Past Newsletters

Vol. 5 No. 8

Brewery	Beers Featured
North Coast Brewing Company	Red Seal Ale
Oasis Brewing Company	Zoser Stout
The Modern Brewer Company	Fat Cat IPA

North Coast Brewing Company

Beer Journalists and food critics resoundingly agree that the North Coast Brewing Company, located in the tiny fishing, logging and now brewing town of Fort Bragg, California, is a place you can go to simply feel good. Maybe it's the isolation of the sparsely populated, rugged coastline of Northern California or that fact that, to get there, you have to drive for hours along hairpin turns that trace the Pacific Ocean. Maybe it's the friendly reception you'll get from a small-town kinda staff. Or maybe it's just the damn beer! My bet's on Brewer/Owner Mark Ruedrich's award-winning product line up. He's received no less than 15 brewing awards, 12 of them from either the Great American Beer Festival or the World Beer Championships. The Beverage Institute of Chicago recently named North Coast Brewing one of the Top 10 breweries in the world. The judgment was based on the results of the institute's yearlong World Beer Championship tasting series.

The brewery started as a brewpub in August of 1988 and prior to being a brewpub, the building served as a mortuary, a church, and a college! Brewpub manager Merle Ruedrich mentioned that a few of the local townsfolk have never set foot in the establishment and have no intention to as, "They don't think they can have a good time in the place where they saw Aunt Wheezy or someone else for the last time." The brewery has since expanded operations to include a separate brewery located across the street from the brewpub and currently brew Red Seal Ale, Scrimshaw Pilsener, Old No. 38 Stout, Alt Nouveau, Centennial Ale as well as several other seasonal brews.

For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call (707) 964-BREW or check out their web site at www.northcoastbrewing.com.

Red Seal Ale

Serving Temperature: 45-50° F
Original Gravity: 12.5° Plato
Final Gravity: N/A
Int'l Bittering Units: 47.0
Alcohol by Volume: 5.2%

Get ready to experience a Championship Red Ale. Red Seal took the Gold at the World Beer Championships in 1994 and '95 as well as the Silver at the 1992 Great American Beer Festival. Red Seal is an Amber Ale brewed with American two-row Pale, caramel, and carapils malts. Look for floral hop nose complemented with a sweet caramel malt character. We found the taste to be a wonderful, full rich malty flavor balanced nicely with just the right amount of hop spiciness. Note a slightly dry hop spicy finish that leaves you wanting more. Overall, one of best Red Ales you'll ever try worth it's many accolades.

Oasis Brewing Company

Located in the heart of Boulder, Colorado, the Oasis boasts the town's largest brewpub with two full service bars, a restaurant, and a game room. Founded in 1991 by George and Lynne Hanna, its staff is dedicated to producing the finest handcrafted ales on draft and features a brewer's choice rotating tap each month. Oasis underwent an expansion in May of 1995, when the Hannas opened a separate brewery which will allow for the bottling and distribution of the brewery's line up including: Oasis Pale Ale, Scarab Red Ale, Tut Brown Ale, Capstone E.S.B., and our panel's favorite, Zoser Oatmeal Stout.

Why the name Oasis? Think ancient Egypt. What comes to mind? Okay, you got your pyramids, your Pharaohs…Charlton Heston pops into mind. But you should be thinkin' about beer. The primary foundation stones on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs for the Egyptians included bread, water and beer, and maybe a roof over your head. To them, beer was a major form of payment, and therefore, extremely important. Gotta love the barter system. All the Egyptian Gods and Pharaohs possessed beer pottery jugs as valuables. They came stumbled upon beer quite accidentally when experimenting in ways to store grain, got to liking it pretty much, and the rest is, shall we say history. Specifically, the word "Oasis" conjures up an images of a watering holes lost in the middle of a vast expanse of desert; it makes you think of much-needed relief which is exactly how I feel when I belly up to my favorite brewpub.

For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call (303) 440-8030.

