The 2010 Great Nebraska Beer Fest

So Saturday Stacie, Schenck, Melissa and I went to the The Great Nebraska Beer Fest at Shadowlake Town Center in Papillion. If tickets would have cost us only 15 bucks a person (like the festival of Iowa Beers will cost us next weekend), then the whole day would have been wonderful.

However, the tickets were $30 a piece, and at that price, the beer fest wasn't all that great. There was a lot of great beer, don't get me wrong, but for that price, I expected more.

With 20-25 breweries represented, he illusion of quality was there. However, some of those breweries sent nothing but a few bottles, and volunteers poured them. Not knowing anything about the specific beer.

Also, there was no free stuff. Not that I am cheapskate (read: I am a cheapskate) but for $30 a person, I want to walk outta there with some stickers, glasses, key chains... the like. When we left, all I had was a drunk (which was very nice), 2 stickers and a coozee. Bullshit.

But, instead of ragging on what I didn't like, let's get to what I did like: the beer.

(I'll go down the list of breweries and name which beer I liked best, or what I liked least or whatever.)

Upstream Brewing Co. - Omaha, Nebraska

I don't care much for Upstream, but I tried the Harvest Peach Saison and loved it. That and the Ebenezer are my two favorite beers they got.

Empyrean - Lincoln, Nebraska
I love Empyrean. My favorite from them was the Better World Wheat. I was saddened by the Cask Condiioned Lazlo's Limited Summer Ale, but only because the keg wasn't cold, and it was a very hot day out. Empyrean still wins in my book.

Lucky Bucket - Omaha, Nebraska
I first heard of Lucky Bucket last week at El Bait Shop (the best beer bar in the world). I was intrigued, but hadn't got a chance to try the Pre-Probition Style Lager yet. Well, Schenck tried it at the beer fest and did not like it. For one, it was out of a bottle. That's like going to Iron Chef and trying to serve a McNugget. I tried the Oktoberfest Sour Belgian Porter, because it was kegged, and it wasn't bad, but it wasn't great.

Thunderhead Brewery - Kearney, Nebraska
This was one of my favorite beers of the day. Thunderhead couldn't send a representive down because of a scheduling conflict and was almost going to have to pull out of the beer fest all together, but the guys from Empyrean went and picked up a keg of Grand Ale Grand Cru and had it side by side with the Empyrean beers. The Grand Ale was a wonderful wheat beer, like a wit, that made the temperature go down with every sip.

Schilling Bridge - Pawnee City, Nebraska
I tried the Cherry Wheat from these guys and I was pleasantly surprised. It came from a bottle but tasted great. Although, they have a beer called "Git-R-Done", nuff said about this brewery.

Gottberg - Columbus, Nebraska
I really liked the Tin Lizzie Hefeweizen.

Tallgrass- Manhattan, KS
I only had one of the Tallgras brews, because they were mainly darker beers and came in a tall boy can, but the Buffalo Sweat Stout was really good, and this was Stacie's favorite beer.

Boulevard - Kansas City, MO
I don't like Boulevard, so I didn't drink anything from them. But, they did bring stickers, so there's that.

Boston Beer Company - Boston, MA
Sam Adams was represented well, but only in bottle form. The dumbest thing was they had the imperial bottles on the table where everyone could see them, but they wouldn't taste them because of some Nebraska law. Bullshit. I drank the Oktoberfest.

Left Hand Brewing Company - Longmont, CO
I really like Left Hand, and if I could remember when we visited the brewery, I am sure I'd cherish the memories. I drank some Milk Stout, but it didn't taste the same with out 10 or 11 basic menthol lights.

Avery Brewing Company - Boulder, CO
I had never heard of them, apperently Schenck really wanted to go to them back in March. I loved the White Rascal belgian white. It was crisp a delicious.

Odell's - Fort Collins, CO
Another brewery we missed on our brew tour last spring, Odell's didn't impress me. THe Easystreet Wheat wasn't anything special, but I didn't hate it.

North Coast - Fort Bragg, CA
I liked the Bluestar alright, I was looking forward to trying North Coast for a long time. I was surprised to see them at the beer fest.

Breckenridge Brewing - Breckenridge, CO
I drank 2 glasses of the Vanilla Porter, and loved it. I wish I hadn't been so hung over when we went there back in March.

Schell - New Elm, MN
I drank the Lakemaid just to try it out. I remember seeing this all over Minnesota. It wasn't terrible for a lager, but I don't see myself going out of the way to drink it again.

Rock Bottom - DSM, Iowa
I hadn't tried Rock Bottom Brewery before, but I was happy with the Liquid Sun Wheat. It was very good.

