Musical group Hanson to release IPA
Must. Fight. Urge. To. Sing. That. Song. Ahhhhhh! I can’t fight it. MMMBop is running rampantly through my head right now. Why? Because Oklahoma musical group Hanson has announced they are releasing an IPA named — wait for it — MMMHop. Here’s a NewsOK.com report on the forthcoming beer.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Tulsa musical trio Hanson is launching a new product: a beer.
Brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson are developing an India Pale Ale, according to Contact Music. The group plans a 2012 release under the name MMMHop, a reference to their 1997 hit “MMMBop.”
The group was speaking at Oxford University Union on Monday night.
“We of course make records, they are fundamental to what we do, but we wanted to create a brand so that our fans have a greater experience,” Zac Hanson said as quoted by Contact Music.
“What is vital is that Hanson merchandise is quality and not made solely with the purpose of profit. We have a board game and even a record player to play our last record on, but we will never make dolls, lunch boxes or toothbrushes that play our songs for example.
“It’s vital our fans have trust in everything Hanson do. In fact we are soon going to be selling our own beer, I’m not even joking. MMMHop IPA anyone?”
Zac Hanson told the Los Angeles Times in 2010 that the brothers don’t run from their biggest hit.
“I guess you decide at some point in your career whether you’re going to run from it or embrace it, and we’ve embraced it,” said Zac. “So many people who know nothing about this band still know ‘MMMBop,’ so it’s like this incredible tool to open the door to so many people. That song was No. 1 in 27 countries at the same time. That doesn’t happen almost ever.”
Though many remember the group as a teen sensation, all three brothers are of legal drinking age: Taylor is 28, Isaac, 31, and Zac, 26.
I find it interesting that they scoff at the notion of toothbrushes and lunch boxes, but see no problem naming a beer after the corniest of pop songs.
Big 12 (Lack of) Power Poll: Week 13
The Big 12 (Lack of) Power Poll is back after an off-week, and just in time, as I can think of at least a couple teams sorely lacking in power.
1. Kansas (2-10, last week — lost to Missouri 24-10): Does it get any worse than finishing winless in conference play and then having your coach fired? Any team that can give up 56 points in one half probably is destined to take the top spot in these rankings.
2. Texas Tech (5-7, last week, lost to Baylor 66-42): Hard to believe Tech’s 16-year run of winning seasons has come to an end. Since beating Oklahoma to go to 5-2, Texas Tech has lost five straight and been outscored by a combined 256-102, including giving up 66 in two different games. Ouch.
3. Iowa State (6-5, last week, lost to Oklahoma 26-6): Iowa State is scrappy — they showed that even in defeat to Oklahoma.
4.Texas A&M (6-6, last week — lost to Texas 27-25): I’ve had fun taking sarcastic jabs at A&M all season. I mean, they’ve just made it so easy. So how could I not post this video?!
5. Missouri (7-5, last week — beat Kansas 24-10): Not only did Missouri get an edge in the win-loss category over A&M this year, but the Tigers will likely wind up in the half-rate SEC East, whereas A&M will now have a whole new bunch of teams in the SEC West to beat them up next year.
6. Texas (7-4, last week — beat Texas A&M 27-25): Texas proved it against A&M: Sometimes the big, bad brother wins out in the end.
7. Baylor (8-3, last week — beat Texas Tech 66-42): What kind of world do we live in when Baylor can be 8-3? I’m pretty sure that Baylor sucking has been the one thing holding the time-space continuum together.
8. Kansas State (9-2, last week — bye): All jokes about how he’s 169 years old aside, you’ve got to give it up to Bill Snyder. The man can coach a team and build/rebuild a program.
9. Oklahoma (9-2, last week — beat Iowa State 26-6): Memo to OU: If you want to win the Bedlam game, install the All-Blake-Bell-All-The-Time offense. For that matter, put any quarterback in there. Just have them take the snap and run the ball directly up the middle. Presto.
10. Oklahoma State (10-1, last week — bye): All the sudden we have to wonder which OSU team will show up on Saturday. The team that scored at will on everyone all year? Or the team that somehow found its offense handcuffed by the likes of Iowa State?
Five Questions With… Carmen Schoelen, Mustang Brewing
Tim and Carmen Schoelen
The old saying goes something like this: Behind every good man is a good woman. Turns out, the saying holds true in the beer business as well. I had a chance recently to speak with Carmen Schoelen, the vice president at Mustang Brewing Co. For several years now, Schoelen has essentially been operating behind the scenes at Mustang. When it comes to publicity — being the face of the company — she takes a back seat to her husband, Tim. But as you’ll see in my latest Five Questions With… segment, she does not take a back seat when it comes to the business of beer.
