Image by Eddie Guy

A recent report in Runner’s World studied the effects of beer consumption on runners, and concluded that although “individual results varied… overall, beer and running mixed fine.” This finding is one of many promoting the cohabitation of healthy individuals and beer, and therefore debunking the notion of beer drinkers as, well… being like Homer Simpson.

And while we’re at it, turns out musicians love exercise as well.

Anchor brewing staff will wear Giants jerseys and pour samples of Brooklyn’s Sorachi Ace beer during tours of its San Francisco brewery Monday, January 30 through Friday, February 3. “The Niners played a great game but the Giants came out on top, so we’ll stand by our word,” said Dannerbeck. “We’ll be pouring beer from Brooklyn Brewery and wearing the Giants’ colors this week, but don’t worry, our Niners will be back next year and we’ll be hoping for a chance to even the score.”

“We hope our friends in San Francisco enjoy the Brooklyn Sorachi Ace. Let’s hope for a rematch in 2013,” said Brooklyn Brewery President Steve Hindy.

Public tastings of Brooklyn Beer will not be available during this time, as Anchor tours are available by advance reservation only. Unfortunately, all tours are full this week, but you may call the brewery directly at 415.863.8350 to inquire about any cancellations.

UPDATE // JAN 27 Anchor reports that the Sorachi big bottles and Giants jerseys arrived safely, and that next week their tour guides will pour beer decked out in Big Blue during their Mon-Fri tours at 10am and 1pm, with brewery Chief Dannerbeck kicking off the first tour on Monday. Mr. Dannerbeck has promised to provide us with ”photos of the heinous crime scene,” so stay tuned!

UPDATE // JAN 25 Sorachi Ace and Giants jerseys are en route to CA.

UPDATE // JAN 22 Big Blue’s Victory Brings Brooklyn Beer to San Francisco

So it shall be written! Brooklyn Brewery beer and Giants jerseys will grace the Anchor Brewery this coming week. Stay tuned for updates and photos of our seven-day West Coast distribution.

The fabled Anchor bar in The City By The Bay.

A friendly wager has been placed between Brooklyn Brewery and Anchor Brewing Co. that our respective hometown teams will win the National Football Conference game this Sunday.

John Dannerbeck, president of Anchor Brewing Co. of San Francisco, and Steve Hindy, president of Brooklyn Brewery in New York, have agreed to pour the other brewery’s beer and outfit their brewery tour staff in jerseys from the opposing team for a week if their team loses the title game in San Francisco on Sunday. The brewery chiefs will wear the jerseys of shame as well.

“We are very confident that the 49ers will come through for us and we will not have to suffer this humiliation,” said Dannerbeck. “We beat the Giants earlier this year, and I am sure we will do it again.”

“The Giants have come together in an impressive way since the post-season commenced,” said Hindy. “We think Eli Manning and his team are going to avenge that earlier loss and move on to the Super Bowl.”

May the best team win!

Harpoon Brewery President Dan Kenary and our own Steve Hindy are betting that their home team will prevail in the Feb 5 Super Bowl in Indianapolis.

If the New York Giants win, as they did in the 2008 Super Bowl against New England, Harpoon will pour Brooklyn Lager in their tasting room and their brewery tour staff will wear Giants jerseys for a week this winter. If the Patriots win, Brooklyn will pour Harpoon IPA in their pub for a week, and the Brooklyn staff will wear Patriots jerseys.

“We are very confident that the Patriots will carry the day, and avenge the 2008 loss to the Giants,” said Kenary, who still cringes when he thinks back to pouring Brooklyn Lager four years ago.

“We know the Patriots had a better season record than the Giants. They are a great team,” said Hindy, clearly concerned about appearing over confident. “But the Giants have come together in the post-season. Eli Manning and his team have to keep it together for one more game.”

Hindy noted that the Anchor Brewery in San Francisco lost a similar bet to Brooklyn last Sunday when the Giants beat the 49ers on a last minute field goal. Anchor’s tour guides will be wearing Giants jerseys and pouring Brooklyn Sorachi Ace for their guests in the coming week.

“It is difficult to calculate the shame that accrues to a brewery that must pour its competitor’s flagship beer through its home taps,” said Hindy. “And wearing the opposition’s jerseys—you take your life in your hands when you wear a Boston jersey here in New York.”

The people here just can’t stop talking about the bet they won with some other people on the other side of the country. Beer and Giants jerseys are being packaged up and sent west to San Francisco for the folks of the Golden Gate to enjoy, and thoughts of championship glory are now bent towards Boston.

All fine and well, except I’m not a Giants fan. Convinced “Big Blue” was going down, I’d been wearing my 49ers jersey around the brewery all last week until brewer Tom took it from me and crushed it up in the mill room. Hard to fight back without opposable thumbs.

Brooklyn Brewery’s fearless leader will “address thousands” of beer industry professionals at the 2012 Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego on May 2. A beer biz veteran of nearly 25 years, Steve has amassed a trove of knowledge, insight and great stories about our favorite beverage, and has delivered countless speeches to fans, media entities, business partners and industry insiders. All of this is to say we’re confident he’ll shine on the CBC stage.

We interviewed Steve today about the art of public speaking:

Brooklyn Bloggery: What do you generally think about when giving speeches? What’s on your mind as you address the crowd?

Steve Hindy: The most important thing about giving a speech is having something to say, having a message. Seems to me that many people who give speeches, particularly business executives and politicians, studiously avoid saying anything. This is very frustrating, and boring, for their listeners.

BB: What is your favorite kind of crowd to address?

SH: I like addressing my peers in the industry and other entrepreneurs. I like talking to young people about entrepreneurship.

BB: What are some of the things that make a beer-lover crowd unique, aside from the obvious collective interest? What characteristics tend to define this audience?

SH: Beer lovers are intensely interested in beer, and breweries and brewers. They want to know about our beers and us. But their attention tends to be inversely proportional to the volume of beer they have consumed. So if they have had more than two beers, end the speech.

BB: Do you think you are more or less of a better speaker when you yourself are drinking beer during your speech?

SH: One beer enhances my speaking ability. Beyond one, the benefits diminish.

BB: Where did you give your best and worst speeches? What’s the most memorable speech you gave?

SH: My most memorable speech was at 6pm on the day we celebrated the opening of The Brooklyn Brewery [Williamsburg, Brooklyn facility] in 1996. There were a couple of thousand people at a two-block party on N11th St. I announced there would be FREE BEER until the kegs ran dry. This resulted in a mad rush. My partner Tom Potter then announced the free beer would end at 6:30pm.

BB: Do you still get nervous addressing crowds?

SH: Yes I do get nervous. But you have to channel that nervousness into positive energy. A calm speaker can be a blah speaker.

BB: What topics will you be addressing during your CBC speech?

SH: In San Diego, I plan to celebrate the role of the Local Brewer and outline some of the great challenges facing our industry in the next 25 years.

A recent report in Men’s Health lists the best beers in the 32 cities that teams from the National Football League call home. Serendipitously, we got Big Blue:

Brooklyn brewmaster Garrett Oliver plies his trade on the opposite side of Manhattan from the Giants’ actual homeland (the Meadowlands, in New Jersey) but Giants fans and hearty beers aplenty can be found on weekend nights at the confines in Williamsburg, all available for the low cost of a wooden token (five for a picture of Andrew Jackson, available at the front desk). What’s more, Oliver’s more experimental brews—from the face-melting Brooklyn Blast to the bottle-fermented variants Brooklyn Local 1, Local 2, and Sorachi Ace—are a treat when you find yourself in a championship mood, as Eli and company have in recent years. Savor the suds. And Jersey, you make good beer, too, but it’s all in the name.

The Italian bureau of Vogue – arguably the most fashionable of the fashionable — recognizes One Brewers Row as a Brooklyn “Hot Spot” (pictured above).

NY Post talks with Steve Hindy about Brooklyn the brand, and features the Brooklyn Box Set in its holiday guide:

The Washington Times names Sorachi Ace one the Top Beers of 2011.

Brooklyn Lager wins 3rd Place in the Lager/Pilsner category in CraftCans.com‘s 2011 reader poll:

El Vocero  Escenario reports on the arrival of three new artisanal beers in Puerto Rico:

Michael Fassbender (of Inglourious Basterds fame) enjoys a Brooklyn Lager in Shame:

Garrett talks “beerology” on Canada radio waves courtesy of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

AMA Bionda, The Companion Ale and BAMboozle all get some love in Yankee Brew News.

Finnish daily Ilta-Sanomat names Black Chocolate Stout the second best selection in their Christmas beer tasting:

Garrett jumps the pond to promote The Oxford Companion to Beer, pictured below at the Hook Norton Brewery in (the appropriately named) Oxfordshire.

