Empyrean Beer Quest

Just got the news that the next BeerQuest is set. Here is the info. They have also updated their website.

Brewers,

I just updated our webpage with some new features about Beer Quest including a brews profile of our IPA winner.
Check out the update at www.empyreanbrewingco.com

Our next Beer Quest begins almost immediately. Registration will begin on Tuesday the 27th after the holiday - the best way to return to work after a long weekend is to spend your first 1/2 hour figuring out your recipe!

Beer Quest XperimentAle Details

Perhaps a better name for this would be "bring on the Gruit, Saison and pumpkin!"

For you early planners here's what we are thinking: As always we'll have a selection of malts and hops for you to choose from - all other ingredients are up to you. Adjuncts in any form are most welcome, sugars, other cereal grains, vegetables, fruit you name it. Spices and flavorings are also very welcome. Yeasts will be limited to Ale and beer strength and conditioning time for our production beer can not exceed 25 days - meaning no lagers or lacto/brett conditioning time
and no high gravity/high octane beers - 16 degrees Plato is the top end of gravity we want to see.
You'll have roughly 10 weeks to make your beers - beers will be due for the elimination round on August 13th.

Who can make the most exciting and drinkable beer from non-traditional (or very-traditional in an old-world sense) ingredients?

Think it over and if you want to throw your mash paddle into the mix look for the registration forms on our Beer Quest page next Tuesday at Noon.

One last note - All past winners are now listed on the brewers profile page please let me know if I misspelled anyone's name. I'll make the correction.

Cheers!
Jim

Modern Monks Schwarzbier

The polka was playing, and the Schwarzbier was flowing.... The Modern Monks new Schwarzbier was tapped last Saturday at the Huber Haus. I decided to dive in head first, and get myself a liter right off the bat. Wise decision on my part...it was tasty, easy drinking, and well worth the $7.50 price. Most of the people I asked also had similar comments. Enjoy these pictures I took. Tonight I may have the Brothers’ Cup if it has been tapped. Keep up the good work, Monks.

NHC First Round Results

The results are in for the first round of the National Homebrew Contest. A good showing for Nebraska in the Midwest Region

2nd - Alan Torrell, Omahops, European Amber Lager
1st - Kevin Kroll, Lincoln, English Pale Ale
3rd - Mark Beatty, Lincoln Lager, Scottish and Irish Ales
2nd - Aaron Carnes, Lincoln, IPA
3rd - Wayne Simerly, Omahops, Belgian and French Ales
1st - Rob Sterkel, Lodgepole, The Brewing Network, Specialty Ales

Congrats to you guys and good luck at Nationals, what to represent!!!

Modern Monks & Cresent Moon

A couple of the Modern Monks' beers will be on tap soon at the Moon. The Schwarzbier will be tapped in the Huber Haus (lower-level of the Moon) on Saturday, and the Brothers' Cup will be tapped sometime soon at the Moon.

Congrats to the Monks for getting themselves served at the one of the best beer businesses in Omaha.

Another in the beer series from UNO

Brewing Success in Nebraska

Pyramid and Magic Hat

I just saw this and yes I am slow but check it out.

Pyramid and Magic Hat to merge.

I find this rather shocking news especially with the locations and the relative anti establishment nature of Magic Hat. It just strikes me as strange bedfellows.

What are your thoughts?

3 more good articles

It appears that UNO's paper is doing a series of stories on the brewing and beer scene. Here are a few more, thanks Paul.

Guide to Summer Beers
Brewing Success in Nebraska
Prohibition Prices ring 75th Anniversary of Appeal