By definition a Master Sommelier has had most every beverage ever created in the entire universe, so when a bunch of Master Sommeliers get together for a big conference with tastings, you know some epic stuff will be poured.
A special presentation, dinner, and tasting by Wine Australia allowed conference attendees the rare opportunity to taste Seppeltsfield Tawnies from 1908, 1953, and 1977, as well as a 1935 Seppeltsfield brandy. The 1953 and 1977 vintages were specifically drawn from their casks for the event to commemorate the years the Guild of Sommeliers and the Court of Master Sommeliers were each founded. They will not be available to the public until 2053 and 2077, respectively. Continue Reading »
The release of Sexual Chocolate from Foothills Brewing out of Winston-Salem, NC is less than a month away and all the details surrounding the release have finally emerged. What is set to be an epic release for the 2009 Great American Beer Festival Bronze Medal winner in the Imperial Stout/Porter category, Sexual Chocolate will be released on February 6 beginning at 11 A.M. However, if you plan on showing up at 11 A.M. for the release, you are wrong and you WILL miss out on this dark, luscious, sexy smooth vice.
But wait, there’s more. The night before, Foothills will host PreSex, a pre-release celebration centered around a tasting that will start at 7 P.M. and last until midnight. It’s an epic adventure with tons of great beer to be shared by other generous beer lovers, so be sure to bring an awesome bottle or two to share! Continue Reading »
It’s just barely 2010 and epic collaborations have already begun. Mitch Steel of Stone Brewing Co., who is no stranger to collaborations, is teaming up with Matt Brynildson of Firestone Walker and Shaun O’Sullivan of the great up-and-coming 21st Amendment out of San Francisco to create a collaboration that I’m sure only they could pull off. Not much information has been released about the beer in regards to style, but with these great masterminds at work, it shouldn’t disappoint. So many amazing brews have been created by these guys, I can’t wait to see what they come up with.
Stone will be holding a “Meet the Brewers: Collaboration Day Wrap-Up” event Friday January 15th and you will have a chance to meet the brewers, hopefully find out about this awesome collaboration, and you may even have a chance to try some of the unfermented wort.
The people at All About Beer Magazine know how to throw a party, a reputation well defended this last Saturday in Durham, NC at the World Beer Festival. Pints were pounded and worlds were rocked at this epic beer tasting.
According to co-owner and publisher Daniel Bradford, “As the leading beer magazine in America, we have invested three decades into building local beer communities and educating the public in beer quality and appreciation. The World Beer Festival has been an important part of our mission. Since our first Durham festival in 1996, we have seen the beer community grow in strength, diversity and passion.”
The World Beer Festival will also host events next year in Columbia, SC (January 16); Raleigh, NC (April 24); and Richmond, VA (June 12) before returning for the fifteenth Durham fest (October 2).
Two dark horse candidates medaled at this year’s Great American Beer Festival. Milwaukee’s Best (some know it as The Beast) took gold in the American Style Cream Ale or Lager category. It beat out 23 other entries (mostly from craft breweries) on its way to the podium. Olde English 800 took silver in the International Style Pilsener category. It bested 11 other entrants.
Of course, the Big Three (Miller, Bud, Coors) took most of the American Style medals, but the moral of the story is that fine beverage can be found in surprising packages. So go ahead folks, drop two bones on a quart of one of these tasties and toast their victory!
People and their dogs are crazy, an idea verified by the up coming Wine & Bitch Weekend at The Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, Montana. Events include hand-made dog treats, gourmet human treats, fashion show, and a dog parade…WTF is a dog parade? Billed as “A luxury weekend of fine wine tasting and tail chasing“, this annual event finally brings together the worlds of psychotic dog owners and rabid winos. Continue Reading »
