WILK Friday Beerbuzz – 23 July 2010 (Brew Works Alchemy Ale)

I know I overuse this sentence, but we really did have a great time on the Friday Beerbuzz today  First off we welcomed Scranton’s own Beau Baden, brewmaster for Allentown Brew Works, Bethlehem Brew Works and Brew Works on the Green in the Lehigh Valley area.  Beau not only brews some fantastic beers but a wide variety of beers AND some really special beers…and today we were lucky enough to sample one.

Back in 1852 Allsops Brewery in England brewed a beer called Allsops Arctic Ale and this beer was sent off with Sir Edwin Belcher in search of the northwest passage to the Canadian Arctic.  Fast forward to 2010 and Chris Bowen, Dick Gethin, and John Chay are working with Brew Works to commemorate the voyage and more importantly the beer.  Chris Dick & John are departing on a 2000-mile motorcycle ride on Sunday July 25th from Bethlehem, PA to the Canadian Arctic where they will use primitive brewing equipment to brew a batch of Arctic Ale based on the Allsop’s recipe.

So how does this all relate?  Well as it turns out our beer of the day is Arctic Alchemy, a brew that Beau and Chris Bowen brewed at Allentown Brew Works in commemoration of the 1852 Allsops Ale and the 2010 motorcycle ride.  Needless to say at 12% ABV this beer is big and flavorful like a classic English Barleywine, but rich like a classic olde ale.

Bethlehem Brew Works will be holding a special event this Sunday (July 25th) to send the riders off on their journey and release the Brew Works Arctic Alchemy beer.  Check out thebrewworks.com for details.  Also bottles will be released and sold only at the brewery….and take my word for it….this is a beer well worth seeking out.

This was a wonderful beer and a very fun visit by Beau Baden. 

All in all a very fun show and

once again I want to say t

hank you to Beau, John, Nancy (we missed you 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