CNN International bids farewell to “The Boss”:

PrintMag recently wrote up an e-article about our friend and designer Jee-eun Lee, the steady hand and sharp eye who recently began assisting Milton Glaser in the noble act of making beer look good. All Brooklyn Brewery packaging, logos, labels and more feature Jee’s artistic touch. Check out the article for an interesting look into Jee’s background, past work (sample pictured above), and what she keeps in her bathtub.

Brooklyn bounders beware! There will be no L train service two upcoming weekends: February 25 & 26, and March 10 & 11. We’re also close to the good ole G train, so don’t worry. Check out our FAQ for subway directions to Brewer’s Row.

NPR’s “Tell Me More” was recently host to our venerable master brewer, who with him brought a few beers into the studio for the producers to taste on air and in their minds envision the awesomeness that is the interplay of holiday foods and the diverse flavors of ale.

Although we often have dinner on the brain, we tend to enjoy it a bit more on the plate aside a glass of good beer. And so it shall be this holiday season.

Well, not so much a “library” as a list of links, but welcome to the greatest hits of Brooklyn Brewery news and events, all wrapped into one convenient URL.

First Runnings: Dec 2011
First Runnings: Nov 2011
First Runnings: Oct 2011
First Runnings: Sep 2011
First Runnings: Aug 2011
First Runnings: July 2011
First Runnings: June 2011
First Runnings: May 2011

Brooklyn Paper gave the newly launched Smorgasbrewery a bit of love in a recent roundup (“Finally, food at the Brooklyn Brewery) and Bill Roundy did us a solid with an amazing illustration of our Tasting Room in action. Would you look at all the detail?! We’ve got Monster prowling for dropped morsels, the wall of cases behind the food vendors, Hollywood renowned Dan Bittner behind the bar, and even an accurate draft list.

After a few bumps in the road and the loss of our company email, I’m happy to welcome you to our brand new website. We’re live. And it’s working! There’s so much to click on it’s hard to know where to start. Well, the About section is pretty great. Check out our updated company history, gaze upon photos of our staff members and entertain yourself with dozens of Brooklyn Brewery videos. Or bop on over to our new and improved Brooklyn Bloggery for a veritable tidal wave of beer blogging goodness. There you can find beer and cheese pairings, events and posts written by a cat. Be sure to buy ALL your Christmas presents in our online store. And of course all the information on our beer that you could ever want can be found right here. Oh, and let’s not forget the many, many opportunities that we’ve given you to “like” us, just littered throughout this beautiful new internet site.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank our digital agency and neighbors, Blenderbox for their fantastic work here. I mean, Ruby on Rails already, guys!

Enjoy, learn, “surf” and do let us know if you’re having any trouble by emailing info@brooklynbrewery.com.

[Brooklyn Brewer Tom Villa cradles his new baby, Brooklyn BAMboozle]

Here at Brooklyn Brewery, we love to talk about beer culture and events, and we’re flattered to find that others like to talk about Brooklyn Brewery. We also like to share:

Particularly as the holiday season approaches, the press is abuzz about The Oxford Companion to Beer.

Brooklyn BAMboozle makes headlines, and Draft Magazine sings that praises of The Concoction. Brooklyn Oktoberfest, Black Chocolate Stout, Local 2 and Sorachi Ace get some love as well.

Travel Channel and CNN feature the craft and business of brewing, and Good Morning America bathes in beer.

The word is out about our upcoming beer, film and food at Nitehawk Cinema , and Grub Street, Beer Advocate, Thrillist and Free Williamsburg, among others, share the news.

Brooklyn Brewery Exports continue to thrive, and Brazil, Canada and Spain say some kind words.

Confusion temporarily reigns over news that our warehouse building is being sold.

Steve tells his story, while Garrett gives a speech, sings the praises of nachos, and graces a cover or two:

Don’t worry, The Brooklyn Brewery is not going anywhere. Recent reports have indicated that our building has been sold, but it is only the building that houses our warehouse, situated across the street from the brewery and office space. Read a full report here from The Brooklyn Eagle, and sleep tight.

The Good Food Awards recognizes edible products that both honor social and environmental responsibility and celebrate flavor, “the kind that brings people together and builds strong, healthy communities. We are thrilled to have been considered for this unique award, and happy to announce that Brooklyn Local 2, our Belgian-inspired dark abbey ale, has placed as a 2012 finalist.

Cheers to good food, and good luck to all of the other delicious finalists!

We’re happy to announce that Draft Magazine seems to enjoy The Concoction, our second latest Brewmaster’s Reserve beer, just about as much as we do, naming it one of their Top 25 Beers of 2011.

In other Top 25 news, we’re happy to announce that people who like to read interesting things seem to enjoy The Oxford Companion to Beer, Garrett Oliver’s latest literary endeavor, just about as much as we do, as it is currently one of Amazon’s Top 25 Best Sellers.

Congratulations to the Brooklyn team, and writers across the globe, respectively, for drafting these beery successes.

It’s that time of year again. The weather gets colder, party invites go out, presents get bought…and people don’t want to work as much. As such, please note the following schedule changes:

+ Saturday, December 3rd: CLOSING EARLY, noon – 5pm. The last tour will be at 5pm.
+ Saturday, December 24th: CLOSED
+ Sunday, December 25th: CLOSED
+ Sunday, January 1st: CLOSED

Make sure to stock up on Brooklyn this holiday season and have the best and safest time possible.

Across the Atlantic, Garrett Oliver’s Trek in The Name of Beer© continues. In conjunction with Oxford University Press and James Clay Importers, Brooklyn’s Brewmaster is hosting a series of beer tastings and dinners this week in England — the land that first taught him about good beer – to promote The Oxford Companion to Beer.

The Draft House Tower Bridge, London, SE1 2UP
7pm Monday 7 November www.drafthouse.co.uk

Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP
10:30am Tuesday 8 November www.brookes.ac.uk

Hook North Brewery, Hook Norton, OX15 5NY
6pm Tuesday 8 November www.hooknortonbrewery.co.uk

The National Brewery Centre, Burton upon Trent, DE14 1NG
12pm Wednesday 9 November www.nationalbrewerycentre.co.uk

Port Street Beer House, Manchester, M1 2EQ
7pm Wednesday 9 November www.portstreetbeerhouse.co.uk

The Cross Keys, Leeds, LS11 5WD
12pm Thursday 10 November www.the-crosskeys.com

We remember it like it was yesterday, but that’s because it pretty much was yesterday. Not long ago, Brooklyn was supposedly “Crooklyn”, a strange land where people spoke in tongues, cabs feared to tread, and you couldn’t get a decent piece of cheese. And BAM, the grandly-titled Brooklyn Academy of Music, seemed to stand as a silent sentinel, a remnant of a glorious past few seemed to remember.

Here at Brooklyn Brewery, we remember the real Brooklyn. We remember pioneering beer bars, wild Berlin-style raves at the Old Mustard Factory, the Liveri boys smoking the mozzarella in a little metal box every morning outside Joe’s Busy Corner, prosciutto sliced so thin you could read the newspaper through it, and jerk chicken that made your eyes water. BAM remembers our Brooklyn too, and helped transform it into a place everyone suddenly wants to be.

So, when BAM asked us to make a beer for their 150th anniversary, we wanted to make them something really special. BAMBoozle features a large addition of wildflower honey from the New York family apiary Tremblay Farms – we pick up the honey from Alan Tremblay at the Greenmarket. Blended with golden malts, it is fermented to a dry complexity by our Belgian yeast strain, and then re-fermented in the bottle like Champagne. When the cork pops, the beer shows a shimmering effervescence, a beautifully floral, honeyed nose, and a fresh light zing on the palate that belies its underlying strength. You have not had a beer like this, and neither have we. You can enjoy it now, but it will also age very nicely. Like BAM and like Brooklyn, BAMBoozle is in a class of its own. Happy 150th to BAM, its colorful crown restored, the once and future king of the arts.

[Brooklyn on the horizon at Fort San Felipe del Morro.]

We are excited to announce that Brooklyn Brewery is now available in Puerto Rico. With the help of V. Suarez & Co. distributing (pictured below), we’re shipping pallets of Brooklyn Lager, Brown Ale and Pennant Ale ’55 down to the rich port. Click “Read More” to view more pictures of Brooklyn’s arrival to the commonwealth.

Come on. It’s too perfect for the beer lover in your life to ignore. Now available for purchase exclusively at The Brooklyn Brewery Company Store is the BROOKLYN BOX SET, featuring 1 copy of The Oxford Companion to Beer signed by Garrett Oliver, and 1 750ml bottle-conditioned version of The Companion Ale – this special Companion Ale bottle is only available as part of the BROOKLYN BOX SET.

The BROOKLYN BOX SET is $80.00, and can be obtained only in person at The Brooklyn Brewery (79 North 11th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 11249) during our public hours.

With 160 experts covering more than 1,100 subjects, The Oxford Companion to Beer is the most comprehensive book to yet be published on the subject. To accompany the book, Garrett Oliver (Editor-in-Chief), Horst Dornbusch (Associate Editor) and Thomas Kraus-Weyermann (writer and master maltster) brewed our current Brewmaster’s Reserve beer, called The Companion Ale. Made with 55% new floor malts from Weyermann Maltings, The Companion is brewed in an old style called “wheat wine”, a wheat-based equivalent to barley wine. The floor malts give this beer a juicy malt character of considerable depth, 55% malted wheat gives it a surprising lightness on the palate, while our house ale yeast lends a gentle fruitiness.

Now available for purchase exclusively at The Brooklyn Brewery Company Store is the BROOKLYN BOX SET, featuring 1 copy of The Oxford Companion to Beer signed by Garrett Oliver, and 1 750ml bottle-conditioned version of The Companion Ale – this special Companion Ale bottle is only available as part of the BROOKLYN BOX SET.

The BROOKLYN BOX SET is $80.00, and can be obtained only in person at The Brooklyn Brewery (79 North 11th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 11249) during our public hours.

With 160 experts covering more than 1,100 subjects, The Oxford Companion to Beer is the most comprehensive book to yet be published on the subject. To accompany the book, Garrett Oliver (Editor-in-Chief), Horst Dornbusch (Associate Editor) and Thomas Kraus-Weyermann (writer and master maltster) brewed our current Brewmaster’s Reserve beer, called The Companion Ale. Made with 55% new floor malts from Weyermann Maltings, The Companion is brewed in an old style called “wheat wine”, a wheat-based equivalent to barley wine. The floor malts give this beer a juicy malt character of considerable depth, 55% malted wheat gives it a surprising lightness on the palate, while our house ale yeast lends a gentle fruitiness.

[photos by Heather Gallagher]

Last night at The Brooklyn Brewery, we welcomed AMA Bionda to the U.S. market with Italian flare and fare (the former provided by the Amarcord Brewery; the latter by Betto). AMA Bionda is brewed in Italy specifically to be paired with the culinary delights of its motherland — we look forward to enjoying this new beer with our friends and favorite dishes.

See more photos of the party from Beertography here.

Brewed by Amarcord Brewery in the small medieval town of Apecchio, Italy, AMA Bionda is a beer made specifically for the Italian dinner table. Designed by Brooklyn Brewmaster Garrett Oliver, AMA Bionda is a golden beer with a soft but complex floral and fruity character, born of aromatic malts, three types of hops, Italian Orange Blossom honey from Sicily, and water from springs that date to Roman times.

Here at Brooklyn Brewery, we love to vacation in Italy, and we got to know the folks at Amarcord when we started selling Brooklyn beers there. Amarcord is one of Italy’s great new microbreweries that are brewing beer with distinctive Italian accents, producing their range of beers in Apecchio, a small medieval town surrounded by the Appennini Mountains (Mount Nerone) and close to the Adriatic coast. They introduced us to the great cuisine of the Marche Region, and we decided to collaborate with them on a line of beers that would be worthy of the Italian table. Ama Bionda is the first in the line. It is perfect with seafood dishes, pesto, pizza and tomato sauces. Ama means “loves” in Italian, and AMA Bionda loves Italian food as much as we do.

The passing of the seasons can be a bit tough, particularly that whole warm sun diminishing into cold snow thing. But still, it’s hard not to appreciate those hearty meals that come from hardy wintertime kitchens. Especially when they’re paired with beer.

CraftBeer.com went to brewmaster/chef Garrett Oliver for insight on the perfect four-course beer dinner for when the weather outside might be frightful, and here’s what he had to say:

Garrett Oliver’s Simple Four-Course Beer Dinner
by Garrett Oliver

This summer, while hanging out at the beach, lounging in the sunshine and hurling Frisbees across parks, you have to admit that you didn’t think much about the kitchen. Sure, the morning coffee came from the kitchen and the fridge was in there too, keeping your beer cold and the salad crisp, but that was about it. Now that the weather’s turning colder, most of us will give up the grill and re-embrace the kitchen, the stove, big iron pans and the things they can do… Read more

[© All rights reserved by Wallace Chane.]

Thank you to Flickr user Wallace Chane for tagging us in the awesome picture above. Of the photo, Chane writes: “Thank you for forever enhancing my life.”

Books? We love ‘em. Steve Hindy wrote one; Garrett Oliver wrote one and edited another; and our culinary-culture loving friends over at Edible have cooked up a DIY guide to recreating the best of Brooklyn’s delectable delights in your own kitchen:

“Celebrate Brooklyn’s best, with the most delicious dishes from the borough’s top food sellers and makers, movers and shakers. Edible Brooklyn: The Cookbook takes you on a photo-packed, tasty tour of one of America’s most diverse locales and its gastronomic pleasures. In addition to finding mouthwatering recipes, you’ll meet the people who create this edible goodness, take a close-up look at the institutions that make Brooklyn an epicure’s delight, explore food-fabulous, ethnically diverse neighborhoods, and get edible tips, plus information on obtaining the ingredients.”

Yep, it’s true. A reincarnation of SmorgasBurg, the popular “Brooklyn Flea Food Market”, is coming to Brooklyn Brewery starting Sunday, December 4 and running until March. Needless to say, we are quite excited to welcome the local artisans into our home.

Eater reports:

On Sunday, December 4, the Brooklyn Flea and Brooklyn Brewery will launch SmorgasBrewery, a mini version of the Saturday food fest Smorgasburg. A rotating cast of five Brooklyn Flea and Smorgasburg food vendors will set up shop in the Brewery’s Tasting Room on North 11th St. from noon – 5 PM. The partnership should run until March 2012.

[Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times]

We are thrilled to be finding a bevy of positive press in response to The Oxford Companion to Beer, a new reference guide on our favorite beverage edited by Brooklyn Brewery Brewmaster Garrett Oliver. Read more for a sampling, and check back for incoming additions:

The New York Times

Village Voice

Financial Times

Time Out NY

Bon Appetit

SF Weekly

Grub Street

Mobile Press Register

A Good Beer Blog

Pete Brown’s Beer Blog

The CU Independent

Tasting Table

New Yorker Book Bench

Houston Chronicle

LA Weekly

Walking the streets of Brooklyn, our Marketing Manager Ben came across the exceedingly familiar image pictured above.

With a little help from The Internet, the mystery is solved. Apparently there are some really serious Disco Biscuits fans out there.

The time has come once again to partake in the preeminent beer festival in these states united: the Great American Beer Festival. Oh yes, we’ll be there. And oh yes, we’ve got a challenge for you:

+ Take a photo of an Oxford Companion to Beer contributor (list of those in attendance at GABF 2011 below).
+ Tag the photo @BrooklynBrewery on Twitter.
+ Collect the most contributor photos and be contacted via Twitter on Monday to win your very own Brooklyn Box Set:

This deluxe edition of the most comprehensive book on beer ever written comes lovingly packaged with a one-time only bottling of The Companion Ale. Like the book The Oxford Companion To Beer itself, The Companion is a true collaboration. It was designed and brewed by the book’s Editor-In-Chief Garrett Oliver, Associate Editor Horst Dornbusch and contributor Thomas Weyermann.

Oxford Companion GABF 2011 Contributor List (after the break)

Peter Bouckaert
Jay Brooks
Pete Brown
Matthew Brynildson
Dick Cantwell
Vinnie Cilurzo
Lorenzo Dabove
Ray Daniels
Geoff Deman
Dan D’Ippolito
Horst Dornbusch
Roland Folz
Terry Foster
Abram Goldman-Armstrong
Ken Grossman
John Haggerty
Stephen Hindy
Kim Jordan
Ben Keene
Ray Klimovitz
Thomas Kraus-Weyermann
Daniel J. Kvitek
Mike Laur
Anda Lincoln
Phil Markowski
Jacob McKean
Will Meyers
Randy Mosher
Jeff Nickel
Garrett Oliver
Steve Parkes
Glenn Payne
Dan Rabin
Tony Simmons
Gary Spedding
Mitch Steele
David Thomas
Bob Townsend
Sylvie Van Zandycke
Keith Villa
Ben Vinken
Tim Webb
Chris White
Chad Michael Yakobson

While there’s at least one of us here that appreciates a good Nutz Over Chocolate Luna Bar, you’ll forgive us our skepticism of Chick Beer. Touting itself as “The only American beer created just for women” (thought that was Blue Moon*?), Chick Beer claims to be a beer that “celebrates women”. A noble cause to be sure.

But what does it taste like?

We’ve never actually seen a bottle of Chick Beer and therefore have sadly been unable to “Witness The Chickness!”. Marylanders, if you’ve been lucky enough to sample this suds, please, tell us everything.

*you’ve got to really dig through the link to find the Blue Moon reference. I promise the ride is worth it.

[The Companions: Editor-in-Chief Oliver and his new book.]

