New Glarus announces 2016 R&D dates

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New Glarus Brewing Co. has announced the release dates for their three R&D beers in 2016.

Just like they have done in the past, the Wisconsin brewery is not releasing any information on the beer styles until closer to the dates.

Each release will span two days. There will be a bottle limit of two per person per day.

The first release will be on June 10 and 11 and coincide with the Polka Fest and Beer, Bacon and Cheese festival in the village of New Glarus.

The second release will be Aug. 12 and 13 during the Great Taste of the Midwest.

The third will be Sept. 23 and 24 during the village’s Octoberfest.

Each event will feature a different beer from the brewery’s Wild Fruit Cave. So if you want all three of the year’s R&D beers you’ll need to go to all three release events.

The beers will be $10 each including tax. The brewery prefers cash, but credit and debit cards are accepted. Sales begin no later than 9 a.m.

As each release approaches expect to hear more about the individual beers that will be available.

Founders building brewery for "experimental" beer

Founders Brewing Company is building a second brewery for barrel-aged, high gravity, and experimental beers. From the company's blog: "We’re excited to announce that we’re expanding…again! We’ve been expanding our current 235 Grandville location for years, but we’ve grown to fill a full city block and have no more space to grow into. This time, we’re adding an additional building, located just a mile south of our current taproom and brewing facility. So, what’s happening at this new facility? Well, a little bit of everything. The building, located at 900 Hynes St. SW near downtown Grand Rapids, is intended to fulfill our growing warehousing and distribution needs. It will also be home to our second brewery, which will focus exclusively on the barrel-aged, experimental, high-gravity, and specialty beers that we’ve become known for. This means many of the limited, speciality, and Backstage Series beers will be brewed and packaged in this facility. We’re beyond excited to have additional space to design and brew the beers that are the foundation of who we are. As our Co-Founder, Mike Stevens, puts it: "This is the foundation of our company and what we are known for. It represents the very essence of Founders and it feels great to know that the very roots of our success will always have a primary focus.” The new facility will be production-only and will not have a taproom. We’ll begin operations at the new facility on January 29, 2016 and anticipate to start production this summer. Of course, with the addition of this new brewery comes the opportunity to bring new employees into the Founders Family. You can find more information on job openings here. Cheers to continuing to grow our operation within the beautiful city we love so much!"

Founders’ baby label is back

Michigan is allowing the fan-favorite "baby label" back onto bottles of Founders Breakfast Stout.

The labels disappeared for a four-month period after the Grand Rapids, Mich., brewery received word that the state wasn’t fond of the baby on the label. It also turned out that Founders failed to register the label with the state.

From WZZM:

That label was pulled last August after the Michigan Liquor Control Commission discovered it wasn't registered with the state. The brewery was fined and had to remove all bottles from its taproom.

After receiving approval from the state, the label and bottles made a comeback in December.

Sucaba is coming

It may not be a Midwest beer, but we really enjoy Firestone Walker’s Sucaba:

The barrel-aged barleywine is being released at the Paso Robles, Calif., brewery on Saturday. From there, it will see wider release, which includes stores in the Midwest. 

From the brewery’s Facebook Page: 

The barley wine is back! Sucaba returns this Saturday, Jan. 16th, so stop by & taste a vertical! Bottles will be available at our Brewery Store in Paso Robles & Barrelworks in Buellton. Three bottle max per person, $16.99 plus tax & CRV each. Sucaba hits limited distribution shortly after, depending on where you are located. Cheers!

Great Divide’s Yeti is getting the can treatment

Through it’s long and storied career, Great Divide’s Yeti has been a lot of places. 

The imperial stout has made it’s way into oak barrels, been aged on chocolate, aged on espresso beans and, more recently, aged in bourbon barrels for at least a year.

But never has it been somewhere this shiny.

That’s right, Great Divide’s Yeti is making it’s way into cans in the near future. 

I’m not sure when it will be, but the brewery has received label approval from the TTB. And the cans are appearing on the Great Divide website. 

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What makes a beer go sour? Goose Island says the Bourbon County beers aren't infected

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For the first time since the brewery started making bourbon barrel aged beers in 1992, Goose Island is offering refunds for the two variants that have developed "off" flavors since bottling.

Granted, the company is handling the issue exceedingly well. The refunds have been going smoothly and Goose Island is asking for receipts or for the empty bottles to be returned.

And having one batch with off flavors in 23 years is a testament to the quality control the brewery has in place.

The 2015 Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout I opened near the end of November tasted great. That indicates at least some off the bottles weren't experiencing a problem. I have two more so we'll see how those turn out, as well.

But the bottles that did have problems have been described as having "sour" flavors by reviewers on websites like Untappd.

Goose Island, however, is ruling out an infection. According to Porch Drinking, the beers are not "technically infected" because there were no bacteria detected by Goose Island's lab testing.

On the other hand, the company's own blog post said, "It has come to our attention that since bottling the 2015 Bourbon County Coffee and Bourbon County Barleywine, they have developed flavors that are not consistent with our expectation of how these beers should taste."

Obviously, I'm not privy to what caused the off flavors in the Goose Island's Bourbon County beers this year. But for off flavors to develop overtime — especially sour flavors — is usually an indication that bacteria like lactobacillus or pediococcus ended up in the beers.

To understand why, you have to understand the process of how beer is made. In short, malts are combined with hot water to create a sugary liquid called wort. After the wort is boiled, hopped, and cooled down, yeast is pitched. The yeast eats the sugar and creates CO2 and alcohol.

When bacteria is introduced, either intentionally or unintentionally through the environment, it eats the sugar and creates acidic, or sour, compounds like lactic acid. What's more, the bacteria can eat complex sugars that brewers yeast has trouble with. So anything that is leftover from the primary fermentation with brewers yeast can be broken down by bacteria or wild yeast.

By the way, those bacteria aren't harmful for human consumption. In fact, they are typically used when making beers that are intentionally sour, like a Flanders red or a Berliner weisse, Lactobacillus also is used in making yogurt and probiotics.

This isn't a unique problem that Goose Island faces, either. Barrel aging a beer is a tricky skill and breweries are always battling with possible infections.

Part of the problem is the resiliency of lactobacillus and strains of wild yeast like brettanomyces. According to Mitch Steele's IPA book, brettanomyces and bacteria can burrow up to .3 inches into the barrel's wood, which can make those microbes more resistant to sanitation processes.

Imperial stouts and barleywines typically have a lot of complex sugars leftover after the primary fermentation. When those beers are added to the barrels the bacteria and wild yeast, if present, could make their way into the beer and cause an unwanted sour flavor or other off flavors.

When these sour flavors unexpectedly develop in a beer, brewers often call those beers “infected.” It’s not a term that is used to describe the beer as dangerous. It’s just the term to describe the presence of unwanted bacteria. 

“Contaminated” is another word that is used and it is the preferred word that is taught in the Beer Judge Certification Program.

To reiterate an earlier point, Goose Island is saying their beers are not infected. An email from a company spokesperson made that clear saying, "The beer is not infected. Infected would imply a bacteria problem or cause for safety concern. It simply is off profile taste."

I am curious to see what the brewery's additional tests will uncover because a sour flavor, in many cases, is an indication of an infection. This case has potential to shed some light on other causes of this particular off flavor if the information is released.

If you purchased a bottle of the barleywine or coffee stout that is infected you can get a refund by calling 1-800-GOOSE-ME. The deadline to get a refund is Feb. 29.

Photo: A lactobacillus culture / Wikipedia

UPDATE: Goose Island is offering refunds for specific Bourbon County beer

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Goose Island is offering refunds for anyone who has purchased a bottle of the coffee and barleywine variants of their 2015 Bourbon County Brand series of beers, which may have off flavors.

To get your refund call 1-800-Goose-Me

UPDATE: Megan Lagesse, communications manager for Anheuser-Busch InBev's craft beer division, reached out to me Friday afternoon to clarify that the beers are not infected, which is the word I used to desribe the beers in a previous post.

"The beer is not infected," she wrote in an email. "Infected would imply a bacteria problem or cause for safety concern."

To be clear, when I used the word infected it was not meant to imply that the beer was contaminated by some deadly bacteria. Instead, I was using the word infected in the way it is commonly used in the beer world. That is to say, the off flavor was possibly caused by a wild yeast or bacteria that made it's way into the beer without the brewer's intention of it being there.

After all, some reviews on websites like Untappd are describing the beers as having flavors that are sour or tart. Those flavors can be caused by bacteria like lactobacillus or pediococcus. However, those bacteria are not harmful to humans and are often used in beers intentionally to give them a tart flavor.

Lactobacillus also is used in yogurt and probiotics.

But I will repeat that Lagesse wants you to know that the beer wasn't infected. Or, as she put it: "It simply is off profile taste."

