Libri Divini – October 2009

Divine Words | Volume 1, Issue 2

In This Issue

• Musings From The Director’s Chair
• New Faces at Port / Lost Abbey
• Brewery Updates
• Boos and Brews Night
• Fall Beer Releases
• Upcoming Events

Musings From The Director’s Chair

It’s October which besides marking the month of my birth means we’re in the homestretch for this calendar year and we are officially in the busiest beer making season for us at Port Brewing and The Lost Abbey.

You see, each October we release our two best selling Port Brewing Beers (High Tide Fresh Hop IPA and our Santa’s Little Helper Imperial Stout). Without fail, these are two of the most anticipated releases we make each year.

We made more than 300 bbls of High Tide this year and it’s nearly all gone! We’ve also just brewed another 100bbls to go along with the first 125 bbls of Santa’s Little Helper and it appears that more will be needed as well. These are good problems to have they tell me.

On a personal note, I am happy to be back at the brewery. Late September and Early October had me traveling to Denver, London and Boston. It left Sydney shaking her head wondering “are you my daddy?” Not good I tell you.

We’re also gearing up here around the brewery for the very first SD Beer Week in November. We have so many events planned and in the next issue we’ll detail where we’ll be. If you want a sneak peak, please check our calendar of events on the website. I’m most excited about our first ever Lost Abbey Art Show. Very cool evening for sure.

That’s it. I’m off to pick up Syd Vicious at school. It’s the fastest and easiest way to prove I’m her daddy.

New Faces at The Lost Abbey

In last month’s Libri Divini we mentioned that we have a new keg contract that’s allowing us to ship to more draft accounts. This, combined with our record bottle sales and our fancy new warehouse / barrelroom, quickly made it obvious that we were going to need someone to handle our shipping and distribution full time.

So this month, we’d like to introduce you to the newest member of the Port Brewing / Lost Abbey team, David Johnson.

For those who have been to the brewery, David’s not an entirely new face. He and his wife Ruby are the folks behind Effective Computing and have managed our Sinner’s and Saint’s club since its inception.

David’s also our IT guy and makes our computers network so that we can do all that Internet stuff we do. (Whatever that is.)

Since David was already doing all the bottle shipments, knew how to use spreadsheets and could drive a forklift, he was exactly what we needed in a Distribution Manager.

So next time you drop by the brewery and you see a guy who looks like a giant version of Tomme Arthur, say “hi” to David and thank him for making sure all that delicious Port / Lost Abbey beer gets to your favorite watering hole safe and sound.

Brewery Updates: New Tasting Room Hours

We’re pleased to announce that our tasting room is now open on Sunday as well as Friday and Saturday. Starting immediately our new tasting room hours are as follows:

• Fridays: 4pm to 8pm
• Saturdays: 12pm to 5pm
• Sundays: 12pm to 4pm

So if you can’t make it on a Friday or Saturday, feel free to drop by on Sunday and have a flight of tasters or a pint or two. We’ll be happy to see you.

Boos and Brews Night

Next Friday, October 30th is Boos and Brews night at The Lost Abbey!

If you’re not familiar with this little celebration, it’s your chance to hang out at the brewery, quaff a couple of pints and carve a Jack o’ Lantern.

It’s a family-friendly night of fun — we provide the pumpkins, you provide the creativity. A lot of folks also like to add a little festivity by dressing up as well (you can count on Terri behind the bar being decked out in full costume).

So if you’re not doing anything on All Hallow’s Eve eve, drop on by and celebrate with Boos and Brews. (Show up early to get the best pick of pumpkins!)

Beer Releases For Fall 2009

Here’s what is scheduled for release over the next few weeks (please note that all dates are estimates). If you’re in an area in which we distribute (click here for a map), you should see these start to hit your favorite tap rooms and store shelves in 7 to 14 days after release.

• Oct. 19 — Santa’s Little Helper, Russian Imperial Stout
• Nov. 9 — Gift of the Magi, Holiday Golden Ale

Upcoming Events

Beer & Food Pairings
We have several upcoming events that will feature appearances by Tomme and food and beer pairings at some extraoridinary restaurants here in San Diego. If you’ve never attended one of these events, you’re missing something very special. Here are a few of the upcoming dinners (click the links for more details on venues and reservations).

• Oct. 29 — The Crossings at Carlsbad
• Nov. 3 — Bistro West, Carlsbad
• Nov. 10 — Tratoria Acqua, La Jolla
• Nov. 11 — The Ritual Tavern, San Diego

San Diego Beer Week
November 6 through 15, 2009 is San Diego Beer Week, a celebration of craft beer in San Diego. Along with all the other craft brewers in San Diego, we’ll be participating in a number of events, beginning with our (now sold out) Barrel Tasting Night and carrying on all week long with appearances and events all throughout the county.

If you’ve ever wanted a great excuse to come to San Diego (or you’re lucky enough to live here), this is it! Here’s where we’ll be all week long:

• Nov. 8 — Phil’s BBQ, San Diego
• Nov. 9 — Stone World Bistro, Escondido
• Nov. 10 — Tratoria Acqua, La Jolla
• Nov. 11 — The Ritual Tavern, San Diego
• Nov. 11 — Toronado, San Diego
• Nov. 15 — O’Brien’s, San Diego

Click here for our full calendar of events.

A full list of San Diego Beer Week events and activities can be found if you click here.