posted Jun-20-2006 03:33 PM            

June 19, 2006 - College instructor Tim Bruening has won the first Great American Beer Tour, besting more than 200 other participants nationwide to earn a trip to this fall's 25th Great American Beer Festival in Denver.

Bruening amassed 60 points in the competition, edging out the second place entrant by a single point. During the week of May 15 to 21, he visited eight different breweries near his Cleveland-area home, stopping by each an average of four times.

"Initially I didn't set out to win," said Bruening, "but when I found myself with 18 points after two days, I decided it would be fun to see how many points I could get." During the week, he took a couple of vacation days from his job teaching machining and other mechanical skills to pursue the Great American Beer Tour.

Bruening visited The Brew Kettle in Strongsville six times during the week, taking advantage of the fact that participants could collect points once a day at any brewery.

"Like the majority of Americans, Tim lives within 10 miles of a brewery," said Ray Daniels, Director of Craft Beer Marketing for the Brewers Association. "During the tour, he visited three breweries that were less than ten miles from his home."

The Great American Beer Tour was conducted by the Brewers Association to celebrate American Craft Beer Week. The theme of the week was "Visit Your Local Brewery" - encouraging everyone to become more familiar with the diverse flavors being offered by America's small, independent and traditional craft brewers.

While Bruening will enjoy the grand prize trip to Denver for the 25th Great American Beer Festival being held September 28-30, more than 200 others also won prizes for participating. Logo-imprinted pint glasses will go to 138 Local Tour Finishers who accumulated at least 10 points during the week. Embroidered polo shirts go out to 15 Regional Tour Finishers and 47 National Tour Finalists will receive both glasses and a shirt.

In 2007, American Craft Beer Week will be May 14-20 and consumers will once again have the opportunity to participate in the Great American Beer Tour. For details, visit www.GreatAmericanBeerTour.org.

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Life is Short ... Make Fun of It.

400 Beers

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posted Jun-20-2006 04:37 PM            

Here's the scoop. Drank too much tequilla and wine over the weekend. But was just dumped by my dinner date. So I want to treat myself to fun meal (more fun than I would have had with my sushi obsessed date ... nothin' wrong with sushi ... just that some people can't seem to think outside of the bento box).

What I'm thinking of calls for a beer ... but I can't seem to find one I like. Now you beer people will simply find me repulsive but unlike wine beer doesn't always call my name ... my all time favorite was that mess they'd give you in German beer gardens (the half pale brew half lemonade thing). I also oddly like Fosters but that's cuz its what my parents drank on summer days growing up and I think its just a positive memory thing). Last weekend, wanting something light and fruity, I got a 6pack of Sam Adams Cherry Wheat ... in a word: @ss. So any suggestions ... light, a bit sweet, fun??

Also, I inherited some Guiness and want to use it for a dessert. Other than Guiness icecream any ideas ... seems as if it would be great in a brownie.

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posted Jun-20-2006 04:52 PM            

Since your an admitted wine guy; I think your best hope would be to get a well made "Belgian style tripel"

trust me on this

good luck and good night

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posted Jun-20-2006 04:54 PM            

If you liked the "the half pale brew half lemonade thing" perhaps a Belgian Beer. They are rather festive as they come in bottles with corks - which can be later shaped into small pieces of furniture - maybe Randymar still has the link.

They are a bit expensive and are very much like wheat beers.

Let us know what you are planning to prepare and we can see what would go along well. Usually no one is around much after 5:00pm, but we can start up again tomorrow.

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posted Jun-20-2006 07:51 PM            

Anyway, a beer that one might have with a salsa, guac, chip kind of snacky dinner was what I'm looking for ... even if I actually am eating something else that tends to be my style.

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posted Jun-21-2006 07:06 AM               

My question of the day: Why is Stella Artois suddenly everywhere?

Hope everyone is well. I'm going to spend the day making sure a pair of eighteen year olds properly seal 832 envelopes. Here's hoping it kills me.

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posted Jun-21-2006 07:38 AM               

I agree about Stella Artois being everywhere. They even had a
huge pyramid of it in the gas station convenience store last
night- right next to the Blue Moon and Mike's Margarita.

Maybe beer is the glue that holds society together?

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posted Jun-21-2006 08:32 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by RunMonkey:
My question of the day: Why is Stella Artois suddenly everywhere?

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The easy answer is that Stella is owned by InBev, which also owns Beck's and Brahma; therefore they have the (global) distribution already set up.

If place is buying Beck's to go with the other "greenies" (i.e., SPG and Heineken) chances are they're getting a deal on the Stella ... of course, in New Jersey that conversation might go:

"So, youse want 20 cases of Beck's. How many cases of Stella Artois can I put you down for?"

"I don't need any Stella Artois. Just the Beck's please."

"I'm sorry I didn't get that. How many was that, again?"

"I don't want any Stella Artois. Just Beck's."

"Nope, still not undersatnding. Youse know what??? How's about I put you in for 5 Stella."

"None. No Stella. Zero"

"Even better. 10 it is, then. Have yourself a nice f*ckin' day."

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posted Jun-21-2006 08:40 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by RunMonkey:
Here's hoping it kills me.

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Do they count to themselves as they do it???

"Three hundred twenty one. Three hundred twenty two. Three hundred twenty three. 323. Wow, that's the same frontwards as backwards. Like 626."

"My friend has a Mazda 626. Hey!!! Wasn't '626' Stitch's number in 'Lilo & Stitch?'"

"You're right!!! It was!!! They lived in Hawaii. Have you ever been to Hawaii?"

"Nope, only Cancun and Disney World. Look out!!! Here she comes!!!"

