February 2006
Next meeting
It’s this Sunday, Feb. 19 at the home of D’Arcy Kavanagh, 305 Kings Bay in Tudor
by the college. Turn right at 20th Street and Scenic Drive, take the third turn
to the right and drive to the cul-de-sac at the end. The house has a goofy
signpost in the front yard and a white Toyota in the driveway. Ignore the Beware
of Dog sign. He’s a little mellower and will likely be at his grandparents’
house. In case you need info on directions, call 329-0179.
Competition
The Werthogs’ annual competition is coming up next month so please clear your
schedule to help with the event. The more members involved, the easier it is.
We’ll likely finalize details at the next meeting,
Big Shugga
Lots of the local liquor stores have expanded their offerings of foreign and
micro beers.
Well, if you like a heavy ale, here’s one to try: Lagunitas’ Shugga. It’s 9.9
per cent with an incredible malty flavour.
Lagunitas also makes a huge Imperial Stout.
By the way, Lagunitas operates out of California.
Sleeman’s being targeted
Sleeman’s is locked in a big battle but is refusing to relent.
Having seen its market share drop slightly due to some of the big breweries
targeting it, Sleeman’s boss vowed his company would keep working hard to ensure
consumers see the microbrewery as a strong, legitimate option. If that means a
few quarters of smaller profits, so be it, he said.
* * *
Discount breweries gaining popularity
The big breweries are hurting, too.
The Globe and Mail reported last week that Molson Coors Brewing Co. posted a
steep drop in its fourth-quarter profit.
The reason? Discount operations are taking a bigger slice of the market. For
example, discount brewers are up to 30 per cent of the market from 20 per cent
in Ontario.
But it’s not just in Ontario that discount operators are enjoying success.
Anheuser-Busch announced weaker fourth-quarter earnings, aiming the reason
directly at the discount products.
Everyone seems to be wondering if the trend will continue or change
significantly when the traditionally lucrative drinking season starts in May.
St. Patrick’s Day event
If you want to sup down some Guinness or Big Rock Traditional and listen to some
thumping Celtic music on St. Patrick’s Day, then head to the LCC Barn on Friday,
March 17 for the LCC Alumni Association St. Patrick’s Day Bash. Glencoulee,
featuring two Werthogs (Ian Hepher and D’Arcy), will be playing from 8 p.m.
until 11 p.m. at the fundraiser for the Alumni Association. Tickets are $15 and
available from the association at 329-7220 or from band members. You can also
get them at the door – if the event isn’t sold out.
Great job
Ever wonder about the perfect job?
Kevin Brauch’s job is certainly a contender.
He hosts the Thirsty Traveller on the Food Network, Channel 43, and his task is
to travel the world tasting indigenous alcoholic products. He also gets to eat
some world-class food.
Recently, he was in Britain testing bitters.
Previously, he checked out Pilseners in the Czech Republic and stouts in
Ireland. Of course, it’s not all beers. He was recently samplingh Madeira wine
in Portugal, malt whiskey in Scotland and rum in Jamaica.
Check your TV listings for when it’s on. (It gets moved around a bit.)
Beer troubleshooting
Symptom: Feet cold and wet.
Fault: Glass being held at incorrect angle.
Action: Rotate glass so that open end points toward ceiling.
Symptom: Feet warm and wet.
Fault: Improper bladder control.
Action: Stand next to the nearest dog and complain about house training.
Symptom: Beer unusually pale and tasteless.
Fault: Glass Empty.
Action: Get someone to buy you another beer.
Symptom: Opposite wall covered with fluorescent lights.
Fault: You have fallen over backwards.
Action: Have yourself leashed to the bar.
Symptom: Mouth contains cigarette butts.
Fault: You have fallen forward.
Action: See above.
Jan 2006
Next meeting
OK, if the blues of winter have you down, you’ll soon get a break. The headline indicates what it is. But, heck, if you don’t mind winter, it’s still a grand day when you can get together to discuss beer and our upcoming competition, and to sample some great products. Our first session of 2006 is Sunday, Jan. 15 at the home of John Ferguson 30 Salish Place West. In case you’ve forgotten, it’s Pilsener Day. Do you have yours ready?
Future sessions
In our second meeting of the new year, on Sunday, Feb. 12, the focus will be on Dark Ales. The venue will be at the home of one of our club’s biggest supporters of dark ales – D’Arcy Kavanagh, 305 Kings Bay in Tudor Estates. (Third right after turning in off 20th – go right to end, look for the house with the signpost that will give the precise distance to the home of German beer, Munich, and the home of Guinesss, Dublin.)
On March 18, we’ll hold the competition as our meeting at the home of George "how do you like the Lederhosen!" Kuhl, 26 Elm Street South. We’ll be discussing arrangements for the competition at our next two meetings but try to clear your schedule for that big event. We’ll need everyone involved.
Then on April 16, we’re at home of Ron Svrcek, 19 Stoney Place West. We’ll study Cervesa and Wheat Beer.
May 28 is the annual wind-up in the garden of John Wood at Iron Springs...and the feature for that day is Imperial Stout. If you haven’t been to John’s for previous outings, it’s a real treat. A wonderful backyard setting and always warm.
More about our competition
It’s hard to believe but our upcoming competition will be our seventh. The last three have indicated that some of the best brewers in Alberta and Saskatchewan have circled it on their calendars as a good event. As our President Veryl Todd has said on several occasions after discussions with members of other clubs, the Werthogs competition provides a good reading for competitive homebrewers looking forward to a new season of event. Entries must be in by 6 p.m. Monday March 13. We can expect around 100 beers--many great ones!
Guests
The club has seen some new faces at recent meetings and that’s great. So, let’s keep encouraging those who are interested to attend one of our sessions. Moreover, it’s a good practice to mentor any new homebrewers.
Contributions
An effective newsletter depends on lots of solid contributions. So, if you have a beer-related story or joke or bit of news, contact darcy@wowcommunications.ca. John Ferguson was our best contributor before. Let’s give him some competition.
Odds’n’Ends
- Molson’s and Coors seem to be having a business falling out. The Globe and Mail recently reported that changes might be in their immediate future.
- If you’re a Monty Python fan, the Wine Cavern has been stocking Monty Python’s Holy Grail, a nice, rich English ale.
- Some Chapters stores carry homebrewing magazines. A couple on Macleod Trail in Calgary regularly stock such publications that offer both quality of information and appearance.
- Victoria, B.C. is rapidly developing a reputation as a center of microbrewing excellence. There’s the longtime micro operation, Spinnaker’s that also has a wonderful B and B operation. Then there’s Swan Brewery, another first-rate operation. On Government Street in the heart of Victoria’s colourful old downtown, there’s the Irish Times Pub. The owners of that venue reportedly put in more than $2 million to refurbish the operation. Besides offering good grub and nightly Celtic-related music, the pub has a terrific selection of microbrewed beers plus some of the classics.
- This year marks the 250th anniversary of Mozart. In the maestro’s birthplace in Salzburg, Austria, there’s now available Mozart Beer. Anyone heading to that part of the world this year?
- A year ago, someone – Ian Hepher? – brought an Yukon Expresso Stout in an oversized bottle and virtually everyone raved about it while, at the same time, commiserating that it would be so difficult to obtain. That no longer seems the case as some local stores are carrying that special beer. How can you beat a drink that gives you both beer and coffee in a single gulp?
- The Nelson Brewery introduced a new winter ale this Christmas: Fall on Your Face Winter Ale.