Lancaster County Brewers Club

First and foremost, I want to thank Floyd for his service to the beer club the last two years. Just a little FYI for anyone who was not at the February meeting - the new seats will be filled by the following club members:
President – Alex Barger
Vice President – Todd Bookman
Treasurer – Bob Hollman
Newsletter Editor – John S. “Woody” Chandler

Almost Official Announcement I would like to schedule a club trip to KClingers in Hanover on March 25th. The last few times we went to the Publik House, so lets go to Hanover for a change. We will need those interested to let us know that you are committed to going, so we know how large of a vehicle to rent.

Some new blood, new ideas We decided to extend the following offer to anyone who writes a simple article and submits it for publication in the monthly newsletter and on the website, the club will reward with a free raffle ticket at the next meeting you attend.

Blogging in 2006! What the heck is blogging? It is just simply an online version of a personal journal. The name comes from the popularity of people logging their thoughts on their website, for all others to see. A shortened phrase of the term web-logging. I setup a blog site for the club members to post thoughts, questions and any other rants or ravings of interest to the rest of the club. If you have not yet logged into the new blog site, it is located at http://www.lancasterbrewers.com/members You will have to click “Register”, and then fill in a desired username and your email address. After clicking on the “Register” button, you will be emailed a password that you can then use to login. Once actually logged in, you will see the most recent posts from others. Underneath each post on the right-hand side you will see a number next to the Comments link, that will display other peoples comments when clicked. You can then type in your own comments.

With such a great holiday like Saint Patrick’s Day how could you go without stopping in at an Irish pub and having a pint of Guinness. Well we took it a step further, and hopped on the Federal Hill District Irish Pub Crawl. I was accompanied by my other half Leigh, Woody, and Bob and Karen. I found out about this annual celebration two years ago when I took two of my buddies to do some bar hopping in the Baltimore area. I had picked out a few places from Beer Advocate’s “beerfly” section of their website. Specifically, I had wanted to visit Sean Bolan’s and Brewers Art. We made it to Sean Bolan’s around lunch time, and we thought since it was the weekend before St Patty’s day that it would be a slow day. As we sat and enjoyed a few pints people kept coming into the bar, would get one drink, and then leave. So we asked the bar tender what was going on, and that is when we found we were right at stop 9 out of a 18 count pub crawl. So we got directions to the first stop, and decided to join in. We had a great time so I decided to invite a few people to go down this year.

Don’t be too upset that you didn’t go along. I know there was little to no notice ahead of time on this adventure. We were all a bit disappointed at the lack of variety of beer at most of the bars. We started out at Mother’s, which was one of the places were you could pay $10 for a t-shirt and officially join the crawl. I didn’t take time to look at their tap selection. We headed straight over to a place run by Mad River. Unfortunately they didn’t have much, but I did grab a pint of Guinness. As I drank my pint, Bob and Woody went canvassing for other places to go. The next stop I wanted to go to was The Thirsty Dog, but they didn’t open until 5pm.

We peeked in a few other pubs, and had one or two. Crazy Lil’s was so crazy and wallto- wall with people that they wouldn’t even let us in. We got the last two drafts of a keg of Brewers Art Resurrection at Ryleigh’s. Then we went into a pub called the Ropewalk. They had a decent bottle selection, so we stayed there for a few, until it was close to opening time at the Thirsty Dog. I managed to confuse this place with the microbrewery in Ohio called Thirsty Dog Brewing Company. I was really looking forward to an Old Leghumper. It is an easy mistake with the name being so close to each other. The Thirsty Dog Pub has their micros on tap. The bartender said Old Dominion made their beer. They even let you bring your pet dogs into the bar!

After wagging our tails goodbye, we headed down to the bar that was formerly known as Sean Bolan’s. Now re-opened as Clayton’s Tavern, Leigh and Woody ordered food. I can’t remember what I drank, but I do remember it was good. When I was there two years ago, Sean Bolan’s had a cask and quite a few nice micros on tap. I asked the one guy working there (Matt) what happened to the hand-pump. Matt said they were having The sun shines, and another last minute trip to Baltimore – Federal Hill District problems with the food and safety inspectors, but really wanted to get the hand-pump setup again. I gave their info to Paul Pendyck, so hopefully they can work that out.

