28 December 2012

WILK Friday BeerBuzz - 28 Dec 2012 Southern Tier 2XMAS

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Holidays are a special time on the WILK Friday BeerBuzz.  For 2012 we not only logged FOUR live Friday morning shows, we also launched a 4-segment 1-Hour Overextended Holiday spectacular, bringing our total for the number of beers sampled in the month of December to 10!  Because of that, we wanted to go out with a bang and feature a new and exciting holiday beer today with an exciting and unique style.

Southern Tier Brewing company has an extensive history on the WILK Friday BeerBuzz.  Back in the spring of 2011 we featured one of my favorites, 2XIPA, and followed that up on Oct 2011 by chatting with founder Phin Demink as we featured his fantastic Blackwater Series Mokah.  Both great beers and of course Phin was a great guest.

When I heard Southern Tier was launching a new brew as part of their 2X series of beers, AND that this beer would be a holiday ale, I knew we had to feature it.  Southern Tier 2XMAS was launched back in November and it’s a completely different style of holiday ale.
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2XMAS is brewed in a style similar to a Swedish Glogg, and if you’re unfamiliar with that as a beer style, it’s because it pretty much doesn’t exist in many (if any) existing beers.  A Glogg is a traditional Swedish holiday beverage that uses mulled spices and it’s typically served warm.  Southern Tier took that tradition and created a holiday spiced ale that has a complex mix of ingredients.  Starting with 4 malt varieties and 2 hop varieties, Southern Tier added in figs, orange peel, cinnamon, ginger root, cloves and even cardamom to make their beer-glogg and it came out great.  2XMAS is 8% ABV and loaded with spicy flavors as you would expect, but it’s a lot more drinkable than the stats or style would convey.  Try this one for yourself and see if you don’t agree.

Stay tuned for more excitement coming from Southern Tier as they continue to work on heir expansion.  With six HUGE 660bbl fermentation tanks installed and a new 110bbl brewhouse in place, Southern Tier is hitting production levels of 70,000 barrels as the year closes with the ultimate goal of 150,000bbl in the future.  Of course all this means more great beer for you and me.

T

hank you to Nancy, John & Joe 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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26 December 2012

Friday BeerBuzz 28 Dec 2012 - The Teaser

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It’s been a crazy holiday season on the WILK Friday BeerBuzz.  Last week we not only held our Last Annual End Of The World show with UniBroue La Fin du Monde, but we also aired our 1-Hour Overextended Holiday Spectacular featuring Chef Kate Gabriel, Joe Snedeker, and Jaime Jurado & Fred Maier from Susquehanna Brewing Co.  We had a fantastic time and I thank all of our guests as well as everyone at WILK for all of the fun!

So what will we be sampling this week? Hint: This week we’re sampling a holiday beer that is brand spanking new and twice the fun. 

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 December 2012

WILK Friday BeerBuzz Overextended Holiday Spectacular NEW Intro!

WILK Friday BeerBuzz Overextended Holiday Spectacular - BEER CAM!

WILK Friday BeerBuzz Overextended Holiday Spectacular - Part 1 (Video)

WILK Friday BeerBuzz Overextended Holiday Spectacular - Part 2 (Video)

WILK Friday BeerBuzz Overextended Holiday Spectacular - Part 3 (Video)

WILK Friday BeerBuzz Overextended Holiday Spectacular - Part 4 (Video)

WILK Friday BeerBuzz Overextended Holiday Spectacular 1- Hour

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Each year during the holiday season, the WILK Friday BeerBuzz team creates a very special holiday gift.  Since nothing says Christmas like over-extending yourself, each year we dive in to a 1-hour 4-segment holiday spectacular and each year we present this special program on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.

Since this is our third annual holiday spectacular we decided to go big with multiple beers, multiple guests, food, video and even the triumphant return of our patented beer-cam.  For this years show we invited Chef Kate Gabriel from the Rustic Kitchen at the Mohegan Sun casino, we invited Jaime Jurado & Fred Maier from Susquehanna Brewing to premier a new beer and to round that all out we added in admitted beer-pragmatist WNEP weatherman Joe Snedeker.  Of course we insist everyone stays for all four segments and helps us sample each beer so be sure to tune in to the video and see how this all works out.
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For segment # 1 we chose to feature Corsendonk Christmas Ale.  This classic Belgian brew was the perfect way to not only sample a great holiday ale, but also pair it with food prepared in the studio by Chef Kate Gabriel.  Kate created an amazing Porcini Mushroom Risotto and what's even more amazing is that she did it in the WILK break room.  Needless to say the combination of mushrooms, parmesan, spices and herbs was the perfect compliment to the Corsendonk Christmas Ale and Kate was even nice enough to tell us the recipe.  It was a lot of fun talking beer & food pairing with Kate and we’ll certainly invite her back again to talk beer and food.  Be sure to check out Chef Kate’s website where she offers cooking lessons…she shops, she teaches you how to prepare the menu in your own home and cooks it with you, she cleans up and you eat.  Not a bad deal and a wonderful gift too!  image
Kate is also working on the military cookbook project…a great project where she is collecting the stories and recipes that our military members miss most from home.  Check out the website and submit your stories & recipes to this great project.