From the company’s blog:

To our loyal fans,

Each year you stand in long lines in the cold to get your hands on Bourbon County Stout and the special variants. This is beer that we hope is shared on special occasions, or maybe even makes the occasion special. Beer that we truly hope helps strengthen bonds and makes lasting memories.

I want you to know that the entire team at Goose Island puts our heart and soul into making Bourbon County, and we understand and appreciate your high expectations for them. It is always our intention to put forth the best beer we can craft. When we don’t meet those expectations we take it personally, and we want to make it right.

It has come to our attention that since bottling the 2015 Bourbon County Coffee and Bourbon County Barleywine, they have developed flavors that are not consistent with our expectation of how these beers should taste. That’s not to say the beer doesn’t taste good, in fact some drinkers may enjoy it very much. However, it doesn’t meet our standards for the taste profile of these beers.

All of our beer goes through a very thorough quality oversight process including sensory and microbiology programs.  This by no means is a guarantee of success especially with barrel aged beers. Both of these beers have drifted out of their target character thus leading us to provide refunds for anyone who is unsatisfied with them. Anyone who would like a refund for 2015 Bourbon County Coffee or 2015 Bourbon County Barleywine, please contact us at 1-800-Goose-Me.

In spite of the risks inherent with barrel aging, our quest to grow these beers and our barrel aging program will persevere.  I hope you continue to join us in this adventure.

Very Truly, Jared Jankoski

3 Floyds Wiseblood

Well what do we have here? 

It looks like 3 Floyds has bottled Wiseblood, a wood-aged Baltic Porter.

The beer is a collaboration with heavy metal band Corrosion of Conformity. 

The 8.6 abv beer is available on draft at the 3 Floyds brewpub in Munster, Indiana, and in 22-ounce bottles. 

It appears that the beer also will be released to retail location within 3 Floyds’ distribution footprint.

15 best beers in the Midwest

What can we learn from looking at the highest rated beers in the Midwest?

First, it looks like the cold climate makes the Heartland produce some big beers to help warm us up during the bitter winters.

The highest rated beers in the Midwest are mostly stouts. And not just regular stouts but imperial stouts, many of which are Bourbon barrel aged. Eleven of the top 15 beers fall into the stout category.

Two of the remaining four are pale ales, one is a barleywine and one is an imperial IPA.

When looking through the list another fact quickly jumps out: Toppling Goliath is dominating the craft beer scene in the Midwest, at least when it comes to the ratings wars. Some will argue that the Iowa brewery's beers get inflated ratings due to the Internet hype machine combined with the limited quantities the brewery produces. But, with five of their beers on the top 15 list, there is no doubt that people are diggin' their brews.

The next closest was Goose Island, with four of the Bourbon County variants gracing the list. Founders has two beers on the list, as does 3 Floyds.

Read on for the full list, which is based off of Beer Advocate’s list of the highest rated beers.

15) Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Barleywine — Chicago

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The lone barleywine on this list is Goose Island's barrel aged take on the style from their Bourbon County Brand series. Goose Island was a leader in Bourbon barrel aged beers so it's no surprise to see a few of these on the list.

14) Bell's Black Note Stout — Kalamazoo, Michigan

Bell’s says the beer, “blends the complex aromatics of Expedition Stout with the velvety smooth texture of Double Cream Stout and ages the combination in freshly retired oak bourbon barrels for months. The resulting harmony of flavors captures the finest features of all three components: malty notes of dark chocolate, espresso and dried fruits, all buoyed by the warmth and fragrance of the bourbon barrel.”

13) Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout — Chicago

Another Bourbon County beer to make the list is the regular version of this barrel aged stout. Whether you like it or not, this is the barrel aged stout that all other barrel aged stouts are compared to.

12) Toppling Goliath PseudoSue — Decorah, Iowa

The lowest rated Toppling Goliath beer on this list, unlike three of the others, is not a stout. Instead, it's a hop forward citrusy pale ale that the brewery says, "roars with ferocious aromas of grapefruit, citrus, mango and evergreen." Judging by the ratings, they are correct.

11) Toppling Goliath SR-71 Blackbird 2015 — Decorah, Iowa

This 14 percent abv barrel aged imperial stout comes in at No. 11. As one reviewer on Beer Advocate points out, you might need to "trade your left arm" to get it. Others have said obtaining it is worth the trade. That's your decision to make.

10) 3 Floyds Zombie Dust — Munster, Indiana

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The other pale ale on this list is the cult classic Zombie Dust. 3 Floyds' insanely hyped pale ale is widely considered one of the best in the country. It's produced year round but often sells out as soon as it hits Indiana shelves.

9) Toppling Goliath King Sue — Decorah, Iowa

King Sue is a single hopped imperial IPA. And it is well loved.

8) Goose Island Rare Bourbon County Brand Stout 2015 — Chicago

And capped the night with Bourbon County Rare, aged in 35-year-old Heaven Hill barrels. Man, this beer was amazing. #heavenhill #BCBS #bourboncounty #bourboncountyrare #bcbsday #barrelaged #barrelagedstout #bourbonbarrelaged #bourbonbarrel #bcbs2015

A photo posted by @themikebilly on Nov 28, 2015 at 6:39pm PST

Rare Bourbon County was first brewed in 2010. After five years, it was brought back to awaiting masses. This year's version, aged in 35-year-old Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels, was shipped to a much wider market. But it wil still be difficult to come by.

7) Founders KBS — Grand Rapids, Michigan

Kentucky Breakfast Stout is a "highly acclaimed" barrel aged stout from Founders. The seasonal release, which makes it to all states where Founders is available, isn't excessively difficult to come by. KBS week, at the Grand Rapids brewery, is in early March. It typically hits nationwide distribution later in the month. Though lines don't typically form for this beer it will still sell quickly.

6) Perennial Barrel-Aged Abraxas — St. Louis, Missouri

Abraxas is an imperial stout brewed with ancho chili peppers, cacao nibs, vanilla beans and cinnamon sticks. For this version, that beer is aged in Bourbon barrels.

5) Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout — Chicago

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No. 5 is the coffee-infused version of No. 13. The 2015 version uses Chicago coffee roaster Intelligentsia’s Los Delirios coffee from Nicaragua, creating a well rounded blend of flavors in this Bourbon barrel aged imperial stout.

4) 3 Floyds Bourbon Barrel Aged Vanilla Bean Dark Lord — Munster, Indiana

A photo posted by Justin Case Mattson (@__case__) on May 7, 2015 at 6:57am PDT

This beer, which is sometimes described at a “liquid marshmallow," is very very difficult to acquire. It is the most sought after variant of 3 Floyds' Bourbon Barrel Aged Dark Lord. A different variant is released at Dark Lord Day each year and is only available to those who happen to score a ticket to the event. Unless, of course, you’re willing to trade for it.

3) Founders CBS Imperial Stout — Grand Rapids, Michigan

This imperial stout hasn't been bottled since October of 2011, though it does periodically show up on tap. The beer is aged in Bourbon barrels that, prior to Founders obtaining them, were used to age Blis Maple Syrup. The bottles are difficult to find but if you see it on tap drink some immediately. It will go fast.

2) Toppling Goliath Mornin' Delight — Decorah, Iowa

This. #topplinggoliath #mornindelight #stout #craftbeer #properglassware

A photo posted by Matt Reynolds (@billylightning) on Aug 29, 2015 at 11:28am PDT

Coming in at No. 2 is this coffee and maple syrup-infused imperial stout from Toppling Goliath. It comes in very close to No. 1, according to Beer Advocate scores, but you'll notice it has something in common with the top-rated beer.

1) Toppling Goliath Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout — Decorah, Iowa

A photo posted by Nolan Michael Ramanauskas (@craftybastard) on Nov 1, 2015 at 2:42pm PST

Ahh, KBBS. Those four simple letters can cause a flutter in any whale hunter's heart. But don't get your hopes up. This barrel aged imperial coffee stout can be difficult to track down. And if you want to make a trade, expect to give up more than a few quality beers. As Toppling Goliath says on their website, "Sought out for being delicious, it is notoriously difficult to track down. If you can find one, shoot to kill, because it is definitely wanted... dead or alive."

Some links 1/02/16

Here is some craft beer news and opinion from around the web. 

We all love craft beer, but that doesn’t mean you have to be pretentious about it. When you’re at a bar, brewery, or bottle shop avoid these faux pas. 

But maybe there’s nothing wrong with being a craft beer purist.

How the craft beer revolution started.

Here are the highest rated IPAs in each Midwestern state. 

More universities are offering brewing courses.

Breckenridge Brewery has been sold to Ab Inbev.

As craft beer’s segment of the market grows, so does cider’s and malt beverage’s.

The spread of craft beer production in the U.S., in three maps. 

