Oct 12, 2010

2009 Oerbier Reserva arrives!

2009 Vintage just arrived at Forsyth! and online now

De Dolle Oerbier Reserve 2009.....$6.99 / 11.2oz

De Dolle Oerbier Reserva is a specially matured version of De Dolle Oerbier. This version of De Dolle Oerbier is matured for 18 months in Bordeaux wine casks.

Oerbier means original, from the spring. This beer has been brewed in small scale (5 gallons) at home in a copper wash kettle, by two brothers who were students at the time. They took over an old brewery which was out of business and said: "If we don't remake the brewery alive, nobody will!". It was also a unique opportunity to create some interesting brews, so why not try it ? Therefore we want and will do the main work ourselves and keep the scale of the brewery like it was. Since then, the brewery and its beers have been an inspiration source for a lot of brewers. Oerbier is brewed from no less than 6 malts. Poperinge Golding hops in flowers and a special yeast which makes it a little tart, especially with aging. At the brewery we have excellent cellars which have a constant temperature of 8°C and allow Oerbier to age at its best. After a couple of years Oerbier tastes like it should have been blended with wine … Oerbier has been refermented in the bottle and contains a layer of yeast, having vitamins B. NAT en STRAF on the glasses means WET and STRONG, a warning for the 7.5 vol. alcohol content. The little person on the glasses is the Oerbier man, a simple creature who holds a brewers fork in his right hand, symbolizing the work and science, but looking to the other side, the result of all this, the glass of (Oer)beer. The artwork on the poster is a wallpainting found in Spain, (Altamira) and is considered by art lovers as being the best prehistoric art work (30.000 years BC). On the other hand we have Oerbier started in 1980, going on with the tradition.
-- importer





Oyster Stout

Available online for shipping
check out other new releases online
The story of The Porterhouse begins in 1989, when Liam La Hart and Oliver Hughes bought a run-down building in Bray, which became the original Porterhouse. They ran the bar with a strict philosophy, producing beers strictly in ‘traditional’ ways to create a more organic product than mass-market beverages."

Porterhouse Oyster Stout...$3.99 / 11.2oz

"This gently flavored stout has a roast malt character, full body and an aromatic character from the Goldings hops, Fresh Oysters added during the brewing process, lend a discernbile yet unidentifiable note." -- Back Label

"A well balance stout with a silken mouthfeel then more sweetness derived from fresh oysters shucked into the conditioning tank." -- website

Grain: Pale Malt, Flaked Barley, Roast Barley, Black Malt, Crystal Malt.
Hops: Galena, Nugget, East Kent Goldings.


This is the first Oyster stout I have seen in Missouri.
What is an Oyster Stout?
"Oysters have had a long association with stout. When stouts were emerging in the eighteenth century, oysters were a commonplace food often served in public houses and taverns. Benjamin Disraeli is said to have enjoyed a meal of oysters and Guinness in the 19th century, though by the 20th century oyster beds were in decline, and stout had given way to pale ale.

The first known use of oysters as part of the brewing process of stout was in 1929 in New Zealand, followed by the Hammerton Brewery in London, UK, in 1938.[36] Several British brewers used oysters in stouts during the "nourishing stout" and "milk stout" period just after the Second World War." -- wikipedia

Modern oyster stouts may be made with a handful of oysters in the barrel or, as with Marston's Oyster Stout, just use the name with the implication that the beer would be suitable for drinking with oysters.


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New Lips of Faith...

In stock at Forsyth. New Belgium Lips of Faith Sahti....$7.19 / 22oz
"Inspired by Finnish Sahti, a traditional rye ale brewed with juniper, our Sahti Ale is a hazy amber ale with a sturdy mouthfeel and a crisp and lively finnish. Brewed with Pale, Crystal, rye malts and whole oats, our version is bittered with Cascade and finished with Cascade and Amarillo hops. Juniper boughs are added to the mash and juniper berries, orange and lemon peel are pitched in the whirlpool creating a festive olfactory of citrus and juniper notes." -- New Belgium
Alcohol is 7.2% by volume.




