Electric Football inventor Norman Sas, with Pete Rozelle

If you are in the same demographic range as Hooch & Hops then you might have grown up with Electric Football.  Not to brag, but I was nasty from downtown on the FG’s.  The Buffalo Bills ‘Electric Company,’ featuring O.J. Simpson was one of the earl teams.  It is then with a heavy heart that we note the passing of Norman Sas, inventor of Electric football.  The reason were featuring it on a beer blog is the games vital role in the creation in one of the best IPA’s in the country.  Sam Calagione and Dogfish Head Beer used the playing field from the game to shake the hops into the test batches of what turned out to be 90 Minute IPA.  Continual dry hopping reached a whole new level.  So, the next time you drink a 90 take a minute to remember the man who created one of the all time great games.

The result of 90 minutes of continual hopping thanks to Electric Football

William Penn on top of City Hall keeps an eye on all the breweries in Philly.

It is go time folks.  Philly Beer Week is upon us and Hooch and Hops is here cover as much of the festivities as is humanly possible.  We will be starting out at the Independence Hall Visitor Center where Mayor Michael Nutter will be tapping the first keg.  The Mayor will be wielding the Hammer of Glory (seen below) to officially kick off Philly Beer Week.  Keep an eye on our twitter feed (@hoochandhops) and our FB page here for updates.  Drink Better!

Pat

This is the Hammer of Glory which Mayor Nutter will wield this weekend.

The following is a post that I wrote following my first trip to Philly Beer Week (2011).  We will be posting a series of articles as we prep for Philly Beer Week 2012.  

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The crowd outside of The Farmer’s Cabinet was 20 deep when we arrived at 1045am.

Mark, Christine, and I arrived at The Farmer’s Cabinet at approximately 10:45am and none of us were surprised to see a crowd of about twenty people already waiting to get into the restaurant.  From the outside, The Farmer’s Cabinet is rather unassuming and fairly indistinguishable from the rest of the storefronts along Walnut Street.  This plain facade belies a unique interior that is reminiscent of a Prohibition Era speakeasy.

I won’t dwell on the food as it was decent but nothing I couldn’t get at a wide number of establishments in the city. While I wasn’t overly impressed with the food this time, I will gladly give The Farmer’s Cabinet another chance to impress me with their menu.

Here is a brief description of two of the beers I had along with my cast iron frittata.  I use the Randy Mosher method of deconstructing a beer: Aroma, Appearance, Body & Texture, Aftertaste, and Overall Impressions (Tasting Beer, 2009).

Baladine Super (A Belgian Strong Pale Ale that is quickly becoming one of my favorite beers)

Side Note- I subsequently had this beer in Italy last fall.  The Italy craft scene is exploding right now.  

Aroma: Slightly fruity and malty

Appearance: Deep amber color with no head or lacing

Body & Texture: Strong malt backbone, fruity esters

Aftertaste: Smooth alcohol warmth, not overpowering

Overall Impression:  The seven ounce tasting glass was the perfect size for this strong beer.  The sweetness of the malt is well balanced by a crisp hop note.  It is absolutely refreshing and strong without being overpowering.

Cantillon Fou’ Foune (Apricot Lambic)

Aroma: Fruity apricot jam with a slightly astringent smell

Appearance: See above picture-pale golden straw color with light lacing

Body & Texture: Light and effervescent

Aftertaste: Sour, like having a fizzy apricot pit in your mouth

Overall Impression: I should start by saying that I am usually not a fan of sour beers.  The Fou’ Foune is an exceptionally crafted beer.  Sweet yet sour.  Dry yet rich.  I promise from this day forward to expand my palate to include sours.  Maybe one day I’ll devote an entire post to them.

Now that Mark and Christine have moved down here I have some partners in crime to share my passion for great craft beer.  I am looking forward to many more enjoyable Philly Beer Week events with Mark and Christine.  Kudos to Philly!

American Craft Beer Week 2012 (craftbeer.com)

It is time for the seventh annual American Craft Beer Week and Hooch and Hops is here to help you celebrate.  Take a look at this map from Craftbeer.com (brought to you by the Brewers Association) and see what is going on in your corner of the country.  Awesome beer map here.

Nick from Midwest Bias at Maryland Beer Fest

I am a beer novice.  I like to buy good beer but I don’t know much about it.  I do know that craft beer usually cost more and usually tastes better than the big boys.  Having been a terrible biology student (and having shed my desire for 30 packs), I wanted to attend the Maryland Craft Beer Festival with more of a thirst for unique beer, than knowledge.

