Events for Week of August 30, 2010

Stop by New Belgium Brewing Co for Tour De Fat this week!

Saturday was a good beer day- Big Al Brewing Co. for a sampler: Tripple, Alt Bier, Abbey Wheat, Smoked Porter and the IPA were all very tasty. The Alt Bier and Abbey Wheat stood out among the crowd. We stopped at Cask in West Seattle, a new wine/beer bar that opened just 5 weeks ago. The owner offers a “to-go” section that focuses on imports. We stayed for just one, Fremont Brewing Co.’s Interurban IPA dry hopped with Cascade hops, Lime, Orange and Grapefruit zest. Damn good. Porter House- just across the street has about 12-15 beers on tap- Pliny the Elder was up for grabs but I went with this new brewery- North Sound Brewing. Both their Stout (classic dry Irish stout served on Nitro) and their IPA were stellar. A night in was filled with IPAs- 7 Seas Ballz Deep Double IPA (in a tall boy can) and an IPA from Yakima Craft Brewing Co. But now for your week in beer:

Monday, August 30, 2010
Southern Tier Tasting: Jacksonville, Florida

4:00PM-7:00PM @ Grassroots Natural Market

Although I do not know what beers will be poured- Southern Tier will not disappoint!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Founders Nemesis Tapping: South Bend, Indiana

8:00PM-10:00PM @ Fiddler’s Hearth Public House

Nemsis, Founders’ Barley Wine is out and available tonight! Stop by and if you get your hands on this, please report back to bb.com. Look for this beer at your local beer bar – you lucky people that live in the mid-west or north east!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Back to (Beer) School, Mikkeller: New York, New York

11:30AM-11:30PM @ The Ginger Man

Get schooled on hops and yeast! The Ginger Man will be featuring Mikkeller’s Single Hop Series and their Yeast Series. The beers in the Single Hop Series use a control recipe with a different hop in each brew, showcasing the flavors and aromas of one variety of hop. Same rules for the Yeast Series, this time with varying yeast strands. The Single Hop Series will be on draught and the Yeast Series will be in bottle format.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Best of the Belgians: Beverly, Massachusetts

6:00PM-9:00PM @ Bogie’s Beer and Wine

Tonight- 15 beers…15 different styles….including Rochfort 8 & 10, Orval, Duvel, and many more. There will also be a special something from De Struise. This event is free, but Bogie’s is asking for a $5.00 donation. All proceeds will be donated to MCPCA Walk for the Animals.

Friday, September 3, 2010

The Little Woody Barrel- Aged Brew Festival 2010: Bend, Oregon

5:00PM-10:00PM @ Des Chutes Historical Museum

The Little Woody celebrates this ancient brewing technique as adapted by American craft brewers, featuring beers aged in wine barrels, whisky barrels and oak barrels, which uniquely flavors and intensifies the beer. The Little Woody 2010 will encompass two days-September 3 from 5 -10pm and September 4 from 12pm -10pm on the lawn of the Des Chutes Historical Museum in Downtown Bend. Admission to the event includes a commemorative glass. A tasting package is available and includes a commemorative glass and tasting tickets. For more information click here.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Tour de Fat: Fort Collins, Colorado

10:00AM-4:00PM @ New Belgium Brewing Co.

Annual national moving bike festival put on by hometown heroes New Belgium. Featuring bands, good people, good brews and a damn good reason to get silly! Bring a bike and a funky costume for maximum enjoyment. For more info, click here.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

6th Annual Festival of Iowa Beers: Amana, Iowa

1:00PM-5:00PM @ Millstream Brewing Co.

Iowa microbrews are getting some love today- Come down to the brewery and taste the best beers that Iowa has to offer and meet the brewers who make these great brews as they serve you. Live music, local food will also be part of the event! Proceeds go the the Juvenile Arthritis Foundation and Iowa Brewers Guild.

So thats your week in beer. If you go to an event, want us to post about an event, please leave a comment or email us at beerblotter@gmail.com! Cheers!

You just can’t get enough of Belgium: Paters Vaetje and more Belgium Brews

Of all the beer bars and all the breweries and all the cafes and all the restaurants I went to during my trip to Europe, there is one that holds a special place in my heart. Don’t get me wrong, I have several favorites, but Paters Vaeje in Antwerp is my perfect beer bar.

Picture this. You walk down a cobble stone street past stone facades, small boutiques and cafes, in the back drop is a beautiful Gothic Cathedral with a tall, winding steeple.  700 hundred years have passed, people dress differently, store fronts change around the square, the seasons come and go, but this cathedral stands into the night sky, just as beautiful and ornate as it was at its conception.

