Events for the Week of October 4, 2010

Photo creds of Blue Palms Brewhouse go to la.eater.com.

Written by Jess R.

Seriously? Its October? Thus truly begins the season of Halloween, corn mazes, Thanksgiving and seasonal beers- specifically harvest, fresh hop and pumpkin beers. This weekend we camped in Port Townsend (RIP Waterstreet Brewing- for now), stopped at Port Townsend Brewing Co. for some amazing Glass Kisser Imperial IPA, Barleywine and Bourbon Barrel Imperial Porter and ended up in Portland for a day trip full of amazing breweries! And now for your week in beer.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Oskar Blues Night: Providence, Rhode Island

9:00PM-1:00AM @ Julians

Oskar Blues- quality microbrew in a can and on tap if your lucky. Tonight, you are. Julians will feature: Mama’s Lil Yella Pils, Gordon, a double red ale, Gubna IPA and their Wild Sour Cherry Old Chub.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Dogfish Head Night: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

7:00PM-11:00PM @ Eulogy Belgium Tavern

Having several Dogfish Head beers on tap is my dream come true. Tonight, I must live vicariously through our readers. So please, those of you who live in Philadelphia, go and try ALL THESE BEERS. On tap tonight: Festina Peche, Palo Santo Marron (2008), Midas Touch, Pangaea, Sahtea, Punkin’ and Theobroma.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Lagunitas Tasting Event: New York, New York

4:00PM-4:00AM @ The Blind Tiger

First of all, The Blind Tiger is one of my favorite beers bars and my favorite in NYC. Couple that with an epic tasting night, you wouldn’t be able to keep me away. Tonight, California’s Lagunitas brings the heat with several taps including: their Habenero IPA, Lil Sumpin Wild, Hop Stoopid, Wilco Tango Foxtrot and so much more!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Founder’s Tapping Party: Mariemont, Ohio

6:00PM-8:00PM @ Dilly Deli Wines and Gourmet

This event makes me want to  move to Mariemont, Ohio– well almost. Dilly will be tapping Devil Dancer, 2010 Nemesis, and Canadian Breakfast Stout along with some of your Year round favorites from Founders Brewing Company. Damn.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Ommegang Cheese Pairing: Chicago, Illinois

6:00PM-9:00PM @ Binny’s Beverage Depot

Tonight among the aisle full of amazing beers, a series of pairings featuring beers from Brewery Ommegang will be matched with cheeses available in the Gourmet Market. Look for Zuur, Three Philosophers and Rare Vos.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Anacortes Oktoberfest: Anacortes, Washington

12:00PM-6:00PM @ Port of Anacortes Warehouse

You can be part of the first annual Oktoberfest in Anacortes, Washington. Expect to 30 Northwest breweries, each serving one or two styles of beer. A $20.00 ticket gets you entrance to the pier and historic warehouse, a tasting cup and six tokens for 4 oz pours. Additional tokens are available for $1.50/each. If you plan on having a little too much fun, then stay the night and enjoy live music in many venues throughout downtown.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Ballast Point, Hook, Line and Sinker: Los Angeles, California

5:00PM-11:00PM @ Blue Palms Brewhouse

Tonight, the crew from Ballast Point Brewery will be there to present many many beers to you! I give you:
Sculpin IPA, Sculpin IPA on NITRO, Dorado DIPA, 2009 Sea Monster Imperial Stout, Sour Wench, Oktoberfest, Longfin Lager, Even Keel, Ginger Big Eye, Yellowtail, Calico, Big Eye and a cask of Black Marlin Porter with Organic Cocoa nibs from Madagascar.
Happy Sunday!

If you go to an event, want us to post an event or just want to chat, leave a comment or email us at beerblotter@gmail.com. Cheers!

The Hardest Post I’ve Ever Typed: The Death of My Heart, Water Street Brewing

Water Street. Rest in Peace. You left your mark on us all.

The first time I ever gazed upon the entryway, I shuddered. Isn’t this the iconic portal where Richard Gere once had a pint in an Officer and a Gentleman? It was. But it was so much more. It was the most inviting entry on the block. It only took one glance.

