KegWorks Blog

Tap handles are a great way to express yourself and give your bar a personalized touch. One of the brewpubs here in our hometown took that idea to a new level and mounted a 25-foot-tall tap handle to the outside of their massive brick building, located in downtown Buffalo, NY.

The 2-ton “Lake Effect Man” was recently added to enhance the identity of Pearl Street Grill and Brewery and lure more customers. Visible from the Niagara Thruway, the “Lake Effect Man” is an absolute icon and will become a central party of Pearl Street’s marketing. The sculpted beer tap features a scruffy man, bundled up with a hat pulled down around his eyes, as if he is shielding himself from the bitter elements (perhaps the lake effect snow that plagues Buffalo for several months a year). Lake Effect also happens to be the name of one of the brewery’s flagship offerings, a strong American Pale Ale with abundant hop flavor and aroma.

The giant silver beer tap was designed by Buffalo artist Tom Bower and built by Eric Zimmerman of Visual Impact Signs, in East Aurora. The exciting addition to the exterior of the building is the most visual part of the brewery’s $3 million expansion. Pearl Street has plans to become the largest brewpub in the world as measured by sales. By October of this year, their fermenting capacity will double and their offerings of microbrews will jump from five to 13.

I’m thrilled to see one of my favorite local establishments doing so well and as a marketing dork, I love the idea behind “Lake Effect Man.” Kudos Pearl Street, keep up the great work.

TAGS [ BREWPUB | BREWERY | MICROBREWS | PEARL STREET | BUFFALO | DRAFT BEER ]

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When it comes to beer, I’ll take it any way that you want to give it to me. Bottled, canned, draft – I love it all!

However, I’ve always been an advertising enthusiast and packaging tends to intrigue me. Often times I’ll stand at the grocery store and come to terms with the fact that the bottle of syrup I’ve just put in my cart is priced $1 higher than the boring looking bottle that was next to it on the shelf, not because the syrup inside tastes any better but simply because the packaging is more elaborate. I understand it, I embrace it and I gladly fork over another dollar for my maple leaf shaped bottle.

So, I’ve been wondering if are there really any high-level differences (besides the obvious factors of style and stereotypes, of course) when it comes to the containers in which beer is shipped and sold.

Here are some key points of interest:

Glass Bottles

Most beer bottles are amber or green colored because the full spectrum of daylight can have unfavorable effects on beer, over a period of time. Ultraviolet rays are especially harmful, as they promote chemical reactions that produce “off flavors” and take away from the freshness of a beer. Dark glass hinders this photochemical effect, whereas clear glass gives the light full access to the beer. Most bottles today are dark green or amber, including those in the Mr. Beer Bottling System that we sell. For reasons unknown, a limited number of breweries (particularly British ones) are braving the light and have decided to stick with their traditional practice of using clear glass bottles.

Aluminum Cans

Aluminum cans are typically associated with the more “economical” end of the beer market, popular for supermarkets and bulk casing. Although cans do not fit the image of the more premium craft-brewed products, there is no real reason that high-quality beer cannot be sold in cans. Some craft brewers are beginning to launch canned products, however using cans instead of bottles is actually more expensive for smaller brewers, due to the high costs of the pasteurization and packing equipment required for canned beer.

Growlers

A growler is a plastic or glass container used for selling fresh draft beer, straight from the tap. Growlers are fantastic when you plan to drink your beer shortly after purchasing it. When you buy beer in a growler, generally from a brewery, it must stay refrigerated and be consumed within a couple of days.

TAGS [ GROWLERS | BEER | BEER BOTTLE | BEER CAN | DRAFT BEER | GROWLER ]

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I made a purchase the other day that is revolutionizing my golfing experience! I bought a Bag Boy Push Cart. This item is awesome. Not only can I save money at the course and not have to rent the courses garbage pushcart now I really enjoy walking 18. It is not only good exercise, but it is about the only exercise I get, so why not make it more pleasant.

First of all the Bag Boy Pushcart has a cup holder, an absolute necessity worth the $100 right there. It also has some bonus features. The piece that holds the score card lifts up so that I can store my lighter and cutter for my cigars, making these items easily accessible and out of the way when not in use.

This cart also comes with an umbrella holder, so I put it on the cart while I was assembling it because if I left it lying around I would lose it, even though I never carry an umbrella. Luckily I did put it on, because the first round I played with the new cart was early in the morning and the ground was covered in dew; terrible conditions for putting a cigar down while hitting. Well, the umbrella holder is perfect because you can adjust the angle so it is horizontal and a smoke slides right in and lays nice and level while you take you next shot. The umbrella holder will hold any size cigar. Perfect! Never been more pleased with a purchase.

