Following up on Wednesday’s email about the passing of Jolly Pumpkin’s Ron Jeffries, we saw a few people on social media sharing some thoughts about his impact.
Here are a few of the tributes we saw:
From Speciation Artisan Ales: “Ron and Jolly Pumpkin had the single biggest influence on our brewery, and I can confidently say that Speciation would not exist without his impact.”
Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø of Mikkeller: “Ron is actually the man behind the only Evil Twin / Mikkeller collaboration ever. We had both made a collaboration with him and unknowingly he decided to make a blend of our beers and release it as a Mikkeller / Evil Twin / Jolly Pumpkin / Leelanau Brewing collab behind our backs. When Ron called me and told me and to ‘ask for forgiveness’ I remember telling him that if anyone in this world could do that without upsetting me it would be him.”
From HOMES Brewery: “Ron Jeffries was a legend, and his beers at Jolly Pumpkin set the standard for American sour ales. Talented, smart, yet humble and approachable, his work shaped how we and many others make sour beer…His impact is undeniable, and he will be greatly missed.”
Even though we’re focused on the Midwest and Great Lakes states here, we’d be remiss if we didn’t also spend some time acknowledging the communities and breweries impacted, damaged or outright destroyed by Hurricane Helene this week.
Sierra Nevada sustained damage, Hi-Wire was hit hard, and many others were badly damaged as well. Beer writer and North Carolina resident Alexis Dickie pulled together a lot of information about breweries and charities that need help or have GoFundMe campaigns available in this piece for PorchDrinking. The North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild also built this page with links for Helene support and relief efforts.
And finally, condolences to the Lakefront Brewing team on the loss of brand manager Michael Stodola, who passed earlier this week. RIP.
Whew. Okay. Here’s an awesome palate cleanser that just broke today and merits inclusion today: middle brow is opening up a new location in SW Michigan, according to Eater.com. I was very much hoping that they’d want to open up shop a few hours further north, but hey, I’m not complaining. A full acre of middle brow sounds awesome, no matter where it ends up.
Now let’s head into the weekend with other happy things, like …
This Weekend:
The Morton Arboretum hosts their Cider and Ale Festival tomorrow, with over 30 breweries and cider makers spread amongst the trees.
If you’re down in the Murphysboro area tomorrow, the Big Muddy Monster Brew Fest takes place with “16 breweries, five homebrew clubs, and over 250 beers in a beautiful outdoor setting.”
In Milwaukee, Indeed Brewing’s “The Low Down 5” outdoor festival takes place tomorrow with a climbing wall, a tie-dye station, Oktoberfest-centric activities and “and any beer purchased can get the ‘Beer Brûlée’ treatment by being caramelized with a hot fire poker.”
Right Brain Brewing is hosting their annual Pig Porter Release Party tomorrow, if you’re into beers made with pig parts. There’s an AYCE pig roast available also, which makes sense.
Chef Dan Jacobs of Milwaukee’s DanDan (I became a fan during the most recent season of Top Chef) is making the trip south to hang out with his brother, Goose Island brewer Mike Jacobs, so on Sunday, they’re hosting a Family Meal event at Salt Shed. The menu looks great, as does the saison being paired with it.
Later This Month (and Beyond):
An Apple Fest at Virtue Cider? With a pig roast and live music and a big ol’ bonfire? Sounds great. Join them next weekend on the 12-13th for festivities.
Lucky Dorr wants to hang out with your costumed dogs on the 17th, as that’s when they’re hosting their annual Halloween edition of Pups on the Patio.
Great Lakes Brewing Company’s annual First Taste event for their Christmas Ale is set for October 17.
On the 19th, the Michigan Brewers Guild’s 15th annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival brings 40 breweries to Eastern Market from 1-6 p.m.
The 19th also sees Milk Money, BuckleDown and Imperial Oak partnering on a “Boos & Brews” bus trip to all three locations with a costume contest and giveaways, plus live music and food at each stop.
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Cheers to Phase Three as they celebrate the first year of business at their Elmhurst taproom and kitchen.
Wax Wings has a BA barleywine series called Harbors, and if you like those kinds of beers you’ll probably be interested in these two new entries.
I doubt there are many reading this that are looking for a place to watch the Tigers in the playoffs, but I’d be hardpressed to think of a nicer spot than outdoors at Hop Lot during the afternoon games.
In lighter hurricane news, someone in Florida apparently celebrated the new houseboat that Helene brought to their yard with a New Glarus Spotted Cow.
You can now get a Lincoln the Bear tin tacker from Half Acre and I very much want one.
Dovetail’s playing around with wet hops for the first time. Will be fun to see what happens with this season’s hopfenlager.
Oh, so that’s what a Tuba Force is. Gotcha, thanks Laschets.
Wine-barrel-aged Mom’s Spaghetti wild ale from Mikerphone? Say it with me: I hope that ends up at FoBAB.
This reel from District Brewyards about their series of scary movie screenings in October is appropriately spooky itself.
Marz’ new farmhouse ale, Canvas, is a collab with Michelin-starred Esme restaurant as part of their new tasting menu.
Seedz and Scratch both attended/appeared at a beer festival in Belgium and I look forward to seeing what fun stuff emerges from that adventure.
This Zombie-Demon-as-Michael-Myers Halloween-inspired reel from Three Floyds is honestly pretty cool.
Off Color continues to pioneer super cool new merch like these 150-piece mini puzzles.
Orange & Brew wants your help in naming this beer they’re making with Pollyanna.
Apparently Arvon Brewing’s Facebook page got hacked and taken over by something called Dog World? Would love to know the story behind that but either way they have a new Facebook page now. FWIW.
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Thank you all for being here! Have a great weekend.
~Karl