June 9, 2009
On Monday I met a colleague for lunch at Capitol City Brewing on Capitol Hill. This is my favorite of Cap City’s three locations because it is housed in the historic Federal City Post Office and it has a wonderful veranda with tables that have a view of the U.S. Capitol.
So my Monday afternoon was looking bright as I joined my colleague on the veranda where he was already on beer number two. I wasn’t certain we’d be having a beer at lunch, so it was nice to see this question was already answered before I even arrived.
Mike McCarthy, Director of Brewing Operations at Capitol City Brewing Co., shows off his tats in front of a gleaming copper tank.
The news only got better when the server told me their seasonal beer was an organic saison. Not only is saison one of my favorite beers, especially for a warm spring day, but it was organic!
Two hours and I won’t say how many beers later, we were heading back to the office feeling pretty good.
At 6% ABV, it’s not a huge beer but it’s not really meant for a lunch session either except for the fact that it is so damn drinkable. Slightly sweet medium body with a peppery spiciness and a dry finish — all characteristic of a good saison (though I could have taken a tad more tartness).
I emailed Mike McCarthy, the Director of Brewing Operations, to congratulate him on the new beer and to thank him for brewing organic. Then I recalled that we had actually spoken about organic beer on a couple occasions and I had tried to encourage his interest in trying out some organic ingredients (I recall one particularly wobbly late night at the Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego last year…). And sure enough, he emailed back confirming that he bought the organic hops for this beer from Seven Bridges (and organic malt from Gambrinus and Weyermann).
What’s more is that this is the first in an ongoing organic series. Once the saison runs dry at the end of June, he’ll put on an organic wit, which will also include some organic coriander, and should pour from July to September. Then it’s an organic trippel from October through December.
It’s hard to convey how excited I am to have a local brewpub serving organic beers on a regular basis. The fact that Mike has chosen three of my favorite beers styles for the organic line must just be the luck of the Irish. I see myself enjoying many a happy hour on the Cap City veranda in the coming months.
5 Comments | 
Brewpubs, Organic, GMO | 
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Posted by beeractivist
April 22, 2009
Thanks go to Westchester County Green Drinks for the image.
Green Drinks is a self-organizing group that spawns meet-up type gatherings all over the world for green folks interested in mingling over a glass or two of something fermented (non-drinkers are welcome too!).
The Green Drinks crew in my Silver Spring, MD neighborhood is hosting a gathering at McGinty’s Public House — click here for the details. But I’m in Florida at the moment so I’ll be going to the Green Drinks in Boca Raton — click here for that one. Or visit the main Green Drinks website to find a green drinks event near you.
1 Comment | 
Beer events | 
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Posted by beeractivist
April 4, 2009
Word has it that I make an appearance in a new movie titled Beer Wars. It might be a three second spot, or I might be saying something completely stupid. I suppose there is also a chance they caught me in a rare moment of lucid visionary pontification. At the very least, I feel confident that I am saying something about drinking beer and/or saving the world.
But the only way you’ll find out is if you attend the one night premier on April 16th, occuring at theatres across the nation. Visit the Beer Wars website for theatre locations and more details about this intriguing new documentary on the clash between global beer corporations and small craft brewers.
Even more exciting news, at least for me, is that the film option for my book, Fermenting Revolution: How to Drink Beer and Save the World, was sold to be made into its own documentary. Yes, really! Someone paid money for the right to produce a documentary about how to drink beer and save the world. I’m sure there are many pitfalls on the path between that commitment and actually making a film, so my fingers are crossed. If you know someone who might be interested in investing in such a film, send them my way (use the contact form on this site).
6 Comments | media coverage | Tagged: beer, Beer Wars, Movies | Permalink
Posted by beeractivist
March 31, 2009
A couple weeks ago the World Water Forum was held in Istanbul, Turkey. According to an AFP article, a new scheme was announed at the Forum designed to identify products produced with water from a sustainable source.
Michael Spencer, director of the Australia’s Water Stewardship Initiative, spoke at the Forum explaining: “That there is a crisis in water is a given, and that we need to address it is a given. That’s why there’s so much momentum behind developing a global standard.”
The standard, when launched, could follow the mold of the highly succesful Forest Stewardship Council program which includes more than 12,000 companies participating in identifying products produced through sustainable forestry practices.
Spencer said the label could be in use within 18 months on products as varied as beer and breakfast cereal.
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Beer regulations, Water, conservation | Tagged: beer, Certifications, Water | 
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Posted by beeractivist
The Baltimore Sun runs a regular beer column called 
