It was nice meeting a bunch of you at the St. Louis Brews homebrew meeting last night. A lot of beers to be had last night, I noticed some of you had to drop out. For shame! On to the Round-Up:

Stuff from around the web

• The Bible, Beer and the New York Times
• Science, Burgers and Beer
• Lee Koehler reviews Schlafly Kolsch
• Anheuser-Busch and the NHL, BFF.

Beer Releases and News

• Andy from Whole Foods let’s us know about some new beers he has in his stock (and remember if you don’t see it on the shelf, be sure to ask for it):
  • Bell’s Brewery - Oberon Mini Kegs
  • Lefthand Rye Bock 750ml
  • New Grist 6pks
  • Reunion bombers
  • Maredsous 8 & 10 4pks
  • Ommegang Witte 750ml
  • Southern Tier Cherry Saison
• Paul at The Wine and Cheese Place in Clayton alerts me to some new beers he has in stock at the Clayton and Rock Hill locations:
  • BrewDog Punk IPA (660)
  • BrewDog The Physics (660)
  • Paradox 009 Ardbeg Stout (330)
  • Paradox 005 Glen Moray Stout (375)
  • Samichlaus 2006 3 liter bottle
  • Southern Tier Cherry Saison
  • Left Hand Rye Bock
  • Left Hand Twin Sisters Double IPA
• Mike Cherre, Beer Consultant at Lukas Liquor posts on their blog some of the new selections they have in stock:
  • Left Hand Rye Bock (750ml bottles)
  • BrewDog: The Physics (22oz bottle)
  • BrewDog: Punk IPA (22oz bottle)
  • J.W. Lee’s Calvados 2006
  • Leipziger Gose
  • Jan de Lichte Double Wit
  • Schlafly Reserve Imperial Stout 2007
  • Schlafly Reserve Barleywine 2007
  • New Belgium La Folie

Here’s a list of upcoming beer events:

• June 6 & 7 - St. Louis Microfest
• June 17 - STL Hops Meet Up
• June 21 - Hermann’s Rhythm and Brews

Andy Snead, the Beer Specialist for the Brentwood Whole Foods, informs me that Anderson Valley Brewing Company is in the process of registering with Missouri Beverage (MOBev) for the state of Missouri.  If everything goes well, we should start seeing Anderson Valley Brewing on the shelves by the end of July.  Word is that we’ll be seeing the ESB, IPA, Pale Ale, Oatmeal Stout, Brother David, along with the Summer seasonal.

Here’s to looking forward to July.

In the continuing series of beer classes put on by Andy Snead and Ric Syberg from Whole Foods, this month brings us a tasting of some of the best IPAs the world has to offer:

Come in tonight for some devilishly good India Pale Ales, otherwise known as IPA’s. First brewed in England, IPA’s were exported for the British troops in India during the late 1700s. To withstand the voyage, pale ales were “tweaked” to become IPA’s. The resulting brew was much more “malty”, boasted higher alcohol content and was well-hopped, as hops are a natural preservative. Historians believe that the IPA was then watered down for the troops, while officers and the elite would savor the full strength version. To try some brew and learn more, sign up now, this one sells out quick!

These are always extremely fun events with plenty of knowledge along with plenty of great beer. This event will be held on May 15th at Whole Foods in Brentwood from 6:30-8PM. The cost of the event is $20 and tickets can be purchased here.

I hope everyone is ready for a great weekend of drinking, this festival is shaping to be even better than last year’s. Here’s the Round-Up:

Stuff from around the web

• Fox’s Screwballs took a trip over to Anheuser-Busch before the Cubs-Cards series.
• Matt’s Beer Blog reviewed Schlafly’s Export IPA.
• Adam Jadhav of the Post-Dispatch has created a new column called Hip Hops. This is the first in what’s hopefully many columns to come.
• The Slag Pile picks up some beer at Lukas Liquor.

Beer Releases and News

• Andrew from Bon Vivant Wines informs me to some new beers he has in his stock:
  • DFH 120 Minute (Maybe today, probably next week)
  • Founders Rubaeus
  • DFH Aprihop
  • Schlafly Export IPA
  • Jolly Pumpkin Calbaza lanca, Bam & E.S. Bam
  • Two Brothers Monarch White
  • Sierra Nevada Summerfest
  • Hofbrau Maibock
  • Avery Collaboration
  • Lefthand Chainsaw
• Paul at The Wine and Cheese Place in Clayton alerts me to some new beers he has in stock:
  • Jolly Pumpkin - Bam Bier Batch 280/281
  • Jolly Pumpkin - Calabaza Blanca Batch 285
  • Jolly Pumpkin - ES Bam Batch 288/289
  • Jolly Pumpkin - La Roja Blend 4,2008
  • Jolly Pumpkin - Oro de Calabaza Batch 275
  • Altenmunster Maibock
  • Bison Brewing Reunon 08 Organic Red Rye
  • Lindemans Cuvee Rene
  • Traquair House Ale
• Paul also informed me for those not attending the Heritage Festival, that they’ll be tasting the Jolly Pumpkin beers at the Wine and Cheese Place in Clayton between Noon and 3PM.
• Ric at Sybergs on Gravois alerts me to some new beers he’s carrying for your drinking enjoyment:
  • Augie’s Rye Pale Ale
  • Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout

Here’s a list of upcoming beer events:

• May 8, 9, 10 - St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival
• May 10 - Iron Barley’s 5th Anniversary Party
• May 14 - Newstead Tower Schlafly Beer Dinner
• May 15 - Whole Foods IPA Beer Tasting
• May 15 - Mangia Italiano Spring Beer Dinner
• May 29 - Starr’s May Beer Dinner

I’ve had a few people that are still on the lookout for O’Fallon’s Pappy Van Winkle Smoked Porter so I though I’d share an email Derrick Bean from O’Fallon sent over to me.