Brewmaster Oliver left Brooklyn today and will not return for three weeks. During the days to come he’ll be visiting a handful of beer-loving cities (listed below) to support his latest literary effort, four years in the making: The Oxford Companion to Beer. With 160 experts covering more than 1,100 subjects, it is the most comprehensive book to yet be published on the subject of beer.

Denver, CO
Sep 29–Oct 2

San Francisco, CA
Oct 3–Oct 4

Portland, OR
Oct 5

Seattle, WA
Oct 6–Oct 7

Twin Cities, MN
Oct 8 — Oct 10

Chicago, IL
Oct 11–Oct 13

Cleveland, OH
Oct 14

Check back all this week leading up to the big event for Experimental Profiles in Courage on the contestants.

[Brooklyn All-Stars Erin Evenson & Christopher McCreight]

Meet Erin Evenson & Christopher McCreight, they are team New Lapskaus Boulevard! They are committed not only to updating the edible traditions of Brooklyn’s Norwegian-American community, but also to rocking your world. If preserved fish, root vegetables, lingonberries, and brown goat cheese are your thing, then they’re your team.

What was their Favorite Experimental Moment? It had to be serving homemade reindeer hot dogs to Chef Wylie Dufresne and his WD-50 team.

Check back all this week leading up to the big event for Experimental Profiles in Courage on the contestants.

[DC champs Tacoistas]

What is Tacoistas (Gerald Zavala & Sandra Hanna)? Team Tacoista has a basic, revolutionary principal: keep their slow cooked carnitas tacos simple and authentic. Chef Gerald Zavala is a Texas transplant willing to stop at any taco stand and his wife (and super sous chef) Sandra Hanna is native New Yorker turned Washington DC attorney ready to throw down in the kitchen. The team borrowed its name from the Zapaitas to emphasize that delicious “peoples” food can be both accessible and modern.

What was your “Favorite Experimental Moment? Watching our two young daughters work the crowd at the DC Taco Experiment asking people to “Go to table 26 and eat daddy’s yummy tacos.” We were told they were very convincing marketers.

Because we’re holding the Food Experiment National Championships at The Brewery, we will be closed for our regularly scheduled Tastings & Tours on Sunday, September 18. DON’T WORRY THOUGH. You can still enjoy Brooklyn beer, and samples from 40 of the neighborhood’s best food, beer and wine makers at TASTE Williamsburg/Greenpoint, located one block away, between Kent Ave and the Williamsburg Waterfront.

Check back all this week leading up to the big event for Experimental Profiles in Courage on the contestants.

[Boston champs Hope &  Josh.]

Who Is Hope Gee and Food Alors? Food Alors! is a brother-sister cooking sensation. It all began in 1994, when my older brother Josh taught me (Hope) how to cut the crusts off of tuna fish sandwiches. I later spent a year living in France, including three months working at a Michelin-starred restaurant, where I taught the chefs dirty words in English in exchange for trips to local markets and recipes. Josh pursued politics instead of food, but still yearns to someday open the world’s first cocktail truck.

What was your favorite “Experimental Moment?” Refusing to give our parents seconds at the Boston contest and demanding they get out of the way for the people whose votes we needed to still win.

This month in 1995, The New Brewer explores the wacky, zany “niche” of marketing beer via the internet (dramatization above). Issues of the magazine are read while enjoying radio hits “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio, “Waterfalls” by TLC, “Kiss from a Rose” by Seal and “This Is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan.

UPDATE :: Brooklyn Brewery Account Manager Brian Dochney gets served an ice cold Cyberbeer.

Check back all this week leading up to the big event for Experimental Profiles in Courage on the contestants.

[Austin, TX champs The Holy Smokers.]

Who are these Holy Smokers? The Holy Smokers are two small town pastors and suburban dads that know how to bring the joy “BIG TIME”. As in life and in cooking the Holy Smokers fully embrace experiments. In trying new and adventurous things they are never satisfied until they get to lead others into what they believe to be a Holy Moment. In pursuit of love, joy, and community, the Holy Smokers bring a next level of excitement wherever they are.

What was the Holy Smokers’ favorite Experimental Moment? The most memorable moment was when Holy Smoker, Evans, celebrated his victory with a Chameleon Cold-Brew Shower!

Check back all this week leading up to the big event for an Experimental Profile in Courage on the contestants.

[Brooklyn All-Star Jill Stominger and her mother.]

Who exactly is Jill Stominger? Jill is an Ohio native who earns her ingredient money as a publicist and writer. She enjoys running, biking, and then using running and biking as an excuse to eat whatever she wants. Her mother Pam will join her for the big competition, an event she realized was inevitable once Jill started snacking on butter as a child.

What was your favorite “Experimental Moment?” Seeing Wylie Dufresne nod in approval after trying one of my dishes. I even made sure to watch him from really far away to be sure it wasn’t a pity nod. Also, please ignore how creepy that makes me sound.

The cupboards of beer enthusiasts worldwide are filled with glassware of all shapes and sizes, each designed to maximize the flavors and aroma of specific styles of ale and lager. Scientific American is asking whether or not this is all for show: Does the glass you use really matter? It’s safe to know where Sam Adams stands, as well as a certain other brewery of which we’re steadfastly fond.

Where do you stand on the issue? Is there a certain beer you’re convinced is best enjoyed in a particular glass?

[Yunhee Kim for The New York Times]

The Minimalist himself, Mark Bittman of the New York Times, gets complex with Garrett on using beer as an ingredient.

“I learned how to drink beer with food (beyond hot dogs, Indian food and the like) from Garrett Oliver, the brewmaster of New York’s Brooklyn Brewery and editor in chief of the soon-to-be-published “Oxford Companion to Beer.” So it seemed only natural, when I found myself cooking with beer more often, to ask Garrett how to determine what’s best.”

For the whole piece and Mark’s recipes go here.

Here’s to hoping you haven’t reached your article limit for the month.

[Yunhee Kim for The New York Times]

The Minimalist himself, Mark Bittman of the New York Times, gets complex with Garrett on using beer as an ingredient.

“I learned how to drink beer with food (beyond hot dogs, Indian food and the like) from Garrett Oliver, the brewmaster of New York’s Brooklyn Brewery and editor in chief of the soon-to-be-published “Oxford Companion to Beer.” So it seemed only natural, when I found myself cooking with beer more often, to ask Garrett how to determine what’s best.”

For the whole piece and Mark’s recipes go here.

Here’s to hoping you haven’t reached your article limit for the month.

As much as we’d love to provide you with refuge from the storm this weekend, the pending threat of Hurricane Irene’s windy limbs will result in closed doors here at One Brewer’s Row this Saturday and Sunday, August 27-28.

We hope Irene will turn out to sea in a timely manner, but it never hurts to be prepared. In the event the situation is prolonged, we’ve filled up our extra brewing tanks with water good for drinking and will be ready to share with anyone in need.

And so we can keep producing another certain liquid, we brought in a “little” power generator to back up the brewhouse:

Read more for some helpful safety tips in the event of a hurricane…

If a hurricane is likely in your area, you should:

+ Listen to the radio or TV for information.
+ Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
+ Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
+ Turn off propane tanks. Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
+ Moor your boat if time permits.
+ Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.

You should evacuate under the following conditions:

+ If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.
+ If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure—such shelters are particularly hazardous during hurricanes no matter how well fastened to the ground.
+ If you live in a high-rise building—hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
+ If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an inland waterway.
+ If you feel you are in danger.

If you are unable to evacuate, go to your safe room. If you do not have one, follow these guidelines:

+ Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors.
+ Close all interior doors—secure and brace external doors.
+ Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm – winds will pick up again.
+ Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level.
+ Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object

As much as we’d love to provide you with refuge from the storm this weekend, the pending threat of Hurricane Irene’s windy limbs will result in closed doors here at One Brewer’s Row this Saturday and Sunday, August 27-28.

We hope Irene will turn out to sea in a timely manner, but it never hurts to be prepared. In the event the situation is prolonged, we’ve filled up our extra brewing tanks with water good for drinking and will be ready to share with anyone in need.

And so we can keep producing another certain liquid, we brought in a “little” power generator to back up the brewhouse:

Read more for some helpful safety tips in the event of a hurricane…

If a hurricane is likely in your area, you should:

+ Listen to the radio or TV for information.
+ Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
+ Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
+ Turn off propane tanks. Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
+ Moor your boat if time permits.
+ Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.

You should evacuate under the following conditions:

+ If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.
+ If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure—such shelters are particularly hazardous during hurricanes no matter how well fastened to the ground.
+ If you live in a high-rise building—hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
+ If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an inland waterway.
+ If you feel you are in danger.

If you are unable to evacuate, go to your safe room. If you do not have one, follow these guidelines:

+ Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors.
+ Close all interior doors—secure and brace external doors.
+ Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm – winds will pick up again.
+ Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level.
+ Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object

We’re busy putting together a retrospective of the Great Milton Glaser’s work for us through the years. Watch this space for info on an opening party here at The Brewery. Recently, Inc. did a piece on small businesses with impactful logos.  Check it out below.