Hell Hath No Fury from Bells

in stock at Forsyth and Ballwin now
and online also


A very limited release from Bell's Brewery out of Michigan



Bell's Hell Hath No Fury Ale....6 packs
"Originally conceived along the lines of a Belgian Dubbel, Hell Hath No Fury... Ale morphed during development into something entirely different. Blending a pair of Belgian abbey-style yeasts into a recipe more akin to a roasty stout, Hell Hath No Fury... Ale offers up warm, roasted notes of coffee & dark chocolate together with the fruity & clove-like aromas

Alcohol by Volume: 7.7%
Original Gravity: 1.088
Shelf Life: 6 months from package date

Info from Bell's Website


Oct 11, 2010

Stone Brewing makes moves toward Missouri



Even Benn dropped some good news today...

"This is sure to get Missouri craft-beer fiends fired up for the new year: Stone Brewing Co. out of Escondido, Calif., is making plans to begin distribution here in 2011.

"Yes, I believe that we may be able to line everything up to be able to start shipping into Missouri next year," Stone CEO Greg Koch told me this evening. "Still tentative, but looking promising."







We started the big push back in February of 2009 to bring Stone to Missouri, but failed as they jumped over us to get to Illinois.






Oct 10, 2010

The Doodle Brewing Company

Looks like another Missouri Brewery is ready to bottle. Located in Liberty, MO just outside of Kansas City. I did find a website, twitter page, and a blog for Doodle Brewing. According to the website, the owner and brewer, Nick Vaughn, is a chemical engineer. He did also work for Harpoon Brewing in Boston and 75th Street Brewing in Kansas City. Not sure if we will see it in St. Louis, but I will see if I can find out.

Here is the label that just got approved.


Oct 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.



Oct 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.







Oct 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



Oct 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








Oct 2, 2010

Great cheese is back...

Back in stock at Forsyth
Nettle Meadow Kunik
New York
"This cheese is a sumptuous concentration of the organic grains and wild herbs our goats eat every day, including wild raspberry leaf, nettle, kelp, comfrey, garlic, barley, goldenrod." -- label


This is an amazing cheese that we only get in periodically. This new batch is quite delicious. We normally have the 8 oz "buttons", but this time we got in the 1 pound wheels. It is a white mold ripened triple cream cheese made from a blend of Jersey cow cream and from goat's milk. The delicious white paste inside the rind is rich and buttery from the Jersey cow cream and the goat's milk gives it a nice tanginess. Come in and ask for a taste and you will be hooked also.

More information about Nettle Meadow if you are interested...
Nettle Meadow Goat Farm and Cheese Company
Happy Goats - Great Cheese
"Nettle Meadow Goat Farm is a 50 acre 2300 head dairy and cheese company in Thurman, New York just below Crane Mountain in the Adirondack just between Gore Mountain/North Creek/NY and Warrensburg New York. It is owned and operated by Lorraine Lambiase and Sheila Flanagan. Both have a great love of animals, goat cheese and the simplicity and challenges of farm life. Our farm is run with the assistance of farm manager, Stephen Hitchcock, assistant manager Sam Saunders, Joan Flanagan, Mellanie Groff, Adam Clute, Nathan Groff and Janissa Parker. Nettle Meadow farm was originally founded in 1990 and is the home of 250 goats, several dozen sheep and a small group of happy Jersey cows.Nettle Meadow is committed to the principles of natural ingredients, happy and healthy goats, and carefully hand-crafted artisan goat cheeses. We make several varieties of soft goat cheeses including plain chevre, tellicherry pepper and lemon verbena chevre, chevre with mixed herbs, horseradish, olive oil and garlic chevre, maple walnut chevre, pumpkin spice chevre and herb, pepper and garlic chevre as well as fromage blanc, honey lavender fromage blanc, and rosemary infused fromage blanc. We are also well known for our semi-aged cheeses, including triple cream Kunik made from goat milk and jersey cow cream, and Crane Mountain made from 100% goat's milk as well as our most recent creation - Three Sisters (named after Three Sisters mountains which overshadow our farm) and made from farmstead sheep, goat and jersey cow milk.
Nettle Meadow's Sanctuary is also home a number of retired and rescued farm animals which includes several young male goats looking for good homes as pets or brush goats and male and female young kids free to good homes for pets and brush goats year round." -- website




Oct 1, 2010

Doubled and Twisted

Charbay
Marko K. Spirits Doubled and Twisted Whisky....$51.99 / liter
Only 200 - 6 bottle cases made.
Made from distilling a hoppy IPA Beer!


Here is his story:

The term Doubled & Twisted was from the days of not knowing the exact proof coming out of a copper pot still on the second run. It’s the best stuff! The heart of the heart cut. Just after 4am, D&T was coming out of the still at about 162 proof and twisting on itself, so that’s when I took the picture that would later turn into my label.


Whiskey is distilled from beer, globally. If the final result is a 20 to 1 reduction, doesn’t it make sense to use the best beer possible? That’s what I did and I am sure the IPA beer I used, hops and all, is the most expensive beer ever used to make whiskey. The result of using a great IPA is all the hop flavors and two row malty flavors distilled over into the final spirit. The hops give the D&T a fruity, floral, very green spicy character, unlike any other whiskey out there. That is exciting to me. I did not want to duplicate anybody’s style of Whiskey; I wanted to make my own style that accents the ingredients.


It was barrel aged for a day and then bottled clear to capture the true whiskey flavors.

Jenni & I bottled 200 cases (6-pack, liter bottles). The intent is not to take over the world; just to make the best whiskey possible and take care of friends.


We like to serve D&T on the rocks.

---Charbay







Sep 30, 2010

Petit Orval?

Will we eventually see Petit Orval??

Catching up on some reading in the current All About Beer Magazine:
They have a very interesting interview with Jean Marie Rock, the brewmaster of Orval. In 2007 a new 5 million dollar brewhouse was built and it can produce 214 U.S. Barrels now. Everything is automatic now. Of interesting note, Jean-Marie hinted that Petit Orval might become a commercial brand. Orval produces a second beer called Petit Orval that is only served at the Orval Cafe--never sold outside of Belgium.

"Rock casually announces that come the end of 2010, Petit Orval will be produced as a stand-alone brew rather than as a parti-gyle...but does brewing 25,000 liters batch mean it will be a commercial brand? Rock smiles again and says nothing." -- All About Beer


Also of interesting note in the article....they were talking about the dry hopping of Orval....
"Either East Kent Goldings or Styrian Goldings have been flavored at times, but on our visit the Alsatian variety Strisselspalt was in use. .." -- All About Beer
Is it normal for them use different hops?
Enjoy the regular Orval while we wait and see?


Orval Trappist Ale
"The gustative sensations will gain in nuance depending on the age of the beer. Young beer is characterised by a bouquet of fresh hops, with a fruity note and pronounced bitterness, light on the palate and a less firm collar than a beer of six months. The latter will feature a bouquet consisting of a blend of fragrances of yeast and old-fashioned hop. The bitterness is more diffuse and the taste has moved to a slight touch of acidity accompanying yeast and caramel flavours. Served without its sediments, a beer of six months or more, has a particularly bright appearance." -- Orval
Rated 99 percentile on RateBeer
Read more about Orval
Order Orval online now
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Year of the bacon continues....

The next one just arrived at Forsyth....
From Kentucky ---

"Our hams are cured by a formula our family has used for over 100 years. We use real green hickory to smoke our hams, bacon and sausage.We sincerely believe that any menu is not complete without Father's country ham, and we know that you will soon feel the same way. Our hams and variety packages also make perfect gifts, so keep us in mind for all of your gift-giving needs. The Gatton Family appreciates your business, and we will earn it by producing the best in Country Cured Meats." Sincerely, The Gatton Family"


This one looks and smells delicious -- cannot wait to try it...
Father's Bourbon Flavored Bacon 1lb package
Father's Bourbon Flavored Country Bacon is flavored with Father's Bourbon Flavored Rub. Now you can enjoy two great Kentucky flavors, Fathers Hickory Smoked Bacon and Kentucky Bourbon Flavor.

Also in stock....
Father's Country Ham Uncooked Country Ham
Center Sliced Ham Steak
Gatton Farms carefully selects each ham and sugar cures it using the method perfected and passed down through generations of Gattons. Our country hams are aged for at least eight months. Today, we still take pride in our "No short cuts" approach, which produces the unique old fashioned taste, texture, and color of Father's Country Hams." -