**Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!**
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Space Coast Craft Beer Fest *update*
Saturday, March 5th ~ Space Coast Craft Beer Festival
- We will have 50+ Breweries pouring 100+ Beers beginning at 2pm and running until 6pm.
- VIP tickets will be sold for $60 and include an additional hour (1-2pm) that offers specialty beers from select breweries not available during the regular festival. VIP tickets will also receive Front-of-Line privileges.
- General admission (2-6pm) tickets are on pre sale for $25 each, or at the gate for $35. There are a limited number of tickets, so if you plan on coming, not only is it cheaper, it is your only guarantee of getting a ticket unless we sell out before the event.
- 100% of the profits will benefit the Reality Check Program for Troubled Teens. That's right, we aren't keeping a penny of the profits for ourselves.
As if this day wasn't going to be Epic enough, we are going to keep the party going inside Broken Barrel Tavern after 6pm. Every Hour, on the hour after the event, we are tapping a Cask or Firkin. Cask Conditioned Ales from around the world are going to be flowing!
This is the first of many for this annual event. We hope that everyone makes responsible decisions and either brings a designated driver, $10 admission bc come on, it's for charity and you can pay for your buddies to drive you home safely; or takes a taxi service home! We're excited and hope you are too, plenty of good times brewing at the Barrel!
Beers,
Kevin
A sneak peak at the beer and brewery line-up:
- Abita
- Affligem
- Ayinger
- Bells
- Blanche de Bruxelles
- Blue Point
- Boon
- Boulder
- Brewdog
- Brooklyn
- Capital
- Cigar City
- Dogfish
- duvel Moortgat
- Effinheimer
- Erdinger
- Erie
- Florida Beer
- Ft Collins
- Gordash
- Great Divide
- Hacker Pschorr
- Harpoon
- huyghe
- Kona
- Lagunitas
- Lederer
- Lindemans
- Magners
- Narragansett
- North Coast
- OBP
- Ommegang
- Orlando Brewing
- Palm
- Radeberger
- Red Hook
- Rodenbach
- Sam Adams
- Samuel Smith
- Schmaltz
- Shiner
- Shipyard
- Sierra
- Smuttynose
- Southern Tier
- spaten
- Stone
- Summit
- Terrapin
- Tommy Knocker
- Tucher
- Unibrew
- Victory
- Wells
- Westmalle
- Weyerbacher
- Widmer
- Youngs
Still Pending but I'm hoping....
- Cocoa Beach Brewing
- Saint Somewhere
- Swamphead
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Cigar City Brew News
On Tap @ The Cigar City Tasting Room 2/24/2011
Now on Tap:
Guest Taps:
Here's to hoping this lands in your inbox only once!
Cheers!
The CCB Crew
Now on Tap:
- Jai- Alai IPA
- Maduro Brown Ale
- Cubano Espresso
- Jose Marti Porter
- El Lector Dark Mild
- Hugh McFarlane English Pale Ale
- Patio Tools Dry Irish Stout
- East India Spiced Brown Ale
Guest Taps:
- St. Somewhere Pays Du Soleil
- Florida Beer Company SwampApe IPA
- Swamphead Cottonmouth Belgian Wheat Ale
- Swamphead Stumpknocker Pale Ale
Here's to hoping this lands in your inbox only once!
Cheers!
The CCB Crew
WOB Viera News
Sierra Nevada Brew Party!
This Tuesday, March 1st, we will be featuring Sierra Nevada Brewery from California. We will have Hoptimum on draft which is a rare and exclusive keg along with an extensive draft line up that includes the Pale Ale, Bigfoot, Celebration, Glissade and two 30th Anniversary kegs. A representative from the brewery will be here at 7 pm for a meet and greet along with give aways! See you Tuesday!
Bracket Challenge!
Don't forget to register for the bracket challenge for March Madness on Tuesday March 1st. The challenge runs from March 14th to April 5th. Submit your bracket prediction for all (63) games in the Men's tournament after the teams are announced for a chance to win weekly local prizes and an overall grand prize of a $200 WOB gift card. Click here for more details.
Customer Appreciation Day!
Sunday, March 6th, we are pulling out the barbecues. We will be grilling hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken and vegetables. Also, we will be featuring Kona Longboard on draft. Grilling is starting at 1:30 pm till the food is gone. Stop by, grab a great beer and grab some food because you deserve it.
Wells & Young's Meet and Greet!
