Beer Tasting

I think it is fair to say that the general group of forumites are not as educated on beer as we would like to be. I know that "The Keg" liquors in Clarksville does beer tastings to raise awareness.

Shawn Vest and Roger Baylor,
Any suggetsions on where we can increase our knowledge? Any beer tastings out there we should know about?

Our next beer tasting is January 31st from 5 -8 with Schlafly Brewing. We have not set the lineup for this one yet, but when I do one brewery like this, I will do 5-6 different beers to get a sampling of different styles for people to sample to discover the differences in each style. Scott and I are hopefully getting together this week to nail the lineup down.

Some of the different tastings I have done in the past have included a hop-head tasting, full of IPA's and other hop-bombs, a fall tasting with Oktoberfests and Pumpkin beers,, the winter tasting that Robin let me schill back in November. I have also done brewery specific tastings, such as Brownings, Upland Brewing, BBC, etc as well.

It gives people a chance to try many different styles at a leisurely pace, which is a great way to expand your horizons.

I know both Roger and Shawn's places have great lineups to try as well. If you really want to talk beer with the staff there, pick a slower time of day so that they can take the time to work with you. Regular lunch and dinner hours are not the best times to try this, as they are trying to handle their regular crowds.

Roger also posted something on his blog about holding private tastings that he has started. I remember Marty Rosen had an article in the Courer about one he attended. Here is the URL from the article:

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbc ... 7712010340

[/url]

We're talking yet again about trying to do something perhaps quarterly that might be aimed more toward "entry level."

It's calendar filling time. I'll try to keep you informed.

there's a couple informative websites out there that list beer related activities as well as providing a general basis for educating one's self about beer

beer adovcate
and
ratebeer

Todd's tasting is the only regular beer tasting that i know about in the area

Brew at the zoo, happens in the summer (but it is more of a drink as much as you can as quickly as you can event)

the local breweries are a great resource for the inexperienced
and most have a decent staff that can help you in the beer realm
- although, i'm not sure about the laws covering beer tastings in Louisville - if i remember correctly, you have to charge per ounce prices in Louisville?????

here are my preferences for you Louisvillians that may not cross the pond to visit Roger or I
these establishments do not offer regular beer tastings (to my knowledge), but they can help guide you along your journey

The BBC Taproom, downtown on clay and main
is a great beer resource (complete with Louisville's own brewerania museum) - a friendly knowledgeable staff, and just beer i believe - no food

Cumberland Brews - great staff, friendly, not a huge variety of beers though

BBC Shelbyville Rd (the BBC that i've visited most frequently, great staff, good beers)

Browning's (slugger field) - i haven't been in a while, but i've had ggod beer and good service here before

BBC downtown (4th street) - another option for the folks downtown

Sergio's World Beer's (i've never been, but i've heard decent reviews and the beer list is long, so one can only assume that he knows his stuff)

The various Liquor Barn locations are known to have great selections, but i can't attest to the staff knowledge

INDIANA
if you choose to cross the pond or are already here, you'll find that our laws are a little different
we can provide beer samples to our customers free of charge
**** we can not sell carry out beer on Sunday, + Roger & Todd are closed on Sundays*****

The New Albanian Brewing Company (Sportstime/RichO's/the public house/pizzeria) - 15/20 minutes from downtown louisville
by far the best selection and staff in the area, but don't expect an hour beer education on a busy night - try early in the evening/late afternoon - these guys are really busy most of the time - and chances are you won't catch Roger there -
additionally, be patient - this is not your average place, it does not adhere to the rules of mass market conglomerates, franchises, or your neighborhood eateries

Roger also has a great library of beer related newsletters/books/magazines

- in most cases, your server will allow you to sample a few draft beers - but not to excess - and you can always purchase a sample tray of the beers they brew

The Keg liquors - 10 minutes from downtown
again, great selection, and Todd really loves and knows great beer
(he does beer tastings at designated times, check his website)

and me - 25 min from downtown louisville
the charlestown pizza company has a small list of around 30 or so bottled beers (4 domestic swills on the list)(no taps, yet)
and we can always help you out in your quest for better beer
and we're happy to let you taste if you're curious


hope this was helpful
and encourages more establishments to hold "beer tastings"

shawn

whoops, hold the phone
i forgot the greatest coffee shop that serves beer

derby ctiy espresso
-Matt knows a great deal about good beer (more about coffee though)
and has a pretty impressive selection of bottles

downtown on market, good beer and good coffee - who'd'a'thunk'it

shawn

The Bodega on Market usually does tastings during first friday trolley hops. Makes a nice aperitif before you eat at Melillos.

