Taking Shape

Ranger Creek is coming together. Stay posted here. And here.

Saw This at CM

This is new, right? It's hard to buy that label when the temps are nearing 100 outside. At least it is not as hot as it was last year. Still, sounds good.

Well...

...that didn't take long. You'd think they'd stretch this whole battle out. They are to quick to one up each other. Come on kids.

Independence / Parkside Dinner

This happened last week.



I paired the wheat with water. Just kidding. They had Hor D'Oeuvres for us to enjoy. The chicken lollipop was the clear winner.



The charcuterie plate. This is just my plate. The presentation platters were much nicer looking. This was my favorite course. Loved everything, especially the pate grande mere and the rabbit terrine. Had this with the amber. They should served the Stash IPA for this course.



This butterery bass was the bomb. Wow, I should be a food writer. This course was paired with the pale ale.



See those beans, they were great. I wish I had a whole bowl of them. The pork on top wasn't that bad either. Brown ale with this, best pair of the night.



Dessert time. Donuts and ice cream. Convict Hill stout with it. Nice.

FYI, I had been eating vegan for a month or two leading up to this dinner. After the dinner I was back on the wagon. But Parkside is too tasty, I had to indulge in their meaty goodness (oh, I wrote it!). The beer was good, the food was gooder. Thanks to Independence and Parkside.

Uncel Billy's AGAIN

Uncle Billy's posted an album of the construction of their Lake Travis location. Finally some decent food to pair with that view, not to mention the awesome beer!

Twisted X Brewing Updated Site

With beer info:

TWISTED X - Premium Tex Mex Lager

Light lager with subtle hop flavor and a crisp clean finish.

ABV: 5.2%
OG (Plato): 12.50
IBU: 20
SRM: 4

___________________________________________

TWISTED TEXAS AMBER

Pleasant caramel subtleties supported by a mellow hop finish.

ABV: 5.5%
OG (Plato): 14
IBU: 30
SRM: 11

_________________________________________________

CERVEZA DE LOS MUERTOS

Darker Tex Mex Lager

Perfect balance of malt and hops leads to a soft smooth finish. This is a "dark" beer enjoyed by all.

ABV: 4.9%
OG (Plato): 12
IBU: 24
SRM: 14

_________________________________________________

FUEGO

Jalapeño Infused Tex Mex Pilsner

Light and crisp, with a mild jalapeno flavor and warm back of the throat finish.

ABV: 6.2%
OG (Plato): 15
IBU: 48
SRM: 6

_________________________________________________

SEASONAL BEER CONCEPTS

- More Peppers (Do you like it HOT?)

- Agave

- Prickly Pear

- Molé

No IPA, no problem. I hope they make a killer dunkel. MORE DUNKELS! Jalepeno Pilsner, I'll drink that too.

NXNW, Cask Night . . . 1000th Batch

NXNW does not get a lot of play on this blog. For that I am sorry. I've always lived too far, now I live really far . . . way far. I wish they could switch places with BJs.

For their 1000th batch of beer they brewed a belgian tripel. I must have some.

I think they are having it for their cask night this Monday. Or maybe they are just having their Py Jingo Pale Ale. I am really not sure. Either way, I am sure it will be good.

They also have this coming up:

Brewers' Dinner at NXNW on August 4th at 7pm. 5 courses paired with 5 beers. Includes take home logo pint glass and tour of the Brewery. The dinner features Ty and Kevin's Batch 1000 Belgian Style Tripel and Chef George's Porcini Powder Dusted Venison. ($49) Call 512-467-6969 to make reservations.

Black Star Update, Photowise

Construction photo from Black Star's Facebook page. Check it out for more . . .

Firkin Friday @ Draught House

Today, get it. From Josh:

Today we tap a cask of Green Flash Hop Head Red, sure to have been hopped to high heaven in the firkin. Come on by and give it a try.

hopped to high heaven, that is alliteration I can get behind.

Saint Arnold Austin Stuff

From Frank and Crew:

With Summer halfway gone, and Summer Pils nearly gone too, we've got a few excellent events that you may want to put on your calendar, to help you beat the heat, and knock back a few cold Saint Arnold's while your at it.

SATURDAY, JULY 24 Oat Willie's Grand Opening! 9505 Burnet Rd., Austin's favorite store for novelties, underground comix, tobacco supplies and party favors is opening a third location!! Oat's is an Austin institution, and to celebrate this new store, there will be cold Saint Arnold on hand, along with the rest of the cool stuff!
http://www.oatwillies.com/

TUESDAY, AUGUST 10
Jack Allen's Kitchen, 7720 W Highway 71- Saint Arnold Beer Dinner! One of Austin's most well known chefs, Jack Kilgore, will be preparing some special dishes made especially to pair with a selection of our tasty beers! Make your reservations now!
http://www.jackallenskitchen.com/
512.852.8558

MONDAY, AUGUST 16
Saint Arnold Weedwacker released!-As part of our Moveable Yeast program, we've got a few 'special' kegs of our regular beers, pitched with a different yeast, beginning with Weedwacker, which is the Fancy Lawnmower Beer pitched with Hefeweizen yeast. Read all about it here:
http://is.gd/dALGA

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 10:30am
Bus Trip to the Saint Arnold Brewery! It has been a while since we've done this, but it is always a blast, and this time we will take you to our new brewery, located near downtown Houston. The bus will leave from the Flying Saucer at 10:30am sharp, and will arrive at the newery around 2pm. Included in this package will be the tour, lunch in the private iPub (investor's lounge), a Saint Arnold pint glass, and plenty cold beer for your enjoyment and pleasure. We will leave the brewery at 5pm, and return to Austin around 8pm. Seating is limited, and you can purchase your tickets online here:
http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e2z48ppf3ed8c7ce

Coming Soon:
Divine Reserve #10 More Moveable Yeast(Altered Amber) Divine reserve 1-9 vertical tasting (with Brock Wagner) Scavenger Hunt 2010

FYI, tickets for the bus trip to the Newery are $40.

ugh

The End of History from BrewDog on Vimeo.

Ahhhhhhhhh. On and on. 55%. 500 pounds. Dead squirrels.

No thanks. Obviously, it is all gimmicks and marketing. But guess what, it is working. Every beer blog in the nation is going to post this video or link to the story. Most will probably think it's stupid. Some will like it. I happen to like BrewDog, but I wish they would stay away from such gimmicks. Then, I'm bipolar, I think, who cares, they are having fun. It keeps things interesting, right? I'm torn.

Speaking of BrewDog, check this out.

THE WBC

Saturday jaunt to Wimberley with the folks.



Log cabin style. Pizza, logs, beer = can't lose.




Some of the brewing setup.



The lineup. FYI, Drop the Rabbit was explained to me as an Amber ale with less hops. I liked it better than their Amber.



The beer.



The beer, again. My favorite was the Red Bitter. The porter was nice as well.



The pizza. We got the herbivore. Tons of spinach. I think this was better than any pizza I've had in Austin, save for maybe Salvation Pizza.

Good people run this place. A must try for Austinites. It makes for a fun little day trip. Do it.

Sam Adams Tasting @ Lake Creek Alamo Drafthouse

Looks like they got a lot of the biggies lined up for this tasting/dinner. I LOVE the Stoney Brook Red!

The Menu:

Sam Adams Light

One
Boston Lager
Stoney Brook Red

Smoked sardines with Boggy creek farms baby arugula and American Kriek vinaigrette

Two
Octoberfest
Double Bock

Wurst and Cheese Plate

Three
New World Tripel
Cream Stout

Richardson Farms Pork Belly braised with cherry and pearl onions in Sam Adams Lager with double bock mashed potatoes, roast local squash

Four
Imperial Stout
American Kriek

Summer Berry Pudding with Stout creme

They should play this during the tasting. Sam Adams is all over that thing.

Uncle Billy's is CraftBeer's Featured Brewer

Written by and featuring an old photo of Brian Peters. I guess that is Brian. Who knows?

h/t: Mad House Larry

LOF: IBW

A secret informant says these are going for a good price at Specs on Airport. I checked the Brodie Specs last night and did not see them. Good luck and let me know.

White Beer Week @ Flying Saucer

Starting today and going through Sunday. Get yr belgian wheat on!



Click to enlarge or just go here to check out the real deal.

Firkin Friday @ Draught House

From Josh:

We will be pouring Real Ale XIV tomorrow, a hugely hopped Belgian ale. Come on by and give it a shot.

Thirsty Planet Grand Opening

Saturday was the grand opening party for Thirsty Planet.



Right away I grabbed a Yellow Armadillo Wheat. As I took this photo I bumped into an older lady and spilled my beer on her. Stupid, clumsy blogger. I apologized and she said "A towel would be nice!" That's me, making friends everwhere I go.



The wheat was good. Light, drinkable. I'd like to try it again in a bar.



The brewhouse and the line for food.



Tasting room and shop.

Brian, Tammy and Co. put on a great party. They have a beautiful brewery, a very impressive setup. Things are looking good.

Ranger Creek, Part 2

This is the part where I tell you about their beers. Again, I feel like I have to say this: These notes, scribblings, whatever are based on the beers Rob has now and do not represent complete, fully actualized, production beers from Ranger Creek. They are the roadmap of the highways to come, or some shit like that.



South Texas Lager. This is their light-keeping-on-beer (maybe, you never know, look at (512)'s Pecan Porter, things happen). It is a Dortmunder Style lager. A good one at that. I really enjoy this style. Unfiltered. Nice spiciness, hop bite. Refreshing for sure.



Oatmeal Pale Ale. A little bit of different twist on the classic standby. Made with 17% oats. Centennial hops give it a nice bitterness. Fruity finish.



Mesquite Smoked Porter. Oh yeah, beer geeks rejoice. Made with 35-40% mesquite smoked malt, this one is hella smoky and black as night. Loved it. Everything you would expect from a great smoked porter.



The Dark Belgian Ale. Well a couple batches. Obviously you can see they look completely different. Rob is going for a combination of the two. Experimentations are still ongoing. Rob was trying to get the perfect mix of dryness, color and body. I guess we will have to come back down when he has it pinned down.



Rob was kind enough to bust out this beauty. Delicious.

Thanks guys for having us out. It was fun.

Now Available in Town (Baby)

h/t: thickerfreakness

Deschutes Hop in the Dark

Whip in has it. Surely others will too. I want it. Lee liked it.

Real Ale Oktoberfest Label

Is it September yet?

h/t: whoneeds8

Black Star Beer Social this Weekend

Beer AND FOOD!

Featuring Thirsty Planet brews.

July 17, 2010
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Avery Dinner at 24 Diner

The lineup:

Avery Beer Dinner at 24 Diner in Austin on Thurs. 7/29!! Call 512-472-5400 for reservations. http://24diner.com/

Course 1: PEI Mussels, Black Mustard, Coriander, Cardamom, Mint
Paired
with White Rascal
...
Course 2: Duck Confit, Butter Lettuce, Dried
Cherry Chutney
Paired with Depuceleuse

Course 3: Braised
Calamari stuffed with Local Corn, Chorizo, Melted
Onions in a Smoked
Tomato Sherry Broth
Paired with IPA

Course 4: Rosemary &
Honey Pork Ribs, Bittersweet Orange Glazed Pork
Belly, Pickled Red
Onions, Buttermilk Biscuit, Lima Beans
Paired with Maharaja

Course
5: Pecan Sticky Bun, Fresh Cherries, Vanilla Mascarpone
Paired with
Meph Addict

Looks yummy. Not sure on price. Go here to make yr reservations.

Ranger Creek, Part 1

A little over a week ago, Ranger Creek had us out to visit their evolving brewery/distillery.



Sofia was going to come down with me, but she backed out because she did not want to be the only girl. I said she was nuts. But I guess she was right.





Some stuff to make drinks.



Rob's homebrew setup, where he is tuning his recipes.



Bottling line.



Cold room: here.



German spaceship or still?



Beertown Austin shooting a video.



Also, check out My Last Pint #16 with Rob.

Part 2 will feature tasting notes, well tasting scribblings at least . . .