Pickled Eggs & Cold Beer

Today’s beers come from the oldest independently owned brewery in Texas, the fourth largest craft brewer in the United States, a brewery founded by Czech and German immigrants in 1909 who simply missed the quaffs of their motherland.  With careful planning, a willingness to ignore the misguided precepts of the Prohibition, wonderful marketing, nearly universally respected craftsmanship, and of course the help thirsty hippies from nearby Austin, the products of the Spoetzl Brewery are no longer just local gems and are now available in 49 of 50 states – sorry Hawai’i. 

Today, on Pickled Eggs & Cold Beer, we’re talking about the beer that is arguably most synonymous with the great state of Texas, a beer that has been smuggled in ice trucks and hearses, a beer with one of the most loyal followings in the world.  Today we’re talking about Shiner beer.

Today’s beers come from the oldest independently owned brewery in Texas, the fourth largest craft brewer in the United States, a brewery founded by Czech and German immigrants in 1909 who simply missed the quaffs of their motherland.  With careful planning, a willingness to ignore the misguided precepts of the Prohibition, wonderful marketing, nearly universally respected craftsmanship, and of course the help thirsty hippies from nearby Austin, the products of the Spoetzl Brewery are no longer just local gems and are now available in 49 of 50 states – sorry Hawai’i. 

 Today, on Pickled Eggs & Cold Beer, we’re talking about the beer that is arguably most synonymous with the great state of Texas, a beer that has been smuggled in ice trucks and hearses, a beer with one of the most loyal followings in the world.  Today we’re talking about Shiner beer.

http://www.pickledeggsandcoldbeer.com

Alois Hingerl was the hardest working porter in the Munich railway station.  He worked with great fervor and passion, so much so that he worked himself to death, having only two vices – a love of snuff and beer. He lived such a noble life that Saint Peter made him an angel and sent him on a mission of mercy, to provide wise and sage advice to the leaders of his mother city.  

Alas, Himmel has neither tobacco nor beer, and Alois, now dubbed Aloisius by the divine powers, found himself craving a snort and a nip.  He detoured, as most of us would, to the home of his favorite tipple, the Hofbräuhaus, intending to pour back on mass and then continue along his mission.  Alas for the politicians of Bavaria, Aloisius was so sorely moved by the beer that he never left the Haus and remains there, an angelic, blue-collar zythophile, overseeing the beating heart of everything good about his homeland. 

Today we’re talking about the beer that tempted Aloisius away from his divine mission, arguably the beer most identified with the land most identified with beer, a beer that is opening beer gardens and restaurants around the world while clinging to its local identity.  

Today, on Pickled Eggs & Cold Beer, we’re talking about Hofbräu Original. 

http://www.pickledeggsandcoldbeer.com

Alois Hingerl was the hardest working porter in the Munich railway station.  He worked with great fervor and passion, so much so that he worked himself to death, having only two vices – a love of snuff and beer. He lived such a noble life that Saint Peter made him an angel and sent him on a mission of mercy, to provide wise and sage advice to the leaders of his mother city. Alas, Himmel has neither tobacco nor beer, and Alois, now dubbed Aloisius by the divine powers, found himself craving a snort and a nip.  He detoured, as most of us would, to the home of his favorite tipple, the Hofbräuhaus, intending to pour back on mass and then continue along his mission.  Alas for the politicians of Bavaria, Aloisius was so sorely moved by the beer that he never left the Haus and remains there, an angelic, blue-collar zythophile, overseeing the beating heart of everything good about his homeland.Today we’re talking about the beer that tempted Aloisius away from his divine mission, arguably the beer most identified with the land most identified with beer, a beer that is opening beer gardens and restaurants around the world while clinging to its local identity. Today, on Pickled Eggs & Cold Beer, we’re talking about Hofbräu Original. 

http://www.pickledeggsandcoldbeer.com

In 1829 London, England established the first modern professional police force, Andrew Jackson was sworn in as the President of the United States, and  Greek War of Independence ends with the signing of the London Protocol.  That same year saw the birth of clothier Levi Strauss, Apache leader Geronimo, and American President Chester A. Arthur.  John Jay, first Chief Justice of the United States, died in 1829, as would James Smithson, the British scientist whose vast fortune would lay the groundwork for the establishment of the Smithsonian Institutes in the young American Republic. 

Fifty-three years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence and thirty-two years before the first shots of the American Civil War, 1829 is also the year that David G. Yuengling first established the what was then called the Eagle Brewery in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, an institution that has, for six generations, remained in the hands of his family and, equally, remained the touchstone of beers in eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware. Each generation buys the brewery from the previous, and this generation’s owners, a quartet of sisters, has followed suit.