TAGS [ GOLF | GOLFING | BAG BOY PUSH CART ]

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Beyond its burgundy-trimmed exterior, under the somewhat generic liquor sign, a wine and beer lover’s paradise awaits. It’s not one of those chain liquor megastores and that is its charm and appeal. In fact, if you’re taking a stroll just south of Chevy Chase Circle in Washington, D.C., you may pass right by it if you’re not paying attention.

Let me introduce you to Chevy Chase Wine and Spirits - the latest find on my list great places to shop if you’re out to whet your whistle.

You see, I recently had the misfortune of having to travel to D.C. for a family medical emergency, but don’t worry, I won’t buzz kill this post with the details. In one of the few, brief moments I had as “down time” during my trip, I stumbled across this gem of a store.

Many who know me personally will tell you that I went into the store as part of my ongoing quest to source Bitburger Beer in the United States - which many of you may recall from one of my previous posts. They aren’t completely wrong.

Although the store’s main focus is wine (yeah, I’d say that carrying over 5,000 wines from around the world constitutes a focus), it is their beer selection - which boasts a hefty 1,200 brands - that really got my immediate attention. Truly, this store is the stuff from which dreams are born.

Shelf upon shelf is stacked with single-stocked rows of bottled beers from around the world and the U.S., reading like the Library of Congress for bottled beer. You’ll never see the same beer twice. Go on, name one. Chances are they have it.

Excuse me for a moment while I act like a kid in a candy store.

In fact, CCWS was the recipient of great recognition by Beer Aficionado Magazine. It’s not surprising that Chevy Chase Wine and Spirits have received such high praise. After all, they’ve been in business since 1934 and their staff has a combined 70 years experience in the business.

If neither wine nor beer is to your taste, perhaps CCWS can also tempt you with their great, big selection of vodka, scotch, cognac, bourbon, rum and other spirits, including our latest fav, absinthe.

If CCWS doesn’t have what you’re looking for, they’ll get it for you. In fact, I’ve already reserved a six-pack of my favorite German beer for my next trip to D.C. I can hardly wait.

Thank you, Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits!

TAGS [ CHEVY CHASE WINE AND SPIRITS | WASHINGTON DC | LIQUOR STORES | WINE | ABSINTHE ]

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What type of golfing cigar smoker are you? Over the years I have noticed three types of cigar smokers on the course:

1. Those that smoke the “best” cigars.
2. Those that smoke “golf” cigars.
3. Those that smoke anything that will burn.

Type 1 cigar smokers take the opportunity they have on the course as a chance to smoke a nice cigar, something they consider top notch. They usually don’t often have the opportunity to smoke any other time. Whether they are busy and can’t block the time out or whatever. Their golf time and their cigar time are one and the same.

The type 2 cigar smoker regularly enjoys a cigar usually at the cigar shop with guys, or on the porch after a tough day at work. Therefore, the golf course is just another place to light up. These types usually have a stock of “golf” cigars. These are smokes that the person would normally not smoke given a choice. However they make a perfect stick for the golf course. Given the sometimes windy conditions and distractions on the golf course, such as playing golf and flirting with the cart girl, the type 2 person prefers the “golf” cigars because, given the unfortunate event of a bad shot or deflated ego should the cigar accidentally hit the nearest tree with blazing speed, it is not a big deal. You simply pull out another “golf” cigar and carry on.

Then every cigar smoker has played with the Type 3 guy. He will bum anything he can get his hands on, and you, not wanting to be rude, have to give him something; you don’t want to part with one of your premium smokes. Hopefully you have your “golf” cigars; again no big deal and everyone is happy.

Advantage – Type 2 guy!

TAGS [ GOLF | GOLFING | CIGAR | CIGARS ]

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On Trial

In the latter part of the 19th Century, French wine growers faced declining wine production in the wake of an insect infestation that decimated crops. Absinthe gained popularity in the vacuum created by the absence of wine. Attempting to recover from disaster, the wine industry sought demonize absinthe, saying that it made homicidal maniacs of men and turned God-fearing women into harlots.

The coup de grace came during the famous case of a Swiss man named Mr. Jean Lanfray, who was convicted of murdering his pregnant wife and two children. Police revealed that Mr. Lanfray had consumed 7 glasses of wine, 2 crème de menthes, 6 glasses of cognac, and a coffee laced with brandy – along with two ounces of absinthe. The trial lasted a single day and by dusk, the murders were solely blamed on the influence of absinthe. (Clearly the excessive wine and

liquor had nothing to do with it.). What followed in the wake of such “evidence” led to a complete ban on absinthe in many countries.

