Day 24: Voyager’s Getaway

Day 24: Humble Forager Voyager’s Getaway – Imperial Pastry Porter 12% ABV

For our final night of Beer Advent we are set to enjoy another adventurous beverage from Humble Forager. Voyager’s Getaway is an Imperial Pastry Porter that is reminiscent of a vanilla cream filled chocolate cake. The pour is a deep, opaque blackish brown with a decent head of tan foam. Sweet, dessert-like aromas effervesce from this porter due to the marshmallow, cocoa nibs, vanilla, and coconut used to flavor it. The roasted malt flavors help balance the sweetness from the coconut, marshmallow, vanilla, and chocolate. This beer is rich in flavor and full of nuance. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a tad of oiliness. This beer will remind you of the beer that kicked off this adventure, Even More Jesus.

I love the name of this beer, Voyager’s Getaway. I think it is the perfect beer to end our reflective journey inward. During Jesus’ earthly ministry the disciples frequently recorded instances of Jesus isolating himself for prayer. I hope that you have been able to find some of that life giving time over these past twenty-four days. These moments of peace, jubilation, joy, & charity are echoes and glimpses of what we as Christians long for, especially during trying times. These tastes of God’s Kingdom help set our hearts heavenward, towards our true getaway. We are all voyager’s journeying through this world awaiting the return of our King who will set all things right. As you savor this decadent porter tonight, I pray you experience the tranquility of Heaven, and let your heart look forward to the perfection of the coming Kingdom. 

Cheers and Merry Christmas,

Chase

Advent Reflection

Scripture: Luke 2:13-14

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men

Hanna-Cheriyan Varghese (1938-2009)

The Christmas story that is recorded in Luke has become so familiar to many of us that it can often ‘just’ become part of the wonder and sentimentality of Christmas. This is again, one of the reasons why I enjoy Beer Advent so much, because the rhythm in which I write and/or read a reflection and sip slowly on a carefully crafted beer, forces me to slow down and dig deeper than the sentimentality. Chase’s reflection on the name of our beer tonight really hit home for me and spoke to my heart!

Tonight’s Scripture is in the context of an angel visiting shepherds out in the fields. Shepherds, the least among the ranks in society, receive the message that is described as, “Good news of great joy”. I am always astounded by this. When so much of our society tells us to rise up on the ladder of ranks and prestige so that we can be perceived as ‘special’ and be privy to important news, the story of Jesus and His kingdom flips that on its head. The angels, proclaiming the gloriously important message that a Savior was born, came to shepherds; the lowly, the meek, the dirty. What an amazing truth! This important message given to shepherds was one to go out to all people. ‘Peace on earth, and good will to men’.

This message reminds me of one of my favorite Christmas hymns, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” As with many songs that have deep and lasting impact, I love it because of its history.

 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1863 as a poem, and the lyrics beautifully intermingle sorrow with triumphant hope. A brief history of Longfellow’s poem is below, but if you want a good historical read on the origin of the hymn, go here:

“Before writing the words of the poem, Longfellow had received news that his oldest son had been critically injured while fighting for the Union Army. At the time, Longfellow was still grieving the loss of his wife who had died in a fire. He had been badly burned while trying to save her and fell into a deep depression after her death. The season of Christmas, Longfellow believed, could never again lighten his heart; nevertheless, on this Christmas Day in 1863, he picked up his pen to write a poem while a war between hope and despair raged within him. Incongruity between the refrain of “peace on earth, good-will to men” appeared not only in his personal circumstances, but also in the nation, afflicted by Civil War and the evils of slavery.” Read the lyrics below…

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

After a year spent suffering a pandemic, racial unrest, political polarization, and personal pain and grief, many of us might share Longfellow’s feelings of the disharmony he describes in verse 3, “and in despair I bowed my head, there is no peace on earth I said”. This sentiment is exactly what we have been journeying with this Advent. Advent begins in the dark, and the sole purpose is to be reflective and to recognize our deep need for a Savior; for a light to break through the darkness. This is what I feel makes Longfellow’s final stanza so powerful and hopeful. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

In the blessings that surround us, we often forget that dissonance is always present in this life. Our world has never been at peace. Wrong often appears to prevail over right. Yet Christians through the centuries have celebrated the birth of our Savior and the love that sent him to earth. Christmas reminds us that God is not dead nor does he sleep. Instead, he rules over all, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent. (The Advent Project)

Grace and Peace and Merry Christmas!

robert

Day 23: Humble Forager

Day 23: Humble Forager Elevated Perspective V3 – DDH Imperial Oat IPA 8% A

I am extremely excited about the brewery we chose to take us into the holiday, Humble Forager. The brewery operates on its four pillars; Think Globally, Forage Locally, Live Humbly, Drink Adventurously. Following these ideals leads them to source most of their ingredients from local farmers while looking for unique ingredients from around the world to incorporate into their beers. Take a second to look at their beer list on their website and you will see they do not lack creativity. They do not give a specific location for their brewery, but after a little sleuthing, I’m pretty sure they brew out of Octopi Brewing in Waunakee, WI. 

Our first beer from Humble Forager is Elevated Perspective V3. We are treated with the third version of this beer, while the fourth is what they currently have available. Each version is brewed with the same base recipe, while the hop selections vary as the brewer experiments and tinkers. The pour is a hazy golden color with a thick white head. The smell is citrusy with notes of white wine grapes and melon. The taste follows the nose with citrus, grapes, and melon being the dominant flavors. The mouthfeel is soft, almost like a milkshake IPA due to the large amount of oats. Enjoy this adventurous beer tonight and reflect on any newfound, ‘Elevated Perspectives’ you have come to during this advent season.

Cheers,

Chase

Advent Reflection

Scripture: Luke 2:8-12

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Tonight’s reflection comes from: The Advent Project. (As you read, put yourself in the shoes of the shepherds who received the glorious message in our Scripture reading tonight!)

“What is this cosmic invasion that angels must announce it? Angels themselves are an invasion enough for this poor shepherd. Never have I seen even the flutter of angelic light in the distance. Never have I heard even the faint echo of an angel song. Yes, a single angel would be an invasion enough. But an army….This night, an army of angels! And that song. Such singing was both a terror and a joy to us on the ground. But all this was not the real invasion. All of this was just a message. This army of angels with their song that pierced our souls were merely the messengers of the Real Invasion. What a glorious entrance into our world of sheep and grass and of family and business and politics as usual. What is this cosmic invasion?

“Fear not,” so they said. Yet we were thrown onto the ground, overpowered by the light and the song. How could we not fear? We are mere human beings. Flesh was not made to bear this weight of glory! We shake in terror at the messenger. We are mere human beings.

“Good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people” News – Good News for all the people! This news shall be to all the people. All people in all times shall hear these good tidings of great joy. What cosmic invasion is this that touches all the people – in all places and all times? When Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, Babylon did not see; Rome slept. Such a mighty work of the Lord – as mighty as it was – was not to all the people. How majestic must the real invasion be!

“In the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Could it be? A Savior for all the people? Even the unclean shepherd? Even the Gentile far from the promises of God? If it were only so! This would be tidings of great joy. The Savior is the one promised of old. So, this is the divine invasion. God’s promises come to us, here and now. Now all will be different. This is God’s mighty invasion.

“And this shall be the sign unto you” A baby? This cosmic invasion that rescues all the people is found in a baby? This cannot be. Such an invasion that is announced by a mighty army of angels must be even greater. It has to be larger, stronger, more terrible. We need God himself with his mighty sword. If we are to be saved it must be by the force of God overthrowing the enemy of enemies. Rome will not be torn down by a baby in swaddling clothes.

This we have to see for ourselves!  

We saw the child, as the angels told.

Indeed, the promise of God. Returning to our fields in the quiet of night, my brother began to hum a song yet to be written, “Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.”

Grace and Peace,

robert

Day 22: Molotov Cocktail

Day 22: Evil Twin Brewery Molotov Cocktail – Imperial IPA 12% ABV

As we near the end of our adventure in beer, the former vagabond of a brewery, Evil Twin, makes its return with another audacious ale. If you haven’t checked out their website yet, I encourage you to take a few minutes to scroll through the incredible variety of beers they have produced. I love how they consistently take risks to create beers that do not taste like, or even resemble anything else in the already oversaturated market of craft beer. When we are allowed to travel again I would be more than willing to plan a pilgrimage and taste as many different beers as I can!

When you name a beer Molotov Cocktail, expectations are undoubtedly going to be high. Luckily for us, this beer does not disappoint, and will be an absolute affront to our taste buds. Evil Twin has loaded this IPA with so much malt to reach the 12% ABV that it is incredible the hops are even still discernible. Molotov Cocktail pours a copper orange with a white foamy head. The first thing you will smell is the booziness of this beer, followed by pine, orange, and tangerine. The taste is bitter and hoppy like you would expect in an Imperial IPA. The citrus flavors are present along with an obvious booziness. As a heavier beer the full bodied mouthfeel adds to the overall experience. This beer is not for the faint of heart. Enjoy this unique explosion of flavor tonight.

Cheers,

Chase

Advent Reflection

Scripture: John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Our Scripture passage tonight is very intriguing to me because it comes from the context when Jesus is preparing his disciples for his death. Jesus is reassuring them that even in the midst of the darkness that is to come; the betrayal, crucifixion, death, and what seems to be hopelessness; He came to bring peace. Our world is dark. Advent begins in the dark (if you recall from earlier posts). Advent is a season that reminds us that we are in desperate need of a savior. We are in desperate need for light to break through the darkness. Last night was the winter solstice, the darkest night of the year, and what a beautiful reminder it was for us that we are awaiting the light to break through. This light is what we long for. This light is what we wait for. My favorite Advent hymn is “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”. I resonate deeply with the longing that is in the lyrics, especially the first and the last verses:

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

 O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace.

