Monday, February 29, 2016

Fernbank Museum's Beers at the ‘Bank event is this Friday!

This goes down on Friday featuring Creature Comforts, Orpheus, Second Self, and Wild Heaven!
Hey Everyone,

I hope you had a great weekend. I sure did especially with ending it off at Brick Store Pub's first Cellar Fest yesterday. It was off the chain! Look for my photos this week along with a few other fun posts coming your way. 
Well to get things started, begin making plans because this first week of March is going to be a packed one! In this installment, Atlanta's spectacular Fernbank Museum of Natural History will be featuring Beers at the 'Bank, a celebration of local craft beer this Friday, March 4th. Creature Comforts, Orpheus, Second Self and Wild Heaven will all be pouring liquid gold from 7 to 11 p.m. alongside live music sets! 
Besides the flyer above, here is the official description straight from Fernbank's site:


Fernbank’s Martinis & IMAX® is one of the most unique “culture and cocktail” opportunities in Atlanta. Guests enjoy special cocktail menus, small plates, live entertainment, dancing and a chance to see a film on the biggest screen in town, Fernbank’s IMAX® Theatre. This popular event, the first of its kind in Atlanta, is held every Friday (excluding holiday weekends*) from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Live entertainment begins at 7:30 p.m.   

Look for more awesome events coming up soon!

Cheers!
Ale
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Friday, February 26, 2016

Hot damn! It’s HopSlam in a can at LadyBird today!

 
For $7, it’s a no-brainer to get this container!

Okay, so I am no Ghostface Killah with the rhymes, but this dope deal of Bell's HopSlam cans for a measly seven bucks has me wanting to spit some lyrics for some reason. This is especially true when one of the best IPAs in the world is being poured at a slick venue like Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall on its Beltline lawn. (That outdoor part us what they call “The Grove.”) On the real, I have seen it sold for $11 at some spots. As an extra plus, LadyBird's food is lip-smackin’ good too. 
Come get your sippin', eatin' and people watchin' on! (Mic drops.)

Cheers!

Ale 
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Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Here are the latest standings for USA Today's 10 Best in U.S. Beer!

Voting ends on February Monday, February 29th, 2016 at 11:59 a.m. EST. You can vote daily so stuff those ballot boxes for your top choices!


Whaddup! 

Following up from my last posting here, I was one of the handful of beer experts selected by USA Today nationwide who submitted picks on what we thought were the best in various categories. The response has been tremendous and this far, the results have been very interesting and enlightening. 
Below are the latest standings since 11 a.m., Tuesday (EST). Make sure you get your voting on and push who you think deserves the #1 slot! Oh, and again, if you are torn or just want to continue supporting your single choice for each category, you can vote daily leading up to the 11:59 a.m., 2/29 deadline! Here are the latest and greatest along with the links underneath so you can vote with ease:






Cheers!
Ale
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Monday, February 15, 2016

SweetWater Turns 19 on Sunday!

Here is the complete breakdown and draft list!

When it comes to anything SweetWater is doing, you are guaranteed to have a blast, but their birthdays are truly off the chain and I will be there to celebrate number 19! 
Below is a list of all the festivities and hook ups galore including their beer list which is bananas sent straight from their Midtown headquarters. Yep, it’s going down on 195 Ottley Drive—195 Ottley Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 to be exact—beginning at 2 p.m. and last call at 5:30. Definitely be there for the annual toast at exactly 4:20. It will be cray! One time the “Big Kahuna” Freddy Bensch took handfuls of their gorgeous cake and started hurling it at everyone right after his speech on some Gallagher shit! To the right is just before it went down in 2014 celebrating number 17.
Anyway, peep the list and other perks like free puppy day care they are offering below and here. See you there!

Cheers!