Come meet the head brewmaster from Wells & Young's on Tuesday March 8th. He will be speaking about Wells and Young's, brewing in general, and will then follow up with a Q&A. Wells Bombardier will be on draft as well as the Young's Double Chocolate Stout. Don't miss this opportunity to mingle with the head brewmaster. Join us at 5 pm!
Mardi Gras!
Also for all you Mardi Gras fans, let's party Tuesday March 8th. We will have $3 Abita drafts and great giveaways. Let's bring a little of New Orleans to Melbourne and have some fun!
Loyalty Card Holders!
Beginning this Tuesday March 1st and every Tuesday, all loyalty card holders will receive 25% off all bottles. It's our way of saying thank you and to help you get those points on your card.
New Bottles
New Drafts
Live Music This Week
This Tuesday, March 1st, we will be featuring Sierra Nevada Brewery from California. We will have Hoptimum on draft which is a rare and exclusive keg along with an extensive draft line up that includes the Pale Ale, Bigfoot, Celebration, Glissade and two 30th Anniversary kegs. A representative from the brewery will be here at 7 pm for a meet and greet along with give aways! See you Tuesday!
Bracket Challenge!
Don't forget to register for the bracket challenge for March Madness on Tuesday March 1st. The challenge runs from March 14th to April 5th. Submit your bracket prediction for all (63) games in the Men's tournament after the teams are announced for a chance to win weekly local prizes and an overall grand prize of a $200 WOB gift card. Click here for more details.
Customer Appreciation Day!
Sunday, March 6th, we are pulling out the barbecues. We will be grilling hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken and vegetables. Also, we will be featuring Kona Longboard on draft. Grilling is starting at 1:30 pm till the food is gone. Stop by, grab a great beer and grab some food because you deserve it.
Wells & Young's Meet and Greet!
Come meet the head brewmaster from Wells & Young's on Tuesday March 8th. He will be speaking about Wells and Young's, brewing in general, and will then follow up with a Q&A. Wells Bombardier will be on draft as well as the Young's Double Chocolate Stout. Don't miss this opportunity to mingle with the head brewmaster. Join us at 5 pm!
Mardi Gras!
Also for all you Mardi Gras fans, let's party Tuesday March 8th. We will have $3 Abita drafts and great giveaways. Let's bring a little of New Orleans to Melbourne and have some fun!
Loyalty Card Holders!
Beginning this Tuesday March 1st and every Tuesday, all loyalty card holders will receive 25% off all bottles. It's our way of saying thank you and to help you get those points on your card.
New Bottles
- Fruli Strawberry Ale, 4.1% (Belgium)
- Left Hand St. Vrain Tripel, 9% (California)
- Magic Hat Circus Boy, 4.5% (Vermont)
- Magic Hat Vinyl, 5.1 (Vermont)
- Napa Smith Pale Ale, 5.2% (California)
- Starr Hill The Love, 6% (Virginia)
- Victory Prima Pils, 5.3% (Pennsylvania)
- Viru, 5% (Estonia)
New Drafts
- Effinheimer Ale, 5.2% (Florida)
- Effinheimer India Pale Ale, 7.5% (Florida)
- Effinheimer Porter, 6.8% (Florida)
- Highland Little Hump Spring Ale, 4.5% (North Carolina)
- Red Hook Mud Slinger Nut Brown Spring Ale, 5.8% (Washington)
Live Music This Week
- Thursday - Just Dave
- Friday - Adam Isgitt
- Saturday - Matt Adkins
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Bells Beer Blast! @ BrewGrrs **TODAY!**
**It's official! BrewGrrs first brewery event! Along with 8 different Bells beers available on draft from 7pm to ? and the 8pm tapping of the uber rare Hopslam, there will be an ultra-secret ultra-rare bottled Bells Beer for sale. Look forward to it! I know I do!!!**
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
BEERflections ~ Field of Beers 2011
Ever had one of those days where all that ingenious planning comes crashing down into a steaming pile of Murphy’s Law? Well, for Laura and I that was the day of Jupiter Beer Fest’s annual celebration of food and beer: Field of Beers. Last year was my first stroll down this particular burgundian lane, and as I watched many a wobbly reveler, flashes of my own previous largesse flashed before my eyes, though thankfully not the stomach. It’s idiotically easy to be caught up in the nonstop moment of fantastic food ala fantastic beers with the field of dreams as your center stage. Vowing not to revisit Hangover Hotel, a quest of modest and wholly worthy gastronomic beervana was our mission.
