"draft beer" news and stories

For many, smoked beers (also commonly known by their German name -- Rauchbiers) are an acquired taste. Though some favorably describe these brews as a delicious mix of the flavors of beer and bacon, others lean towards the suspicion that someone may have ashed a cigar in their pint.

Though the Yards Brewing Company's second annual Smoke 'Em If Yous Got 'Em event for Philly Beer Week did offer up a cigar tent, most patrons paid their admission to pair a healthy selection of professional and amateur barbecue with a world class selection of smoked brews.

The self-described "one-of-a-kind event (translation: there's absolutely, positively nothing else like it in the world)" definitely delivered on the beer front, offering up an exotic mix of 32 drafts (not to even mention the sizable bottled selection) from across the country and around the world, as well as extremely rare selections and one-offs, and one 34-letter beer from Stewart's Brewing that drinkers would be hard-pressed to discuss on Twitter.

After the jump, read more about Smoke 'Em If Yous Got 'Em and check out the amazing selection of smoked beers from this year's event...

A weekly look at the draft selections in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Who says Iowa can't be home to a beer haven?

Since 2006, El Bait Shop has housed over 100 draft beers (and plenty more in bottles) smack dab in central Iowa, making this "shop" not only a Des Moines beer mainstay, but a national beer destination as well, finding its way onto best bar lists in publications like DRAFT Magazine and Esquire.

Why does the U.S.'s 112th largest city need 105 draft lines? Well, where better than in middle America to feature American-made beers? That's the goal at El Bait Shop, according to bar manager, Charles Johnson. "We have the largest selection of American craft beer in the world," said Johnson, explaining what makes their draft selection unique.

It's hard to have more than 100 draft lines without delving into the large array of imported beers that a lot of bars lean on. By sticking with mostly American "micro" brewers, El Bait Shop not only supports smaller brewers, but has also found a way to separate their draft selection from the crowd. It also gives the bar the opportunity to show off some local Iowa brewers who's products don't always find their way to the coasts, like Great River and Peace Tree.

Find the giant beer list that gave El Bait Shop their niche after the jump...

A weekly look at the draft selections in beer-friendly bars across the country.

The website for Boise, Idaho's Bittercreek Alehouse is JustEatLocal.com, and it's not just a catchy URL. The bar has been around since 1995 and has always striven to offer the best craft beers, but about two years ago, it underwent some even bigger changes.

Bittercreek not only cut out wine, but all of their domestic bottled beers as well. "We've been really trying to cut down our waste," says bartender and 7-year Alehouse vet, Tate McCullough. "We had so many bottles, recyclers couldn't keep up." The owners realized that by only offering beers on tap, they could cut their glass waste dramatically.

One of the primary themes of the craft beer scene is keeping an eye towards conservation and local consumption, a lesson this establishment has focused on for years now. Of their 39 draft lines, all of them are regional, and outsiders might be surprised to learn that 12 of those brews are from right inside the Idaho state borders. "Our primary goal was to pump all of our money back into the Northwestern economy," McCullough explained.

Read on about Bittercreek Alehouse and find its recent draft list, after the jump.

A weekly look at the draft selections in beer-friendly bars across the country.

First, Kevin Durant came to the NBA. Then, the NBA came to Oklahoma City. Now, Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder are making waves in professional basketball by giving the reigning champion L.A. Lakers a run for their money in the playoffs.

Suddenly, the 31st largest city in the U.S. isn't so small anymore. Not to say that a half-million people is chump change, but for the first time, professional sports fans are looking in Oklahoma City's direction. And true fans know that nothing goes together like sports and beer. So it's time to take a look at one of the city's most notable beer bars -- James E. McNellie's Public House.

The OKC location -- opened in 2008 -- is the second McNellie's in the state and craft beer fans couldn't be happier as the pub quickly established itself as one of the best beer destinations in the city.

Read more about McNellie's and find their April 2010 draught beer list, after the jump.

A weekly look at the draft selections in beer-friendly bars across the country.

What?! What's On Tap has never visited Denver, Colo.?!? That's practically Beer City, USA.

So this week, in an effort to make things right, What's On Tap looks at what both BeerAdvocate and RateBeer.com -- the two largest online beer communities -- rate as the best beer bar in Denver: Falling Rock Taphouse.

Bartender Jason Quinn helped explain why Falling Rock has garnered such a great reputation while serving the Denver community. "Chris Black [one of the three owners] has been in the beer business for almost 30 years," Quinn pointed out. "He worked for Red Hook a long time ago. He's known everybody forever."

Read on about Falling Rock Taphouse and find their most recent draft list after the jump...