Emmanuel: “GOD WITH US”. This simple name reminds us that we are not abandoned, we are not left to our own devices to fend for ourselves and to move towards that which makes us whole. God has moved. He has moved to us! He is with us. He is our King of Peace! What a powerful truth to embrace this Advent!

Grace and Peace,

robert

As we drink our ‘Molotov Cocktail’ tonight, and think about the destructiveness that it can cause, let us be people that throw ‘Molotov Flowers’!

Day 21: Sixpoint Resin

Day 21: Sixpoint Brewery Resin – IIPA 9.1% ABV

A message from Robert: I sincerely apologize for not posting last night. Those who don’t know me too well, I am a procrastinator through and through. Those who work with me know that this is nothing new; I wait until the last minute to get things done. When it comes to lesson plans for school, I often work on it the night before. Same with my chapel messages. This way of life has often got me in trouble and last night was a perfect example of that. My rhythm in writing the Advent reflections is to sit down with the beer for the night, read Scripture, jot down my thoughts and post right around the 5:00 hour. Yesterday, at 4:30 p.m., our neighbors invited us over for a campfire and drinks to celebrate the winter solstice. I chose the campfire and community with my neighbors over writing the blog. I apologize. I hope that you enjoyed last night’s beer and please take some time tonight to read Chase’s post about beer because he had his post set and read to go.

About the Beer:

Tonight we are set to imbibe a nice little nanokeg from Sixpoint Brewery, located in Red Hook, BKLN. While we were researching for this year, Robert and I knew we wanted to select a beer from this brewery. Although it is a New York brewery, the founders met as classmates at UW-Madison, which gives us plenty of cause to feature them in our Wisconsin centric calendar. Sixpoint opened in 2004, initially only serving their beer on tap at the brewery. In 2010 they made their distribution debut in the unique slim can, or nanokegs, as they like to call them. This brewery is just flat out cool. They don’t let rules or formulas get in the way of the “Mad Science” needed to push boundaries and brew really great beer. One of their guiding philosophies is that ‘Beer is Culture.’ As Wisconsinites (and near Wisconsinites) we get that. I think of all the small towns across the state, like Monroe or New Glarus, that are alive and flourishing in part due to the presence of a brewery. 

The beer we chose from Sixpoint is arguably their most famous beer, Resin. This unfiltered IIPA is loaded with flavor from the variety of hops used to create it. The pour is a clear, bright gold accompanied by a large ivory foam. Aromas of hop bitterness, citrus fruits, pine needles, and flower pedals will set your palette for this hop candy of a beer. The light malt of this beer let the hops shine in the taste. The hop bitterness is followed by pine needles and resin that is akin to a toffee in the aftertaste. The medium bodied mouthfeel is surprisingly smooth for such a heavy beer. Enjoy this wonderful beer tonight and reflect on the ‘culture’ beer advent has created in this community over the past three weeks.

Cheers,

Chase

Day 20: La Chouffe Blonde

Day 20: Brasserie D’Achouffe La Chouffe Blonde – Belgian Blond Beer 8% ABV

As you might be able to tell from the name of the beer alone, our beer for this Sunday evening is imported from the great brewing country of Belgium. Brasserie D’Achouffe is located in Achouffe, Belgium, a small village in the Eastern part of the country. Founded by two brother-in-laws in the late 1970s, this brewery is characterized by the fanciful gnomes that grace their portly bottles. They call their beers Chouffes, a word that literally has no meaning in Flemish, but has become symbolic of this brewery. I don’t know about you, but I can get a sense of the brewers’ personalities from the unique bottle shape, whimsical artwork, and robust backstories they have created for each of their beers. 

La Chouffe Blonde is the most popular and universal beer, or should I say Chouffe, brewed by Brasserie D’Achouffe. The bottle features their first and most favored gnome, Marcel. The pour of this chouffe is a light golden hue with a billowy head of white foam that lingers for quite a while. The aromas are initially of yeast and bready malts, followed by hints of apricot, lemon, clove, and coriander. Since this is a heavier beer, as expected, the taste is malty to start, with punches of coriander, peach, apricot, cloves, and lemon. The massive amount of carbonation adds to this beer’s delectably smooth mouth feel. If you’re a fan of Belgian beer, La Chouffe will definitely become one of your new favorites.

Cheers,

Chase

Advent Reflection

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23
Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

As we enter the 4th week of Advent I found tonight’s reflection from The Advent Project to be incredibly encouraging. It is a beautiful reflection on the meaning of the name Immanuel.

“The truly good news is that God is not a distant God, a God to be feared and avoided, a God of revenge, but a God who is moved by our pains and participates in the fullness of the human struggle. God is a compassionate God. This means, first of all, that God is a God who has chosen to be God-with-us. As soon as we call God “God–with-us,” – Henri Nouwen.

We enter into a new relationship of intimacy with him. By calling God Emmanuel, we recognize God’s commitment to live in solidarity with us, to share our joys and pains, to defend and protect us, and to suffer all of life with us. The God–with-us is a close God, a God whom we call our refuge, our stronghold, our wisdom, and even more intimately, our helper, our shepherd, our love. We will never really know God as a compassionate God if we do not understand with our heart and mind that ‘the Word become flesh and lived among us’ (John 1:14). Advent is the season when we make an intentional choice to focus, to ponder, to reflect, and to find comfort in the staggering truth that Emmanuel—God with us—means that we never face disappointment, discouragement, or pain alone. What a remarkable and earth-shattering truth is contained in this name! Emmanuel…God with us!

Oh how deeply we need this good news during this pandemic season filled with constant disorientation, when we can so easily forget that in the midst of each of our losses—God is with us.”

Take heart and encouragement from the much beloved hymn: O Little Town of Bethlehem

     How silently, how silently,
     the wondrous gift is given;
     so God imparts to human hearts
     the blessings of his heaven.
     No ear may hear his coming,
     but in this world of sin,
     where meek souls will receive him, still
     the dear Christ enters in.

Grace and Peace,

robert

Day 19: Cranberry Gose

Day 19: Third Space Brewing Cranberry Gose – Sour/Gose 4.5% ABV

The founders of Third Space Brewing named their brewery from the idea that home is your first space, work is your second space, and the place you go to for an escape is your Third Space. They want the experience of drinking their beer to help transport you to your Third Space, even if it is just in your mind. Located in the Menomonee River Valley, just down the road from Miller Park, the brewery is a great place to grab a beer and hangout with friends in their beer garden or taproom.

Tonight we have our one and only sour on this year’s calendar. The gose beer style dates back to the 1600s and finds its origins in Goslar, Germany. The grain bill must be at least 50% wheat and was traditionally flavored with lemon and herbs. Nowadays we are treated with a wide variety of flavors within this beer style, including lime, pomegranate, and cranberry just to name a few. Cranberry Gose (pronounced go-suh) will pour deep red with a slight bit of haze. Both the smell and taste are tart and sour, with cranberry being the dominant flavor. The mouthfeel is light and crisp. Even if a sour is not your usual cup of tea, I hope this offering helps take you to your third space.

Cheers,

Chase

Advent Reflection

Scripture: Luke 1:30-33

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus…He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of his father David…and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Tonight’s reflection is adapted from a chapter in: “Advent: the Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ” by Fleming Rutledge

The closer we get to Christmas (less than a week away), the more tempted we are to retreat to the cozy, imagined world of the iconic Christmas. “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know.” These lyrics suggest that the dream is behind us; the way to happiness is to return to the idealized past. Sentiment and nostalgia play a major in many of our Christmas observances. We bring out the ornaments we loved as children, we display little nineteenth century towns with snow covered roofs. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with this and I absolutely love the tradition that my wife and I have created where we decorate the tree with specific ornaments and listen to specific songs. The tendency during this last week of Christmas as we start to get time off of work for the holidays is to romanticize the past. Popular Christmas music that you hear in just about any store you go into is popular because it trades on this basic human tendency to sentimentalize.

Advent, however, is exactly the opposite of all this. Nostalgia and sentiment play no part in the season of Advent. Advent refuses to dwell in a past that never was. Advent is about the future. It isn’t a season of remembering something that happened a long long time ago; it is a season of preparation for the great coming day of the Kingdom of God. When I think of my two favorite Advent/Christmas hymns “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, the lyrics read through this lens jump out at me in the anticipation of the Kingdom of God to come and for Christ to reign as Prince of Peace.

“By thine own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone; by Thine all-sufficient merit, raise us to Thy glorious throne” – Last verse in “O Come thou Long Expected Jesus”

“O come Desire of Nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind; bid thou our sad divisions cease, and be Thyself our King of Peace.” -verse in “O Come O Come Emmanuel”

Grace and Peace,

robert

Day 18: Outer Spaced

Day 18: Karben4 Brewing Outer Spaced – New England Style Imperial IPA 9.2% ABV

Karben4 Brewing Outer Spaced – New England Style Imperial IPA 9.2% ABV

One of the things I greatly enjoy about Karben4 is their obvious effort to not take themselves too seriously. Don’t get me wrong, it is clear that they care deeply about making great beer, it is also clear that they want to have fun and crack jokes while doing it. Their fanciful bottle art and ridiculous beer names, like Rainbow Unicorn or Dragon Flute, are evidence of this fact. I’m sure that I would get along fine with the staff at most breweries , but the people that make up Karben4 just seem like they would be a really good time. 

