24 December 2010

BEER CAM - Christmas 2010 Show - Part 1

BEER CAM - Christmas 2010 Show - Part 2

BEER CAM - Christmas 2010 Show - Part 3

BEER CAM - Christmas 2010 Show - Part 4

WILK Friday BeerBuzz–24 Dec 2010 1-Hour Holiday Xmas Spectacular (Sierra Nevada Celebration, The Bruery Three French Hens, Port Brewing Santa’s Little Helper & Troegs Mad Elf

WILKFridayBerbuzz15Who can even begin to describe what fun we had on today’s Friday BeerBuzz holiday spectacular.  Nothing says holiday fun like over extending ourselves, so in fine holiday fashion we decided to do a 1-Hour show.  We marched in four different beers, two vertical tastings, two beer & food pairings, four guests, four show videos and four different BEER CAM movies! 

As frightening as that may sound I can assure you it was even more daunting than it sounds…BUT of course we had a great time, a ton of fun, some amazing beers, some incredible food, and some wonderful guests to help it all along.

Our beloved Vince Sweeney joined the regular Friday BeerBuzz cast, and Mrs. BeerBuzz joined in for the holiday beer fun and frivolity.  We also invited in some special guests for a beer & food pairing with Dave & Teddy from AuRants.  Add to that a festively decorated studio, and we were ready to roll.

In segment one we sampled one of my favorite non-traditional Holiday beers, Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hop 2010.  As if that wasn’t fun enough, we rolled in some 2007 Sierra Nevada Celebration for our first vertical tasting segment.  We all loved the 2010 more than the 2007, but it was an interesting contrast of flavors for sure.

For segment two we invited in Chef Dave Ciminelli & Teddy Kerpovich from AuRants in Duryea.  Dave’s food is always amazing, and Dave and I chose The Bruery Three French Hens as our beer.  Dave then created a delicious polenta-based deconstructed won-ton cigar dish with home made spiced dipping chips.  Dave used the actual beer in the mix so the pairing was perfect.  Tune into the video and watch as we all end up covered in crumbs and wowed by another Davo creation.  The beer was tasty and the pairing impeccable.

We launched segment three with another non-traditional holiday ale as I brought out Port Brewing Santa’s Little Helper Russian Imperial Stout.  This was the perfect compliment to our previous beverages and food and a wonderful chewy warm winter stout.  I’ve been a huge fan of Port Brewing beers ever since we started attending their Real Ale Festival in Carlsbad, CA and it was a real joy to share this beer with the crew.

How do you end such a wonderful holiday special show?  In segment four we put a fitting exclamation point on the festivities by rolling out Troegs Mad Elf in a 2-year vertical tasting and then paired it with Mother BeerBuzz’s almond Christmas Tree cookies.  An amazing mix and an amazing finish to a fun holiday show.

FridayBeerbuzz24Dec2010BeersWe ended the show recounting our favorite beers of the year and recounting all the great beers and guests we’ve had the pleasure to feature on the show.  In the end it was quite an adventure and a very funny show.  We had so much fun doing this show I hated to see it end.  Thank you to Dave & Teddy from AuRants, our beloved Vince Sweeney, Katie & Bosco for engineering the show and music, and of course to Nancy, John and Joe for making the Friday BeerBuzz so much fun.  It’s been a great 2010 on the Friday BeerBuzz and I thank everyone involved.

FridayBeerbuzz24Dec2010The Friday Beerbuzz…bringing good beers and good people together

As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday Beerbuzz page by clicking HERE

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22 December 2010

Friday BeerBuzz-The Teaser 24 Dec 2010

WILKFridayBerbuzz14We’ve really had a fun December on the Friday BeerBuzz.  Of course it helps that winter and holiday beers are my favorites, but it’s even more fun when I get to share them with my friends on the show and all of you.  Last week we poured the classic St Bernardus Christmas Ale, the newest beer in their line-up and another one of my favorites.   BUT, this week its time to GO BIG!

Normally I reserve this space for teasing you with a hint about our upcoming show…but there’s no teasing today.  This Friday (12/24) @ 11AM (note the different time) we’re going big.  We’ll be rocking out a 1-HOUR Friday BeerBuzz  Holiday Spectacular.  Multiple, beers, multiple guests AND your pal and mine, BEER CAM! 

Tune in at and see what beers we sample on the Friday Beerbuzz on WILK…bringing good beers and good people together.  (103.1FM or wilknewsradio.com).

17 December 2010

WILK Friday BeerBuzz–17 Dec 2010 (St Bernardus Christmas Ale)

WILKFridayBerbuzz17As we fly down the holiday gauntlet and as our lives get more and more hectic, it was nice to pause and enjoy a really great holiday beer with the Friday BeerBuzz crew. 