Clear skies. A moonlit night. Merriment twinkling in the air. Love in hand. Perfection.
Birds fly south for the winter where I live year long, Florida specifically, for that all important sunshine and humidity. So I would like to ask why it is in traveling miles southward did the thermostat move not up but down, and quite drastically I might add. Good grief! Grab the long johns, mittens, fuzzy caps, and brace yourself as we should have done. Goodness knows Laura and I love our beer and our food, but it’s hard to savor the moment with frostbite tapping incessantly on your shoulder.
Between car troubles and work troubles, neither of us got home as early as we planned. Adversity is just another side of the coin called opportunity and so in no time flat we were styling, profiling, and on our way. Being a night of pleasurably measured excess, we booked a room at a hotel close by but apparently not the hotel closest by thankyouverymuch Mark and Cindy. We will definitely look into your night of residence as it is within easy walking distance versus easy driving distance. Speaking of which, open mouth, insert foot, and do not remove. A personal theme of mine that night for whatever reasons my scattered brain can patch together. Humility I’ll probably never live down is humility all my own since I am its creator. Goddess bless my Love for she had the patience of a saint that night, yes indeed.
Finding the exit was relatively easy and given our late arrival, surprisingly so too was finding a parking space. It wasn’t long before we passed through iron gates wrought with burgundian providence to receive our gilded glass soon to runneth over with beer. Rising into the beckoning light, a voice announced the singing of our national anthem. Laura and I looked but never did find the elusive presence of patriotic song. Once done, it was on to the stuff real American dreams are made of: beer and food. I find it exquisitely appropriate that by all means of chance our first destination was none other than Matt’s of Tequesta Brewing Company and Corner Café. On tap was Arsenal, a fine English inspired IPA exuding old world class and new world ingenuity. Her partner in taste was the quintessential pub classic with a twist, Arsenal battered fish and chips. Fried right before the eyes and served in a paper cup, it was the perfect finger food accompaniment for what was the best beer at this year’s Field of Beers.
In my opinion of course and my opinion matters dangnabbit!
But let us not get entangled in semantics.
Last year I bravely tried to taste every beer and savor every morsel. Hehe… I seem to recall some moralistic bauble along the lines of ‘one person’s bravery is another person’s tomfoolery’ so dress me up and call me The Fool that I was. Not this time though! I left that foil to others, best of which were Mark and Mark. Oh yes, the eyes have seen and the ears have heard, you naughty naughty boys. I also recall some other moralistic bauble along the lines of ‘one person’s misery is another person’s amusement’…
But we aren’t here for the goose or the gander. We are here for the Green Tea Cured Salmon paired with the inspired Local 1 being poured by the one and only Rich Nowak, local friend and longtime confidant to Brooklyn Brewery out of…you guessed it, Brooklyn NY. Good people tend to gravitate around good beer and Rich is no exception. Feeling the gravitational pull of good beer was good food and it was on the south side of Brooklyn that my own personal foodvana descended as I ascended upon the succulent green tea infused melt-in-the-mouth salmon flavor high. A self-professed seafood and sushi fanatic, nothing has ever quite rocked these tastebuds to heights untouched as they were that night. So good, so heavenly, so flavorgasmic I had to sneak a second helping of her bite-size sensation.
A moment please…
Never one to be left out of anything beery within her sunshine state, Cigar City Brewing was there with the personally coveted because I never got my hands on any White Oak Jai Alai IPA. Matching oak for oak was the La Caja China, a Cuban classic which reinforces my belief that any animal cooked whole truly reveals all the inner and outer carnivore delights that would otherwise unfortunately be missed. Embrace the bits, all of them. But back to the beer at hand. Second to the Arsenal from Tequesta Brewing, the White Oak Jai Alai IPA was our close second favorite beer of the night. I love white oak and I love beer and my Love loves the hop. No more need be said.
Before I wrap up these rambling threads of reminiscence, a few other burgundesque indulgences stand out. Saint Somewhere Lecto Divinia paired with wood fired flatbread topped by local Loxahatchee, Florida goat cheese, and fresh fig compote was seamless flavor genius. The Kobe Beef Sliders were bite size morsels to melt in your mouth with and without the tomato. And last but certainly not least was the mac and cheese, a comfort food classic to warm our chilled bodies.
