just a quick one

The Old Sol is flowing, the bottles are flying out the door, and it is one super tasty beverage, that arrived just in time for summer.

The Artemis Organic Pale ale is a real hit. Come on in and wish Diana the very best on her new journey to who knows, I don't even think she does.

For all of you that keep coming in and asking for it, your wish has been granted....on the longest day of the year we brewed the darkest beer we make, thats right Old Rip Oatmeal Stout will make an appearance in the next couple of weeks.

Bill brewed another Hopfest, our single hop pale ale. He used Autanum hops throughout this time. Look for that real soon.

We are coming up with ideas for the 20th anniversary shirt as well as how to properly celebrate 20 years of doing business.

That is all for now.

The Buffalo Theory

This one landed in my inbox the other day. Diana, who will be leaving us soon sent it my way, I think it was passed to her from her mother. hurray for mom....

In one episode of “Cheers”, Cliff is seated at the bar describing the Buffalo Theory to his buddy, Norm. I don’t think I’ve ever heard the concept explained any better than this:

“Well you see, Norm, it’s like this. A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. When the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at th back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest numbers.

In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers.

Blanche de Mensonge, the belgian wheat beer is excellent, it looks like it brought the summer weather for a few days at least.

Artemis, the organic pale made with Cascade and Columbus hops is tasting great. It should be flowing sooner than later. It is after all Diana's last weekend with us, and she kind of has to be on hand when the beer goes on tap.

Also this weekend is the release of Old Sol Wheatwine. I expect to see you all on Saturday for some fine adult beverages. Bill has been working overtime to get the beer in bottles and ready to head out the door. Apply the Buffalo Theory and come on in, get rid of those weaker brain cells, we could call it getting smarter.....ha ha. Hope to see you all soon for a pint or two. It looks that summer is on the way, school is out and we are a bit more mellow all summer long.

just a quick one.....

The Biggest Beerfest in Washington is this weekend out at St Edwards Park in Kenmore. Those of you that haven't yet joined WABL should. One incentive, other than supporting great Washington Beer, for joining is at this festival is you get a larger, glass tasting cup, and access to a special keg of beer provided to the festival by one of the many quality Washington Breweries. We have tickets to this fantastic event.

I can not believe that I am writing this, it snowed last night at the Summit, but the following weekend is the Summer Solstice, the arrival of summer? Old Sol Wheatwine will be flowing, if this weather holds it will be the sunshine in a glass that you need to make it through until summer really arrives. I expect to see you all there snifter in hand.

We should have a few new beers on draft shortly, one should already be flowing but our friendly sign makers spelled the name wrong delaying its release.

We still have growlers available, they are very cool and since it is the first time we have ever done one everyone should be coming down to get their hands on this piece of history. Thanks so much and hope to see you soon enjoying a tasty pint or two in Seattle's Original Brewpub.

beer and gas....

There you have it folks. This landed in my inbox this morning and I thought it was only appropriate to pass it on. With the hop crisis it looks like the hop heads and the motor heads will be competing for at least the next year for which is cheaper. I am sure that gas will win this race as I have heard it is supposed to creep up to the 5 dollar mark this summer, and I don't see pints, at least in our establishment hitting that yet.

In other news the Trombipulator is all gone, if you got some you were one of the lucky, if not you really missed out. It was one of the best batches I have ever tasted.

The organic pale ale, Artemis, was brewed a few days ago, look for it in the near future. This is another first for the Big Time. The growlers are selling fast, they are beautiful. Stop in and get one.

We plan to put out a new design for the Old Wooly shirts, right now we are trying to figure out if we are going to do long sleeve shirts, zip hoodies, or pullover hoodies. Sound off with what you would like to see. Zack, the ave rat artist designed them and they are super cool.

Old Sol Wheatwine comes out on Saturday the 21st, I expect to see you all there. Come on in and celebrate half a year of rain with us, maybe it will bring the sun out of hiding.

We still have tickets to the Mother of all Father's Day, Brewer's festival out at St Edwards park in Kenmore. I expect to see you all there. Click here for more information.

