Jay Misson, R.I.P.
Jay Misson, head brewer for Triumph Brewing Company, died Monday, June 9th. He was 45. Most probably New Jersey's original craft brewer, Jay worked at Vernon Valley, NJ, Mountain Valley, Suffern, NY, and Gordon-Biersch before coming to Triumph. Jay was known for his passion for brewing lagers, fishing, the Yankees, and lending a hand to any brewer who asked. He'll be missed greatly.
Garden State Brewers Guild Fest June 21
For the 4th year in a row, New Jersey's best breweries will be pouring their wares on the Delaware riverfront in Camden. The June 21 festival will again be on the deck of the Battleship NJ which will provide protection from any elements, as well as a great view of Philadelphia. Music by the Cabin Dogs and a variety of foods will be available as are self-guided tours of the ship.
More than half of the 800 tickets have been sold. Get yours via TicketWeb
For more information head over to njbeer.org
All Beer Festivals Are Not Created Equal
The good news is that interest in better beer has never been greater in the U.S. The bad news is that too many folks are trying to take advantage of the good nature of small brewers and the consumers of their beers. Believe it or not, many beer festival promoters expect the brewers to donate 2-4 kegs of beer, their gas and toll expenses, time and labor. In return they might get a meal, might get a hotel room, might get a thank you, and might make enough selling t-shirts tocover some expenses. Or might not.
Sometimes there's a charity listed as the festival's beneficiary, but the amount of the "donation" is about as hard to figure out as Dick Cheney's whereabouts. Meanwhile, the band gets paid, the food vendors get paid, the ice guy gets paid and the organizer sure as hell gets paid. So why not the brewers? You attend because it's called a "beer festival" not the "ice guy" or "food guy" festival, right? Well, some enlightened festivals are starting to take care of the goose that lays the golden keg. Other ones, like the NJ Brewers Guild has all proceeds benefit the Guild and the Battleship NJ..
So what can you do? Vote with your dollars. Attend festivals that respect and take care of the brewers. Wouldn't you rather have your beer poured by an enthusiastic brewer or brewery rep who cares about and can discuss the beer to whateverdetail you heart desires? It costs us all time and money to do that.
We at Flying Fish are cutting back significantly on festivals this year. But if you see us at one, you know they're a friend to brewers and not just a person ororganization looking to make a quick buck.
Bored At Work? Here's Some Reading Material
Which beers go with what books? Here's a take by a blogger on Amazon
If you didn't make it to the Savor event in Washington, DC, here's the Washington Post's take
And here's a look by the Newark Star-Ledger.
Summer Tour Schedule Now In Effect
We're conducting tours every other Saturday during thesummer. Check the web site beforeyou head on over.
Joe Sixpack Book Signing May 9
Philly's own Joe Sixpack, aka Don Russell, will be live and in person at Flying Fish on Friday May 9 talking beer and signing copies of his new book "Philly Beer Guide." In honor of his crossing the bridge into the wilds of New Jersey, we'll have a couple of special beers on tap as well. So come on by for a sample or two and talk beer with Don from 5-7pm
12th Edition Of The Perfect Summer Beer-Farmhouse Summer Ale
Hard to believe this tasty stuff is now entering its 12th summer. That's good for all of us! Our Farmhouse Summer Ale is on its way out to your favorite retailer and tavern as you read this.
The perfect summer beer, Farmhouse Ale is brewed with pale malt, a small percentage of wheat and hopped with imported Styrian Golding hops. It's a tribute to the "everyday" Farmhouse beers of Belgium (but it's not a Saison-no fruit, herbs or spices). A sour mash gives this beer its signature dryness and great drinkability.
If you find a better summer beer, send us a case!
The Farmhouse is also available in 1/6 and 1/2 kegs. If you don't see it, ask your local retailer for it
SAVOR: A Craft Beer And Food Experience
Flying Fish is proud to participate in the Brewers Association's inaugural event - SAVOR: An American Craft Beer and Food Experience in Washington D.C, May 16-17, 2008.
It's an intimate setting, with 48 breweries from around the nation and only 700 tickets available per session. Flying Fish was only one of eight breweries chosen from the mid-Atlantic region.
Along with fantastic beer and food pairings there will be opportunities to meet the brewers and owners of the participating breweries. Two educational salons will be available each session - guaranteed to deepen your appreciation and understanding of craft beer and food pairings.
Tickets are on sale now--find out more at savorcraftbeer.com
Flying Fish, The Next Generation
Twins Dean and Gabby chilling in their holiday finery. Coincidentally, their parents' favorite Flying Fish style is Dubbel. You can't make this stuff up!
Winter Fishwear Sale
Look good while saving money--check out prices 20-35% off on a wide assortment of wearables. Head over to our Fishwear Super Store!
Imperial Espresso Porter Out in January
This robust dark brew was created using rich Colombian dark roast coffee to celebrate our 10th anniversary in royal fashion. Since we got such a great reception, we're bringing it out again this year. The enticing regal aromas of toffee and licorice lead to the coronation of taste; a palate of malty richness exhibiting chocolate and coffee notes, balanced by the noble and novel Mt. Rainer hop, all topped with a rich creamy crown. This very special offering will warm your soul and lift your spirits. Oh yeah, it also packs a royal kick at 8% alcohol.
There are only 500 cases available beginning early January. Very limited draft will be available mid-January, so don't dawdle!
Philadelphia Beer Week 2008
Philadelphia is America's Best Beer Drinking City. This March, we
invite you to join us in Philadelphia for the first annual Philly
Beer Week, March 7-16. There will be a full schedule of special
events, tastings, brewer meet and greets, festivals, beer dinners and
more.
If you'd liked to be informed of all events via email, please send a note to:
who will add you to our database. Please title your
email "Philly Beer Week info"
Grand Cru Winter Reserve Now Out
It's just started shipping, so keep your eyes out for this year's Grand Cru Winter Reserve. If you hadn't had this beer before, think of this Belgian-style Golden Ale as the big brother--the real big brother--of the Farmhouse Summer Ale.
Lightly filtered, the Grand Cru is a medium-bodied beer with exceptional malt character, a slightly spicy hop presence and a balanced, warming finish. Like the Farmhouse, we use a sour mash process to give it a dry, quenching finish.
Grand Cru Winter Reserve is perfect with all kinds of food or all by itself.
Available in bottles and draft. It will be available in bottle, 1/6 kegs 1/2 kegs and maybe special cask conditioned versions through the holidays.
Lots Of New Fishwear Available
No matter how much you love your Flying Fish t's, and Dan Koch here really loves his 10-year-old one, you just got to get some more. So check out our new tee shirts, glassware and more. Check 'em out
Holiday Taste of Woodbury, NJ
Enjoy Hors D'Oeuvres, Desserts, Holiday Drinks, including Flying Fish, from area eateries on Friday, December 14. Participating restaurants include Cooper Express, La Piaza die Scotto Restaurante, Philly Steak and others.
Tickets are $10. For more info head over to the events section
OktoberFish Named Best Fest by Baltimore Sun
In a blind tasting, a panel organized by the Baltimore Sun named OktoberFest, best domestic Fest beer, calling it a "beautiful malty brew with
a tangy finish." Read it all: http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/bal-fo.beverage19sep19,0,3075996,full.story?coll=bal_tab04_layout
No Bull - We Win the Royal Stumble
Head brewer Casey Hughes and his crew took home the championship belt for this year's Royal Stumble at Philadelphia's Nodding Head brewpub. The theme was the Running (out) of the
Beers with the winner being the first brewery to kick the keg. Farmhouse Summer Ale was the first of 16 to go and the rest is in the record books.