St Bernardus Christmas Ale comes to us from a very historic brewery, but it’s actually their youngest beer.  Based on their Abt 12, Christmas Ale has a deep rich color and a warming and complex taste.  This is a beer to sip slowly and enjoy as it warms and changes, and a beer I’d recommend everyone try.  This is also a bottle-conditioned beer that will cellar well and be even better (and stronger) next year.

To answer another often asked beer question based on St Bernardus beer, “Abt” is a flemish term used to refer to the abbot in the monastic breweries.  The term was loosely used to refer to a trappist brewery’s strongest or highest ranking beer, muck like the abbot.  The 12 in “Abt 12” is also a measure of strength referring to the OG or original gravity.  In this case the 12 really refers to an OG of 1.120.  So as you can see, these beers have a long & interesting history.

Be SURE to tune in next week on Christmas Eve (and again on New Years Eve) at 11AM for our Very Special 1-Hour Friday BeerBuzz on WILK (103.1FM & wilknewsradio.com).  We’ll have multiple beers, multiple guests, multiple beer cam movies and all sorts of surprises for your holiday fun.  Sleep in and join us at 11AM!

Get out and get some St Bernardus Christmas Ale before it’s all gone. 

Thank you

to John, Nancy, Joe & Bosco for yet another fun Friday. 

The Friday Beerbuzz…bringing good beers and good people together

As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday Beerbuzz page by clicking HERE

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15 December 2010

Friday BeerBuzz–The Teaser 17 Dec 2010

WILKFridayBerbuzz16I know this may be a shocker….but w

e had a fun Friday BeerBuzz last week.  We welcomed Mike Simmons from Lion Brewery into the studio to “help” us sample Stegmaier Winter Warmer.  This is Lion’s re-labeled Holiday Warmer seasonal, repackaged as Winter Warmer and it is as good as ever.  It was also GREAT news to hear from Mike & Leo Orlandini that Lion is planning a series of one-off brews to bridge the gap between their seasonal offerings….so stay tuned here for some upcoming details.

So what will we be sampling this week? Hint:  This week we’re traveling far far away to taste the latest brew from this historical brewery.  Be sure to join our beer texting club by texting “beer” to 99404 and be the first to know our beer of the week BEFORE we go on the air! 

Tune in at 8:30AM and see what beer we sample on the Friday Beerbuzz on WILK(103.1FM or wilknewsradio.com).…bringing good beers and good people together. 

10 December 2010

WILK Friday BeerBuzz–10 Dec 2010 (Stegmaier Winter Warmer)

WILKFridayBerbuzz10Today we welcomed Mike Simmons, brewing supervisor for Lion Brewery to help us sample their Stegmaier Winter Warmer.  Winter Warmer is their re-labeled Holiday Warmer winter seasonal.  Mike tells me the recipe is mostly unchanged, but the packaging was redone to extend the season of this beer beyond the holidays.  I can tell you from personal experience that this beer is great right out of the box, but it gets even better as you age it.  I personally have some 2009 Steg Holiday Warmer and it tastes great.  It was also a lot of fun to have Shadoe Steel join us for the Friday BeerBuzz; so be sure to tune into Saturday Night Live at the Oldies on WILK every Saturday night with Shadoe.

StegmaierWinterWarmerLion Brewery is always fun to have in the studio with us, especially because of the sheer size of the brewery and the multiple brews they now contract brew.  Add to this the new canning line that’s up and running, and there are some really exciting things coming out of Lion Brewery.

AND you heard it here FIRST.  Lion Brewery will be brewing some one-off beers to bridge the gaps between their seasonal Stegmaier offerings so Stay Tuned!!!  You’ll find the details here First!

Be sure to TRY some Winter Warmer, BUY some Winter Warmer and even AGE some Winter Warmer for yourself! 

Thanks

to  Mike, Shadoe, John, Nancy, Joe & Bosco for yet another fun Friday. 

The Friday Beerbuzz…bringing good beers and good people together

As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday Beerbuzz page by clicking HERE

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08 December 2010

Friday BeerBuzz–The Teaser 10 Dec 2010

WILKFridayBerbuzz9

Yes I’m a little late with the teaser post…but you know how crazy the holiday season can be.  Last week we had our very first vertical tasting on the Friday BeerBuzz and what a tasting it was.  Mark & Chris from Breaker Brewing Co were nice enough to bring in some 2010 and 2009 Belsnickler Ale and we had a great time comparing.  It of course helps that this is a great beer to begin with and the few tweaks they did to it this year made it even better.  We also put the guys on the spot and heard what MAY be a sneak peek at a new lighter spring/summer beer they’re discussing…so stay tuned.

So what are we doing THIS week?  Hint:  This week we’re of course doing a winter seasonal AND the brewmaster will be with us to discuss the new beer. 

