it’s close enough that the name works.

 

Besides celebrating the creative talents of its employees, the Brewer’s Share series is also a means to support charity. Full Sail is choosing a designated charity for each Brewer’s Share and the charity will receive a portion of the earnings. Extra Special Barney will support the Columbia Gorge Arts in Education fund- a charity focused on K- 12 visual, literary, and performing arts in local schools. Other Brewer’s Share charities have yet to be announced.

 

Each Full Sail Brewer’s Share product will be offered in 22 oz. bottles and on draft. Once Extra Special Barney has run its three- month course8, it will be followed by such unique malt beverage delights as Phil’s Existential Alt, Chris’s Summer Delight Berliner Weisse, and Big Daddy J’s Malt Liquor.

 

Full Sail is an employee- centered company and the people who run the brewery are all considered partner’s in the business’s ultimate success. The Brewer’s Share series is an admirable gesture on the part of the company, both from the perspective of employee involvement and charitable giving, and it is nice that Full Sail is involving its employees in the production of new products. Look for Brewer’s Share bottles where Full Sail products are currently sold.

Share

December 8, 2011

Founders Porter: Sex in a Bottle

by bryancarey — Categories: Beer Reviews, Domestic, Microbrews — Tags: , , , — No Comments

Think of Grand Rapids, Michigan and what comes to mind? If you draw a blank, you are not alone. Grand Rapids is a city with only minimal name recognition and even those who know the name are hard- pressed to discuss anything else related to this city in western Michigan. To the beer lover, however, Grand Rapids holds a special place in our hearts and palates, for it happens to be the location of one of America’s great craft breweries. The company is Founders Brewing and one of its many incredible products is Founders Porter.

 

Beer Bio:

 

Style: American Porter

Calories: Unknown

Carbs: Unknown

Alcohol Content: 6.5% by volume

 

Founders Porter is a dark brown/black malt beverage with a heavy, thick body. A good pour directed toward the center of a glass will result in a beautiful head of tan foam that emits aromas of coffee, chocolate, and light spices that stimulate the senses and pique the curiosity.

 

Tasting Funders Porter is even more amazing. The assortment of taste sensations include roasted malt, mocha, caramel, nuts, coffee, woodiness, and some vanilla. There are some dark fruits in the finish along with roasted notes and a touch of hop bitterness. The body of the beer is creamy and robust and a final analysis shows a bitterness rating of 45 IBU.

Founders Porter is an amazing American porter and one of the best examples of its style I have tried in a long time. The silk, rich, tantalizing body of this beer and its many delectable taste sensations and a treat to behold, and it is the type of beer that just keeps on giving and continues to amaze with each passing sip.

 
Porters are a somewhat varied style and the unfortunate fact is that too many breweries make their porters a little too much on the light side. They seem worried that too much flavor will offend the average drinker, but what they fail to remember is that lovers of porter are usually beer snobs to begin with and, if anything, are likely to be offended by products that are too light. The people at Founders Porter wisely understand this and they brewed their porter as a standout in the crowd. And stand out it certainly does, with complexity and flavor that is unmatched by few other American porter.

My time with Founders Porter is over now, but the memories continue and I plan to live the moment again in the future on a more permanent basis. No more one night stand next time- I want Founders Porter with me, beside me, and to guide me ‘til death do us part.  It is a world- class porter all the way and it has set new standard for this style.

 

 

Rating: 10 cheers out of 10!

Share

December 1, 2011

Yuengling Light: Good Light Brew from America’s Oldest Brewery

by bryancarey — Categories: Beer Reviews, Beginners, Domestic — Tags: , , — No Comments

When you think about the taste of light beer, what is the first word that comes to mind? I have heard lighter brew referred to in many ways, but more often than not, the word of choice is “bland”. Light beers, as a whole, just don’t have much to offer in the flavor department and many feel the calories saved are not worth the taste sacrificed. However, there are some light beers that taste better than others and one good example is Yuengling Light, a low- calorie lager.

