Tasting 10,000 beers

On Friday, Don Russell over at the sublime tracked down Dale Van Wieren, a 38-year beer tasting veteran who recorded his 10,000th tasting note on Saturday when he sipped Dale’s 10K Brew made specifically for him by Sly Fox Brewery & Restaurant.

Despite the thoroughness and seriousness with which he takes his notes — entering each one in an Excel spreadsheet — Van Wieren retains his sense of humor.

“It’s a stupid thing to do,” he told Russell with a smile. “I don’t recommend it.”

Impressively, Van Wieren doesn’t own the United States’ largest collection of tasting notes. A Bethesda, Maryland couple has 8,000 more than Van Wieren, but that should only take him another 30 years or so.

Colorado to sell full-strength beer?

The movement to legalize full-strength beer in Colorado is taking a new turn. After twice failing to get the measure through the state’s legislative body, one man hopes the people will vote in favor of raising the limit.

Blake Harrison wants to get an initiative on the ballot that would allow food stores to sell full-strength beer and wine, and allow liquor stores to sell non-perishable food.

“I’m trying to make sure that people have a voice in this,” the attorney told 7News.

Considering Denver boasts not one, but two beer weeks, we imagine they’d be okay with stronger beer in supermarkets. Just in time for Strong Beer Month perhaps?

Beer, not wine, for Thanksgiving

We asked you for your favorite Thanksgiving beer for a reason: Brews are a great, cheap way to lubricate your Turkey Day. Forget wine; it’s too hard to pair with the many flavors on the crammed table.

“The strong flavors and spices of a Thanksgiving dinner can distort the flavors of the wine,” Freetail Brewing Co., brewer Jason Davis told MySALife.com. “Beer may have roasted or caramelized flavors that match well with similar flavors in food. The effervescence of beer refreshes the palate for the next course.”

You don’t hear that being said about box-o-wine now do you?

First beer apparel store throws open its taps, er doors

Fact: Beer apparel is sweet. But it’s so hard to find everything in one place. In fact, it’s damn near impossible.

Enter Beer Clothing Co. On November 27, the Boulder, Colorado venue will open up featuring swag from breweries around the country including New Belgium Brewing Co, Oskar Blues Brewing Co., and Rogue Ales.

The words, from founder Jay Kriner.

“When a customer walks in our store, they instantly feel the enjoyable “Pub style” design and can gather everything from beer soaps, bike bells, apparel, head wear and even lip balm which are all directly from the breweries they love! Not only can the consumer show off their favorite brand, but the breweries now have massive brand recognition and in some cases in a completely new market!”

Field trip, anyone?

Jose Garces is your new Iron Chef

Last night, frequent DRAFT contributor Jose Garces — he’s in our upcoming issue talking about creative ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers — won season two of “The Next Iron Chef.” (We sure can pick them, huh?)

Garces, who has a fondness for Latin flavors, defeated Jehangir Mehta in a riboff. And now we’ll go get something to each.