As frostbite continued to knock knock knock on our door, we decided twas time to wrap things up. That and Field of Beers shuts down at 9pm anyway; a three hour love affair of beer and food is more than enough time to savor and rejoice. Hearts and bellies sated. We shivered back to the car, bidding farewell and good night to the dimming lights of Roger Dean Stadium.
Supposedly this year’s Jupiter Beer Fest (Field of Beers is the opening act) was far more organized and enticing than last year’s with better and rarer beers to be had. But beer fests are everywhere now. Between beer + food and just beer, if I had to choose, I’d stick with the former. Until next year, cheers!
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Clear skies. A moonlit night. Merriment twinkling in the air. Love in hand. Perfection.
Birds fly south for the winter where I live year long, Florida specifically, for that all important sunshine and humidity. So I would like to ask why it is in traveling miles southward did the thermostat move not up but down, and quite drastically I might add. Good grief! Grab the long johns, mittens, fuzzy caps, and brace yourself as we should have done. Goodness knows Laura and I love our beer and our food, but it’s hard to savor the moment with frostbite tapping incessantly on your shoulder.
Between car troubles and work troubles, neither of us got home as early as we planned. Adversity is just another side of the coin called opportunity and so in no time flat we were styling, profiling, and on our way. Being a night of pleasurably measured excess, we booked a room at a hotel close by but apparently not the hotel closest by thankyouverymuch Mark and Cindy. We will definitely look into your night of residence as it is within easy walking distance versus easy driving distance. Speaking of which, open mouth, insert foot, and do not remove. A personal theme of mine that night for whatever reasons my scattered brain can patch together. Humility I’ll probably never live down is humility all my own since I am its creator. Goddess bless my Love for she had the patience of a saint that night, yes indeed.
Finding the exit was relatively easy and given our late arrival, surprisingly so too was finding a parking space. It wasn’t long before we passed through iron gates wrought with burgundian providence to receive our gilded glass soon to runneth over with beer. Rising into the beckoning light, a voice announced the singing of our national anthem. Laura and I looked but never did find the elusive presence of patriotic song. Once done, it was on to the stuff real American dreams are made of: beer and food. I find it exquisitely appropriate that by all means of chance our first destination was none other than Matt’s of Tequesta Brewing Company and Corner Café. On tap was Arsenal, a fine English inspired IPA exuding old world class and new world ingenuity. Her partner in taste was the quintessential pub classic with a twist, Arsenal battered fish and chips. Fried right before the eyes and served in a paper cup, it was the perfect finger food accompaniment for what was the best beer at this year’s Field of Beers.
In my opinion of course and my opinion matters dangnabbit!
But let us not get entangled in semantics.
Last year I bravely tried to taste every beer and savor every morsel. Hehe… I seem to recall some moralistic bauble along the lines of ‘one person’s bravery is another person’s tomfoolery’ so dress me up and call me The Fool that I was. Not this time though! I left that foil to others, best of which were Mark and Mark. Oh yes, the eyes have seen and the ears have heard, you naughty naughty boys. I also recall some other moralistic bauble along the lines of ‘one person’s misery is another person’s amusement’…
But we aren’t here for the goose or the gander. We are here for the Green Tea Cured Salmon paired with the inspired Local 1 being poured by the one and only Rich Nowak, local friend and longtime confidant to Brooklyn Brewery out of…you guessed it, Brooklyn NY. Good people tend to gravitate around good beer and Rich is no exception. Feeling the gravitational pull of good beer was good food and it was on the south side of Brooklyn that my own personal foodvana descended as I ascended upon the succulent green tea infused melt-in-the-mouth salmon flavor high. A self-professed seafood and sushi fanatic, nothing has ever quite rocked these tastebuds to heights untouched as they were that night. So good, so heavenly, so flavorgasmic I had to sneak a second helping of her bite-size sensation.
A moment please…
Never one to be left out of anything beery within her sunshine state, Cigar City Brewing was there with the personally coveted because I never got my hands on any White Oak Jai Alai IPA. Matching oak for oak was the La Caja China, a Cuban classic which reinforces my belief that any animal cooked whole truly reveals all the inner and outer carnivore delights that would otherwise unfortunately be missed. Embrace the bits, all of them. But back to the beer at hand. Second to the Arsenal from Tequesta Brewing, the White Oak Jai Alai IPA was our close second favorite beer of the night. I love white oak and I love beer and my Love loves the hop. No more need be said.
