Circle Brewery Tour

Circle Brewery Kegs

A few weeks ago, Groupon offered a deal for a brewery tour at Circle Brewing here in Austin. For $15, you got a brewery tour package for two, which included two Circle pint glasses with koozies and a self-guided tour. It also technically came with 6 drink tickets (3 each), but Groupon advertises that alcohol isn’t included in the cost of the package.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when the day of the tour came around. The website said we could arrive any time between 1 and 5 pm to take the tour. My friend and I showed up around 2 pm and the place looked packed. They had marked off a huge area in front of the brewery for people to hang out and eat food (available from two local food trucks) and there were quite a few groups of people just standing around. It looked like a carnival that had forgotten all of their rides and games. There wasn’t much of a line though to get in, so we showed our IDs, got our drink tickets and picked out which color koozie we wanted for our pint glass.

Circle Brewing

The Crowd at Circle Brewing

We decided our best bet would be to grab a pint before starting the self-guided tour. Luckily, the line for beer wasn’t very long and the people were pouring pretty quickly. I opted to try the Envy, an amber beer they offer year round, and my friend got the winter brew, Nameless, a winter amber. I definitely preferred Nameless to Envy, though both were very tasty.

Outdoor Beer Station     Pouring the Envy

Once we had our beer, we ventured inside the warehouse to start our tour. There was actually a line for the self-guided tour, which we thought was a little strange, but we jumped in line and waited. At the start of the tour, there were some Self-Guided Tour handouts to explain what you were seeing as you walked by the equipment. The handout included the line:

Please DO NOT TOUCH any tanks, pipes, valves, hoses, etc. Bad things could happen.

An appropriate warning, but just in case you missed it, all of the equipment was also blocked off with yellow tape. It seemed overly cautious to me at first, but I was still on beer #1; who knows what I would have been capable of after beer #3.

Turned out the tour line was completely pointless and only forming because some people had decided to stand and talk in front of the equipment. We stepped out of the line and walked next to it to get glimpses of the equipment. Honestly though, if you’ve been on one brewery tour, you’ve been on them all. What really makes a brewery tour interesting and unique is getting to talk to the actual brewer, ask questions and learn unique things about the brewery. All of that was stripped away on the self-guided tour, which was disappointing, but getting to try the beers made up for it. It turned into more of an afternoon happy hour, which is never a bad thing.

I will say I learned one interesting fact from the tour handout:

It takes us about 2 minutes and 35 seconds to wash a keg, and about 2 minutes and 15 seconds to fill one.

Checkout the gallery for the rest of my pictures from Circle Brewing (Please forgive any blurriness. It isn’t really easy to hold a beer in one hand and take steady pictures with your iPhone in the other.):

Black Star Co-op Brewery Tour

Black Star Co-op is a fairly new brewery and pub in Austin, TX, and the first co-op brewery in town. Being a co-operative means that the business is owned by the people (or members, in the case of Black Star) and the employees. We decided to check them out by scheduling a brewery tour for Kegerator.com employees that were interested.

One of the first things I learned about Black Star when I arrived is that the employees at the bar don’t accept tips. I ordered my first beer (a Thirsty Goat Amber) and looked around for a tip jar with no luck. I asked the girl who took my order where I could leave a tip, and she informed me that the employees of Black Star all receive living wages. So no tip jars on the bar and no tip line on the receipt. Awesome.

    

A few of us in the group enjoyed a beer as we waited for everyone to arrive and the tour to begin. It’s definitely a nice setup for hanging out with friends, inside or out on the patio.

The tour began with us climbing a ladder to a loft in the brewery room where the grains and mill are stored. We tasted some of the grains on hand and got a quick overview of Black Star’s process. The next part of the tour included two mash tuns where the grains are steeped and 4 fermenters, which each can hold 20 half barrels of beer. The final stop was the cold room where the beer being served at the bar is stored and kept cool.

         

We learned that Black Star never makes the same beer twice; they’re constantly tweaking and improving the recipes, so while the beer might have the same name, there could be subtle changes in the taste.

After the tour, some of us hung around to drink some more, chat, play darts and try some food. The place got fairly crowded in the evening, so there was a bit of a line to order beer or food, but the atmosphere was very relaxed and enjoyable.

I look forward to going back soon and possibly becoming a member. Do you have any co-op breweries near you? Plug them in the comments!

Mini Keg Beers for the Mini Kegerator

EdgeStar Mini Kegerator

If you’re a draft beer lover like I am, there is something to be said for bottled beers. The beers they contain are delicious, but something about them being in a bottle just doesn’t taste as good as if they’re poured right from the tap. Unfortunately, most grocery and liquor stores force you to buy the bottles, and there is no way around the fact that you’ll have to drink bottled beer yet again.