Onze-Lieve- Vrouwekathedraal towers over the square and off to the side, next to an alley stands Paters Vaeje, know to us English speaking folk as The Monk’s Kettle. Already we are off to a good start. After walking through the square, admiring the holy structure and battling the harsh winds, we step foot into Paters Vaeje, a local beer bar. Adorned with trinkets, photos and art nouveau, mirrors and stain glass accent the back of the bar. At first attempt, we walk up a short, yet narrow spiral staircase to the second level of the bar. A small space with a balcony that over looks the lower portion, you can look down on the wood floors, the busy bartender, the bottles of beer and your fellow beer lovers. We quickly notice that the small, rickity space was encompassed by a group of boisterous, young drunks.  After retreating back down stairs, we settle next to the wooden stove, embers burning, heating the whole bar.

As I sat drinking Boon Geuze, Rochefort 8 and 10, the sky was dark and grey, the cathedral shown bright outside the window, I felt as though I had found that perfect place with the perfect lighting inside, the perfect scene outside, the perfect noise level and a beer list of bruins, lambics, geuze, blondes, triples and Trappist beers.

Events for Week of March 1, 2010

Bert's Better Beers in Hookett, NH- No, we don't know where that is, but its worth going to!

A week in the life of a beer drinker:

Monday, March 1, 2010

7th Annual Barleywine Bacchanal: Seattle, Washington

3:00PM- 2:00AM @ Beveridge Place Pub

The madness continues all week with events almost every day. Many of these barleywines were aged by Beveridge Place.  Check out Beer Blotter’s guide to the Bacchanal by clicking HERE!

Monk’s Mad Monday: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

11:30AM-11:30PM @ Monk’s Cafe

A special Russian River event featuring six of their beers on tap. There will be three IPAs and three ‘Tions on tap. Check it– Pliny The Younger, Pliny The Elder, Blind Pig, Damnation, Consecration and (sweet, sweet) Supplication.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Unibroue Tasting: Hooksett, New Hampshire

5:00PM-7:30PM @ Bert’s Better Beers

Join Richard Delmonico as he pours Canadian brewery, Unibroue beers-Quelque Chose (enjoy warm and/or on ice), Maudite, Terrible, Don de Dieu, La Fin du Monde, Blanche de Chambly, Chambly Noire, Trois Pistoles and Ephemere. Cheese and chocolate will be paired.

Sour Beer Night: New York, New York

7:30PM-9:30PM @ Jimmy’s No. 43

For $10.00 a person, you can come sample amazing sour beers from Jolly Pumpkin, Cantillon and others from the Shelton Brothers portfolio.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Meet the Brewers: Escondido, California

6:00PM-8:00PM @ Stone Brewing Co.

Brewers from the East head West- Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head and Victory Brewing Co.’s Bill Covaleski. Join them at the Bistro’s outside bar with Stone’s own Greg Koch to celebrate their collective achievement. Have a pint with Sam, Bill, and Greg and congratulate them on a job well done! Special taps of Dogfish Head and Victory rarities, including World Wide Stout, will be poured outside.

Ninkasi Beer Dinner: San Francisco, California

5:45 PM- 9:45 PM @The Monk’s Kettle

Ninkasi brews such as Total Domination IPA, Tricerahops Double IPA, Believer Double Red Ale and OATIS Oatmeal Stout will be paired with a delicious 5 course meal. Menu items include a Portobello mushroom soup, a coconut curry shrimp dish, pork tenderloin, a special pallet cleanser and a dessert that will make you feel right at home.

New Belgium Tasting: Portland, Oregon

4:00PM-6:00PM @ The Beermongers

New Belgium Brewery will in the store providing samples of several of their more unique beers including two from their Lips of Faith series Biere de Mars and Transatlantique Kriek, Ranger IPA, certified organic Mothership Wit and Trip IV on draft a collaboration between Elysian Brewing Co. (Seattle) and New Belgium.  This event is free.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Great Lakes Happy Hour: Akron, Ohio

7:00PM-9:00PM @ Johnny Malloys

Come and sample 6 differtent Great Lakes Brewing Co. beers on tap/bottles available to everyone. For those interested, there will also be a limited beer and cheese tasting featuring a couple brewery exclusives that are only available for the tasting. The tasting fee is $10 and includes 5 samples of beer and 5 cheese samples. A few people from the brewery will be there giving out glassware and other Great Lakes memorabilia.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Beer without Hops: The Illegal Brews: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

7:30PM- 9:30PM @ The Beer School of Philadelphia

This is an appropriate venue for this event. Not only do you get to sample fine beers, you get to learn a bit about beer history. These beers do not contain hops, therefore at one point in beer past, they were not considered beer. Due to this concept, they have become rather rare. Well, these “illegal” beers (gruits) are making a comeback, so stop by, taste and learn all about these amazing brews.