Before I wrap up these rambling threads of reminiscence, a few other burgundesque indulgences stand out. Saint Somewhere Lecto Divinia paired with wood fired flatbread topped by local Loxahatchee, Florida goat cheese, and fresh fig compote was seamless flavor genius. The Kobe Beef Sliders were bite size morsels to melt in your mouth with and without the tomato. And last but certainly not least was the mac and cheese, a comfort food classic to warm our chilled bodies.
As frostbite continued to knock knock knock on our door, we decided twas time to wrap things up. That and Field of Beers shuts down at 9pm anyway; a three hour love affair of beer and food is more than enough time to savor and rejoice. Hearts and bellies sated. We shivered back to the car, bidding farewell and good night to the dimming lights of Roger Dean Stadium.
Supposedly this year’s Jupiter Beer Fest (Field of Beers is the opening act) was far more organized and enticing than last year’s with better and rarer beers to be had. But beer fests are everywhere now. Between beer + food and just beer, if I had to choose, I’d stick with the former. Until next year, cheers!
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Cigar City Brew News
Now on Tap:
**CASK**
We intend to start tapping a firkin every Friday and of course each will be unique so stay tuned to see what we will come up with next week! East India Spiced Porter, Blood Orange IPA and Blood Orange Creamcicle IPAs are very limited. Come by and try them before they are gone!
Cheers!
The CCB Crew
- Jai- Alai IPA
- Maduro Brown Ale
- Jose Marti Porter
- Blood Orange IPA
- Blood Orange Creamcicle IPA
- Hugh McFarlane English Pale Ale
- Warmer Winter Winter Warmer
- Vuja De'
- Humidor IPA
- East India Spiced Porter
**CASK**
- Black Cherry Maduro
We intend to start tapping a firkin every Friday and of course each will be unique so stay tuned to see what we will come up with next week! East India Spiced Porter, Blood Orange IPA and Blood Orange Creamcicle IPAs are very limited. Come by and try them before they are gone!
Cheers!
The CCB Crew
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
WOB Viera News
Effinheimer Rollout Party!
This Tuesday February 22nd, we are rolling out Effinheimer. Be the first in Brevard County to try their IPA, Pale Ale and Porter. The owner and brewer will be stopping by for a meet and greet along with give aways. Party starts at 6 pm. Don't miss this chance to be the first to have this great beer.
Sierra Nevada Brew Party!
Did you mark the calendar for Tuesday, March 1st? We will be featuring Sierra Nevada Brewery from California. We will have Hoptimum on draft which is a rare and exclusive keg along with an extensive draft line up. A representative from the brewery will be here at 7 pm for a meet and greet along with give aways!
Bracket Challenge!
It's almost time to register for the bracket challenge for March Madness. Registration begins on March 1st and the challenge runs from March 14th to April 5th. You could win $200 in beer money! Click here for more details.
Customer Appreciation Day!
Sunday, March 5th, we are pulling out the barbecues. We will be grilling hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken and vegetables. Also, we will be featuring Kona Longboard on draft. Grilling is starting at 1:30 pm till the food is gone. Stop by, grab a great beer and grab some food because you deserve it.
Party or Special Events!
Planning a party? WOB is the perfect party place to host your private event or company party. Contact WOB-Viera at viera@wobusa.com to reserve your date, number of guests and area you would like to be in the bar.
New Bottles
New Drafts
Live Music This Week
This Tuesday February 22nd, we are rolling out Effinheimer. Be the first in Brevard County to try their IPA, Pale Ale and Porter. The owner and brewer will be stopping by for a meet and greet along with give aways. Party starts at 6 pm. Don't miss this chance to be the first to have this great beer.
Sierra Nevada Brew Party!
Did you mark the calendar for Tuesday, March 1st? We will be featuring Sierra Nevada Brewery from California. We will have Hoptimum on draft which is a rare and exclusive keg along with an extensive draft line up. A representative from the brewery will be here at 7 pm for a meet and greet along with give aways!
Bracket Challenge!
It's almost time to register for the bracket challenge for March Madness. Registration begins on March 1st and the challenge runs from March 14th to April 5th. You could win $200 in beer money! Click here for more details.
Customer Appreciation Day!
Sunday, March 5th, we are pulling out the barbecues. We will be grilling hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken and vegetables. Also, we will be featuring Kona Longboard on draft. Grilling is starting at 1:30 pm till the food is gone. Stop by, grab a great beer and grab some food because you deserve it.
Party or Special Events!
