Decatur Beer & Beyond

Monstre Rouge

2010-07-19T14:46:00.004-04:00

Sounds like a classy French film eh? It may be, but I am blogging about the latest collaborative beer between Belgian-based De Proef and an American craft brewery.

Here is a snippet of the official press release:

Monstre Rouge (Red Monster) is loosely based on Terrapin's Big Hoppy Monster with a Belgian twist. It is an Imperial Flanders Red Ale of 8.5%, fermented with brettanomyces and aged with toasted American oak. The malt profile includes a range of Crystal malts, Munich and Terrapin's signature Rye. It is hopped to 55 ibu's with a blend of American hops. It is a deep amber-red color capped by rocky off-white foam. It has a complex flavor profile - tart, sweet, sour, hoppy and woody. This limited production beer is available in cases of 6/750ml cork-finished bottles and 30L kegs. Suggested retail price is $15.99 per bottle

"I am very pleased to welcome Terrapin to the collaboration series," noted SBS Founder and President Alan Shapiro. "I believe Spike & Dirk have created something truly unique that will be enjoyed by discerning Belgian beer consumers."

"We consider it a great honor to be invited to partner on this beer," added Terrapin Co-Founder and Brewmaster Spike Buckowski. "It is a truly impressive list of brewers who have come before us and it has been a great experience to work with De Proef and SBS."

Each year SBS invites a noted brewer from different regions to co-design a beer and travel to Belgium to brew at De Proef. Monstre Rouge is the fourth beer in the De Proef Collaboration Series. Previous partners included Tomme Arthur of Port Brewing/Lost Abbey (2007); Jason Perkins of Allagash (2008); and John Mallet of Bell's (2009). The 2011 partner (from the Northwest) will be officially announced in September.

I am a big fan of the Big Hoppy Monster as well as Flanders Red Ales with Brett. So how does this taste? This is my review on BeerAdvocate

Hazy chestnut brown with some deep crimson highlights. Fluffy inch of French vanilla head which is very thick and frothy. Wavy foam looking like a sand dune. Red apple, cherry aroma and overall Brett tart. Immediate taste of Brett with the subtle piney-citrus hops coming next. As with the regular Big Hoppy Monster, there is a noticeable spicy rye malt presence. This is a battle of the wild yeast and the big hops creating a nice treat. Lemon zest in the middle, finishes hoppy and dry. Drinkability is good...I would have another glass in a bar.

Why didn't they call this Monstre Funky?

13 Kegs in 13 Hours

2010-06-11T09:44:00.007-04:00

The 13 year anniversary week for Brick Store Pub is already upon us. Unlike last year, 15 gallon kegs will be pouring this time except for the cask ales of course. I'll now hand the mic over to Brick Store Dave:

Allrighty gang, starting next Monday, 13 Kegs in 13 Days and culminating with 13 Kegs in 13 Hours on June 19. Here's the dealio. We will tap each keg at opening and run it until it's kicked. Casks, however, will be tapped at 5:00p.m.

Monday June 7th- Terrapin Double Feature on Cask (gravity pour)
The brand new Georgia theater beer is a Belgian Double made with Rochefort yeast.

Tuesday June 8th- Bell's Batch 9000 + Bell's Rye Stout (Back to Back)
One of the most highly anticipated beers of 2010 followed by a beer rarely seen in GA.

Wednesday June 9th- J.W. Lees Harvest Ale (Calvados Pin Cask)

Thursday June 10th- Schneider Aventinus Eisbock Wooden Cask (gravity pour)

Friday June 11th- 2007 Red Brick Bourbon Barrel Aged Porter Cask (gravity pour)
Aged over two years in Bourbon barrels then transferred to a wooden cask which held 'tSmisje Kerst for one year (look at cask reviews) http://bit.ly/cQ7al4

Saturday June 12th- Mikkeller Drink'in the Sun

Sunday June 13th- Stone 12th Anniversary

Monday June 14th- 2009 Sweetwater Donkey Punch aged in J.W. Lees pin cask
"We took last years J.W. cask, took it to Sweetwater, they filled it with Dank Tank Donkey Punch then we aged it in house for one year!"

Tuesday June 15th- Bell's Bourbon Barrel Aged Hell Hath No Fury

Wednesday June 16th- 2008 Smuttynose Oak Aged Imperial Stout

Thursday June 17th-Sweetwater BSP Chocolate Quad cask (Gravity Pour)

Friday June 18th- 110K+OT Batch #3 (The Other West Coast IPA)

Saturday June 19th- 13 incredible kegs in 13 hours!
Noon- Ceremonial Cask- Duck Rabbit barrel aged sour cherry Baltic porter cask
1pm- SKA Decadent Imperial IPA
2pm Foothills Seeing Double IPA
3pm- Duck Rabbit '06 Barleywine
4pm '08 Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti
5pm Green Flash Le Freak
6pm Clipper City (Heavy Seas) Letter of Marque 2010 Rye Porter
7pm Olde Hickory Irish Walker (English Style Barleywine)
8pm COAST Brewing HopArt
9pm Great Lakes Blackout Stout
10pm Cigar City Jai Alai IPA
11pm New Holland Dragon's Milk (bourbon aged)
12pm Terrapin/Left Hand Midnight Project Depth Charge Espresso Milk Stout

BeerStash @ Twains this Saturday

2010-06-09T13:46:00.005-04:00

BeerStash
Beer & Breweriana Collectors Show
Twain's Billiards and Tap
www.twains.net

June 12th
Trade Show 11-2
Rare Beer Tasting 12-3

Tables are for rent at just $10, but admission is free. Contact beerstash@gmail.com to make reservations

Twain's will be having $2 pints of their house brews

Beer Collectors and Traders are encouraged to come to meet others and arrange trades during the show (no selling is allowed at the show)

Lee from the Brick Store Pub and Ethan from Twain's will both be bringing beer for the mini-HMOG tasting. Bring some beer that you would like to share/trade as well.

Hop City will be there showcasing the canned beers they carry.

Georgia Ale & Lager Sirens (GALS) will be there volunteering and have a table. Come on by and learn more about the women who love beer.

Oskar Blues will have a table and it looks like 21st Amendment my be in the state by then!

The can above is from Atlanta's first brewery- Atlantic Company. I really had no idea that this existed in Atlanta, but remember seeing Atlantic cans at the old Six Feet Under in Grant Park. Also, check out this site for some great information. I wonder if the basement of the Hilton has any ancient relics...

Atlanta Beer Week is Upon Us!