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Ditch the Champagne: Six beers to pop on New Year’s Eve

If you're a beer drinker — and hey, if you're reading this you probably are — you might be sick of ringing in the New Year with bubbly Champagne or sparkling wine.

Tradition tells us that Champagne is the drink of choice because, historically, it has been a sign of opulence and celebration dating back to King Clovis in the late fifth century. (Follow the link if you want to know more.)

But if, like me, you're sick of Champagne, here are six beers to crack open on New Years Eve instead.

1) Brooklyn Brewery's Local 1

This Belgian pale ale is the perfect alternative to that traditional bubbly beverage — and it's the one I've opened the last several years at the twelfth bell of the New Year. The highly carbonated beer is effervescent and straw colored, somewhat matching the aesthetic of Champagne. Plus, it's corked and caged so there's a pleasant pop when you open the bottle.

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2) Firestone Walker's Pivo Pils

If you're looking for a beer with a little more hop character, but is still light and fizzy, try out a German Pilsner. Unlike their American or Czech counterparts, German Pilsners tend to have a more assertive hop flavor and bitterness. Firestone Walker's Pivo Pils is a great example, along with Victory's Prima Pils, and they'll both look similar to Champagne in your glass.

3) Destihl Counter ClockWeisse

So you're a sour beer fan? Try a Berliner weisse, the refreshingly tart German sour beer. Hailing from Berlin, this style clocks in at around 4 or 5 percent alcohol so you won't get too buzzed having a couple throughout the night. Plus, the sour quality can provide guests with a unique alternative to the tired Champagne and average beers that might be floating around.

4) Anderson Valley Blood Orange Gose

If you like a little bit of salt with your sour try a gose, a light sour beer that also has its historical origins rooted in Germany. Anderson Valley adds Blood Oranges to this particular gose, giving the beer a nice citrusy character. It'll be a little darker than Champagne due to the fruit but it's OK to stand out a little bit.

5) Orval Trappist Ale

Ah, the real Champagne of beers. Orval's take on the Belgian pale ale is one of the best examples of the style you can find on American store shelves. The fruity esters from the Belgian yeast strains are balanced perfectly with a biscuity malt character and a light tartness produced by the unique wild yeast strain employed by the brewery. This beer has a true Champagne quality that tickles the tongue perfectly.

6) Sierra Nevada Narwhal Imperial Stout

It's not just Champagne. You're opposed to everything that's light and fizzy? That's OK. There are other beer styles for you. You can always go with a nice chocolatey porter. Or, if you want something a little stronger, try an imperial stout like Sierra Nevada's Narwhal. Just be careful. This beer is a potent 10 percent alcohol. Sure, you'll stand out like a sore thumb with a black beer in your glass among the sparkly pale Champagne. But at least you're drinking something you enjoy. 

What are the best IPAs in the Midwest?

The Midwest makes some good beers.

From Goose Island's Bourbon County Brand Stout series to Great Lakes' award winning lagers, the fly over states have a lot to offer.

But if you haven't tried the Heartland's IPAs you might be missing out. The style, which is the most popular style among craft beer fans, has a great representation in the Midwest.

From Bell's Hopslam to Surly's Abrasive, there are quite a few bitter beers to try.

SCTimes.com looked at ratings on Beer Advocate, Rate Beer and Untappd to determine the best IPA in each state.

Here are the best in the Midwest in alphabetical order:

Illinois — Revolution Brewing's Unsessionable

Indiana — 3 Floyds' Permanent Funeral

Iowa — Toppling Goliath's King Sue

Kansas — Tallgrass Brewing's Ethos

Nebraska — Nebraska Brewing's Hop Anomaly

Michigan — Bell's Brewery's Hopslam

Minnesota — Surly Brewing's Abrasive

Missouri — Schlafly's Tasmanian

North Dakota — Fargo Brewing's Wood Chipper

Ohio — Fatheads' Hop Juju

South Dakota — Crow Peak Brewing's 11th Hour

Wisconsin — New Glarus Scream IIPA

Do you agree with the masses? Sound off in the comments.

For the full list click here.

Anheuser-Busch buying Breckenridge

Anheuser-Busch today announced it will acquire Colorado-based Breckenridge Brewery. With this agreement, Breckenridge Brewery is the seventh craft brewery to join The High End, Anheuser-Busch’s business unit of craft and import brands.

“We’re excited about the partnership and have been encouraged to continue on our path and become more innovative moving forward,” said Todd Usry, President of Breckenridge Brewery. “I’m a believer in what The High End is focused on accomplishing and we are flattered that our team was chosen to help guide that journey. We’re looking forward to utilizing resources like decades of research and brewing expertise as we continue to create new beers.”

