Will You Be One Of The Lucky Bastards?

I just returned from Midtown Wine and Spirits. Stone Lukcy Basartd (it's spelled correctly) was fresh off the delivery truck when I walked in. This is a one time release to celebrate Stone Brewing Company's 13th Anniversary. It is a blend of Arrogant Bastard, Double Bastard, and Oaked Arrogant Bastard. Sounds great! The bad news is that they only had two cases allotted to the store and it's a two bottle limit. Hurry before they are gone.

Also on the floor was Sweetwater Dank Tank Imperial Pilsener. There was only one case of that with a two bottle limit as well.

If you have a fat wallet, you can get the Schmaltz Brewing Jewbelation Gift Pack. It's vertical of all Jewbelations going back to 8, and it includes a free tasting glass and candles to create a minora out of your empty beer bottles (yeah, stupid gimmick I know). The bottles ARE NOT vintages, but re-brewed versions. This package is very limited in this market. Just how much? $32. Steep- but no one ever said that this hobby is cheap.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and don't forget to grab your favorite craft beer to pair with that turkey

Smitty

Beer Review- Terrapin Moo Hoo Chocolate Milk Stout

It's been about a month since my last review, which is too darn long if you ask me. The next victim is Terrapin Moo Hoo Chocolate Milk Stout. I am a big fan of this brewery and wasted no time driving to the beer store to grab a six pack.

Terrapin Moo Hoo Chocolate Milk Stout

Terrapin Brewing Company- Athens, GA      

CLASSIFICATION: Sweet Stout  
ABV: 6% 

 

Smitty's Review: Sampled at 50 degrees. Pours an opaque deep brown/black with dissipating one finger brown head. Nice aroma of wet roasty grains, wood mulch, and dark chocolate.Creamy mouthfeel with semi-soft carbonation. Initial flavor of dark bakers chocolate and mild roast coffee. Mid palate brings out nutshells, hazlenut, and husky grains. There is a strong, non-cloying residual sweetness to round things out. I could sense the hops for balance, but not enough to pull out any flavor characteristics. Finish is plummy with very slight, but a distracting astringency that lingers for a bit.

The finish could be better, but I still enjoyed this beer. With the sweetness and rich flavors, I don't see myself drinking more than one per sitting. In other words, this six pack may last a little longer in my beer fridge!

Rating*: 8 out of 10

Recommended Food Pairing: Ice Cream, Cake, Chocolate, Tiramisu

Value:  Good at $8.49 per six pack. Purchased at J Barleycorns Beverage Barn

Beer Audience: Stout and Porter drinkers, Chocolate fans

Where To Buy:  Most retail craft beer stores, Whole Foods

* rating system based on aroma (1 pt), appearance (1pt), palate (2 pts) flavor (3pts), comparison to other commercial examples of the style (3pts)

The Science of Beer

I wish I knew a few more details- but it sounds like a great way to educate and introduce people to craft beer- Smitty

The Science of Beer

Adventure Science Center invites you to join us for Science of Beer, an informal beer tasting event and a little science education too!

Wednesday, Dec. 22
6:30  – 10 pm
Adventure Science Center



Beer: Yazoo Brewing Company and Lipman have teamed up with local and regional breweries to bring you a variety of beer styles and brands to taste.

Science Fun: ASC’s education team has put together some exciting live demonstrations, all related to beer. Plus, explore the entire Center as we take you on a beer-themed scavenger hunt.
 $20 – Single Ticket

$100 – SIX-PACK, Buy 5, Get 1 FREE!

Buy Tickets now! You must be 21 or older with valid identification to attend.

East Nashville Beer Festival

Yes folks, it looks like we are getting yet another beer festival! Beer aficionado Matt Leff recently moved to Nashville and immediatly started organizing the event. I like a guy with priorities! As a harsh critic of beer festivals, I think Matt is on the right path by having the event in the spring AND hosting it in East Nashville. This is a perfect neighborhood for a beer festival. He is focused on offering quality craft beer and possibly some out of market beers.

On Monday, they are submitting their park use application to the city. Following approval, they will then need to apply to the Beer Board. If those approvals go through, an official announcement with ticket information should follow and will be posted here and on their web site.

The festival is at 50% sponsorship. Please spread the word that there are more sponsorship opportunities available. Contact Matt directly at matt@eastnashvillebeerfest.com. You can also visit their Facebook page by clicking here.

Cheers

Smitty
"If it's not craft, it's crap"

New Brewery Coming To Nashville!

Craft beer culture in Nashville keeps growing! I have been reading the buzz about on a few beer forums, but it is now official. Jackalope Brewing Company is set to open in spring of 2011 and will be located at 701 8th Ave South. Robin Virball (President) and Bailey Spaulding (CEO) will be running the operation in an 8,220 square foot facility that will feature a tap room. No official tap room hours have been set, other than that they will be limited afternoon/evening hours during the week. The tap room will feature four beers, including a rotating seasonal. Availability outside the brewery will be keg only, distributed by the good folks at BountyBev (great choice!). I will post more info as I receive it, but I can't wait to try their offerings.

Murfreesboro may be getting a new brewery as well. Mayday Brewery is now officially an LLC and you can follow their progress on their blog here. Best of luck to them!





Do you have any other local beer news? Shoot me an email and I will post about it. I am all about supporting the Nashville beer scene. Cheers!

Smitty
"If it's not craft, it's crap."

More November Arrivals

The goods just keep a coming! I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Grand Cru, which is a dry hopped blend of Oak-Aged Bigfoot, Celebration, and Pale Ale. I decided to pick up two bottles and popped one open almost immediatly. I have to admit that this beer is a little young, and perhaps a disappointment. I found the finish to overly boozy and peppery. I am going to let the second bottle sit for six months in hopes of the flavors melding. Don't let my opinion prevent you from trying this beer. It's a one time release and several of my respected beer aficionados really like it.


The holiday beers are showing up as well. Noel de Calebaza is an oak-aged Belgian Strong Ale from the Dexter, MI brewer Jolly Pumpkin. At around $17 per 750ml, this may seem a little pricey, but they are a great small artisan brewery. These types of beers take more time and care to produce. Another arrival is the Shelton Brothers import Nøgne Ø Winter Ale, a very nice dark ale worth trying.

I appreciate your continued support of craft beer. Cheers!

Smitty
"If it's not craft, it's crap"

This Is Rad!

New Arrivals For November

Before I start, don't forget about the Nashville Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival tomorrow. Tickets are still available. For more info, visit their website.

I have anxiously been awaiting Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, and now it's here! Don't expect a liquid hershey bar, this beer is bold, roasty, and bitter like a good Imperial Stout should be. This beer also cellars nicely for about 2-3 years. At 10.1% abv, one of these will make a nice night cap during these winter months.

Another new arrival is New Belgium 2 Below, a winter warmer ale that comes in at 6.6 abv. I have not tried this one yet, but I will share my thoughts when I do. You can find both of these beers at any liquor store with an extensive craft beer selection.

On Wednesday night, I was lucky enough to sample the Yazoo Barrel Aged SUE. This is a version of the GABF Silver Medal winner that was aged in Corsair bourbon barrels. It was enjoyable, especially if you like bourbon. However, I thought that the bourbon masked some of the great characteristics of the regular SUE. There is one more keg left that will be tapped. When? Where? Follow Yazoo on Twitter to find out. 

Cheers

Smitty