Jolly Pumpkin Beer Tasting: Ann Arbor, Michigan

5:00PM-7:00PM @ Whole Foods Market

Join Vice President of Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales Michael Turriff at the Fine Wine and Craft Beer Bar. Michael is there to enjoy the JP brews, discuss beer and answer all of your questions.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Let’s try some Belgiums!: Naperville, Illinois

3:00PM-5:00PM @ Malloy’s Fine Wines and Spirits

This tasting is FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. So you have no excuse to head out on the town in Naperville and try some amazing Belgium brews. What will you be sampling? Triple Karmeliet, Maredsous 10 Triple, Gouden Carolus, and Pauwel Kwak- among others. Get out, get cultured.

Lucky Lab’s Barleywine & Big Beer Fest: Portland, Oregon

12:00PM- 10:00PM @ Lucky Labrador Brewing Co. (NW Quimby Beer Hall)

More than 35 barleywines and big beers (stouts, warmers, old ales and more) on tap! Some are recent releases but many are aged vintages.  Just to name a few, as the list is very very long (check it here): ’07 Great Divide’s Old Ruffian; ’08 Speakeasy’s Old Godfather; ’09 Fish Tail’s Leviathan and ’09 Lucky Lab’s BBL-Aged Son of Old Yeller.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

11th Split the Brooklyn Skull Festival: Brooklyn, New York

11:00 AM-11:00PM @ Mugs Ale House

Interesting name, but what does it entail? Tis the time for barleywines and strong ales, so you guessed it! Come to Mugs and enjoy beers, most of which are over 8%.  For the full list click here, but for a sample, you came to the right place: Speakeasy Old Godfather Reserve 10%; Left hand Widdershins 10%; Nogne O #100 Barleywine 10.0%; Goose Island Brown Goose 9% and Weyerbacher Old Heathen Imperial Stout 2008 8.0%.

Nikki’s Second Annual Beer Dinner: Providence, Rhode Island

6:00 PM-10:00 PM @ Julians

We will leave the food a mystery, but check out the featured beers, mainly all Trappist. We like their style! La Trappe Isid’or; Achel Blond; Westmalle Trappist Dubbel; Orval Trappist Ale; Chimay Grande Reserve (blue); Westmalle Trappist Tripel and with the dessert course, you get all three Rochefort beer (6, 8, 10)!!

Oh man…that is it. But of course, there is so much more. So if you have an event you want us to add, have a comment about an event you went to, or just want to tell us how much you love beer, leave a comment or email us at beerblotter@gmail.com. Thanks for reading! Cheers to another week!

Beer Events: Week of February 22, 2010

HopCat in Grand Rapids MI- Check out the beer dinner this Sunday!

Its Sunday night and to be honest, the creative juices aren’t flowing. So, enjoy the week ahead check out our posts on http://www.beerblotter.com and keep reading for events around the US!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Its Firkin Delicious!: Ellicott Bay, Maryland

6:00PM-9:00PM @ T’Bonz Grille and Pub

Firkin Monday with Clipper City Brewery featuring their first Chocolate beer ! Meet the brewery and keep your pint glass!  BONUS!

Tomme Arthur Meet and Greet: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

6:00PM-8:00PM @ Memphis TapRoom

Port Brewing and Lost Abbey brewer Tomme Arthur will be at the Memphis TapRoom to char about his world class beer.  The draft lineup will include Mongo Double IPA, Older Viscosity, Hop 15, Wipeout IPA, Gift of the Magi (’08) and Carnivale in addition to some super limited edition surprises. Take Note—> bald folks with glasses get an additional $1 off Port Brewing and Lost Abbey drafts.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Alaskan Smoked Porter Vertical Tasting: Portland, Oregon

4:00PM- 12:00AM @ Bailey’s Tap Room

Taste the 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 Alaskan Smoked Porter from Alaskan Brewing Co. side-by-side. $8 for a tray of all four.

Southern Tier Brewery Night: Brooklyn, New York

6:00PM-10:00PM @ Bar Great Harry

We will let the list from Southern Tier Brewing Co. speak for itself. Choklat Imperial Stout; Unearthly Imperial IPA; Oak-aged Unearthly Imperial IPA; Gemini Double IPA; Oat Imperial Oatmeal Stout; Iniquity Imperial Black Ale; Hop Sun Summer Wheat Beer. Choklat on tap taste like straight chocolate syrup. SO GOOD.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Bottleworks Anniversary Ale Release Party: Seattle, Washington

11:00AM- 8:00PM @ Bottleworks

Come celebrate and drink Bottleworks’ 11th Anniversary Ale brewed in collaboration with Big Sky Brewing Co. Check out the video of the blending process here!

Brewers Night with Fremont Brewing: Bellingham, Washington

6:00PM-9:00PM @ Green Frog Cafe

We want to give some love to our local Seattle brewery, Fremont Brewing Co. who is bringing their tasty beers (Universale Pale Ale will most likely be there) and their brewing tales to Green Frog Cafe.

Belgium Dinner Night: La Jolle, California

6:30PM-8:30PM @ The Grill At The Lodge At Torrey Pines

Classic Belgian Ales paired with a four-course menu of Belgian inspired cuisine served family-style at communal tables served with the following featured beers: Brasserie Lefebvre Blanche De Bruxelles; Brouwerij De Proef Signature Ale (Port Brewing Collaboration); Brouwerij Verhaeghe Echte Kreikenbier; Gouden Carolus Tripel.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Victory Brewing Co. Tasting: Ithica, New York

4:00PM-6:00PM @ Ithaca Coffee Company at Gateway Commons

Come out to sample on tap from Victory Brewing Co., Harvest Pils, fresh hop pilsner using hops from the Finger Lakes region and St Victorious, our excellent Doppelbock. We will also be drinking Golden Monkey, Storm King and Yakima Twilight bottles.  Brewers Sean and Pete will be there to answer questions and talk about beer.

Avery Beer Dinner with The Bruery: Boulder, Colorado

5:30PM-8:00PM @ Pizzeria Basta

Join Adam Avery of Avery Brewing and Jonas Nemura of The Bruery at Boulder’s newest brick-oven pizza joint. Five courses will be paired with two beers per course. What a deal! Call Pizzeria Basta at 303-997-8775 for reservations and more information.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Barleywine Bacchanal: Seattle, Washington

Time TBA @ Beveridge Place Pub

Starting today until March 6, 2010, Beveridge Place Pub will feature 50 rotating barleywines on draught from the West Coast’s best breweries including many new releases as well as vintages from the cellar! 24 dedicated Barleywine Taps throughout the Fest! Look for upcoming information regarding special tasting events during the Bacchanal.  This is an event not to be missed! Beveridge Place Pub DOES NOT serve food, but encourages patrons to bring outside food if they are hungry!

Dogfish Head Tasting: St. Augustine, Florida

6:00PM-9:00PM @ J.P. Henley’s Beers & Wines Of The World

What to expect from Dogfish Head? 60, 90, 120 Minute IPAs and Burton Baton on tap (Try a flight).  Also they’ll have bottles of: 2007 Burton Baton, Pangea, Old School, Black and Blue, and Immort Ale with food pairing special and glass giveaways with purchase.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

First Annual Boulder Sour Fest: Boulder, Colorado

12:30PM-5:30PM @ Avery Brewing Company

Featuring 30 to 35 of the best sour ales, wild ales and brett beers from across the country (and a few from Europe too!). Max 400 tickets available at $35 each!

The Trappist Beers: New York, New York

1:00PM-8:00PM @ Swift Hibernian Lounge

A comprehensive tasting of all available Trappist ales (beer brewed by monks) including: Chimay; Orval; Westmalle’s Dubbel and Tripel; Rochefort’s  6, 8 and 10; Achel’s Brune and Blonde; La Trappe; Koningshoeven Quadrupel; La Trappe Isid’or and a Vertical Tasting of Chimay Grande Reserve.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Flying Dog Beer Dinner: Newark, Delware

6:00PM-8:00PM @ Caffe Gelato

Come taste Double Dog I.P.A. and Gonzo Imperial Porter among others from Flying Dog Brewery paried with dishes such as Barbecue glazed pork belly, braised escarole, poblano corn bread and Pan roasted lamb loin, marjoram infused toasted barley risotto and duck fat fried spinach. Cant wait for Sunday!

Michigan Breweries Beer Dinner: Grand Rapids, Michigan

6:00PM-8:00PM  @ HopCat

We will be pairing 4 carefully selected Michigan drafts and pair them up with 4 courses.

1st course: Bells Brewing Co.’s Consecrator with a fine cheese and meat plate/2nd course: Jolly Pumpkin’s Bam Noir with sweet potato, goat cheese fritters with truffel oil aioli/3rd course: Shorts Brewing Co. Pistachio Cream Ale with a pistachio encrusted whitefish with wild rice cakes and sambuca cream/4th course: Kuhnhenn Brewing Co.’s Winter Wonder with a wild berry sorbet with candied fruit.  WOW! Seats are limited and are only $35/person so sign up today. Hope to see you there.

Beer Blotter has a big weekend coming up with Bacchanal at Beveridge Place Pub. We plan on having a what to drink guide up on beerblotter.com later this week, so check back and hope to see you there!  As always, if you have an event you want us to post, want us to try a beer, want to get a beer, then leave a comment or email us at beerblotter@gmail.com!  Cheers!

Events for the Week of January 18, 2010

Quencher's Saloon in Chicago, IL always has great events!

Where to go? What to do? What to drink? These are all very pertinent questions for this week and every week for that matter. We, at Beer Blotter are here to tend to your beer going and beer drinking needs.