Available in 35 states, Breckenridge Brewery will sell approximately 70,000 barrels of beer in 2015. The new brewery and Farm House restaurant in Littleton have positioned the brewery for future growth. The brewery will continue to make its unique portfolio of beers – ranging from their Vanilla Porter, to Agave Wheat, to their core brands, seasonal specialties and barrel-aged beers.

“Breckenridge Brewery has a long history of innovation and they continue to brew new and exciting beers, from their specialty brews like the Mountain Series that celebrates the brewery’s origin as a ski town brewpub, to their planned nitro can series,” said Andy Goeler, CEO, Craft, The High End. “They are innovative and have built an amazing business that’s enabled them to get their great beers to fans across the country. We look forward to even more growth together.”

Breckenridge Brewery will join Goose Island Beer Company, Blue Point Beer Company, 10 Barrel Brewing, Elysian Brewing Company, Golden Road Brewing and Four Peaks Brewing Company as part of The High End’s craft beer portfolio.

The partnership includes the company’s new production brewery and Farm House restaurant in Littleton, and original brewpub and current innovation center in the mountain town of Breckenridge.

The current management group, Breckenridge-Wynkoop, will continue to own and operate its remaining businesses including: Ale House at Amato’s in Denver; Breckenridge Ale House in Grand Junction; Breckenridge Colorado Craft in Denver; The Cherry Cricket in Denver; Mainline in Fort Collins; Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. in Colorado Springs; and Wynkoop Brewing Company in Denver.

Anheuser-Busch’s partnership with Breckenridge Brewery is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016, subject to customary closing conditions. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

First Beverage Group acted as financial advisor to Breckenridge Brewery, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP provided legal counsel.

Great gifts for craft beer fans

by Mike Billy

It's no secret that craft beer drinkers can sometimes be a finicky bunch. Each has his or her own favorite beer, brewery and style. But that doesn't mean it has to be difficult to find gifts for each of them Whether the craft beer fans in your life love stouts, IPAs, or lagers, here are a few gift ideas that are sure to win them over. Glassware There's no easier way to up your beer-drinking game than by drinking from the proper glassware. Spiegelau, which is renowned for manufacturing a quality product, makes getting that glassware easy with their craft beer kit. The four-piece set features an IPA, tall Pilsner, lager, and wheat beer glass. The company sells a variety of other craft beer glassware including sniftersand styles specifically made for stouts and American wheats. If the gift getter has a few favorite breweries check their websites, too. Most breweries sell branded glassware that could make a good addition to any collection. Beer-making kits So you know a craft beer fan who has always talked about brewing his or her own batch of beer. As I've written before, getting started with the homebrewing hobby doesn't have to break the bank. In fact, you can get started relatively cheaply and the smaller sized kits can make a good gift for a novice brewer. Brooklyn Brew Shop, which ships nationwide, sells starter kits that include just about everything you need to brew a 1-gallon batch of beer for around $40. More complicated 5-gallon starter kits can be purchased for around $90. Beer books Craft beer books come in a variety of flavors. Perhaps the most common are recipe books that are inspired by craft beer or feature recipes that incorporate craft beers. "The American Craft Beer Cookbook" features 155 recipes that pair well with beer from brew pubs and breweries across the country. That's not to be confused with the "Craft Beer Cookbook," which has 100 recipes that incorporate craft beer into the food. Another route you can go is a book written about a specific brewery. Dogfish Head's founder Sam Calagione has penned "Brewing Up a Business," which highlights the brewery's rise to fame and includes anecdotes that could be useful for any businessperson. "The Craft of Stone Brewing Co." gives a history of the California brewery, includes homebrew recipes for some of the brewery's beers, and throws in some food recipes from the infamous World Bistro and Gardens for good measure. "Mikkeller's Book of Beer" and Lagunitas' "So You Want to Start a Brewery"also are options, among dozens of others. If the beer lover in your life is more interested in the overall history of brewing you might pick up "The Comic Book History of Beer," which tracks the bubbly beverage's history from 7,000 B.C. to present day — in graphic novel form. Stocking stuffers If nothing above fits your liking or budget, there are other gift options. Society might find it unacceptable to crack open a brew at the start of the day instead of your morning coffee. But if you enjoy the smell of hops and barley and want to kick start your day with that particular aroma you are in luck. The Beer Soap Company makes a variety of soap products that are beer-based. They even list the beer used in each product description. For more craft beer aroma therapy, check out this "Hoppy IPA" candle from Swag Brewery. The website also features their own line of beer soaps. You also can throw in a craft beer lip balm to help keep their lips protected during the cold, bitter winters. Check out Founders Brewing's online store for a few options. Oskar Blues also hasone. And if none of those options fit your fancy you can always stop at your local beer store and grab a six-pack of quality craft beer. I'm sure it will be appreciated.

