Past Newsletters

Vol. 10 No. 6

Brewery	Beers Featured
Harpoon Brewing Company	Winter Warmer Specialty Holiday Ale
Harpoon Brewing Company	Munich Dark
Stoney Creek Brewing Company	Pale Ale
Stoney Creek Brewing Company	Red Ale

Harpoon Brewing Company

The Harpoon Brewing Company first opened its doors on the Boston waterfront back in 1986. The business was founded with four employees; the three founders, who were all classmates at Harvard, and one very important employee—their brewer! It was the intent of the lads to deliver quality goods to a community they sought to contribute to in many ways. Before starting the brewery, the founders traveled throughout Europe ( product research), in search of various beer and brewery styles upon which they could model their own. And while the inspiration may have come from traditional European breweries, the results have nicely expanded and evolved to their own distinctive brews, incorporating, when they felt necessary, their own vision of stylistic improvements.

Taking certain liberties in revising traditional styles was a key component of their original inspiration to found the brewery, as they wanted to offer the community (and themselves, we're sure) additional, though distinctive, choices to the many beers already commercially available at the time. A much appreciated public service, if we do say so ourselves. Although the brewery is well known throughout New England, their main focus has been on impacting primarily the local community, another feature they observed while noting European traditions abroad. As they say on their website, welearned to appreciate how much local brewers meant to their communities. They were not just manufacturers of a product; they were part of the social fabric. [Before starting the brewery] we asked each other, Why not do that in New England?’ The result of this initial desire has won them an overwhelming approval from the locals, and beyond. Harpoon staffs 60 employees at two brewery locations. One of the more interesting stats about the brewery, besides that fact that their beer was the first to be brewed and bottled in Boston since 1964, is that they brew more beer than any other New England brewery.

Our panel was lucky enough to try most Harpoons ten styles, and as quite a few were solid choices, it was a tough decision as to which should be featured (though the sampling and tasting process did serve as a pay off to the stress of such difficult decision-making. What can we say, we're just slaves to the grind.)

One final note, these guys run a very successful brewery, but success hasn't changed the very friendly, welcoming demeanor that the company was founded on. The lads make it a point to provide a warm welcome to customers at either of their two breweries. If you can arrange it, try to visit during one of their seasonal brewery events, which have become rather famous in the more than ten years that they’ve hosted them!

For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call (888) HARPOON or check out their web site at www.harpoonbrewery.com.

Winter Warmer Specialty Holiday Ale

Serving Temperature: 40-45° F
Original Gravity: 15.0° Plato
Final Gravity: 4.0° Plato
Int'l Bittering Units: 25.0
Alcohol by Volume: 5.8%

Well, the holiday season is upon us, thus, we saw it fit to bring you a spirited ale perfect for this time of year. Harpoon's Winter Warmer is brewed with a healthy dose of holiday cheer and spice in the form of both nutmeg and cinnamon! The beer presents as an inviting copper color with a smooth, off-white head that is long lasting and just about as appealing as a warm fluffy coat on a cold winter day. A creamy lace will leave thin scarves around the glass upon drinking. We detected more cinnamon notes than nutmeg, within a medium to full body. Mild yeast esters were evident toward the end, along with a hop bitterness 'nipping at our noses' - ok, sorry about that last one, but this beer just thrust us into the holiday spirit. The hop bite is definitely present, and nicely balances the sweetness that initially develops. Overall, a well crafted holiday beer, which is not typically easy to pull off, but has been nicely executed in this brew.

Munich Dark

Serving Temperature: 45-50° F
Original Gravity: 13.5° Plato
Final Gravity: 3.5° Plato
Int'l Bittering Units: 16.0
Alcohol by Volume: 5.4%

This particular beer was introduced in 1998 and won the Harpoon Brewing Company a first prize spot for Best Beer Overall of the year in BarleyCorn Magazine. It pours a nice deep caramel to mahogany color with an appropriate level of carbonation for the style. Nice retention in the tan head which will leave some sticky lace behind. The maltiness is also long lasting and provides a sweet nutty, toasted flavor that develops into a mild spiciness. Note a crisp mouthfeel in this medium-bodied beer. As it warmed, the alcohol presence was more readily noted, along with light fruity flavor notes. Offering a very satisfying, smooth and Earthy feel, this is a great beer to pair with steak or seafood. Of course, it's extremely well suited to be enjoyed on its own as well.

