Drink With The Wench » Beer Events http://drinkwiththewench.com Drinking through the world, one beer at a time. Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:58:17 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Press Release: World’s First Beer Bloggers Conference Wraps Up in Colorado http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=5654 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=5654#comments Tue, 09 Nov 2010 19:55:03 +0000 Wenchie http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=5654

108 Online Beer Writers Discussed State of Beer Blogging

Boulder, Colorado – 108 beer bloggers from around the United States wrapped up the first-ever Beer Bloggers Conference on Sunday in Boulder, Colorado. Attendees enthusiastically claimed success and started looking forward to 2011.

“It was a great mix of sessions, events, and time to network”, explained Carla Companion, author of The Beer Babe. “I would certainly attend again, and the people invited were credible, quality bloggers who are examples of why we’re all so passionate about we do.”

Beer bloggers are considered the “new media” when it comes to the art of critiquing beer and have a role in educating consumers about the beers they drink. According to conference organizers, there are almost 600 citizen beer bloggers in North America alone.

IMG_1264
The event also attracted industry representatives, including speakers Greg Koch from Stone Brewing, Julia Herz from the Brewers Association, and Jessica Daynor from Draft Magazine. In addition to talks and presentations, there were many beer-oriented events including dinners at Boulder Beer Company and Oskar Blues.

One of the featured events at the conference was Live Beer Blogging, a round-robin, speed-dating style of beer tasting in which 12 breweries each poured beers in five minute segments for 12 tables of bloggers, who tasted and reviewed the beer live. “I had a great time doing the live blogging”, offerd Justin Patti from New Belgium Brewery. “I didn’t know quite what to expect, but ended up having so much fun. Everyone was excited and really into sampling the beer and writing about it.”

IMG_1256Conference organizer Zephyr Adventures announced there will be two Beer Blogger Conferences in 2011, one in Portland, Oregon and one in London, England, with dates to be announced soon.

Complete information about the conference can be found at www.BeerBloggersConference.org. Zephyr also organizes the Wine Bloggers Conference and the Fitness & Health Bloggers Conference and co-organizes the International Food Bloggers Conference.

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/?feed=rss2&p=5654 1 UPDATED 2010 Beer Bloggers Conference Confirmed Attendee List http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4834 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4834#comments Sat, 30 Oct 2010 18:16:46 +0000 Wenchie http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4834

Everyone keeps asking me if there is a list of attendees for the Inaugural Beer Bloggers Conference. The event organizers have given me the go-ahead to post the list of current registries. Note: this list is continuously updating. For ease of use, the updated bloggers will be highlighted in RED!

