Call me Elf one more time....Happy Holidays.

You may now resume your holiday imbibing with the elves in peace.

Actually, I'd wondered recently how many even knew of the legal storm when it began brewing earlier this year. I'd mentioned a couple times in the past week or so to various people in the biz who basically shrugged and said something like "huh, dunno...kind of forgot all about that. Weird, though."

Collaboration? Not Litigation? Seems like a dreamy past.

So here we are. The Fegley's crew continues their thing in the Lehigh Valley with a successfully growing empire of locations, complete with coffee and burritos to round out the brewing and restaurant operations. Tröegs has its shiny new operation in Hershey as the envy of many in the industry.

Mad Elf. Rude Elf. I'm happy with them both. And comparing isn't really fair given that they're quite different beers.

There above is a picture of them living side-by-side at Wegmans when they both first made their annual reappearance back in October. I'd wondered at the time if the retail beer staff at Wegmans stuck them side-by-side with any intended message.

Tröegs is a bit more expensive. Given the recipe, you might imagine that. 33% more? Hard to say.

Here they are at home with me. I like 'em both. But, they're different. Rude Elf is more cinnamon and more allspice, but yet a quite drinkable "Christmas beer", particularly at 10.5% ABV.

Mad Elf is more honey and muted sweet cherries. Also, quite drinkable and, yet, 11% ABV. I prefer the latter but would not think of turning away the Rude Elf. Like I said, no reason to since they are so different.

While I'd like to be hopeful that these kind of legal actions do not become the norm, similar proceedings between other breweries in recent years suggest that may be wishful thinking.

Neither of the breweries are saying anything. Anything. I tried. I tried my "nice cop" approach and got nothing from either. It must have been part of the settlement, whatever that may have been. The extent of what I got was, and I quote, "We have nothing to add." (Tröegs) and "We are very happy that it has been resolved and have no further comment on that matter. We are proud that Rude Elf's Reserve always seems to prove a winner such as its 2002 World Beer Championship win and 2009 GABF win. This years batch is destined for greatness as well." (Fegley's)

Here's the official press release copy from Fegley's.

---

Fegley's Brew Works is pleased to report the litigation with fellow Pennsylvania Brewer, Tröegs Brewing, has been resolved and Fegley's Brew Works will continue to sell Rude Elf's Reserve. When asked to comment on this matter Jeff Fegley responded, "We have no further comment. You may direct any questions to me via email only at jeff@thebrewworks.com" When asked if Tröegs would be attending the Allentown Brew Works Beer Festival this Saturday, December 3rd, Fegley responded, "Unfortunately no, they are tied up with their new brewery expansion."

When asked about this year's batch of Rude Elf's Reserve, Fegley noted that it is "better than ever. We added two new 30bbl fermentation tanks this year and are really happy with how the complexity of the flavor profile has come together. The 1999 recipe has only been tweaked slightly over the years as the equipment changed, and was a Medal Winner at the Great American Beer Festival in 2009." Like many craft breweries, in 2011 Fegley's Brew Works has seen a giant increase in business. "We are at full capacity projected to brew about 3,800 barrels of beer in the next 12 months at our Allentown facility alone. We are adding 3 more 30 barrel fermenters in the next few months." said Fegley.

There are only limited quantities of this year's Rude Elf's Reserve left so get them while they last! Or sample them at the annual Allentown Beer Festival this Saturday afternoon with almost 30 other breweries attending. Look for Fegley's Brew Works products at Shangy's Beer Authority, Whole Foods, Wegmans and Tanczos, or sample their fine brews at locations like PJ Whelihans (Allentown and Bethlehem), Dunderbaks (Whitehall), Porter's Pub (Easton), TGIFriday's (Quakertown), Wise Guys Beer Depot (Allentown) and a distributor near you.

Happy Holidays from the rudest elf in Town. The now Legendary ...Fegley's Brew Works Rude Elf's Reserve. Cheers!

Homebrewing is news fit to print

The New York Times featured an article a couple of weeks ago that I thought some of you may be find of interest.

The growing homebrewing trend is discussed from a few different angles. One such angle showcased accomplished homebrewer Chris Bowen. He of Artic Alchemy, GABF Pro-Am gold winner, Hammersmith Ales, brewing historian, and perhaps of some other fame as well.

Link to the NY Times article

Real Ale on the loose

I just put up an article about cask-conditioned beer over at the other place I write.