Tune in at 8:30AM and see what beer we sample on the Friday Beerbuzz on WILK…bringing good beers and good people together.  (103.1FM or wilknewsradio.com).

03 December 2010

BEER CAM - 3 Dec 2010 Breaker Brewing Belsnickler Ale

Once again Beer Cam rides on another great beer. Thanks to Mark & Chris from Breaker Brewing for letting Beer Cam ride on Belsnickler Ale 2010.

WILK Friday BeerBuzz–3 Dec 2010 (Breaker Brewing Co Belsnickler)

WILKFridayBerbuzz7It’s always fun having friends in the studio, and of course whenever the beerbuzz crew and Breaker Brewing Co crews get together, it’s always fun.  Today we welcomed Mark Lehman and Chris Miller from Breaker Brewing Co into the studio to join us in a holiday vertical.  So what’s a “vertical?”  Well as you heard on the radio today, a vertical tasting is when you sample back to back vintages of the same or similar beers.  Today we sampled an aged 2009 Belsnickler Ale side-by-side with a fresh 2010 Belsnickler Ale…and I’m happy to say it was a lot of fun.  The Belsnickler sinister santa ale has held up well during the off season and I’m excited to report the 2010 version tastes great as well.

BreakerBrewingBelsnicklerBottlesI’m also happy to report that Breaker Brewing Co was the star of the 2010 Split Rock Beer Festival last weekend (11/20-11/21).  The lines were long and the excitement generated when they tapped a sixtel of Belsnickler on Sunday was amazing.  If you tuned into our video of the day, you also saw the sixtel of Belsnickler lasted only 17 minutes—and that included 2 mins of “quality assurance testing” by the beer buzz and breaker crews.
Winking smile

Be sure to try Belsnickler for yourself. 

Thanks

to  Chris, Mark, John, Nancy, Joe & Bosco for yet another fun Friday. 

The Friday Beerbuzz…bringing good beers and good people together

As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday Beerbuzz page by clicking HERE

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01 December 2010

Friday BeerBuzz–The Teaser 3 Dec 2010

WILKFridayBeerbuzz4So did you miss us??  Last week the Friday BeerBuzz crew took the week off for Thanksgiving and celebrated our Friday BeerBuzz from home.  We had a great time the week before with our sampling of Kasteel Rouge and we’ve been very busy mapping out our upcoming special holiday Friday BeerBuzz…stay tuned for details, but this one will be fun.



So what are we doing THIS week?  Hint:  This week we’re staying close to home but featuring a beer that is sure to be twice as good…and just in time for the holidays!   We’ll also welcome not one but TWO guests in the studio. 

Tune in at 8:30AM and see what beer we sample on the Friday Beerbuzz on WILK…bringing good beers and good people together.  (103.1FM or wilknewsradio.com).

19 November 2010

BEER CAM - 19 Nov 2010 Kasteel Rouge

WILK Friday BeerBuzz – 5 Nov 2010 (Kasteel Rouge)

WILKFridayBerbuzz7 Way back in May 2010, I featured a beer on the Friday BeerBuzz that has become the most requested beer we have every featured.  Everyone I talk to about the show mentions this beer and everyone loves it.  The week was May 28th and the beer was Brewery Ommegang’s Three Philosophers.  So this week I decided to see if we can find another readily available beer, with the same flavor and complexity AND excitement of 3P.  We’ve spent the last 6-months parading great guest after great guest, and since it was just the Friday BeerBuzz team this week, I knew it was the perfect time for today’s beer.

It seemed obvious to me that I needed to reach out to the country responsible for the brewing techniques needed to produce an amazing blended beer like Three Philosophers.  It also seemed obvious that I needed to look for another Belgian Quad / Kriek lambic mix but most importantly, a beer that you can find locally on tap and in bottles…and boy did I find it.

This week we featured Kasteel Rouge (Caste Red) from The Castle Brewery Van Honsebrouck, Ingelmunster Belgium.  This is a beer that IS readily available locally, but it has an amazing brewing heritage and history.  The Castle (Kasteel) brewery Van Housebrouck has been in existence since 1900 and continues to brew some amazing beers.  Certainly not the oldest brewery in Belgium, but by far one of the easiest to buy in NEPA.KasteelRouge

While there is considerable secrecy about the exact recipe, Kasteel Rouge, is a blend of Kasteek Bruin, a strong Belgian Quad, and a Kriek lambic (probably their St. Louis Kriek).  I’ve heard rumors of a simple sour cherry fruit infusion or even cherry brandy in the mix, but I suspect the brandy rumor isn’t true.  The beer is aged for a year and comes out typically between 8.5 & 11% ABV..and I lean toward the 11% number.  Kasteel Rouge is easy drinking and has sweet dark cherry notes ala Smith Brother’s cough drops…but in a good way.