We kick off our ultimate week of Beer Advent with Outer Spaced, a New England Style Imperial IPA. Now, you might be wondering, what differentiates a New England Style IPA(NEIPA) from the litany of IPA variations brewed these days? NEIPAs are characterized by fruit being introduced during the brewing process and large dry hop additions that add to a hazy body. This particular varietal is flavored with passion fruit and peach, both of which are present in the aroma along with other tropical fruits, like guava, and floral notes from the hops. The pour is a hazy, straw colored yellow with a good amount of foam. Since this is an imperial, you will definitely taste the malt, followed by a slight bitter citrus flavor that is balanced out by the floral hop flavors. The medium body mouthfeel adds to the flavor and makes this an incredibly drinkable beer, especially one this high in ABV. 

Cheers,

Chase

Advent Reflection

Scripture: Micah 5:2
But thou, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be Ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

I’m sharing this reflection tonight from ‘The Advent Project‘, because I greatly resonate with the sentiment of ‘small towns’! I spent my high school years in a small town (shout out to the Davis area participants), and they were some amazing years with amazing experiences. My parents still live in that pocket of NW Illinois and my family loves to visit in order to ‘escape’ the city. I loved the way that the writer of tonight’s reflection focused on the importance of Bethlehem, yet the reality of it being such a small, insignificant town. Milwaukee feels that way sometimes too. It’s the smaller, industrial city 75+ miles north of the great and wonderful city of Chicago where everything just seems better (except their sports teams!…Zing!).

Wherever you are, or whatever town/city/suburb you live in…know that ‘God is with us – Immanuel’ and He often uses the things of this world that we see as insignificant to make a powerful impact. Tonight’s reading reminds us of that!

Grace and Peace, robert

“Big things happen in small towns. We forget that. Entertainment and news media can give the impression that excitement, glamor, and wealth only come amid towering concrete-and-steel buildings laced with glutted, blaring traffic and elbow-to-elbow crowds. There are songs about all that — suggesting an enduring magic downtown; but it’s mostly fiction. The truth is that most of the real action in cities happens when outsiders crowd in for big events — stadium sports, concerts, parades, protests. People come, then they go.

A 2018 Pew Center study shows the vast majority of people in the U.S. live in small towns and suburban areas (places with about 100,000 residents). In years past, before the notion of suburbs grew in the mid-1800s, most in the U.S. lived in tiny towns connected by narrow roads.

Bethlehem was a town like that. Ancient census records suggest that at the time Jesus was born, there might have been between 300 and 1,400 people living there, depending on events.

Bethlehem was a six mile walk from Jerusalem — roughly a two-hour trip. And like many small towns, it had a momentous history. It was the city where David, King of Israel, was born and where the prophet Samuel anointed him as God’s chosen leader. Boaz and Ruth had lived there, and trudging the rocky soil around it, the boy David had tended sheep. Its name can be translated “house of bread,” and Bethlehem was known for some of the purest water in the region.

Our Scripture passage is like a tender word to a neglected child. “And you Bethlehem” it begins, then mentions size and comparisons. There were bigger towns and cities from which God could have brought us a Savior. But God loves confounding common sense and expectation — our “we’ve always done it that way” mindset.

The Apostle Paul had to remind the church at Corinth about this. When they first believed in Jesus, not many of them were wise, not many were influential, not many of noble birth. God’s approach, he said, was to choose “the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of the world and the despised — the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him” (1 Cor. 1:27-29).

There is a certain power in the remoteness and solitude of small, far-flung cities and towns; introspection and soul-searching are somehow easier there, particularly if one has just escaped the noise and sidewalk fictions of a metropolis.

The eyes of the Christ from Bethlehem, grip ours with a look that is both somber and expectant, beckoning us to come near, to come away to the stillness where He can speak and where we can hear all He has to say.“

Day 17: Diet Starts Tomorrow

Day 17: Karen4 Brewing – Diet Starts Tomorrow – Chocolate Oatmeal Stout 6.3%

Our Advent adventure heads about 75 miles west for the next two nights as we enjoy two very different beers from Karben4 Brewing, located on the East Side of Madison. Karben4 has been around since 2012, opening their brewpub in the space vacated by Ale Asylum when they built their new brewery on the other side of the airport. Since then, Karben4 has steadily grown from a small brewpub, only serving their beer on site, to distributing throughout much of the state. In addition to increasing their reach, this wonderful brewery has started producing quite a range of high quality beers. During the different lockdowns and safer at home orders of the past year, Karben4 has been a leader in their community by encouraging people to support other local businesses, bars, and restaurants during this time. Also, they have set up their patio with heated domes, which are pretty sweet. So if you are looking for a wintery, but warm adventure, checkout their website and plan an excursion to support this great brewery.

The name of tonight’s beer feels like a good description of how many of us feel from Thanksgiving all the way through New Year’s Eve, Diet Starts Tomorrow. This delightful beer is brewed in the form of a chocolate oatmeal stout, so as you can imagine, it will pour dark brown, almost black, with a nice cream colored head. Heavy malt aromas followed by dark chocolate, coffee, and oatmeal. The taste is very charred and roasty. Coffee notes with bitter cacao as well. The use of both golden malted and raw rolled oats in this beer to give it an incredibly smooth and silky finish. Since it is just a little more than a week until Christmas, until we look, and feel like the cat on the bottle, I think we can continue to have the mindset of, Diet Starts Tomorrow.

Cheers,

Chase

Advent Reflection

Scripture

Isaiah 7:14 “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel – God with us”

Matthew 1:21 “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

These two verses never cease to stagger the imagination when it comes to the amazing gift that we await. God will dwell among us. Jesus, Immanuel. This child will save his people from their sins.

Astounding!

Amazing!

Sit in that truth for a few moments.

The purpose of Christ’s coming is to save his people from their sins! We cannot admire the baby in the manger without seeing the cross. This truly is the tension during Advent. The peace and serenity of the nativity scene (however made up that might be), is pointing us to the gruesome and dark scene on Calvary. Without it, the baby in the manger is just a scene.

The Advent proclamation that we await and long for is this: “the baby in the manger is the reigning Messiah, that the crucified Jesus will come again in glory to judge the living and dead, that the one who is to be delivered up is the one who will dispose of all earthly power and authority, being the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!”

Come Lord Jesus, Come. We wait. We wait for you.

Grace and Peace,

Robert

Day 15: Momentary Panic

Day 15: Company Brewing Momentary Panic – DDH Hazy IPA 7% ABV

About the Beer:

We have reached our third and final beer from Company Brewing. Tonight I want to highlight two things about the brewery. First, if you ever have the opportunity to visit the brewery, they have amazing food! Second, they employ one of only two female brewers in the Milwaukee area. Though women are still wildly underrepresented in the predominantly male industry, I think it is really cool that Company is doing their part to be more inclusive and expand the idea of what we traditional picture when thinking of a brewmaster.

Tonight we have one of their newest beers, Momentary Panic. I love the name of this beer and feel like it is in many ways an apt description of how I have often felt during this past year. With each new month there seems to be a new challenge, both on an individual level and a broader societal level. Hopefully tonight as we drink down this DDH Hazy IPA we are able to let a little bit of that panic go and find some joy and peace. The pour of this bear is a clowdy, golden yellow. Aromas of grapefruit come through from the El Dorado and Citra hops with a wonderful floral scent due to the dry hop additions of Talus. This is another beer that tastes much like it smells; you will get the grapefruit and citrus at first, followed by an earthy floral punch as you drink. A medium-bodied mouthfeel makes this an extremely drinkable and tasty addition to the growing varieties of hazy IPAs on the market. Hopefully the only ‘Momentary Panic’ you experience this evening is found in this eye catching green and purple can!

Cheers,

Chase

Advent Reflection

Momentary Panic here. I got home about 30 minutes ago and realized that I didn’t create an Advent reflection for tonight. How am I going to get a reflection written before 6:00 p.m. like I said I would? Instead of letting this ‘Momentary Panic’ get the best of me, I’m going to choose to ‘be present’ with my family and let the Word of God speak to you.

Tonight’s Scripture comes from Luke 1:30-33. (Maybe you could take some time tonight and avoid whatever ‘Momentary Panic’ you feel, and just ‘Be Present’)

“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Grace and Peace,

Robert

Day 14: Milwaukee Day Lager

Day 14: Company Brewing Milwaukee Day Lager – Helles Lager 4.14% ABV

About the Beer:

Company Brewing describes themselves as a hardworking community hub, that houses a brewery. Located in the heart of Riverwest, they have cemented themselves as not just a neighborhood fixture with great beer, but space that promotes creativity, art, community, and civic engagement. Whether they are hosting a performance from a local artist, a community forum, or using their space for community events like Riverwest 24, Company Brewing seeks to make an impact in a positive way. 

A few years ago they started brewing a beer called Milwaukee Day Lager to be enjoyed while celebrating Milwaukee’s made up holiday, Milwaukee Day, observed on the fourteenth of April each year. Milwaukee day was created because of the resemblance between the city’s area code, 414, and the date on that fourteenth day of April, 4/14. Though silly in its inception, Milwaukee day is part of a greater movement in our city to help improve Milwaukee’s image both internally and externally. Milwaukee Day Lager is a Helles style lager that uses German Pilsner and Vienna malts to give a straw colored appearance when poured into a glass, while the Hallertau hops help balance out the grains. The aromas are of the cereal grains used in the malt, which is common for a lager style beer. The taste is likewise dominated by the malt. Couple that with the light bodied mouthfeel and the result is one drinkable beer. Though we may be five months early, tonight let’s raise our glasses in salute to Milwaukee and the wonderful beer it is producing these days!

