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America’s Coolest Home Brewery built by Chris Bowen of Hammersmith Ales
HammerSmith Ales started in 2005 , the idea for the name Hammersmith was originally inspired after the town outside of London, England. HammerSmith is rich in history and has a few landmarks significant to music, a famous bridge and an important stop along the river Thames. Chris’s interest in British culture started many years ago, he has always been a fan of British beer , authors of literature, and British personalities. Early on in my exploration of beer, he quickly discovered breweries like Fuller’s, Shepard Naeme, Young’s, Samuel Smith and Greene King. When he started brewing, he quickly decided that he was going to focus on British style beers like English Bitters, Extra Special Bitter , India Pale Ale, Old Ale and Barleywine.

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Savant Systems 1400
This portable brewery on wheels is a HERMS system =Heat Exchanged Recirculating Mash System. Total finished brewing size is 10 gallons. Water is induced from a Reverse Osmosis System and is built back up again depending on the style and region of original brewing water. The system can reproduce approximately 70 different water profiles thoughout the world. Replicating water from the likes of Dublin, London, Pilsen, Dortmunder and Prauge are within our grasp. This system was custom built from scratch, all the plans and designs are a patent pending design of Hammersmith Ales 2006

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Patent application for a beer keg or barrel submitted by Joseph C. Roth in 1897.

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH C. ROTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Kegs or Barrels, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to sheet-metal kegs or barrels, more particularly that class of barrels employed for beer, wines, or other liquors, and it will be fully and clearly hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a beer-keg made in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on or about line a  Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a vertical central section through one section of the in-V ner case of the keg or barrel. Fig. 4 represents an enlarged sectional elevation through a portion of a side of a keg, the section passing centrally through the bung-hole and showing the construction thereof. Fig. 5 represents a detached top view of one of the outwardly-screw-threaded inner rings. Fig. 6 represents a top face View of the improved bung.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 and 1 represent, respectively, the two outer sections, Which are preferably stamped from sheet steel of suitable size and thickness, one section being provided with an enlarged rim 2, which overlaps the edge 2n of the other section when tied together. The outer sections are also provided with strengthening enlarged portions or’peripheral rings 3, which are designed to represent the hoops of an ordinary barrel. The interior sections 4 and 4% are also preferably stamped from sheet-steel, the edge 5 of one section also being enlarged to overlap the edge 5 of the other. (See Fig. 2.) A filling of asbestos 6 is interposed between the outer and inner sections. material may be used, but asbestos is preferred on account of its Well-known fireproof qualities. y

Informing the bung-holes (see Fig. 4) a circular opening 7 is formed in the inner section, having an outwardly-extending rim S, and an opening 9 of the larger circumference and adapted to register with the opening 7 in the inner Other section when the sections are all properly fitted together is formed in the outer section.

A circular ring 10, having an interior circular opening of substantially the same diameter as the opening 7 and an outer peripheral screwthread 11 terminating in a lower circular enlargement or flange 12, is seated upon and rigidly secured to the rim 8 by brazing or other well-known means. A circular portion 13, provided with an interior screw-thread 14, adapted to fit the screwthread 11, and inwardly and outwardly projecting top flanges 15 and 16, is screwed upon the ring 10 until the flange 15 comes in contact with and is firmly seated upon the top of the ring 10 and the outer flange 16 comes in contact with and is firmly seated upon the edge portion of the outer section surrounding the opening 9. The outer flange 16 is provided with the usual peripheral hexagonal portion 17 to receive the operating wrench or tool.

It will be noticed by referring to the drawings, particularly Fig. 2, that one of these bung-holes is placed at the juncture-point of the sections, another below the same, and one in the top end; but they may be differently arranged and more or less used if desired. The overlapping edges of the sections are rigidly fastened to each other by brazing or other well-known means.

The bung I intend to use with my improved keg consists of an outer ring of wood 18, which is driven tightly into the bung-hole, and an interior core of cork 19. (See Fig. 6.)

The ends of the kegs are also provided with circular projecting rims 20, which are adapted to be grasped by the ringers when handling the kegs.

My improved keg can be manufactured to conform exactly to the United States standard measure. It cannot shrink or leak, is absolutely water and airtight, and also fireproof. It keeps the beer or other liquid cooler in summer and warmer in winter, and the head cannot be knocked out and the keg used for any purpose other than as a .receptacle for liquids.

The kegs are preferably covered with an interior and exterior coating of pitch, varnish, or enamel to prevent rusting the metal. I claim as my invention IOO A keg consisting of an outer metallic shell and an inner metallic shell each shell being formed in two sections with the edge of one section overlapping the other, a filling of asbestos or similar material interposed between the two shells, the inner shell having a series of circular openings provided with raised rings, supplementary annular ring portions each provided with a peripheral screw-thread terminating at its lower end in a peripheral enlargement or flange and brazed or otherwise rigidly secured to the top of one of the raised rings and the outer shell having a corresponding series of openings of the larger circumference and adapted to register with the corresponding openings in the inner shell and annular portions each provided with au interior screw-thread and a top flange and adapted to be inserted in one of the openings in the outer shell and screwed Upon the adjacent supplementary ring portion of the inner shell, as set forth.

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The Old St. Francis School, conveniently located in the center of downtown Bend, has undergone a transformation from 1936 Catholic schoolhouse to lively destination hotel complete with classrooms-turned-lodging rooms, a pub, brewery and bakery, a movie theater, private meeting and event space and a truly fantastic soaking pool that beckons day travelers, shoppers, hikers, skiers and snowboarders alike.

This school offers 19 richly appointed guestrooms and four individual rental cottages with room for 2 to 10 people, perfect for group getaways. Old St. Francis School reopened in its current capacity in November 2004 and we honor the property’s former life by featuring extensive artwork that pays homage to the history of the school and the surrounding community.

Photos, memorabilia and students’ artwork adorn the walls, making the hotel a unique gallery of sorts. Take special note of the colorful orbs that punctuate the high wooden fencing around the property, the unusual custom-made light fixtures and absolutely stunning tile mosaics that surround the soaking pool.

The Old St. Francis Pub
Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the pub’s deep booths and original artwork make for a comfortable spot to linger over any meal. Set in the former Catholic school’s main building, the pub offers hearty pub fare, handcrafted ales brewed right downstairs in the onsite brewery and seasonal weekly specials.

On warm days, guests can sit in the outside courtyard to enjoy their food and drinks al fresco. Or perhaps order some pizza to go for a picnic anywhere. Call (541) 382-5174 for pizza to go orders.

Old St. Francis School Brewery
The onsite brewery opened as part of the rejuvenated Old St. Francis School in 2004. Once the basement lunchroom of the former Catholic school, the area has been transformed to facilitate the creation of the handcrafted ales St. Francis’ patrons have come to know and admire. The brewery’s fermentation tanks are decorated with fantastical designs of mystical creatures and fairy-like imps.

Head Brewer Mike “Curly” White has been the resident brewer here since 2006, and his fine beers such as Father D’s Kolsch, Parson Brown & Gunslinger Pale Ale are all proven recipes savored by house regulars and those travelers passing through alike. During the summer months Curly is ably assisted by his unmistakably red-bearded Assistant Brewer Kevin Connell.

Old St. Francis Theater
Tucked away in the former parish hall of the old Catholic school is a place much more comfortable to sit than a hard wooden pew. The Old St. Francis School Theater, with seating for up to 150, offers visitors the chance to settle into an overstuffed chair or sofa and watch a recent release, cult classic or sporting event while enjoying a slice of pizza and a handcrafted McMenamins ale.

The Old St. Francis Theater offers pizza, snacks and, of course, popcorn. The full-service bar offers a wide variety of liquid refreshments to quench your thirst including McMenamins own handcrafted ales, wines and spirits. So sit back, relax on our cozy couches and chairs and take in all that the big screen has to offer.

Mcmenamins Old St Francis School
700 NW Bond St
Bend, OR 97701
Phone:(541) 382-5174
Website: www.mcmenamins.com/OldStFrancis

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AVONDALE ESTATES, Ga. – The Lost Druid, an “own-premise” brewery in Avondale Estates is now the first brewery in DeKalb County powered with solar energy provided by Velo Solar.

The 14.1 kW solar installation was created and is maintained by Atlanta-based Velo Solar. The array will save The Lost Druid as much as 15 percent on its annual power bill. In addition to that cost savings, it will reduce the operation’s carbon footprint by 42 metric tons of CO2 each year.

Created through a special financing arrangement offered by Velo Solar, the solar equipment is provided through a Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA). This allowed the panels and other infrastructure to be installed at no upfront cost to The Lost Druid.

The Lost Druid’s solar array will produce 21,514 kilowatt hours of power annually. This helps to run the brewery’s 6,800 square-foot operation, including its brewery, taproom, aging facility, kitchen, and upstairs event space.

Stacia Familo-Hopek, owner and co-founder of The Lost Druid, said the decision to “go solar” is in keeping with the brewery’s core mission.

“The Druids respected nature, and this is one of numerous measures we employ to minimize our impact on the environment,” she said. “Other environmentally sensitive initiatives we use include reclamation of our chilling water, a natural carbonation process, LED lighting and providing spent grain to local farmers for livestock feed.”

