I have a couple of friends who have been patiently waiting for Summit to release their Winter Ale, and I’m happy to inform them (and anyone else who isn’t aware) that it’s available now. Summit has also released this year’s sampler pack featuring their Grand Pilsner, Extra Pale Ale, Winter Ale and IPA. Personally I would have thrown the Porter in in place of the IPA, but that’s just me.

I couldn’t resist the temptation, so I settled and bought some Winterhook a while back. Not a bad beer per se, but the bitterness has a flavor mixed in there that’s not unlike nicotine, and I can’t help but think about that every time I pour myself a glass of that beer.

From their “Ale Mail” e-mail list:

All single bottles of beer will be 10% off…Pick up 12 single bottles of beer and get 15% off!

Sale and discounts are limited to in-stock items ONLY!! There will be NO special orders!! NO breaking up of 4 or 6 packs will be allowed!! First come first served, NO HOLDING OF ITEMS!! Discount will not exceed 20%. We will not restock until the sale is over. (Sorry for all the disclaimers)

…keeps cancer away?

CORVALLIS, Ore. – A compound found only in hops and the main product they are used in – beer – has rapidly gained interest as a micronutrient that might help prevent many types of cancer.

Researchers at Oregon State University first discovered the cancer-related properties of this flavonoid compound called xanthohumol about 10 years ago. A recent publication by an OSU researcher in the journal Phytochemistry outlines the range of findings made since then. And many other scientists in programs around the world are also beginning to look at the value of these hops flavonoids for everything from preventing prostate or colon cancer to hormone replacement therapy for women.

FYI, these beers sell out FAST. We were at Town Hall by 6:45 (possibly a bit earlier) and their Coffee Porter was already gone! I’d suggest that if you want a pint of these special beers, get there early.

And the growlers? Since there are so few growlers of the special beers, they’ve been holding a raffle of sorts to determine who gets to buy the growlers. They pass out tickets until about 6:30 and draw numbers at 6:45 to determine who gets to buy growlers of the brew. As far as I’m concerned, this is probably the best way to handle things.

I ended up enjoying their MN Harvest, an amber ale made with wild rice and maple syrup. I couldn’t help but notice that they ran out of Roggen Bier tonight, so look for another seasonal offering from Town Hall shortly. I think that I saw their 1800 listed on the board as I walked out, but I’m not entirely sure.

I made a quick trip to The Cellars in Minnetonka about an hour ago and picked up some nice goodies, including Bell’s Batch 7000, Bell’s 20th Anniversary Ale, Viking Whole Stein and Big Swede and had to restrain myself from going beyond the American beers so as not to empty my wallet. Lots of good stuff, though…and I suspect that the Batch 7000 will go FAST.