New Texas beers

Two new releases from almost-Austin brewers:

I just picked up a sixer of Shiner 99, which is a Munich-style Helles lager, and it's damn tasty. I don't really have time to go into much detail (see my previous post about being way too busy lately) but it's kind of like a pilsner, but with a fuller flavor.

Also, I just got off the phone with one of the brewers at Real Ale, and he told me that they're working on a Scotch ale that they're going to call Real Heavy. It will be tap-only, so start looking for it in bars maybe in March, although he said they're still refining it. I'm real excited about that — I love Scotch ales.

My Dream Job!

Okay, I know I did a posting recently on why my job kicks butt, but I've got nothing on the guy in the photo. His name is Scott Kerkmans, and he was just hired to be the chief beer officer the Four Points by Sheraton hotel chain. Chief. Beer. Officer. That's his job title. He researches craft brews to stock in their hotels.

Kerkmans was profiled this morning on National Public Radio's Morning Edition.

Best quote from the broadcast: "At first, I thought my friends would be happy for me. Well, it turns out they're just jealous." Yeah, I'm thinking if you ever bitch about the stress at work you'll be getting no sympathy from them.

Lucky bastard.

Holy Crap – Xmas in February!

Christmas is well behind us now, so I guess the stores and breweries are anxious to kill off their remaining stocks of "holiday beers." I was just at Spec's on Airport, and they had 12-packs of Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale (one of the greatest beers ever) for only $10.65! (That's provided you pay cash or debit card. It's 5% more if you use a credit card.)

Well, what else?

"Baby Blues" is our favorite comic strip, because it is eerily similar to our lives. Like, almost exactly. This particular strip pretty much sums up the difference between my brain and Margaret's.

Sorry I haven't posted much this month …

… but it's because I'm drowning in work. I am a newspaper reporter, and Texas' primary elections are coming up on March 4, so I am WAY busy. I not only have to crank out articles for print, but I also post constantly to our news blog. And I'm the editor of our election section.

Yeesh, I could use a drink …

Black Star Co-op Event Saturday

Message from my friends over at Black Star, who are trying to start up a cooperatively run brewpub:

Dear Member-Owners and Friends of Black Star Co-op,

We have made tremendous progress towards our goal of opening the world's first co-operatively owned brewpub since the start of 2008 - we've launched our Member-Investor Share Offering, begun a search for a location, and added over 45 new member-owners to our Co-op.

Nevertheless, we continue to bring you one of the things you know and love: our monthly Beer Social.

This Saturday, please join us from 7 to 10PM at 501 Studios (501 N I-35) for our February Beer Social. We will have all of the elements that make our Beer Socials great - live music, great beer, and good conversation. This month we're also adding a "Home Brewers' Corner", and we invite all home brewers to share the fruits of their labor with fellow brewing enthusiasts.

Our remarkable growth shows no signs of ceasing, so we seek 25 new member-owners to join Black Star Co-op at this Beer Social. All new Charter Members joining at the Beer Social will receive a free pint glass, and if you can't make it to the event, become a member-owner at:

http://www.blackstar.coop/become-a-member

See you on Saturday!

What: February Beer Social
When: Saturday, 2/16 from 7 to 10 PM
Where: 501 Studios, 501 North I-35

Sincerely,
Black Star Co-op

My New Nickname

So I'm finally getting around to reading The Modern Drunkard, the book that compiles the best of Modern Drunkard magazine, which Todd gave to me for my birthday (I think – or maybe it was last Christmas). And I spotted myself in the article "Buzzwords for Boozeheads," a mini-dictionary of drinking slang:

beer führer n. a beer snob fanatical to the point he would rather drink water than what he considers "bad beer."

I suppose I should be ashamed of that. My beer drinking buddies, beer snobs that they are, will certainly give me shit for it. In my defense, I'll occasionally break down and suck down some Lone Star or Milwaukee's Best (although I'm damn sure not likely to pay for it). But ultimately, my reply is this: Hey, what part of "unrepentant" do you not understand? I also spotted some slang that applies to Bret:

boozing with Berman v. to get drunk in a bar while watching sports on TV; a reference to ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman.