This artice discusses some genetic analysis on the yeast used in lagers (beers fermented in colder temperatures). Apparently, the yeast evolved not once, but twice, one with a slightly different genetic makeup that reflects the "Frohberg" style of lager, as opposed to the "Sazz" style (including both the Czech Budweiser and its sorry American clone). Either way, both strains have become well adapted to cold brewing. I love science, and I love beer, the two of them together is almost too much love for one guy.

This last Friday was the final episode of the Next Food Network Star. One of the finalists (who didn't win, to our dismay), made "beer-in-the-butt" chicken. The beer of choice? Old Chub from Oskar Blues. They didn't exactly come out and say it, but the label was unmistakable. That is really cool, especially considering the fact that they were filming in New York City, where they had a much wider choice of beers to choose from. Furthermore, the finalist was from Philadelphia, so clearly, they used a Colorado beer due to superior craftsmanship and taste rather then lesser familiar beers. Congratulations, Oksar Blues!

Jebb and I went to the 2nd annual Odell Small Batch Beer Festival this weekend. If you are a beer geek of any renown, you will of course know Odell as the "other Fort Collins brewer", maker of fine beers such as 90 Shilling, 5 Barrel Pale Ale, and Easy Street Wheat. They have a history of brewing new experimental beers in 5 barrel batches (a barrel is the equivalent of 4 kegs) as a test run to share with friends and family. If the beer is popular enough, it gets added to the regular rotation (I bet you can now guess how Five Barrel Pale Ale got its name).

This year, they had 23 beers that they were serving. Some of them were new, and others were the old classics. Here's what I tried out:

For his part, Jebb tried the Town Pump Pale Ale, the Bourbon Barrel, the Viking Malt Liquor (verdict? It was good!), and the Stone Barn.

I'm not sure if any of these beers will eventually hit the mainstream, but it was good to get out with the people, listen to some pretty good southern rock bands, and try some special brews.

PS: Marc Jones tells me that the Double Pilsner is available in bottles around town if you are lucky to catch them. I think many of these will be available at the brewery if you happen to be up in our neck of the woods.

The Brewers Association released their Top 50 Brewers List. I was surprised to see that New Belgium snuck in at 3 among craft brewers, trailing only Boston Beer (of course) and Sierra Nevada. I knew New Belgium was big, but I didn't know they were that big. In fact, they even showed up in the top 10 on the "everybody" list (which of course is dominated by Anheuser-Bush). It was good to see a Utah brewery sneaking in at 48 - I brought home a 12 pack of my favorite Utah brews after easter. Its 3.2%, but that doesn't mean it ain't tasty.

I discovered a new beer blog dedicated to beer from Colorado. Its already turned me on to a few fun new brews, including the one that is currently cursing through my veins. The Ten-Fiddy from Oskar Blues is an imperial stout that gets right up in your grill and says hello. Strong coffee flavor, a bit bitter on the back end, and plenty of ABV. They only come in a 4 pack (cans of course, because its Oskar Blues), but thats okay, because this is definitely one of those "only one per day" sorts of beers. And it must be imperial stout time, because I also picked up a bottle of the new Avery Czar Imperial Stout (2007). I'm going to try this bottle out, and see if I like it. I might not; if you have read my past posts, you would know I've been consistently unimpressed by Avery). Anyway, if it bucks the trend, I'm going to buy a few more and put them in the cellar (a fancy word for "basement, next to the Christmas decorations") and let them mellow for a few years. Word on the street (from Mr Morrissey at the aforementioned blog) says that the Czar cellars very well, and that a recent tasting of the 2003 model drew rave reviews.

My good buddy Jebb Stewart highly recommends the Widmer Brother's '07 Pale Ale. Not one to shirk a new beer, I'm looking forward to trying it this holiday. Here's what ratebeer says. 86% - not too shabby.

The beer for the April Session has been decided. This one will be tough to stick to my personal Colorado theme - other then the obvious New Belgium Abbey Ale (which everybody and their cousin will review), Colorado brewers haven't really addressed the Dubbel - ratebeer only lists 9, and some of those have already been retired. I thought Odells had a Belgium Abbey style brew, but according to their website they don't. So it seems like I might have to go out of state for this one, and if I do, I'm going out of country as well - if I don't have a good reason for drinking Belgium style beer thats not from Belgium, then I shouldn't drink it. If you have a suggestion as to a Dubbel I might like, please reply and tell me.

I was really excited for the premiere Friday beer session, because, I was looking forward to being the champion of Colorado beer, if you will. There are probably plenty of reasons why I feel this is the finest beer region in the country. My friends are quick to tell me that is because I come from Wyoming by way of Utah, and while both locales have delivered some really satisfying brews, neither are really up there in terms of quality or quantity. But I still think there's something to this area - and living in my palatial estate on the banks of the mighty St. Vrain, I find myself literally and figuratively in the middle of it all - not even a half an hour separates me from from the great brews of both Boulder and Fort Collins.

a bunch of the beer bloggers have gotten together, and started a beer blogging day. It all goes down on the first Friday of the month. This month, the theme is "Not your father's Irish Stout". I plan on putting my two cents in - probably with a good local stout. Not sure what, yet... I guess you'll have to tune in tomorrow....

Here are two new books on my "gotta read" list: