Episode 50 – Imperial Teaspoon

Yo Guys,

(about time a new ep. is out!)

Listening to the cast as I type this, but figured I’d start my feedback while I listen.

First off, I was at Wegman’s in Erie this past weekend. I made a special stop there
to check it out on my way to the Home Brew Off fest being held at the BrewErie.
More on the Home Brew fest later, but I’ll give you the skinny on Wegman’s. I
thought it was really a kick-ass selection! The do have it towards the end of the
store where the cafe is, and have dedicated checkouts for purchases made there.
I didn’t find it obtrusive or weird, or uncomfortable. It’s set up in sort of a square
area. They have a 3 sided shelf system which sort of encloses it (with the checkout
occupying the 4th side). Inside the area are several rows of shelves, loaded with
lots of craft brews, a good selection of imports, and even a few macros (A.B.’s Ale
was there!). Lot of familiar names: Great Lakes, Southern Tier, Victory, Weyerbacher,
Lancaster, Boston Brewing, Brooklyn Brewing, etc. They also had some craft brews
that I’d not seen elsewhere, so I walked out with a couple bombers from Green Flash
(CA.); the Belgian and the IPA. My buddy bought an Ommegang 3 Philosophers and
a Unibroue La Fin Du Mond. I would have like to have spent more time there, but we
were on our way to the Home Brew Fest, so cut it kind of short. I’ll definitely be going
back. BTW Voodoo has really good exposure in the store.

The Home Brew fest was great! There were about 25 brews there, and they had 4
awards: Runner-Up & 1st “People’s Choice”, and Runner-Up & 1st “Judges”. The judges
were Matt from Voodoo, Gary from BrewErie, Sean from Erie Brewing, and ??? from the
Blue Canoe. I didn’t enter, but did bring a couple samples to get feedback from the
judges and some of the homebrewers. I brought my “Conundrum IPA” (7.5% / 75 IBU),
and my “London Porter”. Both were well received by the judges and the few who also
got to sample. Pete (Chris’ dad) asked me “Why didn’t you enter this? I’d definitely buy
it!” So, I’ll definitely be entering one or 2 brews in next year’s event.

Sick Puppy, I’ll have to check out your homebrew podcast. I just got in my supply of hops
for this year from Freshops.com. I got Cascades, Willamette, Perle, Magnum & Zeus (a
Columbus clone). Will be doing my 1st AG brew sometime soon … probably will do an
American Amber.

Cheers to Spoon, and the little ‘teaspoon’. Your life has changed forever. However, since
teaspoon made his appearance early, you can go to the BrewErie Microbrew Fest on Apr. 18th.
I’ll be there, 1st session, along with a whole bunch of road dogs.

Guess that’s all for now … later dudes!

Catching up on the show. Congrats on the new addition to the family.

Last time I was in Pittsburgh was a while ago, and I did visit the Foundry Aleworks (and loved it) – and you’d mentioned it was reincarnated – as what?

Keep up the good work (I still tell my beer geek friends you guys were the ones who turned me on to Shmaltz Brewing).

Ah from great brewer to great brewer I see. I think the EEB Blackstrap Stout is one of the best I’ve ever tasted. Pity we don’t get the goods here in eastern PA. I’d go for a road trip but I don’t think a sixtel would keep on the drive.