It was mostly inspired by 3 weekends in a row of cask-related festivals in and around Philly — plus, a little by my love for the wonderful flavors and aromas that typically jump out of cask-conditioned beers.

Check out the article. And, for more pictures, see the following links:

~ Yards Philadelphia Real Ale Invitational: March 20, 2011 [link to pictures]
~ Allentown Brew Works Cask Beer Festival: March 26, 2011 [link to pictures]
~ General Sutter Inn's 3rd Lititz Cask Beer Festival: April 1-3, 2011 [link to pictures]

Brew Works Craft Beer Festival wrap-up

Special thanks to Glenn Koehler of TheElVee.com (Lehigh Valley, if you didn't catch the reference) for taking advantage of my unused ticket to the Brew Works' Craft Beer Festival last weekend in Allentown. Actually, the pay-it-forward started with the Fegley's crew that made the ticket available to me. Now that all the disclaimers are out of the way, Glenn submitted a report on his website where he discusses the many good things of the Lehigh Valley, mainly in the realm of eats and drinks. Go check out his writeup and review. From his write up and Lew's notes (via Facebook), it sounds like an event to keep an eye on next year.

Do you want to go to Allentown Brew Works Craft Beer Festival this weekend...for free?

They've done it again. Allentown Brew Works is hosting another event that I can not attend. But, they've once again allowed me to take the complimentary pass that I might have used and pass it along to one of you. I realize that it's short notice, but if you can be the first to reply in either a comment below or a private email to me, the ticket will be held for you at the door. You can choose from the 1pm-4pm or 5pm-8pm session; either way, it's a value of as much as $35 at the door. For more info about the festival, click here. General admission tickets are still available for the 5pm-8pm session. Now, for the question: What was Rude Elf's Reserve called before the threat of litigation caught up with those nasty kids from the north pole?

Sounds like Bryson pulled it off

(Lew Bryson at his eponymously-named beer and bourbon event at Allentown Brew Works) Thanks to The Pour Curator, Greg Heller-Labelle, for not only making good use of my comp'ed media pass for the event, but for sending along the following words and pictures to help describe the event for all of you. I would have been one of those bourbon neophytes, as Greg describes further below and probably would have appreciated the full slate of Buffalo Trace. The various takes on already-interesting beers sound like it made for an afternoon and admission well-spent. I'm hoping and looking forward to a reprise next year. You, too, can thank Greg by paying him a visit over at his site, The Pour Curator and checking out his contribution to the world of beer and art. (since writing this, I see that Brian Parker also has his own review of the event up over at his I Am Beer Wise site)

---

(Rick Anstotz from Yards Brewing Company) The *Yards Bourbon Barrel aged Thomas Jefferson Tavern Ale* was maybe the beer that picked up the most vanilla Bourbon flavor. The *Stoudt's Bourbon Barrel Cask-Conditioned Scarlet Lady* was a special one-off for the occasion, and that was the beer that was most transformed by the bourbon barrel-aging. Anyone who’s had a Scarlet Lady is familiar with the lively, hoppy ESB, and it was close to impossible to believe that the earthy, mellow, round tasting brew at the event was the same beer. (Josh Bushey of Allentown Brew Works) The Brew Works had three selections. The *Beau’s Perfect Porter* and *Black Dog Stout* were mellowed versions of flagship beers, but they also had a kegged *Apple Lambic* that was a nice tart change of pace from all of the rich vanilla flavors. Weyerbacher poured their popular bourbon barrel-aged brandywine, the *Insanity.* (Lew Bryson, presenter) The third floor was devoted to bourbon, including multiple sessions by *Lew Bryson,* who talked on everything from the Pennsylvania roots of whiskey to the modern innovations and procedures that create great bourbon today. The full slate of *Buffalo Trace* distillery products was a particularly popular hit, in part because it offered tastes for all palates, including the bourbon neophytes in attendance.

Some of you really know your brewer resumes!

Beau Baden used to brew at a Pyramid Alehouse in California. A few of you that wanted to go to Bourbons, Brews, and Bryson yesterday knew that and replied to my quick little "popup contest" yesterday. Greg Heller-Labelle (of the nicely "art"-iculated Pour Curator) was both the overall quickest and the first to reply with the correct answer about Baden's brewing history. Greg attended with a couple of his friends and, with no pressure from me, offered to bring back a few words and pictures to share with the rest of us. For those of us that intended to go, or had second thoughts, I get a feeling we're all going to be a little disappointed for not being there as well. Congratulations, Greg, and I trust you enjoyed your complimentary ticket from the Fegley Crew at Brew Works.

