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(07/13/13 1:00pm)
For Dale Katechis, founder and owner of Oskar Blues Brewery, the bathtub is only the second strangest place he's ever put craft beer.
Many bar-goers and hop-heads in Auburn know the story of Katechis.
A 1992 Auburn alumnus, Katechis began brewing beer in 1990 in a trailer off Wire Road after getting a home brew kit for Christmas.
Then he began perfecting it.
Katechis' experimental brew became popular with a local home brewing club, and he eventually started brewing larger quantities of beer in his bathtub. Katechis earned a degree in finance from Auburn and moved to Colorado where he started Oskar Blues restaurant. That restaurant became a brew pub, that brew pub expanded into a brewery, and like a beer poured too quickly into a glass, Katechis' success was soon foaming over the rim.
Oskar Blues' rise to pub prominence from a home-brewing kit is remarkable enough; however, Katechis was not just trying to get into the business. He was trying to change it entirely.
In a market where product is heavily judged by the pack- age, Katechis began canning his prized pale ale in 2002, a head-scratching move consid- ering the top beers at the time were all sold in bottles.
"Nobody was doing it at the time," Katechis said. "Cans were frowned upon. The consumer in our industry believed it was an inferior package for craft beer, mainly due to the fact that large domestic brewers that were brewing lager-style beers (were canning) their beer. And craft brewers believed that in order for beer to be high quality, it had to be in a brown bottle only because that's the only vessel a craft beer had been served in other than a keg."
That bathtub brew, now known as Dale's Pale Ale, is the flagship beer of Oskar Blues, and although it's no longer made in the tub, it's recipe has not changed much, according to Katechis. Dale's Pale Ale was named the Top American Pale Ale by the New York Times in 2005 and won a gold medal at the 2010 world Beer Championships.
It was also named world's Best Canned Beer by Details Magazine.
Since first releasing Dale's Pale Ale, Oskar Blues has introduced six more beers. All of them are aggressively hopped, all of them come in cans, and all of that is good for the beer, according to Katechis.
Now he's trying to pour a pint of that knowledge for the consumer.
When beers were first mass-produced, many craft breweries favored green glass bottles. And yet, if a beer sat in those bottles for too long, it would acquire what Katechis called a "skunky taste" as a result of too much sunlight.
Brown bottles then took over the industry and are still a staple of many craft brewers today. However, Katechis argues that cans are the superior way to store beer.
"Brown bottles eliminated a lot of that light," Katechis said. "Well aluminum cans eliminated all of it. It was just the perception that we had to get over."
Since finding this out, he has begun a "debugging process" to show America that a great beer can be bought in a can.
"We decided to dispel that myth once we decided that cans were actually a superior package due to the fact that the beer had never seen sunlight, and the dissolved oxygen levels were lower, and the package was more environmentally friendly than a bottle," Katechis said. "The modern-day aluminum can has always had the water-based lining inside to keep the beer from sitting on metal. The package was really draft-like, and our job once we learned that was to educate the consumer that that was the case, and that's when we began this mission in 2002."
The Hound tavern and restaurant in downtown Auburn was the leading seller of Oskar Blues products in Auburn in 2012, according to owner and beverage director Matt Poirier.
Poirier said Katechis is a pioneer, and he has seen a similar consumer perception problem with wine.
"People have known for years that screw-tops are better for the wine," Poirier said. "They preserve it better. There's no loss of quality. The cork is more likely to fail. All kinds of things can go wrong with the cork. But for hundreds of years, it's been the cork. The idea is that screw-top wines are cheap wines and can't be good. Same thing with cans. Cans have been Budweiser and Bud Light, beers that aren't necessarily known for their quality."
In addition to blocking almost all sunlight and oxygen, the cans' size and shape makes them easier for retailers to store, all the while holding the same amount of beer as a heavier glass bottle.
These days, it seems Katechis' message is catching on.
"A lot of the big guys are following suit now," Poirier said. "A lot of the old-guard craft beer companies are now turning to cans."
And why not?
The modern day can is not only better for the brewery's bottom line, it's better for the beer and all who drink it.