Yuengling Light

 
Beer Bio:

 

Style: Light American Lager

Calories: 99 per 12 oz. service

Carbs: 8.5 grams

Alcohol Content: 3.4 percent by volume


 
Yuengling Light is a beer that, based on appearance, seems exactly the way a light beer should be. The body of the beer has a golden/tan hue and a normal pour produces little to no foam. The aroma on this beer is light and sweet and while not offensive, doesn’t seem all that impressive. The taste, however, is a little better than the appearance would lead you to believe. Yuengling Light has a light caramelized malt flavor with a bit of a toasted character and very little hop taste. The body is light and the bubbly action keeps the beer at a refreshing level.

Yuengling Light lager has nothing unique to offer in terms of taste, but it has enough going for it to make it standout among other light beers. It is, as expected, a somewhat watered down (seemingly, based on taste) version of regular Yuengling. But Yuengling Light is actually a little better than the average light brew because the lightness factor is less pronounced. There is still some decent taste to be found in Yuengling Light, in contrast to other American light lager, which are often like yellow- colored water and seem very little like the regular beers they are supposed to represent.

Yuengling Light is a good option for those who count calories. It is one of the very few beer products with fewer than 100 calories per 12 oz. serving and since it does have more taste than average, consumers can save a few calories while not sacrificing a large degree of taste. I find it a little odd, however, that the product still has 8.5 grams of carbs because other light beer products with similar calorie levels have fewer carbohydrate grams. It also has a lower alcohol level than most. This combination of reduced alcohol and extra grams of carbs might explain why this light beer tastes better than others and still keeps the calories in check. 

Light beer is generally something I avoid, but Yuengling Light is a decent tasting light beer with a fair amount of character and some memorable moments. The direct taste of cereal grains and sweet caramelized malt are not necessarily anything special, but the flavor is, overall, better than other American light beer and it is certainly worthy of a try.

 

Rating: 6 Cheers out of 10

Share

November 24, 2011

Freetail Brewing: Texas Number One Brewpub

by bryancarey — Categories: Beer Travel, Brewpubs, Domestic, Microbrews, Restaurants — Tags: , , , , , , — No Comments

Texas’ craft beer scene is still in its developmental stages but hundreds of ambitious men and women are working hard to make Texas the premier state in the union for microbrewed beer. One man who is helping the craft beer revolution is Scott Metzger, owner and CEO of San Antonio’s critically acclaimed Freetail Brewing Company. Here are the facts:

Freetail Brewing

Name:Freetail Brewing

Location:4035 North Loop 1604, Suite 105, San Antonio

Organization:Brewpub/Restaurant

Hours of Operation: Sunday, from Noon to Midnight; Monday from 4pm to Midnight; Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30am to Midnight

 

I visited Freetail Brewing in October, 2011 and found it easy to find, family- friendly, and every bit a restaurant as much as a brewery. The brewpub is located just outside the 1604 loop, in an elevated position that allows for nice views of downtown San Antonio and surrounding areas. A small windmill in back of the building makes it easy to find. The windmill, I was told, is non- functioning and only for show, but it does aid in the location process.

 

One of many pleasant surprises at Freetail Brewing is the large number of beer products offered. Freetail has produced dozens over its few years of existence and many have been retired and/or were featured only as seasonal products, but there are still a large number in the active rotation. When I visited, there were about twelve Freetail products on tap and a recent check of the Freetail website reveals the following malt beverages presently available:

La Rubia

Rye Wit

Freetail Ale

Self Regarde

Round Earth West Indies Pale Ale

Prickly Retail

Brettanolocator

Ate

Hypothesis E

Bandito

Tadarida Oscura

Rubio Fumondo

4shadow

Gremlyn

Prickly Fairy Peril

La Muerta 2011

La Muerta2010

Quite an impressive list, wouldn’t you say? Not all beers listed will be available at all times, but Freetail Brewing tries to keep ten to twelve products flowing at any moment. And the products themselves are just as interesting as their creative names. There is a pleasant surprise in every sip at Freetail Brewing Company.