Allan Wright – Zephyr Adventures www.ZephyrAdventures.com
Reno Walsh — Zephyr Adventures    www.ZephyrAdventures.com
Ashley Routson — Drink With the Wench    drinkwiththewench.com
Gerard Walen — Road Trips for Beer    www.roadtripsforbeer.com
E.T. Crowe — Wolverine State Brewing Co.    www.wolverinebeer.com
Ryan Conklin — Denver Bartender Examiner    www.examiner.com/x-28228-Denver-Bartender-Examiner
Lucy Saunders — Best of American Beer and Food    www.bestofamericanbeerandfood.com
Peter Kennedy — Simply Beer    www.simplybeer.com
John Holl — The Beer Briefing    www.beernexus.com
Tamre Mullins — Girls’ Pint Out    www.girlspintout.com
Jennifer Litz — Girls’ Pint Out    www.girlspintout.com
Kerry Finsand — Taplister    www.taplister.com
Bob Mack — World Class Beverages    http://worldclassbeverages.wordpress.com/
Anne Fitten Glenn — Brewgasm    www.brewgasm.com
Angelo de Ieso – Brewpublic    www.brewpublic.com
Margaret Lut — Brewpublic    www.brewpublic.com
Sean Inman — Beer Search Party    www.beersearchparty.com
Sanjiv Gajiwala — Blue Ribbon Blog    www.blog.pabstblueribbon.com
Dan Fisher (Dan on Tap) — Life on Tap    www.lifeontap.net
Dale Miskimins — sodakbeer    http://sodakbeer.com
Billy Broas — BillyBrew    http://billybrew.com
PJ Hoberman — Starting a Brewery    www.startingabrewery.wordpress.com
James Marks — Columbus Beer Guys    http://columbusbeerguys.wordpress.com/
Ronnie Crocker — Beer, TX    http://blogs.chron.com/beertx
Carla Gesell-Streeter — Hoperatives    www.hoperatives.com
Tom Streeter — Hoperatives    www.hoperatives.com
Alexis Fritzsche – Ale Babe    www.alebabe.com
Rick Hagerbaumer — Big Foamy Head    www.bigfoamyhead.com
Carlos Swinney — Mendocino Brewing Co.    www.mendobrew.com
Jason Fellon — Beer Cruiser    www.beercruiser.net
Sara Wade – Monarch Beverage    www.monarch-beverage.com
Julia Herz — Craft Beer Muses    www.craftbeer.com
Alison McGee —  From This Pint On    www.fromthispinton.com
Andy Dunfee – Hippo Lane    www.hippolane.org
David Jensen — Beer 47    www.beer47.com
Jennie Chen — MisoHungry    http://misohungrynow.blogspot.com
John Knox — MisoHungry    http://misohungrynow.blogspot.com
J.R. Woolsey — Consultant
Mark Jackson – Simply Beer    www.simplybeer.com
Zach Rosen — Santa Barbara Craft Beer    http://www.examiner.com/x-32901-Santa-Barbara-Craft-Beer-Examiner
Dustin & Libby — Beer 2 Buds http://www.beer2buds.com
Jenn Prosser  – Jenn and Beer    www.jennandbeer.com @jennandbeer
Jonathan Shikes —  Beer Man at Westword Mag    http://blogs.westword.com/cafesociety/beer_man/
Greg Koch  – Stone Brewing    www.stonebrewing.com
Jacob McKean – Stone Brewing    www.stonebrewing.com
Lauren Polinsky  – Durham Craft Beer Examiner    http://www.examiner.com/x-53634-Durham-Craft-Beer-Examiner
Cathy Clark —  Brewtiful www.brewtiful.com
Jim Pavlik —  Central State Asylum www.csasylum.wordpress.com
Jessica Daynor —   Draft Magazine www.draftmag.com
Ryan Ross —   Karl Strauss Brewing Company www.karlstrauss.com
Jay Brooks — Brookston Beer Bulletin www.brookstonbeerbulletin.com
Ian Cowpar — 2 Beer Guys http://www.2beerguys.com
Sean Jansen – 2 Beer Guys http://www.2beerguys.com
Ryan Jansen – Beer Guys http://www.2beerguys.com
Chuck Noll — World Class Beverages Arizona http://az.worldclassbeverages.com/
Jennifer Morrison –  Ales for All http://alesforall.blogspot.com
 Willis F Jackson III – Mashtun Technologies www.mashtunbeer.com
 Mike Besser — BrewDad www.brewdad.com
 Steven Ward — Nova Beer Fly http://novabeerfly.wordpress.com
 Doug Brumley — Fledgling Brewer http://www.fledglingbrewer.com/
 Tiffany Adamowski – 99 bottles http://www.99bottles.net/blog
Jay Rascoe — Guns and Tacos www.gunsandtacos.com
Kami Marquardt — Great Lakes Brewing www.greatlakesbrewing.com
Lauren Boveington — Great Lakes Brewing www.greatlakesbrewing.com
Dionne Cocktail Diva
Mariah Calagione — Dogfish Head Craft Brewery www.dogfish.com
Sebbie Buhler — Rogue Ales www.rogue.com
Kyle Freeman — Jenn and Beer www.jennandbeer.com
 Michael Bussmann — New Belgium Brewing www.newbelgium.com
 Owen McCuen — Ferment Nation www.fermentnation.com
Greg Krsak — KSW Beer www.kswbeer.com
 Ilya Feynberg — Damn That’s Good Beer! www.damnthatsgoodbeer.com
 Jay Wilson — Brewvana www.brewvana.wordpress.com
Tom Wilmes — Boulder Daily Camera www.dailycamera.com
Nate Fochtman — The Beer Ace www.thebeerace.com
Josie Finsand — Taplister www.taplister.com
Tom Wilmes — Boulder Daily Camera www.dailycamera.com
Ryan Murphy — The Daily Pint www.dailypint.wordpress.com
Rick Andrews –  Ales from the Crypt http://alesfromthecrypt.blogspot.com
Stephanie Jerzy — Drinks for the House http://drinksforthehouse.blogspot.com
Will Blankenship — Colorado Beer & Food www.cobeerandfood.com
Erik Boles –Beer Tap TV www.beertaptv.com
Eli Shayotovich — Beer Tap TV www.beertaptv.com
Stephen Johnson — New Brew Thursday www.newbrewthursday.com
Patricia Shepherd
Dan Weitz – Boulder Beer www.boulderbeer.com
Sean McNeal – Wayward Productions
Chad Melis — Oskar Blues www.oskarblues.com
Travis Poling — Beer Across Texas http://beeracrosstexas.com
Mark Drudge — Pencil and Spoon http://pencilandspoon.blogspot.com/
Adrienne Rinaldi — BeerSnobChick www.beersnobchick.com
Meghan Storey — CraftBeer.com www.craftbeer.com
Zander Hartung — The Beer Ace www.thebeerace.com
Jeff Bull — He-Brew Men’s Brewing Society www.hebrewbrewing.com
Nancy Maddaloni — Great Brewers www.greatbrewers.com
Reggie Currie — Cheers for Beers www.cheersforbeers.com
Carol Dekkers — Microbrews USA www.microbrewsusa.wordpress.com
Jake Koeneman –  iBrewToo www.ibrewtoo.com
Carla Companion — The Beer Babe www.thebeerbabe.com
Lisa Mallen — Zephyr Adventures www.ZephyrAdventures.com
Wendy Littlefield — Belgian Experts www.belgianexpertsblog.com
Sanjay Reddy –  Not So Professional Beer Blog www.notsoprobeer.com
Julian Green –  MillerCoors www.millercoors.com
Jeff Bowles — Huck Fin’s Beer Buzz http://huckfinsbeerbuzz.com
Renée DeLuca — The Brewer’s Daughter www.brewersdaughter.com/
Dustin Romero — Widmer Brothers Brewing www.widmer.com
Candace Lacy – NC Beer Wench
Hagan Blount — Wandering Foodie http://wanderingfoodie.com
Erik Peterson –  Bull and Bush www.bullandbush.com
Jen Cadmus — Bull and Bush www.bullandbush.com
Mike Laur – Beer Drinkers Guide to Colorado www.beerdrinkersguidetocolorado.com
Danielle Quatrochi — New Planet Beer www.newplanetbeer.com 

--

And then there is my ongoing Twitter list. I will do my best to update this list as much as possible. If you are registered and would like to have your name added to the list, leave a comment on this post and I will get you on it ASAP.

