Euro Beer #73: Wine/Beer at Dos Trece

Barcelona

Nightcap time. Always needed when tourin' around. We stopped in a joint by our apartment called Dos Trece. According to their website: "a neighborhood restaurant by day and hip cocktail bar by night." Ok. Also, apparently it is a Mexican restaurant. So authentic. Mexican restaurants are only second in number to Irish pubs on this Earth. Red wine for Sofia and a Moritz beer for me. Moritz is like the official Catalan beer. In 2007, when we were in Barcelona, they were still making their comeback after reopening their brewery in 2004.

Proof of life photo for Mom.

Bienvenidos, por favor noooooo perrrrritttos.

DOS TRECE

Carme 40

Euro Beer #72: Wine and Shit Food (La Moños)

Barcelona

10/28/2007:Walking back to our place around lunch we were hungry, very hungry. When you are very hungry you are prone to making terrible dining choices. This was one of those times, but not really. La Moños is a crusty little place, packed with loco locals. Nothing fancy. For 6 euro you get full and a bottle of wine. We could not complain. The wine was not the highlight, but intoxicating.

We both got the paella to start. It was dry, but not altogether untasty.

My cod in orange sauce with potatoes and onions. Again, not bad. 

Sofia's merluza frita. Ok. She seemed to like it.

My ice cream. Whatever. I am so glad documented this. I bet you are drooling looking at this plastic cup of ice cream.

Sofia's arroz con leche. 

Actually we really did love this place. We were the only tourists, which is not always a good thing. I mean I never really looked at us as tourists. We were travelers. Yeah, travelers. At the end of our trip we flew out of Barcelona. We stopped in here again. But that comes later. We are just getting started in Spain (sorry Jason). And remember this was back in 2007. We've been all kinds of places since then, but whatever, I have photos of this trip. So we are gonna keep going until we are done. #throwbackthursday

Pre-iphone (me having an iphone) traveling.

So if you are ever in Barcelona and you want something local, cheap, crazy, sorta gross, but not really terrible:

La Moños

Carrer de l'Hospital, 93

Euro Beer #71: Walk Around San Miguel Especiales

Barcelona

First full day in Barcelona. We walked/skated around mostly. And drank some brews as we went. Like Estrella Damm, San Miguel is ubiquitous in Barcelona (and throughout Spain).

Ramblas!

Austin Beer Guide Fall/Winter Issue Release Party

Beer List for Tomorrow's Austin Beer Guide Issue Release Party

http://www.austinbeerguide.com/…/fall-issue-release-party-b…

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/1645295442375445/

Austin Beerworks

Wet Hop Heavy Machinery and Mondo Pale series (one malt bill, three yeast strains, three hop additions, three different beers)

Community Beer Company

Funnel Cake 

Mosiac IPA

Hops & Grain

WinoWeisse

Bourbon Barrel-Aged Porter Culture

Jester King Brewery

Estival Dichotomous

Oasis, Texas Brewing Company

Whiskey Shakes (a bourbon barrel-aged version of Early Morning Shakes - a coffee pale)

Pinthouse Pizza

Deep Water (ABG collaboration - an oily hop future IPA)

Deep Throat (cask conditioned and extra hopped of the later), and Wet Hop IPA (duh)

Zilker Brewing Company

Pale Brett Cask (brett, fresh herbs from the Zilker garden and primed with light Belgian candy syrup, aged for 3 months)

Euro Beer #70: Estrella Damm

Barcelona

We arrived late to Barcelona. We dropped our bags at our apartment and went for beer and snack. Random stop in Plaça Reial (Plaza Real): Cerveceria Canarias. We slugged down some half litres of Estrella Damm.

Had some patatas alioli. Pretty tasty. 

The next morning I had a big ole gringo-ish breakfast at La Gloria Restaurant near cathedral on Via Laietana.

Euro Beer #69: Jenlain Ambrée on the Train

I am gonna finish this shit if it kills me. So what if this trip happened 8 years ago. . . So what if we have been back to Europe since this trip. . . This is the project I started. And I am gonna finish. At least you don't have to stare at that Total Wine post anymore. I know you have been here since May, just waiting for me to blog. Well the summer is over. Here it is. #Waybackwednesday

Aix-en-Provence—>> Barcelona (again)

Just like Jester King. Not really. 

Then we had one of those amazing French meals you always read about. First course: grilled cheese from train cafe. 

And I guess this was the dessert course.

Are we in Spain yet?

Total Wine Opening in Austin

Open in Mueller or GTFO! If you are opening something (besides a brewery/brew pub, or a really cool bar) that is outside 5 miles of Mueller, where I live, I don't care. BUT I can't be selfish. I must serve my adoring fans. And I know a lot of you live down south. This one is for you. This is way south, like almost Buda, but still counts as Austin I guess.

No idea if that is the actual store, but what does it matter? Just like Best Buy, you know what to expect, atmosphere-wise. Anyway, here is the info, straight from the source:

Total Wine & More is thrilled to be opening our newest store in Sunset Valley, Texas!

The new store will be in the Sunset Valley Village Shopping Center, right next to the Nordstrom Rack — join us for our Grand Opening festivities starting Thursday May 21 at 4:00 P.M. (Click here to see more about our store and all of the Grand Opening activities).

This is our ninth store in Texas, but our first in the Austin capital area and we’re looking forward to settling in as Austinites. We are excited to be members of this vibrant and expanding neighborhood and can’t wait to dig in and get involved in this amazing community.

Stop by the store this weekend and join us in supporting The Long Center for the Performing Arts — Total Wine & More will be donating a portion of our proceeds to the Long Center! We’ll have music provided by the Austin Opera Company as well as tastings with Wagner Family of Wines, Fall Creek Vineyards, Austin Eastciders in our Brewery District! We will also have giveaways and other in-store events like Gentleman Jack Whiskey, Woodford Reserve Bourbon and Jack Daniels Single Barrel bottle engraving and tasting—come in and explore our incredible selection of local products, craft beers, wines and spirits.

Make sure to “Like” us on Facebook to stay up to date on all the upcoming events and latest product arrivals at our newest store in Texas.

Already planning on joining us for our Grand Opening events? Share your experience on social media with the hashtag #totalwineGO. Our social team will be sharing the very best experiences and photos on our social accounts.

You've Got Mail UPDATED

I was having a beer in a bar here in Glasgow, KY and I heard a song that I thought was the beginning of a Pavement song. The song was being played live by some local band. It was not a Pavement song, but "Jealous Again"" by the Black Crowes, which is not a bad song. But when I thought it was a Pavement song I thought "wow, they are fucking playing Pavement in fucking Glasgow, KY." Also, this was not a bar really, it was a BBQ joint that has decent beer—the only place in town with decent beer. Now I am back at my hotel room playing all my Pavement songs on shuffle looking for that song. I am not a giant fan, so do not have all the songs names at the top of my brain. Still, I am a fan enough to have all their music. I will update you if I find said song. While I am doing this I thought I'd share with you some fan mail I received and also let you know about an event that is happening tomorrow. I can't go. I will still be in KY for work. Onto the fan mail. {UPDATE BELOW}

I received this comment on my post about Bitch Beer's upcoming event:

First let me point out that this comment is basically anonymous. If you click on his/her profile link there is no info or blog associated with his/her name. I am assuming his/her profile name means Dirty Ass Kid. Let me answer his/her comment bit by bit.

Lots of good stuff here. I like all the parts about how this blog is good and other blogs suck. 
Clearly sarcastic. That is fine. A lot of my blog is sarcastic and tongue in cheek. He is referencing my comment: "There are bad blogs. There are good blogs." I never said my blog was a good blog. I've posted less than 50 times in the last three years. It is clearly a "bad blog."

