CLASSIFIEDS Homebrew and wine-making supplies business for sale in Davie FL. Info: http://www.homebreweronline.com or call (954) 583-6407. PROFILES IN BREWING by Bobby Bush, author of Beer & Loafing Andy Rathmann, brewmaster for St. George Brewing in Hampton, Virginia Andy Rathmann lists three specific factors that led him to a life of brewing. First is the Cold War. A resident of Germany when the Berlin Wall tumbled, effectively ending the Cold War, Andy foresaw decreasing need for Defense Engineers, his chosen profession. His youthful curiosity, factor number two, encouraged Andy to "look for something different" in a new job. And then there is beer. During his 11-year tour of duty in Germany, Andy learned to appreciate good beer. And there were breweries everywhere. In an interview with the University of Weinstephan admission office, the job-seeker learned that tuition, like all schools in Germany, was free. But entrance into the school's famed brewing program required one year of brewing apprenticeship. Andy used his time wisely, working nearly two years in breweries of all sizes, receiving "one hell of an education." Though he spoke decent German, Andy was intimidated by the thought of biochemistry class in anything other than English. Accepted by Weinstephan, he delayed enrollment long enough to find that the University of California-Davis had begun its own brewing studies. Figuring that classes would go quicker in English, Andy earned his diploma from now-famous Cal-Davis and later, after sitting through a nine-hour essay exam, was awarded a diploma as a certified Master Brewer by the Institute of Brewing in London. His first post-grad employment found Andy in the US, brewing for Florida Brewing and, later, Bradington Brewing before tackling brewery design and start-up for Miami Brewing, a 50 barrel micro. DME Brewing Equipment soon found Andy and put him on the road as their design, start-up, trouble-shooting brewery expert. In that role he helped commission over 40 breweries. Without exaggerating, Andy has "brewed beer from Brazil to Newfoundland, from Miami to Seattle in some of the smallest as well as largest breweries in the world." So why did this brewing road warrior finally settle down? The birth of his daughter and desire for a more stable family life brought Andy to Hampton, Virginia in early 1999. St. George Brewing Company named for the 4th century Roman soldier, a slayer of mythological fire breathing dragons was doing well for a new business when a 1999 Christmas Eve fire destroyed everything. In an attempt to hang on to customers, Andy began contract brewing St. George's beer everywhere he could, burning up the roads from Baltimore to Raleigh. Back in business by October 2001, St. George has settled back into less chaotic motion. In his 30 hectoliter brew kettle, Andy brewed 1000-barrels in 2002. The 2003 pace should push annual output close to 2000-barrels. Distributed in bottles and kegs in Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware and Washington, DC, the microbrewery offers six regular beers and an occasional seasonal. St. George Golden Ale is based on an old English recipe, yet utilizes American hops to produce malty flavor and citrusy hop character. Clean and crisp, Andy's recipe for St. George Pilsner came directly from his experience in northern Germany. This smooth lager is cold conditioned and a beneficiary of German and Czech hops. In traditional English style, deep copper St. George IPA, with nothing but UK Fuggles hops, took the gold medal in the international category as the best IPA in the 2000 Beauty of Hops English Ale Award. Caramel and chocolate tones embrace the ruby black essence of St. George Porter. The complex taste profile derives from a careful balance of rich maltiness and English aromatic hops. Though his transition from military engineer to Master Brewer might be described as unorthodox, when it comes to beer, Andy considers himself a purist. He "likes doing things the traditional way." It shows in his beers. Credit his youth, the Cold War, his passion for great beer, or all of the above. Whatever it took to introduce Andy Rathmann to brewing and eventually to St. George Brewing Company was a good thing indeed. (757) 865-7781 Read more by nationally recognized beer writer Bobby Bush at: ========================================================================== Thanks to: Natalie Abernathy, N. Chitwood, Joe Saitta, Don Welsh Until June, Cheers! The Beer Bwana |
CALENDAR 5/24 - 3rd Shenandoah Valley Beer & Wine Festival / McGaheysville VA 5/30 - 6th Ft. Lauderdale International Beer Festival / Ft. Lauderdale FL 6/7 - 7th Knoxville Brewers' Jam has moved to October 18th 6/7 - 20th WYES International Beer Tasting - New Orleans LA 7/11 - 9th International Beer & Food Festival - Jacksonville FL 7/19 - 1st Fire Ant Festival - Hilton Head SC 7/25-27 - Oregon Beer Festival - Portland OR 7/26 - 2nd Music City Brewers Festival - Nashville TN |