Twitter list to follow: TWITTER LIST

CONFIRMED BBC 2010 ATTENDEES

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/?feed=rss2&p=4834 29 The Wench’s 2010 GABF Spoof Awards http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=5223 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=5223#comments Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:10:54 +0000 Wenchie http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=5223

This year, 3,523 beers were judged in 79 different categories at the Great American Beer Festival. Breweries and brewers from all around the country received due recognition for their hard work and dedication to the art of beer.

Whereas these great accomplishments should not go ignored, I will let my fellow bloggers and the Brewers Association inform the rest of the world about the great beer feats at the festival.

You see, while the most studious among us took notes the entire time, I was too busy what we will call… errrr… “living in the moment.” Instead of reviewing beers and recapping the GABF higlights, I have decided express my own (extremely subjective) experience at GABF in the form of “spoof awards.” Because, after all, no awards ceremony is complete without a “spoof awards” presentation. Am I right?

Disclaimer: Some of these awards are more serious than others. And all of them are entirely subjective and not meant to be offensive or taken too seriously…

So without further ado, allow me to present:

The Wench’s 2010 GABF Spoof Awards

_________________________________________________

Best Costume


Niko, 21st Amendment — Watermelon Suit

_________________________________________________

Most Likely to Get His Mustache + Eyebrows Dyed at a Mansion Party

Josh Deth, Revolution Brewing Company

_________________________________________________

Most Likely to be Found Smoking a Cigar


Dr. Bill Sysak

_________________________________________________

Studliest Man in a Cowboy Hat

Three-way tie between:
Fred Bueltmann, New Holland Brewing Company
Brad Kraus
Ryan Fulmer, Uncle Billy’s Brew & Que

_________________________________________________

Coolest Brewery Booth at GABF


Sierra Nevada
Honorable Mention: Oskar Blues

_________________________________________________

Most Iconic Facial Expression in Pictures


Greg Koch, Stone Brewing Co. — #gregface
Honorable Mention: Ashley Routson, The Beer Wench — #wenchface

_________________________________________________

Brewer Most Likely to Snag Bottles and Continue Pouring Outside the Convention Center

Jason Yester, Trinity Brewing

_________________________________________________

Most Likely to Spike Beer with Spirits


Sebbie Buhler, Rogue

_________________________________________________

Brewer Most Likely to Take off His Pants

Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head

(At least that is what the rumor was…)

_________________________________________________

Best Socks


Random Dude with Bacon + Beer Socks

_________________________________________________

Most Dapper Dressed Brewer

(And the only Brewer who can pull off Red Pants and a Straw Fedora)
Garrett Oliver

_________________________________________________

Most Attractive Brewing Company


The Bruery
Honorable Mention: Port Brewing Company

(Photo stolen from: Drink Eat Travel)

_________________________________________________

Hottest Chick Brewer

Veronica Vega, Deschutes

_________________________________________________

Hottest Dude Brewer

Noah Regnery, PIzza Port San Clemente

Honorable Mention: Tyler King, The Bruery

_________________________________________________

Most Disturbing “Quote” Overheard

_________________________________________________

Cutest Chick (Denver) Bartender

Leah, Cheeky Monk

_________________________________________________

Cutest Dude (Denver) Bartender

Colin, Great Divide Taproom

_________________________________________________

Rowdiest Brewery (Inside and Outside of GABF)


Iron Hill
Honorable Mention: Port Brewing

_________________________________________________

Brewery Most Likely to Randomly Pass Out in Another Brewery’s Hotel Room

(Unintentionally, of course…)

Dogfish Head

_________________________________________________

Most Likely to Pass Out on the Hotel Stairs

Brian Kropf, Mutineer Magazine

_________________________________________________

Brewery Most Likely to be Caught Drinking Coors Light at 4am on Saturday After Winning a Gazillion Awards at GABF


Port Brewing Company

(Photo stolen from: Drink Eat Travel)

_________________________________________________

Most Likely to Be Found At The Bruery’s Table

Cambria, Drink Eat Travel

_________________________________________________

Most Likely to be Caught Singing Karaoke


E.C. Crowe, The “A2″ Beer Wench (Star Bar)

_________________________________________________

Brewer with the Most Badass Style

Jamie Floyd, Ninkasi Brewing

_________________________________________________

Best Dreadlocks


Jason Yester, Trinity Brewing

_________________________________________________

Most Talented Beer Chef

Sean Paxton

_________________________________________________

Best Brewer’s Beard


Matt Brynildson, Firestone Walker

_________________________________________________

The Man Whose Presence Was Most Missed

David “Moose” Buhler, Elysian

_________________________________________________

Best Birthday Party


Taylor Shaw (The Art of Beer), Falling Rock Taphouse

(Picture stolen from: John M. P. Knox)