There are all sort of people taking trips and doing things that you could crap on, but you won't. That's damned decent of you. 
Not sure what he/she is getting at. I've taken trips and done lots of things. You just have to look back a few years. Or look other places . . .  Is he/she trying to come to the defense of Bitch Beer? I never said they are a bad blog. They have done a lot more than this blog has done in the last three years. I was pimping an event of theirs. I obviously don't think they suck. 

You my friend have a clear gift, zero content, but a gift. I look forward to future articles where you shit on things you don't like. Its easily my favorite thing about your blog. 
Yes, true, not a lot of content here as of late. I've been contenting other places. Maybe one day I will pick back up on my Euro Beer thing. I mean after all, that trip only took place 8 years ago. Glad he/she likes me shitting on things I don't like. He/she should read my Twitter feed.

Now about tomorrow's event . . .

Meridian Hive is having a grand opening. I guess this will make them "official." They had presale tickets. I can not promise they are selling tickets at the door, but what do you have to do tomorrow? It's Saturday. YOLO. I've never had any of their mead, but I like that they exist. The idea is nice.

UPDATE

So I found the song, duh, it was " Box Elder." Now these two songs may not seem the same, but they way the started "Jealous Again" made me immediately think "Box Elder."

New Beer: Adelbert's Pablo’s Pale Ale

Not long ago I blogged about a new Jester King release. Big fucking deal. Anyone that might be reading this blog, already knew about that release. The second JK releases a beer it spreads across BeerAdvocate, Facebook, Twitter, etc like wild fire. Some breweries though, don't have this luxury. Such is the case with Adelbert's. Honestly, they are not my favorite brewery in town, but they are one that I always give the benefit of the doubt to on new beers. I like the idea of their brewery, but a lot of their beers have not hit home with me. And admittedly, Belgian-style pales are not high on my favorite beer style list (I make lists for everything). Again, willing to be proven wrong. 

A note to breweries: quit saying things like "We like to brew the beer we like to drink." Yeah, we hope so. You brew it and we will assume you like it.

Adelbert’s Brewery Releases Pablo’s Pale Ale

Newest Draught-Only Belgian-Style Pale Ale to Hit Stores in May

May 6, 2015 – AUSTIN – Adelbert’s Brewery, a Belgian-style brewery based in Austin Texas, is proud to announce the release of its newest beer, Pablo’s Pale Ale. This draught-only beer will be available across Texas starting early May.

Pablo’s Pale Ale is a clean, light bodied and hoppy Belgian-style pale ale. Loosely inspired by the hop forward blonde ales found throughout Belgium, it is brewed with a unique blend of new world German and Czech hops.

Adelbert’s owner and brewmaster, Scott Hovey, noted, “We like to brew the beer we like to drink, which is why we brewed this easy drinking pale ale for the summer. We can’t wait to share this new one with everyone.”

In keeping with the Adelbert’s tradition, the ale is named in honor of the brewery’s namesake, George Adelbert Hovey. This beer is named after of his son, Pablo. Del was a loving and involved father. He enjoyed coaching his children’s soccer games and taking them on fishing trips.

The brewery recommends pairing it with feta, grilled fish or spicy dishes.

Blog Talk 2 Real Talk (Bitch Beer Blog-a-Thon)

There are bad blogs. There are good blogs. I was gonna talk a load of shit about some local beer blog, but why bother? I ain't gonna be a bully, even though at this point they are probably considered a bigger blog. Can a lesser, wimpier entity be considered a bully? Maybe I'd be a Robin Hood of sorts, blogwise—stealing from the content rich, to give to the content deprived. Only one problem—said blog sucks, nothing good to steal and share with you, my poor readers. So, instead, let me spread some love for a far less sucky blog. Love is what craft beer, or should I say Craft Beer, is all about, right? Who cares if the beer tastes like swill, or their marketing blows, or their taproom is boring . . . they are really good people. Everything is awesome! Anyway, Bitch Beer is having a bitch-a-thon, I mean a blog-a-thon. Don't look at me, I have no idea what a blog-a-thon is.

Basically, they need money for Europe. I'd poo poo on this idea too, but somebody has to go to Europe and it's not gonna be me this year. I'll be there from 10pm-1am. I'll be the one not wearing a fedora. Maybe they will let me do some guest blogging.  

Facebook RSVP here.

Founder's Kentucky Breakfast Stout Still Pouring at Brew/Brew

This one is for An Avenue Eric. Too busy today. Who has time for this shit? I quit . . . until I'm not so busy.

@craftaustin CBS is gone, sadly. KBS still flowing.

— The Brew and Brew (@TheBrewAndBrew) April 29, 2015

Twisted X Anniversary Party

Yo Twisted X, let blogger know. I would have posted about this earlier, but instead I had to find out about it from some third rate blog, which has one of the worst names ever. When I started this blog craft beer was the shit. I am not saying it's not shitty now, because it is . . . ;)  But naming the blog Craft Beer Austin was never an option. That is like killing a fly with shotgun. It shows no deftness, no . . . craft. Craft Austin, now that is a name. It's slightly ambiguous. It's not too wordy. But once you are hip to it, it makes sense. Also, it leaves room to talk about other things besides beer, which is nice. But in internet land, that does not matter. SEO is what matters. A boring, blunt name grabs the most eyes. So in the end, I am the loser. No wonder I stopped blogging. BUT I'M BACK! So email your news and events people.

Cinco de Mayo marks the day our first beer was sold 4 years ago. In celebration we are holding our anniversary fiesta Saturday, May 2nd. We are releasing a very special beer, Saison X aged in Cabernet wine barrel for 9 months. We also have a cellar release of our black lager aged in Tequila barrels, Señor Viejo. Several casks have been set aside to be released throughout the day.

Ever wonder who makes our beer?? Our brewers will be hanging out at the taproom to chat and answer any and all questions you have about Tex Mex Beer.

Handmade sliders will be served by Hand Helds food truck.

MAY 2, 12pm
Twisted X Brewing Company 
23455 W RR 150, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620

Facebook RSVP.

Cuvée Coffee [CROWLER NIGHT] featuring La Condesa & Dogfish Head

Put that beer down and listen to this. Or rather, read this. There is an event happening next week that Cuvée REALLY wants you to know about. I was going to count the number of times they plugged it on Twitter recently, but got tired of counting at 15. So go and tell 'em Bitch Beer sent you.

Tuesday, April 28 at 5:00pm - 9:00pm

Cuvee Coffee Bar, 2000 E 6th St, Austin, Texas 78702

Prepare thyselves, ATX. It's Taco & Beer pairing time. Our great Crowler Night tradition continues with an array of specially selected beers from Dogfish Head Brewery paired perfectly with tacos from the famous La Condesa food truck, El Cubico.

——————————————————————————
BONUS: One VIP winner will win a Free Crowler & Free Food. Must be redeemed in person during the event.
Winner randomly selected from RSVP list ➜ [RSVP Now]
——————————————————————————

BEERS: Aprihop, Burton Baton, Sixty One and Black & Blue
TACOS: Pollo, Carnitas, Acelgas and Elotes (on the cobb)

BONUS BONUS:
The local Dogfish Head rep will be there to provide insight to the brewery as well as to giveaway SWAG throughout the night.

BONUS BONUS BONUS:
Tacos! Beers! Bonuses!

Do that FB RSVP thing.

Jester King Coquetier

You motherfuckers thought I wouldn't make it, huh? Well here it is: Your daily press release-ish. This one from the ladies and lads of Jester King. NEW BEER! ISO! LOVE YOUR LABELS! It's a beer that may or may not taste like a cocktail. Sorry beer doofuses, no collaboration on this one. Just a normal old JK beer with 10+ ingredients. Is that Patrick Beach on the label????