That is where the 5 liter keg comes in. It was designed by draft lovers, just like you, to allow you to serve fresh draft beer in your home without having to buy a keg or build a home bar. We love these specialized kegs, but not every beer brand comes in this size. So, to help you out, we’ve compiled a list of a few brands that you will be sure to love on draft. If you’ve had them, try them on draft; if you haven’t had them, then be sure to put them on your grocery list!

 

heineken mini kegHeineken Lager

As one of the most popular European beer brands, Heineken’s unmistakable look and label has given the beer increased notoriety over the last few decades. This clean-tasting lager is malty and has a nice bite to it, and the most distinctive part of this beer is its “skunky” smell, meaning that the hops really take effect in the aroma of the beer. A good mix of sweet and bitter, this Dutch beer goes down smooth.

ABV: 5%

 

newcastle mini kegNewcastle Brown Ale

Newcastle Brown Ale is heralded by critics, thanks to its sweet and nutty flavor that seems to please most beer drinkers. Originating from Britain, the brown ale has hints of caramel, a malty taste, and a creamy texture that is easy to drink. The light body also gives this beer a certain quenching aspect that enables you to drink several without getting too full.

ABV: 4.7%

 

Coors Light Mini KegCoors Light Lager

Coors Light, one of the major American brews enjoyed by millions, is a thirst-quenching beer with a light body for easy consumption. The crystal clear beer features notes of grains and high carbonation, which is great for those who don’t like heavy or dark beers. A crisp finish and clean taste, this beer can be enjoyed by people of different tastes and styles.

ABV: 4.2%

 

Paulaner Mini KegPaulaner Oktoberfest Marzen Amber

A local favorite in Germany, the Paulaner Oktoberfest was a seasonal beer that was so popular, the brewery decided to brew it year-round. Very malty and sweet, this beer is great for those who don’t like an aggressively bitter taste, and the medium body has hints of bread and butter. Because of the malty taste, this beer goes down smooth and quite easily and leaves a bit of an aftertaste to enjoy.

ABV: 6%

 

DAB Mini KegDAB Original Lager

The DAB lager is a German pilsner with a very earthy smell and rich golden color. A simple beer, the taste of bread, malt, and hops are the key notes taken away from the taste, while a slight citrusy flavor combines to provide a great aftertaste. The light body allows for it to quench your thirst with ease, while the crisp flavor will leave your taste buds satisfied.

ABV: 5%

 

Widmer Mini KegWidmer Hefeweizen

This popular American brew is a slight mix between a hefeweizen and a wheat beer, as the taste is wheaty with a mix of a citrus flavor like most wheat beers. The medium body ensures that it will be lighter than wheat beers, but the overall light taste is reminiscent of a hefeweizen. With a malty feel and distinct taste, this hefeweizen will be sure not to disappoint.

ABV: 4.9%

 

Bell's Oberon Mini KegBell’s Oberon Wheat Ale

A typical wheat beer, Bell’s Oberon has a full wheat taste with a hint of citrus for flavor, as well as a nice, hoppy taste that will mix together well. A sweet, floral aroma entices you to drink more, while the malty texture mixes in with the smells and tastes to create a wonderful drink. The sweet flavor and medium body is great for drinking in the summertime, which is the only time this beer is in stores.

ABV: 5.8%

 

Rogue Yellow Snow Mini KegRogue Yellow Snow IPA

In the traditional fashion of most IPAs, Rogue Yellow Snow features high notes of hops, but it also has a citrusy bite to it that gives the beer some flavor. Beer drinkers should note that, like most IPAs, the bitterness of the hops in this beer takes over as the main flavor. With a hazy feel and medium body, this beer will quench your thirst as well as fill you up, and the aftertaste has hints of pine and, of course, hop.

ABV: 6.2%

 

Bitburger Mini KegBitburger Premium Pilsner

This light pilsner hails from Germany, and – as most pilsners – is very golden in color, and features a grainy aroma. However, Bitburger is a bit of an anomaly when it comes to pilsners, as it has a more hoppy flavor than others thanks to its origin. This beer provides a good balance of spice and bitters with malt to give a good, crisp taste.

ABV: 4.8%

 

Spaten Mini KegSpaten Premium Lager

Originating in Germany, the Spaten Premium lager is an easy beer to drink, thanks to the smooth taste and light body. The grassy, earthy aroma gives a clue to the taste: an herbal taste with a small amount of hops. A malty texture is another feature of this beer, and the balanced flavors make for an overall enjoyable drinking experience.