RESOURCES It is assumed that readers of Beer South know the website's primary feature is its state-by-state brewpub and microbrewery guide, which makes finding craft brew easier when away from home. Along those lines, we also get a steady stream of requests for information on where to find various beers and beer stores. Frankly, compiling such data is a huge undertaking and we don't have the wherewithal to tackle that project, even for just the 11 states we cover. Fortunately, All About Beer Magazine's website has recently instituted a new feature called the Beer Store Finder that list stores in every U.S. state. http://www.allaboutbeer.com/aab/beerstorefinder.html Most of the information provided by users, so if you see a great beer store missing from the list, send in the name and address of the store to get it can be listed. |
The material presented on this site is based on information believed to be correct, but is subject to change at anytime. If you have an update, correction, suggestion or any other contribution, please send it to us at: updates@beersouth.com. We welcome your input. (c) 1999 - 2003 by Beer South. All Rights Reserved. |
The material presented on this site is based on information believed to be correct, but is subject to change at anytime. If you have an update, correction, suggestion or any other contribution, please send it to us at: updates@beersouth.com. We welcome your input. (c) 1999 - 2003 by Beer South. All Rights Reserved. |
May 2003 Buzz |
Greetings, Schools are almost out, Memorial Day celebrations loom, and summer's around the corner. It's all good. Time to celebrate with backyard barbecues, pool parties, naps in the hammock, and vacations. Be sure to have some of your favorite beers alongside you during your festivities, or use the Beer South guide to locate some new favorite beers when you travel. Cheers!...The Beer Bwana. |
NEWS Avado Brands loss more than doubles in first quarter Avado Brands, owner of the Hops brewpub chain, reported a net loss after $4.4 million in asset revaluation charges and $1.6 million in losses on disposal of assets in the first quarter of 2003. The Madison-based restaurant owner and operator (OTC BB: AVDO) had a net loss of $17.8 million on $97.1 million in revenue for the first quarter, compared with a net loss of $5.7 million on $115.2 million in revenue in the first quarter of 2002. Loss per share was 54 cents, compared with a loss per share of 20 cents in the first quarter last year. The company obtained new financing during the first quarter of 2003 that included a $39 million revolving credit facility and a $20 million sale-leaseback transaction. The closing of this new financing enabled the company to fulfill all outstanding obligations with respect to its previously existing credit agreement and provides limited liquidity to repurchase outstanding debt. Avado Brands owns and operates two proprietary brands, comprised of 111 Don Pablo's Mexican Kitchens and 65 Hops Restaurant - Bar - Breweries. The company also operates two Canyon Cafe restaurants, which are held for sale. Since be beginning of the year, Avado has closed a number of Hops in hopes of reducing losses incurred from the operation of its less profitable locations. |
BREWING CHANGES Openings KY / Newport- The Hofbrauhaus: After several years of anticipation, the people of the Cincinnati area are now enjoying beer from the legendary Hofbrauhaus at the famed brewery's first location outside Munich, Germany. Currently four brews are made on site at it's with a fifth brought in from Munich. The facility, which formerly housed the Dennert Beer Distributing Company, has been converted into a 13,315-square-foot, brew hall, beer garden and restaurant. While Cincinnati, a sister city to Munich with a strong German heritage, was unable to lure the brewery to the city proper, Newport, situated across the Ohio River from the Queen City, is a fitting area the enterprise as it hosts the largest annual Oktoberfest celebration outside of Germany. Additional American cities, including San Diego and Chicago, are being eyed for future Hofbrauhaus locations. VA / Alexandria - Founders Brewpub: This is a new brewing operation filling the space vacated by Virginia Beverage Company. Closings MS / Biloxi - The Buccaneer Brewpub at the Treasure Bay Casino VA / Alexandria - Virginia Beverage Company Personnel Don Richardson, head brewer for Carolina Beer & Beverage in Mooresville NC has left the company to become president of Allgood Brands, a Mooresville-based beer promotion company. Richardson was formerly the brewmaster for Cottonwood Brewpub in Boone NC before relocating to Carolina Beer & Beverage. |
RESOURCES It is assumed that readers of Beer South know the website's primary feature is its state-by-state brewpub and microbrewery guide, which makes finding craft brew easier when away from home. Along those lines, we also get a steady stream of requests for information on where to find various beers and beer stores. Frankly, compiling such data is a huge undertaking and we don't have the wherewithal to tackle that project, even for just the 11 states we cover. Fortunately, All About Beer Magazine's website has recently instituted a new feature called the Beer Store Finder that list stores in every U.S. state. http://www.allaboutbeer.com/aab/beerstorefinder.html Most of the information provided by users, so if you see a great beer store missing from the list, send in the name and address of the store to get it can be listed. |
