The times they are a'changin'

Some of you may have been wondering where we've been as of late.  Well, life got a little crazy this summer and we didn't really cross many new places off our list.  And then in August, Jeff and I found out that we're going to be parents!!!  So, for now, my beer drinking has effectively come to an end.  I had every intention to keep updating the blog, but then work and pregnancy-related exhaustion struck and I didn't have the energy.  But I feel like we owe it to those interested in learning more about MI breweries (and other random beer facts) to put up some new posts: the blog must go on!  So, I'm reviewing some of the places we've already been (but haven't yet reviewed) and next summer, we'll likely go back on tour (with the little one in tow - don't worry, one of us - probably me - will be our DD - we've got some precious cargo).

These boots are made for brewing

More about women in brewing:

Women in Beer Series

I love that she wears pink rubber boots and has started a whole movement. 

Also, this Beer Sessions site is one that my sister-in-law brought to my attention.  It's a great site full with immense amounts of information - I've recently friended it on Facebook, which is how the aforementioned article came to my attention.

For those of you wondering why we haven't reviewed any more breweries lately, my only answer is because we've been lazy.  And now I hit the road for some work related travel.  I promise, more Michigan Brewery reviews to come (many are old, but a few have been freshly checked off the list).

The Campaign for Real Ale

Wait - isn't ALL ale REAL ale? Apparently not. "Real Ale," according to Randy Mosher, was "once the national drink [of England]," and is sadly now "a specialty beer." The general rarity of such a beer has spawned some beer afficionados to launch the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). Also known as "Cask Ale" or "Hand Pull," Real Ale is defined by CAMRA as "beer brewed from traditional ingredients...matured by secondary fermentation in the container from which it is dispensed, and served without the use of extraneous carbon dioxide." Thus, the cask or keg is stored usually in the pub's cellar, at a temperature of between 50 and 55 degrees fahrenheit, and connected directly to the hand pump, which is used to dispense the beer and inject a little natural carbonation. Us Americans are used to our cold cold beer, so to many, Real Ale tastes warm and flat, but it's the more traditional way to serve beer (at least according to the Brits).


With the ever growing craft beer movement, CAMRA seems to be picking up steam. At least that's how it seems - more and more brewpubs feature one or two Real Ales on their menu. Once you get over the idea that Real Ales aren't super cold, you'll find that many are quite tasty!

Move aside, let the WOMEN come through

I love that more women are drinking beer.  I don't know why more women don't.  The whole, "I don't like how it tastes" seems like a cop out.  I mean, everyone says that when they first taste beer because I can pretty much guarantee that the first beer most people try is crappy beer!  I truly believe that this is more of a societal or sociological issue rather than an issue of taste.  Check out this awesome article - it seems perhaps us women are made to be beer tasters (although I take issue with the fact that there was specific reference to going into the secretarial pool to find women....it's a shame that there aren't more women in other parts of the company and that the secretarial field (which, incidentally used to be solely a man's profession) is still dominated by women).  Oh yeah, and Carlos, 22, from Chicago....you are clearly a chauvinist (who, its worth noting, is drinking a sub-par, and dare I say "girly," beer).
No Glass Ceiling for Beer Tasters

There is also a regular feature in the Great Lakes Brewing News that is written by a woman called "Beer Beacon."  Every issue she and a panel of women taste samples of types of beers and rate them.  The most recent issue was about Wheat and Fruit beers.  Beer Diva, if you read this, I want to be on your panel!
Beer Beacon online

Beer in the News

If it's on NPR, then it must be so.
Changing Tastes

I've been seeing other articles like this popping up in the news.  People are catching on!