This is so stupid

Vinnie said it, it's gotta be right. I'm too lazy to explain why I think it's stupid. This is a blog, we are supposed to be lazy and unprofessional. Not enough for you here? Go read about butt chugging.

Austin Beer Week: The Worst 5!

It's the third day of the third year of Austin Beer Week. Lots of good stuff going on, like yesterday's ABG Bike Pub Crawl. It was amazing and hopefully you did not miss it. But there is also some bad stuff. Let's keep it special folks. Try, a little bit.

5. Happy Hour - Uncle Billy's Brew & Que (Barton Springs), October 22

Whoah, $1 off beers. Get there before 7 though. After that you will have to shell out the big bucks. Uncle Billy's has great beers, but this is hardly worthy enough to make the calender. Don't worry if you miss it, they are doing it again the 25th. And every week till the end of time.

4. Never mind, this is a stupid list. Go to what you want. You already missed the bike pub crawl, so your week is ruined.

3.

2.

1.

Austin Beer Guide Presents the BeerTownAustin vs. Craft Austin Ultimate Fanboy Showdown Bike Pub Crawl the Third

Doing this again.

Euro Beer #31: Annecy House Guest

In the fall of 2007 (yeah, I know, almost 5 years ago, but I am not ending this series until ENDS) 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. In Annecy:

At this point, this blog should be called EURO BEER. Craft Austin is dead, let's face it. But you never know, maybe I'll ditch the rest of the Austin Beer Guide crew and come back here full time.

















 Drinking Kir at a friend's house. What's kir? Where's the beer? Not in this post.
  

Then she made us dinner. This was the salad.

Some couscous. 

Our morning view everyday while in Annecy. Not bad.

Sightseeing.

Art

Euro Beer #30: Train to Annecy

In the fall of 2007 (yeah, I know, almost 5 years ago, but I am not ending this series until ENDS) 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. Left Paris: 

 














No beer, sorry. So this is it. A little wine and a big ole sandwich from Masion Collet. You can't go wrong. We were headed to Annecy to spend a week with a friend. It was a nice train trip.

















Classy.

















Then a lot of staring out windows. We should have bought more wine. We did have a pear later though. That was good.

















Lot of this.

ABG: Summer Issue Cover and Party Tease

We are so teasing you right now. Proofs are approved. Summer is here. Issue release party is happening June 28th at Billy's on Burnet. More info later.

Euro Beer #29: Ave Maria

 In the fall of 2007 (yeah, I know, almost 5 years ago, but I am not ending this series until ENDS) 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. Being cheap in Paris:

We met our friend Greg at his favorite bar in Paris, Ave Maria. But, I got drunk. It was my midnight birthday. No beer this night. A bike rental stand was right outside the doors and of course I was luckily enough to find an unlocked bike. I took Sofia for a drunk bike ride through the small twisted streets of Paris at 2 am. This was one of my favorite memories from the trip. We got lost of course. Eventually we made it back to the hotel and fell asleep dead drunk and tired from biking.

Don't know what this was, but I drank it.

Ave Maria

1 Rue Jacquard

Paris

See the bike station in front of bar in this Google pic:

Some more awesome photos from the night:

Tried on Greg's hat.

We woke up and had this the next morning:

Ticket Giveaway: OCFF BLAZING SADDLES Quote-Along Beer Party Rolling Roadshow

Ok, first two commenters that reply with the correct answer win a pair of tickets. This is what you will win tickets to: BLAZING SADDLES Quote-Along Beer Party Rolling Roadshow.

1. Everyone must be 21, you and your guest.
2. You must be able to attend the party, don't win tickets and not go. That is lame. I've done it before and you feel like a douchebag.

At last year's OCFF, what was printed on Ranger Creek's Rob Landerman's tshirt?

hint: check out the Craft Austin archives.

More 2012 Off-Centered Film Fest

First let me say, I will be giving away 2 pairs of tickets to the BLAZING SADDLES Quote-Along Beer Party Rolling Roadshow later today. So stick around.

There is a lot going on, besides the Rolling Roadshow.

FRIDAY, APRIL 20^th – Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar

ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST DOGFISH HEAD BEER FEAST – 7:00 PM

Join Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, for an evening of off-centered ales and incredibly awesome food from Alamo Drafthouse Executive Chef John Bullington. Attendees will be treated to a breathtaking 6 course Italian feast, paired with 8 beers from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. Sam Calagione will be bringing special, hard to come by Dogfish Head kegs with enough character and nuance to stand up to any wine. See the link below to download the full menu for this event with beer pairings and prepare for some intense yearning.

