Craft Austin: June 2010

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Saturday was hot, hella hot. Thank god for an indoor festival. I'll never understand Austinites' obsession with outdoor festivals. They don't care, it could be 110 and they want to hop from booth to booth in the sun. Nuts. Give me the AC from June to September please. The line wrapped around the building, this was the worst part.

Inside it was packed. Which brings us to most people's complaints about the fest. Venue too small/too many people/long lines. I guess I agree. But the lines moved fast and I was able to get plenty of beer in the four hours. Beertown Austin's table was constantly packed and they did not even have beer. They did raffle some cool stuff though. Craft Austin gave nothing away. Sue me.

Check out Jester King's new mascot. Love it.

New signage and everything from these guys. I told them to get out of there and start brewing already. We are thirsty.

They also complained about the beer, the selection and the fact that most of it was served from bottles. Ok, sure I wanted more beer selections then you could get at your local HEB....sure I wanted draught beer. But we knew it was only bottles. We knew what breweries were going to be there, but they were vague about what beers the breweries would bring. The two best beer of the night came from (512) Brewing - 2009 (512) One and Double Pecan Porter. I also enjoyed a bunch of the Sierra Nevada Bigfoot. These beers and a few others made the evening.

Monday, June 28, 2010

TP BHIPA @ FS this week

That title is some crazy code, huh? What's that Sam:

I should have Thirsty Planet IPA pouring at the Saucer by the end of the week.

Mom-Dancing at Real Ale

I did not make it to the Real Ale 14th Anniversary party. But it was rocking:

h/t: George West

GA(ustin)BFed

Well it's come and gone. I'll have more to show and tell later about Saturday's festivities. I'll say this now: It was fun.

Interneters have a lot to say here and here.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Firkin Friday @ Draught House

From Josh:

Tomorrow we will be pouring Green Flash Imperial IPA, hopped with a 1/2 pound of whole flower Centennial hops in the cask. This one is the Palate Wrecker.

Finally . . .

. . . a reason to go to Lake Travis. Uncle Billy's is planning to open a second location out at the lake. It's been mentioned here and there, never really seen it confirmed. Until now (sort of ). Hopward at BeerAdvocate says he read it in Southwest Brewing News. I have not read it, but I believe him.

Oh also, apparently the whole Flying-Saucer-opening-in-the-old-Alligator-Grill rumor has been squashed. I don't care, I went by there yesterday and the place is huge with a giant shaded porch. It would be a great spot for another Saucer. I am going to continue believing the rumor. Who cares? I am willing it to happen.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Saint Arnold 2nd Austin Pub Crawl Recapish

Last Saturday was not a good day to be walking around downtown Austin in jeans. It was bloody hot, but that is just what I did. I had to. I only own one pair of "nice" shorts and I got bleach on them. Now I have none. So jeans it was. Ohhh, the exciting life of a rich and famous beer blogger.

Anyway, the pub crawl lineup was as follows: Texas Embassy, Sidebar, Liberty and Shangri'la. Four bars I had never been to. I was surprised by Shangri'la, it was a cool bar with a huge outdoor area. I also liked Liberty. It reminded me of some of the bars I frequented in Brooklyn. All in all, just as with the last pub crawl, it was a lot of fun, hot, but fun. Next time I am wearing shorts, bleached or not.

This is the only photo I took. It was not one of the stops, but a mandatory food stop for my pub crawl companions. I took the photo to show my wife. Carry on.

Me and the group I latched on to, much to their chagrin. This photo is from Saint Arnold's Facebook page, check it out for tons more photos of the festivities.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

South Austin Flying Saucer

This could be nothing. Could be something. I've heard Flying Saucer is to open a South Austin location at 3003 S Lamar Blvd where the Alligator Grill used to be. Hmmmmmm. Close to me, I can't complain. More later . . .

THIS IS STILL A DIRTY RUMOR!

Some Stuff from Ranger Creek

First, they have released info on their beer lineup.

Also, they've received tons of brewing and distilling equipment. Three of many photos:

Monday, June 21, 2010

Thirsty Planet Update

Courtesy of USABeerTrends.

This weekend

People get ready, there's a train a-comin...

This.

And this.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Tomorrow's Stuff

First this at (512).

Then SA 2nd AUSTIN Pub Crawl.

Have fun this weekend.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Did not see this coming...

Brooklyn Sorachi Ace Saison. Whip in has it.

SA PB II

More info here.

See you there?

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

LOL

haha

Jester King's Brewhouse, Fermenters, Hot and Cold Liquor Tanks Arrive

Full load.

Looking good.

More here.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Armadillo Ale Works

Bobby Mullins, brewer (formerly?) with Saint Arnold, is starting up Armadillo Ale Works in Denton, TX. It will be Denton's first and only brewpub

H/T: TEXAS BEER

Still Waiting on This

Apparently (maybe) still waiting on TABC approval. Ugh!

Friday, June 11, 2010

(512) One.2 Re-Release and Open House

From (512):

OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, June 19th, 2-5 pm
Taste your favorite (512) Ales plus
the RE-RELEASE of our Belgian Style Strong Ale
(512) ONE.2

Get three free tastes. Buy a pint glass for $5 and we'll use your new glass as the tasting glass. Cash and checks only please.
Children are welcome, but they must be supervised at all times.

While you're here, check out the ART SHOW in building E
presented by Ion Art, Inc.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
407 Radam, F200 Austin, Texas, 78745
Between South 1st & South Congress
One Block south of Ben White

When in Austin with Frank

Frank Mancuso sits down with When in Austin to chat a little about Saint Arnold history and the upcoming Austin Pub Crawl, Part DOS!

Houston's First Firkin Fest

June 24-26. Looks like a tasty lineup.

For full info check out All Good Beer!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Spotted at Specs

DIPA six packs for less than 8 bucks. SOLD.

FS Randal Tonight

Also, as seen on BA:

Breaking out the Randall tonight and I'm intrigued by this one, (512) IPA infused with fresh Basil Leaves. It has to work better than the Allagash White/Sweet Woodruff Combo. Come check it out, Randall goes on stage at 6pm and should play for a couple hours.

Live Oak Liberation @ Whole Foods Tomorrow

From BA:

Beer social this friday!
Live Oak Liberation will be on tap. It will also be available for our sun set movie on the plaza later that evening.

Come get drunk and shop, or watch a free movie with some nice cheap beer on tap!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Fourteen Stone

Emperial IPA

Sofia, Are You Reading This?

What to get the man who drinks everything!

Join us Sunday, June 20 at 6pm for our Father's Day Brewer's Dinner. The five-course dinner will feature beers paired for each course.

Hand-pass Appetizer: Sausage and crawfish stuffed mushrooms

Plated Appetizer: Shrimp cocktail with spicy cocktail sauce and pesto aioli

Salad: Buttercrisp wedge salad with applewoods smoked bacon, maytag blue cheese and starburst tomatoes

Entree: Fire grilled and smoked veal chop, twice baked potato and white wine green beans

Dessert: Cinnamon and vanilla bean ice cream with Coffee Stout float

Tickets are $40 per person and will be sold in advance, RSVP now by calling your favorite uncle at 512.476.0100

Monday, June 7, 2010

Another One Bites the Dust

Statesman reporting that Round Rock Grapevine is closing . . .

Something Different

To celebrate their 16th anniversary Saint Arnold is releasing casks of their Amber Ale to select accounts. Not usually my favorite beer of theirs, but I am eager to try it from a cask: