Yearly archive for 2020

First the pandemic, then forced Pub closures, and now a zero alcohol Guinness? You can almost hear the anguished cry across Ireland ‘What new hell is this?’. The result of a four-year development effort, the company brews and ferments in the usual process, then removes the alcohol in a cold filtration, which the brewery claims has no effect on the taste. It will first debut in 440 ml cans( just shy of 15 ounces). Marketed in a 4 pack, it’s expected to sell for about six dollars. A draught version

On November 3, 1601 England was considering a limitation on the number of operating taverns. Sir George Moore spoke up for the common person, arguing, “An Inn is a man’s inheritance, and they set great rates and therefore, not to be taken away from any particular man.” Look for news on the return of Beer Fest in Idaho Falls June 5, 2021 Copy right Gregg Smith – Author American Beer History available on Amazon

On this day – October 28, 1644 – Concerned citizens of New Amsterdam (New York City) protested a new tax on Beer. They pleaded that, “…this will probably have to be paid by the poor, who are unable to procure beer for the sick and wounded….” Beer Taxes were a constant complaint of Dutch New Yorkers. It and other regressive taxes caused the citizens to look upon their leaders with disdain. This contributed to the settlers giving up the colony to the English that year without firing a shot. Look

In 1814 the Meux Brewery of London experienced the catastrophic failure of a 120,000 gallon beer aging tank. The tank released almost all the beer instantly and the surge burst the walls of the brewhouse. Spilling into the street the flood killed 8 people “..by drowning, poisoning, by fumes and drunkenness.” As beer flowed down the street countless inhabitants dove into the flowing gutters for free beer.  Upcoming events Santa Crawl in early December and the Mountain Brewers Beer Fest 5 June, 2021.