Beer Bottle Bonanza

We all know that cups are a crucial factor in how beers taste. What about beer bottles?

Bottles also influence the taste of beers since they determine how much beer is damaged by light and heat. Most bottles on the market today are more concerned with showing off than preserving their precious contents.

A friend of mine sent me this link to the world's coolest beer bottles a while back. Check out these vivacious vessels and tell me what you think!

Hallertau Extra Strength Heroic Beer looks epoch!

Man discovers the world’s best beer can!

The search is over and the best beer can in the world has been discovered!

Kelowna, B.C.—On February 22, 2010 everyman Ben Wylie stumbles upon the world’s greatest beer can while on a ski vacation at Big White Resort. Yes, it is old timey and yes, it makes the world’s best beer box hats. Meet Molson Old Style Pilsner, the flashiest beer I have ever seen. We bought the beer purely because of the box’s hilarity.

Behold!!!

Although the beer is unmistakably Molson in flavour and colour it was a pleasure to drink because the label made me so joyful. It was a can which meant I could sip it in the hot tub unlike the bottles of Hop Head I also had in the fridge. It is the kind of beer that lads not much younger than myself “crush” at university parties, not unlike a Bishop’s Briefcase (12 pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon). But I wouldn’t know anything about that.

Someone has a keen sense of style

Sadly these beers do not appear to be available in Toronto. Just one more reason for British Columbians to feel sorry for us—as though being from Toronto wasn’t enough. I know it would be a conversation topic at parties and it would surely wow the hipsters on Queen Street. On second thought, perhaps it’s a good thing we don’t have it here. I already take issue to the price of Pabst Blue Ribbon in Toronto which sells $11 for a 12 pack in Quebec.

In conclusion, more breweries should take a hint from this beer when creating their cans. Perhaps they should omit the potentially offensive image of natives around a tepee though.

I can't be the only one who bought this beer for its label, can I?


Wylie out...

Wet your whistle!

Who says communications audits are dry?

A number of weeks ago we were assigned a communications audit for Communications Planning Theory. I love marketing communications but to most people a communications audit sounds flavourless. With the deadline to choose a company approaching fast, the climate was tense.

A lesser group would panic in such a situation but we kept our cool. To make the work more palatable we agreed on Steam Whistle. I cannot stress enough how rewarding it is to do a project that requires a brewery tour (shame on me for having thought that the Turkey Farmer’s Association of Canada was the best choice ever!).



The tour went handsomely and we learned plenty about Steam Whistle.

Here are a few facts you may not know about the company:
● Steam Whistle is Canada’s #1 green brewery
● Airbrushed labels and thicker glass mean that the company can re-use their bottles approximately 35 times
● Their fancy 12 packs were rated by CBC as Canada’s 22nd best invention in 2007 and use no glue
● Their beer is naturally carbonated (that’s a good thing)
● Steam Whistle used to be called “Three Fired Guys”
● The original bricks that make the roundhouse were turned inside out because of graffiti

Now don’t think that because I gave you a few facts and a virtual tour you don’t have to do the real thing. Everyone should do the tour, plus I hear it makes a good lunch break. Heck, maybe if you're clever you can make it a project too.

Go let off some steam!

Wylie out…

Four signs that you may be a beer geek...

* You know what IPA stands for
* You know at least one variety of hop
* You are deeply alarmed by the global hop shortage
* You are constantly on the prowl for cask-conditioned ales

Do you like beer?

If not, you have my deepest sympathies.

Nicholas Pashley loves beer and so do I. I liked reading his book Cheers! almost as much as I like drinking beer and that, my friends, is something special. I was immediately turned on by the brilliant cover image of a blurry Mountie – but the laughs didn’t stop there.

Cheers! is a refreshing and witty take on the history of beer in Canada. The Globe and Mail liked the book and so did many beer blogs. Pashley, admittedly a beer geek, is not on his high horse. He is an everyman, a quiet crusader intent on improving the quality of life for beer drinkers everywhere. He is also funny in a dry, ironic fashion.



Chapters include:
• Prohibition: Who Thought That Was a Good Idea?
• When Canadians Knew Squat: The Stubby in Our Lives
• The Future of Beer: Can I Afford to Drink It? (Can You Afford Not to Drink It)?

Did I mention that this book is hilarious?

I finished the book with a much greater knowledge and appreciation of beer. The book also raised some concerns about how we can remedy our poor showing as 20th in the world for per-capita beer consumption. Like Mr. Pashley, I wondered who is letting our team down. Odds are if you are reading this blog without a beer in hand then you either hate Canada or you forgot your patriotic duties!

To support the ailing Canadian economy and beer drinkers everywhere, pick up a copy of Cheers! While you're at it, you may want to take a look at ratebeer.com for help with your next beer purchase. Try something new (maybe even *gasp* local!) and remember that beer doesn’t need to be from Europe to be good!

I’ll see you in the pub!

Wylie out…