Ale

They say:
SweetWater is turning 19 this year and we’re ready to blow the doors off as we celebrate the last of our teenage years— you know, when we know everything there is to know in the world!
We’re going deep and keeping the doors open for four hours of festivities, two sets of fresh from the Bright Light Social Hour, and one toast at 4:20 from that’ll either inspire or confuse all y’all!
There will be some glassware that’s most dope, we’ll be going elbow deep into the cooler stash to break out a slew of tasty treats to sip on including unique cask creations from our brewers and some food trucks on the lot to keep it heady.
Grab those tickets quick like, cuz this sucker sells out each year and no tickets will be sold day of.
Hope you can celebrate with us!
Fine print yo!
§  Custom 19th Anniversary glassware with (10) tasting tickets.
§  Specialty drafts and casks throughout the building!
§  All brews will cost (1) ticket, but our High Grav. delights will be a smaller pour.
§  Souvenir Six Pack of our Hash Session IPA
§  The Bright Light Social Hour ripping the lid off this joint! http://tblsh.com/
§  Food Trucks onsite with goodies for sale.
§  The Atlantic Limo Shuttles running from the SIP Coffee at the Lindbergh MARTA station to the Brewery. Parking is VERY limited onsite, so MARTA, UBER, cabs, etc. will be your best bet!
§  Entry at 2:00pm, Last Call at 5:30pm, Taps Off 5:45 Event Ends at 6:00pm.
§  We will be presenting The Giving Kitchen with a check for the funds that were raised in conjunction with our Second Helping IPA. http://thegivingkitchen.org/
Please note: SweetWater is a 21+ venue. All guests must have a valid ID. No ID = No Entry. (Children may attend with a parent or guardian). Also, Due to the scope of this event, please leave the fur babies at home. Ticket Price @ the Door: $30

Beer Lineup
Anniversary Beer Vertical:
1. 17th Anniversary Saison
2. 18th Anniversary Belgian Tripel
3. 19th Anniversary Belgian golden w/ brettanomyces aged in Merlot, Cabernet barrels

Barrel Aged:
5. California Woody (17th anniversary saison aged in cabernet barrels)
6. Bobblehead Bob (Barrel Aged) Oatmeal Stout
7. Tennessee Festive (Festive Ale aged in Tennessee whiskey barrels)
8. Road Trip (Aged in Herradura Barrels)
On the Dark Side:
9. Exodus Porter
10. Festive Ale 2011
11. BSP Quadrupel

Cellarman Concoctions:
12. Bourbon barrel aged brettanomyces bruxellensis ale
13. Bourbon barrel aged brettanomyces & the funky bunch

Lineup Staples:
1. 420
2. IPA
3. Blue
4. Take Two Pils
5. Hop Hash
6. Georgia Brown

Winter & Spring Seasonals:
1. 2016 Happy Ending
2. Whiplash
3. Hash Session


Plus FREE puppy daycare!
Our friends down the street at Dog Days Midtown are offering FREE daycare to pups during the anniversary party. All you need to do is make sure your pooch is up to date on their vaccinations (bordetella, rabies, distemper/parvo (sometimes shows up as DHLLP or DHAP), all dogs must be spayed/neutered and fill out this form at least 24 hours in advance: http://midtown.dogdaysatlanta.com/…/dd-enrollment-intown.pdf. The vaccination records & enrollment form need to be sent to Dog Days Midtown either via fax or email 24 hours prior to event for any dog that plans on coming. Email: midtown@dogdaysatlanta.com Fax: 678-974-5682

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Tuesday, February 9, 2016

The Annual Ale Sharpton Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Dining Guide: Part Two

A slick new spot, The Mercury, is throwing down! See below.
Book reservations now!

Cheers!

Like I said in Part One here, I am going to keep posting more great Valentine’s Day dining events around Atlanta for you to consider. Coming straight from the source, here are more choices for you and your special someone to consider. Click on to the name of each restaurant to get all the contact information.
Enjoy!

Ale!