My goal for this festival was to try new things and taste a variety of craft beers. I attended the festival with my two roommates with the goal of sampling as many craft beers as we could.  Here’s what we learned:

1.  It’s a “dog drink dog” world out there. We sampled many brew-pubs and microbreweries that didn’t have a national presence. One of the most interesting batches we sampled all day was from the Pub Dog Breweryin Westminster, Maryland. The drafts we sampled were the Blue Corn Tripel, Raspberry Dog, and the Brown Dog. The warmer day beckoned for lighter, smoother beers and these fit the bill. I felt like I should be on my back porch sipping these beers with good friends.  It’s too bad these guys don’t sell outside of Maryland.

Midwest Bias Hits the Flying Dog Tent.

We also stopped by the Flying Dog tent.  Peter tried the Pearl Oyster Stout. That surprised me because it wasn’t a dog related name (as Flying Dog usually does).   All profits from the batch of Pearl Oyster Stout go to saving Oysters in the Chesapeake Bay.  Drinking to support a charity is something I can get behind.

2.  Difference can be delicious. The Ruddy Duck Brewery out of Solomon’s Island, MD whipped up some interesting stuff.  I have a deep fascination with quinoa so I had to try their Bier Noveu, which is gluten free, brewed with quinoa, Sorghum, and honey.  I pride myself on having an adventurous pallet.  Ruddy Duck did not disappoint and it’s a beer I would try again.

3.  Maryland’s beer culture runs deep.  Each brewer carried a distinct “flavor”. Heavy Seas was giving out free eye patches and were also selling Baltimore Orioles themed shirts.  Flying Dog Brewery displayed their Hunter S. Thompson style proudly.  The profits from the festival went to the Brewers Association of Maryland (which supports micro-breweries in the state).  I’ve been trying to eat locally and I’m more than happy to drink locally as well.

4.  This was the place to be adventurous.  I usually go for IPA’s and hoppier beers.  However, I promised myself that I would venture away from “the usual.”  I sampled some darker beers that were pretty good: Flying Dog Oyster Stout, Oliver Breweries Bishops Indulgence, and the Heavy Seas Plank II Dopplebock.  I don’t think I would purchase any of them in a six pack, but I could see myself cuddling up with some of them in the middle of winter.

5.  Stay classy, please. Barley and Hops brewpub, you’re officially on notice. I was not happy with your drunk pourer who was making patrons do stupid things for their drink. I was here to sample, not binge drink and make a fool of myself.

6.  Warm beer? I’ve grown up with the rule that beer must be cold. Not so for the Baltimore-Washington Beer Works, whose specialty is the Raven Special Lager. Peter and I tried the cold and warm brew of the Raven. To my surprise, I enjoyed the warm style. It was smooth, tangy, and went down easy.

Peter w Warm and Cold Filtered Raven Special Lager

It’s refreshing to drink classy and local.  I am glad I ventured outside of my normal drinking habits as well. Did I learn anything new about brewing?  Not really.  However, I was outside on a nice day and broke bread (err…sipped it) with good friends. That’s what a day of drinking should be about.

-Nick Hansen

Nick is the editor in chief over at midwestbias.com. A site devoted to appreciating the goofiness, inexplicable love, and quirky issues of sports. Follow him on Twitter @nickhansenMN

MD Craft Beer Fest

Frederick Beer Week Kicks off on May 12th

Our buddy Nick from Midwest Bias is going to be doing a little guest writing for Hooch and Hops this weekend.  He will be attending the Maryland Craft Beer Festival and Frederick Beer Week.  Nick is rolling into Frederick, MD this Saturday and will sending us photos and doing some tweeting at @mid_west_bias .  We will be retweeting everything at @hoochandhops.  As always, feel free to send us photos, story ideas, and beer and spirit reviews to our Facebook page and Twitter accounts.  We love showing off our reader’s crap.  Drink Better!

Pat

MD Craft Beer Fest

Raise a glass for Stanford's Luck and Baylor's Griffin. This year's top picks.