Monday, January 18, 2010

• Flight Night: Chicago, Illinois

11:00AM -2:00 AM @ Quencher’s Saloon

Stop by Quencher’s Saloon to 1.) continue to dominate Stout Night OR 2.) spend a mere $15.00 and taste 5 different beers (6 oz pours) on tap. We at Beer Blotter love this concept, being able to taste a variety of beers without breaking the bank or suffering from public drunkenness on a Monday evening. This does occur every Monday, so if you can’t make it tonight there will be endless opportunities.

• Women Only, No Boys Allowed: Stout and Porter Night: Escondido, California

7:00PM- 9:00PM @ Stone Brewing Co.

Its Sex and the City, but without the Cosmos and catty conversation…so its nothing like Sex and the City—> its Stout and Porter night with female beer enthusiasts and Stone’s own, Kathryn Bouscaren.  This night will be tasty and informative as the women in attendance will learn all about the history and brewing process affiliated with Stouts and Porters. A few of the featured beers include: Alaskan Smoked Porter, Deschutes The Abyss and Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout. Tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased at the Stone Company Store or HERE!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

• Green Flash Brewing Co. Night: Seattle, Washington

6:00 PM – 2:00 AM @ Brouwer’s Cafe

Finally, another amazing beer from California has entered the Seattle market. Appropriatly so, Brouwer’s Cafe is featuring 9 Green Flash beers on tap which include: 7 anniversary, West Coast IPA, Hop head Red, Imperial IPA, Double Stout, Le Freak, Triple, Coffee Stout and a Barleywine. Read more about these beers on  Green Flash Brewing’s website.

• Three Creeks Brewing Bottle Release: Portland, Oregon

5:30PM -7:30PM @ The Beermongers

Oregon’s newest brewery, Three Creeks Brewing made a splash with Rudolph’s Imperial Red Ale.  Now they are ready to release more brews and the brewer will be at the Beermongers to give out some samples. While you are tasting these brews, check out Beermongers’ bottle selection, its AMAZING!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

• Emelisse Brewery Debut Party: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Keg is tapped at 4:00pm until its gone @ Tria

Known in the Netherlands as Bierbrouwerij Grande- Cafe Emelisse, this international brewery’s Imperial Stout is featured at Tria for one night and one night only.  This is the only keg in all of Pennsylvania and according to Tria’s website, its a “small” one. If anyone gets to have this beer, please leave a comment or email us at beerblotter@gmail.com!

• Festival of Hops: St. Paul, Minnesota

12:00 PM- 12:00 AM @ The Muddy Pig

For twelve straight hours (and through January 24, 2010) come enjoy hop heaven in the middle of winter. Take a break from those winter warmers, stouts and barleywines (although all are equally amazing) and indulge in some hops! The 2nd Annual Festival of Hops at The Muddy Pig will feature over 60 + Pale Ales and IPAs. $8.00 will get you 3 5-oz pours. No tickets necessary.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

• Belgiumfest 2010 Preview Event: Seattle, Washington

3:00 PM- 2:00 AM @ Beveridge Place Pub

Come preview many of the great Belgium style beers brewed by Washington brewers that will be present at this Saturday’s Belgiumfest 2010 in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle. Check out Beer Blotter’s post about this event and CLICK HERE, NOW! Oh and stop by Beveridge Place Pub and wet your whistle.

• Dogfish Head Beer Dinner: Longwood, Florida

6:30PM – 9:30PM @ Cravings Restaurant

We wish Dogfish Head would have a dinner somewhere, ANYWHERE in Seattle. The beers are so flavorful and complex, the perfect pairing to a well seasoned meal.  Tonight’s menu and DFH pairings include some of the following items: Warm Raspberry Bacon Vinaigrette infused with Midas Touch, tossed with mixed greens, heirloom tomatoes and cucumbers paired with Midas Touch, Braised Short Ribs with a 90 minute demi glace, fire roasted root vegetables, and Smoked Gouda Risotto cake paired with 90 Minute IPA and 120 Minute Ice Cream in a Cream Puff with White Chocolate Ganache paired with 120 Minute IPA.  An IPA Cream Puff???  “I want to go to here.” Tickets are $45.00 all inclusive and there is limited seating so call 407-951-8662 for reservations!

Friday, January 22, 2010

• Winter Brew Fest: Denver, Colorado

7:00PM- 10:00PM @ Mile High Station

Come for Mile High Station’s semi-annual festival (summer and winter fests) and enjoy some winter brews while they are still in season.  $30.00 in advance and $35.00 at the door, a souvenir glass and UNLIMITED tastings will be offered.  Featured breweries include: Great Divide Brewing Co., Big Sky Brewing Co., Avery Brewing Co., and Fort Collins Brewing Co.

