MillerCoors Light - Two Companies, One Cup

For what its worth, Miller and Coors are now one damned entity. Creatively, the name of the company is Millercoors. Hours upon nerdy-marketing hours were spent brainstorming the name of this new company. So what are the implications of Miller and Coors colliding?
Uhh...2 Heineken's please!

Ah, the future is nice.

Brew of the Month Nominations due TOMORROW!!!

Three exclamation points means business...Brew of the month nominations are due tomorrow.

email them to brewofthemonth@brewsnbooze.com

Bud Buyout Heating Up

America is taking notice of the potential Anheuser-Busch buyout by InBev.

It was one of the top stories on FastCompany.com yesterday. Check it out.

Mighty Arrow: Another reason to go down on New Belgium?

Has anyone tried New Belgium's Mighty Arrow pale ale yet? I'd like a review if possible. I saw it during my one day visit to the Fort this year, and it was only available in these new "folly packs" (a brilliant new marketing ploy in which you must buy a 12 pack containing 3 each of 4 of New Belgium's beers in order to try their seasonal oddities). Apparently Mighty Arrow is a tribute to the owners' dog, which just passed away. There a plenty of reviews for it at the Beer Advocate, but I refuse to read words that won't end up making me laugh. If you are closer to the brewery than I, and I'm guessing you are, save our South American readers, pick up a folly pack today and post your drunk opinion.

Wild West Microbrew Fest: A Report

Random Thoughts from Year two of the Newest Cool Thing Added to Nebraskaland Days:

• They checked ID's but let my 6 month old son in.
• The Free Glass they gave me said "Beamish Genuine Irish Stout." That beer wasn't included in the tasting.
  
• Big Sky Brewing Company (Missoula, Montana) was highly represented. About half of the 20 or so beers there were from this Brewery. None of them were any good--perhaps you've tasted "Moose Drool"?
• JW Dundee's Honeybrown was one of the featured beers--seemed to be a big hit. Is this even a "microbrew"?
• My favorite was probably Sierra Nevada's Summer Ale. A nice Ale without too much "Summer" added. Breckenridge Brewery's "Summerbright" was not as good--bad aftertaste.
• Drank beer with the Assistant Superintendent and HS Principal. Wish I could remember all of the cliches and bad jokes.
• Zach Linstedt (sp?) and Shayna Dunn (sp?) were there.
  
• People were pissed that they didn't get full beers.
• Lifehouse plays tomorrow. Hope they play "Hanging By a Moment." I should bring a lighter.
  

Little known hangover cure made in Memphis...really just crushed aspirin.

A colleague of mine informed me today of a hangover remedy that is big in the south. No it isn't chicken and waffles, or illiteracy. BC Powder has been marketed for a 100 years as "the working man's friend", "freeing up your time spent dealing with headaches from the workplace, to spend time with your family."
Well, naturally drunks have gotten ahold of it, and use it to shake their julep benders.
Moderately entertaining website, considering A) its a pharmaceutical and B) 30% of their market can't read so they have to rely on graphics to convey their message.
I think they did a good job-If you are a southern dude; 1. rip the powder down your throat 2. continue breaking up Union railroad lines with that shovel, hangover-free of course.
If you are a southern belle; 1. in a powder room, drop powder into glass 2. mix in sexism, domestic fear 3. throw it down, now get out there and watch men vote!

I have a theory on how this stuff works: once the contents of the crushed medicated powder cover your tongue and start to dissolve your mouth, you forget about your hangover. Its no menudo, but I suppose it might just do the trick.

New Belgium makes good beer without giving mother nature a hangover.

A great post from GreenUpgrader.
Basically, it breaks down how The New Belgium Brewery is nearly 100% sustainable. A couple highlights:

-- They use 50% less water than the industry average
-- Energy efficient brewing process with equipment that uses 65% less energy
-- Their building is lit with solar tubes
-- Their building is built from reclaimed lumber and their furniture from reclaimed materials
-- They send their spent grain (used in the brewing process) to a local cattle farm for feed.
-- They are able to divert 98% of their waste from the landfill!

Check out even more at New Belgium's site.

Via Green Upgrader

Yep.

From The Onion = hilarious.


Study: Nearly 80 Percent Of Roommates Got So Drunk Last Night

Become a Maker's Mark Ambassador

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm proud to say that I'm now an official Maker's Mark Ambassador. I get my name on a barrel of Maker's, they're sending me a certificate, and I get all sorts of special offers. Pretty Rad. However, it's your responsibility as an ambassador to recruit more ambassadors.

So if you love Maker's Mark Bourbon, I encourage you to join the family.

Makers Mark website

Beer of the month nominations

You can now email your beer of the month nominations to:

brewofthemonth@brewsnbooze.com

On the 26th of every month, one of the regular bloggers will be selected to pick the best nomination. He/She will have to pick the winner by the 30th, for it to be posted on the 1st or 2nd.

So, nominations are now open for July, with the nominating period ending June 26th. Dig?

For any other inquiries, email thecaptain@brewsnbooze.com

That's right.

Leninade - A drink for the Masses!!!

I found this gem through Pete's link. When it asked "flavor?" I clicked "strange."

What a fantastic mixer for Russian Vodkas. In fact, apparently people call any mix with this stuff, a COMMIE KAZI.

F'n genius.

Here's it's Narration, from the site:

Leninade
12oz Bottle. Many people who once escaped from the Soviet Union, upon tasting Leninade, have overwhelmingly remarked that it is "BETTER THAN EXPECTED"; and those who prefer vodka in their potables have been known mix it with Leninade and ice to make a COMMIE KAZE. The Marx Brothers would be so proud. But even if you're a teetotaler you can get tired of Russky Chai and Drink As Lenin Drank!

Contains: Carbonated water Cane Sugar Citric Acid Gum Acacia Natural and Artificial flavors. Calories: 150

SODA GURU'S RATING: 5 Red Stars

...came the unforgettable October of 2002 when the flavours and colours of seven decades of Soviet History were condensed into a bottle for the first time. Thus presented itself the choice that needed to be made as to whether this bottle should be placed on display in a mausoleum or spread out for the masses to enjoy. Choice... what a concept; so a compromise was made: Only one flavour of Leninade but enough for everybody!!!

At your next Party, follow the Party Line by mixing Leninade with your favourite Soviet Vodka and make COMMIE KAZES for your comrades who will then name you a Hero Of Socialist Flavour!
__________________
BINGO. This is amazing.

Leninade via SodaKing

By Popular Demand

Although there doesn't appear to be a Kentucky Nip website, it is allegedly made by White Rock beverages, who make Sioux City Sasparilla, among others, and it is available from bluedogbeverages.com.

Also found this review from bevnet:

"Kentucky Nip is one of the smoothest, most easy sipping cherry flavored sodas that we have ever tasted here at The BevNET. Actually, it is much more than just a cherry flavored soda. Kentucky Nip has natural raspberry and mint flavors as well. This gives it an even more sophisticated taste. A highly recommended beverage."

June Beer of the Month = Summer Shandy

Looks like Leinenkugel pretty much wrote their own nomination on this one. But from personal experience, this beer is one of the finest citrus flavored beers I've ever tasted. First off, it's lemonade, not just lemon. So you get the sour of lemon, with the sweetness of aids.

Wait, that didn't come out right.

When it comes to beer, lemon is the best citrus. Orange can go to hell. And don't give me your "what about Blue Moon" b.s.. Orange and beer are a match made in anus (unless it's orange beers at a morning tailgate). And Lime is the first cousin of Lemon, so I won't bash it too much, in fear of some citrus mafia thugs throwing me in the Rio Grande with "cement shoes" or "zapatos cementos."

But back to Summer Shandy. What a fine summer drink. Normally, citrus-based drinks are very strong and bitter, with too high of a fruit to beer taste ratio. But not the Shandy. It starts smooth, with just a hint of lemon. But as you finish, the drink ends with a perfect summer taste of lemonade.

Personally, I took a first sip, sat for about two seconds, then thought to myself, "Whoa," then proceeded to pound about 7 back. You can't do that with many fruity beers, the fruit is just too sweet. But you can easily throw back 100 of these gems and not think twice.

There's probably a lot of funnier and more interesting things I could write about the perfect summer beer...but I'm at work...just wishing I was outside, at a lake, drinking some Lieiny Summer Shandies. But if anyone asks, this 1/2 hour was totally billable.

New recipie: Kahlua Strawberry Shots

So, I joined a BBQ team this year and while it has its own host of stories, one pertinent tidbit of information that I thought I should offer up that is mostly unrelated to BBQ is something new that I experienced in the way of artful intoxication. This really seemed to help the transition from eating and hanging out to a full on frenzy on the dance floor (read: it will get females dance floor tipsy in a hurry).

What you need:
-fresh strawberries, with stems and cores removed with a paring knife so as to create a hollow cup-like vessel
-vodka or grain alcohol
-kahlua or other coffee liquer
-whipped cream

1. Soak the prepared strawberries in the vodka or grain alcohol for an hour or two in the fridge to absorb some of the booze and to cool them off.

2. Pour the strawberry shot glasses full of Kahlua and top with whipped cream, preferrably the stuff in the can.

3. Eat the whole thing and enjoy.

Let me know what observations and comments you have on this, variations you come up with or have heard of, or even better, stories and pictures of the results of trying it on your own.

Cheers!

Major Brew Merger in the Works?

Stories from around the globe are telling of a potential merger between InBev and Anheuser-Busch. Who the hell is InBev you ask? Well, InBev is the Belgian brewer responsible for such beers as Stella Artois and Becks.

Read about it here, on MSNBC

Oh, and apparently it would be bad for Mexicans. That comes from the International Herald Tribune.

Hello, wheelhouse

Well if this isn't a story that is all-encompassing what this blog stands for, I don't know what is. I'm too excited to properly editorialize.

American Craft Beer Week May 12-18. Celebrate the History of Beer-making by drinking for 7 days, possibly losing job/friends

Here is a schedule of special 'toastings' next week with some key members of Sam Adams, across the country, and believe you me, these people would love to meet you. So get out there, get some face time, and lets convert them to Brews&Booze fans:

City	Date & Time	Restaurant	Brewer
New York	Monday, May 12, @ 6:30pm	Bloomingdale's	Jim Koch w/ Chef David Burke
San Francisco	Tuesday, May 13, @ 6:00pm	Monk's Kettle	Grant Wood
Boston	Tuesday, May 13, @ 7:00pm	Toro	Jim Koch
Chicago	Wednesday, May 14, @ 5:30pm	Harry Caray's	Bob Cannon
Los Angeles	Wednesday, May 14, @ 6:30pm	Daily Grill	Grant Wood
Denver	Thursday, May 15, @ 8:00pm	Rioja	Bob Cannon
Philadelphia	Thursday, May 15, @ 6:00pm	Monk's Belgian Cafe	Jim Koch
San Diego	Thursday, May 15, @ 6:00pm	Dussini Mediterranean Bistro	Grant Wood
Washington D.C.	Friday, May 16, @ 6:00pm	Mie N Yu	Jim Koch
Phoenix	Friday, May 16, @ 6:00pm	Rustler's Roost	Grant Wood

And if you don't live by one of these cities, well, maybe think about it.

Partially related; I attended an event last night that featured several local heavy hitters, Sierra Nevada, Pyramid, and Pacific Coast(whom does not distribute outside of a 50 mile radius, but still delicious). I worked the Pyramid 'special events' chick, so hopefully, look for their presence on this blog in the future. They will also come serve at an event we throw and talk beer talk. The only catch; it really needs to be in the Bay Area. Think about it.

I'd like to pimp Pyramid Brewery for this post.
Whether its a hot sunny day in your backyard or watching the Athletics at the Mac, Curveball Ale, is always the right pitch!

Celebration Beer

Brewsnbooze.blogspot.com, is now just brewsnbooze.com.

If anyone knows of some professional brewers that would like to contribute, that'd be awesome. I'd love to rock this mutha out. Maybe get some advertisers and whatnot. We'll see. As of now, keep it rockin' with your posts.

May Beer of The Month - Corona Light

Finding a Mexican Beer that really stands out is a tough task. Unless you're Ricardo Gonzálo Pedro Montalbán Merino.
But one Brews & Booze writer came up with one brilliant nomination, for a not so brilliant beer. So with that, I give you the May beer of the month, Corona Light, as nominated by JimStock.

JimStock's Nomination

NebraskaLand Days: No Longer Just a Choice Between Miller Lite and Bud Light

WILD WEST microFEST

"Thursday, June 12 features the 2nd annual Wild West microFEST at the Wild West Arena Pavilion. Come join in the fun and sample 15 different Craft beers made available by Johnson Brothers Liquor Company from Omaha, Nebraska. The tasting begins at 5:00 p.m. and runs through 9:00 p.m."

In case any of you missed the first annual microFEST (which I assume most of you did because I don't recall seeing any of you there); here is your chance to taste 15 exotic beers; receive a free tiny glass; and feel like a true beer snob in the heart of light beer land. You will have the opportunity to really feel like a professional "dark beer drinker" and attempt to justify your choices in beer to the rest of the Plattelanders who will stare at you through the chain link fence and wonder why you can't just drink Bud Light like everyone else.

The NebraskaLand Days staff would also like to remind all of you that following the beer fest you will have the opportunity to watch some live Professional Boxing in the arena.

To sum up: 1. Taste some beers delivered especially for you from Omaha; 2. Watch local boxers pound eachother. If you were looking for a reason to come to North Platte this Summer--there it is.

In other NebraskaLand Days news. . .

• Finger 11 cancelled out as headliner for rock night, but don't be discouraged because Lifehouse have stepped in to graciously fill the coveted spot (although at a higher price). . .
  
• Due to negative press for not conveying a family friendly theme, The 2008 slogan, "10 Days of Disorderly Conduct" has been replaced with "Nebraska's Official State Celebration." Not sure who officially decided that, but if you were planning on conducting yourself in a disorderly fashion, please be advised.
  

May Nomination: Mexican beer is Polly Pocket of Booze

Cinco De May, gone and passed. Thoughts? Its great, I guess. For a Monday. Without football.
I really struggled with nominating a beer for May that was 'mexican'. I've been trying to understand why that is. I love their food, labor, and generally appreciate paper mache decor.
Why then do I not have a soft spot for their beer?
Its great on a hot day, obviously. I love drinking on hot days; nothing there.
Its not expensive. Cheap is great so; nothing there either.
No frills labels. Awesome as well.

The one thing that bonds man to the beers he openly defends is a good hard session of binge with a beer in its purest form; a party keg.
Like our friends the Navajo will tell you, you don't experience the magic without throwing it up.

Nobody buys 3 cases of Corona and sits down with co-pilot for a suicide mission. You pick one out of the ice at a high school graduation party so you don't look as drunkenly.

Or in my case, you buy a 12 pack on your way to an impromptu Cinco party. Only to almost check out before realizing you didn't get a lime or two.
Buzz kill.
This is why I don't get this stuff. A required accessory? Come on Polly Pocket. You shouldn't need the pink comb, black corvette, and racially quota-ed pack of friends.
If I must, I'll choose Corona Light. You can't taste the diesel version anyway.

The Premie Bomb

It has taken quite a while for me to post over here--and really, when all you're dealing with is Budweiser and Busch Light, what is there to add?--but I have finally found some new inspiration:

The Premie Bomb.

The Premie Bomb, dear friends and readers, is perfect. It is on par with a Car Bomb, which I didn't think to be possible.

Quite simply, you do the following:

1. Take a pint glass and put an ounce or two of orange juice in it.
2. Fill the pint glass with a Friendly Grain Belt Premium until the glass is a little under 2/3rds full.
3. Take a shot glass with your choice of orange-flavored vodka.
4. Drop said shot into the beer.
5. Chug.
6. Move back to Step 1.

It is an incredible concoction--it actually somehow tastes like an Orange Julius, which is the king of mall drinks.

So step up to the plate, have a few of America's Party Beers, and have yourself a Premie Bomb in the process. You'll be glad you did.

As for our Omaha readers, Grain Belt Premium and Premie Bombs can be found at the Crescent Moon Ale House, 36th and Farnam.

Old Chicago, Cinco de Mayo Tour

I'm not sure why I find myself at Old Chicago all the time. Maybe it's the sub-par heart-attck food? But most likely it's because of the beer selection and TVs. Long story short, right now they're featuring a Cinco de Mayo tour. Overall it's pretty lame. The beers on the tour are your run of the mill Mexican beers: Dos Equis, Corona, Negra Modelo and Pacifico. If you ask any white person what Mexican beer they can think of, this list pretty much covers it. It's like a Cash-cab Red light challenge. Lame.

I want some exotic Mexican brew. 'Cmon Old Chicago, drive down to Tijuana, make some shady negotiations and bring back some real Mexican beer. Give me something that smells like Selma Hayak, tastes like Antonio Banderas, and gives you a hangover like Cheech. I mean, I can get your list at Albertson's.

The one redeeming thing about the tour is the t-shirt you get for completing it. I can't find a picture, but just imagine a brown shirt (obviously) with sombrero-wearing beer bottles.

Okay BeerBloggers, enlighten this blistering sunburner about some great Mexi beers.

News Belgium Flash

This is great news for me. Kind of.

I love cans of beer, probably 10 to 20 times more than I love bottles of beer. Yeah, yeah, "but bottles!". "Bottles taste way better! Cans are for pussies, and people who don't care about what beer tastes like." "Bottles!"
Yes bottle-guy, you like really can taste the difference. You love bottled beer enough to fore go the portability of a portable product.
Thankfully, and this is no surprise, New Belgium shares my opinion on this topic down to the letter. Check out the article, and have fun shot-gunning your bottle with those ridiculous bendy straws, captain sophistication.