Cheers to the Great Place on a Great Lake,

Chase

Advent Reflection

Scripture – Luke 1:5-10

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

Advent, the season of waiting, is one of my favorite times of the year. Not only because I can enjoy good beer like the 414 Lager tonight, but also because I find myself intentionally slowing down a lot more than I am normally accustomed to. I am currently listening to a Taize song called “Wait For the Lord“, and as it repeatedly chants in beautiful harmony, my soul is lifted up in hope. Waiting is hard, especially when the waiting seems unending. Kind of like this pandemic we are in. We we are waiting for life to get back to normal and I’ve heard so often of people excited to turn the calendar to 2021. “2020 was so hard, a year like none other. I can’t wait until 2021.” But I wonder, will we still be waiting? When Milwaukee Day rolls around in 2021, will we still be in waiting for this longing for normalcy? The season of Advent reminds us that waiting, though difficult to do, is needed. It’s meant to remind us to tune our hearts to wait for something that is truly satisfying and healing: the coming Messiah!

Our passage tonight hones in on John the Baptist’s parents; Zechariah and Elizabeth. They certainly understood what it felt like to wait and to have a longing unfulfilled for a long time. Although both were from priestly lines, and lived righteous and blameless before the Lord, Elizabeth was unable to have children. The text tells us that they were ‘very old’, which indicates that they waited for this hope of a child to be fulfilled for a very long time. In the waiting, they were blessed. Blessed with not only a child, but one that would “Prepare the way for the Lord, the coming Messiah!”

As we wait, wait in hope. Wait in anticipation. Embrace the waiting.

Grace and peace,

robert

Day 13: Zagora Major

Day 13: Company Brewing Zagora Major – Belgian-Style Tripel Ale 9.5% ABV

Can you believe we are already halfway through our Advent Calendar of malty beverages? I hope you are enjoying the journey thus far. For the next three evenings we have a sampling from Company Brewing lined up for us. Since we have three posts to share more about what makes Company Brewery unique, tonight I’ve decided to share one of the reasons why this brewery is important to Robert and I! Robert and I met almost five years ago when we worked together at a high school in Milwaukee. For those of you who know Robert, you know he can be a bit reserved at times, and takes a while to really open up to new people. So after a month or so of working together, we decided to get beers after work, with Company Brewing being our destination. Home to one of the better happy hour deals in Riverwest, full pours for the price of a half, this wonderful little spot is also where our friendship began as we shared stories while drinking their tasty brews.

Tonight we have Zagora Major, a Belgian Tripel Ale. Sadly, I have never had this beer before and since it is a newer beer, I know very little about its specific flavors, but as a Belgian Tripel, we can expect the taste to be nuanced and yeast forward. The term ‘tripel’ originated in Belgium during the 1930s when Westmalle Brewery created a new strong ale brewed using triple the ingredients of their classic abbey style ale. I love the telltale flavors of Belgian beer that are derived from the specific yeast strains developed throughout Belgium’s rich brewing history. I hope you enjoy sampling another new beer style to start this new week!

Cheers,

Chase

Advent Reflection

Scripture

Luke 1:18-25

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

Today we begin week 3 of Advent. I hope that your journey thus far has been encouraging, challenging, and reflective. Tonight’s reflection was one that I found thought provoking and timely; especially when we consider the purpose of Beer Advent 414: “To slow down, enjoy good beer, and reflect”. I pray that you are blessed and encouraged.

Perhaps Zechariah had begun losing hope in God’s desire to answer prayer.  Maybe in the busyness of his work he stopped spending time in communion with El Shaddai, God Almighty, the One who powerfully intervenes changing circumstances when they seem beyond hope.

Perhaps the gift of silence was God’s grace to Zechariah as an invitation to be still before Him and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10).  Maybe God gifted Zechariah with not just a baby, but with the sacred space of stopping and considering the wonder of the God who still meets His creatures’ deepest desires.

You may find yourself in a season of hopelessness and constant busyness.  Richard Foster comments that, “our Adversary the devil majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds.  If he can keep us engaged in ‘muchness’ and ‘manyness,’ he will rest satisfied.”

Perhaps this season God is extending you the same invitation as the grace given to Zechariah, to slow down and know that He is God Almighty. -From Adventconspiracy.org

As we get closer and closer to the holiday season, in what ways can you intentionally slow down and spend time with the One who can meet you and powerfully intervene in whatever you are facing?

Remember to slow down, sip, and enjoy the stillness.

Grace and Peace,

Robert

Day 12: Goon Juice

Day 12: Eagle Park Brewing Company Goon Juice – DDH Hazy IPA 8% ABV

About the Beer

We are back for another libation made by Eagle Park Brewing Company. Before I talk about the beer, I wanted to share a little more about the backstory of the brewery. Two brothers, Max and Jack Borgardt, grew up with a love of writing music and even played in a band together. Their other passion was drinking great beer. In a desire to chase glory, they were faced with a choice to either run after fame in the music industry, or try their hand making beer. I for one am extremely thankful they made the decision they did! 

Tonight we have a DDH Hazy IPA that goes by the monicker, Goon Juice! So what do all those letters mean?! I hope by your sheer inclusion in Beer Advent you know what IPA stands for, but many of us might be unfamiliar with what DDH stands for. As your can will tell you, it stands for Double Dry Hopped, which means they added tons of hops after the fermentation process has already started. In this case we enjoy the floral aromas of Citra, Mosaic, Eureka, and Columbus hops that were added after the boil! The pour is a cloudy, golden color with white foam. Smells of tropical fruit, mango, grapefruit, and fresh squeezed orange. The taste is fruity and floral due to the large hop additions. A smooth, but thinner mouthfeel than many hazy IPAs, with great carbonation. I hope you enjoy this DDH Hazy IPA (and maybe a second beer) after all of the shoveling you had to do today! You earned it!

Cheers,

Chase

Advent Reflection

Tonight’s reflection comes from: “The Advent Project: Center for Christianity, Culture, and the Arts.” Check out their website here

Isaiah 60:3
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

“The prophet Isaiah speaks forth a host of prophecies throughout his text. There’s messianic prophecies, eschatological prophecies, and prophecies against Israel and other nations, etc. Many of these prophecies foretell doom and gloom, as is so often the case with the Old Testament prophets, but some of his prophecies are hopeful, even enlivening. One of these animating prophecies in found Isaiah 60:1-3 wherein the prophet assures Israel of her future glory in that God’s light will shine upon them and the “Lord will arise” upon them (v. 2). And this illuminating and arising will have results not only for Israel but for all of the nations of the world since they and their rulers will also come to the Lord’s light.

So, what exactly is this illuminating and arising? Light bookends the Scriptures: “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Gen. 1:3); and “the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever” (Rev. 22:5). Thus, we know that God is the light and in his light there is “life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). To be in the light is to be a child of God and to live in the light is to live in his good creation as his redeemed children. Thus, when God shines his light onto all the nations, he is shining himself on them, inviting them into a saving relationship. God’s light is symbolic of his omnipresence and saving grace.

This is the message of Advent, that in the coming of Jesus all people who already live in the light of creation can become daughters and sons of he who is Light.”

Grace and Peace,

robert

Day 11: Botms Up

Day 11: Eagle Park Brewing Company Botm’s UP – Milkshake IPA 5.6% ABV

About the Beer:

When I moved to Milwaukee over eight years ago and started to explore the city, I frequently noticed this cool little building downtown and always thought it would be a great spot for a brewery. Apparently the founders of Eagle Park Brewing Company, Max and Jack Borgardt, had the same thought as they opened their brewery in that building in 2017. Since then, they have experienced a ton of success and recently opened a second location this past summer in Muskego, WI which includes a distillery! If you check out their website, in bold letters they state, “We know the craft beer industry is flooded with fly-by-night labels that warrant no respect. We won’t be one of them. We prove our dedication and commitment to you, and the craft beer community, through every pour, every toast, and every taste.” Now that is a mission statement I can get behind! If you are anything like me, you are tired of seeing another new brewery that only specializes in IPAs, trying to be like every other craft brewery in the country. Eagle Park refuses to just blend in with the crowd. I love this brewery and am super excited for all of you to get to enjoy a few of their beers over the next two evenings.

Tonight we have Botm’s UP, a Milkshake IPA brewed with vanilla and heaping amounts of orange, tangerine, and mandarin. We’ve already had a beer version of a pumpkin spice latte this year, so why not try an orange creamsicle beer as well? The pour is a dark, murky orange with a yellow tinted foam. Initial aromas of orange and mandarin are with hints of cream and vanilla as well. The taste is sweet, with orange, vanilla, and cream being the dominant flavors. The beer has a thick, creamy mouthfeel due to being brewed as a “milkshake” IPA. So what exactly is a ‘milkshake’ IPA you ask? It gets its name from the extra ingredient added during the end of the boil or primary fermentation, lactose sugar, which lends the beer its cloudy appearance and rich mouthfeel. Though it may not be orange creamsicle weather outside, let’s enjoy this blood orange milkshake IPA on this snowy/rainy evening!

