Saint Arnold and Kegerators.com gave away two kegerators last Thursday at Docs Backyard, a bar I will most likely never step foot in again. We arrived sort of early to snag a table. It was a zoo. We dined on fried foods of varying variations and sipped on Saint Arnold brews. They had SA Brown, which I had never had and was excited to try. It did not please, but I've vowed to give it another shot (not there, not then). After the Brown, I stuck with the Amber, which served its purpose nicely.

When the time came for the give-aways they had Addie Broyles call out the numbers of the winners. Alas, my number never struck and I went home empty handed. But not unhappy, for Draught House had La Folie on tap and I was able to talk my passengers into stopping in for a night cap.

I won!

La Folie on tap at Draught House!

http://beeradvocate.com/forum/read/1923887

As soon as I win my kegerator from Saint Arnold tonight I will be directing my car towards the Draught House and throwing the keys to my wife.

Deschutes Hop Henge Experimental IPA

Another new beer to Austin. Via Deschutes Twitter feed:

Austin, TX - are you ready for Hop Henge IPA? Look for it on the shelves next week.

Want more info on this beer? Here you go.

Most Likely Coming to Shelves Near You.

Mama's Little Yella Pils

Our new canned good is a delicious, small-batch version of the beer that made Pilsen, Czechoslovakia famous. Mama’s is made with hearty mounts of pale malt, German specialty malts, and traditional (Saaz) and 21st century Bavarian hops. It’s the perfect antidote for the watered-down, cornfed versions of pilsner clogging America’s shelves. Our first canned lager, it’s also fermented at cool temperatures with a German yeast. While it’s rich with Czeched-out flavor, Mama’s gentle hopping (about 35 IBUs) and low ABV (just 5.3%) makes it a luxurious but low-dose beer. Look for our Gold Metal Winner on US shelves in March. Sadly, the Feds rejected our “Take Two and Call Us in the morning” line on the can.

(512) Alt

I missed the (512) Spring Open House. Did anyone else out there make it? How was the Alt?

The reviews are starting to trickle in ...

Avery/Russian River Collaboration Tapping @ Austin Saucer 7PM Thursday 3-26-09

It's in bottles now. Have it on tap at Flying Saucer next Thursday! According to Sam from Flying Saucer this keg was filled February 2007. Sounds like a "can't miss" to me.

FYI, there is also a cask of (512) cask conditioned IPA flowing now!

Ginger Man to open at 301 Lavaca on March 25th

Can you read the image?

http://austin.gingermanpub.com/

*UPDATED*Saint Arnold Whiskey Barrell-Aged Stout Cask Conditioned Austin

From Frank:

If you sign up for our Austin newsletter through the website today, you shall find out when and where this will be served real soon. Or you can follow me on http://twitter.com/franktex for details tomorrow morning. The name of this beer needs to be put in 'tiny url' for a shorter one.

http://www.saintarnold.com/

****UPDATE****
Via Frank's Twitter Feed:

Come by the Austin Ginger Man SUN! It's their LAST day on 4th St., and ONE keg of Saint Arnold Whiskey Barrel-aged Imperial Stout Cask!!

Smokestack Series News

Via beernews.org

Boulevard Two Jokers, a Double Witbier, will be the next (8th) release in the Smokestack Series. The beer will be released around May 1. And prior to that time, a beer similar to Boulevard Saison-Brett will begin to appear on draft as well. This will take place in April; this is the debut of any beer related to one from the Smokestack Series on draft.

Doubt we will see these in Austin, but a boy can dream. Have you had their quad? If that was the only Smokestack beer available, I'd be happy.

Patty

Sigh....

Stick with a local stout, please. Uncle Billy's has one, two actually if you count Independence's Oatmeal Stout. NXNW last week had two, surely they will have their dry stout on tonight. Draught House...not sure...most likely though.

Flying Dog Canis Major Series 8 pack

Just heard from Neal, I think, who runs the Flying Dog Twitter Feed that these will be available in TX. I've been looking forward to trying the Gonzo Imperial Porter for awhile now.