I remember walking up and thinking – this is everything a brewpub should be. Its an over-sized, over-vaulted, sun sprayed, open-aired masterpiece. We can fill the pool of demographics with a sample of the bar crowd. You could swim in the smell of fresh beer wort filling the air. It was everything I had dreamed of – and there was more to come.

Before I continue my heart-wrenching words, I want to say that I have put off this article for more than a year. I might be crazy; I might be frightened. I’m just not sure. But the essence of Water Street Brewing could not be bottled and it could not be served on an outside-viewing public. It was the inside of your dreams and the best that your imagination could muster.

But now, its soon to be gone. In roughly 30 hours, all that I knew of the bar I called “perfection” will be erased from its space on the waterfront in little ole Port Townsend. I have died a little inside.

But my memories will try and live on – at least what can be maintained from the few beer-engulfed images I took home with me. The images ingrained themselves so deeply, it would be nearly impossible to forget.

Walking in, you are met with scents, images, music and aura. I don’t think that I’ve ever felt aura before. I’m just not that type of person. I notice the layout, feel, and comfort of bars – i love them. But never before did I honestly feel a sense of excitement in the air, especially in a bar that was practically empty. You could just tell that a remarkable history and passion ran rampant through this place. I was now going to be a part of it.

I took a few glances before even thinking about sitting. The pharaoh and the demon mural, the mermaid, the stage, the blown glass, the old wood, the vaulted ceilings coated in $1 bills, the veranda with its collection of broken pool cues, the air, the light and the sound. It was magnificent.

Once I had returned to earth, we saddled up at the bar. We were greeted by the image of all that is respected and loved and intertwined in the aura of Water Street – Queen Nina. Nina Law – hello.

You have never been treated by a bartender until you spend an afternoon, evening, entire calendar day with Nina as your bar mate. She is spectacularly in love with this place, its constituents, and its craft. For quite some time, the house’s greatest and most love-filled beer has been named for her – Queen Nina IPA.

A bucket of pumpkin-colored, viscous, sweet-herbed IPA is poured. I remain calm, in awe of the surroundings. The man to my right immediately strikes up the conversation – howdy. He’s a man of many a year in Port Townsend. This is his home, the bar stool beside me. I am told of the wonderful things that the crowd of this place has done for this man. I am told of the minor contributions that he made to keep the place afloat in early 2009, when the bar almost went belly-up from a loss of income. The stuttering of his voice guaranteed the reality that I was in this magical place.

Even the Iceman went to Water Street. Just part of the crowd.

What next? Food from the soul? An inspiring chat with a stranger? Some impromptu live folk music? How about some fiddling? How about  I rip this shirt off the wall and take off with my little piece of Water Street? I took it all.

Being from the Midwest, I have one food passion – wings. I know its a bit silly to get passionate about hot wings, but then again – have you been reading this article? Packed with love.

Anyways, the wings: perfection. I remember that Queen Nina brought out my platter and said – “you know what? thats the best damn wing order I’ve ever seen.” She was right. To this day, it might be the best dozen that I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying. Covered in fresh roasted garlic, rolled in tangy sauce,  cooked to perfection, served with liquid gorgonzola. It was heaven for a wing man.

We spent at least an hour in each of the five separate spaces at Water Street’s 7,000 square foot warehouse of bar. Each space had its own comfort, each providing you with a different feel. Of course, we begun at the bar – which would rival the collegiality of a World Cup soccer team. But there are other spaces with their own great comfort.

There is the restaurant area, directly in the airways of the kitchen (smell the shellfish!) and the brewery (smell the malt!). Then there is the cubby hole beneath the stairs – the perfect place to gather with cronies. Next, the upstairs veranda, full of pool tables, portals overlooking the bar from 20′ above and the malt mill! Last and certainly not least – the outside patio. Nestled beside the water, and a few feet from the brewery exhaust, its the perfect place to enjoy pitcher and a clambake.

You wanted music? How about some impromptu gypsy-folk, featuring a fiddle and guitar, on the old stage? If that’s not going on, Queen Nina is sure to keep the bar’s sound waves geared up on 1960s-1970s hippy rock. They keep it mellow.

I couldn’t leave if I wanted. To some extent, I never have. I wanted so badly to have that place in my memories, that I ripped an old shirt off the wall. It was the last shirt that remained from their economic near-collapse earlier in the year. They couldn’t afford new merchandise at the time, but Nina was more than happy to send me home with the last remaining article on the wall. Best $15 I ever spent. I wear that shirt once a week – no joke.

The first time I went – we stayed for about 8 hours. The next morning, we returned for another 5 hours. I know, that’s how much I loved it. You’d certainly think that cannot be duplicated.

After weeks of giving friends my elevator pitch on Water Street, we returned. They stopped in, had some wings, had some beer and loved every moment. But 3 hours was enough for them. They decided to check out the town. Not me. I stayed by myself, enjoying the crowd, enjoying the staff, and enjoying what would come to be my last and final glimpse into the one remaining bar, which is soaked in the love of its admirers.

Pumpkin Juice. Queen Nina IPA.

So……call me a sap. Do it. I deserve it, but I do not apologize or regress from my statements in this article.

Maybe you didn’t think the bar resembles anything close to what I said? Well, just rest easy knowing that such a perception of a watering hole is possible. Know that a person could be so very much overwhelmed by the aura of an institution that it could reduce them to near tears upon learning of its demise.

Know all of that, and continue searching for your own place. Aura exists. Rest in peace – Water Street.

Events for Week of April 19, 2010

The wings at Cooper's Ale House are amazing. Paired with an IPA....heaven.

As we sit in anticipation of Seattle Beer Week (kick-off is May 13, 2010), we at Beer Blotter continue to bring you weekly events. Drink up!

Monday, April 19, 2010

IPA Fests in Seattle: Seattle, WA

All day @ Cooper’s Ale House

All day @ Beveridge Place Pub

IPApril continues for just 11 more days, so stop by Cooper’s (wing specials on Monday) or Beveridge Place Pub (beer specials on Monday) for some delicious, mouth-watering IPAs!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Ballast  Point Takes the Taps: New York, New York

Begins at 3:00PM @ Rattle-N-Hum

Just as it sounds, Ballast Point Brewery is taking over Rattle-N-Hum through May 5, 2010 with many many beers including: Bourbon Barrel Aged Black Marlin; Dorado; Tongue Buckler; Victory at Sea and Three Sheets Barleywine.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Brooklyn Brewery Tasting: Garland, Texas

Begins at 6:00PM @ Flying Saucer on the Lake
The event will be hosted by Mike Vitale and Nadine Jones from The Brooklyn Brewery and will pair four of Brooklyn’s core brands, seasonal beers and big bottles with three food courses, including prosciutto-wrapped melon, Flying Saucer Surf & Turf and pretzel Samoa. Featured beers include the Summer Ale, Lager, Local 1 and Local 2. Tickets for the event can be purchased at Flying Saucer and are $25 for U.F.O. Club members and $30 for non-members. Reservations are recommended as space is limited.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Earth Day Lights Out Party: Grand Rapids, Michigan

8:00PM @Hop Cat

In an effort to conserve energy and to celebrate Earth Day, Hop Cat will feature beers from featuring beers from Anderson Valley, Brooklyn Brewing Co., and a few others. Enjoy these brews by candlelight.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Dogfish Head Dinner: Raleigh, North Carolina

7:00PM @ Busy Bee Cafe

Dogfish Head beers, due to their quality and undeniable flavors pair very well with a variety of foods.  Sam from Dogfish is coming to dinner! Tickets are $75 per person for a 5 beer, 3 food course dinner. Email info@busybeeraleigh.com to reserve a seat.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

