What to do on Hump Day? Red Brick’s 'Wild Card Wednesdays'!

Yet another reason why Atlanta's beer scene is killer!

I know Atlanta has a lot going on when it comes to brew (or this would be one boring-ass blog), but that is called a good problem! Now, thanks to one of its breweries from the old school, Red Brick (formerly known as the Atlanta Brewing Company that was established in 1993), Wednesdays are going to be even more happening for us sippers of the world's greatest beverage.

Yep, recognized as Georgia’s oldest craft brewery, the beloved Red Brick has something poppin’ between 5:00 p.m. to 8 p.m., where they proudly host “Wild Card Brew Wednesdays” at their home base (2323 Defoor Hills Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA. 30318). Here’s how it works: During each public tour on every Wednesday from now until August 31^st, Red Brick is pouring an exclusive, one-and-done "Wild Card" cask/firkin brew for their esteemed guests. The cool thing is no one knows what the beer will be the day of the tour, so taste buds are left hanging until the first sip. That should be an intriguing, yet adventurous journey for any beer lover, so check them out. For two Lincoln bills (or one Alexander Hamilton), Red Brick is ready to surprise visitors every Wednesday with something they will never sip again, so take notes, a picture of whatever so that you eternally cherish each one!

For more info, check out their website or Facebook page.

Happy Hump Day!

Ale

Put on this ‘Drinking Cap’ out of Brazil!

 Real Deal Brazil gets crafty with microbrewery beer caps.

In case you didn’t know, your homey Ale loves some hats. This fact, coupled with my love for cool hunting, made me gravitate to the “Tarp Hat” made by the Greenville, NC-based company called Real Deal Brazil. This hat initially caught my eyes in the 2009 blockbuster flick Zombieland which featured Woody Harrelson  rocking it while while slaughtering decomposed flesh eaters, but when Real Deal took the coolness even further and added an optional band laced with bottle caps, I was sold!

Yep! That's it..

The hat itself is made from the authentic, recycled tarps that actually covered cargo trucks transporting goods throughout Brazil (which explains the company name since they are based in North Carolina). Now that’s cool already, but they took it to the next level for beer lovers like us by embellishing it with tops that come from some of the nation’s most well-respected microbreweries including Great Lakes Brewery out of Cleveland, OH; Shmaltz Brewery reppin’ New York, Michigan’s Bell’s, Great Divide in Denver and their nearby hero, Duck Rabbit.

“Our aim is always to include as wide a variety of quality beer brands among our caps as possible, with our home-state North Carolina brewers strongly represented, particularly top regionals like World Beer Cup gold-medal winner Duck-Rabbit in Farmville,” company rep Frank Rabey says. “We also mix in caps from some of the tastier and more interesting imports, and even a couple craft  hard ciders.” You gotta love how they are showing love to the micros. Real Deal emphasizes that they only use tops from breweries that are not what they term “…too pervasive in the marketplace,” i.e. Heineken.

So how do they make these killer bands? Rabey explains, “Consistently getting any quantity of quality used craft-beer caps is a challenge, though the actual crafting of our hat bands itself is very straightforward: We  cleanly double-punch all caps so they slide easily onto the strong synthetic cord, then uniformly space them a meager distance apart, affixing them with a high-melt-point glue.” Crafty!

Anyway, check out their site for more of their pimpin’ products including the Iguape Messenger Bag that I definitely want to get! Just go to realdealbrazil.com and see what else they have in their arsenal. (For specifically the beer band, click the link for “Tarp Hats” and scroll midway down, to "Beer Cap Hat Band - Craft Beer.")

Cheers!

Ale

Drink SweetWater 420, get a glass and save the Chattahoochee River!

Hey Beer Nuts!

I know, I know. I have been gone for a minute but when family priorities call coupled with some assignment blessings from the gods of journalism (including Jezebel Magazine, GRIP Magazine, Men’s Book and others), I gotta answer! But enough of the excuses, I have so much stocked up for you, my cherished readers, to be entertained for a good minute through this blazing month of July and beyond. In fact, I was about to post something but then the inauguration of this weekly SweetWater get-together at Café 640 (640 N. Highland Avenue, 30306) Atlanta, GA took priority due to it starting tonight!

