Labels

Friday, October 8, 2010

Bells 5 liter keg

New label mini keg is here!!!!


Bells Best Brown Ale 2010....$21.99 / 5 liter mini keg


Just arrived at Forsyth



Hop Ruiter

In stock at Forsyth

Hop*Ruiter Blond Hoppy Beer....$8.99 / 750ml


This 8% ABV bottle-conditioned strong golden ale combines Belgian appreciation for aromatic esters with the American love of hops. The balanced blend of the two is being simultaneously launched in the US and the Low Countries. Based on early response we think it is going to be a Belgo-American classic.

As always our sympathies at Vanberg & DeWulf are clear. We are on the side of the independent and passionate small producers. Beer consumption in Belgium is on the decline, so we know that creating a robust export market helps to insure that the Belgian brewing scene remains vibrant in years to come.

Here is the story of how our first “cooperation beer” project came about:

In the summer of 2009, thanks to the intercession of a friend in the Belgian beer expert pantheon, Don Feinberg (the original importer of beers such as Duvel, Rodenbach, Affligem, Blanche des Bruges and Boon and the founder of Brewery Ommegang) was made aware of a promising small brewery in the Kempen region near the Dutch border. He paid the Schelde Brouwerij a visit. The brewer, Pieter van den Eijnden, and managing director, Gust Hermans, sat down with Don to taste their excellent beers. A plan was hatched to cooperate on simultaneously launching a proprietary new beer – one that would pay homage to the raucous aromatic strong beers that Don remembered from his early days in Belgium in the late 1970’s. - but that would add a forward hoppiness so favored in America and increasingly appreciated in Belgium.

Over the course of the winter 2009, and spring 2010 various test brews were conducted and the graphics for the label were developed. Test batch results (express mailed to us) were tasted in our Chicago kitchen. We shared the prototype beers with friends in the business. One among them was unanimously declared to be superior – and selected as Hop Ruiter.

Hop Ruiter (viz Hop Rider) has a full - almost rustic malt body, and pairs Belgian yeast-driven flavors with American assertive hoppiness. It is dry hopped, with two noble varieties which add complexity, delicacy and a bit of funk.

The first shipment of 750ml bottles has arrived. 20 liter kegs will follow soon. The beer is already selling on draft in Belgium and Holland and has become the brewery teams’ favorite beer.

While the Schelde Brouwerij is resolutely modern- Hop Ruiter’s graphic imagery (both heraldic and reminiscent of a deck of playing cards) references the history of the provincial seat of Turnhout. The fens and marshes surrounding Turnhout were the favorite hunting grounds of the Dukes of Burgundy (12th to 16th C). Their love of art, industry and good living still imbues life in the Kempen region. In the 19th century Turnhout became the center of the Belgian paper industry. This is where the production of playing cards took hold. Turnhout is the playing card capital of the world. It hosts The Museum of the Playing Card and is headquarters to Carta Mundi. This 100% Belgian-owned company (formed from a consortium of former competitors) produces more than two hundred million decks of playing cards per year.

We suggest you enjoy Hop Ruiter as an aperitif -- or over a game of cards. Given the hunting history of the region - you'll find it a fine companion to game birds, venison and hare. We like to offer Hop Ruiter at Belgian brunches - with egg dishes, sausages, baked beans, croques monsieurs, and grilled tomatoes & asparagus.

info from importer










Smoked Baltic Porter....

I was told that we probably would not see this one, but here it is!!!




Great Divide Smoked Baltic Porter....$6.99 / 22oz

"Smoked Baltic Porter is the sultry sister of a storied style. Brewed with traditional German malts and hops, this dark lager gets its special twist from a hefty addition of Bamberg smoked malt. This smoldering, medium-bodied lager is sure to please. Smoked Baltic Porter is smooth, smoky and dark…mysterious enough yet? 6.2% ABV"


Grilled veal bratwurst, barbeque shrimp, Morbier French Cow's Milk cheese, pasta with crispy browned leeks, pear tart. Available in 22oz bottles and on draft.



Thursday, October 7, 2010

Ancient beer

A limited release to the U.S. from Japan -- Back in stock!

Hitachino Nipponia...$10.99 / 18.6 oz bottle
6.5% ABV
"This new “barley malt” {cross polination between the European “Golden Melon” and the Japanese barley malt “Shikoku”} disappeared a “relatively long time ago” {about 50 years ago}.
A few years ago Mr.Kiuchi acquired 16 seeds from the Department of agricultural history in Japan. He started to plant those 16 seeds {on a 2 sqft area!} about 5 years ago. After the first harvest they planted all new seeds again....and did the same the next year and the following .
Last year’s harvest yielded {for the first time} enough “Kanego Golden Malt” to brew the first batch of “Ancient Nipponia” {along with the historic Sorachi Ace hops}" -- importer





Banner year for new-to-Missouri craft beers

Evan explores what is new in the craft beer market here in Missouri -- check out the article....