1. The Thirsty Beagle: Tell me what your official title is at Mustang, and what your day-to-day responsibilities are. Do you have a regular job as well?
Carmen Schoelen: My official title at Mustang Brewing Co. is vice president. My day-to-day duties range from bottle washing, brewing beer, designing labels, delivering beer (yes I can lift kegs), to driving from state to state meeting with distributors, meetings with local companies, sales, setting up and running promotions, relationships/contacts with bands we sponsor, all the (point of sale) for Mustang, such as designing shirts, pint glasses, and other items for giveaways. Even though we’re in our second full year of operations, we are growing so fast that we still function as a start-up. There are only a few of us to complete all the jobs that need to get done. I am also a talent coordinator at C&C Productions and a full-time mother of two children (a son, 12, and a daughter, 7). Both are very involved in school and sports.
2. TTB: So, I’ve heard the story of Mustang’s creation from your husband’s perspective — tell me about your thoughts and feelings when you guys decided to start the company? Were you all-in and enthusiastic? Or maybe apprehensive, like “What if this doesn’t work?”
CS: I was very supportive of starting the company from the beginning. I believe you should do what you love and love what you do. Tim and I both love being the people we are and that includes taking risks. More than anything I wanted to know my husband enjoyed his job and was happy going to his job everyday, whatever that might be, and taking a chance like starting a brewery was worth it to me. Failure never really crossed my mind. Tim and I have an agreement that we will keep doing this until it isn’t fun anymore. I’m having a blast and this has led me into other areas of interest, such as music.
3. TTB: It seems like almost every brewer, distributor, liquor store owner and bar manager is a man. What kind of challenges have you encountered being a woman in a heavily male industry?
CS: One of the biggest challenges is being taken seriously or being seen as a vital part of the company. Many times Tim and I have sat down in a meeting or gone to a tasting where Tim is the person they direct all questions or comments to and ask if I work for him. I also get, “Are you a promo girl for the company?” quite a bit. Most of the time I smile, answer their questions, and they figure out that I do know what I am talking about and I am one of the founders of the company. Being a woman in the beer industry isn’t bad. I’ve had the opportunity to introduce many woman to craft beer that normally would have just passed on trying any type of beer.
4. TTB: You mentioned to me that you wanted to be able to sell a beer that you actually wanted to drink as well; did you like/drink much beer before you started Mustang? Have you found yourself warming up to any particular styles of beer?
CS: I wasn’t much of a beer drinker before starting Mustang. I would have an occasional Tecate, but typically wine or liquor if I drank. For me to go out and get other people drinking it our beer, it had to be a beer I would enjoy drinking. That is how we got the Golden Ale recipe.
5. TTB: Are you surprised at all about the way the company has grown and how fast it has expanded? Has it met or exceeded what you realistically expected?
CS: I am more excited than surprised at the growth of our company. My expectations were high and we have exceeded those with our growth, two silver medals and one gold medal at the World Beer Championships, and the support from our friends, family and fans. Now, I have new expectations and goals for Mustang. I love to stay busy and we are constantly looking at ways to improve and let more people know about our beer. I still meet people from Oklahoma City that have never heard of Mustang Brewing Co. So even though we are looking at ways to continue expanded, there is still a lot to accomplish here in Oklahoma.
There you have it, folks. Thanks to Carmen for taking some time to answer my questions.
COOP responds to Beer Championship Series win
As you know, COOP Ale Works’ Native Amber claimed the title in the fourth annual TapWerks Beer Championship Series last week. This year’s BCS was great. We had thousands of votes cast to help determine Oklahoma’s favorite beer for 2011 and award the coveted Golden Taphandle Trophy. In the end, Native Amber posted a comfortable win in the finals over Redbud Pale Ale.
Here’s a look at the final bracket.
And here’s a statement from COOP Ale Works about their win:
This year’s BCS was a lot of fun for COOP Ale Works. It was our third time running and we are just wrapping up our third year of production this coming January.
The popularity of craft beer in Oklahoma is growing at a furious pace. Those of us that produce our beer in state are enjoying great growth, an appreciative community and lots of good times.
We are thankful Native Amber received the recognition that we at COOP feel it deserves. After all, we make it for you!
Cheers,
Brewers’ Blog: Marshall on Thanksgiving
Today I bring you the latest installment in the Brewers’ Blog, a series of occasional blogs from brewers and beer experts. This entry comes from Marshall Brewing’s Wes Alexander.
(Blog programming note: The weekly Big 12 (Lack of) Power Poll is taking a break this week.)
Take it away, Wes:
Just like spring, fall brings a physical metamorphosis for our environment. Crisp mornings and changing leaves give way to colder weather and the holidays. Perhaps my favorite time during the changing of the seasons is Thanksgiving. Indeed, Thanksgiving is a time of bounty and celebration, so share some American craft beer with your family at your holiday table. Not convinced to try beer at Thanksgiving? History shows that the Pilgrims were forced to stop at Plymouth Rock due to a shortage of beer. An entry from the diary of a Mayflower passenger explains, “We could not now take time for further search… our victuals being much spent, especially our beer…”
Traditionally, porters and stouts find their way to the market as well as Christmas beers with flavor profiles ranging from evergreen to spices of the season such as cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and clove. Here at Marshall Brewing, our winter release is Big Jamoke Porter. (TTB note: Big Jamoke is available in six packs this year for the first time.) Our American robust porter offers roasted malt flavors 
complimented with bittersweet chocolate and espresso-like flavors and finishing with dry earthy notes. Perhaps the most common question we get about Big Jamoke Porter is, “Is this brewed with chocolate and coffee?” In fact it is not, however, there is an excellent explanation for those flavors being found in porters and stouts.
Without going into too detailed explanation of the brewing process, malted barley is one of four main ingredients in brewing beer. Malted barley can be roasted to varying degrees to offer different flavor profiles and color. Contrast the color of pilsners and porters. The difference comes from the roast of the malted barley. Much like the coffee beans, the color and flavor of the final product are affected by the roast of the ingredients. Further, note the similarity in flavor of roasted malted barley to that of the roasted coffee bean. This is due to the caramelization and concentration of flavors in both the coffee bean and the malted barley.
These winter seasonal beers deserve a place at your Thanksgiving table. The first principle we look at when pairing beer and food is intensity. Consider the typical feast with smoked turkey and ham, gravy, candied yams, your aunt’s green bean casserole and pumpkin pie. To compliment these flavors and intensity, porters are an excellent choice. Savory dishes are particularly complimented by the roasted flavors found in porters, but don’t overlook the sweets. Pumpkin pie is a surprisingly good match with its coalescence of both savory and sweet flavors.
Additionally, don’t forget about beer as an ingredient. Brining a turkey produces a well-seasoned and moist bird. Use equal parts of your favorite porter and water in your brine to impart the earthy, roasted flavors of porter. Deglaze your turkey roasting pan with a little porter to add a bit of sweetness to the savory flavors in gravy. Finally, add a stout or porter to your favorite chocolate or fudge cake. You can find our favorite recipe from King Arthur Flour here. Happy Thanksgiving!
Remembering Coach Budke
The news that Oklahoma State women’s basketball coach Kurt Budke and assistant coach Miranda Serna were killed in a plane crash last night hit me like a punch to the stomach this morning.
I heard the news on the radio while driving into the office today. I immediately thought back to the OSU men’s basketball plane crash, and then a few years earlier to my time at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas.
I was a cheerleader and sports editor at the school paper there from 1997-99; Budke was the basketball coach while I was there.
He was a dominant coach at the junior college level. The two years I was at Trinity Valley, the Lady Cardinals lost one game — the national championship game my freshman year. That was a tough loss for Budke. He grew up in Kansas, and brought his team home to play in the NJCAA tourney in Salina, Kan.
My sophomore year, Budke’s team went undefeated, making it back to Salina to sweep through the national tournament. When I went to Budke’s hotel room after the championship game to interview him for my newspaper story, I didn’t expect him to give me the time of day.
Earlier that year, I wrote a scathing column — the kind of column only a 19- or 20-year-old wannabe journalist would write — because Budke had kicked the cheerleading team out of the gym one day so his team could practice. I said he didn’t have any respect for anyone else, essentially that he thought he and his team were God’s gift. Budke was ticked off in a big way. He dressed down my cheerleading coach and I think my newspaper adviser as well.
And then, just a few months later, here I go wandering into the man’s hotel room looking for a quote about an undefeated season and a national championship.
Budke was sitting in an armchair in the corner of the room, surrounded by his assistant coaches, his family, and others. He was smoking a huge cigar — the smile on his face was just as big.
He recognized me and waved me over, the smile never leaving his face. I congratulated him on winning, probably looking a little sheepish because I didn’t know what I was about to get in return. It was the first time I had spoken to him since my boneheaded column was published.
Budke didn’t bring up the column. Didn’t look down on me. He gave me the quotes I needed. We chatted for a couple minutes. He was happy and satisfied, what you’d expect from someone who was on top of his profession and place in life.
