What is local?

Today provides a relatively short post, whose main purpose is to point you in the direction of another blog. News broke over the last couple of days that Pyramid Brewing out of Seattle and Magic Hat Brewing out of Vermont are merging. This will allow Pyramid to be brewed on the east coast, and Magic Hat to be brewed on the west coast (hopefully with some coming down this way). This creates an efficient system where both brewery's expand their distribution, without having to necessarily ship all of their beer from coast to coast. However with this merger brings forth a good question that Stan over at Appellation Beer is asking: Does this make Magic Hat a local beer on the west coast? In other words what's the definition of a local beer? Can I call Budweiser a local beer because it may have been brewed on the east side of Houston? What about going to my local BJ's Brewery? Where does the line get drawn? Check out the post at Appellation beer and the responses it's creating.

How Did I miss this?

After a longer than expected hiatus I wrote a long post yesterday, one of the subjects was the recent representation of Texas Breweries at the World Beer Cup. Well I missed a winner! The great Covey Restaurant in Ft. Worth won a GOLD medal in the Vienna Lager Style category. Congrats to them. They also got a very nice write up in the Ft. Worth Business Journal. I really enjoy what Mr. Fulton is doing up there, and I know I've said it a thousand times, but why the heck can't Houston get a good brew pub?

Yes I'm Back

and no I am not dead.....I know its been a while, much longer than I originally planned between my last post and now. Blame it on buying a new house, blame it on weird work schedules, or blame it on getting a bit burned out with tasting and posting on the blog. Whatever you wanna call it, I'm back, refreshed, and better than ever.
With that intro over and done with there is SOOOO Much news to talk about. This one is going to be a rapid fire post filled with as much newsy bits on beer as I can remember.

- Texas beers kicked some arse at the World Beer Cup: Saint Arnold's wins a GOLD for their wonderful Divine Reserve 4 a Wee Heavy Scotch ale, and a Silver for their Elissa IPA. Our friends up North, Rahr Brewery in Ft. Worth wins a Bronze for Bucking Bock Spring seasonal. Way to go guys.

- Speaking of Divine Reserve Saint Arnold's has announced that Divine Reserve 6 will be a Hoppy American Barley Wine. They are brewing it now to be released in June. Can't wait.

- Over on the Beer Advocate website you can hear all about the new great beers that are coming to Texas - Oskar Blues Dales Pale Ale and Old Chub, Deschuttes, more of the XS beers from Rogue, Anderson Valley, Green Flash, and many more. Its an exciting time for Texas Craft Beer lovers, as I can't remember this many new great beers coming in at once.

- Texas's newest craft brewery Southern Star is open for business. They hosted their open house which from all reports was excellent. Their beer should be at local Spec's this week! Can't wait to pick up a six pack!

- Lastly some Session news. I can't believe I haven't had a chance to participate in this great event the last couple of months. I'm a huge proponent of it and I've been with it since the beginning and will continue to promote it as much as I can. With that here is the Session # 14 round up, and over here is the announcement for The Session # 15 hosted by Boak and Bailey, the theme is 'How did it start for you?'

Before I close this post, check out over to the right, as I've added some additional beer links. I'll be back later this week for more beer news.

Collaboration NOT Litigation

I'm a pretty big fan of Avery Beers, and I wish I could have a taste of a Russian River Beer, but this will have to do. What's become a yearly release this beer combines both Avery's beer called Salvation as well as Russian Rivers beer of the same name. Last year's was pretty dang good so I was excited to see it on the shelves of my Central Market.
The Beer: The beer weighs in at 8.72% and pours a hazelnut brown with just a little taupe colored head. Very cloudy. Fruity, yeasty, white fruits, peaches, apricots. Low hop profile, sweet malty flavors in the mouth. Very much a Belgian as are their two namesakes. Some strong alcohol notes, but they actually add to the flavor not detract.. White grapes explode on the tongue. Really this is just an amazing beer, so much flavors and so many layers, I just can't place it all. Great Beer, this one gets an A+!