My Question is:
Where can I find information on the history of beer gardens, i.e. where
and when they originated, who brought the idea to the United States,
and, if you come across it, anything about the history of beer gardens
in Chicago. Cheers,Josh.
Answer:Josh,
The term "Beer Garden" originated in German many years ago. It was before
refrigeration. The taverns would plant shade trees around the establishment
to help keep the ground cool which in turn kept the beer cellars cool.
The beer would then be sold outside in the "Beer Garden".
The concept of "Beer Gardens" most likely came to the United States with
German immigrants in the early 1800's. Cheers, Beer Dude
Oct 18, 1999:
My Question is:
hey Beer Dude. What does the term "pilsner" mean when referring to beer.
If it is a characteristic of the beer, what other terms might one see
reflecting the same characteristic? Thanks.
Answer:Dr. Paul,
Pilsner is not really a term but a style of beer first brewed in Plzen, Czechoslovakia in 1842.
It is of the same family as lagers, pale-golden in color and usually highly hopped.
A good example of this style is Pilsner Urquell.
Cheers Beer Dude.
Oct 3, 1999:
My Question is:
Mr. Beer Dude- Can you tell me anything about Stag beer. It is the one
supposedly made in Belleville Il, by Miller. Have they sold it or
stopped making it as it is not available in the south anymore. This is
not the Stag beer make in Trinadad I am speaking of. thanks Billy
Answer:Billy,
Stag beer was once brewed by Carling Brewing Co.(aka Stag Brewery), Belleville IL,
back in the 60's and early 70's. In 1979 in was bought by G. Heileman Brewing Co.
who kept the label. In 1996 Strohs bought G. Heileman, and in 1998 Strohs was bought
by Pabst who in turn sold some brands to Miller. As for its availability today,
I'm not sure. Maybe next year it will be owned by Anheuser-Busch.Cheers, Beer dude
Sep
6, 1999:
My Question is: Beer Dude. I'm wondering if the temperature a beer is served
at really makes a difference or is it up to each person's preference. I'm asking because it would be almost impossible to keep different kinds of beer at different temperatures
without expensive equipment. Certain books give precise temperatures to obtain the specific taste of a particular beer. Are these temperatures just guidelines or what? Also,
can beer be stored at room temperature? I have no cellar or special equipment to store my beer. Does this exclude me from getting the best taste from a beer? Marvin.
Answer:Marvin, Yes, the temperature plays a great role in the serving of beer.
The aromas and flavors will express themselves most fully at the given temperature provided by the Brewers. Do a little experiment. Buy three of the same
Pale Ale's (any kind) and put two in the frig a keep one out. Drink the one left out and take notes. After a few hours take one out of the frig and let it set for
about an half hour then drink it taking notes as well. With the last beer, drink it strait from the frig. What tasted the best to you? It is nearly impossible to keep
different kinds of beer at different temperatures with out expensive equipment. All we can do as consumers is store it the best way possible. Just take into
consideration that the beer you drink has traveled to get to you and it was most likely effected by its journey. Cheers, Beerdude
Aug
22, 1999:
My Question is: Beerdude: You've probably answered this question a jillion times,
but I can't find the answer by searching. When was beer first put in cans? Better yet, what is the
oldest beer can in captivity (in a collection)? Research for a screenplay. Thanks. Jim T.
Answer:James,
The first beer to be placed in a can was Krueger from Krueger Brewing Co, Newark, New Jersey, in
1935. I'm not sure as to what is the oldest beer can in captivity, I personally have a full can of
Eastside Beer (Los Angeles Brewing Co.) from the 1940's. Cheers. Beerdude
Aug
16, 1999:
My Question is:
Hello Beer Dude. I have been thinking about brewing my own beer. I
have seen the Beer Machine advertised on TV. Does this thing actually
work, and if it does why isn't everone using it? It looks too good to
be true. Colin
Answer:Colin,
If you are thinking of brewing your own beer don't take the Beer Machine route.
With the Beer Machine you just add water and wait 7 days. There is no sense of
pride in this form of brewing. For just a little more money than the value of the
Beer Machine you can get all the equipment to make five gallons of beer that you
can have more control over and have a feeling of accomplishment when the beer is
done. Check out our book section and do a little research before you make your
purchase. Good luck with whatever choice you make. Beerdude.
Aug
13, 1999:
My Question is:
I'd like to try home brewing but I live in a small townhouse with little
or no extra space. Can home brewing be done in small (less than 5
gallons) quantities (say 2 or 3)? If so, how? Thanks
Answer:Mark,
Yes, you can take most kits and cut the ingredients in half and make a 2.5
gallon batch. I to lived in a small apartment and managed to make many five
gallon batches. I guess it all depends on whether or not you are using extract
or all grain. Brewing beer from scratch using all grain can take up some space.
Good luck with the homebrew. Beerdude.
Aug
11, 1999:
My Question is:
My wife and I are dabbling in homebrew. My first go'round was a shot at something
like Sam Adams Cream Stout. It turned out quite well. She is shooting for something
like Rolling Rock. We were wondering how one might measure the alcohol
content in their homebrew...do you know of any methods other than the
equation: Bottles consumed X Thrust to Floor ratio = Proof?
Thanks for any feedback, The Beginners
Answer:
Beginners, The only way I know of figuring out the alcohol by volume and weight is as follows;
(Original Gravity - Final Gravity) / 7.5 = v/v %
Alc. by Vol. / 1.26582278481 = w/v%
The results are not exact, but they are very close, I to dread the equations of brewing.