11th Edition of the Perfect Summer Beer - Farmhouse Summer Ale
Hard to believe this tasty stuff is now entering its 11th summer. That's good for all of us! Our Farmhouse Summer Ale will be on its way out to your favorite retailer
and tavern by April 15. The perfect summer beer, Farmhouse Ale is brewed with pale malt, a small percentage of wheat and single-hopped with imported Styrian Golding hops.
It's a tribute to the "everyday" Farmhouse beers of Belgium (but it's not a Saison). A sour mash gives this beer its signature dryness and great drinkability. If you find
a better summer beer, send us a case!
The Farmhouse is also available in half kegs and torpedo mini-kegs (5.2 gallons). If you don't see it, ask your local retailer for it.
Batters Up and Bottoms Up
Major league baseball got underway this week, so when you're cheering on the Phillies look for Flying Fish Extra Pale Ale at the quite enjoyable Citizens Bank Park.
Support Your Local Brewery Website
Make sure local beers and breweries continue to thrive! Support Your Local Brewery is a national, grassroots partnership of beer enthusiasts, professional trade
associations and brewers dedicated to supporting and protecting the legislative and regulatory interests of small, traditional and independent craft breweries. Learn more
and sign up for action alerts at SupportYourLocalBrewery.org
Remember, this is the only industry in our nation's history that was outlawed by a constitutional amendment and there are powerful folks out there still looking to
bring some form of Prohibition back.
Flying Fish on YouTube
Jeff Linkous put together this video of a historic brewing demonstration along the
operations of a modern day brewery-which just happens to be us.
You can also read his NJ beer blog.
Love Fish, the Barry White of Beers
Still using lines like: "Hope I have my library card because I'm checking you out!" A Playa only in your mind? Well it might be time to get
a little help. Yes, the Barry White of Beers makes its 9th annual heartwarming, but brief, return in time for Valentine's Day. Our Abbey Dubbel is
infused with dried organic cherries and then keg-conditioned for a taste that will put everyone in the mood at least for another pint.
This rare and elusive nectar will be available in the greater Philly area. Any location that has the Espresso Porter will have the Love Fish (they
will then also have the BigFish). Jersey folks won't be getting the love this year because of the intricacies of beer distribution.
Beer and Chocolate
With Valentine's Day right around the corner don't forget to pick up something nice for your sweetie--like a big box of Flying Fish Imperial
Espresso Porter along with those usual chocolates. We've always recommended porter as a beer that goes great with dessert. The imported malts add
interesting chocolate and coffee notes that compliment a range of sweets.
There's also a theory that the first bite of chocolate is the best because your palate is fresh. The fats in the chocolate then coat your tongue
so that subsequent bites are not as flavorful. Well, the theory goes, the alcohol in beer breaks down the fats and cleanses your palate so that every
bite tastes as good as the first one. Worth conducting some home experimentation, don't you think?
Cheese Corner
Staying in the beer and food vein, we present our monthly beer and cheese pairing courtesy of the folks at DiBruno's. This month we pair the
Imperial Espresso Porter with Bayley Hazen Blue. Produced in Greensboro, Vermont, it's a natural rinded blue cheese made with whole raw milk, primarily
with morning milk, which is lower in fat. Ayrshire cow's milk is particularly well suited to the production of blue cheese because of its small fat
globules, which are easily broken down during the aging process. The paste of a Bayley Hazen is drier than most blues and the penicillium roqueforti
takes a back seat to an array of flavors that hint at nuts and grasses and in the odd batch, licorice. Though drier and crumblier than most blues, its
texture reminds one of chocolate and butter. It is aged between 4 and 6 months.
X Marks the Spot - Thanks for 10 Years
Sometimes it seems more like 10 months (other times like 100 years) but what a long, fun and sometimes strange trip it's been. Stay tuned because
we're going to have some special events and a 10th anniversary beer. It is after all, a year-long celebration!
Suffice to say that we wouldn't be here without your support, encouragement and championing our beers. Every time you pick up a case, 6-pack or pint,
you vote for local, fresh and hand-crafted, and we only continue to grow because of your great choices.
Thanks.
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