Beginning Homebrew DVD contest

Who doesn't like to win contests?  Who likes to homebrew, or is thinking about homebrewing? And finally, who would want to win an educational DVD that helps teach the steps to producing your own tasty brew?  Beginning Homebrew has given us a copy of their DVD to give out as a prize, and we would like to get the video out to someone who could use it (great cheap Christmas gift).

Contest Details:
To win a copy of this DVD, post a comment on this post, post a comment on A Beer in Hand's Facebook page's post about this contest or ReTweet the contest tweet (please list an email if posting a comment below).  The contest will take entries throughout the weekend, with a winner being drawn on Sunday evening.  Feel free to pass this on, the more people that are interested in the DVD the better, we might be able to get them to send us more.

Review of the DVD:

After watching this DVD, I have found that it is a very good informational video, that covers everything from sanitation to bottling.  Sure, you could YouTube all of the steps, but isn't it easier to just watch it all on one?  This video allows you to go step by step.  Maybe you are already reading one of the many homebrew books available, but want to see what they are talking about.  This video clearly shows each step in the process, making it easy for you to understand.

The video quality is good, not great, but the information is spot on.  The video is of one person talking, explaining each step of the homebrew process.  I am sure that experienced homebrewers can find some faults in the process (but I am not, so I find it educational), but they can find faults in everything from Papazian to Palmer.  This DVD package also comes with an additional CD-Rom that included a PDF of an instruction manual and flowchart, both are helpful as well.  I would recommend this DVD for the beginning brewer or someone that is trying to brew away from the Mr. Beer kit.  It would be fine for the experienced homebrewer, but they will not learn anything more than from what they already know from experience.

Mad Elf and the Troegs Ticket

This might be the only time I would think about buying a case of Troegs Mad Elf.  Don't get me wrong- I enjoy having a bottle or two, but could never even thing about drinking a case, until now (from their newsletter):

ISO: Tröegs Ticket and Classic Mad Elf Labels!


Starting next week an extremely limited number of Mad Elf cases will be shipped randomly to beer distributors in our home state. The purchaser of these cases will have the opportunity to be one of the first people to see the new Tröegs Brewery in Hershey when we open in the fall 2011.

So how do you know if you bought the special case? There are no markings on the outside of the case but once you open it two things will make the case special – there will be an envelope taped to the lid of case containing a Troegs Ticket and 12 of the bottles will adorn our classic Mad Elf logo.

If you get one of these special cases, read the Tröegs Ticket, follow the directions and keep one of those special bottles, as you will need it, along with the ticket, to get a special behind-the-scenes tour of the brewery next fall from the Tröegs brothers.

Good luck if you buy a case.

Think Willy Wonka style.  Hopefully, the lucky few that get the golden ticket have a good time, and maybe it might just be me!