Crabtree Brewing Company - Greeley, CO
This is my most memorable brewery of the day. We followed the truck to Shadow Lake, they were funny, nice and had good beers. The Ginger Beer was way better than it sounded. Also, they gave us a sticker. Great showing.

My "Best in Show" award would go to the Railroaders Brew Club. A group of homebrewers who brought the best beers I drank. Plus, they were the most energetic and social brewers of the day. The best beer was the Watermelon Wheat (served with a piece of watermelon) and a hoppy beer, served with a hop garnish. They were side by side with the South Omaha Brewers, another homebrewer club that also had some great beers.

There were some more breweries there that I didn't drink. (most notably, the Nebraska Brewing Company, who held the event. However, thanks to Julianne I do have a growler now, waiting to be filled.)

So like I said, if the tickets would have been half price, it would have been a wonderful afternoon. Instead, it was just an expensive day of drinking with some great friends. Which really, isn't all that bad in retrospect.

I fully intend on writing a review of the 6th Annual Festival of Iowa Beers next week. So stay tuned.

The Best Beer Bar Ever...

This amazing bar, located in Downtown Des Moines, is 2 blocks from my office. We went there by accident. This is what we found:
- 105 beers on tap.
-100 beers in bottles.
-The largest selection of Microbrews in the US.
-It is the only official Rogue Nation bar in the midwest.
-It has an A rating on Beer Advocate.
-Voted one of the Best Bars in America by Esquire magazine and Draft magazine.
-Has delicious chips and salsa.
-Thursdays is home brewer night, where home brewers can showcase there beers.

and did I mention it's 2 blocks from my office? Goodbye productivity.

Go here to the official website and learn more. Also, go to the bar. It's great.

Read/Listen/Watch/Rent

READ: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

What a book. The first Krakauer book I read was Into the Wild (the story of Alexander Supertramp, which the Emile Hirsch movie was based on.) and I really liked it. I figured that's what this was going to be. The true story of somebody else's adventure. Probably sad, but good in the end. I had no idea that it was Krakauer's own story. His tale of climbing Everest, researching a story, and the storm that came and killed 9 of his fellow climbers. What a book, it breaks your heart but keeps you on path to get to the summit.

LISTEN: David Dondero

David Dondero has one hell of a voice. Conor Oberst claims that he was most directly influenced by Dondero, and now Dondero is on Oberst's Team Love record label. His balads seem standard, but every song has a life in it that you don't find often. He reminds me of Shawn Mullins in that I can listen to his songs and get lost, like each 3 minute tune is a movie. I am really excited to find that he is coming to DSM on September 28th, so I can hopefully get to see him. Enjoy!

WATCH: Friday Night Lights

I had heard for a few years that Friday Night Lights was a really great show, and worth watching. Well, I never had the time until lately and I found that everyone was right. I watched the first 3 seasons over a week and a half. It, much like a BBC show, has 13-15 episode seasons instead of the standard american 24, which really keeps a "quality not quanity" aspect to each episode. Also, with the documentary feel of the show, it makes me feel like it is all real. I feel that these people do exist. It is a little bulky on characters (Lila is hot, but useless. Same for the wife's sister in season 2, useless), but characters like Landry and Street steal every scene. I cannot wait to see the current season, with how things shook up at Dillion High. I hope the lights don't go out on this show. (You see what I did there?)

RENT: The Ten

If you have a movie that is written by The State, how could it be bad? The same folks who brought us The State, Stella, Wet Hot American Summer, and Role Models, also delivered this gem back in 2006. With an amazing cast (Paul Rudd, Famke Jansen, Adam Brody, Winona Ryder, Ken Marino, Oliver Platt, Rob Corddry and Gretchen Mol) this tells 10 loosely connected stories that detail the 10 commandments. My favorite part? The Lying Rhino, voiced by non-other than Coach McGirk himself, H.Jon Benjamin. The Ten Fever, catch it!

The 50 States of Beer

20 down, 30 to go.

Hi Bruce. (the only one who reads this).

The 50 States of Beer - New Mexico

New Mexico

Santa Fe Brewing Company - Santa Fe, NM
Best Beer:

Chicken Killer Barley Wine

Beertopia in Omaha is great. I really love that place. That's where I got the Chicken Killer earlier this year. It was the first Barely Wine I ever had, and it set the bar pretty high.

It's got a good mix of barley and hops, along with a fruit flavor that mixes well. Plus, the 10% ABV ain't nothing to shy away from.

I want to try more from Sante Fe, it seems like a New Belgium to me, a dependable brewery.