Botm’s UP,

Chase

Advent Reflection

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-2, 7-11

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea ² and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near…”

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.“

The passages during this second week of Advent that focus on John the Baptist are so bizarre to me and I often wonder why they are included in Advent readings. Tonight’s reading certainly fits that mold. It’s not one of those uplifting messages that just encourage our hearts during this season. But that’s exactly the purpose of Advent. Advent calls us to wait, anticipate, reflect, and journey inward. Tonight’s passage from the Gospel of Matthew calls us to that journey. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near“. This message demands our response. The key component of Advent is that as we wait for the coming of Christ in Bethlehem, we also await His second coming as King and Judge. This, I believe, is one of the more overlooked themes of Advent. We enjoy the peaceful serenity of the baby in the manger and the star in the sky with the rustic shepherds, elegant magi, and lowing farm animals smiling benevolently at the infant. The message tonight that John the Baptist calls us to, is vastly different. “Repent…after me comes one who is more powerful than I…bear fruit in keeping with repentance…and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Christ’s coming demands a response from us. John the Baptist proclaimed what our response should be…”Repent“. Repentance is not just saying sorry or feeling bad about an action or behavior. Repentance is a change in direction. It’s a reorienting of oneself in another way of life. It’s facing our darkness, confessing it, and turning from it.

As we await Christ’s coming, how does this message of repentance speak to you? What has been revealed to you…in you? As you journey inward tonight, know that the whole purpose of Christ’s coming was to show that when we repent, through Jesus, there is rich mercy and abundant grace.

Grace and Peace,

Robert

Day 10: Convenient Distraction

Day 10: O’so Brewing Company Convenient Distraction – Imperial Porter 9.8% ABV 

About the Beer:

We are back with O’so Brewing Company tonight for a second offering from this wonderful brewery located in Plover, WI. One of the reasons we wanted to feature two beers from the Wisconsin breweries on our calendar was to help us to not immediately write off an entire brewery because we did not enjoy our first sampling from it. I am frequently guilty of this, and it has kept me from trying and enjoying numerous high quality beers simply because I decided I wouldn’t enjoy any of their beer after one of their libations didn’t tickle my fancy. I’ll confess I did not love last night’s beer (if you loved it, absolutely no judgment). Don’t get me wrong, at Deer Camp or in the dead of summer I love a light lager as much as the next guy, but on a crisp December night I’d rather imbibe an imperial stout or a Belgian quad. One of our goals during beer selection has been to pick a wide variety of beers to cover as many styles as possible. Tonight we get to try something on the opposite end of the beer spectrum from the same brewery, so if their lager wasn’t your cup of tea, get ready for a heavy-bodied malty glass of goodness.

I love the name of tonight’s beer, Convenient Distraction. It causes me to reflect, and identify the parts of my life that I pick as a ‘convenient distraction’ from the reality around me, to filter out what is truly important and what is just fluff. This imperial porter brewed with Madagascar vanilla and coffee comes in at a whopping 9.8 % ABV, a far cry from last night’s lager. Deep brown, almost black in color with a tan head. Aromas of coffee, dark chocolate, vanilla, and even a hint of bourbon. This beer looks and smells of decadence. The taste moves up the nose with strong hints of coffee, chocolate, bourbon, and vanilla that are complemented by a smooth, creamy mouth feel. There are just enough hops to balance out the sweetness. So tonight, during this momentary distraction, let’s enjoy this luscious dessert beer!

Cheers,

Chase

Advent Reflection

Scripture

Isaiah 40:3-5

A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
    a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
    every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
    the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

I’ll be honest with you tonight. I did not prepare a devotion earlier in the day and when I came home, it was extreme chaos at my house. I do not want to BS a devotional thought so I’ll simply leave tonight’s reflection focused on the Word from the prophet Isaiah.

As you read and reflect on the Word of God from Isaiah, what sticks out to you? What resonates with your spirit, mind, and heart?

For me…It’s, “every valley shall be raised up, ever mountain shall be made low.”

Grace and Peace,

Robert

Day 9: Doe in Heat

Day 9: O’so Brewing – Doe in Heat – American Lager 4.6% ABV

About the Beer

O’so Brewing Company is located in Plover, Wisconsin. This brewery has a similar story to many microbreweries across the midwest. The founder, Marc Buttera, was an avid homebrewer and made his first foray into the beer business by opening a homebrew supply store called Point Brewing Supply. From there, the brewery was developed, and In 2013 they were declared the second fasting growing brewery in Wisconsin. One of the things I love about O’so is that they care deeply about the state of Wisconsin, going so far as to use almost entirely Wisconsin made products to craft their beer. The grain, cases boxes, bottles, and can sleeves all are Wisconsin-made products. 

So as you’d expect, a brewery with such a dedication to our great state would create a beer in honor of many a Wisconsite’s favorite getaway, Deer Camp. Every fall the blaze orange army hauls their hunting gear (and well stocked coolers) to cabins, trailers, and in my case, a shed, to gather with our family and hunting buddies in preparation for the annual tradition. For those of you who have never been, Deer Camp is a wonderful place, filled with card games, countless chip varieties, cheese and cracker trays, dessert bars, and all sorts of snacks you don’t partake in normally. The crucial element of Deer Camp is when we regale one another with hunting stories of past bucks, the deer that got away, and trail cam monsters we’ll dream about later that night. These times call for a specific type of beer, one that you can have a few of without the fear of feeling sick when you climb into your blind the next morning. That brings us to our beer for this evening. 

Doe in Heat is an American Lager that O’so brews as one of their seasonal beers each fall. This light, easy drinking beer can also be found in cans labeled, ‘Buck in Rut,’ and it is said that finding one of those cans will bring you luck on Saturday morning of opening weekend. Pale, straw-yellow in color with grainy corn and yeast present in the aromas. The taste is sweet and malty with heavy carbonation and a creamy mouthfeel. This beer was not made to be inventive or push the envelope of how people think of beer, it was made to taste like beer in a traditional sense. So tonight, as you sip, reflect, and critique this beer, take time to reminisce about those gatherings and traditions that bring us joy. Think about the stories you’ve heard told more times than you can remember. I hope this beer helps you find your own moment of ‘Deer Camp’ tonight.

Cheers,

Chase

Advent Reflection

After reading the description of tonight’s beer and the encouragement to think about gatherings and traditions that bring us joy, I am reminded of how much I long for people gathering around the table. The song that I am sharing with you tonight is one that I find extremely beautiful. I certainly realize that I am taking a risk in vulnerability because people have very specific tastes in music, and possibly music videos, but bear with me and look past the awkwardness of two guys playing guitar in front of a table of people. The thing that I love about this music video is the communal gathering of people; different races, different creeds, different backgrounds. The lyrics of the song resonate with my heart greatly: “…You’re never a stranger, just come as you are…Come be whole, come be loved, come accepted, come now come.”

The One that we are waiting for and longing for this Advent season is one who is inviting us to His table. It doesn’t matter where we have been, what we have done, or what we think. We are all accepted and invited to His table. There is room at the table. During this time of pandemic, the thing that I have most longed for is sharing in the Communion (Eucharist) table with my brothers and sisters in Christ. The simple act of receiving the bread and the wine that reminds us of the body and blood of Christ shed for us in the cross is something that my soul seems to long for.

As you drink tonight’s beer and listen to the song, and possibly stay with me enough to read this post; I pray that you will accept the invitation and join the table of peace! “The table is set, the feast is ready!”

Grace and Peace,

Robert

Day 8: Black Husky SPROOSE

Day 8: Black Husky Brewing SPROOSE – Double IPA 8.6%

As you have probably been able to intuit, Black Husky Brewing loves dogs, specifically, huskies. The owners’ son at one point had a kennel filled with sled dogs, and they decided to name their beers after dogs they feel relate to that beer. The brewery itself is named after their black husky, Howler. The beer we are enjoying tonight is SPROOSE, which is their second rendition of this beer. I remember sampling the original “spruce juice” about 6 years ago shortly after moving to Milwaukee. Fabled as a beer brewed with spruce tips, it was a delightful beer, unlike anything I had previously tasted. When they moved the brewery to Riverwest, they unveiled a double IPA version of spruce juice, SPROOSE, which gets its name from their dog Lothar, often referred to as “the biter,” because this beer has quite the bite to it. 

The pour is dark orange with a decent amount of haze, be wary of a large head of foam! Aromas of pine will come wafting up to your nose from the spruce tips used in brewing, giving you the feeling of being deep in the woods of Northern Wisconsin. Pine is noticeable in the taste, but the large amount of hops added during the fermentation process help balance out the evergreen taste with a citrusy finish. Medium bodied mouthfeel with a soft, creamy finish. One thing is for sure, this beer does not lack flavor! This beer is not meant to be subtle, or artsy with its flavors, it is intentionally brewed to assault your tastebuds, and give you an entirely novel experience.

I hope you enjoy this ‘Christmas Tree’ Double IPA as much as I do.

Cheers,

Chase

Advent Reflection

Scripture

Isaiah 40

A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
    a highway for our God.

Mark 1:1-3

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way”
 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.’”

 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.  John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.  And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Our readings tonight point us to a messenger that will prepare the way for the Lord. This messenger will also proclaim the coming kingdom of God. This messenger is John the Baptist and he is prominent in the readings during the 2nd week of Advent. I love the language that Chase used to describe tonight’s beer. The Sproose is definitely an ‘assault’ on your tastebuds. In a lot of ways, tonight’s beer is overpowering and seems to fall in two (2) categories: ‘I love it’ or ‘I hate it’. John the Baptist was very similar. He was an ‘assault’ on the culture of his time and was unlike any other figure that we see in Scripture. I mean, go back and read the description from the Gospel of Mark…he wore a garment made of camel’s hair and had a diet of locusts and wild honey! Yet, this man has a profound story and involvement in our Christian faith. Listen to this description, “There is no good news, no Gospel of Jesus Christ, without John the Baptist. John’s whole life was lived with but one purpose; he was born, a man of destiny, to declare the imminent arrival of the coming Messiah. This voice crying in the wilderness, this ‘lantern which shone in front of the Son of God,’ is extraordinary in many ways, but most of all for the single-mindedness with which he pursued his mission even to death, for John the Baptist feared no man, not even Herod the king, and no woman either, not even Herod’s wife, who in the end arranged to have his head cut off. But let us take note: this firebrand who recognized no superior was utterly submissive before the One whose coming he lived and died to illuminate; for John said, ‘One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’” (Fleming Rutledge)

The whole purpose of John the Baptist’s life was to point away from himself and to Jesus Christ. This, I believe, is the calling of each of us as followers of Jesus. How much of our lives are lived with a ‘single-mindedness’ of focus and purpose? John the Baptist is a wonderful example for us. I pray that my life would be lived in such a way that I would proclaim with my life just like John did, “He (Jesus) must become greater, I must become less” (John 3:30)

As you drink this double IPA with an assault of pine, spruce, and hops tonight, I pray that you would reflect on what it might mean for you to become single-minded in your purpose of making much of Jesus, our Savior and King!

