Canadian Beer Fest News
Top 5 Drinking Games
It is BEERFEST TIME, so in celebration I thought we should have a list of drinking games. These will provide you with hours of fun and a MASSIVE headache. Enjoy!
Beer Pong
This is a classic game that can be played at the bar. The only materials needed are Plastic drinking cups and a Ping-Pong ball. The object of the game is to arrange the cups in the form of a pyramid so the tip is facing your opponent. Each team will arrange their cups to face the other team. . Once this has been done and each team is on the opposite end of the table, players will take turns tossing a Ping-Pong ball towards a cup on the other end of the table. The shot must be a direct one and the ball may not take a bounce. If the player succeeds in throwing the ball in the cup the other player must drink and empty that cup of its contents. The team or player that makes the other drink all of their cups first will win.
Flip, Sip, Strip
This is an easy game that can be played creating a fun environment. All players will need is a drink in their hands and one quarter or coin. The object of the game is to toss the coin into the air and while it is still in the air the player must call it. If the player guesses correctly he passes the coin on to his right. However if the player guesses incorrectly he must choose whether to drink a shot or strip an article of clothing. The game gets tricky because a player cannot pick the same thing twice in a row.
Boxing
This is a simple fast paced game that will end when one player pukes or quits. The game has two main players and 1 or two players in each corner to help their boxer out. Players will have a shot in front of them that will be their penalty if they get “hit”. Both players roll a die and the one that rolls the higher value “hits” their opponent. The player that has been “hit” will proceed to drink his shot and his team will rapidly refill the shot glass and they roll again. The game can be played in 30-second rounds and the object of the game is to move quickly and have multiple hits per round. The match is over when a player pukes or quits the game.
Quarters
The origin of this game is unknown; however the fun it can inspire is far from a myth. This game is best played with 3 or more players. The object of this game is to sit around a table with a glass in the center. Each player will take a turn to bounce the quarter on its side and try to get it to land inside the empty glass in the center. If a player manages to get the coin in the glass he will pick another player to drink. The amount will vary according to the rules and wagers set by each group. Making higher wagers and increasing the distance from where the bounce must occur can alter the game while making it more challenging.
Flip-Cup
The object of the game is to split into two teams, each with 3 to 4 people in them. Players will have a plastic cup that can have either beer or a shot in them; this will depend on each player. The object of the game is that players must begin in order and drink the content of their cup; they will then place the cup on the edge of the table and flip it. They must make the cup land upside-down, once this is done the next player may drink and flip their own cup. This game is played as a relay race; the first team to finish wins. The losing team can have additional drinks as penalties.
Images via http://www.drinkinggamezone.com/
How to throw a Beer-tastic Party!
There are many different ways to host an amazing beer party, but there are a few things that you should always keep in mind while planning one. There will be two key ingredients to every party these are: the beer and the people. You will want to take your time with the first one.
There are literally thousands and thousands of different beer brands, and hundreds of varieties as well. A true beer lover will always have their preferred style and brand. However this is not a party for one, so the first rule when selecting the beer for a party is now your audience. You will want to have varieties that your guests enjoy or that you think they will enjoy when they try them.
While it is true that some people can just guzzle down any type of beer you want to keep an open mind while planning your party. You will want to select a variety of beers that will give people the opportunity to test and experiment with their palate. They will enjoy this new experience and probably thank you for it as well. It is important not to feel bad if you make a selection that someone does not enjoy as much because all of our tastes are different. If this happens just pass them a different one.
The second key factor to an awesome time is the people. When planning this type of party you will want to invite those over who you know will enjoy beer tasting. This will give them an opportunity to expand their horizons and try new things. In the end you can invite who ever you want as long as they are coming in with an open mind and anxious to have fun. Remember to have a fridge, mini fridge or cooler available to place your beers in. it is very important to keep the beers cold!
There is nothing like a nice cold beer and good company. So relax and open your first beer because you are about to have a great time!
Top 5 Most Expensive Beers
While most people will only spend a few dollars to enjoy their favorite beer, they would be surprised when told that some beer lovers spend more than $400 dollars on a single bottle of beer. These high end beers are not for the average drinker and most are produced in a limited number. Some of the top 5 most expensive beers are:-
5. Samuel Adams’ Utopias
ABV 27%
Cost $150 per bottle
Volume-700ml
Samuel Adams’ Utopias is the only American brewed beer that makes it to the top five most expensive beers. Named in honor of the American revolutionary hero, Samuel Adams’ Utopias was first produced in 2002 with an ABV of 24% which was eventually increased to 27%.