Welcome to the first annual Hooch & Hops Top 10 Craft Draft.  We are here to tell you who we think the top 10 picks in this year’s NFL Draft will be along with that player’s matching beer.  Indianapolis is on the clock…

1.Indianapolis Colts- HE’BREW Messiah (The Chosen Beer) Schmaltz Brewing Company                                                           Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford University

Messiah, an earthy nut brown ale, takes the top pick for two reasons.  First, Colts fans obviously think they have found their savior in Andy Luck.  Second, just like Luck, Schmaltz Brewing founder Jeremy Cowan is Stanford grad.  It doesn’t hurt that Schmaltz Brewing has locations in San Fran, a mere stone’s throw from Palo Alto, and New York City, home to the draft, so fans in both locations can celebrate accordingly.

2. Washington Redskins- Russian Imperial Stout, Sprecher Brewing                                                                                Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor University

Just like the Skins we’re going with a Griffin.  Longtime Wisconsin stalwart Sprecher Brewing Company has RGIII’s namesake mythological creature as their logo (see Griffin logo to the right).  Just like RGIII, their Russian Imperial Stout has taken home numerous awards.  Fantastic coffee and roast malt flavors lurk within.  Buy one now and stick it in your beer cellar.  Open it when RGIII wins his first MVP trophy in a few years.  Both he and this beer are going to age very well.

3. Minnesota Vikings- Blindside Pale Ale, Leech Lake Brewing                                                                   Matt Kalil, OT,  USC

Write Matt Kalil in at left tackle for the next 10-15 years for the Vikes.  Whoever their QB is next year (definitely not sold on Ponder), his blindside will be well protected.  P.S.  Matt, choosing a Pale Ale was not an accident.  Prepare yourself for a long, cold, sunless winter.  Soak in those rays while you still can.

4. Cleveland Browns- King Crimson, Peak Organic Brewing                                                                                                               Trent Richardson, RB, University of Alabama

Roll tide. Peak Organic King Crimson

Not getting a sufficient offer from the Dolphins (who are desperate to get their hands on a certain A&M QB) the Browns make the smart choice and take Trent Richardson from the Alabama Crimson Tide.  Like Trent, this Red Ale is strong and well balanced.  It checks in at a hefty 9% ABV, but isn’t overly heavy on the alcohol taste.  It does come off a little on the piney side (dry hopped with Simcoe), but a good dose of roasted malts keeps the hops in check so your tongue won’t get run over.  Trent’s AFC North opponents won’t be so lucky.

5.Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Tin Roof Bandit Blonde Ale, Tin Roof Brewing                                                   Maurice Claiborne, CB, LSU

LSU has been working on a collaboration beer with their neighboring brewery, Tin Roof, for almost a year.  The university has put it on hold for the time being, but Tin Roof has gone ahead with production and released it just in time for homecoming.  Maurice is known for his smooth transitions in bump and run coverage, so we wanted an easy drinking beer to match his style of play.  (Abita Purple Haze was a close second, but that just seemed too easy).

6. St. Louis Rams- Single Speed Session                           4 Hands Brewing Company                                            Justin Blackmon, WR, OSU

Shocked that he’s fallen this far, the Rams jump on the chance to draft WR Justin Blackmon.  While only having two of them, Justin has arguably the best hands in the draft.  He showed deep threat speed in game tape and at the combine.  And, like a good session beer, Sam Bradford will be going to him all day.

                                                                                                      7. Miami Dolphins- Landshark Lager, Margaritaville Brewing Company                                                                      Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

The next Marino? Hooch & Hops has its doubts.

Hearing rumors that the Jags are talking to other teams about a trade, the Dolphins give up their 1st Round and their 3rd Round pick to move up one spot to take the best qb available.  Unfortunately, just like Landshark, Tannehill is vastly overrated  by the Dolphin fan base.  The Jags get the better of this deal as they will still be able to get their man, and pick up an extra pick to fill one of their many holes.

8.  Jacksonville Jaguars- People’s Pale Ale, Intuition Ale Works                         Stephen Gilmore, CB, University of South Carolina

Just like this Gamecock, Intuition Ale Works has been shooting up the rankings lately.  Gilmore’s name has been mentioned more and more as draft day approaches and is a solid top 15 pick in almost every mock draft out there.  Intuition, with their flagship People’s Pale Ale, has been making a name for itself in the nascent Florida craft scene.  Cans, growlers, and kegs are available at the brew house, a mere 15 minutes from EverBank Field, so stock up for your tailgating.

