Nice. I'm trying to avoid the heatwave here sitting on the patio getting a breeze because in the house it is 85. ABout to head to the soccer bar for some brews.Staying away from the big beers tonight. Sitting on my back patio, enjoying the cold front that came through today...its a crisp 72 degrees right now, perfect for a Jai Alai IPA.
is alpine brewpub open on Sundays?Nice. I'm trying to avoid the heatwave here sitting on the patio getting a breeze because in the house it is 85. ABout to head to the soccer bar for some brews.Staying away from the big beers tonight. Sitting on my back patio, enjoying the cold front that came through today...its a crisp 72 degrees right now, perfect for a Jai Alai IPA.
Its gonna get down to around 60 at night the next day or two...then back to lows in the 70s. That'll oretty much do it for fall in Florida. LolNice. I'm trying to avoid the heatwave here sitting on the patio getting a breeze because in the house it is 85. ABout to head to the soccer bar for some brews.Staying away from the big beers tonight. Sitting on my back patio, enjoying the cold front that came through today...its a crisp 72 degrees right now, perfect for a Jai Alai IPA.
nm I see that it is. I was looking at the brewery hours originally, which are different, and freaking out a bit.is alpine brewpub open on Sundays?Nice. I'm trying to avoid the heatwave here sitting on the patio getting a breeze because in the house it is 85. ABout to head to the soccer bar for some brews.Staying away from the big beers tonight. Sitting on my back patio, enjoying the cold front that came through today...its a crisp 72 degrees right now, perfect for a Jai Alai IPA.
Yeah. Pub is, but brewery is closed, so no growers and limited bootless at the pub. Are you heading out there tomorrow? Great tap list right now. Three seasonals on. One of which is never, ever, on, "Good".nm I see that it is. I was looking at the brewery hours originally, which are different, and freaking out a bit.is alpine brewpub open on Sundays?Nice. I'm trying to avoid the heatwave here sitting on the patio getting a breeze because in the house it is 85. ABout to head to the soccer bar for some brews.Staying away from the big beers tonight. Sitting on my back patio, enjoying the cold front that came through today...its a crisp 72 degrees right now, perfect for a Jai Alai IPA.
45 or so right now in Chicago. Going to get down to 37 tonight. So cry me a Russian River....Its gonna get down to around 60 at night the next day or two...then back to lows in the 70s. That'll oretty much do it for fall in Florida. LolNice. I'm trying to avoid the heatwave here sitting on the patio getting a breeze because in the house it is 85. ABout to head to the soccer bar for some brews.Staying away from the big beers tonight. Sitting on my back patio, enjoying the cold front that came through today...its a crisp 72 degrees right now, perfect for a Jai Alai IPA.
Yes, yes it is.Last night was Founders All Day IPA and a bomber of Pipeworks Unicorn Hits Rock Bottom. The latter, just fantastic.
The weather is phenomenal right now. Finally the humidity is gone.Staying away from the big beers tonight. Sitting on my back patio, enjoying the cold front that came through today...its a crisp 72 degrees right now, perfect for a Jai Alai IPA.
Yup. Gonna sleep with my windows open this weekend. Haven't been able to do that since Feb-March.The weather is phenomenal right now. Finally the humidity is gone.Staying away from the big beers tonight. Sitting on my back patio, enjoying the cold front that came through today...its a crisp 72 degrees right now, perfect for a Jai Alai IPA.
Fantastic collaboration, have one left and I really want to save it but it can't hang long on the shelf so to speak.Limp Ditka said:Last night was Founders All Day IPA and a bomber of Pipeworks Unicorn Hits Rock Bottom. The latter, just fantastic.
The Meditations of Europe's Last Brewmaster NunSister Doris Engelhard begins most days with mandatory choral prayer at 5:30 a.m., along with the other Franciscan sisters of Mallersdorf Abbey in Germany. But on Sundays she is excused, and instead rises at 3 a.m. to craft beer—nearly 80,000 gallons annually.
