Hey beer lovers, Georgia Fortnight is in full swing!

From now through the 26th, beer pours lovely in Georgia!

Yep! Atlanta is already an awesome beer city, but you can never be mad at another reason to celebrate ales and lagers being poured here. Thanks to Georgia Fortnight, some of Georgia’s major sud slingers got together to make a whole week special with beer dinners, new releases, and special tappings. Below is the schedule. I hope to see you at some of these. Shout out the homie Mary Fiorello aka Hops Diva for passing it on.

Cheers!

Ale

August 17, 2019

Wrecking Bar Brewpub

Mexican Siberius Maximus bottle release/GA Beer Festival 12-4 p.m.

●        Ticket holders will receive:

●        Two 500 ml bottles (with the option to purchase a third bottle) of Mexican Siberius

●        Entry into the festival with 20-30 beers in addition to Wrecking Bar beers

●        Food from El Tesoro  and our own Chef Nick

●        Frozen Margaritas

●        Live music from a mariachi band

SweetWater Brewing Company

Chocolope Release - SweetWater’s fall seasonal

●        Brownies and cookie pairings

●        First 144 receive Strain glass

New Realm

●        Full food menu from our scratch kitchen featuring several new menu items, Live music all day long

●        Tapping of at least 3 new beers: Expected Turbulence Hazy Pale Ale, Hazy Dragon NE Pale Ale & a vintage 2018 keg TBD

●        $1 from each Expected Turbulence Hazy Pale Ale and Hazy Dragon NE Pale Ale poured from 7-9 p.m. will be donated to the GCBG.

August 18, 2019

Eventide Brewing                                                                                                                     Hangover Brunch with The Real Mexican Vittles

Menu:

●        Chilaquiles with eggs, by request                                                            

●        All Tacos with scrambled or fried eggs on top

●        Tortilla and fried egg breakfast

●        Mexican Breakfast Bruschetta

●        Breakfast quesadillas

●        Breakfast Bowls 

●        Micheladas

●        Beermosas

August 18, 2019

SweetWater Brewing “Throwback Sunday”

$15 ticket with six 6 oz. pours

Souvenir glass to take

Free tours

Holly Street Band from 2-5 p.m.

Cellar Beers on draft

             2015 Festive

             2017 Happy Ending

August 17-19 2019

Park Bar – Downtown

SweetWater Brewery tap takeover

August 22, 2019

Twain’s

First Can Release & Beer Can Chicken!

August 22, 2019

Sceptre Brewing Arts

Crowler release

August 23, 2019                                                                                                                         Creature Comforts Brewing Company Snow Tire: “The Silent World” Black Lager Release – Plus a silent disco and the opening of their new green space.

August  23-24, 2019

Riverdog Outpost

SweetWater tap takeover

August 24, 2019

Creature Comforts Brewing Company Snow Tire: “Eukaryote” Release – a Limited 750 Dry Hopped Table Beer Release

August 24, 2019

Pontoon Brewing

Brownie Bash 2019 Festival around the release of Brownie Batter Batch Sweet Imperial Stout and eight new Brownie Batter Batch releases.

August 25, 2019

Pontoon Brewing

We've got your cure to the Sunday Scaries! That post Brownie Bash hangover can be cured with #SundayFunday at Pontoon Brewing. Enjoy BOTTOMLESS Bromosas for $20 from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.. Orange juice options include traditional orange, tropical and orange banana in our tart cherry pineapple sour! $9.99 Hooch Bier Blonde pitchers & $14.99 core beer pitchers all day. Orange Pineapple Blonde and Michelada specials available as well!

Atlanta Brewing Company

Atlanta’s oldest brewery will be selling 4-pack bottles mix & match of our Conjuring Cultures series for $25! Bellum variants will be on tap for Sunday only.

August 28, 2019

Lincoln Fill Station - details TBD

August 28-31 2019

Gate City Brewing / Variant Brewing Company

Variant and Gate City will be releasing Walking Distance Volume 2 - identical NEIPA's featuring / highlighting different southern hemisphere dry hops. Variant is using New Zealand Nelson Sauvin and Gate City is using Australian Galaxy.   

August 28-30, 2019

Butcher and Brew – Alpharetta:  Draft feature with a multiple SweetWater Brewing taps

Loyal Q – Old Milton – SweetWater Brewing tap takeover

Loyal Tavern – Roswell – SweetWater Brewing tap takeover

Ceviche – Alpharetta – SweetWater Brewing Draft Feature 420 and G13

Ceviche – Roswell – SweetWater Brewing draft feature

Shade Street Food – Alpharetta – SweetWater Brewing draft feature

Mac McGee’s – Roswell – SweetWater Brewing Draft Feature 420 and G13

Mellow Mushroom – Brookhaven – SweetWater Brewing tap takeover

Hop on the Atlanta Beer Bus to Athens, GA September 1st!