Try this one for yourself and let me know. 

Thanks

to  John, Nancy, Joe & Bosco for yet another fun Friday. 

The Friday Beerbuzz…bringing good beers and good people together

As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday Beerbuzz page by clicking HERE

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17 November 2010

Friday BeerBuzz–The Teaser 19 Nov 2010

WILKFridayBeerbuzz4On last week’s show we welcomed Congressman-elect Lou Barletta on the Friday BeerBuzz.  Knowing that I wanted to stretch Lou’s beer-tasting palate, but still bring him a familiar beer style, I chose Schneider Weisse Aventinus Weizenbock.  This is a classic German dopplebock, but as I mentioned last week, Schneider uses top-fermenting ale-yeast, so the flavor of the beer is wonderful.  Paired with the Senape’s pizza (Thank you Lou), we had a great beer tasting adventure.  Try this beer!

So what are we doing THIS week?  Hint:  This week we’re crossing the ocean again to take a run at our “favorite show beer” of all time…hope you’re REaDy for the challenge.

Tune in at 8:30AM and see wheat beer we sample on the Friday Beerbuzz on WILK…bringing good beers and good people together.  (103.1FM or wilknewsradio.com).

13 November 2010

WILK Friday BeerBuzz - Text Club !

WILKFridayBerbuzz14Not sure if you caught it on our Friday BeerBuzz show this week, but we’ve started a text club.  To join simply text “beer” to 99404 and you’ll get an early peek at our beer of the week, and a few other tidbits too.  Standard text messaging rates apply, but we’re talking beer here so be sure to join.

You can also text us during the show by adding the word “talk” to your message and sending to 99404.

12 November 2010

WILK Friday BeerBuzz–12 Nov 2010 (Schneider Weisse Aventinus Weizenbock)

WILKFridayBerbuzz12Sometimes you have to take a risk and try something new.  Sometimes you have to stretch your boundaries and push the envelope.  The brewers of today’s beer did just that back in 1907, so I thought it was a great beer to push the palate boundaries of the Friday BeerBuzz crew.  Back in 1907, Mathilde Schneider brought to market the first strong wheat beer.  This was a beer that pushed the boundaries of beer fermentation.  Schneider brewery was the first brewery to create what we now know as a Weizenbock.  Bock beers even today are traditionally Lagers, and most lager yeasts impart very little flavor into the beer.  Georg & Mathilde Schneider pioneered the use of top-fermenting Ale yeast with Aventinus, to not only increase the strength for the beer, but more importantly to impart some amazing flavors into the brew….clearly pushing some traditional boundaries.

FridayBeerbuzz12Nov 2010If you haven’t guessed yet, today’s beer was

Schneider Weisse Aventinus Weizenbock, a perfect beer to stretch the boundaries of beer lovers and a perfect beer to expose our guest to.  Now I’ll admit I knew in advance that Mayor Lou Barletta likes Hofbrau Original (Helles Lager), but the Friday BeerBuzz is all about trying something new and trying something you may like even better….so Aventinus was perfect.

This is a beer style every new or existing craft beer lover should try.  It is readily available in NEPA, it ages well, it’s affordable and it’s simply a great beer and classic beer style.  Try Aventinus for yourself and share it with your friends…you’ll be surprised how great this beer is.

A really fun show and a classic beer!…

Thanks

to  Lou, John, Nancy, Joe & Bosco (GREAT music once again Bosco!) for yet another fun Friday. 

The Friday Beerbuzz…bringing good beers and good people together

As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday Beerbuzz page by clicking HERE

10 November 2010

Friday BeerBuzz–The Teaser 12 Nov 2010

WILKFridayBerbuzz8Last week we tasted two different (and very tasty) Black IPA’s.  That in itself was a lot of fun, but we also did something very new for the Friday BeerBuzz.  We took the show on the road and did our first every Friday BeerBuzz LIVE at Krugel’s Georgetown Deli & Beer for happy hour.  Beer Cam was the star of the show for sure, and we had our highest every number of people that watched the Beer Cam video on wilknewsradio.com and mybeerbuzz.com.   We had a wonderful time, the crowd was great and it was really nice to meet everyone.  In the end it was a fantastic event and we all left with a few hundred new beer friends.

So what are we doing THIS week?  Hint:  This week we’re tasting a fine German beverage with some interesting historical stories.

Tune in at 8:30AM and see wheat beer we sample on the Friday Beerbuzz on WILK…bringing good beers and good people together.  (103.1FM or wilknewsradio.com).

05 November 2010

BEER CAM– WILK Friday BeerBuzz LIVE @ Krugel’s Georgetown Deli & Beer 5 Nov 2010

Thank you to everyone at Krugel’s, WILK, and Stone Brewery, but especially to all of the local beer lovers and listeners who took the time to stop by and have a beer with us.  The Friday BeerBuzz…..Literally bringing good beers and good people together!

