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Beer Festival Season is upon us! We rounded up a few of these noteworthy events around the world…and none of them take place in Germany!

Belgian Beer Weekend: Generally held in Brussels during the first weekend of September, breweries big and small come together to celebrate their suds. Enjoy beers of every kind while taking in the gorgeous Gothic architecture of La Grande Place, central square of Belgium’s capital city. 

Slunce ve Skle: This annual festival usually takes place the third weekend of September in Pilsen (Plzen), a picturesque city about 50 miles west of Prague in the Czech Republic. The name of the event translates to “sun in a glass”. Attendees can expect to only find microbreweries pouring here (no big guys allowed!) as the focus is more on artistry and quality rather than quantity.

Oktoberfest of Blumenau: Second only to Munich’s, this epic Brazilian celebration lasts over two weeks in October. Imagine all the kitsch and energy of Carnaval meets beer, lederhosen, and knockwurst. Blumenau is a city built by a handful of German immigrants in the mid-1800s. And though you’re merely miles from Sao Paolo, the architecture and spirit of the town is German through and through.

​Can you believe that light beer as we know it has only been produced in the United States since the mid 1970s? That’s barely a blink of an eye in beer history. The story goes that George Weissman, chairman of Phillip Morris, had his first low sugar lager (called a diat Pilsner in German) in Munich, West Germany. He enjoyed it and had a sneaking suspicion many Americans would, too. And boy was he right. In fact, according to Statistica, 6 of the 7 top selling beers in the United States in 2017 were light beers. Generally speaking, these beers have lower calories, less alcohol, and a lighter body than their full-calorie counterparts. They are also very refreshing and usually highly carbonated. For these reasons, they obviously appeal to a very wide market.  

But what makes a beer light? Basically, in order to make a less caloric version of beer, you must decrease the amount of fermentable sugars. When brewing, malt is the sugar source that yeast consumes to produce alcohol. More malt = more alcohol = more calories. Yet it’s not as simple as just cutting down the malt and calling it a day. Light beer still needs to be tasty. In order to achieve a good tasting final product, bitterness from hops is essential to offset the sweetness of the malt. These contrasting flavor combinations produce delicious and exciting taste sensations, for example sweet and sour, or spicy and sweet. 

After 18 years of brewing full-bodied craft beer in the Old World Tradition, Stockholm’s owner and brewer Michael Olesen is lightening things up. Loki, Stockholm’s first every light beer, is new on tap this week. When asked about brewing beer that is light in calories but still big in flavor, Olesen says that the key is balance. “While less malt produces less alcohol and therefore less calories, you still want a well-balanced, good tasting beer. To help achieve this balance, we’ve used Cascade hops added to the brew at two different times for their light bitterness and aromatic qualities.” The result is a smooth and refreshing brew that is the perfect accompaniment to a hot summer’s day.
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An interesting bit of beer trivia: the light beer first brewed in the United States for commercial consumption has a local origin story. The Peter Hand Brewing Co. on North Avenue in Chicago, founded in 1891 by a Prussian immigrant, was purchased by investors in the 1960s. The brand never quite got the traction they hoped for and the recipes were eventually sold to Milwaukee’s Miller brand in the 70s. The recipe for Peter Hand’s Meister Brau Lite seemed to have stood the test of time, as you might have heard of it even all these years later. Does Miller Lite ring a bell?

​Here we are smack dab in the middle of summer 2020. While so much makes this different from summers in the past, a few important things remain the same. Enjoying the sunshine, enjoying time with family and friends (from a safe distance), and enjoying good food. And nothing says summer quite like firing up the grill!

At Stockholm’s, we are passionate about good food; and we think the perfect accompaniment to a delicious meal is a great beer. No matter what is on your grill this weekend, we have a craft beer that will pair perfectly.

Burgers and Third Street Ale: The rich malt flavor of this Belgian style brown ale complements this savory backyard classic.

Sausage and Doc’s Porter: The creamy, lightly sweet notes of oats and coffee contrast nicely with the unctuous and salty flavors of the sausage. 

Shrimp Skewers and Aegir’s Ale: This English Pale Ale’s faint floral notes and gentle bitter finish will not overpower the delicate flavors of the shrimp.

Chicken Drumsticks and Viking Red Ale: No matter the marinade you use on the chicken, the creamy sweet malt and gentle hop finish of this amber ale will be a tasty pairing. 