Food is an important component to any brewpub and Freetail Brewing certainly takes its food seriously. The menu is divided among:

 

Appetizers

Salads

Specialty Pizzas

Sandwiches and Wraps

Desserts

 

Prices are reasonable at Freetail Brewing and many of the menu items seem tailor- made for a specific Freetail Beer. The stone- hearth pizzas are not only delicious and great with beer, they have been recognized by critics for their distinct craftsmanship and amazing taste.

Entertainment at Freetail Brewing is provided by nine high- definition television sets and two 100+ inch screens. With such a large number of screens, guests can treat themselves to non- stop sporting action and, depending on popular demand, other television programming as well. And if you would rather partake in an outdoor atmosphere, consider moving to the outdoor patio and watching the sun set while enjoying your food and brew.

Freetail Brewing is supportive of the craft brewing industry in Texas and it backs that support through its “guest” brewery taps: Kegs of craft beer from a Texas craft brewery, tapped and ready to drink. The guest brewery varies, but some of the featured breweries have included St. Arnold, 512 Brewing, Live Oak Brewing, Independence Brewing, Real Ale Brewing, Southern Star, and others. This is a nice gesture on the part of Freetail Brewing and it shows the businesses’ commitment to Texas craft beer industry.

Freetail Brewing presently maintains only its only location in San Antonio, but it has plans to expand in due time. Houston residents may recall that Freetail Brewing was planning to expand to the downtown area this year, but was forced to place its plans on hold. I asked owner Scott Metzger about this when I visited and he said that Houston has not been completely ruled out. The expansion has only been placed on hold until other concerns are addressed.

Freetail Brewing is certainly a place of distinction and it has several rewards and special recognition to prove it. Beer Advocate ranks it as the number one brewpub in all of Texas and it has been recognized by the San Antonio Express- News Critics Choice in 2009 and was awarded a Silver Medal in 2010 as the “Best Place for a Cold Beer.” San Antonio Magazine selected it as the “Best Place for a Beer” in 2009 and 2010, further solidifying its position as San Antonio’s finest craft beer establishment. Some of its malt beverages have also enjoyed special recognition and continue to win the hearts of critics and casual beer fans in San Antonio and beyond.

San Antonio is a city loaded with historic charm in a state noted for its independence and colorful past. Brewing has a strong history in Texas and is presently in the midst of a full- fledged revival thanks to the brewing creativity and ambitions of hundreds of men and women across the state. Scott Metzger’s Freetail Brewing Company is a perfect example of what can happen when ambition meets creativity and his brewpub is one you don’t want to miss if you happen to visit the San Antonio area.

 

 

To read other articles like this, visit Examiner.com

Share

November 10, 2011

Widmer Okto Festival Ale: An Oktoberfest? Not Really

by bryancarey — Categories: Beer Reviews, Domestic — Tags: , , , — 1 Comment

Fall is still hanging on and will be officially with us for the next several weeks. This means there is still plenty of time to sample some of the many Oktoberfest/Marzen style beer products produced and sold by America’s craft breweries and one Fall beer  that is certainly worth a try- and not too difficult to find- is  Widmer Brothers Okto Festival Ale.

 

 
Beer Bio:

 

Style: German Altbier

Calories: Unknown

Carbs: Unknown

Alcohol Content: 5.3% alcohol content

 
Widmer Brothers Okto Festival Ale is an amber/copper colored brew with a sweet, caramel nose. A moderate pour produces a nice amount of foam that leaves a good deal of lacing as you consume. Based on appearance, this beer easily scores several quality points.

