KegWorks Blog

So, it’s another hot day here in “th’Buff” and as a result of having my brain nearly cooked in my own skull, I found myself looking on the Internet for things that will help me think cool thoughts while on my lunch break. It’s not that the AC here at KegWorks is on the fritz or that someone neglected to pay the bill, it’s just that as I look out my window it just looks even hotter, muggier and stickier than earlier - and that is definitely not within my 5 degree temperature tolerance range. I just know that the moment I step outside I’ll be stewed in my own juices. Blech! Think cool thoughts, Ed. Think cool thoughts…

Found one. If this one doesn’t help, I don’t know what will…

One of the things on my Great, Big Fun ‘To Do’ List of Life is to visit Sweden during the winter. Aaaaah, winter. Apart from soaking up Scandinavian culture, the medieval and gothic architecture – (not to mention scoping out tall, fair-haired hotties) – I’ve always wanted to stay in the Ice Hotel for a night or two and throw back a couple at the Absolut Ice Bar in Jukkasjärvi. I’ve read about them extensively, seen photos of the hotel and bar all over the internet, and have even watched lengthy Discovery Channel–type episodes on the “behind the scenes” planning and construction of the Ice Hotel and Bar. Not only are they both feats of temporary architectural wonder and an artistic feast for the eyes, but they are cool – COLD compared to the weather outside today. Check out these suites, for example. Aaaaah. That’s the stuff. I’m feeling cooler already.

Sweden isn’t the only location you’ll find an Absolut Ice Bar. These amazing structures have sprung up in Stockholm, Copenhagen, London, and Tokyo – just to name a few. Other, non-Absolut ice bars and hotels have been known to spring up in Quebec, Finland, Norway, and Romania.

Since I can’t exactly make it to either the Ice Hotel or the Ice Bar this year, I can at least simulate part of the experience by using my new Cool Shooters Ice Shot Glass Mold and by standing in front of the AC set to full speed.

Here’s to cooler heads and cooler days!

TAGS [ ICE BAR | ABSOLUT | ABSOLUT ICE BAR | ICE HOTEL ]

Cost of living is steadily growing out of control - gas, smokes, food, beer - and now some restaurant owners are counting on new technology to help keep tabs on the draft beer leaving their kegs.

As cited in this article on Beer Advocate, draft beer is a leading profit maker for restaurants and bars, since its gross profit margin is around 85%. However, many bars are losing money due to wasted beer from poor pours and crafty bartenders, giving away free brews for more tips (hmmmm… I don’t know any bartenders like that… ha!).

Now, after countless years of lost profit, technology is coming to the rescue of bar and restaurant owners. A new system invented in Syracuse, NY, called BevManager, is filtrating our brewpubs, giving owners the ability to track each and every ounce of beer that leaves the keg. Once flow meters are installed in each beer line between the keg and faucet, the owner can track and compare ounces of beer poured versus dollars paid.

Not only does this new technology curb loss, but it aids bar and restaurant owners in inventory management, order placement and more. A number of chain restaurants have already adopted this technology… I just hope my favorite hole-in-the-wall doesn’t jump on the wagon, at least not yet.

TAGS [ DRAFT BEER | BEV MANAGER | BEER CONTROL SYSTEM ]

According to the Environmental News Service, the flex-fuel vehicles to be used at the Democratic National Convention in Denver next month will be running on beer.

Yep, beer.

To be specific, waste beer from Coors brewing.

Molson Coors is donating enough clean-burning ethanol fuel for the fleet of 400 General Motors flex-fuel vehicles that will meet all of the convention’s transportation needs. Those using the fleet of beer-operated automobiles will include the U.S. House and Senate leadership, DNC officials, state party chairs, delegates, staff and members of the media.

Molson Coors CEO Leo Kiely commented “We are pleased that our waste beer can fuel the convention fleet and help support an environmentally conscious convention.” To go along with the fuel, Coors will also be providing the convention with beer.

The ethanol Coors is donating is not of the corn-based variety but made from waste beer generated at their brewery in Golden, Colorado which now produces three million gallons of this cleaner-burning fuel annually. As it turns out, Coors has been converting their beer waste to ethanol since 1996.

With 11 flex-fuel models for 2008 and more than 15 planned for 2009, GM has pledged that half of the vehicles they produce by 2012 will be flex-fuel capable. There are already two million flex-fuel vehicles on the road today.

Who knows, someday soon “stopping at the gas station for beer” might have a whole new meaning.

Less beer wasted and a cleaner planet? I’ll drink to that.

TAGS [ ETHANOL | BEER | COORS | MOLSON | BEER FUEL | FLEX FUEL ]

Not too long ago I used to partake in a hefty amount of alcohol consumption. I would often get hangovers. That still was not enough to keep me away from the strip of bars that were walking distance from my apartment. These days it’s rare that I don’t feel very sick after a few too many drinks. Here is a graphic description of how a typical hangover takes affect along with some visual aids.

First you need to question the things alcohol does to you before you feel all crappy.