Grilled Romaine Salad and State Street Pilsner: Grilling romaine lettuce turns it into something different entirely, tender on the inside, hot and crisp on the outside. Dress it simply with lemon and olive oil and serve this easy drinking German style Pilsner along with it for a light yet flavorful summer meal.

Salmon and Older But Weisser: Salmon is a rare type of seafood that can stand up to a wide range of flavors, bold like barbeque to delicate like citrus. The coriander notes and refreshing mouthfeel of this Belgian White Wit beer is a great contrast to the richness and fattiness of this fish. 
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All 14 of our handcrafted brews are available to go in one-liter growlers. And thanks to our Brewery Direct Pricing, the value can’t be beat! Pick up a beer or two for this weekend’s backyard BBQ. Join us on Facebook or Instagram and share a photo of your pairing. Skoal!

The ramifications of the Coronavirus outbreak are proving to be far-reaching and at times, surprising. Chances are we will be feeling the effects of this pandemic for months, if not years, to come. While the food, beverage, and hospitality industries have been hit in devastating and very obvious ways, other consequences are starting to emerge in the ripple effect created by the shutdown. 

For example, according to a report by the Independent Commodity Intelligence Services, falling production at refineries and ethanol plants in the United States has caused a shortage of Carbon Dioxide (CO2). CO2 is used in a multitude of ways including food processing, water treatment, dry ice production, and of course making beverages like BEER! Beer is often force carbonated to give it the fizz, flavors, and aromas we know and love. Force carbonation takes place as a final step of production and is the process of directly injecting carbon dioxide into cold beer. This method works to reduce product loss due to foaming, as the beer moving from place to place during processing is not carbonated yet so unable to foam. It also reduces the time it takes to make beer from start to finish. That is, from initial brewing to your frosty mug.

Here at Stockholm’s, we’re not overly worried about this particular issue. We’ve been brewing in the Old World Tradition since our doors opened in May 2002. That means allowing the beer to condition naturally in the cask, eliminating the need for injecting Carbon Dioxide. Sure, it may take a bit longer from beginning to end; but smooth, complex, and full-flavored beer is most certainly worth the wait. Check out our current beer list here. Pair one with your meal on our patio, or liter growlers are also available for carryout. Skoal!   

​Beer. That magical elixir somehow brewed from only four humble ingredients: barley, yeast, water, and hops. Sounds simple enough; but the reality is much more complex, due in a large part to the hops themselves. But what are hops and what is their role in the wizardry that makes beer the beverage we know and love?

Basically, hops are a plant. And the flower of that plant is what is used in the brewing process. They contain alpha acids, which are responsible for the bitter flavor. And you guessed it: the more alpha acids the plant has, the more bitterness it can impart. There are three basic functional categories of hops: Bittering, Aroma, and Dual Purpose. Bittering or Kettle hops are used during the boil for flavor, Aroma or Finishing hops are used near the end of the process for bouquet, and Dual Purpose hops are just what they sound like. In addition to adding complex flavor and aromas, hops also act as a preservative and help to retain the head of the beer.

The majority of the hops grown in the United States come from the Pacific Northwest region. And much like wine grapes, studies have shown that hops’ characteristics are affected by “terroir” (pronounced tear-WAR); meaning climate, soil, terrain, and farming practices. Cascade hops are the most commonly used and considered the quintessential American hop plant. It is characterized by moderate bitterness and a strong grapefruit essence. Cascade hops are used to brew our Stockholm’s G.P.A. (Geneva Pale Ale), added toward the end of the boil to balance the initial caramel sweetness of the beer with citrus and piney bitterness.

Many people have heard of the term “noble hops”, which refers to varieties of hops grown in central Europe and used to brew beer for centuries. Two of the noble hops, Saaz from what is now the Czech Republic and Tettnang from southern Germany, are used to make Abbey Ale, one of our current seasonal selections. The Abbey is our version of a Belgian Tripel, which essentially means triple the amount of malt. This gives the beer a sweet taste and high alcohol content, which is contrasted by the noble hops; added at two different points in the brewing process to produce a wonderfully balanced sweet beer with mild bitterness. It pairs well with robust and flavorful dishes, like our BBQ Ribs or Seafood Diablo. Skoal!

