Days of the Beer, January 10

The beer for today is Wychwood Brewery Company Scarecrow/Circle Master.

On January 10, 1904, Raymond Wallace Bulcao was born. Ray was an actor who changed his name to Ray Bolger, and was best known for his portrayal of the Scarecrow and Kansas farmworker Hunk, in the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz.

Bolger was originally cast as the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow part was to be for Buddy Ebsen (Jed Clampet). Bolger managed to talk the studio into changing the roles. Ebsen later fell ill from the tinman makeup, and was replaced by Jack Haley.

Bolger appeared in more than 30 television shows and movies.

As to the beer:

Wychwood is located in Witney England. They produce beers under the Wychwood and Brakspear labels.

Circle Master is an organic golden pale ale at 4.7% ABV.

Circle Master is brewed using a unique blend of Plumage Archer Barley Malt, organically grown for us under the auspices of the Prince of Wales Duchy Estate in Gloucestershire. Whole leaf target hops, naturally grown in a single garden in Kent, are added to create a beer of exceptional taste and character. The Circle Master conducts a melody of refreshing citrus and delightful malt flavour, rounded off with a spicy bittersweet finish.

Circle Master is released in the U.S. as Scarecrow.

So, for the Scarecrow, have a Scarecrow.

Days of the Beer, January 9

The beer for today is Left Hand Snow Bound Winter Ale.

On January 9, 1968, it snowed in Mexico City. It also snowed on January 10, and 11. This is the only recorded snowfall there.

The average annual temperature of Mexico City if from 53 to 60 degrees. The lowest temperatures are usually registered in January and February, and it normally doesn't get colder than 23 degrees.

As to the beer:

Fight cabin fever! Made with Rocky Mountain water, malted barley, hops, yeast, honey, orange zest, and other spices.

Originally, this beer was XXXmas Ale, but was changed to Snow Bound.

Here' Chipper Dave's review of the beer.

So, for those people in Mexico City, who haven't had snow for 41 years, have a Left Hand Snow Bound; while you are drinking it, try to imagine how horrible they will be driving the next time it snows.

Days of the Beer, January 8

The beer for today is Traquair Jacobite Ale.

On January 8, 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie occupied Stirling as part of the Second Jacobite Rising.

The Jacobite Risings were a series of uprisings, rebellions, and wars in the kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, between 1688 and 1746. The uprisings were aimed at returning the House of Stuart to the throne after he was deposed by Parliament during the Glorious Revolutions.

The Second Jacobite Rising was known as "The Forty-Five".

As to the beer:

The Traquair House Brewery is managed by Catherine Maxwell Stuart. The brewery opened in 1965. The modern brewery was originally an 18th century domestic brewery that made beer for the house and estate workers.

The famous Bear Gates guarding the approach to Traquair House, near Pebbles, have been closed since 1745 - when the last person to pass through them was Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Now, 250 years later, the ancient Traquair Brew House celebrates the Jacobite cause by producing this potent spiced ale to a traditional fine recipe. Sip slowly and remember the old toast to the "King O'er the Water."

Traquair Jacobite comes in at 8% ABV. It is brewed to celebrate the 1745 rebellion. The beer is spiced with coriander.

So, for the rebellion of 1745, have a Traquair Jacobite Ale.

Days of the Beer, January 7

The beer for today is He'Brew Rejewvenator.

On January 7, 1858, Eliezer Ben-Yehuda was born. He was a key figure in the revival of Hebrew as a spoken language. He was born in Luzhky, of the Russian Empire (currently Vitsebsk Voblast, Belarus). He studied Hebrew and the Bible from age 3. By 12, he had read large portions of the Torah, Mishna, and Talmud. He studied ancient Hebrew at a yeshiva, where he was studying to be a rabbi.

In 1881, he moved to Palestine, and found a job teaching. He raised his son, Ben-Zion Ben-Yehuda, entirely in Hebrew, making his son the first native speaker of modern Hebrew.

Ben-Yehuda was the driving force behind the establishment of the Committee of the Hebrew Language, currently the Academy of the Hebrew Language. He was the author of the first modern Hebrew dictionary.

He died December 16, 1922, of tuberculosis, and was buried on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

As to the beer:

He'Brew is a branch of Shmaltz Brewing Company. They are based out of San Francisco California.

