Ladies of Craft Beer

Posted By: SBenner

Poster courtesy of stonebrew.com

The Raleigh Times Bar in Raleigh, NC, has earned quite a few distinctions over the years, including multiple recognitions on Draft’s “100 Best Beer Bars” list. The most recent is a bit more specific, but carries quite the honor – Stone Brewing Co. declared it the “Most Arrogant Bar in America.” The honor came after North Carolinians drank the most pints of Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale, Double Bastard Ale, and OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale during a week-long promotion in fall 2011. This is the third year in a row a North Carolina drinking hole took the honors, with previous winners being from Charlotte.

Greg Koch, Stone Brewing Co. CEO, was at the celebration at Raleigh Times on March 24 to present the plaque and join hundreds of thirsty admirers in enjoying a prime lineup of a dozen Stone beers. After careful consideration, my husband and I chose Arrogant Bastard Ale, dry-hopped Arrogant Bastard, Imperial Russian Stout, Double Bastard Ale with chipotle peppers, and the Smoked Porter with vanilla beans. The special additions, like chipotle peppers or vanilla beans, enhanced the base beer just enough to smooth them out, and not change the flavor so much you wouldn’t recognize what you’re drinking.

I had the great opportunity to talk with Greg about the event and his impression of the following that Stone, and specifically the “Bastard” series, has developed over the years. When asked about the impression North Carolina has made having taken the honors three years in a row, he said we are “unquestionably very passionate” about our craft beer. The state is home to 21 brewpubs and 28 breweries, and most recently added Sierra Nevada to that list. The craft beer pioneer will set up their East coast facility, including restaurant, about 20 miles south of Asheville, which currently holds the title of “Beer City USA.”

Greg said to expect the Stone version of the Dogfish Head/Victory/Stone collaboration, Saison du Buff, later this year. The three breweries are getting together at the San Diego-based facility in May to put a California spin on the previously brewed batches from Dogfish Head and Victory. The herbs for the beer, which have included rosemary, thyme, and coriander, are grown right at Stone’s own 18-acre farm.

The event lived up to expectations, with Raleigh Times even creating a menu for the day that they deemed “Incredibly Arrogant.” We are looking forward to that week in the fall where we accept the challenge to bring the title back to North Carolina once again!

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Posted By: Theresa Carpine

Last fall, I noticed that Dry Fly Distilling, Washington’s first legal distillery to operate since Prohibition, was selling some of their used whiskey barrels. I don’t have much use for whiskey barrels, so I didn’t think much of it until Boundary Bay Brewery, my favorite Washington brewery, announced that they were aging some of their beers in the Dry Fly barrels.

My hometown distillery and my adopted hometown brewery were joining forces to create craft beer? I was excited, to say the least.

After some weather-related delays, the two quarter-kegs of Boundary Bay beer made it over the Cascades to Spokane for a crowded tasting event at the Elk Public House on Thursday, March 8, 2012. For $7, patrons received a shot of Dry Fly Whiskey and a 12 oz. pour of either Boundary Bay Barrel Aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout or Cabin Fever.

By the end of the night, both quarter-kegs were gone and at least six empty Dry Fly Whiskey bottles lined the bar.

I started off with the stout, while my companions, Jackie and Dylan of Sweet and Stout Cupcakes, tried the Cabin Fever. I really love the Boundary Bay’s IOS as it is, so I was anxious to see how the whiskey barrels had changed the flavor. The aged version seemed less sweet and drier, which surprised me; I find that aging usually adds smoothness to a beer. The whiskey flavor really came out in the finish, which was a stark contrast to some of the original elements of the beer. Tasting the beer and whiskey side-by-side seemed to emphasize the competing flavors, rather than bring them together.

We flipped beers for the second round and I thought that the whiskey-aged version of Boundary Bay’s winter seasonal benefited from the aging more than the stout. Cabin Fever, a spicy winter warmer, took on some of the elements of a barleywine: strong, sweet, and smooth. Here, the flavor of the beer was enhanced and matched by the whiskey.