Event Ticket Purchase:

http://drafthouse.com/movies/ocffonce_upon_a_time_in_the_west_dogfishhead_beer/austin

WAINY DAYS SCREENING – 10:30 PM

Join us for a screening of the hilarious hit web series WAINY DAYS with series creator David Wain in attendance along with special guests Jo Lo Truglio and Ken Marino. We will be exploring the best episodes of all 5 seasons and debuting some never before seen outtakes and deleted scenes from the recent feature film Wanderlust while enjoying some Dogfish Head brews.

Event Ticket Purchase:

http://drafthouse.com/movies/ocffwainy_days_w_wain_truglio_marino/austin

ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE LAMAR

1120 South Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78704

SATURDAY, APRIL 21^st – Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar

BEST OF THE SHORTS CONTEST SCREENING – 7:30 PM

Sam Calagione and crew will be at the Alamo Drafthouse on S. Lamar enjoying some pints and celebrating some Western off-centered films. 18 of the short films submitted will be screened including the first, second and third place films. This year for the first time an Audience Award will be presented to the short film that receives the most online votes. The top 10 shorts, as determined by our esteemed panel of judges, are now online for viewing and voting at http://vote.offcenteredfilmfest.com/. Vote for your favorite film and then join us at the screening when the winners are announced!

Event Ticket Purchase:

http://drafthouse.com/movies/ocff_best_of_the_shorts_contest_screening/austin

ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE LAMAR

1120 South Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78704

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!

OFCC WEB SITE: http://www.offcenteredfilmfest.com/home

ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE WEB SITE: http://www.drafthouse.com/

And remember, 2 pairs of tickets will be given away to the BLAZING SADDLES Quote-Along Beer Party Rolling Roadshow later today. I don't know, say, around 3pm. Don't hold me to that. Let's just say

Off-Centered Film Fest BLAZING SADDLES Quote-Along Beer Party Rolling Roadshow

The Dogfish Head/Alamo Drafthouse Off-Centered Film Fest is happening next week. They are kicking it off with the BLAZING SADDLES Quote-Along Beer Party Rolling Roadshow. This party was awesome last year. They of course have more events happening, but this one takes (or took) the cake. You wanted a good beer fest . . . here you go. Take a peek at this beer list:

(512) BREWING COMPANY IPA
(512) BREWING COMPANY A firkin of Pecan Porter with Toasted Coconut and Dried Cherry
ADELBERT'S Dancin' Monks Dubbel Ale
ADELBERT'S Tripel B Tripel Ale
AUSTIN BEER WORKS Black Thunder
AUSTIN BEER WORKS The Number 6 (blend of Golden Fist Belgian Style Golden Ale and Battle Axe Imperial Red)
CIRCLE BREWING COMPANY Alibi Blonde
CIRCLE BREWING COMPANY Special TBA Beer
DOGFISH HEAD CRAFT BREWED ALES Indian Brown Ale
HOPS & GRAIN Pale Dog Pale Ale
HOPS & GRAIN Greenhouse Belgian Imperial Stout
INDEPENDENCE BREWING COMPANY Stash IPA
INDEPENDENCE BREWING COMPANY Lupulust
JESTER KING CRAFT BREWERY Cask of Noble King Hoppy Farmhouse Ale
JESTER KING CRAFT BREWERY Gravity keg of Jester King/Mikkeller Beer Geek Rodeo
LIVE OAK BREWING COMPANY Gravity cask of Hefeweizen
LIVE OAK BREWING COMPANY Smoked Big Bark Amber Lager
RANGER CREEK BREWING AND DISTILLING Lucky Ol' Sun Belgian Ale
RANGER CREEK BREWING AND DISTILLING Strawberry Milk Stout
REAL ALE BREWING Devil's Backbone
REAL ALE BREWING Special TBA Beer
ROGNESS Ost London Porter
ROGNESS Rook Scotch Ale
SOUTH AUSTIN BREWING Saison D'Austin
SOUTH AUSTIN BREWING Belgian Style Golden Ale
THIRSTY PLANET BREWING Buckethead IPA
THIRSTY PLANET BREWING Jittery Monk Smoked Coffee Dubbel
TWISTED X Twisted X Premium Lager Fuego Jalapeno Pilsner

Each will be available as a 4oz pour for $3. Note: many of the more rare/special brews might go fast so be sure to come early!

ABG Spring Issue Dudes!

Whoah, been awhile, huh? If you have not noticed, most of my time goes toward Austin Beer Guide these days. Which is why I am throwing up this post. We are set to release our spring issue. Read it. And come party with us at the Black Star Co-op next Monday. All the details are here.

RSVP on FB too.

I'll try to keep in touch, once in awhile at least. Love you.

