A Special Stein

John and Mary Smith of Middlebury, VT, sent Peter this mug acquired in Germany when Mary was teaching there in the 1950s. The Smiths, along with children Mike and Katie, lived next door to WBC brewer Peter Ausenhus. "They were wonderful neighbors and friends and the stein will command a prominent place at the bar. I'll toast an Oktoberfest in it every fall."

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The blending panel convened on Dec. 20. From left, Brendan Nagle, Tanna Moretz, Dean Moretz, Peter Ausenhus. (Not pictured Margaret Bishop).

Cherry Elixir a hit
We tapped the Five Seasons Cherry Elixir to an appreciative crowd on New Years Eve. We will continue to serve it on tap through January until we’re out. The Elixir is truly a beverage greater than the sum of its ingredients. It began in late summer as a Belgian Cherry Ale. A cider was made from apples picked this fall. I wasn’t completely happy with either: the cherry ale was too dry, the cider a bit one dimensional. We decided a blend may help both. I had a strong, sweet mead available that would balance the red ale and round the cider. A touch of honey syrup would finish it off. A blending panel of five people tested several combinations before hitting on the final recipe of approximately 44% Red Ale, 44% cider, 7% mead and 5% honey syrup. A handful of toasted oak chips was put in each keg. Enjoy now because we won’t duplicate this one again.

Drink, eat, drink, walk a little, repeat.

Peter Visits Bamberg, Germany

Worth Brewing Company owner/brewer Peter Ausenhus attended Weyermann Malting Co.'s Bavarian winter party in Bamberg, Germany, in November. "What a great opportunity to tour one of the best malting companies in the world," Ausenhus says. "And Bamberg is the center of the rare Rauchbier (smoke beer)." Beech wood smoke permeates the grain during malting giving the beers an intense aroma and flavor. "It's like drinking bacon--definitely an acquired taste." WBC uses Weyermann malt for all of its German-style beers, such as Marzen, Helles bock, traditional Bock, Dunkel and hefe weizens.   

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Joe Quinn, nephew of brewer Peter Ausenhus, proudly serves his country in northern Iraq. Thanks Joe! Please email us photos of you wearing your WBC t-shirt.

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Hop and Malt Crisis Looms

Severe hop and malt shortages are upon us that will mean higher prices for everyone and creative adaptation to continue to brew the current recipes. A hop glut in recent years and international crop failures last year have forced farmers to switch crops or sell land to urban developers. In the past few decades the number of U.S. growers has shrunk from 250 to around 50 today. Acres have been halved in the past few years. We recently purchased hops for the coming year but none of the varieties we've used were available, requiring us to reformulate all of our recipes. One of the advantages of being so small is that we can experiment with these new varieties without as great a risk as the big boys. Look for new and interesting bittering and aroma characteristics from some of our beers. 

Poor yields and increasing corn production for ethanol will also put the squeeze on barley malt. We'll keep you informed of any new developments.

We'll maintain our prices through the calendar year, but expect to pay more for quality beer, and not just ours, in 2008.

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Iowa Brewers tap their wares in Amana
Did you know there are about 14 professional brewers in Iowa? Most joined together on Sept. 2 to satisfy approximately 900 thirsty beer fans at the Iowa Brewer's Festival at the Amana Colonies. Worth Brewing Company tapped its first Oktoberfest of the season at the festival. 

Worth Brewing Company owners Margaret Bishop and Peter Ausenhus staff the taps. Mug Club member Mark Lemon made the trip to Amana and supplied us with this photo. Thanks Mark.

Brew Guy Stops By

Mike Dawson of Northern Brewer checks the progress of his Dunkel, brewed with Peter at Worth Brewing Company on June 23. Northern Brewer is a brewing supply company based in St. Paul, Minn. The Dunkel will be the specialty beer in October. 

Worth Brewing joins other Iowa brewers     at Des Moines Brewfest June 23 

Worth Brewing Company's strong, fruity Grand Cru got an early tapping at the Cityview Beerfest in Des Moines on Saturday, June 23. Dozens of Iowa brewers showcased their products. Belgian Grand Cru will be available in goblets in the tap room beginning on the first Friday in August. 

Brewmistress Margaret Bishop of Worth Brewing Company, right, sets up at the brewfest. Assistant Deb Bishop, left, seems happy with the Brown Ale and Belgian Grand Cru. 

  First Brewing Class a success  

Some of the proud graduates in the midst of their multiple choice oral exam on June 11. Seated: Kirk Suby and Nancy Assing. From left Floyd Trent, Rob Funk, Steve Otto and Gary Sellon. 

Mug Club member Sheryl Nestor proudly poses in her WBC t-shirt with a troll in Norway. Don't forget to take your t-shirt on your next exotic voyage, and send us a photo.

Ron's Dunkelweizen to Support the new Northwood Movie Theatre project
On May 5 longtime Northwood electrician and community volunteer Ron Bruggeman bid $700 for a batch of Worth Brewing Company beer to help buy projection equipment for the new Northwood Movie Theatre. On July 3 Ron joined friends and family to enjoy two kegs of Ron's Dunkelweizen. Together, Ron and WBC raised nearly $900 to help TUNE (Total United Northwood Effort) bring movies back to town for the first time since the early 1960s. Thanks Ron!

  
Fall seasonal. Gold with a glint of orange. A true Marzen style, made in March and lagered at 35F for six months! Toast and malt in aroma and flavor.   

 OG 1.053
Alcohol by volume: 4.9 %
IBU: 24
Color: 9.5 SRM
Malts:
German Munich and Pilsner; German carafa chocolate malt. 
Hops:
Magnum, German Hallertau Hersbrucker