Corks, Kegs and Commentary

Most people, at the mere sight of words like Pediococcus and Lactobacillus, go running for the Clorox bleach and rubber gloves.  That is especially true of most commercial brewers, who associate these terms with infection and poor sanitation. But not Eric Salazar, who heads up the wood beer program for Colorado's New Belgium Brewing Company.  He depends on these invasive bacteria strains to develop sour beers crafted in the style of Belgium's famous Roddenbach Brewery, the undisputed heavyweight champ of wood aged sour beer.  Having met Eric and learned his love for the sour, I am even inclined to believe he hosts bbq's and ice cream socials for these little critters... ..

One of autumn's finest rituals got under way last week, as college football teams across the country embarked on a new season, with the hopes and emotions of their fans riding on every snap.  Many of these fans got their early season wish, but if you wear the familiar black and gold or blue and orange that marks Idaho's in-state rivalry, you are not a happy camper.  Bronco Nation is not used to such tragedies, and is struggling to cope this week.  But if you are a Vandal fan, do not despair.  The folks at Camas Prarie Winery have found a way for you to drown your sorrows while still showing your school spirit!! ..

As I find myself with a pint in front of me at 10:00am in the Glasgow airport, I reflect on a few things:
1 - In a land where golf is a religion, my soul is in jeopardy, and need to spend some time with my knee bent at the pew of the practice green. ..

   It has been nearly a decade since the movie “Sideways” gave Merlot a proverbial kick to the groin, and tastings like todays’ make me curse what was otherwise an excellent, and at times downright hilarious, film.  The complex plot explored depression, lost love, infidelity and a host of other topics, and yet one line, “I’m not drinking any f***ing Merlot,” became all that audiences remembered. ..

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The eyes of the world are watching as thousands of athletes make history in London this month, with the spirit of competition playing out in everything from swimming to skeet-shooting, badminton to basketball.  I'm a huge fan of the Olympics, though I am finding that all that excitement makes me thirst for some fine English Ale to round out my London experience.  So as we pay tribute to the artistry of sport, it seems fitting to give a little nod to another of London's great legacies, beer. ..

We recently added a You Tube channel to our website.  On the home page, find the You Tube icon and follow it to our favorite Beer/Red Bull/Wine commercials and videos.  If we missed your favorites, let us know, and we will add them.  (Of course they must be Hayden/Young's products.  There will be no lizards, Boston Terriers, frogs, horses, or guys who are afraid of their wives).  Suppliers, if you have ads for us, let us know how to access them. ..

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Tonight (6/7) will be the premier of Red Bull Flow Hunters at the Egyptian Theater as the main attraction at the 'Meltdown' kayak film festival. Red Bull athlete Ben Brown should be in attendance as he will be in town to compete in the North Fork Championships and this is his film.

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This past friday a dedicated group of judges evaluated the beers that were brewed several weeks back at our Hayden Homebrew Challenge.  Each of the beers submitted were excellent contenders, showing unique blends of flavors and aromas, and the judging was by no means easy.  But finally the dust did settle... and it turns out the boys in the draft department are just as good at putting beer in the keg as they are at getting it out. ..