Full disclosure: I’m not a whiskey drinker and apparently I made a lot of interesting faces while sipping my shot, which I made last both rounds, but tasting each beer with the whiskey created a different experience than drinking the beer alone. Now, if only I had the unaged versions to taste side-by-side with the aged beer! Maybe next year…

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Posted By: Theresa Carpine

What do you get for the beer lover in your life that has everything (cellared) this holiday season? Tickets to the Holiday Ale Festival in Portland, Oregon, of course. At the five-day event, they’ll have the chance to try rare, vintage, and/or specially-crafted beer from more than 40 craft breweries.

“You aren’t going to come here and find a beer that you could purchase at your local supermarket,” said festival manager Preston Weesner in the press materials for the festival, which is the premier winter beer tasting event on the West Coast.

When I think of winter ales, I think of rich, dark stouts, but let’s not forget the sweet and spicy barley wines and strong ales that keep us warm during the dreary Northwest winter too. Natian Brewing, a Portland nanobrewery, is even bringing a Winter IPA to Holiday Ale Festival, which their website describes as having “[a] predominant hop presence from start to finish with enough malt character to remind you it isn’t always JUST about the IBUs.”

Attendees will be especially eager to try these ales and other winter warmers, as the festival technically takes place outdoors. Brrr! While you may want to wear lots of layers to this event, don’t let the weather stop you from venturing out for beer; the 18,000 festival-goers will stay warm and dry as they enjoy craft beer next to gas heaters under clear-topped tents.

The 2010 Holiday Ale Festival takes place at Pioneer Courthouse Square on December 1st through 5th. Daily hours of the festival are as follows:

Wednesday, 2 to 10 PM
Thursday – Saturday, 11 AM to 10 PM
Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM

The purchase of an entry package is required for beer tasting, which includes a 2010 souvenir mug and 10 beer tickets. Advance entry tickets (available online) are $20; tickets at the door are $25. A four-ounce taste costs one beer ticket (two for some specialty beers), and a full mug is four beer tickets. Additional beer tickets can be purchased for $1 apiece. Free re-admission is allowed throughout the festival with a wristband and 2010 mug.

Designated drivers in parties of two or more may purchase a designated driver wristband for $5. They can enjoy complimentary root beer, courtesy of Crater Lake Soda Company, during the festival.

You’re also invited to celebrate the close of the festival at the 2010 Belgian Beer & Brunch on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 11 AM. This exclusive event features special Belgian-style beers that are not available at the regular festival, paired with European-style brunch items. Tickets are limited to this festival event, so purchase yours now if you plan to attend!

For more information, visit Holiday Ale Festival or call (503) 252-9899.

Happy holidays and merry drinking!

Originally posted 2010-11-23 10:30:05.

Posted By: Stevie Caldarola

When: Wednesday February 9 6:30pm

Where: Taco Mac Lindbergh (573 Main Street Atlanta, 30324)
Entry is $25, and seating is limited– reserve your spot today!

Tower has teamed up with the GALS to present a special GALS Night Out Heavy Seas Tasting at Taco Mac Lindbergh. Meet Kevin Fox, Territory Manager for Clipper City Brewing, enjoy your favorite Heavy Seas brews (or find a new favorite), and snack on some appetizers from Taco Mac. Come catch up with the GALS for some weeknight fun!

Featured Heavy Seas beers for the evening include:

Marzen
Small Craft Warning Uber Pils
Loose Cannon – American Hop3 Ale
Peg Leg Imperial Stout
Black Cannon Black IPA

Please RSVP through Tower, and let us know on Twitter or Facebook if you’ll be joining in on the High Seas fun!

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Originally posted 2011-02-07 09:10:23.

Posted By: Kim Riemann

Certain beers are legend. Dogfish 120 IPA, Pliny the Younger, and Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout to name a few. When you have the opportunity to try them, you do and whether or not they live up to the hype or not, well, that’s up to each individual imbiber.

A few months ago only 27 cases of CBS were delivered to the entire state of NJ and my local beer store, Cranbury Buy Rite, snagged a few.  Now this was some hard to find stuff and they could have hoarded it for themselves, their friends, or their loyal customers but instead they opted to do something special.  They partnered with a local restaurant, Zinna’s Bistro, and created a Beer Tasting Dinner with a portion of the proceeds going to Elijah’s Promise, a soup kitchen, and much more.