Grace and Peace,

robert

Day 7: Black Husky Deck Dog

Day 7: Deck Dog

Black Husky Brewing Deck Dog – German Pilsner 5.8% ABV

About the Beer

After this past weekend’s deviation from Wisconsin breweries, we return for a beer from one of our favorite local spots located just blocks from Robert’s house in Riverwest. A lesser known fact about Black Husky Brewing is that it was started out of a log cabin in Pembine, Wisconsin. That small brewery began getting calls from bars and restaurants in Milwaukee and demand started to really grow. After many trips with their van loaded down from the kegs and bottles, they decided to uproot the brewery in 2016, and turn an old auto-garage into their permanent home. When Robert and I first visited the brewery, the owner told us they hadn’t even found a place to live yet, and were staying with their son while they prioritized getting their new operation up and running. We are extremely excited to feature two beers from Black Husky on our calendar this year as it is one of our favorites.

Tonight we are enjoying Deck Dog, Black Husky’s version of a German Pilsner. This beer is named in honor of their ‘deck dog,’ Rinky. Their dog Rinky is their true companion, ever ready to sit by their side as they concoct nonsensical ideas and plans whilst drinking on their deck. This beer, though called a pilsner, is actually brewed in the style of an ale, but with all of the ingredients of a German Pils. Crisp when poured into a glass, Deck Dog offers classic malt and yeast aromas on the nose. Clean crisp taste with hints of some fruit that gives away its true nature as an ale. As a pilsner, Deck Dog is a beer you reliably drink while doing summer yard work, drinking on your patio, or tailgating before a game. Enjoy this crisp beer and look forward to warmer weather or make plans to bring a six pack of Deck Dog with you to the first sporting event you can attend when things reopen. 

Cheers,

Chase

Advent Reflection

Scripture

Isaiah 9:6

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called…Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.”

The reflection tonight is adapted from adventconspiracy.org (I was encouraged by it as we journey into this 2nd week of Advent and focus our hearts on the coming Kingdom of God.)

It’s hard to imagine in this day of divisiveness and polarity when it comes to politics, a government so amazing that we would consider good news the fact that it would never end. Can you picture an earthly kingdom characterized by justice and righteousness – always and forever? This is what the passage from Isaiah is pointing us to tonight.

When we consider some of the most successful kingdoms throughout the world’s history, with the happiest subjects, the fairest laws, the lowest taxes…all have eventually proven flawed by the corruption of power and ambition, weak or greedy leaders, restless, rebellious people or some combination of our universal brokenness. No matter how good a government may seem for a time, it’s clear that mere humans, even with the best intentions, have never been and will never be able to accomplish this sort of civilization. It is possible however. And this kingdom will come!

Through the birth of this child in Isaiah 9, God is going to establish His kingdom. A kingdom overflowing with justice, righteousness, and peace with no end. A kingdom ruled by the one described as the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.

This child is what we wait for this Advent. This child and this kingdom is what we long for.

Grace and Peace,

robert

Day 6: Belching Beaver

Day 6: Belching Beaver Peanut Butter Milk Stout

Belching Beaver Peanut Butter Milk Stout – Milk Stout 5.3% ABV

On the home page of Belching Beaver’s website they write, “Belching Beaver Brewery came from a desire to make great beer and have DAM GOOD TIMES.” If you know me, you know that I love a good pun, so this line immediately endeared this brewery to my heart. Located in Oceanside, California, Belching Beaver was opened in 2012 and has been brewing a variety of great beers since. They are the only beer on our calendar this year to come from the supposed “craft beer capital of the world.” 

Our beer tonight was added to our calendar courtesy of Yale from Otto’s Liquor. For the past two years we have relied on Yale to pick a “mystery” beer for us from his list of favorites. Last year he picked Holiday Cheer, so here’s to hoping this Peanut Butter Milk Stout makes a similar impression on us. Lauded as ‘America’s favorite peanut butter milk stout,’ the beer is black in color with a thin tan head when poured into a glass. Peanut butter is very prominent on the nose with a slight hint of coffee and charred grains. The taste starts bitter from large hop additions, but the sweet taste of peanut rushes in, complemented well by the rich, full-bodied mouthfeel. You might notice hints of salt and caramel as well that will leave a nutty aftertaste on a tongue. This highly decorated beer is Belching Beaver’s #1 best seller and is sure to be a crowd pleaser! Tonight as you pour it into a glass and get ready to enjoy it, raise your glass in a cheers to Yale, our trusted beer buyer, and valued contributor to 414 Beer Advent.

Cheers,

Chase

Advent Reflection

Scripture

Isaiah 11

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
    from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and of might,
    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
    or decide by what he hears with his ears;
but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
    with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
    with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
Righteousness will be his belt
    and faithfulness the sash around his waist. The wolf will live with the lamb,
    the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
    and a little child will lead them.
The cow will feed with the bear,
    their young will lie down together,
    and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
    and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
They will neither harm nor destroy
    on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.

As we enter the 2nd week of Advent we light the second candle on our Advent wreath: the candle of peace! As you read our passage from Isaiah, notice the ‘peace’ that this ‘shoot from the stump of Jesse’ will bring. When my wife and I read this passage with our kids today, they were astounded at the description of the vicious animals being at peace with the gentle. Go back and read through the passage again and notice the beauty of this peace that is to come!

I believe that we all long for peace. The beauty of Advent is that we anticipate the Prince of Peace that is coming to us. This Prince of Peace will bring this everlasting peace that is described in our passage from Isaiah! May we long for this peace.

As you enjoy the delicious pint of peanut butter and chocolate this evening, I pray that you relish in your longing for peace, and the challenge to think about how you can bring peace to people around you in the coming weeks.

Grace and Peace,

robert

Day 5: Black is Beautiful

Three Floyds Black is Beautiful – Oatmeal Stout 7.5% ABV

About the Beer

I’ll be honest, we did not choose this beer because it was from Three Floyds Brewery. We intentionally chose this beer because it was brewed as a part of the Black is Beautiful Initiative, started by Weathered Souls Brewery in San Antonio, Texas. As one of the few black-owned breweries in America, Weathered Souls sought to start, “A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR THE INJUSTICES PEOPLE OF COLOR FACE DAILY AND RAISE FUNDS FOR POLICE BRUTALITY REFORM AND LEGAL DEFENSES FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN WRONGED.” 

Weathered Souls provided a free recipe for an appropriately colored stout base, the label artwork, and even found a company to print the labels at a discount for participating breweries. They asked each brewery to put their own spin on the beer, flavoring it with whatever additional flavors or hops they desired. To date, 1,192 breweries across all 50 states and 22 different countries have participated. On the website, the founder and head brewer at Weathered Souls ends his explanation with this statement, “As someone who has personally dealt with the abuse of power by the police, this recent turmoil the country is facing has hit home for me. As I write this, I contemplate how the country can move forward, how we as the people, can create change, and what it will take for everyone to move forward with a common respect for one another. For us, we feel that this is our contribution to a step.” People taking action to create change and urge our country to have a common respect for one another is something that gives me hope. 

Three Floyds’ rendition of Black is Beautiful is labeled as an oatmeal stout, but they intentionally added copious amounts of hops during the brewing process, lending this beer to taste more like a black IPA. You will still get the malty smell, smooth mouthfeel, with chocolate and coffee notes as you taste, but the hops will burst through at every part of this beer. I’ll leave it to Robert to share more about why we chose this beer for this day in particular. Thanks for continuing with us on this reflective journey inward.

Cheers,

Chase

Advent Reflection

As we close the first week of Advent, I want us to be reminded of the the fact that Advent begins in the dark. Advent is a season of introspection. It’s a season of repentance, of looking at the darkness within our own hearts. The passage that we have read from Isaiah last night calls us to do just that. It causes us to ask: “How shall we be saved?” (Isaiah 64: 5) and to face the reality that, “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” (Isaiah 64:6). We are called, during this season of Advent…to face our darkness.

We chose to highlight the Black is Beautiful beer on December 5 because it was on this day back in 1956 that the bus boycott began in our nation’s Civil Rights history. The bus boycott was sparked by Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus on December 1, 1955. The bus boycott was a leading act in the fight for equality for black people in the United States, a fight that they are still fighting.

I have often wondered how I would have responded as a white Christian if I lived during the Civil Rights movement (maybe I should be asking myself how I would live as a Christian now). If I’m honest with myself, I think that I may have chosen the more comfortable approach, and probably still do. It saddens me to come to this realization, yet, I need to face that darkness within myself. This year has been one like none other that I’ve ever lived through. Not only have I been met with a global pandemic that has disrupted my ‘normal’, I have also been faced with the reality of systemic injustices in my country and how I’ve been complicit. As a follower of Jesus, what do I do with that? How do I live in that space? How do I love God and love my neighbor; especially neighbors that look differently than me? These questions, I think, are why I am so drawn to this season of Advent. For some odd reason, I am comfortable in the dark. The proper posture of Advent seems to be confession of sin and repentance. As such, this season reminds me that I need to look inward and to uncover the hidden darkness of my heart. Not only to uncover it, but to confess it.

The Advent season is also beautifully about the truth that light penetrates darkness. The heart of the Advent season is the proclamation that God did not remain where He was, high above the misery of His creation. He came down into the midst of it all. He came down not to just sympathize but to heal, to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and to comfort all who mourn (Isaiah 61).

God will come, and His justice will prevail, and He will destroy evil and pain in all its forms, once and forever. In this I hope. In this…

Grace and Peace,

robert

Day 4: Wendy

Central Waters Brewery Wendy Coffee Milkshake IPA – Milkshake IPA 7.2% ABV

About the Beer

One of our desires when choosing beers for this years’ calendar was to feature a handful of breweries that we have a particular affinity for. We also wanted to give everyone the chance to try multiple beers from the same brewery in order to get a better idea of their overall quality. Tonight’s beer highlights one of Central Waters other core tenets, Time Well Spent. They want their beers to be enjoyed along with family gatherings and other events that build community. The inspiration for Wendy Coffee Milkshake IPA comes from an inside joke they share as a community amongst their staff. Here is the description from their website, “If you’ve met one “Ryan”, you’ve met them all. That’s how we saw it when we hired the third guy named Ryan on to our crew. Before his first day we had a new name for him…”Wendy”. Wendy loves his Pumpkin Spice Lattes, and every fall when the leaves begin to change, he’s in his minivan racing to the drive-thru. This one is for you Wendy!” I don’t know about you, but I think it’s pretty amazing that they have brewed a beer version of a Pumpkin Spice Latte?! As you pour it into a glass you will see the orange and brown color with an almost cappuccino like foam. Aroma of coffee, orange, and spiced clove lead into this beer tasting like a chai latte that leaves an almost nutty taste on your palate. It has a smooth mouthfeel, like a milkshake IPA should, and has a decent alcohol kick due to the higher ABV (I’ll explain more about milkshake IPAs next week!). 

In this time of isolation and lockdown I am sure many if not all of us are missing our communities, where we share inside jokes and recognize the quirks of our friends simply because of the sheer amount of time spent with them. As we enjoy our Pumpkin Spice Latte in beer form tonight, let’s remember that we can still create and experience community at a distance. I again throw out the challenge to comment on the blog, text your friends who also participate in Beer Advent, or even just call a friend and tell them how you are enjoying the beers and the readings so far! 

Cheers to the weekend!

Chase

Advent Reflection

Isaiah 64:5-7

“In our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved? We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment…Thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast delivered us into the hand of our iniquities…Be not exceedingly angry, O Lord, and remember not iniquity for ever.

This passage isn’t the most encouraging of passages that we could read. But I think that in it we can glean an enormous amount of hope. Chase’s description of the beer tonight is on point, especially when we think about community. Earlier this week on the first day we reflected on darkness. Tonight’s passage is dark. The season of Advent begins in the dark. It’s the longing, the waiting, and the yearning that makes the joy of Christmas that much more special! Advent teaches us to delay Christmas in order to experience it truly when it finally comes.

Advent is a time to reflect on our own shortcomings. It is a time to reflect on our own darkness. The Gospel message declares that when we hone in on our own darkness, we can greater celebrate the light that is to come. We live in a world where darkness is common. We live in a world where suffering is real and trial often seems to reign over triumph. We do not know why God delays in answering our prayer. We do not know why He seems to hide His face. We do not know why so many have to suffer so much without apparent meaning. All we know is that there is this rumor, this hope, this expectation, that the Light will come!

The question that the people ask in Isaiah’s time is: “Shall we be saved?” The answer is in what we are waiting for and anticipating this Advent. The answer is Jesus! We shall be saved through Him! We will be saved through His life, death, and resurrection. This is the hope that we long for. This is the hope that we press in to this Advent season.

Enjoy your beer tonight! Press into the truth that there is a hope that we can cling to. Press in to the community that you have around you. Press in to the saving work of Jesus!

Grace and Peace,

Robert

Day 3

Day 3: Ouisconsing Red Ale

Central Waters Brewery Ouisconsing Red Ale – Red Ale 5.0 % ABV

About the Beer

Ouisconsing Red Ale is our only red ale on the calendar this year! Red ales are typically known for their caramel malt flavor that give way to the hop character as you drink the beer, and this red is true to form. The Centennial and Willamette hops provide a spicy hop flavor to compliment the sweet caramel notes as well.  

Central Waters Brewery is located in Amherst, WI and we feature a second beer from this brewery tomorrow night as well. One of the brewery’s passions is to make beer in a sustainable way and to get us as consumers to consciously think about where the ingredients for our beer come from. They make a conscious effort to buy as many of the ingredients and materials used in bottling from local farms or companies to cut down on fuel use, they generate their own green energy to power their facilities, and use recycled cardboard or other materials whenever possible. On their website they share their desire for us as beer drinkers to stop and ask, “How was my beer made?” You can check out their website, https://centralwaters.com/sustainability/, and learn more about how Central Waters brews theirs if you desire. 

Ouisconsing Red gets its name from the Algonquin word for the Wisconsin River (or “Red Stone River”). As you pour your beer tonight, enjoy the mahogany hues and reflect on the story behind the beer that honors the heritage of our beautiful state. 

Cheers,

Chase

Advent Reflection

Isaiah 40:1-2
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she has received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

In the context of these verses, this promise is offered to people who are experiencing anything but mercy. They are in captivity, enduring seventy years of exile from their homeland, the memories of which have all but disappeared. The sights are different. The smells are different. The tastes are different. The people and customs are different. In many ways, perhaps, the Israelites feel that they have been forgotten by God.

In the context of this despair, God speaks, “Comfort, O comfort, my people…” In the midst of this pain, God provides hope. He also provides the means for His people to rise above the difficulty and experience Him and His glory.

This amazing God still speaks today. In the midst of our failure, He speaks comfort. In the midst of our pain, He offers hope.

The essence of the gospel is that God desires relationship with His creation. So, He moves toward them. In fact, Christianity is all about the saving grace of the Lord. He overrules our foolishness and rebellion with His own pardon through the finished work of Christ on the cross. God moves toward us and cries out, “Comfort, O comfort, my people.” It was not only His message to Israel; it is His message to us today.

Question to Ponder:

Do you believe God can bring comfort? Where, in your life, do you feel like you need comfort right now?

Maybe you doubt that this comfort will come. I know that I do sometimes, or should I say, I do often. But God was able to make good His promise to Israel, and He is able to make good His promise to you. He moves toward, and He comforts.

Take ‘comfort’ in that as you drink this local brew!

Grace and Peace,

Beer Advent 2020

Day 2: Shiner Cheer

Spoetzl Brewery Shiner Holiday Cheer – Holiday Dunkelweizen 5.4% ABV

About the Beer:

It is not often that a beer makes a repeat appearance on our calendar at any point, let alone two years in a row, but when we started to make our list a few months ago we knew Shiner Holiday Cheer needed to be on it. When you think of holiday seasonals, we immediately think of some version of spiced ale, scotch ale, or some other malty varietal. This beer stands out among the crowd of Christmas beers as one of the few dunkels in the category. Like in any dunkelweizen, you will get a taste of toasty bread, caramel, and even some fruit that can come across like a banana, but the secret to Shiner’s rendition is that they add Texas peaches and roasted pecans during the brewing process. This beer is loaded with flavor and not too heavy that it makes you want more than one! If you enjoy it, I recommend looking for it in your local liquor store ASAP! Last year many of us who loved the beer during advent were unable to find it later in the month. 

Shiner Holiday Cheer is brewed by Spoetzel Brewery located in Shiner, Texas. As the bottle will tell you, “Every Drop of Shiner is Brewed in Shiner, TX,” still using water from the same artesian well they used when the brewery was found by Kosmos Spoetzl in 1909. Shiner beer is Texas through and through, and we are privileged to get to enjoy what in my opinion is Texas’ greatest export. Though I’ve never been, Shiner seems like a little slice of Wisconsin nestled deep in the heart of Texas, a town that has been built up and supported by the brewery for much of its existence. I hope you enjoy this wonderful gem of a beer, and if it is one of your favorites, you stock up early on it next fall so you can enjoy it throughout the holiday season.

Prost,

Chase 

For more information on Spoetzl Brewery check out their website https://www.shiner.com/

Advent Reflection

Scripture

Isaiah 40:3
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

I’m not sure how many of you feel, but for me, my current life has become like a desert. My community has dwindled to a small bubble. I can’t even remember the last time that I went to a church service and experienced all of those ‘Christian’ things. Life just seems weird and as much I tell myself to embrace it, it is so difficult. When the ordinary is made crooked I seem to be set on edge. When I feel cornered, I clumsily and impatiently trip over those close to me. I am parched, thirsty for the oasis of what my memories tell me were the good old days. I am longing for a voice to cry out in my wilderness.

I think that this is why I am so drawn to the season of Advent. It’s a season of waiting, longing, groaning. It’s a season of anticipating the truth that ‘something is going to be different’. The Scripture passage tonight from Isaiah tells of one who will cry in the wilderness ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.‘ This is what we proclaim to one another during Advent. This is what we look forward to as we enjoy each beer and read each reflection. This is where we can find our comfort!

