The Wine Enthusiast Magazine Top 25 Beers of the Year list has hit the street.
The good news: Several Elite represented breweries made the list--comprising 36% of the total.
The bad news: Some of the beers listed are rare and limited and not available in Colorado. The highlights are:
3. The Bruery Orchard White
8. Lost Abbey Cuvee de Tomme *
9. Nogne-O/Stone/Jolly Pumpkin Collaboration (available in CO, but we're sold out).
10. Russian River Beatification *
11. Blaugie La Moneuse Saison - (available via pre-order).
12. Lost Abbey Duck Duck Gooze (top lambic at GABF) *
13. St. Bernardus Witbier
17. Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere
19. Caracole Nostradamus
* Sorry, rare/limited and not currently available in Colorado.
We'd also like to give a shout to our Colorado homies Left Hand and Avery who also made the list.
These are all great producers, so be sure to check out their entire beer rosters.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Congrats!
Elite Denver Sales Rep Travis and his wife Sarah gave birth to baby Vanessa on Wed. the 21st.
She arrived a little ahead of schedule (probably didn't want to miss Halloween) but mom and baby are doing great. Pics to follow...
Congrats Travis and Sarah!!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
It's Freaktoberfest Time Again!
It's time again to celebrate Shmaltz' new release--the second coming of a bewitching offering of the season: Coney Island Freaktoberfest.
A tasty treat for Halloween, Coney Island Freaktoberfest is a blood red lager that is artfully crafted to lure the spirit's deepest rapture, conjured to exorcise the grim horrors of the armies of soulless Lagers everywhere. It was boiled and toiled in their stainless cauldrons, produced with 6 malts, 6 hops, and a gripping 6.66% ABV.
A tasty treat for Halloween, Coney Island Freaktoberfest is a blood red lager that is artfully crafted to lure the spirit's deepest rapture, conjured to exorcise the grim horrors of the armies of soulless Lagers everywhere. It was boiled and toiled in their stainless cauldrons, produced with 6 malts, 6 hops, and a gripping 6.66% ABV.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Mad Hatter Shiraz--Breakfast of Champions
In case you missed it--Mad Hatter Day was Tuesday October 6th.
The holiday is a great excuse (though one isn't needed) to toss back a few glasses of Hewitson Winery's tasty McLaren Vale Shiraz "Mad Hatter".
Towards that end, The Today Show's Hoda and Kathie Lee got an early start on the holiday--sipping the Hewitson on camera (looks like they enjoyed it).
The Mad Hatter is a rich and delicious Shiraz, perfect for sipping and richly flavored meals--silly hat optional.
The holiday is a great excuse (though one isn't needed) to toss back a few glasses of Hewitson Winery's tasty McLaren Vale Shiraz "Mad Hatter".
Towards that end, The Today Show's Hoda and Kathie Lee got an early start on the holiday--sipping the Hewitson on camera (looks like they enjoyed it).
The Mad Hatter is a rich and delicious Shiraz, perfect for sipping and richly flavored meals--silly hat optional.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Bourdain Has A Lion
This week, the increasingly famous food and travel writer Anthony Bourdain was once again eating and drinking in some off the beaten path places in New York for his No Reservations series.
The last time his show featured an episode from NYC, we spied him drinking a Hofbräu beer out of a huge glass boot.
This time around Tony was in Staten Island with underground rock legend David Johansen eating at a Sri Lankan restaurant and sipping a Lion Beer.
Of course Lion's a no brainer match with Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine, but if Idli with Sambar and Sambol isn't on your menu tonight, you can still enjoy Lion Stout any hearty, spicy dish (Carne Asada or Penang Curry, anyone?).
The last time his show featured an episode from NYC, we spied him drinking a Hofbräu beer out of a huge glass boot.
This time around Tony was in Staten Island with underground rock legend David Johansen eating at a Sri Lankan restaurant and sipping a Lion Beer.
Of course Lion's a no brainer match with Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine, but if Idli with Sambar and Sambol isn't on your menu tonight, you can still enjoy Lion Stout any hearty, spicy dish (Carne Asada or Penang Curry, anyone?).
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Get On The Bus
Who had the most fun at our annual Great International Beer Fest?
Well we all did, but certainly the commuters aboard the Elite bus from Ft. Collins/Northern Colorado seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Beer makes everything better!
Monday, May 4, 2009
A New Elite Brew from Colorado (via Mexico)
Del Norte Brewing Co. of Denver, Colorado specializes in Mexican-style beers. It is brewed locally in small batches with traditional ingredients, and created to capture the styles and flavor of the oldest brewing heritage in the western hemisphere.
Orale Lager Lightly-hopped, full bodied, with a slight sweetness that perfectlly complements the rich flavors of Mexico's cuisines. ABV = 5.0%
Bronze Medal, 2008 Colorado State Fair, Light Lager Category
Mañana Obscura The malty, bold flavor of this beer recalls the European roots of Mexico's great brewing history. Smooth and rich, Manana is superb, whether enjoyed alone or with your favorite food. ABV = 5.0%
Gold Medal, 2008 World Beer Championships, Amber Lager Category
Bronze Medal, 2008 Colorado State Fair, European Amber Lager Category
Orale Lager Lightly-hopped, full bodied, with a slight sweetness that perfectlly complements the rich flavors of Mexico's cuisines. ABV = 5.0%
Bronze Medal, 2008 Colorado State Fair, Light Lager Category
Mañana Obscura The malty, bold flavor of this beer recalls the European roots of Mexico's great brewing history. Smooth and rich, Manana is superb, whether enjoyed alone or with your favorite food. ABV = 5.0%
Gold Medal, 2008 World Beer Championships, Amber Lager Category
Bronze Medal, 2008 Colorado State Fair, European Amber Lager Category
Friday, April 10, 2009
Tasty New Brews!
Cerveceria de Baja California was founded in 2002, and is located in the City of Mexicali, It is one of but a handful of Mexican microbrews. The product they brew is Cucapá Beer. A name that comes from one of the five Indian tribes that live in the Mexicali Valley. The tradition of nature, the water of the river, the geographical location and the initiative of being the first people to explore the region is what makes Cerveza Cucapá as unique as the Cucapá tribe's ancestors.
The Beers
Cucapá Obscura
This Brown Ale is brewed with four types of malts, which gives it an complex malty taste. This beer is mildly hopped and very well balanced. 4.5% Alc. Vol.
Cucapá Chupacabras Pale Ale
This Pale Ale is impressive. It is the highest rated Mexican beer on tastings.com. Wildly hopped with fresh cascade and centennial hops.
Cucapá Honey
This is an Amber Ale with a honey twist. This beer leads in with a hoppy nose and finishes of with a sweet honey taste in the end. 4.5% Alc. Vol.
They are in stock and available now--
Be the first in your barrio try these surprisingly tasty new brews!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
New Napa Producer
We're happy to announce a new addition to our portfolio (new to Elite Brands that is--they've been making wine for over 30 years):
Robert Keenan Winery.
With vineyards in the prime Spring Mountain District of Napa Valley Keenan specializes in small production bottlings of classic varietals like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Fans of classically structured and flavored Napa wines should re-acquaint themselves with Keenan's wines soon.
Robert Keenan Winery.
With vineyards in the prime Spring Mountain District of Napa Valley Keenan specializes in small production bottlings of classic varietals like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
"Michael Keenan continues to impress me with the quality of his wines and readers need to take notice of what is going on at this beautiful winery on Spring Mountain." -- Robert Parker Jr. December 2007
Fans of classically structured and flavored Napa wines should re-acquaint themselves with Keenan's wines soon.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Bourdain Has A Hofbräu
Picture: Nari Kye/Zero Point Zero Productions © 2009 The Travel Channel, L.L.C.This week's episode of the Travel Channel's No Reservations cable foodie show ("Disappearing Manhattan") featured a segment at the NYC old school German restaurant The Heidelberg.
Host and culinary snark-arian Tony Bourdain tucked in for a platter heaped high with roast meats, sausages, head cheese and cabbage and washed it all down with a giant 2 liter boot of Hofbräu beer.
We're always jealous of Bourdain's gastronomic conquests, and he couldn't have picked a better beer to match.
Hofbräu has been brewing since 1589, and at one time was Germany's sole producer of Weisse (Wheat) beer. You can't get any more old school than that.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Recession Proof Craft Beers
Just got this press release from our friends at Shmaltz--nice work!