"Six hundred twenty six. Six hundred twenty seven ..."

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posted Jun-21-2006 08:54 AM               

And yes,the Stella here is positioned next to the Beck's....

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posted Jun-21-2006 09:06 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by randymar:
Do they count to themselves as they do it???

"Three hundred twenty one. Three hundred twenty two. Three hundred twenty three. 323. Wow, that's the same frontwards as backwards. Like 626."

"My friend has a Mazda 626. Hey!!! Wasn't '626' Stitch's number in 'Lilo & Stitch?'"

"You're right!!! It was!!! They lived in Hawaii. Have you ever been to Hawaii?"

"Nope, only Cancun and Disney World. Look out!!! Here she comes!!!"

"Six hundred twenty six. Six hundred twenty seven ..."

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They're bright kids, so their conversation is slightly better, and they don't count out loud. They're nice and not at all dumb, but they're half my age and it's not a big office and they are years and years from understanding the series of bad decisions that go into doing temp work. This job is a great deal for them -- I can't remember if I said this already, but it's a prestigious institution and will look good on their resumes. I, on the other hand, will not be including this gig on my resume. Think of it: they're too young to legally drink beer. That's how young they are. Technically, they're not adults.

Although in many ways neither am I.

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posted Jun-21-2006 09:40 AM            

"youse" (I'm from joisey) guys ever have kalik? I'm heading to the bahamas soon and that is probably the best hot weather beer ever made... of course, I probably would not think that if available in the states........

Apparently, there is a Brewery on Nasua that brews kalik, heinekin and guiness... It's

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posted Jun-21-2006 09:42 AM            

Tropical Beer trivia;
"youse" (I'm from joisey) guys ever have kalik? I'm heading to the bahamas soon and that is probably the best hot weather beer ever made... of course, I probably would not think that if available in the states........

Apparently, there is a Brewery on Nassau that brews kalik, heinekin and guiness... It's just so weird watching the locals throw back a can of guiness when its 97 degrees out.....

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posted Jun-21-2006 10:06 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by webfoot:
(I'm from joisey)

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What exit???

If you get off Exit 36 (?) on 295 and hit Martin's Liquors in Mt. Laurel you can get Kalik, Shandy and some other tropical brews (Shandy is more like an alco-pop [Mike's Lemonade])

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posted Jun-21-2006 10:16 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by TrailOBite:
Wow. Randymar that is very close to office conversation here.

And yes, the Stella here is positioned next to the Beck's....

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When you've been where I've been, done what I've done and met the people I've met; you develop a little bit of what I like to call "insight"

Doing your research doesn't hurt either.

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posted Jun-21-2006 10:38 AM            

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posted Jun-21-2006 10:42 AM            

I get to see Kevin James tooling around on a Segway before previews of "Flushed Away", "Ratatouille" and "Talladega Nights"

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posted Jun-21-2006 10:59 AM               

I have not been to the movies in years.

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posted Jun-21-2006 12:00 PM            

I remember one rainy Saturday several moons ago taking them to see "Elmo goes (insert whateever)"... kinda in a stupor but kids enjoying it so I continue to maintain a pulse and thats about it. Then Venesa Williams comes on in the slinkiest garbage bag-outfit you ever seen (she was the "trash Queen") She was flashing those blue eyes, swaying, dancing.... Boy, every Dad in that theater immediatly perked right up and came to attention!

I have often wanted to write the producers of that and thank them for throwing us that bone....

ok, as a new participant in this thread is there some by-laws or something that says we can only ramble along ADD-like for so long before we talk about beer again????

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posted Jun-21-2006 12:11 PM               

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posted Jun-21-2006 12:16 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by webfoot:
The only movies I see are the ones I take my kids to...

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I'm right there for you.

I saw "Over the Hedge " last month, "Cars" two weeks ago, and "Nacho Libre" last Friday.

quote:

---

Then Venesa Williams comes on in the slinkiest garbage bag-outfit you ever seen (she was the "trash Queen") She was flashing those blue eyes, swaying, dancing.... Boy, every Dad in that theater immediatly perked right up and came to attention!

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Back-lit too!!! THAT is the only reason Mariel has the DVD.

quote:

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Ok, as a new participant in this thread is there some by-laws or something that says we can only ramble along ADD-like for so long before we talk about beer again????

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Nope, no rules. We tried at the beginning, but then ...

quote:

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1) The Beer Thread can never stay on topic for too long

2) All topics must eventually become confused

3) Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

4) Running as a topic is not well tolerated in BEER

5) All archival questions must be submitted to me, since I own the archives.

6) Regular participation in Beer Thread discussions is optional.
6a) The definition of "regular" is up to the individual ... your results may vary.

7) Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball

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In that spirit ... what's on your mind???

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posted Jun-21-2006 12:39 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by TrailOBite:
They celebrate when new chips are in the vending machines.

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Nothing wrong with that ... I am personally excited that a new flavor of Doritos has shown up.

"Fiery Habanero???"

We shall see.

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posted Jun-21-2006 12:46 PM            

Not sweat-inducing, nose-running, throat-seizing hot as Blair's Death Rain Habanero Kettle Chips; but there is a nice bit of heat there.

If I weren't eating in my cube, I'd be washing them down with a DFH :60 IPA.

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posted Jun-21-2006 12:50 PM            

my plants are not doing so well this year though...might have something to do with all the beer spooge I dump in my garden after brewing, who knows, I figured it would help actually.

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posted Jun-21-2006 12:54 PM            

"Well you see, Norm, it's like this...A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the lowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members.

In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers."

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