How to throw a Beer-tastic Party!

How to throw a Beer-tastic Party!

There are many different ways to host an amazing beer party, but there are a few things that you should always keep in mind while planning one. There will be two key ingredients to every party these are: the beer and the people. You will want to take your time with the first one.

There are literally thousands and thousands of different beer brands, and hundreds of varieties as well. A true beer lover will always have their preferred style and brand. However this is not a party for one, so the first rule when selecting the beer for a party is now your audience. You will want to have varieties that your guests enjoy or that you think they will enjoy when they try them.

While it is true that some people can just guzzle down any type of beer you want to keep an open mind while planning your party. You will want to select a variety of beers that will give people the opportunity to test and experiment with their palate. They will enjoy this new experience and probably thank you for it as well. It is important not to feel bad if you make a selection that someone does not enjoy as much because all of our tastes are different. If this happens just pass them a different one.

The second key factor to an awesome time is the people. When planning this type of party you will want to invite those over who you know will enjoy beer tasting. This will give them an opportunity to expand their horizons and try new things. In the end you can invite who ever you want as long as they are coming in with an open mind and anxious to have fun. Remember to have a fridge, mini fridge or cooler available to place your beers in. it is very important to keep the beers cold!

There is nothing like a nice cold beer and good company. So relax and open your first beer because you are about to have a great time!

Beerfest 2015 IS HERE!!

Beerfest 2015 IS HERE!!

It’s that time of year again BEERFEST 2015 is HERE. Edmononton’s Best Show Ever is BACK for all beer lovers to celebrate their appreciation of beer from ALL over the WORLD.

We are expecting recording breaking crowds and of course GREAT Beer Tasting.

Get your tickets NOW!

Beerfest March 6-7, 2015

Get them before they are SOLD OUT,  LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE!

GET TICKETS NOW

Top 5 Most Expensive Beers

Top 5 Most Expensive Beers

While most people will only spend a few dollars to enjoy their favorite beer, they would be surprised when told that some beer lovers spend more than $400 dollars on a single bottle of beer. These high end beers are not for the average drinker and most are produced in a limited number. Some of the top 5 most expensive beers are:-

5. Samuel Adams’ Utopias

utopiasABV 27%

Cost $150 per bottle

Volume-700ml

Samuel Adams’ Utopias is the only American brewed beer that makes it to the top five most expensive beers. Named in honor of the American revolutionary hero, Samuel Adams’ Utopias was first produced in 2002 with an ABV of 24% which was eventually increased to 27%.

Every year, a limited number of bottles are released. The beer is packed in ceramic bottles that resemble cooper finished brewing kettles. Samuel Adams’ Utopias is banned in 13 states due to legal restrictions.

4. Schorschbräu Schorschbock 57

scABV 57.5%

Cost $275 per bottle

Volume-330ml

The Schorschbräu Schorschbock 57 beat the BrewDogs End of History to become the strongest beer in the world in 2011. Though the German brewer wanted a higher ABV, these was not feasible as it would have violated the 500 year Germanic beer purity law. Only 36 bottles of the Schorschbräu Schorschbock 57 were ever made

 

3. Carlsberg Jacobsen Vintage No. 1

Vintage_0002ABV 10.5%

Cost $400 per bottle

Volume-375ml

The Carlsberg Jacobsen Vintage No. 1 is brewed by Jacobsen Brew house and only available in Denmark. This 2008 vintage is a brown colored beer that is made from the finest caramel and hops. It is then aged in French and Swedish oak barrels for six months in old wine cellars. With 600 bottles from the first vintage, this beer is found in the finest restaurants across Copenhagen.

 

2.BrewDogs End of History

brewdog_taxidermy211_534ABV 55%

Cost $765 per bottle

Volume-330ml

This controversial Scottish beer is also one of the most expensive you can have. Formerly the world’s strongest beer until the Schorschbock came along, BrewDogs End of History is made by mixing juniper berries and nettles from the Scottish highlands.

It’s insane alcohol levels are achieve by freezing and distilling it multiple times. This Scottish beer has the distinction of being packaged in carcasses of taxidermied hares, squirrels or weasel. Only 12 bottles were ever produced.

 

1. Antarctic Nail Ale

Antarctic_beer_bottleABV 10%

Cost $800 – 1800 per bottle

Volume-500ml

This is so far the most expensive beer to date. It is brewed by the Perth based, Nail brewing. First brewed in late 2010, this beer’s price tag is up the sky because the water that is used to brew it comes from the Antarctic.

