John Ahrens, a NJCB Member, sent over the following information. If you don’t know John, he’s a South Jersey beer drinking staple! John’s a great guy and we are happy to spread this information for him as well as Lappy, the Iron Hill Maple Shade, brewer! When you go, introduce yourself to John! You won’t regret it!
This is from Iron Hill.
John Ahrens is turning 70! John is a regular Maple Shade brewpub customer, long time friend to Iron Hill and the art of craft beer, and a hard core beer geek. So we couldn’t let his 70th birthday roll by without honoring him with his own beer. John requested an Altbier, a lesser-known German style ale (most German beers are lagers). Alt actually means “old” in German (most german beers are lagers and Germans consider ale brewing antiquated science). It’s an interesting beer because it’s got a pretty firm hop bitterness, with almost no hop aroma or flavor. We’ll be tapping it on June 6th at 6 pm. Come by to toast John and share a beer with him on his birthday!
The picture above is from the cover of the Philadelphia Bulletin Sunday Magazine, Oct. 19, 1975, featuring an article about John having had his beer can collection first listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
Altbier
OG: 1.051 Color: 13.5 IBU: 30 Alc by Vol: 4.8%
A medium-bodied Dusseldorf-style German brown ale with roasted malt aroma and flavor. A refreshing bitterness awaits at the finish.
Attached is a picture of John adding the hops (just a few) to the brew, along with Iron Hill Master Brewer Chris LaPierre.
Now here’s what John has to say!
Need to warm up for the picnic?. Here’s a pleasant way…This is also a Phliadelphia Beer Week event…
Conveniently located near Exit 4 of the NJ Turnpike. I’ll be there at 5ish Thursday until ???.
I expect to be there also Friday 6/7 (Jack’s birthday!!) 5-7 for Happy Hour (also 5-7 on 6/6).
I had a private preview tasting of the beer on Wed. It is damn good!!!!
I will not be at IH Sat. as I will be at my son’s house drinking my quarter keg…which will prohibit a picnic for me as I will be in rehab Sunday.
Hi Mike,
This is great…I’ll circulate for sure..
(though you did mispell my name wrong at the beginning! – Don’t worry, it’s right everywhere else..and a very common occurence..).
It is going to be very interesting to see who shows up!
I fixed the spelling mistake. Hope this helps bring people out for your beer! Hoppy Birthday!