2010-05-05T10:24:00.004-04:00

May 16-22 is the first Atlanta Beer Week and all of the events can be found at www.atlantabeerweek.com Lots of good stuff going on at 5 Seasons West and Sweetwater but here are the events hoppening in Decatur:

Sunday May 16th BSP Ceremonial cask tapping and rare beer tasting. * We will welcome industry folks and kick off the week with several rare beers on draft and a very special cask tapping @ 1pm
Marlay House- Can Beer Canned Be Good - You Decide! Butternuts Beer & Ale/ Oskar Blues Tastings

Monday May 17th BSP- Cider flight night * A rare vertical tasting of Etienne Dupont ciders as well as Pommeau. With Cheese and Charcuterie pairings. 5pm
Marlay House- Beer Trivia Night

Tuesday May 18th BSP- Left Hand Brewing Co. Beer Dinner *Come meet Owner/Brewer Eric Wallace. Five rare beers paired with a five course meal prepared by head chef Rian Tittle. 6pm
Marlay House- Irish Music & Irish Beer Tastings

Wednesday May 19th BSP- Hefe & Hotdog Humpday * Join us for a variety of German Hefeweizen beers and housemade hotdogs before heading to the Braves game at 7pm
Marlay House- Beer Dinner TBA

Thursday May 20th BSP- Civil Beer War * An epic battle between beers from the Union states and beers from the confederate states. Featuring a North Vs, South food pairing prepared by Head Chef Rian Tittle (Georgia) and Leons Head Chef Eric Ottensmeyer (Ohio) 5pm
Marlay House- Cask Tapping TBA

Friday May 21st BSP- Vintage Vault Night * Come taste selected vintage beers from our one of a kind beer cellar. 12 people will be randomly selected between 3pm and 5pm to join Beer Manager Lee Dickson for an exclusive "Clean out the Fridge" Party in our cellar from 5pm til 7pm
Marlay House- Meet the Brewer TBA

Saturday May 22nd BSP- Vertical Madness * Vertical tastings of several cellared beers available by the flight. Food pairings by Sous Chef Jeff Wallis. Farewell Cask tapping at 1pm
Marlay House- Beer vs Whiskey Night

St. Patrick's Day in Decatur

2010-03-10T09:31:00.006-05:00

Cletus and I hit The Marlay House, formerly The Grange Public House, last year and was an absolute blast. Beautiful weather on the patio and the grassy area. This year, TMH will have Irish music, dancers and pipers in the afternoon with a DJ at night. Food specials with the usual Irish suspects on tap.

TMH will soon feature The Porterhouse Brewing Company's beer from Dublin- a first in the city. Also coming soon will be Stoudt's Pils, Founders Red's Rye, Southampton Biere de Mars, Bells Oberon

Twain's will be smacking their annual cask of Blarney Stout with Jameson oak chips. Last year's was creamy, roasty, with a nice dose of Irish whiskey.

And from the Brick Store Pub's website:

The first great event of the year... And certainly one of the biggest. Live Celtic music (4-7pm and 8-11pm) and traditional Irish Fare featuring Irish Stew, Corned Beef and Cabbage, and Shepherd's Pie. Guinness,Victory Donnybrook, and Jameson will be flowing and we will also have some limited edition Rugby shirts available. SEE YOU AT THE PUB!

Back in Atlanta- Sierra Nevada Porter!

2010-03-05T08:45:00.005-05:00

After a 4 year hiatus, the Sierra Porter is back in the Atlanta area on draft only. In Decatur, look for this at the Raging Burrito for only $3.60 a pint.

In the mid-1990s, this beer opened my eyes to the porter style of beer at the old Taco Mac in Sandy Springs (now Charlie Mopps). Dark brown in appearance, roasty body, moderately hopped and highly drinkable. You might remember this label as baby blue a few years ago, along with the yellow label for the stout which is missing from Georgia.

Some of my favorite bottled porters available here are made by Bell's & Founders. 5 Seasons Prado make a super creamy, nicely hopped version called Two Pence Porter. And note to Sweetwater- bring back Exodus Porter!

What to have in this Decatur blizzard?

2010-02-12T15:50:00.008-05:00

Barrel Aged Yeti from Great Divide Brewing...why not? From the label:

This unique version of our monstrous Yeti Imperial Stout is aged for nine months in Stranahans Colorado Whiskey barrels and then bottle conditioned. The spirited aging process produces a hugely complex but mellowed Yeti, with its signature roasted flavors, hints of vanilla and oak, and a whiskeyed finish. Who says you can't tame a beast?

Soothing aroma of subtle sweet vanilla with a spicy whiskey vapor. Wonderfully carbonated with a lively espresso brown frothy head, that slowly dissolves into the blackness. Rich stouty flavor with all of the essentials- bitter dark chocolate, espresso & tobacco notes. This whiskey is certainly different from the other bourbon barrel aged stouts that I have had. Woody, spicy, herbal, tangy and moonshine hot! Somehow, this all plays together nicely in this beast of a glass.

Thanks to my good buddy JJ Fad for securing me two bottles of the 1104 produced. JJ enjoys Golden Tee, hiking around Denver and the occasional balloon ride.

Happy Belated Birthday LEONs!

2010-02-12T11:00:00.007-05:00

Tuesday was LEONs 1st birthday so I wanted to share some pictures from 2008 soon after The Boys bought the building. Photos taken by Josh Vick @ Home Tour America...enjoy!

Firkin Madness/Orval Ambassador/Bruery Dinner

2010-02-05T09:56:00.010-05:00

It's back-to-back-to-back Cask Ale tappage going on at the Brick Store Pub. These will be tapped concurrently, in no particular order:

Jurassain Imperial Stout (Cuvee Alex Le Rouge) 10%
RCH- Old Slug porter- 4.5%
Gwatkin- Norman Cider - cider- 7.5%
RCH- Santa Fe- Strong Ale- 7.3%
WinterCoat- Double Hop- Dbl IPA- 8.2%
Gwatkins- Golden Valley blend- cider - 6.0%

$5 for a 16oz pour (Alex Le Rouge will be $6)

BSP is now one of only 4 US pubs to be awarded the Orval Ambassador label! This award is based on presence, service & creativity. For more on this distinguished award, check this out:

http://www.orval.be/an/products/brewery/brewery6.ambassador.html

Lastly, mark your calendar The Bruery beer dinner, featuring owner/brewer Patrick Rue! The Bruery is based out of Orange County, CA and has quite the following amongst the beer geeks. There beers are truly all over the map, not limited to any particular style. Last year, The Bruery brewed a 20% Imperial Stout called Black Tuesday, which is one of the best IS I have ever had. The 20% was hidden so well that I had to limit myself to 4 ounces. I doubt that any BT will make it to the dinner on February 22, but you never know. 5 courses w 5 beers- $60

Correction- Larry Bell @ BSP Today 4pm

2010-01-18T07:15:00.003-05:00

Not Tuesday as previously posted. Keg of HopSlam, Cask of Expedition Stout and a super rare keg of the Bell's & De Proef collaboration brew- Van Twee. This is the latest brew in the series of American brewers working with this tiny Belgian brewery. Lost Abbey's Tomme Arthur was the first, making an excellent Belgian-style Pale Ale called Signature Ale.
From what I have read about Van Twee, it is a Belgian-style porter with Michigan cherry juice. See you at 4pm today!

Welcome Founders Brewing!

2010-01-14T06:59:00.006-05:00

A big welcome to Founders Brewing from Grand Rapids, Michigan! Founders follows Jolly Pumpkin & Bell's Brewing as the third brewery from this great brewing state. According to an email from Green's, 8 varieties are on the shelves including their super tasty Centennial IPA made with 100% Centennial hops. Cletus brought me back a stash of their Imperial Stout from Bruisin' Ales last month, and it is one of my go-to Imperial Stouts. This one is bitter and hoppy and ages extremely well. Be sure to throw a 4-pack or 3 in your closet and forget about them for a year or 5.

Breakfast Stout is a huge hit among the beer geeks and is A rated on BeerAdvocate with over 1300 reviews. Description from the site-
Brewed with flaked oats, bitter and sweetened imported chocolates, Sumatra and Kona coffee. 60 IBU. Starting in 2006, Breakfast Stout will be released yearly on the first Saturday following Thanksgiving.

A forgotten style among most craft breweries is the Porter and Founders makes one of the better styles. I reviewed this last year and gave it a solid A-

Lastly, be on the lookout for their #1 most sought after beer- Kentucky Breakfast Stout. A different beer from their Breakfast Stout, KBS aged in bourbon barrels for 1 year. I was not a fan at first, but now have developed a love for this huge flavored complex imperial stout. KBS, rated #7 on BeerAdvocate's Top 100, is released annually in February so get it while you can.

I'm sure your better Decatur pubs will have some Founders on tap and will update you later. UPDATE- Brick Store tapped Backwoods Bastard yesterday, A- with 480 reviews. This 10% Wee Heavy is perfect for these frigid temps!

January Hoppenings

2010-01-09T07:44:00.004-05:00

Raging Burrito- Sierra Bigfoot 2008, recently tapped, $2.75 for a 10oz pour! Also on the Sierra front is the Belgian Trippel and the new Glissade Bock will be on tap Tuesday. On a recent visit, I spotted New Belgium 2 Below, Bell's Two Hearted, Highland Cold Mountain & Sweetwater Festive/Happy Ending/IPA and the others.

The Grange- Lots going on!
Jan 12- Sierra Nevada/Dogfish collaboration Life & Limb tapping! I am really surprised that there is a keg left of this highly acclaimed beer!

Also there will be an Ommegang beer dinner on Jan 20. 4 beers/4 courses $33

Jan 30- The Pub has been asked by "long-standing agricultural advocacy organization" to change it's name. Over the last few months, suggestions have been sublitted and the winnner will be named on the 30th. From The Grange facebook page- New pub name to be unveiled and winners to share their $500 in Renamed Grange cash. First pub in the City to have Magner’s (aka Bulmer’s for those who have visited Ireland) available for you Irish Cider over ice fans. Portion of proceeds from the night to benefit the Oakhurst Community Garden Project and Georgia Flooded Farms Relief Fund.

Twains has 5 tasty brews for the January cold: Hannibal Red, Stubborn River ESB, Hell for Society Stout, Mad Happy Pale Ale, and Gingerbread Brown Ale.

Brick Store Pub has 2 world-class events this month:
First, Larry Bell, the Bell in Bell's Brewery, will make an appearance bringing some HOPSLAM for the ride on Tuesday 01.19! HopSlam is released each year in January and is snapped up on the shelves by the beer geek. She is a 10% Double IPA with a nasty amount of hops topped off by a kiss of honey. As good as it gets. The Pub will have some tasty snacks in honor of Mr. Bell

On 01.21, meet the brewer of B.F.M. and I'll allow Dave to explain:
Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes, also known by the abbreviation BFM is a small artisanal brewery in Jura, Switzerland whose products, including barrel-aged beers, have drawn international acclaim.Founded in 1997 by Jerome Rebetez, who had formerly been trained as an oenologist, this tiny brewery has rapdibly become known for making beers that stretch traditional beer style guidelines and use unorthodox ingredients. Come on down to the pub and meet owner Jerome Rebetez and taste the rare cask offering He is bringing along! Food pairings as well as some vintage B.F.M. stuff will be available!

Lastly, a new Irish pub opened in the former Saba place on The Square named Mac McGee's. Here some banter from Decatur Metro
The food should be better than average, as Ryan Stewart will be manning the kitchen. Ryan was the former chef at The Glenwood & Eno. I look forward to checking this place out soon.

Touchdown! Two Hearted Ale

2009-11-15T00:30:00.012-05:00

It has hit, finally. This true hophead has a love for Bell's Two Hearted Ale that is hard to top. I have been bootlegging this IPA for years from friends visiting Michigan and recently from SC & NC. Even though Bell's has been in Atlanta most of the year, the demand nationwide for Two Hearted exceeds their supply. Crisp, citric hoppy and super easy to drink. So easy that I have a barrel in my kegerator, named Sheila of course. BSP has this bad boy on tap, as does The Grange Public House, Thinking Man Tavern & Steinbeck's in Oakhurst. Here are some of the recent tappings from our local independent pubs:

Raging Burrito- New Belgium 2 Below, Sierra Nevada Belgian Trippel & Celebration, Highland Cold Mountain Winter Ale & Sweetwater Festive

Brick Store Pub- Duck Rabbit Schwarzbier, Oak Aged Yeti, Schmaltz Jewbelation 11-13, Smuttynose Big A IPA. And coming on Monday is a special tapping of the Dogfish Head & Sierra Nevada compilation- Life & Limb. I don't know much about this one, other than the fact that the Pub got 2 six barrels and will be served in 6oz glasses. Tapping is scheduled for 5pm

Thinking Man- Smuttynose Robust Porter, Lagunitas Brown Sugga, Sierra Nevada Celebration

Steinbeck's- Smuttynose Old Brown Dog, Allagash Curieux, Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner, & Sierra Nevada Celebration. Also, Steinbeck's is hosting a Chili Cook-off and Homebrew Competition on Saturday. For more info, go here

Leon's-Oskar Blues Gordon, McAuslan St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout (best stout EVAH according to Mr. Blanchard) Lastly, the latest year-round offering from Terrapin is on tap here called Hopsecutioner.

Support your local independent better beer joint!

