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

Argosy pours first U.S.Trappist Ale tonight!

East Atlanta's Argosy taps the first keg of the Spencer Trappist Ale at 6 p.m.! 

Read below on the strict rules of being a Trappist beer below, too.

Yo!
One of my favorite spots in not only Atlanta, but in the U.S. is doing it big once again. Tonight, starting at 6 p.m., the Argosy is tapping the keg of the Georgia's newest addition to the craft beer world, the Spencer Trappist Ale at 6.5% ABV. It's a crisp, refreshing, fruity Belgian-style golden ale and America's first Trappist beer (specifically at Saint Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts) so this is a historic event. 

There are only ten Trappist beers carrying the prestigious ATP label (Authentic Trappist Product) according to their official website including Achel, Chimay, La Trappe, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle, Westvleteren, Mont des Cats, Engelszell, and, of course, America’s Spencer.

My homies Don, Armando and the rest of the Argosy posse will also be doing a pizza pairing with fig and caramelized onion jam, Chimay Trappist cheese, topped with arugula. 
Oh yeah, and you can keep the glass! See ya there!

*As an added bonus, I wanted to hook you up with what it takes to be a Trappist beer straight from the source...

The strict Trappist Beer breakdown:

Direct from the International Trappist Association, here are the STRICT requirements to be labeled an Authentic Trappist Product:

Trappist beers are one of the most well-known products which Trappist monasteries produce and sell commercially.

A Trappist beer is not the same as an Abbey beer

Of all the beers in the world, only eleven may carry the name “Trappist”:  the beers of Achel, Chimay, La Trappe, Orval, Mont des Cats, Rochefort, Westvleteren, Westmalle, Mont des Cats  Stift Engelszell,Zundert (NL) and Spencer (USA). 

The  "Authentic Trappist Product"  label

Ten trappist beers carry the ATP-label: the beers of Achel, Chimay, La Trappe, Orval, Rochefort, Westvleteren, Westmalle, and the beers of Stift Engelszell (Gregorius and Benno), Zundert (NL) and Spencer (USA).

A “Trappist” has to satisfy a number of strict criteria proper to this logo before it may bear this name: 

1.       The beer must be brewed within the walls of a Trappist monastery, either by the monks themselves or under their supervision.

2.      The brewery must be of secondary importance within the monastery and it should witness to the business practices proper to a monastic way of life

3.      The brewery is not intended to be a profit-making venture.  The income covers the living expenses of the monks and the maintenance of the buildings and grounds.  Whatever remains is donated to charity for social work and to help persons in need.

Trappist breweries strictly comply with all health and safety standards as well as consumer information standards.  Their advertising and communication is marked by honesty, soberness and a modesty proper to the religious setting in which the beer is brewed.

The procedure to receive the ATP-label

Only members of the International Trappist Association are able to submit an application for the right to use the "AUTHENTIC TRAPPIST PRODUCT" logo for a product (for example, a liqueur) or for a category of products (the whole line of liqueurs) produced by the monastery in question.
After the application has been received, the chairman and the members of the Board of Directors of the International Trappist Association will begin an evaluation procedure.
This can take several months.  The procedure includes assembling an extensive dossier, an on-site visit to check the production regulations and the quality demands as set by the ITA, and of course a tasting of the products concerned.

At the end of the procedure, the Board of Directors of the ITA will decide whether or not to grant the right to use the "AUTHENTIC TRAPPIST PRODUCT" logo for the products concerned.

This ATP license is valid for five years.

Holla!
Ale

It’s the Wild Bunch II today!

Kick it at the Argosy and support The Giving Kitchen with some of ATL's best in the culinary scene!

Yo!

After Eventide’s Citrus Grove Hefeweizen launch (it was great!), Venkman’s brunch, the Brick Store’s awesome 19^th anniversary, Tacos and Tequila honor my late mom’s birthday, and then an awesome two fights on CBS, a good rest was a must to conclude Saturday in ATL. Now it’s Sunday and the second annual Wild Bunch at the Argosy in East Atlanta is the move starting at 6 p.m. (followed by Game of Thrones’ bittersweet season ender) to support one of the greatest causes in the South, The Giving Kitchen. Here is the official write up. I hope to see you there!

They Say:

We are proud and excited to present the second year of Wild Bunch! Tacos, cocktails, beer, and bands! Last year was legendary and we raised over $10,000 for The Giving Kitchen. More of the city's favorite chefs, bartenders, and bands have been added to make this one of the year's most unique and memorable experiences. $25 gets you admission and 5 drink/food tickets (extra drink and taco tix available for $5).

Check out this ridiculous lineup:

Tacos by:

Steven Satterfield of Miller Union

Hector Santiago of El Super Pan Latino Sandwiches & Bar

Angus Brown and Nhan Le of So Ba Vietnamese Restaurant and Octopus Bar

David Bies of Ticonderoga Club

Ryan Smith of STAPLEHOUSE

Josh Hopkins of Empire State South

Jeff Wall of Kimball House

Allen Suh of Gaja Restaurant & Bar

Michael Person of Argosy

Cocktails served by:

Miles Macquarrie of Kimball House

Greg Best and Paul Calvert of Ticonderoga Club

Kellie Thorn of Empire State South

Trip Sandifer of The Painted Pin

Shanna Mayo of AMER

John Wayne of The Pinewood

Brandon Kemp of The Bookhouse

Bobby Dudley of The SOS Tiki Bar

Adam Rowe of Leon’s Full Service

Philip Frobos of Argosy

Bands!: Greg Cartwright (Reigning Sound, The Oblivians), Chris Lopez (The Rock*A*Teens), Jesse Smith (Gentleman Jesse & His Men), Little Francis (https://littlefrancis.bandcamp.com/), and DJ sets by Lance and April Ledbetter of Dust-to-Digital!

Breweries!: Creature Comforts, Three Taverns Craft Brewery, Wild Heaven Craft Beers, Orpheus Brewing, Terrapin Beer Co., Second Self Beer Company

Spirits!: Redbreast Whiskey, Altos Tequila, Anchor Distilling Company, Virgil Kaine, Pisco Control C, Old 4th Distillery, Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits, and High West Distillery!

Old school Westerns by Videodrome!

Argosy goes gangster for Atlanta Beer Week!

Atlanta Beer Week starts on October 18th through the 25th and East Atlanta's Argosy is set to show off!

Whaddup!

I just celebrated my birthday at the Argosy due to a lot of homies working there (thanks for the love Armando, Donald and staff), a lot of fellow brew nuts living close by, and hell, it's one of my top 5 spots to get the best beer available in ATL. 
Well, to show how dedicated the Argosy is, here is what they have brewing for Atlanta Beer Week starting on October 18th through the 25th. Bell's, the Georgia debut of Krebs, Oklahoma's Prairie, Evil Twin, Westbrook, New Holland and the Beer Camp roster will be featured and I am loving it! 
Ultimately, the whole week will be nuts. I mean come on, I stick by my claim of Atlanta being one of the sickest beer cities in the nation (a good sick I mean). This special week will help solidify my word is legit.
Below is what the official website is saying to keep us in suspense. They also have a Facebook page and Twitter. Of course, I've got your back too when it comes to updates so be ready!

Cheers!
Ale

Cocktails With Ale Part 2: Cathead Vodka and Three Taverns unite at Argosy!

Let’s take a sip of Armando’s Honeylion cocktail using Cathead's Honeysuckle vodka and Three Tavern's Single Intent Belgian-style ale!

In the first installment of Cocktails With Ale, I featured an in-depth interview with the co-founder of Cathead Vodka, Richard Patrick, here. We had a ball discussing the history of Cathead’s burgeoning vodkas, the trickery of the spirits industry, and his venture’s altruistic support of particularly Mississippi’s historic blues scene.

Now, using the Cathead Honeysuckle as the chief ingredient, I challenged the co-owner of one of Atlanta’s hottest craft beer bars—the Argosy’s Armando Celetano—to invent a cocktail with Richard’s cherished product and an award-winning local brew I picked out to embrace the oncoming spring. With ThreeTavern’s Single Intent Belgian-style ale and Cathead’s Honeysuckle in front of him, Armando created the “Honeylion”; he fused the Honey in Honeysuckle and a dandelion which represents the coming of spring. His biz partner Donald Durant (below) looked on as “A-Plus” showed off his mixing skills.

