DOGFISH AT TIGER

Yesterday, Sam Calagione - the genius behind Dogfish Head Craft Brewery - appeared in person at a rather packed Blind Tiger Ale House. Dogfish Head's eclectic and innovative beers are one of the main leaders in the drive for interest in craft beer, at least on the east coast if not nationwide.

The end part of Sam's speech. Go Sam!!!

Deidre and Pam enjoying a selection of the wide variety of Dogfish Head brews available at the 'Tiger.

Oh, and welcome home Dwarbi. I gather there wasn't too much Worldwide Stout to be found in Sydney... :)

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THERE ARE OTHER IMBIBERS OUT THERE...

TWIN CITIES IMBIBER
Jeff Halvorson ('truthbrew' on BeerAdvocate.com) has, with my blessing, started a new local-focused drinks magazine in Minnesota called The Twin Cities Imbiber.

It is free in local bars, like my own Gotham Imbiber was when I used to do printed copies, and is available for subscription - plus free download of the publication's neatly arranged website. Covering craft beer, coffee, and other beverages, it is informative and laid out well. A must to pick up beforehand if travelling to the area.
[Twin Cities Imbiber]

THE NEW IMBIBER (U.K.)
Not heard of much outside the United Kingdom is The New Imbiber. This is run by Mike Hammersley, Ron Atkins, and David Hughes - it was with the former pair that I produced The Independent Imbiber with for many years, and The New Imbiber is a spin off of that with Mr. Hughes taking over my reigns. It is essentially the same format but with a slightly new name (and restarting at issue 1) as I wished to keep The Independent Imbiber name synonymous with only those magazines I had been putting out (I was the founder way back as a 24-year-old beer geek in 1993, initially using a typewriter and photocopier!). The Independent Imbiber upgraded to typesetting and glossy paper from issue 6 with Ron and Mike joining me; issues 2-5 were produced by me with computer formatting done by Marc Holmes - who is now Festival Organiser for The Great British Beer Festival (no mean feat!). The magazine ran for 53 issues before I decided to call it a day after emigrating from Britain to New York, noting that the internet was catching up with up-to-date beer information anyway so it had been losing ground a little. The New Imbiber, and possibly still some back issues of the Independent Imbiber can be obtained from Beer Inn Print.

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FAREWELL COLLINS BAR

The Collins Bar, on 8th Avenue a block west of Times Square, closed its doors for the last time on Sunday. The whole block has been sold for developer's gold, and another nondescript building can be expected to be built there, further dumbing down the area.

Here are some pictures from the last afternoon and evening...

Beer stocks were too low, so two emergency kegs were sourced - the last of many thousands to have come through those doors and down to the cellar.

Tara's dedication to her job of over 5 years meant getting a tattoo the day before!

Apparently the Yankees were doing better than the Collins' regulars.

A non-flash photo of Sabrina catches the mood.

Beer Sensei with A Lees Harvest 2000...

...and a De Proef/Port Signature Ale.

Cindy wanted to buy the place. Nice idea but $50 won't do it...

Owner Dave (on the left) looks melancholy.

Brooklyn Local #1 anyone?

Jaye sporting her Collins shirt.

And into the night everyone went...

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