Tag Archives: #supportPAbeer

Book Review – Artisanal Small-Batch Brewing: Easy Homemade Wines, Beers, Meads and Ciders by Amber Shehan

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Artisanal Small-Batch Brewing by Amber Shehan. Photo by Matt Brasch.

As a home brewer of beer for several years now, I have had my share of success, failure and mediocre 5 gallon batches.  And what happens when you are not happy with your creation?  You are stuck between drain pouring and feeling obligated to drink 5 gallons of a beverage you’re not really happy with.

Amber Shehan’s “Artisanal Small-Batch Brewing: Easy Homemade Wines, Beers, Meads and Ciders” was released on June 4, 2019 and provides several beer recipes scaled for 1 gallon batches.  Admittedly, I first scanned the index of the chapter entitled, “Grains and Gruits and Hops, Oh My!” The simple yet intriguing recipes in this chapter – including “Lemon-Pepper IPA” and “Blueberry Porter” – immediately caught my interest and had me thinking, “If I used a 1 gallon carboy, I’d be more excited for brewing experimentation!”

After reviewing the rest of the index, I jumped into the book at page 1.  While generally a recipe book, Amber’s passion for her craft seeps through the words and had me excited to try her mead, wine and cider recipes.   Compared to beer brewing, the other beverages are less labor and time intense, but allow for just as much creativity as beer.  

Several of the recipes shared by Amber made this homebrewer sit up in my chair and think, “I’m going to try this tomorrow!”  “Vanilla Bean and Chamomile Mead,” “Scarborough Fair Wine”, and “Dry-hopped Cider” are now on my short list of experiments in 2019.   In addition to recipes, the book also includes chapters on basic brewing techniques and non-alcohol recipes for spent grains, simple sugars, and vinegars. The superb photography of each beverage provides an encouraging invitation to the eye – “Come on, try to make this and you can drink it too!” 

I would highly recommend this book to both new brewers as well as experienced homebrewers who are looking for recipe inspiration.  Available on Amazon on Kindle (around $10) and paperback formats (around $20), this will be a great addition to your brewing library. 

Cheers!

The Brewholder

Copyright 2019 – all rights reserved

Brewers of PA Hires New Deputy Director, Adam Harris

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Today the Brewers of Pennsylvania (BOP), Pennsylvania’s official brewers guild, announced that it has hired former Chair of Pennsylvania’s House Liquor Control Committee, Adam Harris, as its Deputy Director. The press release is attached below:

HARRISBURG, PA (2.6.19) – The Brewers of Pennsylvania(BOP), the state’s official brewers guild, has hired Adam Harris, former Chair of Pennsylvania’s House Liquor Control Committee, as the organization’s new Deputy Director. The newly created position will further bolster the BOP’s advocacyefforts and its quest for a more fair playing field within Pennsylvania’s antiquated three-tier system (manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer). 
 
In conjunction with Dan LaBert, BOP’s Executive Director, the BOP’s Legislative Committee, and Board of Directors, Harris will assist in outreach efforts to BOP members, potential members, elected officials, and other beer-interest entities to strengthen and expand Pennsylvania’s thriving craft beer industry. According to the Brewers Association, Pennsylvania craft beer ranks second nationwide in economic impact ($5,788,000) and first in barrels of craft beer produced per year (3,724,010).
 
“I’m thrilled to be joining such an amazing organization,” said Harris. “Brewers across Pennsylvania have an incredible story to tell. They are creating jobs, revitalizing communities, and making some of the best beer in the nation.  I’m excited to help tackle some of our state’s legislative issues, and join the effort to make Pennsylvania the go-to destination for craft beer enthusiasts from around the country.”
 
Working with LaBert and Maverick Strategies, Harris will identify member breweries to visit to discuss the importance of the BOP’s advocacy efforts, member benefits, and the many beer issues facing Pennsylvania craft brewers. Harris will also attend BOP events, including the BOP’s signature gathering of craft beer elite, Meeting of the Malts, the BOP Annual Meeting, Caucus Meetings, PA Flavor, and the BOP Symposium & Tailgate in State College. Harris will also represent the BOP atBrewers Association events such as Federal Lobby Day and the nationwide Craft Brewers Conference.
 