Zoser Stout

Serving Temperature: 40-45° F
Original Gravity: 14.2° Plato
Final Gravity: N/A
Int'l Bittering Units: 45.0
Alcohol by Volume: 5.0%

Brewed with a combination of no less than six grains including: Two Row Pale, Crystal, Chocolate, Black Patent, Roasted Barley, and Flaked Oats, Oasis' Oatmeal stout is a real treat to be savored. The brewery hops their Oatmeal Stout with a variety of hops including Columbus and Cascades, making it an unusually complex beer. Look for an unusually malty nose with roasted tone evident and a fair amount of floral hop characteristics as well. This Oatmeal Stout has a very well balanced, exceptionally smooth, complex body offering an elaborate blend of maltiness and roasted characteristics with an equally unique hop profile. It starts sweet and ends with a very dry roastedness. The creamy oatmeal texture is definitely there. Overall, a great interpretation of the style, very smooth and very drinkable.

The Modern Brewer Company

The Modern Brewer Company sprung from a home brewing supply shop in Cambridge, MA. Founded in 1988 by Jeff Pzena, an avid home-brewer whom had moved to Boston after graduating from the University of Chicago. After not being able to find home-brew supplies in Boston, Jeff decided to open his own home-brew supply shop. At the time, the craft beer industry was starting to pick up and he sensed there was a market for craft supplies. He was right. The store grew quickly and our hero was able to hire a store manager to run the store, enabling him to winter in Boulder.

While there, he found a job as a brewer, and indulged his love for both brewing and skiing! He also planned a new phase of his beer business: A (B.O.P.) or Brew-on-Premise. He installed a commercial brewing system in his store, which enabled customers to brew their own beer under the supervision of skilled brewers. B.O.P.s started in Canada as residents there sought to avoid high alcohol taxes by making their own beer. The concept became popular as more and more people came to enjoy producing their own custom labeled brews. Several local bar and restaurant owners approached Pzena, and the commercial brewing arm opened in the early spring of 1996. In addition to the exceptional IPA you'll try this month, the brewery also produces a stout, an ESB, a golden ale, a wheat beer and a brown ale. The beers were dubbed Fat Cat Beers, after a well-fed feline owned by Jeff's wife.

Fat Cat IPA

Serving Temperature: 43-48° F
Original Gravity: 14.0° Plato
Final Gravity: N/A
Int'l Bittering Units: 43.0
Alcohol by Volume: 5.2%

Fat Cat IPA is brewed with a combination of two-row Pale, Munich, Vienne, and Carapils malts. It undergoes four separate hop additions in the boil, involving Czechoslovakian Saaz hops for bittering and Willamette and Kent Goldings for flavor and aroma. This copper-colored, full-bodied IPA starts with a floral and malty sweet nose that hints towards hop spiciness as well. Look for good head retention in this filtered beer. A complex body is perhaps slightly maltier than most IPA's, but a pleasant mix of hop character soon reminds you of the style you're drinking. We enjoyed a spicy, dry, tangy lingering hop finish. Overall, a complex, very flavorful and unique interpretation of an India Pale Ale.

Ask Murl

Dear Murl,

My boyfriend has been giving me some grief about my weight and says I should cancel my subscription to help me slim down a bit but I don't really think he knows what he's talking about cause beer isn't really fattening is it? Help me build a case here, pal!

Jennifer Salyers
Mill Valley, CA

Jenn, Babe,

Sweetheart… May I speak frankly here, my dear? Lose the buttnut. What is this guy some kinda materialistic, shallow Richard Simmons Nazi-boy. Can't appreciate the weight? 'Fraid you gonna kick his skinny butt around the boudoir? Personally, I like a fifi with a little meat on her milk-bones and I'm a picky pooch. All right, I'm not that picky. A pulse and a flea dip and I'm in. But hey, I'm a dog and you're man is missin' the point here. Sorry, on a rant here. Gotta remember I'm not Dear Abbey - not that she's any more qualified - Back to your question.

Beer is only gonna add to your womanly figure if you drink too much of it! But hell, you eat too many alfalfa spouts and pita bread and you'll gain weight too. My point is that although the alcohol and sugars in beer add up to a fair number of calories per frosted mug, it's literally fat-free. And relative to some of the other substances we pump into our personal food processors, it's looking damn healthy. Your basic 12-oz. bottle of lager or pale ale weighs in at about 150 calories, none of which are derived from fat. Beers of other styles vary somewhat with alcohol and malt content, of course, up to 200 calories or more for 12 ounces of a strong beer like a Bock. "Lite" beers, conversely, range from about 95 to 110 calories, depending on brand. As a side bar, please note that the difference in caloric content between a micro and a Bud Light is roughly the equivalent of one stalk of raw celery. Think about it before you go there next time. Eight ounces of Fruit yogurt has 230 calories and 3 grams fat. You make the call. Anyway, if you must cut back, do it elsewhere and don't deprive yourself of your brew, girl! Hope that helps build your case, counselor.

