Jake's Friday tapping party- Crow Peak 'Olde Crow' Old Ale‏

JAKE'S LINCOLN & OMAHA (3/2): Both Jake's locations will be sharing another incredible tapping party, this time from an amazing brewery in the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota. The small town of Spearfish is also the home of Crow Peak Brewing Company, a 30 barrel brewery that is making some outstanding beers. Up to bat is 'Olde Crow', an very limited (in fact, never tapped outside of the Black Hills) Old Ale weighing in at 8.3% abv. It is complex and drinkable to the point it's scary, with notes of lush caramel and nuts and a solid candied raisin character. An absolute gem!

5:30 pm Jake's Omaha (62nd & Maple)
5:00 pm Jake's Lincoln (14th & P St.)

Lucky Bucket Now Participating in AHA Pub Discount Program

 
Hey homebrewers! You're all American Homebrewers Association members right? If so, then you just got the same email that I just received telling you that Lucky Bucket is now a pub discount program participant. Show your AHA card and get $1 off regular beer prices at the brewery.

If you're not an AHA member, click the AHA graphic to the right of this post to become one. By doing so you'll be supporting the AHA and all their efforts as well as getting great benefits including the pub discount program, which several Nebraska establishments participate in, and Zymurgy. Not only that, but by using the link on the side of this page to become a member or renew your membership, you will be helping to support this blog!
 

New Beer from Tallgrass Brewing Company: 8-bit Pale Ale

The newest beer in Tallgrass Brewing Company's lineup is, in response to apparently overwhelming customer requests, is a hoppy pale ale called 8-Bit Pale Ale. The theme is fantastic if you ask me! I hope the beer in the can is as good as the references on the outside of the can. Knowing Tallgrass, I'm sure it we won't be let down.

Here's the press release:

Tallgrass Brewing Co. Releases 8-Bit Pale Ale

8-Bit Pale Ale is the latest release from Tallgrass Brewing Company and the brewery's first infused offering. 8-Bit is a traditional American Pale Ale that is "hop-rocketed" using Australian Galaxy Hops at the end of the brewing cycle, giving the beer a massive dose of hops flavor.

While Tallgrass was putting the finishing touches on Velvet Rooster, the world's first Belgian-style Tripel in a can, they sent out a survey to ask their fans what kind of beer they should brew next. 500 fans responded and the overwhelming request: a super-hoppy pale ale. 8-Bit Pale Ale is the answer to that plea.

"We wanted to do something really hoppy, but do it the Tallgrass Way," said Tallgrass Founder Jeff Gill. "We wanted to make sure it was a well-balanced beer and not just about the hops. It had to be tasty too."

Tallgrass balances 8-Bit's large dose of hops flavor by brewing the beer with a strong malt backbone, which helps balance the hops' edge without hiding it.

8-Bit's name and can design were inspired by the classic video games of the early 90's, when gray game cartridges ruled the world and the 8-bit graphics of these early systems left much to the gamer's imagination.

"Today's craft beer drinkers grew up playing these games and still play them today," Gill says. "I hope 8-Bit will become the official beer of retro-gamers everywhere."

Tallgrass plans to release a puppet-based commercial to promote the new brand, retapping the creative talents from their popular Velvet Rooster video. The final commercial is still in production, but a teaser-trailer is now available on their website.

Meet the Brewer Night at Library Pub: Empyrean Brewing Co.

Mark your calendars. On March 10th at 7:30pm Library Pub will be hosting a Meet the brewer night with Empyrean Brewing Company. See the picture below for the details.

Thunderhead Collaboration Brew Day w/ Video

Nick and I, along with Nick's friend Terry, headed to Axtell, NE to brew with Trevor at Thunderhead's brewery.  In the last year Trevor secured a new facility in Axtell to move his brewery to and man is it nice!  It was very spacious and obviously has left Trevor with room to grow.  I know there are plans for a canning line at some point and I am sure bigger fermentors. 

We collaborated on a smoked russian imperial stout.  We hit our initial gravity number into the kettle at 1.090, but as often happens you leave a lot of sugars behind.  It was very sad watching a 1.040 or so wort get poured down the drain.  Nick and I will remember to bring carboys next time.  One of the pitfalls and expenses of brewing a high ABV beer for sure. 

We had a lot of fun brewing with Trevor and I expect the beer to be absolutely amazing!  We will keep you in touch on when the release party will be, we will probably have one in Kearney and one in Omaha if all goes to plan.  You won't want to miss this.