Mustang Washita Wheat to make debut at Ford Center
I just heard from Mustang Brewing Co. that their Washita Wheat will be on tap at the Ford Center for the Brooks and Dunn concert on Aug. 20. If things go well there, the beer could be available at the Ford Center throughout the NBA season. As a person who is a proponent of not having only megabrew beer at sporting events, I support this move, and you should, too. Mustang says you can get involved by buying Washita Wheat if you’ll be at the concert, telling people who are going to buy Washita Wheat, or e-mailing Ford Center bar/restaurant manager Anthony Prince at aprince@okfordcenter.com. Let’s do this, Oklahoma!
COOP Oktoberfest pouring now
COOP Ale Works announced yesterday that a keg of their 2010 Oktoberfest was tapped at Republic. I first tried CCOP’s Oktoberfest at the 2009 Zoo Brew, and I can tell you it is a keeper. Can’t wait to try the 2010 version. You can also score some COOP Oktoberfest tonight at The Wedge on Western during the Locals Only party. $15 admission or $13 with a Keep It Local OK card. Doors open at 6 p.m. Cheers!
Choc announces new beer, plans to scrap another
Choc Beer Co. has rolled out the winner of the Brew at Choc’s Home contest, Smoked Porter. The dark beer is available at local liquor stores now. As you can see in the picture, this is one purty beer!
In other Choc news, it was confirmed to The Thirsty Beagle that Choc’s Signature Series Biere de Garde will no longer be produced. The beer requires a lengthy production time, and Choc has decided to discontinue it for that reason. If you like it, as I do, feel free to grab up what bottles you can still find at the store.
Vote in the BCS Southeast Conference
Voting is now underway in the Beer Championship Series Southeast Conference. This is the 21st of 24 beer conferences in the BCS.
Beer Championship Series update
Voting finished last week in the Oktoberfest Conference of the Beer Championship Series. I usually post the results on Friday, but was tied up getting ready for my son’s 5th birthday party; some things come in ahead of beer, and the little pup is one of those things. Anyway, here are the results from the Oktoberfest Conference:
1. Ayinger Oktoberfest: 49 percent
2. Choctoberfest: 17.5 percent
3. Spaten Oktoberfest: 17 percent
4. COOP Oktoberfest: 8 percent
5. Sam Adams Octoberfest: 6.5 percent
6. Marshall Oktoberfest: 2 percent
So Ayinger and Choc advance to the 64-beer bracket. Check back at the blog later today for voting in our next conference, the Southeast Conference.
Last day to vote in Oktoberfest Conference
Today is the last day to vote in the Oktoberfest Conference of the Beer Championship Series. Right now we have a close race between COOP Oktoberfest and Choctoberfest, with Sam Adams Octoberfest trailing not far behind. Marshall Oktoberfest is also in the conference, but hasn’t had much voter support so far. You can cast your vote right here. For those of you who are new to the BCS, the Oktoberfest Conference is the 20th of 24 conferences competing for spots in the annual 64-beer bracket. I created the Beer Championship Series in 2008 in response to the insanity of that other BCS — I decided we needed a clear-cut way to determine Oklahoma’s favorite beer. The first two years of the BCS I hand-picked the 64-beer bracket, split the beers into four regions and let beer fans vote to decide who would win the title. Both years, I got numerous complaints about certain beers that should have been in the bracket or other beers people thought shouldn’t have been in. This year, I decided to try and put an end to the griping by setting up 24 beer conferences and giving beer fans the chance to vote on who will make it into the bracket. Out of each conference, the top two beers earn automatic entry, filling 48 spots in the field; the final 16 slots will be decided by the Beer Selection Committee through a highly scientific process. You might be saying, “You know, that seems like a lot of trouble for some silly beer competition.” Well, you might be right. But you know what, I don’t care. I think it’s fun and I like organizing competitions, so it’s a good distraction for me. Plus, it’s good to talk about beer, you know? So anyway, after this week we’ve got four conferences left and then it’ll be time to start putting the bracket together so we can crown Oklahoma’s favorite beer.
Beer of the Night: Aug. 4
Tonight’s Thirsty Beagle Beer of the Night is Choc Summer Ale.
This artistic photo is brought to you courtesy of the Hipstamatic app on my iPhone. Have I ever mentioned how much I love me iPhone? And speaking of things I love, how about Choc Summer Ale. With most breweries rolling out their Oktoberfest beers, I thought it would be wise to grab a couple six packs of of Summer Ale before it’s too late.
Craft beer sales, production on the rise, group reports
The Brewers Association, the trade group that represents craft brewers in America, released a report this week showing that the first half of 2010 was a good one for craft brewers. The report showed the following positive trends:
-Dollar sales were up 12 percent in the first half of 2010, compared to 9 percent during the same period in 2009.
-Volume of craft beer sold was up 9 percent in 2010 compared to 5 percent in 2009.
-Craft breweries provide an estimated 100,000 jobs in America.
-Craft breweries sold 4.6 million barrels of beer in the first half of 2010, compared with 4.2 million for 2009.
-The U.S. now has 1,625 breweries, 100 more than at the same time last year.
-While craft beer volume sold was up 9 percent in the first half of 2010, beer sales overall were down 2.7 percent.
So what does it all mean?
Paul Gatza, director of the Brewers Association, said, “There is a movement by beer lovers to the innovative and flavorful beers created by America’s small and independent craft brewers. More people are starting to think of craft-brewed beer first when they buy in restaurants, bars and stores.”
Cheers to that. Let’s keep the trend rolling and support our local craft beer producers.
Mustang announces release of new beer
Mustang Brewing Co. has announced the upcoming release of its fourth beer. The new addition will be a seasonal in the Oktoberfest style, Mustang Harvest Lager. The beer is expected to released in bars and liquor stores Sept. 1, Mustang president Tim Schoelen said. I asked Mustang for a rundown on the beer and got this response from brewmaster Gary Shellman:
Vote today in the Oktoberfest Conference
Voting starts today in our 20th Beer Championship Series conference, the Oktoberfest Conference. I know there are dozens — probably hundreds — of Oktoberfest beers out there, but I’ve narrowed the list to simplify things. If your favorite wasn’t included, well, I guess tough luck for you! But you should still do your civic beer duty and cast a vote to see which beers will earn automatic entry into the 64-beer bracket. Without further delay, here are the choices:
