July 27, 2011
Like cold beer? Then this is for you:
Forget what you know about cold beer: SUMMIT Appliance has just changed everything.
With the COLD CAVERN beer froster FS60SSVHFROST, you get beer so cold, the aluminum bottle literally frosts over when removed from the unit. How cold is it? The COLD CAVERN stores your beer at approximately 24ºF, just before freezing, in order to give you the coldest crispest brew possible.
A digital thermostat is specially installed for precise temperature control, with an external temperature readout for added convenience. You can store your favorite aluminum bottles inside on open shelves and use the generous door space for cans.
The FS60SSVHFROST has a white cabinet with a stainless steel door. A sleek stainless steel handle adds a touch of elegance.
Beer stays colder longer, so you can take your time savoring each bottle before it gets warm. Indulge yourself and your guests with the same extravagant service previously reserved for upscale lounges and resorts. True beer lovers deserve luxury, and the COLD CAVERN brings it home.
- Stainless steel door and professional handle add modern luxury to any setting
- Digital thermostat with external readout for easy and accurate temperature control
- Can hold over 5 cases of 16 ounce alumimum bottles
- Interior will keep beer just before the freezing point for true refreshment
You can check it out over at the Summit Appliance site by clicking HERE.
Posted by Ghostshark under Beer,Furnishings | Comments (1)
July 13, 2011
It isn't cheap, coming in at about $150 a bottle, but it's said to be a unique taste. Here's the details:
Sweet fire, with a rich malt and wood complexity.
Truly the epitome of brewing's two thousand year evolution, Samuel Adams Utopias® offers a flavor not just unlike any other beer but unlike any other beverage in the world. The 2009 release is a blend of batches, some having been aged up to 16 years in the barrel room of our Boston Brewery, in a variety of woods. We aged a portion of the beer in hand-selected, single-use bourbon casks from the award-winning Buffalo Trace Distillery. The latest batch also spent time in Portuguese muscatel finishing casks, as well as sherry, brandy and Cognac casks. This flavorful, slightly fruity brew has a sweet, malty flavor that is reminiscent of a deep, rich vintage port, fine cognac or aged sherry.
You can check it out by clicking HERE.
Posted by Ghostshark under Beer | Comments (0)
June 27, 2011
If you find yourself needing to carry around 210 ounces of booze, or I guess any other liquid, this would be the way to go. Here's the quick details:
Backpacks aren't just for books! Clever and cool field day fun, this acrylic backpack beverage dispenser serves up shots, your favorite brew, or most delicious tailgate kool-aid in a style that's no-nonsense merriment. With a lightweight nylon design, fully padded shoulder straps, two, 24” gravity-fed hand taps, a whopping 210-ounce capacity, and mesh bag for holding those extra cups, this backpack drink dispenser ensures you stay completely comfortable as you become the most popular person in a party-mile radius. Tailgate tank backpack drink dispenser measures 25½”x12”x4”.
You can snag one for $40 over at the Home Wet Bar site HERE.
Posted by Ghostshark under Beer,Spirits | Comments (0)
May 26, 2011
Six easy steps to making world-class beer in your kitchen! Beer Craft is your guide to drinking the best beer you’ve ever tasted—by making it yourself. This kitchen manual has everything you need to turn your stove into a small-batch, artisanal brewery. Hone your craft by perfecting the basic beer styles, or go wild with specialty techniques like barrel-aging and brewing with fruit. Beer Craft is the ultimate modern homebrewing resource, simple and clear but packed with enough information to satisfy anyone making their first, or four-hundredth, beer.
• Master simple stovetop recipes for all your favorite styles, from pale ales and barleywines to fruit and sour beers
• Flavor your beer with spices, special grains, and a pantry full of deliciously unexpected extras like coffee, chocolate, and homegrown hops
• Create labels and bottle caps for your home brewery, and get inspired by retro designs of beers gone by
• Get pro tips on advanced techniques like barrel-aging and wild bacteria from interviews with brewers at Rogue, Sierra Nevada, Stone, and more of today’s best craft breweries
• Learn facts from beer history, like recipes for ancient bog-myrtle and heather beers, the story of the great London beer flood of 1814, and even brewing advice from Thomas Jefferson
Check it out over at Amazon HERE.
Posted by Ghostshark under Beer | Comments (0)
April 19, 2011
I've never heard of this beer, but getting five stars in the Word Beer Championships is worth a look. Here's the details:
FULLER’S EARNS “FIVE-STAR” RATING IN THE BEER WORLD
Fuller’s ESB and Fuller’s London Pride Only Beers to Win Platinum At World Beer Championships 2011
LITTLETON, Colo…Fuller’s Brewery, brewing beer since 1630, is the oldest brewery in London and has won more than 20 awards from Campaign for Real Ale, approximately twice as many as any other brewery in the U.K. Now, Fuller’s continues to take the U.S. by storm, with Fuller’s ESB and Fuller’s London Pride as the only two brands awarded Platinum in this year’s Word Beer Championships.
The World Beer Championships (www.tastings.com), founded in 1994, is America’s oldest international beer competition and is open to all commercially produced beers from around the world, regardless of US distribution. It is a medal-based competition that awards its medals based on the proprietary blind tasting methodology developed by the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) and five bands of ratings, similar to a five-star hotel rating system, on a 100-point quality rating scale.
The World Beer Championships is an intense competition for beer with thousands of entries and Fuller’s is celebrating not just one, but two, and the only two Platinum awards in this year’s competition.
Below are the details for each:
96 Fuller’s Griffin Brewery Fuller’s London Pride Pale Ale www.tastings.com/scout_beer.lasso?id=194400
96 Fuller’s Griffin Brewery Fuller’s Original ESB
www.tastings.com/scout_beer.lasso?id=194399
Fuller’s is honored to have received these awards and is proud that Fuller’s Ales are many times the benchmark for the craft beers brewed in the United States today. There are two main contributors to the unique flavor of Fuller’s beers – Fuller’s exclusive yeast and the two main raw materials Fuller’s Brewery buys: hops and malt. The hops and malts used in each of Fuller’s Ales are of the highest quality.
Posted by Ghostshark under Beer | Comments (0)
April 13, 2011
It makes beer. In your house. Any beer you want to make. Pretty awesome.
Here's the details:
WORLD’S FIRST PERSONAL BREWERY LAUNCHED IN NZ
Kiwi beer-thinkers, Ian Williams and Anders Warn have solved a problem faced by millions of brewers around the globe and produced the world's first personal brewing device, unveiled in Auckland this afternoon.
The WilliamsWarn is an all-in-one brewing machine capable of creating commercial-quality beer in as little as seven days. The machine’s innovative design and patented process ensures minimal oxidation, making beer produced in the WilliamsWarn the freshest beer in the world.
“We see huge potential for the WilliamsWarn in the home, workplace, bar or cafe, not just in New Zealand but also globally,” says Ian Williams, New Zealand's first qualified Brew Master and co-founder of WilliamsWarn.
“The global beer industry is worth US$330 billion per year and there is a noticeable trend towards craft brewing. WilliamsWarn gives people the opportunity to create their own high-quality beer, while also having the freedom to experiment and create their own twist on classics."
More than a third* of New Zealand males have tried home-brewing but most have not carried it through because of the time involved and the low-quality beer produced.
The WilliamsWarn solves 12 of the key problems faced by home brewers, such as the carbonation process, temperature control and clarification, to make beer brewing simple and fast.
The machine was initially dreamt up by Ian Williams in 2004 while discussing the difficulties of home-brewing with his uncle on a trip back home from his base in Denmark. He began researching the problems associated with home-brewing and partnered with Anders Warn, a food technology engineer and close friend, to create the solution.
WilliamsWarn will initially be sold in New Zealand only, however there are plans for expansion throughout the rest of the world.
“We’ve already been talking to people in Qatar, Dubai and expats who live in countries where beer is expensive to buy who are very excited about being able to brew world-class beer in their own homes.”
WilliamsWarn was developed with the help of government funding from the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI)’s TechNZ business support programme.
MSI Director Sector Investments (Manufacturing & ICT) Mark Gallagher says that TechNZ funding is available to innovative New Zealand firms at all stages of growth. “This company
has taken a good idea through the research and development process, resulting in an appealing niche-market product that has the potential to be one of New Zealand’s export success stories.”
A WilliamsWarn personal brewery will cost NZ$$5660+ GST and will be available from today. Those interested in buying a WilliamsWarn can place an order via the website www.williamswarn.com
Each machine will come with a unique number starting with WilliamsWarn 001, which was showcased this afternoon in the Auckland Art Gallery.
You can read more about it HERE.
Posted by Ghostshark under Beer,Electronics | Comments (0)
March 2, 2011
These are from one of the many groomsmen gift sites, but that doesn't mean you have to have a wedding to buy one. You could just do the same thing I'm thinking about, grabbing one of these just to drink out of. Here's the details:
These affordable and unique english pewter pint tankards are a great gift idea for wedding party members or any occasion. Each durably crafted tankard can be personalized to show your family or friend just how much they mean to you. These polished finished, traditionally crafted english pewter tankards feature a celtic designed brass band and hold up to 1 pint of beer, wine, or any beverage. Each mug is approximately .65mm thick.
The one pictured here runs $59, with engraving costing another $6 per line. Other mugs run less or more, depending on what you want. You can check them all out HERE.
Posted by Ghostshark under Beer | Comments (0)
March 1, 2011
This is a good cause, so I thought I would post this. Here's the press release:
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Highland Brewing Co. is releasing PSA Pilsner to help raise awareness about prostate cancer and generate funds to fight the disease that one in six American men will face.
Highland PSA Pilsner is a limited release lager created by Highland Brewer Joey Justice that will initially be available only on draught. PSA Pilsner will be tapped for the first time on March 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. during a special event at the Highland Brewing Tasting Room, 12 Old Charlotte Highway in Asheville, N.C. The beer will benefit Pints for Prostates, an awareness campaign that reaches men through the universal language of beer. Highland Brewery will donate 50-cents from each pint sold.
The beer takes its name from the PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test, a critical tool in the early detection of prostate cancer. Highland PSA Pilsner is the latest addition to the Pints for Prostates campaign, which is designed to be a friendly and non-threatening reminder to men to take charge of their health.
“We have been working on developing a new Pilsner and want to get the reaction of our fans to the new beer at our tasting room. We thought this would be a great opportunity to raise awareness about prostate cancer,” said Oscar Wong, Highland Brewing founder and a prostate cancer survivor. “Pints for Prostates is spreading the word across the country and this is a perfect opportunity to bring this important message to Asheville.”
Pints for Prostates will have an information table at the event, along with t-shirts, hats and a raffle for a nine-night trip for two to Prague, Bamberg and Munich for Oktoberfest. The Tim Marsh Collective will provide live music during the release event.
“Pints for Prostates really appreciates the support of Highland Brewing and I am looking forward to tasting PSA Pilsner,” said Rick Lyke, a Charlotte marketing executive and beer writer who founded Pints for Prostates in 2008 after successful prostate cancer surgery. “Few people realize that men are 33 percent more likely to face prostate cancer than women are to develop breast cancer. With early detection and proper treatment, the disease is nearly 100 percent survivable, but last year 32,000 American men died from prostate cancer. Men need to take charge of their health and start having regular prostate health screenings and PSA tests at age 40.”
According to Justice, Highland PSA Pilsner reflects his love for great Pilsner. The recipe combines Best Maltz (Best Pilsen Malt) from Heidelberg, Germany, with Carapils and Vienna Malt from American specialty malt producer Breiss, with the wort nursed through an extended brewing, fermentation and conditioning cycle utilizing the yeast strain that created the Czech Republic’s reputation for producing the world’s greatest Pilsners. Classic Czech Saaz hops provide a modest IBU count and delicate effusive aromatics. This small batch Pilsner finishes clean and crisp, and at 4 percent alcohol by volume, can lay claim to being an honest, distinctly refreshing, and highly quaffable session beer, hand crafted with love of the brewer’s art.
