Suds: August 6

Curiosity. It’s the fuel that propelled us into space in the first place and will fling us headlong into the future of our understanding of the universe.

If this photo isn’t a good enough reason to fund NASA, than there is none.

- Let’s start with some great news. Here are the mid-year volume numbers from the Brewers Association.

- MPLS release at Town Hall Brewery tomorrow in Mpls. Oh wait, I see what they did there…

- Congrats to Sprecher Brewing for winning six medals at the US Open Beer Championship.

- Michigan’s UP Fall Beer Festival has tickets still available. Check it out here.

- New Glarus’ lambic beers are as good as gold and this article proves it!

- Big Dawg Brewhaus wins in Indiana.

- Let them drink beer: Alabama lifted its ban on Dirty Bastard.

If you’ve got a telescope, I’ve got some beer. Let’s look for Curiosity!

Suds: July 30

Editor’s Note: These are my opinions so don’t get all worked up at the blog over them.

Let me start by saying the whole Chic-fil-a debate is much more nuanced than anyone wants to give it credit for, diving into black and white arguments that devolve into hatred and name calling. As a blog, we here at MwBC DO NOT and WILL NOT under any circumstances condone bigotry toward any group of human beings. Life is a marathon and we’re all in it together and sometimes it’s awful and sometimes it’s great, but we really don’t need to go out of our way to make it any more miserable for anyone else. That being said, we’re all missing the point: a bunch of Chicagoans are arguing about a plain chicken sandwich. Don’t like Chic-fil-a’s policies? No big deal. Go eat a hot dog! Eat literally anything else. People come to Chicago from all over the world just to eat the food. Why should anyone care about a chicken sandwich chain? I do not want my food to be tied to any political stance because it’s food and I need to eat it. I will take my money elsewhere and be equally satisfied (probably more so).

I’d rather eat at the Bad Apple anyway.

Along with our stance on equality, as a beer blog, we’re devoted exclusively to regional cuisines. I wrote about it before and I’ll write about it again. Chic-fil-a presents more of an issue because it homogenizes a culinary landscape. Chicago already has great chicken places with a rich history! They have even more history as the Carl Sandburg’s “hog butcher for the world.” I do not stand for imperialism of any kind, particularly when it comes to food (bigoted food in particular).

Phew, I’ve calmed down now. Have yourself a Chicago-style hot dog, drag that thing through the garden, grab some Old Style and let’s get to Suds.

-Beer Here: Radio Free IBA from Lake Louie.

-I have missed the Tour de Fat every year since I turned 21. Articles like this make incredibly sad…

-A rooftop pig roast? Sounds perfect.

-Neat stuff on Dry Hop Brewery in Chicago.

-Good luck getting reservations for these City Provisions dinners…

-I love Wisconsin for plenty of reasons, but mainly for places like this: Eddie’s Ale House.

-Sad to have missed reporting on Summer Brew. I guess we can start getting ready for Winter Brew?

-I don’t know what to think about a black saison, but I guess I have to try it…

-Finally, to fit with the season I typed “olympics” and “beer” into Google and found this article about how many calories some olympic athletes consume. Sorry, no science here, but imagine how much food these people would have to eat if they wanted to gain weight. I just don’t think it’s possible.

Have beer opinions? Tell us about them on Facebook, Twitter (@midwestbeer) or email us at mwbeercollective@gmail.com.

Suds: July 25

Running behind today, so you’ll just have to enjoy this photo:

Seriously, don’t lose that number. Or that pretzel.

That’s the album cover of Steely Dan’s Pretzel Logic. Follow this link to the exact spot in NYC (isn’t everything in NYC?). Stick tap to my roommate for alerting me to this blog, Quipsologies (great fonts). They linked to PopSpots today and that brings me to where I am right now.

Who needs a beer? How about a Schlitz and let’s get to Suds.

-We don’t give nearly enough due to St. Louis, so please take the time to check out all the awesomeness happening at St. Louis Craft Beer Week.