• IPA Firkin Tapping: Spring House, Pennsylvania

5:00 PM-12:00 AM @ Drafting Room- SpringHouse

Once a month, the Drafting Room celebrates the history of beer by tapping a firkin keg, tapped and poured in the traditional way of driving a spigot into the front of the keg with a wooden mallet.  This month/this weekend has IPA’s galore, such as Green Flash West Coast IPA, Green Flash Hop Head Red with Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA, Weyerbacher Hotel (just released in December) and Weyerbacher Quad pouring on Saturday, January 23, 2010. Experience beer and a taste of history!

• Heavy Seas Beer Dinner: Alexandria, Virginia

7:00PM- 9:00PM @ Bilbo Baggins

Hosted by Heavy Seas beer founder, Hugh Sisson, come enjoy beers made by Clipper City Brewing Co. and indulge in a mouth watering menu.  Enjoy a unpretentious night of beers and good food with items such as Assorted Bilbo Baggins’ gourmet flat bread pizzas and Handcut french fries topped with Wisconsin cheese curds and homemade gravy paired with the following beers: Small Craft Warning – Loose Cannon – Peg Leg – Winter Storm – Holy Sheet – YuleTide – 2008 Below Decks. Come hungry and thirsty!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

• Day Two of the Three Day Big Beer Event: Norristown, Pennsylvania

11:30AM- 11:30PM @ Capone’s Restaurant, Inc.

No need to go into much detail about this event: Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron, Victory Old Horizontal 2008, Allagash Interlude 2008, Stoudts Old Abominable Whiskey Barrel Aged 2008 and Lost Abbey Angel’s Share 2008, should do the trick. There is more, just go and make us jealous!

• BELGIUMFEST 2010: Seattle, Washington

12:00-4:00PM OR 6:00PM-10:00PM @ The Engine Room at Georgetown Studios

Stop by for one of two sessions for $30.00 in advance and $35.00 at the door.  Advance ticket sales end at 5am on Saturday, January 23rd, or as soon as the event is sold out.  Check out Beer Blotter’s post of BELGIUMFEST 2010 including details and beers to be had by moving your cursor here and clicking.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

• Belgium Beer Dinner: Milford, Massachusetts

5:00PM-7:30 PM @ Prezo’s Grille and Bar

Lets continue to celebrate all that is Belgium and all that is beer by flying overnight from Seattle, WA to Milford, MA. Well maybe not, but please leave a comment if you go to either, all or any! 4 of the 7 (although we all know there are only 6 in Belgium with the 7th in the Netherlands) Trappist breweries will be featured. Orval, Chimay, Rochefort and Westmalle, oh my! Call (508) 634-0101 for reservations! Cheers!

• Festival of Hops Continues: St. Paul, Minnesota

12:00 PM- 12:00 AM @ The Muddy Pig

LAST DAY!

Done, Complete! Writing this event post every week sparks interest in:

1. travel by means of a transporter,

2. stopping time in order to enjoy all of these beers and

3. checking out places like Milford, MA and Norristown, PA.

Beer is everywhere and that is a great thing!  Have a wonderful week and as always, if you attend an event, have more information about an event, want to mention an event, or just want to voice your opinion, leave a comment or email us at beerblotter@gmail.com.

Events for the Week of January 11, 2010

Bodega Cafe, Columbus, Ohio

After an amazing beer weekend in Portland, Oregon (more on that tomorrow), Beer Blotter is back on schedule with your weekly events. The weeks just keep passing us by and many great beer related festivals await us here in Seattle (Belgiumfest 2010 and Strangebrew festival). But for now, here is what’s going on in Beer USA.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Stout Fest: Chicago, Illinois

11:00 AM until close @ Quenchers Saloon

We are already on day 11 of 31. Yes, thats right, Stout Fest runs from January 1, 2010 until January 31, 2010- every single day. The goal? Well Quenchers has created four groups with five stouts in each group (buy four stouts, get one free). Spend the month of January drinking as many stouts as possible and “closing out” each group and winning congratulatory stouts. Here a beer from each group: Founder’s Breakfast Stout, Avery’s Out of Bounds Stout, Hitachino Espresso Stout and Left Hand Oak Aged Imp. Stout.

Bridgeport Tasting and Meet the Brewer: Portland, Oregon

6:00PM- 8:00PM @ Belmont Station

Come join local craft brewers for a tasting at Belmont Station. BridgePort Brewing Co. is considered Portland’s oldest craft brewing company. Tonight you will be able to sample, the Highland Ambush Scotch Ale, Hop Czar, Bourbon Barrel Aged Ebenezer and MORE

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Founders Black Biscuit Tapping Party: Columbus, Ohio

7:00-9:00 PM @ Bodgea

Details from ratebeer.com state, “Special guests Michael Bell and John Host from Founders Brewing Co. will be in to tap Founders Black Biscuit, an old ale/porter that was aged in a maple bourbon barrel that was stored in the old gypsum mines beneath Grand Rapids. 11% abv 50 ibu’s .” Founders is a one of a kind brewery and specializes in stouts and porters. This event is not to be missed. It is free and 50% happy hour prices will apply between the hours of 7:00PM and 8:00PM.