ABV: 5.2%

 

Warsteiner Mini KegWarsteiner Premium Verum

As a German pilsner, the Warsteiner Premium has a straw-colored yellow look with a crisp, light taste. The mild hop flavorings do not tend to overshadow the rest of the beer, and a malty sweet flavor tends to carry through the initial taste. A very simplistic but refreshing beer, the carbonation level is not too high, which is great for being able to taste the subtle notes inside.

ABV: 4.8%

 

Feel free to leave a note in the comments if I missed any!

Top 5 Drinking Games

If you’re having a party and want to entertain your guests, and are willing to let your guests crash on your couch, then play some drinking games. As a recent college graduate I am well versed in the art of drinking games and would like to give you my list of the top 5 drinking games.

1. Beer Pong / Beirut

Beer Pong

This is a classic drinking game started in the 1960’s. In this game there are two teams of two on opposites of a long table. Each team will have 6 or 10 cups setup in a triangle formation, all one third filled with beer.  Each team takes turns throwing a ping pong ball at the other team’s cups. If a ball goes in the cup, the opposite team must drink the contents. A team wins when they hit the last cup of the opposite team.

Those are the basic rules, but you should always ask what the house rules are before starting a game. Many people have adjusted, changed or added to the rules over the years, so it’s always best to make sure you’re on the same page if you want to win.

2. Baseball

There are again two players on a team, but the teams take turns drinking and throwing in this game. There are four cups lined up spaced out from one each other, each one further from the throwing team than the previous. The first cup is ¼ full, the second ½ and so on until the fourth and final cup is full. The game consists of nine innings of three outs each. Each person on the batting team takes turns throwing a ping pong ball into the cups. When they hit the opposing team must drink everything in that cup. If the batting team misses that counts as out. You keep score with amount of runs. You only score a run when a “base runner” is advanced past the plate, just like baseball. After nine innings the team with the most runs wins.

3. Flip Cup

In this game two teams of players of equal size line up on the opposite side of a table or counter from each other. Each person starts with a cup face up with a small amount of beer in it. To start the game two players on opposite teams cheers with each other then drink the beer in their cup. Once they have finished what’s in their cup, they attempt to flip the cup from right  side up to upside down using one hand. The trick is to place the cup a little off the edge of the table, and then gently flip it. After the first person flips their cup to the right side, the next person on the team drinks what’s in their cup and then flips it. This continues until the last person on the team has flipped their cup. First team to flip all of their cups wins.

Flip Cup

4. Chandeliers

This is my personal favorite game. This game can be played either with quarters, smaller glasses and liquor or ping pong balls, larger cups, and beer/liquor. All of the people playing gather around in a circle with a cup of what they’re drinking in front of them. Each of the contestants also adds an amount of their liquor to a pitcher in the center. All of the players then go around bouncing a quarter, or ping pong ball. If the quarter goes into someone else’s cup, that person has to drink; if the quarter goes into their own cup, they get to pick who drinks. If it goes into the center, the players race to finish their drink, and the loser must drink the contents of the pitcher in the center. Everyone is a winner.

5. Kings or King’s Cup

This game has a lot less action then the rest, but is still quite entertaining. To setup the game you layout a deck of cards, face down, in a circle with no gaps between the cards. Each person goes around and takes a card, and performs the rule that corresponds with that card. Every house has different rules for each card, so it’s best to just look up rules you would like to use. Some examples are, girls drink, guys drink, you drink, you pick someone to drink, and waterfall. The game is done when all the cards have been picked up.

 

This is just a short list of some of the games that can be played at a party. In all of these games lots of good beer is almost a requirement. Just remember to drink responsibly, have a DD, don’t drive, etc. and you’re sure to have a great time.

 

Our Top 10 Man Caves (Part 2)

The Final Countdown

Check out the first half of our Top 10 Man Caves list here.

5. NFL Network Presents…

Built for a competing family atmosphere, this football-themed man cave was built and furnished with the help of the NFL Network. As the family is torn between the Ravens and Redskins, the center couch is placed on a rotating platform, allowing you to view each game on the TV screens or projector, with service provided courtesy of the NFL Network.

Man Cave 5     Man Cave 5-2

[click the images for a larger view]

4. J-E-T-S!

If you’re a Pats fan, you might as well just get out now, because this next home bar is all about the Jets. Hand-carved, polished wood make up the bar, which is stocked to the brim with almost any alcohol of your choice. A big-screen TV with game consoles and a DVD player, as well as luxury leather couches, give this man cave a very “at-home” feel.

