For someone who hadn’t quite tapped his first commercial beer, Twain’s new brewer David Stein had created quite a buzz.

David Stein. Photo by Dennis Malcolm Boyd aka Ale Sharpton

In early December, 28-year-old Stein took over from longtime Twain’s brewer Jordan Fleetwood, publicly announcing his plans to “make the best damn beer Atlanta has to offer.”

Some people may have found those comments a tad cocky, Stein admitted during a conversation at the Decatur brew pub.

“Partly, I’m young and inexperienced,” Stein said. “But I’m excited, too. If people know me, they’ll read those comments and laugh rather than think I’m being cocky. When I made the comment that I want to make the best damn beer in Atlanta, I was thinking that every other brewer in Atlanta was striving to do that, too.”

In late January, Stein hosted a small preview event at Twain’s, where he showcased seven new beers that will be part of the regular rotation, plus a pair of one-off beers made to highlight his …

Continue reading Beer Town: New brews at Twain’s »

A small but growing number of chardonnay enthusiasts actually seek out unoaked versions of chardonnay, like those from NO (and to a lesser extent sauvignon blancs, which do not typically get serious oak treatments).

Continue reading Kulers Uncorked: NO Sauvignon Blanc »

Essentially fermented honey, mead may be the oldest form of alcohol known to man. For devotees, it evokes images of Vikings and medieval knights, and it is thought to be the inspiration for the word honeymoon.

Though it’s appreciated in brewing circles, and deemed worthy of a separate category in the Beer Judge Certification Program style guidelines, mead remains a mysterious beverage — rarely available in bars and package stores, and barely a blip on the radar of U.S. alcohol consumption.

Monks Mead

Martin Key and Justin Schoendorf are well aware of that. But for more than a decade, the Atlanta homebrew partners have been perfecting their take on the ancient elixir, while doggedly pursuing their dream of producing a commercial version. Now the product of all that time and effort, Monks Mead, finally can be found on draft at several pubs around town.

Recently, I sat down with Key and Schoendorf at the Porter Beer Bar in Little Five Points, where we sipped slender glasses of …

Continue reading Beer Town: Monks Mead a modern take on an ancient beverage »

The beer geek equivalent of rock ‘n’ roll or baseball fantasy camp, Sierra Nevada Beer Camp offers participants an intensive two-day course in big-time craft brewing.

Campers go behind the scenes at Sierra’s sprawling brewery campus in Chico, Calif., to experience the process — from digging their hands into malt and hops, observing the work in the quality control labs and attending a mini tasting panel. Best of all, they help create a one-of-a-kind experimental beer in the pilot brewery.

Owner Ken Grossman founded Sierra in 1979, and is still involved in every aspect of the operation. His brother, Steve Grossman, also known as the brewery’s “ambassador,” has been the leader of Beer Camp since the beginning, three years ago.

“We were trying to think of a way to get people in to see what we do here,” Steve Grossman said. “Now that we’re getting larger, I think there’s a perception that our goals and values might have changed. Obviously, that could not be further from the truth. …

Continue reading Beer Town: Sierra Beer Camp A Brewing Fantasy »

So here I go again (grudgingly, mind you), with the 2011 edition of “I’m Not Writing About Sparkling Wine!”

Continue reading Kulers Uncorked: Prosecco »

It’s been another big year for craft beer and as 2011 draws to a close, it’s time to look back on the some of the stories that had Atlanta beer lovers buzzing.

Sunday Sales — For many, this was the biggest story of the year. In April, the General Assembly finally approved legislation enabling Sunday alcohol stores sales in Georgia. Gov. Nathan Deal signed the bill and in November, the first wave of shoppers began hitting beverage stores. Sunday sales won approval in over 80 percent of cities where it was on the ballot. Sales in the City of Atlanta will begin Jan. 1, just in time for the Super Bowl.

Growler Sales — Until 2011, growlers — glass jugs filled and refilled with draft beer — couldn’t be found anywhere in Georgia. In fact, most beer geeks and beverage store owners figured growlers weren’t legal here. But early in the year, the first Georgia growler shop, the Beer Growler, opened in Athens. By April, Hop City began filling growlers in Atlanta, followed by several more …

Continue reading Beer Town: The year in craft beer 2011 »

This is genius—fundamental wine knowledge hiding in a comic book for adults. Rather than intimidating, wine education could never be more inviting.

Continue reading Kulers Uncorked: Books For Wine Lovers »

Is there any “thereness” there yet? The marketing folks for the wineries and the winegrowing organization would love for us to thinks so. What I can tell you is that if you are looking to expand your collection of “Wow, look what I got!” wines, Knights Valley is your place to go.

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“On any occasions when you eat cheese. The richness and saltiness of cheese marries well with the wine. In fact, I enjoy a glass of Sauternes with potato chips. Really, anything salty will work.” Bill Blatch, Sauternes aficionado

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I say it every holiday season, but it’s still true.

Shopping for the beer geeks on your list is so simple — just buy them something rare or seasonal or find out what style of beer they love and create a special mix pack.

How about celebrating Southern craft beer with a collection of winter and holiday brews, such as Abita Christmas Ale, Highland Cold Mountain Winter Ale, Red Brick Old Stock Ale, Sweetwater Festive Ale or Terrapin Wake-n-Bake Stout.

Belgian breweries make some of the world’s most interesting and complex holidays beers. A few to look for: Corsendonk Christmas, N’ice Chouffe, Delirium Noel, De Ranke Pere Noel, Dupont Avec Les Bon Vieux, Fantome de Noel, Scaldis Noel and St. Bernardus Christmas.

Beer glasses from a special brewery always make a fun gift. But if you want to splurge, grab a set or two of Spiegelau Beer Classics glassware. They come in lager, tulip, wheat and ale shapes and sizes in packs that retail for around $25-$75.

Compared with a generic shaker …

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