After tasting it on a sunny afternoon in East Atlanta Village, I was honestly impressed with the Honeylion’s refreshing balance of sour and sweet from the Limoncello Luxardo and Honeysuckle; Single Intent’s subtle spiciness; plus the spritzy mouthfeel the ale and soda water provide. Overall, if I could describe it, think of an organic version of Sprite with a splash of honey, an herbal nose, and potent 70-proof kick of premium vodka.

Here are the play-by-play highlights of my homey Armando making his signature Honeylion cocktail which will be available at the Argosy to help you sip in the new season.

First, pour 1.5 ounces of Cathead Honeysuckle in a mixing cup.

Add one ounce of Limoncello Luxardo.

Squeeze a quarter of a lemon.

Add a dash of Regan’s Orange Bitters.

Add ice.

Shake it like a Polaroid picture. (Actually, a lot more vigorously.)

Pour, add about two ounces of soda water, and float some of our locally brewed Three Taverns Single Intent. Watch the colors blend. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel. Enjoy!

Photo by Argosy's Emily L. Beck
Cheers to ya from Donald, Ale, Armando, Cathead and Three Taverns!

Look for another installment of Cocktails With Ale soon! Who knows what spirit and cocktail will make history next?!

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 & Bar, Elmyriachi,Empire State South, Cooks & Soldiers, Cypress Street Pint and Plate, My Parents Basement Comic Book Bar, Argosy, Steinbeck's, 5 Seasons Westside, and Noni's.
Celebrity(ish) judges, beer, and raffle prizes every hour!

The links for more info are below... 

Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1032390993466861/

Buy Tickets: http://terrapinatl.xorbia.com/wakeandbakeoff2016

See you there!

Ale

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. 

Peep Argosy's gangster beer list for National Beer Lovers Day features Ballast Point!

Ballast is indeed one of the best, and for us Beer Lovers, why not confirm it?

Cheers Y'all!

My homey Joe with Ballast Point just sent me a teaser of what is in store for tonight at one of the best beer bars in the city, the Argosy in the always bustling East Atlanta Village. I have a big Fantasy Football Draft for my Beer League I'm the co-commissioner of at the Georgia Chapter Room tonight, but I'm a real G by sharing the love with my peoples. It ain't fun if the homies can't have none. 
Don't worry about me though. My drafts are bottle shares. 
Holla!!!

Ale

A ridiculous weekend including Secret Stash Bash!

Chillin' with 5 Seasons Mastermind Kevin McNerney and Green Flash!

Draft Filling Station, Secret Stash Bash, multiple beer bars, and New Belgium Beer dinner coming up = 'Cray'!

Ohhhhh man, what a weekend! I needed all day Sunday to shut my body down and recover! On Friday, I hit up a new growler spot called Draft Filling Station that boasts about 41 taps, schwag, an amazing staff, and get this: tastings! (Look for a feature on them soon and the Ale Sharpton Monthly Draft Pick featured there! First up: Wild Heaven's Ode To Mercy Winter edition.) 

Draft Filling Station showing off my 32 ounces of freshly poured
Green Flash Le Freak Ale Sharpton-style! Owwwww!

After that, I did some beer consulting for a new restaurant (the official announcement's coming soon), and then it was spades all night along with a bottle share at my spot (Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout, Sierra Nevada's new Ovila with Plums, and SweetWater's new Red Wheat Wine were on the menu). 

And then there was Saturday.

Sarah with Wild Heaven, New Holland's Tyler (left), local artist Matt Albert,
and hundreds of others were in the house!

The Secret Stash Bash on Saturday afternoon hosted by 5 Seasons-Sandy Springs and Taco Mac's Prado location, was was bananas! Breweries from all over the nation flexed their muscles and flaunted some of their limited edition beers you can't buy at any bottle shop. Pouring from casks, kegs and bottles, hundreds of us got our sip on in perfect weather! There are couple of photos here and a lot more coming up in a follow-up post!