At this point in the crawl, we decided to bail out before it got much later. The parking garage had the stupidest setup I have ever seen. You have to insert your garage ticket into a vending machine and pay for you parking. Then as you drive through the gate, you were supposed to already have your pay stub to get out. Needless to say, no one including us knew about this, so it was a bit of a cluster fork (trying to keep it clean here).

We decided to top off the evening with a stop off at Max’s on Broadway. I ordered a Great Divide Hercules Double IPA. I had this before, but wow! Leigh ordered a Harviestoun’s Old Engine Oil Special Reserve. This is an old ale aged in malt whiskey casks. Double WOW! This stuff was like drinking oil, but in a good way. Bob and I mixed the Hercules and the Harviestoun’s together, and it was the best black and tan ever. Karen bought a Three Floyds Dreadnaught. I can’t get enough of that. Thanks, and thanks again Karen for driving us all home.

A lesson learned… If you want selection, go to Max’s. If you want to crawl with a bunch of college kids, then the Federal Hill crawl is up your alley. The Thirsty Dog is a nice place for doggie treats. Clayton’s has some potential, and is an easy drive straight down Light Street from Inner Harbour.

~Alex Barger

Other Info

Woody thought this maybe of interest to the club…
NERAX 2006 Call for Volunteers
Thank you for expressing your interest in the New England Real Ale Exhibition at the Beer Advocate New
England Beer Fest last November. The Cask-Conditioned Ale Support Campaign (CASC) is now preparing
for NERAX 2006, May 3 - 6, at the George Dilboy Post in Davis Square, Somerville. This will be the 10th
NERAX festival, and we hope to make it extra special.
As always, we need your help, whether tending bar, stewarding the floor, setting it up, or taking it all down.
We will thank you for working a session with admission to another session. Please submit a Volunteer form
to let us know when you are available. Just click on the Volunteer link at:
http://www.nerax.org
You should hear back from us around mid-April. If you have any questions, send them to
staffing@nerax.org.
In the meantime, we invite you to join the NERAX Yahoo! group for general interest, discussion, and
news. In addition to NERAX, CASC brings real ale to other New England festivals and events throughout
the year. Please visit:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NERAX/
We look forward to seeing you at the festival and thank you for making NERAX possible.
Cheers!
Pam Phillips
CASC Volunteer Outreach
NERAX 2006

John Smith Writes…
Looks like you have a great club going. Wanted to let you know about an awesome BEER event
happening in Philly. Let me know if you have any questions. I'd appreciate it if you could share it
with the list. Could be a great field trip:) Thanks!
John Smith
White Dog Foundation
215-386-5211 x103
A Food Fest with Amazing Beer or a Beer Fest with Amazing Food?
The Brewer's Plate
A Fundraising Event for the White Dog Cafe Foundation’s Fair Food Project
April 2, 2006
Reading Terminal Market
12th and Arch Sts.
Philadelphia, PA
4:00-7:30 PM
Over 15 regional breweries and restaurants will be matched at stations throughout the market, each offering
two dishes paired with a complimenting handcrafted beer. This 2nd annual craft brew and gourmet
restaurant showcase will benefit the Fair Food Project, a program of the 501c3 nonprofit White Dog
Foundation. The White Dog Foundation works to establish a Local Living Economy by connecting family
farmers and their natural products with profitable new markets; increasing people's commitment and access
to Buy Fresh/Buy Local; and painting a vision of an environmentally sustainable future for our region
wherein all people are valued.
Ticket price is $45 in advance and $55 at the door. Last year’s event sold out, so buy your ticket today!
Participating Breweries: Iron Hill, Victory, Yards, Nodding Head, Heavyweight, Triumph, Flying Fish,
Dogfish Head, Legacy, Stoudt’s, Appalachian Brewing Co., General Lafayette, Sly Fox Brewing Co.,
Troegs Brewery, Independence, McKenzie Brew House and Manayunk Brewing Co. Â
Participating Restaurants: Eulogy Tavern, White Dog Cafe, Iron Hill, General Lafayette, Rx, Standard
Tap, London Grill, Delilah's Southern Cafe, Cosmic Catering, Thomas's Restaurant, Tria, Fork, Brigid's,
Abbaye, Royal Tavern and Down Home Diner.
Don't miss the VIP Reserve Beer Pairing Session prior to the Brewer's Plate from 2-4pm!
Tickets are $100, and must be purchased in advance
This exclusive pairing session includes samples featuring heritage breed meats and exquisite vegetarian
creations prepared by chef Greg Ling of Raw and premium reserve beer developed by brewmaster Bill
Covaleski of Victory Brewing Company. Greg and Bill will join pairing expert Marnie Old as she guides
you through the tasting and an in depth discussion on contrasting and complimenting flavor pairings. Space
for this session is limited to 100 people, so don't delay. VIP tickets include admission to the main event.
Purchase tickets online at www.whitedogcafefoundation.org or call 215-386-5211 x102