AprilBrews Day: Bellingham, Washington

6:30PM-10:00PM @ Depot Market Square

Join local brewers as they share their microbrews in a fundrasier for the MAX HIGBEE CENTER, a non-profit agency that provides recreational opportunities for teens and adults with developmental disabilities. And the featured breweries include…Iron Horse, Lazy Boy, Waterstreet Brewing, Silver City and Port Townsend Brewing Co., among many others. Click Here for the full list.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Barleywine Festival: Tacoma, Washington

All day @ The Parkway Tavern

Here is the day of the event schedule: Sunday April 25th 2pm-2am More barleywine. with a Barley Brunch from 11am until 1pm  that will include great food, and an exclusive opportunity to taste some rare barleywines, such as Firestone Walker Abacus, Dogfish Head Olde School, Mad River Rorschach, Stone Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Guardian, and much more. Tickets on sale now $35.

Thats it, thats all. If you want us to include an event in our post, please leave a comment or email us at beerblotter@gmail.com!

Events for Week of January 25, 2010

BEEF & BEER @ The South Philadelphia Tap Room

Another Monday, another week, another set of weekly events. Read on, pencil these dates in and have fun!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Monday Night FREE Tasting: Portland, Oregon

5:00PM-7:00PM@ The Beermongers

Blue Mountain Cider Company from Milton-Freewater Oregon will be providing the samples.  They make great cider from whole apples grown here is the Pacific Northwest.  Beermongers will have their unfiltered cider on draft, free samples and we will be making cider “cocktails” (such as Red Skies at Night: 8oz of Cherry Cider & 8oz stout beer!).  Join the Beermongers and Andy from Blue Mountain for an evening of cider tasting and education about the proper way to make cider.

Ommegang Beer Dinner: Washington D.C.

6:30PM-10:30PM @ Birreria Paradiso/Pizzeria Paradiso Georgetown

Four delectable courses complemented by 6 beer pairings, come indulge on a Monday evening with the head brewer of Brewery Ommegang at Birreria Paradiso. 6:30 & 9:00 PM seatings. Call for reservations:202-337-4936!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Hitachino Brewery Night: Brooklyn, New York

6:00 PM until close @ Bar Great Harry

Visit one of the best beer bars in all of Brooklyn and sample beers from Japanese brewery, Hitachino Nest. This is a unique brewery with top notch beers, such as their Espresso Stout (personal favorite), Real Ginger Brew, White Ale, the XH (matured in sake casks) and the Red Rice Ale.  Try them all!!! Oh and FREE meats and cheeses!

Highland Brewery Night: Sarasota, Florida

4:00PM-12:00AM @ World of Beer

Highland Brewing Co. out of Asheville, NC will feature their 15th Anniv.auld Ahshevile Ale, Black Mocha Stout, Gaelic Ale, Kashmir IPA, Oatmeal Porter, St.Terese’s Pale Ale and their Tasgall Ale.  World of Beer is a family friendly establishment until 7:00PM and there will be specials on draft sampler platters and givaways.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Weyerbacher Tasting Night: New Haven, Connecticut

7:00PM-9:00PM @ Prime 16

Get here early if you want a seat and want to beat the crowd, as there will only be two hours to drink as many Weyerbacher beers as humanly possible.  Every Wednesday, Prime 16 hosts FREE beer tastings.  What a great idea!!!

Brewer’s Night with Elysian Brewing Co.: Bellingham, Washington

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

Elysian Brewing Company out of Seattle, Washington is taking the trip North to Green Frog Cafe to taste a bunch of tasty beer with some surprises. Elysian Brewing Company is known for innovation, collaborations and some damn good IPA.  For those that are attending this event, look for Trip IV, an interesting brew from Elysian and New Belgium!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Lagunitas Hopstoopid & Cask Hairy Eyeball Tapping: Chicago, Illinois

7:00PM- 11:00PM @ Sheffield’s Wine and Beer Garden

Lagunitas Brewing Co. is the feature brewery for the month of January at Sheffield’s Wine and Beer Garden, so tonight all 6 taps will be Lagunitas beers: Pilsner, Pale Ale, IPA, Hopstoopid IPA, Cappuccino Stout & a very special keg of Cask Hairy Eyeball!! All pints will be $4.00 each.