J-Smooth with Boulevard kicked it with me at the Fred
and a gang of other ridiculous spots on Saturday!

After that, I took my new homey, Kansas City's Boulevard Brewer Jeremy Danner, for a night on the town visiting some of Atlanta's prized beer slingers in this order: The Fred, Wrecking Bar, the Porter, Brick Store, Leon's, and the new hot spot in East Atlanta, Argosy. I proceeded on to the Octopus Bar to meet up with some friends from the AllWays Open Creative crew, the super cool Fox Brothers, and a few others. (Jeremy smartly took it home after Argosy so that he could wake up for his morning flight. That had to be murder but I hope it was totally worth it!) I left my camera with my trusty brother Lamont who shot most of these flicks (thank  Mont!) after the Stash Bash because I was scared it would come up missing by the end of the night, but pics still surfaced on my Twitter. Overall, that night was crazy! 

Me and Chip with New Belgium showing off their gangster schwag! 

Oh, and a shout out to New Belgium! So many people tried to but my Rampant Imperial IPA hat off of me but it wasn't happenin'! I love trucker caps and this one is fire! And speaking of which, they have a beer dinner with ATL's new seafood god, The Optimist, tomorrow (Tuesday, 3/11) and there might be a few seats left! Here is the info (shout outs to my boy Chip and Craig with New Belgium; Optimist's Owner and Chef Ford Fry; and Kraig & Co. with Hop City!):

The Optimist/New Belgium Beer Dinner

Tuesday, March 12th - 6:00 pm!

Join Hop City at The Optimist (914 Howell Mill Rd), one of Atlanta's hottest restaurants as we eat delicious food paired with New Belgium beers. We will be tasting Shift, Ranger, Dig, Transatlantic Kriek, and two brand-new beers (including the Rampant)! It'll be $50 plus tax and tip. Call 404-350-9998 or email Mina at Hop City here for reservations: minaholliday@hopcitybeer.com for reservations.

Look for tons of more things to report including my coverage of the upcoming Atlanta Auto Show. As usual, Atlanta and the entire microbrew industry's off the chain!

Cheers!

Ale

Update! New Holland, Prairie Ales and GA Craft Beer Fest are coming!

It's on in Georgia!

Whaddup!

Although I will be heading to Pittsburgh and Cleveland to do some more Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ (stay tuned for that coverage), I wanted to continue making sure all of my homies know about what else is cracking for Atlanta Beer Week.

Besides the stellar tap takeovers at top-of-the-class bars including The Porter, Brick Store, and Argosy, there is the Georgia Craft Beer Fest on Saturday, October 25th from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Candler Park, featuring arts, live entertainment, grub from the city’s top food trucks, and more than 100 craft beers to sample from all over the great state of Georgia! Indulge safely.

Here’s more info: www.georgiacraftbeerfestival.com. 

Oh! And New Holland is pouring some gangster tonight and I want to give a formal "Whaddup!" to the debut of Kregs, Oklahoma’s Prairie Artisan Ales at the Argosy tomorrow (Friday) with both starting at 5. We will certainly welcome you with open arms!

See y’all soon!

Cheers!

Ale

My beer pick for tonight: Westbrook Mexican Cake Imperial Stout!

Tonight is our debut of Brews. Brims. Beats. at the gangster beer bar, Argosy! Get your hat ready!

What more can I say? Express yourself from top to bottom and have a blast from 8 p.m. to 12. I mean come on, look what's on deck:

• you being a part of history
• special giveaways by the dope Goorin Bros. hat company
• specialty cocktails fused with Cathead and 18.21 Bitters
• Live DJ set by dead prez's own mikeflo!
• and my beer for the evening, the Westbrook Mexican Cake Stout! Trust me, it is one of the best beers in the world!

Here's the details:

• It's in the event space in the back of East Atlanta's Argosy (470 Flat Shoals Ave SE; Atlanta, GA: 404.577.0407
• Bring $10 cash for entry. 
• Kick it hard!

There will also be a raffle for those fly Goorin Hats and other giveaways while supplies last so make it happen and don't miss this!

And after this event is the first Heroes and Villains show at Monday Night Brewing September 1st! Whoa!

It’s the 4th Annual Terrapin Wake-n-Bake Off this Saturday!

 

Eat and sip to benefit one of my favorite charities, The Giving Kitchen!

Whaddup!

This Sunday, Jan 15, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., East Atlanta’s dope ass beer bar, the Argosy, will be hosting the 4th Annual Wake and Bake Off where some of Atlanta’s best eateries pair sweet and savory bites with one of the best stouts in the world, the Terrapin Imperial Oatmeal Coffee Stout! This is worth it for a mere $20 so get your tickets here. I will be there having the tough job of tasting and judging all submissions from these super talented culinary masterminds:

The Sweet Competitors:
Ormsby's - Nick Anderson
Elmyriachi - Lesli Shelly
Argosy - Michael Person
Noni's - Jenn von Schlichten
The Mercury - Brian Carson
Leons FullService - Rachel Wright

The Savory Competitors:
Sun in my Belly - Alison Lueker-Ritter
Steinbeck's - Andy Gonzalez (2016 Winner)
Cooks & Soldierss - Ashley Auer
D.B.A. Barbecue - Matt Coggin
Hampton & Hudson - Jason Hall
Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall - Cooper Miller

There will also be a raffle every hour with prizes that are actually dope, and yes, the NFL playoff game featuring Green Bay at Dallas will be on. Most importantly, all proceeds benefit The Giving Kitchen.

But the party doesn’t stop there! Check it...

There is the 2017 Wake-n-Bake Off Presented by Terrapin Beer Co & MyAthens next Sunday in Athens!

Yep, on Sunday, Jan 22, from 4:30 pm to 8pm, it goes down in Athens, GA too! Here is the official announcement of the Wake-n-Bake Off in Athens:

When the weather gets cold, the cool get cookin’! And we’ve got dozens of home cooks and pro chefs firing up their ovens in preparation for one of Terrapin Beer Co. & MyAthens’ most beloved annual events, the Wake-n-Bake Off!

The Wake-n-Bake Off is a celebration of one of Terrapin’s iconic beers — Wake –N- Bake Coffee Oatmeal Stout made with Jittery Joe’s coffee — and loads of things we love about Athens, like the awesome coffee scene, our amazing chef community and a city full of foodies who can whip up dishes just like the pros!

This year, the event — held at the brewery on Sunday, January 22, from 4:30-8:00 p.m. — will feature dozens of sweet and savory dishes, all prepared by some of the best pro and amateur chefs in town with Terrapin beer as the secret ingredient!

A pre-sale tour voucher entitles guests to 36oz of beer, a souvenir glass and a taste from each vendor — a challenge for those who come even with enormous appetites, since this is consistently one of the most well-stocked food events we have year-round! General admission entry begins at 5:30 p.m.

Upgrade your ticket for early entry to the event (4:30 p.m. start time), access to our limited release, high-gravity pours of Rise-n-Shine & Free Spirit and an Athens artist creation (details forthcoming) to your order, and we’ll have it waiting for you when your belly is full and ready to head home.

Ticket sales are limited, and this puppy is always packed to the gills, so grab yours now and ensure your spot at one of the heartiest events of the season!

See y’all there!          

Cheers!

Ale

The Ale Sharpton ReCAP: Brews. Brims. Beats.!

All photos by Anthony "Truth" Gary/AllWays Open Creative

Here are some pics from the very first Brews. Brims. Beats. event me and my biz partner mikeflo hosted at the Argosy on August 6^th! 

Cheers!

This is the first of my ongoing ReCAP Series where I reminisce and pay homage to events that were the most memorable over the past few months with photos and a commentary.

There is no better place to start than showing love to everyone who attended the very first installment of Brews. Brims. Beats. hosted by me and the multi-talented mikeflo from dead prez and duo Royal (see our awesome article here). In case you were in outer space (or at least couldn’t make due to unshakable commitments), what we did was have an awesome social gathering honoring our mutual fondness for hats, libations, music and friends. First off, it only made sense to bring in one of the best and classiest hatsmiths in the world, Goorin Bros; with 120-plus years of quality haberdashery, they blessed our guests with a raffle for five hats, coupons, feathers, hat pins and a display for everyone to enjoy. More than 50 folks alone had Goorin hats on; most of them got from the new Goorin shop in Ponce City Market. Others expressed their headgear individuality and a few forgot theirs, but hey, everyone kicked it hard!