_________________________________________________

Best “Unofficial” GABF Tasting

Dr. Bill’s Rare Beer Party

_________________________________________________

The Only Party Where Boobs Outnumbered Beards


Beer For Boobs Brunch, Freshcraft

_________________________________________________

Best Harry Caray Impression

Kell Bensen, Colorado Beer Week

Honorable Mention: Alex P. Davis

_________________________________________________

Most Likely to Get Leied on His Birthday

Justin, Brewing Network
(Disclaimer: Leied not Laid)

_________________________________________________

Most Likely to Get Her Boobs Grabbed in Public


Melissa Cole

_________________________________________________

Most Likely to be Seen in The Cruise Room

Steve Parkes, American Brewers Guild

_________________________________________________

Most Photographed Man (In Person & Cardboard Form)


Charlie Papazian

_________________________________________________

Number One Way to Cause a Hangover

Last Call at Whiskey Bar

_________________________________________________

Number One Way to Cure a Hangover

Bacon Bloody Marys at Stuebens

_________________________________________________

Best Beer Bar in Denver (and quite possibly The World)


Falling Rock Taphouse

_________________________________________________

Best NEW Denver Craft Beer Destination

Tie between:

FreshCraft

Star Bar

_________________________________________________

Best Worst Idea at the End of the Night

Whiskey Bar

_________________________________________________

Swankiest Cocktail

(Accompanied by a swanky head bob and a shimmy)

Guava Sexy, The Cruise Room

_________________________________________________

Best Street Food in Denver


Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs

_________________________________________________

Best Get-Away (Hideaway) Inside the Convention Center

Farm To Table Food Pavilion

_________________________________________________

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST…

_________________________________________________

THE Most Epic MOMENT During GABF


(Left to Right: Vinnie, Dave, Jennifer, Natalie, Brett, Jay)

The Big Daddy + Jennifer Smith “Impromptu Wedding”

Who: Dave Keene + Jennifer Smith of Toronado

Best Man = Vinnie Chilurzo

Best Woman = Natalie Chilurzo

“Father” of the Bride = Jay Brooks

The Reverend = Brett Joyce

Where: Russian River Booth, GABF Convention Floor

When: Saturday Night

_________________________________________________

Naturally, the list could go on forever. Have a spoof award that you would like to give out? Leave a comment below!

CHEERS!

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/?feed=rss2&p=5223 15 140 Character Recap: The Best Beers of GABF According to Twitter http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=5232 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=5232#comments Thu, 23 Sep 2010 07:43:53 +0000 Wenchie http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=5232

Anyone who encountered The Wench during The Great American Festival post-Thursday night is probably aware of my “vocal complications.” Needless to say, the combination of high altitude, dry air, not enough rest, endless consumption of libations and copious amounts of talking … ultimately led to my vocal downfall. Aka: I lost my voice. There were times when I couldn’t even make a single sound. And for the most part, I sounded like a raspy old man who smoked 5 packs a day for 50 years.

Truth be told, I did way more talking and mingling during GABF than I did tasting beers. Sure, I tasted my fair share of beers — but I was not as diligent and dedicated as some of my other beer geek friends, who made sure to take notes, pictures and hit up all the special rare beer tappings.

This is why I’ve called upon Twitter to help me create a recap list of the “best beers” tasted during the Great American Beer Festival. And this is what they have to say, in 140 characters or less:

@TheBeerWench — Not gonna lie, we all know that the collaboration beer between New Holland + Mutineer Magazine that I helped design and brew was my ALL TIME HIGHLIGHT of GABF — and probably of my life, but moving on…

___________________________________________________________________

@hookedonwinter — Bruery Black Tuesday & Oude Tart, Fat Heads Collaborative Evil, Founder CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout), Lost Abbey Cable Car, Rocky Mountain Cherry Pie, Odell Deconstruction

___________________________________________________________________

@kerryfinsand — My favorite #GABF Beer was Two Brothers Brewing Cane & Ebel. A malty rye pale ale with citrus notes & a hoppy finish.

___________________________________________________________________

@odiedog52 – Saint Arnold Fancy Lawnmower Kolsch .. light, crisp, and full of flavor of fruity and grassy hops. Beautiful beer with a fitting name.

___________________________________________________________________

@BasicallyRed –
Rocky Mountain Brewing Da Yoopers-Cherry Pie beer-you could smell cinnamon in the crust & taste the cherry filling! Plus, Duane is crazy

___________________________________________________________________

@darthweef — Funkwerks Saison was by far my fav for the fest .. Legend of the Liquid Brain from Bull & Bush and Pizza Port Bacon & Eggs

___________________________________________________________________

@DosBeerigos — Best Surprise beer: Upstream Grand Cru. Fav beers: Cable Car (Lost Abbey) and Deconstruction (Odell)

___________________________________________________________________

@drinkeattravel (Stan) — TAP’S Remy, New Glarus Engima, The Bruery Black Tuesday, Bull and Bush Royal Oil

___________________________________________________________________

@drinkeattravel (Cambria) — New Glarus Enigma, Bull & Bush’s Royal Oil + Legend of the Liquid Brain Imperial Stout, TAPS Belgian White, Salazar’s Tart Lychee

___________________________________________________________________

@SteveParkes — Beers based on pie rocked this year. Key lime, lemon meringue beers made a nice change from the normal selection of pumpkin pie spiced beers

___________________________________________________________________

@madhouselarry — Capt. Lawrence (all), New Glarus (all) and really dug the brews from Oregon’s Cascade Brewing and Oakshire Brewing. Peace, love and cheers!