-Like Finch’s beer? Dislike cystic fibrosis? Then this event is for you! Somewhat related, MwBC is emphatically PRO Chicago’s new food truck laws.

-One Barrel Brewing is predictably overwhelmed by demand. This guy is so awesome.

-It was inevitable: A meadery in Madison. And yes, that’s apparently how you spell that…

-Ambivalent about lambics, but always excited to hear from the brewers behind the beer themselves.

-I would lose in a staring contest with Robert Goulet. Those eyes!

-Not Havel, Hommel!

-Only Guys Drinking Beer could have the foresight to review a 2009 Dark Horse…

-Finally, why do I have to be so defensive about the Rick Nash trade? At least some of the CBJ blogging community agrees with me. Someone had to score goals in Columbus, but they are definitely better off without him.

Need more hockey? So do we. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@midwestbeer) or send an email to mwbeercollective@gmail.com.

Suds: July 23

Form. Function. Design. Bicycling is truly a thing of beauty. From retro-rebuilds to bamboo bikes, biking exemplifies an overall artistic experience. The other day I was at the Art Institute of Chicago (take some time and check out the Lichtenstein retrospective, will ya?) and I came across the book Velo: Bicycle Culture and Design.

While you’re admiring these wheels, why not consider commuting to work via bicycle? Or perhaps just to the grocery store? In honor, grab a Fixed Gear from Lakefront and let’s get to Suds.

-Beer lunch? This is a novel concept to me that I can see myself really enjoying.

-Way too cool: Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest.

-Best tap handle ever? Best tap handle ever. I really love the bowling ball, really ties the whole thing together.

-I just love this picture: Abbey Brewing Project at Northern Brewer.

-New Glarus production up 10 percent. I only see good things here.

-Steer the course, Lagunitas, Chicago wants you to come home.

-Finally, we haven’t implored you to go to the Old Fashioned in a really long time. So go to the Old Fashioned and drink one of their 150 Wisconsin beers.

Suds: July 13

I guess I should mention something about Friday the 13th? Not sure it’s especially pertinent anymore. Besides, I’ve got science on the brain (or in the brain, around the brain, everywhere). In honor of the Higgs boson particle, today let’s take a look back at one of the biggest blunders in recent science history: NASA’s claims of arsenic-based life.

Arsenic and Old Lace

Way back in 2010, rumors started spreading about a species of bacteria could use arsenic as a substitute for phosphorus in DNA. NASA got behind the discovery in a big way, citing galactic implications for the generation of life [1]. After the honeymoon, everything just sort of fell apart. Hundreds of scientists disputed the claims and went so far as to accuse Felisa Wolfe-Simon—the leading researcher—of practicing bad scientific technique [2]. For more hard science, check out this paper effectively destroying any previously conceived notions about life-sustaining arsenic and this comic [3].

It’s Friday, so who needs a drink? Grab a Daisy Cutter from Half Acre and let’s get to Suds.

-I seriously love this series: Guys drinking beer try some New Glarus from 2009. Keep on abiding, my friends.

-I would kill to be this cold right now.

-More beer from Sweden with some glorious photos. Awesome stuff.

-Founder’s is 15!

-Don’t know if I believe this at all, but apparently some statistics show beer sales are down? Not sure relying on taxes is the way to go for charting this, but hey, I’m just a pantsless blogger.

-Small brewmasters of Missouri, unite!

-Finally, seriously, everyone must take a trip to the Mustard Museum. It’s glorious.

[1] This ties into the idea that life originated somewhere else and was carried here, not unlike Prometheus, but probably way less contrived and painful to watch with 3d glasses. Interesting aside, the reason arsenic is poisonous to mammalian cells comes from its chemical structure. Arsenic sits directly below Phosphorous in the periodic table, and so when arsenic is present cells will mistake it for phosphorous and try to construct DNA out of it. The structure falls apart and you can guess what happens after that…

[2] Gasp!