Just some of the folks who wore hats at the event!

Then, the blessing to mixology—18.21 Bitters—and the musically forward Cathead Vodka brand teamed up and quenched palates throughout the evening. And of course, beer had to be involved and I picked the best. The Westbrook Mexican Cake Imperial Stout made our first BBB event an even more memorable evening and the perfect kickstarter for Part 2 coming in the fall. All I can say is be ready! For those who supported us, we appreciate you to the fullest. And a very special shout out to the Argosy staff (especially Donald Armando, and Phillip); DJ Yamin Semali; the three beautiful women handling the tickets—Andrea, Jahmelah and Divine; Anthony "Truth" Gary for the photos; Savannah Distribution; and everyone else who made Brews. Brims. Beats. possible. 

We promise the next one to be that much more incredible.

Anyway, enjoy these photos, check out the hashtag #BrewsBrimsBeats all over social media,  and look for the next one coming soon!

Cheers!

Ale and mikeflo

Creative Loafing shows me love!

Fellow beer scribe Austin Louis Ray does a feature on me in his popular 'First Draft' section. Here's the play-by-play on what went down.

Peace My Homies!

What a way to wake up on a Monday, eh?! 

The homey Austin.

When I got the call from my the great writer Austin Louis Ray wanting to feature me in his monthly First Draft column known for covering the beer game's influencers, I was floored and honored. Of course, I said hell yeah and we met about a week later at one of my favorite beer bars in Atlanta, The Argosy. I brought a Schlafly Double Bean Blonde for everyone to try since I try bring a lil' something no one has in this city when possible. (Austin did a fine job documenting this in his article.) Everyone was feeling it for sure. 

My 'Justin Case' logo I did by marker, a
play on Barney from The Simpsons. 1995

After picking an Argosy draft to sip on, Austin put out the recorder and we did our thing. He and I have known each other for a while and always exchange props to how we mutually support craft beer, so as you can feel the candidness in this piece when you read it. I kept it real as always, and first gave a shout out to the first magazine I ever wrote for when I used my Justin Case alias covering rap ("Off The Record") and my beer column "Beer For The Pour"—Cypher Magazine—(not counting Cornell's newspaper which I did a couple cartoons for). 
After that, we discussed one of my missions to further diversify the world of beer not just racially, but for artists, women, and other demographics and other good shit. I wish the events I have coming up were confirmed by the time the interview went down including Brews. Brims. Beats. Part II, Heroes Villains II, the Beer vs. Wine dinner at Cibo E Beve, a beer dinner with Sweet Auburn Barbecue, and a few other bangers, but you will know details on this site soon, regardless. 
Anyway, after a great discussion with Austin, I went to Washington D.C. and Asheville, NC, and then a photo shoot was scheduled with a cool cat named Eric Cash. We bonded instantly while he snapped me in The Porter Beer Bar's private event room, one of my favorite places to conduct my Hip Hop Beer Tasting with First We Feast and here on Cruisin' For A Brewsin'. (I can't wait to announce my next guest!) During the shoot, I brought a few brews with me including the Starr Hill Daily Grind Pepper Farmhouse Ale, Burial's Scythe Rye IPA, and Creature Comforts' Athena Paradiso while playing Tribe Called Quest on Pandora since the late, legendary Phife passed that morning (RIP). It was certainly  a memorable time. 
So now it's Monday and I wake up with my phone blowing up with texts and Tweets (thank Tori Allen PR for letting me know first) posting this dope article; it made waking up even more of a blessing.
All I have to say is I really appreciate everyone mentioned in this post plus all my fam, friends, brewers, writers, artists, magazines, websites, entrepreneurs, non profits, charities, beer bars, distributors, and musicians who make this world enjoyably liveable. Look for more creative efforts to  keep it that way from your brother Ale. 

Love y'all!

Ale