Black Star Co-op's New Beer

From their Facebook page:

You thought Dockhand couldn't get any more unruly? Try Cantankerous Dockhand. This version comes in at 6.7% ABV and has a smooth, smokey aroma with full-bodied, silky chocolate and chili taste. The hints of heat and roasty, sweet malt profile compliment the chilies and cacao.

They are tapping it tonight.

Stash/‘Stache @ Black Star Coop with Independence and BTA

"FREE ‘STACHE PORTRAITS!"

WTF, those wild 'n wily guys at BTA. Oh and an Independence Stash IPA cask too. Buy a Stash keep the ('stache) glass. Monday, January 10.

2010: Best and Worst

Best: Truthfully, I can't think of the "best beer" I had in 2010. I know I had some good ones. But none really pop into my head as the best . . . Peche Mortel was amazing back in January. Ohhhh and Jubel...too good. Sierra Nevada's four 30th anniversary beers were all solid, the stout and barleywine being my favorite. (512) Whiskey Barrel Double Pecan Porter was delicious most of the time. My bottle was perfect. Ok, now I remember, THE BEER is Grand Teton Double Vision Dopplebock. INSANE, no that is too far, it was close to insane - perfectly delicious.

I will also note my great pleasure in seeing the openings of our newest breweries: Thirsty Planet, Jester King (loved that Black Metal Stout last week) and Black Star. And it was exciting to follow the development of breweries like Hops and Grain, South Austin Brewing and Circle Brewing.


Now the worst: Live Oak Primus. It pains me to say this. I used to love this beer. I was so looking forward to it this year. I could not get enough of it last year. This year, after several pints, I'm just not feeling it. Something is off, it's leaving me flat, unaffected. I only include this as my worst beer, because it did not live up to it's past mighty form. Maybe I changed. I'll keep chasing the dragon though. I want my Primus passion back.

Eat Local Week: Texas Craft Brewers Mini-Festival

Remember this?



Well, it's almost arrived:

Texas Craft Brewers Mini-Festival. Presented by Black Star Co-op and Wheatsville Co-op. Meet our finest Texas craft brewers and sample their wares at this popular Eat Local Week event. Craft brewers will include: Live Oak Brewing Company, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Real Ale Brewing Company, Independence Brewing Company, Thirsty Planet Brewing Company, Black Star Co-op, Jester King Craft Brewery, 512 Brewing Company, Twisted X Brewing Company, Austin Beerworks, Circle Brewing Company, South Austin Brewery, Hops and Grain (brewery and canine bakery), Buddha’s Brew Kombucha and more! ....

All those breweries for $15—pretty good. Not sure how the sampling will work, but for 15 bucks it might be worth checking out. By tickets here.

Black Star Co-op: Open for Real

From Black Star:

Friday, 12/10

Grand Opening Party!, 6PM-12AM

We’ll kick off the festivities with a big outdoor party on Friday, December 10th from 6-12PM. Join us for Grand Opening ceremonies, the first tap of our house beers, a party into the night. Music by Vanessa Lively and Band, Ugly Beats, Melogrand, and Brownout!

The entire evening will be family friendly with free hot apple cider, face painting, and a bounce house.

Saturday, 12/11

Eat Local Week: Texas Craft Brewers Mini-Festival, 2-5PM

Come back on Saturday afternoon for the Texas Craft Brewers’ Mini-Festival as party of Edible Austin’s Eat Local Week. The event will run from 2-5PM, and tickets are $15. As with all Eat Local Week events, all process will benefit Urban Roots. Normal service at the brewpub will begin after the festival at 5PM.

Sunday, 12/12

Traditional Sunday Roast, 12-4PM

Charter Member Portraits, 12-4PM

Group Photo of Member-Owners, 4PM

Finally, we’ll wrap up the weekend with a traditional Sunday Roast and service starting at 12PM. Charter Member-Owners are invited to have their portraits taken from 12-4PM with a group photo of the membership scheduled for 4PM.

Black Star Co-op Brewing

Soon we will have our fifth brewpub full of house brews to quaff. Follow all the action on Facebook. It's like you are virtual assistant brewer.

h/t: you stay hoppy austin

BTA/CA Pub Crawl and Some Beer Olympics Too

Austin Beer Week was great. Can't wait till next year. If you don't count Saturday, this was one of the kickoff events for ABW. Our meet up point was Flying Saucer.



Bikes.



We had a great turnout. I'd say there were 50-55 in attendance. We did not really all ride together, some would leave a bar early to get to the next spot and some would hang back. Next time I want a massive movement of bikers. My brother said we should have been more nazi-like in keeping the group together. But that's not really my style.

Also, when we got to Flying Saucer there were two other bike pub crawls meeting there at the same time. WTF. I think a few of our riders ended up with those groups.



Next - Draught House.





Beer Olympics were in full effect.



Matt got in on the action. I don't think he did very well.



I did worse. I bet Chris that I could throw a keg further. Worst bet ever.



Santiago is going to sweep all the events next year.



Then Billy's on Burnet.









Thunderbird.



I ordered a Lone Star here. Don't hate. It was only a dollar and it's basically water. Perfect for a bike pub crawl.



Our last stop, the recently opened Black Star Co-op.



No house beer yet, but plenty of good local and not-local stuff to hold you over.



Fries were great. The veggie burger needs a retooling. It fell apart as I was eating it.



Just waiting for some action.

Thanks to everyone that came out. I hope you all had fun. I did.

ABW: More Bike Pub Crawl Stuff

First, thanks to the Design Shaman for the awesome poster.

Second, these are the discounts confirmed for the crawl so far. More to come:
Billy's on Burnet: $2.75 Texas beers
Black Star Co-op: $3 Texas beers

Come join us. RSVP at Facebook and/or BeerAdvocate.

Black Star Open

Black Star opens today at 4. From their FB:

Black Star Co-op Pub & Brewery We're now open daily from 4PM to midnight! Come in any evening for Texas pub fare and fine craft beers from our guest taps. The house beers will be brewing soon.

Black Star Coop Receives Equipment

More photos here. Closer and closer. Maybe I should join now . . .

Black Star Update, Photowise

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

Black Star Beer Social this Weekend

Beer AND FOOD!

Featuring Thirsty Planet brews.

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

Black Star Releases Food Menu

A hint of what is to come from Black Star, foodwise . . .

Now I'm hungry.

More Black Star

Whilst I am on the subject, Lee from I Love Beer and Austin Chronicle fame has a cool article in the Austin Chronicle on the rise of Black Star. I meant to link to this last week. Again, forgive me, calorie excuse. Check it out.

Black Star Building Stuff

Beer Town Austin has a neat video/photo collage going on at their site. I know, ANOTHER BTA related post. Sorry, I am gettin a bit lazy maybe. I blame it on the lack of calories I am gettin'. Diets suck.

Black Star Coop Finds Location

I should have jumped on the bandwagon awhile ago. Now things are getting exciting:

Located at N. Lamar and St. Johns, Midtown Commons is 4 miles from the University of Texas, 12 minutes from downtown Austin, and in close proximity to several transit options (including the future Capital Metro MetroRail).

Please join us at the property on Saturday, November 14th at 1pm for a special unveiling event to preview the future home of the world’s first co-operatively owned brewpub. The event will feature brief presentations from the Workers’ Assembly and Board of Directors, a viewing of the space, discussion of conceptual designs, and will be followed by a brief Beer Social. If you’re not yet a member-owner of the Co-op, please join online today!