Monday, October 28, 2013

Great Divide Brewing is coming three the hard way!

Hibernation, Fresh Hop, and Oak Aged Yeti? 
Hell yeah!

Great Divide Brewing Company out of Denver, Colorado is one of the most revered breweries in the nation and am happy to announce that they have a trio of highly anticipated goodness coming to your town! The release of three gangster brews — the Hibernation Ale, Fresh Hop Pale Ale, and Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout (one of my faves as you can see here) — will certainly rock the house this season from now through December. Here is all the info straight from the brewery.

Happy sippin’!
– Ale


At Great Divide Brewing Company, October signals the release of three of the brewery’s most anticipated and storied seasonal beers: Hibernation Ale, Fresh Hop Pale Ale and Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout. All three of these highly respected beers will be available through December.

Hibernation Ale is Colorado’s original strong ale and Great Divide’s celebrated winter tradition since 1995. This robust, dry-hopped ale has a malty richness balanced with a complex hop profile and hearty, warming character. At 8.7% ABV, Hibernation is available in 6-packs and draft. Hibernation is a three-time Great American Beer Festival medalist and boasts a Ratebeer.com score of 98.

Fresh Hop Pale Ale is a labor of love meant to be enjoyed today. Brewed every fall since 2003 with wet, whole cone hops from the Pacific Northwest, Fresh Hop is the epitome of seasonal brewing. Great Divide tells drinkers, “Don’t age it. Keep it cold. Drink it now. Savoring this delightful pale ale during harvest season ensures that its unparalleled grassy, citrus hop brilliance will remain uncompromised.” At 6.1% ABV with 55 IBUs, Fresh Hop is available in 22oz. bombers and draft. The beer has garnered a score of 98 on Ratebeer.com.

Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout is Yeti Imperial Stout’s sophisticated sibling. They may be from the same clan, but they have entirely different personalities. Oak aging gives a subtle vanilla character, rounding out Yeti’s intense roastiness and huge hoppy nature. Who says you can’t tame a Yeti? At 9.5% ABV, it is available in 22oz. bottles, growlers fills out of the Great Divide Tap Room and 5-gallon kegs. It boasts a perfect Ratebeer.com score of 100 and was named one of BeerAdvocate’s 2010 “Top 100 Beers On Planet Earth.”
Additionally, all three beers are available at the Great Divide Tap Room for onsite enjoyment and growler fills to-go.

Great Divide brews some of the globe’s most balanced yet assertive and flavorful beers. These beers have landed an impressive amount of acclaim, earning 17 Great American Beer Festival medals and 5 World Beer Cup awards. Named “Top Brewer In Colorado” by Ratebeer.com (2013), 12th on their list of “Best Brewers In The World” (2013) and 7th on BeerAdvocate’s “All-Time Top Breweries On Planet Earth” (2010), Great Divide is one of America’s most decorated breweries. But why take their word for it? Crack open a bottle and decide for yourself.


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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Goose Island gets wild with new Belgian-style ales


 
Photo courtesy of Goose Island.
Meet fine mamas Gillian, Halia, Lolita and Juliet

Goose Island, originally based in Chicago, Illinois, has been renowned for their kickass beers including one of my favorites, the Bourbon County Stout (which I can’t even get in Georgia due to its ABV exceeding the 14% abv limit, but that’s another story). The focus here is on the release of their all-new barrel-aged farmhouse ales made with locally sourced fruit and other ingredients, including…
·         the Gillian brewed with honey, white pepper and strawberries (9.5%), and
·         the Halia infused with peaches and aged in wine barrels (7.5%)
·         Plus this year's release of their award-winning Juliet boasting blackberries (8%) and Lolita brewed with raspberries (8.2%)
Brian Taylor, Goose Island Brewer, holding Halia
Here’s a shout out to Goose Island Brewmaster Brett Porter, Brewer/Cellarman Brian Taylor, Brewer Keith Gabbett and Goose Island Head of Innovation/Brewer Mike Siegel for having such an inventive influence on their fantastic portfolio.
Below is the official press release, including the stories behind the names of the beers and in-depth descriptions of each beer.  
Cheers!
Ale


GOOSE ISLAND TO RELEASE NEW BARREL-AGED WILD ALES
The newest beers from Chicago’s craft brewery offer unique stories behind each Belgian-style wild ale
I love their new glasses!