imageSegment # 2 featured a perennial favorite Christmas Ale called Delirium Noel.  Coming to us from  Brewery Huyghe in Melle Belgium, this classic brew celebrates the season with a robust Belgian dark ale.  Delirium features the pink elephant which according to them is one of their “states of mind” of Delirium and after seeing the alligator, dragon, and Hitchcock birds…I’ll take the Elephant.  Delirium Noel is 10% ABV and is a holiday beer you must try for yourself.  Dating back to 1650 and recently celebrating their 350th Anniversary, Brewery Huyghe makes some amazing beers, and if you’re ever in Brussels, be sure to check out the HUGE selection of beers at the Delirium Café.
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For segment # 3 I selfishly chose to feature one of my all-time favorite holiday beers…Brasserie Dupont Avec les bons Voueux.  This specialty seasonal Saison starts with a classic Saison style and bumps it up to make a very special 9.5% ABV holiday Saison.  Dupont is know for making one of the best Saisons in the world, so it is no surprise that their holiday beer is extra special.  Avec les bons Voueux translates to “With best wishes” as this beer was originally a specialty brew given to clients, customers and family members at the brewery.  With increasing demand, Dupont decided to make it available to the world and we’re thankful they did.  Known for having an amazing and secretive yeast strain, Dupont is believed to use several strains of yeast for primary & secondary fermentation as well as a 3rd strain for their bottle-conditioning.  Try this beer and see for yourself why Dupont makes some of the best beers in the world.
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For segment 4, Jaime Jurado and Fred Maier from Susquehanna Brewing Co joined us to sample three different SBC beers.  We all enjoyed their Pils Noir, regarded as the world’s only jet black pilsner-style beer.  This beer is infinitely drinkable and the play of beer color and beer style will leave you wanting to try more and more.  Next up Jaime was nice enough to bring us some of SBC’s fresh-hop beer called Centennial Helles.  This beer uses Centennial Hops in the brewery’s hopjack to impart a wonderful hoppy flavor into this traditional Helles-style beer.  I really liked this harvest beer and I look forward to trying it again.  As a special surprise, Jaime and Fred were nice enough to share with us a new beer with the premier of Susquehanna Brewing Co Hopfive IPA.  Keep in mind this program was recorded in early December, and while Hopfive is available now, we were lucky enough to try a pre-release sample on the show.  Coming in at 6% ABV and using 5 hop varieties, this is a tasty IPA and one I think will become an SBC best-seller.


fbbXmas2012SnedTo add to the fun, we invited in our pal and WNEP weather-dude Joe Snedeker.  Joe will admit that beer is just beer to him and a means to an end more than anything, so we had our hands full trying to convince him beer can be something more.  Joe was a really good sport as he sampled all of our beers, kept an open mind and gave us his honest opinions as we sampled each.  In the end I’m not sure we won him over as a craft beer convert, but rest assured we’ll certainly keep trying.
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Thank you to Mrs. BeerBuzz, Karel Zubris, Jaime Jurado, Fred Maier, Chef Kate Gabriel, Joe Snedeker, Jacob, Nancy, & John for an amazing holiday show experience

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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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As a bonus, here’s a peek t the studio at the end of our hour-long show.  You do the math…9 people, 6 beers, food and glassware….whew!

21 December 2012

Friday BeerBuzz Holiday Spectacular Teaser

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Not only are we bringing you 4 regularly schedule live Friday BeerBuzz shows in December, but as an added gift, we’ve decided to double that and being you a special 4-segment hour-long show for the holidays. This special show will air on Dec 22nd @ 3pm & Dec 24th @ 11AM and trust me you do NOT want to miss this one!! Multiple beers, multiple guests, food and even beer-cam and yes we filmed the whole thing. Watch for additional details on possible airings during the New Years timeframe as well.



So what will we be doing on the holiday show? Hint: We’re covering territory from Belgium to Northeastern PA with our beers, we have a chef that I know you will love, some local brewers with a surprising new beer, AND a special celebrity guests that will surprise the crap out of you!! 