Oskar Blues just recently celebrated its "Canniversary" honoring 10 years of mass producing its beers solely in kegs and cans. The brewery also just opened a new branch in Brevard, N.C. Despite this success, however, Katechis said he will continue to fight America's "brainwashing."
Needless to say, neither his passion nor his beer show any signs of going flat.
(07/03/13 5:13am)
Nine city employees were given service pins and plaques at Auburn City Council Tuesday, July 2, but none received a larger show of appreciation than former Auburn Police Chief Tommy Dawson.
Dawson received a standing ovation from both the Council and the citizens in attendance as Mayor Bill Ham gave him an award honoring Dawson's recent retirement and 26 years of service to the Auburn Police Department.
After, Dawson told the Council he'd still be working if not for Parkinson's disease.
"I'd almost pay you to let me do this job," Dawson said.
Dawson retired May 28 after his doctor informed him the stress of the job was not helping his fight with Parkinson's.
Excluding Mayor Ham, the eight-person council lacked three members Tuesday, but the most notable absence was Councilman Arthur Dowdell.
An unspecified member of Dowdell's family died, and Dowdell was traveling to New Orleans for family reasons, according to Ham.
Councilmen Bob Norman and Brent Beard were also out of town.
Shyrell Velez-White was named Employee of the Month for her work with the Environmental Services Department.
Andrea Mitchell (Economic Development Dept.), Will Kimrey (Information Technology Dept.), Tonya Haynes (Auburn Public Library), Larry Dowdell (Parks and Recreation) Kenny Frazier (Public Safety Dept.), and Jude Hackett and Clarence Stewart (Auburn Police Dept.) received service pins for extended time working in their respective departments.
Linda Burns (Finance Dept.) and Jeff Nolin (Public Safety - Fire Division) were scheduled to appear for the award but were absent.
Additionally, the annexation of property owned by Michael Keel in Stonewall Acres subdivision was discussed. According to public records, Keel appeared before the Council at the April 2 meeting this year to oppose Ann Bennett, a Stonewall Acres homeowner also present at the meeting.
According to the record, Bennett voiced concerns that the homes planned to be built by Keel on the properties don't conform to the subdivision policies. The annexation was approved by all but Councilman Gene Dulaney who abstained from voting on the ordinance.
Three board positions are also vacant. Auburn downtown Redevelopment Authority has two vacancies with each of the current six-year terms set to expire July 18.
Greenspace Advisory Board has an opening for one four-year term after the current term ends August 7.
There were no communications or concerns presented by either Auburn University or the public.
(06/20/13 2:07am)
Recent Auburn graduate Michael Pfeiffer chose to attend Auburn to learn how to fly a plane.
The Marietta, Ga., native earned his professional flight management degree in May and is now reaping the rewards from what he calls a "commercial flight factory."
Pfeiffer has been accepted into the University Gateway Program, a partnership between Auburn University and JetBlue Airways that allows students to land jobs with major airlines soon after college.
Through this, Pfeiffer has secured work for at least the next year and hopes to eventually become a commercial pilot for Fedex or UPs.
Now, however, that factory may be shutting down. With the end of pro-flight management at Auburn, future students won't be able to follow Pfeiffer to the Gateway Program's bevy of post-graduation jobs.
However, recent statistics have shown flight programs to be a blossoming necessity in the next several years.
Pfeiffer pointed to a recent study by Boeing, a multinational aerospace corporation, for a bigger reason to keep the flight program intact.
According to the 2013-2032 Longterm Market outlook study, both the United states and the entire world will see a shortage of pilots and technicians within the next twenty years.
"It's because of the mandatory retirement age," Pfeiffer said. "There's going to be a need for pilots... I don't think the administration understands that."
Approximately 69,000 new pilots will be needed in North America in the next 20 years, the third highest projected growth in pilot demand in the world.
Globally, Boeing is predicting 460,000 pilots and 601,000 technicians will be needed during that times- pan as a large population of baby boomers slips into retirement. Should Auburn cut the professional flight program, the University will have no part in helping supply that demand.