___________________________________________________________________

@MSJernigan — Trinity Brewing Co’s TPS Report and Rocky Mountain Brewing Co’s Peach Beer. So Good. Also the Bruery’s Black Tuesday.

___________________________________________________________________

@adrianh77 — I loved the Dogfish Head’s Theobroma. I loved the cocoa powder in the beer and the chilies at the end gave it an awesome aftertaste.

___________________________________________________________________

@Phil_from_MD — Kona Brewing Coconut Stout & Pipeline Porter. Founders Breakfast Stout, Great Lakes Blackout Stout. Ithaca Flower Power.

___________________________________________________________________

BeachBumChris — Easy. the Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout was amazing! Great chocolate malt flavors with a touch of bacon. I want it on my pancakes!

___________________________________________________________________

@AlexPDavis — Cable Car 09, Key Lime, Fatheads Collab Evil, Cuvee de Castleton, CBS, Sang Noir, Apricot, Deconstruction, BB Stout, Coffee Monster

___________________________________________________________________

@mbl4889 — Either the Cherry Pie from Rocky Mtn (believe that’s them) or the Jewish Rye from Triumph Brewing, tastes just like eating Jewish rye bread.

___________________________________________________________________

@sarahhuska — I’d have to say my favorite beer came not from the festival but from Falling Rock. 2007 New Belgium La Folie…holy heaven in a tulip glass!

___________________________________________________________________

@GISBREWMASTER — Gella’s Diner & Lb. Brewing Co. in Hays, Kansas There Red Rider (Amber) and Liberty Stout (American) stout.

___________________________________________________________________

@WindAddict — Tough question. So many great beers! I’ll shout out uncommon brewer’s bacon brown ale & Alaskan’s smoked porter. Yum!

___________________________________________________________________

@taphunter — Boulevard Tank 7, 90 Shilling, Freshcrafts Avery special tapping of “The Missionary” Guava Quad = beergasm

___________________________________________________________________

@MlleBess — The fruit beers from Rocky Mountain the sours from Brugge and the Pumpkin Stout from Elysian! Go!

___________________________________________________________________

@threefrenchs — Cascade’s Bourbonic Plague-Big, no huge beer but amazingly smooth. Tart with a clean finish. A very complex 11+% abv that is a great sipper.

___________________________________________________________________

@AmieDM17 — #GABF Favorite Beer: Tie b/t @CigarCityBeer’s Final Push (Zhukov w/ Weasel Poop Cofffee) & Short’s Anniversary Ale (blood orange wheat wine)

___________________________________________________________________

@StoneBrewJason — From Wood and Red Ale Marble Brewing. Foothill’s Sexual Chocolate. Cascade’s Vlad the Imp Aler. Real Ale’s Rio Blanco and Stone’s Sublimely

___________________________________________________________________

@Beervangelist — Why Mutinous (Battle Chai), of course! Favorite non-New Holland experience was Victory Helios with pate and fruit jelle at Farm to table

___________________________________________________________________

@Hillhaus — Bell’s: Oracle; Bruery: Oude Tart; Cascade: Apricot Ale; Cigar City: Final Push (Kopi Luwak!!!); Alesmith: IPA; MI Brew Guild: sour stout

___________________________________________________________________

@egabrewing — GABF beer favs: Lost Abbey Frambois de Amarosa, Cable Car 08, Bruery Oude Tart.

___________________________________________________________________

@100beers30days — Barrel-aged Coton/The Bruery.Tons of rich molasses, dark caramel, dried dates, maple toast, vanilla.It was UNBELIEVABLE. Chewable. Seriously.

___________________________________________________________________

@AZGirlsPintOut — @FirestoneWalker Velvet Merlin, @YazooBrew Sue, Rocky Mountain Blueberry Cobbler, Founders Canadian Bfst Stout, Hollister Tiny Bubbles

___________________________________________________________________

@COBeerWeek — Hmmm gotta go with a sour, either Snake River Brewing’s Le Serpent Cerise, or The Bruery’s Oude Tart. Both were amazing too hard to pick one

___________________________________________________________________

@brewcrewtv — Raspberry Tart and Key Lime Pie for their sweet ingenuity ………………………………….

___________________________________________________________________

@romejohn5 — Buckbean Very Noddy Double Black Lager

___________________________________________________________________

@thefullpint — @OdellBrewing rocked my world. Rocky Mtn Da Yoopers Cherry Pie & Tatonka Blueberry Cobbler were big surprises. <3 Brugge Brasserie!

___________________________________________________________________

Did I miss your response on Twitter? No fear … just post it in the comment section!

CHEERS!

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/?feed=rss2&p=5232 10 GABF Craft Beer Activism Panel Announced http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=5216 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=5216#comments Sat, 18 Sep 2010 17:29:50 +0000 Wenchie http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=5216

Crowds of enthusiasts don’t visit salsa factories, and no one geeks out over the chance to meet a soda maker. There isn’t a Great American Wine Festival, and people don’t line up for the chance to buy special release potato chips.