Dispelling Myth

As an element of propaganda, absinthe was reported to be a hallucinogen and had an ill-gotten reputation for causing insanity. The fact is absinthe does not cause hallucinations. Reports of hallucinations are likely the result of poor quality materials and the results of contamination –including heavy metals (which can be poisonous and cause hallucinations). After all, with absinthe becoming increasingly popular in the absence of wine, everyone wanted in on the business. Not all absinthe producers were legit and many inferior (and sometimes deadly) products were available in the high-demand market of absinthe production.

It was once believed that Vincent Van Gogh had lobbed off his famous ear as a result of absinthe consumption. This rather hysterical notion fades into obscurity since we now understand that Van Gogh suffered from bipolar disorder, amongst other mental conditions. (So much for absinthe being the cause of insanity.)

Thujone, the chemical compound found in wormwood is not a cannabinoid, nor is it related to cannabis. This assumption was originally made because the chemical structure of thujone closely resembles that of THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol– which is the psychoactive chemical found in cannabis). As anyone who knows the difference between a duck and a goose can tell you, just because they appear to be the same, doesn’t mean they are the same. Thujone’s psychedelic and psychoactive effects, if any, are minuscule at best. Modern absinthes, depending on the country of origin, have little or no thujone and are highly regulated in many countries. Some myths never die.

Reported states of heightened lucidity have been reported during absinthe consumption – which is likely the result of the herbs used in production. Some herbs have calming effects, while others have stimulating effects. In fact, some of the herbs in absinthe also have anti-parasitic and even painkilling properties.

Looking Forward

Many may dismiss the reemergence of absinthe as mere trend, as the latest flavor of the week. Others will embrace it openly.

Regardless of modern acceptance, absinthe will continue to be a waypoint in our history, representing a period of time when our eyes were opened and we looked into the future with inquisitive, optimistic eyes; when we peered from behind the curtains of obscurity and uncovered the truths about our existence and our perceptions of the universe in which we live. We breathed a life into our arts and stepped bravely into the future.

TAGS [ ABSINTHE | ABSINTH | ABSINTHE HISTORY ]

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The 19th Century marked a time of great invention and discovery. Mankind made many significant leaps forward during this short, hundred years. The discoveries of this time laid the foundation the 20th Century and the advancements in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, art, and society which we sometimes take for granted today.

It was the time of the great masters of art, the Industrial Revolution, and the beginning of the end for slavery. The Origin of Species shook religious belief to its foundation and a serial killer known as Jack the Ripper stalked London by night.

It was also an era of influence, indulgence, and inspiration. It was the time of la Fée Verte - The Green Fairy.

If you’re like me, what you don’t know about absinthe can probably fill a room or two; that is, unless you’re a connoisseur. I’m not, so I did quite a bit of research on the subject to educate myself and I’d like to share some of my more interesting finds with you. So, grab a spoon and a sugar cube, sit back, relax, pour yourself an ounce of vintage Pernod Fils and set up your ice water drip as we swim through the louche to uncover the facts and fiction surrounding the mysterious spirit known as absinthe.

Into the Green

Absinthe is a high alcohol spirit (ranging from 45%-80% alcohol by volume) distilled from a variety of herbs. It is classified as a spirit and not a liqueur because it is not bottled with added sugar.

The original absinthes (as opposed to modern ones) included an ingredient called Artemisia absinthium or grande wormwood which contains a chemical called thujone. (More on thujone later) Other herbs used in making absinthe were green anise, petite wormwood (Atesmisia pontica), fennel and hyssop.

Absinthe gets its green color from the chlorophyll of the macerated herbs used in its creation although, not all absinthes are green. In fact, some are clear and some are naturally rouge or rose colored because hibiscus flowers were used in its production.

The Ritual

The process of preparing an absinthe drink is referred to as “the ritual” – and rightly so. It is a relatively slow process that requires some patience, but as they say, “All good things come to those who wait.”

Start by pouring 1-1½ ounces of absinthe into a glass. Place a sugar cube on a specially designed, slotted or perforated spoon, which rests across the rim of the glass. Using an absinthe fountain, fresh ice water is slowly dripped over the sugar cube into the absinthe. This process sweetens the otherwise bitter absinthe and, in the process, causes the spirit to become cloudy. This is called “louching.” The cold water helps to release the oils from the herbs, giving the drink a strong herbal flavor.

Check back soon for myths and the future of absinthe, in Absinthe Minded - Part 2.

TAGS [ ABSINTHE | ABSINTHE FOUNTAIN | ABSINTHE HISTORY | ABSINTHE GLASSES | ABSINTHE SPOONS ]

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