1. Karaoke?
2. Telling people you love them?
3. Telling long stories?
4. Fights / Beer Muscles?
5. Trying to challenge someone who is way bigger than you?

Next is the realization that you have had too much and you will be paying the price. Let me take this opportunity to state the obvious. NEVER drink and drive and NEVER let your friends drive drunk.

I have tried some of those hangover remedies that you find in stores. They don’t seem to help me at all. I have my own tricks and techniques for the pain and sickness:

1. Cool off - getting in a cool room or getting some ice water and a cold cloth for my head really helps, even before the headache starts.

2. Good distractions - play music or TV or something that will take your mid off of the stupid thing you just did to yourself.

3. Get comfortable - no matter what it takes, get into a position that settles your body and head down. Go ahead and straddle the arm of your couch if it feels right.

4. Lights out - you know as soon as you can, you want to sleep, so prepare for bed. Sleep is your main goal.

5. Be prepared - get everything you need within reach:

• Leave vital lights on
• Make sure the bathroom is clear
• Keep ice handy
• Lots of water and whatever you use to re-hydrate

One more thing, make sure you have nothing to do the next day. Chances are you will not be leaving the bed until the next evening.

Good luck!

TAGS [ HANGOVER | HANG OVER | HANGOVERS | HANGOVER REMEDIES | HANGOVER REMEDY ]

Ladies and gentlemen, I am sorry I do not have tales from the humidor or the nineteenth hole this week. Instead I came across another blog regarding beer’s cousin, Boza, from Turkey and I just had to share this with all of you, Enjoy!

Bulgaria reportedly has a breast-enhancing beer:
Sources here. “Bulgaria’s ‘Boza’ beer is a traditional Turkish drink made from wheat flour and yeast and is reputed to enlarge women’s breasts. Apparently, though, customs duties on the beer were too high to be worth bringing the drink out of Bulgaria… until now. When Bulgaria joined the European Union, those duties were abolished and now European men have been flocking to Bulgaria to stock up on the beer for their wives/girlfriends. Don’t get your hopes up, guys.”

TAGS [ BOZA | BOZA BEER | BREAST ENHANCING BEER | BULGARIAN BEER ]

I was snooping around the interweb this morning, and came upon some quite bizarre photos. According to the site, the guy who lived in this house did so for 8 years, and was thought to be the best tenant ever, since he never bothered landlords for fixes or random problems in the house. Obviously, he was keeping himself busy with other activities…

Now, that’s a LOT of Coors Light. I mean, whoa. I imagine that whoever ended up bringing all of those back got a hefty deposit return. I guess that’s one way to put money away until you really need it - that is, if you don’t mind wading through smelly aluminum cans in the interim.

TAGS [ BEER | COORS | COORS LIGHT | BEER CANS | BEER CAN HOUSE | BEER NEWS ]

This morning, upon opening my email for the day, I was presented with an article, “A Pint-Sized Problem,” sent by Dave. Although I’ve heard of pubs and restaurants, here and there, shorting patrons on their brews of choice, I had no idea it was such a prevalent problem.

Turns out quite a few establishments are turning to 14-ounce glasses, usually the size and shape of a 16-ounce pint, but with thicker glass on the sides or on the bottom of the glass, especially since the prices on hops and barley have risen so much. On top of serving inadequate pints, bartenders are also charging more. Less beer for more money? Perish the thought… and yet, it’s happening more and more often. I noted from the article that bars can get 20 more beers out of a keg by serving 14-ounce glasses instead of a true pint. What’s a beer lover to do?

Luckily, you and I aren’t the only ones upset about the Less for More Pour. And not all establishments are jumping on this wagon. Portland, Oregon’s Raccoon Lodge has begun serving beer in 20-ounce glasses, instead of 16-ounce pints;

“The 16-ounce glasses held only about 14.5 ounces, says restaurant manager Lisa Crombie; the 20-ounce glasses hold about 18 ounces. ‘We just thought it was fair,’ Ms. Crombie says. ‘People were paying for a pint, so they should get a pint.’”

Cheers to Raccoon Lodge for truly fulfilling the pint, as it should be. (You do know that an actual pint in Britain is 20 ounces, right? How did we fall into 16-ounce pints here, anyway???)

Think I’ll stop out for a tasty brew tonight, and try some measuring at my own favorite hole-in-the-wall. If I find that I’m being shorted on a weekly basis, I know where my preferred bar can get some true, 16-ounce pint glasses…

What can you do about puny pints in your own neck of the woods? Well, beer activists are currently chatting about creating stickers for the windows of bars that serve true 16-ounce pints. This way, patrons can take their money places that they know won’t stiff them on their favorite brews. Prefer to take immediate action? The article suggests that you try asking for a “top-off” once the foam settles. And why not? I do it every time I’m out for coffee; why not beer? Most likely, you won’t be denied… at least that’s the hope.

TAGS [ BEER | BEER PINT | PINT GLASSES | PINTS | FALSIES | HOPS SHORTAGE | DRAFT BEER | BEERS ]