WILK Friday BeerBuzz–5 Nov 2010 (Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale vs Blue Point Toxic Sludge IPA)

WILKFridayBerbuzz15The Friday BeerBuzz Team is a generous and giving group.  We love sharing our beer and we do whatever it takes to make our local beer-loving listeners happy.  It was challenging and fun to feature two different beers on the Friday BeerBuzz today, but we did it all for you..the beer lover…and here’s why.  Keep in mind that this week (11/5) is our FIRST EVER Friday BeerBuzz Live appearance.  We’ll be pouring samples of BOTH Blue Point Toxic Sludge IPA and Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale at Krugel’s Georgetown Deli & Beer (Rt 309 by the Big Cow in Wilkes-Barre Twp) from 5-7PM…..AND we figured if you’re going to come out and have a beer with the Friday BeerBuzz team…we should offer up not one, but TWO BEERS!

AND don’t forget that the lovely Mrs BeerBuzz will be operating BEER CAM at Krugel’s so be sure to say hi to BEER CAM and you’ll be included in the BEER CAM video for the Krugel’s appearance!



We recently sampled another Stone brew with Mitch Steele, Head Brewer for Stone Brewing on the Friday BeerBuzz, and Mitch mentioned that one of his favorite Stone beers is Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale.  Of course this beer has also been a favorite of mine, so I thought it was a perfect beer to compare.

Next we chose Blue Point Toxic Sludge IPA as our second dark IPA contender.  I’ve been enjoying Blue Point’s Pale Ale, and I love the fact that all proceeds from the sale of Toxic Sludge support the BP oil-spill bird clean-up efforts in the Gulf of Mexico.  This made it an easy choice….and when you’re talking Escondido California versus Long Island New York, there are no losers.

First let me say this is a comparison of beers and not intended to pick a winner.  These are two great beers so the real winner here is all of us who get to sample and enjoy these two great brews.  Second, let me remind you that these are both locally available beers…and third let me remind you AGAIN, to come out to Krugel’s Georgetown Deli & Beer TONIGHT from 5-7PM to sample these beers with us.  You know you’ve always wanted to come out and have a beer with the Friday BeerBuzz team….well tonight’s your night.  Mark your dance cards and get to Krugel’s!



A really fun show and TWO really tasty beers!…

Thanks

to  John, Nancy, Joe & Bosco (Great music Bosco!) for yet another fun Friday. 

The Friday Beerbuzz…bringing good beers and good people together

As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday Beerbuzz page by clicking HERE

03 November 2010

Friday BeerBuzz–The Teaser 5 Nov 2010

WILKFridayBerbuzz14To say last week’s show was pure crazy chaotic unadulterated fun, would be a huge understatement.  Having two brewmaster-guests as fun as Terry Hawbaker from Bullfrog Brewery and Mike Hiller from Bavarian Barbarian Brewing in the studio was over the top to begin with.  But when you mix in their fantastic co-brew Gothika dark-lager, Halloween costumes, beer cam, strobe lights and a smoke machine, the results were incredible.  What a blast of a Friday BeerBuzz!  If you haven’t already checked out the video, I command you to DO SO NOW!
Also be sure to get your butt down to WIlliamsport to try Gothika before it’s to late.

So what will we be tasting this week? 

Hint:  My hints have been TOO good lately so I’ll be buying Jason P and Doug K a beer after their correct guesses the last two weeks.  This week we’ll be sampling TWO BEERS, both of a new style and from opposite ends of the country.  We’ll ALSO be handing out samples of these two beers at Krugel’s Georgetown Deli & Beer (Rt 309 by the Big Cow in WB Twp) from 5-7PM Friday (11/5) for the FIRST EVER Friday BeerBuzz LIVE so be sure to stop in to Krugel’s and have a beer with us. 

Tune in at 8:30AM and see what beer we sample on the Friday Beerbuzz on WILK…bringing good beers and good people together. 

(103.1FM or wilknewsradio.com).

29 October 2010

WILK Friday BeerBuzz – 29 Oct 2010 (Bavarian Barbarian / Bullfrog Brewing Gothika)

WILKFridayBerbuzz12 Way back in July we welcomed Mike Hiller from Bavarian Barbarian Brewing into the studio as our first guest on the Friday BeerBuzz.  Mike was nice enough to bring some 2x2IPA to sample but also broke the news of a dark and sinister secret to our listeners.  Gothika…the evil demon spawn Bavarian Barbarian/Bullfrog Brewing co-brewed beer was in the barrels and fermenting as we spoke.  Bound by a solemn promise, Mike agreed to return to the studio with the evil master from Bullfrog to release Gothika into our meager sampling glasses….and today was that day.

