The Beer Guy

March 31st:

All About Beer magazine's latest issue has an article on the 125 Places to have a Beer before you die.  Unfortunately, there is not a spot from Wisconsin although there are a couple mentioned from our neighbors to the south.  I know I could come with a list of all the great and/or interesting spots to have a beer but I would like some thoughts from you.

Email me your list of your favorite spots to have a beer and I will compile a list for a future post.

With the snow finally melting, we could officially begin to think like spring.  Here are some great beers for the warmer days ahead:

Leinenkugel Summer Shandy

Blue Moon Rising Moon Spring Ale

Sam Adams White Ale

Capital Maibock

Point Brewery's Einbock

Bells Oberon Ale

or a great year round beer from Mexico:Modelo Especial. 

Please send me your ideas on your best places to have a beer.  Until then "Cheers"

While parades, corned beef and cabbage, and lucky four leafed clovers are what typically come to mind this time of year, St.  Patrick's Day celebrations would not be complete without delicious stout beer. 

That said, there are many stouts available that you may have not yet tried.  And next Monday, the 17th is a great opportunity to broaden your horizons and try something new and unique.

But before I get into the details on some of the great stouts out there and an idea for hosting a stout-tasting party, let me explain a bit of the story behind stouts.

History of Stout
Stout is a relatively young style of beer.  It was first introduced to the in the 1700s, as an “extra stout” version of a porter beer.  The name “stout” referred to the fact that this beer was a little more assertive than the regular porter.  The foamy head characteristic of a stout is the result of the centuries old brewing process.  And, while the dark color might be deceiving, stouts are actually light in taste and texture and are often on the lighter side in alcohol content as well.

American Stouts
There are multitudes of stout styles; the most popular are Irish in origin, like Murphy’s Irish Stout, and boast a coffee-like, or ‘toasted’ flavor.  With a great deal of innovation and originality, American brewers have taken this style to a new level.  Whether it's adding coffee, chocolate or even oatmeal to compliment the roasted flavors, American stouts will not disappoint die-hard Irish stout enthusiasts.

With American stouts, the hop bitterness range is quite wide but most are balanced.  Beers with robust flavors like the creamy and malty Sierra Nevada Stout, the dark and rich Bell's Expedition Stout or the tart and slightly fruity Cherry Stout (also from Bell's) are great examples of American-made brews that have earned a solid standing with stout connoisseurs.  

Host a Stout Tasting
This St. Patrick’s Day, host a stout tasting.  Gather some friends and some different types of stouts.  With Lakefront's Snake Chaser; try to identify flavors of toffee and coffee aromas.  When tasting the Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout, look for the distinct flavors of chocolate, coffee, and, of course, oatmeal.  As expected, Bell's Java Stout will have a smooth, velvety coffee flavor.  Note the different aromas that are infused into these American brews, and maybe contrast their flavors with that of traditional Beamish Irish Stout, for example.  Take small sips and cleanse the palate in between tastes with crackers, or different types of fruit and sips of water.

And lastly, remember to drink responsibly wherever you end up this St. Patrick's Day.

That great green holiday known as St. Patrick's Day is coming up quick.  In addition to a day and night filled with revelry and recreation, you've also got a chance to do some good while you're out grabbing a couple beers with friends as many area bars participate in raffles and other contests that benefit local charities and non-profits.

The largest contest I've found this year is the 27th annual Jig with The Green Pig raffle, which benefits The Threshold, a non-profit organization that provides community rehabilitation services to children and adults in Washington County. This year, through the sponsorship of W.O.W. Distributing and Miller Lite, the event will expand to include over 20 area bars, restaurants and retailers, and profits are anticipated to triple.
The Threshold's Web site can be found here.

Here are the details:

Available from through March 17th, raffle tickets will be sold at participating pubs, restaurants and retailers individually for $5, three for $10 and seven for $20.  Prizes include: a trip for two to Ireland including airfare, hotel, meals and excursions or $3000 cash; four tickets to a 2008 season Notre Dame football game at the home of the Irish, including hotel accommodations and a parking pass; packages for four to top rated Washington county golf clubs; a Miller Brewery Hard Hat Tour package for 15 guests; a whole dressed pig; two tickets to the Milwaukee Brewers opening day game, and two tickets to a Chicago Cubs game; Irish Fest packages and over 40 additional prizes.

The grand drawing will occur on March 24th at The Threshold in West Bend.  Winners do not need to be present to claim prizes.

For some background on the group and participating locations, check out a recent Journal Sentinel article about the raffle here.

Remember Responsibility on the 17th
Don't forget to plan ahead and keep safety and responsibility in mind on St. Pat's Day.

Here are a few tips:

• Eat before and while drinking. This is especially easy on St. Patrick's Day as many bars and taverns will be offering up great food specials such as corned beef and Irish stews
• Use a designated driver. Or rent a car service - or even a bus if your group is big enough - to shuttle you and your friends between stops. It's also a good idea to keep phone numbers of local cab companies with you
• Know your limit and keep track of what you drink. It's also best to stick to one type of alcohol while drinking