For 45 years, Sister Doris, 65, has dedicated her life to God and beer. She is now the last nun in Europe who is an active brewmaster, but she was not always alone in her profession. “There is one other sister who is also a master brewer in Ursberg, not far from Augsburg,” she says over email through a translator. That nun no longer runs a brewery, however. “She is a bit older,” says Sister Doris, “and this brewery now employs another master brewer.”
There was also a nun-run brewery in Schönbrunn, close to Dachau, but it closed down about 30 years ago. The sister who had been the brewmaster there, according to Sister Doris, now spends her days caring for the elderly.
Sister Doris started on her own path into the tiny sorority of brewmaster nuns when she came to Mallersdorf—a remote Bavarian village—in 1961 as a student in a school run by the abbey. Her mother was ill, and the nuns took care of her. “The sisters made a real impression on me. And I knew early on that I wanted a religious life,” she explains.
She always felt that she had an intimate relationship with God. “I have experienced God as a close, constant companion—in fact, I assume this is how every human experiences it, regardless of whether or not they believe in the one God,” she says. “I also think that God receives my prayers and accepts me just as I am, without needing my adoration or worship. Otherwise he wouldn’t be God. I need him, not the other way around.”
But despite having these convictions from an early age, and although she was raised in a Catholic home, her father did not think the convent was the right calling for her. “He told me I could better make a living working with my hands,” she recalls. “I wanted to study agriculture, but that was not possible in the abbey school, so the headmistress asked if I might be interested in the brewery.”
Mallersdorf has been a site for brewing beer since the 12th century. It was originally a monastery housing Benedictine monks, who began producing beer as a safe alternative to drinking unclean water for themselves and for the pilgrims who visited them. The monastery was converted to the current Franciscan convent in 1869, and brewing resumed in 1881.
The abbey now houses a modern brewery with two large copper boilers, cooling pans, and a storage cellar. Sister Doris began her apprenticeship in 1966, under the careful watch of another sister who had been brewing beer there since 1931. By 1969, Sister Doris had completed a course in brewing beer at a nearby vocational school. “I had become a master brewer,” she says. “Then I decided that I wanted to join the convent, and I took my vows.”
Brewing is her service to the convent—her assigned profession. “There are 490 sisters in the abbey,” she says, “and some work as teachers in schools, in children’s homes, nursing homes. We also have cooks and pig farmers and a baker. We do everything for ourselves.” Of her own job, Sister Doris says: “I love the work, and I love the smell when I’m making beer. And I love working with living things—with yeast, barley, and with the people who enjoy the beer.”
Monastic brewing has existed since the Middle Ages—monasteries undertook the first large-scale production of beer in medieval Europe—but according to Richard Unger, author of Beer in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, there has not been a specific study of the history of nuns and brewing.
In the secular world, however—particularly when it came to beer for private consumption or small-scale selling—women were the original brewmasters. “It may well be that since the task was classed with domestic chores it was generally done by women,” Unger writes in his book. “But in the high and late Middle Ages, when [brewing] moved from a household industry to a system of [centralized] workshops, you see fewer women brewing.”
The number of women making beer may have declined, but in the late Middle Ages women were predominantly the ones selling it in pubs and taverns. Still, “women who sold beer were long the subject of complaint and even a source for derision,” according to Unger. “The operators of taverns were always suspect in northern Europe because of the problems of drunkenness and disorder which the establishments generated, so the women who ran them had bad reputations.”
Sister Doris, however, sees no link between beer and sin. “Brewing beer certainly is a unique profession for a woman, and especially a nun,” she acknowledges. “But I love to drink beer. Beer is the purest of all alcoholic beverages. ... It is a very healthy drink, as long as you do not pour it down senselessly.”
Although there is some evidence that moderate beer consumption could have health benefits, there is no agreement on just how much beer is healthy to consume. Sister Doris, for her part, believes it is beneficial for men to drink 1.5 liters, and for women to drink three-fourths of a liter, per day. She herself enjoys a daily pint.