For the 90 or so people who filled the restaurant (it was closed to other customers), we were treated to a nine course tasting of small plates, cooked with and accompanied by beer.  Friends, family and strangers, all beer enthusiasts, shared tables and spent the night together talking about beer, favorites, places to drink, home brewing and more.  We were even treated to a special surprise when half-way through the meal, we paused to enjoy another hard-to-find beer, a bit of Victory’s Dark Intrigue.

My favorites for the evening, the spicy mussels cooked in Allagash’s Dubbel, and Kane’s Head High IPA (accompanied with a little bacon cheeseburger slider). By the way, Kane’s a local NJ brewery, making some really good stuff. If you’re a hop-head and have an opportunity to try some of their brew, you should. Surprises for the evening? Well, never having had a scotch ale (that I can recall), I really enjoyed the Founders Backwoods Bastard and the Dark Intrigue was pretty tasty too.

When raising money for a good cause involves this much fun, who can say no?  I’m looking forward to more beer dinners, hoping this trend continues.

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Posted By: Jessica Rice

As predicted, the new Stone Brewing Co.’s event Pour It Black was home run. The event was held on Sunday, Nov. 13^th mainly in the outside garden & bar area with plenty of taps to choose from. Since it was raining the day before, the main gardens were closed but Stone swiftly managed to re-arrange the event placing one of the stations on the upstairs balcony. The event was broken-up into four booths pouring different taps or bottles. There was two small booths in the tables and chairs area, one was hosted by the outside bar and the bottle list was upstairs on the balcony. Once I found all the really rare bottles were upstairs that’s where I headed first.

We immediately spotted New Brew Thursday’s Stephen Johnson, John Holzer, “Dr.” Bill Sysak, and my buddy Kyle right after entering the event. There was a good crowd, but not as many as I have come to expect from a Stone event. I personally hate the super-crowds and the long lines so I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of crowd. As a result, the day carried the laid-back Sunday vibe, which I appreciated.  Minus me arguing with a Stone event beer server that Mikkeller’s Beer Geek Bacon was the same thing as Mikkeller’s Rauch Geek Breakfast the event was extremely enjoyable and Stone’s event management was flawless as per usual.

Some of the beers I sampled were:

Mikkeller Black Hole Barrel Aged Edition – Peat Whiskey (13.1% ABV, 93 RB): This beer was everything I dreamed it would be. It was black with a thick tan head, sweeter than anticipated with notes of honey and vanilla then pelted your tongue with the Whiskey/Scotch notes. The charred oak smell and flavor gives this beer a nice rounded finish.

Craftsman El Prieto Sour Black Ale (8.4% ABV, 91 RB): This might have been my favorite beer of the day. It’s a dark sour ale that has notes of fruit, and finishes with a hint of oaky sweetness.

2008 Stone Imperial Russian Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels (10.8% ABV, 100 RB): Pours very dark and has aromas of coffee, bourbon, chocolate, toffee, vanilla and molasses with the same echoing flavors in the taste with a lovely oak finish. Love this beer. Hey Stone, please send me a case of this, it’s almost my birthday.

All in all, the event was a lot of fun and I am excited to go back next year. I do have a suggestion though; have it start at 11am or 12pm next time instead of 10am. It’s just doesn’t seem right drinking a 13% beer that early, even if it’s a Sunday!

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Posted By: Jessica Rice

Held at Beachwood BBQ & Brewing in Long Beach, on a Thursday (what other day would it be?), was the culmination of dozens of twitter personalities, bloggers, podcasters, homebrewers, and beer people to celebrate a show we all love called New Brew Thursday.

NBT Anniversary Glasses

Beer people are my favorite people because when beer people get together there is no sense of differences or worries of social inadequacies because we can all talk about beer until we are blue in the face. Case and point: I made a few new friends at Beachwood that night, which is hard to do in a sea of familiar faces. Also, I was apparently so enthusiastic when speaking about my love for Stone Brewing Co.’s events I convinced my new friend Kyle (KYLE!) to come to the upcoming Pour It Black event which I am attending.

