Flynn on Fire Smoked Beer Initiative from Switchback Brewing Company in Burlington, VT

(Photo courtesy of Switchback Brewing Company)
Maybe it's my German roots. I'm a big fan of well-made beers with that element of smoke. Call it a smoke beer here in the States, or a Rauchbier over in Germany. More technically correct to say in Bamberg, Germany where the Rauchbier style calls home. Schlenkerla is one of Bamberg's most well-known and broadly distributed breweries.

I'm a fan of both bold smoke beers and those with subtle undercurrents of smoke. Put a plate of, say, roast turkey and mashed potatoes in front of me along with a glass of it and I'll be in heaven. Would have loved to find a Kentucky Hot Brown while in Louisville to eat alongside a glass of Schlenkerla. Wow, to think!

But this is about a brewery that I "discovered" for the first time during the Craft Brewers Conference  in Nashville, TN back in May. I'd received an e-mail from Switchback Brewing Company, located in Burlington, VT (ah, Burlington, it's been way too long, I must visit you again soon!), informing me of the promotion taking place at City Tap and thinking/hoping I'd be interested to check it out. Little did they know (or maybe they did), they found the right guy.

The brewery has something called Flynn On Fire Smoked Beer Initiative. They were serving three at City Tap that are currently in the series — Smoked Märzen; Blackstrap Ale; and Gates of Helles (great name, btw!). I did not sample the Blackstrap, so I cannot speak to that, but was mightily impressed with the easier-going Gates of Helles as well as the more assertive Smoked Märzen. Looking at the company website, the brewery also does other German-inspired styles (Kellerbier, Berliner Weisse, and Märzen to name a few) and they will obviously be on my to-do list when that next visit to the Granite State. They've expanding distribution into NYC earlier this year; hopefully Philly isn't too much longer.

And, now that I'm on their media distribution list, I have this to pass along to you. Makes me wonder if the Flynn series, currently available in bombers, might someday also be available in cans.

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Introducing the Switchback Ale Can

Legendary flavor in convenient 16oz can

BURLINGTON, VT, July 26, 2018 — How does Vermont’s favorite beer improve on itself? By making it easier than ever to enjoy while adventuring. Switchback Brewing’s legendary Switchback Ale – a 100 percent unfiltered, 100 percent naturally carbonated, well-balanced reddish amber ale – is now available in popular 16oz cans. The 4x16oz packages are debuting now in Vermont and will roll out gradually to the rest of New England.

“Ale fans have been asking for cans, but we held off until we could install a canning line designed for craft brewers from the ground up,” said Switchback founder and brewmaster Bill Cherry. “It’s from Germany and integrates the seamer with the filler in one monoblock to give craft brewers unprecedented control of the filling speed to maintain world class quality.”

Switchback cans feature a non-BPA liner to assure quality and a special matte finish on its graphics.

"Switchback Ale drinkers are assured the same great beer flavor experience they expect from us," said Cherry. "There is zero compromise on quality. This beer is identical to our bottles and draught – which aren’t going away – and the fill is the best that exists on the planet. We’re excited to add more options in cans in the future."

About Switchback Brewing Company
Switchback Brewing Company was founded in 2002 by master brewer Bill Cherry and his longtime friend Jeff Neiblum. To maximize complexity and flavor, the beer is left unfiltered and carbonated during fermentation by the yeast itself, creating a 100% naturally conditioned beer. In 2017, Switchback Brewing Co. officially became the first 100% employee-owned brewery in New England via an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The move keeps the brewery locally owned and operated, still at its original home in the South End of Burlington, VT. Switchback beers are distributed throughout New England and New York. For more information, visit www.switchbackvt.com

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© Bryan J. Kolesar and The Brew Lounge, 2018. All content is owned and uniquely created by Bryan J. Kolesar. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Kolesar is strictly prohibited. Excerpts, images, and links may be used with advance permission granted and only provided that full and clear credit is given to Bryan J. Kolesar and The Brew Lounge with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Contact Kolesar at TheBrewLounge@gmail.com

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Writing this ship, Part II (all over the place, part 1)

If you keep up around here at The Brew Lounge on a regular basis, this may be an easy post to get through. In my continued effort to clear the backlog and bring us all up-to-date around here — and, in part, make amends for my perhaps perceived absence — Part II here focuses on a bunch of miscellaneous TBL activities from July 2012 through December 2012 mostly focused from New York through Delaware.