Just a reminder beer is cheaper than gas, so drink up. For those of you that must know a gallon of gas is 4.25 a gallon of beer is 16.00 at our establishment so maybe beer really isn't cheaper than gas, but I do think that it has more social value than gas. On that note I will sign off, and if you drink don't drive.

Ave Rat Malt Liquor

Ave Rat arrives on Wednesday when we open, just in time for the U-Districts street fair, this weekend May 17th and 18th. We will have a giant beer garden in front of the building, and with the temps predicted to be in the 80's summer looks to be here. The Big Time Brewery's beer garden looks to be the spot to be. I expect to see you all there with sunglasses, and of course a pint of tasty Ave Rat in hand. Just what the doctor ordered after a long winter of hibernation. We will have t-shirts and pint glasses available in limited supply. It is after all the year of the rat, so we have a very special logo, different than last years. We plan to keep changing the logo every year, in fact we already have next years logo, we think. Last year we sold all the shirts before the street fair, and missed a golden opportunity, lets just say we prepared a bit better this year. Zack, the ave rat artist, is a great guy to see more of his stuff go here or here. Bill and I give him a vague idea of what we are thinking and her translates, or channels it through him and out comes a magic.

According to Wikipedia:
Behind the smiles and charm, rats can be terribly obstinate and controlling, insisting on having things their way no matter what the cost. These people tend to have immense control of their emotions, which they may use as a tool to manipulate and exploit others, both emotionally and mentally. Rats are masters of mind games and can be very dangerous, calculative and downright cruel if the need arises. Quick-tempered and aggressive, they will not think twice about exacting revenge on those that hurt them in any way. Rats need to learn to relax sometimes, as they can be quite obsessed with detail, intolerant and strict, demanding order, obedience, and perfection.

this is another way to look at it taken from this website.

In Chinese, the Rat is respected and considered a courageous, enterprising person. People born in the Year of Rat are clever and bright, sociable and family-minded. They have broad interests and strong ability in adapting to the environment and able to react adequately to any changes.

I have noticed a lot of changes going on around me, maybe it is attributed to the year of the rat, many relationships are in flux, people are committing to do different things. Does this all have something to do with the animal that guides us all. Rats seem to be very tenacious and adaptable, willing to sacrifice a bit now for more down the road. Thrifty, demanding and focused. There is more information if you follow the links above. I will leave your with this years ave rat logo....

In the interest of promotion.....

In the interest of shameless self promotion I am urging each and everyone of you to vote for us as your favorite Brewpub in the NWsource's People's Picks. Here is the link. Let the city know how much you love us.

In other news there is more and more beer blogging going on out there. If you don't already know about these blogs and would like to hear someone's opinion on all things beer related here in Seattle and the greater Northwest I suggest that you take a look.

Chris Devlin's beer examiner site. This is where the beer retard as he has affectionately dubbed himself steps in to the spotlight. His first blog in his own words is taking a back seat at the moment. Two beer blogs, might not be as easy to maintain. That's a lot of saying the same thing differently. Way to go Chris.

I met Geoff a few months back, well now it is almost a year ago across the bar, we started in to a conversation about the Old Sol Wheatwine. Then again at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, it was a bit fuzzy, and from time to time he stops by. Turns out he's got a blog for the Seattle PI. Check out what he has to say on his Blog What's on tap.

Are there other beer bloggers that I should know about. If you are out there, let me know. Thanks so much for all your promotion of all things craft beer here in the great Northwest.

Calling all craft beer lovers

There is a good chance if you have arrived at this site you are in fact a lover of hand crafted ales and lagers. You, yes you, are invited to the Washington Beer Commissions first Oktoberfest, out at St Edwards Park, this Friday from 3-9 and Saturday 1-9. There is a happy hour on Friday from 3-6 where upon entry in to the festival you receive two extra tokens. What Oktoberfest festival would be complete without a commemorative beer glass, that is why WABL members will get a glass mug, not a plastic mug and access to a special Baron Brewing beer. If you are not already a member this would be a great time to join. Looks to be a great time, I expect to see you all there. We will be pouring our Kolsch 45. Click the above link for all the detailed information.

Bill is in the process of putting together another Brown Bombshell so that will be on draft for a short time, this beer is gaining a following. Come on in and try a pint when you come to get your tickets to the Oktoberfest.