Kristiansand Ølfestival The Movie

Beautiful Bendiksbukta on Odderøya gives me memories of the long bankrupt Quart Festival, I've actually seen a couple do the horizontal polka on the stage that used to be here during the summertime festival. Anyways, now Bendiksbukta is ready to create new memories with Kristiansand Beer Festival. Still hungover when I released the pictures from the festival yesterday, now I'm much better and the movie is done! Do I have anything to add on what I wrote yesterday? Yes, I thought Kristiansand Ølfestival were awesome, and I really hope they make an even bigger festival next year, but only slightly bigger. My favorite beers at the festival were the "CAP Imperial Stout" silk smooth, the "Birra del Borgo ArcheoBirra Etrusca - Anfora" really sour, fruity and crazy, fermented in clay amphora. And of course the good old "Lervig Barley Wine" a 13% ABV full bodied armor plated crazy vanilla bomb!

But anyway the beer many people will ask about right now is the Hansa IPA, and I have an opinion. Cause I tried it and had a chat with the brewer. Craft beer should be made by craft brewers and craft beer drinkers! A brewer that filter his beer till there's no taste left in fear of autolysis really should not brew an IPA, cause it is filter really heavy, almost no flavor left. Also it would help if the brewer were into the beer styles he's brewing. I agree that all IPA's don't have to be 100+ IBU, but come on, it's not an IPA without a solid bitterness punch, it's a pale ale and remember this is only a 4,5% ABV beer. Brewed by a guy and a brewery that doesn't like ale, doesn't drink ale and is only checking the market to see if profit can be made. No need for more on this subject, I wasn't impressed and I doubt that you will be either! Use your hard earned money on brews that are brewed with passion and love by people who care.

But one thing that actually impressed me, were this festival and I hope that this video shows just that!

Enjoy the video, please watch in full screen and max resolution as always!

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Cheers
- Haffy

Photos from Kristiansand Ølfestival 2013

Kristiansand Beer Festival 2013 were held outside Odderøyahallen Saturday July 24th 2013. The sun was shining the beer was cold and for five hours no one had a care in the world. The Scottish Innis and Gunn had crossed the sea to be apart of this joyful festival and the new-coming Swedes of CAP brewery had driven their hippie mobile across land and borders. Norwegian macro giants Hansa Borg sent CB, Kristiansands own to premiere their new 4,5% ABV Hansa IPA. My two favorite Norwegian breweries Nøgne Ø & Lervig Aktiebryggeri were there and also newcomers Austmann from Trondheim and Balder Brygg from Sogn & Fjorande. Christiansand Brygghus, a local brewpub that were apart of arranging the festival showcased their brews. Gastropuben Kick, Patrick's & Bakgården were also apart of arranging this event. Strag and Cask also had stands showing off some new brews that will hit the shelves of Vinmonopolet soon. Home brewers Heidrun were brewing a stout and answering questions about brewing, a must at any beer festival. Last but not least the food was really good!

I brought my camera and film with interviews from the event is coming very soon, I had a really good time and hope I will be able to visit again next year!
- Haffy

How To Make Mead For Beginners (Video)

I don't really think this article targets this blogs main audience, but lately we have been brewing some mead. First up were a Vanilla Bean Bourbon Oaked Mead/Braggot that's fermenting on Champagne yeast right now. But when my local home-brew supplier Bryggselv got hold of some mead yeast I decided to make some more mead. And since I haven't updated this blog in 6 weeks, why not make it into a blog. So here it is a beginners guide on how easy it can be to make mead, done in my very small downtown apartment. Enjoy the video or not! (Watch in full screen and full resolution please!)





Maybe I'll do a bigger piece on mead sometime in the future, the subject is very interesting! :)

More info on mead:
http://www.gotmead.com/

Cheers
- Haffy