Fast forward eight years to the spring of 2007. I had since graduated from Oklahoma State and moved on to my job here in The Oklahoman’s news department. I traveled up to Stillwater in March as a fan to watch the OSU men’s team play Marist in a first-round NIT game. At halftime, on my way back to my seat from the concession stand, I spotted Budke holding court in the concourse overlooking the Gallagher-Iba court. It was the first time I had seen him since 1999.
He was sitting on a 20-10 record and had learned just days earlier that OSU was headed back to the NCAA women’s tourney. This had to be especially satisfying since the team had gone 6-22 the year before in Budke’s first year. I walked up and introduced myself. He gave me an “I know you from somewhere” look. I told him I was a cheerleader and sports editor at Trinity Valley. His eyes lit up. I told him several Trinity Valley cheerleaders had transferred to OSU and we were all thrilled that he had found his way to Stillwater as well, and that he’d returned the Cowgirls to prominence.
In his seven years at Trinity Valley, he lost only a handful of games. He sent several players on to Division I hoops. He brought Serna — a player for him on his 1996 championship team and an assistant on the 1999 championship team — to Oklahoma State to grow her young coaching career. It was no surprise to me he could bring victories to Stillwater as well.
What did surprise me was how excited he was to talk to me at that basketball game in 2007. We talked for about 10 minutes — he wanted to know what I was doing with my life and how Trinity Valley’s old cheerleading coach was doing. He motioned his wife to come over and talk. She seemed just as thrilled to relive the connection to the Trinity Valley days. The cheerleading team at TVCC was one of the best in the country, and everyone at the school had a lot of pride in the squad — even the other athletes and coaches. I could feel that even eight years later. I thought about how dumb my column was.
And then fast forward to this morning. Sitting in my car, driving my son to school. Frantically turning up the volume on the radio when I thought I heard the words “OSU” and “plane crash.”
It’s hard to believe this has happened. How could OSU suffer through another plane crash? How can more OSU families have to receive those devastating phone calls?
I try to think about Budke sitting in that hotel room in Salina. That smile and that overwhelming sense of satisfaction. He had accomplished so much.
I was hoping to see him accomplish much more.
Photos from Beer Championship Series pint night
Here are some photos from last night’s announcement that COOP Native Amber claimed the Golden Taphandle Trophy in the fourth annual TapWerks Beer Championship Series.
TapWerks general manager Greg Powell, left, and Nick Trougakos prepare to announce the winner of the Beer Championship Series.
COOP Ale Works brewmaster Blake Jarolim comments after COOP Native Amber was announced winner of the BCS.
COOP Ale Works brewmaster Blake Jarolim poses with the Golden Taphandle Trophy.
Beer Championship Series video
Here’s a video from Wednesday night’s pint night at TapWerks to announce the fourth annual Beer Championship Series winner.
BCS Finals: Vote for the champion
We started with 64 beers in the fourth annual TapWerks Beer Championship Series. Now, after more than two weeks and thousands of votes, we’re down to two. What’s at stake? The winner will be crowned Oklahoma’s favorite beer for 2011 and get its name engraved on the coveted Golden Taphandle Trophy. Who will win? COOP Native Amber and Redbud Pale Ale are squaring off, and your votes will decide the winner. Voting is now underway and will continue until 5 p.m. Wednesday. At 6 p.m. Wednesday, head on over to TapWerks in Bricktown for a special pint night to celebrate last year’s champion, Marshall McNellie’s Pub Ale, and to hear the announcement of the 2011 BCS champion. Remember, you can vote for your champion up to 10 times per day.
Beer Championship Series finalists picked
After more than two weeks of voting, the 64-beer bracket has been narrowed down to a final two. The finalists for the fourth annual TapWerks Beer Championship Series have been picked. Your votes have selected COOP Native Amber and Redbud Pale Ale to compete for the title of Oklahoma’s favorite beer for 2011. The winner also will claim the coveted and prestigious Golden Taphandle Trophy. Here’s how the voting looked in Monday’s Final Four:
-COOP Native Amber (67 percent) def. Dogfish Head 60-Minute IPA (33 percent)
-Redbud Pale Ale (61 percent) def. Choc 1919 (39 percent)
Here’s how the bracket looks right now.
Congrats to Choc 1919 on a great run to the semifinals. This was Choc’s second visit to the Final Four. Choc 1919 also advanced to the Final Four in 2008 in the first Beer Championship Series, where it eventually lost in the finals to Flying Dog Tire Bite.
Now a new beer will take it’s place as a BCS champion. Voting in the finals will start Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. Wednesday. Then, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, TapWerks will host a special pint night to honor last year’s champion, Marshall McNellie’s Pub Ale, and announce the 2011 winner. Be there!