In addition, the recently opened Airbus plant in Mobile could provide an in-state option for those looking to find a job out of college, especially considering Auburn provides the only four-year accredited flight program in the state.
Both Dean Bill Hardgrave and Provost Tim Boosinger were invited to fly with Pfeiffer to discuss these issues.
Hardgrave never responded to the invitation, and Boosinger had to cancel his reportedly planned trip through the Auburn skies.
Boosinger did not respond to any of the questions sent to him concerning his change of plans or the flight program in general.
Pfeiffer is one of the lucky ones. Still, as he guided the Cessna 172 aircraft around the university that gave him his wings, he couldn't help but feel uneasy about the program's uncertain future.
"We'll learn a lot this summer," Pfeiffer said.
(06/19/13 10:13pm)
One year ago, I met the most hated man in Auburn.
I was nervous, inexperienced and had just begun my first semester as community news editor for The Plainsman.
He was on trial, unhealthy and understandably miserable.
Despite all of this, Harvey Updyke was nothing short of polite.
We spoke for a time about a variety of topics. I learned we're both Louisiana residents. In fact, he and his wife, Elva, have a house about 45 minutes west of my parents'.
I also learned he and an unnamed accomplice did, indeed, poison the Toomer's oak trees.
Even so, we smiled, shook hands and Elva and I exchanged contact information to do a feature on Updyke in the future.
None of us knew we would never speak again.
None of us understood the price of being honest.
Much has changed since June 19, 2012, when Updyke confessed his guilt to me during his own jury selection, and most who care know the rest of the story.
I published an article detailing the confession and was subsequently subpoenaed and placed under a gag order. After Updyke's attorney called me a liar, my name was apparently changed to "student journalist" and The Plainsman then became "Auburn's student-run newspaper." Under the gag order, I was defenseless.
But that's not the issue. Updyke has now served his sentence, the trees have been removed and I can now speak and write freely once more.
A year removed, I will say this: I imagined the day going much differently before I spoke to Updyke.
I saw Updyke for the first time earlier that day. Judge Jacob Walker read the charges against Updyke, and with each word, Updyke's eyelids drooped lower and his breathing became more labored.
After tweeting the observation and having it questioned, I went to the source. The Updykes stood by themselves outside the elevator at the Lee County Justice Center. I had left everything but my cell phone in my bag. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, I settled for texting quotes and notes to myself.
Updyke confirmed that he felt ready to "pass out" all morning, and the two were more than candid about Updyke's somewhat publicized health issues.
The numbers alone were staggering: 62 pounds lost since his arrest, 18 different medications in his system and thousands of Auburn fans clamoring for him to end his days in a cell.
Numerous stories portraying his mistakes had poured from the media outlets (including The Plainsman) almost daily. But part of journalism is occasionally advocating for the devil, and I wanted Auburn to know the man being demonized.
The father whose daughter would no longer speak to him. The Alabama fan whose beloved university banned him from its campus, stadiums included.
To me, it was only fair.
The chance for a sympathetic piece passed by when his candor spread to the crime he had pleaded innocent of. When he admitted he was involved in the incident, he said that was all he would say about the matter. And yet the question came to my lips anyway as a sort of due diligence, anticipating a "no comment."
"So, what happened that night?"
In this case, the former Texas state trooper was a straight shooter: "Did I do it? Yes."
Harvey and Elva watched as I took notes on my phone. Even so, we said farewell amicably and left on good terms. I had just met with the most despised man on The Plains, and I left with sympathy for the devil. Not to mention an obligation to create more mayhem in an already difficult situation.
Maybe it was all an orchestrated plot to change the venue or add credibility to his insanity defense. Perhaps Updyke truly had given up.
Whatever the reason, as a journalist, his confession was breaking news, immeasurably more important than any softer feature story.
As an Auburn man, the destruction of the historic oaks was deserving of punitive measures. And yet, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the man. I still do. Had I never spoken to Harvey Updyke, the biased Tiger in me would most likely still loathe him.
Updyke still has an elephant's share of lawsuits to deal with, but one year later, I can only hope he's beginning to get his life back together.