Man Cave 4    Man Cave 4-2

3. Holy Batcave, Batman!

Come into the Down Under while we visit this man cave based in Australia. The owner took the “cave” part seriously – as the walls are made out of a faux rock siding – because of his affinity for the Batman series. A full projection screen lines the front wall, with two rows of movie theatre-style seating for guests. Come on though, who wouldn’t love a Batcave like this?

Man Cave 3     Man Cave 3-2

2. The Lap of Luxury

This man cave will take your breath away as you gaze over the luxury that you can enjoy. Featuring three TVs to watch several games at once, and luxury seating that can fit a large group of people, this would be a perfect place to host a game. It also helps that a built-in wine cellar is right nearby, allowing you to take anything from your collection to enjoy.

Man Cave 2     Man Cave 2-2

1. Hittin’ the Club

Our number one man cave boasts the nightclub theme, with ambient lighting to set the mood and luxury couches to relax comfortably. The fully stocked bar lights up while tables and chairs adorn the bar and around the entire room. As a roomy and relaxing atmosphere, it’s no wonder that you may feel the urge to dance.

Man Cave 1     Man Cave 1-2

Are there any amazing man caves out there that we missed? Let us know in the comments which is your favorite or share pictures of your own man cave. You may even inspire us to update the list.

Our Top 10 Man Caves (Part 1)

The Manliest of Cavernous Spaces: The Man Cave

When you start to build your private space, you do the research. You decide whether to hire the contractors or do it yourself. You know that this shade of blue is for Mets fans, while this shade is for the Yankees. You seem to know everything you’re doing to make your man cave the best.

But how will it match up?

We here at Kegerator.com decided to compile a list of the Top 10 Man Caves to give you the inspiration you need. In order to be the best, you have to beat the best, and to do that, you’ll have to see the best. So here is what your competition looks like:

10. What’ll You Have?

This garage man cave comes complete with a fully-stocked pub, as well as a few parked Harleys that are ready to ride at a moment’s notice. The aluminum siding adds a bit of a manly edge to the cave, and the pub comes personalized with the owner’s name – Boutte’s – right on the front.

Man Cave 10     Man Cave 10-2

[click the images for a larger view]

9. Right on Cue

As the laws of basic man caves go, this one follows it to the letter. Everything a guy wants and needs is in this brightly-colored cave: a pool table, two TVs connected to watch the games, and even a stocked wet bar with a fridge, stove, and microwave to make your manly meals.

Man Cave 9     Man Cave 9-2

8. It’s Tee Time!

Perfect for the golf lover, this man cave captures the essence of the country club while indoors. A few nice touches are the green turf added along the floor, as well as a hand-carved, man-made bench. The golf simulator is the main component here, allowing you to work on your swing without having to travel to the links.

Man Cave 8     Man Cave 8-2

7. Erin Go Braugh

The Irish eyes are smiling down on this Ireland-themed man cave. Complete with an astounding collection of Irish memorabilia and family records, the owner of this man cave went all out to make himself feel at home. A built-in wet bar extension from the garage, a pool table, poker table, dart board, and luxury seating in front of the TV make this a great place if you’re feeling lucky.

Man Cave 7     Man Cave 7-2

6. The Man Sanctuary

This large space is decorated with the things a man really loves: a projection TV, great leather seating, a pool table, and a full-stocked bar waiting to be tended to. Of course, none of this is complete without the décor, and no décor is great unless it has the Jack Daniels name on it!

Man Cave 6     Man Cave 6-2

Click here to see our top 5 man caves

Local Brewery Wins Battle But Not War

There are countless things that make the city that houses our headquarters (Austin, Texas) great, one of them being the enthusiasm for cold drinks and the brands that create those delicious beers, wines, and liquors. Local brewery, Jester King, and its two co-plaintiff’s Authentic Beverage Company and Zax Restaurant & Bar, recently won a case against the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) regarding a select few of its strict rules.

The ruling basically said that you can now call it like you see it – beer can now be called, “beer” and ale can now be referred to as “ale” (whereas it was not allowed before).  The conclusion also resulted in allowing craft breweries to let their fans know where they distribute their goods (AKA adding a “where to buy section” on their websites).

However, craft breweries are still not treated as wineries and cannot sell their product onsite under the Equal Protection Clause.

Though they didn’t win it all, we’re supportive of the craft brewers here in Austin and proudly store their bottles of beer or kegs in our beverage coolers and kegerators.

Cheers and happy holidays!