Click here to book your ticket!

Whaddup!

On Sunday, September 1, the Atlanta Beer Bus hits up Athens, GA to visit four breweries and then it’s back to Atlanta! I’m definitely rolling so come join me here before it sells out! As you can see from the LaGrange trip we did here, I had a blast!

Here’s the breakdown…

·         Leaving from Atlanta Brewing at 10 a.m. (returns around 8 p.m.)

·         Visiting: Akademia Brewing, Creature Comforts, Southern Brewing, and Terrapin

·         Atlanta Beer Bus buys the first pint at each location* (*pint is included with purchase of food at Akademia)

·         Price is $50 per person

See you there!

Ale

Steer Me! Car Reviews — Part Two: 2019 Bangs for the buck!

The all-new 2019 Honda Passport Elite could be Top 10 car of the year!

These automobiles keep you financially responsible, yet still impressively deliver the bells and whistles.

In the next installment of Steer Me!, we found some awesome 2019 automobiles that are not only solid, reliable, and gracious with amenities, but still forgiving on the wallet.  

(All photos are courtesy of automakers.)

2019 Toyota Camry SE

A bestseller for more than a decade and for good reason: It’s continues to be reliable, mechanically sound, and consistently comes with awesome resale value. For an added edge, its aggressive, sporty design is heavily applauded as one of the most attractive sedans on the market. The 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine packs 203 horsepower, while still a never-thirsty combined 32 miles per gallon; “Audio Package” with ETUNE 3.0 Audio Plus with App Suite; stellar safety ratings; and a price tag under $30K maintains the legendary status of the Camry. Keep the other trims including a Hybrid SE in mind as well. You won’t lose no matter the style you choose under this sedan's umbrella.

Price: $25,550 MSRP; $29,899 fully equipped as reviewed.

Please visit Toyota.com for more information.

2019 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD

Mazda has had a remarkable run especially in the design department, and this time they took the “Go big, or go home” philosophy seriously with the CX-9 to accommodate the demands of large families. Still attractively sleek regardless of its 3-row, seven-passenger capacity, the Signature is the highest grade of the trims starting at $45,365, boasting Auburn Nappa leather seating; LED signature grille accent lighting; and genuine Santos Rosewood trim. Sedan-like qualities such as all-wheel drive, plus a punchy SKYACTIVE 2.5T Turbo Engine with Sport mode maxing 250 horsepower, trailer stability control, a separate rear entertainment system, and a 5-star safety rating average keep loved ones safe and sound. Boosting the cool factor, our review model was sitting on 20-inch alloy wheels and highly recommended Machine Gray Metallic exterior; all of this still stayed under $50K fully stocked. For slightly cheaper, yet equally sound considerations, the CX-9 comes in Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trims as well.  

Price: $45,365 fully equipped as reviewed.

Please visit Mazdausa.com for more information.

2019 Honda Passport AWD Elite

Thankfully, Honda has tossed their conservatism on especially design out the window. This all-new Passport SUV especially has Millennials taking notice, crediting its curvy, yet muscular exterior dressed in a stealthy Modern Steel Metallic rolling with 20-inch alloys. (The multi-angle backup camera is a lovely assistant when you want to back that thang up as well.) Under the hood further proves the automaker’s aggressive upgrades, packing 280 charging horses with 3.5-liter VTECH V6 engine, Intelligent Traction Management, and 9-speed automatic transmission. Even with all its good looks, the storage space may still fight to be the true headliner: Under the floor panel, Honda found a way to have more compartments and a spare tire, 60/40 rear seat splits, a best-in-class total of 100 cubic feet of packing space, and the ability to provide up to five adults comfort. This stylistically rugged SUV has the potential to be a Top 10 Steer Me! vehicle of the year. And yes, their entertainment system comes with the heavily requested volume knob for easier control. Way to step it up in all areas, Honda!

Price: $43,680 MSRP

Please visit Honda.com for more information.

The Good Boys movie is coming our way this weekend, August 16!

The creative minds behind Superbad, Pineapple Express and Sausage Party take on sixth grade hard in the outrageous comedy, Good Boys.