“Prostate cancer is about 30 years behind breast cancer in terms of awareness and social standing. The pink ribbon can be found on everything from cat food to wine, but the blue ribbon for prostate cancer awareness is on very few products as a reminder to men,” Lyke said. “Having Highland PSA Pilsner on the market is a major step forward in raising awareness about prostate cancer. Highland Brewing is really stepping up to the plate to help guys.”
During the last two years more than 100 Pints for Prostates events have been held, organized by volunteers and often hosted on a local level at breweries, restaurants or brewpubs. Those wishing to organize an event can get information by visiting www.pintsforprostates.org.
About Pints for Prostates
Pints for Prostates is a 501(c)3 a campaign that reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men of the importance of regular health screenings and PSA testing by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 218,000 new prostate cancer cases were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2010. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter (@pints4prostates).
About Highland Brewing Co.
Highland Brewing Co. rolled out its first beer kegs in December 1994. Built almost entirely of retrofitted dairy equipment, the original brewery in downtown Asheville could produce up to 6,500 barrels of beer per year. In October 2006, the company moved to a larger, more efficient brewery in east Asheville with a 20,000 barrel capacity. Owner/founder Oscar Wong and Vice President/Brewmaster John Lyda have been at the brewery since its inception. What began as a three person operation has grown into a staff of 18. Currently, the Highland brand is sold in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. More information is available at www.highlandbrewing.com.
Posted by Ghostshark under Beer | Comments (0)
January 11, 2011
Not really sure what you're viewing at the viewing party, but it's Vegas and beer. Not sure I care what it is. Also of note, you get a little spending cash, and there's a total of four trips. Here's the details:
Four Grand Prizes, one from each Market Region will be awarded, each consisting of a trip for winner and one guest to Las Vegas, Nevada. The Grand Prize will include the following: roundtrip coach airfare for winner and one guest from the gateway airport nearest winner’s residence to Las Vegas, Nevada, two nights hotel accommodations in Las Vegas, as determined by Sponsor, plus $250 USD spending money for the winner only. Winners and guests will also have access passes to VIP Heineken Viewing Party in Las Vegas on February 6, 2011.
The contest runs until January 23, 2011, and you can enter it HERE.
Posted by Ghostshark under Beer,Contests/Sweepstakes/Giveaways,Vegas | Comments (0)
December 20, 2010
I always wanted to try my hand at brewing some beer. And wine. And vodka. Maybe some whiskey.
Anyway, this looks like a pretty good kit to start out with if you're interested. Here's the details:
Two-stage fermentation (your choice of two glass or two plastic carboys)
More flexibility — make strong beer, lagers, etc.
More gadgets to make life easier and beer better
Expandable — grows with your homebrewery
The Deluxe Kit uses a two-stage fermentation: the active, or primary, fermentation takes place in a six gallon carboy; the young beer is then transferred to a five gallon carboy, where it quietly sits for a few weeks to several months, depending on the beer being brewed. By separating the young beer from the solids in the primary and allowing it time to condition, the finished beer is clearer in appearance and smoother in flavor and aroma. Although many kinds of ale can be successfully brewed using a single-stage system, any beer can be improved by a two-stage fermentation. Some beers, like strong ales and lagers, as well as even stronger beverages like mead, require extended aging that can only be accomplished with a two-stage fermentation.
As with the Better Basic Kit, you can choose traditional glass carboys, or lighter and less-fragile plastic carboys for your kit.
The Deluxe Kit features more equipment to make brewing easier and more fun: a large test jar makes hydrometer readings more accurate and easier to read, two "Fermometers" stick to your carboys for constant temperature readings, and a laboratory thermometer eliminates imprecision when steeping specialty grains or cooling wort. A sturdy carboy dryer makes for hands-off draining and storage of your fermenters, and we upgrade the capper to the red "Emily" style, which is easier on the wrists and can be converted to cap larger Belgian and Champagne bottles.
Includes a free copy of our Homebrewing 101 DVD.
You can check it out, or buy the kit for $160, over at the Northern Brewer site HERE.
Posted by Ghostshark under Beer | Comments (0)