9.  Carolina Panthers- Torpedo, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company                                                                                                              Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State University

Fletcher Cox and Sierra Nevada have something in common.  They will both be dominant forces in Carolina for years to come.  Soon to start construction on their new brewery in Asheville, Sierra Nevada is adding major clout to an already strong craft beer town.  Fletcher will be a huge addition to the growing youth movement in Carolina.  Torpedo IPA was chosen to match Fletcher’s explosive, penetrating style of play.  Whole cone hops crank the intensity level way up (65 IBU’s)!

10.  Buffalo Bills- Aviator Red, Flying Bison Brewing Company

Behind a much improved defensive line, Kuechly will be a tackling machine

Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Dick Butkus Award?  Check.  Bronco Nagurski Award?  Check.  Ronnie Lott IMPACT Award?  Check.  500+ tackles in the last three years?  Check.  Adding Mario Williams and Marc Anderson to a D line that features a star in the making in Marcel Dareus and All-Pro caliber Kyle Williams returning from injury, the Bills will take the top guy left on their draft board.  Wisely ignoring the calls to take Rielly Rieff (not worthy of a top 10 pick) Buffalo will solidify their run defense with Kuechly.  This BC product is a straight up baller.  Think Paul Pozlusny, but stronger, faster, and smarter.  Luke, look for Hooch & Hops after the game in the parking lot at the Ralph.  Aviator Red is a perfect tailgate beer.  First round is on us.

Thank you for joining us for the first annual Hooch & Hops Top 10 Craft Draft.  Feel free to comment on our choice of picks (beer or player) by joining us on twitter (@hoochandhops) or on our Facebook page.  And remember Drink Better!

Mark

Lining up for the Guinness Believer Event in Philly

It was a grand old time at Trust in Philly for the Guinness Believer event last Wednesday night.  A bunch of the boys from Hooch and Hops East coast made the trip down to the City of Brotherly Love in order learn some of the history of Arthur Guinness’ historic brewery and sample the fine beers that are produced today.

Good Size Crowd, Great Atmosphere...

Guinness Host Dan Judges the Perfect Pour Contest

Dan, our Guinness host, was polished and full of energy as he walked the crowd through a series of tastings and events like the Perfect Pour contest.   -Side note-  A perfect Guinness pour should take 119.5 seconds.  This is a double pour that allows the beer to “surge and settle” and then be topped off.

St. Jame's Gate Brewery, Dublin

Guinness had Plenty of Multimedia Displays set up Around the Room.

Guinness offered up three samples at the Guinness Believer event.  The first sample was the traditional Guinness Stout.  It is kind of hard to miss the mark with the traditional Guinness Stout, remembering consistency is not a bad thing.  Next up was Guinness Foreign Extra Stout.  A pleasant surprise, Foreign Extra has been brewed for over two hundred years and has a higher level of both alcohol and hops, making it suitable for exportation.  The final sample was the new Guinness Black Lager.  I was not a huge fan of the Black Lager but I appreciate the fact that Guinness is trying to stretch their wings a little bit.

Slainte

Hooch and Hops will be keeping an eye out for other beer and distilled spirits events around the country so let us know of things going on in your hometown.  Remember to follow Hooch and Hops on twitter @HoochandHops and on Facebook.

Drink Better,

Pat

Hooch and Hops will be Drinking Guinness Tomorrow Night (4/18).

Join H & H in Philly on April 18th.

Hooch & Hops will be attending the Guinness Believer event tomorrow night (April 18th) at 6pm in Philadelphia.  This sampling of several beers from the Guinness portfolio will be occurring at Trust (249 Arch St. Philadelphia, 19106) so follow this link if you want to join us: Guinness Believer.  Guinness will be holding these events at the following cities over the next few weeks:  Boston, Chicago, Culver City, Denver, New York, Philadelphia, San Fran, and Worland.  If you go to one of these Believer events send us some tweets at @hoochandhops or post pictures on our FB page.

Drink Better,

Pat

PBW is not to be missed.

Check the calendar folks.  We are less than two months away from one of the premiere beer events anywhere in the world.  Philly Beer Week takes place from June 1st through June 10th and is comprised of several hundred events spread out all across Philly and Southeast Pennsylvania.  Hooch and Hops will be posting a list of the events we will be covering during PBW so let us know if you will be coming into town and we will try to meet up.  This is definitely an event that will help you Drink Better.

Cheers,

Pat

Mayor Michael Nutter taps the first keg (Yards ESA).