Weyerbacher Fireside Ale Promotion Night: Mount Holly, New Jersey

7:00PM- close @ High Street Grill

Stop by High Street Grill and enjoy a pint of Weyerbacker’s Fireside Ale, a dark ale with a hint of roasted, smoke flavor. From 7:00PM-10:00PM this beer will be featured along side 16 other taps, live Irish music and $10.00 all you can eat mussels. A perfect food paring for a beer with a rich maltiness, slight bitterness and robust flavor.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

3 Floyd’s Night: Jefferson, Indiana

4:00PM until close @ Rocky’s Sub Pub

If you do not go to this event, we will be so disappointed!  Not only can you enjoy a pizza from Rocky’s, you get to try 10 or more beers from 3 Floyd’s Brewing Co. What the beer drinkers of Seattle would do for such an event! Here….it….is….Moloko, a sweet stout, Dreadnaught IPA, Ham on Rye, Broo Doo, an Oktober style brew, Pride and Joy, Alpha King, Gumballhead, Alpha Klaus, Robert the Bruce, Großer Kurfürst, and Alpha King on cask. Not to mention, Lincoln Anderson will be there from the brewery!

Goose Island Beers Galore!: New York, New York

5:00PM- until close @ Rattle-N-Hum

20 taps are a flowing tonight and all of them are from Goose Island Brewery. In our humble opinion here are a few you should try: Matilda, Bourbon County Stout, Pere Jacques and Demolition.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Dogfish Head Night: Glenside, Pennsylvania

starts at 7:00 PM @ Union Jacks

The following Dogfish Head beers will be tapped this Thursday, World Wide Stout, 120 Minute IPA and Burton Baton. Do not forget all the free giveaway and the buffalo wings that patron’s rave about!

Michigan Microbrew Night: Lansing, Michigan

7:00PM-9:00PM @ Reno’s Sports Bar West

For only two hours, you can come experience the great beers of the Mid-western state that is Michigan. Featured breweries include Atwater, Founders, Arcadia, Michigan, Mount Pleasant, Shorts, Bell’s, New Holland, Dark Horse and Dragonmead. $15 Advance, $20 at door, includes 10 samples, snacks, and a raffle drawing.  There is a whole lot going on in these two hours!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Great Alaska Beer and Barleywine Festival: Anchorage, Alaska

5:00PM- 10:00 PM @ William A. Egan Convention Center

The price of this festival rivals that of many at $30.00. The major difference is that you get 30 tastes! Make sure you grab some food during and stay hydrated! Live music and amazing food will accompany a line of beers worth the trek across Canada.  Dogfish head features their Chicory Stout, Great Divide’s Old Ruffian Barleywine will grace the stage, Midnight Sun Brewing Co. has 10 beers for pouring (TEN!), Brewery Ommegang., Orval, Rochefort, Rodenbach…it certainly does not start nor stop there. Check out the event’s official website here!

Black Tot Day with Avery Brewing: Boulder, Colorado

5:00PM- 8:00PM @ Avery Brewing Co.

Straight from “source”–> Be there to make sure you get some bottles of this incredible and indelibly unique brew. Imperial Oatmeal Stout aged in Gosling’s Rum barrels. Huge. Chewy. Endlessly deep. Smooth beyond belief with endless amounts of subtle flavors that work their way out as you sip. This beer is so good that you can quaff a pint or sip and savor a few ounces with equal ease. The only difficult part is deciding what you want to do with it! $8 per 12oz bottle. Max 6 bottles per customer. We’ll have just a tad over 300 cases of this beer (24/12oz.) to go around. Limited one time release, with a few cases being sent to select states. Coming to Black Tot Day at the Avery Tap Room is the only way to GUARANTEE that you get your hands on some bottles! We’ll also have 5 gallon kegs tapped of unoaked, rye barrel and bourbon barrel versions of the Imperial Oatmeal Stout, along with Black Tot itself. We’ll be pouring a single 5 gallon keg of each and no more…when they’re gone they’re gone! $3 per taster. No door charge!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

The Great Alaskan Beer and Barleywine Festival Continues from 6:00PM-10:00PM

Brooklyn Brewery Night: Greensburg, Pennsylvania

7:00PM- 9:00PM @ Mister Bones Bistro and Brew Hub

Seating is limited at a cost of $15.00 and you will be able to sample Brooklyn Brewery’s Lager, IPA, and Brown ale. Brooklyn will also bring a limited release beer for everyone to sample. The bistro will be creating a special menu for the evening, full of foods that will compliment the different styles of beer featured. The signature light hors d’oeuvres will be included with the purchase of an event ticket. (The full menu will also be available)

World Beer Festival: Columbia, South Carolina

(2 sessions) 12:00 PM- 4:00PM & 6:00PM-10:00PM @ the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

With over 150 vendors, local music and 300 beers, for $40.00 you can sample has little or as much as your heart and liver desire. For more information about the event click here and for pictures from the event last January, click right….here.