From Inc Magazine

Steve Hindy, co-founder of Brooklyn Brewery, based in Brooklyn, New York, had the logo for his company designed in 1987 by none other than Milton Glaser, one of the world’s foremost logo designers. In fact, it was Glaser who aided in renaming the company, which was originally called Brooklyn Eagle Beer. “Come on, you’ve got Brooklyn. Who needs an eagle?” recalls Hindy of Milton’s comment on the original company name.

(read more)

Courtesy of BrewYork, New York

There’s a lot going on over on North 11th Street in Brooklyn these days. Some of the happenings at Brooklyn Brewery are pretty obvious to see – like the massive 200-barrel fermenters above that were craned into their newly-expanded space last week. This was one of 17 (!) new tanks at the brewery to complete its multi-million dollar expansion that will let them brew a whole lot more beer in Brooklyn.

(read more)

The Brooklyn Brewery hereby announces the formation of The Order of Osiris, a league of libation appreciators formerly never matched. By volunteering their time, their tastebuds and a nominal fee, this band of beer lovers will be subject to a number of benefits sure to whet their elevated whistles. Named after an Egyptian god, known to stop at nothing to protect the most holy of beverages, The Order of Osiris seeks to do the same.

The Order shall meet every Friday at The Brooklyn Brewery Tasting Room at 5pm one full hour before the masses shuffle through those famed red doors. All Order members will have the opportunity to taste that week’s cask from a members-only dimple mug. Also available will be robust conversation, tomfoolery and back patting. Read on to learn of even more good will that awaits due-paying members of this exclusive cadre for the mighty beer lover.

A lifetime membership fee of $15 allots you:

+ Order of Osiris dimple mug
+ 5pm Friday Happy Hour admission through a secret entrance
+ Invitation to all Brewmaster’s Reserve release parties
+ Position at The Table for the Yearly Assembly of the Order
+ Feelings of Entitlement

Email osiris@brooklynbrewery.com with the subject line “Order of Osiris” to receive the Order’s Form of Registry.

“Beer has dispelled the illness which was in me.” — Late Egyptian, translated by Dr. Kent Weeks

For the past four years, brewmaster Garrett Oliver has been working on a massive project. It’s the ultimate beer collaboration, but it’s not a beer.  Published this September by Oxford University Press, it’s The Oxford Companion to Beer, the most comprehensive book on beer ever published, featuring 160 experts covering more than 1,100 subjects. It’s a momentous thing, so Garrett (Editor-in-Chief), Horst Dornbusch (Associate Editor, writer, scholar, man-about-town) and Thomas Kraus-Weyermann (writer and master maltster) hatched a plan. Together, they brewed our next Brewmaster’s Reserve beer, called The Companion.

Thomas created special new floor malts for The Companion, which is brewed in an old style called “wheat wine”, a wheat-based equivalent to barley wine. The floor malts give this beer a juicy malt character of considerable depth, 55% malted wheat gives it a surprising lightness on the palate, while our house ale yeast lends a gentle fruitiness. The Oxford Companion will impart knowledge, while The Companion imparts conviviality. Maybe you really can have it all?

[photo by Hiroko Masuike]

Monday, August 1, 7-11pm
d.b.a.
113 North 7th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
cost: $20-$500 | buy tickets here

From d.b.a.,

In loving memory of Ray Deter, we will gather at d.b.a. Brooklyn to continue to celebrate his amazing life. Part of the celebration involves remembering his legacy and in doing so we honor his sons. All proceeds will go into a college fund for Ray’s sons. Raincheck tickets are available for those who would like to participate, but cannot attend the benefit in person. Click through to see the additional ticket and donation options.

If you’d like to mail a check directly to the fund, please make it out to:

Ray Deter Memorial Fund
64 Longfellow Drive
Colonia, NJ 07067

[photo by Cinzia Reale-Castello]

“Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” – Henry David Thoreau

Whatever, Thoreau. Give me all four and on top of that I’ll take some pork.

Speaking of fame, a few ladies from Time Out NY came by last week to interview me and take my picture for a feature on NYC “Animal Mascots.” (I told them I’d prefer to be called “People Persuader,” but Animal Mascot will suffice.) I had my assistant fetch a new bow tie, and then I simply turned up the charm. Now this “handsome devil” is gracing the first page of the article.

Also of note is that there’s only one dog in the piece, and it’s a Chihuahua. Much easier to take down than some other dogs.

[photo © Nathan Rawlinson]

Aside from simply being delicious, our recent beer dinner at Eleven Madison Park, one of the best restaurants in the world, is a testament to the developing notion that great food and great beer are born for each other. We’re glad to find that we are in growing good company when it comes to this once-radical concept.

Read here for a great write-up on the EMP beer dinner from Food & Wine. Photos from Nathan Rawlinson live on this page, and a video by Christian DeBenedetti is housed here.

[photo by F. Martin Ramin for The Wall Street Journal, Styling by Anne Cardenas]

… and we wholeheartedly agree. Brooklyn Brown Ale is the second beer we ever made, and its robust, smooth malt flavor has been gracing our cookouts for over twenty years. Glad to see The Wall Street Journal agrees that this beer belongs with BBQ. Read the full article here.

[photo by F. Martin Ramin for The Wall Street Journal, Styling by Anne Cardenas]

… and we wholeheartedly agree. Brooklyn Brown Ale is the second beer we ever made, and its robust, smooth malt flavor has been gracing our cookouts for over twenty years. Glad to see The Wall Street Journal agrees that this beer belongs with BBQ. Read the full article here.

Brooklyn Sorachi Ace, The Belgian-inspired, single-hop saison described by Brewmaster Oliver as “sunshine in a glass” has reared its zesty white head for the warmer months, and is now available full time (and year round) via your finer beverage purveyors and drinking establishments. Enjoy it with fresh goat cheese (i.e. Westfield Bulk Chèvre), shrimp, smoked salmon, sushi, ceviche, prosciutto, curries, salads, grilled meats or by its elegant, refreshing self.

Read more for a list of places in NYC to find Sorachi Ace. Go here to email your local rep to find Brooklyn Beer near you.

+ Amity Hall
+ Aurora
+ Back Forty
+ Beer Table
+ Blue Smoke & Jazz Standard
+ Brooklyn Winery
+ The Counting Room
+ d.b.a.
+ DBGB
+ Egg
+ Fresh Fanatic
+ Ginger Man
+ The Gutter
+ Half Pint
+ Keg & Lantern
+ Marlow & Sons
+ Momofuku
+ Rock Center Café
+ The Room
+ Spring Lounge
+ Spuyten Duyvil
+ Standings Sports Bar
+ Stout
+ Stritzenhaus
+ Tribeca Grill
+ Waterfront Ale House

If you have been to the brewery lately, you could not fail to notice our new mural. The Egyptologists among you will appreciate the hieroglyphs that translate: “Beer has dispelled the illness which was in me.” Our translation was done by Dr. Kent Weeks, the world’s leading Egyptologist. I met Kent in Egypt in 1981, when he was a visiting professor from UC Berkeley. Kent resigned his cushy job at Berkeley and took a seat at American University of Cairo to lead the Theban Mapping Project, an ambitious effort to map all the tombs in the Valley of the Kings and Tombs of the Queens in Luxor, Egypt, using the latest remote sensing equipment. In the course of those explorations, Kent uncovered important new tombs in Luxor, making him the most prominent archaeologist since Howard Carter dug up King Tut.

Kent now divides his time between Upper Egypt and Connecticut. Indiana Jones has nothing on this guy.

– Steve Hindy, President & Co-founder

[UPDATE 7/5/2011 :: We are deeply saddened to report that over the weekend Ray passed away. He will be missed by all of us who knew and loved him.]

Earlier this week, Ray Deter, owner of d.b.a., was struck by a car as he rode his bicycle to work in Manhattan. He is currently in critical condition at Bellevue Hospital, and remains unconscious after suffering from head trauma and internal bleeding. (Read more about the incident here.)

Not only is Ray a valued member of the beer community, he is an old and dear friend to many of us at the Brewery. Our most sincere thoughts and deepest well wishes are with Ray and his family. We are all hoping Ray the best during this difficult time, and wish him a swift recovery.

Together with The High Line we’ve bore another child. And this baby is a doozie. We’re proud to announce the arrival of Brooklyn High Line Elevated Wheat, a local collaboration of the, ahem, highest order. To celebrate the unveiling of Section 2 of the elevated park as well as this summer’s Lot On Tap beer garden at 30th and 10th, Garrett worked with Friends of the High Line, NY State Agriculture and North Country Farms to produce a new style of beer to be exclusively sold at The High Line park this summer.