4th Annual Evening with French Reds
February 12-14
Wine and dine your Valentine with the perfect pairings at White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails’ 4th Annual Evening with French Reds. Join Sommelier Ryan Reardon Friday, February 12 through Sunday, February 14, as he extends an impeccable French red wine selection, which Chef Todd Richards has prepared a decadent four-course dinner to accompany. The menu will feature the winning poem of this year’s Prize in Southern Poetry. Full menu with wine pairings below. To reserve your spot, please call 404.524.7200 or visit www.whiteoakkitchen.com/reservations.

One
Smoked Breast Of Quail
Shrimp, Radish & Potato Salad, Truffle Vinaigrette
Lucien Muzard et fils, Santenay Premier Cru Graviére s, 2013

Two
Thyme Crusted Arctic Char
Black Trumpet Mushroom, Charred Onion, Pear Mostarda, Trout Roe
Domaine de la Noblaire, Chinon Rosé, 2014

Three
Coffee Rubbed NY Strip
Root Vegetable Gratin, Huckleberries, Frilly Mustard Greens
Château Laplagnotte-Bellevue, Saint-Émilion Grand C ru, 2011

Four
Chocolate Tasting
Cake, Pot de Crème, White Chocolate Ganache, Pistachio Brittle
Champagne, Godmé Père et Fils, Brut Rosé, Grand Cru, NV

270 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, Ga 30303

Connect on Facebook and Twitter!


Treat your loved one to something special at one of Atlanta’s Hottest New Restaurants. Join The Mercury on February 14th for a special prix fixe menu that kicks off with a Tableside Caesar Salad for Two followed by 12 oz New York Strip Steak each paired with a 4 oz Lobster Tail. Indulge in house made cheesecake and enjoy champagne for two as you toast to a romantic evening. The decadent three course surf and turf dinner is offered for $90. To make your reservations, please visit www.TheMercuryATL.com or call(404) 500-5253.


Dinner from 5 p.m.–10 p.m.
(678) 580-5579
In addition to the regular a la carte menu, Executive Chef Ryan Smith (formerly of Watershed) has created a selection of decant and festive specials (below). Live music will be performed by husband-and-wife, singer-songwriter duo Kelly McRae.
Regular Menu + Below Specials (no prix fixe):
- farm egg: farro, beech, ham hock, winter squash
- champagne poached oyster: citrus, smoked trout roe, calabrese
- foie grois torchon: pomegranate, pecan, celeriac
- cold smoked lamb: satsuma, sweet pepper, mustard yogurt
- truffle fettuccini: winter truffle, parmesan, leek
- seafood stew: scallop, catfish, oyster, crab, shrimp, rouille, ciabatta
- wood grilled lamb: fregola, rapini, kalamata olive
- smoked rabbit: brussels sprouts, winter squash, cornbread dressing, maple
- tres leches: chocolate strawberries, almonds


Chef Zach Meloy has created an inventive and festive five-course prix fixe menu, available throughout Valentine's Day weekend on Friday, Feb. 13th, and Saturday, Feb. 14th. The dinner is priced at $80 (or $100 with wine pairings).
- grilled sweet potato, jicama, ham hock marmalade, pickled onion, horseradish, corn chip
- crab cake, shrimp louie, salted cucumber, yuzu vinaigrette
- beef petit tender, asher blue, crispy potato, mushroom veloute, marmite caramel
- blood orange sorbet, black pepper meringue, candied orange
- chocolate tart, smoked banana ice cream, toasted marshmallow, dried banana, chipotle butterscotch
Valentine's Day Cocktail ($9): organic vodka, campari, blood orange, cava.
349 14th Street (b/w State and Atlantic). 404.695.4547


Photo by Eater Atlanta
The Luminary
The Luminary is cooking up a special treat for you and your lover. Saturday and Sunday night will offer a pre-fixed menu only, featuring choices of Out of the Ashes Cheese, Broccoli & Cheese Soup, Belgian Waffles, Heirloom Grits, Braised Chicken Leg, a dessert of Chocolate Cake with milk chocolate mousse and salted caramel and more. Four courses for $65 with a wine pairing available for $35. There will be an additional “truffle supplement” available for $15. Roses for the ladies. For reservations visit www.OpenTable.com, www.TheLuminaryAtl.com or call 404-600-6199. If you want your mouth to water weeks in advance, check out the complete menu.


