Random Beer Roundup - We Miss You and We're Sorry Edition

Thursday, 11 AM - The reminder email has been sent, and we anxiously await the updated beer lists from our usual Random Beer Roundup contributors. But, alas, nothing has hit the Hoosier Beer Geek mailbox. Is it because everyone's too busy celebrating the Obama victory to bother working anymore? Is it because our contributors are McCain supporters who've decided it's not worth living anymore? Did you see South Park this week? It was pretty entertaining.

Not to worry, though. I've got a backup plan..

LINK-A-DINK-A-DO!

From the LA Times (of Anaheim?) comes this story of two young and attractive people who loved each other so much they couldn't keep their hands off each other and there was a lot of sex (with pictures!). Actually, none of that's true. But here's a story about Southern California's "Craft Beer Revolution". The craft beer Boston Hop Party (where beer drinkers dressed as Indians poured hops into Boston Harbor) is partially responsible for our current hop shortage.

Straight outta Pittsburgh (via Canada): Did you know that beers can be seasonal? For example, you might not want to drink an Imperial Stout while cutting your grass in August. You might not want to drink a Miller Light ever. Here's The Canadian Press (all of them?) with this story about the increasing market for seasonal brews.

No thanks, I'll stick with my rotten shark's meat fermented in urine: Mikkeller is a pretty fantastic brewing operation. From the folks at Beernews.org comes word that another Mikkeller brew, Beer Geek Brunch, is about to make its way to America liquor stores. What's this on the label?

"This Imperial Oatmeal Stout is brewed with one of the world's most expensive coffees, made from the droppings of weasel-like civet cats."

That should make for an interesting KOTBR.

All my notes say is "Woah Dude I'm Drunk": The folks that judge beer at The Great American Beer Festival have to be a little clearer in their beer judgment than we do. Flossmoor Station is sharing some of that feedback with the notes they received from their GABF reviews.

I know a gal in Chicago named Abbey but she doesn't read this blog: Other Abbeys in Chicago - Lost Abbey. Well soon enough. Chicago is close to Indiana. And that's why this is relevant news. Other places close to Indiana? My heart. Awwww.

At Hoosier Beer Geek, we'd never make a top five list of anything. It's a cheap ploy to draw in readers. Oh wait: Here's Epicurious' list of Top Five Holiday Beers, complete with food pairings.

If it comes down to a financial decision, you can always drop your kids off in Nebraska: A post from the Clipper City blog about the choices we make regarding craft beer in the current economy.

This can only be good news: Oskar Blues has added former Coors Brewer Jeff Nickel, 5 New Tanks, and hopes to increase production 75% in the next year. Let's get some of that beer in Indiana.

Wait! What's this! Real news about beer in Indiana?

Thanks to our dear Chris:

I don't know if you guys get Ram emails, but they're doing an open tapping party next week. That's pretty unusual. Their tappings are usually just for Mug Club members which (unlike Rock Bottom) you have to pay for. They must have made an exception because they're proud of their gold medal beer. Who knows what this will be like, but I'm guessing the beer isn't free like at Rock Bottom tappings.

Subject: GABF Medal Winning Tapping Party

Christopher,
It's time to tap our Great American Beer Festival GOLD Medal winning Imperial Stout featuring Jack Daniels. Join us on Thursday, November 13th at 6:30pm to 9pm. Jack Daniel's will be on hand featuring the "Whiskey Professor" John Barrett. We will also feature recipes from Chef Mark Williams from Jack Daniels.

We will be giving away great door prizes including a Jack Daniels electronic dart board and Jack Daniels poker chips set and more. Please RSVP at 317-955-9900.

John at Big Red Liquors (Bloomington) checks in:

New at Big Red Liquors Today:

Check Out the Big Belgian Beer Sale and see these new items

Flying Dog Kerberos
3 Floyds Broodoo
Moinette Blonde
Moinette Bruin
Kasteel Brown
Kasteel Triple
Kasteel Rouge 750
Maredsous Dubbel ( bruin)
Affligem Noel
Affligem Triple
Gouden Carolus Ambrio
Gouden Carolus Noel
Gouden Carolus Easter
Victory Festbier
Victory Hop Wallup
Victory Fest Bier
Winter's Bourbon Cask
Bells Brown Ale ( seasonal)
Flying Dg Kerberos Triple
O Hanlon's Royal Oak Pale Ale
Isle of Skye Wee beast
Sam Adams Imperial Pilsner
Sam Adams Chocolate Bock ( Made every other year, rotates with Utopias )
Schlenkerla Helles
Mishawaka Founders Stout
Mikkeller it's Alive ( Belgian wild ale)
Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast (oatmeal Stout brewed with Coffee)
Sierra Nevada celebration Ale( First time in 12pks)
Blue Moon Full Moon ( Winter Seasonal)
St Amand French Country Ale
Stone Double Bastard is Back ( In both 3 L and 22oz bottles)

And Last but not least,

World Class beverage has a new Midwest Taster 12pk out and they have crammed it full of some great beers.

I heard it was Jared at WCB that picked these out, at $17.99 this is a heck of a deal.

Delirium Tremens
Sam Smith Nut Brown
Harpoon Oktoberfest
Xingu (Brazil, Schwartz Bier)
Duvel
Affligem Blonde
Spaten Optimator
Unibroue La Fin Du Monde
Unibroue Maudite
Dark Horse Sapient
Bell's Expedition Stout
North Coast Pranqster

Those sampler packs make nice Christmas gifts, folks, and in this case you're not getting a bunch of beer no one's ever heard of before.

What's up at J. Gumbo's? - Today (11/7/08) they're donating $1 from every plate of each order of seafood jambalaya sold to Fish for Fishburn, a fundraiser for IMPD Officer Jason Fishburn, who was shot while pursuing a homicide suspect. Saturday (11/8/08) from 5:30PM - 10:00PM they're having a crawfish boil, $15 single serving, $20 all you can eat, and the price includes a flight of Abita beer.

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If you're wondering if I say things like link-a-dink-a-do in real life, the answer is no. At least not on purpose. I do say "rad" a lot.