A history of beer innovations
There’s a really solid rundown of beer gadgets and innovations here. Some of the gems:
-The Kegerator
-The Beer Machine
-The Beer Helmet
-The Smart Beer Mat
-And my personal favorite, the Beer-a-pult!
Obama: “I’m always good for a beer”
So this Obama fellow, I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s something I like about him. It could be his passion for basketball. The Thirsty Beagle also has a passion for basketball. It also could be the fact that the man said during his Monday town hall meeting — at which he didn’t screen every attendee, which is unlike what a certain recent former president did at his town halls — that he’s always good for a beer. The line was in response to a question from someone asking why Obama doesn’t sit down for a beer with right-leaning radio and television personality Sean Hannity. Here’s a video clip of the exchange:
Beer pong warning
According to this blog report, you may be getting more than you bargain for when you play beer pong. And not in a good way.
Sam Adams announces new brews
Sam Adams today announced it is rolling out a trio of new beers as part of its Imperial Series. If you’ve had the extra-hoppy Sam Adams Imperial Pilsner, you can get the idea that these beers will likely not be mild-tasting. The new brews will be Imperial White, Imperial Stout and Double Bock. Here’s a few lines from the SA news release:
“The Samuel Adams Imperial Series will offer beer lovers’ an intense version of some of their favorite traditional beer styles by boosting the ingredients and testing the limits of each traditional style. With more robust flavors and nearly twice the alcohol by volume of your average beer, each style in the Imperial Series is intended to be savored and appreciated like a fine wine.”
The beers are expected to be available across the country this month, according to the news release.
Beer to save fish?
We all know how great beer is, but now two Colorado scientists have found a way to put beer to an even greater good. The men have devised a way to convert spent hops and barley from the brewing process in to fish food to be used at large-scale fisheries. The report is here. Their work is still in the testing and development stages, but if all goes as planned, the process could score on two levels: It could help find a useful home for a large amount of brewing waste and provide a high-protein meal for fisheries struggling with the issue of a dwindling natural food supply. As the guy in the Red Stripe commercial says, “Hooray beer!”
“Bartender, make that three Red Stripes, please.”
The Beagle goes all TMZ on you
Readers of The Thirsty Beagle will know I don’t often dabble in the world of pop music on 
the blog, but one Web link caught my eye the other day concerning singer Katy Perry. Perry, of “I Kissed a Girl” and “Hot N Cold” fame, apparently fancies herself as quite the beer drinker. Check out this quote from a magazine article:
“I can drink eight beers and feel fine the next day.”
Well, Katy, that’s really good to know. She also tells us that she likes really good beer and would rather drink at home with friends than out at some bar or club.
The Thirsty Beagle admits he is quite impressed. I too prefer really good beer and drinking at home with friends. And, the Beagle has to admit, Katy’s songs are kind of catchy, too.
Leinenkugel to roll out new brew
The Thirsty Beagle has been quite impressed recently with several Leinenkugel varieties, so he is looking forward to the Wisconsin brewery’s next release, Classic Amber, which is on tap now in Wisconsin and set for a national roll-out next month.
What I tried this weekend…
So I tried some Sam Adams Blackberry Witbier this weekend, and I gotta say, this one did not hit the mark for me. I typically am a pretty solid fan of most Sam Adams offerings, so I had high hopes for the Blackberry Witbier. I can say this: You will definitely know you’re drinking a blackberry-flavored beer. While the beer was relatively crisp and easy to drink, the blackberry just takes over a little too much for my liking. The blackberry aftertaste really, really lingered strongly. And if you were drinking a Blackberry Witbier on the heels of some other milder beer, the blackberry overload really hits you. I did find however, that as a chaser for some other darker, malty-type beer, the BW was a little more palatable. So, this one was all right, but nothing special, I thought, especially if you’re not a fruit-beer fan.
The Thirsty Beagle score: 1.5 out of 5 beagles
COOP Ale Works: A note from the brewmaster
I’ve been trading e-mails with Chase Healey, the brewmaster over at the new COOP Ale Works in NW OKC. I asked him to give TTB readers a little run down of their operation, and this is what he passed along:
“COOP Ale Works is all about local pride for the city and Oklahomaas a whole. We are a small craft brewery located at 51st
and Western in OKC. COOP produce several ales and lagers which will hit the market March 2nd. Everyone involved at the brewery is beer crazy, so our influences come from all over the place when it comes to our beer. Our initial release will include: Native Amber, a well balance American amber ale; Zeppelin Wheat, which to me connects with many of the different wheat styles, making for a very refreshing experience; Horny Toad Cervesa, a light beer with a hint of pilsner malt and hallertaur hops to keep things interesting; and DNR, our Belgian ale. At 10% ABV, its the biggest beer being made in Oklahoma. Made with Belgian malts, loads of candi sugar and Trappist yeast, it’s an awesome beer. We have many other beers in the works which will be released later in the year. We look forward to being a part of the beer community in Oklahoma. If people want more info they can contact me at Chase@coopaleworks.com.”
I’m hoping to get over to the COOP brewery for a tour soon. I’ll keep you posted.
Clerk credits beer sign for saving life
A South Dakota store clerk is crediting a neon beer sign with saving her life after a convenience store ended up being the target of some stray gunfire.