CHICAGO, October, 2013 – This month, Goose Island Beer Company is unveiling four Belgian-style wild ales from its diverse and creative portfolio.  The Chicago-based beer company will debut two completely new barrel-aged farmhouse ales called Gillian and Halia, and release the 2013 vintage of the much sought after sour ales, Lolita and Juliet.

With select national availability, these Goose Island creations will be part of the brewery’s Vintage Collection, which includes award-winning beers like Sofie, Matilda and Pere Jacques. Each of the barrel-aged ales features a unique story, locally sourced fresh fruit and exceptional, complex flavor profiles.

·       Gillian was inspired by an amuse bouche that was often prepared by the wife of Goose Island Brewer Keith Gabbett. New for 2013, Gillian is a Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale that brings together fresh ingredients sourced locally from family farms in Michigan and Illinois. Gillian is partially aged in wine barrels with 10,000 pounds of strawberries, 4,000 pounds of honey and white pepper. Its refreshing effervescent body is slightly tart and is complemented by a pronounced white pepper note that folds nicely into the sweeter hints of strawberry and honey. Gillian is 9.5% alcohol by volume and develops in the bottle for up to 5 years.

·       Halia, Hawaiian for “remembrance of a loved one”, was brewed by Goose Island Brewer Brian Taylor in memory of a dear friend who loved peaches. New for 2013, Halia is a Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale aged in wine barrels with 12,000 pounds of fresh peaches, sourced locally from a family farm in Michigan. The result is a bright, effervescent beer with a soft, hazy body that finishes slightly tart and a little sweet with the pleasant character of ripe, juicy peaches. Halia is 7.5% alcohol by volume and develops in the bottle for up to 5 years.

·       Juliet is fermented with wild yeast Brettanomyces, and aged in wine barrels with 9,000 pounds of blackberries, sourced locally from family farms in Michigan. Tart and fruity, with complex notes of wood, tannin, dark fruit and spice, Juliet is a unique choice for beer and wine drinkers alike. Inspired by the sour beers from the Cantillon Brewery in Belgium, we named Juliet after the sister of the owner and fourth generation brewer of Cantillon – homage to a gracious host on many travels to Belgium. Juliet is 8.0% alcohol by volume and develops in the bottle for up to 5 years.

·       Lolita is a rose-colored Belgian Style Pale Ale fermented with the wild yeast Brettanomyces and aged in wine barrels on 30,000 pounds of fresh raspberries, sourced locally from a family farm in Michigan. Aromas of fresh raspberries, bright jammy fruit flavors and a crisp, refreshing body make Lolita ideal for beer drinkers fond of Belgian Framboise. Lolita is 8.2% alcohol by volume and develops in the bottle for up to 5 years.

“We’re incredibly proud of the depth and breadth of our barrel-aging program and excited to introduce two new and incredibly tasty beers to our fans with Gillian and Halia,” said Brett Porter, Brewmaster for Goose Island Beer Company. “The passion our brewers have for innovative brewing is unparalleled and it’s evident in their new creations.”

Brewer Keith Gabbett chillin' with Gillian
The sours are part of Goose Island’s wine barrel-aging program, which began in 2007 with a small 10-barrel batch of Juliet. The brewery has introduced several more beers aged in wine barrels since then including the award-winning Lolita, Madame Rose and Sofie. Goose Island now ages a variety of styles in thousands of barrels each year. Over the course of a year - the brewers at Goose Island sample, score and test beer from the barrels on a weekly basis – waiting for the flavors to peak before creating the final blend.