“During his time in the House of Representatives, particularly as Chair of PA’s House Liquor Control Committee, Adam supported Pennsylvania craft beer,” said LaBert. “As an organization, he’s familiar with the BOP’s key advocacy issues, and he’s gotten to know many of our 170-plus members. This isextremely beneficial as he meets and ‘talks shop’ with BOP members from Erie and Pittsburgh to Philadelphia and Wilkes-Barre, and everywhere in between. Adam brings credibility, experience, insight, and craft beer passion to the BOP table. We’re extremely pleased that he’s part of the BOP team.”
 
Serving Pa. District 82 (Franklin, Juniata, and Mifflin Counties), Harris spent 16 years as a member of House of Representatives and four years as a legislative staffer bringing his total Capitol experience to over 20 years.  As Chair of the House Liquor Control committee, Harris helped usher in many much-needed pro-consumer/pro-beer reforms to the state’s antiquated liquor laws. Act 166 of 2016 allowed beer distributors to sell six packs (and down to the single unit and growlers, as well) and allowed PA brewers to promote their products by allowing PA wineries and distillers to also sell Pennsylvania beers at their locations.




Cheers!

The Brewholder

Copyright 2019 – all rights reserved

2018 Meeting of the Malts – August 23, 2018

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The Brewers of Pennsylvania will host their “Meeting of the Malts” on August 23, 2018 at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  This is a fantastic event for homebrewers and craft beer fans!  Check out the press release below – and I hope to see you there!

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The Brewers of Pennsylvania has released its event details and list of panel participants for the 2018 Meeting of the Malts, the association’s popular annual event that gathers the most acclaimed breweries to discuss the state of the craft beer industry. The powerhouse panel includes Pennsylvania’s finest brewers including Bill Covaleski (Victory Brewing Company), Tom Kehoe (Yards Brewing Company), and Wendy Yuengling (D. G. Yuengling & Son).  New panelists include Mike Stevens of Michigan-based Founders Brewing Company and Joey Redner of Florida-based Cigar City Brewing….

Craft Beer Powerhouse Panel Headlines 2018 Meeting of the Malts  

Brewers of Pennsylvania Welcomes First-time Participants Founders and Cigar City

HARRISBURG, PA (6.20.18) – The Brewers of Pennsylvania (BOP), the state’s official brewers guild, has released its event details and list of panel participants for the 2018 Meeting of the Malts, the association’s popular annual event that gathers the most acclaimed breweries to discuss the state of the craft beer industry.

Presented by Gold Sponsor Micro Matic USA, Meeting of the Malts VII will take place Thursday, August 23 from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. EST at Artsquest Center at SteelStacks, and will feature a powerhouse panel including Bill Covaleski (Victory Brewing Company), Tom Kehoe (Yards Brewing Company), Wendy Yuengling (D. G. Yuengling & Son), Mike Stevens (Michigan-based Founders Brewing Company), and Joey Redner (Florida-based Cigar City Brewing). The panel discussion, which will run from 6-7 p.m., will be emceed by industry icon, Bump Williams. Dick Yuengling and Jim Koch (Samuel Adams) will provide the opening remarks.

“Craft beer is thriving in Pennsylvania, and Meeting of the Malts, now in its seventh year, continues to serve as the state’s primary meeting place to discuss the industry’s important successes and challenges from legislative issues to craft beer trends,” said Dan LaBert, Executive Director of the Brewers of Pennsylvania. “If you are a brewer or simply a fan of the craft beer scene, Meeting of the Malts is a must-attend event. We expect as strong a turnout as last year, which welcomed hundreds of attendees who listened to and learned from our industry’s most successful brewers, as well as promising peers who are in the trenches producing the very best craft beer in the United States.”

Draft Magazine has named Meeting of the Malts as the #12 (out of 101) rated beer experiences on the industry bucket list. While several panelists have participated in previous Meeting of the Malts, new to this year is Mike Stevens, Co-Founder and CEO of Founders and Joey Redner, Founder of Cigar City.

Founders has been ranked in the top breweries in the world by Ratebeer.com for the last five years. The brewery has won six World Beer Cup medals, four European Beer Star medals, and three Great American Beer Festival medals.

“Founders has been a part of the industry now for twenty-one years, and when I first got into the business breweries like Sam Adams and Yuengling inspired me to follow my passion,” said Stevens. “I’m truly honored to be a part of this event and share the stage with such accomplished brewers, and I look forward to a spirited conversation.”

Cigar City has won a Gold Medal for its Humidor Series IPA at the National Beer Championships and a Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival for its Minaret ESB.