October Decatur Hopdate

2009-10-02T08:41:00.004-04:00

October in Decatur. San Diego-style weather makes for ideal patio beer sessions with good friends. There are 2 beer festivals this month in the Great Decatur Craft Beer Festival & Brick Store's Hop Harvest Festival, but I wanted to highlight the recent offerings from your locally owned Decatur better-beer spot.

Raging Burrito- Best Patio in Decatur, which is delightfully hidden in the back off of Church Street. RB has some killer beer on tap at recession prices- New Belgium Hoptober, Sweetwater Happy Ending '08, Leffe Blond. Sierra Pale, Wet Hop Harvest (13th release) & Anniversary IPA are $3.60 everyday as are Terrapin India Brown Ale and RyePA. Sweetwater pints are now $3.75 Monday through Wednesday (IPA, 420, Road Trip)

The Grange has expanded to 19 taps, now pouring Chimay, Spaten Optimator, French Broad Wee Heavier, Brooklyn Pumpkin, Atlanta Brewing Octoberfes & Terrapin Sunray is now their permanent wheat beer. Grange's front patio is very nice this time of year as well.

Steinbeck's is the little pub in Oakhurst, around the corner from Mojo Pizza on Oakview. Recently, they have stepped it up big time in the beer department. Now pouring- Ayinger Oktoberfest, Avery Kaiser (9% Oktoberfest-style), Loose Cannon Double IPA, Great Divide Hercules DIPA, Coney Island lager, Avery IPA & & St. Bernardus Abt 12 to name just a few.

Jordan @ Twain's has brewed a new IPA called Milkbone. I had two pints last night and the Bone is quite good. ESB-style maltiness with a very clean floral hop profile.

Last but not least, Brick Store Pub has some whoppers on right now including the latest from the Midnight Brewing Project between Terrapin & Left Hand- Depth Charge Espresso Milk Stout. Excellent roasty bitter espresso nose and very smooth body. Nogne O Porter on as well, which is an extremely rare keg from Norway. Oddly enough, this is an American-style porter, go figure. The monday (10/18) after Decatur Craft Beer Festival is one of those beer dinners that is truly "once in a lifetime." Brick Store Mike, take it away!

You read that correctly. Our first Beer Dinner in almost a year and we’re going to bring it back in style my friends. The evening will be hosted by Orval’s own Francois de Harenne
A slightly different format this time in that we will have 6 different chefs (actaully 7) preparing 6 courses paired with the following beers.

Orval (fresh), Westmalle Tripel, Achel Brune, Rochefort 10, Rochefort 8, and Orval (Aged). I mean you gotta be kidding me, right?!!

The line up of Chefs for the evening
Eric Ottensmeyer, Robert Lupo & Rian Tittle - LEONs Full Service & Brick Store Pub
Chris Hall – Local 3
Mel Toledo – 5 Season’s Brewing ( Prado)
Todd Mussman – Muss & Turners
Ryan Smith – Holeman and Finch
Richard Neal – Cakes & Ale (Bon Appetit Top 10 Best New Restaurant of 2009)

If you are interested please email me back with your phone number at: michael@brickstorepub.com
I will call you to confirm your reservation and take payment at that time including tax and gratuity. The price per person for this dinner is $75 pp + tax & gratuity. It will be a 6 course with trappist pairings. We will limit it to the first 55 people. Tickets are still available.

Happy Birthday Porter Beer Bar!

2009-09-13T10:27:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was The Porter Beer Bar's first birthday! This gastropub in Little 5 Points is a welcome addition to Atlanta's growing and dynamic beer culture. 3 delicious special casks were on-hand: Avery IPA dry-hopped with simcoe, Heavy Seas Hang 10 Weizenbock and a pumpkin beer from Terrapin. I went back twice for the Avery IPA, as I am a huge fan of the simcoe hop. Here are my tasting notes. Cheers to The Porter and looking forward to your 2nd birthday party!

Brick Store Hop Harvest Festival

2009-09-12T12:53:00.002-04:00

This day will be all about the HOP! Hop vines, fresh hop cones, hop soup, Miss Hop Queen 2009.
Saturday October 10th
18 IPAs tapped downstairs, 8 Belgian-style IPAs upstairs
Here's a sneak peak of the tasties:

Smuttynose Big A
Avery Maharaja
Avery IPA Cask (dry hopped with Simcoe)
Lagunitas Lil Sumpin' Extra!
Atlanta Brewing Pliny The Elder clone
One called Hopgasm
Something from Black Mountain, NC & North Charleston, SC
And a few other biguns...cannot wait for this Festival

Hop Heaven

2009-09-11T08:23:00.006-04:00

Yesterday, we had our monthly sales meeting over at Project Open Hand, in which we volunteered for 3 hours packing meals for their Senior Lunch Program. POH just happens to be right across the street from Sweetwater, so I just had to pop in. The Minister of Propaganda, Steve Farace, was plugging away in his office when he asked me, "Have you been in the back yet?" Of course he was referring to the "back of the brewery" and I quickly strolled into the brewery. Seemed to be business as usual, until I poked my head into the keg cooler....

Brewmaster Mark had his head down in one of four 100lb boxes filled with wet, fresh Chinook hops. The boxes were overnighted straight from Washington and the aroma was heavenly. These little green pine cones were a sight to behold and I really wanted to eat one. Smiles all around in the cooler. Mark stuffed them into hop sacks, which were going straight to the tank. This one will be the latest in the Dank Tank series, called Wet Dream. I think this name is perfect, as I almost had a wet dream in the cooler. She will be an Imperial Red, clocking in around 7.5%. To my knowledge, a wet hop beer is a first for Sweetwater and their recent creativity has me excited for their future brews. Here's how it went down:

The Best Little Beerhouse in South Carolina

2009-09-05T15:34:00.007-04:00

Many great changes have come to South Carolina since their 6% cap was popped in May 2007. And a big part of the exciting beer culture is tucked away between Bay Street and Charleston Harbor in downtown Charleston- Charleston Beer Exchange. I met co-owner Scott Shor a few years ago @ Ted's Butcherblock where he served as the Beer Manager. It was during that visit that I met Jaime from COAST Brewing Co, who was pouring their HopArt IPA & 32/50 Kolsch. She also graciously poured me a hefty sample of their widely acclaimed Blackbeerd Imperial Stout from an super-secret hidden bottle.

I finally popped in to see CBX on a recent visit. Scott and co-owner Rich Carley were slammed on this busy Saturday, but not busy enough to serve my little group of 5. Manager Brandon Plyler was holding down the growler station, rotating the brown glass jugs among their 9 taps of delicious beer. They call him BigSilky for his cat-like precision. I got a 64oz fill of HopArt IPA, which is the #1 seller @ CBX. Back home a few days later, I shared this delicious growler with Willy T Nasty and decided that there could not be a more perfect name for this wonderful IPA.