Read the official info below and get your sippin' and eatin’ on, and help the South’s #1 brewery continue keeping the local Chattahoochee River Basin drinkable! I’m off to the Wrecking Bar for a private media dinner tonight followed by the Tribe Called Quest documentary premiere (I love them!), so I‘m booked, but hopefully I will make another one of their Thursdays in the near future. I mean, damn, check out their grub to the left!

Oh, and come back tomorrow. I have something seriously gangster for you!

Deuces!

Ale

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CAFÉ 640 INTRODUCES 420 AT 640

 SweetWater Drinkers Unite to Benefit Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Efforts

Weekly Thursday Dates Begin July 21 at 6:40 p.m.

Beginning, tonight, Thursday, July 21, local dining favorite Café 640 (formerly Café di Sol) will introduce their weekly 420 at 640 series, a philanthropic effort benefiting the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper efforts.  Guests will have the opportunity to give back to the Atlanta community, simply by stopping in for a SweetWater. Running through August 1, a portion of all SweetWater beer sales will be donated to the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. Guests will also receive a SweetWater glass to take home with their first purchase and can register for the chance to win a custom painted SweetWater kayak - perfect for a hot day drifting down the Chattahoochee.  The winner of the kayak will be announced amongst live music and passed small plates at a September 1, 2011 bash at Cafe 640.

WHAT:          420 at 640

WHERE:        Café 640 - 640 N. Highland Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30306         

WHEN:          Thursdays at 6:40 p.m., beginning July 21 through August 1.

CONTACT:   For more information, please visit www.cafe640.com or call 404-724-0711

About Café 640:

Located at 640 North Highland Avenue in Virginia Highlands, Café 640 is open Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.  Weekly events include Buy One Get One Free Burger Monday, Wine Wednesday, Live Music Thursday, and the Sunday Crawfish Boil. For more information, visit www.cafe640.com or call 404-724-0711. Follow Café 640 on Twitter at @Cafe640, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Cafe640.

About Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper:

Established in 1994, Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (UCR) is an environmental advocacy organization with more than 5,000 members dedicated solely to protecting and restoring the Chattahoochee River Basin—drinking water source for 3.5 million people. UCR was the 11th licensed program in the international Waterkeeper Alliance, now close to 200 organizations strong. From the north Georgia mountains to the Florida border, the Chattahoochee River is impacted by unplanned development, storm runoff and trash from industries, roads, and construction sites, and discharges from sewage treatment plants. Withdrawals from the river by municipalities and industries also affect its health through consumptive loss of water that is not returned to the river, impacting downstream water quality, recreation and ecology. While significant improvements have been made in the river, much remains to be accomplished.  UCR actively uses advocacy, education, research, communication, cooperation, monitoring and legal actions to protect and preserve the Chattahoochee and its watershed.

Pioneers of Beers Interview Series: Julie Baggett

Beer expert Julie Baggett discusses everything from being a lab tech with Bell’s Brewery to being a woman in the world of brewing.

I am a part of an exclusive circulating email group for beer writers, pub owners, brewers and straight-up beer nuts. We talk about everything from who is selling limited releases of ales and lagers, to leading a rally to get rid of laws that compromise our rights to sip whatever kind of beer we want. Well, during various exchanges in cyberspace, a woman named Julie Baggett consistently offered her two cents in frank and often hilarious fashion. I always loved what she had to say and judging from her input, proved to know a helluva load about the suds.

The brew gods had us finally cross paths at a beer pub gathering and Julie, a native Atlantan, was even funnier in person, yet passionate about everything regarding beer. From selling sanitizing solution for brewing tanks to consulting pubs worldwide on how to store, serve and preserve what she terms “the ultimate beverage,” Julie had some fascinating stories. It was only right that I feature her as the next expert of my Pioneers of Beers Interview Series. My last edition featured Richard Roper, one of the three winning brewers of the latest Samuel Adams Longshot Series with his Belgian Hop Ale here.

Just finishing her latest gig as a consultant with the new pub in Atlanta’s Little 5 Points called The Wrecking Bar (Make sure you check it out!), Julie and I got together at The Porter a couple blocks away (here’s my vid with owner Molly here), ordered a few Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stouts on draught and, well, here ya go!

Enjoy!

Ale: Let’s start simple. What is 'beer' to you?

