Hoppy Times November/December 2001

"Online" Edition - Volume 8 Issue 6
"Every product we make greets you with a Smile"™

Topics In This Illustrious "Online" Issue Are:

HOPPY CLAUS DEBUTS!!!
HOPPY TO HOST BREWER'S...
HOPPY FEEDBACK!!!
HOPPY RECENT EVENTS...
HOPPY UPCOMING EVENTS!!!
HOPPY STAFF...

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you think might enjoy reading our "hoppy" news.

HOPPY CLAUS DEBUTS!!!

SACRAMENTO, CA - Each year after the heat of Summer begins to fade, our Hoppy Brew Crew begins planning for our annual holiday brew. The first step is obtaining the "special" ingredients for the brew. Basically, our Hoppy Claus™ is an amped up version of our flagship Hoppy Face™ Amber Ale, but instead of adding hops to the finish, Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice tea is added. Bengal Spice contains a unique mixture of cinnamon, roasted chicory root, roasted carob, dates, ginger root, cardamom, black pepper, cloves, and nutmeg that adds a real unique and interesting character to the brew.
Once this annual beer is brewed, finished fermenting, filtered, and ready for packaging, the beer is young and still requires time to "mellow". However, the Hoppy Brew Crew works on labeling bottles, and getting some of this precious brew bottled just in time for the shipping truck to pick it up and deliver it to Denver, Colorado for the annual Great American Beer Festival.
With the rest of the batch quietly "mellowing" away in the "bright beer tank" here at our brewpub, the brew crew patiently waits until the end of October to finish packaging what will be shipped out to our local distributors; which will in turn end up on retailers store shelves (i.e., Beverages,& more!) for thirsty consumers to purchase during the holiday season.
The remainder is then kegged out for its debut here in the brewpub on November 01st (to much excitement), or for off-premise sales around the area during the holiday season. In the grand scheme of things, enough is brewed so that none is left after Christmas, and hopefully unlike last year, we brewed enough to get you through the holidays. It weighs in with a hearty amount of alcohol at 7.6% by volume, so make sure to stop in for a pint or two before it is gone, or else you will have to wait until next year...

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HOPPY TO HOST BREWER'S...

SACRAMENTO, CA - According to the Hoppy Brew Crew, with the dates for the American Brewers Guild's Intensive Brewing Science and Engineering classes once again fast approaching, they will be moving the current bottling area so the students can once again use it as a lab. "We are always excited about having the students here, and if we have to do a little extra work to accommodate them, well then it is worth the effort to see and hear what is on the minds of the next crop of brewers," comments Mr. Ed Kopta, Hoppy Brewing's Head Brewer.
If you have an interest in brewing, or becoming a brewer, and would like more information on what the school has to offer, you can visit them online at www.abgbrew.com, or simply call them at 800.636.1331. We are quite sure you will get more than your money's worth by going through the program.

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HOPPY ADDS FEEDBACK!!!

As promised in last months update, here are a couple of responses regarding September 11th, 2001. One is from one of our mug club members, and the other is from one of our wholesale customers. As always, we appreciate your feedback.

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Subject: How Profound


Thanks Troy for placing a vehicle for people to exchange ideas and promote discovery.  

 
Certainly I feel very badly with respect to such a heinous crime in New York city and my most sincere and deepest empathy could never begin to offer healing that will undoubtedly take years, decades or even generations to overcome.  


I will not profess to ever use such cliché's as "I feel what New Yorkers feel" or "I understand what the inflicted victims families are going through".  That would be callous and disrespectful for I have never been to New York nor understand the pride they take in such a great city.  I have had the tragedy of losing a father at a very young age, in a very horrid industrial accident but I will never compare, as no comparisons deem fit, in an attempt to understand the deep rooted philosophical meaning of it all.


What bothers me about this event is multifold.  First, why did it take such a dramatic, hostile event to bring Americans together?  Prior to September 11th most people went about their lives in a rather selfish, nonchalant, fast paced  . . .  the adjectives are endless . . . . lifestyle.  In one day, I see more American flags, more courtesy, more selfishlessness, more understanding, more consideration, more patience, of a nation that appears to have metamorphosed overnight.  Not that this is a bad thing, but how long will this true beauty last?  Will Americans be the short term, short memory people we have come to be and lose sight of the silver lining in a dark cloud or will we forever be moved to change ourselves to make ourselves better Americans, better husbands, better wives, better overall people.  Time will tell the tale and I am optimistic that we will be a richer nation, not monetarily, as a result.

 
Second, it's time to take inventory of our "true" friends.  While I have been guilty of poking fun of our English friends with respect to boiled food, warm beer, pompous attitude, and crooked teeth, I see our friends much more than that.  Yes, the British are family!  In all candor, September 13th I boiled some British Bangers, sat out a six pack of Sierra Nevada to warmth (and drank it) and saluted a family member that vocally lashed out to the world, supported her American family unequivocally, and actually called us to see have we were holding up in a time of crisis.  A country with such rich history as Great Britain notarized for her steadfastness to tradition actually raised the Stars And Stripes and Rang in the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace with the Star Spangled Banner.  I don't think Americans fathom what respect this shows These United States.

 
Why do we have to look over a vast ocean for family?  America has always supported Canada in her time of need, pumped billions of dollars into Mexico's economy in a fleeting hope where no hope existed.  What about our European "friends" that we rebuilt after two major World Wars, or sending Japan thousands of cranes and assistance in her time of need when we all but broke her back at the end of W.W.II?

 
What about the myriad of third world nations that America comes to aid with medicine, food, shelter, humanitarian assistance?  Surely we have been blessed with support from many of nations but I ask, is it due to political solvency in an attempt to align themselves as compassionate world rated nations.  Is it genuine?  If so, why is not the entire World outraged in response to this heinous crime?  September 11th could just as well happened to any nation, at any time, under any circumstance.  As time passes, each of the alliance slowly rears their ugly head and sheepishly duck their heads as America continues, for the better of humanity and the World, to forge on with a campaign to make this a better World.  

 
Think of it, if America did not commit herself to the destruction of terrorism, which country would?  What would this world come to if we passively and idly stand by as sick fundamentalist shed their terror for the sake of nothing else but terror itself.

 
I challenge each of you Americans to think, and think hard.  Will you become a better person from all of this.  Will you continue to offer consideration, tolerance and patience.  Will you not forget about the tragedy, but what positive results this event has brought to us.  And if you ever get a chance to engage in dialogue with your British family . . . thank them for the grand deed they have done in showing not only America but the World that United We Stand/Divided We Fall.

 
Respectfully,
 
Jackson 

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Troy, 

It is apparent that this occurrence has forced a line to be drawn and it
is a shame because I want to exist in a world that does not have a system of
the privileged and the non-privileged  I am a part the haves, however, the
challenge then for us is not to allow this decision to shrink our minds and
hearts.  We as a human race, and as a race of Americans, have a much bigger
potential than meagerness.  God Bless. 

Mike Gallagher

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HOPPY RECENT EVENTS...

Our Lucky Lunch Winner for the month of October was Ms. Kristin Moore, from Probe Information Systems. Congratulations Ms. Moore!!! We look forward to serving you your complementary lunch!
Looking for a place to watch a Kings game when it is not on regular TV??? Hoppy Brewing will be showing all of the Kings games (if they are not blacked out by the NBA) via the NBA League Pass. In addition to just the Kings games, we will have the option to watch any NBA game this season. Also, we are making a policy change and suspending reservations during Kings games. Therefore, if you have a group of people and want a great seat for the game, then make sure that all of your group arrives early...
Our brewpub is open daily at 11:00am serving some of the best valued Lunches, Dinners, and Daily Specials in the area. If you have not seen our menu lately, feel free to check it out online at www.hoppy.com/sacramento/menu.htm, or just stop in and see us. We are always looking forward to sharing our day with our valued customers. However, as some of you already know, Lunch can get quite busy from time-to-time during the week; so if you are on a tight schedule, please try to avoid the noon hour for sharing if possible - especially if you have a large party.
Also, in addition to our normal daily Hoppy Hour from 3-6pm and our LATE-NIGHT Hoppy Hour from 10-11pm, featuring $2.75 pints and $9.25 pitchers, we have a number of other incentives here at our brewpub for you to enjoy:
    * On Sunday's we include a bottle of Hoppy brew to go
      with every Lunch/Dinner entree purchased.
    * On Sunday's & Tuesday's we feature $0.99 children's
      meals with an adult meal purchase.
    * On Monday's our 12 ounce brews are only a $1.00 from 3-6pm,
      and during football season we extend that special until 
      someone scores - in the game...  ;)
    * On Tuesday's we feature $2.00 pints all day until we close.  
    * On Wednesday's we have a South Park special where most
      12 ounce beers on tap are only $1.00 from 10:00pm until
      Kenny dies!  
Also, our logo wear (i.e., polo shirts, tie-dye t-shirts, ball caps, and fleece pullovers) can make for a GREAT gift anytime of the year. However, if you are not sure about our merchandise as a gift, we also have gift certificates available in most any denomination of your choice for use here at our brewpub to give as a present as well...
Speaking of merchandise, the holidays are coming up, and Hoppy has a special holiday gift box available. New this year is a wooden logo engraved box containing two bottles of Hoppy Claus™ Holiday Ale for only $20.00 and $25.00 if you would like it shipped. Hoppy Claus will be available starting the first of November, but it is not too early to put your order in now...
Lastly, we usually have some space available for your company parties in the restaurant, so if you have an interest, just call 916.451.4677 and speak with Mr. Kenny Turner to plan your next party or event as soon as possible...