Stout Tasting: Mt. Pleasent, South Carolina

5:30PM-7:30PM @ Wine a While

Sample several different styles of stouts from the classic to newer interpretations. All tasted beers will be on special with a $5 fee! Call 843 881-3155 to find out what beers will be featured!

Friday, January, 29, 2010

Founders Brewing Co. Tasting Event: Ann Arbor, Michigan

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

Come meet the folks from Founders and enjoy $3 pints of three different Founders brews served at the Wine and Craft Beer Bar. This event is free to attend! Want to know what will be on tap? Call (734) 997-7500.

Winter Ale Night: San Diego, California

5:00PM- 12:00AM @ Downtown Johnny Brown’s

Only….51 days of winter left, keep on enjoying those winter brews!  There will be a complimentary pot of Carbonnade a la flamande and a selection of cheese from Taste in Hillcrest. Our usual Friday happy hour fare will also be available. And the beers (this is not a complete list): Mikkeller’s Santa’s Little Helper, Deschutes Abyss, Port Brewing Santa’s Little Helper, Lost Abbey Angel’s Share and Ale Smith’s Yulesmith.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Strange brewFest: Port Townsend, Washington

1:00PM-9:00PM @ Waterstreet Brewing and Ale House

One of Beer Blotter’s favorite spots in the state of Washington, Waterstreet Brewing and Ale House is hosting the 6th Annual Strange brewFest.  What to expect? ● Over 30 Northwest Breweries ● Live Music ALL Week-end ● Chainsaw Carving ALL Week-end ● Costume Contest- theme is Wild Things ● Zany Games & Entertainment ●(Saturday afternoon) Fusion Belly Dance Show,fire dancers, jugglers, and much much more.  $25.00 Entry Fee (at the door).  Be prepared to wait on a long line!  It will be well worth it!  Strange brew Fest continues on Sunday, January 31st from 1:00PM-6:00PM.

New Belgium Ranger IPA Release Party: Chicago, Illinois

8:00PM-3:00AM @ Will’s Northwoods Inn

Tonight is the pre-release party for New Belgium’s Ranger IPA. With the nation-wide release date is February 1st, those in attendance will be envied by all!  There is no cover charge and no need to RSVP to this event.  The commercial description of this IPA reads as: This clear amber beauty bursts at the starting gate with an abundance of hops: Cascade (citrus), Chinook (floral/citrus), and Simcoe (fruity) lead off the beer, with Cascade added again for an intense dry hop flavor. Brewed with pale and dark caramel malts that harmonize the hop flavor from start to finish…

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Beef & Beer: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

5:00PM-9:00PM @ South Philadelphia Tap Room

Tickets are $50 per person for this all you can eat & drink event.

BEEF AND BEER—> what a way to end the week right!  All you can eat hormone-free prime rib, marinated mushrooms, house-smoked brisket tacos and beef tartar, all made from local, grass-fed cows, plus  all you can drink firkins from your favorite local breweries. Featured beer will include firkins of Tröegs Nugget Nectar, Weyerbacher Hops Infusion, Sly Fox Chester County Bitter and Philadelphia Brewing Company’s newest seasonal, a Scotch Ale – in addition to a few surprises. Tickets are available for purchase on location,  over the phone at 215.271.7787, or on the venue’s website.

Stout Fest: Chicago, Illinois

11:00 AM until close @ Quenchers Saloon

LAST DAY FOR STOUT FEST. Spend the last day of January among many amazing stouts. Here are a few examples of the amazing beers on tap: Founder’s Breakfast Stout, Avery’s Out of Bounds Stout, Hitachino Espresso Stout and Left Hand Oak Aged Imp Stout. Stouts are great on Sundays…and any day for that matter.

See everyone next week for events in February! If anyone attends an event, wants us to add an event or tried a beer at an event, please leave a comment or email us at beerblotter@gmail.com!  Cheers!