Past Newsletters

Vol. 3 No. 8

Brewery	Beers Featured
Frankenmuth Brewing Company	Frankenmuth Oktoberfest
Red Ass Brewing Company	Red Ass Ale

Frankenmuth Brewing Company

Frankenmuth, MI, which is known as "Michigan's Little Bavaria", is located on the Cass River in a wide expanse of fertile rolling farmland called the Saginaw Valley and was founded in 1845 by German immigrants from the Bavarian region of Franconia. The Brewery itself was rebuilt in 1988 after a devastating fire and has been operated by the Heine family since 1991. Frankenmuth uses a115 barrel gas fired copper kettle which allows for fire brewing their award-winning beers. Their primary product line which includes, a German-style pilsener, dark and light lager, bock, weisse, oktoberfest, amber ale, and red lager, has received 20 varied accolades in the last five years alone. Our panel considers the brewery to be a prime candidate for featuring one exceptional brewery's entire product line down the road.

Brewmaster, Fred Scheer, has worked in the brewing industry for 23 years in German, Dutch, and American breweries, has a master's degree in Brewing and Malting Science, and is a current active professional American Homebrewing Association judge acting on the Great American Beer Festival's evaluation panel. The brewery employees 14 full-time employees and offers hourly tours 7 days a week.

For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call (517) 652-6183 or check out their web site at www.frankenmuthbrewery.com.

Frankenmuth Oktoberfest

Serving Temperature: 40-45° F
Original Gravity: 13.1° Plato
Final Gravity: N/A
Int'l Bittering Units: 21.0
Alcohol by Volume: 5.2%

Once a year, during the fall in Munich, Germany, the country known for its appreciation for fine, hand crafted beers, celebrates Oktoberfest. The beer traditionally consumed is copper in color, malty in flavor and aroma, and easily drinkable. Frankenmuth's Oktoberfest is brewed in the same tradition using 85% 2-row pale malts and the remaining malts a 15% combination of Munich and Caramel. Cluster hops are added at the beginning of the 90 min. boil to add a slight bitterness to the beer while Perle hops are added 15 min. before the end of the boil for their aromatic contributions.

Notes From the Panel:

Look for a light copper color in this filtered, medium-bodied beer. Notice a predominately malty nose which has a slight hop bitterness true to style. Frankenmuth's Oktoberfest offers a caramelly and slightly roasted flavor up front which is dry in the middle and finish. Overall, a fine interpretation of an Oktoberfest from a stellar brewery.

Red Ass Brewing Company

The Red Ass Brewing Co. and its premier product, Red Ass Ale, were both inspired from a truly unusual historical occurrence. The tale of the Red Ass is certainly one to enjoy simultaneously with this robust, richly hopped amber ale.

In the early 1900's, Ben and Ginny Bowman ventured west from a small town in Indiana to Loveland, CO, to explore the new frontier. A carpenter by trade, Ben also took great pleasure in both distilling moonshine and brewing beer, the latter which he simply called 'Ben's Best'. The hobby turned into a full time job shortly after Ben began selling his libations to the locals in town. Enter, Bucky, the Red Ass. One summer evening, when Ben was brewing out by his barn, a small red donkey wandered onto his property, bleeding severely from many large gashes from an apparent mountain lion encounter. Ben decided to nurse the donkey back to health, whom was now referred to as The Red Ass by Ben and Bucky by Ginny and the kids, and credited Bucky's prompt recovery to the fact that he was given a bottle of 'Ben's Best' once a day. The Red Ass reached a new level of notoriety on July 4th, 1919 at a town picnic where Ben was selling his spirits and brew when he began braying incessantly until pacified with a cold one. Soon, people were lined up to by The Red Ass a beer just to watch as he grasped the bottle with his front teeth, wrapped his lips around the neck, and proceeded to drain the entire contents in a matter of seconds. Apparently, Bucky was the original open throater! The Red Ass came down with pneumonia and had to be put to sleep in 1922 and soon thereafter Ben brewed and labeled his first batch of 'Ben's Red Ass Ale' in his honor.