“Creating and blending our barrel-aged beers takes an incredible amount of skill, time and effort – as much art as it is science,” said brewer and Goose Island Head of Innovation Mike Siegel. “Creating these new beers is truly a labor of love; I feel lucky to be a part of a brewery where innovation is celebrated and encouraged.”

For more information about these beers please visit www.gooseisland.comFacebook and on Twitter (@GooseIsland).

About Goose Island
Founded in Chicago in 1988, Goose Island is one of the most successful craft breweries in the Midwest and produces some of the most popular, and award winning, beers in the U.S. Since 1989, Goose Island beers have won a variety of awards at acclaimed beer events including the World Beer Championships, World Beer Cup, European Beer Star, World Expo of Beer and the Great American Beer Festival (GABF).




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Monday, October 21, 2013

ATL Beer Week Happenings: Argosy throws down nightly!

Photo courtesy of Argosy.
EAV's Argosy features Bell's, Green Flash, Westbrook, Mother Earth...

One of the hottest beer bars in town, East Atlanta Village's Argosy has something popping off every day particularly honoring 2013 Atlanta Beer Week (which officially end on 10/26). From the kickass decor to the woodfire pizza and continuously growing beer list, I dig this spot and you should see why. Newbies, now's your chance. Regulars, you know what I'm talkin' about. 
Below is the info, including gangster breweries like Green Flash, Bell's, Westbrook, New Holland, Mother Earth and local rep Red Hare participating . I hope to see y'all at one of the numerous ABW events I am about to post celebrating one of the best craft beer cities nationwide. 
Cheers!
Ale


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Friday, October 18, 2013

Check out the new T.MAC in Downtown Decatur!

100 taps, ya heard? (Photo by Ale Sharpton)
You had me at 64 LED TVs and 100 taps!

I used to go to the Taco Mac in Downtown Decatur (240 W Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030) especially because they were close to my spot and the fact that my boy Donald Monroe was in charge of the beer list years ago. Oh, and the wings. But after a while, the age undoubtedly showed on this conveniently based location, plus some of the more shall we say updated Taco Macs had hotter TVs and let’s face it, more posh interiors—until now. 
The Don of Taco Mac, Bob Campbell.
In a matter of ten weeks, “T.MAC” Decatur has flipped the script and wowed me during a sneak peek earlier this week with their chic, 64-LED-HD flat screen-havin’, 100-tap pouring, 75 bottle-opening remix. There are also new menu selections hooked up by Chef Christian Messier, refurbished wood floors from a local school gym, and a trippy spinning booth where the seating spins so no one has to get up to let a fellow diner go to the restroom or whatever. This was all designed by the revered firm, ai3.

I am certainly going to give it an official test drive this weekend for my fantasy football fix, and I wanted to share the upgrade with you. 

Cheers!
Ale
The spinning booth is at the bottom of photo. (Photo by Ale Sharpton)
The bar on the right side. Nuts! (Photo courtesy of Taco Mac.)

The bar includes pieces of bottles. You won't get cut, don't worry.
(Taco Mac photos)
The back room. On the left is a divider made of 100s of SweetWater 420 Pale Ale bottles.
(Taco Mac photos)

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Thursday, October 17, 2013

Cool Happenings: Wild Heaven and Big Tex Beer Dinner

 Atlanta is going beer-dinner crazy!

With Atlanta Beer Week around the corner, almost every night has brews and grub being paired up. Well every beer dinner I've had at Big Tex Dectur has been phenomenal. Now Wild Heaven Craft Beers graces the table alongside Chef Rick Watson & Co.’s gangster fare. Of course, Wild Heaven and I go back like bra strap (see here) and Tex has received a lot of Ale love as well including this post.
This dinner is coming up next Wednesday, October 23 at 7 p.m. at Big Tex in Downtown Decatur (308 W Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, Ga. 30030). The menu sounds mouthwatering. Here’s the official release. Holla!
Your homey,
Ale


The Wild Heaven and Big Tex Throwdown

On Wednesday, October 23 at 7 p.m., Big Tex Decatur will host a beer dinner with one of Georgia’s most popular craft breweries, Wild Heaven Craft Beers. Head Chef Rick Watson of Big Tex Decatur has prepared four courses alongside a selection of award winning Wild Heaven brews. Patrons of the dinner will indulge in a seasonally and Thanksgiving inspired menu that includes Salt Cod Fritters, Smoked Rabbit Tamale, Blackened Turkey Filet on Dressing with Sweet Potato Mash, and Pumpkin Cheesecake with an Ode to Mercy drizzle. For $50 (excluding tax and gratuity), guests will enjoy four courses including full bottles and pints of beer. For more information visit: www.bigtexdecatur.com.