Photo:  Cambridge Brewing Co. / flickr.  Some rights reserved.

Making your own beer doesn't have to be expensive

by Mike Billy

Originally published in The Times Newspaper

Water, barley, hops and yeast.

From stouts to IPAs, those four simple ingredients are the main building blocks of every beer you drink.

They also are readily available either online or at local homebrew shops like How You Brewin' in Streator.

So you're a craft beer drinker and all around beer fan. What's keeping you from mixing up a batch of your own?

Maybe you've watched someone brew, either commercially or on a homebrew scale, and noticed a hodgepodge of expensive equipment like large propane burners, 10-gallon stainless steel pots, grain mills, and a cavalcade of high-end lab equipment used to take measurements during the process.

Seeing all that equipment can be daunting for someone who just wants to dip their toes into the hobby and see what it's all about.

Luckily, making your own beer doesn't have to be that complicated — or expensive.

If you want to get yourself started in the hobby you can get most of the equipment you need to make a five gallon batch of beer for around $100. That's assuming you have a large stock pot at home that you can temporarily repurpose for brewing.

All of that equipment can be purchased locally at How You Brewin' in Streator, 1005 N. Vermillion St.

If you want to get absolutely everything you need, brew pot included, you can spend about $150 on a starter kit, which includes all the ingredients needed to produce your first beer.

At the time of this writing, Northern Brewerhas a five gallon kit on sale for $99, including a stainless steel brew pot, ingredients for an amber ale, plastic fermentation and bottling buckets, a bottle capper and other equipment. The only thing you will need is bottles to put the beer in. For that, you can reuse empty bottles from commercial beers as long as they don't use twist off caps.

That kit also includes a 20 percent off coupon for your next purchase.

A five gallon kit will net you 40 to 50 bottles of homebrewed beer after a couple hours of work and then about a month wait for fermentation and bottling. Additionally, subsequent batches will be cheaper since you've already purchased the necessary equipment.

If that's still too costly for you — or you don't have the space to brew five-gallon batches — you have another option.

Brooklyn Brew Shop, which ships nationwide, offers one-gallon starter kits for $40. This is probably the least expensive way to get started while still making a quality beer. These kits, however, are missing some essential items like a bottle capper and brew pot (though you'll likely have something big enough lying around the kitchen for a one-gallon batch).

If you don't have a bottle capper you will need to borrow one from a friend when bottling time comes around.

If you're worried about screwing something up, don't be. Making beer is a lot easier than it seems, especially on a small scale, and there are plenty of online resources including theAmerican Homebrewers Association and the Home Brew Talk forums.

If that's not enough reassurance you can join a local homebrew club and attend some meetings before diving into your first brew. You'll likely get volunteers to help with your first batch if you're still feeling skittish.

We have two clubs in La Salle County, the Marseilles Area Society of Homebrewers and the Ale and Lager Enthusiasts of Streator.

MASH meets on the second Friday of each month in the basement of 172 E. Washington St., Marseilles. Contact the group's Facebook page for more information.

ALES meets the third Saturday of each month at How You Brewin'. They also can be contacted through Facebook.

As a member of both groups, I can assure you that local homebrewers are a welcoming group.

If you enjoy craft beer, homebrewing is a great way to learn more about what each ingredient can bring to a beer. It can also help you identify flavors in a beer and learn more about the brewing process.

More importantly, the hobby is about learning how to relax and appreciate a well crafted beer.

Even if your first beer isn't an award-winning brew you'll appreciate it because you made it. And from there they'll only get better.

So jump in and give it a shot. Beer is more forgiving than you might think.

As Charlie Papazian first wrote in The Complete Joy of Homebrewing, "Relax, don't worry, have a homebrew."

Photo:  Tim Patterson/flickr.  Some rights reserved.