***********************************************
In this issue:
* Craft Beer Sales Soar
* Anheuser-Busch to Import Grolsch
* Fuller's Plans to Shutdown Gale Brewery
* American Craft Beer Week May 15-21
* Special Pro-Am Competition for 25th GABF
* Heineken To Brew Bud for Russian Market
* Web Watch
- Tomme Arthur Q&A
- Beer Report from NOLA
- Here Comes St. Patrick's Day
* Washington Man Beerdrinker of the Year
* Hops Good for Heart
* Beer Drinking Slows Aging
* Solar Powered Beer
* Gluten Free Festival
* Brew Years Eve
* CAMRA Honors Essex Spot as Best Pub
* Guinness Plans a More Pefect Pint
* Quote of the Month
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CRAFT BEER SALES SOAR
America's craft brewers sold 9% beer in 2005 than in 2004, making craft
beer the fastest growing segment of the United States beverage alcohol
industry for the second consecutive year, according to the Brewers
Association in Colorado. "Craft beer volume growth far exceeded that of
large brewers, wine and spirits in 2005," said Paul Gatza, Director of the
Brewers Association. "And even though imported beer grew nicely in 2005,
craft beer grew at a faster rate." Compared to craft beer volume growth of
9%, spirits volume increased at 3.3% in 2005 and wine volume was up
2.9%. The import segment of the beer industry rose 7.2% in 2005 while
non-craft domestic beer volume declined slightly for the year. One year
ago, the Brewers Association reported craft segment growth of 7.2% for
2004.
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002847.php
ANHEUSER-BUSCH TO IMPORT GROLSCH
Anheuser-Busch becomes the sole U.S. importer of Grolsch beer nine
months earlier than expected. The deal will become effective April 1,
instead of January 2007, as previously announced. A-B is hoping the
Grolsch agreement will help it tap into the lucrative import market. The
schedule was accelerated because Netherlands-based Royal Grolsch
reached an agreement with its current U.S. Importer - United States
Beverage - to sever their contract before it expired in December. A-B is
looking to make similar deals to add more import beers to its portfolio, said
August A. Busch IV, company president.
http://www.realbeer.com/blog/?p=85
FULLER'S PLANS TO SHUTDOWN GALE BREWERY
London brewer Fuller Smith & Turner plans to close the George Gale
brewery at the end of March. Fuller's bought George Gale's brewery and
pub estate last year for £91m. Fuller's said it will close the Gale's brewery
on March 31 and eliminate 21 jobs. Gale's beers, such as HSB, Butser and
Festival Mild, will now be brewed at Fuller's Chiswick brewery. The Gale's
brewery site will continue to operate as a distribution and warehousing
operation. The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) condemned Fuller Smith
and Turner's decision as contemptible disregard for over 5,000 people who
signed a petition to keep the brewery open and more than 150 years of
brewing heritage. "This is a black day for the people of Wessex who fought
so hard only to be let down so badly," said CAMRA Chief Executive Mike
Benner.
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002854.php
AMERICAN CRAFT BEER WEEK MAY 15-21
American Beer Month has been laid to rest, replaced by American Craft
Beer Week. The Brewers Association, which staged American Beer Month
celebrations each July beginning in 2000, announced the launch of
American Craft Beer Week - to be held May 15-21. The theme of American
Craft Beer Week will be "Visit your local brewery." "American Craft Beer
Week strives to focus attention on the diverse and flavorful beers produced by
small, traditional and independent brewers all over America," said Ray
Daniels, Director of Craft Beer Marketing for the Brewers Association. "We
want to give every American a chance to visit their local brewery and
discover why craft beer is the fastest growing beverage alcohol category in
the US," he said. To further encourage brewery visits, the Brewers
Association will conduct the Great American Beer Tour during the May 15-
21 week. One consumer will win an all-expenses paid trip for two to the
25th Great American Beer Festival held in Denver, Colorado September 28-
30.
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002851.php
SPECIAL PRO-AM COMPETITION FOR 25TH GABF
The Brewers Association and the American Homebrewers Association have
announced a 2006 GABF Pro-Am Competition in honor of the 25th
Anniversary of the Great American Beer Festival. Here's how it works.
Craft breweries can select award winning homebrew recipes from existing
homebrew competitions (competitions held after January 1, 2005 qualify) or
through their own competition. The winning homebrewers must be
American Homebrew Association members at the time of the judging. The
professional brewers then scale up the winning homebrew recipes to be
brewed in their brewery and entered in this special competition. The
brewery will then submit that beer into the GABF competition to be judged
against all the other GABF Pro-Am entries.
http://www.realbeer.com/blog/?p=98
HEINEKEN TO BREW BUD FOR RUSSIAN MARKET
Anheuser-Busch announced that Dutch brewer Heineken Holding has
agreed to begin brewing, selling and distributing Budweiser under the Bud
trademark in Russia. A-B has long sought exposure to Russia, now the
world's fifth-largest beer market. Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar
disrupted an effort in the 1990s when it tried to prevent Anheuser-Busch
from using the name "Bud" in Russia. After Budvar lost its trademark case
in 2000, Anheuser-Busch resumed exports of the beer. But the exports
ended in 2004 amid stiff competition from cheaper, locally brewed beers.
*******************WEB WATCH*******************
WEEKLY THERAPY: TOMME ARTHUR Q&A
You might have heard that Port Brewing, which operates three brewery pubs
in Southern California, acquired the former Stone Brewing facility in San
Marcos. Now it's time to find out what that means. Tomme Arthur, who
oversees brewing operations for Port Brewing, answers questions.
http://www.realbeer.com/blog/?p=101
BEER REPORT FROM NOLA
What's going on with Dixie, Abita, Crescent City Brewhouse and the other
beer principals in the New Orleans area as its citizens try to bounce back
from Hurricane Katrina?
http://beertravelers.com/postcards/2006/02/28/report-from-nola/
HERE COMES ST. PATRICK'S DAY
All things Irish and stout get particular attention as St. Patrick's Day
nears. A country of extraordinary beauty and history, Ireland's also home to
the magic known as an "Irish pub." A new book toasts traditional pubs, and
we've got guides to outstanding pubs on this side of the Atlantic as well.
http://www.realbeer.com/edu/irish
***************ADVERTISEMENTS*****************
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handcrafted beers & ales, plus 20 other locally made brews. Jupiter is not
only the East Bay's premiere alternative jazz venue, but is also known far &
wide for its heated outdoor beer garden and premier wood-fired pizzas.
Gravitate to Jupiter!
http://www.jupiterbeer.com
PREMIER STAINLESS SYSTEMS - THE SMART CHOICE
Your complete source for brewery parts, fittings, and components. Premier
also offers world-class ale and lager brewery systems, tanks, installation
services, consulting, and used equipment brokering. Premier has the
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Premier Stainless Systems - part of the brewing community for over 15 years.
http://www.premierstainless.com
SAPPORO INVITES YOU TO DESIGN THE NIGHT
The flash of silver. A knowing glance, with Sapporo, it's going to be a night
like no other. At the crossroads of fashion, culture, the hip and the
happening, you'll discover Sapporo. Always new, always unexpected, we're
at the biggest scenes of the year. Click to see what's next and Design the
Night with Sapporo.
http://www.designthenight.com
************************************************
WASHINGTON MAN BEERDRINKER OF THE YEAR
Tom Schmidlin, a University of Washington graduate student, won the
2006 Beerdrinker of the Year title in the finals held at Denver's Wynkoop
Brewing Co. In a two-hour session packed with difficult beer questions
from a panel of seven judges, Schmidlin used an intense knowledge of beer,
quick wit, and some impressive bribes to land the 2006 crown. Schmidlin
held off serious challenges from the other 2006 finalists, Diane Catanzaro,
(a Norfolk, Virginia homebrewer, beer judge and professor of
industrial/organizational psychology at Christopher Newport University)
and Warren Monteiro (a New York City playwright, script writer and
devout beer hunter/educator).
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002857.php
HOPS GOOD FOR HEART
Extracts from beer reduce inflammatory markers, according to a study by
Austrian scientists. Hops may play a particularly important role. "On the
basis of our new findings, beer must be added to the list of beverages with
potentially anti-inflammatory components, but our findings must not be
understood as an encouragement to drink alcohol," said lead researcher
Professor Dietmar Fuchs from Innsbruck Medical University. The study
found that the type of beer was not important, and that a 4% solution could
reduce neopterin production by 65%. The authors could not identify the
"active" species in the beer, pointing out that beer contains nearly all the B