SHMALTZ BREWING COMPANY GROWS OVER 80% DURING 2008 ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
Projected annual sales for 2009 estimated at over $2 million
1000% Growth In Five Years
San Francisco, New York, Beyond! - February 19, 2009 America's smallest, biggest and most award-winning Jewish (and now Sideshow Freak) Beer Company, Shmaltz Brewing is proud to announce achieving over 80% growth during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Over the last five years (2003-2008), Shmaltz has seen over 1000% growth, with projected annual sales for 2009 estimated at over $2 million. As all three of America's largest brewers (Bud, Miller and Coors) are sold to overseas companies and American manufacturing suffers month after month, the U.S. craft beer industry thrives. Shmaltz Brewing strides forward with a tradition of releasing exceptional beers in their HE'BREW Beer and Coney Island Craft Lagers(TM) lines while producing jobs, marketing innovative label designs in a seemingly saturated beer market and successfully maintaining a grassroots wholesale network of largely family owned businesses.
This year Shmaltz Brewing turns 13, which in Judaism marks the year of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the coming of age for a Jewish boy or girl. Shmaltz embraces this monumental occasion with steadily rising revenues, a staff increase from sole proprietor Jeremy Cowan to seven official employees (plus a dedicated tribe of interns), and selling well over five million bottles of beer. Shmaltz celebrates 13 years of delicious beer and delicious shtick with the special release of several new extreme offerings including Coney Island Human Blockhead(TM) (Tough-As-Nails Strong Lager, 10% alc, February - May 2009), Rejewvenator (latest date and fig infused brew in HE'BREW's sacred fruit line-up, Spring 2009) and the sixth edition of their radical Chanukah annual, Jewbelation Bar Mitzvah (13 malts, 13 hops, 13% alc, October 13).Amidst the current economic recession, research conducted by the Brewers Association indicates that beer sales are being affected the least while wine sales suffer the most impact. Overall beer sales in the U.S. reached $97 billion in 2007, while wine sales were merely at $30 billion. Craft beer sales are soaring as it's an affordable luxury, and as noted by the Smithsonian Magazine (December 2008), "some of the best beers in the world today are being made in the U.S." American consumers are buying craft domestic beer in record-breaking proportions. Ranking amongst the country's top niche gourmet microbrews, Shmaltz's delicious creations and ingenious branding flourishes with its cult following spreading across the globe: Shmaltz is currently distributed in over 25 states throughout the U.S., and is now available in Canada and the U.K.2008 marked a momentous year for the Shmaltz team with their top-selling Genesis Ale appearing in the "Being Jewish" exhibition at the new Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, CA. The bottle of Genesis Ale was photographed by the New York Times (June 6, 2008: Arts Section, Museum Review) and featured in their review of the museum opening. Shmaltz's flagship Coney Island Lager(TM) made its way into the NYC museum circuit as the exclusive beer at the MOMA Sculpture Garden. In December 2008, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce presented Shmaltz with a "2008 Distinguished Business Award," recognizing their new line of Coney Island Craft Lagers(TM) as substantial dedication to promoting a positive image of the borough as an ideal place to live, work and play.Carl Hum, President and CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce comments, "At a time when the bottom line is so important Shmaltz Brewing Company has found a way to marry its dedication and commitment to the community with its innovative marketing and quality product. We applaud the creativity of this small business. We are proud to call Shmaltz Brewing Company a Member of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce."Over the course of 2008, proprietor Jeremy Cowan spoke at several national craft beer events including Denver's Great American Beer Festival. He also appeared alongside such beer luminaries as Jim Koch of Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams) and Sam Calagione from Dogfish Head Brewing, in Boston's Extreme Beer Fest presenting How It Took 12 Years, Radical Jewish Brewing, and Sideshow Freaks to Make Shmaltz Brewing a National Success.A recent issue of acclaimed industry publication Beer Advocate (Volume II, Issue VIII) commented, "Today, Jeremy Cowan of Shmaltz Brewing Company is arguably making some of the best contract-brewed beers in America." New York Magazine dubbed Shmaltz as "one of our favorite local brewers," and Jerusalem Post hailed, "HE'BREW is making believers out of beer aficionados and novices alike." USA Today highlighted HE'BREW in its October 2008 article, "Finding God at a Beer Festival."When asked in an interview if Shmaltz Brewing was "going mainstream" by adding a new line beyond the award-winning Jewish celebration ales under the HE'BREW banner, Cowan countered: "I guess if circus sideshow freaks are more mainstream than Jews, Shmaltz is going mainstream!" Cowan states, "For over 125 years Coney Island has been and continues to be America's Playground. Shmaltz Brewing is ecstatic to celebrate that flavor, spirit, and future through this exceptional line of unique craft lagers."
