Liquid Gold

For my first posting on this decidedly beer-focused blog, I am going to bend the rules a tad and write about my experiences with two delicious but decidedly non-beer beverages –apple cider and mead. (I had big plans for focusing my maiden blogging attempt on the process of fresh or “wet” hop brewing, but that will keep for another day). While I will leave it up to my esteemed co-bloggers to be the judge, I think the following discussion will contribute to the spirit of Talk Suds To Me by exploring some really amazing beverages that man- and woman-kind has enjoyed throughout the ages. So here we go…

Universal Standards for Beer?

Ray Daniels wants this to be a reality. Mr. Daniels is on a quest to certify cicerones and make beer accessible. He's turned off by the stuffiness and snobbery that tends to pervade the world of wine. We're giving him huge props for this alone. For more on Mr. Daniels work, please check out the link. In the meantimes, Chicagoans, I suggest you check this out.

Ice in beer makes the baby Jesus sad.

This is an atrocity.

Mr. Mayor, all due respect, but I am deaf to your, or anyone else's call for "to-each-his-own" leniency. Honestly, you have no shame - just admit you're a spritzer guy. To borrow a phrase of that most excellent of TV shows, Archer ... "That is just Babytown Frolics."

The Midas Touch: As Ancient as Hugh Hefner

A couple nights ago, I tried (drumroll please)...Dogfish Head's "Midas Touch." According to Dogfish Head, "this recipe is the actual oldest-known fermented beverage in the world! It is an ancient Turkish recipe using the original ingredients from the 2700 year old drinking vessels discovered in the tomb of King Midas. Somewhere between wine & mead; this smooth, sweet, yet dry ale will please the Chardonnay of beer drinker alike."

Sounds...intriguing! But, let's start at the beginning.

Update on Firestone-Walker and...beer chemists?

Check out an interview with Firestone Walker's Matt Brynildson here. Brynildson compares brewers to scientists. Thanks to Contributor In-Sung, our little blog may actually be host to some guest blogs from a real, live...BEER CHEMIST! Stay tuned.