Wild Heaven Beer Dinner Menu, October 23, 2013 

The Greeting
Stuffed Mushrooms with the Invocation Belgian Strong Ale

First Course
Grilled Octopus Bites, Salt Cod Fritters and Beef Tartare on Potato Hash Chip with Let There Be Light  English Pale Mild Ale

Second Course 
Smoked Rabbit Tamale with Eschaton Quadrupel

Third Course
Blackened Turkey Filet on Dressing with Sweet Potato Mash, Turkey Leg Confit, Gravy and Cranberry Gastrique with Ode to Mercy Imperial Brown Ale

Dessert 
Pumpkin Cheesecake with an Ode to Mercy Drizzle, A Special Surprise from the Wild Heaven Cellar
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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Cool Happenings: TAP and Red Hare Brewing Beer Dinner

This was at the last TAP beer dinner. Chef Nick McCormick and Red Brick Brewing threw down!

Midtown's TAP gastropub throws down once again!
Many of you know how much I love beer dinners! (Check out this link to see what I mean.) Well there are a few more on the horizon including this one on Tuesday, October 22, at 7:30 sharp. TAP, an awesome gastropub in Midtown and one of my favorite venues to host them, makes sure they show love to local Georgia breweries when they do their seasonal beer dinners. Chef Nick McCormick consistently pairs his culinary expertise with a wide selection of beer styles from SweetWater, Red Brick, and now Red Hare Brewing Company. The info direct from TAP including the menu are below,or just call 404.347.2221 to book your seat. Enjoy!
Oh! By the way, with Atlanta Beer Week 2013 coming up starting this Saturday through the following weekend, Red Hare has a long list of things going on, including tap takeovers and even more beer dinners! Here is the list. I will be posting the rest of the festivities by Friday. 
Cheers!
Ale 

TAP says...
On Tuesday, October 22nd, as we team up for our 2nd annual beer dinner featuring 5 paired courses, plus complimentary apps and Long Day Lager…for just $55 per person, all inclusive!
The festivities will start promptly at 7:30 p.m. 

Long Day Lager
Passed Appetizers
Kumomoto oysters with wasabi roe, yuzu crème fraiche & mini goat cheese and leek tarts

Rauchbier
Grilled New Bedford Scallops
Shitake mushrooms, lardons, parsnip puree

Gangway IPA
Pretzel Crusted Cheese Curds
Arugula, Belgian endive, Asian pears, mustard vinaigrette

Special Cask
Twice Cooked Riverview Farms Pork Belly
gayla grits, braised rainbow chard, molasses glaze, quail egg

Watership Brown Ale
Dead Rabbit’s “Hasenpfefer”
Watership brown braised rabbit, roasted thumb carrots and pearl onions, semolina gnocchi

Forbidden Fruit
Local Apple “Strudel”

Phyllo crisps, slow cooked gala apples, Bavarian cream
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Saturday, October 12, 2013