Planning a party? WOB is the perfect party place to host your private event or company party. Contact WOB-Viera at viera@wobusa.com to reserve your date, number of guests and area you would like to be in the bar.
New Bottles
- Birra Dolomiti, 5% (Italy)
- Fischer Amber, 6% (France)
- Gosser Dark, 4.2% (Austria)
- O'Hara's Red, 4.3% (Ireland)
- Red Horse, 7% (Philippines)
New Drafts
- Bison Organic Chocolate Stout, 6% (California)
- Coronado Idiot IPA, 8.5% (California)
- Great Divide Grand Cru, 11% (Colorado)
- Weyerbacher Quad, 11.8% (Pennsylvania)
Live Music This Week
- Thursday - Billy Chapman
- Friday - Iris
- Saturday - C-Lane & Beav
BEERflections ~ Terrapin Beer Dinner @ Broken Barrel Tavern
It’s only natural that after two years of dispensing hundreds of thousands of tasty brews, platefuls of smoked paradise, and snifters of distilled barley delights, burgundism would finally bite the Barrel. Personally I go for the beer, the smoke, the Bar-B-Que, and the atmosphere. Kevin is the man and Broken Barrel is his first child, I say first because as a brand new dad, his cup truly runneth over.
Topping his Daddy-do list was the oft threatened and elusive creature known simply as the almighty beer dinner. One of the true tests of a restaurant’s mettle is the vaunted and oft times unexpectedly daunting beer dinner. Sounds easy right? Take beer – pour. Take food – serve. Add some hungry beer geeks and voila – burgundian bliss. Simple in concept but so much more. First you have the demand for and interest in a beer dinner and if not than it is up to you to create said demand and interest. Second, you have really good beers and the diversity of selection to boast the flavorful entreaties of beer. Third you have food so mind-blowingly tastetacular that your tastebuds just can’t handle it…but they somehow manage to anyway. Take all the above, add a dash of "je ne sais quoi" and BAM! You have the recipe for an evening of sensorial burgundian delights. That evening was Tuesday, January 25th and the location was Broken Barrel Tavern in Palm Bay, Florida.
Where there is beer I will be and there I was.
For their first beer dinner, Kevin and his posse pulled out all the stops. Space aplenty Broken Barrel has so where to hold the dinner? In their backroom of course. Going for the biergarten atmosphere, long tables housed beer dinner aficionados and newbies alike in jovial communion.
Indoor showers do not necessarily bring May flowers, especially on a dreary drizzly chilly evening, but with a glass of Terrapin Rye Pale Ale in hand and my Love by my side, all was well. As with many of the beer dinners I’ve been lucky enough to savor, five courses were matched by five beers. Mike Wallace of Terrapin Brewery introduced each beer in succession while none other than Kevin himself introduced each successive course. The first beer dinner is always a pleasurable endeavor of trial and error, and Broken Barrel’s was no exception as I shall digress in good will.
My two favorite course pairings were the first and the last. Our first course featured the 90 Shelling Ale Vintage 2009 paired with smoked quail kabobs dressed in cherry port sauce. The quail was quite the pleasant poultry first for me. Diminutive in stature and large in flavor, the meat peeled perfectly off her tiny bones with a snap of crunchy caramelized skin before melting in the mouth with surprising sweetness of marmalade and apple sauce. Her cherry port sauce doubled the savory sweet succulence before finishing with a tart tannic twang which melted seamlessly into the vintage 90 Shelling Ale featuring delightfully dominant tart tannins in the form of black grape and plum skins, leather, wood, and must which created sweet and gamey quail flavorvana. For those (and there are a lot of you) unfamiliar with the history of Scottish Ale ala Scotch Ale, this shilling is for you: Originally a designation of both malt content and quality of kegged (or casked) ale, the various strengths and complexities of Scotland’s everyday tipple came to be known by the shillings it would cost you to purchase it.
And from the first course I shall jump directly to the last course, also known as dessert. Before my eyes Pate A Choux filled with French vanilla crème and topped with a raspberry melba sauce was joined by her partner in flavor, the Big Daddy Vladdy Russian Imperial Stout. Yum and Yum! In my not so humble burgundian opinion, one of the easiest beer + food pairings is dessert. Ours was no exception as pastry puffs (pate a choux for you sofisticated types) melted into French vanilla crème melted into raspberry melba bliss. Coming in with a 1-2-3 punch of dark fruit meatiness, a lactic twang, and a long slow finish of vanilla bean dark chocolate decadence was the Big Daddy Vladdy. Each bite and each quaff was an orgy of flavors I willingly succumbed to and would do so over and over and over again.