"Need proof that craft beer is more popular than ever? Check the shelves of your local beer store or the lineup of tap handles at your favorite bar: They're more crowded than ever — and that's a good thing for drinkers.
St. Louis and the rest of Missouri have been flooded with beer from out-of-state breweries in recent months. The latest example is Firestone Walker Brewing Co., an award-winning producer of ales from Paso Robles, Calif., which confirmed to Hip Hops that it is close to signing a Missouri distribution contract and expects to have its beer here by next month...." --- read more











Spirits of St. Louis

Made right here in St. Louis from Square One Brewing

Spirits of St. Louis


Order online also



Spirits of St. Louis J.J. Neukomm Whiskey...$39.99
JJ Neukomm Whiskey ~ Our whiskey has been aged in small casks until it picks up the perfect taste & color. We begin with a blend of toasted malts & cherry wood smoked malt to craft an our own special character that you will not find in any whiskey at any price.





Spirits of St. Louis Island Time Amber Rum....$19.99
Island Rum ~ Our rum is made from 100% golden cane molasses directly from the sugar cane fields of Louisiana. It is fermented and run through our still to capture the true flavors that are reminiscent of rum from the Caribbean.



Spirits of St. Louis Regatta Bay Gin...$26.99

Spirits of St. Louis Gin ~ Our gin is an American gin, well balanced with a low Juniper and a higher citrus flavor. We use nine different botanicals including hops to balance this traditional sailing spirit.







Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Frozen Ghost Vodka

Mix up some drinks for Halloween

Sold out, no longer being made.

Frozen Ghost Vodka....$23.99 / 750ml
Frozen Ghost Vodka....$44.99 / 1.75ltr



The Legend of the Frozen Ghost
This is a story of people whose names are lost to time, set in a location which is a sworn secret, for reasons that will become clear at the end of this tale.

Generations ago, a family in Western Canada had a proud but small farm. They raised crops and livestock so plentifully, they outproduced all the other farms in the colony. Soon, people began to realize that the spring that watered their land was the sweetest and purest in the area and was thought to be the source of their success.

A jealous neighbor schemed to divert their water to his own property. Stealing onto their land one bitterly cold winter night, he was confronted by the farm’s owner, known only as Tobias. The neighbor struck him with his shovel, knocking him unconscious into a pond near the mouth of the spring. The water thief completed his work, diverting some of the spring’s output to his property by means of the underground channel he dug.

Tobias’s body was later discovered in the ice that froze the pond deep on that frigid winter night.

No one knew how he died. The secret was safe until the neighbor began to report a strange presence of Tobias that haunted his every step. A presence that ultimately drove him mad. He confessed everything as he was driven in a prison cart to the colony’s sanitarium.

The farm has changed hands many times over the centuries, and now that same spring’s water is used to produce Frozen Ghost Vodka. That pure water gives Frozen Ghost its unparalleled smooth, crisp character, even before it is distilled six times for the ultimate purity.

We won’t reveal the spring’s location for your own protection. For on the rare occasions that a visitor has attempted to approach the site, an undeniable chill overtakes the stranger, along with a dark foreboding that a more dangerous fate quickly approaches. It is said that Tobias is still keeping watch over his spring.

So don’t let your curiosity overtake you and tempt you to search for the water’s source. Just be satisfied that you can raise a glass to the one who is watching over the pure taste of Frozen Ghost Vodka, the supernatural super-premium.

Check out some drink ideas



Tuesday, October 5, 2010

AMAZING BARGAIN!!!

LIMITED -- going to move fast...closeout!!!!

In stock at Forsyth only
Tommy Bahama Rum Silver and Gold

750ml.....$4.99

Compare to $31.99 / 750ml at Wallys

1.75 ltr.....$9.99


Fresh Ska!


Fresh Ska!!!
After weeks of being out of stock, a new batch has finally arrived!!!
Fresh Ska Modus Hoperandi is here!!

Terrapin - DeProef -- Monstre Rouge

Available online also

Monstre Rouge....$15.99 / 750ml
Terrapin Collaboration with DeProef

"Pushing the envelop and creating new beer styles is what Terrapin Beer Company is all about. When our Brewmaster, Brian "Spike" Buckowski, found out that he would get the opportunity to help create the next "Brewmaster's Collaboration" with Dirk Naudts from DeProef Brouwerij, all gloves and brewing boots were off!


To stay true to Terrapin Tradition, Spike and Dirk have outdone themselves by creating an Imperial Flanders Red Ale called "Monstre Rouge." Brewed at the DeProef Browerj in Lochristi Belgium, these two creative masterminds of malts and hops have come up with an offbeat style that combines new age American and old world Belgian brewing techniques.


Monstre Rouge is loosely based off Terrapin's "Big Hoppy Monster" recipe with a little of Spike's favorite ingredient (Rye Malt) thrown in for good measure. Fermented with one of Dirk's coveted yeast strains (Brettanomyces) and aged on toasted American oak, this beer is tart, sour, sweet, hoppy, and woody all wrapped in a beautiful red color. Brewed with copious amount of crystal malts ranging in color from 20-75 lovibond as well as Munich and Rye, the Monstre Rouge is not your ordinary Flanders Red. American hops impart hints of citrus and pine complementing the complex malt and yeast flavors.


We hope you enjoy our creation of water, malt, yeast and hops.

Info from the label