vitamins, several minerals like potassium and magnesium, and several
antioxidants like polyphenols. "Humulone and isohumulone (both derived
from hops) may be of particular importance for the effects induced in our in
vitro system," the scientists wrote.
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002859.php
BEER DRINKING SLOWS AGING
A new study from Czech doctors indicates that moderate beer consumption
slows aging and reduces the likelihood of heart attacks. The study was paid
for by a group of major Czech breweries. A Czech beer was used for the
study, but the brewers requested doctors not disclose the name. Jaroslav
Racek, head of a research team in Pilsen, told the daily Plzensky denik the
doctors found the men's levels of dangerous blood lipids were lower by the
end of the study. He said the amount of beneficial cholesterol in the men's
blood was increased, the beer improved their organism's antioxidant
protection and reduced the amount of free radicals that can damage cells
and are believed to accelerate the progression of cancer, cardiovascular
disease, and age-related diseases.
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002842.php
SOLAR POWERED BEER
Anderson Valley Brewing has completed a project that allows the
Booneville, Calif., brewery to generate about 40% of its annual electrical
needs. "We've got solar powered beer going on here," Peter Suddeth,
longtime brewery employee, wrote in a press release. "You can drink it and
feel good that you're helping to preserve the environment." The $860,000
state-of-the-art photovoltaic (PV) system includes two arrays; a 175-foot by
53-foot array on the south facing roof of the brewery's cellar and packaging
facility, and a separate 120-foot by 24-foot ground-based freestanding
array. The 125 kWh system is the largest privately owned PV system north
of the San Francisco Bay Area, and among the largest in the western
hemisphere.
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-.php
GLUTEN FREE FESTIVALThe first gluten beer festival held anywhere
drew a happy crowd of 1,600
Chesterfield, England. Supported by Britain's Campaign for Real Ale
(CAMRA) it even featured cask-conditioned gluten free beer. A site
documenting the festival comments "Not everyone in the pictures are
coeliacs, some are friends and family, and others will be at the festival to
drink non-GF beer. For once you cannot tell the difference! The coeliacs
are as likely to have a beer before them as the non-coeliacs!"
http://www.realbeer.com/blog/?p=84
BREW YEARS EVE
On April 7, breweries all over America will raise a pint in celebration of
the day that beer once again became legally available at the end of
Prohibition. While full repeal came on Dec. 5, 1933, an amendment to
Prohibition legalized beer with 3.2% alcohol by weight (4% by volume)
starting on April 7 of that year. From that date on, the country's brewers
were back in business and Americans enjoyed legal beer for eight months
before wine and spirits were once again legitimate. To celebrate repeal
brewers across the country will be host Brew Years Eve parties on April 7.
Details: http://www.BrewYearsEve.com
CAMRA HONORS ESSEX SPOT AS NATIONAL PUB OF THE YEAR
The Swan in Little Totham, Essex, has captured Great Britian's award as
National Pub of the Year a second time. The Campaign for Real Ale
(CAMRA) also honored the pub in 2002. "This is like being awarded 10
Michelin stars and then struck by lightning!" said Jon Pascoe, who owns the
pub along with his wife, Valeria. They took over the pub 10 years ago when
it was in danger of closing. "When the 16th century cottage style pub was
up for sale the parish council made representations to the selling brewery
begging to keep it as a local pub for the community rather than being
converted into housing," Pascoe said. "Valerie and I moved in on the 12
June 1996 and worked on the pub with family and friends until it was in a
fit state to open on the 14th June.”
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002848.php
GUINNESS PLANS A MORE PEFECT PINT
Guinness will spend more than $4 million to promote a new "perfect pint"
gadget being called the biggest revolution to hit the beer can since the
invention of the widget. The plug-in "Guinness Surger" sends an ultrasound
signal through a glass to separate the black body from the creamy head, just
as a pint settles when poured in a pub.
http://www.realbeer.com/blog/?p=87
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"We were promoting sameness and increasingly going lowbrow. It is as if
we were promoting beer as the official beverage of the knuckleheads,"
- Norman Adami, CEO of Miller Brewing
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