By the time dessert came and conquered, both Laura and I basked in warm fuzzies inspired by a night savored together with good beer, good food, and good times. But before our forlorn farewell, let me reflect if I may and may I will, on the courses in-between.
Far be it for me (because I am kind and I am fair) to judge first and ask questions later. Life is an adventure to be lived and live I did with my Lovely at the Broken Barrel Tavern Terrapin Beer Dinner. A tasteful work of life in progress, I look forward to savoring any and all future beer dinners Broken Barrel embarks on because, after all, a burgundian never rests.
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Topping his Daddy-do list was the oft threatened and elusive creature known simply as the almighty beer dinner. One of the true tests of a restaurant’s mettle is the vaunted and oft times unexpectedly daunting beer dinner. Sounds easy right? Take beer – pour. Take food – serve. Add some hungry beer geeks and voila – burgundian bliss. Simple in concept but so much more. First you have the demand for and interest in a beer dinner and if not than it is up to you to create said demand and interest. Second, you have really good beers and the diversity of selection to boast the flavorful entreaties of beer. Third you have food so mind-blowingly tastetacular that your tastebuds just can’t handle it…but they somehow manage to anyway. Take all the above, add a dash of "je ne sais quoi" and BAM! You have the recipe for an evening of sensorial burgundian delights. That evening was Tuesday, January 25th and the location was Broken Barrel Tavern in Palm Bay, Florida.
Where there is beer I will be and there I was.
For their first beer dinner, Kevin and his posse pulled out all the stops. Space aplenty Broken Barrel has so where to hold the dinner? In their backroom of course. Going for the biergarten atmosphere, long tables housed beer dinner aficionados and newbies alike in jovial communion.
Indoor showers do not necessarily bring May flowers, especially on a dreary drizzly chilly evening, but with a glass of Terrapin Rye Pale Ale in hand and my Love by my side, all was well. As with many of the beer dinners I’ve been lucky enough to savor, five courses were matched by five beers. Mike Wallace of Terrapin Brewery introduced each beer in succession while none other than Kevin himself introduced each successive course. The first beer dinner is always a pleasurable endeavor of trial and error, and Broken Barrel’s was no exception as I shall digress in good will.
My two favorite course pairings were the first and the last. Our first course featured the 90 Shelling Ale Vintage 2009 paired with smoked quail kabobs dressed in cherry port sauce. The quail was quite the pleasant poultry first for me. Diminutive in stature and large in flavor, the meat peeled perfectly off her tiny bones with a snap of crunchy caramelized skin before melting in the mouth with surprising sweetness of marmalade and apple sauce. Her cherry port sauce doubled the savory sweet succulence before finishing with a tart tannic twang which melted seamlessly into the vintage 90 Shelling Ale featuring delightfully dominant tart tannins in the form of black grape and plum skins, leather, wood, and must which created sweet and gamey quail flavorvana. For those (and there are a lot of you) unfamiliar with the history of Scottish Ale ala Scotch Ale, this shilling is for you: Originally a designation of both malt content and quality of kegged (or casked) ale, the various strengths and complexities of Scotland’s everyday tipple came to be known by the shillings it would cost you to purchase it.
And from the first course I shall jump directly to the last course, also known as dessert. Before my eyes Pate A Choux filled with French vanilla crème and topped with a raspberry melba sauce was joined by her partner in flavor, the Big Daddy Vladdy Russian Imperial Stout. Yum and Yum! In my not so humble burgundian opinion, one of the easiest beer + food pairings is dessert. Ours was no exception as pastry puffs (pate a choux for you sofisticated types) melted into French vanilla crème melted into raspberry melba bliss. Coming in with a 1-2-3 punch of dark fruit meatiness, a lactic twang, and a long slow finish of vanilla bean dark chocolate decadence was the Big Daddy Vladdy. Each bite and each quaff was an orgy of flavors I willingly succumbed to and would do so over and over and over again.
By the time dessert came and conquered, both Laura and I basked in warm fuzzies inspired by a night savored together with good beer, good food, and good times. But before our forlorn farewell, let me reflect if I may and may I will, on the courses in-between.