She says there’s no secret to her recipe, and that every batch is different. “The main ingredients are barley, water, hops, and yeast,” she says. “It is up to the brewer how to get along with these raw materials.” It’s a myth, she adds, that the beer made in abbeys nowadays is based on medieval recipes. “I cannot imagine that anyone would drink this beer if it was made with old and traditional abbey recipes, as advertisement often suggests,” she says. “That’s ridiculous. Every year the barley is different and has to be treated and processed differently. We do not even have the same sorts of barley today that existed back then.”
The abbey makes a different beer for each season, including maibock, a doppelbock, a dark zoigl, and a copper-hued lager. But given that the beer is made with natural ingredients and is not treated with preservatives, it doesn’t travel well—you can only find it in the vicinity of the abbey. “It’s a fresh product,” Sister Doris says. “Beer is not supposed to be left sitting. It changes the taste. It should be enjoyed as soon as possible.”
Sister Doris says she never expected that her call to serve God would lead her to brewing beer, but she loves her work and will do it until her health prevents her from doing so. “You can serve God everywhere, no matter what profession or job you have,” she says. “As Saint Benedict wrote, ‘in all things God may be glorified,’ and that is also true of beer.”
 Its good stuff. The Choc Peanut Butter Stout is even better but its only on nitro.The porter wasn't even supposed to be available in growlers the day I got it (when running low on certain beers they cut off fills) but the bartender didn't realize it til after it was filled, so I was lucky to get it to go.Let's try this again. Rapp's chocolate hazelnut porter. Awesome beer.
Thanks Wingnut. Will have to hit you up for more.
big fanSome of my other favorite beer discoveries from the GABF Saturday night session included the following:
Thirsty Dog Brewing Siberian Night bourbon-barrel aged imperial stout
Great Lakes has been making a "Rye of the Tiger" ipa for several years now so there's a potential trademark battle. 3 Floyds also makes a "Rye'da Tiger" ipa. If Survivor's lawyers get in the mix, there's potential for a four-way IP lawyer orgy.Some of my other favorite beer discoveries from the GABF Saturday night session included the following:
Three Floyds Chevalier Bertrand Du Guesclin blueberry sour ale
Breakside Brewery's Breakside IPA (2014 Gold for American-style IPA)
The Commons Myrtle saison (2014 Silver for American-style sour)
Comrade Fresh Hop Superpower IPA (2014 Silver for Fresh or Wet Hop Ale)
Iron Hill Brewery - I really enjoyed Iron Hill's offerings, particularly the Bedotter tripel (2014 Silver for Belgian-style Tripel), Russian Imperial Stout, and Rye of the Tiger rye IPA (2014 Silver for Rye Beer)
Thirsty Dog Brewing Siberian Night bourbon-barrel aged imperial stout, Wulver bourbon-barrel aged wee heavy
Bruery doesn't open to the public until the evening I think. Make sure you check their hours.Flying to LA for work then driving to Santa Ana area. Won't have time to get down to San Diego, but was thinking Bruery and Pizza Port might be doable tonight. Any other places to check out?
It's amazing to me how many breweries don't check their names. Just plug the damn thing in untappd and be done with it.Great Lakes has been making a "Rye of the Tiger" ipa for several years now so there's a potential trademark battle. 3 Floyds also makes a "Rye'da Tiger" ipa. If Survivor's lawyers get in the mix, there's potential for a four-way IP lawyer orgy.Some of my other favorite beer discoveries from the GABF Saturday night session included the following:
Three Floyds Chevalier Bertrand Du Guesclin blueberry sour ale
Breakside Brewery's Breakside IPA (2014 Gold for American-style IPA)
The Commons Myrtle saison (2014 Silver for American-style sour)
Comrade Fresh Hop Superpower IPA (2014 Silver for Fresh or Wet Hop Ale)
Iron Hill Brewery - I really enjoyed Iron Hill's offerings, particularly the Bedotter tripel (2014 Silver for Belgian-style Tripel), Russian Imperial Stout, and Rye of the Tiger rye IPA (2014 Silver for Rye Beer)
Thirsty Dog Brewing Siberian Night bourbon-barrel aged imperial stout, Wulver bourbon-barrel aged wee heavy
in 2 weeks.Yeah. Pub is, but brewery is closed, so no growers and limited bootless at the pub. Are you heading out there tomorrow? Great tap list right now. Three seasonals on. One of which is never, ever, on, "Good".nm I see that it is. I was looking at the brewery hours originally, which are different, and freaking out a bit.is alpine brewpub open on Sundays?Nice. I'm trying to avoid the heatwave here sitting on the patio getting a breeze because in the house it is 85. ABout to head to the soccer bar for some brews.Staying away from the big beers tonight. Sitting on my back patio, enjoying the cold front that came through today...its a crisp 72 degrees right now, perfect for a Jai Alai IPA.
Did you try Listermann's Nutcase Peanut Butter Porter? It took Bronze in the Specialty Beer category.Some of my other favorite beer discoveries from the GABF Saturday night session included the following:
Three Floyds Chevalier Bertrand Du Guesclin blueberry sour ale
Breakside Brewery's Breakside IPA (2014 Gold for American-style IPA)
The Commons Myrtle saison (2014 Silver for American-style sour)
Comrade Fresh Hop Superpower IPA (2014 Silver for Fresh or Wet Hop Ale)
Iron Hill Brewery - I really enjoyed Iron Hill's offerings, particularly the Bedotter tripel (2014 Silver for Belgian-style Tripel), Russian Imperial Stout, and Rye of the Tiger rye IPA (2014 Silver for Rye Beer)
Thirsty Dog Brewing Siberian Night bourbon-barrel aged imperial stout, Wulver bourbon-barrel aged wee heavy
As if Good Gourd wasn't hard enough to obtain already.The 21 best pumpkin beers (according to the author)
http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/the-best-pumpkin-beers-dogfish-head-avery-brewing-elysian
I'm pretty sure that I missed that beer at the festival, but will keep an eye out for it in the future. My mom lives in Dayton, so I'll look around for it when I am back in Ohio over the holidays.Did you try Listermann's Nutcase Peanut Butter Porter? It took Bronze in the Specialty Beer category.Some of my other favorite beer discoveries from the GABF Saturday night session included the following:
Three Floyds Chevalier Bertrand Du Guesclin blueberry sour ale
Breakside Brewery's Breakside IPA (2014 Gold for American-style IPA)
The Commons Myrtle saison (2014 Silver for American-style sour)
Comrade Fresh Hop Superpower IPA (2014 Silver for Fresh or Wet Hop Ale)
Iron Hill Brewery - I really enjoyed Iron Hill's offerings, particularly the Bedotter tripel (2014 Silver for Belgian-style Tripel), Russian Imperial Stout, and Rye of the Tiger rye IPA (2014 Silver for Rye Beer)
Thirsty Dog Brewing Siberian Night bourbon-barrel aged imperial stout, Wulver bourbon-barrel aged wee heavy
It's a local beer to me and I drink it when it's available. Highly recommend.
I'm in Costa Mesa overnight. Looks like Beachwood, Bruery, and the San Clemente Pizza Port are all 30min away in different directions...decisions decisions...Sebowski said:Bruery doesn't open to the public until the evening I think. Make sure you check their hours.palmersteel said:Flying to LA for work then driving to Santa Ana area. Won't have time to get down to San Diego, but was thinking Bruery and Pizza Port might be doable tonight. Any other places to check out?
There aren't any Pizza Ports in LA.
I don't know a whole lot about the LA beer scene. I like Bootleggers enough and they are close to Bruery. El Segunda is making my favorite hoppy beers up there, and El Segundo seemed like a cool little town the one time I was there. I also liked Smog City which was close enough to El Segundo.