[3] Stick tap to J.J. Berg for alerting me to this entire story.

Huzzah! Friday! Science! Tweet (@midwestbeer)! Facebook! Email (mwbeercollective@gmail.com)!

Suds: July 11

Each year, for whatever reason, the time between the Stanley Cup finals and the next hockey season becomes inextricably elongated. Perhaps it’s the sour taste in my mouth as my Hawks have bitten the dust in the past two playoffs leaving very little room for the sweetness of a Stanley Cup in 2010. Perhaps it’s the impending new collective bargaining agreement. Perhaps it’s the fact that I haven’t skated since the day before the ice at Tenney Park melted to make way for spring. It doesn’t matter. I love hockey and have a hard time without it.

The Thinker.

This summer I’ve been more proactive about my longing. Working my way through Ken Dryden’s mellifluous and expansive The Game has nicely filled the void (and made me an even bigger Habs fan). Dryden writes about hockey much in the same way Americans revere Abner Doubleday and the inception of baseball:

The Canadian game of hockey was weaned on long northern winters uncluttered by things to do. It grew up on ponds and rivers, in the big open spaces, unorganized, often solitary, only occasionally moved into arenas for practices or games.

Expect more from me on this compelling book, especially as America wrestles with its newfound affinity for the game and intellectualism replaces the stagnant analysis we’ve come to expect from modern sports discussion.

Phew, this is almost a Hoptellectual…In honor of the Central Waters Peruvian Morning I found in our Nation’s Capital, let’s get to Suds.

-Beer Here: Wisconsinite Summer Weiss from Lakefront. Hell yes.

-Haven’t been to the Chicago suburbs in a while, but this seems like a great reason to change that…

-Great science makes great beer. Good thing we have Northern Brewer.

-Full krausening. Oh yeah.

-Holy cow, this is some seriously awesome artwork from Indeed Brewing.

-More Oskar Blues for Chicago. Nobody’s complaining.

-This is overwhelmingly awesome: Dark Lord Day dinner with Big Star Taco and Publican Meats. 10 available seats…

-Finally, I meant to say this sooner, but I can’t wait to rock my Minnesota Wild apparel with Parise’s name on the back. Big moves by a team in desperate need.

Too hot outside? You’re telling me. Find us on Facebook, Twitter (@midwestbeer) or send as an email at mwbeercollective@gmail.com.

Suds: July 9

Allons-y, Alonso! Le Tour has been upon us for over a week now and we haven’t dedicated a single kilobit to it. As proprietors of both good beer and nice bike rides, this feels very wrong—as if we’re losing the peloton.

Not this year’s tour, but still awesome and daunting.

I can’t tell you anything that you couldn’t find out on the Tour’s official page, but it’s been quite a way to cool off post-run. With riders topping out around 40 MPH and holding millimeters between themselves and the closest competitors, it’s something to behold.

Grab yourself a Spotted Cow, a great post-race refresher. Let’s get to Suds.

-Celebrate Belgian Independence in MN. So awesome.

-Guys, All Pints North is happening much sooner than I thought. Tickets still available.

-Win tickets to Brew Haven in New Haven, IN from MidwestMicroBrews.

-I love One Barrel Brewing Company and I want to drink there every day.

-Batten the hatches and get ready to drink more: Goose Island to release more BCBS this year.

-Why anyone would drink imported beers when Three Floyds is so close, I do not know, but the Trib has an interesting beer of the month choice.

-Finally, let’s all take a moment to get really excited about Batman.

Holy protein break, Batman! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@midwestbeer), Bat-light or send an email to mwbeercollective@gmail.com.

Suds: July 2

Everyone, it’s summer. My brother called me from the Cubs game the other day. My lovable losers were, in fact, losing, but he responded in the best way possible: isn’t today a great day for a ball game?

Grab yourself a Wrigley favorite—Old Style—and let’s get to Suds.

