Friday, July 21st, 2006

Coast Guard was brewing up a storm.

Sorry but the pun couldn't be avoided. Seems the some enterprising individuals at the Coast Guard academy decided to save money by brewing their own beer for social functions. Finally somebody in the Government trying to SAVE money!

The article reports, "...that beer was called "The Admiral Amber Ale" and the audit found that the school spent about $1,000 to make 532 bottles of beer." Um...$1.88 per beer for homebrew is a little on the pricey side. I think somebody was either squirling away some of the product or a lot of that $1,000 went to buy the equipment. I guess you would need more than the basic homebrew equipment to crank out 532 beers.

So 532 beers at 12 oz. per beer is 6384 oz. 6384 oz is 49.875 gallons. So roughly fifty gallons which could be 10 5 gallon batches on a basic setup; 5 10 gallon batches on a typical all grain setup, or they went out and purchased a larger system. But if you've got a bunch of Cadets around, I guess brewing in shifts is a definite option. I think if they would have had more batches under their belt, they could probably get that down to 50¢ or 60¢ a bottle. Maybe less, if they have larger equipment and they buy ingredients in bulk.

Get a load of this chippie, "Coast Guard Spokeswoman Angela McArdle said an audit released Wednesday by a U.S. Senate panel that oversees the Homeland Security Department highlighted a purchase that was technically legal but did not represent a prudent use of funds.

"There is no more beer brewing going on at the Coast Guard Academy," she said."

Why the hell not. It's better to have them purchase beer at an inflated rate, than having them make their own and save some money? Not to mention they are learning a valuable skill and potential craft.

The article goes on to state that; "'Absent the purported cost savings and the dubious need for the government to brew its own alcohol, the purchase of the kit and the beer brewing activity itself fall short of prudent use of taxpayer dollars,' the audit found.

McArdle said about $800 of the questioned spending came from a Coast Guard foundation and was not government money"

Ok, so only $200 of it was government money. The other was from the Coast Guard foundation and they were trying to save money. Sounds like a pretty f'n good idea to me. But that's probably why I'm not in a government job.

Eat, drink and go WILD

Now this is a competition I would like to watch. Forget American Idol, Big Brothers, Nathan's Hot Dog eating competition, and try this one on for size. New Zealand’s Monteith’s Beer and Wild Food Challenge is an annual event where restuarants and bars from all over New Zealand compete in four basic categories; Best Service, Best Spirit, Best Individual Beer and Food Match, and OVERALL WINNER.

The Monteith’s Beer and Wild Food Challenge allows diners to experience wild cuisine, expertly matched with a craft brew at their local restaurant, café or bar. The event promises to "providing diners with a uniquely Kiwi wild food experience." (Side note, Kiwi is a term for New Zealand and New Zealanders. Many of the Kiwi's come to America to work harvest at small vineyards since their growing season is opposite ours. What with NZ being on the other side of the world and all.)

Oh...I just read a slightly disappointing, but competition leveling rule:

• Participants can either enter in the formal or informal category (formal entries must produce an entrée and main to be presented in a formal dining environment).


• The dish then needs to be matched to one of the Monteith’s family of six ‘Classic’ craft brews, including, Original Ale, Radler, Golden, Black, Celtic and Pilsner.


• Wild food can come from the sea, rivers or lake, the sky or the countryside.


• Each dish must comprise of the best available wild food, defined as non-farm-raised produce reared under normal health and safety regulations.


• The winning restaurant from each region stands to win a prize package valued at $8000. Then in addition to this, the over all national winner will receive a prize package valued at $15000.

It would be great if the contestants could choose any beer and/or style to pair with their entrees, but it is the brewery that is putting on the competition, so I understand the choice.

Now it's time for a brewery around here to do the same. Hint, hint, hint

SouthEnd Brewery In Downtown Raleigh Shut Down Last Week

And another one bites the dust. As yet another Brewpub goes down in ashes, it seems that all is not lost as it appears that a new Brewpub may rise like a Phoenix from the ashes. SouthEnd Brewery manager is quoted saying that they, "sold their brewing equipment, furniture, fixtures, and all of their other equipment in Raleigh to a new owner who will evidently take over the lease." And while the manager would give his name or specific the new owner, he did say that the new owner owns other restaurants in the Raleigh area. So heres to a new Brewpub going in.

Family is up from Louisianna, so no reviews this week.