Quick break from the mad packing, I have seen this on a number of beer blogs lately, but frankly stop publishing companies press releases. If you want to have a site write, if you don't have time to write don't. Any other area of business related writing wouldn't republish press releases and call it content, I don't see why beer writing should be any different.

End of rant.

I hesitated to write this the last week or so, but I realized I am not going to be posting regularly until I get established in North Carolina sometime after the 4th of July. I'll try to get a few posts in between now and then but frankly the preparations and packing has begun in earnest and the time I could spend blogging can be better spent getting things ready.

Be back soon...

Be sure not to miss Brookston latest post on the California beer scene.

I wanted to do an indepth review of all the beer experiences I enjoyed this weekend, but with the pending move I think the hours I'd spending put it all together could be better spent on packing. So instead a quick few highlights by day.

Friday
Getting to meet Brenden Dobel at ThirstyBear was great. The brewery and the food have had me coming back consistently for the last 10 years whenever I am in the Bay Area. Brenden was generous with his time giving me and MyloFiore a great insight to the brewery. I am a huge fan of the Black Lagers I think it was extra smoothness from nitrogen that made the Black Bear hit the spot for me. Sampling the Vanilla Golden it struck me that it's the Cream Soda of beers, very refreshing, but a very unique offering. The Bohemian Pilsner was an interesting take on the style, because of the hop shortage no Saaz was used. Instead Brenden used Sperling which gave the beer more of a floral style than tradition but not unpleasantly so at all.

Magnolia wasn't what I expected, but I loved the large selection of beers including 5 cask ales. Heidrun Mead was a sparkling, semi-sweet from Avocado Blossom honey was surprising and refreshing. I could have spent a day just going through all the options they had on tap.

Last was the 21st Amendment, Shaun was a great host giving us a personalized tour of the brewery and we all had a great time. I even picked up some 21st Amendment beer in a can, That's Right Cans.

Saturday
Saturday started with going to up to visit Bear Republic and while they were made famous by Racer 5, Red Rocket Ale, and Hop Rod Rye we tried their speciality beers that we would never see in Arizona. Of the current offerings the Black Mamba and Crazy Ivan made the biggest impression on me. Both took a twist on the Belgian tradition in different ways, but displayed the innovation that makes American Craft beer the cutting edge of the industry.

Next we moved on to Russian River Brewery I couldn't wait to try their beers and none of them disappointed. Fluerette was really amazing the rose hips, pepper, spices and other herbs gave it an amazing subtle character. I hope I get to try it it again or with the larger production facility they have just built maybe even buy some bottles. Beatification was a great sour beer, I look forward to trying the bottle I bought soon, along with 3 of it's brothers.

Our last and main event Saturday was Downtown Joe's for the BN Anniversary. Mad house, great party, homebrewer convention or perhaps best a mix of all three. It was great to see Justin, JP, Doc, Beevo, Push, and all the rest of the BN Army. The homebrew tasting at the beginning I got to try the work of Tasty McDole, Chad, and a lot of the other homebrewers. The only complaint was during the broadcast it was a little difficult to hear clearly, but considering it was a restaurant-brewery not a broadcast studio it wasn't really surprising. I also had the opportunity to meet Jay Brooks as well. The energy was really positive throughout the night it was great to meet so many folks in person. Their music after the show was great and gave the BN crew to really be rock stars for the night.

Sunday
Slow start to the day but I found my way to Triple Rock Brewery eventually. I had the good fortunate to experience a WakeUpCall. What is it? To find out you'll have to go experience yourself. Rachel was a great tour guide there at the bar and sent me along my way to the Trappist in Oakland.

The Trappist is what any good beer bar should aspire to be. The selection was excellent between the 15 taps and a solid book of bottled beers. But it wasn't just the selection it was the reverence for the beers. From the tradition Belgian tap system with glass washing system to the way they cleaned the foam and glass after pouring the beer there was a respect for the beer most people in this country today still don't understand. You could tell that everyone at the Trappist knew exactly why that respect for beer was being given. The other pleasure out of that stop for the weekend was I had the pleasure to meet Bruce Paton, The Beer Chef, and William Brand. William even happened to post the list of beers from yesterday. Of the beers I had I think it was Working for Tips and Curieux that impressed me the most. I had heard about Working for Tips by Moonlight Brewing Company a while back and I loved the concept of a hop free ale. It didn't disappoint with the Cedar tips I believe providing a nice counterpoint to the malt without being over done as I have seen in some beers using tips.

Overall it was an amazing weekend filled with good company, conversations and beer.

I am in San Francisco for the weekend to attend the BN Anniversary party and enjoy many great beers. But a change is in the winds, we'll be moving to North Carolina in a few short weeks.