Proceeds from Coney Island Craft Lagers(TM) help Coney Island USA, a 501(c)(3) Arts Non-Profit fulfill its mission to defend the honor of lost forms of American popular culture in Brooklyn's historic Coney Island neighborhood.About Shmaltz Brewing CompanyEstablished in San Francisco in 1996 with the first batch of 100 cases of HE'BREW Beer bottled, labeled, and delivered by hand, Shmaltz Brewing Company introduced 6-packs in 2003 and moved its production East to the acclaimed Mendocino Brewing Company's Saratoga Springs, NY brewery. 2003 to 2008 saw over 1000% growth in sales, with over 5 million bottles sold to date. HE'BREW's award-winning lineup includes its flagship Genesis Ale and Messiah Bold as well as Rejewvenator, Origin Pomegranate Strong Ale, Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A., and the "extreme" Chanukah annual, Jewbelation.Along with their acclaimed line of HE'BREW Beers, Shmaltz introduced its new line of sideshow-inspired Coney Island Craft Lagers(TM) with five featured attractions including Coney Island Lager(TM), Albino Python(TM), Sword Swallower(TM), Human Blockhead(TM), and Freaktoberfest(TM).Shmaltz offerings are available in over 25 states through over 30 wholesalers at more than 1500 retail specialty shops across the U.S. including Beverages & More, Whole Foods, Total Wine, select Krogers, and Cost Plus.Shmaltz Brewing beers have appeared in such distinguished media outlets as The New York Times, CNN Headline News, The Onion, Beer Advocate Magazine, Celebrator Beer News, The Today Show, Bravo, NPR's "Weekend Edition," New York Magazine, Newsweek, Elle, SELF, Men's Health, BUST, Playboy, Associated Press, Reuters, MSNBC, San Francisco Magazine, The Jerusalem Report, New York Jewish Week, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and Forbes.com.
SHMALTZ BREWING COMPANY GROWS OVER 80% DURING 2008 ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
Projected annual sales for 2009 estimated at over $2 million
1000% Growth In Five Years
San Francisco, New York, Beyond! - February 19, 2009 America's smallest, biggest and most award-winning Jewish (and now Sideshow Freak) Beer Company, Shmaltz Brewing is proud to announce achieving over 80% growth during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Over the last five years (2003-2008), Shmaltz has seen over 1000% growth, with projected annual sales for 2009 estimated at over $2 million. As all three of America's largest brewers (Bud, Miller and Coors) are sold to overseas companies and American manufacturing suffers month after month, the U.S. craft beer industry thrives. Shmaltz Brewing strides forward with a tradition of releasing exceptional beers in their HE'BREW Beer and Coney Island Craft Lagers(TM) lines while producing jobs, marketing innovative label designs in a seemingly saturated beer market and successfully maintaining a grassroots wholesale network of largely family owned businesses.
This year Shmaltz Brewing turns 13, which in Judaism marks the year of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the coming of age for a Jewish boy or girl. Shmaltz embraces this monumental occasion with steadily rising revenues, a staff increase from sole proprietor Jeremy Cowan to seven official employees (plus a dedicated tribe of interns), and selling well over five million bottles of beer. Shmaltz celebrates 13 years of delicious beer and delicious shtick with the special release of several new extreme offerings including Coney Island Human Blockhead(TM) (Tough-As-Nails Strong Lager, 10% alc, February - May 2009), Rejewvenator (latest date and fig infused brew in HE'BREW's sacred fruit line-up, Spring 2009) and the sixth edition of their radical Chanukah annual, Jewbelation Bar Mitzvah (13 malts, 13 hops, 13% alc, October 13).Amidst the current economic recession, research conducted by the Brewers Association indicates that beer sales are being affected the least while wine sales suffer the most impact. Overall beer sales in the U.S. reached $97 billion in 2007, while wine sales were merely at $30 billion. Craft beer sales are soaring as it's an affordable luxury, and as noted by the Smithsonian Magazine (December 2008), "some of the best beers in the world today are being made in the U.S." American consumers are buying craft domestic beer in record-breaking proportions. Ranking amongst the country's top niche gourmet microbrews, Shmaltz's delicious creations and ingenious branding flourishes with its cult following spreading across the globe: Shmaltz is currently distributed in over 25 states throughout the U.S., and is now available in Canada and the U.K.2008 marked a momentous year for the Shmaltz team with their top-selling Genesis Ale appearing in the "Being Jewish" exhibition at the new Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, CA. The bottle of Genesis Ale was photographed by the New York Times (June 6, 2008: Arts