The oldest drinkable beer and beer artwork - This Tuesday in Beer!

Beer Quirky Fact: 
The world's oldest "drinkable" beer was found in a shipwreck from 1825, in Finland (alongside some champagne bottles)! Scientists actually tasted it and described the flavor as "wet wool with hints of goat"—so maybe not as refreshing as a modern brew.

In the news:

• Not everyone appreciates beer art! A beer can artwork was accidentally thrown into the trash at a Dutch museum. The cans were thrown by a mechanic working at the LAM museum in Lisse, who assumed the artwork, entitled All The Good Times We Spent Together, was rubbish. Although the artwork looks like two beer cans, at a closer look, the beer cans are in fact meticulously hand-painted with acrylics and “required a lot of time and effort to create”, according to the museum.

  

  The artwork in question

• It’s pumpkin season! And it’s pumpkin beer season! As soon as we hit October, it’s spooky season, and we have a great guide on pumpkin beers here! We have:

  Dogfish Head Punkin Ale

  Blue Point Mother Pumpkin

  Sam Adams' Jack-O

  Elysian's Punkuccino Coffee Pumpkin Ale

  

  Samuel Adams Jack-O

• A new study has showcased the most popular beers across the United States based on internet search data, highlighting regional preferences. Corona is popular in the South, Mexican beers in the West, and Bud Light in the North. BUT there are some surprises too!

• Texas brewers test new quirky beer styles! Pickle brine, edible glitter, milkshake, and squid ink are just some of the wild ingredients Texas craft breweries are using to spice up their brews! Austin’s Jester King Brewery is famous for its sour beers, but it's also pushing boundaries by combining beer and wine. Instead of simply blending the two, they brew beer using both grains and wine grapes, creating a unique hybrid style.

  

Our Beer Snippet - Why is beer bitter?

Bitterness in beer is primarily created by hops, a key ingredient that balances the sweetness of malt with a range of bitter, floral, or citrusy flavors. Hops are the cone-shaped flowers of the Humulus lupulus plant, and they contain compounds called alpha acids, which contribute to the bitterness when boiled during brewing. The longer hops are boiled, the more bitterness they impart to the beer.

Beyond bitterness, hops add aroma and flavor, with varieties offering diverse characteristics—some bring piney or earthy notes, while others add tropical fruit or spice. Popular hop varieties like Cascade, Citra, and Saaz each have their unique profiles, impacting the final taste of the beer.

For those looking to brew without hops, there are alternatives like gruit, an ancient herb mix that includes ingredients like yarrow, juniper, or rosemary. These herbs were used before hops became the standard and can lend earthy, spicy, or herbal bitterness to beer.

The level of bitterness in beer is measured by International Bitterness Units (IBUs), with styles like IPAs featuring higher IBU counts, while lagers and wheat beers tend to have much lower bitterness. Balancing bitterness is key to creating a well-rounded beer, ensuring it's neither too sweet nor overwhelmingly bitter.

Beer of The Day! - Chocolate Stouts

A chocolate stout is a rich, indulgent beer that combines the deep, roasted flavors of malt with the smooth, satisfying taste of chocolate. While the chocolatey notes often come from the roasted malts, many brewers also add cacao nibs or actual chocolate to enhance the flavor. The result is a velvety, creamy beer with layers of dark chocolate, coffee, and hints of caramel or vanilla.

Chocolate stouts are perfect for pairing with desserts like brownies, chocolate cake, or even ice cream. They also complement savory dishes like barbecue or a hearty steak, where the roasted flavors of the beer balance the richness of the food.

Several renowned chocolate stouts are widely available in the U.S., including Young’s Double Chocolate Stout, Southern Tier’s Choklat, and Rogue Chocolate Stout. Each brings its own spin on the chocolatey, malty goodness, making it a favorite choice for beer lovers with a sweet tooth or those seeking a rich, full-bodied brew.

Cheers!!!