Beer Recipe - Dark Forest Black IPA

There are a lot of conversations in the home brewing and craft brewing world about creating a “New Style” of beer called Black IPA or Cascadian Dark Ale. The beer is fundamentally a very dark, roasty version of the modern American IPA. It’s full of American-style aroma hops, but they are countered very strongly by the roasted grains and chocolate flavors associated with porters and stouts.




The controversy over this beer is centered on whether or not it should have a style listing in the BJCP guidelines, which are used primarily in brewing competitions and as a helpful way for breweries to categorize their beers for marketing purposes. Most beer lovers only care about style briefly when we’re trying to decide which new sixer to buy from the beer store. “I want something roasty and chocolaty… Oh, an American stout. That’ll do.”

What's on Tap - Joplin Relief Concert and Pub Crawl

Mother’s Brewing Company has said repeatedly that they want to have very close ties to their community. Now, both Mother’s and Springfield Brewing Company are putting their beer where your mouth is to raise money for the storm relief efforts in Joplin. Tomorrow night, May 26th, at 6 PM, Speakeasy will take the stage. At 7:30, the Ben Miller Band (out of Joplin) will follow them.

Doors open at 5 PM, and the cover is only $5. ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO OZARKS FOOD HARVEST JOPLIN RELIEF EFFORTS. You read that right. Not just profits, but ALL PROCEEDS. The show will end at 9 PM, so you can still make it downtown (you’ll be down there, anyway) to the Joplin Relief Pub Crawl and Events. Mother’s has a big ol’ tent, so the event will happen rain or shine. There will even be a silent auction.

Both local breweries will be pouring beers for $4 a pint. Mother’s will have their Li’l helper and Sandi Wheat. Springfield Brewing Company will feature their Kolsch, Dry Stout, and Red IPA. Oh, and it’s all ages, so you can come and enjoy the music even if you can’t buy a beer.

This concert is too good and the cause is too great not to make this show.

Mother's Brewing Update - The first week and where to find their beer.

So, Mother’s Brewing has just opened, and unless you’re living under a rock you’ve tried at least one of their beers. As a matter of fact, more people have tried their beers than expected, and Brewmaster Brian Allen has had to do some catching up on demand – but more on that in a minute.

I caught up with Jeremy Wicks to discuss the successful start of the brewery, talk about the First-Ever Mother’s Day Festival, and discuss surprises they’ve encountered in the Brewery’s first week of being officially open.

Beer Events - First-Ever Mother's Day Festival and 3rd Annual Craft Beer Festival

It’s a good time to love craft beer in Springfield. First, we have the First Ever Mother’s Day Festival at Mother’s Brewing Company this Saturday.


Then, just ONE WEEK LATER, we have the 3rd Annual Craft Beer Festival in the parking lot of The Brown Derby Wine Center. The event runs from 1 PM to 4 PM. The event costs $10 at the door, but five dollars of that goes to benefit the Doula Foundation of Mid-America.


There will be over 75 beers to taste, you’ll get your own complimentary tasting glass, and there will be special pricing on all of the beers poured at the event.

I personally had a lot of fun at last year’s event, and ended up picking up a couple of cases of some pretty good beer.

The Wine Center is located at 2023 S Glenstone, and you can call 417-887-2300 for more information.


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Beer News - Big Brewer Battles - All along the Mexican Front

To go along with the theme from my post about the battle for Illinois, here is another example of how economies of scale can seriously limit the craft brewing industry and how craft brewers just keep inventing their way out of it.

Beer News - Big Brewer Battles - InBev versus Illinois Craft Brewers

Most craft beer fans at some point or another have thought of the large domestic breweries as the “bad guys.” It’s easy to do. Large breweries have economies of scale which create some serious competitive advantages in the beer market. They have the brand recognition and marketing budgets to back it up, as well. All in all, craft beer has to work exponentially harder to make their place in their market.

It’s been getting easier for the little guy, though. Craft beer brewers are finding that their customers are more educated about beer than they have been in years, and the number of people who shop specifically for craft beer seems to rise every year. Overall, the craft beer market has grown steadily since the early 90’s (at least), and things look good for the craft brewing industry.

The big boys aren’t taking it lying down, though. Recently in Illinois there have been some shouts for help from small brewers who are afraid that they are now an endangered species (See the article here).

What's on Tap - Friday Beer Tasting at the Wine Center

Ok, it's last minute, but here's what will be available for tasting this afternoon from 4 to 7 at the Brown Derby Wine Center. Eric Carter gave me a brief rundown of the beers, but he's pretty hectic getting ready for the Craft Beer Fest on May 21st.

Ska Brewing's Mexican Logger - A seasonal beer, it is designed for easy drinking in the summer.

Free State Brewing's Copperhead Pale Ale - Hops are good.

Lagunitas Undercover Shutdown Ale - anything from this brewery can be considered worthy of a taste. This one's a very good beer.

He also mentioned a cool Helles Bock which was dry-hopped for 8 days with Saphir hops. I've never tried Saphir hops, but 8 days makes a hoppy and flavorful beer. It will definitely be worth trying.

Let us know your thoughts on these beers by leaving a comment. If you try the Helles, let us know what it's called, as well, since I won't be able to make it to the tasting tonight.

Enjoy your beer.

Update - the Helles Bock is from Hofstetter.