Yes, as many of you know, I review movies too, and I have been looking forward to this comedy called Good Boys dropping this Friday, August 16^th!

In fact, we worked their media team, Allied, by representing them in the Atlanta Beer Olympics at Buckhead Saloon where we won a lot of events and simply had major fun as Ale and Allied’s Team Good Boys! (Shout outs to Jamal, Josh, Jaclyn, and Lamont for holding it down and being awesome sports!) 

(Team Good Boys: Jaclyn, Lamont, Josh and Jamal)

Here is the info straight from the source. See you there!

Good Boys

After being invited to his first kissing party, 12-year-old Max (Room’s Jacob Tremblay) is panicking because he doesn’t know how to kiss. Max and his best friends Thor (Brady Noon, HBO’s Boardwalk Empire) and Lucas (Keith L. Williams, Fox’s The Last Man On Earth) decide to use Max’s dad’s drone – which Max is forbidden to touch – to spy on a teenage couple making out next door. But when things go ridiculously wrong, the drone is destroyed. Desperate to replace it before Max’s dad gets home, the boys skip school and set off on an odyssey of epically bad decisions involving some accidentally stolen drugs, frat-house paintball, and running from both the cops and terrifying teenage girls (Life of the Party’s Molly Gordon and Ocean’s Eight’s Midori Francis). 

The film hits theaters on Friday August 16. You may view the trailer here.

Cheers!

Ale

Steer Me! Car Reviews -- Part One

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator Overland is one of the stunners we reviewed this year!
(Photo courtesy of Jeep.)

Here are some of the most impressive vehicles that we reviewed so far at the midpoint of 2019.

While traveling and exploring cities throughout especially the US, finding the right automobile to fit all your needs can be cumbersome especially with all the new, high-tech features they can provide, safety features, stunning looks, and value. Well since I review cars alongside the team of other Steer Me! journalists who have a fondness for automobiles, we want to share a few of the standouts so far this year. Here is Part One of the series covering everything from trucks, to SUVs, hatchbacks, and sedans you should consider.

(All photos are courtesy of automakers.)

 2020 Jeep Gladiator Overland 4x4

 

The Rubicon is also available.

With the newest luxury SUVs, stocked sports vehicles, and sleek sedans doing their best to be eye candy, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator has turned the same amount of heads—if not more—while navigating through the streets and highways of Atlanta. And for good reason. The Jeep brand is one of the most popular especially among millennials and the adventurous lately, and this highly anticipated revamp took almost 30 years to answer the prayers of its pickup enhancement to return. Our review model, the Gladiator Overland 4x4, was a stunner upon site, maintaining the welcomed boxy, rugged Wrangler frame dressed in a black clear coat; the 18-inch Granite Crystal Aluminum Wheels, Premium LED Lighting package, exclusive convertible capability, and yes, 5-foot cargo bed stocked with a 115-volt AC outlet, further warranted the stargazing.

Its 3.6-liter V8, 24-valve heart and 8-speed automatic transmission with Selec-Speed Control is complemented by electronically enhanced Trailer Sway, Stability, and Roll Mitigation controls which come standard to justify the “Overland” moniker. The cabin is cozy with a more roomy back seat compared to competitors, numerous safety features, and the latest in connectivity, plus there are a plethora of options including Cold Weather Group (heated seats, steering wheel, remote start), and Premium Audio Group (8.4-inch display, Alpine audio system, GPS) to further pamper all passengers. The Trailer Tow Package (boasting a class-leading 7,650-pound towing capability) and Jeep Active Safety Group (rear park-assist, blind-spot detection, forward collision warning) come highly recommended as well.

All in all, the Gladiator has successfully rewarded all the loyalists who patiently awaited its return. -- A.S.

Please visit Jeep.com for more information.

2019 BMW X4 xDrive 30I

The BMW X4 turned heads about as well as it turned curves along the Atlanta streets with its dark graphite metallic exterior and chrome 20” Runflat Tires. The xDrive 30I version came equipped with a panoramic moonroof, a rear view camera with a full surround 3D view to ease the tension when backing out of a parking space and Apple CarPlay compatibility with enhanced USB and Bluetooth along with its own Wi-Fi Hotspot. This truly is the ultimate driving machine, as their tagline states. If you are going to own this luxurious vehicle, getting the Premium Package is a must with heated steering wheel, heated seats, and the ability to control the radio with a gesture using your index finger in a circular motion to turn the radio up and down. Great on gas at 25 MPG city/highway, gives you one less thing to worry about when you are driving around. Thumbs way up! – Andrea Janise

Price: $61,545.00 fully equipped

Please visit Bmwusa.com for more information.