Following the panel discussion will be a four-course dinner from 7:15 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., each course being paired with a beer from select panelist’s breweries. During the meal, the BOP will host a Beer Silent Auction, an opportunity to bid on unique and collectible items from a variety of breweries including autographed, one-of-a-kind items from the country’s finest breweries.

After the dinner comes the Pennsylvania BrewPub Festival from 9:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.  Participating BOP members include: Barley Creek Brewing Co., Berwick Brewing Co., Boneshire Brew Works, Brewery at Hershey, Collusion Tap Works, Covered Bridge Brewhaus, Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks, Hop Hill Brewing Co., Round Guys Brewing Co., Roy-Pitz Brewing Co., Saucony Creek Brewing Co., and Wolf Brewing Co.

For the second consecutive year, Meeting of the Malts will also include the Legislative Growler Awards, an honor that recognizes a person or organization the BOP considers a partner in the industry, one who continually strives to promote and protect Pennsylvania’s craft beer industry. Honorees will be announced at a later date.

Artsquest Center at SteelStacks is located at 711 First St., Bethlehem, PA.  Accommodations deadline for the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem is August 9.

About the Brewers of Pennsylvania – The Brewers of Pennsylvania is a 501c6 trade association that brings together leaders of Pa.-based breweries in order to promote and protect the brewing industry in the state.  The Brewers of Pennsylvania, a strong and influential organization, serves the consuming public of Pa. by encouraging brand diversity in the market. BOP members employ an estimated 10,000 employees earning $296 million in wages and generating $1.1 billion in direct economic benefits to communities throughout the state.  Its signature annual event is the popular Meeting of the Malts. #supportPAbeer

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Cheers!

The Brewholder

Copyright 2018 – all rights reserved

“Victory for the Headwaters” – September 12, 2015

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Victory Brewing Company announced that it will hold a day long celebration, “Raising Funds to Preserve, Protect and Celebrate the Most Crucial Element for Life (and Great Craft Beer)” – the water of the Brandywine Watershed, on September 12, 2015 from noon to 8pm.  A portion of every Headwaters Ale sold will be donated to the Headwaters Grant, which distributes the proceeds to environmental advocacy groups.  Read the full press release below:

Victory for the Headwaters: Raising Funds to Preserve, Protect and Celebrate the Most Crucial Element for Life (and Great Craft Beer) 

Downingtown, PA, August 10, 2015- Victory Brewing Company (Victory) will host Victory for the Headwaters, a daylong celebration and fundraiser,on Saturday, September 12th from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The event starts with a volunteer trash clean up canoe trip down the Brandywine River and continues at Victory’s Parkesburg brewery at 3127 Lower Valley Road where the Victory for the Headwaters fundraiser will be held, and the real party starts.  All proceeds will benefit Victory’s Headwater Grant, which provides funds to environmental organizations dedicated to protecting our water.

To further the festivities, Victory will unveil the new packaging for its Headwaters Ale. The new look will support the idea behind the delicious brew, which is to pay homage to the Brandywine Watershed, the local source from which every Victory beer ‘springs.’  A portion of every Headwaters Ale sold will be donated to the Headwaters Grant. As one of the four basic ingredients in beer, water is fundamental not only in the production and flavor profile of all brews but most importantly in the health of our planet. Headwaters Ale was introduced 5 years ago, as Victory approaches 20 years in the craft beer industry, the brewery’s commitment to environmental stewardship is at an all time high.

“Just as a river forms from tiny droplets from the heavens, we see our engagement of a conscientious audience in the Headwaters Grant creating a larger impact,” explains Bill Covaleski, Brewmaster and President of Victory Brewing Company. “Craft beer fans are presented with innumerable choices of beers to purchase. Our goals is to help our fans make the connection that choosing Headwaters Ale, is more than just a taste preference, it is a decision to help preserve our planet one sip at a time.”

Tickets to Victory for the Headwaters can be purchased here(https://store.victorybeer.com/category/victory-for-the-headwaters/) and start as low as $10 for registration for the clean up and transportation to and from the Parkesburg brewery to the Brandywine River sites. Packages for the fundraiser include River Rescuer for $40 and includes a Headwaters pint glass, two beverages and one food item; Water Warrior for $75 entitles fans to a Headwaters pint glass, signed coaster, t-shirt, two beverages and one food item and the Headwaters Hero package for $200 includes a special group tour of the Parkesburg production tour with Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet along with a tasting of a soon-to-be released brew, limited edition shirt, Headwaters pint glass, two beverages and one food item.