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)

WILK Friday BeerBuzz - 21 Dec 2012 UniBroue La Fin du Monde

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It’s been months and months since the WILK Friday BeerBuzz didn’t feature a guest.  We love welcoming brew masters from all over the world and we love talking beer with local brewers as well…but today seemed different….and today seemed like a day when it should just be Friday BeerBuzz family.

For those following along with the Mayan Calendar and carefully counting your B’ak’tuns, you’ll know what today means.  It’s not just Friday or any old day in December; today is the one and only 12/21/12 or what the Mayans called the “end of days.”  While some may say that the date is wrong, some may say they were only signifying the beginning of the next B’ak’tun 13.0.0.0.0, and some may even say they simply ran out of time, ambition or rock to carve….we thought it would be best to be prepared just in case the Mayans were on to something.  Personally I think they probably discovered beer somewhere toward the end of the previous B'ak'tun and simply decided to have a beer instead of carving the next calendar.  In any case we decided the Friday BeerBuzz team should be together just in case the world ends today.

So how do you celebrate the end of the world?  Simple!  You drink “The end of the world.”  Yes our beer today literally translates into “the end of the world” so why not celebrate the day with UniBroue La Fin du Monde!? 

UniBroue traces it’s beginnings back to the early 1990s but it’s beginnings go further back than that.  UniBroue was the first brewery in North America to use the ancient brewing techniques of Trappist Monks in Europe, so their methods and yeasts are historic.  UniBroue was purchased in 2006 by Japan’s Sapporo brewery, but their Belgian traditions march on.  With over 25 beers on their roster ranging from fruit-based brews to sessionable lagers, UniBroue has a wide variety of beers, but their Classic Belgian-style beers are my favorites….and of course that means La Fin du Monde.
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La Fin do Monde is a classic Belgian Tripel golden ale and at 9% ABV it will certainly get your attention.  Named after the explorers who left France in search of spices who thought they had reached “the end of the world” when they hit North America.  In honor of that search for spices, UniBroue has created a slightly spicy and wonderfully champagne-like ale to celebrate their journey.  La Fin du Monde has floral notes, a spicy dry finish and an effervescent mouthfeel that makes it easy to drink…but we warned that like the Mayans…the 9% ABV is sneaky.  La Fin du Monde is regarded as one of North America’s first Trappist style Tripel ales so it is not only a historical beer, but also a beer that will age really well…in fact UniBroue recommends cellaring it for 3 years before it is at it’s best….that is of course assuming we have 3 years left.

Buy some La Fin du Monde now and drink some now just in case…but put some in your cellar and should the sun rise tomorrow morning, cellar your beer until 2015 and enjoy it again in the next B’ak’tun!

T

hank you to Nancy, John & Joe for yet another

fun Friday….and maybe our last!? 

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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19 December 2012

FridayBeerBuzz - 21 Dec 2012 The Teaser

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Last week we welcomed back out pal Mark Carpenter from Anchor Brewing to feature our favorite Anchor Brewing beer…Our Special Ale.  Last year Mark joined us to feature the 2011 version and we were excited to have him back for the 2012 version.  The beer was wonderful and Mark is a great guest, especially considering he’s waking up at 5:30AM in San Francisco to join us.  Thanks again Mark!

So what will we be sampling this week? Hint: This week we celebrate something that I don’t think anyone is ever really ready for…..THE END.

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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14 December 2012

Friday BeerBuzz - 14 Dec 2012 Anchor Our Special Ale w/Mark Carpenter (Video)


Thank you to brewmaster Mark Carpenter from Anchor Brewing for joining us today to sample Anchor Our Special Ale 2012.
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WILK Friday BeerBuzz - 14 Dec 2012 - Anchor Christmas Ale w/Mark Carpenter

WILKFridayBerbuzz15As the holiday season approaches each year we all reach out to our traditions and holiday customs to celebrate the season.  We’re no different on the WILK Friday BeerBuzz as we welcome the holiday season by reaching out to the friends we’ve met along the way.

After last year’s appearance on our show, I knew we had a new holiday tradition on the Friday BeerBuzz with Anchor Christmas Ale and our pal brewmaster Mark Carpenter.  What better way to celebrate the season than by welcoming Mark back with this year’s version of Anchor Christmas Ale or Our Special Ale as many know it.  Mark kindly agreed to wake up early again to talk to us and we were honored to have him back.