Stoney Creek Brewing Company

The Stoney Creek Brewing Company is one of only three breweries in Michigan's largest city of Detroit—a surprisingly low number for a state that has over 60 operating breweries! But those who have visited this establishment's brewpub aren't likely to complain at this low number, as these guys have an impressive line up if liquid refreshment. Not only do they produce 14 or more different beers (they never seem to be content to stop creating new treats for their consumers), they are one of a very limited number of breweries to also make their own wine as well. In fact, they currently offer an impressive list of nine homemade wines. Thus, while there are few breweries and/or brewpubs in the motor city, there's plenty of variety to sample from at this one alone!

If you are a beer enthusiast, and the chances are that if you're reading this, you are (or at least, someone out there thinks that you are), then you already understand the allure of an ale, the seduction of a stout, and the power of a pilsner. Now, we're not talking about power in terms of potency or alcohol content, or the beauty of a just-poured dark porter as its head develops atop a cascading display as enticing as a siren's song, drawing you inexorably closer—we're talking about the feeling you get when you drink a great beer. It's as if there's some higher power at work behind the scenes that has aided in the creation of a truly fulfilling brew. Some breweries have this gift, while others simply do not, and those that do seem to be somehow imbued with this impressive power. It kind of makes you wonder, what other powers do these facilities wield? Is it possible that some of the establishments that create the most sublime brews also have other abilities, such as the means to raise the dead? A perfectly logical and obvious question for those of us beer connoisseurs with inquisitive minds (and perhaps, overactive imaginations). Well, as luck would have it, the Stoney Creek Brewing Company is one of them with the power to resurrect

If you’ve already got a generous dose of this month's shipment in you at this point, then this newsletter might be freaking you out right about now The truth about Stoney Creek's resurrective power may not be as mystical as we’ve made it sound, but this brewery has in fact brought back a number of beers from that dark place that defunct breweries are forced to send their once prized elixirs to: the unforgiving cellar of discontinuance Stoney Creek moved in to the operating space formerly used by the Atwater Block Brewery after they went out of business in 2000. After renovating the location, they purchased the Atwater name and brands, of which at least three are currently offered along with their own line up, aided in large part by the skills of former Atwater brewer Hazen Schumacher. Thus, fans of the Atwater beers will find little to no difference in taste between those previously sold and those that are now offered at Stoney Creek. From great ales to stupendous stouts, fine wines to culinary fanfare, this brewpub has, to say the least, a lot to offer. If you're ever in the Detroit area, we encourage you to stop in for a visit (at least once).

For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call (313) 877-9205 or check out their web site at www.getstoney.com.

Pale Ale

Serving Temperature: 40-45° F
Original Gravity: 14.0° Plato
Final Gravity: 3.5° Plato
Int'l Bittering Units: 54.0
Alcohol by Volume: 5.6%

This American pale ale pours an amber to caramel color while presenting some inviting red highlights. Note the somewhat floral, hoppy nose, a result of dry hopping with Cascade hops. The off-white head is of medium consistency and dresses the ale nicely, scoring points with our tasting panel in the appearance department. The hop character is initially a bit subdued by quickly developing pine and citrus notes, but comes through in the end, along with a bit of maltiness, for a smooth and rather well balanced finish. This is a very drinkable beer, satisfying in flavor, and also surprisingly thirst-quenching.

Red Ale

Serving Temperature: 40-45° F
Original Gravity: 10.5° Plato
Final Gravity: 2.7° Plato
Int'l Bittering Units: 20.0
Alcohol by Volume: 4.3%

A feature common to a number of the beers we sampled from Stoney Creek is that they were well-balanced. And their Red Ale is certainly no exception. Modeled after the Irish Red Ale style that it nicely emulates, this brew combines some American noble hops from the Pacific northwest, making it a nice amalgamation of old and new world influences. The rich German malts help contribute to one of the first aspects you'll notice-the aroma. A fairly prominent caramel flavor will be noted, while the body is rather light. Some members of our panel reported some slight notes of berry, while most felt that the malt supplied the main body of the flavor. Look for a lingering hop finish in this full-flavored Ale! We know you're gonna love it!

Ask Murl

Murl!