Corona parent company to purchase Ballast Point

(Victor, NY) – Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ and STZ.B) today announced an agreement to acquire San Diego-based Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits. Ballast Point is one of the fastest growing craft beer companies in the U.S. with a beer portfolio that includes more than 40 different styles of beer, led by its popular Sculpin IPA and Grapefruit Sculpin IPA. The partnership with Ballast Point provides a high-growth premium platform that will enable Constellation to compete in the fast-growing craft beer segment, further strengthening its position in the highest end of the U.S. beer market.

Ballast Point started in 1996 as a small group of home brewers and remains dedicated to the art of making better quality craft beer. Ballast Point will continue to operate as a stand-alone company with its existing management team and employees running the day-to-day operations. The company is one of the most successful and respected craft beer companies in the country, with an expertise in brewing the most premium, highest quality award winning products, and a grassroots approach to innovation that engages beer lovers and home brewers in the process. The Ballast Point team will continue to build on its successful expansion across the U.S., and will now have access to Constellation’s strong financial position and willingness to invest in growth.

“We started this business nearly 20 years ago with a vision to produce great beer that consumers love and to do it the right way,” said Jack White, founder of Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits. “To achieve that vision, we needed to find the right partner. The team at Constellation shares our values, entrepreneurial spirit and passion for beer, and has a proven track record of helping successful premium brands reach the next level of growth and scale.”

“We believe in the vision that Jack and his team have created and we’re excited to welcome Ballast Point, one of the most respected craft brewers in the country, to the Constellation Brands family,” said Rob Sands, chief executive officer, Constellation Brands. “Along with imports, craft beer is a key driver of growth and premiumization within the beer industry, with craft doubling its share of the U.S. beer market in the last five years. Ballast Point has certainly been a key driver of that growth. Their business philosophy and entrepreneurial spirit perfectly align with our culture and we look forward to strengthening our position in the high-end beer segment with what is arguably the most premium major brand in the entire craft beer business.”

Ballast Point is on pace to sell nearly 4 million cases in calendar 2015, which would represent growth of more than 100 percent versus calendar 2014. Net sales for calendar 2015 are expected to approximate $115 million. Volume and net sales growth from calendar 2012 to calendar 2014 averaged over 80 percent. Ballast Point employs more than 500 employees, produces beer in four facilities in the San Diego, CA area, and sells its beer in over 30 states.

Constellation Brands plans to purchase Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits for approximately $1 billion. The purchase price values the acquisition multiple of the projected calendar 2016 Ballast Point EBITDA in the mid-to-high teens range. Constellation estimates that on a comparable basis (1), the acquisition is expected to be neutral to diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2016 and $0.05 to $0.06 accretive for fiscal 2017. The transaction will be financed with cash and debt, and is expected to close by the end of calendar year 2015, subject to customary closing conditions.

(1) Comparable basis excludes transaction and other acquisition-related costs.

About Constellation Brands

Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ and STZ.B) is a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine and spirits with operations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Italy. In 2014, Constellation was one of the top performing stocks in the S&P 500 Consumer Staples Index. Constellation is the number three beer company in the U.S. with high-end, iconic imported brands including Corona Extra, Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo and Pacifico. Constellation is also the world’s leader in premium wine, selling great brands that people love including Robert Mondavi, Clos du Bois, Kim Crawford, Rex Goliath, Mark West, Franciscan Estate, Ruffino and Jackson-Triggs. The company’s premium spirits brands include SVEDKA Vodka and Black Velvet Canadian Whisky.

Based in Victor, N.Y., the company believes that industry leadership involves a commitment to brand-building, our trade partners, the environment, our investors and to consumers around the world who choose our products when celebrating big moments or enjoying quiet ones. Founded in 1945, Constellation has grown to become a significant player in the beverage alcohol industry with more than 100 brands in its portfolio, sales in approximately 100 countries, about 40 facilities and approximately 7,700 talented employees. We express our company vision: to elevate life with every glass raised. To learn more, visit www.cbrands.com.

About Ballast Point

What started in 1996 as a small group of home brewers who simply wanted to make great beer evolved into a team of adventurers known today as Ballast Point. From bringing a hoppy twist to a porter, or adding four types of malt to its amber ale, to creating a breakthrough gold medal winning IPA, the San Diego-based company is known for adding its own touch and asking if there’s a better way. Today as an internationally recognized leader in the craft brewing and spirits industry, the company makes over 40 styles of beer.

Great Lakes barrel-aged Christmas Ale coming in November

Great Lakes describes the upcoming beer: “A heavenly chorus of spices and honey and a fanfare of oak and vanilla flavors resound with each joyous sip of our bourbon barrel-aged Christmas Ale.”