(06/09/13 7:27pm)
It's been one year since former Police Chief Tommy Dawson declared Desmonte Leonard the suspect following the tragic shooting at what was then known as University Heights apartment complex. Six were shot that night. Three--Ed Christian, Demario Pitts and Ladarious Phillips--were killed. The outcome of that night can not be changed, however much is different since June 9, 2012. Here's a look at the past year: June 9, 2012 - Auburn Police Department receives a "shots fired" call from University Heights at approximately 10:03 p.m. Police don't disclose any information that night. June 10, 2012 - Police Chief Tommy Dawson names Desmonte Leonard the suspect and gives names to those injured or killed in the shooting June 11, 2012 - Two men arrested in connection with Auburn triple homicide for providing false information on the location of Leonard June 11, 2012 (cont.) - Local police, U.S. Marshals surround home in Montgomery where Leonard is suspected to be hiding June 11, 2012 (cont.) - Police leave the house without a suspect and Dawson denies reports of searching the wrong house . June 12, 2012 - Leonard turns himself in in Montgomery June 26, 2012 - John Robertson, the last victim still recovering from a gunshot wound, was released from UAB. His release added another charge to Leonard's already lengthy list. July 11, 2012 - Leonard has first hearing. Judge subsequently moves trial to grand jury. July 12, 2012 - Accused AU shooting accomplice Jeremy Thomas sentenced to 20 years for manslaughter July, 17, 2012 - City council meeting recognizes Chief Dawson, police division for work on shooting case. Sept. 4, 2012 - Leonard indicted by grand jury on six charges. January 2013 (date unknown) - Realco Capital Partners purchases University Heights and change name to Tiger Lodge. March 20, 2013 - Leonard forgotten in Montgomery, misses hearing in Opelika. May 16, 2013 -Court discusses trial dates, DNA samples and allowing Leonard to return to the scene of the crime. June 7, 2013 - Paul Register named Auburn Police Chief following Dawson's retirement Oct. 15, 2013 - Leonard's next hearing
(06/08/13 1:07am)
After serving 76 days in Lee County Detention Facility, Harvey Updyke will begin five years of supervised probation following his release Monday, June 10.
(05/31/13 9:06pm)
Three down and one to go.
(05/28/13 10:00pm)
Auburn Police revealed they have arrested the man allegedly responsible for shooting Opelika resident Jimmie Greene, 27, Friday night in the 1600 block of South College Street.
Auburn resident Roctavius Todd, 24, was arrested Saturday, May 25 according to the news release.
Todd is charged with discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle and second degree assault in the parking lot of College Street Bar and Pockets.
Greene was shot in the arm and drove himself to East Alabama Medical Hospital, but he has been treated and released.
An eyewitness on site Friday night said a group of people was walking around the end of the parking lot area behind Zaxby's when the first shot was fired in the vicinity. Four to five more shots were heard shortly after.
Police are still investigating the cause of the incident.
Todd has been transported to Lee County Detention Center, and his bond has been set at $8,000.
(05/25/13 6:36am)
Shots were fired in the parking lot of Pockets and College Street Bar just before midnight Friday, May 24. Police will not issue an official statement until later Saturday morning, but employees at Pockets confirmed that shots were fired.
(05/24/13 8:07pm)
Tuesday, May 21 the Auburn City Council approved the expansion of Balcony Bar to provide more room for the downtown bar's patrons.
(05/22/13 11:43pm)
Desmonte Leonard's trial date has yet to be determined, but Judge Jacob Walker has scheduled another status hearing for Leonard.
(05/16/13 8:08pm)
After a status conference at the Lee County Justice Center Thursday, May 16, not much has changed yet for alleged University Heights gunman Desmonte Leonard.
(05/16/13 3:09am)
After hearing arguments Wednesday, May 15, Judge Chris Hughes issued no ruling on whether or not he will grant a new trial for Clarence Whatley, recently convicted for first-degree sodomy.
(05/16/13 12:00pm)
On Thursday, May 16, alleged University Heights shooter Desmonte Leonard will appear for a status conference at the Lee County Justice Center.
(05/16/13 12:14am)
"You want to see my daily ritual?" Wayne Keith asked with a smirk.