About Victory Brewing Company

Victory Brewing Company is a craft brewery headquartered in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Founded by childhood friends, Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet, Victory officially opened its doors in February of 1996. In addition to the original Downingtown brewery and brewpub, Victory opened a second state-of-the-art brewery in 2014 in Parkesburg, PA to expand production capabilities and serve fans of fully flavored beers in 36 states with innovative beers melding European ingredients and technology with American creativity. To learn more about Victory Brewing Company visit us on the web at www.victorybeer.com.

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Cheers!

The Brewholder

Copyright 2015 – all rights reserved

Stable 12 Brewing Company Holds Grand Opening in Phoenixville

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Stable 12 Brewing Company, located on Bridge Street in Phoenixville

Stable 12 Brewing Company, located at 368 Bridge Street in Phoenixville

Stable 12 Brewing Company was welcomed to the Phoenixille community on Saturday, July 18, 2015.  I was lucky to be present for the ribbon cutting ceremony and had a tour of the brewery with CEO and co-founder Rick Wolf.  Read about my visit to Stable 12 in Ticket to Entertainment this week!

Below are some additional photos from the grand opening!

Cheers!

The Brewholder

Copyright 2015 – all rights reserved

Getting ready to cut the ribbon!

Getting ready to cut the ribbon!

The tasting room

The tasting room

Those are some big scissors!

Those are some big scissors!

A delicious flight of Stable 12 brews!

A delicious flight of Stable 12 brews!

Loading the randall with Citra for Stable 12's IPA

Loading the randall with Citra for Stable 12’s IPA

IPA on Citra hops through the randall

IPA on Citra hops through the randall

A deliciously dangerous Imperial Stout at 11.9%!

A deliciously dangerous Imperial Stout at 11.9%!

Uncle B's BBQ is the perfect compliment to Stable 12's brew

Uncle B’s BBQ is the perfect compliment to Stable 12’s brew

Stable 12 Brewing Company - established 2015

Stable 12 Brewing Company – established 2015

New BREW content on Ticket to Entertainment

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Digital First Media’s “Ticket to Entertainment” has added a new page to its website – the “Brew Hub” – dedicated to craft beer!  Take a look at the Beer Event listing – compiled by yours truly – and a nice summary of the breweries in the Greater Philadelphia region.

Cheers!

The Brewholder

Copyright 2015 – all rights reserved

Pennsylvania LCB supports craft brewers by allowing breweries to sell to consumers on premises

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In a move that supports the craft brew economy in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (Pa LCB) promulgated a new regulation that allows breweries to sell their beer to consumers on the premises of their breweries.  Previously, breweries could not sell their beer without a separate license.  Now, smaller brewers will be not be forced to shell out additional fees for a license to serve.  The regulation became effective on May 30, 2015.

Read the LCB’s summary of the new regulation here.

Cheers!

The Brewholder

Copyright 2015 – all rights reserved

Victory Brewing Opens Brewpub in Kennett Square

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Victory's Kennett Square Brewpub opened on April 21, 2015

Victory’s Kennett Square Brewpub opened on April 21, 2015

Tonight I attended a media event at Victory Brewing Company’s new brewpub in Kennett Square.  Victory President and Brewmaster Bill Covaleski was on hand to introduce the new brewpub and guide us through an amazing food and beer pairing.  In addition to the samples of beer we tried, we each left with a bottle of Moving Parts 03 and the highly anticipated Summer Love Ale in a can.  The summer is truly on its way!

Victory's Summer Love Ale now portable in a can!

Victory’s Summer Love Ale now portable in a can!  Photo courtesy of Victory Brewing Company.

Cheers!

The Brewholder

Copyright 2015 – all rights reserved

Celebrating National Beer Day!

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Cheers!

Cheers!

Once again it’s time to celebrate National Beer Day – April 7, 1933 – the day it became legal to sell beer after 13 years of Prohibition.  While many U.S. breweries and their recipes were lost forever due to Prohibition, Pennsylvania breweries are standing strong today.  Check out my article in Ticket Entertainment on the Brewers of Pennsylvania “Meeting of the Malts IV” where the  success of Pennsylvania brewing was celebrated last week! 

So tonight take a moment to raise a pint of local craft brew and thank your brewer for giving us something truly to appreciate!

Cheers!

The Brewholder

Copyright 2015 – all rights reserved