Julie Baggett: Beer is the ultimate beverage as it has been used as food, medicine and mind-altering sacrament since the beginning of man's existence. It even played a major role in the transformation of mankind from a hunter-gatherer clan to actual agriculture and ultimately civilization. Ultimately, a well-made beer should be a solace to the soul and a joy to the senses whenever consumed. Brewing of beer is equal parts art and science.

Amen! That was tear-jerking. Okay, tell us your story.

I started my beer journey 20 years ago when as a junior pre-med in college. I met the analytical chemistry prof from England and was introduced to Mackeson's Sweet Stout, Woodpecker Cider and Chimay Red. I took a graduate course in the chemistry of beer and winemaking from him and brewed ginger beer, spiced brown ale and the first incarnation of my Mojo Metheglyn—a mead with both medicinal and flavoring spices. I was hooked by the brewing bug from then on.

When medicine started turning into managed health care, I nixed my reconstructive surgical medical career for pursuing professional brewing on the advice of my now deceased sommelier brother. I started working without pay at Marthasville Brewing Company and Blind Man Ales to get my hand in the profession. I worked for 9 months straight, 7 days a week as a postpartum CNA in hospital as well as a home health aide to raise tuition and living expenses to attend the 1996 UC Davis Master Brewers Certification. I was the only woman in my class and the third to attend the program.

You go girl! So you got love from major breweries after that course, right?

Yep! Anheuser- Busch sent me interview paperwork before I'd even completed my final at UC Davis. I worked at A/B Cartersville for a year before I became Senior Head Brewer for Abita. I also worked as staff brewer and lab tech for Bell's Brewery.

I've worked for a variety of brewpubs, homebrew stores and production breweries in Atlanta and I have learned a great deal about what not to do in business over the years, which I feel is more important than  knowing what to do. I spent over five years in technical sales with Loeffler Chemical, meeting brewers from around the country and learning the chemical solutions to any potential sanitary issue that may come up in a brewery. In 2006, I finally had the opportunity to brew my own recipes, of which I did well and was very proud of. In 2008, I did it again, restoring befouled brewing equipment to pristine, sanitary condition and producing great, award-winning beers that were distributed from Raleigh to Pinehurst, NC. I look forward to making great beers or spirits again very soon in the future.

It sounds like you have done some serious traveling. What U.S. city has the best beer scene and what city abroad is kicking ass with the suds?

In my travels, Brussels, so far, is the best beer city worldwide. In this country, Boston and surrounding suburbs has had the best beer offerings.

Well Atlanta is definitely moving up in beer city recognition. Speaking of which, what are you doing in the ATL?

I just wrapped up at the Wrecking Bar Brewpub as a lackey and consultant. I got really dirty helping Brewmaster Chris Terenzi get the brewery cleaned up and ready for brewing. It's been a great opportunity to pick up new skills like soldering copper pipe, dealing with what construction needs to be completed in what order, passing inspections and getting permits.

So what’s next?

I can eye proper real estate sites, choose appropriate equipment and utilities for the job within a budget, get the site ready for the receipt and installation of equipment and plan recipes according to the client's preferences. It's also a good way for a future boss and yourself to try each other out, insuring that your future dealings will be harmonious and constructive as you transition into brewmaster. 

Who knows? I could end up in a brewpub, production brewery or distillery.

Staying on the topic of Georgia’s capital, who are the gangster brewers out there you respect?

The Atlanta brewers I respect the most include Chris Terenzi (Wrecking Bar, Max Lager’s, U.S. Border Brewery and Cantina) who's got mad construction skills and a good eye for saving  money; John Roberts, who continues to brew good beer year after year without making a fuss about it (Max Lager’s, Atlanta Brewing Co.); Spike Buckowski and John Cochran who have the most savvy business skills in the industry (Terrapin); and Brian Campbell, who despite working full time for Loeffler, brews nearly every weekend as good as professional (an awesome homebrewer).

Good calls. You named all gents, but as a woman in this industry, what is that like? Is it difficult?

As a woman in brewing, it's not difficult working in a man's industry, but you have to prove you can do as much work as they can and not take any crap off them, but not be too easily offended or hung up on political correctness. I'd love to see more women in the industry, but it's very physically and mentally taxing work and you have to be of a certain mindset to put up with it.

Word! So what would you change in the brewing word if you could?

