DRAFT News

DRAFT 150 Best Bars of 2009: Connecticut

Noah Davis — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:00:40 +0000

We’ve scoured the country from Alaska to Hawaii and Portland, Maine to Portland, Ore., to find the bars where you’re guaranteed to sip unmatched suds. Romantic or boisterous, scuzzy or dressed to the nines, the flavor of the places where fine brew is served runs the gamut. Here, the 150 places where craft is king and fun comes in all fashions.

Today: Connecticut.

Eli Cannon’s Tap Room
Middletown, Connecticut
This small, intensely decorated establishment might not boast the most adventurous draft list in the world, but they aren’t afraid to stock Brooklyn Monster Barleywine or Yellow Snow Ale (taps rotate daily). Even the harshest craft critic will find something to enjoy. Plus, you can sit on barber chairs, theater seats and leather couches — much more fun than lame old bar stools.
695 Main St.

Beer Editor Beer Tasting: Deschutes Red Chair NWPA

Noah Davis — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:20:10 +0000

Hop heads of the world, rejoice: A new brew’s on the shelves to satiate your appetite for bitterness. Released in January — available through April — Deschutes Brewery’s Red Chair NWPA (Northwest Pale Ale) is a citrusy, sweet-and-bitter joy worth celebrating.

Up from Red Chair’s beautifully clear, deep-orange body floats floral notes, a touch grassy, but clean throughout. Spend some time letting this beer air, and a distant piney, resinous hop quality eventually emerges.

On the front of the tongue, this brew’s all floral, citrusy hops. It perks the taste buds before a swell of biscuit and sweet caramel flavors pool toward the middle; mouthwatering, yet balanced by bitterness. A final wave of grassy hops takes this beer into the finish. As one would expect with a well-hopped 60-IBU brew, the finish is bitter dry in the throat, however a lingering sweetness prevails on the tongue. Breath deep, and phantom orange notes rejoin the caramel sweetness for a tasty, yet not overpowering aftertaste in the mouth.

It’s about time someone invented a beer-serving robot

Noah Davis — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:00:47 +0000

Forget flying cars. What we really want is a robot that wanders around parties serving beers to hungry guests. Luckily, a crew of scientists at Middlesex University is solving this problem.

The group brought their invention to the Kinetica Art Fair in London. How’s this baby work? Well, it follows a pre-programmed path and “when a party guest hold his or her hands above its sonar-sensing head and hands the kegbot a cup, the machine serves up a beer and continues on its merry way.”

That sounds just dandy, now doesn’t it? Want more? Engadget has the video.

DRAFTMag.com needs a paid intern

Noah Davis — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:05:41 +0000

Announcement: DRAFTMag.com seeks a paid intern to help with our growing site. The internship will be hands-on, working closely with Web editor. Responsibilities include uploading content, managing events calendar, some writing and editing, and possible video production. Flexible hours, two to three days a week.

Some details:
* You must be based in the Bay Area.
* You must be over 21.
* You must have a laptop.
* You must be familiar with Web publishing and AP style. Experience with video editing a plus.

If you’re interested, please email a cover letter and resume.

Kirin Holdings merger falls through

Noah Davis — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:30:19 +0000

On a day when we learned that the top four breweries in the world account for more than 50 percent of the market share comes the news that Japanese beermakers Kirin Holdings and Suntory SUNTH.UL are ending talks for a proposed merger.

The potential deal fell through because executives couldn’t agree upon how the resulting company — which would have rivaled Pepsi Co. in size — would be managed.

“We determined we would not be able to gain understanding from stakeholders for management independence and transparency of the merged company as a listed entity,” Kirin president Kazuyasu Kato said.

Sure.

As a result, Kirin will ramp up its overseas expansion plans.

Question of the week: What’s your favorite barleywine?

Noah Davis — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:00:38 +0000

Inspired by this weekend’s Barleywine Festival at Toronado as part of San Francisco Beer Week, we want to know what’s your favorite barleywine? Sounds simple, but this requires more thought than you’d think. Good luck.

As always, let us know in the comments, via email, or on Twitter. We’ll post the best answer on Friday.

Beer may help prevent Osteoporosis

Noah Davis — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:47:21 +0000

Okay, so beer may not actually help prevent prostate cancer but according to a new study, there’s reason to believe it can limit the risk of Osteoporosis.

A group of researchers from Department of Food Science & Technology at the University of California, Davis found that “beer is a significant source of dietary silicon, a key ingredient for increasing bone mineral density.” Brews with high levels of malted barley and hops have the most silicon in them, so bring on the triple-hopped pints.

You can find the entire article in the February issue of Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.

DRAFT 150 Best Bars of 2009: Colorado

Noah Davis — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:00:14 +0000

Today: Colorado.

Falling Rock Tap House
Denver, Colorado
Few brewers haven’t stepped inside this Denver icon. As the unofficial post-Great American Beer Festival hangout (when it’s stiflingly packed with encyclopedic beer brains), this chill joint is poised to sate savvy palates. Sixty taps and 80 bottles pour out some of the finest from the American West to Belgium, and the cask selection tops none.
1919 Blake St.

Lady Falconburgh’s
Durango, Colorado
Boasting the largest beer selection in the Four Corners region, Lady Falconburgh’s continues to push excellent craft beer in the state that practically invented it (on this side of the world, anyway). It boasts 38 rotating taps that serve local craft like Left Hand Warrior and worldly favorites like Delirium Tremens. Come for a burger and $2 pint night, and enjoy an authentic Colorado beer bar experience.
640 Main Ave.

DRAFTMag.com week in review

Noah Davis — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:00:05 +0000

We celebrated Spring at New Belgium, had a pint with Deschutes Brewing Co., and fought the good fight in Canada. Oh, and there’s that whole Super Bowl thang.

Beer Editor
Strange brew
Welcome to my life, tattoo
The never-ending Super Bowl post

Beer Runner
Philadelphia Beer Runners stake claim as coolest running group
Beermosa ‘like jet fuel’ for runner
A couple of off-centered beer runners

DRAFT 150 Best Bars of 2009
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California

DRAFTMag.com feature
Q&A: SF Beer Week media director Jay Brooks

Friday Field Trip
Magnolia Gastropub and Brewery

Question of the week
What beer to serve at your Super Bowl party?
answered

Sports on Tap
Drinking game may be more fun than Super Bowl
No horsing around — Clydesdales are back for big game

We’re buying a beer for…
Bill Watterson
Kathryn Bigelow
Therese A. Ziemann
Don DeLillo
The organizers of World Nutella Day

Friday Field Trip: Magnolia Gastropub and Brewery

Noah Davis — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:00:32 +0000

On the eve of SF Beer Week, Magnolia Gastropub and Brewery brewmaster and owner Dave McLean gives DRAFTMag.com a tour of the famous beer locale.

Friday Field Trip: Magnolia Gastropub and Brewery

See our previous Friday Field Trips here.

If you’d like to be featured in a Friday Field Trip or have an idea of a place we should tour, email us. And TGIF.