July
  - There was Ommegang's BCTC as has come to be a summer tradition since 2004. Of course, I wrote about it here at TBL as well as over at After Hours. They were both popular features and definitely gained some traction over there at TWT. Check 'em both out if you had previously not. Jury is still out whether I'll be making the trek again this year. The streak may finally be broken.

  - Also in July was the excellent Russian River beer dinner at the lovely Yardley Inn along the banks of the Delaware River. I wrote about it, as well, over at After Hours. I can only imagine that it was probably the only beer dinner where Russian River's beers were featured where there was a table that did not touch a drop of the five excellent beers set in front of them. They were close-minded wine people, whaddya want?

August
  - August brought an invitation to an excellent venue for a beer festival in Doylestown I'd not yet been to in the past. Certainly not your typical festival at not your typical place with not your typical beer festival people. I recommend keeping your eyes open for it this year if you've also not been.

September
  - You probably know that Sly Fox is up and running with their new production facility (and Tastin' Room) in Pottstown, Pa. The land around the brewery creates the perfect space for outdoor events. In September, they moved their Kan Jam from Phoenixville to Pottstown and added some excellent live music all day long.

  - Every year, the reputation of Yards' Smoke 'Em If Yous Got 'Em event seems to grow. It helps that craft beer lovers are finding their way to these unique beers more than ever. And, that there's excellent professional and amateur barbecue served up along side.

  - That was in September. So was the Dogfish Dash in Milton, Del. Good thing I do this running thing, especially when the the decadent Yards event was the week before.

October
  - As I was gearing up for the Harrisburg Marathon in November (well, actually, for the NYC Marathon, but I think we all know what happened there), there was one last beer dinner to squeeze in that'd been on my mind for quite some time at Anthony's Coal-Fired Pizza. Here's the recap of a dinner at their Horsham, Pa. location with Victory Brewing Company as the beer pairing companion.

November
  - Not much to share with you from the beer world in November as I finished training for what would become my new all-time best marathon finishing time at the Harrisburg Marathon. But, as I can recite, to the second, each of eight marathon finishing times, I can also tell you the first beer I had after each marathon. Typically, I aim for something local to complete the association of the the race, the place, and the beer. In this case, it was a post-Marathon lunch and beer at nearby Tröegs in Hershey and the beer was a Scratch #78 Fresh Hop Ale. What they're doing at the brewery simply adds to making Hershey the Sweetest Place On Earth. If you haven't been, add it to your short list.


December
  - December, like November, was a fairly quiet month for me in terms of getting out into the beer events circuit. One that I wouldn't skip, however, was the Sly Fox Anniversary breakfast. It was one of several things that I would find over many of the last several "lost months" that went undocumented here in the pages of The Brew Lounge. While there are many beer events that can justify taking vacation time from work, breakfast with the Sly Fox folks is one that will both entertain and nourish you. I've added a few pictures here for your enjoyment.

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Where there's Smoke, there's Yards...and BBQ and many other beers

Yards Smoke 'Em If Yous Got 'Em (Click above for full gallery of 30 event pictures)

(At this rate of "catching up", perhaps I'll be done by Christmas. What a gift that would be. Really only to me because, anymore, who's really counting?)

On September 23, Yards hosted their 4th annual Smoke 'Em If Yous Got 'Em event. The popular event was held again at the brewery, taking advantage of both the brewing space as well as the short street just outside the front door. Smoke-flavored beers were the focal point of the event with a supporting cast of great foods and music.