Every year, a limited number of bottles are released. The beer is packed in ceramic bottles that resemble cooper finished brewing kettles. Samuel Adams’ Utopias is banned in 13 states due to legal restrictions.
4. Schorschbräu Schorschbock 57
ABV 57.5%
Cost $275 per bottle
Volume-330ml
The Schorschbräu Schorschbock 57 beat the BrewDogs End of History to become the strongest beer in the world in 2011. Though the German brewer wanted a higher ABV, these was not feasible as it would have violated the 500 year Germanic beer purity law. Only 36 bottles of the Schorschbräu Schorschbock 57 were ever made
3. Carlsberg Jacobsen Vintage No. 1
ABV 10.5%
Cost $400 per bottle
Volume-375ml
The Carlsberg Jacobsen Vintage No. 1 is brewed by Jacobsen Brew house and only available in Denmark. This 2008 vintage is a brown colored beer that is made from the finest caramel and hops. It is then aged in French and Swedish oak barrels for six months in old wine cellars. With 600 bottles from the first vintage, this beer is found in the finest restaurants across Copenhagen.
2.BrewDogs End of History
ABV 55%
Cost $765 per bottle
Volume-330ml
This controversial Scottish beer is also one of the most expensive you can have. Formerly the world’s strongest beer until the Schorschbock came along, BrewDogs End of History is made by mixing juniper berries and nettles from the Scottish highlands.
It’s insane alcohol levels are achieve by freezing and distilling it multiple times. This Scottish beer has the distinction of being packaged in carcasses of taxidermied hares, squirrels or weasel. Only 12 bottles were ever produced.
1. Antarctic Nail Ale
ABV 10%
Cost $800 – 1800 per bottle
Volume-500ml
This is so far the most expensive beer to date. It is brewed by the Perth based, Nail brewing. First brewed in late 2010, this beer’s price tag is up the sky because the water that is used to brew it comes from the Antarctic.
Sea shepherd’s scientists flew to the Antarctic where they dug up ice which was melted for the brew process. Only 30 bottles of this beer were ever made with its first bottle being sold for $800 in September 2011
Which Are The Top Five Beer Making Countries?
There are some things we just know. Russia is famous for Vodka; it’s their “thing.” France is likewise famous for its wine, and more specifically for its champagne, but what about beer? If you had to list the top five beer making nations on the planet, what would such a list look like? Below, you’ll find our picks. Our selection was made not just on the sheer amount produced, although clearly that plays a role, but also on the nation’s brewing history.
5.Canada
Canada makes the cut for both its long tradition of brewing, plus some star studded brands. Labatt, Sleeman, Moosehead and Molson are all staples of the beer drinking world, which secures Canada a spot on the list. More than that though, there is the depth of commitment to microbrewing that you see in Canada today. That really makes them a remarkable entrant, because not all nations do that as thoroughly and completely as Canada has.
4.The United States
No list would be complete without the United States. In the US, beer makes up 85% of all the alcohol consumed. Additionally, the US is home to more than 1400 breweries that run the full gamut from micro to mega, and it’s such a vast nation that distinctive regional flavors have not only cropped up, but have flourished and thrived.
3.Belgium
Belgium’s entry in the top five is secured by the existence of Stella Artois alone, when of the most widely distributed beers in the world. With fifteen different brands being distributed, Belgium takes top honors where macro-breweries are concerned, and that alone secures them a high place on the list. But it’s the small artisanal breweries and the Belgians’ wholehearted dedication to drinking beer that make this tiny country a standout in the beer world.
2.Germany
The home of Oktoberfest, Germany is well known the world over for their masterful brews. Germany and beer are nearly synonymous. It’s a huge part of German culture. “Lift you stein and drink you beer” might be the national slogan of Germany. The German contribution to the world of beer is undoubtedly the lager style.
1.England
There are many reasons why England gets top billing. England has a long, proud brewing tradition, and produces some of the finest beers ever made. The English famously love to drink, but what is often not realized is that along with the unfortunate culture of binge drinking, goes a dedication to the finer points of the enjoyment of gourmet real ales.
Germany may one day knock England from its throne, but it would take quite a lot. Also consider that Scotland (part of Great Britain) by itself comes in at number six, just missing the list, and that Canada is part of the Commonwealth, receiving much of its beer tradition from the mother country. England’s position of dominance is all but assured.
To decide for yourself which country makes the best beer, come and sample a mind blowing range of offerings at the 2015 Edmonton International Beer Festival.