8 pack of 7 oz. bottles, including:
TWO double dog double pale ale
TWO gonzo imperial porter
TWO horned dog barley wine
TWO kerberos tripel ale

And then I saw this on BA:

We're in the process of rolling this package out nationally. It's been on the East Coast for about 8 months and we're slowly moving westward. And yes, it WILL be available in TX too!

Woody Creek White from Flying Dog

One to look for this summer. Not sure if this is new to Texas. I can not remember it from last summer.

From Saint Arnold's Twitpic feed:

A sneak peek at the casks holding our whiskey barrel Russian Imperial Stout for
the St. Pat's party.

As mentioned earlier, SN new beer is going to be Kellerweis. And here is the bottle you will be looking for, via BeerNews.org.

Interview: Shine On

Lee Nichols interviewed Mike Renfro, author of Shine On for the Austin Chronicle. He will have the uncut interview on I Love Beer next week.

Stone Double Bastard Tapping @ Austin Saucer 3/12 7PM

One keg, should go fast. Get there early.

Live-ish Blog from an Actual Bar

A rare occurrence these days. I am sitting at a bar (and typing this, for some unknown reason). But there is a reason. Two reasons actually. King Kona Stout and Barton Kriek from North by Northwest. KKStout is a bourbon barrel aged imperial stout made with Kona coffee, a lot to go into one beer. The other, Barton Kriek, is a lambic, sour and all. Both beers are worth trying and available now.

Dogfish Head IPA 12-packs

From Sam's Blog:

Even in a recession, it’s not necessarily all about price. It’s about value. Our distributors have asked for a 12 pack and we have finally delivered.

Dogfish Head’s family of IPAs are the fastest growing IPA portfolio on the east coast. And we've finally put them all under one roof. It ain’t cheap. But it is a great value. To buy four bottles each of 60, 90, 120 Minute IPAs separately would cost the beer enthusiast at least 20% more than what they are getting them for in this convenient 12-pack. We are all about the beer – that why we have gone with the super iconic plan cardboard and duct-tape packaging. But there is special gift in every box – a free dogfish paddleball to play while you sip your IPA’s and wait out the recession- as a thank you from Dogfish for the hardcore beer folk who have stuck with us even now that times are tight.

...

Additional info on the IPA Variety Pack:
We are currently waiting for state approval to begin shipping. Once approved, these Variety Packs will be available through the following wholeslaers:
Hop & Wine (VA), CR Goodman (CO), BEK Specialty (TX), United (DE), FP Winner (MD), Hunterdon (NJ), Beer House (KY), Glunz (IL), Franklin (CT), Drinx Unlimited (CT), Oak (NY).

Sierra Nevada Introduces Kellerweis As Newest Year-Round Beer

Via BeerAdvocate:

Chico, CA (03/06/2009) --Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is pleased to announce the release of Kellerweis Hefeweizen into their year-round portfolio of beers. This is the second new year-round release from the brewery in 2009, and a great addition to their lineup of world-class beers.

The name Sierra Nevada is synonymous with hops, and lots of them. Kellerweis is an exception to that rule, but fortunately, no less exceptional.

Several years ago, the brewers began working with a unique Bavarian hefeweizen yeast strain unknown in this country. This amazingly flavorful yeast was so exciting that they began working on a recipe for a traditional German hefeweizen with the Sierra Nevada twist. Traditional hefeweizen is a style that seems deceptively simple, but in reality is devilishly complex. For years the brewers weren't satisfied with the beer; something was missing. In a flash of inspiration, an epic trip was arranged. The brewers took a whirlwind tour through the legendary Bavarian wheat breweries to see what they were doing. It was there they realized the advantages of making wheat beer using the traditional system of open fermentation.

...

After seeing the technique in use in Germany, the inspiration to make Kellerweis in the open system took hold. The name is an homage to the German Keller, meaning cellar--the name breweries give to their fermentation systems, and weis, or weiss--the German name for "white" or wheat beer, hazy with suspended yeast.