I digress, because we are celebrating New Brew Thursday and how their wonderful hard work is appreciated and respected by my beer peers. I only started watching their show (on you tube) maybe six months ago but I declare that: I am hooked. I love to watch them talk about beer, interview brewers, cover beer events, etc. Since I have met them in person that just makes the show better every time I watch a new episode. Matt Becker really is a smart, well-spoken, hilarious guy and his hard-working nature is something I admire. John Holzer really is a generous, sweet, charming guy who is easy to talk to and I also love his girlfriend, Yvonne. It’s a rare thing to have conversations about The Aquabats at the Bruery with someone you just met. Stephen Johnson is a very bold, outgoing, ridiculously fun guy who I could probably talk to for hours about anything. Also, it is so hard to have a beer that these guys haven’t tried so they really do know their stuff.

Robert French and Jessica Rice

The show is very educational as much as it is entertaining so I encourage everyone to give it a try! Some of the beers we had that night were some that have been on my wish list for a while so I geeked out several times that night. Here are some of the tasting highlights:

2008 Cuvee de Tomme by Lost Abbey (11.5%ABV, 100 points): Fantastic sour beer with fruity floral notes. One of my new favorite sour beers.

2010 Black Tuesday by The Bruery (18.2%ABV, 100 points): The smell of this beer is complex but balanced with notes of vanilla, roasted malts, coffee, toffee, chocolate and whiskey. The taste echoes the smell with a sweet and soft texture.

Bitch Please! By Brewdog/Three Floyds (12%ABV, 92 points): Strong smoky smell and bitter malty taste. Truly a unique and interesting beer.

That was just the tip of the iceberg that was the epic tasting that continued for what seemed like forever. Thanks to New Brew Thursday for sharing your cellars! Also, special thanks to Beachwood BBQ & Brewery for hosting the event. I can’t wait for the 3^rd Anniversary party because I can’t image what could top a party like this one.

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Posted By: Theresa Carpine

I hope this doesn’t make you insanely jealous (I really don’t), but I attended the official launch party of Sweet and Stout this weekend. What started with Chocolate Irish Stout cupcakes on St. Patrick’s Day and weekend hobby of baking experimentation turned into an Internet sensation and business venture of couple Jackie Mustard and Dylan Waidelich.

Sweet and Stout Cupcakes

A little background on my personal history with Jackie and Dylan. While updating twitter a few months ago, I noticed that a new LadiesOCB follower was also located in Spokane. Checking out her profile, I discovered that Jackie had a blog about baking cupcakes with beer. We exchanged a few tweets and emails and I worked up the courage to ask her out for “friend date.” See? Social media really does bring people together. Along with her fiancé Dylan, we met up for pints at the Steam Plant Grill to chat about beer, cupcakes, and life. Coincidentally, Dylan grew up in Bellingham, where I also lived for about eight years.

As cheesy as it sounds, it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. It’s been so fun to watch their hobby grow into a business as they worked out a deal with Brews on Washington, applied for licenses and permits, launched a hugely successful Kickstarter, and anxiously waited for their official launch. We’re also Brews on Washington Trivia Night buddies and we make a pretty good team; I have two prize growlers to prove it.

Sweet and Stout Cupcake

Sweet and Stout debuted at Brews on Washington on Saturday, October 29, 2011 with seven cupcakes options. As singer/songwriter Liz Rognes serenaded the many friends and supporters who turned out for the launch, I sampled six of the seven cupcakes. Just so you don’t think I’m a horrible glutton, I shared them with my sister and her husband. I already knew that the seventh, the Coconut Pineapple Porter, was amazing because I made a batch at home after discovering their blog.

Jackie recommended that I try the Red Velvet, made with Scuttlebutt Porter, and pair it with Bitter Root Last Cast Black IPA. The richness of the red velvet and the creaminess of the frosting provided a satisfying balance with the bitter, hoppy notes of the beer. I doubt that there was a bad pairing to be found in the bar that night, whether drinking these perfectly moist and chewy cupcakes with a beer, coffee, or a tall glass of milk.