February 12-14
Bring your sweetheart to dinner and enjoy a special 4-course menu with a complimentary glass of bubbles. If you are looking for a romantic way to celebrate with your loved one this Valentine’s Day, come join us for dinner on Sunday, February 14, for our special Valentine’s Day offerings. Chef Zeb will prepare an exclusive four-course menu served with a complimentary glass of bubbles. $65 per person.
Planning to celebrate Friday or Saturday evening? In addition to our regular menu, we will be offering our special Valentine’s Day 4-course menu with a complimentary glass of bubbles for $65 per person.
We will also be open for our traditional Sunday Jazz Brunch with our regular menu from 11:30am – 3:00pm. Be sure to reserve your spot here today!
1820 Peachtree Rd. NW, Atlanta, Ga. 30309
watershedrestaurant.com | 404.809.3561



Want to impress your loved ones this Valentine’s Day? Krog Street Market invites you to experience “Dinner + A Movie at KSM” featuring the classic “When Harry Met Sally” on Sunday, February 14th at 7:00 pm.


This Valentine’s Day weekend, praised Executive Chef Kevin Ouzts is set to impress lovebirds with an unforgettable 5-course, French-themed tasting menu with featured wine pairings. Available February 13 & 14, this special menu will feature choices such as Elderberry Beet Terrine, Quail Ballotine on Farro, Char-Grilled Rabbit Hearts, Aged Steak Au Poivre, Black Currant Mousse and more. For more information, visit www.thecockentrice.com or call 470-428-2733.

Happy Valentine’s Day y’all!


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Monday, February 8, 2016

It's Part One of Ale Sharpton's Annual Last-Minute Valentine's Day Dining Guide!

Here are three awesome specials you might want to sink your fork into! 
Hey Y'all!

Okay lovebirds, first daters, or those on a solo flight (which is perfectly okay), here is Ale Sharpton's Annual Valentine's Day Dining Guide to help you book the cool spot to eat and get your sip on during February 14th in Atlanta. 
Since reservations are going fast, I am going to try and post you the most elegant, cost-effective and downright delicious restaurant deals out there created for this perfect day like I do every year. Feel free to go back to my past listings here to see what restaurants threw down last year as well. 
With further ado, here is Part One at listing where to roll courtesy of one of my favorite restaurant companies, Concentrics! They have numerous different options and I am actually going to eat at their newly renovated dining destination—ONE. midtown kitchenso you know they have to be no joke. Ha!

Much love!

Ale

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Sunday, February 7, 2016

Terrapin's Wake N Bake Off is Tonight!

Come eat and sip for a great cause at the Argosy!

Peace Y'all!

I will be judging the great Wake N Bake Off event for the third time and love doing it! Terrapin challenges some of the city's best chefs to create desserts and savory bites to pair with their ridiculously dope Wake N Bake Imperial Oatmeal Coffee Stout this Monday, February 8th, at the Argosy from 6 to 10 p.m. What's even cooler is this event raises money for one of the best initiatives in the business, The Giving Kitchen
Here is the official description. 


Be a taster! Come join us again this year to raise money for a very important cause, while making your mouth happy! All proceeds go to supporting the The Giving Kitchen!
For only $20, you will taste an assortment of savory and sweet bites made by some of your favorite restaurants in Atlanta, all being paired with Terrapin Beer Co. delicious Imperial Oatmeal Coffee Stout!
Participating restaurants include: Gaja Restaurant & BarElmyriachi,Empire State SouthCooks & SoldiersCypress Street Pint and PlateMy Parents Basement Comic Book BarArgosySteinbeck's5 Seasons Westside, and Noni's.

Celebrity(ish) judges, beer, and raffle prizes every hour!

The links for more info are below... 

See you there!

Ale
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Thursday, February 4, 2016

Here Comes HopSlam…in Cans!