Good luck, with your brewing. Cheers, Beerdude
June
29, 1999:
My
Question is: Hello Beer Dude, I have been trying to find
out how "Draft" beer got the name "Draft". Could it be because
when poured from the Tap, it hits the air, or a draft? Or
is it something much more complicated? Thanks, Traci
Answer:
Traci,Draft is just another word for Draught. Draft beer is
simply beer drawn from a keg or cask. Draft (Keg, or cask)
beer is usually fresher then bottle or canned beer. Hence
the reason why breweries use the "Draft" or Draught description
on the label hoping that people buy the product for freshness.
Stay toned to the July All Brew Newsletter. I will be doing
an article on Beer freshness. Cheers
June
28, 1999:
My
Question is: Dear Beer Dude-I am on a low sodium diet
and love beer? Are there any beers that are low in sodium?
Thanks!...Beer Dude Wannabe
Answer:
Beer Dude Wannabe, Salt is a part of pretty much all beers
in the form of mineral salts in the water and other salts
added during the brewing process. These salts smooth out the
taste, reduce bitterness and improve the flavor. The only
beers that are low in sodium are plain beers mostly from the
lager family. Ales contain much more salts. I myself would
have trouble with a low sodium diet, I love Ales. I guess
its better than stopping altogether. Good luck with the diet....
Beer Dude
June
28, 1999:
My
Question is: I'm trying to find a company that produces
a natural, or chemical free, beer. Know of anyone out there...
other than Sierra Nevada?....Greg
Answer:
Greg, I think you are looking for "Organic" beer. I know of
a few breweries that produce organic beer.
- Panorama
Brewing Co. (California) really North Coast Brewing Co.; Wolaver's
Pale Ale, Wolaver's India Pale Ale, Wolaver's Brown Ale
- Caledonian
Brewing Co. (Scotland);Golden Promise Ale (Import)
- Humes Brewing
Co. (California);Cavedale Ale, Steep Canyon Stout
- Estes Park
Brewery (Colorado);Estes Park Organic Lager
Sierra Nevada
is not considered organic. In order to be "organic" the whole
brewing process must be with natural ingredients and free from
chemicals. Even the grain and malts must be grown free of chemicals.
Cheers.
May
11, 1999:
My
Question is:Ok Whats the oldest beer in america ???..Not
the first can of beer the first brewery In the u.s.a?.....Jeremy
Answer:The
first brewery in the United States was the Eagle Brewery in
Pottsville, Pennsylvania. It opened in 1829, and in 1873 the
name changed to D.G Yuengling and Son. I guess that makes
their beer the oldest in America. Currently the oldest Brewery
in the world is in Germany. Weihenstephan has been brewing
since 1040. Cheers ,Beer Dude
May
10, 1999:
My
Question is: Everytime i drink beer i'm more aggressive
loud and rowdy as opposed to when i drink liquor i tend to
play the role of miss sophisticated intellectual. is there
actually something factual about beer vs liquor that would
explain why beer effects one way and liquor the total opposite?
Curious Christina.
Answer:Well
I'm not a scientist nor am I a psychologist. I think it has
to do with the amount of alcohol in either of the drinks and
the personality of the drinker. If you drink a beer verses
say vodka you are most definitely taking a slower path. I
was at a beer tasting recently, and we average about 20 different
beers on the sample agenda. It took 10 samples for the place
to get loud. I believe if you had someone who was drinking
beer and next to them was someone drinking mixed drinks the
person drinking the mixed drinks would get to a happier median
much quicker. The other neat thing about watching people drink
is once they pass the "HAPPY" point it starts to go down hill.
Every one starts to get quiet. Also pay attention to people
that drink alone (Problem) and groups of people drinking.
April
27, 1999:
My
Question is: dearest beer dude, I went into a bar the
other night and asked for a black and tan. The bartender said
she would give it to me but wanted to let me know that the
guinness doesn't float on top. I never bothered to ask why
because I was under the impression that guinness always floats
to the top when mixed w/bass. Could you give a possible explanation
as to why guinness would not float? Christina.
Answer:
Christina, If you mix Guinness and Bass right it will separate,
If done wrong it will take some time to separate and sometimes
it will never happen. You need to know how to do it right
to make a good separation occur. Fill the glass half full
with Bass Ale (Avoid a lot of head), Next pour Guinness over
a spoon slowly until the glass is full. The best spoon to
use is one that has been bent, to allow the spoon to be placed
closer to the Bass Ale. Go set that bartender straight.
April
6, 1999:
My
Question is: I was hoping you could settle a bet I have
with a friend. He adamantly believes that an Ale is not a
beer. It is separated from the classification of beer because
its distinguished higher alcohol content. I disagree. I said
that an Ale is a classification of beer that separates itself
from its Lager counterpart in that it is fermented differently.
Could you please offer your expertise in this situation? Thanks,
Mike
Answer:
Mike, The word beer is just a common name for all liquid beverages
brewed using Water, Malt, Hops, and Yeast. "Beer", is divided
into two groups; Lagers and Ales. Only because of the fermentation
process (yeast). As for the alcohol content, that is far from
the truth. You can have a eisbock (lager style) with the same
alcohol content as a Barley wine (Ale style). Collect on your
bet. Cheers Beer Dude
February 23, 1999:
My
Question is: How much beer have you consumed in your life?
Answer:
I guess about 279 gallons (1110+ pints) in 10 years.
2000
Beerdude Questions
1998
Beerdude Questions
