Michael speaks with Joseph Cortes, Executive Director of the Georgia Craft Brewers guild about breweries in the state and dealing with the Pandemic. Founded in 2010, the Guild is organized to promote, protect and further, in every lawful manner, the common interests of the members and the licensed brewing industry in Georgia. We invite you to sign up for our newsletter so you can be in the loop on activities of the Guild and its members. You’ll have an inside track on special releases from your favorite breweries, beer dinners, cask tappings, festivals, brewmaster receptions, and other newswo ..read more

Specialty Saison -Color – Pale to dark brown; may take on hue of fruit(s), darker malts or other ingredients -Clarity: Chill haze or slight yeast haze is acceptable -Perceived Malt Aroma & Flavor: Typically low to medium-low, but may vary in beers made with specialty malts. -Perceived Hop Aroma & Flavor: Low to medium-high -Perceived Bitterness: Medium to medium-high -Body: Low to medium -Additional notes: Specialty Saisons represent a very wide family of specialty beers. Entries brewed with dark malts, fruit(s), spice(s) or other special ingredients may deviate substantially fr ..read more

Classic Saison (Description Courtesy of Beer Advocate) Beers in this category are gold to light amber in color. Often bottle-conditioned, with some yeast character and high carbonation. Belgian-style Saison may have Brettanomyces or lactic character, and fruity, horsey, goaty and/or leather-like aromas and flavors. Specialty ingredients, including spices, may contribute a unique and signature character. Commonly called “farmhouse ales” and originating as summertime beers in Belgium, these are not just warm-weather treats. US craft brewers brew them year-round and have taken to adding a varie ..read more

Craft Brew News 05/15/20 (Courtesy of Brewbound.com) Craft Beer Festivals Across the Country Go Virtual During COVID-19 Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has altered nearly every facet of life and commerce, but one particular area stands to be gutted more than almost any other: large scale events. In the beer industry alone, event casualties are numerous. The Brewers Association has now canceled three of its marquee events, including the annual Craft Brewers Conference in San Antonio, Texas, SAVOR beer and food pairing event in Washington, D.C., and HomebrewCon in Nashville, Tennessee. The Gr ..read more

Belgian-Style Witbier -Color – Straw to pale -Clarity: Unfiltered starch and yeast haze should be visible. Wits are traditionally bottle conditioned and served cloudy. -Perceived Malt Aroma & Flavor: Very low to low -Perceived Hop Aroma & Flavor: Hop aroma is not present to low. Hop flavor is not present. -Perceived Bitterness: Low, from noble-type hops -Body: Low to medium, with a degree of creaminess from wheat starch. -Additional notes: Wits are brewed with malted barley, unmalted wheat and sometimes oats. They are spiced with coriander and orange peel. Coriander and light o ..read more

Michael catches up with Bill Herlicka, Founder of Brewer Consulting Brewer on his views of the Pandemic and its effects on craft brew. Starting from scratch? Adding needed capacity? Upgrading to a lager brewhouse? What is your new production goal? What is your budget? What options should you be considering as you work to reach your goal? Drop Bill an email at bill@brewerconsultingbrewer.com Or visit his website at https://brewerconsultingbrewer.com/ Craft Beer Storm Website: www.craftbeerstorm.com *** A Top 20 Podcast in Food on iTunes *** Subscribe to Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes: ht ..read more

Craft Brew News 05/08/20 (Courtesy of brewbound.com) Maine Brewpub Owner Defies Executive Order, Loses Licenses Even as a mini-revolution, the Sunday River Brewing uprising didn’t last long. As states grapple with reopening for business in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, one Maine brewpub owner opted to defy the reopening plan Gov. Janet Mills laid out last week that orders restaurants to remain shut for on-premise dining until June. Rick Savage, owner of Sunday River Brewing in Bethel, Maine, opened his brewpub at around noon on Friday, May 1, drawing a large crowd and defying Mills ..read more

Belgian-Style Blonde Ale Description (Courtesy of Beer Advocate) Belgian Blonde Ale The Belgian-style blonde ale is typically easy-drinking, with a low but pleasing hop bitterness. This is a light- to medium-bodied ale, with a low malt aroma that has a spiced and sometimes fruity-ester character. Common aromatic ester characteristics include banana, pear drop, apple, honey, roses. Sugar is sometimes added to lighten the perceived body. This style is medium in sweetness and not as bitter as Belgian-style tripels or golden strong ales. It is usually brilliantly clear. The overall impression is ..read more

Michael speaks with American Homebrewers Association Director Gary Glass about the surge in Homebrewing and opportunities for homebrewers to go commercial. Over 1.1 million people brew their own beer at home in the United States. The American Homebrewers Association® (AHA) is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit organization based in Boulder, Colo., dedicated to promoting the community of homebrewers and empowering homebrewers to make the best beer in the world. Since 1978, the AHA has worked to educate people worldwide about the coolest hobby there is—homebrewing. Quick Facts The American Homebrewers A ..read more

Craft Brew News 05/01/20 (Courtesy of Brewbound.com) Nearly Half of New York Breweries Say Their Businesses Could Close in 3 Months, According to Guild Survey The majority of New York craft brewers have seen their sales drop by 75% or more and nearly half have stopped production entirely, according to a survey conducted by the New York State Brewers Association (NYSBA). The survey’s conclusion read. “Without increased and consistent local, federal and state help, it is possible that nearly half of the breweries operating in New York state could shut down after three months,” Nearly half — 4 ..read more