Gothika There are “regular” beers, big beers and huge beers but Gothika is simply a beast.  This is an amazing and complex beer for sure and the dark heritage comes out in the flavor.  Lots of bourbon on the tongue and a really subtle smokey character and of course the boozy 9% mouth-feel that you’d expect.  Quite a combination of flavors and a really impressive co-brew from Mike & Terry.  I command you to get to WIlliamsport and sample this beer before Gothika comes looking for you.

FridayBeerBuzz29Oct2010Some have asked me to explain my costume from today’s show.  Let’s just say it was one part Goth, one part Slash from Guns ‘n Roses and one part Snooky from the Jersey Shore.  Be sure to check out the video and see for yourself.

Spooooooky!…

Thanks

to  Mike, Terry, John, Nancy, & Bosco for yet another fun Friday. 

The Friday Beerbuzz…bringing good beers and good people together

As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday Beerbuzz page by clicking HERE

27 October 2010

Friday BeerBuzz – The Teaser 29 Oct 2010

WILKFridayBerbuzz11 We’ve beer riding a wave of great guests on the Friday BeerBuzz and of course we plan to continue to hang 10.  Last Friday, Damien Malfara from Old Forge Brewing Co stopped by to let us all sample his Smashin’ Pumpkin Ale.  Of course it was tasty, and of course we had a great time.  Damien has built a really unique  brewpub that celebrated handcrafted works of art, and his beers are no exception.  So get your butt down t Danville and check out the Smashin’ Pumpkin Ale before it’s all gone ;)

 

So what will we be tasting this week? 

Hint:  This week’s beer is evil so be afraid…and what better fit for this pre-Halloween Friday BeerBuzz.  Wait…did I mention our beer is being escorted into the studio by not one but TWO demonic guests? 

Tune in at 8:30AM and see what beer we sample on the Friday Beerbuzz on WILK…bringing good beers and good people together. 

(103.1FM or wilknewsradio.com).

22 October 2010

WILK Friday BeerBuzz – 22 Oct 2010 (Old Forge Brewing Company Smashin’ Pumpkin)

WILKFridayBerbuzz7We’ve been fortunate enough to have some great guests join us in the studio for the Friday BeerBuzz.  I was really excited to welcome this week’s guest, a) so I finally had the chance to meet this busy brewmaster, and more importantly b) so I finally had a chance to taste his fall seasonal beer.  Today we welcomed Damien Malfara from Old Forge Brewing Company in Danville, PA and we sampled Damien’s fall seasonal Smashin’ Pumpkin Ale.  Old Forge Brewing Company (OFBC) is relatively new, opening their doors on Dec 5th 2008, and I’m happy to report they have already expanded their capacity to keep up with demand.  I also really love the theme of OFBC.  Damien and wife Maria highlight craftsmanship in many ways at OFBC.  From the locally grown produce to the hand crafted mug rack, mug club mugs, restaurant booths and of course their hand-crafted beers.  All in all a unique brewpub and wonderful tribute to craftsmanship.

OldForgePint It was really fun tasting such a great Pumpkin Ale, with the young man that hand crafted this beer and based on the fact that this beer is made with real pumpkins, I think I have some idea where the Smashin’ Pumpkin Ale moniker came from.  This is a very tasty beer so be sure to take the ride to Mill St in Danville to check out all of Damien’s brews.

FridayBeerbuzz22Oct2010 A really fun guest and a really tasty beer!…

Thanks

to  Damien, John, Nancy, Joe & Bosco for yet another fun Friday. 

The Friday Beerbuzz…bringing good beers and good people together

As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday Beerbuzz page by clicking HERE

and a special Thank you to Joe & Nancy for going above and BEYOND the call of duty to produce this week's video.  Our camera literally failed during the intro music, but thankfully Nancy had an APP for that on her iPhone.  Thanks guys!

20 October 2010

Friday BeerBuzz – The Teaser 22 Oct 2010

WILKFridayBeerbuzz4I can’t tell you how great last week’s show was for me.  First off I’m a huge fan of Weyerbacher Brewing, and I’ve been so for many many moons, 15 years in fact.  I was also very excited to get to taste one of my favorites, Imperial Pumpkin Ale, with head brewer Chris Wilson.  And if that wasn’t enough, we were all lucky enough to get to taste one of the first samples of Weyerbacher Brewers Select “Mike” to leave the brewery.  All in all a great show, a great guest and of course some amazing beers. 

So what will we be tasting this week? 

Hint:  This week’s beer shares the name of a band, and they are unrelated, even back in 1979. 

Tune in at 8:30AM and see what beer we sample on the Friday Beerbuzz on WILK…bringing good beers and good people together. 

(103.1FM or wilknewsradio.com).

15 October 2010

WILK Friday BeerBuzz – 15 Oct 2010 (Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale & MIKE)

WILKFridayBerbuzz7 I’m not only a long time drinker of Weyerbacher beers, but a long time lover of their line of big beers.  Maybe it was the way their simple Hops Infusion spoke to me, maybe it was the way their barrel aged Insanity lingered on my tongue and in my mind or maybe it was even the smile I still remember on my face when they first premiered Double Simcoe at a beer festival…but whatever the case I am a huge fan.  Sure it helps that Brother BeerBuzz has lived 5-mins from both Weyerbacher brewery locations for many moons, and of course it helps that I like a big beer…but it’s more than that…quite simply Weyerbacher does beer the way I would do beer (if I could do beer).

imperial-pumpkin weyerbacher.jpgToday Chris Wilson, head brewer for Weyerbacher joined us in the studio to talk about the Easton, PA brewery and some of their beers.  It was VERY cool to get to try Brewer’s Reserve MIKE before it’s even released and a lot of fun sampling Imperial Pumpkin Ale with Chris.  I’m not a huge fan of pumpkin beers, BUT Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale has always been one I look forward to every year…hell we even drink it on the beach when we go on vacation every year.  Be sure to check out Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale for yourself AND watch for Brewers Reserve MIKE coming very soon.

 



FridayBeerbuzz15Oct2010 Great beers and a great show!…

Thanks

to  Chris, John, Nancy, Joe & Bosco for yet another fun Friday. 

The Friday Beerbuzz…bringing good beers and good people together

As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday Beerbuzz page by clicking HERE

13 October 2010

Friday BeerBuzz – The Teaser (15 Oct 2010)

WILKFridayBeerbuzz4 As we plough through our 6th month of doing the Friday BeerBuzz show, I’m amazed not only at how much fun it is, BUT also just how many great beers there are out there to share with your friends.  I think as a longer-term craft beer lover, I sometimes forget how exciting it is to discover a new beer…and the Friday BeerBuzz (and your comments) have been a great reminder of that excitement. 

Last week we tasted not only a big beer, but a huge beer in AleSmith’s Speedway Stout.  Lots of flavor, wonderful texture and the ABV doesn’t hurt either.  I’m also excited that we can ALL try AleSmith beers in NEPA without having to travel to San Diego.  Cheers to us in NEPA for driving the demand for AleSmith beers and thanks to Krugel’s and Bella Vista for getting them here.

So what will we be tasting this week? 

Hint: This week we’re bringing one a beer AND GUEST from a “big” brewery to sample a “big” beer. 

Tune in at 8:30AM and see what beer we sample on the Friday Beerbuzz on WILK…bringing good beers and good people together. 

(103.1FM or wilknewsradio.com).

08 October 2010

Friday BeerBuzz BEER CAM ! - 8 Oct 2010

It's been many weeks since BEER CAM came on the Friday BeerBuzz. Apparently he's been buzy with his west coast tour, but finally found time in his schedule to revisit the show that made him famous....The Friday BeerBuzz!

WILK Friday BeerBuzz – 8 Oct 2010 (AleSmith Speedway Stout)

WILKFridayBerbuzz7 I’m a big fan of sweet and imperial stouts and after the last few weeks I think that’s pretty obvious.  My problem with stouts is I like BIG stouts.  Regular stouts are OK, but for me if you’re going to sample a dark beer, it needs to be big.  After we paired up a Chocolate Stout with Mother Beerbuzz’s cookies, I started thinking that we needed a counterpoint beer.  A beer to show how great a sweet stout the Rogue was but also showcase how good a dark chocolate imperial stout can be.

My choice was driven not only by the fact that AleSmith beers are JUST reaching NEPA, (this beer arrived only a few days ago)….but also by the fact that this is a great imperial stout.  I used to have to travel to San Diego to get AleSmith beers (see photo below), but thanks to Bella Vista distributors in Philly, Krugels and of course AleSmith, now you can get their beers locally…and they are well worth seeking out.AleSmithSPeedway

This beer is not only big in flavor with strong coffee, caramel and dark chocolate flavors, but really big in alcohol.  At 12% ABV this beer will kick your butt and take your name, so enjoy it carefully.   It also comes in a larger 750ml bottle, so be sure to share it with friends.

AlesmithSpeedway2 Another big beer and another fun show. 

Thanks

to John, Nancy, Joe & Bosco for yet another fun Friday. 

