Monthly Archives: February 2010

DRINKER MAIL: Natural Cooling Systems

Our neighbors over at Remains Lighting sent us this cute photo of Brooklyn Brown Ale chilling in some snow on a car in front of their factory today.  Let’s hope it’s their car.

RemainsLighting_SnowBeer

If you’re curious, Remains Lighting is a super picky local lighting manufacturing company that employs lots of tree-hugging tactics to ensure their product makes as light of a footprint as possible on the environment. How’s that for late Friday afternoon pun?

Thanks for the photos, guys!

A Brewmaster's Reserve Preview

Tom Pavlich did some sleuthing and wrote a piece about our next Brewmaster’s Reserve, which should be shipping in a couple weeks.

dark matter space

By Tom Pavlich for  TheWGNews.com

Anywhere you go in the country you are bound to find a craft brewery or brew pub serving up fresh beers for the local public, but here in North Brooklyn we are very privileged to have one of the best. Brooklyn Brewery is located right in our back yard near the border of Greenpoint and Williamsburg, and it is very easy for New Yorkers to take such a great institution for granted. Everyone knows their beers, especially Brooklyn Lager, but occasionally you find one on tap, or cask that you have never seen before…and this weekend that beer is Dark Matter.

A couple months ago Garrett Oliver, the brew master of Brooklyn Brewery, spoke to the New York City Home Brewers’ Guild at one of their monthly meetings. He discussed the the brewery’s beers, told stories, explained that they are not relocating but expanding their operation right here on North 11th Street in Williamsburg, and he also brought beers for everyone to taste.

Most people are familiar with Brooklyn Brown, one of the flagship ales that the brewery makes. Brooklyn Brown is a fine American Brown Ale with hints of caramel, rich chocolate undertones, just a hint of coffee, and balanced perfectly with hops. Brooklyn Brewery originally only made this ale as a holiday specialty, but it has since become a year-round offering…and for good reason. One of the beers that Mr. Oliver brought to share with the Home Brewer’s Guild was a beer called Dark Matter. He explained that it was a beer that was brewed specifically for himself and the other members of the brewery team to enjoy. Dark Matter is the Brooklyn Brown ale aged 9 months in Woodford Reserve bourbon barrels. The already delicious brown ale picks up hints of vanilla, a touch of bourbon, and a bit of booze during this aging creating one of the most drinkable bourbon aged beers out there.

Previously the only way to taste Dark Matter was to go to home brew event where someone from Brooklyn Brewery was speaking or attend one of the beer dinners that Garrett Oliver does around the city, but tonight the only cask of Dark Matter in existence will be tapped at the Brooklyn Brewery!

Brooklyn Brewery’s very rare Dark Matter will be available throughout the weekend until the cask runs dry. I recommend getting there Friday night or early Saturday if you wish to get a taste. Brooklyn Brewery is located at 79 N. 11th St in Williamsburg. They are open to the public Friday 6pm-11pm, Saturday 12pm-8pm, and Sunday 12pm-6pm.

Brooklyn, Italy

Our intrepid brewmaster, Garrett Oliver and slim, dark haired General Manager, Eric Ottaway have been torturing us  with tales of their current Italian adventure. We are embarking on a collaboration with the Amarcord Brewery, Italy’s most prominent microbrewery. Italy has undergone a craft brewing surge in the last 10 years, opening about 300 breweries. ANYWAY, for the first of several upcoming collaborations, we’re brewing Brooklyn East India Pale Ale out of their Appecchio brewery. Yes, Europe. Soon you’ll be able to have fresh East India Pale Ale on draft.

Here Garrett is discussing the mash-in procedure with the two Amarcord brewers.

Even cooler/weirder than that is Garrett and Eric have been hanging out with Felini’s cinematographer, Tonino Guerra. (Dude shot La Dolce Vita and Amarcord, etc.) Guerra is designing the labels for Amarcord Brewery. The next collaboration between Brooklyn and Amarchord will be a beer called  Grand Cru. Guerra has already gone on the record to state that the label will incorporate a peacock, the animal that most exemplifies “the highest quality and greatest beauty.”

Laughing in Italy

Laughing in Italy

Cru Vs Brew

Join Master Sommelier Fred Dexheimer & Brooklyn Brewery Brewmaster Garrett Oliver as they square off to pit their respective expertise against each other alongside former Top Chef contender Ariane Duarte’s amazing gastronomical line-up.