Visit the official Santa Brewing Company website here.

Up Next: Indiana

The 50 States of Beer - Maine

Maine

Shipyard Brewery - Portland, ME
Best Beer:

Shipyard Export

I didn't know Shipyard was from Maine. I had drank Shipyard a lot, especially the Export (a pale ale). It's very good.

I was reading about Shipyard and found out that it was acquired by Miller in 1995, but then Miller sold it back to the originaly owners 2000. How weird is that?

I recommend Shipyard as a great Pale Ale that all hop lovers should down. For your health.

For more information on Shipyard Brewing Company, go here.
And visit the official Shipyard Brewing Company website here.

Up Next: New Mexico

The 50 States of Beer - Nevada

Nevada

Triple 7 Restaurant Brewery - Las Vegas, NV
Best Beer:

Problem Child Imperial Porter

On the trip Schenck, JJ and I went on back in March to visit breweries, we visited this microbrewery located at the Main Street Casino, in Las Vegas, with Bag of Donuts.

We hit this brewery at like 11am, and drank a sampler. The brewmaster was very nice, although he seemed as if maybe he'd spent the night drinking (nothing wrong with that). This porter, a stronger version of their Black Chip Porter, was great. I usually find porters to be to thick, but this went down good and tasted great with my burger.

Sadly, later that day we went to this fucking shit hole, which really took the spark outta our Las Vegas brewery experience. Luckily, we drank Joe BOD's nut brown that night and ended up at the Talk of the Town.

Ah, memories.

For more information on The Triple 7 Restaurant and Brewery, go here.

Up Next: Maine

The 50 States of Beer - Louisiana

Louisiana

Abita Brewing Company - Abita Springs, LA
Best Beer:

Abita Beer Amber

When Bag of Donuts was back a few years ago, we went to the Hyvee in Council Bluffs and they had Abita Amber on sale. It was cheap, so we bought it. I didn't think it'd be that good, but it turned out to be pretty great.

For an amber, it was very crisp. I drank it fast, in between some other good beers and we got extremely drunk that night.

I wish I knew more about Abita, I have thought of getting Turbodog a few times, but never do. Oh well, small post for Louisiana. Oh well.

For more information on Abita Brewing Company, go here.
Visit the official Abita Brewing Company website, here.

Up Next: Nevada

The 50 States of Beer - Delaware

Delaware

Dogfish Head - Milton, DE
Best Beer:

Punkin Ale

If you know me, you probably know 3 facts about me. I love beer, hate vegitables and love pumpkin pie. (If you didn't know, know you know).

The first Pumpkin beer I ever had was in Chicago (on the same trip where I first drank the Bell's Brewery beers), and I got a sixer of Michelob Jack's Pumpkin Ale . It wasn't terrible, but I had really wanted more.

Later last fall I found a 4 pack of this wonderful Punkin' ale, at the Hyvee in Ames, and it was what I was looking for. All the cinamon, pumpkin spice that I was hoping mixed in a brown ale. This gave me aspirations to make a Pumpkin Nut Brown Ale, which I think would taste like Thanksgiving.

Dogfish head is a really interesting brewery. Anyone who has seen Beer Wars, knows the story of how Sam Calagione started his brewery before it was legal for him to do so. Calagione has a show coming up on Discovery called "Brewed" that you can read about here, looks like good tv.

For more information on Dogfish Head, go here.
Visit the official Dogfish Head website, here.

Up Next: Louisiana

The 50 States of Beer - Maryland

Maryland

Flying Dog Brewery - Fredrick, MD (although originally Aspen, CO)
Best Beer:

In-Heat Wheat Ale

For me, it's hard to find a Hefe that I don't like. It's also hard to find one that I love. Most fit in that perfect middle ground. This was the first Hefe I ever had, and so it holds a special spot in my heart.

Cassada got a sampler pack of this back in the day, and the first thing we noticed was the wonderful artwork and beer names. Later I found out that none other than Hunter S. Thompson had a hand in the brewery getting started, and Ralph Steadman (artist famous for this) is who draws all of the Flying Dog labels. They also released the Gonzo, in honor of Thompson, which I have yet to find.

The brewery was originally started in Aspen, but relocated to Maryland and serves as it's only state since 2008. This helps me out, cause I really love the In-Heat Wheat Ale and I didn't have another brewery from Maryland. Boom, Beer'd.

For more information on Flying Dog Brewery, go here.
Visit the official Flying Dog Brewery website, here.