Owner of Red Ass, Andy Short, decided to continue the saga when he opened the brewing company in March of 1994. Red Ass is the only product currently being bottled, however, Andy plans to introduce a Honey Wheat Ale, Buckin'A Pale Ale, and a Bohemian style old world pilsener in the near future.

For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call (303) 482-0640.

 

Red Ass Ale

Serving Temperature: 45-50° F
Original Gravity: 13.2° Plato
Final Gravity: N/A
Int'l Bittering Units: 33.0
Alcohol by Volume: 5.1%

Debuted at the GABF last year, Red Ass Ale is a full-bodied amber ale with a kick! Still just a young ass, the beer has already received several awards, including a Bronze Medal and Best Amber Ale in two noteworthy festivals. The brewery uses primarily 6-row pale malts, the remainder a combination of Caramel and Victory malts. Chinook hops are added generously near at the beginning of the 90 min. boil to give Red Ass its bitter profile while Cascade hops are added in the latter stages of the boil for their aromatic characteristics to balance the beer's malty nose. Red Ass is brewed with a lager yeast strain and offers a full-bodied flavor as well as a bitter finish which dissipates quickly.

Notes From the Panel:

Notice an amber color, clear appearance and a big head on this beer. Great nose! It's hoppy, spicy, malty, fruity/estery, and has some traces of caramel evident. Look for a fantastic caramel malt flavor with a nice dry and not particularly bitter finish in this very clean, medium-to-full-bodied beer. Overall, a damn good amber ale.

Ask Murl

Dear Murl,

Upon returning home with my take-out order from one of Denver's finer dining establishments, The Big Kahuna, I was most pleasantly surprised to find your beer shipment at my doorstep. I so wanted to wash down my burger with one of your beers, however, they weren't yet chilled. Can you tell me the fastest way to chill a beer so that I can try your shipments as soon as I get them?

Randy Hall
Denver, CO.

Dear Randal,

Unless you've got access to a cryogenic research lab or a steady supply source for dry ice, I'd say you'll be forced to the use of more traditional and attainable components of the Periodic Table of Elements. Lucky for you that I spent some time as a waiter at the Ritz Carton until I was dismissed for mistaking one of my customer's hairpiece for a small rodent. If it wasn't already dead, you can rest assured that it is now, but that's another story for another column. I have a solution for you. (last sentence in italics) Fill a bucket with plenty of ice, water and then the secret ingredient, salt (a small pawful should do). Hold your beer by the neck between your paws and move them back and forth, spinning the beer in your ice bucket. If I can do it without thumbs, I'm sure you'll manage nicely. Anyway, that's what we used to do when we had to chill a bottle of wine rapidly. Should take only 5 minutes or so. Your other option is to just set your beers in the ice water and read about the beers for 10-15 minutes before trying them.

Hasta Luego Randalini!

Woof!
Murl.

Food For Thought...

Hot Oktoberfest Potato Salad

A hearty side dish, this warm salad combines red and white new potatoes with bacon and beer to create a new twist for an old spud.

• 8 each small new and white potatoes, scrubbed
• 5 strips lean bacon, coarsely chopped
• 1 lg. onion or 5 shallots, coarsely chopped
• 5 scallions, cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces
• 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
• 1 cup Frankenmuth Oktoberfest beer
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• ¼ to 1/3 cup oil or bacon drippings
• paprika, salt, and pepper to taste
• ¼ cup toasted crushed walnuts

Lower potatoes into boiling water to cover. Add a teaspoon of salt and boil just until tender. Drain, cool slightly, and quarter but do not peel. Place in a hot covered pan. In a heavy skillet cook bacon until crisp. Remove and set aside on towels to drain. Remove all but 3 tablespoons of the bacon drippings and sauti onion in drippings until golden. Add scallions and caraway seeds, sauti for 1 min. Add beer to onions and simmer over medium-high until reduced by half. Pour in vinegar and oil and simmer briefly. Adjust seasonings. Add warm potatoes to sauce and simmer 2 mins., turning potatoes gently. Remove from heat and place in serving bowl. Sprinkle with paprika and walnuts. Serves 3-4.

Source: The Great American Beer Cookbook; Candy Schermerhorn; Brewers Publications, 1993.

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

Coach: How about a beer, Norm?
Norm: Hey, I'm high on life, Coach... Of course, beer is my life.

Exploring California's Brewpub Frontier

Northern California Brewpubs

• Anderson Valley B.C., 14081 Hwy 128, Boonville, 707-895-2337
• Barley & Hops Brewery, 201 South B St., San Mateo, 415-348-7808
• Bison Brewery, 2598 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, 510-841-7734
• Black Diamond Brewery, 2330 N.Main St., Walnut Creek, 510-943-2330
• Blue Water B.C., 850 N.Lake Tahoe Blvd, Tahoe City, 916-581-2583
• Boulder Creek B.C., 13040 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek, 408-338-7882
• Brewery at Lake Tahoe,3542 Lake Tahoe Blvd., S.Lake Tahoe, 916-544-0359
• Buffalo Bill's Brewery, 1082 B Street, Hayward, 510-886-9823
• Burlingame Station B.C., 333 California Dr., Burlingame, 415-344-6050
• Cafe Pacifica, 333 Bush Street, San Francisco, 415-296-8203
• Dempsey's Alehouse, 50 East Washington St., Petaluma, 707-765-9694
• Downtown Joes B.C., 902 Main Street, Napa, 707-258-2337
• El Dorado B.C., 157 West Adams St., Stockton, 209-948-2537
• Faultline B.C., 1235 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale, 408-736-2739
• Fremont B.C., 3350 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont, 510-651-5510
• Gordon Biersch B.C., 33 E. San Fernando St., San Jose, 408-294-6785
• Gordon Biersch Brewing Co., 625 Emerson St., Palo Alto, 415-323-7723
• Gordon Biersch Brewing Co., 2 Harrison Ave., S.F., 415-243-8246
• Hogshead Brewing Co., 114 J Street, Sacramento, 916-443-2739
• Humboldt Brewing Co., 856 10th Street, Arcata, 707-826-1734
• J & L Brewing Co., 7110 Redwood, Novato, 415-459-4846
• Jupiter Brewpub, 2181 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, 510-843-8277
• Live Soup Brewery, 1602 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, 408-458-3461
• Los Gatos B.C.,130 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, 408-248-6300
• Lost Coast Brewery, 617 Fourth Street, Eureka, 707-445-4480
• Marin B.C., 1809 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur, 415-461-4677
• Mendocino B.C.,13351 Hwy 101 S., Hopland, 707-744-1015
• Moylan's Brewery, 15 Rowland Way, Novato, 415-898-4677
• Napa Valley B.C., 1250 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, 707-942-4101
• North Coast B.C., 444 N. Main, Ft. Bragg, 707-964-2739
• Pacific Coast B.C., 906 Washington St., Oakland, 510-836-2739
• Pacific Tap and Grill, 812 4th Street, San Rafael, 415-457-9711
• Red, White and Brew, 2181 Hilltop Drive, Redding, 916-222-5891
• River City B.C., 545 Downtown Plaza #1115, Sacramento, 916-447-2750
• Rubicon B.C., 2004 Capitol Ave, Sacramento, 916-448-7032
• Sacramento B.C., 2713 El Paseo Lane, Sacramento, 916-485-4677
• San Andreas B.C., 737 San Benito St., Hollister, 408-637-7074
• San Francisco B.C., 155 Columbus Avenue, S.F., 415-434-3344
• Santa Cruz Brewing Co., 516 Front St., Santa Cruz, 408-429-8838
• Santa Rosa Brewing Co., 458 B Street, Santa Rosa, 707-544-4677
• Seabright B.C., 519 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 408-426-2739
• Seaport Pub & Brewery, 678 Grider Way, Stockton, 209-474-7678
• Stoddard's Brewhouse, 111 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale, 408-733-7851
• St. Stans B.C., 821 L St (Hwy. 132), Modesto, 209-524-2337
• Sudwerks, 1107 Kennedy Place #1, Davis, 916-756-2739
• Sutter Brewing Co.,6300 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, 916-457-2337
• Tied House Brewery, No. 8 Pacific Marina Village, Alameda, 510-521-4321
• Tied House Brewery, 954 Villa St., Mt. View, 415-965-2739
• Tied House Brewery, 65 N. San Pedro, San Jose, 408-295-2739
• Triple Rock Brewery,1920 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, 510-843-2739
• Truckee Brewing Co.,11401 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, 916-587-5406
• Twenty Tank Brewing Co.,316 11th Street, San Francisco, 415-255-9455

