Category: breweries

Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Party

By on November 14, 2010in bars/restaurants, beer events, breweries

The Happy Gnome celebrates Sierra Nevada’s contribution to craft beer THIS MONDAY. Sierra Nevada has been around for 30 years, and in that time they have been a leader in the craft beer world. This anniversary celebration is a thank you to the pioneers of the craft beer revolution. Sierra Nevada collaborated and created 4 very special beers in honor of Charlie Papazian, Fritz Maytag, Ken Grossman, Fred Eckhardt, and Jack McAuliffe.

The beer featured for the party are the 4 anniversary series:

Fritz & Ken’s Ale : Fritz Maytag, owner of San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing Company, is regarded as the founding father of the craft brewing movement. As a nod to the dark ales and stouts that seduced both Fritz and Ken in the early years, they bring you this pioneering stout, a rich and roasted ale.

Charlie, Fred, & Ken’s Bock: Charlie Papazian and Fred Eckhart are the men who launched a thousand breweries. Their writing on the art of homebrewing and steadfast promotion of beer culture helped propel the craft brewing movement. This Imperial Helles Bock is a testament to the ever-evolving brewer’s art. Bold yet balanced with distinct toasted malt character, moderate sweetness and clean and floral hops.

Jack & Ken’s Ale: Jack McAuliffe was the first American “micro” brewer. His tiny New Albion Brewery in Sonoma, California inspired countless dreamers to start small-scale breweries of their own. This Black Barleywine Ale is a nod to the legendary ales New Albion served at their legendary summer solstice parties. Rich with bittersweet and roasted malt flavors, balanced with whole-cone American hops.

30th Anniversary Our Brewer’s Reserve Grand Cru: Brewers Reserve is a special ale highlighting Sierra Nevada’s pioneering history and the innovative spirit that has carried them through 30 years. Is is a marriage of their three most acclaimed ales: Oak-aged Bigfoot, Celebration Ale, and fresh Pale Ale blended together and generously dry-hopped. Come join us in celebrating thirty years with this most special brew.

Also on tap will be Pale Ale, Celebration, Harvest, and Estate Brewer’s Homegrown Ale, right from the SN Chico Estate.

Prizes, beer, and fun will be had.

Brau Brothers in Beer Advocate

By on November 11, 2010in breweries

Check out the cover of the latest Beer Advocate, featuring none other than Brau Brothers‘ hop yard. Pretty nice. I haven’t read the issue (Can we still get it free anywhere?!), but it’s cool to see the Brau’s getting some attention from the big guys. Cheers!

MinnPost Scribes About Brau Bros

By on November 8, 2010in breweries

Nice piece about Brau Bros at MinnPost.

By Mark Neuzil | Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010

LUCAN, MINN. — For one family in one small town in southwestern Minnesota, the answer to the economic-development question comes in four parts: water, yeast, hops and barley.

Since 1998, Dustin Brau — yes, the German word for beer is really his last name — and his extended family have been successfully making and selling craft beer from the small town of Lucan, population 220.

Brau Brothers beers are distributed in five states, mostly in Minnesota. Dustin and his brothers Trevor and Brady, along with their father, Dale, take advantage of lower costs in their hometown and a degree of fix-it-or-make-it-yourself ability that’s well known to any farmer.

Read the full story here.