Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Open the Taps Austin Launch



WHAT: The Launch of Open The Taps in Austin
 
WHEN: Saturday, October 15 · 2:00pm - 8:00pm
 
WHERE: Draught House Pub and Brewery, 4112 Medical Pkwy
 
More from Open the Taps:


Help celebrate the launch of Open The Taps in Austin!Open The Taps is a grassroots, non-profit consumer advocacy group representing craft beer enthusiasts in Texas. Our goal is to change laws and regulations surrounding the craft beer industry in our state.


Come out to Draught House Pub & Brewery to chat with the board members of Open The Taps and join the movement to make Texas more craft beer friendly!

There are two membership levels available:
Base Membership: $35/year and includes a tshirt
100 4 100 (Austin): $100/year and includes a tshirt and inclusion in our focus groups that help determine the agenda, as well as invites to special events!

We take cash and credit card payments to sign up for membership.


http://www.openthetaps.org

Monday, August 29, 2011

NXNW 12th Anniversary

From ABG:


Image: NXNW

WHAT: Celebrate North by Northwest’s 12th anniversary on September 4th with live music from Warren Hood and Jeremy Steding, entertainment by Nate the Great Balloon Artist and of, course, birthday cake! Brewers Kevin Roark and Don Thompson will be tapping two firkin casks of Green Menace IPA at 7 p.m. In addition there will be a limited release of North by Northwest’s favorite seasonal beers: Tu Helen Bock, Czech Pilsner, Summer Ale, Belgo Ale, Wit and Blonde Ale.

WHEN: Sunday, September 4. Jeremy Steding will begin playing at 5 p.m. Warren Hood will perform from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

WHERE: North by Northwest Restaurant and Brewery (NXNW), 10010 Capital of TX Hwy N

COST: $5 suggested donation benefiting SafePlace

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Beer Dork Night: Belgium


From Aviary:

Increase Your Alcohol Awareness with
“Beer Dork Night: Belgium”

Aviary Lounge to Host an Evening with Beer & Food Pairings

Austin, Texas (August 23, 2011) – Austin boutique shop, Aviary Lounge & Decor, presents another creative occasion with their latest event “Beer Dork Night: Belgium” on Thursday, Sept 1 at 8 pm.

The lounge features a flight of six different Belgium beers from the U.S and beyond as well as great food to match. Limited seating will be available.

To reserve a spot, please email marco@aviarydecor.com, and the event is be $40 per person.

Aviary is located at 2110 S. Lamar, Austin and is open Tuesday to Saturday 12am to 12am, Sunday 3pm to 10pm. For more information call 916-4445 or go online to aviarylounge.com.


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Euro Beer #19: La Perroquet

In the fall of 2007 my wife and I traveled through Europe for 10 weeks. We ate a lot of food and drank of a lot of beer (and wine). Not enough food, not enough beer. Muckin' around in Brussels:



Stumbled upon this place for lunch. Looked nice, half full—good sign for a relaxed lunch. I had a Leffe Bruin, zesty and medium bodied. That's what I wrote in my little notebook. All beer reviews should be that terse. Sofia, tired of beer (silly girl), had a diet coke.



Sofia had a pressed pita of mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes, ham, greens. She would have liked a side of fries, chips or salad, but it was good anyway. I had a spicy chicken pita with cheese and greens. The pitas were good, but a bit overpriced, after all we were used to the giant suvlakis from Mr. Falafel in Park Slope. But the building in which the restaurant is housed is an Art Nouveau masterpiece. That was worth the pita price.

For more euro foodage and drinkage, go here.

Le Perroquet
Rue Watteeu 31

Brussels




Some church.

RealTail II, with Real Ale and Freetail

From ABG. Although, you probably already knew about it:




WHAT: FreeTail II - A collaboration event with Real Ale and Freetail

WHEN: August 27, 2011. Doors open at 11:30am.

WHERE: Freetail Brewing Co., 4035 N Loop 1604 W. Suite 105. San Antonio

Intense. Sounds like a good time. Tons of good beer. Bring yr wallet. Don't worry, surely it's worth it (not to mention they will also have sample sizes for sale). I really want to try that Collaboration Beer (“untraditional double wit using locally sourced nopalitos (cactus pads), a mélange of four spices and agave nectar”). Good news for GABFers though:
If you can’t make it to the festival but will be headed to GABF this year, we’ll have the Collaboration Beer available at the Texas Craft Brewers Guild booth.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Middleton Brewing's Grand Opening

From ABG:

Saturday was Middelton Brewing's grand opening party. We went. We drank beers. We drove back. But we will return for sure.



We stopped at the Barber Shop first for a couple pints of their Mullet Mild. Solid stuff. Get out there soon. Such a good bar. You can order a pizza too. We had the Farmer John.



Then we booked it down to Wimberley, for Middleton's grand opening party. Just head south on 12 from Dripping Springs. Go through downtown Wimberley and you are there. You can't miss it.



Midway through the party this is what they had on offer (house-beer-wise). Impressive!



And the beer was good. Really good. This is the Opal (see above). Standouts were the Garnet, Black Lab Porter and the Imperial Red (BOBCAT). Whose sippy cup?

Middleton had a great turnout. I think—it seemed busy. Judging by the furry pack of canines roaming the bar, I am assuming they are dog friendly (if that matters to you). So grab yr kin, grab yr mutts and zip down to Wimberley. Dennis, brewer/owner, said next week's beer list will look totally different. He knows how to spark the interest of a beer nerd.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Middleton Brewing Grand Opening Reminder



It's happening on Saturday. Remember?

WHAT: Middleton Brewing Grand Opening
WHEN: Saturday, August 20 · 12:00pm – 7:00pm
WHERE: Middleton Brewing 9595 Ranch Road 12 Wimberley, TX

Saint Arnold's Got Wood



I can't believe I just wrote that headline. Anyway, they posted this photo on their facebook page yesterday. What beer is going in there? Who knows. Stay tuned.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Euro Beer #18 - Delirium Café

In the fall of 2007 my wife and I traveled through Europe for 10 weeks. We ate a lot of food and drank of a lot of beer (and wine). Not enough food, not enough beer. Muckin' around in Brussels:



Euro Beer #18 - Delirium Café

Delirium Café can be hard to find. But if you are really down, you will find it. When we were, smoking was still allowed inside, therefore it was super smoky downstairs. We chose to sit outside, in the alley. This place was packed, mostly young people and crazy locals. I think smoking is banned now. You can now sit safely downstairs with the masses. This is a must stop for Brussels. Not my favorite bar, but definitely worth checking out.



We split a Tremens and a Nocturnum to begin with.



I also had a Triple Moine. All the beers were terrific and in proper glassware (a nice bonus).

For more euro foodage and drinkage, go here.

Delirium Café
Impasse de la Fidélité, 4A
Brussels


Austin Beer Guide Award Cap on BrewskiMe

From ABG:



I don't have an iphone, but if I did I would definitely be using Brewski.Me. You should get it. And if you do, make sure you shoot for the stars and earn an Austin Beer Guide Award Cap. Drink at least one beer from each Austin brewery (including Real Ale (I think. If not, who cares, you drank a delicious Real Ale)) and you will be rewarded with a cap.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

(512) Brewing's Third Anniversary Party - Early October



I know, we have been slacking. Sorry, very busy 'round these parts. But never fear, we plan to start rolling out some fresh new TEXAS GABF coverage later this month. The big news of the week is that (512) Brewery has postponed their third anniversary party. We are not the only staying busy. BA can be very informative—unofficial:

What: (512) Brewing's Third Anniversary Party - including the release of (512) THREE, a tripel (fitting)
When:
Early October
Where:
407 Radam, Austin

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Buy the Austin Beerworks Keep the Mustache Glass Night at Billy’s on Burnet



Wow, is that really the name of the event? It's a mouthfull: Buy the Austin Beerworks Keep the Mustache Glass Night at Billy’s on Burnet. But it does tell you everthing you need to know:

WHAT: One of a kind cask from Austin Beerworks—with the beer you get a free moutsache glass to add to your collection. The beer is called Mr. Falcon—part Fire Eagle and part Black Thunder dry hopped with Amarillo and Centinnial hops. Folks from ABW and BTA will be on hand to celebrate.