2013 Great American Beer Festival Medals are announced!

252 Bling-Blings awarded, 230 virgins enter the competition!

I just got word from my homies of the Brewers Association that an astounding 252 medals were awarded to some of the best brewers throughout the U.S. via the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado today. I was trying to go this year but things just friggin’ happen, but in 2014, it’s on! Anyway, there were some eye-poppin’ numbers this year including…
·         3,100 beers served at the festival
·         49,000 attendees
·         745 breweries in the competition from 49 states (Including Washington, D-Cizzle)
·         4,809 beers judged (a 12 percent hike since last year according to BA. Evidently the craft brew scene continues to blow the eff up!)
·         84 style categories judged
As an added plus to show some hometown love, Atlanta, Georgia's SweetWater Brewing Company won gold in the rye category with their LowRYEder IPA! ('Nuff respect to head brewer "Slick" Nick Nock!) Here is the official press release from BA below. Keep the gangster brews coming everyone. I’ve got your back!
Oh, and much love, Abby. (Imagine my right fist pounding the heart in appreciation.)
Cheers!
Ale

New and Established Breweries Claim Great American Beer Festival Medals


Boulder, CO • October 12, 2013—The 2013 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition awarded 252 medals to some of the best commercial breweries in the United States, including GABF Pro-Am medals. Presented by the Brewers Association, GABF is the largest commercial beer competition in the world and a symbol of brewing excellence. In its 27th year, the 2013 competition surpassed all previous participation records, setting the bar high.
To accommodate growth, this year's GABF competition saw its biggest panel of judges ever, with 201 beer experts from 11 countries evaluating 4,809 entries, with assistance from more than 130 competition volunteers.
Award-winning brewers received prestigious gold, silver and bronze medals in 84 beer categories covering 138 different beer styles (encompassing subcategories), establishing the best examples of each style in the U.S. Winners were chosen from 4,809 competition entries from 745 breweries, hailing from 49 states, plus Washington, D.C.
2013 Brewery and Brewer of the Year Awards
Very Small Brewing Company and Very Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year
Baker City Brewing Company
Marks Lanham and Eli Dickison

Small Brewing Company and Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Microstar Keg Management
Devils Backbone Brewing Company - Basecamp
Jason Oliver

Mid-Size Brewing Company and Mid-Size Brewing Company Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Brewers Supply Group
Firestone Walker Brewing Company
Matt Brynildson

Large Brewing Company and Large Brewing Company Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Beer Institute
Sandlot
John, Tom, Bill & Addison

Small Brewpub and Small Brewpub Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.
Gella’s Diner & Lb Brewing Company
Gerald Wyman

Mid-Size Brewpub of the Year
Beachwood BBQ & Brewing
Julian Shrago and Ian McCall

Large Brewpub and Large Brewpub Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Brewers Supply Group
Pelican Brewing Company
Darron Welch and Steve Panos

Brewpub Group and Brewpub Group Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Brewers Supply Group
Rock Bottom Brewery
Team Rock Bottom

Overall Competition Highlights
Reflecting craft brewing's increasing popularity nationwide, across state and regional borders, overall competition highlights include:
·         Twenty-four first-time entering breweries won awards. During the registration process, 230 breweries self-identified as first-time entrants.
·         There was a tie for most gold medals won, three each for Left Hand Brewing Co. (Longmont, Colo.) and for Firestone Walker Brewing Co. (Paso Robles, Calif.).
·         New Jersey topped the list of ratio of medals to entries by state, with one medal won among seven entries, a 14.3% ratio. Delaware had a 13% winning ratio, with three medals won among 23 entries. California, the state with the highest number of beer entries—at 885—won 52 medals for a 5.9% ratio of medals to entries.
Style Categories
Since 2001, the most-entered category has been American-Style India Pale Ale (IPA), which saw 252 entries in 2013.
The top five entered categories were:
1.       American-Style India Pale Ale (252 entries)
2.       Imperial India Pale Ale (149 entries)
3.       Herb and Spice Beer (134 entries)
4.       American-Style Pale Ale (124 entries)
5.       American-Style Strong Pale Ale (120 entries)
The winners in the most-entered (that is, the most competitive) categories were:
American-Style India Pale Ale
Gold: Barley Brown’s Brew Pub, Pallet Jack IPA
Silver: Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Union Jack
Bronze: La Cumbre Brewing Co., Project Dank: Operation Pharoah’s Return
Imperial India Pale Ale
Gold: Fat Heads Brewery, Hop Juju
Silver: Three Floyds Brewing Co., Permanent Funeral
Bronze: Smartmouth Brewing Co., Notch 9 Double IPA
Herb and Spice Beer
Gold: Namaste Brewing at the Whip Inn, Bitterama
Silver: Yak & Yeti Restaurant & Brewpub, Chai Milk Stout
Bronze: Black Star Co-op Pub and Brewery, Elba
American-Style Pale Ale
Gold: Lumberyard Brewing Co., Lumberyard American Pale Ale
Silver: Cannonball Creek Brewing Co., Featherweight Pale
Bronze: Joseph James Brewing Co., Citra Rye Pale Ale