From The New York Times:

The High Line’s Beery Locavorism

[photo by Evan Sung]

New York state farm to New York City table? Ho-hum. But New York state farm to New York City brewery? Hasn’t happened in at least a century. And indeed, a high degree of difficulty marked the creation of what is believed to be the first modern commercial beer brewed in the city from local wheat. (The Tundra Brewery in Stamford, N.Y., is now selling a beer made from New York state grains at Manhattan Greenmarkets.) Here, then, is the unexpectedly complicated recipe for a seemingly simple new summer brew:

(read more)

[photo by Eric Schwortz]

And… we’re back! The concert series on the banks of the East River has returned for another year of great bands, beer, wine and food. This unbridled summertime goodness is brought to you by the Open Space Alliance for North Brooklyn (OSA), a not-for-profit who will be using all of the proceeds from the shows to improve North Brooklyn’s parks.

Follow OSA on Facebook here, Consult Ticketmaster for admittance to the non-free shows, and check back with the Brooklyn Brewery Blog for your chance to win a pair of VIP tickets to each show. Read on to view the full schedule.

June 11 | free show
+ Coheed and Cambria
+ Adrian Belew Power Trio
+ Tigers Jaw

June 24
Thievery Corporation

July 6
+ Kid Cudi
+ Chip Tha Ripper

July 22
+ Death From Above 1979

July 25
+ Stone Temple Pilots

July 29 | free show
+ They Might Be Giants
+ Pretty Good Friends w/ Eugene Mirman
+ Kristen Schaal
+ Patton Oswalt

August 2
+ Death Cab for Cutie
+ Frightened Rabbit

August 12
+ Sonic Youth
+ Wild Flag
+ Kurt Vile

August 31
+ Bright Eyes

September 8
+ TV On The Radio

September 17
+ Widespread Panic

September 24
+ Fleet Foxes
+ The Walkmen

From Beer Sessions Radio:

“On May 3, Beer Sessions Radio (TM) was able to sit down with Brooklyn Brewery founder and local beer historian Steve Hindy. To say that Steve is an interesting fellow would be a gross understatement. He’s Brooklyn’s own International Man of Mystery and we’re pretty sure he could take the Dos Equis guy down in under 5 seconds.”

Listen with your ears here, and read with thine eyes, here.

Watch the video here:

The next beer to come from Brooklyn Brewery’s Brewmaster’s Reserve line is The Brooklyn Concoction. Based off a delightful Scotch-based cocktail called The Penicillin and combining peat smoked malt, minced ginger, lemon juice and wildflower honey, this brand new Concoction is just what the doctor ordered. [UPDATE 5/27/2011: scheduled release is mid-June]

You may recall mention of this beer being called “The Tonic”. Well, that name proved to be problematic by the standards of certain governmental regulatory boards (as did “The Penicillin”). So we’ve settled on “The Concoction”. And that’s all we have to say about that.

Welcome, the Brooklyn Summer Ale Can! Below is a list of places at which one might presently purchase this refreshing, handsome, lightweight libation (koozie sold separately). And here are more photos of the Summer can in action. Have some of your own? Tag them “CANibalization” on Flickr and we’ll add them to our set.

MANHATTAN
Good Beer – 422 East 9th Street
New Beer- 167 Chrystie Street
Whole Foods
- 270 Greenwich Street
- 4 Union Square South
- 95 East Houston Street
- 10 Columbus Circle
- 250 7th Avenue

BROOKLYN
5th Avenue Market- 185 5th Avenue
American Beer- 256 Court Street
Associated- 492 Myrtle Avenue
B P Gas- 1049 Grand Street
Bd Food Supermarket- 510 7th Avenue
Breukelen Bier Merchants- 182 Grand Street
Brooklyn Beer & Soda- 648 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn Fair- 200 Schermerhorn Street
Eagle Provisions- 628 5th Avenue
Earth Basket- 599 4th Avenue
G H Food- 750A Manhattan Avenue
Grand Grocery & Deli- 175 Grand Street
Hope Deli- 103 Havemeyer Street
Joes Busy Corner- 552 Driggs Avenue
Khims Millenium Market
- 185 Bedford Avenue
- 265 Bedford Avenue
Las Americas Deli Grocery- 506 Court Street
Metro Deli- 525 Metropolitan Avenue
New York Deli- 82/84 Havemeyer Street
One Stop Market- 630 Caton Avenue
Park Slope Food Coop- 782 Union Street
Parkside Grocery & Deli- 155 Prospect Park South
Price Choice- 72 Wykcoff Avenue
Royal Deli Grocery- 1419 8th Avenue
South End- 73 Montrose Avenue
Sunac Foods- 440/446 Union Avenue
Top On The Waterfront- 89 North 6th Street
Williamsburg Food Market- 159 North 3rd Street

QUEENS
69th St Beer Distributor- 55-13 69th Street
B & B Beverage- 212-02 41st Avenue
Community Beverages- 80-04 Grand Avenue
Dan’s Supreme- 153-55 Cross Island Parkway
Natural Fruit Supermarket- 70-63 Parsons Boulevard
Trade Fair- 23-55 Broadway
U-Mart Supermarket- 56-02 31st Avenue

MASSACHUSETTS
Blanchard’s Liquors
103 Harvard Ave
Allston

ODB Liquors
732 Huntington Ave
Boston

Austin Liquors
20 Boston Turnpike
Shrewsbury

George’s
19 Elm St
Pittsfield

Beacon Capital Market
32 Myrtle St
Boston

Drum Hill Liquor Mart
85 Parkhurst Rd
Chelmsford

Liquor World
365 West Central
Franklin

Jobi Liquors
170 Cambridge St
Boston

Yankee Spirits
376 Main St
Sturbridge

Top Shelf
161 Charles St
Boston

Gordon’s Liquors
894 Main St
Waltham

New Bay View Liquors
108 Dorchester St
South Boston

Kelly’s Package Store
653 Main St
Dalton

Blanchard’s Liquors JP
741 Centre St
Jamaica Plain

Acton Wine & Spirits Co.
305 Main St
Acton

Redstone Liquors
101 Main St
Stoneham

Lopardo’s Package Store
8 River St
North Adams

Wine Vault
2 Fairbanks St
Framingham

Kappy’s
10 Revere Beach Pkwy
Medford

Supreme Liquors
615 Hancock St
Quincy

Julios Liquors
140 Turnpike-Route 9
Westborough

Atlas Liquors
156 Mystic Ave
Medford

Ball Square Fine Wines
716 Broadway
Somerville

Quality Liquors
5 Gedney St
Salem

Greenwood Wine & Spirit
969 Main St
Wakefield

Atlas Liquors
665 Adams St
Quincy

Caporale’s Liquors
29 Broadway St
Wakefield

Cask N’ Keg
14 Clara Drive
Mystic

Thomas P McDonough
13 Water St
Wakefield

Liquor Wine Discount
670 Tolland Stage Road
Tolland

Bottle’s
372 Commerical St
Boston

Whole Foods
340 River St
Cambridge

South End Formaggio
268 Shawmut Ave
Boston

Bullard’s Market & Package
1 Green St
Medfield

Apple Country Markets
159 Mechanic St
Clinton

McKinlay’s Liquors
624 Main St
Holden

Villa Spirit Shoppe
591 Middle Turnpike
Storrs

Town Line Liquors
160 East Central St
Natick

Sunday, May 15, 12-3pm
Rock and Roll Hotel
353 H St. NE
Washington, DC 20002
(504) 529-5844

After serving New Orleans a mighty brunch, Nick Suarez and Theo Peck continue The Food Experiments multi-city national tour with a stop to our Nation’s Capital in mid-May. This time the theme is one of the greatest words in the non-English language: Taco.

From The Food Experiments:

Cook-off pros Nick Suarez and Theo Peck are excited to present the D.C. Taco Experiment, an amateur cook-off involving D.C.’s finest home chefs. Dishes will range from savory to sweet and will highlight the almighty taco in all shapes, sizes and forms! Someone may even be brave enough to create their own homemade Choco Taco! You may never look at another taco the same after attending the Food Experiments. Anyone can compete! Anyone can attend! And anyone can win! Sharpen your knives America, this is a call to all home chefs looking to be named the next cook-off king or queen of D.C.The winner will not only receive cash and achieve culinary glory, but will be flown to Brooklyn, NY to compete in the National cook-off title, the super-bowl of cook-offs held at Brooklyn Brewery. You, along with our professional judging panel choose the winners!? Do you have what it takes to win? Are you experimented…?

Get your experimental tickets here.

[A friendly toast with sommelier Ulla Häkkinen before destroying her in a Beer Vs Wine food pairing showdown]

Here in Brooklyn our minds are presently bent towards Scandinavia, as Brewmaster Garrett Oliver has traversed the Atlantic to partake in an exciting collaborative effort that has sent 150 bourbon barrels from Heaven Hill Distillery to Sweden, along with the entire Brooklyn brewing team, to barrel the 175th Anniversary version of Carlsberg’s classic Carnegie Porter.

See the slideshow below for pictures of barreling and beer dinners (and stay tuned for updates):

On the other side of the beer spectrum, the brewers will also celebrate the launch of Brooklyn Summer Ale at Marie Laveau, a popular bar, restaurant, nightclub and concert venue in Stockholm. And the trip wouldn’t be complete without a beer and food pairing: at the flagship Brooklyn venue in Stockholm, AG (partly owned by celebrated Swedish chef Johan Jureskog) the Brooklyn team will assist the staff in guiding guests to select the best Brooklyn beers with their meals.

[Garrett conducts a tasting at Marie Laveau]

Post-barreling, the brewers will head back home, but Garrett pushes on for a soiree of tastings and dinners, sprinkled with bar and restaurant visits and interviews from top Scandinavian media outlets, including TV appearances on Norway’s TV2 and Sweden’s FST. In Finland, the main event is a Beer & Wine Dinner at Grotesk. Garrett and sommelier Ulla Häkkinen from Restaurant Pöllöwaari in Jyväskylä will face off in a Beer v. Wine battle in front of an audience of 50 people. Ms. Häkkinen may have been awarded twice as the Sommelier of the Year, but Garrett is armed with an astounding track record of illuminating diners on the pleasure of pairing beer with food. Place your bets now! On to Norway, highlights include Garrett being presented with beer from the top Norwegian Home Brewer, and conducting a Brewmaster’s Buffet beer and food pairing event at Ringnes Beer Centre.

[UPDATE 5/5 :: Check out photos HERE of Garrett at the Ringnes Centre entertaining brewers, bloggers and beer lovers.]

Enjoy the Skype video interview with Garrett below from Beer Sweden. We’ll be posting more photos and video as they come in, so check back often!

Last week, Brooklyn Brewery President Steve Hindy along with Brand Manager Mike Ferry presided over what we believe to be the first organized beer tasting in the history of the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Steve arrived Wednesday night in a Pea Soup fog at the 49er Lodge to the delight of Company E-3, “Where Eagles Dare”. Beers tasted in order were Summer Ale, Lager, Pilsner, Local 1, Brown Ale and Black Ops. The respect and interest Company E-3 showed for Brooklyn Brewery and Steve’s experience in the Middle East was much appreciated. The feeling was mutual as Steve and Mike were each given plaques and the company patch as a thank you.

We’re hiring for a position in our Accounting Department.  If you’re good with numbers, you should probably apply.  Details below:

Accounts Payable Staff / Accounting Assistant
The Brooklyn Brewery

The Brooklyn Brewery, a leader in the growing craft brewing industry, is currently expanding and looking to add to our accounting team. We are seeking an individual with 3 – 5 years of Accounts Payable experience to handle all aspects of this function. The position will interact with all members of the accounting department as well as other areas of the organization. Additional accounting tasks will be incorporated into the position including approval of invoices and light general ledger work.

Successful candidates will be detail oriented and organized with a working knowledge of accounting software applications, as well as Microsoft Excel and Word. Candidates should email a cover letter and resume to resumes@brooklynbrewery.com. Please reference accounts payable in the subject line.

[Eric Ottaway Shirt Day 2011: A Blinding Success]

At the 2007 Brooklyn Brewery holiday party, our fearless GM Eric Ottaway (third from left) arrived with a tie-dye paisley garment decorating his upper body (not pictured). Not one to be undone by ceaseless jest, a year ago today Eric reported to duty in the office with the same eye popping shirt.

In honor of this unforgettable occasion, April 19 has been officially dubbed Eric Ottaway Shirt Day (more pics here), a self expression soiree for the brave and fashion forward*. Although only six partook this year, internal reports anticipate Eric Ottaway Shirt Day 2011 to more than quadruple in attendance.

[*beauty is in the eye of the beholder]

Earlier this week, the Brewers Association released their list of the Top 5o U.S. Breweries, based on 2010 beer sales volume. The BA breaks this information down into two lists: “Top 50 Craft Brewing Companies, comprising small and independent craft brewers, and the Top 50 Overall Brewing Companies”. The Brooklyn Brewery ranked 16 and 25, respectively.

Check out the full lists here.

Brooklyn Brewery President Steve Hindy and Brooklyn Brewery logo-creator Milton Glaser were both honored earlier this week at the annual Library Dinner of The Brooklyn Historical Society. Although Milton was under the weather and unable to attend, Steve read the following endearing words on his behalf:

Please excuse me for not showing up tonight. If there was any chance of me being able to stand up, I would certainly be here, particularly because I wanted to apologize to Brooklyn on this lovely occasion. Let me explain…

When I was growing up in the Bronx, there were only two countries that mattered: the Bronx and Brooklyn. They were long-time rivals, not over material goods, but rather which borough best represented the soul of New York. This all must have started with the Dodgers and the Yankees. As we know, competition can be stronger within the family than outside.

I once made the mistake of becoming romantically involved with a girl in Brooklyn. On Saturday nights, I would pick her up at her home (2 hours), subway into Manhattan for a movie (1 hour), take her back home (1 hour), and then return to the Bronx (2 hours). A total of 6 hours traveling. When I became aware that I could be arriving in Paris in the same amount of time, the relationship began to falter.

Some years later, I was given a 3-year art scholarship to Pratt Institute. I took the entrance exam and was notified that I had failed. I spoke with the dean about what to do, since I hadn’t applied anywhere else, “I can’t give you a scholarship if you can’t pass the entrance exam, but I have an idea. Take the night school examination, go to Pratt at night for a year, then transfer into day school and I’ll give you the balance of the scholarship.” I then took the night school examination and failed it. As far as I know, I am the only one who ever failed the night school exam. For a brief time, I went to Brooklyn College. But even without a girlfriend, I was spending 4 hours a day underground. Then I applied to Cooper Union, got in and continued my life. But I never got over the feeling that Brooklyn had betrayed me.

Many years later, about a quarter of a century ago, two guys came to see me at my studio – Tom Potter and Steve Hindy. They seemed nice enough, but had a completely wacky idea. They wanted to build a brewery in Brooklyn. They had a name for their beer, Brooklyn Eagle, perhaps for the venerable and respected newspaper that reflected Steve’s background working in journalism. I said, “Call it Brooklyn! Why do you want to be represented by a bird, when you can own the whole borough?” The rest is history.

Tom left Brooklyn to pursue other passions. The Ottaway Brothers, the brilliant Brewmaster Garrett Oliver, and Steve have continued and their success has been astonishing. The business has grown 20% each year. But more importantly, it has played a role in the transformation of the borough into one of the most desirable and lively parts of the entire city. From my point of view, the elevation of food and drink does more to improve life than your average museum. Finally, the best benefit of working with Steve on making Brooklyn Brewery useful was the development of a friendship, quite apart from our professional relationship. I can’t think of anyone that I would rather sit down and have a conversation (with or without a glass of beer) with than Steve.

Our friendship and work together has changed my perception of Brooklyn and I apologize for all my previous resentment. I now see Brooklyn as another dynamic fragment of the glorious urban tapestry called New York City. And feel that we are all fortunate to be living here and now.

Below is Steve at The Four Firkins in St. Louis Park, MN (the hometown of our Midwest Brand Manager Mike Maraghy):

Brewmaster’s Reserve Texas Launch Party
Wednesday, April 13, 6pm
Vickery Park
2810 North Henderson Ave
Dallas TX 75206

We are excited to announce that our Brewmaster’s Reserve line of draft-only specialty beers has broken the borders of Texas, and will for the first time be available State-wide. To celebrate, we’re having a tapping party in Dallas on April 13. Join us for the Texas Launch of Brewmaster’s Reserve featuring Main Engine Start (referred to affectionately as “MES”), an Abbey Singel and the first brew from our new Brooklyn brewhouse.

We can’t wait to MES with Texas.

Well, the 78th Anniversary of the “Soft Opening” of Prohibition Repeal, that is.

On April 7th, 1933 FDR officially repealed the “Volstead Act“, better known as Prohibition. It was 8 months before alcohol would be made completely legal in the US, but today was the day that beer up to 3.2% ABV could be legally sold.

That means TODAY is a day to celebrate session beers!  Brooklyn’s Dry Irish Stout, while not legal in 1933, is the lowest alcohol beer we’ve ever made (4.3% ABV) and packed with flavor. Drink up!

CNN, and The Brooklyn Brewery, would love for you to “watch in the weeks to come as Hindy joins our Michael Wu, CEO of Maxim’s Group in Hong Kong, and Sarah Curran, CEO of my-wardrobe.com in London, as part of our yearlong, in-depth look at what it’s like to be ‘The Boss.’”

Please enjoy the first episode here:

We are very excited to announce that The Brooklyn Brewery is now available in the great state of Minnesota (admitted to the Union May 11, 1858 as the 32nd State). To celebrate, we have a plethora of beer-related events planned in the region, and more to be announced very soon.