 

Moving to the taste, Widmer Brothers Okto Festival Ale doesn’t disappoint. Multiple layers of complexity greet the palate with flavors that start with the taste of sweet, bready malts. Next, one can detect caramel followed by some fruity flavors such as citrus and even some dark fruit, like plums. The beer finishes with some floral hops and a long, pleasant aftertaste that is bread- like and highly enjoyable.  

Widmer Brothers Okto Festival Ale is a beer produced by Oregon’s Widmer Brothers, a craft brewery best known for its Hefeweizen. Okto Festival Ale is a step in a different direction; a seasonal beer that is promoted as a brew made for the cooler time of the year. A quick look at a fact sheet shows that this is not a true Oktoberfest/Marzen brew.  Widmer Brothers Okto Festival Ale is actually a German Altbier and is brewed using ale yeast. The not- quite- authentic nature of this beer might be a liability to some beer critics, but I can’t  hold this against  Widmer for one simple reason: Widmer doesn’t claim this beer  is Oktoberfest. Sure, the name leads you to believe that it is, but they don’t actually state this.

Widmer Brothers isn’t a brewery I rank among the all time greats, but considering that I have rated all of Widmer Brothers products as average or better, I must agree that Widmer Brothers does command respect. And Widmer Brothers Okto Festival Ale is a respectable beer; medium in body and with a good amount of character that doesn’t go too far in any direction. I recommended grabbing a six pack before the Fall season comes to a close.

Rating: 7 cheers out of 10

Share

November 3, 2011

Time to Party Like a Sam Adams Investor

by bryancarey — Categories: Beer Media, Breweries, Domestic — Tags: , , , , — No Comments

Tea Partiers might have felt a sense of jublilation when they threw thousands of pounds of otherwise fine British tea into the ocean, but it looks like the real party is taking place at 1 Design Center, Suite 850, close to the Boston harbor.

Boston Beer Company, parent of the popular Sam Adams brand, is enjoying a great year financially and its management sees no end in sight. The company just recently reported net income of $16.3 million for the third quarter of 2011, or $1.19 per share, representing an increase of $850,000 or $0.10 per share compared to the same period in 2010. Total sales were also up, increasing to $134.80 million, which is 8% greater than the same period last year.

 

Volume increases are credited for the bulk of the sales gains. Core brands like Sam Adams Boston Lager are not enjoying year- over- year sales gains like they did in the past, but other Sam Adams styles are more than picking up the slack. The company continues to expand its portfolio and now produces and distributes about 25 different brands. Combined, these Sam Adams products are on pace to achieve their best year ever for sales and profits

 

Besides the new products, Samuel Adams started an improvement program this year aimed at reducing the time between packaging and purchase by consumers. Touted as the Freshest Beer program, it aims to reduce wholesale inventories and improve freshness. So far, the reduction in inventories has cut slightly into profits, but Boston Beer management is confident that the program will pay dividends in the very near future, thanks to improved customer satisfaction.

 

Investors are certainly enjoying Boston Beer’s financial success. Those who purchased Boston beer common stock in March, 2009, when the Dow Jones and other indices were at multi- year lows, would have paid in the $19 to $20 range per share. That same stock today is worth close to $100 per share. Doing some simple math shows a return of more than five times over the course of about 30 months. Few, if any, American beverage companies have achieved financial results like this and many financial analysts still believe the share price has room to grow.

 

Sam Adams is the best- known craft beer brand in the United States and its products, while not necessarily rated the absolute greatest by beer fans, are still highly respected by the beer drinking public. The company is considered the market leader for American craft beer and positive financial news like this is good for the micro- brew industry in general because it demonstrates the continued trend toward preference for craft beer products.

 

The big brewers have barely held their own during the past year and many have witnessed small declines in sales volume as consumers seek out more flavorful products. But for craft beer market leader Sam Adams, the party is just beginning and it should continue well into 2012 and beyond.

Share
© 2012 GreatBeerNow.com All rights reserved - Wallow theme v0.44 by ([][]) TwoBeers - Powered by WordPress - Have fun!