American-Style Strong Pale Ale
Gold: Monkey Paw Brewing Co., Bonobos
Silver: Four Peaks Brewing Co., Hop Knot
Bronze: Pizza Port Ocean Beach, Kung Fu Elvis
The 2013 GABF competition featured two new categories: Grodzisz, with seven entries, and Adambier (no entries). There were three categories in which one of the three possible medals was not awarded:
·         American-Style or International-Style Pilsener—No gold awarded
·         American-Style Amber/Red Ale—No silver awarded
·         Imperial Red Ale—No gold awarded

2013 Great American Beer Festival Pro-Am Competition
Sponsored by Briess Malt & Ingredients Co., Country Malt Group, Hopunion and White Labs
Gold, silver and bronze medals were also awarded in the GABF Pro-Am competition, which pairs amateur brewers with professional brewers, who scale up the award-winning homebrew recipes. The medal winners, including the winning professional brewers and American Homebrewers Association (AHA) member homebrewers are:
Gold: Poblano, Cigar City Brewing
Brewmaster: Wayne Wambles, Cigar City, and AHA member Jeff Gladish
Silver: Charlie’s Brown, New Belgium Brewing Co.
Brewmaster: Peter Bouckaert/Grady Hull, New Belgium Brewing Co., and AHA member Mike Formisan
Bronze: Oatmeal Stout, Upslope Brewing Co.
Brewmaster: Alex Violette, Upslope Brewing Co., and AHA member Derek Ordway

Summary: 2013 Great American Beer Festival Statistics
·         624 breweries in the festival hall
·         More than 3,100 beers served at the festival
·         49,000 attendees
·         More than 2,800 volunteers
·         745 breweries in the competition from 49 states, plus Washington, D.C.
·         4,809 beers judged (includes 100 Pro-Am competition entries), a 12 percent increase over 2012
·         84 style categories judged, plus the Pro-Am competition
·         201 judges from 11 countries
·         Average number of competition beers entered in each category: 51
·         Category with highest number of entries: American-Style India Pale Ale: 252

Additional GABF sponsors are recognized on the festival website.


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Friday, October 11, 2013

Come to Three Taverns Brewery's grand opening!


 
Get your tickets for this historical opening below!

I had a blast checking out the slick new Three Taverns Brewery unveiling in Decatur, Georgia last night (Thursday) during their soft launch. Everyone from the industry enjoyed vibin' in the brewery's chic-meets-rustic décor in the tasting room, the spotless brewing facility, and sipping Tavern's two debut beers, the Single Intent (a Belgian-Style Single, 5%) and Night in Brussels (a Belgian-Style American IPA, 7.5%). They also had a silky smooth (and potent) Theophan The Recluse Imperial Stout and delicious Decatur Ryeson Saison collaboration with Twains pouring from the taps. Now it's your turn to see what all the fuss is about! Three Taverns is opening their brewery to the public tonight and tomorrow (Friday and Saturday) so make sure you book a spot here (or below). 
Georgia's brew scene is evidently kickin' major ass so continue to support them! 
Here is the info below direct from the brewery:



Three Taverns Brewery Grand Opening
With grace, reverence and moderation we invite our friends and neighbors to join us at the table of discovery, raising glasses in gratitude and merry celebration. Join us as we celebrate the Grand Opening of our Tasting Room and begin our brewery tours.