The Friday Beerbuzz…bringing good beers and good people together

As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday Beerbuzz page by clicking HERE

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06 October 2010

Friday BeerBuzz – The Teaser (8 Oct 2010)

WILKFridayBeerbuzz4 Last week we rolled out what is perhaps my favorite sweet stout (Rogue Chocolate Stout) and paired it with Mother BeerBuzz’s brown sugar drop cookies—without a doubt my favorite cookies.  Everyone in the studio loved the beer and the beer/food combination, so we’ll definitely try this out again….and you should too.  Experiment with your favorite beer/food pairings and maybe we’ll try one of yours on the air.

We also welcomed Beki Krantz-Kosydar from home brewing sensation Krantz Brewing Co to sample her Fuggles IPA AND as if that wasn’t crazy enough we had Sebbie Buhler, (the woman pictured on the bottle) on the phone to help us sample Rogue Chocolate Stout.  All in all a crazy but fun show.


So what will we be tasting this week? 

Hint: This week we’ll feature a beer that I used to have to race all the way to the west coast to sample. 

Tune in at 8:30AM and see what beer we sample on the Friday Beerbuzz on WILK…bringing good beers and good people together. 

(103.1FM or wilknewsradio.com).

01 October 2010

WILK Friday BeerBuzz – 1 Oct 2010 (Rogue Chocolate Stout)

WILKFridayBerbuzz7 I’m a firm believer that if you choose a beer you love, and you talk about why you love it…people with love that beer too.  Now I know the word “love” appeared 3 times in the first sentence already, but I have to say, “I really Love Rogue Chocolate Stout.”  Not only is this the standard by which all other Chocolate Stouts are judged, it simply achieves what Rogue brewmaster John Maier is know for achieving in all of his beers…”balance.”  John balances malt, hops and other ingredients better than many other brewmasters, and so well that perhaps his brews seem to fly under the radar.  In these days of big bold aggressive flavors, John’s brews are simply delicious without hitting you over the head.

I’ll admit the flavor in Rogue Chocolate Stout is big, but taste it again and you’ll find it is big in flavor, but subtle in taste.  The chocolate is present for sure, but it melts into your palate like any good chocolate would, and leaves you wanting for the next sip. 
RogueChocStout 
A big thank you to Sebbie Buhler (she’s pictured on the actual bottle), from Rogue Brewing for coming on the air with us this morning.  Sebbie has been with Rogue since 1991 and clearly knows a lot about the culture and beers of Rogue.  Rogue beers were one of my earliest experiences with craft beer in our area, and still today I really enjoy all of their beers.  Mrs. BeerBuzz and I met over a Rogue beer and John Maier was even nice enough to brew and specially label our wedding beer.  Rogue brews a huge variety of regular, specialty and even uniquely packaged beers AND their beers are readily available in NEPA and still a very good value. 

AND as if the Rogue Chocolate Stout wasn’t good enough on it’s own, we decided to launch the first Friday BeerBuzz beer and food pairing today.  Other than Pizza and cheese-fries, I’ll admit I’m fairly new to true food/beer pairings…so today I decided to go for desert.  Our pairing today included Mother BeerBuzz’s brown sugar drop cookies and our Rogue Chocolate Stout and it worked really well.  Knowing that Mother BeerBuzz will never give up her recipe, I’d suggest trying Rogue Chocolate Stout with vanilla ice cream (like a root beer float) or even any other sweet cookies or cakes.  Try it for yourself and please let us know your results.

FridayBeerbuzz1Oct2010 I also want to say thank you to Beki Kosydar-Krantz from the home brewing Krantz Brewing Co. for joining us on the show today and sharing her Fuggles IPA.  Be sure to check out Krantz Brewing Co beers at the Carbondale Pioneer City Oktoberfest tomorrow (10/2).

Another wild and crazy show!…

Thanks

to  Sebbie, Beki, John, Nancy, Joe & Bosco for yet another fun Friday. 

The Friday Beerbuzz…bringing good beers and good people together

As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday Beerbuzz page by clicking HERE

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29 September 2010

Friday BeerBuzz – The Teaser (1 Oct 2010)

WILKFridayBeerbuzz4 Just when you thought it was safe to assume this week’s Friday BeerBuzz would be just another normal show, we threw in an unexpected curveball to mix it up.  Last week we decided to throw in two curve balls, and I think it worked out great.  First off, we had local hockey sensation Dennis Bonvie join us in the studio to sample the beer with us.  And as if that wasn’t fun enough, Head Brewer Mitch Steele from Stone Brewing in Escondido California joined us on the phone to sample Stone 14 Emperial IPA.  Needless to say the mix worked out really well…a great beer, a great head brewer to talk about his beer and a fun in-studio guest to sample it with us.

So what will we be tasting this week? 

Hint: We’re finally bringing in a much-requested beer style and we’ll do something with it that we’ve never done before on the show! 

Tune in at 8:30AM and see what beer we sample on the Friday Beerbuzz on WILK…bringing good beers and good people together. 

(103.1FM or wilknewsradio.com).

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