Present at all Tastings will be Brooklyn Lager, Brown, Summer Ale, East India Pale Ale, Local 1 & Local 2. To our new Minnesotan friends: enjoy!

Tuesday April 5
3pm South Lyndale Tasting
3pm Haskell’s Woodbury Tasting
3pm 1st Grand Tasting
5pm McDonald Liquor Tasting
5pm Cellar’s Woodbury Tasting
5:30pm Four Firkins Tasting/Book Signing
7pm Mac’s Industrial “Working Man’s” Beer Dinner
7:30pm St Paul Pub Crawl (Fabulous Fern’s, the Happy Gnome, Muddy Pig, Sweeny’s, Billy’s on Grand, Old Chicago Roseville, Grumpy’s Roseville)

Wednesday April 6
1pm Edina Muni #2 Tasting
3pm Blue Max Tasting
3pm Lake Wine & Cheese Tasting
3pm Big Top Midway Tasting
6pm Hanger Room Sampling/Cheese Pairing
7pm Bryant Lake Bowl “Bowling for Brooklyns” Party

Thursday April 7
3pm Saint Anthony Village #1 Tasting
5pm Campus and Downtown Minneapolis Pub Crawl: 5:30-6pm- Zelo; 6:15-6:45- Burrito Loco; 7-7:45- Stubs & Herbs; 8-8:45- The Local; 9-10pm- Sneaky Petes

Friday April 8
12pm MacKenzie’s Pub Twins Home Opener Ticket Giveaway: we’ll be awarding 2 pairs of tickets for the first Twins game of the year (seats near left field) and ever appropriately pouring Pennant Ale ’55
4pm Dennis Bros tasting

Saturday April 9
3pm Running Aces Beerfest

Tuesday April 12
5pm Busters: come meet our MN Brand Manager Mike Maraghy, enjoy discounted pints of Brooklyn Lager, Summer and Pennant Ale ’55, and get some free merch!

Thursday April 21
5pm Liquor Barrel Tasting

SMALL BATCH BREWERY TOURS
Mon- Thurs, 5-7pm, Reservation Only
25 people max, $8

It used to be that we’d be lucky to cobble together 15 brave souls to visit the wilds of Williamsburg, Brooklyn on a Saturday afternoon. Now, we’re proud to say that The Brooklyn Brewery hosts a bustling crowd of beer enthusiasts, neighbors, tourists and all sorts of thirsty people, all weekend long.

Our recent expansion has also allowed us to offer small, reservation-only weeknight tours from Monday-Thursday. You simply must be over 21 or accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Dogs aren’t really a problem (although Monster the cat has been known to get feisty). One can order food delivered to The Brewery or you can bring your own. See below for our public hours, and visit when convenient.

Finally, the curious, interested and thirsty can have their chance to visit The Brooklyn Brewery during the work week. But you do have to plan ahead as our Small Batch Brewery Tours are reservation-only and limited to 25 people ($8 per person). Things get going promptly at 5pm with a guided tasting of 4 different Brooklyn beers. Our guide will then take you on a 30-45 min tour of our facilities. Afterwards, one is welcome to get a couple of pints or purchase dry goods and souvenirs at The Company Store.

To reserve your spot email tours@brooklynbrewery.com and let us know how many are in your party and the name of each guest. We will be checking IDs at the door.

FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR

6-11pm every Friday, Free

There are no tours but you can have your pick of up to 8 draft beers and our growing number of Big Bottles. Start your Williamsburg night right. As always, beer tokens are $4 each or 6 for $20.

SATURDAY

Noon – 8pm, Free :: No Reservation Required

Tours at 1pm , 2pm, 3pm 4pm and 5pm

The bar opens early and the tables fill up early too. Feel free to bring a snack or order delivery while you wait for a free tour. And have fun. Definitely try to have fun.

SUNDAY

Noon – 6pm, Free :: No Reservation Required

Tours at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm

Sundays are the most relaxing day here at Brooklyn Brewery. Join us for a taste of your favorite Brooklyn. Don’t forget to try something new before you leave. Also you should probably buy a hoodie: http://brooklynbrewery.com/bk-zippered-hoodie

It’s taken 5 years, a search for space that reached hundreds of square miles and an international collaboration unmatched in New York. Co-Founder Steve Hindy, Brewmaster Garrett Oliver and The Brooklyn Brewery are proud to celebrate the unveiling of Expansion Phase 1 with the first brew from our new brewhouse: Brooklyn Main Engine Start.

For your chance to win a pair of tickets to this momentous event, email info@brooklynbrewery.com with the answer to this question:

What former Bushwick brewery building was the first home for the brand new Brooklyn Brewery in 1988?

UPDATE 2/14/2011: Thanks to everyone who submitted an answer! The first home The BB was the Huber-Hittleman brewery on Meserole Street in Bushwick.

Swedish beer blog Beer Sweden has declared tomorrow, February 1, Black Chocolate Stout Day. “That’s because tomorrow,” says the blog, “marks the annual return of one of the biggest, tastiest and best value-for-money beers you can buy in Sweden – Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout.”

Cheers to you, Sweden! We’ll be sure to enjoy a few bottles of BCS with you tomorrow (and today too, just for good measure).

The Brooklyn Brewery – the official and exclusive beer sponsor of the 2011 Miami Marathon – is providing runners with more than just glory and endorphins to enjoy at the end of the race this Sunday. After they’ve trotted and trudged their way over the 26 mile course, the sweet reward is cold 7oz samples of Brooklyn Lager and Shackmeister Ale lovingly provided by The Brooklyn Brewery. Spectators will receive a double dose of regret as they not only wish they were in any kind of shape to run 138,000 feet, but also realize they’ve missed out on a chance to imbibe finely crafted beer as a reward for their stellar athletic efforts.

Dear everyone: Happy New Year! Here’s to a great year ahead, and the best of luck with our resolutions, no matter how fantastic or far-fetched. Let’s hit the ground running in 2011 with some exciting news from our President, Steve Hindy:

I am pleased to say I have been elected to the Board of Directors of The Brewers’ Association. Many craft beer fans may not be aware of the good work the BA does in promoting craft brewing and beer, and protecting it from those who would like to limit consumers’ access to beer and raise beer taxes. Based in Boulder, CO, the BA runs the Great American Beer Festival, the Craft Brewers Conference and SAVOR, an annual beer and food tasting that has been held in Washington, DC, for several years. The BA gathers statistics on the industry and serves as a resource for journalists writing about craft beer. It also runs the American Homebrewers’ Association. The BA is led by Charlie Papazian, the father of modern American homebrewing. I served on the board of the brewers association from 1998 until 2007, and then stepped down for three years. I am hoping that the Craft Brewers Conference will come to New York City sometime in the near future.  And I also would like to see SAVOR move to other cities around the country.

Before 2011, Pamela Anderson, Chloë Sevigny, and Brooklyn Brewery President Steve Hindy and Brewmaster Garrett Oliver had little in common. But in January, we can see a bit more* of all these fine folks in Playboy as they grace the magazine’s first issue of 2011.

Let us not forget to old adage, “I read Playboy for the articles,” as we flip through to learn more about the founding of the company and both Hindy and Oliver’s professional beginnings. And, of course, any profile of The Brooklyn Brewery would not be complete without mention of Monster the cat.

[*not literally, mind you]

There certainly has been a lot of articles about Brooklyn culture’s prominently rising stock. Of course we’re referring to the Borough of Brooklyn, not just our beer. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (which was almost our brewery’s namesake at one point) summarizes all the chatter here.

Triple Pundit is doing a series on sustainability in the brewing industry, and The Brooklyn Brewery is proud to be featured. Click HERE to read about the ways The Brewery keeps itself green, including some interesting details on the efficiency of the new brewing system.

It’s time to buy everyone presents. But what should you buy? Of course we’re biased towards the wonderful new products featured in our brand new webstore, but if you already have that stuff check out NY Press’s list of edible gifts here.

Our friends, Liddabit Sweets made the list with their famous beer-infused caramels:

Beer & Pretzel Caramels $13.25 for a dozen at Liddabit Sweets, Brooklyn Flea, 1 Hanson Pl. (at Flatbush Ave), no phone

Upgrade your beer buddy’s gift this year with these caramels from local and organic candy makers Liddabit Sweets. Brooklyn Brewery’s Brown Ale and East India Pale Ale are infused into chewy caramel with salty chunks of Martin’s pretzels for an irresistible morsel of melt-inyour-mouth goodness.”

If you’re interested in food, and we most definitely are, you should find this post on David Chang’s recent lecture/demo at Harvard. All sorts of weird stuff is going on.

There was never a doubt that Brooklyn loves comedy. Pretty cool to see that comedy loves Brooklyn, too.

]]> http://brooklynbrewery.com/blog/news/actual-celebrity-drinks-brooklyn-lager/feed/ 0