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While there are so many great stories in the craft beer world, I think todays brewery & guest may have one of the best. Back in 1996 Jeremy Cowan founded a little company called American Jewish Celebration Beer as a “Chanukah Experiment.” He spent much of the next year hand-squeezing pomegranates to make beer and distributing that beer out of the trunk of his grandmother’s car.
After a lot of hard work an a fair amount struggle, Jeremy formed Shmaltz Brewing Co---maker’s of “The Chosen Beers”--He’Brew Brewing Beers and “The Freak Beers”—Coney Island Craft Lagers. We should also note that Jeremy just released a new book that chronicles his experience starting Shmaltz called “Craft Beer Bar Mitzvah---a small business Memoir.” Check it out for yourself….it’s not only an interesting beer story but an interesting entrepreneurial story as well.
Jeremy employs some of the most interesting marketing techniques for his beers including puns, side show freaks, Jewish pop-culture religious references and an abundance of Shtick! Who wouldn’t love beer names like Rejewvenator, Jewbelation, Hop Manna and Genesis…and as it turns out people also loved the beers.
Blurring the lines of traditional beer styles, Shmaltz brewing has grown to sell over 10-million bottles in 31 states, Canada and even England. The styles have become more experimental, and he’s even done a yearly co-brew called Reunion Ale with our pal Spike Buckowski @ Terrapin Beer. As Jeremy calls it he is the founder & proprietor of “America’s smallest, largest most award winning Jewish Celebration/Sideshow Freak beer.”
It was a lot of fun sampling He’Brew Hop Manna with Jeremy. Hop Manna is the 1st single IPA brewed by Shmaltz and it is loaded with the citrus & floral flavors I love. This beer uses 6 different hops in the boil and 3 different dry-hop varieties so it is loaded with hoppy goodness.
Next up we were honored to sample He'Brew Funky Jewbelation. This is the 6th beer in the He’Brew Barrel Aged Release and it is a 9.8%ABV amazing blend of 6 different beers..The 6 ales include Jewbelation Fifteen (aged 3 months), Jewbelation (aged 9 months), Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A. (aged 1 month), Origin (aged 14 months), Reunion Ale 2011 (aged 7 months) & Messiah (aged 14-months)….and as if that’s not enough…73% is aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels and 27% is aged in Bourbon barrels. To say this beer is loaded with complexity is like saying there’s a little water in the ocean. This beer is loaded with oak, whiskey & bourbon flavors, complimented by brown sugar flavors, chocolaty, dark fruit, and even some grape/wine-like flavors….and of course the Funk! Try This Beer! Trust me…it IS 2 Funky 2 Fail!
Thank you to Jeremy Cowan from Shmaltz 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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