  • When: Tuesday, March 23rd @ 7:30pm
  • Where: Woman’s Club of Upper Montclair, 200 Cooper Avenue

All net proceeds from the evening will be donated to World Cares Center, a nonprofit group working within Haitian communities. World Cares Center fosters sustainable, locally-led disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts. World Cares Center’s work supports groups such as EDEYO, a Haitian school founded by Montclair residents in Port au Prince, My Father’s House Orphanage, the Family Health Clinic and many other local groups in Haiti.

  • Wine Geek and Hop Head Tickets ($160 per person) – $80, or half of the ticket price will be tax deductible and donated to World Cares Center.
  • Wine and Beer Connoisseur Tickets ($500 per person) – Attendance to a VIP cocktail party (6:30pm to 7:30pm), a seat at Garrett and Fred’s table, an autographed copy of Garrett’s book, The Brewmaster’s Table and more!

As we mentioned above, the theme of this event is a competition!  Fred and Garrett are tasked with  selecting a wine (from Amanti Vino) and beer (from Brooklyn Brewery) to pair with each of Ariane’s challenging, mouth watering courses described below.

At the conclusion of each course, a panel of judges will evaluate the success of Fred and Garrett’s pairings and select a winner.  But wait, you count too!  We will also poll the audience after each course and will include your vote in the tabulation.

Grab a napkin…

  • 1st Course: Snapper Crudo, Avocado, Orange Tapioca, Malden Sea Salt, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2nd Course: Szechwan Peppercorn Salmon, Baby Bok Choy
  • 3rd Course: Dry Barbecue Rubbed Flank Steak, Spinach Gratin Potato
  • 4th Course: A selection of Artisanal Cheeses (donated by Tallmadge Cheese Market)
  • Dessert: Everyone’s favorite…Chocolate Flourless Cake!

Let the pairings begin!

To purchase tickets to Cru vs Brew,  call the store (973) 509-WINE (9463).  If you are unable to join, but would like to make a donation to World Cares Center, please contact Sharon Sevrens at sharon@amantivino.com.

Beer and Bone Study a Boon for Microbrews?

skeleton drinking beer

From Daily Finance

Earlier this week, researchers at the University of California, Davis, published a study showing that beer contains a large amount of dietary silicon. The mineral, which previous studies have linked to bone health, is especially abundant in IPAs and ales, beers that are typically associated with small-scale breweries…

…Karl Knoop, operations manager at Brooklyn Brewery offers an interesting explanation for this variation in silicon content: “If I was going to hypothesize, I would guess that silica, which is found in grain husks, could be responsible.” Knoop notes that ales have a higher alcohol content, which means that they contain more grain, and thus more husks.

(read all)

Drinker Mail: Snowmen Love Brooklyn Lager!

drinkysnowman

Dear Brooklyn Brewery,

As you know, we were hit with a big snow storm yesterday which closed many schools and businesses all day.  Some friends and I took advantage of the snow day by enjoying some Brooklyn Lager and playing in the snow.  We made a pretty nice snowman, and as a tribute to your fine product, put a nice bottle of beer in the thirsty snowman’s hand.  Thought you might like to see it.

Cheers,
Shane

drinkysnowman2

Party with TA and prove your love. for bicycles.

Transportation Alternatives, your advocate for bicycling, walking and public transit,  is having a membership mixer.

love-mixer

Thursday, February 11th, 2009
at NYC Velo
64 2nd Ave (btwn 3rd and 4th St) Manhattan
7-9pm

from TA-
Celebrate Valentine’s Day, bicycling, Transportation Alternatives and all of our sexy members at this year’s first mixer. Join us at NYC Velo on Thursday, February 11 from 7 – 9 pm. $10 will get you in the door, where free snacks, Brooklyn Brewery beer and who knows what else await! Not a T.A. member? Join at the door at a discounted price.

Join or renew your membership at the door and we’ll wave the admission fee. If that isn’t reason enough, NYC Velo will extend its longstanding 10% discount for T.A. members to all products, as well as an extra 10% off any winter jacket and other special seasonal sales. Plus, in tribute to our evening’s theme, we’ll have a special contest to see who loves bicycling the most!