Springfield Brew Crew OKTOBERFEST Sponsored by Champion Brands and Team Hopheads

Ah, October! It brings to mind many a serene thoughts; colorful trees, hayrides, pumpkins, football, and to the beer lover, OKTOBERFEST.

This month the Springfield Brew Crew is holding its soon-to-be-annual Oktoberfest and Team Hopheads is helping us all have a good time! In addition to supplying several awesome Oktoberfest beers, the first folks who arrive will recieve free glassware to drink the beer from. Now that's something to wirte home about!

Last month, David Rigdon of Champion Brands and Team Hopheads attended our "Ah, Bock!" and "It's the Great Pumpkin Beer, Brew Crew!" event and had a great time. "I really like what you guys have going here," he said enthusiastically to me after the event.

Crew members, this is big stuff. We are becoming known throughout the Jacksonville area as the premier beer tasting club in the region. This kind of recognition can lead to big things (and I have already heard whispers of what some of those are -- but, I'm not telling yet). Let's keep the momentum going and show our sponsors that we really appreciate them!

Be sure to check out the website (MEETS and RULES pages) for details on the OKTOBERFEST event this Saturday night, October 16th from 7:30 to 11:30 at the Byres' home, 310 E 3rd Street.

http://www.sprbrewcrew.com/

See you all there!

Cheers!

 

Bold City Brewery Celebrates Second Anniversary

On a sunny, warm Saturday afternoon what could be better than coming together with several hundred beer lovers to celebrate the second anniversary of one of the best local breweries in Jacksonville? My opinion, not a darn thing! The fine folks who run Bold City Brewery did just that and threw a great party!



Bold City Breweries Second
Anniversary Party



And, everyone knows that when there is a great party there has to be good friends and good drink! Again, Bold City pulled out the stops -- literally -- on great beer. Brian, Bold City's brewmaster and owner, tapped a couple of very specail kegs. He has had Duke's Brown Ale and Mad Manatee agin in Maker's Mark bareels for several months. And, as if that was not enough, he threw in some cherry wood to boot!

The result were exceptionally smooth brews with notes of smokey Maker's Mark whiskey and tart cherry. Cold and refreshing, these beers went down easy and packed a bit of a wollop. These special anniversary brews proved extremely popular and the barrels ran dry just a few hours after they were tapped. A pity because they were so great I would drink them on a regular basis (tried to get Brian to let me have a growler full to no avail.).

Brew Crew Member
Eric Wisdom

The party drew beer lovers from far and wide. My little group carried on a conversation with a couple who had made the trek from King's Bay. There were local beer luminaries like Ed Stansel from the Times-Union and beer blog Amber Waves and Steve Rushe from beer blog beerjunto.com. My group consisted of members of the Springfield Brew Crew - Joe Cobb, Jason Piechowiak, Jim and Sharon Frye, and my brother, Eric Wisdom -- who will soon be adding to this blog, regalling us with stories of his travels all around the world and the beer he drinks.

Yes, Bold City through quite a party. They served awesome beer and a good time was had by all. With the number of people who where there, it is apparent the Jacksonville is primed and thirsty for good craft beers. Bold CIty delivers on that count.



Brew Crew Member
Joe Cobb



Brian Miller Brewmaster
Steve Rushe of beerjunto.com









Two Great Beer Event This Weekend!

Bold City Brewery Anniversary Event

I, your fearful leader, am planning on attending the anniversary party at Bold City Brewery this Saturday afternoon (details below). Would anyone of the Crew like to join me?

Bold City Brewery 2nd anniversary party, 1 p.m.-11 p.m.
... at the Rosselle Street brewery, with $2 pints of any Bold City beer.
There also will be raffles for free pints and growler refills for a
year. For a special anniversary beer, head brewer Brian Miller is aging
some Duke’s Brown Ale in a bourbon barrel with cherry wood.

Boulder Beer Co. Tailgating Dinner and Beer Pairing

Another great beer event this weekend at Whole Foods. Boulder Beer Co.'s, the oldest craft brewery in Colorado, Jeff Brown is going to be there to pour and provide tasting notes.