Shiner Wild Hare: A Valentine's Day Quickie

This reminded me today that I had not done my post on Wild Hare. The folks at McGarrah Jessee were kind enough to send me a few bottles to "review." The beer was good. An almost solid pale ale. Nice bitterness. Easy to drink. It was bit muddy maltwise. I want to try it on draught. Great packaging as always. A promising foray into ale-hood for Shiner.

Next an IPA? Imperial Stout?

Euro Beer #28: Un Zèbre à Montmartre

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. Being cheap in Paris:



We were hanging out in Montmartre and we needed a drink. Duh. This bar looked decent. Busy with a youngish crowd. I had a Kanterbräu, which was refreshing, but nothing special. Sofia had a pleasant glass of Sauvignon Blanc. More sightseeing?

Un Zèbre à Montmartre
38 rue Lepic
75018, Paris



For more euro foodage and drinkage, go here.

Dumbpon

WTF. Self guided tour. I've done that for free at Circle. No offense to Circle, but this is a lame Groupon. I don't really check my Groupon emails anymore. I usually delete them without even viewing deal, but today "brewery" jumped out at me. I'm over Groupon.

ABG Winter Issue Release Party January 26, 7pm @ Draught House

WHEN: Thursday, January 26, 7pm

WHERE: Draught House Pub and Brewery

WHAT: Come celebrate the latest issue of the Austin Beer Guide at our release party. We will also be awarding the winners of our Best of 2011 Readers Poll. If that is not enough (we know what you want, good beer) we will also have be a keg of the Bourbon Barrel Night RYE-der collaboration we brewed with Hops & Grain!

Euro Beer #27: Street Life

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. In Paris:



Guess what? This Euro Beer entry is not about beer. It is about wine. Sort of.



Remember, when I first started this series, I said it was not necessarily ONLY be about beer, but everything we drank (and ate). Here Sofia is picking up a baguette for consumption in the park. We are gonna need some cheese and wine, right? This IS Paris.



We bought the cheese and wine from some corner store. It was Sunday and it was the only place open. FAIL. It was the worst wine we EVER had (still). So terrible. Disgusting.



But I was not gonna let that ruin my day. We corked the bottle and took a little trip to Montmartre. We saw the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur (see top photo), which Christopher Hitchens felt was dreadful. I love it.



Later I finished the bottle with some street cart croque-monsieur. It was my midnight birthday and we were starting things off right. This was still early into our trip and saving money was paramount. I want to visit Paris again and do it right (somewhat).

Jester King First Anniversary Party

Only one year old and already planning a big party:

We’ve put together a very special beer list for the event that we feel is truly one of a kind. The beer list is a reflection of our philosophy, which is to serve unfiltered, unpasteurized, naturally conditioned beer that embraces nature and the world beyond cultured brewers yeast.

Beer List

Boxer’s Revenge Wild Ale (Casks & Gravity Kegs)
Das Wunderkind! Sour Saison (Casks & Gravity Kegs)
Barrel Aged Sour Black Metal Imperial Stout (Gravity Kegs & Draught)
Barrel Aged Wild Commercial Suicide Dark Mild (Gravity Kegs & Draught)
Wytchmaker Farmhouse Rye IPA (Draught)
Mad Meg Farmhouse Provision Ale (Draught)
Le Petit Prince Farmhouse Table Beer (Draught)
Noble King Hoppy Farmhouse Ale (Draught)
Black Metal Farmhouse Imperial Stout (Draught)
Thrash Metal Farmhouse Strong Ale (Draught)
Bonnie the Rare Berliner Weisse (Draught)

Rare guest draughts, casks and gravity kegs from De Proef, Mikkeller and Ridgeway as well as Bavarian gravity kegs.

Very Special Mystery Guest Keg

Our anniversary party also reflects our philosophy in that we’re using it as a platform to promote other local, artisan businesses. The following local businesses will be in attendance sampling and selling their wares:

Buddha’s Brew
Id Soda
Cuvee Coffee
Texas Tea
Baby Zach’s Hummus
Austin’s Best Soup
Confituras Small batch, locally sourced jams, jellies and preserves
Jaymee Luu Jewelry

We expect a few additional local businesses to join us as well. We’ll keep you posted. For any local, artisans wishing to participate, please e-mail events@jesterkingbrewery.com or call 512-584-9990.

During the party, music and entertainment will be provided by:

The Vintage 15
The Jake Levinson Band
Clyde & Clem’s Whiskey Business
Megan Le Fay (Tarot card reading)

Tickets to our 1st Anniversary Party & Market are $20 and will only be available through online, pre-sale. The price of the ticket includes entrance to and use of the brewery grounds, parking, a spot on any or all of the tours and a souvenir glass. The sizes of our free sample pours will be reduced from our normal tastings so that guests can sample all of the nearly 20 different artisan beers we’ll have available.

Tickets are available for purchase. Congrats JK!