In the 1960s, Heineken toyed with the idea of making square bottles.  This “brick that held a beer” was envisioned as a way to repurpose bottles after consumption as building material in impoverished parts of the Netherlands.  Full article here.

The German glassmaker Spiegelau, in partnership with Sam Calagione, the founder of Dogfish Head, and Ken Grossman of Sierra Nevada brewery, has introduced an I.P.A.-specific beer glass, perhaps the world’s first, surely the most obsessively considered.

The thinness of the glass provides cold retention; the tapered opening delivers beer to the palate’s sweet middle; the bowed bowl acts as a “rocket ship,” Mr. Calagione said, pushing aromatic components into the nose as liquid hits lip. The triple-ridged bottom refoams and aerates, so the last gulp is as pleasing as the first.

In a taste test, Dogfish Head 60 Minute India Pale Ale was poured into a pint glass and the Spiegelau glass; results were startling. The beer in the pint glass tasted flat and quickly became warm, while the Spiegelau glass stayed frosty and tingled the nose. If you actually like beer, it must be even better. About $25 for a pair.

New Zealand brewers Yeastie Boys Digital IPA is a craft beer with QR coded labels that direct fans to the beer’s full recipe so they can mix up their own home-brewed version.

Craft Beer + Gallery for Emerging Artists = Winning. Hidden among the slender streets of NYC’s Lower East Side, Culturefix stands as a haven for beer snobs, foodies, art aficionados and really just anyone looking for a good time. The slightly labyrinthine multipurpose space splits its talents among three floors, starting with an impressive selection of nearly impossible-to-find beers and curious dishes at the bar downstairs. A ramp at the back of the bar leads you to the ground floor, which is home to their event space and gallery. Work your way upstairs from there and you’ll come across the Recession Art at Culturefix storefront, which peddles a discerning range of original works by an array of emerging artists.

Currently obsessed with Odell Brewing’s IPA, which is just about as perfect as an India Pale Ale can get (my favorite beer style).  Odell is famous for its small-batch brewing, the more indie sister of Fort Collins, Colorado’s juggernaut brewery, New Belgium.  The IPA is Honey color on pouring with a thick khaki head that retains nice lacing, tastes like it was wet hopped with hints of grapefruit and pine.  Currently not available in most of Texas, but luckily I can swing by New Mexico to get my fix on way home from work.  

Man paradise wrapped up in one convenient unit. Your favorite childhood activity, arcade games has been combined with your favorite adult activity, beer. Pre-loaded with 69 titles including arguably the greatest of all time, Mortal Kombat II and a slim-keg with 55 brewski capability, the fellas at Arkeg have priced the priceless for you.

Designed for beer geeks by beer geeks, 33 Beers is a beer journal that provides an easy way to record tasting notes in a small, convenient notebook format that fits in your pocket.  Link to buy above! 

As a major IPA fan, I was excited to get my hands on some Harpoon Leviathan Imperial IPA.  Pours amber, with a nice thick head that leaves a bit of lace. Overall pine and citrus notes hit you first with plenty of malt sweetness. It can sneak up on you, due to its 10% ABV.  10% also means a defined alcohol taste but without too much bitterness.  Overall, pretty impressive brew. 

This summer, Scottish brewery BrewDog reclaimed the world record for the strongest beer in history with a 55% alcohol brew which it has named “The End of History.” Only 11 bottles will be available, and each bottle comes inside a taxidermied animal. 

The recent vogue for beer cocktails has left me on the fence.  But Brooklyn’s Prime Meats new cocktail the Sidewalker may help me decide.  Recipe linked above.

Obama homebrews?  The President served up some White House Honey Ale to a recent medal of honor recipient. His term marks the first time that beer has been brewed in the White House.

Autumn is my favorite time of year due to all the amazing seasonal offerings that come out from breweries.  Although pumpkin ales abound, Brooklyn Brewing’s Post Road Pumpkin Ale is one of the best balanced.  Of course roasted pumpkin and the usual spices (cinnamon, cloves & nutmeg) are present but don’t overtake the hops and nice caramel tinged barley.  Lastly, this brew has a nice head that remained through most of the time I spent with it.    

Just discovered Weeping Radish, North Carolina’s oldest microbrewery (and an eco-charcuterie).  The Brewery adheres to the Reinheitsgebot Purity Law of 1516, a regulation made by Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria stating beer could only be made using malt, hops and water to maintain quality. Later amended to include yeast, Weeping Radish includes the fourth ingredient in their recipe.  More info linked above. 

By analyzing ancient pottery, Patrick McGovern, “the beer archaeologist,” is resurrecting the libations that fueled civilization from ancient China & Egypt to medieval Europe.  Article linked above.