-NOOOOOOOOOO!!! Don’t come between a man, delicious beer and his home state. Mark my words, there will be beer drinking. We must close the gap.

-One of the better summer drinking list we’ve come across. Milwaukee Brewing Company makes some fantastic beers.

-Delilah’s retains its mythical status.

-Beer Here: Three Kings Ale from Stevens Point Brewing.

-I forgot this happened: Big Hurt Beer. Now if I could only find my Sega Genesis…

-Foreign beer and great pictures. Awesome stuff.

-Finally, not beer related, but I’m extremely excited to see the Porkies get some nice press from the Trib.

Need more than just Suds? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@midwestbeer) or send us an email at mwbeercollective@gmail.com.

Suds: June 27

It’s hump day, which means at the end of the day we’re all going to say, “Hey, pass me a beer.” Crack open your favorite stress relieving brew, mine is Bell’s Two-Hearted and check out this great video.

Hey, Pass Me A Beer! from Almost Twins

- New Holland’s beer dinner at Amsterdam Bar and Hall is tonight!

- I had Badger Hill for the Growler Release Party, but don’t miss the official release at Senor Wong tomorrow.

- Beer for dogs? I can’t feel my legs anymore…

- University of Minnesota is heading up research on growing hops. C’mon Wisconsin, where were on that one?

- Brewmaster in the Wisconsin Dells names his brewery after Michigan town he’s never been to. The MwBC does not condone such actions since brews should have honest regional pride.

- O’so Brewing’s creative growing along with the brewery as they hire a graphic designer for their brand.

- Want Nickelback to endorse your beer? Well, they’ll have the time since Dark Horse shot them down.

- Meet the brewers of the Fulton & Wood Series Black Mission at the Beer Bistro in Chicago.

- It’s time for the Red Scare from Revolution Brewing.

Need more than just Suds? Tweet @MidwestBeer or check out our other great features to get your fix.

Suds: June 25

Don Draper once said, “Change isn’t good or bad. It just is.” As I get older, I find solace in things that just don’t change [1]. I remember years ago I purchased a Low record based on the recommendation of Chicago’s predictable and soporiferous rock critic Greg Kot. Kot cited a dramatic shift from Low’s previous style as a cause for excitement. As an awkward teenager, I always really liked the quiet side of Low, and the prospect of them trying something new appealed greatly to me. The Great Destroyer, as many more progressive music critics point out, was a flop. It didn’t even represent a huge shift in the band’s ethos, just louder guitars.

This brings me to a question: what’s wrong with a band picking a sound and doing it exceptionally well? For every transcendent Yankee Hotel Foxtrot we get ten Future Embrace-level messes. There’s something to be said for consistency and reliability of a band like, say, the Fruit Bats. No, certainly no surprises, but the warm folky overtones and slick guitar work stand out because of exactly how good they are [2].

So grab an old standby for today’s Suds. I’m drinking a Hopalicious, and so should you.

-Haven’t checked in with our friend over at The Girl and Her Beer lately. She never disappoints: beer can chicken and some serious slaw.

-More friends here: good luck finding the latest from Doug and Tracy at Metropolitan. The Arc Welder Dunkel Rye has left good impressions around Chicago.

-A nice legal perspective on Wisconsin beer distribution considering some recent shenanigans between a brewer and a distributer in Arizona.

-Unchain another Summit, my friends.

-5 questions with Carolyn Armstrong of Flossmoor Station. I think the photo of the family dressed for winter is quintessential Chicago suburbs and equally hilarious.

-Finally, are you among the 5% of American adults that have consumed a microbrew lately? Honestly, I find their methods and classifications disturbing.

[1] I also find it terrifying that some of our most reliable constants, the seasons, seem to differ from year to year with little rhyme or reason.

[2] Eric Johnson hails from Chicago. Bonus points!

Need more than just Suds? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@midwestbeer) or send some snail mail to mwbeercollective@gmail.com.