Anchor Christmas Ale began in 1975 and in it’s 38th year, the recipe has never been the same as any previous year.  Each year the beer uses a top-secret set of ingredients to achieve it’s rich and unique flavors.  Each year the beer also features a classic label featuring a specific tree hand drawn by 83-year old label artist Jim Stitt.  Of course this year is no different, and the label features a Norfolk Island Pine drawn from a real tree in Golden Gate Park.  Trees symbolize the winter solstice and the change of seasons and as you’ll see when you taste it, this is the perfect beer to celebrate the winter season.  Anchor Christmas Ale is a 5.5% ABV, slightly spicy, slightly malty and infinitely drinkable winter brew.  You’ll find notes of dark fruit, caramel and winter spices, and the beer itself is simply pretty to look at with it’s reddish brown color.
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It was fun quizzing Mark about the direction Anchor Christmas Ale will move toward in the future.  Mark mentioned in a previous interview that they had possibly exhausted the traditional style of this beer so we’ll be excited to see what changes he may make in 2013.  It was of course also fun talking to Mark about the Anchor brewery itself.  If you get a chance to visit this brewery, DO SO….it is a beautiful facility and it has some of the most amazing copper kettles you’ll ever see.

Try Anchor Christmas for yourself, and if you’re lucky enough to find some samples from previous years, try them all together.  This beer ages well and gets even more complex and interesting as it ages.

T

hank you to Mark Carpenter from Anchor Brewing, Nancy, John & Joe 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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12 December 2012

Friday BeerBuzz 14 Dec 2012 - The Teaser

WILKFridayBerbuzz15Last week we welcomed back out pal Brian O’Reilly from Sly Fox Brewing.  This time Brian joined is from their new facility in Pottstown, PA and this time we featured Sly Fox Christmas Ale.  We really loved our visit to Sly Fox Pottstown back in Oct so it was great timing to get Brian back on the air.  We were also excited to feature Sly Fox new can packaging for Christmas Ale with the “To:” and “From:” labeling.  This is a great holiday beer, and now thanks to the write-on can, it makes the perfect gift too.

So what will we be sampling this week? Hint: This week we’re reaching about as far west as we can and still staying on the mainland to welcome back a brewmaster we loved talking to last time.

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)

07 December 2012

WILK Friday BeerBuzz - 7 Dec 2012 Sly Fox Christmas Ale w/Brian O’Reilly

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Back in October we took 50 of our closest friends and headed down to Sly Fox Brewery in Pottstown PA.  This was our first trip to the new brewery and it really looked great.  We took a peek at the new Braukon brewhouse and got a great behind-the-scenes look at the brewery & packaging line….and of course some great food & beer.

As we worked to empty the entire brewery supply of Black Raspberry Reserve, we decided it was time to feature another Sly Fox beer on the WILK Friday BeerBuzz.  We’ve featured their Pikeland Pils in the past, but with the holidays approaching I knew we had a perfect beer to welcome back brewmaster Brian O’Reilly.

Sly Fox Christmas Ale is a classic holiday brew, but when they added the packaging that allows you to write “TO” and “FROM” names on your 12oz can or 750ml bottle, I knew we had our perfect Sly Fox show beer.
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Sly Fox Christmas Ale actually begins life as a Red Ale and from there, Brian adds in Nutmeg, Ginger, Cinnamon, Allspice & even cloves to make this wintery holiday brew.  Don’t let the spices fool you, this beer comes loaded with flavor, body and a very drinkable 5.5% ABV.  Available on draft, in 750ml bottles and my favorite 12oz cans, this beer is a great beer to take to a holiday party…and with the To/From on the label you just HAVE to give this as a gift.

It was fun to wish Brian O’Reilly a happy 17th anniversary and even more fun trying to pry some details about his surprise Special Anniversary Ale out of Brian.  This new beer will be released on 12/14 at their special day-long Anniversary Party at the brewery so stay tuned.  This party will feature Sly Fox beers, bands and some really great sounding food too.

Be sure to try out Sly Fox Christmas Ale 2012 and be sure to give some as a gift so you can write on the label.  T

hank you to Brian O’Reilly from Sly Fox, Nancy, John & Joe 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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05 December 2012

Friday BeerBuzz - 7 Dec 2012 - The Teaser

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Last we we welcomed back our pal Leo Orlandini from Lion Brewery.  I can’t believe we’ve done over 130 shows and have not featured our perennial classic local brew Stegmaier Porter.  Of course Leo shared not only some Steg Porter but also some Winter Warmer as well.  Leo is back at the helm of the brewhouse and I’m excited to see what comes next. Things are really looking up for Lion Brewery so stay tuned.

So what will we be sampling this week? Hint: This week we welcoming back a brewmaster who has visited us before and we’ve visited him before as well. 

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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