She said The Lost Druid selected Velo Solar to provide the solar installation because of Velo’s demonstrated expertise and customer-centric approach.

Britt Lothridge, director of sales for Velo Solar, said Georgia business owners have more options than ever to add solar to their energy resources. SEPAs make it easy to save money and contribute to a healthier environment, he explained.

“This is a great option for forward-thinking clients who want to reduce their reliance on utility-provided power without a hefty upfront investment,” he said. “They not only pay less for electricity month-to-month, they also reduce reliance on fossil fuels.”

About Velo Solar
Velo Solar is one of Georgia’s largest EPC solar firms providing engineering, consultation, installation and digital monitoring for renewable energy solutions designed to meet customers’ needs. Certified to the highest standards in the solar industry, Velo Solar is dedicated to system quality, customer service and reliable performance. For more information, visitwww.velosolar.com.

About The Lost Druid
Focused on serving beer lovers in its taproom rather than selling packaged products through retail outlets, The Lost Druid offers more than 20 frequently changing taps with a diverse selection of beers for a range of tastes. The Lost Druid’s facilities at 2866 Washington Street, Avondale Estates, GA, include its brewery, cellar/aging facility, taproom, kitchen and upstairs mezzanine with private event space. Two pet-friendly outdoor patios are enhanced with extensive landscaping and bike racks nearby. Visit thelostdruid.com for more information and updates, or search @thelostdruid on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

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In honor of Elvis’s Birthday, BeerInfo’s Beer of the Day is Brewdog Elvis Juice brewed by brewdog. Elvis Juice is an IPA like no other. This IPA puts grapefruit center stage. Primed with tart pithy grapefruit peel for a citrus assault on the senses. This zest zenith delivers intense US hop aromas. Gigantic grapefruit notes are tail-gated by orange and pine. All piled high on a caramel malt base. ABV: 6.5% IBU: 60

Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935. Presley is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music. He was commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, blues, and gospel. He won three competitive Grammys, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.

Lawsuit:
The Ellon-based brewer initially lost the right to call its grapefruit and blood orange IPA ‘Elvis Juice’ after the UK Intellectual Property Office found in favour of the Elvis Presley estate last June.

Before the first ruling, BrewDog founders James Watt and Martin Dickie both changed their names to ‘Elvis’ by deed poll after the estate took legal action against them.

The Presley estate objected after BrewDog applied to register ‘Elvis Juice’ and ‘BrewDog Elvis Juice’ as trademarks. It felt that the application was in conflict with its registered trademark and believed that people buying BrewDog’s beer could mistakenly believe that the estate had endorsed the product.

In the appeal hearing, BrewDog has been given permission to trademark ‘Brewdog Elvis Juice’ (but not ‘Elvis Juice’) and a ruling has been overturned which ordered the brewer to pay the estate £1,500 in costs.(The Drinks Buisness)

 

The Genesee Keg Tree is made from 520 empty beer kegs and is decorated with more than 30,000 colored lights. It stands 27 feet high, overlooking the High Falls in Rochester.

This Friday, December 6, the 6th Annual Genesee Brewery Keg Tree and it will brighten up the holiday-season night-time skies starting with a lighting celebration. This Keg Tree celebration is 5 to 9 p.m., with countdown to the lighting itself at 6:30 p.m. sharp. The tree and the lighting ceremony are at the Genesee Brew House adjacent to the Genesee Brewery, at St. Paul and Cataract streets just north of downtown Rochester. Admission is free; food and drink are available for purchase.

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The History of Pilsner Urquell
Pilsner Urquell isn’t just a brand—it’s a revolution in a glass. Born in 1842 in the Bohemian city of Plzeň (Pilsen), now part of the Czech Republic, Pilsner Urquell is recognized as the world’s first pale lager and the pioneer of an entirely new style of beer: the pilsner.

A Bold Response to Brewing Disappointment
In the early 19th century, the citizens of Plzeň were unhappy with the quality of local beer. To fix the problem, they built a new brewery—Měšťanský Pivovar (Citizens’ Brewery)—and hired Bavarian brewmaster Josef Groll. Groll brought with him the knowledge of bottom fermentation, a technique that, combined with the city’s soft water, locally grown Saaz hops, and pale malt, resulted in a crisp, clear, golden lager unlike anything the world had seen before.

On October 5, 1842, the first batch of this new beer was tapped. Its brilliant clarity, bright golden color, and refreshing bitterness stunned the local population. Word spread quickly, and soon Pilsner-style lagers were being brewed across Europe and around the globe.