Sea shepherd’s scientists flew to the Antarctic where they dug up ice which was melted for the brew process. Only 30 bottles of this beer were ever made with its first bottle being sold for $800 in September 2011

Beer Related Gift Ideas for Christmas

Beer Related Gift Ideas for Christmas

When it comes to getting ideas for Christmas gifts for people, it can be a challenge. The important thing is to find something they like and think along those lines. Today we will be reviewing some ideas for people who love beer. Most of the people we know love beer and these ideas can be a great gift for them, some even if they are not frequent drinkers.

One universal gift for beer lovers are Coasters. Now you might think that this is a simple gift that shows a lack of effort. You could not be more mistaken. Beer coasters come in all shapes, sizes and quality as well. While it is true that you can find some basic cardboard coasters for a relatively low price; you can also find some very amazing ones as well. Whether they be made out of wood, concrete, cement or any other material that is just the tip of the iceberg. You can find coasters with amazing engravings and designs to fit most peoples taste.

Beer Glasses, mugs and steins are amazing gift ideas as well. Beer glasses come in a variety of shapes and sizes fitting in to everyone’s bar styles as well. These can be short, tall, or pint glasses and can be plain or with some sort of design on it as well. People enjoy showing off beer glasses when offering guests a beer. Most of these will have a story behind them. Beer mugs can also be found in a large variety of forms and sizes so you will always have choices based on whom you will be giving it to. Beer steins are more exotic and are beer mugs that are usually made out of some sort of stone. These tend to have an intricate design that makes them a very nice addition to anyone’s collection. Again these come in a variety of shapes and sizes, some even come with a top so you will have many options based on whom you will be giving it to.

Beer Covers are also a nice gift to receive, as they will be put to good use. As with glasses there are several varieties of beer covers. Some are made to insulate your beer so as to keep it chilled longer; others chill your beer at the same time. Some can be used for bottles, glasses or cans; while others can only be used on one or the other. It is important to remember who will receive this gift, as this will allow you to pick the most adequate one.

An interesting and different idea for a beer lover is a Brewer Kit. These are usually not overly expensive and give your friend the opportunity to brew his or her own beer. This is a good gift idea for someone that is adventurous and will try new things. There are several varieties of beer and packages you may find depending on their taste. Again it will be important to know whom you are selecting this for so you can find the best one. You may even inspire them to become brewers and you will wind up receiving free beer for years to come.

A final gift idea for beer lovers is a Beer Dispenser. This is a more expensive gift and one for someone who is a frequent beer drinker. This will give them the opportunity to have a bar at home and easily dispense cold beer to multiple guests. As mentioned before this, while being an amazing idea, is an expensive one and should only be considered to a true beer lover. This idea will also allow you to have a future gift for them as you can get the faucet knobs and other accessories in the future.

I hope this guide has helped you gain some ideas, and remember there are plenty more out there that can be found as well. Try to always keep in mind who the gift is for as this will make the selection process easier as well.

Why Does Beer Have A Head?

Why Does Beer Have A Head?

Beer enthusiasts love a generous, foamy head on their drink of choice. Not too much, lest it detract from the beer itself, but it’s got to be there, absolutely. How though, is the beer’s head formed? And why? Read on to find the intriguing facts about foam.

The Science Behind The Foam

The head of a beer is created when CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) rises to the surface of the glass that the beer is poured into. How does the CO2 get into the beer in the first place? It’s actually a part of the fermentation process, although it is also possible to dissolve CO2 under pressure and insert it into almost any liquid.

By itself CO2 rising to the top would create a foam, but it wouldn’t last very long. You see that in practice when you pour a can of soda into a glass. Sure, you get foam, but it goes away in a matter of just a few seconds. With beer though, it lingers. Why is that?

The Answer Lies In The Ingredients

The longevity of the beer head has to do with the type of malts and grains used in the brewing process. Some grains will help produce a longer lasting head, while others will facilitate a rapidly disappearing one. It’s important to note here though, that malts and grains don’t tell the whole story. A clean glass is important, and not just for the obvious sanitary reasons. The fact is that oil and grease on the inside of a glass can kill the foam as fast as anything.

A good head on your favorite beer is important for two practical reasons. First, it displays the aroma of the beer, which is all part of the drinking, and second, all that released CO2 means that there’s less to come out of you later, in the form of a colossal belch. Depending on your personality, you may or may not regard that as a good thing.

Guinness

No discussion of head on a beer would be complete without a mention of draft Guinness. Tasted at its finest in Ireland, a draft Guinness is poured, into a straight glass, not a tankard, and then left to stand on the bar while the head develops. It must be thick and creamy, around half to three quarters of an inch in depth, and you might have to wait for several minutes until the black and white nectar is ready to drink. But it’s worth it.

For detailed insights into which beers offer the best head (!) visit the 2015 Edmonton International Beer Festival

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