Tuesday, September 23, 2014

6 pack of Questions with Mudbug Brewing's Leith Adams



1) What was your job before Mudbug? What inspired you to brew beer instead? 

I was a Biology instructor at Nicholls State University. I was a home brewer for about 10 years, and the feedback I was getting from the beer I brewed was when a friend, now business partner, Brance Lloyd, and I decided to start getting serious about this. We searched for the right investor for almost 2 years before we found him, Peter Liechty. The last 2 years have been us hammering out the details to bring the best brewing facility we could to Thibodaux.

 2) What do you want people to think of Mudbug Brewery as they taste your beer? 

Our main goal has always been to bring as much of Cajun culture to the local beer scene as we can. Whether it's food, drink, local legend, or just a unique word to describe something, there's so much here, culturally, we want to bridge the gap. We joke about being the 'Coonass' brewery of Louisiana. Lafayette is Acadian, New Orleans is Creole, our area is a mix of everything in between, and we embrace it! THAT is what we want to convey in our beers.

 3) What inspired King Cake Ale? Lot’s of haters out there for this beer. What do you say them?

 King Cake Ale  actually started as French Toast Ale. It's got cinnamon, vanilla, bread flavor from the grain, and lactose for some sweetness, everything you have in pain perdu (French toast). Once people started tasting it, more and more people started telling us it tasted like King Cake, so we ran with that. It's worked out pretty well. Much more identifiable. As for haters, let them hate. For every hater, there's going to be 1000 people that love it. Is it for everybody, not at all, but is it one of the most unique beers you will ever taste, quite possibly!

4) Brewing and music go hand in hand. What music are you listening to while brewing? 

Other than some Nonc Nu and Da Wild Matous (shameless self promotion) I mostly listen to metal, but I do have a wide array of musical taste. One band I found to very brewing friendly...They Might Be Giants!

5) Where do you see the Louisiana craft beer scene in 5 years? 

At least doubled in size and thriving! The craft beer culture down here is finally picking up. We are getting into it at a very exciting time, and hope to have a major impact on opening people's eyes to the wonder that is craft beer!

6) What are your favorite Louisiana brewed beers right now? 

The thing that sucks about being in Thibodaux is it's not a target for much of the specialty beers from local breweries. We still don't have Parish out here (although I've heard that should be changing soon)! Chafunkta Kingfish is my new go to! 40 Arpent Milk Stout, when I can find it locally at places like Which Craft? in Houma. Two of the latest local beers I was impressed with were Rebirth Pale Ale and Lowerline from NOLA! Rebirth has a great hop profile, and I like Lowerline because I have been recently delving into the complexity of sours because I plan on bringing some funk to the Louisiana beer scene, when I finally get the chance!


Cheers!

The Beer Buddha


PS

Nonc Nu & da Wild Matous from Art of the Bayou on Vimeo.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Great Raft Brewing Coming to New Orleans in November

Great Raft Brewing Expands Distribution to New Orleans
- Select drafts, seasonals available in November
Crescent Crown Distributing selected as distributor



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SHREVEPORT, La. -- Nearing a year in operation and with expectation-breaking sales, Great Raft Brewing, Shreveport’s first craft brewery and tasting room, will introduce its products to New Orleans starting in November. The distribution partnership with Crescent Crown Distributing means New Orleans’ craft beer enthusiasts can soon enjoy Great Raft’s flagship beers.

"We are excited to introduce our beers to new consumers in the southern part of our great state – we produced more than 2,000 barrels of beer in our first 11 months, and think New Orleans will enjoy our beer just as much as Shreveport has,” said co-founder and president Andrew Nations. ”We are proud to make beer in Louisiana, for Louisiana, and we are eager to finally share our beers with South Louisiana.”

 Reasonably Corrupt™ black lager, Southern Drawl™ pale lager and Commotion™ pale ale, Great Raft’s original, flagship beers, will be available on tap throughout the New Orleans market in early November. Seasonal and small-batch offerings will be selectively available as well.

 As a sneak peek, Great Raft Brewing will be pouring its beer at New Orleans on Tap on Sat., Sept. 27.

 Nations said that though the distribution plan does not initially include Baton Rouge or Northshore, Great Raft Brewing hopes to expand into those markets later in 2015.

 Founded by Shreveport natives Andrew and Lindsay Nations, Great Raft Brewing began operations in October 2013. For more information about Great Raft Brewing’s beers, expansion plans and more, please visit www.greatraftbrewing.com.

 ### About Great Raft Brewing: Great Raft Brewing is a Shreveport, Louisiana based craft brewery dedicated to making creative, authentic beer and helping to build a great beer culture within communities it serves. Co-founders Andrew and Lindsay Nations are Shreveport natives with a passion for beer. Born from their desire to bring exciting, flavorful, fresh craft beer to their hometown, Great Raft Brewing is bringing the craft brewing tradition to Northern Louisiana.

Information about Great Raft Brewing can be found at www.greatraftbrewing.com. Learn more on Twitter https://twitter.com/GreatRaftBeer and Facebook www.facebook.com/greatraftbrewing.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Beer Review: Traveler Beer Company Jack-O Traveler Shandy



I’m not that big on the shandy but I am big on pumpkin beers.  I look forward to fall because of pumpkin everything.  Yeah I know.  Whatever.


Anyway, recently reps from The Brooklyn Brothers reached out to me so they can send me a sample of Traveler Beer Company’s new and limited Jack-o Pumpkin Shandy.  Hell, it’s free and pumpkin so of course I said yes.  I’m never going to turn down free beer.

When my package arrived I didn't think much of it and threw the beer in the fridge so I could do my job and review it for you faithful readers.


Let me preface my review with a disclaimer.  I want my pumpkin beers to taste like pumpkin pie.  I know some of you don’t and that’s cool but that’s what I look forward to in my pumpkin beers.  And holy shit did this one pumpkin pie the shit out of their pumpkin beer.  Here is my review:


Brewery:  Traveler Beer Company

Beer:  Jack-O Traveler Shandy

Style: Pumpkin beer

ABV: 4.40%

Louisiana Availability:  Yes.  Limited seasonal.

Appearance: Pours a lightly hazy dark orange with a nice foamy, white head.

Smell: Strong aroma of pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice) as well as slight hints of a  lemon citrus.

Taste: You ever tasted pumpkin out of the can?  Yeah. Tastes just like that but with all the pie spices mixed in- cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice all there.  There is a lemon citrus bite that adds to it though.

Mouthfeel: Mice medium body with medium carbonation.


Overall: This is one of the best pumpkin beers I have had.  It has all the pumpkin pie taste that I look forward to in a pumpkin beer with some sort of added….something.  Not sure what it is.  It’s refreshing.  Maybe the whole shandy aspect is adding that.  Not sure. Go grab some though! 

Score:  4 out of 5 Buddhas  photo 4buddhas.jpg

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Thursday, September 4, 2014

6 pack of Questions with Wayward Owl Brewing's Justin Boswell


1) So you’ve decided to move from the Seattle area where there is an amazing craft beer scene to New Orleans which is more of an emerging one.  What made you do that? 

Well, my wife and I have been watching the scene and even more importantly the laws for breweries in Louisiana and trying to determine when the best time to make the move would be. Once the laws concerning breweries having tasting rooms changed that was a huge encouragement for us to start considering the move back to Louisiana. That particular facet of the industry(tasting rooms) just allows you to connect so much more intimately and directly with all the craft beer lovers out there and helps to push the bottom line for startups like ours into a business model that can actually sustain you during ups and downs within the craft beer market. Without that change I cannot say we would have ever considered re-locating home to do this. I love making beer and I want to share what I have to offer with the best people in the country, the people of Louisiana. I mean with the diversity of amazing food here, there has to be room for more amazing beer to go along with it. I have been told that I have a knack for bringing people together over a well crafted brew and I am excited to try my best to do my part within the awesome brotherhood of brewers that Louisiana has to offer.

2) Why Wayward Owl?

This is a question with a few different answers. The first is that the Boswell family crest from Scotland is actually an owl and we wanted to use that as our totem for the company. The second and more talked about is this.....When I worked for Black Raven Brewing the "Kraven T. Raven" puppet that we used for events was left in my wife's car. She decided after about a week to kid-nap it and send a ransom note to the brewery. After a bit of research she found out that the owl is the natural predator of the raven and in mythology there are a lot of stories with friction between the two. So she created "Trevor H. Owleander" and sent a ransom note and video to the brewery demanding their IPA as ransom for the raven and establishing himself as Kraven's arch nemesis. After a while the raven escaped because ravens are crafty like that and made friends with the owl over a bottle of Wisdom Seeker double IPA. We thought that by calling our brewery Wayward Owl we would be paying a bit of homage to our roots and the folks who gave me my brewing start. It's mostly a tip of the hat to where I got my start. The Wayward part of things is attributed to my love for wild beers, yeast and the unpredictability that we as brewers thrive on. You won't ever be able to pin down what we might do next cause we are some Wayward Owls. You can actually go on facebook and find pages for both Kraven and Trevor, if you are interested in that type of shenanigan.

3) What kind of beers are you looking to brew?  What will be your flagship brews?  Any special releases?

I intend on brewing beers I like. I mean whats the point of brewing if I don't want to drink the beer I brew? I will brew a few for the entry level craft beer drinker but based on what i've learned being back the palate of beer drinkers here is getting much more diverse than what I thought. I think this will give me the opportunity to get some wild Brett beers and sours out there in time. Those types of beers take a lot of time before they are ready so don't expect those out of the gate. Concerning flagship beers, I would like to keep the mantra of my previous employer in that respect. We aren't really in this to make flagship beers but we would love to eventually establish ourself as a flagship brewery. That being said our year round offerings will include a filtered wheat, session IPA, standard IPA, nitro stout, a scotch ale and a common. Seasonally we will have a double IPA, saison, and a few belgian style beers. We will also offer some wild, barrel aged and sour ales annually.........eventually. I want to do it all!

4) Cans or bottles? Both?

We will be offering both. Some year round offerings will be canned and our more delicate barrel, wild, and sour ales will be bottled.

5) I feel the New Orleans craft beer scene is about to explode.  We currently have one in the city.  Counting you we are about to have 5. ( I say 5 because I hear another Pacific Northwesterner originally from NOLA is coming back to start a brewery as well.) What do you see for the future of brewing in the city?

I think the future is bright if we can all work together, which believe me we are. I hear outsiders and some larger breweries see this as a battlefield but i'm coming from a market with over 200 local breweries and the people in that market only consume a fraction of the beer that the beer lovers in Louisiana do. There is room for everyone. I think the key for me is to get my boots on the ground and start connecting with people more. We should show them that the local brewers are here, in their neighborhood. We are here with our families making something that we love for them to enjoy and that they love to support because we all support the community, and create jobs in the local economy. I think as beer laws here start to catch up with the rest of the country then we will all be able to take that approach more easily and give back to our communities more and more. That being said I am very encouraged by what the city council, state reps, and the distributors are doing to help push things forward. It's very positive and it's moving forward in the right direction. Let's face it soon we will be the southern brewing capital again. Let's do it. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD BREWERY!!

6) What styles of beer are your favorite?  Favorite Louisiana beer?

That is a freaking hard question. I will say i lean towards hoppy beers and barrel aged beers. I go back and forth on favorite Louisiana beer but right now i'd say Gnarly Barley Radical Rye & Catahoula Common are at the top of my list. I have been drinking a lot of both of those. Ask me next week and I may give you a different answer. 



Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Brew Dogs New Orleans Episode Airs Tomorrow



Tomorrow 08/20 the Brew Dogs episode that was filmed here with NOLA Brewing and Bayou Teche Brewing will be airing! Most of you know about the event because, well, you were there.  

I have to admit the beer was not that great but the experience was awesome.  Really great of these guys to pick New Orleans to be represented among all the great beer cities.  

Here is a quick synopsis from Esquire:

In the NOLA episode of BREW DOGS, hosts James Watt and Martin Dickie create a New Orleans-inspired beer using local ingredients like Rose of Jericho (the "resurrection plant") and mayhaw fruit, brewed entirely on the back of a fan boat in the bayou. After a brief timeout from brewing to compete with Bayou Tech Brewing to see who can make the best craft beer pairings with local Cajun cuisine, the BREW DOGS then continue to the French Quarter to reveal their revival beer and convert a few local craft beer fans along the way.

I was lucky enough to see an advance screener for the show and will admit it was pretty awesome. Much better than the beer!  I saw a lot of familiar faces in the show as well!  Get ready cause if you were there you are probably in this episode!


Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

TWO SCOTTISH CRAFT BEER RENEGADES. TEN AMERICAN BEER LOVING LOCALES.
BREW DOGS RETURNS FOR SEASON TWO ON ESQUIRE NETWORK JUNE 25

LOS ANGELES – June 6, 2014 – James Watt and Martin Dickie, founders of the UK’s fastest growing brewery and creators of the world’s strongest ale, return to create more craft beer anarchy when season two of BREW DOGS premieres Wednesday, June 25 at 9/8c on Esquire Network.

In each of the 10, one-hour BREW DOGS episodes, James and Martinvisit a different American beer town, celebrate distinctive craft beers andcreate their own locally-inspired draft. Along the way, they break every rule in modern brewing, seek out (sometimes bizarre) local ingredients for theirbrew, and challenge American brewers to help them create the most outrageousbeers on earth.

BREW DOGS episodes include:

·       Alaska – Cut off from civilization in the Alaskan wilderness, James and Martin brew a survivalist beer with glacier water, spruce tips, winterberries, and a few old airplane parts.

·       Chicago -- In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, James and Martin team up with Revolution Brewing in Chicago to create the “greenest” beer ever, and not just in terms of color. For the brewing process, they enlist the aid of an engineer to build a wind-powered brew system atop one of the manyhigh rises in Chicago’s famous skyline.

  • Colorado – After meeting with an archeologist and scaling giant pine trees, James and Martin brew a modern take on an ancient beer style using primitive brewing equipment that they’ve actually built themselves.

·       Delaware -- James and Martin visit Dover Speedway, where they team up with Dogfish Head Brewery’s Sam Calagione and attempt to brew an all-new beer in the back of a truck racing around the Monster Mile—the world’s fastest one-mile oval.

·       Las Vegas -- In Las Vegas, where millions are won and lost every day, James and Martin brew the most expensive beer ever—even if that means melting down gold, shaving truffles, and finding water from halfway around the world.

·       Los Angeles – The BREW DOGS go head-to-head, competing alongside local home brewers to make the best new boundary-pushing beer in LA. Each team must successfully design their own brew, sourcing local ingredients.

·       Maui – Sugarcane and toasted coconut flavor James and Martin’s newest brew, a Hot Lava Rock beer based on the lifestyle and history of Maui—and brewed amid hula skirts and fire dancers at a local luau.

·       New Orleans – The BREW DOGS turn to swamp fruit and a voodoo priestess to create a revival beer in New Orleans. To capture the true bayou experience, they build a mobile brewery on the back of a fan boat.

·       NorCal – In an RV in Northern California, James and Martin make impromptu craft pairings with campfire food and create the ultimate collaboration beer with Sierra Nevada and Bear Republic, and brew it with the help of a local professor, the “Pope of Foam.”

·       North Carolina -- James and Martin brew the most caloric beer ever, a Maple Bacon Ice Cream Stout, in Durham, NC. And they do it on bikes. Burn calories while brewing calories.


BREW DOGS is produced for Esquire Network by Custom/Redtail Partners LLC. Executive producers are Steve Stockman, Chris Burke and Jared Cotton.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Great Raft Brewing More Than Doubles Capacity with Two-Phase Expansion Plan

Received this press release from Great Raft Brewing today.  Looks like we could see some of their beers here pretty soon!




- New fermenters in first phase to add 55 percent more production capacity
- Second phase targets South Louisiana launch in First Quarter 2015 

August 7, 2014, SHREVEPORT, La. – Great Raft Brewing plans to increase production by more than 160 percent with its expansion in 2014. The expansion includes adding fermentation tanks that will increase capacity from 2,500 to 7,000 barrels (bbls) annually.

 To better meet market demand and ultimately grow into new markets within the region, Great Raft Brewing will undergo a two-phase expansion over the next six months. The first phase is underway now, as the team is installing two new 60 bbl fermenters that will add 55 percent more production capacity. The additional capacity will help Great Raft Brewing better fulfill distributor orders and maximize its footprint within the North Louisiana markets it currently serves.

 “We are excited for the opportunity to serve our existing customer base more consistently, as well as establish Great Raft Brewing within the state. We want to share our beer with as many people in the region as possible, without overextending ourselves or compromising quality,” said co-founder and vice president Lindsay Nations. “Making the jump to New Orleans and surrounding markets is the next logical step for us to be able to meet that goal.”

 The second phase of production expansion lays the groundwork for distribution expansion into South Louisiana. Beginning in December and slated for completion in January 2015, four additional 60 bbl fermenters and one 60 bbl brite tank will be added to the cellar. This equipment will increase capacity by an additional 70 percent, leading to a 163 percent increase in total capacity within the brewery’s first year. The additional 240 bbls of fermentation space will be used to brew products that will be shipped to South Louisiana.

Great Raft Brewing will release specifics around its plans to enter South Louisiana later this year. Distributors and timelines have not been announced.

In addition to an upgrade of brewing operations, Great Raft Brewing will also work to launch a barrel aging program, expand in-house lab capabilities, and add a meeting space at its Dalzell facility. The company expects to create five new jobs as a result of the expansion.

Great Raft Brewing brewed its first beer in October 2013, becoming the first Shreveport brewery to operate and sell beer since prohibition. Since then, the brewery has produced beer as fast as possible to keep up with demand for its products. In late March 2014, Great Raft expanded distribution into Monroe and Ruston markets, but hasn’t been able to maximize the full potential of that market due to production limitations.

Great Raft Brewing’s location in Shreveport is on track to produce 2,500 bbls this year. The expansion will give them the ability to produce close to 7,000 bbls in 2015. The current cellar is taking up only a small footprint within the 27,000 square foot warehouse, allowing for plenty of room for growth. “We knew from the very early stages that we wanted to brew more beer than we would initially be able to produce. That’s why we picked a building with growth potential. But we wanted to take it slow, grow organically and be smart about it. Our growth in volume will be met with a continued focused on quality. The equipment upgrades to our lab and canning line give us invaluable insight into our beer. Additional volume is great, but it will always come second to quality,” said co-founder and president Andrew Nations.

More information about Great Raft Brewing can be found at
www.greatraftbrewing.com.

###

About Great Raft Brewing: Great Raft Brewing is a Shreveport, Louisiana based craft brewery dedicated to making creative, authentic beer and helping to build a great beer culture within communities it serves. Co-founders Andrew and Lindsay Nations are Shreveport natives with a passion for beer. Born from their desire to bring exciting, flavorful, fresh craft beer to their hometown, Great Raft Brewing is bringing the craft brewing tradition to Northern Louisiana.


Information about Great Raft Brewing can be found at www.greatraftbrewing.com. Learn more on Twitter https://twitter.com/GreatRaftBeer and Facebook www.facebook.com/greatraftbrewing.


Monday, August 4, 2014

Abita Collaborating with Italy's Birrificio del Ducato for Two Boots Saison

See below.  This looks pretty cool.  Looking forward to trying this beer.







We are happy to announce that Abita Beer will be creating our first ever collaboration brew with Birrificio del Ducato. Two Boots, appropriately named for the shape of Louisiana and Italy, is a Saison brewed with peppercorn, lemon balm and honey.
Birrificio del Ducato is an award-winning craft brewery located in Parma, Italy that uses natural and local ingredients. Brewmaster, Giovanni Campari, visited our brewery recently to meet with me and conduct a small initial brew.
Two boots will be made with pilsner and wheat malts and hopped with German Perle hops. We used a local producer of raw honey, Blood River Honey, to give the brew a very dry finish, which is great for a Saison. The addition of the lemon, green and pink peppercorn enhances the overall flavor of the brew.
The honey is added in the brewhouse at the end of the boil, and then the lemon balm and pepper is added in the aging tank. Adding the pepper to aging tank will impart the flavor and aroma without adding as much heat and spice. Finally, adding the lemon balm to the aging tank will impart the fresh flavor and aroma of the herb. In the end this is a very balanced beer with the flavors of the malted barley, wheat, hops, yeast, herbs, and honey all blending together for a refreshing brew.
Two Boots will be released in very limited quantities on draft in August 2014. It will be available in 22oz bottles and as a select on draft in spring 2015.


Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Friday, July 18, 2014

Lagunitas Coming to Louisiana


So I cannot confirm or deny but can state with some serious accuracy that Lagunitas has finally decided to distribute to Louisiana.  They signed with Crescent Crown and are looking at a potential October date,

Honestly,  It's about fucking time dude.

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Friday, June 6, 2014

WYES International Beer Festival Ticket Giveaway!

You want tickets to the Saturday WYES International Beer Festival on June 14th?  I bet you do.

Follow me on Facebook or Twitter and tag me or Tweet @TheBeerBuddha a picture of you drinking a local beer with the hashtag #BeerBuddhaWYES.

Contest ends 06/12/2014.  I will announce the winner Friday morning.



Good luck!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

A Saturday at 40 Arpent Brewing


I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you, I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.- Mr Rogers



One of the greatest things about local craft breweries is that they are part of the community.  It's not some large sprawling behemoth pumping out beer after beer with thousands of employees no one knows. In a lot of places across the country, especially here in New Orleans these small breweries are your neighbors. Literally. Not the kind of neighbor you can borrow the lawnmower from but better.  They brew beer. This is the kind of neighbor Mr. Rogers was talking about.


This past weekend my friend Chris Sickmen from back in my Virginia days came to visit our great city.  He was my neighbor and friend back when I lived in Stafford.  I wanted to show him the New Orleans I know not some touristy version of it.


Like me he is into drinking craft beers so I wanted to make a point of hitting a local brewery while he was here.  I was due for a visit to 40 Arpent Brewing so I got in touch with owner Michael Naquin and we headed over there Saturday afternoon.


The brewery is nestled right along the Mississippi River in Arabi, Louisiana which is a suburb of New Orleans about ten minutes outside the city limits.  It has a spectacular view of the river and the Steamboat Natchez(which carries 40 Arpent beer) passes the brewery and blares its horn as if a nod every time it passes the brewery.  Kind of a "what's up homie" moment 2 or 3 times a day.




When we arrived they had some folks setting up for a party and we felt like we were intruding.  It turned out that it was some friends of Baton Rouge homebrewer Blake Winchell and thanks to his generosity we just became part of the group.  




We met some folks from down in Houma who were cooking up the crawfish and man did they do an amazing job.   They were throwing cans of asparagus, artichokes and all sorts of other stuff I hadn't seen before.  Even talked about using pickles and pineapples.  Need me some of that!

Crawfish, oysters and the most amazing pimento cheese deviled eggs I've ever had coupled with great Louisiana beer and a spectacular view made for such a unique and awesome experience.  It's things like this that make New Orleans a great city.  The randomness, the spontaneity and the community. What an amazing day!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha






Tuesday, May 13, 2014

BROOKLYN BREWERY BREWMASTER GARRETT OLIVER WINS THE 2014 JAMES BEARD AWARD FOR "OUTSTANDING WINE, BEER, OR SPIRITS PROFESSIONAL



This is some really cool news.  Not local news but cool nonetheless.  Garrett Oliver received a James Beard award!  I feel this is MUCH deserved and about time someone from the beer world won the award!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BROOKLYN BREWERY BREWMASTER GARRETT OLIVER WINS THE 2014 JAMES BEARD AWARD FOR "OUTSTANDING WINE, BEER, OR SPIRITS PROFESSIONAL"
The "Oscar of the Culinary World" caps off Garrett Oliver's 20th Year at the Brooklyn Brewery

MAY 5th, 2014, New York, NY – Garrett Oliver, brewmaster of The Brooklyn Brewery has won the 2014 James Beard Foundation Award for Excellence in the category of "Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional". Often referred to as "the Oscars of the food world", the James Beard Foundation Awards, celebrated in a star-studded black tie ceremony at New York's Lincoln Center, are widely considered the most prestigious awards in the culinary arts in the United States. This is Oliver's first James Beard Award. Having been previously nominated in this category several times, he was also a finalist for his books "The Brewmaster's Table" and "The Oxford Companion to Beer".

The James Beard Awards are considered to be the highest honor in the culinary and beverage fields since their establishment in 1990. Previous winners of the “Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Sprits Professional” honor include Paul Grieco of Terroir (2012) and Julian Van Winkle III of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery (2011). This is the first time a beer professional has ever won this award.

"This is my 20th year at Brooklyn Brewery, and I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate a banner year", said Oliver. "Chefs are the closest peers of the modern craft brewer, so the culinary side of brewing has always been very important to me. I have a lot of friends in this room. This is a great honor, and I think it signals the fact that real beer is back where it belongs - at the table."

Garrett Oliver began brewing professionally at Manhattan Brewing Company in 1989 as an apprentice. He was appointed brewmaster there in 1993. He soon became widely known both here and abroad for his flavorful interpretations of traditional brewing styles as well as being an avid and entertaining lecturer and writer on the subject of beer. Garrett has hosted more than 900 beer tastings, dinners, and cooking demonstrations in 16 countries, writes regularly for beer and food-related periodicals, and is internationally recognized as an expert on traditional beer styles and their affinity with good food.

In 2003 Oliver authored The Brewmaster’s Table: Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer with Real Food. The Brewmaster’s Table was the winner of a 2004 International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Book Award and was a finalist for the 2004 James Beard Foundation Book Awards. The Brewmaster’s Table was released in a paperback edition in May of 2005 and remains in print.

His most recent book is The Oxford Companion to Beer (OCB), published in October 2011 by Oxford University Press. Compiling the vast knowledge of 166 experts in 24 countries, covering 1,120 subjects, The Oxford Companion to Beer is the most comprehensive book ever published on the subject. Only nine weeks after its publication date, the OCB had risen to #8 on the Amazon list of overall books, had sold out four printings and headed into a fifth.Amazon.com<http://Amazon.com> named the OCB one of the “Best Books of 2011”.

Garrett was a founding board member of Slow Food USA<http://www.slowfoodusa.org/> and then later served for five years on the Board of Counselors of Slow Food International. He is a graduate of Boston University, and holds a degree in Broadcasting and Film. He is the recipient of the 1998 Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation and Excellence in Brewing, granted by the Institute for Brewing Studies. It is the highest award given within the United States brewing profession. He is also the recipient of the 2003 Semper Ardens Award for Beer Culture (Denmark) and Cheers Beverage Media’s “Beverage Innovator of the Year” Award for 2006. In 2007, Forbes named him one of the top ten tastemakers in the country for wine, beer and spirits.

###

About The Brooklyn Brewery

Founded in 1988, The Brooklyn Brewery is one of the foremost craft breweries in the world, currently ranking #9 in volume among United States craft breweries. A producer of award-winning beers that are available in 26 states and more than 20 countries, The Brooklyn Brewery is located in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Brewery recently opened Nya Carnegiebryggeriet (New Carnegie Brewery) in Stockholm, Sweden, where it produces a range of specialty beers for the Scandinavian market. www.brooklynbrewery.com<http://www.brooklynbrewery.com>

American Craft Beer Week is Here!

Okay, so I didn't come out with some extensive list with all of the New Orleans area beer events for American Craft Beer Week.  Sorry, been busy.

However, Nora over at NOLA Beer Blog did and it's awesome.  Go check it out here.

Make sure you join me, my co-author Argyle and newest Beer Buddha sponsor Chafunkta Brewing at Midway Pizza for some beer and pizza this Thursday at 6pm!


Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Brew Dogs Filming At NOLA Brewing


So file this one under Holy Shit Balls!  James Watt and Martin Dickie from BrewDog Brewery and Brew Dogs TV show will be brewing with NOLA Brewery for one their episodes!  I copied this straight from NOLA Brewing's Facebook page.  Why not right?

Brew Dogs will be making a trip to New Orleans! James Watt and Martin Dickie, from the Scottish brewery BrewDog, will team up with our brewers and brew one hell of a crazy beer to be filmed for their show on Esquire Network. The free tasting party will feature this collaboration beer and we will also be showing them how a crawfish boil is done! Please take note, that this party will be filmed so please no hats and shirts with major logos.
To learn more about Brew Dogs, take a look here: http://tv.esquire.com/shows/brew-dogs.

Hell yeah!!  See you there!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Monday, April 14, 2014

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Crescent City Homebrewer's Flea Market and Pig Roast

 
 
 
This looks pretty awesome.  Got the heads up on this from Travis Combel.  Check it out!
 
 



Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Monday, April 7, 2014

NOLA Brewing Introduces Rebirth Pale Ale Benefiting The Roots of Music Official Release Party Wednesday, April 16

Received this press release from NOLA Brewing today! For the past five years, NOLA Brewing Company has been bringing the history and tradition of beer back to New Orleans. Founded on the concept of helping rebuild and develop commerce in post-Katrina New Orleans, the NOLA based brewery offers a variety of beers made with the finest available hops, malts and unique yeast blends.

Continuing in this tradition, NOLA Brewing is proud to unveil its latest brew – Rebirth Pale Ale on draft – benefitting The Roots of Music. The company’s first pale ale pays tribute to the Rebirth Brass Band while supporting music education for New Orleans' youth through the non-profit organization, co-founded by Rebirth drummer, Derrick Tabb and Allison Reinhardt.

“We decided to name the brew Rebirth for a number of reasons,” explains Kirk Coco, CEO of NOLA Brewing. “A big part of the meaning comes from the rebirth of the city post-Katrina and being a part of that process. Another is that the Rebirth Brass Band is a shining example of music from our city. We wanted to give back to the community with our beer, and The Roots of Music was a perfect fit – helping kids in the city where music education is vital, and supporting the music everyone at the brewery loves!”

Derek Tabb adds, “We're excited and honored that NOLA Brewing would pick us to represent them in its latest beer, while also supporting an organization that's most near and dear to our hearts.”

In celebration of the release, the brewery invites imbibers to sample the new beer on Wednesday, April 16 at 5 p.m. in the taproom at 3001 Tchoupitoulas Street. Admission is free and open to the public (21+up) and will feature complimentary light bites, live entertainment and $3-$7 beers. In attendance will be the talented kids from The Roots of Music Marching Crusaders along with Derrick Tabb and members of the Rebirth Brass Band.

Rebirth Pale Ale is a sessionable, American-style pale ale that uses five different malt varieties and desirable hops including Cascade, Simcoe and Citra. The pale ale is wonderfully balanced and its flavorful hop taste and aroma allows for more than one indulgence at a time, coming at only 5% ABV.

To help raise money for The Roots of Music’s mission to teach, support and empower New Orleans’ youth through music education, a portion of all beer sales at the release party,well as a portion of ongoing retail sales of Rebirth Pale Ale, will be donated to the organization. Stay tuned for a soon-to-be released 6 pack 12 oz. can set of the Rebirth Pale Ale to debut this summer. For more information on NOLA Brewing visit www.nolabrewing.com.

Monday, March 17, 2014

World Of Beer Coming To Metairie

 
 
 
Just received confirmation via a couple of damn reliable sources that Metairie will be getting a World of Beer.  Looks like they are currently building at 4100 Veterans Blvd.  Stay tuned to this awesome news!   If I hear more I will let you know!
 
Cheers!
 
The Beer Buddha



Sunday, March 16, 2014

Google 360° Tour of Bayou Teche Brewing

Have you ever wished you could tour a brewery but weren't able to get there?  Maybe you live in a different state.  Maybe the brewery is hours away and you don't own a car.  It doesn't matter.  For whatever reason you can't get there.

For those of you who have been itching to check out Bayou Teche's brewery but haven't been able to here is a cool opportunity to do so and you don't even have to leave the comfort of your beer fridge.

I got an email from Stephen Young who attended the book signing at Maple Street Books the other night and he is a local photographer.  He shot a Google 360° view of the brewery and it is truly awesome.  You start in the tasting room seeing Laurin Knott double fisting some beer and Karlos and Byron jamming out.  You can tour the entire brewery and also check out the water waste treatment and crawfish pond in the back!  Grab a Bayou Teche beer and Enjoy!



Google tour created by JStephenYoung.com


Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Brooklyn Brewery Mash Events Return to New Orleans

Got this email from Brooklyn Brewery today!
 
 
 
 
BROOKLYN BREWERY MASH EVENTS RETURN TO NEW ORLEANS
 
Award-winning craft brewery visits New Orleans to celebrate neighborhood culture, emerging artists and local food scene in weeklong series of food, beer and
community events
 
New Orleans, LAMarch 29 – April 5, 2014
 
 What: The second annual Brooklyn Brewery Mash tour hits New Orleans, March 29 - April 5 to celebrate what’s next in food, film, comedy, music, books and beer. The Mash tour is the largest traveling food, beer and arts festival, stopping in ten US cities as well as London and Stockholm in 2014. Brooklyn Brewery has collaborated with New Orleans chefs, artists and craft brewers to create one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences for the whole community to enjoy. 
 
In partnership with Slow Food USA and select event partners and performers from both Brooklyn and New Orleans, the weeklong series features exclusive dinners, concerts and lots of craft beers.  New Orleans Mash partners include: Chef Eman Loubier (Dante's), Marnie Stern, Pauline and Stephen Patterson (Trèo), David Blossman (Abita Brewing Company), Chef Kirk Coco (New Orleans Lager and Ale Brewing Co.), Pizza Delicious, Grow Dat Youth Farm, NOLA Brewing, The Avenue Pub, The Howling Wolfe, D.B.A., Dirty Coast, St. James Cheese and One Eyed Jacks. 
 
Who: Various spokespeople and Mash tour partners, including:
·         Steve Hindy, President and Co-Founder of Brooklyn Brewery, who will discuss his new book, The Craft Beer Revolution offering insight and perspective as a pioneer of America’s craft beer movement.
·         Brooklyn Brewery Chef Andrew Gerson has joined forces with New Orleans’ own Chef Eman Loubier and Chef Brent Tranchina to offer unique community dining experiences that celebrate local flavors and explore alternative eating spaces in New Orleans.
 
Where/When:  Check out the list of events for #NOLAMash March 29 - April 5, 2014 below.
 
Watch:  Check out the Mash video trailer, link here.
 
Mash tickets are available at BrooklynBreweryMash.com
 
For information, press passes or interviews with Brooklyn Brewery or any of the Mash partners, please contact Robert Woods at (212) 601-8189 or Robert.Woods@PorterNovelli.com.
 
New Orleans Mash Tour Schedule
 
Saturday, March 29, 2014
What and Who:  Chef Andrew Gerson will bring his beer experience and pairing knowledge to the good people of NOLA. Armed with some of his favorite pairings from his journeys on the Mash tour Andrew speaks to the delicate balance of malt and hops and how they interplay with the meals you are planning to make.
·         WhereRouses, 400 North Carrollton Avenue New Orleans, LA
·         When:  Starts at 4:00 PM
 
·         What and WhoArmed with some of his favorite pairings from his journeys on the Mash tour, Brooklyn Brewery Chef Andrew Gerson speaks to the delicate balance of malt and hops and how they interplay with the meals you are planning to make.
·         Where:  Winn-Dixie, 401 North Carrollton Avenue New Orleans, LA
·         When:  Starts at 6:00 PM
 
Sunday, March 30, 2014
  • What and Who:  Through roaming culinary events, Dinner on the Farm works to connect people back to the land and to the farmers and artisans who are making our communities a better place to live. Enjoy some delta blues and Appalachian stomps at this laidback late-afternoon picnic among hundred year old cypress, oak and palm trees. There will be lots of deliciousness, a farm tour and enough beer for all.
  • Where:  Grow Dat Youth Farm, 150 Zachary Taylor Drive New Orleans, LA
  • When:  Starts at 5:00 PM (Tickets: $65)

Tuesday, April 1, 2014:                                              
  • What and Who:  Brooklyn Brewery co-founder Steve Hindy looks back with his fellow craft beer brothers including Kirk Coco (NOLA Brewing) and David Blossman (Abita Brewing Company) to discuss the circumstances and ambitions that allowed a handful of individuals across the country to challenge one of the largest corporate dynasties in American history. Then they’ll look ahead to the future of good beer and talk about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for American craft beer.
 
·         WhereNOLA Brewing, 3001 Tchoupitoulas Street New Orleans, LA
·         When:  Starts at 7:00 PM (Tickets: $6) 
 
Wednesday, April 2, 2014:
·         What and Who:  With a resume longer than a Garrett Oliver recipe, Brooklyn Brewery Technical Director Mary Wiles, a certified brewmaster in her own right, can answer all of your zymurgy questions. Sample some of our rarest brews, including Mary's Maple Porter, a Brewmaster's Reserve we created using Mary's own maple syrup.
·         Where:  The Avenue Pub, 1732 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA
·         When:  Starts at 7:00 PM (Tickets: Free)
 
·         What and Who:  In true Brooklyn style, Brooklyn Ha Ha introduces some of the NYC standup scene’s best under-the-radar talent and brings their act to the looser, more freewheeling environment of a rock club. Also performing will be up-and-comers of the NOLA comedy world.
·         Where:  The Howlin Wolf, 615 Toulouse Street New Orleans, LA
·         When:  Doors at 9:00 PM (Tickets: $10)
 
Thursday, April 3, 2014:
            Found Footage Festival
  • What and Who:  The Found Footage Festival celebrates its tenth anniversary with a brand-new show and DVD (Volume 7). Hosts Nick Prueher and Joe Pickett, whose credits include The Onion and the Late Show with David Letterman, are excited to show off their new lineup of found video clips and live comedy.
  • Where:  One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse Street New Orleans, LA
  • When:  Starts at 7:00 PM (Tickets: $12)
 
Friday, April 4, 2014: 
  • What and Who: This pop-up dinner party, hosted in a unique, non-traditional location, embodies The Mash. In each city we visit, we bring together some of our favorite people to create a memorable meal and moment. Our partner for the tour is the incomparable, members-only, Dinner Lab, whom we first met the last time we were in New Orleans.
  • WhereSurprise location, announced day-of
  • When:  Starts at 7:00 PM (Tickets: $65)
 
Saturday, April 5, 2014: 
·         What and Who: Send off a whirlwind week of Mash fun with our closing party at Howlin’ Wolf. Opening act Native America, Brooklyn rocker Marnie Stern, food trucks, a Dirty Coast apparel collaboration for sale and a video art installation by Nuit Blanche New York, make this show more than just a concert.
·         Where: One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse Street New Orleans, LA
·         When: Starts at 8:00 PM (Free admission)
 
·         What and Who: Join us at THE New Orleans craft beer mecca, Avenue Pub, for cask conditioned firkins of Brooklyn Summer Ale, Brooklyn EIPA and the ever elusive Blast! These three naturally fermented brews will be alongside select pairings from St. James Cheese. As Polly says, “drink what you love.”
·         Where: Avenue Pub, 1732 St. Charles Avenue New Orleans, LA
·         When: Starts at 2:00 PM