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A World’s Most Interesting Beer Has Southern Accent

Tennessee-Brewed "Famous Flaming Stone Beer" Wins Recognition in Ultimate Beer

Tennessee (November 12, 1998) –One of the most interesting beers in the world is brewed in a region far better known for blues, country music and barbecue. "Famous Flaming Stone," brewed by Memphis and Nashville-based Boscos is featured in Michael Jackson’s new book, Ultimate Beer. Boscos’ staff is thrilled that beer and spirits expert, Michael Jackson included their brew among internationally recognized beers.

"Michael Jackson is to beer what Robert Parker is to wines. He’s the ultimate connoisseur and critic and to be included among his ultimate beers is one of the greatest compliments possible," said Boscos Brewmaster Chuck Skypeck. "We’ve been perfecting our craft for more than a decade. We’re
two of only three
breweries in the world            Michael Jackson's Ultimate Beer and
currently producing                             Boscos Famous Flaming Stone Beer
a commercial steinbier
like Famous Flaming Stone"

Boscos Famous Flaming Stone Beer is what is known as a steinbier, or stone beer, because a red-hot chunk of pink Colorado granite is heated to 700 degrees in Boscos wood fired oven and lowered into the wort just at the peak of brewing. The resulting steam and sizzle caramelizes sugars in the wort. The result is a slightly sweeter, softer tasting beer with a caramel undertone.

Boscos is the first North American brewery regularly making a stone beer, the original being Rauchenfels in Neustadt, Germany. Boscos began brewing Famous Flaming Stone Beer in 1993. The brewing procedure varies between Boscos’ Nashville and Memphis locations. In Memphis, caramels formed on the granite are preserved and stored while the beer is fermented. When it is ready to be filtered, the caramels are rinsed off into the beer, where they are present in the finished product. In Nashville, the caramels are not rinsed off, but allowed to build up and burned when the stone is heated again. This lends the Nashville variation a slightly smokier taste.

                   

Boscos Head Brewer and Founding Partner Chuck Skypeck

Famous Flaming Stone Beer is one of nearly two dozen beers Boscos brews each year, some changing seasonally. Regular beers on the menu include Boscos Bombay IPA, Germantown Alt, Midtown Brown, Isle of Skye Scottish Ale, London Porter and award winning cask conditioned ale. Brewmaster Chuck Skypeck is a well-known name within the brewing world. Skypeck judges the World Beer Cup, the Real Ale Festival and the Great American Beer Festival. He is serves as chair of the Institute of Brewing Studies Board of Advisors and is current chair of the Association Of Brewers Board of Directors.

In Michael Jackson’s Pocket Guide to Beer, he gives Famous Flaming Stone Beer three stars and says it is "worth seeking out." Jackson says the beer pairs especially well with smoked foods. Visit his web site.

                                            Michael Jackson taps a cask of 
                                            Boscos Cask Conditioned Ale

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