Try ‘Space Beer’ this season for a change

The search for water in space involves billions and billions of dollars, but discovering beer came easy toSapporo Breweries, which has just begun selling six-packs of the world’s first “Space Beer” brewed with barley descended from seeds that spent time in space. “Space Barley” is extracted from the fourth-generation offspring of barley seeds that spent five months aboard the International Space Station in 2006 as part of research that Sapporo conducted with the Russian Academy of Sciences and OkayamaUniversity. “The aim of the research was to study the adaptability and life cycle of barley in zero-gravity and to explore the challenges of achieving self-sufficient food production in space.” Space Barley beer has a mellow flavor and slightly dark color reminiscent of deep space, according to Sapporo, and is available in a limited number of 250 six-packs, with each pack going for $110. The proceeds will benefit Okayama University, which will use the funds to promote science education for children and foster the development of space science research in Japan and Russia.

Source: Bornrich

Southern Tier Brewing Co. - Pumking

"Pumking is an ode to Púca, a creature of Celtic folklore, who is both feared and respected by those who believe in it. Púca is said to waylay travelers throughout the night, tossing them on its back, and providing them the ride of their lives, from whichthey return forever changed! Brewed in the spirit of All Hallows Eve, a time of year when spirits can make contact with the physical world and when magic is most potent. Pour Pumking into a goblet and allow it’s alluring spirit to overflow. As spicy aromas present themselves, let its deep copper color entrance you as your journey into this mystical brew has just begun. As the first drops touch your tongue a magical spell will bewitch your taste buds making it difficult to escape. This beer is brewed with pagan spirit yet should be enjoyed responsibly.
9.0% abv • 12.7ºL • Imperial Pumpkin Ale • 22 oz / 1/2 keg / 1/6 keg"

Source: Southern Tier Brewing Company

BrewDog Atlantic IPA, 1st Sea-Aged Beer in 200 Years

"Maverick Scottish beer brand BrewDog, known for their outlandish-sounding ales, is releasing a limited edition Atlantic IPA (right), the first commercially available, genuine sea-aged India Pale Ale in over two centuries.

Only 960 bottles will be available in the U.S. at $25.99 per 330 ml, making it one of the most precious brews on the planet. The artfully-designed label declares it to be something extraordinary.

Made according to an 1856 recipe, the Atlantic IPA spent two months aging aboard BrewDog co-founder James Watt's fishing boat in the North Atlantic.

The incredible journey involved a "tense barrel-rescue-mission, beatings from force ten storms, 60 foot waves and encounters with killer whales." You can view the Atlantic IPA voyage online here.

The Atlantic IPA is bursting with malt character: "biscuit, toast, caramel, pirate ship oak, salt and tobacco," in addition to notes of honey, pine and vanilla.

The generous use of English hops adds a substantial kick to the forefront of the nose and mouth with a smooth slick spicy, earthy herbal quality and a lingering woody bitterness in the finish."

Source: by Jared Paul Stern, Luxist

The Art of Guinness

"London's Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising joins in to celebrate Guinness' 250th anniversary with their current exhibition, "The Art of Guinness." Paying tribute to the legendary stout, the show simultaneously examines how the company remains so successful after all these years.

Prominently featuring the work of John Gilroy, whose use of zoo animals and the tagline "My Goodness, My Guinness" brought instant recognition to the beer and its advertisements, the exhibit will also include graphic designs by other commissioned artists like H.M. Bateman and Edward Ardizzone.

From print advertisements and TV commercials to drink trays and beer coasters, the "Art of Guinness" makes for a lesson in advertising that's as fun as drinking the beer itself.

via Le Cool Magazine.

Art of Guinness
Through 25 October 2009
Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising
2 Colville Mews
London W11 2AR map
tel. +44 (0)20 7908 0880"

Source: Cool Hunting

Amber Ale: Brewing Beer From 45-Million-Year-Old Yeast

An aroma like bread dough permeates Raul Cano's lab. He has just removed the cover from a petri dish, and the odor wafts up from several gooey yellow clumps of microorganisms that have been feeding and reproducing in a dark cabinet for the past few days. Cano, a 63-year-old microbiologist at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, inspects the smelly little mounds lovingly. "These are my babies," he says, beaming. "My yeasty beasties."

The dish contains a variant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, known in culinary circles as baker's or brewer's yeast. But Cano didn't get this from Whole Foods. Back in 1995, he extracted it from a 45 million-year-old fossil. The microorganisms had lain dormant since the Eocene epoch, a time when Australia split off from Antarctica and modern mammals first appeared. Then Cano brought the yeast back to life.

This reanimation of an ancient life form was a breakthrough, a discovery so shocking that the scientific community initially refused to believe it. It changed our understanding of what microorganisms are capable of. It also gave the Cal Poly researcher a brief taste of fame. For a while, he thought it might make him rich. It didn't. Now, just when it seemed his babies would be forgotten, Cano has found a way to share them with the world.

Cano's Saccharomyces coupled with Hackett's know-how to yield a very tasty libation, which is now made and distributed under the name Fossil Fuels Brewing Company. "We won the lottery," Hackett says. "It's such a random thing. A yeast cell, captured in amber, found by a mad scientist. For it to perform well, for it to perform uniquely ... I wouldn't have bet on it."

Cano is delighted with the burgeoning success of Fossil Fuels ale. It'll earn him a little bit of money, and every pint or bottle sold could kick off a conversation about his momentous discovery 14 years ago. His only worry is that the unfiltered nature of this beer means that some of his yeast will invariably settle to the bottom of the glass or bottle, and an unscrupulous brewer could collect that and use it in another beer. The microbiologist has applied for a patent on his strains and has sequenced the genomes so he can tell if someone else has stolen it. "I am the keeper of the family jewels," Cano says. He isn't about to let them fall into the wrong hands.

Source: Wired (Full Story)

Coca-Cola FreeStyle Beverage Dispenser

"Originally codenamed "Jet," Coca Cola's top secret flavor bomb now known as "FreeStyle" is poised to give adventurous palettes 100 different beverage options in a single machine."

Source: Gizmodo

Three Floyds Brewing Co. Apocalypse Cow

Released this summer by the 3 Floyds Brewing Company out of Munster, Indiana. Check for it in 22 oz. bombers

"Apocalypse Cow- This complex double India pale ale has an intense citrus and floral hop aroma balanced by a velvety malt body which has been augmented with lactose milk sugar. With this different take on an IPA they have brewed an ale that is both pleasing to drink and, once again, 'not normal.'"

Source: 3 Floyds