If I could change anything in the brewing world, I would want government to eliminate some of the more blatant examples of restraint of trade from its books and let capitalism do its thing. Make three tier optional. Let brewers self-distribute if they choose. Let them give away POS schwag and advertise on their websites where you can find their beer. Let brewpubs sell growlers and attend beer festivals without having to align with a distributor. Oh! And let people buy beer 7 days a week, which is coming in Georgia I heard. I liked that Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ episode you did on it, by the way! I am sure it helped.

Thanks homey! I need to have you in one. You are hilarious and know your beers!

Anytime!

On-Ice Beer Dispenser for the house? Yep!

Straight Chillin'!

I just heard about this dispenser that guarantees ice cold beer with ever pour in the comfort of your own home—or office (I won't tell anyone). Anyway, the innovative people at HomeWetBar.com have launched this gadget that has an acryllic cylinder to hold ice in the center, chill the brew surrounding it and, most importantly, not watering down your already watery light beer (unless you bought the good stuff!).
Truthfully, since beer snobs like myself usually drink ales that have to be on the cool side rather than the polar bear weather most lagers demand, I probably won't dish out the loot-$44.95. Regardless, I dig the idea for those pilsner lovers. Now if only there was a damn pro basketball or football game we could watch and truly utilize this!

Well at least college kids are not locked out. 


Here is their official description:

On-Ice Mixed Drink and Beer Dispenser Details

Lets face it, running to the keg or ice-box in the middle of the big game is a hassle (you never know what you'll miss) and your wife isn't very well going to let you park your cooler in the middle of the living room. Presenting the solution to warm beers and frequent trips to the ice box! This brilliant beer dispenser keeps 80oz of your favorite brew or drink at a finger’s touch away and ice cold in it's separate beer tower compartment without diluting the flavor! Great for game-days, restaurants, or outdoor entertaining; with it's polished, chrome plated base, and a non-diluting ice chamber, this acrylic beer dispenser is practical and perfect for chilling and pouring up ice-cold ales, liquors, white wine, mixed drinks, or shots! Simply fill the interior chamber with ice, the exterior with your favorite libations, and enjoy a delicious, undiluted drink! On-Ice beer dispenser measures 20½”x7” and has a 5¾” clearance from table to spout.

American Homebrewers Association lists Top 50 Beers in the U.S.!

Pliny the Elder comes out the Top Gangsta!

There are plenty of folks who claim they are beer authorities and opinions are like, ummm...brains, everyone has one (at least physically). The American Homebrewers Association (AHA)--arguably the most respected non-profit organization founded in 1978 that proudly represents homebrewers and established brewers throughout the U.S.--recently gave us their interpretation of what the best suds are via their popular Zymurgy magazine.

Well, honestly, there is no right answer when it comes to the best beer because it's what your palate has grown accustomed to, but I am certainly not mad at the ales (and a couple of lagers) that garnered top rankings. In fact, there are only four I haven’t had yet, so I am on a mission, but my homey at the Twitter address @Dawgontap made a great observation: There is not one out of the Southeast! What's up with that?

Anyway, Santa Rosa, California’s Russian River Brewery came out on top with their India Pale Ale, Pliny the Elder, for the third straight year (dizzzamn!), and Dogfish Head out of Delaware received the  most votes collectively for a number of their world-renowned ales. Stone, Sierra Nevada and Samuel Adams got hella love too! Evidently, hops rule!

All in all, make it a point to sip as many of these selections as you can if you can find them. Microbreweries are what make the beer world go ‘round so support them, expand your beer knowledge and enjoy!

The American Homebrewers Association’s Top 50 Beers in the U.S.

1. Russian River Pliny the Elder

The official description of Pliny on its Russian River Brewery website says:

"Pliny the Elder was a Roman naturalist, scholar, historian, traveler, officer, and writer. Although not considered his most important work, Pliny and his contemporaries created the botanical name for hops, "Lupus salictarius", meaning wolf among scrubs. Hops at that time grew wild among willows, much like a wolf in the forest. Later the current botanical name, Humulus lupulus, was adopted. Pliny died in 79 AD while observing the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. He was immortalized by his nephew, Pliny the Younger, who continued his uncle's legacy by documenting much of what he observed during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.”

8.0% ABV

2. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale

3 (tie). Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA

3 (tie). Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout

5. Bell’s Hopslam

6. Stone Arrogant Bastard

7. Sierra Nevada Celebration

8 (tie). Sierra Nevada Torpedo

8 (tie). Stone Ruination

10. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

11. Stone Sublimely Self Righteous

12. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine

13. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

14 (tie). Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter

14 (tie). Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale

16 (tie). Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA

16 (tie). New Glarus Belgian Red

18. North Coast Old Rasputin

19. Bell’s Expedition Stout

20 (tie). Deschutes The Abyss

20 (tie). Left Hand Milk Stout

20 (tie). Odell IPA

20 (tie). Samuel Adams Noble Pils

20 (tie). Surly Furious

20 (tie). Troegs Nugget Nectar

26 (tie). Rogue Dead Guy Ale

26 (tie). Samuel Adams Boston Lager

28. Anchor Steam

29 (tie). Bear Republic Racer 5

29 (tie). Ommegang Three Philosophers

29 (tie). Oskar Blues Ten Fidy

29 (tie). Three Floyds Alpha King

29 (tie). Three Floyds Dark Lord

34 (tie). Avery Maharaja

34 (tie). Dogfish Head Indian Brown

34 (tie). Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron

34 (tie). Three Floyds Gumballhead

38 (tie). Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA

38 (tie). Lost Abbey Angel’s Share

38 (tie). New Belgium La Folie

38 (tie). New Belgium Ranger

38 (tie). Oskar Blues Old Chub

43 (tie). Ballast Point Sculpin IPA

43 (tie). Great Divide Yeti

43 (tie). New Belgium 1554

43 (tie). Russian River Blind Pig

43 (tie). Ska Modus Hoperandi

48 (tie). Alesmith Speedway Stout

48 (tie). Dark Horse Crooked Tree

48 (tie). Green Flash West Coast IPA

48 (tie). Summit EPA

48 (tie). Victory Prima Pils

SweetWater Brewery releases two new brews and destroys property!

Atlanta-based SweetWater brewery is making major waves!

The Motor Boat is bizzack!

Atlanta’s own SweetWater Brewery has been kicking major tail for years since its inception back in 1996, and thanks to  all of the community service, festivals and awesome beers they release seasonally, success continues to mount. I’ve had the honor of judging many of their contests including the annual Brew Your Cask Off , plus writing a major piece on them in Beer Connoisseur Magazine, but what I equally dig is how down to earth they are and their kooky humor. For instance, below is their press release that I decided not to cut down because it had me cracking up. In a nutshell, their Motor Boat ESB hits the shelves and the new Dank Tank family member, the Browneye’d Buckeye Brown Double India Pale Ale, is now on tap! The Buckeye joint is 8.5 percent ABV and an astounding 120 IBUs, so I can’t wait to sip this one!

Plus, there is the demolition video of the property they are expanding to next to their Midtown location and an event calendar listing where SweetWater will be slinging their suds through July 31^st. There’s a lot going on with these cats so enjoy and keep showing love to the top brewery in the South. They’re good for it!

Holla!

Ale

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SweetWater's Motor Boat is back

Time to limber up your lips for the annual release of our Catch and Release seasonal—the Motor Boat ESB. The ESB is dry hopped face full of pleasure and a back to back silver medal winner in the ESB category at the Great American Beer Festival! Also, it’s one of our personal favorites at the brewery. This beauty will start showing up first in our Tackle Box variety 12 packs, and then all over the Southeast in six packs and on draft.  Although this one’s built for speed and pleasure, it'll only be out ‘til the end of the summer, so dive in face first you old sailor you!

Browneye'd Buckeye - our newest release from the Dank Tank

Brown Double India Pale Ale

Our sweet, innocent, and moral El Dressel lost his way as Brutus led him down a dark alley to recruit some tattoos and car loans to afford all the Columbus hops he needed to stack his on field double IPA recipe with the most aggressive hops O-round.

Unfortunately, El Dressel was discovered, humiliated and banished, leaving a permanent wrinkle in his sweater vest and instantly creating the Browneyed Buckeye!!!

Get it while you can, because just like last year's Sugar Bowl win, this one will be gone quickly!

Malts: 2 Row, Munich, & Midnight Wheat  

Hops: over 5lbs per barrel of Columbus, Amarillo and Centennial Dry Hopped

ABV: 8.5 percent 

IBU's: 120

Available in 1/4 bbl kegs only

Movin on up like George and Weezie

We demolished the building next door to make way for more tasty SweetWater!

Click here to watch the action!

SweetWater broke ground on an 18-month long expansion that will quadruple our current brewing capacity and give us the space we need for a brand new bottling and keg line.

Last year we brewed more than 77,000 barrels and this year we are on pace to eclipse 90,000 barrels.  

The expansion will mean more upgrades to all of our packaging equipment, so that the tasty brews you know and love will only get better.  The expansion, which will take the brewery from 26,000 square feet to 110,000 square feet, began last Friday with the demolition.

The plans also include a brand new lab space and a separate event space above the packaging hall.  Check in with the camera on the roof from time to time on how the work is coming along.

Lots more details to come on the bells and whistles that will come with the new toys!

Upcoming Events from our ‘Punish the Liver’ Calendar

July 4th - Atlanta, GA - Red, White, and Brew - fireworks and beer from the roof of the Aquarium

July 10th - Birmingham, AL - Beer Dinner Benefiting Black Warrior Riverkeeper - at J Clyde's (call for reservations)

July 15th - 24th - Beaufort, SC - Beaufort Water Festival - events all over town

July 23rd - Suwanee, SC  - Suwanee Beer Festival - In Town Center Park

July 30th - Nashville, TN - Music City Beer Festival - 10th annual festival in Walk of Fame Park

July 30th - New Bern, NC - Brew Bern Beer Festival - Presented by Beer Army

July 31st - Charleston, SC - Bark for Brews - Beer Festival in Riley Park

What’s poppin’ this weekend? The Atlanta Summer Beer Fest!

I'll be in the Blue Ridge Mountains so have one for me!

Although I am taking my mom to the Blue Ridge Mountains this weekend for her 62^nd birthday, it doesn’t mean I can’t sip a gang of beers through you vicariously at the Atlanta Summer Beer Fest on Saturday, June 25, from 5-10 p.m., right?

I love Mountain Top's cabins!

Now don’t get me wrong, I will have my own private brew festival and visit the Blue Ridge Brewery, chow down at the Harvest On Main, eat those delectable fritters from Mercier Orchards, chill in one of Mountain Top’s awesome  luxury cabins and breathe in the ultra-clean air of the North Georgia’s peaks, so don’t shed a tear for me! 

However, if I was in the ATL, I’d hit up the outdoor grounds of the legendary Masquerade club, listen to some live music, sip from more than 200 kegs and party with other dedicated imbibers of the suds. I went to the Winter Beer Fest last January which was pretty damn crazy inside the Masquerade (the Winter Beer Fest’s bands were hella funky!), so the summer version outdoors should be even more off the meter!

Here’s what the Atlanta Summer Beer Fest peeps are promising:

“This year the festival will be much bigger, with more beer, more bands, more great volunteers, and tons of fun additions. We will be using the Masquerade Music Park, which is the huge outdoor venue behind the Masquerade, and for the first time this year, we will also have an additional stage in front of the Masquerade. We will have plenty of taps going to keep the lines short, and plenty of bathrooms to keep you comfortable. We are expecting a sellout, so get your tickets early!” 

• Check out the Summer Fest list of brews available while supplies last: Beer List
• Here is where to get tickets in advance (they go up a few bucks by midnight and at the door on Saturday): Tickets
• And be sure to read my Ale’s 10 Tips For Enjoying Beer Festivals write-up so that you are total prepared to kick it to the fullest!

So enjoy, be safe, don't try to be a hero and drive if you are hammered and let me know how it was!

Peeeeeeeace!

Ale

Clinton solidifies winner of the Samuel Adams Beer Dinner Contest!

Homebrewer extraordinaire Doug and his son Justin have Beer Summit Part 2 with ‘Hillary Clinton’!

The results are in and the winner of the First Annual Ale Sharpton Father’s Day Photo Contest is Doug, an award-winning homebrewer, and his son Justin (see here for the original post announcement). There were a lot of submissions (Thank you for that!) and some truly great shots, but the judging panel thought that this “Beer Summit Part 2” photo earned them a couple of  tickets to the Beer Dinner at Loews Hotel’s upscale restaurant eleven tonight at 6:30 p.m.

The first Beer Summit at the White House in '09

Remember President Obama’s original “Beer Summit” in July of 2009 which included Vice President Biden squashing a beef  between police Sgt. James Crowley and Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.? (Was it a coincidence or Doug's strategy that Gates Jr. was sipping a Samuel Adams Light to connect with this contest's feature brewer? Whatever the case, Doug's clan landed it!) I agreed on this being victorious because the inclusion of quality beer glassware, originality, the father and son sippin’ together, and, well, an impersonation of 67th United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton settling another dispute over some suds. Brilliant!

So what was the beef with Doug and Justin? According to the caption sent in with the flick, it said:

“Hillary helps Dad (Doug) and Son (Justin) by refereeing the homebrew beer tastings at the Doug Haus Brewery. Justin goes for the big stouts, and Doug goes for the strong Belgians. A famous Hillary quote says, ‘What we have to do... is to find a way to celebrate our diversity and debate our differences without fracturing our communities.’ This was a perfect example."

I will find out who won the Stouts vs. Belgians tonight when I accompany Doug's family tonight. Man, I can’t wait to indulge in all four courses tonight at Samuel Adams’ beer dinner, especially the third one:  

Smoked Bone in short ribs, Crispy Pork Belly with Tomato Jam, Barley and Pistachio Stuffed Georgia Quail, Chilled Lentil salad and summer ale reduction.

Look f0r more contests and giveaways coming soon since this one kicked major tail!

I appreciate all the contestants and readers of this beer-lovin’ site!  Without you, there would be no Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’™!

Your homey,

Ale

Win Two Tickets to the Samuel Adams Beer Dinner This Coming Wednesday!

All you need to do is send your homey Ale Sharpton a picture and you could win!

You know what? Loews, Samuel Adams and I thought about it and agreed that we need to show  dads out there even more love than that $10 gift card (or awesome food and beer deals that are in this previous post What's Brewing For Father's Day? Lots!!!), so check it out: All you have to do is take an awesome photo with your dad in it this weekend (or if you are a dad and take one with your son or daughter) and email it to me at alesharpton@gmail.com by 11 a.m. EST, TUESDAY morning (June 21). The only thing is the picture has to somehow involve BEER. That’s it! 

eleven at Loews

I have a super hip judging panel to pick which picture is the coolest and BAM! The winner gets two tickets to the Samuel Adams Beer Dinner at the Loews Hotel’s chic restaurant eleven the followng Wednesday, June 22, at 6:30 p.m. EST. What is the definition of “coolest”? Whatever you think it means! 

They didn't win because there's no beer in it!

Anyway, may the best photo win. (If you want to go regardless, it’s $45 per person. Call 404.745.5745 for reservations.)

The winner will also be announced on my site, get their picture posted and receive instructions on getting the pair of tickets for the dinner. For those who lose, I didn’t pick it out. For the one who wins, tell everyone and their momma (and dad) that Samuel Adams makes amazing beer, eleven at Loews rocks and Ale Sharpton is the man! If you go, I will see you there! Bon appetit! Oh, and Happy Father’s Day to all of the poppas out there!

Here the lip-smackin' menu is below.

Cheers!

Ale

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Samuel Adams Beer Dinner

Wednesday, June 22

6:30 p.m.

Join eleven at the Loews Atlanta Hotel for a five-course beer dinner with Samuel Adams beer pairings and an extensive menu from chefs Olivier Gaupin and Derek Rosen.

Amuse

Shaved Toro Tuna, Amber Beer Agar, Pea Puree

1st Course

Warm Asparagus Salad, Beer dusted Foie Gras, Beer Gastrique, Quail Deviled Egg

2nd Course

Sam Adams Lager Steamed Bouchot Mussels, Bacon Lardoons, Sweet grass Dairy Farm Asher blue, Beer Crisp

3rd Course

Smoked Bone in short ribs, Crispy Pork Belly with Tomato Jam, Barley and Pistachio Stuffed Georgia Quail, Chilled Lentil salad and summer ale Reduction

4th Course

Beer Batter Apple Beignet, Stout Ice Cream

What’s Brewing for Father’s Day? Lots!!!

Get Dad a buzz!

Sunday, June 19, is going to rock in the ATL because there are so many eating spots dedicated to showing heads of the table some love with the suds. Here are a few restaurant promotions that stood out that are pretty creative in the field of quenching the thirst of Atlanta poppas with ales and lagers galore.

So ditch the tie and get dad some vittles and a cold one…or two…or three at one of these hip spots.  

Oh! And look out for the first giveaway on my site! It is coming in the spirit of Father’s Day and it will make a lucky Dad and his pride and joy toast off this weekend with a bang! Trust me! Look for the announcement later on today around 1ish.

First and foremost, the Wrecking Bar is finally opening on Father’s Day! I couldn’t wait for the bottom floor of this Victorian-style house on Moreland Ave in Little Five Points to start pouring ales brewed on premises by the great brewmaster Chris Terenzi. A special shout out goes to the owners, Bob and Kristine Sandage! Thanks for adding to the growing kick-ass beer scene in the A! Here is the official announcement along with some other beer-related Father’s Day throwdowns around the city.

Hops for Pops!

On Sunday, June 19, the Wrecking Bar Brewpub and The Porter Beer Bar are teaming up to celebrate brew-loving dads across Atlanta! Beginning at noon, the Wrecking Bar Brewpub will officially open its doors (and taps at 12:30) to the Little Five Points neighborhood. Simultaneously, The Porter will tap 19 Mikkeller single hop beers starting at 12:30pm. Jump on the MARTA (the closest stop is Inman/Reynoldstown a couple blocks away) and then dotingly carry Dad back and forth on the five-minute trek between these neighborhood pubs for the entire afternoon and into the evening!

www.wreckingbarbrewpub.com and www.theporterbeerbar.com

Celebrate Father’s Day with Der Biergarten!

Treat your dad to a feast fit for a king!

Bring in the family and devour Der Biergarten’s new King Ludwig Platter, which includes all your German favorites:  Jagerschnitzel, Wiener Schnitzel, Schweinshaxe, Sausages, Sauerbraten, Potato Salad, Sauerkraut and Braised Red Cabbage. Take 15% off on Father’s Day on Sunday, June 19, while you’re at it!

Also, here’s a great gift idea for the old man!

Still looking for the perfect gift?  Stein Club memberships are available now at Der Biergarten and offer a VIP experience for any beer lover in town with exclusive access to unique beer specials and events, dining and retail discounts and even your own personalized Stein. $60 annual membership fee. 

www.derbiergarten.com

Deckard's Kitchen & Kegs

On Sunday from 2-5 p.m., will feature all kinds of cool stuff like live music on their patio; finger food like brats and ribs; and cigars from the Highland Cigar Co including two of their girls on the patio to cut, light, and educate guests (additional cigars will be available to purchase after the first free one). There will also be two bottles each of Rogue Dead Guy Rye Whiskey, Rogue Single Malt Oregon Whiskey, Bulleit Bourbon and Angostura's 7-year rum. And beer, you say? Yep! Deckard's will have two cases of Rogue John John Dead Guy Ale (Rogue's Dead Guy Ale aged in the Dead Guy Rye whiskey barrels). All of this booze will be sample 'til its gone and, of course, the killer full draft roster and gourmet-level food menu will be available to purchase. The event is $35 a head. Sounds good, doesn't it?

www.kitchenandkegs.com

‘Firkin’ hey!

Firkin & Gryphon will be offering a prime rib plate for $20 or a BBQ platter with ribs, chicken, pork, brisket and your choice of side for $15 on Father’s Day. Make a day of it and watch the Atlanta Braves vs. Texas Rangers starting at 1:35 p.m.  Add a brew from their extensive beer menu with this awesome food combo and dad is seriously chillin’.

www.firkinandgryphon.com

Celebrate Father's Day at TAP

Join TAP this Father's Day, Sunday, June 19th, where Dad's will enjoy a free pint and half price burgers! TAP will be offering all Dads, dining with their families, a complimentary pint all day long to celebrate! Half price burgers will only be available during TAP's brunch, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring your family to celebrate and make your reservation to secure your seating.

www.tapat1180.com

Help TWO celebrate Father's Day in a BIG way

I had to add the map to show how to get to this speezot! It' s a tad tricky.

TWO urban licks is hosting "Dad's Day Off" this Father's Day, Sunday, June 19^th. Give your Dad a relaxing day away from the grill and let TWO do all the work. Chef Cameron Thompson will offer added grill specials, straight from TWO's acclaimed rotisserie, alongside TWO's regular menu to give Dad a Father's Day worthy feast. TWO will also offer a complimentary pint to every Dad as a token of appreciation. Nice!

www.twourbanlicks.com