Section, Museum Review) and featured in their review of the museum opening. Shmaltz's flagship Coney Island Lager(TM) made its way into the NYC museum circuit as the exclusive beer at the MOMA Sculpture Garden. In December 2008, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce presented Shmaltz with a "2008 Distinguished Business Award," recognizing their new line of Coney Island Craft Lagers(TM) as substantial dedication to promoting a positive image of the borough as an ideal place to live, work and play.Carl Hum, President and CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce comments, "At a time when the bottom line is so important Shmaltz Brewing Company has found a way to marry its dedication and commitment to the community with its innovative marketing and quality product. We applaud the creativity of this small business. We are proud to call Shmaltz Brewing Company a Member of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce."Over the course of 2008, proprietor Jeremy Cowan spoke at several national craft beer events including Denver's Great American Beer Festival. He also appeared alongside such beer luminaries as Jim Koch of Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams) and Sam Calagione from Dogfish Head Brewing, in Boston's Extreme Beer Fest presenting How It Took 12 Years, Radical Jewish Brewing, and Sideshow Freaks to Make Shmaltz Brewing a National Success.A recent issue of acclaimed industry publication Beer Advocate (Volume II, Issue VIII) commented, "Today, Jeremy Cowan of Shmaltz Brewing Company is arguably making some of the best contract-brewed beers in America." New York Magazine dubbed Shmaltz as "one of our favorite local brewers," and Jerusalem Post hailed, "HE'BREW is making believers out of beer aficionados and novices alike." USA Today highlighted HE'BREW in its October 2008 article, "Finding God at a Beer Festival."When asked in an interview if Shmaltz Brewing was "going mainstream" by adding a new line beyond the award-winning Jewish celebration ales under the HE'BREW banner, Cowan countered: "I guess if circus sideshow freaks are more mainstream than Jews, Shmaltz is going mainstream!" Cowan states, "For over 125 years Coney Island has been and continues to be America's Playground. Shmaltz Brewing is ecstatic to celebrate that flavor, spirit, and future through this exceptional line of unique craft lagers."
Proceeds from Coney Island Craft Lagers(TM) help Coney Island USA, a 501(c)(3) Arts Non-Profit fulfill its mission to defend the honor of lost forms of American popular culture in Brooklyn's historic Coney Island neighborhood.About Shmaltz Brewing CompanyEstablished in San Francisco in 1996 with the first batch of 100 cases of HE'BREW Beer bottled, labeled, and delivered by hand, Shmaltz Brewing Company introduced 6-packs in 2003 and moved its production East to the acclaimed Mendocino Brewing Company's Saratoga Springs, NY brewery. 2003 to 2008 saw over 1000% growth in sales, with over 5 million bottles sold to date. HE'BREW's award-winning lineup includes its flagship Genesis Ale and Messiah Bold as well as Rejewvenator, Origin Pomegranate Strong Ale, Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A., and the "extreme" Chanukah annual, Jewbelation.Along with their acclaimed line of HE'BREW Beers, Shmaltz introduced its new line of sideshow-inspired Coney Island Craft Lagers(TM) with five featured attractions including Coney Island Lager(TM), Albino Python(TM), Sword Swallower(TM), Human Blockhead(TM), and Freaktoberfest(TM).Shmaltz offerings are available in over 25 states through over 30 wholesalers at more than 1500 retail specialty shops across the U.S. including Beverages & More, Whole Foods, Total Wine, select Krogers, and Cost Plus.Shmaltz Brewing beers have appeared in such distinguished media outlets as The New York Times, CNN Headline News, The Onion, Beer Advocate Magazine, Celebrator Beer News, The Today Show, Bravo, NPR's "Weekend Edition," New York Magazine, Newsweek, Elle, SELF, Men's Health, BUST, Playboy, Associated Press, Reuters, MSNBC, San Francisco Magazine, The Jerusalem Report, New York Jewish Week, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and Forbes.com.
For more information, please visit http://www.shmaltzbrewing.com/ and http://www.coneyislandlager.com/.
Friday, February 13, 2009
What's New ?
Elite Brands is now blogging!
Our goal is to keep you updated with current product information, upcoming events and company news.
Your input and feedback is encouraged. Please leave a comment with a question, suggestion, or just to say hello, and please visit us often!
Our goal is to keep you updated with current product information, upcoming events and company news.
Your input and feedback is encouraged. Please leave a comment with a question, suggestion, or just to say hello, and please visit us often!
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