WHEN: Thursday, August 11 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm

WHERE: Billy's On Burnet

RSVP here.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Brooklyn Oktoberfest Gets a Facelift

And guess what . . . I don't like it. Surprise, surprise. Come on, they had a good thing going. The colors they are using now are atrocious. They hurt my eyes. Luckily, the beer is still good. I love it, been drinking it since my early beer blogging days.



Old.



New. The colors are worse in real life. The silver is reflective. Ugh.

What is really weird, the Brooklyn Brewery website still has the old design featured. Apparently the web dept likes the old design too.

Things change, get over it. Right. Central Market has six packs now.



Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Calling All Austin (and Texas) Breweries - Good Food Awards

From ABG:



Dear Texas Brewers,

We are proud of our beer here in Texas. That's why we devote so much time to thinking about it, writing about it, yapping about it and of course drinking it. We love our brewers and the beer they make. You all deserve every award they can get. So when our friends out West sent us some info about the Good Food Awards, we knew we had to pass it your way:
The Good Food Awards celebrate the kind of food we all want to eat: tasty, authentic and responsibly produced. We grant awards to outstanding American food producers and the farmers who provide their ingredients. We host an annual Awards Ceremony and Marketplace at the iconic Ferry Building in San Francisco to honor the Good Food Award recipients who push their industries towards craftsmanship and sustainability while enhancing our agricultural landscape and building strong communities.

Brewers, this is all you. Interested in entering your wares? First, read the criteria.

You match up with that? Then enter your beer and make us (really you, but we will be too) proud.

Check out last year's winners. We need some TX on that list.

Love,

ABG

Neighborhood BOCK Party with Shiner and Birds Barbershop



Remember the news of Shiner and Birds hooking up? They totally hooked up. In the press release they said:
Further invitation details will be included on a free koozie that will accompany all Shiner beers served at Birds Barbershops starting later this month.

Well, they were not lying. I stopped into Birds for a haircut this past Sunday. I was starting a new job on Tuesday and I needed to look sharp. This was my first time getting my mop cut at Birds. I must say, it is kind of awkward trying to enjoy a beer while someone is trying to cut your hair. There were wide gaps of time between sips. That koozie worked brilliantly though. And BAM, right there on the koozie it said I was invited to a Neighborhood BOCK Party!

WHEN: August 18, 7-11pm
WHERE: Birds on S. Congress, 1902 S. Congress Ave.

Cost? Who knows, I'm bringing my koozie as a ticket.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Flying Saucer Fall Fest Details



From FS:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
. . .

Flying Saucer Hosts Fourth Annual Fall Beer Festival

Austin, Texas, Aug. 2, 2011 – Flying Saucer will host its Fourth Annual Fall Beer Festival on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 2 to 9:30 p.m. at Triangle Park, located at 4600 Guadalupe St., directly behind the Saucer’s 815 W. 47th St. location.

Flying Saucer’s Fall Beer Festival will feature five beer tasting tents each with the featured brews carefully selected by the Flying Saucer’s own resident beer guru, Keith Schlabs, and Austin Flying Saucer general manager, Ted Rowell.

“Austin has an amazing craft beer scene that allows us to really showcase some rare and unique brews during this festival,” said Ted Rowell, Flying Saucer general manager. “With over 40 different craft beers on-hand for this event, we know that our customers will love sampling and experiencing some great brews.”

Rare and limited release beers will be tapped at staggered times throughout the day and will be announced via Twitter on the Austin Flying Saucer’s account, @FlyingSaucerAus, on the day of the festival. Festival-goers will be able to sample beers at tents with names coinciding with the beer selections available inside, such as East Coast, West Coast, Texas, Captain’s Picks and the Out of This World. Beer brats, kraut and Bavarian pretzels will also be available for purchase.

Tickets will be available for $25 if purchased online prior to the event and $30 at the door. Online ticket purchasing is available until Sept. 22, after which, ticket prices increase to $30 and will then be available for purchase at the Flying Saucer or at the door on the day of the festival. A ticket purchase allots guests a tasting card that is good for 10 samples of the more than 40 festival beers, some of which will be rare tappings available the day of the festival only, as well as a commemorative Fall Beer Festival tasting glass. A selection of full pour beers will also be available for purchase at the festival.

Monday, August 1, 2011