Jewish tradition celebrates 2 New years; The 1st calendar month in spring historically came after the barley harvest. The High Holidays in Fall mark the creation of the world. Harvest to harvest - the perfect bookends for deliciousness! Arise noble Rejewvenator, infused for '08 with the sacred succulent Fig. O the history, O the shtick: Gen 3:7: "And their eyes were opened, and they knew that they were naked; they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons." Time to get cooking! "Professed Wrestlers and Champions were in times past fed with figs." -Pliny, Roman naturalist. Romulus, mythic founder of Rome, and his twin Remus were nursed by a wild she-wolf under a fig tree. In 1857, Queen Victoria commissioned an 18 inch plaster fig leaf to adorn her cast of Michelangelo's David. "The statue that advertises its modesty with a fig leaf brings its modesty under suspicion." -Mark Twain. Buddha gained enlightenment meditating beneath a fig tree. Zechariah/Micah: "Nations shall beat their swords into plowshares...all will sit with his neighbor under his fig tree, with no one to be afraid." Fear not Shmaltzers - Grab your Newtons, rub your happy belly, strap on your fig leaf and your championship belt, abd prepare to blow your shofar... tis a new HE'BREW Beer season to rejoice. L'Chaim! Brewed for Schmalt Brewing Co.

So for the guy who rejuvinated the Hebrew language, have a He'Brew Rejewvenator.

Days of the Beer, January 6

The beer for today is Unibroue Éphémère Apple.

On January 6, 1966, Andrew Wood was born. Wood was the lead singer of the band Mother Love Bone. He died March 19,1990 shortly before the release of the band's debut album Apple, in July.

Mother Love Bone, was Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Bruce Fairweather, Greg Gilmore, and Andrew Wood. After Wood died, the band broke up, and Ament and Gossard went to form Pearl Jam. Shortly after the death of Wood, Gossard and Ament, along with Soundgarden's Chris Cornell, would write a tribute album for Wood, with the band name of Temple of the Dog.

As to the beer:

Unibroue is based out of Chambly, Quebec, Canada.

Éphémère is the third in a series of lively original-recipe beers that come and go before you know it. From season to season and year to year you'll find a different Éphémère beer.

There are several beers in the Éphémère line, including (but not limited to) apple, cassis, cranberry, peach, and raspberry.

So, for what would be Andrew Wood's 43rd birthday, have an Unibroue Éphémère Apple.

Days of the Beer, January 5

The beer for today is Free State Brewing Earhart's Amber.

On January 5, 1939, Amelia Mary Earhart was declared dead. Earhart had been missing since July 2, 1937, and was an aviation pioneer and author. She was the first woman to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, that she was awarded as the first Aviatrix (female avaitor) to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Her plane was lost during an attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 1937. She disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean near Howland Island.

As to the beer:

Free State Brewing is located in Lawrence Kansas. It was opened in 1989, and was the first legal brewery in Kansas in over 100 years.

The Legend of Atchison born aviatrix Amelia Earhart lives on in Earhart’s Amber Ale. This delightfully balanced amber ale uses a blend of English Pale Ale, Caramel and Roasted Malts along with a bit of flaked barley to provide a smooth yet flavorful malt character. The malts are balanced with domestic Fuggles hops in the kettle and the hop back and a fine hop aroma comes from dry hopping with English challenger hops. Like its namesake, smooth yet bold, colorful and intriguing. O.G. 10.5/1042. Hops 15 IBUs

I'm unsure if this beer is still available, if you can get to Lawrence, and they have it, have a Free State Brewing Earhart's Amber.

Days of the Beer, January 4

The beer for today is Delirium Tremens.

On January 4, 1903, Topsy, an elephant with the Forepaugh Circus at Coney Island's Luna park was electrocuted. Topsy was deemed to be a threat to people, because she had killed three men.

Thomas Edison had suggested electrocution to kill the elephant, as it had been used for killing people since 1890. To ensure it worked, Topsy was fed carrots laced with 460 grams of potassium cyanide, before the 6,600 volts were sent through her body. She was dead in seconds.

The event was filmed by Thomas Edison.



As to the beer:

Delirium Tremens is made by Brouwerij Huyghe in Melle, Belgium. The beer comes in at 8.5% ABV, and is considered a Belgian Strong Ale.

The particular character and the unique taste of "Delirium Tremens" result from the use of three different kinds of yeast. Its very original packing, which resembles cologne ceramics, and the colourful label contribute to its success.
In 1997, Stuart A. Kallen nominated Delirium Tremens as "best beer in the world". A gold medal during the "world beer championships" in Chicago (1998) confirmed that worldwide recognition.