2019 MAZDA 3

Simply put, the Mazda 3 sedan is competitively priced with a plethora of bells and whistles. For starters, the automaker’s signature stunning Soul Red Crystal Metallic finish color is renowned—and emulated—throughout the industry. The smooth ride, low road noise, adequate acceleration, and competitive gas mileage make the 3 a winner for the perfect road trip.

Its interior on point with a user-friendly entertainment system, comfortable seating, and a stylish finish. The futuristic exterior design successfully embraces its Japanese roots, enhanced with a curvaceous frame, stylish grill, and sleek headlights definitely boost style points. Having mercy on the bank account, this handsome sedan gets decent gas mileage—25 mpg city/ 33 mpg highway—as well. Don’t be surprised if this model gets numerous head turns on the road; it earned it with a solid infrastructure and tech features to match. -- L.K. Byron

Price: $30,840

Please visit Mazdausa.com for more information.

2019 Nissan Rogue SL FWD

The 2019 Nissan Rogue is outstanding in terms of its features and price. With a 2.5 liter engine under the hood and 19” alloy wheels gripping the concrete, the Rogue comes equipped with standard equipment including a 7” color screen with multi-touch control, BOSE premium audio system with 9 speakers throughout the cabin, 2nd row seat A/C vents, push button start, remote engine start, heated front seats, heated leather wrapped steering wheel, and the handy motion activated rear lift gate. The Premium and Platinum Reserve Package on our model came with a stunning monarch orange exterior paint and tan quilted leather seats. Getting an impressive 29 MPG city/highway makes the Rogue excellent for women who stay on the go. – A.J.

Price: $35,130 for model reviewed

Please visit Nissanusa.com for more information.

Look for more 2019 and 2020 Steer Me! reviews coming soon!

10th Edition of Montréal Complètement Cirque is set to amaze July 4 to 14!

Photo by Andrew Miller

The 'City of Festivals' is going to be LIT in July!

There is no mystery that I consider Montreal, Quebec one of my favorite cities to visit in the world. Whether it’s for the food, culture, historical architecture, the sound of French being spoken as freely as English, or the arts, I don’t need much of an excuse to explore this amazing metropolis. Addressing the latter attraction, the annual Montreal Jazz Fest has had me return at least six times, and while its 40^th birthday is going on during my visit the first week of July, it’s the 10th Edition of Montréal Complètement Cirque that has me literally strutting to my direct Delta flight to the “City of Festivals.” For 11 days from July 4 to 14, more than 425,000 will flock from all over the world and join me to revel in the magic Montreal has produced over the years. This official website description gives us an even better idea of what’s in store:

Photo by Andrew Miller

MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE is a Festival that brings people together across the city every July with a stunning circus program. For 11 days, Montreal moves to the rhythm of circus arts. Its venues, streets, parks, and sidewalks become stages to showcase colorful, high-flying performances from here and around the world.

An event not to be missed, MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE presents diversity in all its forms and expressions by creating moments where the most talented artists from the circus world come together to perform.

Created in 2010, it is the result of a collective dream that brings together TOHU—the project’s driving force—along with the support of Cirque Éloize, Les7 doigts de la main, Cirque du Soleil, the National Circus School, and En Piste. Together, they pooled their expertise, resources and will to create the first North American international festival dedicated to circus arts.

And as if I needed another excuse to be in Montreal, the city just so happens to be hosting Cirque du Soleil’s 35^th anniversary as well! Sheesh! (They are also coming to Atlanta in October for their Volta production, so go here for more information.)

And with that, here is a link to more information, how to get tickets, and when indoor and free outdoor performances are taking place here. Hopefully you too can be a part of this historic event, but if not, I will definitely be documenting my visit. Be sure to follow my Montreal adventures on Instagram, Twitter, because honestly, with Montreal, it's not work, it’s a labor of love.

Au revoir!

Ale

Follow The Montréal Complètement Cirque on Twitter at @mtlccirque and on Instagram here, @mtlccirque.

Meeting the Reverend Al Sharpton meant so much.

I am still on a high after meeting the man I pay homage to 

every time I am referred to as Ale Sharpton.

Whoa!

