Stephen Beaumont has a great post today – Lessons on Beer Style From Keef
The BA’s categories do work well in the role for which they have been fashioned, specifically to provide medal categories for the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup. But in using them for anything beyond that purpose, we’d be wise to recall that one person’s jazz is another’s blues
My take: beer categories are a good reference point so that we can communicate about a beer. Outside of that context, they really are bullsh*t – right up there with the 100 point rating system on wines.
Maryland’s Comptroller finally released his report about the state of buying wine on-line. There are mixed reviews because he basically says that its OK to buy wine directly from a winery, but doesn’t think that local retailers can compete with out-of-state retailers.
I’ll let you judge that for yourself.
So – can I get beer shipped to me directly from breweries. I don’t think so. It’s difficult to believe that this is still an issue.
More coverage here and here.
This article from the Baltimore Sun has some real gems in it.
“When one of Maryland’s most famous chefs (presently featured with his brother Michael Voltaggio in two-page spread in the Williams-Sonoma catalogue) and the nation’s most famous wine connoisseur get together and the resulting meal is somehow regarded as a violation of the law, then there’s a problem with the law.”
…
“Just as wine lovers should have the right to have wine legally shipped to their door, customers ought to be able to bring it with them to lunch or dinner at a restaurant that’s willing to allow such a practice.”
My commentary: while the law is beyond stupid, we shouldn’t lose focus that this affects good beer too.
Maryland has found a new voice in the debate and this time it’s a Top Chef. Hopefully the entire Restaurant Association will catch on.
The Comptroller of Maryland has released a survey for Maryland citizens. The results are to be sent to the legislature as part of the study agreed to during the last legislative session.
Vinotrip offers some guidance through this survey. So think about your answers wisely.
I was talking to a friend of mine who mentioned a local German homebrew competition taking place. In that conversation we talked about a style that was knew to me – German porter. Check out the article that was dug up on this style. I don’t think this style is currently covered in the BJCP style guidelines but it is pretty cool nonetheless.
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