Friday, October 11th | 5:30 - 7:30
Saturday, October 12th | 4:00 - 6:00

* Tickets for each night sold separately.
* Limited number of tickets available.
* Must be 21 or older.
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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Cool Happenings in ATL: Red Bull's Canvas Cooler Project


20 ATL artists show off their skills!
As usual, Atlanta always has something super cool going on. This was sent to me by Red Bull. Since I am into the art scene big time (AllWaysOpen for example), this sounds like something we can't miss on October 17th. There's 20 heavy hitters with the paintbrush involved including InKyoung Chun, Patrick Davis, treymoseley, Catlanta, ericmack, Sarah Emerson, Brandon Sadler, Joe Tsambiras, Michi Meko, olive47, Alvaro Alvillar, Sanithna Phansavanh, Emer, PLF aka Peter Ferrari, Lela Brunet, Spencer Murrill, Mike Germon, Jesse Jaeger, Sam Parker, and Matt Relkin, so this has gangster painted all over it! 
It's free to attend for ages 21 and up, so hurry up and RSVP to www.redbull.com/curates.
Here's the info below. Stay tuned for more "Cool Happenings" coming soon on this site.


RED BULL CURATES:  THE CANVAS COOLER PROJECT SHINES A LIGHT ON ATLANTA’S EMERGING ARTISTS 

Uniting Atlanta’s Top Emerging Artists with Local Venues to Create Functional Pieces of Art

One-Night Only Gallery Showcase and Event on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 9 p.m.

Atlanta, Georgia – As part of a seven-city U.S. tour, Red Bull Curates: The Canvas Cooler Project will stop in Atlanta on Thursday, October 17, 2013, and pair 20 hand-picked artists with venue owners from some of the city’s hottest local bars, lounges and restaurants. Atlanta’s top emerging and street artists will be given a two-day challenge to transform a blank canvas-wrapped Red Bull Cooler into an inspired work of art customized for permanent display at each venue.  The art created will be exhibited in a one-night only public showcase at the Westside Cultural Arts Center where attending guests and a panel of curatorial judges will vote on each piece, sending two artists, and possibly a third, to the SCOPE Art Show taking place during Art Basel week in Miami in December. Red Bull Curates: The Canvas Cooler Project Atlanta is open to the public and free to attend. The event will be held from 9 p.m. to midnight and is open to ages 21 and up. Visit www.redbull.com/curates to RSVP and for more information.     

The 20 featured Atlanta artists include: InKyoung Chun, Patrick Davis, treymoseley, Catlanta, ericmack, Sarah Emerson, Brandon Sadler, Joe Tsambiras, Michi Meko, olive47, Alvaro Alvillar, Sanithna Phansavanh, Emer, PLF (Peter Ferrari), Lela Brunet, Spencer Murrill, Mike Germon, Jesse Jaeger, Sam Parker, and Matt Relkin.  Two of the participating artists will be selected by the luminary panel of judges, Fay Gold, Susannah Darrow and Neda Abghari, and announced the night of the event to move on to show and sell their work at SCOPE Miami. Two additional artists will be entered into a pool of contestants from all seven cities to win the People’s Choice Award—an opportunity to also exhibit and sell their artwork at the SCOPE Art Show in Miami.  The two artists entered into the pool will be chosen based upon the number of mentions on Twitter using their custom hashtag for the event.  The selected artists will be announced on Friday, October 18 and the winner of the overall pool will be announced in November.

Venues that will have the customized Red Bull coolers created by the participating artists for permanent display include: Deadwood Saloon, Clermont Lounge, Six Feet Under Grand Park (two coolers), Sound Table, Star Community Bar, Graveyard Tavern (two coolers), The Local, Sister Louisa's Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium, Republic Social House, Burkharts Pub, Joe's on Juniper, Ormsby's, and El Bar.  

WHAT:     Red Bull Curates: The Canvas Cooler Project

WHEN:        Thursday, October 17 p.m.
                    Private Media Event - 7 to 8 p.m.
                 Open to the Public – 9 p.m. to Midnight

WHERE:    Westside Cultural Arts Center
                        760 10th Street, NW 

Atlanta, Georgia 30318        
                         www.westsideartscenter.com

ADMISSION: Free to attend for ages 21 and up.
RSVP to www.redbull.com/curates.