The holidays have come and gone and now we’re in the throes of Resolution Season; and for roughly 55% of people who make resolutions, that means working toward better health and fitness in 2020. People everywhere are getting gym memberships and rethinking their diets for the New Year. And as you reluctantly cut out glazed donuts and pass on the fettucine alfredo, take heart: the beers you enjoy need not be on the chopping block! Research has shown there to be a slew of health benefits in a glass of our favorite frosty beverage. Of course, all this research cites moderate beer consumption, which is roughly one 12 ounce glass per day for women and two 12 ounce glasses per day for men.
Everyone has heard of antioxidants, but do you know what they do? They’re scrappy little substances that can protect your cells from the havoc that free radicals can wreak on your system, which can lead to heart disease, cancer, and more. Thanks to the malts and hops, beer has a unique antioxidant profile which is twice that of white wine. Hello Pale Ale, sayonara free radicals!
Beer can also strengthen your bones, believe it or not. According to US News & World Report, the dietary silicon present in beer boasts many benefits, including the prevention of aging of hair, skin, and nails, the prevention of atherosclerosis, and promoting stronger bones. In fact, moderate beer drinkers were 36% less likely to have osteoporosis.
In addition, beer contains more protein and B vitamins than wine, as well as important nutrients like fiber, phosphorus, niacin, and folate. Studies have also shown moderate beer consumption to help in lowering cholesterol, as well as lowering the risk of diabetes and hypertension. The hops in beer may also help fight inflammation in the body.
And not all beer is created equally. Since Stockholm’s craft brews are unfiltered, they contain more of the B vitamins, minerals, and protein than their filtered counterparts. A healthy new year and a healthy new you? I’ll drink (beer) to that! Skoal!

And just like that, 2019 has almost come to a close. Holiday party season is in full swing, and folks everywhere are thoughtfully and diligently planning what to serve family and friends. Let’s be real here, traditional Christmas dinners look a whole lot like traditional Thanksgiving dinners, and that’s fantastic. But if you’re looking to add just a little twist to the same-old-same-old, why not swap out that bottle of wine for some beer? Here we’ll share a few ideas about how to expertly pair beer with your traditional holiday meal.

First and foremost, we have the appetizer course; and really that can be any number of things: shrimp cocktail, chips and dip, or a charcuterie board featuring cured meats, cheeses, and olives. A light- to medium-body beer like an IPA (for example our G.P.A. Geneva Pale Ale) would be a great contrasting choice. The bright, spicy, crisp effervescence of this beer would work well with the salty, savory appetizers.

Traditionally, ham or turkey would be served for the main course; each pairing with different beers. If turkey is on the menu, pour your guests a Dopplebock, one of our current seasonal selections. The richness and underlying sweetness of the caramel notes highlight the turkey as well as sweet potatoes, cranberry relish, etc. On the other hand, pair a Belgian White Wheat, like our Older But Weisser, with ham. The coriander and clove notes of this refreshing, light-bodied beer will perfectly balance the sweet and salty taste of a honey baked ham.

Onto everyone’s favorite part: dessert. Beer can make an amazing companion to all types of desserts if you know what to look for. Why not try a Porter, like our Doc’s Porter? This malty, creamy beer has just enough sweetness to perfectly complement any holiday dessert you may choose from pie to cookies, chocolate to vanilla, you can’t go wrong.

If a beer pairing experience sounds like a great idea for your holiday table, our brews are available for purchase to-go in growlers. We also host monthly beer pairing dinners at the restaurant. But whatever your plans for the season may be, all of us at Stockholm’s wish you a safe and warm holiday with beloved friends and family. Skoal!

The next step in this process is to start identifying the flavors and characteristics of the food or beer that you are trying to pair. If you’re planning on serving a Creamy Shrimp Fettucine at an upcoming dinner party and want to find a beer or two to pair with it, make some notes on the dish’s flavor profiles. Not only is it rich on account of the cream and cheese, but the onions and garlic impart caramelized notes as well. If you’re looking for a contrasting choice, a bitter and citrusy pale ale will work to cut through the richness of the dish. On the other hand, the nutty, roasted notes of a porter will accentuate the mouthfeel of the creamy sauce and highlight the caramelized flavors of the onions and garlic.

And of course, you can work the other way as well. For example, if you have a Belgian White Wheat that you’re looking to pair with food, identify its unique flavor profiles: for example medium body, refreshing, fruit-forward, and clove notes. As a complementary pairing, you can find a dish that has some brightness and high acidity, such as a butter lettuce salad with citrus vinaigrette and goat cheese. Conversely, a savory and briney dish featuring oysters or sardines would be a fabulous contrast to the fruitiness of the beer.
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Coming up next, we’ll feature some of our favorite pairings of Stockholm’s entrees and Stockholm’s handcrafted beer. We’ll also invite you to show us some of your favorites, too. There might even be some prizes involved. See you soon!