The other cupcakes on hand included:

• Salted Chocolate Caramel with Elysian Dragonstooth Stout
• Pumpkin Spice with Elysian Night Out Pumpkin Ale
• Espresso Chocolate with Pike XXXXX Extra Stout
• Chocolate Peanut Butter with Ninkasi Oatis Oatmeal Stout
• Orange Belgian with Iron Horse High Five Hefe

Follow @SweetandStout and visit Sweet and Stout for updates on flavors and availability in the Spokane area.

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Posted By: Stevie Caldarola

Looking for some fun this Halloween weekend? We’ve rounded up some great sounding Halloween bashes from across the country…

From Calapooia Brewing in Albany, Oregon:

Ghosts, ghouls, goblins, ghasts, Gregs and Gretchens all! The time approaches, when the membrane between the world of the living and the dead is at its thinnest. Traditionally, we decorate pumpkins, or as it was in the old world, potatoes, to scare our dead ancestors away from our homes and if that fails, we wander in outlandish disguises so they won’t recognize us and allay us with their advice, curses, or just give us hell because we never call. For most of us today, it’s just fun! An excuse to become unrecognizable by the living who know us, surprise them, then commence with the frivolity. And do we have some frivolity for you all this Saturday.

Joining us for our first, real Halloween Celebration at the Calapooia are two really great musical acts. The Peculiar Pretzelmen from Los Angeles, andMetallicanoid, or something in Russian that I haven’t learned how to pronounce, that locally grown tribute to Metallica…

…Come in costume, for there will be the bestowing of gifts for those deemed worthy! And don’t forget those annoying ancestors, you never know when Uncle Fred will return from the grave to embarrass you in front of your new girlfriend who looks just like Linda Carter in her Wonder Woman costume. Hacha! Yeah, that dates me.

For those of you in Corvallis who have a fear of crossing moving water or driving for 20 minutes, there will be a schoolbus leaving Bombs Away Cafe at 8:30, arriving at the Pooia by 9, and returning you to Bombs Away Cafe after the show is over. It will simply cost you the $8 that it costs to see the show. That’s right! $8 for great music at a great place with amazing beer, food and fun, and a ride!

Also joining us will be our friends, Rolling Stone Pizza and their portable earth oven putting out some of the best pizza you’ll find this side of Napoli.

So come join us this Saturday, October 29th, and let’s make a Halloween weekend of it!

For more information, check out the Calapooia Brewing Blog.

~~~~~

From Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, Maryland:

Update: Twitter tells me this event is already sold out, however, Flying Dog has multiple Halloween themed events this weekend. Click on the flyer above to head to the Flying Dog website for a full list of events and details.

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From Asher Brewing Company, Boulder, Colorado:

 From SweetWater Brewery, Atlanta, Georgia:

Click the flyer above for more details and to buy tickets.

 ~~~~~

From Fort Collins Brewery, Fort Collins, Colorado:

Fort Collins, CO- Fort Collins Brewery is delighted to announce our 7th annual Halloween Party on Saturday, October 29th from 2-7 p.m. Come join us for a day that’s sure to be a monster-good time for the whole family.

We think that Halloween should be about more than just awesome costumes and candy, so we will be selling sweet treats, baked goods, sandwiches, and more, all whipped up and made with love from local businesses in Fort Collins. FCB will donate 100% of the proceeds to our help our four-legged friends at The Animal House.

This is no ordinary bash though so make sure to pop in and enjoy the offerings with a LIVE local music lineup including Blue Grama and Edgewater Juke. Try one of the mouth-watering dishes from Gravity 1020 that will have you screaming for more.

Make sure to pair it with one of our new fall brews on tap, including the devilishly good Double Chocolate Stout and a very limited release of our Oak aged Doppelbock.

Don’t forget the costumes! Awards will be given out to the best and most creative costumes around 5pm. Also, come dressed in an FCB themed costume and have a chance to WIN a great prize!

We are thrilled to share this event with you and help out our furry friends that enrich our lives everyday. So please join us rain or shine for a freakishly good time!

For any further questions or to request additional information regarding the event please visit www.fortcollinsbrewery.com.

Thanks to Fermentedly Challenged for the tip on this!

~~~~~

 From Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, San Francisco, California:

For more information, click the flyer to visit Speakeasy's Facebook Page

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Make sure to share your fun craft beer Halloween experiences with us on here, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter. Have a safe and happy Halloween!

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