I have a ticket for this event that I will not be able to use….Do you want it?

Be the first to answer this question correctly by 12:00pm on 8/20/10 and I will pass along my ticket (courtesy of Fegley’s Brew Works) to you for use on Saturday. If you take along a friend, there are still regular admission and designated driver tickets still available. So here’s the deal. Simply send an email to me saying "I want the ticket". If you’re the first to respond with this phrase and no one answers the following question correctly, you’ll get the ticket. BUT, whomever responds both with the phrase "I want the ticket" and the first correct answer to the following question, will automatically get the ticket. Q: At what brewery in California did Brew Works brewmaster Beau Baden formerly work? This should be a great time and one that I’ll be sorry to miss. Here are the details

---

Bourbon, Beer and Bryson Festival! August 21st, 2010, 5pm-8pm Bourbons and other Spirits Buffalo Trace, the Eagle Rare Single Barrel, and Blanton’s Single Barrel featured in tasting seminars with Lew Bryson (see below)! Woodford Reserve and Gentleman Jack featured in "The Bourbon Barrel Lounge," featuring the "Art of the Bourbon Cocktail" with mixologist Donna Scott giving bourbon tips and bourbon sips! The NEW Maker’s 46 stave-aged bourbon from Maker’s Mark and the Knob Creek 9-yr-old. 4 Roses Single Barrel, their 4 Roses Small Batch Bourbon, and the 4 Roses Yellow Label. Three selections from Wild Turkey - Wild Turkey 101, Wild Turkey Rye, and Wild Turkey American Honey. Brews Allentown Brew Works Master Brewer Beau Baden will feature Draft Bourbon Barrel Porter as well as a Specialty Bourbon Cask and a Cassis Lambic that will enhance your Bourbon Pecan Foster Bethlehem Brew Works brewer Lewis Thomas will work his magic and provide an infused cask that will match the moment. Stoudt's Brewery in Adamstown is creating a specialty bourbon beer that only they can make; Weyerbacher Brewery of Easton; and Yards Brewing of Philadelphia Bountiful Bites --Fried Plantains topped with Bourbon Pulled Pork and Smoked Mozzarella --Carving Station – Ham with Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce --Brisket served over Collard Greens and Bacon, topped with Fried Okra --Corn Bread with Butter and Honey --Apple, Raisin and Bourbon Pecan Foster over Vanilla Ice Cream Bourbon Round Table Seminars Hosted by featured speaker: Lew Bryson, author of Pennsylvania Breweries Session Times: 5:15 pm, 6:15 pm, and 7:15 pm Maximum 30 guests per seminar Featuring Buffalo Trace, the Eagle Rare Single Barrel, and Blanton’s Single Barrel. Lew Bryson has been a full-time writer and lecturer since 1995 and is the author of four brewery guidebooks, including Pennsylvania Breweries and New Jersey Breweries. He is the Managing Editor of Malt Advocate, the country’s foremost whisky magazine, and writes the American Whiskey Column for the magazine. His books will be available for purchase and signing at the Festival. The Bourbon Round Table seminar will feature tastings of Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare Single Barrel and Blanton’s Single Barrel. Lew will be discussing the distillery and the making of the bourbon, how these bourbons are different from each other and the mingling and growth of Craft Beer and Bourbon. Dan Williams, Sazarac Director of Sales in Pennsylvania, will also be on hand to provide his expertise on the distilleries and their art in producing their Bourbons. Bourbon Barrel Lounge "The Art of the Bourbon Cocktail" -Sharing sips, tips, and recipes. Demonstrations with Woodford Reserve & Gentleman Jack by Liquor representative and Mixologist Donna Scott. The Lounge will be open for your pleasure for the entire duration of the event. Master Bourbon Discussions: Session Times- 5:15pm, 6:15pm, 7:15pm Our open forum discussion groups with samplings allow for deeper insight into some of our favorite American spirits. Additional Vendors: Benjamin Hull, Custom Bottle Openers; Indulge Chocolates by Erin Coughlin; Tobacco Village of Whitehall, PA Cost: $45 per personDesignated Drivers: only $25