The Hoppy Times

SAN FRANCISCO - After missing last years festival, the Hoppy Crew finally made their debut appearance at this annual benefit for public television. "There were about 250 different beers available for about 5000 thirsty tasters to choose from. In addition, some of the finest restaurants in the area brought their treats for us to indulge ourselves on... That is what I heard anyway, since there was always a line at our Hoppy table, and we never had a chance to stop pouring and go try the food," says Event Coordinator JoANN Guercio.

Fresh off the bottling-line from the previous days run, Liquid Sunshine™ Blonde Ale made its first appearance in public, and was the public ever impressed!!! Some of the comments on this new brew were: "Great! Wow! I love it!". Many people came back a second and third time to try this brew, and it is the new favorite for more than a few Hoppy lovers. This beer, according to one taster, is really a unique beer - you can taste the wheat in the front of your mouth, and then as you swallow you can taste the rye. Interesting!!!

"In addition to the debut of new beer, Hoppy Face™ Amber Ale was also present and consumed with a great amount of gusto," remarks JoANN. "I have found it is such a joy to have people come up and say, "I've been looking for you," or "I'm so glad you are here" or "How do I know at which events you will be?"", says JoANN. "This happens over and over, so to help keep our growing list of loyal follower's informed, we have started an e-mail information list to keep our Hoppy loyalists current on what were are doing, our upcoming events, and the microbrewery industry in general. We had about hundred new additions just from this KQED event," concludes JoANN.

Just in time for the summer, those good folks at the Hoppy Brewing Company™ have released a uniquely refreshing blonde ale that is sure to quench more than one palate this summer. The beer started showing up on a number of Bay Area store shelves on the first of July, as shown by this picture taken at Willow Glen Liquor's (located at Willow & Lincoln in San Jose). Bill Shaheen, owner of the store commented that he personally liked it, thought the label was fabulous, and that being a really light ale, it should start flying off of the store shelves as more people find out about it.

With ever increasing competition in the on-premise beer market, those wild and crazy guys in the research and development department at the Hoppy Brewing Company have come up with a unique, fun, and quite tall tap-handle that will grab the attention of anyone looking for what beer to choose to drink.

As seen by a recent photo taken at the Mission Ale House (located at 3rd & Santa Clara in San Jose), the handle is clearly identifyable. Rob, one of the bartenders at the Mission, mentioned to one of the crew one evening recently that Hoppy Face was one of the better sellers prior to changing the handle, but now people are seeing the NEW handle and going "I'll have a Hoppy"!!!

SAN JOSE - Rich Bergin, head-chef and operating owner of the Shark and Rose, has decided to put together three different nights of exciting entertainment at his place on 69 N. San Pedro Street. Rich, not being content with just cooking terrifically prepared meals, is now branching into trying to raise the awareness of what his customers are consuming.

Therefore, starting in the next couple of weeks, Rich will conduct a four course meal compliementing four different beers that are available on tap at his place. For only $25, you can help join the Hoppy Crew experience how different types of food compliment different types of beer. To finish the evening off, there will be a fine selection of cigars available for those choosing to embibe.

Sometime in August, Rich will up the stakes a little in round two of his educational awareness campaign and hold for only $25 a 3 course meal feature prime-rib. "With each course we will be having a different Scotch and/or Joshua-Brooke Bourbon to compliment the food", comments an excited Rich. A representative from Joshua-Brooke will also be on hand talking to customers and pointing out the distinctive flavors that one finds in not only their bourbon, but in their cigars as well!

Finally, in September, Rich will go for the knockout punch when he brings in the Executive Chef from the Park Hyatt Hotel to put together a five course meal with some exotic cigars that you just do not find everywhere... This one of a kind five course meal will only cost those lucky few a $100, and Rich is even threatening to put the whole Hoppy Crew in Black Tie for the evening. Hope to see you there!!!

For more details and the exact date/times, feel free to contact the Shark & Rose - 69 N. San Pedro St. - 408.287.6969, or just stop by for pint...

MOUNTAIN VIEW - St. James Infirmary, home of the 30 foot wonder-woman, peanut hulls scattered about on the floor, and sailors gulping down 12 ounce mugs of some color-carbonated beverage that's called beer... That is the way I remember this place not more than a couple of months ago, says one unsuspecting visitor to the place.

Now look at it, there's clean black and white tile on the floor - no more hulls, Moffett has basically closed - no more sailors, and there are 101 beers available; with 70 (yes - seven zero) beers on tap! What happened??? Well, a couple of guys who went to Chico State, being from the land where GREAT beer is made and drank, they had the foresight (beer education) to buy this outdated bar, clean it up, and turn it into something that the employees of neighboring Lockheed and NASA are now flocking to come to after work!!!

When you walk in, you see a raised bar in a horse-shoe shape with tap- handles spanning the whole bar, and yes they kept the wonder-women... I thought I died and went to heaven says our unsuspecting visitor... This is a great place to eat some food, watch a ballgame on one of the many the TV's, and just drink some really good beer. Anyway, if you have never been there, you should make an effort to go check this place out. However, if you have not been there in a while, then by all means go back for some GREAT beer, and make sure to check out the NEW Hoppy Face tap-handle!!!

St. James Infirmary
390 Moffett Blvd.
Mountain View, CA 94043
415.969.0806