The Birth of a Global Icon
“Pilsner Urquell,” meaning “Original Source of Pilsner,” was adopted to distinguish the beer from the many imitators that followed. Today, over 70% of all beer consumed worldwide is brewed in the pilsner style, making Pilsner Urquell the foundational beer for modern brewing.

What makes it unique even now? The brewery continues to use traditional methods—triple decoction mashing, open flame copper kettles, and fermentation in oak lagering barrels—preserving the rich malt character and balanced bitterness that define the beer.

A Lasting Legacy
Now brewed by Plzeňský Prazdroj (part of the Asahi Group), Pilsner Urquell remains a symbol of Czech brewing heritage. Whether poured with the creamy head of a “hladinka” or enjoyed fresh from a wooden barrel in Plzeň’s historic cellars, this legendary lager continues to set the standard nearly two centuries after its creation.

 

Pilsner Urquell Brewery
U Prazdroje 64/7
301 00 Plzeň
Czech Republic​
Phone: 420 377 062 888
Website: pilsnerurquell.com

 

 

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The following story is by Gary Gillman from beeretseq.com
Dow Ale was a legend in Quebec brewing until a strange event in the late 1960s spelled the end of the brand as a force. Quebec City, the old capital of the Province of Quebec, was a stronghold of the Dow brand. William Dow had started brewing in the 1800s in the Province. By the 1960s and after various mergers and takeovers, Dow, formerly named National Breweries, had four main brands: Dow Ale, Kingsbeer (a lager), Champlain Porter, and Dow Porter. Dow Ale was the big seller.

In 1966, hospitals in Quebec City started to notice that a spate of men in their 40s-60s, known to be heavy beer drinkers, were suffering from cardiomyopathy. It’s an ailment often manifested by irregularity of heart rhythm. Many died, something like 20-25 persons. Not all these men consumed the Dow brand but most did. Dow in Quebec City – it had a brewery there and in Montreal – made the fateful decision to dump its inventory of Dow Ale, a good faith gesture meant to reassure people. However, the population viewed the action as an admission of culpability. The beer forever became known as “la bière qui tue“, or the beer which kills.

Medical studies conducted by Quebec authorities never established a direct link between Dow’s beer and the deaths. Nevertheless, many experts felt that cobalt sulphate, then used in some brewing to improve head or foam retention, probably caused or exacerbated the medical issue. To be sure, these men were heavy drinkers, they consumed a dozen beers each day or more. Also, the malady seemed to be concentrated in Quebec City, yet Montreal was a large market too for the brand.

But while many breweries in Quebec added cobalt sulphate to their beer at the time, Dow apparently used an unusually large amount, some accounts state ten times the normal quantity. Hence the feeling on the part of many doctors that cobalt was probably responsible, but it was never conclusively proved. Still, Dow stopped using the chemical after the debâcle and the deaths did not recur, at least not in the concentrations that had been noticed.

Needless to say Dow beer fell sharply in sales after the disaster. In 1972 the brand was sold to another brewery, Molson Breweries in Montreal, which continued to brew the beer until the early 1990s. In 1987 Molson merged with Carling O’Keefe, the final successor to National Breweries (itself a combination of 14 breweries formed after WW I of which Dow was a key component).

Online there are numerous examinations of this unique incident in both Canadian and international brewing history. Here is a good place to start, for those interested in more information.

In recent posts, I was discussing the great Quebec and Canadian culinary authority Jehane Benoit, and it turns out she had a connection to Dow.

Benoit had studied food science in Paris in the 1920s under a master nutrition expert, Edouard de Pomiane. I was discussing beer cuisine in various francophone areas in the world, and noted that Quebec cuisine appeared to have only a few recipes using beer.

But Dow Brewery was a client of Mme Benoit in the 1950s, she did promotions for them and this led to a book of recipes called, in English, Cooking With Dow. While the origin of the recipes in the book is diverse and some were probably invented by Mme Benoit, this book must be considered to enlarge the number of Quebec dishes which employ beer in cooking. It is not, therefore, just in the last 20 years or so that books have appeared in Quebec proposing a beer-based gastronomy. The creative and enterprising Mme Benoit was doing it in the 1950s.

Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.

In a later post, I will discuss some interesting recipes proposed by this great food authority.

 

Personal note: In 1986, I visited Montreal and picked up a 12 pack of Dow Ale.  When I moved to Toronto in 1985, I asked if anyone had heard about Dow beer.  An old guy(42 years old) said, “Yea, I do. Dow, the beer that kills.” It was only sold in Quebec in the 80’s and early 90’s.