During Advent we wait….yet…we look forward; and we cling to truth of the comfort that is promised towards the end of Isaiah 40!

Enjoy tonight’s beer!

Grace and Peace!

Day 1: Even More Jesus

About the Beer:

Good Evening Fellow Beer Adventeers! 

First off, let me start by way of introduction. I was introduced to Beer Advent by Robert six years ago and, like many of you, loved being a part of the experience. Since then, Beer Advent has evolved and we, I (happily) volunteered to help brainstorm themes, select the beers for our yearly calendar, and write the descriptions of the breweries and the beers for our blog each night! We do try to let the beers we have chosen help tell a story and draw us deeper into our Advent reflections, purposefully chosen to not only provide variety, but start a conversation, not just an internal one with ourselves, but with one another. So that leads me to a challenge for each of us this year as we embark on this journey together; each night after you have finished your beer and read the reflection, leave a comment on the blog post. Share your thoughts on the beer, share other beers you think it is similar to, share what you are learning about from the readings. Though Robert and I are the organizers of Beer Advent, we are not the only ones going on this adventure, and we would love for more than just our voices to be represented in this space. With that, crack open that boozy, 16 ounce beauty, preferably into a chilled pint glass and I’ll tell you about the beer you’re drinking tonight!

Evil Twin Even More Jesus – Imperial Stout 12% ABV

We kick off our Beer Advent season with the aptly named, Even More Jesus, brewed by Evil Twin Brewing Company. First, about the brewery. 

Evil Twin is described as a gypsy brewery, because up until 2019 they did not have an official brick and mortar brewery, instead they partnered with other breweries to brew limited edition, one off, and seasonal beers primarily served in the founders bottle shop located in Copenhagen, Denmark and his bar, Tørst, located in Brooklyn, NY. Their website has scarce information about the brewery, but after a quick visit you’ll notice what they are most proud of, their BEER! It’ll take you several minutes just to scroll through all the different varietals they have brewed in their ten year history. The founder, Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø, has co-authored a booked titled, Food & Beer, with Michelin award winning chef Daniel Burns. 

The beer itself is a perfect beer to start us off, decadent, rich, and ostentatious. Definitely not a beer you’d normally pick for a Tuesday night, but let’s be honest, how many of us take time to sit in the decadent, rich, and (dare I say it again) ostentatious loving presence of Jesus on a normal Tuesday night? This is one of the few beers to make its way into our Beer Advent calendar on more than one occasion, it is that good. You notice its jet-black color as you pour it, and get a decent head of pillowy brown foam. Coffee, bakers chocolate, alcohol, and dark fruits will dominate both the smell and taste. Like most imperial stouts, it has a full bodied mouth feel. So as we enjoy this luscious stout my prayer for us is that during this season we would experience Even More Jesus, and truly take time to slow down, connect with our Savior, and grow into greater degrees of His likeness.

Cheers,

Chase
For more information on Evil Twin Brewing Company check out their website https://eviltwin.nyc/

Advent Reflection

SCRIPTURE Reading

– Isaiah 9:2 – “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.”

– John 1:1-5 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

The word that stuck out to me in these two passages is the word ‘light’ (no surprise, I bolded them!). Advent is a time where we wait for the LIGHT to come. This LIGHT brings hope, healing, and peace to the nations. This LIGHT is Jesus. He is the light of the world. As John describes, Jesus’ coming into the world was that He was the LIGHT driving out the darkness. Our world right now seems so dark. We don’t have to look far to recognize that darkness seems to be reigning. It’s getting darker outside earlier and the climate of our culture just seems to be dark; a global pandemic that has us shut in and hidden behind a mask. Injustice, violence, and inequalities. Divisiveness seems to be the name of the game. Darkness. But, as followers of Jesus, we can press into this waiting during Advent and anticipate the LIGHT that will come. It’s one of the reasons why I love Christmas lights so much. The light that seems to pierce through the darkness of the front yard, or the light that pierces the darkness of the living room as you sit by your Christmas tree. There’s something about those lights that just bring peace to my soul. Yet, Advent is a time where I am constantly reminding myself that the True Light came as a baby in a dark time in history, and He will come again as King to rule and reign in LIGHT. So sit by whatever light you have in your space, enjoy the incredibly tasty beer, and ponder the truth found in our Gospel reading that gives us hope: “Light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness has not overcome it.”

Questions to Ponder: – Consider today/tonight/tomorrow, how the light of Christ may shine into the darkness around you. – Are there times in your life where you’ve accepted the darkness in which you may be called to carry the light of Christ?

Grace and Peace!

robert

What is Advent?

Advent?

Why do we do Beer Advent? Well, I really enjoy beer and the many tastes and styles of it. I also know my own heart and how easily led astray it can be, especially during this time of year. Beer Advent’s sole purpose is to enjoy different tastes of beer while living in the posture of ‘slowing down, mediating, and ordering your rhythm of life around something bigger.’ That something bigger is the season of Advent. I remember growing up in my Christian home and Advent was always the ‘thing’ that we did (lighting the Advent candles) to simply speed up the coming of Christmas. It was nothing that I really ever pressed into or allowed to resonate with my heart. The liturgical calendar (one that I was not familiar with growing up in my evangelical home) and the understanding of it has grounded me in a narrative and rhythm of life that is bigger than my own individual, personal walk with Jesus. I always knew that Christmas was more than just the materialism and commercialism that our society pushes on us during this time of year, but since I’ve dove into the richness of Church traditions that frame my time and perspective, my spiritual journey has become so much more rooted and authentic. The following excerpt is something that has greatly encouraged and challenged me as we enter into the season of Advent. It comes from a ministry called: Liturgical Folk

“Advent is the first season of the Church Year. It begins on the Sunday four weeks prior to Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. It is the season in which followers of Jesus begin again their annual journey with Jesus from His conception to His coming again. During Advent, we enter into the story of Israel, identifying with the children of Israel held captive in their own land, longing for a Messiah to come and rescue them. It is also a season for us to read ourselves and wait with eager expectation for the Second Coming of Christ.

Like Lent, Advent is a fresh start for Christians. It is an opportunity for us to purge ourselves of false messiahs and turn our hearts back toward the one true Messiah, Jesus Christ. We live in a world of false gods and powerful kings that vie for our allegiance and often succeed at capturing our hearts. Just look at the frenetic and materialistic way our culture celebrates Christmas. If we allow ourselves to simply go with the flow, we will be swept into the currents of idolatry and self-worship. We need seasons like Advent to help us renounce and re-order our rhythms into Christ.

Advent is also a time for us to prepare for the coming of Christ. The word “Advent” means, “the arrival.” Jesus came to us once as a baby in Bethlehem. He will come to us again in the end. And He comes to us now by His Spirit, as we His presence daily and call upon His name. It is this past, future, and present advent for which we prepare this season.

So we put ourselves in the counter-cultural posture of silence and waiting. We refrain from the instant gratification of getting whatever we want whenever we want. And we allow ourselves to feel our need for a Savior. The season of Advent can lead us in this way, and, if we choose to participate, our celebration of Christmas will be more joyful and meaningful.”

Cheers to Beer Advent 414 circa 2020. May your walk with Christ grow deeper and richer as you press into the meaning and rhythm of Advent! Thanks for joining me in the waiting!

“Wait for the Lord, whose day is near. Wait for the Lord, keep watch take heart” – Songs of Taize

Wait for the Lord

Grace and Peace,

Day 16: Cream City Brix

Day 16: Enlightened Brewing Company Cream City Brix – Cream Ale 5% ABV

Tonight we have our one and only beer from Enlightened Brewing Company, located in the Bay View neighborhood of Milwaukee. We intended to feature a second beer from this brewery, but sadly, Yale from Otto’s was unable to track down enough six packs for us. Founded in 2013, Enlightened brewing company boasts that they didn’t start out as masters in the brewing business, but instead they study, practice, and continue to perfect their craft. The focus of this brewery is not to create a global brand, or achieve enough distribution in order to sell for a huge profit, but simply to produce great beer. 

Cream City Brix is another beer brewed to pay homage to the great city of Milwaukee. Milwaukee got the nickname ‘Cream City’ because of the yellow-cream colored bricks made from the clay in this region of the state. The pour of this cream ale will be similar to a light lager like a pilsner, straw yellow, but with a little haziness. The aromas will be malt forward of bread and cereal grains. The taste likewise is malt forward with just a little bitter from the single addition of Willamette hops for balance. The light to medium body mouthfeel makes Cream City Brix a go to beer. I hope you enjoy this celebration of a part of Milwaukee’s history.

Cheers,

Chase

P.S. This is Robert chiming in on the beer description…Chase and I like to think that Giannis Antentokoumpo signed on with the Bucks for the next 5 years because by happenstance, he stumbled across BeerAdvent 414 and their focus on Milwaukee breweries this year and thought to himself, “Why would I go to any other city?”. As you drink tonight’s ‘Cream City Brix’, search the internet for the the City Edition of the Milwaukee Bucks jerseys from last year. Milwaukee is indeed, the Cream City! Here’s to a championship in Milwaukee in the near future!

Advent Reflection

Scripture

Isaiah 7:14

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

This passage is the iconic passage that is read during Advent and/or Christmas. I mean, a prophet foretelling that a virgin will give birth?! How amazing is that?!

Well, there is so much more context to this simple verse, and we will get into it in the next day or so. Tonight though, I want you to reflect on the meaning of the name: Immanuel. It means, ‘God With Us’.

My question for you tonight is: How have you seen, ‘God with us’, in your life this year?

Grace and Peace,

robert