Any one interested in going see the details below and let me know. I might be persuaded to go......
Brewer's tailgate dinner, 3-5 p.m. Five courses paired with Boulder Beer Co. beers. Cost: $25.. Reservations: call (904) 288-1100.

Much Needed Comfort

A lot of things can go wrong in a person's life. And, over the past three weeks, a lot went wrong with mine. I am still picking up the pieces. I have no idea where things are headed for me. But, I have finally decided that it is time to pick myself up and make the best of things.

Over the past few weeks I have come to realize that good friends will stick with you no matter what horrible thing you may have done. They'll listen and not judge. They'll provide a much needed ear to listen and sometimes a shoulder to cry on. That is what good friends do.

So, I found myself just a few days after my world shattered lonely and scared. I sent a text to a couple of good friends and we met for dinner at Kickback's. We shared a few pints, chatted a while, and ate a good meal. It was comforting.

Foreign Extra Stout isn't your typical Guinness | jacksonville.com

Foreign Extra Stout isn't your typical Guinness jacksonville.com

Let's raise a glass to Oktoberfest | jacksonville.com

Let's raise a glass to Oktoberfest jacksonville.com

Brew Crew OKTOBERFEST is Back On!!!

***ATTENTION BREW CREW***

Good news! The previous note sent out regarding the Oktoberfest event
being canceled is now null and void! Some of our very own have stepped
up, taken the brew by the foam and have volunteered to host this month's
event. The Byres's have graciously made their home available.

 Friend Springfield Brew Crew on Facebook for your invite and the address of the event.

Or check the Official Springfield Brew Crew Website on the Meets page.

And while your at the website be sure to check out the Rules page so you know what to
do and what to bring!

http://www.sprbrewcrew.com/

Beer style of the month is Oktoberfest or Marzen. Bring a six-pack and a snack and ENJOY!!!

***THAT IS ALL***

Dear Brew Crew Blog Readers

I know it has been a while since you have herad from me, for that I am sorry. Currently I am dealing with some very serious personal issues.

With that said, I am cancelling the Brew Crew event for October.

I do have something planned for November, but there will be more on that as the details get worked out.

I thank you for your support and hope to have good news for you soon.

Heading for the Mountains - The Great American Beer Festival in Denver That Is

Once a year beer enthusiasts make the trek to the holiest of grounds, the Great American Beer Festival. This week in Denver, CO, thousands upon thousands of beer aficionados descend upon the Festival in search of the perfect brew, enlightenment into the art of brewing, and the opportunity to mingle with brewers and brew lovers alike.

This is no fly-by-night affair. This year's sold out event will host 49,000 beer nuts counting the exhibitors, judges, journalists, brewers and attendees. To put that into perspective if you filled Everbank Field 75% full you'd have a pretty close approximation of the number of people who will be at this event.

A few more stats about the event:

• 29th annual festival.
• More than 2,200 beers will be in the festival hall—the biggest selection of American beers ever served.
• 36,000 gallons of beer.
• 455 U.S. breweries serving in the festival hall.

The event hosts one of the most prestigious beer completions in the nation. Previous breweries which have been honored include, Flying Dog and Pyramid Breweries. Beers which have won gold medals include: Pyramid Apricot Ale by Pyramid Breweries, Lone Star from the Pabst Brewing Co., and Honey Moon Summer Ale from Blue Moon Brewing Co.

For 29 years beer lovers have made the trek to the festival, which has come a long way from its humble beginnings in Boulder, CO.  Back in 1982 the Festival starte4d with just 22 breweries and 40 beers. The stats above are sure to tell you that they have come a very long way. It should also make it clear to you the popularity of beer -- particularly craft beers.

The tide is rising for good beers and events such as this slam home the exclamation point on that statement. Jacksonville is quickly moving into the wave of quality beers with a handful of impressive local brews and several watering holes featuring excellent arrays of micro and craft brews.

Here's to an increased awareness of the lesser known, high-quality beers out there! Beer is good!

Visit the Festivals website at: http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/

SweetWater dives into Jacksonville market with 420 pale ale | Jacksonville.com Mobile Edition

SweetWater dives into Jacksonville market with 420 pale ale | Jacksonville.com Mobile Edition

Bold City Gets Bolder

These barrels are just waiting to be tapped at
the brewery anniversary in October.

Stopped by Bold City Brewery today on the way home from work. Met up with Scott Russell of North Florida Sales -- the local distributor of a slew of awesome craft beers and Brian Miller, brewmaster and owner of Bold City. We chatted a few minutes about the great things happening in the craft beer market and the local Jacksonville market in general before strolling into the brewhouse.

Brian is understandably proud of his shiny new brewing system and let slip that he isn't finished yet. Soon he will be adding two new fermentation tanks; one 60 barrel and one 80 barrel. Now that's how you increase capacity!

I noticed that one of his new tanks had a chinook fermenting and Brian says it should be ready soon!

Scott had stopped by to pick up a few kegs of Bold City brew for delivery to the Ritz-Carlton of Fernandina Beach who has begun serving the local brews as a featured beer.

Brian Miller proud papa of a new brew system.

While he was there he donated several cases of beer for the next Brew Crew event -- one of which, Sweetwater 430 Extra Pale Ale, is not yet available in the Jacksonville market in bottles (it will be available tomorrow on tap). That's right boys and girls, the Brew Crew will be hosting the Jacksonville debut of this exceptional beer Saturday night!

Both these guys are stand-up fellows. And both are passionate about craft beer and growing the local following for tasty beer. The Crew looks forward to working with both of these fine gentleman soon!

Visit Bold City's website at: www.boldcitybrewery.com
Visit North Florida Sales website at: www.northfloridasales.net

Break out the lederhosen, it's time to sample some Oktoberfests | jacksonville.com

Ed Stansel and Roger Bull of the Florida Times-Union have a great beer blog. These guys know beer!

Break out the lederhosen, it's time to sample some Oktoberfests | jacksonville.com

On tap: Beer events calendar | jacksonville.com

Want to know what is going on in town that is beer-related? The Jacksonville Times-Union's Ed Stansel and Roger Bull have created a calendar listing all things brew!

On tap: Beer events calendar | jacksonville.com

Up Close and Personal

Want to see what your favorite beer looks like under a microscope? Check out this site which has done just that!

http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/beershots/index.html

Football and Cold Beer

Today marks the beginning of the 2010 - 2011 NFL football season. The teams are lining up and ready to battle. Fans everywhere have made their runs to the store to stock up on all the necessary football eats and drinks. And that includes the most improtant ingredient: beer!

Since this is a blog about beer, I would be remiss if I did not write something about beer today of all days!

I made my pilgrimage to Costco for two HUGE slabs of ribs, chips, pizza, and pita chips (OK, those were for my daughter -- really!)And after that I swung by the nearby Total Wine for some liquid refreshment.

I picked up a six-pack of Shipyard Wheat Ale -- it was $2.00 off and looked good. After chilling it appropriately, I opened a bottle and poured it into my trustee pint glass. The color is an golden orange with a thick head. Aroma is sweet and fruity. First sip revealed orange, a slight spiciness and milder ale flavors.

My second six-pack is Magic Hat #9 -- I love this light, fruity, easy drinking brew!

And finally, I grabbed a bottle of Pike Pale Heirloom Ale. I'll report on this one later (but, I've had it in the past and found it quite enjoyable).

That's all for now -- back to the game.

SCORE!!! Ommegang Zuur

Went to Total Wine this morning and bumped into Eric Jankowski from Micro Man Distributors. After talking pale ales for a few minutes he mentioned that he had scored a few cases of Ommegang's Zuur.

This is an extremely rare brew in these parts -- only ten cases for the entire state! And Total Wine in St. John's Town Center has less than 20 bottles left. If you want it, you better hurry!

Bottled in 750 ml bottles with a cork closure, a bottle of this prized sour is cooling in the Fearful Leader's 'fridge as I type.

Will let you know how it is tomorrow!