The World's Best Stout

Forbes : The World’s Best Stout—According To European Beer Star Competition

At this competition, a panel of expert judges blind-taste tested 2360 beers from 50 countries in 75 categories at the Nuremberg Exhibition Center in Germany.

A blind-taste test of 2360 beers would probably end in falling-down-blind-drunk. But that's not the point.

The point is that the United States won a medal in each of the three Stout categories in the European Beer Star Competition, an international beer event: Forty-Ninth State Brewing (Anchorage, AK) took a Bronze in the general category of Stout. River North Brewery (Denver, CO) took Gold in the category of Flavored or Pastry Stout. And No-Li Brewhouse (Spokane, WA) took Silver in the category of Imperial Stout. 

That's very stout indeed.

In fact, the USA took home 32 medals in 29 categories. The whole list is here. There are probably some breweries on that list you will recognize.

Congratulations to all and Próst.

Rumor has it ...

 Yesterday we had to fetch some Grin-itch spinach and while we were out, we gathered a little more beer intel.

First, Coachella Valley Brewing has already broken ground on their third location in Palm Desert. (Their original location is Thousand Palms and their second is in Palm Springs.) They are feeling good about a target opening sometime in 2025 having learned a lot with their second location in Palm Springs. However, now they're dealing with a different municipality so who knows?

The rumor is that the Laugh Factory has purchased the property next to CVB's Palm Desert location which the brewery is excited about because they feature comedy nights at both of their existing locations and have hosted a annual comedy festivals so they look forward to the Laugh Factory as possible neighbors. It's also rumored that Michal Longfellow (now of Saturday Night Live) once performed at a Coachella Valley Brewery comedy fest.

Desert Beer continues to be optimistic about opening in Indio as early as February of 2025 despite a series of setbacks. (Their original location is Palm Desert.) The latest hurdle has been overcome and it appears the only thing left is a sign-off on the work (which entailed rerouting a gas line, if I understand things correctly).

That's the up-to-the-minute update. We'll keep you posted....

Just a quick update:

 Yesterday, we had to go out. We had to do an errand and pick a peck of Snide... actually, we just grabbed a sandwich. But while we were out, we drove by local breweries promising to open in 2025:

January is the timeframe promised by Babe's Smokehouse and Tavern. Their website still says January but  their last post on Facebook was October 2024 with no further updates. While I have no experience in these kinds of things other than waiting for more than a year for Desert Beer to open despite all their expectations to be open sooner. Based on a driveway inspection of Babe's, I'd say January is out of the question. 

Speaking of questions, will Babe's be brewing at their new location? The place doesn't look large enough. Either they will be brewing offsite or they've given up their brewing endeavors altogether. Their name no longer includes the word "Brewery"but they do incorporate "Tavern" so while I can expect there will be beer, I can't say whether Babe's will continue to be a brewery.

Indio Brewing doesn't have a website and their FB page doesn't offer a target opening date. Google Maps is suggesting February 2025. Again, I don't have any experience in these things (such as waiting for permits and inspections) but based on what I saw yesterday, February might be wishful thinking. There were tanks inside but not a whole lot more.

Lastly, Desert Beer has been mum for a long time about their aspirations to open in Indio and for good reason. They have been working on their new location for over a year encountering one problem after another. This was the only location we didn't drive by yesterday because we tend to go by it often enough to know they still aren't ready. I think the last time we were by, the tanks were still being stored outside. This is the one I'm most excited about because I think it will be a good addition to the downtown area of Indio so I've got my fingers crossed that whatever is going on there gets resolved soon.

Not much of an update except that you can expect to wait a little longer.

2025 is shaping up to be a good year already.

The Desert Sun recently reported that two breweries are coming to Indio (CA) in 2025: Indio Brewing and Desert Beer. The journey for both breweries has been long.

Indio Brewing (which does not yet have its own website) has been posting updates on the buildout of their space in North Indio since 2023. From social media posts, they had originally planned to open in the fall of 2024. 

Desert Beer's efforts have taken at least as long. An article in CV Weekly dated January 10, 2024, describes owner Devon Sanchez's expansion plans. As Desert Beer patrons, we have know Devon since 2020. Plans for a downtown Indio location have been in the works for years.

Fingers are crossed that both breweries are successful in realizing their brewery dreams in Indio in 2025.

Babe's Smokehouse & Tavern (previously Babe's Bar-B-Que & Brewery) is planing to open at Indio's Citrus Plaza, a move from Rancho Mirage. Their website predicts a January 2025 opening. 

The Desert Sun also reports the recent opening of Rosemary Hi-Fi in downtown Indio. While not a brewery, the listening bar will feature beers from Las Palmas Brewing in Palm Springs.

I can't wait to see what else 2025 will bring not only to the City of Indio but also to the community of beer. I'll keep an eye out and when I know more, I'll let you know.

Cheers.

#BeerCareful

A toast to Former President Jimmy Carter

How Former President Carter Sparked America's Craft Beer Industry 

" So the next time you enjoy a craft beer, you can raise a glass to Jimmy Carter. "

I think I'll do just that.

[H/T 76003.1414] 

 

Beery Christmas

Gift ideas for your beer friends:

Beer subscription -

East Coast - New York Post Beer Club 

West Coast - Craft Beer Club

A movie about beer: For When You Get Lost isn't really about beer but it features a lot of breweries and locations from the Pacific Northwest which you will recognize if you're a fan of PNW beers. (Available to rent or buy.)

Gift cards -

La Quinta Brewing is offering a $5 bonus gift card for every $25 gift card purchase (available at all three locations).

Or just buy your friend a beer. They'll appreciate it and time spent with you.

#BeerCareful

A pint full of beer news

Coachella Valley Brewing Company opens new location in downtown Palm Springs

" The downtown space aims to be a go-to spot for gatherings as it includes five big-screen televisions and more than 20 classic arcade games. Patrons looking to unwind after the workday can also enjoy a 16-foot firepit overlooking downtown Palm Springs. "

The new CVB location will also feature a full kitchen. The Desert Sun also reports that CVB plans to open a location in Palm Desert near the intersection of Hwy 111 & Monterey.

The New York Times is reporting ‘Everybody Is Drinking Guinness.’ We Know Why. 

The article reports that Guinness "is the fastest-growing imported beer in the country based on bar, restaurant and brewery sales over the last year. . . "  The reason has to do with a beer chugging ritual called splitting the G. Also,

" The stout is 4.2 percent alcohol by volume — about the strength of Bud Light — and 125 calories per 12 ounces, lighter than Modelo Especial. . . . That appeals to Americans wearied by craft beer’s dominance, said Mike O’Sullivan, an owner of the New York pubs Hartley’s and Grace’s. "

Surprising. 

• First, while Guinness may be the fastest-growing, Modelo Especial is the top selling beer in the U.S. according to CNN.
• Second, to consider Guinness as a "light" beer. 
• Third, that Americans are wearied by craft beer's dominance. Not this American. However, the next time my choices are limited to non-craft beers, I'll look for a Guinness. (But, no, I will not be splitting the G.)

Finally, At UN climate talks, “sewage” beer from Singapore highlights water scarcity and innovations. 

The beer is made with treated wastewater.

" For years, Singapore has been a leader in water management and innovations. The city-state island of 6 million people in Southeast Asia, one of the most densely populated countries, has no natural water sources. "

Asked if he was happy with how the beer turned out, the chief executive of Singapore's Public Utilities Board replied, “You know, beer is always very subjective."

Indeed.

[H/T 76003]