"My beloved is unto me as a bundle of myrrh." Song of Solomon 1:13
Sunday, August 1st, 2010
A local pastor summarized: “Last night at the Neihardt Center’s 2nd Annual Beer Fest Phil was awarded the People’s Choice Award. He was the overwhelming favorite!” Every attendee received a paper voting ballot. I served small samples of six beers: Munich Helles, Pilsner, Vienna, Oktoberfest, Robust Porter, and Oatmeal Stout. All the beers were at least a year old. Some were three years old. I need to start brewing again for next year.
Saturday, July 24th, 2010
I will offer some thoughts on my recent experiences in Europe, especially on their church life and population changes. Most peoples’ roots and our Lutheran heritage are based in Europe. As America ages, we are becoming more like an European nation. Let’s take a peek at what may come.
Lutheranism is not German. Though it started in Germany, both Sweden and Finland are officially Lutheran, even today. Strangely enough the German state church is “prostestant,” not “Lutheran.” These countries have large and beautiful churches. While many people go to see these churches, they do not go to worship services. For the most part, they don’t care to hear about the Gospel or Jesus.
I was able to attend a Sunday morning service at a state Lutheran church in Finland. It must have seated about 500 people. Yet, there were only around 30 people in church, including some visitors, like us. This church serves 1000’s of people, but they do not go. Even members of the church think of going to church as little as visiting the North Pole. A majority of Europeans live as if there were no God who speaks to them in words.
Saturday, July 24th, 2010
This is the same one I did last year. I will have brewing supplies and some of my beer too. They have some more quality microbrews this year, so I am excited. Here is the press release:
Help choose the best beer in Nebraska at the 2nd annual Neihardt Foundation Beer Festival, Saturday, July 31, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Country Pub in Bancroft. Participants can vote on the best Nebraska-brewed craft beer provided at the festival, as well as the best overall brew. More than a dozen craft breweries and distributors will offer 20-plus styles of unique lagers and ales. A local home brewer, the Rev. Philip Hale, will be on hand to explain the craft. Appetizers and an auction of beer-related items round out the activities.
Tickets are $20 per person. Advance tickets for $25 include a glass Neihardt mug. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Neihardt State Historic Site at 1-888-777-4667, or by emailing neihardt@gpcom.net . They can also be purchased from any foundation board member and at various businesses in Bancroft. The event is a fund-raiser for the John G. Neihardt State Historic Site in Bancroft. It also pays homage to Neihardt’s great love of beer. Among the Nebraska breweries participating are Lazlo’s of Lincoln, Gottberg Brewery of Columbus, Nebraska Brewing of Papillion, Upstream of Omaha, Spiker Ales of Cortland, Modern Monks of Lincoln, and Lucky Bucket of LaVista; as well as several national breweries.
Saturday, July 25th, 2009
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Phil’s beer will be one of the “local beers” featured in the Bancroft Beer Festival on August 1. He is also the guest speaker for the evening and was interviewed by the Norfolk Daily News. You can read the article here:
http://www.norfolkdailynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=104&ArticleID=17654&TM=37902.79
From the John G. Neihardt Center’s website:
Besides being a renowned writer and Nebraska’s “Poet Laureate in Perpetuity,” John G. Neihardt loved good beer. On August 1st that love will come full circle in the first annual “Bancroft Neihardt Beer Festival,” a specialty beer-tasting fund-raiser sponsored by the Neihardt Foundation.
The fest will be held at the Country Pub, 409 Main Street in Bancroft on Saturday, August 1st from 7 to 9 PM. More than 20 brews provided by area distributors and brew pubs will be available for sampling, along with appetizers, a demonstration of home brewing, and a silent auction of specialty items. “We’ll be serving up a healthy helping of good cheer for a good cause,” said Event Coordinator Paul Hammel.
Tickets are $20 and $25. Purchasing a $25 in advance includes a beautifully etched glass Neihardt mug. Proceeds benefit the Neihardt Foundation’s programs and projects of the Neihardt State Historical Site, which requires additional private funding to operate.
Tickets are available through the Neihardt Site and at several businesses in the Bancroft area.
So join the fun, enjoy some of the finest new beers on the market, and help a good cause.