Sunday, January 27, 2010

Valley Brew Beer Dinner: San Francisco, California

starts at 6:00PM @ Anchor and Hope Restaurant

Join Brewmaster Steve Altimari from Valley Brewing Company and Chef Sarah Schafer of Anchor & Hope for an evening of an exquisite pairing of beers and food.  Click here to see the menu.

Victory Brewing Beer Dinner: Grand Rapids, Michigan

6:00PM-8:00PM @ HopCat

Victory Brewing out of Pennsylvia is featured at tonight’s beer and food pairing dinner.  Tonight four beers will be paired with four dishes. The beers you can expect to taste include, Yakima Twilight, Wild Devil, Baltic Thunder and the very rare V-12.

The holidays are surely over, as this week proved difficult in chosing which events to feature. From large beer festivals to small, intimate dinners, we hope those in attendance have a damn good time. If you attend any of the mentioned events, want to share an event or have any suggestions for the event blog, leave a comment or email us at beerblotter@gmail.com. Cheers and have a great beer drinking week!

9 weeks and Counting: Beer and Belgium on the Brain

Orval, Trappist Ale: A Beer of Belgium Night

Last night, the creators of Beer Blotter joined forces to learn about Belgium culture, learn the Dutch language and most importantly learn about Belgium beers (with the help of Michael Jackson’s Great Beers of Belgium).

Basically each week until our trip, we plan on getting together and sampling Belgium beers, eating Belgium foods and becoming more familiar with the arts, cultures and languages that we will encounter. Wij zijn Beer Blotter. Wij zijn van Amerika. Wij zouden van een bier houden. Thats all we have thus far. We are Beer Blotter. We are from America. We would like a beer.

Last night, we embarked on a journey of four Belgium beers, one Tripel, two Trappist and a sour pale. For your viewing pleasure, I bring you:

Brouwerij Bosteels, Tripel Karmeliet: This beer smells like a Pilsner, is light in color, tastes grainy at first (it is brewed with three different grains after all) and finishes with a sweet, berry flavor. All in all, this beer is not very complex and lacks character. However, kudos to the history of the Tripel Karmeliet as it is brewed from the same original 1679 recipe.

Petrus, Aged Pale: Let us just say, WOW. This beer is sour, sweet and does actually have some hop presence, although barely detectable. Michael Jackson named this beer “aged pale” back in 2001 when the beer was first released. In his book, he states that the brewers we concerned that “pale” meant weak and “aged” meant stale. This beer is quite the opposite and named appropriately. The pale characteristics are reminiscent in the smell, the color and body of the beer while the aged portion provides the sour qualities and complexity of flavors. This beer comes highly recommended!

Orval, Trappist Ale: One of the six trappist breweries in Belgium, this ale is not constrained by a style and goes above and beyond expectation. Brewed in Abbey Orval, this Trappist Ale is the only beer produced and is perfection. Orval is a very dry (like so dry you need to sip on water), yet rich beer. As time passes during your enjoyment, the flavors develop, open up and thats when you know its a damn good beer. The commercial description reads: In contrast to all the others, the Orval Trappist brewery makes only one beer for the general public. It has an intensely aromatic and dry character. Between the first and second fermentations there is also an additional dry-hopping process. Through this the beer acquires its pronounced hoppy aroma and extra dry taste.

Trappistes Rochefort, 8 or “Green Cap”: Another Trappist brewery from Belgium, Rochefort, makes three beers, 6, 8 and 10. This beer truly knocked our socks off, but lets start with the commercial description: Deep brown color; the flavor is vigorous and complex, with firm body to support the strength. The aroma has elusive notes of fresh fruit, spice, leather and figs. Vigorous is right! The smell is all consuming and utterly complex. Smells sweet almost like soda, candy apples, maple syrup and cherries with hints of a roaring fire. The “datey” flavor is very prevalent even through all of the joining flavors. This beer is like a perfectly composed melody with a bitter, coffee quality to finish. Please, do yourself a favor and get this beer because you can and why the hell wouldn’t you?

Next week Beer Blotter will have four more Belgium beauties, some mussels and frites and will hopefully learn another Dutch phrase or two. If you have any recommendations on which Belgium beers we should try and/or some Belgium food recipes, please leave a comment or email us at beerblotter@gmail.com. Your input is valued and needed!