musing

RIP, Beermapping Project Great American Beer Festival Fantasy Draught. Jonathan Surratt has come to his senses and let the crazy-to-administrate beast ride into the sunset after four fun-filled years.

But a new game has arrived to fill the void, the FBAG 2011 Brewery Pick’em Contest. So put down that beer judging glass, Jay Brooks, and get your entry in before the Thursday deadline.

Although the rules for the FBAG 2011 Brewery Pick’em Contest look a little scary I like the “here’s what you have to spend” concept (probably taken from some sports related competition I’ve never seen). This way everybody who wants to can own Jeff Bagby. Not just the player lucky enough to get him via draft.

I won’t be participating (having retired after Bagby and Flying Dog ran roughshod in 2009) so I’ll pass along two quick suggestions for filling out a roster after spending $26-$30 upfront. AC Golden hardly qualifies as a sleeper after four medals the last two years, but the small brewery inside of Coors’ giant brewery has expanded its lineup. And how can Sun King (winner at the World Beer Cup and GABF last year) still be only a buck?

Also, I stand by last night’s tweet. If Marble Brewery (which has to break through one of these years) or Urban Chestnut Brewing (new this year, and in judging only) were on the list they’d make great $1 choices.

The fifth edition of The Cask Report is out today. As author Pete Brown explains, “It’s primarily aimed at publicans who may (or may not) be interested in stocking cask ale, but some of it may be of interest to others who write about beer, or are interested in it.”

He also provides a quick summary in his blog:

Cask ale drinkers are more than twice as likely to go to the pub regularly as drinkers who don’t drink cask ale

The number of cask ale drinkers has fallen overall – but the number of young people drinking it (18-24) has risen for the second year running

This represents a broader recruitment trend – of all people who say they drink cask ale, 10% of them started drinking in the last year. 37% started drinking it in the last ten years. Cask ale drinkers are leaving the market at one end, but they are entering it at the other – a clear sign of the revival of interest in cask ale

2500 more pubs are stocking cask ale this year

Cask ale’s share of on-trade beer has increased to 15% – getting on for one in six pints served in the pub

He’s got more bullet points, including that “for most drinkers, the dynamic in the market is about ‘familiar’ versus ‘unfamiliar’ beers.” An important lesson for those selling beer; maybe even those writing about beer. But prefaced with a observation worth remembering: “Only the beer industry and beer geeks debate the merits of micros versus big regional brewers.”

Seems to me you could substitute other topics that are non-issues for most beer drinkers. Like the differences between “microbrews,” craft and faux craft. Or between porter and stout. Of course, I’m hardly one to talk (or write). This blog is for people fully engaged with beer, and not unlike conversations I might have over beer. But is something to remember when my family lets me go out in public.

These are all fine discussions:

– Last time I looked “Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes?*” had drawn 82 comments.

– Jeff Alworth posts the question “Is this craft beer?”

– And Alan McLeod follows up with “It’s The End Of Craft Beer As We Know It…”

Interesting ideas. But right now I’m thinking “beer” is a pretty good word all by itself.