The Beer Geek in me looks forward to seeing what the beer scene is like in the Raleigh-Durham area. It will certainly be a change from the cool mountains of Flagstaff, but change and new surroundings are a good thing, it gives life a fresh perspective.

I'll likely get to see some East Coast friends I have missed the last few years a little more often. Besides what fun is life without a new adventure occasionally.

I saw the Guinness Surger at a local pizza place last week. I immediately recognized the device based on Jay's description. I figured I had to try the device once at least, just to see what the impact was on the beer.



I had to wait for a bit to see it in action as they had no chilled Guinness cans. The cans were specially designed and labeled. They didn't contain the normal canned widget. But it needs to be chilled to be in nitrogen-carbon dioxide solution because the first time the bartender tried to use the device the cans weren't cooled properly and it didn't work correctly.

The second time went better. Here's the beginning...


Then the Surger is activated.


Last what a glass looks like at the end of the process

(Note: different glass was used this time)

It was a dramatic presentation when it works. I could see this special equipment being used in hotel and other small bars where there are no or limited number of taps. Also admittedly the Surger is as much marketing ad space as it is unique beer gizmo.

The Surger didn't impact the Guinness' flavor with it being as tasty as any Guinness I can remember.

It's a gimmick to be sure, it will never truly replace a true tap pour, but I liked it. It was a cute show for getting your beer.

The last few weeks the beer bloggers have been all a buzz about a possible InBev and AB merger, today it was announced. But really two dinosaurs merge why do craft beer folks care? Let the dinosaurs of light lagers merger and fight over a diminishing market share.

We have beer to drink and brew.

Alan asks us "Can You Walk To A Bar You Like?"

From my current home easily, no. It takes a good 45-60 minutes to walk to my local bar. I have taken to cabbing it when I do make a stop in, but considering the current weather on a quiet Friday night I'd consider the stroll. Heck walk even to the nearest store with beer it would be more than a quarter mile.

But my last place before my current abode I could walk easily to bars I like, not that I did often frankly since I have been homebrewing more I don't go to bars as often.

I would go to a true neighborhood pub like the British or Germans have if there was one a short walk from my front door. My regular bar does have a very neighborly feel to it the staff knows the regulars and once you have been a regular you always are.

But I do miss having a bar within walking distance, maybe at my next place.

Thanks to Stan and Jay for letting me host this month's Session. It's been a great experience reading through everyone's posts. Without any delay here are this month's posts.

Past Festival Experiences
Rick of Lyke 2 Drink takes a stroll down memory lane with revisiting to the 1993 Capital Region Microbrewers Festival.

Brewmaster Matt of Sports Beer Wine Life Maybe Not In That Order looks back on the festivals he's experienced and a word of caution about attending them.

Jon at the Brew Site shares his Oregon Beer Festival experiences.

Keith at Brainard Brewing recalls his recent experience helping at a local beer festival.

Up in Canada Stephen at That's the Spirit attends the Mondial de la Biere festival in Montreal

From across the pond Ally at Impy Malting tells us about her first Great British Beer Festival. Thom at Black Cat Brewery also joins in with his experience at GBBF and says how not to attend a beer festival.

Then on the continent Andreea of Glorious Food and Wine and Belgian Beers takes us away to the distant festival of no, not in Beligum but the first Czech beer festival.

Festivals - Changing Relationships and How to Improve Them
Jay at Brookston Beer Bulletin talks about his changing relationship with beer festivals over the years.

Alan at the Good Beer Blog tells us how he 'hates' beer festivals. But perhaps really just a bit of sour grapes, er barley.

Lew Bryson explains how he doesn't quite enjoy festivals as much as he once did, but he does now look forward to the after party.

Jim at Lootcorp 3.0 tells of his Love-Hate relationship with festivals and what he'd like to see at them.

The Beer Nut looks at what makes for a festival then takes the topic for a bit of a turn to the strong beers, for those who were clamoring for more of a beer tasting this month I suspect the Beer Nut's post will help satisfy the need.

Rob at Sophisticated Brews and Sustenance in the Windy City expounds about what he would like to see at a beer festival.

Rob at Pfiff! explains “that if every small town had an annual festival held in the environs of a historic building with ample patio space, under some of the first sunshine of the early spring, where you could relaxedly catch up with the locals while gawking at the out-of-towners, grilled brat in hand, you might not even need the beer to make it worthwhile" but why would you want to do it without the beer.

Andy at Beer Buzz gives us his take what is takes for a good festival.

Bailey and Boak, last month's Session host, tell what they would like to see in festival.

Last on how to improve the current beer festival scene my own humble offering.

Future Festivals and Festival Advice
Stan, founder of the Session, mentions the future beer festivals he'll be attending.

Al at Hop Talk offers us advice on how to find beer festivals.

David took the topic to explore how beer events are changing in his local area of Fredericksburg, VA.

Bill at It's Pub Night explains to us how to navigate the Oregon Brewers Festival (aka OBF). This is a festival that has been on my must attend list for quite some time and while I may not put his advice to use this year I plan to test it out next year.

Heath, writing at Bottles of Barley, gives us his two simple rules about beer festivals.

Dave at Hair of Dog Dave sends in an announcement for Pizza Port 11th Real Ale festival.

Last for now but certainly not least Captain Hops sends us out with some beer festival haiku.

When I decided on the topic of Beer Festivals for the Session I didn't know exactly what to expect. I thought a few tales about great past festivals and at least one report on a Great American Beer Festival, but I got something a bit different. More often it was more about the dissatisfaction with the current beer festivals. I'd hoped this discussion would show the best part of craft brewing, but perhaps it more shows the growing popularity of craft beer and where festivals need to work harder to improve.

Next month's host of the Session is Rob at Pfiff so check there in the coming weeks for the topic announcement.

ps - Apology if my descriptions are a bit brief on this month's Session got a bit of cold today.

pps - We have a late addition to this month's Session Josh at Beer Dinners brings us the recent SAVOR event in DC with a video post.

Another addition to the list Troy at Great Canadian Pubs and Beer adds his experiences into mix.

Welcome to the Session, June's topic is Beer Festivals. Expect a wrap up of post of all the bloggers posts on Beer Festivals tomorrow morning, but it looks like we will have a sold group of participants this month.

When I first thought of this topic I figured would write about my recent favorite event Arizona Strong Beer festival. Instead though this week it struck me I was far more interested in writing about what I want to see in beer festivals rather than a specific event.

Over the years I have gotten to experience a number of beer festivals on both coasts. From a mini-GABF held back in Baltimore about a decade ago to the Made in the Shade events in Arizona. Preparation and thoughtfulness seem to be the key to a good festival so here are my thoughts what makes a great beer festivals.

The Line – The line to get in often it seems sets the tone and mood for the entire event. Those that are managed well get people in to the festival grounds in a quick manner with little hassle. One of the better examples of this is for Flagstaff’s Made in the Shade event they actually send the ID check people out in advance of the line to provide wristbands so that all need one do when you get to the door is hand your ticket over and grab your glass then you are off to enjoy the event. One of the mistakes I have witnessed is when festivals will have the entrance person check the ticket and age check together. This invariable causes the line to slow to a crawl leaving impatient people outside looking into an event fowling their mood at the very beginning.

Glass – As I just mentioned you are through the line and now is time for the glass. Now normally you have forked over a fair amount of money to get into this event and my mood immediately sours when I face a cheap plastic cup. Beer tastes best served in a glass. It also serves as a nice souvenir to boot for attendees. Using a cheap glass shows the organizers are more interested in the quick buck rather than an event to remember.

Food – Hot dogs, hamburgers and the same old state fair carnie concession stands are ok, but not very inventive or interesting frankly. SAVOR just showed that beer can be paired in unique and unexpected ways. So while that carnie fair is expected I think it’s time organizers try to stretch and grow the food choices. A perfect example of this was at the Arizona Strong Ale festival. This year they had a pan-fried Chinese fried noodle stand. The noodles were the perfect fair to match to the strong beers and helped attendees keep an even keel among the heavyweight beers. There needs to be more options food wise at festivals.

Space – We need to have enough room to have fun. Far too often I have seen festivals grow into mass mobs of mindless drunks and lose the fun of a festival. Having plenty of room and shade for people to relax and interact is a key part of any good festival. Look at Oktoberfest for example, while it is the largest beer festival held it also is most a series of dedicated tents, tables, and benches to ensure people have room to relax and socialize. Crowded festivals also mean you can’t really interact with the breweries staff because they are too busy trying to pour their wares as fast as possible than actually pausing for a minute and talking about the beers. I’d rather attend a festival that I can have a conversation with the brewer, then a mindless drunkfest. These events are ultimately as much a social experience as they are a beer experience.

I realize that many of my suggestions could cause the cost of events to increase, but to have a more positive festival experience it’s a price I am willing to pay. As I have started to see the incoming Session posts of other people it sounds like many are burned out on the experience and perhaps the above suggestions could help draw these people back to such events.

The day job combined with travel this week it has been a long and tiring week, I have 3-4 posts in my mind and should start showing up tomorrow with The Session posts. I suspect it will be a lot of fun to see where people go with the topic.