After my awesome Forbes article written by Gary Stoller went viral this past Wednesday, I was floored by the positive response and praises from my followers, family, friends, and even strangers who simply wanted to show me love. I truly appreciated it. And then it happened: I got a message from a PR representative of the Reverend Al Sharpton requesting my presence; he happened to be in Atlanta for the African American Leadership Summit. After reading the article documenting my great respect for him explaining why I named myself Ale Sharpton, the Reverend wanted to link, take pictures with me, and show support for my endeavors. You know I was tripping! I always wanted to meet him in person and tell him what the article stated and it actually was happening. I honestly didn't know what to expect but was ready to embrace whatever. I wasn't missing this. 

When we linked up at his headquarters on the West End, I gave Reverend a big hug and he asked me questions about me, including upbringing, schooling, and what motivated me to be "Ale." I broke it down, then we took some pics, and then he was off to catch a flight. He was sharp, very polite, showed no celebrity arrogance, no shunning of alcohol consumption (he doesn't drink), or straight-up negative energy. Most importantly, it was his official validation of using the Sharpton name. It was a very cool, chill vibe. He went on to post it on his Instagram, I did the same the next morning here, and we both followed up by Tweets here and here, and Facebook posts. God is amazing.

Photo by Andrea Janise.

I am looking forward to building as Ale Sharpton and continue the journey of helping make the craft beer industry a great, enlightening, industrious, and inclusive one, while meeting great people along the way. 

And for you reading this, thanks for riding along with me. I couldn't do it without you. 

Peace!

Ale

Check out what Creature Comforts has poppin' in June!

Creature goes big with cans, has a new gangster BA Stout, 

and a tap room full of deliciousness!

Photos are all Creature's.

Whaddup?!

I have been traveling heavy if you can tell from my Instagram, and had a blast recently in Ann Arbor. Please check out my #cruisinforabrewsinannarbor hashtag for all the dope spots I hit up while there.

Anyway, here I am back in ATL and this announcement caught my eye off the bat! No doubt, packaging in 16-ounce cans are the thing now, so Athens, GA’s Creature Comforts made it imperative to jump in on the fun with their legendary Thor-lovin’ Tropicalia and crushable Classic City Lager in four-pack tall boys June 1st. They also have a new Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout called Life in Flux from its recently expanded wood cellar at 13%; it’s encased in a 750-mL bottle flaunting their always consistent eye-poppin’ artwork.

Last, their taproom has a gangster list for those lucky enough to be there. Check it here!

Peep the info on everything straight from the source below.

What a 5^th year CC is having!

Holla!

Ale

 ---------------------------------

The new BAIS 'Flux' joint looks fuego! 

Creature Comforts says:

16oz Cans Available this June! 

Starting June 1st 4-packs of 16-ounce cans of Creature Comforts' year-round offerings, Tropicália and Classic City Lager, will be available. The cans will be released from the brewery's tasting room on June 1st and in the market shortly following the onsite release. Tropicália cans will be offered in Athens only for the initial launch, and Classic City Lager will be in the Athens and Atlanta markets.

From the wood cellar: Life in Flux

Creature Comforts Brewing Company's next limited release from its recently expanded wood cellar, Life in Flux, will debut this June. Life in Flux will be available in 750mL bottles from the brewery’s tasting room June 1st.

Life in Flux is a blended imperial stout aged in whiskey barrels at 13% ABV. The brewery blended select barrels from its wood cellar that best represent the beauty of its current whiskey barrel-aged stout collection. The blend consists of stouts ranging from 17-25 months in barrels. Creature Comforts plans to release a blend of Life in Flux annually. The intent for each vintage is to represent a snapshot of the brewery’s barrels from a specific moment in time.
More information about Life in Flux can be found here!

Kick Off Summer at Creature Comforts

We're excited to announce we're kicking off the start of summer with several releases from our tasting room on June 1! Check out our website here for all the info!

Peace!

Here is the video from the Piano Keys pouring at Argosy in ATL!

Evidently, this celebration pouring my Piano Keys Imperial Dark Chocolate and Vanilla Stout collaboration with New Belgium, and fellow brewing friends Crowns & Hops, Hopstix, Down Home, Khonso, and Arches at the Argosy on March 21st, was LIT! 

Thanks for everyone for coming through! A special thanks goes to Crowns for hosting this with me. 

It's Hip-Hop Trivia's Anniversary!

If you know your hip hop, 

come prove it this Friday at Aisle 5!

The very last of my Piano Keys Imperial Stout gets poured on Tuesday, May 14th!

It's going to be at City Tap in 

Midtown ATL from 4:30 to 6:30. 

Come through!

New Belgium execs and special guests will be in attendance. Come show them how ATL's beer scene is one of the best and most diverse in the nation.

I appreciate y'all! 

Ale