In a way, beer mats are the unsung heroes of the beer world. They’re not something that people think too much about, which is a real pity, because if you stop to take a look at them, you’ll find some true gems. Some beer mats are simple advertisements; those typically aren’t all that interesting, but there are a wealth of others. Some of the most interesting and colorful ones we’ve come across are presented below. The hope is that once your attention has been drawn to them, you’ll keep a watchful eye out the next time you pull into your local pub for a libation. Read on and enjoy!
“I’m Not Getting Drunk, I’m Getting Awesome”
This one kind of says it all, doesn’t it? It’s quite possibly the perfect beer mat.
“Dear Karma: I have a list of people you missed…”
A wonderful beer mat with a philosophic bent, or at least, as philosophic as one can rightly expect a beer mat to get.
“You can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning!”
This beer mat is white with green lettering, and comes complete with a Shamrock, revealing its Irish roots.
“Trust me, you can dance.”
A great beer mat, recently seen on display at a bar that featured a fair sized dance floor. If you’ve ever seen people ‘beer dancing,’ you’ll know how often people who have been drinking are convinced that this is true.
“I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.”
Wise words indeed. Any beer drinker would be proud to display this beer mat at his or her table.
And we’ll end our list on a historic note with,
“It takes a Viking to raze a village.”
A truly fabulous beer mat, no matter how you slice it.
Keep an eye peeled on the beer mats in your favorite watering hole. Some of them will surprise, and often amuse you. You might even think about starting a collection. Drink up and enjoy.
To start you beer mat collection, visit the Edomonton International Beer Festival, where you’ll find lots of great examples being given away to visitors.
If you want to get the most out of each beer you drink, then you’ve got to find its sweet spot; the temperature at which you find the beer to be its most flavorful and robust. The first rule is to forget what the brewers tell you is the best serving temperature for your favorite beer. It always comes down to personal preference. For instance, conventional wisdom says that stouts are best enjoyed at something close to room temperature, or on the warm side, while IPA’s are generally best enjoyed on the cold side. Definitely use these as a starting point, but experimentation is key.
When trying a new beer for the first time, start with it cold, say a temperature of around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, drink slowly, and let it warm as you go along. Pay close attention to the beer’s flavors at each interval, and take the beer’s temperature when you find the sweet spot for yourself. Make a note of it, and go on to the next beer you enjoy. Keep repeating that process till you’ve covered all your favorites.
When visiting England, I was lucky enough to go to the brewery tap of a famous independent brewery. (That’s the pub that adjoins and is owned by the brewery). At a brewery tap, you can expect to taste beer at its finest, served at the perfect temperature. The barman was full of apologies; their cellar had dropped below its optimum temperature for the stouts due to unusually cold weather, and he was advising drinkers to allow their beer to stand for a couple of minutes so that it would warm up a degree or two and reach its optimum. This was an impressive example of devotion to the brewer’s art.
Knowing each of your favorite brew’s perfect drinking temperature will definitely maximize your enjoyment, but of course, you don’t have perfect control over the temperature when you’re at a bar. You can ballpark it, but you’ll find your best results when you drink at home. Some beer enthusiasts even go so far as to have a dedicated beer fridge set to just the right temperature for their favorite brews.
The idea of having a dedicated beer fridge might sound a bit excessive to you, but once you have tasted, tested, and found the sweet spots for your favorite brews, you’ll better understand. It makes a world of difference. When you expand your pallet and try a new beer, just perform the same experiment, starting cold and letting it slowly warm. You’ll be glad you did.
To try a whole range of fantastic beers, each served at the perfect temperature, visit the 2015 Edmonton International Beer Festival.
Everybody has their go-to favorites when it comes to beer, but if you’re in the mood for a little something different, then here are ten brews made with unusual ingredients that will have everyone around you raising a curious eyebrow when you place your order.
Oyster Stout
Brought to you by 21st Amendment Brewery, this beer is crafted with, you guessed it, oyster shells. Specifically, Hog Island Sweetwater oyster shells. According to the brewery, it gives their stout a “silky, salty finish.” If you love all things oyster, you won’t want to miss this one.
Green Chile
For beer with a bite, try some Green Chile Pale Ale, by the Santa Fe Brewing Company. Drink up, and pass the nachos.
Cannabis
Germany is leading the charge here. In 1996 the country changed its drug laws to allow the use of “EU-Hemp” in their product, provided that the commercial goal does not lead to the mis-use as a narcotic. Thus was the beer known as Cannabia born.
Mustard Seeds
A Belgian beer that’s best served a little on the warm side for maximum mustard seed impact. The warm taste of mustard goes beautifully with the hops – this beer is great with crusty bread and strong Canadian cheddar at lunchtime.
