The next BJCP Tasting Exam will be held in Minneapolis on Sunday, December 13th (location announced with payment). The doors will open at 10 am with the exam starting at 10:30 am. It will last 1.5 hours. You will be given 6 beers, one every 15 minutes, and it will be based on the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines (closed book exam). The exam is $40 for first time exam takers. You will need to have passed the BJCP online exam (email me a copy of your certificate). It is $15 for retakes (email me your BJCP number). A check holds your spot but won't be cashed until you take the exam. Please make checks out to Gera Exire LaTour and send to: 3757 Dupont Avenue N., Minneapolis, MN 55412. Checks are non-refundable if you change your mind for any reason about taking the exam. It is limited to 12 seats. Thanks. -Gera
From: Phil Ervin [mailto:pervin@gdbpitch.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 4, 2015 12:46 PM
Subject: Summit Releases Next Ale in Union Series
Wanted to share the latest news from Summit Brewing. Please find more
information in the press release below.
Summit Releases Union Series:
Old Blaggard Barleywine
A Robust Ale Perfect For Sharing at the Holidays
ST. PAUL, Minn. (November 4, 2015) - Summit Brewing Company
<http://www.summitbrewing.com> today announces the release of Old Blaggard:
English-Style Barleywine, available on draught and in 12oz bottle 4-packs
the second week of November.
In honor of hooligans, gurriers, scoundrels and deviants everywhere, the
fifth entry in Summit's Union series pays homage to the great strong ales
associated with Burton-on-Trent from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Old Blaggard seeks to combine new varieties of malting barley and hops in
order to brew a beer of impressive richness and depth. The Odyssey pale malt
hails from Simpson's Malting Company in Great Britain. The Endeavor hop is a
new, low trellis hop variety only recently released from the Charles Faram
research program based in the British midlands. Head Brewer Damian McConn
personally visited both sites to assist in selection and learn more about
these unique varieties.
Old Blaggard is a beautifully balanced strong ale, auburn in color, with
huge complexity and warmth. Aromas of toffee, figs, stone fruits and orange
marmalade lead to a full mouthfeel and vinous finish. This beer has been
aged for 6 months before packaging and will continue to evolve in the
bottle.
"You may be wondering about the origin of the name," said Head Brewer Damian
McConn.
"In reference to the aging requirements necessary for these stronger beers,
many British brewers would include "Old" somewhere in the title. For
example, 'Old Tom', referring to the brewery cat or 'Old Nick' referring to
the Devil himself. In rural parts of Ireland and England, a blaggard was
simply a ne'er- do-well and the term aptly denotes the hooligan nature of
the brewer involved."
Join Summit for events to kick off Old Blaggard's release:
November 4-7: Summit Tap Invasion and Artisan Meat Raffle at Pat
<http://www.patstap.com> 's Tap
November 19: Summit Beer Dinner, 7pm at the Pig <http://www.pignfiddle.com>
& Fiddle featuring Old Blaggard
Old Blaggard Information:
Malts: Odyssey Pale, Torrefied Wheat
Hops: Endeavor
ABV: 10.1%
IBUs: 50
Color: Auburn (32 degrees Lovibond)
Yeast: English Ale
Pairing Suggestions: Cured ham, aged beef, Cumberland sausages, Stilton and
Huntsman cheese, dark chocolate, English pudding
Available on draught and in 12oz 4-bottle packs
Digital images of the Union Series are available upon request. For more
information about the Union Series and kick-off events, please visit our
website http://www.summitbrewing.com/brews/old-blaggard
Union Series
Summit's limited release Union Series is the inspired union of new
ingredients and time-honored brewing traditions. The focus is on brewing
with new raw materials and ingredients, exploring the latest malts and hops
in the industry, married with traditional brewing practices and recipes.
Summit Brewing Company
Founded in St. Paul, Minn. in 1986, Summit Brewing Company has stayed close
to its roots, serving the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region. Summit's
beers are currently available in 14 states including Minnesota, Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Arkansas and Wisconsin. Summit now produces 14
varieties of premium craft beer, including seven year-round, four seasonal
beers, and the limited release Unchained Series and Union Series. Since its
inception, the brewery has been a consistent pioneer in the craft beer
movement. For everything Summit Brewing, visit summitbrewing.com
<http://www.summitbrewing.com> .
###
CONTACT:
Carey Matthews
Summit Brewing Company
(651) 265-7821
<mailto:cmatthews@summitbrewing.com> cmatthews(a)summitbrewing.com
Anyone want to judge barleywine in Anchorage?