Up Next: Delaware

The 50 States of Beer - New York

New York

Saranac - Matt Brewing Company - Utica, NY
Best Beer:

Adirondack Lager

Lager's are not my favorite beer usually. But every once in awhile one really sticks with me, like Iron City, and of course Adirondack Lager.

Saranac was part of that first wave of microbrews that crossed my path. It was easy to find at the Ames HyVee, and I drank a bit of it.

I was sitting in London one time and met an American soldier who was on leave and we talked late into the night about beer. He was from Saranac, Michigan, and I made the comment about how nice it would be to have the brewery in his hometown. He's the one that informed me it was actually a New York brewery. And what a brewery it is. Matt did good.

Just for kicks, I am throwing in a vid-e-ya of Frontier Ruckus performing the song "Adirondack Amish Hollar", just because (if you're on facebook, you gotta view original post to see the video).



For more information on Saranac, go here.
Visit the official Saranac website, here.

Up Next: Maryland

The 50 States of Beer - Michigan

Michigan

Bell's Brewery Inc. - Kalamazoo, MI
Best Beer:

Two Hearted Ale

Last year I went to Chicago with Nick, JJ and some other friends and we decided to go out to some bars. Nick had been talking about this Bell's brewery for a few months, and so he was elated to find that they had Two Hearted Ale at the perticular bar we were at.

This was back before my obsession with IPA's and subsequent rejection of them.

Two Hearted Ale is a delicious IPA. When I made my own Nag Nag Nag Pale Ale, I was hoping to get a taste similar to the Bell's version. It's hoppy but not in an obnoxious way (which my IPA turned out to be, not that there is anything wrong with that) and it has a slight orange-y flavor, which I love. Or at least, I did love before the dark times began where I cannot drink IPA's anymore. Someday, someday the flavors will come back to me.

I am excited that Bell's beers are showing up more and more in Iowa. I am looking forward to the Oberon and Third Coast Ale.

For more information on Bells Brewery Inc., go here.
Visit the official Bells Brewery Inc. website, here.

Up Next: New York

Iowa Beers to Live For

So, I'm gonna set my "50 States of Beer" aside for the time being, and showcase my favorite beers from the state nearest (And dearest) to my ticker:


Now, I am not gonna pick my absoulte favorite Iowa beer until later on in my series, but for right now I'd like to highlight some of my favorite beers from the Cyclone State. (See what I did there?)

So ya, here are some Iowa beers I like. I can't wait to try more.

In No Particular Order:


Yum. First Iowa beer I ever tried. One of my favorites for any beer, not just home state.


The most recent Iowa beer to tickle my tastebuds. I have a growler half full in the fridge, and I look forward to finishing it, and re-filling it soon.


Stacie went over to Millstream one day and brought back a growler full of this oatmeal stout. It was a perfect surprise for me. Can't wait till I can get over there and do the tour. Maybe at Iowa Beer Fest.


I had heard so-so reviews over Peace Tree Brewery, but I tried the red and really like it. And I don't usually like reds. Hell of a rambler.


Raccoon River Brewing Company downtown DSM has a Vanilla Cream Ale that is one of my current favorite beers. It is the best beer I've ever had with a Vanilla flavor. So crisp. I HAD a growler full of this... (Had meaning I don't anymore).

and of course, from:


we got...

Nick's first home brew and the first home brew I ever drank. This is very high on my list of "best beers I've ever had".


Schenck's Copper Ale (which HE calls something else, but I call "Rocko and Copper Ale" is even higher on my list of "Best beers I've ever had."


I love my hefe. I drank the shit out of it at my wedding.

The 50 States of Beer - Missouri

Missouri

O'Fallon Brewery - O'Fallon, MO
Best Beer:

Hemp Hop Rye

I don't like Boulevard. I don't. I think it is a poser. Boulevard wants to be Sam Adams or New Belgium. Sadly, it's not. It's fucking Boulevard.

So, that is why my favorite Missouri brewery is O'Fallon's. The 5 Day IPA impressed me a lot during my IPA phase (RIP IPA phase, March 2010-June 2010). Then I tried the Wheach (a peach flavored Wheat beer, which was pretty good.) And I finally found the Hemp Hop Rye at our new Hyvee down here in Des Moines.

The Hemp Hop Rye intrigued me. How would those flavors mix? Well, it was good. the hoppy rye beer sounds either great or terrible, but this is very good. Plus, the hemp seeds used in the mix gives it an almost nutty taste. Like a light brown.

This is apparently a seasonal beer, so I am going to try to get a case before the Hemp Hop Rye season is over.

Visit the official O'Fallon Brewery website, here.