CALENDAR 5/24 - 3rd Shenandoah Valley Beer & Wine Festival / McGaheysville VA 5/30 - 6th Ft. Lauderdale International Beer Festival / Ft. Lauderdale FL 6/7 - 7th Knoxville Brewers' Jam has moved to October 18th 6/7 - 20th WYES International Beer Tasting - New Orleans LA 7/11 - 9th International Beer & Food Festival - Jacksonville FL 7/19 - 1st Fire Ant Festival - Hilton Head SC 7/25-27 - Oregon Beer Festival - Portland OR 7/26 - 2nd Music City Brewers Festival - Nashville TN |
CLASSIFIEDS Homebrew and wine-making supplies business for sale in Davie FL. Info: http://www.homebreweronline.com or call (954) 583-6407. PROFILES IN BREWING by Bobby Bush, author of Beer & Loafing Andy Rathmann, brewmaster for St. George Brewing in Hampton, Virginia Andy Rathmann lists three specific factors that led him to a life of brewing. First is the Cold War. A resident of Germany when the Berlin Wall tumbled, effectively ending the Cold War, Andy foresaw decreasing need for Defense Engineers, his chosen profession. His youthful curiosity, factor number two, encouraged Andy to "look for something different" in a new job. And then there is beer. During his 11-year tour of duty in Germany, Andy learned to appreciate good beer. And there were breweries everywhere. In an interview with the University of Weinstephan admission office, the job-seeker learned that tuition, like all schools in Germany, was free. But entrance into the school's famed brewing program required one year of brewing apprenticeship. Andy used his time wisely, working nearly two years in breweries of all sizes, receiving "one hell of an education." Though he spoke decent German, Andy was intimidated by the thought of biochemistry class in anything other than English. Accepted by Weinstephan, he delayed enrollment long enough to find that the University of California-Davis had begun its own brewing studies. Figuring that classes would go quicker in English, Andy earned his diploma from now-famous Cal-Davis and later, after sitting through a nine-hour essay exam, was awarded a diploma as a certified Master Brewer by the Institute of Brewing in London. His first post-grad employment found Andy in the US, brewing for Florida Brewing and, later, Bradington Brewing before tackling brewery design and start-up for Miami Brewing, a 50 barrel micro. DME Brewing Equipment soon found Andy and put him on the road as their design, start-up, trouble-shooting brewery expert. In that role he helped commission over 40 breweries. Without exaggerating, Andy has "brewed beer from Brazil to Newfoundland, from Miami to Seattle in some of the smallest as well as largest breweries in the world." So why did this brewing road warrior finally settle down? The birth of his daughter and desire for a more stable family life brought Andy to Hampton, Virginia in early 1999. St. George Brewing Company named for the 4th century Roman soldier, a slayer of mythological fire breathing dragons was doing well for a new business when a 1999 Christmas Eve fire destroyed everything. In an attempt to hang on to customers, Andy began contract brewing St. George's beer everywhere he could, burning up the roads from Baltimore to Raleigh. Back in business by October 2001, St. George has settled back into less chaotic motion. In his 30 hectoliter brew kettle, Andy brewed 1000-barrels in 2002. The 2003 pace should push annual output close to 2000-barrels. Distributed in bottles and kegs in Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware and Washington, DC, the microbrewery offers six regular beers and an occasional seasonal. St. George Golden Ale is based on an old English recipe, yet utilizes American hops to produce malty flavor and citrusy hop character. Clean and crisp, Andy's recipe for St. George Pilsner came directly from his experience in northern Germany. This smooth lager is cold conditioned and a beneficiary of German and Czech hops. In traditional English style, deep copper St. George IPA, with nothing but UK Fuggles hops, took the gold medal in the international category as the best IPA in the 2000 Beauty of Hops English Ale Award. Caramel and chocolate tones embrace the ruby black essence of St. George Porter. The complex taste profile derives from a careful balance of rich maltiness and English aromatic hops. Though his transition from military engineer to Master Brewer might be described as unorthodox, when it comes to beer, Andy considers himself a purist. He "likes doing things the traditional way." It shows in his beers. Credit his youth, the Cold War, his passion for great beer, or all of the above. Whatever it took to introduce Andy Rathmann to brewing and eventually to St. George Brewing Company was a good thing indeed. (757) 865-7781 Read more by nationally recognized beer writer Bobby Bush at: ========================================================================== Thanks to: Natalie Abernathy, N. Chitwood, Joe Saitta, Don Welsh Until June, Cheers! The Beer Bwana |