Craft beer fans differentiate this industry from all others. From introducing craft beer to friends, to playing a crucial role in the passage of vital legislation, fans are the frontline in the movement to make the world safe for craft beer.

Using social media tools for grassroots activism, craft beer fans numbering in the millions can be more effective than the priciest ad campaigns and the most well-connected lobbyists.

During the Saturday evening session of the 2010 Great American Beer Festival, a panel of four craft beer evangelists from all aspects of the industry will fuel a discussion on how to become a craft beer activist and build a grassroots movement based on a shared love for the most diverse, delicious, and authentic beverage in the world.

The panel will take place on Saturday, September 18th at 7:30pm in the Brewers Studio Pavilion. During the panel, Short’s Brewing Company will be pouring its Anniversary Blood Orange Wheat Wine and Stone Brewing Company will be pouring samples of its 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout – the only time and venue that particular beer will be available during the Great American Beer Festival.

The Craft Beer Activism Panel consists of:

Jacob McKean, Social Media Coordinator at Stone Brewing Co.

Scott Newman-Bale, CFO & Vice President at Shorts Brewing Co.

Peter Johnson, Brewers Association Programs Manager

Ashley Routson, Founder of Drink With The Wench

Hope to see many of you there! CHEERS!

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/?feed=rss2&p=5216 1 Chief Blogger Named For First Beer Bloggers Conference http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4793 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4793#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:41:17 +0000 Wenchie http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4793

The cat is out of the bag. Some of you might have figured it out for yourselves, some of you have heard it from me, and some of you may have read the announcement … Either way, I am very honored and excited to reveal that yours truly has been selected as the Chief Blogger of the Inaugural Beer Bloggers Conference that will take place November 7-9th in Boulder, CO.

Now there are some things I need to clear up before describing my involvement in the conference. In no way shape or form does the title Chief Blogger imply that I have been crowned the “best” beer blogger. Oh no, there is no way in H E double hockey sticks that my 2.5 year old blog has earned me such honors. Although I aspire to be like them, I am definitely no Stan, Jay, Stephen or Charlie.

So why have I been deemed Chief Blogger of the Beer Blogger Conference? Well for starters, I have attended the Wine Bloggers Conference, I know its founders, Zephyr Adventures, and I am familiar with their organic process of organization, and their concept of using a collaborative voice to drive the contents and flow of the conference. I also am familiar with the steps leading up to the conference — determining panels, recruiting speakers, nominations for awards, social media promotion for the event, etc…

For the past week or so, the rumor mill has been churning and I have received several calls, emails, texts, DMs and the like about my involvement in the Beer Bloggers Conference. Consider this your official confirmation. It should also be noted, at this time, that I will be attending the Beer Bloggers Conference as both Ashley “The Beer Wench” and Ashley of Mutineer Magazine, one of the event sponsors.

In my opinion, the Beer Bloggers Conference is an excellent opportunity to bring together some of the most passionate craft beer advocates, enthusiasts and evangelists in the world together. The conference is not limited to just experienced bloggers. In fact, newbies are highly encouraged to attend because there will be so much information available to assist in the development of a beer blog.

Personally, I am really excited to be involved in something that will help to promote, strengthen and increase the awareness of the beer blogosphere. In just 6 months, I have learned a lot about over 100 of my fellow beer bloggers through my Featured Beer Blogger Interview series. I have already had the opportunity to meet nearly 100 fellow beer bloggers in my travels all across the U.S., and I really hope to get the opportunity to reconnect with many of them in Boulder.

For all details surrounding the events as well as updates and news releases, check out the official site HERE.

Naturally, I will also be managing the Twitter process for the 2010 Beer Bloggers Conference. We have set up the Twitter account @beerbloggers and I will be Tweeting and Retweeting about the conference. So sign up to follow our updates and please use the hash tag #BBC10 on all your Tweets about the conference!

I also want to give a shout out to the sponsors who have made this event possible:

Boulder Beer Company
Oskar Blues Brewery
Draft Magazine
Mutineer Magazine
Boulder CVB
Colorado Brewers Guild

And if you or anyone you know is interested in sponsoring the Inagural Beer Bloggers Conference, contact Allan at info@beerbloggersconference.org!

——————————————————————

Also, for those of you who are curious to know who has confirmed registration, I will begin the compile a list on my site and update it as frequently as I can. I will only post people who want to be posted, so if you don’t see your name on the list, leave me a comment of shoot me a message!

CONFIRMED ATTENDEES

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/?feed=rss2&p=4793 8 Announcing The 2nd Annual Mutineer Magazine Red Carpet Tasting Event http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4635 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4635#comments Thu, 20 May 2010 21:15:01 +0000 Wenchie http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4635

Friends, prepare yourselves for the most epic party of the year.

On Sunday May 23rd, Mutineer Magazine is hosting its 2nd Annual Red Carpet Tasting Event at Falcon Hollywood in Los Angeles. The guest lists consists of a star-studded roundup of over 350 fine beverage VIPs: including industry celebrities, winemakers, brewers, beverage bloggers, and more.

And have no fear, kids. If you cannot make the actual event, you can follow the debauchery LIVE on the New Brew Thursday UStream. And if that wasn’t cool enough, guess who is co-hosting the Live Show? Yep, that’s right. The Beer Wench. Game on. RSVP for the Ustream HERE.

