Choc announces 2010 beer schedule
Got word from Choc today that they have several great things planned for the first half of 2010, including several beers in their Brewmaster Signature Series. Of most interest to me is the announcement they will roll out a series of seasonal beers, beginning with Choc Summer Ale, to be released May 21. In addition, there’s a yet-to-be-announced beer collaboration expected at the start of May. Here’s the news release from Choc:
(KREBS) January 6, 2010 — Choc Beer Company is excited to announce its release schedule of six new brews for the first half of 2010! The brews will be available through Choc’s distribution network in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Minnesota. All brews will be available in bottles and draft. The list is highlighted by four new Brewmaster Signature Series brews, the beginning of Choc’s Brewmaster’s Seasonal Series and a yet to be announced collaboration brew.
Choc is proud of the quality and craftsmanship that goes into every Brewmaster’s Signature Series release. “We put a great amount of time into planning what styles Choc could leave a mark on and what beers would fit within this series,” said Brewmaster Michael Lalli.
In addition to the Brewmaster’s Signature Series, Choc is launching a Brewmaster’s Seasonal Series. Choc will announce a beer for each season, beginning with Choc’s Summer Ale in May.
Sales/Marketing Director Zach Prichard described the Brewmaster’s Seasonal Series as, “limited production brews of the highest quality, brewed with the seasons in mind and typically more sessionable than the Signature series.” The Brewmaster’s Seasonal Series will be available in 6-pack bottles and draft. The Summer Ale is a Belgium inspired blonde ale.
The following list includes all planned Choc Beer Company releases for the first half of 2010:
Feb 5th – Belgian Style Quad (Brewmaster’s Signature Series)
March 19th– Biere de Garde (Brewmaster’s Signature Series)
April 15th– Super Saison (Brewmaster’s Signature Series)
May 3rd – Unannounced Collaboration Brew
May 21st – Summer Ale (Brewmaster’s Seasonal Series)
July 1st – Brew at Choc’s Home Contest Winner (Brewmaster’s Signature Series)
Five Questions With… COOP Ale Works
Here is the latest installment in my series Five Questions With…
Today I talk to JD Merryweather, a partner with COOP Ale Works in Oklahoma City. There’s a lot of COOP news these days: They’re celebrating their first year of brewing, they’re unveiling at least one new beer soon and, as I’ve mentioned in earlier blog posts, they’re hosting an open house this Saturday to celebrate. In addition, check The Oklahomanon Wednesday for a story on COOP by the paper’s food editor, Dave Cathey.
1. The Thirsty Beagle: You guys are coming up on one year in business. How has the first year compared to your expectations?
JD Merryweather: Year one has been overwhelming. We are extremely grateful to have had the Oklahoma community jump up and support COOP. We brew it and they drink it. We are thrilled to offer something that the state can be proud of and even brag about! Thank you Oklahoma.
2. TTB: Can you give an idea of how many new beers you guys will unveil in 2010? Any hints as to the types?
JDM: Our next planned release is our India Pale Ale. We look forward to presenting it this spring. We also plan to bring back our successful Oktoberfest in a larger quantity than 2009 and we are already working on next year’s Barrel Aged Imperial Stout.
3. TTB: On that same note, does there come a point when you put a cap on how many beers you offer? Will that be dictated by your capacity?
JDM:We currently offer five beer styles year round. The IPA may become our sixth. The plan is to offer one additional seasonal or special release each quarter to go with the primary releases. We have several amazing beers in development but they are in stealth mode.
4. TTB: If I remember correctly, you mentioned to me at Zoo Brew that there were no immediate plans for bottles. Where does that stand right now?
JDM: We have had such an amazing response to our draft beer that we work daily to keep up with demand. Bottling is in the plans but we have our hands full managing the keg demand at this time.
5. TTB: I’ve heard you guys at COOP are keeping an eye on the environment during the brewing process. What are you guys doing specifically?
JDM:We pride ourselves on being as green as possible. We are on OG&E’s 100 percent wind credit program. We use super-high-efficient hot water heaters and focus on water management. All of COOP Ale Works’ spent grain gets recycled and used by members of the OKC farmer’s co-op to feed chickens, pigs and worked into composting programs. I’d also like to note that drinking local draft beer has a very, very low contribution to a brewery’s carbon footprint. Our beer travels shorter distances (fresh), and the containers (kegs) are reused over and over so packaging waste is non-existent. We try and I think it shows.
So there you have it. I think it’s great that COOP contributes to the environment in such a positive way. Talk about a no-guilt beer drinking situation. Just a reminder: the open house is 7 p.m. Saturday at COOP Ale Works, 1124 NW 51.
And they will call it Black Saturday
OK. I think I’ve recovered sufficiently to muster up the enthusiasm and energy to type this blog post. Saturday, you see, took a lot out of me. The day would have been bad enough if I had only cared about the Cotton Bowl. Because as we all know, that was some kind of ball game on Saturday. And by “some kind of ball game,” I mean it was absolutely atrocious and painful to watch. Did I spend $220 on seats that I needed a mountain goat and Tibetan guide to get to? Yes. Did I spend $40 on a parking spot that came with a 20-minute walk to the stadium? Yes. Did I spend $60 on a limited amount of concessions? Yes. And did the OSU offense throw out a performance worthy of the second-stringers in a spring game? Yes. It was terrible. The only saving grace for the Cotton Bowl from an OSU fan’s perspective is that it was at the new Cowboys Stadium and there was a giant, awe-inspiring HD jumbo-tron there. Other than that, pretty much a giant waste of time and money. Much like any other time you become invested emotionally and financially in OSU sports.
But, as I mentioned earlier, the Cotton Bowl wasn’t the only thing I was interested in Saturday. It was the first day I can remember where four of the teams I follow (OSU football, OSU basketball, Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors) played on the same day. And of course because I apparently am some kind of cursed sports fan, all four teams lost. Thanks for piling on, boys. Only a Raptors win over San Antonio last night brought me out of the depths of sporting despair created by Saturday’s 0-for-4.
And speaking of swinging and missing, you might be wondering how I’m doing on my second-chance Big 12 bowl picks, which I made here. I decided to make second-chance Big 12 bowl picks after completely getting destroyed in a bowl-picking contest I’m running. Well, surprisingly enough, I’m not doing all that bad. To this point, I’m 4-and-3, with correct picks of Nebraska, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Texas Tech. I missed on the Georgia-A&M game, the Navy-Missouri game and the Minnesota-Iowa State game. Regardless of the Alabama-Texas outcome, I’m guaranteed to go .500, baby. Compared to the 9-for-30 I’ve thrown out in my contest, I’m pretty damn pleased with my second-chance record.