Today’s beer is a strange and wonderful beastie, the fourth largest beer distributor in the United States – though it serves only fourteen states – and the largest family-owned brewery in the United States.

Today, on Pickled Eggs & Cold Beer, we’re talking about Yuengling.

http://www.pickledeggsandcoldbeer.com

In 1829 London, England established the first modern professional police force, Andrew Jackson was sworn in as the President of the United States, and  Greek War of Independence ends with the signing of the London Protocol.  That same year saw the birth of clothier Levi Strauss, Apache leader Geronimo, and American President Chester A. Arthur.  John Jay, first Chief Justice of the United States, died in 1829, as would James Smithson, the British scientist whose vast fortune would lay the groundwork for the establishment of the Smithsonian Institutes in the young American Republic.Fifty-three years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence and thirty-two years before the first shots of the American Civil War, 1829 is also the year that David G. Yuengling first established the what was then called the Eagle Brewery in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, an institution that has, for six generations, remained in the hands of his family and, equally, remained the touchstone of beers in eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware. Each generation buys the brewery from the previous, and this generation’s owners, a quartet of sisters, has followed suit.Today’s beer is a strange and wonderful beastie, the fourth largest beer distributor in the United States – though it serves only fourteen states – and the largest family-owned brewery in the United States.Today, on Pickled Eggs & Cold Beer, we’re talking about Yuengling.

Brendan: “Do you want a beer?”Eric: “No, I’d like something special.”Brendan: “How about a Bull?”Eric: “A Bull?”Brendan: “Schlitz Malt Liquor, for when you want something a little more special than a beer.”Bill: [A giant bull crashes into Toilet-Kitchen Studio, killing everyone.]Everyone: Fin.Eric: Hey guys, today on Pickled Eggs & Cold Beer we’re talking about Schlitz Malt Liquor.

http://www.pickledeggsandcoldbeer.com

Brendan: “Do you want a beer?”

 Eric: “No, I’d like something special.”

 Brendan: “How about a Bull?”

 Eric: “A Bull?”

 Brendan: “Schlitz Malt Liquor, for when you want something a little more special than a beer.”

 Bill: [A giant bull crashes into Toilet-Kitchen Studio, killing everyone.]

 Everyone: Fin.

 Eric: Hey guys, today on Pickled Eggs & Cold Beer we’re talking about Schlitz Malt Liquor

http://www.pickledeggsandcoldbeer.com

Today’s beer is regarded as the oldest in New England, once the unrivaled master of that region, holding a 65% share of the market in the 1950s. 

This was not to last, however.  Mismanagement by a series of new owners led to a steady decline in quality and customer loyalty and eventually, in 1981, exile.

In 2005 the brewery making today’s quaff had a net revenue of nothing.  Zero.  Zip.  Zilch.  Hell, they made only $50,000 in sales total nationwide.  On the edge of extinction, it was rescued by passionate investors whose love not only brought it back to New England after its long sojourn as a contract beer in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but returned it to the hands of Red Sox fans, reintroducing it to the green majesty of Fenway Park.  Within nine years not only was it profitable, but was pulling in $12 million a year in the black.

Today on Pickled Eggs & Cold Beer we’re drinking the beer Quint crushes in 1975’s Jaws, a beer that still sells for about $6 a six-pack, a beer that claims to be the Official Beer of the Clam, a beer that we’re convinced has inspired at least half of existing Family Guy episodes.

Hi Neighbor – today we’re talking about Narragansett Beer.

Today’s beer is regarded as the oldest in New England, once the unrivaled master of that region, holding a 65% share of the market in the 1950s. 

 This was not to last, however.  Mismanagement by a series of new owners led to a steady decline in quality and customer loyalty and eventually, in 1981, exile.

 In 2005 the brewery making today’s quaff had a net revenue of nothing.  Zero.  Zip.  Zilch.  Hell, they made only $50,000 in sales total nationwide.  On the edge of extinction, it was rescued by passionate investors whose love not only brought it back to New England after its long sojourn as a contract beer in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but returned it to the hands of Red Sox fans, reintroducing it to the green majesty of Fenway Park.  Within nine years not only was it profitable, but was pulling in $12 million a year in the black.

Today on Pickled Eggs & Cold Beer we’re drinking the beer Quint crushes in 1975’s Jaws, a beer that still sells for about $6 a six-pack, a beer that claims to be the Official Beer of the Clam, a beer that we’re convinced has inspired at least half of existing Family Guy episodes. 

 Hi Neighbor – today we’re talking about Narragansett Beer.

http://www.pickledeggsandcoldbeer.com