Days of the Beer, November 30

The beer for today is Czech Rebel Beer.

On November 30, 1955, in Stanmore, Middlesex, England, William Michael Albert Broad was born. Based on one of his school teacher's descriptions of him as "idle", William took the stage name of Billy Idol.

Idol, started his punk career with Siouxsie & the Banshees (before being named), in 1976, but quit and joined Chelsea in 1977. He soon quit that, and co0founded Generation X, and became the lead singer. After three albums, the band broke up, and he began his solo career.

His first few songs, "White Wedding and "Dancing with Myself" got him lots of airplay on MTV (back when they played videos).

Idol's second LP was released in 1984 and was Rebel Yell. It reached number 2 in the UK and #6 in the U.S.

As to the beer:

Czech Rebel is brewed by Měšťanský Pivovar Havlíčkův Brod, A.S. I'm not exactly sure what that means, or how to pronounce it. They are located in Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic.

Light draught beer with nice bitterness, higher volume of carbon dioxide and higher frothing quality.

Czech Rebel comes in at 4.4% alcohol.

So, for the guy who popularized the Rebel Yell, have a Rebel Beer.

Turkey Day Beer Run to West Lakeview Liquors

I had corresponded with Kristina at West Lakeview Liquors on Wednesday, to find out if they'd be open on Thanksgiving, happily, she said they would be.

So after dropping Kriddy off at my sister's place in Lockport, Paddy, my brother-in-law Mike, and I headed north to West Lakeview. Here's the haul.

One six pack of Bells Expedition, the rest were individual bottles.
Southern Tier Oak Aged Cuvee Series 1
Mikkeller It's Alive
Lost Abbey Avant Garde
Lost Abbey Inferno
Lost Abbey Judgement Day
Lost Abbey Devotion Ale
3 Floyds Broo Doo '08
3 Floyds Alpha Klaus '08
Port Santa's Little Helper '08 (2 bottles, it's sooooo nummy)
Dogfish Head Immort
Samichlaus Helles '07
Haandbryggeriet Brewery Dubbel Dram
Nøgne Ø Winter.

Earlier in the week, Paddy and I went to Friar Tucks in Savoy, and I took quite a haul from there too.

4 pack of Founders Backwoods Bastard
4 pack of Konings Hoeven Quadrupel
4 pack of Mad River John Barleycorn
6 pack of Anchor Christmas and Happy New Year 2008
(the rest are individual bottles)
Mac Queen's Nessie
Mikkeller From/To 2008
Mikkeller To/From 2008
Mikkeller Santa's Little Helper '08
Mikkeller Santa's Little Helper '07
Hebrew Jewbelation 11
Hebrew Jewbelation 12
Sam Adams Chocolate Bock

I also pick up a mix a six from the back rack, of things I haven't had, but didn't write them down.

I almost picked up a 4 pack of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout on Thursday, but I'll just wait until it comes downstate to get it.

I think I'm stocked up on beers that should last me to New Years.

Several of the items I picked up are going straight into the cellar. The Expedition, most of the Barleycorn's, the Backwoods Bastard, Anchor xmas, and the Konings' Hoeven are for aging.

Port/Lost Abbey are now in Chicago, so I won't be needing anyone from California to be shipping me any. The next box for there will be heading out in the second week in December, and should be arriving just in time for the winter solstice.

In other news, Frank went to Bruisin Ales yesterday, and picked up some bottles of Struise Black Albert, and also got a bottle of the latest Terrapin Side Project Volume 3 Gamma Ray. He should be coming up shortly before Mithras birthday. We're going to shoot for a beer tasting gathering on December 19, so mark your calendars.

In other news, I'll start to prepare the time schedule for the New Year's Eve party at Josh and Audra's shortly. A new beer every 15 minutes is the goal. Last year we had 24 beers on the schedule, I don't think we're starting at 6, but I might be.

Days of the Beer, November 29

The beer for today is Scottish and Newcastle Tutankhamun Ale.

On November 29, 1922, Howard Carter opened the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, to the public. On November 4, he had found the steps that led to the tomb. this was the best preserved and most intact pharaonic tomb ever found in the Valley of the Kings. On November 26, he made a "tiny breach in the top left hand corner" of the doorway and by candle light, could see gold and other treasures still in place.

As to the beer:

Archaeologists from Cambridge University's Egypt Exploration Society uncovered a kitchen complex in the Sun Temple of Queen Nefertiti, who was related by marriage to Tut. They examined the grains and seeds left behind, and analyzed the dregs of beer to determine how the beer was made.

The beer made with emmer (ancient wheat) and coriander.

This beer is no longer available. There were only 1000 bottles of it made. At it's time, it sold for $75 a bottle.

Days of the Beer, November 28

The beer for today is Bear Republic Racer 5.

On November 28, 1895, the first American automobile race took place from Chicago's Jackson Park, to Evanston, Illinois. The race covered 54 miles and was won by Frank Duryea in about 10 hours. The race was sponsored by the Chicago Times Herald, and was held on a snowy Thanksgiving day. They averaged 7.5 mph. Was the race held during Chicago rush hour traffic??? This was the first U.S. race where any of the entrants finished.

Frank Duryea was an inventor, and built one of the first gasoline fueled automobiles. His company, the Duryea Motor Wagon Company, was established in 1895, ans was the first American company to build gasoline autos.

As to the beer:

Bear Republic Brewing Company is located in Sonoma County California.

This is a hoppy IPA. Did I say hops? Your brewer is a hop head! This is a full bodied beer using American grains. The goal was to create a base for showing off the unique floral qualities of two Pacific Northwest hops, Columbus and Cascade. Columbus is a new hybrid High Alpha Acid hop used mostly for bittering, but used heavily as an aromatic in this strong brew. Cascade is the balance that ties the malt and bittering hops together. It is a true specialty ale and is our brewer's statement on this style. ABV 7.0%, IBU 69.

For the first race winner, have a Racer 5 IPA.

Days of the Beer, November 27

The beer for today is New Holland Dragon's Milk.

On November 27, 1940, Bruce Lee was born. Bruce Lee was born in San Francisco, California and raised in Hong Kong. He sparked interest in Chinese martial arts, and raised awareness of Hong Kong martial arts films.

Lee had nicknames that translate to "Lee the Little Dragon", "Lee Little Dragon", and "small dragon". He was born in the Year of the Dragon. His most famous roles were probably as Kato, in televisions The Green Hornet, and in the movie, Enter the Dragon.

As to the beer:

New Holland Brewing Company is based out of New Holland, Michigan.

The beer you hold in your hand, Dragon’s Milk Ale, is a crown jewel of New Holland Brewing Company. It is the unrivaled result of painstaking processes - both creative and scientific.

We could tell you about the centuries-old tradition of the term, Dragon's Milk, or we could tell you about the history, craftsmanship and challenges of important, the beer inside this bottle.

Expect a complex ale with a soft, rich caramel-malt character intermingled with deep vanilla tones; all dancing in an oak bath. Unmistakably distinctive example of New Holland’s Art in Fermented Form.

It comes in at 8.5% ABV, and is available locally in 22 oz bottles, as well as being on draft at some locations (it will soon be on draft at Crane Alley, but is available in bottles now).

So, for the Little Dragon, who entered the dragon, have a Dragon's Milk.

My new Beer Fridge!

Last night I picked up my new beer fridge. It's actually a bar back fridge, that I got used from Hooters.

I'll be converting it to be holding 5 gallon soda kegs. Next year, I'll probably be purchasing less "new" beer, and just be focusing on stocking the cellar, and brewing more. It's not like I'm going to stop drinking.

It looks like it'll be able to hold at least 7 of the Cornelius Kegs. That's a lot of beer.

I don't know if I'll be able to get it in the house, without the help of some REALLY strong guys, so for now, it'll be in the garage. Additionally, I'm not sure where I'd be able to put it, so the garage may become the bar anyway.

But, it's friggin AWESOME!!! I'll post a pic later today, after I get home, since I took one last night, but it was very dark.

The fridge is apparently a Perlick 3 door roll top cooler Model 9277a.

There's one just like it on Ebay for $2,200. I bought it for $300.

Days of the Beer, November 26

Sadly, the beer for today is Anheuser-Busch Bud Light.

On November 26, 1917, the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators, Quebec Bulldogs, and Toronto Arenas formed the National Hockey League. The league itself came from the National Hockey Association, which was disbanded to get rid of an owner that they didn't like.

