I knew there was something I forgot to pick up while I was in New Zealand earlier this year. Williams Warn, a small company of two based in Auckland, New Zealand has come up with the next evolution in home brewing - Personal Brewing.  The Williams Warn Personal Brewing looks like a sweet system, including a draft tap to dispense what you've made.  I guess if your home brewing system costs ~$4,500 USD, it better be sweet and make awesome beer. 

Just wish I'd know about this a few months ago and I would have totally checked in out. Anybody want to buy me a sample unit? I'd likely share the results with you at least.

http://www.williamswarn.com

As the craft beer in cans movement gains momentum, I thought it would be nice to point readers over to craftcans.com. The site is devoted to news and reviews of canned craft beer.  They do a great job of keeping up with this growing trend.

Some beer purists will say cans are for cheap American beers. But the truth is that there are some great craft beers in cans, and more are on the way with Bell's Brewing announcing last week that they'll be installing a canning line next year. There are many compelling reasons to favor cans over traditional glass bottles:

1. Cans are better for the beer - better air-tight seal and absolutely no light means fresher, better tasting beer.
2. Cans are better for distribution - square packaging, easier stacking and lighter for transport, cans allow for more beer in less space. More beer in less space allows for better stock and more shelf space for your favorite beer.
3. Cans are better for beer drinkers in a variety of situations - cans are more friendly in a number of places such as beaches, parks, sporting events and more, which means you can take or get great beer in more places. Plus, aluminum cans cool down more quickly than bottles, so your beer is ready to go faster.
4. Cans are better for the environment - it takes a lot less energy to cool an aluminum can and a lot less energy to recycle it compared to glass. The lighter weight of cans also means delivery trucks don't use as much fuel to move the same amount of beer.

The American Dietetic Association thinks so, but note they stress "in moderation".  We all know that, but it's good to see there's actually some science behind responsibly enjoying a beer (or a glass of wine) and that maybe, just maybe, we're getting, um, healthier?

http://www.eatright.org/Media/content.aspx?id=6442462410

I've been enjoying this blog of a guy who's attempting to live like a monk for lent, by taking on 46-day fast consisting of only water and doppelbock.  Yeah, it's a beer-guy's version of "Super-Size Me", but it's a fun read none-the-less.  He's almost 30-days into it so far, so you've got some catch-up to do!  

http://diaryofaparttimemonk.wordpress.com

Barley's Smokehouse in Grandview is hosting their ninth annual Mini Real Ale Festival on May 14. This event is traditionally one of the best in the area for fans of real ale - smooth, un-carbonated beer direct from a cask or firkin.  Barley's beers are featured, but it's the guest list that usually steals the show.  The list for this year's festival is still in the works, but so far there are some impressive names: Flying Dog, Southern Tier, Troegs, Bells and Founders are all scheduled to have beers there (and hopefully brewery reps as well!).

Tickets are on sale now at the Smokehouse and online: http://www.barleysbrewing.com/smokehouse/index.htm

SF Beer Week begins in just under a week on February, 11 and promises to fulfill the hopes and dreams of craft beer lovers everywhere. 

Head over to the event’s website to create a profile and then plan your own itinerary for the week by choosing from the massive list of events that make up Beer Week. It automatically creates your schedule for the week organized by location and date and even includes a map.

The events start early and end late. It’s really a full week of beer paradise. I’ll be attending "Beerunch" at the Public House which is attached to AT&T Park and will feature a morning of beers from breweries like Dogfish Head and Russian River paired with brunch while Game 5 of the world series is replayed on 22 flat screen TV’s.  As a sour beer fan, I was sure to mark down Pucker Up: A Sour Beer Tasting at the Jug Shop on my calendar and there is no way I’ll miss out on 12% Imports Night at The Trappist in Oakland. 

Beer Week also means great food from gastropubs like Magnolia plus beer and food pairings from some of San Francisco’s best restaurants . The Oyster and Stout Celebration at Anchor & Hope promises a night of $1 oysters and stouts of all styles. I’m probably most excited for the beer, cheese and chocolate night at Rogue Ale House in North Beach:

"The Epicurean Connection & Rogue Ales Public House will host a Rogue Beers, Artisan Cheese and Handmade Chocolates tasting. A flight of 6 Rogue Ales with special guest brewers, paired with Artisan Cheeses and Handmade Chocolates and finish with a Chocolate Rogue Stout Cake will be served to all! Recipes included!"

Recipes included? Chocolate Rogue Stout Cake? Oh boy. That will go well with beer ice cream being served every day of the week at Humphry Slocombe. 

Be sure to follow HopHunter on Twitter and Facebook because I’ll be posting about each and every SF Beer Fest event I attend!

Considering that I live in San Francisco, you would probably be surprised to learn that my favorite place to drink craft beer is in Warwick, Rhode Island. But it's true.

The smallest state in the country is home to Track 84, a small bar located about 100 feet away from railroad tracks and next to "Providence's" TF Green airport (the airport is really in Warwick).  At Track 84, you'll find 19 taps rotating a variety of craft beer every day and a huge list of bottles from all over the world. The only beer you'll always be sure to find on tap is Delirium Tremens. That's because in the middle of the bar, with 8 taps on each side, there is a big pink elephant tap that constantly features this delicious nectar on tap. Did I mention it's on tap?

The Track goes out of their way to bring serious craft beers from all over the world, with an emphasis on Belgian beers. What's great about this bar is that while you may recognize the brewery, the beer style could be one you never heard of or have never seen on tap before. When I stopped into "the Track" for a few beers with some friends while visiting my family for the holidays last month, I was greeted with a selection of beers that made me happy to be home:

• Dogfish Head Burton Baton
• Stone Double Bastard Ale 2010
• Brouwerij De Musketiers Troubador Magma
• Cisco Moor Porter (nitro)
• Southern Tier Choklat
• Pretty Things Our Finest Regards
• Achet Schlenkerla Eiche

They've also got a beer engine with rotating casks and you'll never have a beer served in the wrong glass. Plus, you can eat all the peanuts you like and just toss the shells on the floor.

If you find yourself in the Ocean State, make an effort to stop by the Track.

84 Kilvert St., Warwick, RI 02886 MAP

Ed. Note: Jon is a guest writer for HopHunter.com from San Francisco, CA.

Not sure how I missed this last week, but it has been announced that Eric Bean, brewmaster at Columbus Brewing Company has bought the majority share of the brewery.  He's the first brewmaster in Columbus to own his own brewery since 1944.  Columbus Brewing has issued a press release here: http://www.columbusbrewing.com/pages/pressrelease1.pdf

Eric Bean, Brewmaster, said "Owning a brewery has been my dream since my first batch of homebrew in 1993, and after fifteen years of professional brewing it has finally happened. I am proud to own a company with such a great history and excited for the future. Now it is time to get back to work and get ready for next month’s addition of new tanks that will allow for an expansion of 70%."

Congrats to Eric and here's hoping for many years of continued success.

Back in December, the Delaware Gazette ran a story that a new "Upscale Beer Store" is coming to Delaware. The store, to be located 43 N. Sandusky St. is slated to open in February.  The article says the store, called Barley Hopsters, will sell beer, homebrew supplies, and food for pairings.  A small wine selection is also in the works.

You can read the full article here: http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/default/article/Upscale-beer-store-coming-downtown-930884.php#ixzz1BUMWDSpj (Not sure why you can't read the full article directly on the Delaware Gazette's website)

I'll give the store a fair shot until I see it first-hand, but there are some troubling things in this article.  Again, I don't know if this is just poor journalism or the information was taken out of context, but it worries me when an "upscale" beer store is going to "offer beers such as, Great Lakes, Sierra Nevada, Busch, Miller and Coors." I wouldn't consider Busch, Miller and Coors to be upscale, but perhaps they are just making sure they don't exclude the college crowd in town.  Also, I'm not sure what "During the day, Harpster will run shows or movies that are beer-related, but family-oriented" means.

It'll be good to have a local craft beer store if Barley Hopsters lives up to expectations. Anyone want to weigh-in and suggest some family-friendly beer movies?

The much-talked about expansion of the Brooklyn Brewery is apparently ready to go and BB spokespeople are saying the expansion promises more production and more variety in those very special Brooklyn Brewery small-batch beers.

I spoke with the Heidelberg Distributing rep (the distributor for Brooklyn beer in Ohio) about a week ago and she indicated the expansion could mean better availability in Ohio for things like Black Ops and, hopefully, other Brewmaster's Reserve beers. Is there a possibility we could see Dark Matter here? It's unsure at this point if we'll get a much wider range of Brooklyn's beers here or if we'll just get better availability of what we already have. However, the expansion does mean Brooklyn will be making some new beers and, if they're a hit, we could see some of them here.

Congrats to the brewery on the expansion and here's to hoping we see some great new Brooklyn Brewery beers here in Ohio.