Brewnotes

I recently talked about Maryland’s arcane liquor laws.   Looks like something is finally starting to happen…

A bill has emerged in the House with many more sponsors than last years bill.    I’m making this my one issue this year.   If you represent me and don’t support this bill, I’m NOT VOTING FOR YOU!      You (my delegates and senators) have repeatedly ignored public sentiment.    We are watching.  After all, you represent us, not the lobbyists.

Update (9/22/09): James Malone, Jr (one of my delegates) has signed on as a sponsor of this bill.

Ben Brouse Uncategorized

Very small changes to Jamil’s recipe from Brewing Classic Styles.    A flavorful yet refreshing session beer.  It has a balanced but firm bitterness, low hop character and a touch of fermentation character from the yeast.  Easy drinking and highly quaffable.

Ingredients:

Hops:

Yeast:

Yield:

Ben Brouse Food & Drink, Homebrew

This editorial in the Baltimore Sun is spot on.   I never thought I’d agree with anything in that paper but this just shows you how deep the good ol’ boy network is entrenched in Annapolis, MD.   Here are the highlights in case you don’t click through.

Maryland has clung to an outdated, three-tiered regulatory system developed after Prohibition that requires alcohol to pass from producer to wholesaler to retailer before it reaches the consumer. Clearly, its authors never anticipated the growth of the U.S. wine industry and its thousands of small producers creating wines in relatively small batches.
Advocates estimate that perhaps only 15 percent of American-made wines can be found in Maryland restaurants and store shelves today. The rest is denied to the public because of the ban on direct shipment.

If you don’t agree with this outdated law, you can do something about it.   Free the Grapes, a national, grassroots coalition, has been leading the charge to remove restrictions on wine direct shipping.   They will help you sign a petition  and get it to your state legislator.

Ben Brouse Uncategorized