The league is currently composed of 30 teams, 24 of which are in the United States, with six in Canada.

Sadly, the NHL has a contract with Bud Light, that makes it the official beer of the National Hockey League, currently, through the 2010-2011 season. They have been partners since 1998, and is the exclusive beer sponsor for the NHL All-Star Game, the NHL Winter Classic, and has some promotion for the Stanley Cup.

As to the beer:

It's Bud Light. It's the same everywhere. It's really cool that all those beer factories can produce exactly the same beer, and that it tastes the same every time. It's really sad that those factories produce exactly the same beer, and that it tastes the same every time.

So, for the NHL, crack open an ice cold Bud Light, remember the colder it is, the less likely you'll be to actually taste it.

Days of the Beer, November 25

The beer for today is Port Santa's Little Helper 2008.

On November 25, 1984, 36 musicians got together in a Notting Hill studio and recorded the song "Do They Know It's Christmas", to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia.

The group of singers became known as Band Aid. The song was written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. Artists began arriving at 9 a.m. Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Culture Club, George Michael, Kool and the Gang, Sting, Bono, Jody Watley, and Bananarama were some of the artists who appeared on the song.



The song became the best selling single in the UK for 13 years. It was a UK number one single for 5 weeks.

As to the beer:

Each and every year, the Jolly Old Fatman sits down and compiles a list of who's been naughty and nice. It's curious that he never knows which list to put our brewers on as this is one naughty but incredibly nice beer.

Originally brewed at the Pizza Port in Solana Beach in November of 1997. As dark as the biggest lump of coal Santa can deliver, this beer has earned a dedicated following and is code named Satan's Little Hangover by those who have indulged in a holiday like manner from time to time.

The beer comes in at 10.5% Alcohol. If you have enough of it, you won't know what the hell day it is, let alone if it's Christmas.

Beer Events; Crane Alley Left Hand Beer Dinner

Just received the menu for the next Beer Dinner series to be held at Crane Alley, Dec. 8. This one is going to be built around Left Hand Brewing beers.

LEFT HAND BEER DINNER

Ju Ju Ginger

Panko crusted Salmon cake stuffed with spiced cream cheese with an Orange-Sesame vinaigrette

Sawtooth Amber Ale

Jumbo Lump Crabmeat tossed with micro greens drizzled with remoulade and smoked sea salt

Snowbound Winter Ale

Pan Roasted Duck Breast with wild rice pilaf, grilled zuchinni and squash, and a Blueberry demi-glace

Warrior IPA

Alligator Sirloin on top of creole cous-cous, with a spicy trinity broth

Milk Stout

Pistachio infused Tres Leches cake with a Left Hand Milk Stout reduction



That's right, alligator!

Left Hand Brewing is based out of Longmont, Colorado. The beer will be presented by Mike Walters the Midwest Sales Manager for Left Hand.


The dinner is $50 a person. Make reservations with Aaron before it fills up.

Aaron at crane-alley.com

Days of the Beer, November 24

The beer for today is Darwin Brewery, Evolution Ale.

On November 24, 1859, Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species. Also, today is the 149th anniversary of Evolution Day!

The books full title is On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. By the books 6th edition in 1872, it was shortened to The Origin of Species.

The book is based on evidence collected by Darwin, after his voyage on the Beagle, in the 1830s.

The book was (and still is) controversial because it contradicts religious beliefs (creationism vs. evolution).

We've already covered an "Evolution" beer here. The Catholic Church has recently changed their stance claiming evolution does not contradict that God made everything, most protestant religions hold evolution to be completely contradictory to creationism. A majority of people who believe evolution to be true, don't believe in God (*end wild speculation).

As to the beer:

Clean, dry and hoppy. A beer to satisfy your thirst and renew your sparkle. Strong enough to satisfy, light enough to refresh. Brewed with pale and specialist crystal malts together with Fuggles and Cascade hops to give a clean and satisfying finish.

Evolution was one of the first Darwin beers produced. The strange thing was that a mistake was made on the original recipe - yet the resulting beer was (and still is) better than we could have imagined.. hence the beer evolved into one of our best sellers.

So, for Origin of the Species, have a Darwin Evolution Ale. Unless you believe the world was created in 6 days, 6000 years ago, then have a Hebrew Genesis Ale.