The Official Twitter hashtage for the Event and the Live Stream is #MutineerLive. Follow all of the updates and buzz surrounding the event on the hagtag stream = #MutineerLive.

The All-Star Mutineer Team on Twitter = @mutineermag + @alankropf + @jdorenbush @beermutineer + @odiedog52 @thebeerwench

Beverage Bloggers who will also be in attendance = @newbrewthursday + @johnholzer + @darthweef + @masterpairings + @thebeerchicks + @beerchicks+ @alexpdavis + @beachbumchris + @estarLA + @HipsterEnology

ABOUT THE EVENT

Mutineer Magazine’s 2nd Annual Red Carpet Tasting Presented by Amarula Cream brings together people, culture, and fine beverage at the renowned Falcon Hollywood for a memorable night of beverage tasting. The event follows up on the success of Mutineer’s first major affair celebrating its national launch last May 2009. A selective sampling of 40+ fine beverage companies from around the world will be sharing the fruits of their labor for attendees to explore. The red carpet event will also raise money and awareness for A Child’s Right, a charitable organization that implements water relief programs for impoverished children in undeveloped countries around the world.

A wide variety of wines, craft beer, spirits, liqueurs, and non-alcoholic libations will be poured as beverage connoisseurs, F&B insiders, journalists, and celebrities experience some of the most sought after beverages that are waiting to be discovered. In addition, the magazine will premiere the “Art of the Mutineer, Volume No. 1” photography exhibition highlighting Mutineer Director of Photography Ian Andreae’s inspiring and stunning photographs that have graced the covers and pages of the publication since its inception.

When:
Sunday, May 23, 2010
7 – 11 PM

Where:
Falcon Hollywood (Map)
7213 Sunset Boulevard
Hollywood, California 90046

Who:
Hosted by Mutineer Editor-in-Chief Alan Kropf and Actor/Comedian Ben Morrison.

The tasting event offers an impressive sampling selection of fine beverages including:
Spirits: Amarula Cream Liqueur, Bluecoat Gin, Combier Rouge Cherry Liqueur, BenRiach Scotch, Briottet Liqueurs, Chinaco Tequila, Don Roberto Tequila served with new cocktail mix “120 Mix”, English Harbour Rum, Kalani Coconut Liqueur, Luxardo Liqueur, Obsello Absinthe, Xtabentun Honey Liqueur

Wine: Brazin Wines, Chatom Vineyards, Continuum Estate, Jordan Winery, King Estate Winery, La Jota Vineyards, Murphy-Goode Winery, Newsome-Harlow Winery, Tanner Vineyards, Twisted Oak Winery, Two Oceans Wines, Wente Vineyards, Zucca Mountain Vineyards

Beer: Artisanal Imports, Ballast Point Brewery, Chimay, Coronado Brewing Co., Deschutes, Fireman’s Brew,Firestone Walker, Karl Strauss Brewing Co., Lost Coast Brewery, San Diego Brewing Co., Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Stone Brewing Co.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Dragon Pearl Tea, Hot Lips Soda, SanTasti, Waiwera Artesian Water

Cheese provided by Barrie Lynn – The Cheese Impresario.

Ustream Broadcast by New Brew Thursday.

Music by Seattle Musician Hunter Lea.

Limited tickets available here.

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/?feed=rss2&p=4635 0 Announcing The First Annual Brattleboro Brewers Festival http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4498 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4498#comments Thu, 06 May 2010 12:00:04 +0000 Wenchie http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4498

Drink With The Wench is very excited to announce that two of her favorite beer blogger friends, Tim and Amy Brady of Here For The Beer!, will be hosting the first beer festival in their home town of Brattleboro, VT!

If you are anywhere near the area (and six hours driving distance is definitely within the area), I highly suggest attending the event. Also, Amy and Tim have done an excellent job pairing up with local companies — so just check out the official event site for all information regarding directions and hotels!

CHEERS!

The First Annual Brattleboro Brewers Festival will take place Saturday May 22nd, 2010!

The event will be held in the large field on Chickering Drive in Brattleboro Vermont, across from the Holiday Inn from 1pm – 5pm.

Live Music, Great Food and Plenty of Great Beers!

$29 gets you in and includes 8 beer sample tokens (4oz), a souvenir glass and the satisfaction of helping these great causes.  PLUS your ticket includes the Friday and Saturday night Brattleboro Pub Crawl – including free transportation between many great area bars (and hotels), with each bar featuring a special brew for the weekend.

This is not your ordinary beer sampling.  Try beers from some of your favorite breweries, and many special brews that you have NEVER tried before, including several first time beer releases and a few brews made specially for this event.

Some Festival Highlights:

  • Meet Ray McNeill and try a first time beer brewed for the Festival
  • Meet Allen Vananda and try his never before released beers from The Brewery at the Trapp Family Lodge
  • Meet Shaun Hill and try the never before offered beers of the new Hill Farmstead Brewery
  • Try Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project beers and meet founders Dann and Martha
  • Meet Bill Covaleski, founder and brewmaster of Victory Brewing Company
  • Try the beer from the new Element Brewing Company and meet the founders
  • Try Lawson’s Finest Liquids and meet Sean Lawson, founder and brewmaster
  • Drink with Tod Mott and try the beers of Portsmouth Brewery
  • Try Maine Beer Company Peeper Ale and meet the founding Kleban Brothers
  • Meet Matt Nadeau and try Rock Art Brewery’s new IPA
  • Try the first batch of the Magic Hat Odd Notion – Wild Ginger Gold
  • Try the Brooklyn Brewery hoppy creation “Blast!” never before available outside of their brewery
  • More great announcements to come!

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/?feed=rss2&p=4498 1 ONE BEER ONE BET EMBARKS TODAY http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4424 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4424#comments Sat, 01 May 2010 10:55:28 +0000 DHonig http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4424

Last month I featured and interview with Michael Brown, the author of the beer blog ONE BEER BET. At the time, Michael was in South Korea, where he taught English for the past 3 years.

Starting today, May 1st, Michael will begin a 4,000 mile hike from San Francisco to Delaware, based on a bet his friend made him that he would neither start nor finish such a feat. The wager for such a monumental hike? One beer.

Yes, folks. That is correct. 4,000 miles of hiking across the entire United States for ONE. SINGLE. BEER.

Even The Beer Wench is not THAT crazy.

In addition to proving his friend wrong and earning that one beautiful beer, Michael has several other goals for the voyage. He hopes to entertain people with his follies along the way, drinking different beers with locals he has never met. Being removed from the US for 3 years, Michael hopes to re-learn America and meet as many people as he possibly can.

Three of Michael’s biggest passions in life are Travel/Adventure, Good Food, and a Quality beer with friends and friends not met. Beer was the catalyst for this hike and it has really shifted his thinking. Michael hopes to inspire others who maybe are looking for a catalyst of their own for a more self fulfilling journey.

I am rather nervous, quite proud and very honored to say that I will be joining Michael on his first leg of the hike: San Francisco to Berkeley, CA. We are meeting, bright and early this morning, at The Golden Gate Bridge. The mapped out trek is roughly 14-15 miles and is assumed to take all day.

The goal is to make it to Berkeley in the early evening, where we will most definitely kick off our shoes and sit back and relax with a few — scratch that — MANY beers. (Hopefully, we find beers along the way as well).

I can’t say that I’ve ever hiked that many miles before in one day. I think the biggest hike I’ve ever done was 10 miles, with my family, many many years ago. I cannot lie, I am a bit nervous because I have not truly exercised in 5 years, which means I will be tremendously out of shape and probably wanting to die by the end. But who knows, maybe all the fresh air and exercise will motivate me to get into a routine again and try to lose my Beer Wench gut. Ya never know!

Well kids, here goes nothing. I wish Michael the best of luck in his hike. If only I was brave enough to commit to the whole journey! At least I get to partake in a small part of it.

CHEERS TO ONE BEER BET!

Friend Michael on FACEBOOK

Follow Michael on TWITTER

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/?feed=rss2&p=4424 1 Water Is A Big Deal, Dude http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4295 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4295#comments Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:16:15 +0000 DHonig http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=4295

Not all beer conferences are fun and games. Some are actually serious events where serious issues, problems, and potential solutions are discussed.

One such serious issue affecting the brewing industry is WATER CONSERVATION.

Just last month, I had the honor and opportunity of attending the Great Lakes Craft Brewer’s and Water Conservation Workshop in Rochester, NY. The workshop was a follow-up to the Water Conference, which I also attended in November 2009. Both were organized by the well-known beer cookbook author and active environmentalist, Lucy Saunders.

Several representatives from breweries of every size from all over the country attended both events. Although at times way over my head, the presentations were impressive and extremely interesting. Presentations and panels cover systems for water conservation, water auditing, wastewater treatment and recycling in brewhouses and brewpubs, and the economics of water pricing in the Great Lakes.

Attending both events has definitely expanded my knowledge and understanding of the brewing process as well as helped me to understand the current state of fresh water in the world. I have become somewhat of a water conservation evangelist. I love talking about everything that I learned from the speakers and presenters at each event. I want breweries to change, to grow, and to conserve!

There is no better time to advocate water conservation and sustainable practices than during Earth Month. During this time, people tend to be more interested in the environment. And with Earth Day just hours away, there is no time like the present to bring people’s attention to water.

This morning, Stephen Beaumont published my article about water conservation in the brewing industry that I, oh so playfully, called “Water Is A Big Deal, Dude.”

Here is an excerpt:

In the brewing industry, water is a BIG deal. But not just because 90% of beer is comprised of it; that’s only half of the story. Water is a big deal because the brewing industry wastes A LOT of it. Depending on the brewery, it takes roughly 3.5 barrels (low end of spectrum) to 10 barrels (high end of spectrum) of water to produce ONE (yes, one) barrel of beer.

Despite the common misconception, water is finite. Although water covers roughly 71% of the earth’s surface, only 3% of it is freshwater, most of which is trapped in ice caps, glaciers and groundwater. The sad reality is that less than 1% of the earth’s water supports ALL life on land. And the even sadder reality is that we humans use 50% of all available freshwater annually.

Read more at THE WORLD OF BEER.

The next time you visit your local brewery, ask them what they are doing to conserve water. If the answer is nothing, tell them to contact the local water utility for a water audit and encourage them to look into water conservation measures. There are options for all breweries of all sizes!

CHEERS!

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/?feed=rss2&p=4295 0