DIGITAL:        Event Page:        http://win.gs/CCATL
Twitter:                 @redbullATL
Facebook:            http://on.fb.me/17oCHSx
Hashtag:               #CanvasCooler

About Red Bull Curates: The Canvas Cooler Project:
Last year, Red Bull Curates: The Canvas Cooler Project was hosted in four cities, included nearly 100 artists, and was curated by luminaries in the art world including pop artist Ron English, acclaimed director and author Jon Reiss, Carlo McCormick (Paper Magazine) and Daria Britt Shapiro (SCOPE) among others.  Ultimately, 10 artists were awarded the opportunity show and sell collections at SCOPE Miami during Art Basel. GOONS, Hebru Brantley and Don’t Fret represented Chicago alongside Los Angeles artists Gregory Siff, Lydia Emily and Hans Haveron, and New York artists Gerardo Cid, L’Amour Supreme, CLAWMONEY and Cosbe.

The 2013 seven-city tour launched in San Francisco on January 31 with more than 1200 art-loving locals in attendance. The winning artists were Akira Beard and Slvstr. The Los Angeles event was held on March 28 and the judges chose artists James Haunt and White Buffalo to move on to show at SCOPE. In addition to Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas and New York have hosted gallery showcases and competitions with Atlanta (November) and Miami (December) closing out the Red Bull Curates: The Canvas Cooler Project.  For more information, visit www.redbullusa.com/cs/Satellite/en_US/Red-Bull-Curates/001243173661215
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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

A toast to you on my birthday!

Kickin' it at Square Pub during a Goose Island tasting event.
(Photo by Broderick Smylie/Savory Exposure)
Yes, October 8th is a special day for a brother, but I want to thank you for always being there, supporting this site, and all of my endeavors. It means a lot to me so here is a toast to you. Seriously, I appreciate ya! 
And just so you know, if you don't catch me out on the Atlanta streets today, I celebrate life every day let's kick it when we cross paths. 
Oh, and since October 8th gets an official shout out on this seminal, track, it has been my official birthday song since its release in 1992. Ladies and gents, here is Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth's "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" from their classic album, Mecca and the Soul Brother(Here is a brilliantly filmed live version where he gives the shout out at 2:12). 

This is not only C.L.’s birthday as well and lyrical autobiography; it also pays homage to his late homey Troy "Trouble T-Roy" Dixon (and member of Heavy D & The Boyz), who passed in 1990. When I told C.L. this was my b-day wake-up song every year since it came out during an interview, he laughed, said it was his too, and we went on to talk a good hour about hip-hop and politics. Unforgettable.

Love y’all!

Your homey,



Ale
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Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Holy...! Check out HOToberfest's beer list for Saturday!


HOToberfest is going to be crazy!

I have always claimed HOToberfest to be one of the beer fests in the nation, not just Georgia and their increasingly gangster beer list is one big ass reason why. Click here to peep the insanity! 
I definitely want to acknowledge my boy Alan Raines and the husband and wife team Tryon and Denise Rosser for putting this on. Not only are they donating 100 PERCENT of the proceeds to saving the world one way or another, but they travel nation aging some seriously hard-to-find beers in custom casks, and go out of their way to exceed 300 different brews every year! Plus, in VIP, there is a crazy bottle share, some of the most knowledgeable beer aficionados, and super cool beer reps in the biz. Get tickets and all the info here.
Oh! I did an article on this festival plus the top 40 beers made in Georgia in the latest edition of Atlanta Magazine here as well so grab a copy!
Anyway, I hope to see you there I hope.

Cheers!
Ale

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ALE MAX Returns to Fuse Craft Beer & Sneaker Cultures!

Yup! It's that time again! Ale Max Day , the event put on by my boy Craig and I, will be in its second year, and it's going to be an...

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