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HOPPY UPCOMING EVENTS!!!

Are you a member of the Hoppy Mug Club??? If not, the Hoppy Crew has added another incentive to this popular club. Basically, mug members get the privilege of drinking out of their 20 ounce engraved mug for whatever the price is on a pint of Hoppy brew. However, since there are a number of 12 ounce specials at Hoppy Brewing, it was decided to include the mug members in these specials as well. Therefore, whenever there is a 12 ounce $1.00 beer special in effect, mug member prices will be just a $1.75. Just one more incentive to join the club...
Stay tuned for some new menu items on the Lunch and Dinner menus coming in the next couple of weeks. With the weather turning colder, Mr. Bill Ennis has been working on some tasty new items that add some "sticktuitiveness" to your sides...
SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS: On Thanksgiving, November 22nd, in addition to a Thanksgiving Day Dinner Special for the adults, we will be offering an Orphan Thanksgiving Dinner for those students unable to make it home for the Holiday. Plus each entree will include a "signed" bottle of our Hoppy Claus for you to take home. Remember: on that day, unfortunately we will not be open for Lunch at 11:00am (as usual), but will be opening instead at 2:00pm for a special afternoon Dinner.
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24th & 25th, we will modify our daily schedule by closing (at least the kitchen) at 7:00pm on Christmas Eve and opening for a "Let Us Do the Cooking" Christmas Dinner on the 25th at 2:00pm. In addition, with Christmas Day being one of the biggest movies days of the year, just bring in your movie stub from that day to receive a complimentary pint of Hoppy brew...
On December 31st, as you know, it is New Years Eve, so make your reservations now for a special NYE dinner!!! In addition, we will be open at 11:00am on NYD to watch the College Bowl games with a few New Years Day specials.
In addition, if you would like a complete listing of what we currently have on our calendar, please click on the following web address.

www.hoppy.com/future.htm

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Remember...the craft brew industry is very competitive, and we can always use your help when you are out there in the bars, restaurants, grocery stores, and etc. How can you help us you may be asking yourselves??? Well...we need you to ask your local retailer(s) for our products (to the point of bugging them if necessary), so that you are able to buy the products that you "really" want - not just what is on the store shelf, or on-tap, at the moment...
You, the consumer, have more power than you may know. Speak up, speak clearly, and your earnest taste buds may reap those proactive rewards. If you do this, then we are sure it will not be long before you will be able to enjoy our Liquid Sunshine™ Blonde, Hoppy Face™ Amber, Stony Face™ Red, and Total Eclipse™ Black Ales outside of attending a local festival, or even visiting us here in Sacramento...
NOTE: As a bonus to those of you who actually read our newsletter, and got this far, for the first 25 people who bring in the last sheet of this newsletter with the little coupon below, including your email address, you will get 25% off our Thanksgiving Day special!!!

************************************ * 25% Discount Coupon * * Valid to the first 25 people * * Thanksgiving * * * * Email: _________________________ * ************************************

Thinking Globally - Brewing Locally!!!
"Every product we make greets you with a Smile"™