We’re pleased to introduce Jester King Coquetier. Brewed with cubeb peppercorns, anise seed, lemon zest, and lemon juice, Coquetier is inspired by the woody, herbal, floral, and citrus character of the traditional New Orleans cocktail Sazerac. Lemon zest recalls the cocktail’s traditional garnish, a thin sliver of lemon peel resting on the rim of the glass. The beer was aged in French brandy barrels, as the cocktail originally called for Cognac brandy.

Coquetier was brewed in April of 2014 with Hill Country well water, barley, rye, hops, cubeb peppercorns, anise seed, lemon zest, and lemon juice. It was initially fermented in stainless steel with a mixed culture of microorganisms consisting of brewers yeast and native yeast and bacteria harvested from the air and wildflowers around our brewery in the Texas Hill Country. It then spent seven months continuing to slowly ferment and mature in 600 liter French brandy barrels. It was then refermented in bottles, kegs, and casks for another three months prior to release. Coquetier is 7.5% alcohol by volume, has a finishing gravity of 1.005 (1 degree Plato), and was 11 IBU and 3.2 pH at the time of bottling. The label art was created by our in-house artist Josh Cockrell. Finally, the French brandy barrels, after first being used by us to impart spirit character into Coquetier, are now in our barrel room as neutral oak vessels containing 100% spontaneously fermented beer.

Coquetier will be released at Jester King when our tasting room opens on Friday, April 24th at 4pm. It will be available by the glass, as well as to go in 750ml bottles ($18, limit 4 per customer per day). Approximately 4,500 bottles are available. The price point for Coquetier is slightly higher than some of our previously released barrel-fermented beers, due to the extra cost associated with bringing in special barrels from overseas. At this point, we do not anticipate Coquetier being available beyond Jester King, aside from a few special events.

Firkin Thursdays at Banger's - UPDATED with prices

You've heard of Firkin Friday. This is the same thing, but on a Thursday—Instead of a Friday. So luckily, since you are already going to some other Firkin Fridays, you will be able to make these Firkin Thursdays as well. Whoever thinks of doing firkins on Wednesdays will be a genius. 

For Immediate Release

Newton O’Neill Communications                                                

lisa@newtononeill.com

512-963-7944

Firkin Tappings Return to Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden

Every Thursday

EVENT:  Craft Beer Firkin Tappings at Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden

DESCRIPTION:  Every Thursday, Banger’s taps firkins from various craft brewers around Texas. Guests can try beers infused with unexpected flavors such as chocolate, fruit, and coffee. Banger’s will tap several locally produced firkins throughout the summer such as the Raspberry Beret, the Pecan Porter and Twisted X Belgium Brown. Firkin tastings are sold by the 9, 14 and 16 oz. glass. Full list of the upcoming tappings through June below.

                                 

WHERE:                     Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden

79 Rainey Street, Austin, TX 78701

                                         

WHEN: Every Thursday, 6pm6pm

Upcoming tappings include:  
·       April 23^rd – Jester King Gotlandsdricka, $6.50, 9oz
·       April 30^th—Twisted X Applewood Smoked Bock, $6, 16oz
·       May 7^th—(512) Violet Beauregard, $7, 14oz
·       May 14^th—Lone Pint Gentleman’s Relish with Vanilla, $7, 16oz
·       May 21^st—Saint Arnold Divine Reserve #15, $7, 9oz
·       May 28^th—(512) Raspberry Beret, $7, 14oz
·       June 4^th—Jester King Autumnal Dichotomous, $6.50, 9oz
·       June 11^th—Twisted X Belgium Brown, $7, 14oz
·       June 18^th—Saint Arnold Divine Reserve #15, $7, 9oz

About Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden

Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden offers one of the Lone Star state’s widest and most innovative offerings of hand-crafted sausages and craft beers. Opened in July of 2012 in the heart of Austin’s Rainey Street entertainment district, Banger’s offers more than 100 beers on tap from microbrews to Belgian pale ales. The food menu offers an array of exotic, traditional and vegetarian sausages, creative plays on comfort food favorites and a Southern style brunch every Sunday.