Kellerweis is a light and refreshing beer with deep complexity of flavor. The yeast provides hints of fruit flavors and spices, including ripe banana and clove. This hazy-golden beer glows with suspended yeast creating a velvety texture; perfect for a sunny California day. Sierra Nevada's Kellerweis Hefeweizen will be available in 6-packs starting in early summer 2009.

...

Gnar Gnar

Get gnarly! Ok, that is it. Move along.

TwitterTasteLive: Dogfish Head

If I can get over this damn cold by tomorrow, I will be participating.

(512) ALT - Spring Open House

(512) Brewing announced today the release of their newest seasonal: (512) ALT. I am assuming this will be an altbier, to which I say, bring it on.

More on BEER WARS

Screenings in and around Austin: 4/16/09

Fathom and Ducks In A Row Entertainment present Beer Wars LIVE with Ben Stein, a one night event taking you inside the boardrooms and back rooms of the American beer industry. The event will feature the exclusive never-before-seen documentary Beer Wars, followed by a riveting live discussion led by Ben Stein with America’s leading independent brewers and experts. Playing in over 430 movie theatres nationwide on Thursday, April 16th, beer industry insiders will take you behind-the-scenes of their quest for the American Dream.

Beer Wars will introduce you to the who’s who in beer while following the journey of small, independent brewers who are challenging the corporate giants. Director Anat Baron provides an insider’s perspective of the daily battles and all out wars that dominate one of America’s favorite industries.

Limited seats available – buy your tickets today. Enter your zip code above to purchase tickets for the Live event on April 16th at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 6pm MT / 8pm PT (tape delayed.)

Saint Arnold - Austin

From SA:

MONDAY/TUESDAY MARCH 2 & 3, "Brits & Beers", Central Market, Westgate, 6pm-TWO evenings of some of Britain's finest cheeses with the full line of Saint Arnold Beers! Call 512-899-4300 X245(Miguel) or ask for Beer & Wine.

MONDAY, MARCH 2, Ginger Man, 6pm-Spring Bock Pint Night! Stop by the G before they move to their new location, and secure yourself a Saint Arnold Spring Bock pint glass(while they last!).

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, "A Brilliant Revolution", Blue Theater, 916 Springdale Rd. Opening Night of this sound-centric production features the musical stylings of San Marcos band, Our Favorite Colors, as well as a live foley artist. Saint Arnold will also be featured at the closing, March 15.http://www.dnvtheatre.com/

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, Zax Pints & Plates, 6pm-Spring Bock Pint Night! No, Zax isn't moving, but that's no reason to not come by and have a cold Spring Bock, and get a pint glass.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, "Music Pizza Meltdown", Flatbed World Headquarters(2830 MLK), midnight- This event features 13 bands from across the country, free pizza from a variety of independent pizzerias, and Saint Arnold beer.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, MARCH 20-22, BBQ Cook-off, BMF Cooks, Travis County Fairgrounds-If SXSW isn't your cup of tea, head over to the Rodeo BBQ Cook-off and have some soon-to-be award winning BBQ and lots of Saint Arnold beer! Look for the booth with the Saint Arnold banner-probably the only good beer out there! Yee-hah!

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, Antones' Records-Freddie Steady's 9th Annual Frontier A Go Go Rock & Roll Hootenanny-Music and Saint Arnold,-your MC is the one and only Beatle Bob!! -Here's the line-up:Love Trucker (8pm), Nervebreakers (7pm), Kenny & the Kasuals (6pm), Magic Christian (5pm), The Freddie Steady 5 with Jenny Wolfe (4pm), The Ugly Beats (3pm), Eve & the Exiles (2pm), Rick Broussard (1pm), Mitch Jacobs Band (noon), Pamela Richardson (11am)

If anyone is going to the SXSW Film Festival, check out the movie, "Two Bobs" for Saint Arnold product placement.

Yard House opening in San Antonio. With Freetail, Flying Saucer and Yard House all within Five miles of our friends home, I guess I won't mind visiting more! After October 1st that is. Sure it is a chain. Sure Draught House will always kick it's ass. It's San Antonio. Be happy with whatever you get.