Past Newsletters
Vol. 7 No. 3
| Brewery | Beers Featured |
| Brewing Company | Northhampton Pale Ale |
| Nutfield Brewing Company | Black 47 Stout |
| Ybor Brewing Company | Ybor Golden Ale |
| Ybor Brewing Company | Ybor Brown Ale |
Northampton Brewing Company
A true pioneer to the brewing industry, The Northampton Brewery brewed its first batch 1987 when there were fewer than twenty brewpubs in the entire country. The brewery and the industry have both evolved just a bit since then, the U.S. currently touting more than 1,000 brewpubs and breweries. The brewery’s history began to unfold when owner Janet Egelston first tried one of her brother’s homebrews around the kitchen table back in 1986. Upon sampling quite a few more of her brother’s masterpieces, Janet concluded that the east coast, specifically Massachusetts, needed a microbrewery. At the time, the few American micros operating were largely located on the west coast. After just a few more beers, she concluded that she would be the one to take on the task at hand!
She chose Northampton, Massachusetts, and by the following summer, the Brewery opened its doors. In thirteen years of business, the Brewery has grown and expanded considerably. Although the brewery was originally set up to produce only three beers (Golden Lager, Amber Lager and a seasonal ale), these days brewer Chris O’Connor typically offers up to twelve different beers at any given time. In 1988, a tiny beer garden was built in an unused parking lot next to the building. Since that time, it’s undergone several expansions and today is a beautiful rooftop patio that seats over two hundred. In 1995, the Brewery started selling its best-known beer, Northampton Pale Ale, to local stores in half-gallon “growler” jugs. Now it is available in six-packs and is sold throughout western Massachusetts.
Serving Temperature: 42-47° F
Original Gravity: 10.5° Plato
Final Gravity: 1.3° Plato
Int'l Bittering Units: 41.0
Alcohol by Volume: 5.7%
Northampton Pale Ale is an American interpretation of a traditional British style. Brewed with a combination of two-row pale and 6-row caramel malts, this delicious copper colored ale is nicely balanced and medium bodied. Chris hops it up with both Cascade for aroma and Willamette for bittering. You should be able to pick up the pleasant floral hoppiness in the nose as well as some sweet caramel malt characteristics. We found it to be very clean, drinkable, and flavorful. The flavor is also hop dominated, however, it seems to be the bittering hops that take over here. Look for a very dry, bitter hop finish leaving you with the desire to take another drink. Overall, a great summer beer with a wonderful hop profile.
Nutfield Brewing Company
In April of 1719, a small group of families made the pilgrimage from their home in the port city of Derry, Ireland searching for freedom in a new land. They settled in New England in what became the town of Derry, New Hampshire. Derry at the time was known as The Nutfield Colony. In the tradition of his pioneering Irish ancestors, Jim Killeen set out to make a name for himself in his hometown of Derry, with the creation of the Nutfield Brewing Company.
In August of 1994, with help from the Derry Development and Preservation Corporation, Jim leased 8,000 square feet in the then abandoned Klev-Bro Shoe building with the intent of making the transition from “shoes” to “brews”! After securing a local Community Development Block Grant, private investors and a loan from the Small Business Association of New Hampshire, Killeen and his wife, Tina, set out to make Jim’s vision a reality. One full year after the wheels were set in motion for the new brewery, the facility was officially online and began full production in August of 1995.
The logo for the brewery was meant to reflect the strength, beauty and tradition of the area in which it is situated. An American chestnut tree stands in a field with the beautiful backdrop of New Hampshire’s Old Man of the Mountain majestically resting in the distance. The Nutfield Brewing Company is considered “New Hampshire’s True Craft Brewery” specializing in premium handcrafted ales. Using a 25-barrel brewing system, Nutfield produces approximately 600 cases of beer from each batch. The brewery creates New Hampshire’s number one selling micro-brew, and can be considered a true taste of New England.
For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call (603) 434-9678 or check out their web site at www.nutfield.com.
