Jay Brooks used to be the General Manager for Celebrator Beer News. Now he’s a full-time dad who writes for pretty much every notable beer publication in existence. He still does pieces for the Celebrator, runs his own beer blog called Brookston Beer Bulletin, writes for the San Francisco Chronicle, and also took over the Bottoms Up blog in the Oakland Tribune. He has a regular column called The Left Coaster in Ale Street News and another column called The Craftsman in Modern Brewery Age. He’s done features for Beer Advocate, Beer NW, DRAFT and countless other magazines and blogs. This is a guy who really knows his beer.

I recently subscribed to his blog and I rather enjoy it. He writes in a way that makes you want to sit down and have a beer with him. Some of his articles are serious while a lot of the content is fun (I particularly like the vintage beer ads and wide array of beer quotes, many of which I’m reading for the first time.) When you’re all done reading the latest KegWorks post(s), I suggest checking it out.

TAGS [ BROOKSTON BEER BULLETIN | BEER NEWS ]

Until March 2010 when the state declared a new "high proof beer" law, brewers in Iowa had to limit their beers to potencies of 6.25% ABV or below. Now, with the ability to make beers as high as 15%, Iowans have a reason to celebrate.

Millstream Brewing Co. is commemorating the one year anniversary with Hop2 Double IPA, a 7.8% ABV Imperial India Pale Ale. Under Iowa’s old law, although the brewery may have been able to brew it, they would not have been able to sell it by the bottle.

According to press-citizen.com Chris Priebe, Millstream’s brewmaster said, "It’s great. It’s really broadened my ability to brew. It’s increased our range of product, opened up the recipes we can use, and even improved some of the beers we made already."

Of course, the law wasn’t changed in order to get people intoxicated faster (anyone who cares for craft beer knows this) but "it is more about embracing the flavors – more malt, more hops, more yeast characteristics. These are beers not bought by the 12-pack. They are bought as single beers to be savored," said Dave Coy, brewmaster of Raccoon River Brewing Co.

More flavor and complexity for brewers and consumers alike? Now that’s something worth celebrating!

TAGS [ BEER LAW | IOWA BEER LAW | MILLSTREAM BREWING CO | HOP2 DOUBLE IPA ]