Hi Sam Fan!
Greetings from the Boston Brewery. June has arrived and we're settling into a nice summer groove. Work hard all day and enjoy a brew in the beer garden when the whistle blows. The daily ritual gives us a chance to check on the progress of the hop vines we planted in April. We're proud to say that things are progressing nicely. All the brewers have a different idea of what style we'll brew with the homegrown hops. WOT subscribers will be the first to know once we decide.
In this month's issue we'll unveil the brews for the 2008 Beer Lover's Choice™ competition, tell you about Jim Koch's attending the National Homebrewers Conference and much more.
Cheers!
The 4th annual Samuel Adams® Beer Lovers Choice™ program will be back at the end of the month. Samuel Adams, brewer and patriot, was one of the founders of democracy in this country. This summer you can exercise your right to choose the next brew in the Samuel Adams® family of beers. The candidates are...
Samuel Adams ® Blackberry Witbier
The aroma has distinct Blackberry notes with a subtle spice character. We brewed a traditional witbier with orange peel and coriander, and then added a hint of blackberry. The flavor is very complex with malt and cereal notes, intense spice and citrus flavors and a smooth, sweet/tart finish.
Samuel Adams® Coffee Stout
This stout is "dry beaned" with coffee beans from Rwanda*. Known as the "land of a thousand hills", Rwanda produces some of the world's finest coffee due to its volcanic soil, high altitude and plentiful rain. We start with a full-bodied stout brewed with a special blend of roasted barley and dark crystal malt, and then age if for two weeks on whole coffee beans- ¾ of a pound per barrel. The result is a rich roasty flavor with a smooth finish.
* For this stout we are proud to be using Rwandan coffee from The Thousand Hills Coffee Company. Thousand Hills' proceeds help subsidize and support the building of schools in Rwanda. We are thrilled to support Thousand Hills and are excited that they made a special roast of coffee just for this beer.
Keep your eye on www.samueladams.com later this month to find out where you can taste these brews and cast a vote for your favorite. Last year we collected over 40,000 ballots and, after all were tallied, Samuel Adams® Irish Red proudly followed in the footsteps of previous winners Samuel Adams® Brown Ale ('05) and Samuel Adams® Honey Porter ('06). Will you help decide this year's winner?
We're guessing this one might get a few mouths watering. How about a little Beer and BBQ? How about Samuel Adams® Summer Ale ice cream and Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat® Sorbet from J.P. Licks? That's right, we have two special guests this month. Guy Tino, the Pocketknife Chef, will prepare delicious BBQ cooked with Samuel Adams beers. And the friendly folks from J.P. Licks will serve up those two amazing flavors. If that's not enough to make you RSVP right now we'll also be pouring an array of specialty brews for your enjoyment. Hope to see you here!
RSVP here
- What: Samuel Adams Open House - BBQ and Beer!
- When: Thursday, June 19th - 5pm to 8pm
- Where: Samuel Adams Boston Brewery
30 Germania Street
MBTA Orange Line - Stony Brook Station
And here's a little heads-up exclusively for WOT subscribers. Keep an eye out for next month's newsletter where we announce the July Open House featuring an American Homebrewers Association Rally, a BBQ and an appearance by our very own Jim Koch.
We've talked a lot about hops in the last few issues of WOT. That's because we LOVE hops! As Jim Koch says "Hops are the Soul of the Beer". That is to say the better the hops, the more complexity, fullness and richness in each bottle of Samuel Adams beer. So it makes sense that we like to get monthly updates from our hop growing friends in Bavaria. The May report told us that rainfall amounts this year are higher than the 10 year average and that the "hops have made growth spurts up to 4 inches a day this week and reached a total height from 15 to 24 inches now".
It looks like we can confidently say "so far so good". We'll keep you updated in the coming months. In the meantime, check out these pictures from this month's report.
Those of you participating in the 2008 American Homebrew Competition® can rest assured that your beers are in good hands. Good mouths to be more accurate. Starting last month, qualified judges started the envious task of tasting and rating the brews.
So if one of those brews is yours keep your fingers crossed. If you are selected as a finalist you'll know this month!
Jim Koch is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at this year's American Homebrewers Association National Homebrewers Conference June 19-21 in Cincinnati, OH. Described on the event's website as "A fun, educational gathering designed to enhance homebrewers' brewing skills and knowledge and increase homebrewing camaraderie. Special seminars and events cater to beer enthusiasts and amateur brewers of every level." It's bound to be a great time and, if we know Jim the way we do, his address won't disappoint. For more information on the conference visit their website.
A Revolutionary Way to Help Micro-Entrepreneurs
The Boston Beer Company is creating a charitable program, "Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream", to help the little guys in the food and beverage industry; micro-entrepreneurs living in poverty who have a solid business idea, but who need assistance. That assistance will take many forms including establishing a new fund to provide funding or legal expertise. For others, it will be the insights and guidance of a mentor or coach who has built a similar business. And yet for others, it will be access to networks and exposure that is beyond their reach...Helping lower income entrepreneurs take a step up in life and realize their American dream is a natural fit for The Boston Beer Company and grows from the very essence of who we are as a company. Come help us officially launch the program with a special night at the brewery. Meet Jim Koch and others critical to the effort. Sample great beers and great food selected to match perfectly. You can also participate in a silent auction with 100% of the proceeds going to the fund. This event is free and open to our friends but space is limited...Reserve a spot for you and a friend now!
RSVP here
- What: Samuel Adams Special Event - Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream Kick Off
- When: Monday, June 30th - 6pm to 8pm
- Where: Samuel Adams Boston Brewery
30 Germania Street
MBTA Orange Line - Stony Brook Station
May 12-18 was American Craft Beer Week and we celebrated with 10 beer dinners in various cities. Jim Koch and other brewers Bob Cannon and Grant Wood spread out across the country to host the dinners and talk about how well beer can pair with food. Thanks to all who came out in support of such a wonderful week.
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