Central California Brewpubs

• Bootlegger's B.C., 3401 Chester Ave., Bakersfield, 805-323-2739
• Butterfield B.C., 777 East Olive, Fresno, 209-264-5521
• SLO B.C., 1119 Garden St., San Luis Obispo, 805-546-8573

Southern California Brewpubs

• Belmont B.C., 25 39th Pl., Long Beach, 310-433-3891
• Brewmeisters of Palm Springs, 369 N. Palm Cyn., P.S., 619-327-2739
• Callahan's Brewery, 8260-A Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, 619-578-7892
• Carlsbad Brewery, 571 Carlsbad Village Dr., Carlsbad, 619-434-4212
• Covany Brewing Co., 359 Grand Avenue, Grover Beach, 805-481-3474
• Crown City Brewery, 300 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, 818-577-5548
• Fullerton Hofbrau, 323 N. State College Blvd, Fullerton, 714-870-7400
• Gordon Biersch Brewery, 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena, 818-449-0052
• Harbor B.C., 24921 Dana Pt. Harbor Dr., Dana Point, 714-240-2060
• Hops Bistro & Brewery, 4353 La Jolla Village Dr., San Diego, 619-587-6677
• Huntington Beach B.C., 201 Main St., Huntington Beach, 714-960-5343
• Joe-Joe's B.C., 1397 A Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley, 805-522-7725
• Karl Strauss Brewery, 9675 Scranton Road, San Diego, 619-234-2739
• Karl Strauss Brewery (#2), 2785 Kurtz St., 619-491-0218
• La Jolla Brewing Co., 7536 Fay Ave, La Jolla, 619-456-2739
• Laguna Beach B.C., 422 South Coast Hwy, L. Beach, 714-499-2337
• Manhattan Beach B.C., 124 Manhattan Beach Blvd, M.B., 310-798-2744
• Newport Beach B.C., 2920 Newport Blvd., N.B., 714-675-8449
• Ocean Avenue B.C., 237 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach, 714-497-3381
• Old Baldy Brewing Co., 271 N. 2nd Ave., Upland, 909-946-1750
• Orange County B.C., Pilsner Room, Irvine, 714-442-7564
• Pacific Beach B.C., 4475 Mission Blvd, Pacific Beach, 619-274-2537
• Redondo Beach B.C., 1814 S. Catalina Ave, R. Beach, 310-316-8477
• Rio Bravo Brewery, 202-A State St., Santa Barbara, 805-966-1561
• Riverside Brewing Co., 3397 7th St., Riverside, 909-682-5465
• RJ's Riptide Brewery, 310 5th Ave, San Diego, 619-231-7700
• San Diego B.C., 10450 Friars Rd, Ste. L, San Diego, 619-284-2739
• San Marcos B.C.,1080 W. Old San Marcos Blvd., S.M., 619-471-0050
• Santa Barbara B.C., 501 State St., Santa Barbara, 805-730-1040
• Santa Clarita B.C., 20655 Soledad Cyn Rd., Santa Clarita, 805-298-5676
• Shields Brewing Co., 24 East Santa Clara St., Ventura, 805-643-1807
• Solana Beach Brewery, 135 N. Hwy 101, Solana Beach, 619-481-7332
• Steelhead Brewery & Cafe, 4175 Campus Dr., Irvine, 714-856-2227
• Sunset Beach B.C., 16390 PCH, Huntington Beach, 310-592-4026
• The Brewhouse, 1246 3rd St., Santa Monica, 310-393-2629

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.