- Al
From: Jason Ditsworth [mailto:jditsworth@gci.net]
Sent: Sunday, November 1, 2015 2:18 PM
To: jabrew(a)aol.com; shaken9(a)gmail.com; goosepoint183(a)alltel.net;
a_ager(a)yahoo.com; magnew63(a)msn.com; johnaitchison(a)earthlink.net;
akinales(a)gmail.com; jmalex(a)gmail.com; brdrbru(a)cox.net; jja(a)sinequanon.net;
afalten(a)gmail.com; mirella_amato(a)yahoo.com; amey99(a)windstream.net;
andy(a)burp.org; dwand2(a)hotmail.com; steve.antoch(a)yahoo.com; eska(a)isunet.net;
info(a)craftbeeru.com; tartz(a)cox.net; ase43(a)woh.rr.com;
ashcraftmd(a)comcast.net; sashton(a)metlife.com; Raugust(a)sasktel.net;
brewer(a)worthbrewing.com; tayres(a)mac.com; bachian(a)juno.com; pbachan(a)msn.com;
backlunds(a)att.net; ibrew77(a)gmail.com; MrBade(a)aol.com; rwbadley(a)hotmail.com;
stevebailey74(a)gmail.com; justinbajema(a)gmail.com; nathancbaker(a)yahoo.com;
pbaker(a)valinet.com; cbalboni0(a)gmail.com; tomrbaldwin(a)gmail.com;
cbanker(a)gmail.com; barber.droland(a)gmail.com; fbarickm(a)gmail.com;
davidwbarlow(a)justice.com; kiracalico(a)gmail.com; randy.barnes99(a)gmail.com;
thomasbarnes(a)frontiernet.net; gbarron_1(a)yahoo.com; DBatcheller(a)appareo.com;
renohomebrewer(a)prodigy.net; batybrew(a)gmail.com; barb.e.bauer(a)gmail.com;
bbeauchemin(a)carolina.rr.com; bbeckmann(a)missourienterprise.org;
beckwith73(a)cableone.net; drew(a)maltosefalcons.com; tim(a)belczak.net;
bryonbelding(a)gmail.com; ambbrewing(a)gmail.com; belskyc(a)alumni.msoe.edu;
darrenjbender(a)gmail.com; brucetbennett(a)verizon.net; Stan3351(a)att.net;
brian.bergquist99(a)gmail.com; bernardch(a)zoominternet.net;
beerbear1(a)outlook.com; gberon(a)yahoo.com; tracy.bethune(a)gmail.com;
mikebeuning(a)hotmail.com; bickhamsr(a)corning.com; biegansk(a)alaska.net;
sales(a)defalcos.com; suncluster(a)gmail.com; tbisson123(a)yahoo.com;
dontblake(a)hotmail.com; Imblane(a)msn.com; gatorbrewer(a)gmail.com;
maboals(a)gmail.com; rebobbitt(a)gmail.com; aeneas.bobiak(a)gmail.com;
ejboffa(a)yahoo.ca; bob(a)rfbolandpe.com; dr007(a)windstream.net;
jerrybonn(a)att.net; danrischboody(a)gmail.com; bill.bopp(a)att.net;
axebrew1(a)msn.com; rives.borland(a)gmail.com; dan.bosch(a)alaska.gov;
etienne(a)ktnbrew.com; nmbowser(a)yahoo.com; alboyce(a)comcast.net;
dwight(a)goldcountrybrewers.org; sb(a)freestatebrewing.com; GNBRAGG(a)Yahoo.com;
braunmm(a)gmail.com; jtbrengle(a)gmail.com; NBrese(a)dow.com;
sarahbridegroom(a)netscape.net; coachbritt(a)bellsouth.net
Cc: 'Jason Ditsworth' <jditsworth(a)gci.net>
Subject: 2016 Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival - Judging
Invitation
2016 Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival Competition
Judging Invitation
You are cordially invited to judge barley wine and winter seasonal beers at
the 2016 Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival at the Egan Convention
Center in Anchorage, Alaska. This is an invitation-only judging event
limited to experienced judges that have passed the BJCP exam at the
certified or higher level, or that have obtained other credentials that
qualify for this event.
First and second round judging will take place on Friday January 22, 2016,
starting at 4:45 PM sharp (please try to show up a little early - parking is
always difficult if you are driving). The Best-of-Show round of judging will
take place from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 23, 2016. A few
of you will be contacted separately about judging the Best-of-Show round on
Saturday in a second e-mail to come later once I know who is available.
Please note that judging space is limited. An invitation and returned
confirmation of your availability does not guarantee a judging assignment.
Judges are selected from the pool that promptly responds to this inquiry as
well as their BJCP ranking and other qualifications. Judges selected for the
first, second, and Best-of-Show round will be notified in a follow-up notice
around January 5, 2015. We do our best to include everyone that attends the
festival. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are traveling so
that I can confirm your judging seat early. Unfortunately the festival does
not offer lodging or travel reimbursement. If you are traveling watch for
Alaska Beer Week events on Facebook as there will be many planned events
leading up to the festival.
As in previous years, if you donate your time to judge beer you will receive
a free pass to the festival for the entire weekend, including the
connoisseur's session on Saturday afternoon.
Some of you on this invite list may be affiliated (e.g., employee, owner, or
distributor) with a brewery that is entering a barely wine or winter
seasonal beer. If this is the case, please note that you are not eligible to
judge. With the double-blind judging format that we follow, it is too
difficult to guarantee that you are not judging your own beer, or one that
you represent.
Please confirm your availability to judge by responding to this e-mail
(jditsworth(a)gci.net <mailto:jditsworth@gci.net> ) no later than December 31,
2015.
A second e-mail is being sent to prospective stewards.
Cheers!
Jason Ditsworth
Competition Organizer
