Beertography has MOVED!

Update your bookmarks! Beertography has moved off of Blogger. beertography.com will continue to get you where you need to go. We have some exciting news today, so go check it out now!

Brooklyn Brewery Fiat Lux

the last sip

This past Monday, the Brooklyn Brewery invited a lucky few to the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg Brooklyn to try the newest in their Brewmaster's Reserve Series. Fiat Lux or "Let There Be Light" is a 6.1% Belgian Wit made with lime peel and Indian coriander. As we had our first few sips on the hotel's rooftop overlooking the Manhattan skyline, we all agreed that it was the welcomed antithesis to what we've seen in the craft beer world lately; where pumpkin beers are hitting store shelves in mid-July.

Brewmaster Garrett Oliver spoke of wanting to create a beer that would be perfect for the right now of early July but would still be enjoyable come the cooler nights of September and October. At one point, Garrett compared this beer to a Binaca blast. While not the best sell for a beer, what he meant was that unlike some other beers, the finish of Fiat Lux left a refreshing sensation on the palate. Garrett then paused and added that it really isn't about the first taste. Once a customer orders a beer, they've made their decision. The brewery has made its sale. What it's really about is the last sip, as that is when the consumer decides whether or not to have another one. In the case of Fiat Lux, I was sold. More please!

Fiat Lux is a draught-only release. For more info, check out Brooklyn Brewery's website. Then watch this awesome video by Transient Pictures:

Portland Maine Beer Road Trip

Today I'm happy to feature a guest post by Steve Gitlin who recently traveled to Portland, Maine to check out all it has to offer in the ways of good beer. Steve submitted all of these awesome photos and if you scroll down he breaks it down for you between having to drive and walk around town. I'm actually going to be going up to Maine in September so this is really helpful for me having never been to Portland. I hope this helps you out too!

Allagash Brewing Company

Allagash Curieux barrels, aging to perfection

Flatbread Company

The Great Lost Bear

Gritty McDuff's

Gritty's taps

Maine Brewing Co.

Nova Res Bier Cafe

Portland Lobster Co.

Steve enjoying lobster and great beer

Rising Tide Brewing Company

Sebago Brewing Company

Sebago taps

Shipyard Brewing Co.

Shipyard taps

Day 1: Driving Stops

A) Portland Head Light - best scenic site of the trip, non-beer related

B) Allagash Brewing Company - name speaks for itself, but only better in person

C) Maine Beer Company - small batch brewers

D) The Great Lost Bear - more of a local pub, with an enormous selection.  Put in a session!

E) Rising Tide Brewing Company - small startup that does artisanal hand crafted ales

F) Peak Brewing - non pictured as tours were unavailable our weekend, but the beers are great and I wish I could have visited

G) Bier Cellar - best spot to buy beer to bring home/to the room

Day 2: Walking Spots

A) Gritty McDuffs - Maine's original brew pub

B) Portland Lobster Company - must do lobster rolls and great local craft selection

C) Sebago Brewing Company - brew pub with extremely fresh beers

D) Shipyard Brewing Company - the local hero

E) Flatbread Company - wood-oven organic pizza with 20 taps to choose = no brainer

G) Novare Res Bier Cafe - the most popular spot in Portland and a place where we all feel right at home

Beer It Forward Update 7/27

The Beer It Forward claims another victim! Johnny received this great package from Marek (L to R):

12oz Founders Cerise
12oz Weyerbacher Heresy
12oz Troegs Hop Back Amber
750ml The Bruery 4 Calling Birds
750ml Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour Ale
12oz Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
12oz Weyerbacher Last Chance IPA
12oz Sixpoint Resin

This is our SIXTH Target Hit! We're really chugging along now, we've got SEVEN more to go! Johnny will now select his target and try to mail his package by 8/1.

Rock Hops Beertography Contest

Hey now! As you may or may not already be aware, myself and the illustrious beer writer extrodinaire John Holl are curating the craft beer list for a beer & music festival called Rock Hops. It's taking place Saturday August 11th in Mercer County Park, NJ and features music by Dark Star Orchestra, Bernie Worrell, Quimby Mountain Band, Citizens Band Radio and Lucid. Doors for this all-day Music Jam open at 1:30pm.


What beers might John and myself have selected you ask? Well, take a look at the list here! But this is a celebration of not just awesome craft beer, but also American music. There's even going to be seminars on the beer/music connection by John Holl and Jeff Cioletti of Beverage World Magazine! 

But what fun would it be if we didn't have a Beertography Contest where you could win VIP tickets? Of course we'll do that! We want to see your beertography combined with what you think represents American music. Be as creative as possible.

Want to enter? Here's what you do:

1. Like Rock Hops on Facebook.
2. Take some awesome beertography that also includes something/someone/somewhere that you think defines American music.
3. Post your photo to Facebook and tag Rock Hops Facebook wall as well as the Beertography Facebook page.

It's that simple! We'll keep the contest open until next Friday July 27th at 4pm EST. From there, we'll pick our favorite as well as a runner up. The winner will receive 2 VIP tickets (a $130 value) to the Rock Hops American Music & Craft Beer Tasting. The Runner up will receive 2 All-Day Rock passes. Details on both are below.


ROCK HOPS CONNOISSEUR VIP PACKAGE
Doors to Rock Hops: 1:30 PM
Connoisseur Pavilion Hours: 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Dark Star Orchestra Doors to venue: 1:30 PM
Access to select rare beer tastings in the Connoisseur Pavilion from from 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Dark Star Orchestra show 
Complimentary tasting glass
Music all Day
Access to VIP Concert viewing area & bar close to stage
Access to VIP restrooms
Access to Seminars & Vendor Village
Food vendors - “Ring of Fire"


ALL DAY ROCK PASS
Doors: 1:30 PM
Music all day
Activities
Great Craft Beer for sale by the cup
Food vendors - “Ring of Fire"
Access to Seminars & Vendor Village
Dark Star Orchestra show