Liquor Barn Springhurst sometimes breaks open some beer for their Friday night and Saturday afternoon wine tastings. Juxtaposition baby!

Also check out Flanagan's on Baxter and Nachbar in Germantown; two great resources to get educated on beer. Ask to be put on Flanagan's email list so you're kept abreast of what they're tapping and when.

After you feel like you've been edgumacated somewhat, go to Gravity Head at Rich O's. You're not truly interested in expanding your palette for beer unless you attend this event.

BTW, I'm doing a tasting of our locally brewed ales at the Iriquois Manor Valu Market on Thursday Jan 17th from 4-7. Come by, say hello, taste some great beer, and check out their brand new "beer cave."

Here is a great link to help with your (our) knowledge.
http://www.ratebeer.com/Story.asp?StoryID=457

Thanks to Roger and Shawn for the help, the link is a link off of Roger's Blog.

i'm curious about the beer tasting laws in the Louisville area?

while working with the folks at whole foods
we were able to give away wine samples at will
but the St. Matthews ABC said that we could not sample beer
unless -
we charged a per ounce price at least equivalent to the wholesale cost (per ounce)
and
everyone employed in the store was over 21

Shawn, Louisville law (it might be Kentucky law, but I am not sure) states that you have to charge at least a penny over cost. Most places charge a quarter for a taste, and that seems to cover it. You can give away wine and liquor in Louisville, but it is in limited quantities. With beer, as long as they are paying (and they don't get too intoxicated) they can taste as much as they would like. Hope this helps clear up your questions.

Scott Shreffler
Schlafly Beer

thanks Scott

the Louisville folks may want to mention it to their local representatives that they have to pay to taste beer, but tasting wine and liquor is free

just another obstacle in the way of great beer

shawn

To expand a bit on the laws regarding beer sampling. Currently there are "no provisions" in the law for sampling of malt beverages. Wine and liquor sampling have clearly prescribed procedures and regulations. This leaves the law open for interpretation when it comes to beer. I believe that the ABC tends to come down on the side that, in general, it is not legal. There are several liquor stores who do sampling as described by Scott. By charging for a sample, they aren't technically sampling, but rather selling.

does anyone know how to change this?? (or is anyone willing to)

[Robin Garr]

does anyone know how to change this?? (or is anyone willing to)

One thing to consider: Laws like this are almost always backed by weird and unexpected alliances, and the beer/liquor distributors very often have a dog in the fight. Those guys have lots of money and know how to spend it.

I'm not saying that change <i>can't</i> occur, but private citizens going up against entrenched interests often discover that it can be surprisingly hard to get seemingly simple changes to occur.

Not saying it's not worth a try, and certainly now is the time (in Kentucky) with the State Legislature just gearing up a session. The place to start is a call to your local state representative and senator. But don't expect it to be easy.

as a hoosier, i'd prefer if the Louiville laws are kept the same

but the shear ridiculousness of the law in Louisville leads me to believe that most people aren't aware of it

and if it is a local law, perhaps it can be changed rather easily
without the big lobbies being dramatically involved

and considering that some distributors in Louisville have their hands in beer, wine, and liquor (Bryant for instance)
it would only benefit them to allow beer tasting as well

anyway, i just think the law is biased whether it is local or state

[Robin Garr]

but the shear ridiculousness of the law in Louisville leads me to believe that most people aren't aware of it

and if it is a local law, perhaps it can be changed rather easily
without the big lobbies being dramatically involved

It's not a city law, it's a state law.

Considering that some distributors in Louisville have their hands in beer, wine, and liquor (Bryant for instance)
it would only benefit them to allow beer tasting as well

You'd think. Dig deep enough, though, and you'll find the distributors can generally have just about anything they want from the legislature. If they don't have something, it's likely because they don't want it, and if they don't want something, it's certainly because they don't see an economic or competitive benefit in it.

anyway, i just think the law is biased whether it is local or state

Oh, it is, it is. But don't make the mistake of personalizing it. Chances are the back story is much more complicated than just "Let's screw the beer people."