LA is huge though and it takes forever to get anywhere, so it will really depend on your location and how much time we can allot to driving around. Beer has been getting bigger and bigger up there. Lots of gastro-pubby restaurants with great craft beer selections. The one I hear the most about is 38 Degrees. It has always been too out of the way for me to check out though.
My absolute favorite spot that is kind of in that area is Beachwood BBQ/Brewery in Long Beach. If you can get there, do it. They actually just won Best Large Brewpub at GABF this weekend. There is also a bar a couple door down that has a great tap list.
Miller Light and Coors Light ahead of the Banquet Beer? Pure insanity.CletiusMaximus said:Miller Coors sweeps the American Light Lager category at GABF
Gold - Miller Light
Silver - Coors Light
Bronze - Coors Banquet
http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/14_GABF_winners.pdf
These judges have highly sophisticated palates, who are we to question them? Miller Light, for example, is triple-hopped, something most of us just don't appreciate.Miller Light and Coors Light ahead of the Banquet Beer? Pure insanity.CletiusMaximus said:Miller Coors sweeps the American Light Lager category at GABF
Gold - Miller Light
Silver - Coors Light
Bronze - Coors Banquet
http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/14_GABF_winners.pdf
 That Dusty Farmgirl sounds nice. I love Meyer lemons.At 7venth Sun brewery, just tried a couple of new brews:
Dusty Farmgirl - Brett Honey Saison w/Meyer Lemon and Clementine
What's In My Mouth (White Stout) collaboration w/Angry Chair Brewing
Also picking up a couple of growlers of some hoppy stuff.
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I was at GABF - let's just say there is not a whole lot of competition in this category - Pale Ales and IPA's are a different storyThese judges have highly sophisticated palates, who are we to question them? Miller Light, for example, is triple-hopped, something most of us just don't appreciate.Miller Light and Coors Light ahead of the Banquet Beer? Pure insanity.Miller Coors sweeps the American Light Lager category at GABF
Gold - Miller Light
Silver - Coors Light
Bronze - Coors Banquet
http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/14_GABF_winners.pdf
Yeah, the judge's palates have been turned to #### with all of that hoppy crap.I was at GABF - let's just say there is not a whole lot of competition in this category - Pale Ales and IPA's are a different storyThese judges have highly sophisticated palates, who are we to question them? Miller Light, for example, is triple-hopped, something most of us just don't appreciate.Miller Light and Coors Light ahead of the Banquet Beer? Pure insanity.Miller Coors sweeps the American Light Lager category at GABF
Gold - Miller Light
Silver - Coors Light
Bronze - Coors Banquet
http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/14_GABF_winners.pdf
ETA - drinking a Dale's Pale Ale right now
Actually I had a few good IPA's and Pale Ales and offshoots - but I agree there is a lot of work needed to cut out the crap.Yeah, the judge's palates have been turned to #### with all of that hoppy crap.I was at GABF - let's just say there is not a whole lot of competition in this category - Pale Ales and IPA's are a different storyThese judges have highly sophisticated palates, who are we to question them? Miller Light, for example, is triple-hopped, something most of us just don't appreciate.Miller Light and Coors Light ahead of the Banquet Beer? Pure insanity.Miller Coors sweeps the American Light Lager category at GABF
Gold - Miller Light
Silver - Coors Light
Bronze - Coors Banquet
http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/14_GABF_winners.pdf
ETA - drinking a Dale's Pale Ale right now
They were both good. I would have took some Dusty Farmgirl home had it been available in growlers. I was also hoping to get a bottle of Saison Caribe, a hibiscus Lime Brett beer, but they sold the last one earlier today.That Dusty Farmgirl sounds nice. I love Meyer lemons.At 7venth Sun brewery, just tried a couple of new brews:
Dusty Farmgirl - Brett Honey Saison w/Meyer Lemon and Clementine
What's In My Mouth (White Stout) collaboration w/Angry Chair Brewing
Also picking up a couple of growlers of some hoppy stuff.
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