The outdoor beer garden seats approximately 150 at communal tables and regularly features live music from local acts. The restaurant and bar serves lunch Thursdayand Friday, starting at 11:00am; dinner seven nights a week and Sunday brunch from 10:00am – 3:00pm. A late night menu is available at 11:00pm. No reservations; Banger’s is available for private functions. For more information, call Banger’s at 512-386-1656 or visit bangersaustin.com, follow on Facebook and Twitter.

100 Best Beer Bars in Austin

This is the most important thing I've ever done. Yes, this is a blatant rip off of DRAFT Mag. This started as a Twitter joke, but then I realized how easy it would be. Making magazines is simple. Let me know if I forgot someone. I might amend the list. If you don't like my rankings, sorry, make your own damn list. And did you really think I was going to include a link for each entry? I don't get paid for this—Bing it.

1	Draught House
2	Brew + Brew
3	Craft Pride
4	Crown & Anchor
5	Pinthouse
6	Whip In
7	Billy's
8	ABGB
9	Hopfields
10	Black Star Co-op
11	The Ginger Man
12	Dig Pub
13	Banger's
14	NXNW - North
15	Jackalope
16	Haymaker
17	Easy Tiger
18	Bender Bar
19	Flying Saucer - Triangle
20	Chicago House
21	Black Sheep Lodge
22	Workhorse
23	Hi Hat
24	Opal Divine's - Penn Field
25	Uncle Billy's
26	Red's Porch
27	Sholz Garten
28	The Grackle
29	The Liberty
30	NXNW - South
31	Whole Foods - Domain
32	HEB Mueller
33	Hopdoddy - Anderson
34	BB Rover's
35	Drink.Well.
36	Fado
37	Mister Tramps
38	Little Woodrows - Burnet
39	Whole Foods - Downtown
40	Nasty's
41	Thunderbird - Koenig
42	Whole Foods - Arbor Trails
43	Contigo
44	Opal Divine's - Marina
45	Hopdoddy - S. Congress
46	24 Diner
47	Kung Fu Saloon
48	Zax
49	Star Bar
50	Flix
51	Brass Tap
52	Little Woodrows - 6th Street
53	Radio Coffee + Beer
54	Gibson Bar
55	Frank
56	Draft Pick
57	School House Pub
58	Glass Half Full Taproom (Alamo Drafthouse - Lakeline)
59	Sherlock’s Baker Street Pub
60	Hole in the Wall
61	Buzz Mill
62	HomeField Grill
63	Snack Bar
64	Porter Ale House
65	Swift's Attic
66	Highball
67	Quickie Pickie
68	Austin Ale House
69	Violet Crown Social Club
70	White Horse
71	Cenote
72	Cherrywood Coffeehouse
73	Nomad Bar
74	Hideout Pub
75	Opal Divine's - Davenport
76	Spider House
77	Thunderbird - Manor
78	Whole Foods - Bee Cave
79	Parlor
80	House Pizzeria
81	Docs - 38th
82	Javelina
83	MugShots
84	Handlebar
85	Westside Alehouse
86	Docs - SoCo
87	Little Woodrows - Parmer Lane
88	El Sapo
89	Doc's Bar and Grill - Brodie
90	Cain and Abel’s
91	WingzUp
92	The Goodnight
93	Punch Bowl Social
94	Trudy's - 30th Street
95	Brew Exchange
96	Little Woodrows - Southpark
97	Austin Terrier
98	Pluckers - Multiple Locations
99	Buffalo Wild Wings - Multiple Locations
100	Cover 3

Image credit.