  

And The Winner Is…

Kegerator.com sponsored an employee beer brewing competition over the month of November, and the winner was recently announced. There were four participating teams:  Rainbow Ale, Brew Ha Ha’s, Holiday Five Pack, and Schlitz and Giggles.

All put up a good fight – but ultimately, the judges had to choose just one to be the winner. And how did they determine the best beer you ask?

We arranged for a panel of beer aficionados (the brew class instructor from Austin Homebrew and two unbiased company execs) to rank the brews. They came to an undisclosed location (AKA an upstairs conference room) for scoring each team’s batch based on the following four criteria:

  • Presentation
  • Aroma and head retention
  • Flavor
  • Overall perception

JB, our brew class instructor and actual beer expert, lead the tasting – giving Rick, our CEO, and Peter, one of our VPs, his insights throughout the process. Interestingly enough, the scores came out synonymously, which affirmed a true winner.  Phrases used to describe the victor included, “excellent, almost-commercial, and a true first place.”

The winner was Schlitz & Giggles’ Meadow Muffin, a medium-bodied brown ale with hints of chocolate and malt. Out of a possible 120 points, Meadow Muffin came in at a not-too-shabby 102.

 

Kegerator.com congratulated its first ever beer brewing competition winners with a trophy of a home brew keg and tickets to a local beer tasting event.

Debut Day! | Schlitz and Giggles

Today is a landmark day at the Schlitz & Giggles Brewery. Our new beer is making its debut on store shelves!

Meadow Muffin Brown Ale is a medium-bodied beer that has hints of chocolate and malt. Our secret ingredient adds that hint of spice, which gives a kick to the overall smooth flavor of the beer.

We decided on the name Meadow Muffin, because we wanted to give back. This brown ale is a tribute to the average American farmer who has gone through tough times. The American economic troubles have taken its toll on many Americans, but few have been hit harder than the farmer. So we have decided to donate 10% of all proceeds to the Certified Horticultural and Agricultural Farmer Fund (CHAFF) to help revive the fledging agricultural industry.

We are also rolling out each bottle with a specialized code on the label that could enter you into the drawing for a $1 million grand prize. You will see a QR code like the one below on each specially-marked bottle:

All you have to do is snap it and send it to WIN-BIG (946-244) for your chance to win!

We hope you have as much fun drinking our Meadow Muffin as we did making it and, as always, drink this Schlitz responsibly!

Final Day | Brew Ha Ha’s

The day has finally arrived… the judges will taste our beer today.  A couple members of our team did a taste test last night and gave Bee Caves Imperial Stout two thumbs up; let’s just hope the judges agree.  If not, well…at least our label looks amazing!!

Speaking of our team, the Brew Ha Ha’s FINALLY got a team picture this morning.  That’s Michael, Ashley, Kari and Stefanie.  Unfortunately, Blake was on vacation today so he’s missing from our photo.

Unique Piece | Schlitz and Giggles

Our Marketing campaign has hit America’s heartland! The following newspaper article was found on the Omaha World-Herald website (omaha.com):

Published Tuesday, November 30, 2011

Guerilla Marketing for Beer Draws Buzz

By Roem Niodar
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

In what some are calling the most bizarre marketing to ever be featured in Nebraska, a small farm about 20 miles outside Omaha is the site of a buzz-worthy billboard that asks more questions than it answers.

The Jones Farm & Ranch in neighboring Fremont, NE is currently playing host to the billboard planted seemingly overnight on a reserved plain of land. Featuring the text “What is Meadow Muffin?” the billboard is signed by Schlitz & Giggles, an up-and-coming American brewery that is fast becoming a household name.

Established in early 2011, this brewery’s fast-track to success can be traced back to its board of presidents. Known for their marketing prowess and willingness to take risks, these innovators are no doubt the ones behind this billboard, which should be no surprise to the business leaders who are familiar with the workings of the board.

With the brewery’s newest beer slated to make a December 9th launch, this is no doubt an attempt to create buzz for their highly-touted product. Industry leaders are speculating as to what this beer will be called, and this billboard gives a glimpse into what exactly this beer might be.

As a slang term, “meadow muffin” is used by farmers to describe animal waste left in the fields, most commonly by cows. While not terribly appealing to the ears, this question is further churning the rumor mill as to what the new Schlitz & Giggles beer flavor will be.

While many questions may still be in the air, most will not get them answered until December 9th. Asked about the billboard, Kevin Jones, owner of the Jones Farm & Ranch, said, “I may not like it on my field, but I will definitely be waiting to see what this new beer is going to be. I’ll be sure to pick up a six pack the day it comes out.”