Vanilla Bean
Old Dominion’s Oak Barrel Stout is infused with a pound of vanilla beans in each barrel to give it its rich taste and sweetness. Vanilla is the most popular flavor in the work (yes, more popular than chocolate). This beer has a one of a kind, very subtle flavor you won’t want to miss.
Rocky Mountain Oyster Stout
Don’t think we’re repeating ourselves here, this brew, brought to you by the Wynkoop Brewing company is actually brewed with bull testicles. Yes, you read that correctly. Bull testicles. So, anyone for a beer?
Bacon Maple Ale
Brewed with bacon and maple syrup, this strange concoction is brought to you by Rogue Ales, and is delicious, because as everyone knows, everything is better with bacon. Might work as a breakfast time hair of the dog; or perhaps not!
Pizza Beer
Mamma Mia Brewing Company may be onto something. Pizza and beer go together anyway, so why not combine them into one thing. Have your beer and pizza too! Best of all, since it’s brewed with basil, oregano, tomato, garlic and actual pizza crust, it really does taste a lot like pizza! I suspect this is not much of a grown up taste.
Sitka Spruce Tips
For a taste of the great outdoors, give this Winter Ale by the Alaska Brewing Company a try. The company hand picks Sitka spruce tips to give their product a rich, unforgettable flavor. I can’t help thinking that this was inspired by resin in the Greek retsina wine.
Coffee Beer
Wild Heaven is an Imperial Brown that is dense and malty, with a terrific balancing coffee flavor. A great blending of two classic tastes that will have you reaching for seconds, thirds, fourths and more.
Intrigued? You’ll find some of the most fascinating beer flavors in the world at the 2015 Edmonton International Beer Festival; not to be missed.
Which is the best way to dispense beer – draft or bottled? Ask two different beer lovers, and you’ll probably get two different answers. Some prefer draft brews, while others swear by the bottle.
Most serious drinkers prefer draft beer, which tastes and feels more like a “living” substance, has more complexity and layers of flavor, and also presents better in the glass, with the correct head and general appearance. In fact some beer are so distinctly different depending on whether they are draft or bottled, that they are almost two different products; Guiness is a good example of this.
The reality is, it depends primarily three different factors:
Your Personal Preference
Of course, this is the biggest consideration. If you prefer your beer one way versus the other, then by all means, stick with what you like. You’re the one doing the drinking, and you should have it the way you want it, no matter what the hype or this month’s ad campaign might have to say about it.
Condition Of The Tap Lines
Some bars are good about keeping their tap lines clean and clear. Others aren’t so great at it. A dirty tap line will demolish the flavor of even the best beer on the planet. Other than asking the direct question, the only way to find out is to order one from the tap and see what it tastes like. If you’re undecided, do a blind taste test. One bottle of your favorite brew, and one ordered from the tap. Compare and stick with that, but you should also take into account that it’s going to differ from one bar to the next, and sometimes, even from one week to the next at the same establishment.
Storage
A lot also depends on how the bottles, kegs and barrels are stored. Beer should be kept cold as much as possible, although a bit of warmth helps bring out its flavor. Still, if your local bar keeps their bottles in a stock room for days or weeks before transferring to the cooler, it’s going to dilute some of the flavor. Definitely something to keep in mind, along with the tap lines.
At the end of the day, it’s going to require a little experimentation to find out which you like better, which is good in a way, as it means the opportunity to enjoy more beer, and what’s not to like about that?
If you’ve got a beer lover in your life, why not get something for him on his birthday or for Christmas this year that really speaks to his passion? Below, you’ll find five exquisite gift ideas for your beer loving family and friends. A little something for every taste and budget.
Let’s start with the basics. This key-shaped bottle opener is engraved with the message ‘You’re Intoxicating’ and is the perfect tool to keep around for those backyard barbecues. If you’re on a budget, this is an excellent choice.
A little more upscale, a little more unusual, these are hand crafted by Potter Stephanie Theado. Each one unique, this is idea for any beer enthusiast with a sense of refinement and a taste for history that rivals his taste for beer.
You have to admit, whoever dreamed up this idea was either a genius or a madman. Either way, it works, because you just never know when you might need to crack open a cold one, and with these clever, stealthy cufflinks, you’ll never be without a trusty opener. Quite possibly the best, most functional clothing accessory ever invented.
Comes complete with handy places to put bottle caps from your US road trip come beer tasting extravaganza. Say goodbye to boring vacations, and say hello to coast to coast beer tasting Nirvana.
Because let’s face it, drinking beer often puts you in a playful mood. Now, you can satisfy your game craving and enjoy a cold one with this fabulous mini beer pong set. What could be better?
Of course, these five are just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a whole world of clever beer-related products out there, but this should get your mind turning on the subject. Do something special for the beer lover in your life next holiday season or for his (or her) birthday, and by the way, here’s a great sixth bonus gift idea. How about giving them a ticket to next year’s Edmonton International Beer Festival?