Some might say that smoke beers are an acquired taste. While that certainly has not been an issue for the hundreds that have come out each year, for the first time, Yards opened up the beer list to more than just smoke beers. Guest breweries included many of the locals you might expect (Sly Fox, Iron Hill, Stoudt's, Tröegs, Victory, Manayunk, Flying Fish, and Weyerbacher), some newer upstarts (Neshaminy Creek and Old Forge, e.g.), and a couple of authentics from Germany (namely, Schlenkerla).

Outside, the street was filled with both amateur and professional chefs (including Percy Street BBQ and Vernalicious) cooking up their best barbecue. Unlimited helpings of everything from ribs to brisket to sausage were included in the price of admission and judged by guest judges as well as the public for people's choice.

There was much pleasing flavor to go around the event from the plate to the glass. However, one particular plate stood out for me. It was The Smoke Team's Suckling Pig stuffed with cornbread and broccoli rabe, then topped with duckfat sauce and duck cracklings. They called it "The Phillington", a classic Wellington with a Philly twist. A tasty twist indeed.

In the spirit of me dropping the ball more than is typical of late, I left before Yards owner Tom Kehoe announced the winning entries. So, I really have no idea how this magnificent plate of food fared at the judges' table. I had an early morning flight the following day and the prior day's activities at Sly Fox had already filled the weekend for me.

So this year, I will have to let the picture gallery do more of the talking on this page. (You'll notice quite a few Eagles jerseys being worn that day. Wonder if the event was being held, say, this Sunday if the colors would be seen just as much?)

Just another fine day and event at the Yards. If you've not given it a try, consider this fair warning for next September.

If you'd like to read and see more from two guys that put in more time at the event than did I, head over to read Ryan Hudak's account at In Search Of Beer and/or Rich Isaacs' account at Rich On Beer.

Yards Smoke 'Em if Yous Got 'Em: 9/23/11

We had 'em smoked every which way at Yards. Quick jump over here for 40 pictures from the event.

(Excellent glassware as always at Yards events. And, guess what? Attendees don't smash them at the end of the session!)

A little late with this wrap-up (yeah, like nearly 3 weeks late...so, let's get on with it, eh?!), but must do my part here to reiterate the claim for this event as a top 10'er every year in the Philadelphia region. A destination beer event, if you will. One that you take the afternoon off from work to attend. Maybe include a stop at Standard Tap just a few blocks away.

(Rolled barbecue at fahrenheit 225)

This year's Smoke 'Em If Yous Got 'Em event was much like the previous ones: smoked meats of every type; smoked beers ranging from where's-the-smoke to Holy-Smoke!; live music; and great times with like-minded folks. You should hear what we say about the unlike-minded folks.

(Collin Flatt, judge)

The only difference this year was that there was more. More meat (a dozen amateur competitors, plus Percy Street, Brauhaus Schmitz, and The Smoke Truck), more beer (nearly 20 breweries worth of smoked beers in varying intensity). And I, as one smoke-beer, smoke-meat lovin' guy, couldn't have been happier.

There are a few pictures here; the remainder are shared over at Picasa via this link.

I stopped in with Adam The NonConFermist courtesy of an invitation from the brewery. That, as you should come to expect by now, in no way influences my opinion of events at Yards. My affection for smoked beers is well-documented. And, well, Yards has the right facility for hosting large events in a space that comfortably accommodates the throngs of beer lovers.

(Master Basters at work putting on a show of great barbecue)

Master Basters justifiably took first place. If there was a prize for most creative name, they likely would have won in that category as well, but perhaps only narrowly over Grill on Grill Action.

Finally, I shouldn't close without recognizing The Smoke Truck. The already much-lauded Smoke Truck gets a few more points for hooking up Mrs. Brew Lounge, who drove through the torrential downpours to pick me up on the way to The Shore. A bowl of sauce to accompany a mound of succulent pulled pork and a large bone of meat. Made the late-night trip to The Shore just a little easier. Easy on the double entendres kid.

[Pictures]