In addition to the popular growler filling station, CBX sells lots of Founders Centennial IPA, Allagash White, and cans of Dale's Pale Ale. I saw beer from around 20 different countries, including all of the Trappist beers available in the US. Rich says they sell a good bit Chimay, Delirium, La Chouffe, Saison DuPont, St. Bernardus, and Black Albert

A visit to Charleston would not be complete without a stop at Charleston Beer Exchange. For more on my visit to CBX, check out my review on BeerAdvocate

Donkey Sighting Today @ Sweetwater

2009-06-25T14:34:00.009-04:00

Very glad to see these 22oz bottles rolling! Had a 6oz pour today, and gave it a solid A on BeerAdvocate:

On tap @ the brewery today, 2009 edition. Bright copper appearance with some orange highlights. Head is super creamy & frothy, near white in color. Quite the tangy citrus aroma- tangerine, navel orange. First sip was surprisingly malty, sourdough bread followed by a big citric hop flavor. But not overwhelming at all...very big and very balanced. Good 10.2 vapor to remind you where you are. Noticeable punch of floral, bitterness in the back of the throat. Finishes very nice...some bitterness, some citrus yet not too dry.
All in all, I enjoyed this more than last year's version. Very big, bad, and worthy of the barleywine tag.

Brick Store Pub- Over The Top

2009-06-15T13:05:00.008-04:00

Lincoln Hawk would be proud. Starting tomorrow to celebrate their 12 anniversary, Brick Store Pub will be tapping 14 special/unique/XXX kegs at 12pm over 11 days. Saturday June 27th is the Finale- 13 kegs tapped throughout the day starting at Noon.

Looking at this list, I am particularly interested in the Sweetwater oaked IPAs and the Cigar City Brewing's Guava IPA firkin. Folks are raving about this newcomer from Tampa on BeerAdvocate. On the 27th, I am looking forward to the wild ales from Allagash, the Stranahan Whisky beers from Oskar Blues, the Pappy Van Winkle Red Brick Winter and the offering from Ballast Point. BP hails from the craft brewing mecca of San Diego, and simply does not make an average beer.

6/16- 2006 Wooden Pin J.W.Lees Lagavulin cask
6/17- Founders Curmudgeon Old Ale
6/18- 2006 Terrapin Big Sloppy Monster (Jack Daniels barrel for 9 months)
6/19- Victory V-12 (Downstairs) Victory Wild Devil (Upstairs)
6/20- 2007 t'Smisje Kerst Wooden Cask(down) Pisgah Solstice Tripel (up)
6/21- Duck Rabbit Dopplebock
6/22- Ola Dubh 30 yr.
6/23- SweetWater Double IPA (Bordeaux barrel 1st run)
6/24- Avery Maharaja (Firkin)
6/25- Lagunitas Barrel Aged Brown Shugga
6/26- Cigar City Guava IPA (Firkin) (down) Hansens Kriek Lambic (Firkin) (up)

6/27- The Finale
noon- Duck Rabbit "Paul's Day Off"
1:00- SweetWater Oak Aged Creeper Belgian IPA (Bordeaux barrel 2nd run)
2:00- Highland Cattail Wheat (dosed with Trappist yeast)
3:00- Allagash Interlude
4:00- 2008 Red Brick Winter (Pappy Van Winkle barrel 1st run)
5:00- Allagash Confluence
6:00- Ballast Point Victory at Sea Coffee Vanilla Imperial Porter
7:00- Allagash Victor
8:00- Oskar Blues Stranahan Whisky Barrel Aged Gordon
9:00- Allagash Victoria
Also at 9:00- Terrapin Substance Abuse! (Wake & Bake Coffee Imperial Stout aged in a Jack Daniels whisky barrel)
10:00- O.B. Stranahan Barrel Aged Ten FIDY
11:00- Allagash Hugh Malone
12:00- O.B. Stranahan Barrel Aged Dale's Pale Ale

The Coolest Brother Outlaw Evah!

2009-06-02T18:06:00.004-04:00

Well I only have one, but that doesn't matter. Just got a box in the mail from my favorite brother in-law, Darren. Two North Coast Old Rasputin XI and a Twentieth Anniversary Ale, which I haven't even heard of yet. While Old Rasputin is easily available in Decatur, the special edition XI is aged in "12 year-old oak bourbon barrels for nine months. Released only at the brewery's retail store in Fort Bragg." Cannot wait to try this one!

The label on 20 says, "67% Ale Aged in Oak Barrels, 33% Ale Brewed with Agave Nectar." I know that the XI was only available at the brewery in Ft. Bragg, Ca and can only imagine that the 20th was the same deal. While I was in the Bay Area for SF Beer Week this past February, I gave serious thought to making the 360 mile round trip to Ft. Bragg to grab some of the Old Raspy 11. The farthest north I have been in California is Boonville, home to Anderson Valley Brewing Company. But Ft. Bragg is 50 miles north of Boonville, on pretty windy 2-lane roads, from what I have heard.

Anyway, thanks for the ultra rare beers Darren and just remember...payback is a bitch! Cheers Brother

Hopslam Monday!

2009-05-19T09:04:00.011-04:00

I've never seen more anticipation for a cask tapping at the Brick Store. The bar was packed, all eyes glued on that little silver can. Pictures snapping, smiles gleaming. Bell's Brewing has landed in Decatur, and the energy in the pub was very festive.

Oberon and Special Double Cream Stout were on tap, but the real star was the rare cask of Hopslam. The bottled version is one of my most loved double IPAs, and I was very curious to taste the cask version.

The firkin was tapped at 4 on the dot and kicked around 6:30. I found the cask version of Hopslam just delightful. Of course it didn't have the carbonation bite, but the flavor was packed full of pine and grapefruit hop flavor rounded out with chewy bitterness. As the glass warmed, the honey flavor poked her head out unlike the bottled version where the honey flavor was on the front end. Cannot wait for a keg of FRESH Hopslam to come out next January/February.

Look for Bell's this week at The Grange Public House, Thinking Man Tavern, and of course the ole BSP.

Twain's Springfest & The Return of XL DIPA

2009-05-14T15:19:00.006-04:00

From Twain's facebook page:

Springfest- A Benefit for the Atlanta Community Food Bank
Saturday May 16th- 1pm-11pm
All proceeds from this show will be donated to the Atlanta Food Bank. There will be 2 stages, 1 indoor and one outdoor, so there will always be a band playing. There will be food and drink specials and the event is taking place at a brew pub with Pool tables, shuffleboard tables, and darts.Tickets are $10 and all proceeds got to The Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Our line-up of awesome music goes like this:
outside:
1:30pm-2:15pm: The Trailer Park Swingers
2:45 pm – 3:30pm: Rocksploitation
4:00 pm- 4:45 pm: The Brain Box
5:15pm- 6:00pm : The Mystery Men
6:30pm-7:15pm : Balloonaut
7:45 pm- 8:30pm: Tag Team
9:00 pm-9:45 pm: Grinder Nova

inside:
2:15-2:45pm: Dave Ellington
3:30-4:15pm: Spanky and The Love Handles
4:45-5:15pm: Kevin McFoy Dunn
6:00-6:30 pm: Old Custer
7:15-7:45 pm: Abby Wren
8:30-9:00pm: Swingset
10:00-?: Getaway Car

And while you are there, grab a glass or 7 of XL Double IPA! Jordan whipped up another batch this year that is chock full of Simcoe & Amarillo hops.

For Whom the Bell's Toll

2009-05-12T13:18:00.005-04:00

Bell's Brewery comes a ringin' to Decatur next week! Brick Store Pub will be tapping a super limited cask of HopSlam and a keg of Special Double Cream Stout on Monday May 18 around 5pm.

HopSlam, which is released yearly in January/February, gets an A score on BeerAdvocate with over 1200 reviews. I am really looking forward to the cask version of this bad boy.

At this time, Brick Store Dave ain't too sure what they will carry full time from Bell's, but I'll keep you posted.

St. Patrick's Days in Decatur

2009-03-14T08:37:00.011-04:00

Tuesday March 17 is this year's St. Patrick's Day, but the party will be starting on Saturday the 14th @ The Grange and Brick Store Pub. And Twain's has a nice little dirty surprise in store for us on Tuesday!

Get your Grange on...celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with the Irish – TWICE!

Saturday, March 14th & Tuesday, March 17th Start the day(s) off right at 10am with a full Irish breakfast (served until 2pm), then the entertainment begins at 2:30pm. Outside on our spacious patio & into the lawn, you’ll find pipes & drums, traditional music & dance, contemporary live acts & plenty of Guinness! NO COVER CHARGE.

SATURDAY MARCH 14 LINE UP
2:30pm - John Mohr MacKintosh Pipes & Drums http://www.jmmpd.com/
3pm - Buddy O’Reilly Band (traditional Irish) http://www.buddyoreilly.com/
5pm - The Killarney Boys of Pleasure (traditional Irish)
7pm - Sean Moran Family Affair Band (Contemporary)
8:15pm - Pipes & Drums (Special Guest)
8.45pm - DJ Danny Gresham

TUESDAY MARCH 17 LINE UP
3pm - Traditional music with local Decatur musicians
6pm - Sean Moran Family Affair Band (Contemporary)
8pm - Traditional Irish Dance Group
8.30pm - The Guinness Girls with Guinness Giveaways
8.30 till late - DJ Danny Gresham

The Grange also has a VERY impressive draft list including Aventinus, Smuttynose IPA, Terrapin India Brown Ale, Sweetwater 420 and more!

The Brick Store Pub will also be having some shenegians. Popped in yesterday for a burger and saw many cases of Jameson & lots of silver cans of Guinness. BSP Mike sent these deets out yesterday:

Special Menu Items: Lamb Stew, Corned Beef & Cabbage, Shephards' Pie. Live Traditional Irish Music from some of Atlanta's best players all Day and Night both days beginning at 1pm.

Last but not least, Twain's will be popping a firkin of cream stout on Tuesday called Blarney. Brewmaster Jordan added Jameson soaked oak chips to the stout, which sounds very, very naughty. Tappage shall be @ 5pm Tuesday.

Beware The Ides of March!

2009-03-01T16:04:00.002-05:00

It's a blizzard out today in Decatur! Well, by OUR standards anyway. Cheers!

Goodbye Azul, Hello Raging Taco!

2008-12-17T21:17:00.010-05:00

Here's a sneak peak of the new Raging Taco, the adjoining room of the Raging Burrito. Formerly called Azul, this uniquely shaped room got a tremendous face lift with custom- made tables & chairs along with a huge 52" HDTV on the wall. I spoke with owner Scott Herman recently who said that a few new tacos will be added to the menu very soon. So far, RT is open on the weekends as extra seating for Raging Burrito and like Azul, is a great space for private parties, meeting, and fundraisers.

During the Holiday Season, there are some great drink specials going on. $2.95 Terrapin Big Hoppy Monster, Sierra Celebration Ale & Pale Ale. Also, $2.95 1800 silver tequila shots and $4 Jagers.

Raging Burrito/Raging Taco 141 Sycamore Street (on the Square) www.ragingburrito.com

Twain's Late Autumn Beer Dinner

2008-11-13T10:42:00.008-05:00

Last night was the annual Fall beer dinner @ Twain's, and boy was it a tasty one! Here's how it went down:

Starter
Grilled Shrimp, fresh basil beurre blanc with Roma tomato and herb tartlets paired with Cask conditioned Temperate Temperance Mild Ale

Where to start...what an opening blast of flavor! The shrimp was grilled perfectly and I could have drank a glass of the beurre blanc...just delicious. The acid punch of the tartlets worked great with the cask ale. Temperate Temperance was just subtle enough to allow the juicy flavor of the dish shine. A pale ale/ESB/IPA would have been too much here. Excellent pairing.

Next
Gingerbread Brown Ale w/ Pumpkin soup topped with savory gingerbread croutons.

Typically, I am not a huge soup fan especially when paired with a nice ale. So this course was a nice surprise. Earthly, roasty, peppery pumpkin soup contrasted nicely with the floating gingerbread crouton. There was a nice caramelized, brown sugar sweetness to the crouton. Kelly commented that most pumpkin soups use cream, and how nice this soup was without any cream. Very savory, but not too heavy. The Gingerbread Brown Ale was a nice compliment, matching the pepper in the soup with crisp, somewhat piney hops. Ginger in the ale and ginger in the soup worked very well without overdosing on ginger.

Main Course
XL Double IPA w/ Thai Tenderloin with tomato chutney and pomme frites --- Beef tenderloin rubbed with Thai chiles and szechwaun peppercorns, charred and served over tomato chutney.

Onto the meat & potatoes portion of the evening. This plate was so gorgeous that I had to just snap a shot of her. Brewmaster Jordan said this was the 2nd batch of XL DIPA and hot damn is it good. And since IPA/DIPA is my favorite style of beer, this was the course I was most excited for. Once again, this course was perfectly matched with the hand-crafted ale. There was a good crust ring on the beef, with the spices perfectly blended in creating a sort of "delayed spiciness." The tomato chutney had the sweetness to counter-balance the spice rub. The sharp, piney hops in the XL just danced all over the beef. And the shoe-string thick frites were fun to pick up and eat.

Dessert
Nitro Coffee Stout w/ Apple Pecan Fritters with Brown Sugar Vanilla ice cream --- Whole Empire apples cored and filled with butter and pecans, wrapped in pastry and baked to a golden brown. Served with a scoop of Jake's Brown Sugar Vanilla Ice cream.

This work-of-art was demolished in 4.2 minutes. I loved that fact that a Empire apple was used and not a tart Granny Smith. Layer, after layer of yummy goodness. The Nitro Coffee Stout has a strong coffee flavor, yet carried a nice creaminess from the nitrogen.

I've been lucky to attend a dozen or so beer dinners over the years, and last night is way high on my list. 4 courses, $40 bucks just can't be beat. I couldn't resist grabbing another XL for dessert #2 at the bar. Around that time, the Dave Ellington Organ Trio had just started their 1st number but we had to leave. Dave plays the famous Hammond B-3 organ which has such a funky, deep nasty sound to it, kinda like the thai tenderloin from earlier. They play every Wednesday, so I'll be back.

Oktoberfest is hier!

2008-09-12T11:22:00.010-04:00

Contrary to popular belief, THE Oktoberfest festival in Munich begins in late September. This year, the two week festival begins Saturday September 20 and runs through October 5.
The most authentic annual Oktoberfest celebration around here takes place annually at the Brick Store Pub. Saturday October 4 is the date this year and I have heard that up to 5 different Oktoberfest-style biers will be flowing into those 1 liter mugs! Throw in some lederhosen, boot chugging, and delicious wurst & cheeses, this is a can't miss event. Some of the lads pictured above will be pumping up the crowd with German song around Noon, so get there early.

Here in the greater Decatur area, there is a lot of beer hoppenings going on over the next month.

Great Decatur Beer Festival- Almost Sold-Out!
You can now only buy tickets on-line for this event on Saturday October 18. Kingsized, Donna Hopkins, and American Bang will be on-stage throughout the day which will be a nice change from the speed metal band from last year, Thorn of Donkey.

Twain's news!

Brewmaster Jordan has whipped up one tasty double IPA simply named XL...get some while you can!
Twain's has also been offering free Jazz on Tuesday's to wipe out those early week blues.
Lastly, a tasty beer dinner is set for September 24th, for a very reasonable $40. To see the menu, go to the bar of click here

Arrogant Bastard Arriving this Monday!

Taco Mac- Midtown is the launching pad for the arrival of Stone Brewing
into the Georgia market. Take a look at this draft list for 9/22:
Stone Pale Ale, Stone IPA,
Smoked Porter, Arrogant Bastard Ale,
OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale, Ruination IPA,
Levitation Ale, 2006 Double Bastard Ale,
2007 Old Guardian Barleywine, 2007 Imperial Russian Stout,
08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale, and
the 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout!

For more details on the kick-off party, check here

Now Open- The Grange Public House

The Grange Public House is now open on 426 West Ponce de Leon Ave, in the former Angel spot by the Decatur post office. I have read good things about this Irish pub, and the draft list looks pretty good (for an Irish bar)

Finishing up...

There is a new beer festival called Hotoberfest hoppening on Saturday October 4th in Glenwood Park.

And I have been meaning to check out Little 5 Points newest beer pub, The Porter. There was a nice review in the AJC last week, and hopefully some fresh hop breath can be blown through L5P now...

Under The Brick Store Pub

2008-08-06T13:28:00.003-04:00

Owen Ogletree, organizer of the Classic City Brew Fest in Athens, was kind enough to share this video with me. This was shot under, yes, under the Brick Store Pub. As you will see, Dave & Mike are using the space to cellar cases of Belgian, English and American beer. The beer shown in this video will change flavor profiles and improve over time, similar to wine. This is a common practice in pubs throughout Belgium, but unheard of here in Southeast US of A. Grab a beer and enjoy the show!

Sweetwater Motor Boat Ale

2008-07-14T13:17:00.006-04:00

Motor Boat is the latest 'Catch & Release' offering from Sweetwater. This will be an "Imperial ESB- style ale," weighing in around 8% ABV. The Sweetwater Marketing Team has their hands deep in the motorboat tool box, but I got this bit of info:
Release Date- Mid August
6-packs and draft only

What a Gold Mine!

2008-06-27T14:40:00.002-04:00

Brick Store Pub's 11th Anniversary

2008-06-06T07:05:00.010-04:00

Starting June 14th, Brick Store Pub will be celebrating it's 11 years in business with 11 days filled with rare and one-off kegs. "Our little neighborhood pub" is still little & cozy, despite many accolades of late including landing on Forbes list of "Best American Beer Bars.

According to Brick Store Dave, some of the beers below were made just for this anniversary. And hell...I've never even heard of most of these! I am hoping the Allagash Rosa has something to do with Russian River Brewing in Santa ROSA, CA. Looks like I picked a bad month to just drink cranberry juice...

Chef Eric will be whipping up some daily food specials, with taps being tapped daily @ 3pm

Saturday 6/14- J.W. Lees Lagavulin wooden pin cask (2001)
Regenboog 't Smisje Guido
Sunday 6/15- Harviestoun Ginger lime
Regenboog 't Smisje Catherine the Great
Monday 6/16- Highland Brewing (Summit Dry Hopped) Kashmir IPA
Tuesday 6/17- Terrapin Southern Fried Brown Ale (Oak aged brown ale w/muscadine grapes)
Wednesday 6/18- Great Divide Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout
Thursday 6/19- Oskar Blues Chubbourbon (Old Chub aged in bourbon barrels)
Allagash Rosa (tripel aged 1.5 yrs in oak barrels then blended with brettanomyces )
Friday 6/20- Victory Wild Devil (Victory HopDevil IPA w/ brettanomyces )
Strubbe Double Tripel
Saturday 6/21- Harviestoun Ola Dubh 30 yr
Alvinne Balthazar
Sunday 6/22- Avery Brewing Co. Uber Svine (dbl dry hopped hog heaven)
Regenboog 't Smisje Kerst (aged in J.W. Lees Calvados barrels)
Monday 6/23- Sweetwater Brewing Road Trip Dry-Hopped Firkin
Tuesday 6/24- Heavy Seas (Clipper City) Hang Ten Dopplebock
Allagash Rosa

Terrapin India Brown Ale- All Bottled Up

2008-05-30T18:19:00.007-04:00

Here is a sneak peak of the Terrapin IBA label, which should hit the shelves sometime in June. This beer has been around for over a year now, on draft only. This hoppy brown ale has been graded A- on beeradvocate.com and it is mighty tasty, I might add. The IBA will be Terrapin's third year round offering, joining the Rye Pale Ale & Golden Ale.