Serving Temperature: 50-55° F
Original Gravity: 10.1° Plato
Final Gravity: 1.6° Plato
Int'l Bittering Units: 33.0
Alcohol by Volume: 4.1%
When you’re buying beer from an Irishman, you tend to think that he most likely produces Irish Stouts better than, say perhaps, English Ales or other styles more commonly associated with that “other island”. And although we were most impressed with Jim’s entire line, we were exceptionally fond of his Irish Stout and think you will be too! Brewed with a combination of two-row pale and chocolate malts as well as roasted barley, we found it quite full and satisfying. Note a light brown head that keeps very well and hints of alcohol and sweet malt on the nose. The first sip is moderately sweet, but turns slightly bitter towards the end. This beer is exceptionally smooth and should be served only after being out of the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. You’ll find that the flavors really express themselves as this beer gets warmer. Overall, a classic interpretation of one of our favorite styles.
Ybor Brewing Company
Ybor City Brewing has a rich history. The brewery's president, Humberto Perez, is a third-generation brewer whose grandfather founded one of the largest breweries in Venezuela, Cerveceria, some 70 years ago. And keeping with the Latin tradition, Ybor's brewery is located in a renovated cigar factory. In the late 1800s, Ybor City was the cigar capital of the world. Jose Martinez Ybor led the migration of the Cuban cigar industry to Ybor City in Tampa largely due to the city's able work force and as it offered a navigable port close to Cuba.
In 1922, Ybor City had 140 cigar makers within its borders. But soon, with the depression and the advent of automation, as well as the boom of American cigarettes, the hand-rolling cigar industry declined. The old cigar factories lay dormant for decades. In 1994, Ybor bought one of the grand old cigar warehouses, and turned it into a craft brewery. "There's no automation in the brewery," states head brewer Vince Palosi, "all the brewing is done by hand and manual labor. It's a brainchild of craft beer people who love their art."
For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call (813) 242-9222
Serving Temperature: 43-48° F
Original Gravity: 11.8° Plato
Final Gravity: 2.8° Plato
Int'l Bittering Units: 23.0
Alcohol by Volume: 4.9%
Ybor Golden Ale is brewed with a combination of two-row pale, Carapils, Munich and Caramel malts. German Hallertau hops are added at the beginning of the boil to add a slight bitterness to the beer while Northern Brewer hops are added towards the end for their aromatic contributions. Note a light copper color in this filtered, medium-bodied beer. Look for a predominately malty nose which has a slight hop bitterness true to style. We found the body to be a nice toasted maltiness balanced nicely with a slight hop bitterness.
Serving Temperature: 47-52° F
Original Gravity: 12.2° Plato
Final Gravity: 3.0° Plato
Int'l Bittering Units: 25.0
Alcohol by Volume: 5.1%
Ybor’s Brown Ale is brewed with a combination of 5 exceptional malts including: two-row pale Caramel 40, Caramel 120, Dark Chocolate, Extra Special malts! Humberto hops it up slightly with both Northern Brewer hops for aroma and Fuggles hops for their bittering contributions. We found Ybor’s brown ale to be a medium bodied English style Brown Ale with distinctive nutty, toffee, caramel flavors and a smooth, mild finish. It’s light amber brown and filtered. Look for a slight bitterness, balanced nicely with sweet, fruity, and toasted malt flavors. Overall, a clean, flavorful and nicely balanced brown ale.
Ask Murl
Hey Murl!
I was hoping you could settle a bet I have with a friend. He adamantly believes that an Ale is not a beer. It is separated from the classification of beer because its distinguished higher alcohol content. I disagree. I said that an Ale is a classification of beer that separates itself from its Lager counterpart in that it is fermented differently. Could you please offer your expertise in this situation? Got a case of the good stuff on the line so your prompt reply would be appreciated!
Thanks Murl,
Mike Rabins
Chicago, Il
Yo Chicago Mike!
Great name for that town, pally! I’d be happy to answer you question for ya, man…With one small caveat. Ya see I was raised a small Australian sheep dog chasing chickens in the cornfields of Illinois. Not to far from Chicago I might add. And I haven’t had a real Chicago Dog since I left the Midwest. You set me up with a couple dogs, you know like fedx ‘em to me or something, and I not only answer the question, but use my super canine reasoning skills to make it so you win the bet too! And don’t send me no imitation weenies, man. We’re talkin’ about the real deal here, Jojo. Steamed poppy seed buns, all beef Vienna Dog, big tomato wedges… No diced tomatoes, cucumber wedge, onions, a squeeze or two of yellow mustard all topped with a dash of celery salt! Damn, I’m salivating like…like….like a freakin’ dog here! So, I’m so excited about our arrangement that I’m just gonna answer your question now and assume you’re gonna make good on your end ‘cause I can’t wait another month for delivery!
But before I do, Chicago Mike, before I do, a hypothetical situation for ya. Miami Dolphins in Miami. Marino comes out of retirement and Shula comes back to coach on a special engagement against a Chicago Bears squad comprised of 11 Mini-Ditkas. Who wins? I predict, Mini-Ditkas 112, Miami, negative 6! Go Bears! Bears! Bears! Bears! Da Bears!
So the question at hand. The word beer is just a common name for all liquid beverages brewed using Water, Malt, Hops, and Yeast. "Beer", is in fact, as you eluded, divided into two groups; Lagers and Ales which are generally distinguished as such based on how they are fermented. Your bud was also incorrecto on the alcohol content assumption. There’s no correlation with lower alcohol content beers and lagers. There are several eisbocks (a style in the lager category) that attenuate out to comparable or greater alcohol contents as the highest alcohol content Ales (typically Barley Wines). So that’s a wrap Mikey. Call the 800 # to find out where to ship the dogs.
Woof!
Murl.
Food For Thought...
Danny Boy’s Irish Stout Ice Cream
When they talk about “The Luck of the Irish”, they must be talking about the fact that they put beer in their ice cream! Okay, so your first reaction is to suppress the gag reflex, but yee must have a wee bit-o-trust here lads and lassies. Make a batch before you pass judgment and sample the sweet nectar of a country that knows what to do with beer!
- 8 eggs, separated
- 1 cup superfine sugar
- 1 cup Black 47 Irish Stout
- 1 ½ cups light cream whipped w/ 1 ½ cups heavy cream
Whisk yolks, sugar and beer together until thick and mixture forms ribbons when whisk is lifted. Fold in whipped creams. Whisk egg whites until stiff and carefully fold into mixture. Pour into container and freeze, or use ice-cream maker. Serves 8 normal people, 3 with a sweet tooth and a hint of self control, or Ben or Jerry.
Norm's Corner...
As spoken by Cheers' Norm
Coach: “How’s life treating you, Normie?”
Norm: “Like it caught me sleeping with its’ wife,
Coach. Slide me a cold one.”
True Brew Facts
REAL BEER PAGE - Two retired brewery workers in Germany recently won a lawsuit against the brewery they worked for. The judge ruled that the two should receive 264 pints of free beer a year as part of their pension package, as well as compensation for the three years in which they did not receive their free pints. Originally, the brewery had promised to give all workers 264 pints of free beer a year once they retire. When the brewery began experiencing financial hardships and then changed ownership, they reneged on their previous promise. It should be noted that the two men must have really wanted their beer badly, as they fought for three years and appealed to the highest labor court before final judgment was reached.
BEERWIRE - Presidential Hopefuls Debate, Courtesy of Bud! Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc. has been selected by the Commission on Presidential Debates as a national sponsor of the four presidential debates for the 2000 election, as well as the sole sponsor of the debate scheduled for October 17 at Washington University in St. Louis. Several smaller microbreweries were approached for the sponsorship, but were declined on the basis that the offered contribution amounts pledged “would barely cover one of George W. Bush’s lunch tabs”.
BEERWIRE - Pints Plummet in UK. A price war is in the works in UK pubs, dropping the cost of a pint of beer by as much as a third. Pub chain J. D. Wetherspoon has cut 25 percent off the price on 23 brands in its pubs, and competitors are not lagging with their own price reductions. If you aren’t in the right place at the right time…Get there as fast as you can! I’m calling Shatner and priceline and bidding $150 RT to Heathrow!
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