What's up Dawg!? I love your column dude. You are one funny canine! Don't take that the wrong way bro. It's a figure of speech and all. You know? I’ve been reading your column for just over 6 years now. It's the first thing I read in the newsletter. And don't tell anyone over there, but sometimes the only part! So I finally have a question for you. I overheard in my local watering hole that the word honeymoon has origins related to beer! Can you believe that? Or rather should I believe that? Take it easy pooch. You're the best!

Tracey Johannis
Denver, CO

Yo Trace!

You are too kind my man. Too kind indeed. And I just want to state that for the record, just because your letter was flattering, it was NOT the reason for my publishing it ahead of the 23 other questions that came in before yours. So, uhThe Best? You really think so, man?

Beer and Honeymoons. Are they connected? Absolutely. Hell, without looking this one up I can tell ya that beer might in fact be considered a requirement for some to get through their honeymoons. Think arranged marriage. You get me. Beer goggles can be your friend my brothas and sistas. They can work for you if you let them.

So here's the textbook answer: It was in fact the accepted practice in Babylonia some 4,000 years ago [give or take 1000 years] that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer, and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the "honey month" or what we know today as the "honeymoon". And if mead was not from an exceptionally tasty batch, often a goat and 2 chickens would also be added to the dowry.

Woof!
Murl.

Food For Thought...

Baked Crabmeat Legacy (appetizer)

• 1 1lb. Round loaf rye bread
• 12 oz. Lump crabmeat
• 2 8oz. Packages cream cheese, room temp.
• 2 TBS Stoney Creek Red Ale
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 dash hot pepper sauce
• ¼ tsp. salt

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Slice the top off of the loaf and scoop out the center, leaving about a 1 thick shell. Cut the soft bread into cubes. Set them aside in a plastic bag. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly and taste for seasoning. Adjust for salt or hot pepper sauce, as necessary. Fill the bread shell with the crabmeat mixture. Replace the top. Wrap completely in foil and place on a backing sheet. Bake for 1.5 to 2 hours. Unwrap and remove the top. Serve hot, with reserved bread cubes for dipping. Serve with a cold Dead Armadillo and watch for their expressions of pure delight.

Norm's Corner...
As spoken by Cheers' Norm

Coach: What's up, Norm?
Norm: Corners of my mouth, Coach.

For Members Only

Give Your Friends FREE Beer, Wine, Cheese, Chocolate, Cigars & Flowers!
Through our Customer Appreciation Program

Your name has real value to your friends, co-workers, and family members! Every time a friend, family member, or anyone else you know joins any one of our clubs, [or gives a gift] for 3 months or longer, we'll give them 50% off of their first month, but only when they mention your name. And we'll also give you 50% off your next month too which can either be applied towards your current membership or you can try one of our other Clubs out! (We can add one more month to your order at 50% off for prepaid memberships!)

The Fine Print: Members giving gift memberships do not qualify for referral credits and you can't give yourself a gift to qualify! This Program is mutually exclusive of any other promotions.

Membership Q & A

Q: What can I do if I'm having difficulty receiving my shipment at home?
A: You should consider having our discrete box delivered to your work location or to a neighbor 21 yrs. of age that can receive it for you. As your shipment requires and adult signature to receive, it's always best to ship it to a location where someone will be there to receive it for you. The box is brown corrugated cardboard and doesn't say "Beer" on it anywhere.

Q: What should I do if I'm moving or want to extend my membership?
A: Please call us prior to the 5th of the month to make all account related information changes such as address changes, membership extensions & terminations, or gift accounts desiring to continue their memberships. Address changes made after that time may require a repackaging and re-shipping charge of $12.00. Additionally, if your box is re-routed by UPS from an address different than what was originally specified, you may incur a $5.00 re-routing charge.

Q: What happens if my shipment is damaged?
A: If your shipment arrives damaged, please call us immediately toll free at 1-800-625-8238 and report the incident for a prompt resolution.

Q: What happens if my credit card is declined?
A: We will send you a courtesy notice asking you for an alternative payment method and your order will be temporarily suspended until we hear from you.

Q: What happens if I join under a special incentive program and don't stay a member for the entire term committed?
A: Not a problem. Although we want to do everything we can to keep you as a member, we will allow you to cancel your subscription early; however, you will be responsible to pay for the item that was given to you as part of the promotion. If you received a discount based on a specific term, the amount discounted will be charged to your card.