Delirium tremens, itself is an acute episode of delirium that is caused by withdrawal or abstinence from tranquilizers. When caused by alcohol, it happens in people with a history of constant, long-term alcohol consumption. Five percent of alcohol withdrawl cases turn into delirium tremens. DT can be fatal. If untreated, mortaltiy can be up to 35%, if treated the rate drops to around 5-15%.

The symptoms are confusion, disorientation, agitation and hallucinations. Additionally, there can be severe, uncontr4ollable tremors of the extremeties.

So, for Tipsy the electrocuted elephant, have a Delirium Tremens, but don't stop drinking, because that could kill you as well.

Days of the Beer, January 3

The beer for today is Maui Brewing Father Damien Abbey Ale.

On January 3, 1840, Jozef de Veusterwas born. Jozef later would become known as Father Damien. Damien was a Roman Catholic priest from Belgium. He is known for ministering to people who had leprosy, who were placed in medical quarantine on the island of Molokai in the Kingdom of Hawaii. He eventually contracted the disease, and died on April 16, 1889. He is considered to be a "martyr of charity".

Damien is the patron for people with Hansen's Disease, HIV and AIDS, as well as people who are outcasts.

He is not currently an official Saint yet, but is listed as Blessed.

As to the beer:

Maui Brewing company is located in Hawaii. Their beers are made in 7 barrel batches.

Fresh handcrafted Belgian Abbey Ale with a complexity of flavors. Fruit flavors like plum and cherry imparted from a special Belgian yeast mix with a variety of malt flavors.

It comes in at 9.6% ABV, and is comparable to Chimay Blue.

So, for the Blessed Father Damien, have a Father Damien abbey ale.

Days of the Beer, January 2

The beer for today is Søgaard Skipper Stowt.

On January 2, 1990, Alan Hale, Jr. died. Alan was born on March 8, 1918, and was best known as Jonas Grumby, or the Skipper, on Gilligan's Island.

Hale died from cancer, at the St. Vincent's Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.

Due to being connected with Gilligan's Island, he had difficulty getting acting roles later in his career. He co-owned a restaurant in West Hollywood "Alan Hale's Lobster Barrel" and would often greet customers in his Skipper hat.

As to the beer:

A very dark, almost black bottom fermented beer. Very heavily dried and dark types of malt has been used, which gices a hoppy character. This gives power and body to the beer as well as a sweet almost smoked flavour, which is in balance with the distinct bitterness. Prevously known as "Søgaard Porter"

The beer is 5.8% ABV, so if you drink enough, you might crash your boat. Søgaard's is out of Aalborg, Denmark.

So, for Alan Hale, the Skipper, have a Skipper Stowt.

Days of the Beer, January 1

The beer for today is Hair of the Dog Rose.

On January 1, 1902, the first American college football bowl game was played. Michigan and Stanford squared off in Pasadena, in the first Rose Bowl.

The Rose Bowl is nicknamed "The Granddaddy of Them All" because it is the oldest. The game has been continuously played since 1916. Since 1945, it has been the highest attended college football bowl game.

The first game featured Fielding Yost's 1901 Michigan team, playing Stanford. Michigan won 49-0 after Stanford quit in the third quarter. The game was so lopsided that for the next 15 years, instead of football, the Tournament of Roses officials ran chariot races, ostrich races, and various other events. The game returned in 1916, when Washington State University beat Brown University, in the first annual Rose Bowl.

The game originally pitted a team from the Pacific Coast Conference (the modern Pac-10), against an opponent from the Eastern U.S.

The 1942 Rose Bowl was played in Durham, North Carolina, because of fears that the japanese would attack Pasadena.

In 1947, the Big Nine (later Big 10; even though there's 11) and the PCC agreed to send their conference champions to the game.

USC has played the most times, with 32 appearances, Michigan is second with 20, Washington has 14, and Ohio State 13. Archie Griffin of Ohio State is the only player to ever start in four Rose Bowl games. The only current Pac-10 or Big Ten school to have never appeared in the Rose Bowl is the University of Arizona.

As to the beer:

Hair of the Dog Brewing Company is based in Portland, Oregon. The brewery's claim to worldwide fame ws it's barleywine Dave, what was 29% ABV. It was accomplished by freeze distilation.

Rose is inspired by the Belgian Tripel style. It is a top fermented ale which has a deep golden color with a light refreshing body. The beer has a subtle hop profile using the Northwest's finest whole hop flowers. We use Aromatic and Honey malts along with Candy Sugar to give it a unique and fruity character. It is 6% alcohol by weight (7.5% by volume).

Rose is named for Portland, the Rose City.

So, for the Rose Bowl, have a Rose beer, from the Rose City.