And lookout for a Wheat Bier & Wheat Wine sometime this Summer from Spike & Co.

Epic BeerAdvocate Tasting

2008-04-07T08:13:00.009-04:00

An insane amount of bottles were shared amongst BeerAdvocates this past Saturday at the Brick Store Pub. Many thanks to Steve & Greg for locking down the Belgian Bar from Noon until 4:20. Thirty thirsty beer fans came in from Alabama and South Carolina, including Dan & Joseph who rolled in @ 11:30am from Columbia. And as a treat for the early birds, I popped the newly released Lost Abbey Angel's Share, aged in bourbon barrels.

Here's the breakdown:

Lost Abbey Angel's Share (bourbon barrel 2008), Devotion, Avant Garde, Carnivale, Red Barn
Port Shark Attack double red
Surly Darkness, Surlyfest
FFF Dark Lord, Alpha Klaus

Foothills Sexual Chocolate
Deschutes The Abyss
Rogue Imperial Stout 2004, Old Crustacean 2001, Shakespeare Stout
New Holland Dragon's Milk, Night tripper
Bluegrass Brewing Jefferson's Reserve
Fuchen Alt
Harpoon Barleywine
Growler of Twain's Tripel
Highland Imperial Kashmir Pale, Tasgall Ale
Westvleteren 8
Flying Dog Gonzo
DFH World Wide Stout 2004 & 2007, 120 Minute IPA, Burton Baton
Troegs Troegenator Dopplebock, Nugget Nectar
Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye
Lazy Magnolia Souther Pecan
Southern Tier Gemini, JahVA Imperial Stout, Unearthly, Oat
Sam Adam's Utopias 2007
Avery Samael's, Mephistopheles
Smuttynose Wheat Wine
Pilgrim's Dole Wheat Wine
Bell's Batch 8000, Two Hearted Ale, Expedition Stout, Amber Ale
Pisgah Cosmos
Hair of the Dog Doggie Claws
Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree IPA
Green Flash Imperial IPA
Saint Arnold Christmas ale
Stone 8th Anniversary, Double Bastard, Oaked Bastard, Imperial Russian Stout, IPA
Alesmith Wee Heavy, Speedway Stout, YuleSmith (blue)
Alaskan Barleywine
Boulder hazed and Infused
Hoegaarden Verboden Vrucht
Duck-Rabbit Barleywine
Harveistoun Ola Dubh 16
Ommegang Three Philosophers
Coast Blackbeerd, Hop Art
Unibroue Terrible
Sisyphus 2007
Founders Backwoods Bastard
New Glarus Raspberry Tart
French Broad Wee Heaviest
Weyerbacher Heresy
Mikkeller Black
Four + Brewing Monkshine

Chocolate Cheese Filled Pub of Dogfish Duck Rabbit

2008-02-05T15:01:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Day comes 2 days early to Brick Store Pub, with 2 tasty events.

First, the Belgian Bar will host a special Dogfish Head Brewing event
featuring 5 rare beers, 3 courses of cheese and 2 of chocolate.
The delightful Red & White will be one of the 5 beers. Here's are some notes from dogfish.com:

A big, belgian-style Wit brewed with coriander and orange peel and fermented with Pinot Noir juice. After fermentation a fraction of the batch is aged in Oregon Pinot Noir barrels, and another fraction is aged on oak staves.

Pass the chocolate for this one, please.

And expect 1 special surprise brew from Dogfish Head...
Tuesday February 12, 6pm.

Lastly, I am super pleased to welcome the entrance of yet another quality craft brewery into the Atlanta market: Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery from North Carolina. I have been enjoying bootlegged bottles for a few years now from places like Asheville & Wilmington, NC. BSP will be rolling out the red carpet for Duck-Rabbit Tuesday afternoon 2/12. This is what BS Dave had to say:

Tuesday Feb. 12, the Duck Rabbit Brewing Co. will introduce their beers to the Atlanta market with a special tapping of all 4 seasonal offerings at once. This is a 1st for Duck Rabbit and should be a fantastic way to introduce this respected Farmville N.C. brewery to the state of Georgia. On hand will be owner & brewmaster Paul Philippon to answer any questions about his seasonal beers as well as year-round beers. On tap will include the Barley wine, Rabid Duck Russian Imperial Stout, Wee Heavy Scotch Ale & the almighty Baltic Porter!

These 4 will be tapped around lunchtime.

Cheers

Sierra Bigfoot Sightings?

2008-01-23T10:45:00.000-05:00

Where is my favorite Barleywine on the planet? Typically, the Sierra Nevada Bigfoot is released early January. Well, it looks like Sierra is shaking up things a little. They have released a new seasonal ESB (Early Spring Beer) first. Here's a snippet of the official press release from Sierra:

On January 1, 2008 Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.—a pioneer of America’s ale renaissance—released its new spring seasonal ESB – Early Spring Beer to market. The company, which just celebrated its 27th year with the release of its fall seasonal Anniversary Ale, decided to brew their interpretation of England’s classic Extra Special Bitter style.

From all accounts from folks on BeerAdvocate, several sightings of Bigfoot have been seen around North Carolina. Hopefully, he'll come down to the Atlanta area before month's end.

On related Bigfoot note, recently had a vertical tasting of 2005, 2006 and 2007 Bigfoot. The 2005 was simply sublime, very aged tasting with the signature hop flavor still strong. 2006 was good as well, and noticeably opaque in appearance. My pal Old Man Winter commented that this year they experimented with some extra fermentation, which I will try to confirm. Lastly, the 2007 was still young and sharp, just the way I like my Bigfoot.

Oh, and the 2008 Bigfoot will mark Sierra's 25th edition of this famous Barleywine:

Cheers!

UPDATE FRI 1/25- Both Green's locations now have both Bigfoot and ESB.

Cold Beer, Fast Women

2008-01-18T15:34:00.000-05:00

Looks like I have followed through on 2 New Year's resolutions now. And the other one does not involve this moose.

I created this blog to provide me with an outlet to jot down beer thoughts & happenings in my hometown of Decatur and Intown Atlanta.

As a young lad in the Summer of 1997, I first discovered wonderful craft beer while working in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Local Snake River Brewing's Zonker Stout on tap and Oregon's Deschutes Black Butte Porter in the bottle pulled me in for good. And a spontaneous 11 hour trip to Portland for the Oregon Brewer's Festival just intensified this new found obsession.

Back to January 2008, and it's pouring snow in Decatur. I think this calls for something tasty in a few hours.

Cheers

PS- I once saw the title above on a bumper sticker in Idaho, and thought it would be a cool introduction. You can be the judge of that.