When you ask someone to describe a bottle of beer the first thing that comes to mind is a single serving bottle. Typically this bottle is 12oz, small, and meant for one person. If you were to ask someone will you share your beer, you might find a look of hesitation to say the least. Welcome to the reinvention of the wheel: 750-militer bottles for beer.
Wine has always come in 750-militer bottles and has always been a beverage to be shared. To not share a bottle of wine would seem selfish as well as leading to a very intoxicating night. Beer on the other hand has not been considered a beverage meant to be shared, such as wine. Instead most beer through the ages has been offered in only single serving sizes. Recently there has been an evolution to beer and beer bottles and large format beer is quickly becoming more and more mainstream.
So who came up with the idea of putting a beer in a bottle that can serve 2 - 15 people? Belgium of course! Belgium has pretty much pioneered the large format beer scene in the world. Some of the greatest beer ever brewed is only available in the states through 750-militer bottles. A large bottle of beer will typically serve from 2 - 4 people at a time. While large bottles of beers have existed through Europe for sometime the idea is taking shape in the states; Beer Halls and Restaurants all over the nation are starting to understand the need for such beers.
Euclid Hall in Denver, Colorado is an up and coming American Tavern and Beer Hall featuring some of the best craft beer by Colorado breweries and American Breweries in the nation. They feature a slew of Belgium beer and have a very impressive large format selection to choose from. Tony Maciag, General Manager of Euclid Hall says, "The idea is to share. Our concept at Euclid is all about sharing and beer is no exception." These bottles hold 25.36 ounces of beer which is more than enough for one person and easily enough for more. Euclid features around twenty large format beers at any given time as well as 375-militer, 550-militer, and 22oz bombers of beer.
Many Colorado breweries feature their limited edition or rare releases in large format exclusively. Great Divide Brewing Co out of Denver showcased their Stranahan's whiskey aged Old Ruffian using these bottles and are hand numbered to showcase their rarity. Outside of Colorado, American breweries focusing on brewing craft beer also partake in the tradition. Boulevard Brewing Company out of Kansas City, Missouri showcases their "Smokestack" using these bottles as well.
While the average bottle of beer (12oz) is perfect for a single serving it doesn't do a celebration justice. Many parties that go out to celebrate an evening choose wine since it serves more than one person; not beer. Not the case anymore! Many large parties that attend Wine Affairs in San Jose, Ca choose beer over wine. Stephen Markosky says, "We have a great selection of craft beer as well as some bombers (22oz) and champagne size bottles. We want people to take in the experience together. Quite a few birthday celebrations and engagements are toasted over beer instead of wine; it's the new trend." Beer Halls and restaurants across the nation are starting to showcase their craft beer selection outside of drafts and single bottles and focusing more so on larger bottles for sharing.
The typical large bottle of beer, 750-militer, will be corked and caged like a Champagne bottle. This is one of the reasons so many people pass over these beers. Not a lot of people in the world have experience opening a Champagne bottle let alone a bottle of beer presented the same way. The unknown is scary and we tend to avoid it as a species. With more and more American breweries and craft beer being showcased in these bottles, the unknown will become mainstream.
The next time you go head out for dinner be it on a date or for a celebration take the time and ask about the restaurants beer selection. Ask if they have carry any 750-militer beers. Nothing will give the experience of celebration as a very unique beer shared amongst friends and loved ones.
Marc Bayes
certified beer server
http://www.notyourdadsbeer.com
FB: http://www.facebook.com/notyourdadsbeer
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