Woof!
Murl.

Food For Thought...

India Pale Ale Caribbean Chicken Thang!

We uncovered this unique tropical recipe to salute those of you that had to shovel a path for your UPS man in order to receive your shipment this month! The combination of cooling coconut milk, beer, toasted almonds, and fiery spices makes this chicken dish one of contrast and fascinating flavors.

• ½ cup blanched almonds
• 2 cups coconut milk
• ¼ cup peanut or canola oil
• 1 lg. onion, finely chopped
• 4 lg. cloves garlic, finely minced & mashed
• ¾-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled & lightly mashed
• 4 chicken breasts, skinned, split, & boned
• 1 ½ cups Fat Cat IPA
• ½ cup flour mixed with ½ teaspoon each salt, pepper, and paprika
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground cumin
• 15 small dried hot red Asian chilies
• Juice of 1 lime
• ½ cup freshly chopped cilantro
• 4 lg. scallions, finely chopped

In a heavy skillet, toast almonds lightly to a pale gold color. Place in blender with coconut milk and blend until smooth. Set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium and sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until onion is wilted. Remove and set aside. Moisten chicken breasts with ½ cup ale. Coat lightly with seasoned flour. Turn up heat to medium-high, add about ¼ cup oil, and brown breasts lightly on both sides. Add coconut-almond mixture, cumin, salt, and chilies to chicken and bring to a slow simmer. Keep low or coconut milk with curdle. Simmer, uncovered, 35 minutes. Remove chicken and add lime juice, chopped cilantro, and scallions, stirring gently. Remove ginger and discard. Serve chicken and sauce over steamed rice. Serves 4 adults, 2 Chicken Hawks, or Murl.

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.

True Brew Facts

365 BEERTIME STORIES - Eighty percent of Canadians drink alcohol according to a 1988 Gallop poll. Use of beer, liquor or wine is highest among Canadians aged 18 to 29 at 86%. So it seems that the McKenzie brothers were pretty much a good representation of their countrymen. Ambassadors of the Great White North.

THE ULTIMATE BOOK OF BEER TRIVIA - The world's oldest surviving brewpub, named U Fleku, is located on Kremenkova Street in Prague, Czech Republic, and was founded in 1499. Where the average age of their typical customer is "deceased".

365 BEERTIME STORIES - In the 1860's in Augusta Township, near Brockville, Ontario, there were so many breweries in the area that farmers often received free pails of beer on hot summer days. All they were asked to do was to spread the good word about a particular brewer's product. I'm forming a convoy leaving tomorrow. Who's in?

CELEBRATOR BEER NEWS - In Babylonia 4,000 years ago it was the accepted practice for the father of the bride to supply his new son-in-law with all the mead he could drink for the first month of the marriage. Mead is a honey beer, and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the "honey month" or what we know as the "honeymoon." If the mead was not from an exceptionally tasty batch, often a goat and 2 chickens would also be added to the dowry.

NEWSWEEK - Charlotte, NC. Local legislation has recently ruled that it's OK to moon someone in public (show your butt to strangers!), but it's illegal for a stadium vendor in the very same district to shout "Beer!" at potential customers. It is, however, okay to shout "Beer!" at a beer vendor while mooning him.

(WHNI) WE HAVE NO IDEA - In old England, when the brewster or alewife finished a new batch of beer, she would place a broomstick on her house to advertise the fresh bee. A broomstick accompanied by a dry mop meant the wine was done fermenting as well, and every now and then you'd see a broomstick, dry mop and a squeegee which simply meant the house was really dirty 'cause the misses couldn't reach any of them.

(WWCTY) WISH WE COULD TELL YA - Thomas Jefferson was an avid home-brewer and was also involved in a plan that would have established a U.S. National Brewery. And he also had something to do with some kind of declaration of something or other.

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.