Just an FYI, I have noticed a few places so far this week who still have some Pappy Van Winkle Whiskey Smoked Porter left on their shelves:
Hampton House of Liquors–12 Bottles
Dierbergs Brentwood–4 bottles

In addition, Randall’s in Fairview, Corral in Granite City and Plaza Liquors in O’Fallon, Illinois won’t be getting their cases until sometime this week

Also, the 4 Friar Tuck stores in Champaign, Bloomington, Peoria and Springfield, Illinois should all be getting theirs next Tuesday.

Lastly, the local Friar Tuck store opening in Crestwood will have 1 case to sell once they open in a couple of weeks.

I was also told by Andy Sneed from Whole Foods, that they will begin selling it on May 5th, so that’s another place you can check. We have a thread in the forum devoted to where you can find this beer.  Pop on over and check it out.

Ric Syberg, one of the Culinary Directors at Whole Foods in Brentwood, has also taken on the task of being the beer buyer for Syberg’s on Gravois. Ric has done all of us beer nerds the favor of adding some new beer to the Syberg’s menu. He’s added beers such as Rouge Dead Guy Ale, Bells Two Hearted Ale and (correct me if I’m wrong) two beers (thank you Dave) one beer I’ve never seen on a local beer menu here in St. Louis: Goose Island Imperial IPA and Goose Island Bourbon County Stout.

At 5 bucks per 12oz bottle retail, I’m kind of curious to see how much Syberg’s is planning to sell the Goose Island beers for. More important is that us beer nerds make the effort to patronize the location and show them that when they care about beer, we care about them.

In the continuing series of beer classes put on by Andy Snead from Whole Foods, this month brings us a tasting of Tripels from around the world:

Come with us on a “tripel” around the world as we celebrate this fantastic style of beer. The name “Tripel” actually stems from part of the brewing process, in which brewers use up to three times the amount of malt than a standard Belgian ale. Traditionally, Tripels are bright yellow to gold in color, which is a shade or two darker than the average Pilsner. Head should be big, dense and creamy. Aroma and flavor runs along complex, spicy phenols, powdery yeast, fruity with a sweet finish. Bitterness is up there for a beer with such a light body for its strength, but at times is barely perceived amongst the even balance of malts and hops. The lighter body comes from the use of Belgian candy sugar (up to 25% sucrose), which not only lightens the body, but also adds complex alcoholic aromas and flavors. Small amounts of spices are sometimes added as well. And, they are downright delicious. We’ll taste tripels from all over, so join us on this ride round the world, or at least through America and Europe. Cheers!

These are always extremely fun events with plenty of knowledge along with plenty of great beer. This event will be held on April 16 at Whole Foods in Brentwood from 6:30-8PM. The cost of the event is $20 and tickets can be purchased here.

In the run up to the Repeal of Prohibition Festival at Schlafly Bottleworks, Whole Food’s Culinary Director Ric Syberg, is putting on a pre-party:

It’s a good thing that Prohibition was repealed; otherwise we wouldn’t have the sweet nectar we call beer. Come join us to celebrate the anniversary of the Repeal of Prohibition on this special night. Consider it a pre-party in preparation for the big festival at Schlafly Bottleworks! We’ll have a spectacular line-up of Schlafly Beer paired with some delectable appetizers prepared by Ric. It’s going to be prohibitively fun! 

This event takes place on April 5th, from 6:30-8PM.  The cost of the event is $25 and the tickets can be purchased here.

Andy Sneed, the beer specialist at Whole Foods, let me know that starting on Friday he’ll be selling the Goose Island Imperial IPA for $13.99 a 4 pack. Normally priced at $19.99 a 4 pack, this is an amazing deal on a fantastic beer. As these were the last few cases available from Gray Eagle, this beer won’t last long. Make sure to say “hi” to Andy while you’re there.

Way back on February 4th, I mentioned that Left Hand Brewing Company would be making it’s way to the St. Louis market. Well, that day has arrived. No longer will you have to drive over to the East Side to get your Left Hand fix (though you should still visit your favorite Illinois beer stores whenever you can) you can now find it at your favorite beer store in Missouri.

A few quick calls tells me that a few of the stores with Left Hand in their possession are: Whole Foods, Wine and Cheese Place (in Clayton and Rock Hill) and Lukas Liquor. Give your favorite beer store a call to find out the availability at their location.

Remember everyone, the more we buy these new beers in the market the more likely they are to keep adding new breweries. It helps everyone in the long run.