The frenzy begins today in ATL and the rest of the South for one of the highest sought beers in history!

Whaddup Hop Heads?!

Yep, it’s game on for HopSlamBell’s high-powered Indian Pale Ale brewed with honey at 10 percent ABV out of Kalamazoo, Michigan—as it enters stores today in Georgia’s capital and throughout the Southern region of the U.S.
Fanatics for this awesome IPA in general are certain to hit up all retailers and get it before it’s gone, but they better be prepared for one major change: It’s packaged in 6-pack cans! After talking to one of their representatives, here is Bell’s list of reasons for leaving glass ass out this year:
  • The want it as fresh as possible
  • They are giving their existing bottling line a break while their new Comstock Brewery and more efficient Bottling Hall are being constructed.
  • It gets to their distributors faster. Remember, IPAs are the best at their freshest!
  • Quality is better maintained in cans.
Of course, less breakage and other factors come in too, ya dig? I personally like IPAs out of cans because they seem to have bit more zing to me when they are at their youngest.
Anyway, to find out where the hell HopSlam is around your area, use the Bell’s Beer Finder at bellsbeer.com, type in your zip code or city and state. They say to call your destinations before heading over there in case these cans are ghost!
And don’t worry Southerners, we got our cans from the new batch of HopSlam, not the initial one that has been out for weeks up in the North. Whew!
Happy sippin'!

Your Homey,


Ale
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Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Check Your Homey Out on USA Today’s 10Best Awards For Beer!

Read what my panel collectively nominated and you vote for the best!

Yo, yo!

When USA Today hit me up last month to ask me if I wanted to be one of their handful of experts to make nomination on different categories based on beer for their 10Best Awards, I was truly honored and said “Hell yeah!” They even said they would have my bio and photo at the end of each category up there which was a super bonus.
To break down what this weekly competition is, here is their official description:

“Each week we ask readers to help us pick the 10Best in a single category which can range from food, lodging and destinations to travel gear and things to do. Our travel experts select the 20 top nominees and you—the reader—make the final selections!”

Sound like fun, right? Well it was! After hearing what the subjects were, my brain got a helluva workout shaving down my answers to their limit of 20 solely based in the U.S. Some were easy to make while others really gave me a tough time because there were so many to choose from thanks to the boom of craft beer over the years! Anyway, here are the subjects:
Best Brewpubs
Best New Breweries since 2013
Best Beer Scenes
Best Beer Bars
Best Beer Festivals
Best Beer Labels
Sneak Peek: The Theophan label was one of  my selections. 
It goes hard!
The latter I had the most fun with because I take art very seriously, majored in marketing, and love the creativity craft brewers have challenged themselves to come up with, but every category was a pure pleasure to tackle. I am just blessed to be have so many beer-themed experiences throughout this beautiful country to pick from. 
What’s even more cool is that my home city of Atlanta hosts so many of the nominees as well! If you have never been to the ATL, get the hell down here and I will hook you up with some awesome places to hit up.
Anyway, please submit your picks here and make it a priority to explore the others you have yet to visit or try. Going by the remaining choices my esteemed co-panelists made, I can’t wait to confirm their accolades. I assume they are as gangster as my picks! 
And to shout out the other experts, the other submissions came from:
  • Dr. Mike Arra, CBO Chief Beer Officer of Bon Beer Voyage
  • Jim Dykstra & Chris Guest, The Beer Connoisseur
  • Julia Herz, Craft Beer Program Director for the Brewers Association
  • Gary Monterosso, Critic, “What’s On Tap”
  • Jack Muldowney, The Hop Review
  • And an extra special fist pound to USA Today Editor Lydia Schrandt!

Oh, and I will post mine on this blog category by category individually for you to enjoy. I don't want to blow my load by putting them all on one, ya heard?
Now get your voting on! You can pick a different choice (or same choice) in each category once a day which is kind of cool, too. That way, if you are torn, you can show others some love too.
Boom!


Here is the shout out they gave me under each category. Dope, right?
Happy Sippin'

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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