Go (drink) a Kite!

Kite Tail is officially a go. Our brewers will be at Cicero’s tonight in the loop pouring the first few kegs of Kite Tail and talking about the beer. Stop by at 6 or anytime after to talk to Brian and Jason about the beer and get your hands on the fresh goodness for the first time. If you can’t make it tonight to hear all about it, keep on reading.

This beer actually started as a homebrew recipe of Jason’s (our assistant brewer). He brewed it last year in celebration of his sister’s wedding. Jason and his brewing buddies have an Oktoberfest celebration every fall where they all brew a beer or two, then get together to drink said beer. This year, the Oktoberfest beer would also be a wedding beer. Jason wanted to brew a doppelbock (seeing as how it’s a German beer and all), but his sister tried one and quickly nixed that idea. They eventually decided on a cream ale for its smoothness and function as a good session beer.

Fast-forward a couple months to last November and a blind panel to decide what was going to replace Wheach as our new summer seasonal. Jason decided to sneak a couple of his beers (including the cream ale) into the panel. As it turns out, everyone gravitated toward his beer. Work got started not long after to scale up his recipe, and Kite Tail was born.

We think you’ll find that this beer is going to be the perfect compliment to your summer. It’s light and crisp, but finishes with a subtle tartness and fresh fruit notes. The malty sweetness is balanced extremely well by the addition of Polish hops, and at 4.5% ABV, you’ll find it incredibly easy to drink. Get it on draft or pour to a glass to enjoy a creamy, long-lasting head. In all seriousness, you just found your new go-to summer beer.

If you can’t make it out tonight, swing by Cicero’s and Frankie G’s this weekend to grab a fresh draft pull off the Kite Tail keg. More locations when we hear about ‘em. You can also find it in bottles at your favorite beer buying location starting this weekend. Get out there and enjoy some beer. 

Cheers!

Holy Beer Batman!

There’s some really great stuff happening around the brewery these days. In case you missed it, there was a great story in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch last week about our little brewery. Check it out here –

http://www.stltoday.com/business/columns/lager-heads/o-fallon-brewery-back-on-path-to-growth/article_82c21f88-7461-11e1-9629-001a4bcf6878.html

Among other things in the story, we’re expecting to seriously increase production this year, and THERE’S A NEW BEER COMING! For the first time in a while (not counting the extraordinary BDS), we’re introducing a new beer. Kite Tail Summer Ale is our new summer offering. It’s a cream ale based beer that is light, crisp, and flavorful. It’s really refreshing and has a hint of tartness that is just delightful.

At 4.5% ABV, it’s a sessionable beer that will perfectly complement all of your summer activities. It even tastes great and is drinkable in the morning, as that seems to be our brewer’s favorite time to bring us taste samples from the tanks.

As if that wasn’t enough, our new website is right around the corner. It promises to be an educational experience, while also keeping it light (just like Kite Tail). Rumor has it there may also be a handy-dandy O’Fallon Beer Finder. You’ll never have to go without your 5 Day again.

Cheers!

Beer "Dinner" On The Horizon

There hasn’t been a whole lot of out of the ordinary happening around the brewery to tell you all about, but things are exciting nonetheless. We have a beer “dinner” at Bissinger’s coming up March 28th. Pairings will focus on the wonderful world of chocolate.

Traditional fare and cheese may be what most of you are familiar with in terms of beer pairings, but let me tell you something - chocolate and beer is just as good. The brownie float with our Belgian Dark Strong is absolutely heavenly. There will of course be other great pairings as well. Be sure not to miss this one – seating is very limited. Contact Bissinger’s directly at 314-615-2490 or email jaubuchon@bissingers.com to make reservations.

Other than that, we’re still cranking away on our new website and cranking out delicious beer – fresh kegs of Wheach and 5 Day are shipping out today, just in time for the heat wave we're having. There will also be a chance to win some free stuff in the coming weeks, so get ready for that – participation and good times are required!

Cheers!

A little of this and that

Work continues on a totally new website sure to satisfy even the most discerning of beer fans. It’ll be packed full of fancy photos, videos, and relevant information. We’re shooting a short video next week that will highlight the brewing process and give you a glimpse into the life of a brewer.

Bottles of our Belgian Dark Strong continue to be labeled and shipped from the brewery as well. There are still some to get sent out, but these are extremely limited and extremely delicious - don't miss your chance. You can also find it on tap at various fine establishments throughout the area including 44 Stone in Columbia, both iTap locations, The Iron Barley, and Piasa Pub in Grafton.

We’ve also got our Twitter account back online. Follow us @OfallonBrewery to get updates on brewery happenings before everyone else. We might even run a contest or two if you’re lucky.

And feel free to engage us in light-hearted Twitter banter related to beer - (Other topics are welcome as well. We’re well versed on current events, St. Louis Blues hockey, and cheese plates.) Keep an eye out on our Facebook page and right here for a quick video clip in the coming weeks, as well as other important things related to the wild and wonderful world of beer.
Cheers!

Behind The Scenes

We're working on a virtual brewery tour so everyone can get an idea of what goes on around here on a daily basis. Here’s a quick look at a couple photos that will be included. Brian is hard at work during the mashing process. Hot steam and delicious smells. This was a batch of Hemp Hop Rye. You can really smell the toasted hemp seeds at this point. Keep an eye out during the coming months for the rest of the photos and tour, as well as other neat things online and at your favorite local establishments.

Long Time, New Beer.

There have been a lot of things going on around the brewery over the last few months. We’re working on a complete website overhaul, some exciting new Facebook contests, as well as some fun multimedia projects to enhance everyone’s online O’Fallon Brewery experience. In addition to all of this, we’re still cranking out delicious beer, as well as developing new brews for your enjoyment.

Speaking of new beers, our new Belgian Dark Strong will be in stores in just a couple of days. This beer was brewed in 2010 and spent the first year of its life in wine barrels. For the last 7 months or so, it’s been aging in the bottle, letting all of those delicious flavors mellow and marry together. What you get is a smooth, spicy/sweet brew with hints of caramel and raisin that work marvelously with the fruit and oak undertones. All of this, and it comes in at a hefty 10% ABV. There are only 3600 bottles of this out there, so make sure you get a couple for your private stash.

Our head brewer Brian Owens will be blogging here to give everyone a glimpse into his mind and daily routine as it relates to the art of brewing. Make sure you’re checking back here often, as well as our Facebook page. As I mentioned, we’ll be rolling out some contests to give you a chance to win awesome O’Fallon merchandise that will only be available to those that follow us on Facebook. So make sure to like us there if you haven’t already, and tell all of your friends too. Moving forward, this blog will be your source for up to date brewery news and happenings. We’re looking forward to a great 2012 and hope that you’re all as excited as we are.