Up Next: Missour-E

(just kidding)

Up Next: Michigan

The 50 States of Beer - Washington

Washington

Red Hook Ale Brewery - Seattle Washington
Best Beer:

Red Hook ESB

Red Hook ESB was one of the first "good" beers I ever really loved. It was my first ESB (extra special bitter) and still my favorite ESB.

I haven't had any other beers from the Red Hook brewery, but I do want to visit the facility in Seattle. I have heard the brewery is great.

Red Hook is easy to find round these parts, and I suggest picking some up if you like a good bitter beer.

For more reading on Red Hook Ale Brewery, go here.
Visit the official the Red Hook Ale Brewery website, here.

Up Next: Missouri

Read/Listen/Watch/Rent

READ: Love and Marriage by Bill Cosby

I bought this book a year ago at the Boone Goodwill. Now that I am married, I decieded to read it. Now I love Bill Cosby asmuch as the next guy. The Cosby Show was a pivotal part of my childhood, and I think his "Himself" standup is hilarious. Also, this. So, I thought his book would give me some great life lessons. So far, it has let me down. It's funny, cute and makes me feel good. However, Bill really hates the youth. Especially the youth of 1988 (the year the book came out) which is weird.

LISTEN: Titus Andronicus

So, I just heard about these guys and fuck, do they rock. Let's do some rock math:

Conor Oberst's Voice
+

Craig Finn's lyrics
+

The indie-arena power of The Gaslight Anthem
x

This guy
=

Enjoy!

WATCH: Community

So I was a little late to the table when it came to Community, but let me tell ya, I am loving it. Joel McHale, Donald Glover and Danny Pudi are hilarious. Gillian Jacobs and Alison Brie are gorgeous and funny, which is hard to get (oh Sarah Chalk, how I miss you). Then throw in newcomer Yvette Brown and oldcomer Chevy Chase, and shit, we got us a show. The first few episodes were spotty, but through out the first season, Community become more important for me "not to miss" than 30 Rock. I can't wait for season 2, and hope it gets more. I've learned to be ok with television shows being canceled, because tv is getting better. Finally.

RENT: Mystery Team

Don't let the title fool you, this is no sequel to Mystery Men. No, this is funny. Donald Glover (hey, I talked about him above) and his crew in Derrick Comedy, makers of Bro-Rape, bring you this tale of a junior detective agency who accidentally grew up. Now, as 18 year olds, they have to start dealing with real shit, all while still solving crimes. With Aubrey Plaza (from Parks and Rec.) and Ellie Kemper (from The Office, hey a lotta NBC folks round this movie) in the cast, you can imagine the hi-jinks. Rent it. Also, go see Inception.

The 50 States of Beer

10 down, 40 to go.

This has been fun.

The 50 States of Beer - Texas

Texas

Padre Island Brewing Company - South Padre Island, TX
Best Beer:

Speckled Trout Stout

So, the first time I had calamari I was eating in Texas with JJ and some of his friends at this little restaurant. Turns out, this restaurant was a microbrewery, and I got a sampler to go along with my calamari, which I loved.

Everyone else hated the calamari, said it was terrible.

The Speckled Trout was really good. Dark, heavy but still crisp. At the time I didn't know much about beer, but it stood out compared to the rest, and went well with the fish I ate.

A couple years later, I was on the island again and stopped in again for a pint. This was after I was a much better beer drinker and had been to the Guinness brewery once. The thing was, the Trout Stout held up. Can't wait for my next trip to Texas to have some more.

Visit the official the Padre Island Brewing Company website, here.

Up Next: Washington

The 50 States of Beer - Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company - Chippewa Falls, WI
Best Beer:

Summer Shandy

So, I can see this being a controversial pick. A lot of people don't like Leinenkugel's. I get it, since Miller owns it is hard to look at it objectively. However, they have a few beers that really do it for me.

If I had written this post back in April, I would have called Sunset Wheat my favorite beer. [ed. note, also my favorite beer that tastes like hot dogs] But, now I have tried Summer Shandy, and I totally love it.

"A wheat beer with Lemonade mixed in" is the idea. And that, personally, sounds fucking terrible to me. But, I love it. At my wedding, I spent the entire night going between my own homebrew Tastie Hastie Hefeweizen and Summer Shandy. It's smooth, it's tasty, it puts a smile on my face.

Damn good beer, especially on a hot summer day. I am drinking one right now, and every sip is better then the last. If you have issues with the brewery or the idea of it, put that shit aside and try it. And if you think you have a better Wisconsin beer, let me have one. I'll gladly try it.

For more reading on the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company , go here
And visit the official the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company website, here.

Up Next: Texas