- The second course was a lovely salad of baby mixed greens, gorgonzola blue cheese (bring on the funk!), candied pecans, white peaches incognito, and a blueberry vinaigrette to inspire world peace. The beer? Sunray Wheat. The salad was a flavor texture sensation and the blueberry vinaigrette life affirming. The Sunray Wheat unfortunately not so much. I’ve had the Sunray a few times before and it didn’t and still doesn’t impress. The salad deserved a better bedfellow and the vinaigrette needs to be a regular staple at Broken Barrel.
- Coming in third was Dad-worthy stone ground yellow grits melted into sharp cheddar cheese, blackened shrimp, and topped with andouille sausage. Zow! That’s spicy and cheesy! The Hop Karma Brown IPA was caramelized spicy nutty company while the grist was melty ooey gooey weighty homeliness…and therein lay the problem. Grits are not a light weight food stuff and only halfway through our dinner extravaganza, a death food wall summons.
- But I persevered and pushed my way into the fourth course: smoked duck breast cradled in a crispy fried wonton bowl under a coating of Clementine and cranberry glaze served amidst Asian crunchy slaw. Her beer in crime was Terrapin’s Hoptaneous Combustion Smoked Imperial IPA. Maybe it’s personal prejudice but if your beery claim to fame is smoky and hoppy than your beery claim to fame better well be smoky and hoppy. Unfortunately the Hoptaneous Combustion Smoked Imperial IPA was neither of each in any aromatic tasteful manner. Of all the courses, this was the least impressive both in flavor and pairability. On the flipside, the wonton bowl of fried crunchy genius also needs to be a regular staple for the Broken Barrel has certainly not seen the last of the Beer Ambassador.
Far be it for me (because I am kind and I am fair) to judge first and ask questions later. Life is an adventure to be lived and live I did with my Lovely at the Broken Barrel Tavern Terrapin Beer Dinner. A tasteful work of life in progress, I look forward to savoring any and all future beer dinners Broken Barrel embarks on because, after all, a burgundian never rests.
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Coasters Belgian Beer Fest 2011 *TODAY!*
**See you all there this afternoon. Belgian beer bliss, here I come! And my Lovely, too!**
Last year, we distinguished our Belgian Beer Fest as the 'first annual' Belgian Beer Fest. And we weren't kidding. The wheels are in motion, most kegs are in house, Belgian Chocolates & Cheeses are on the way, and we're excited to announce that Coasters Pub's Belgian Beer Fest 2 is marked on the calendar for February 11th, 12th and 13th, 2011. That's the weekend after the Super Bowl. In what is sure to be known as the premier Belgian Beer event in the Southeast, we will be taking down all of our regular draught beers to make room for more than 35 taps of Belgian Beer at once, with many kegs in the on-deck circle waiting for the first round of kegs to empty. In all, we expect to offer around fifty different Belgian beers over the three day weekend, along with Belgian food specials.
Sound like fun? You bet it is.
This isn't a 'beer tents in a parking lot' type of Beer Fest. This is your chance to sit down and enjoy some of the finest beers in the world in a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Due to cost and rarity, most beers will be served in wine glasses to allow you to try a few different varieties without having to down multiple pints in order to do so. Keep in mind that a lot of these beers are potent, so please plan accordingly. Last year quite a few people booked hotel rooms at one of the many beachfront hotels nearby, most of which offer a free shuttle service. There are also a few 'mom & pop' type of motels nearby with cheaper rates.
Here are a couple tips and details you'll thank us for later:
*This list is pretty solid. All of these kegs are either in house or have a very high likelihood of being delivered in time. There are a few kegs that are on the way but their arrival before the Beer Fest is iffy, so we're leaving them off the list until I feel more comfortable about their availability. Until then, here's the preliminary draught beer list! Our aim is to have 35 Belgian (or Belgian-style kegs) tapped throughout the entire weekend. New beers will be rotated in as the first round of kegs empty. While we're buying a crapload of beer, if you get here on Sunday we can't guarantee there will be 35 tapped.*
Belgian Beer Fest Keg List
Last year, we distinguished our Belgian Beer Fest as the 'first annual' Belgian Beer Fest. And we weren't kidding. The wheels are in motion, most kegs are in house, Belgian Chocolates & Cheeses are on the way, and we're excited to announce that Coasters Pub's Belgian Beer Fest 2 is marked on the calendar for February 11th, 12th and 13th, 2011. That's the weekend after the Super Bowl. In what is sure to be known as the premier Belgian Beer event in the Southeast, we will be taking down all of our regular draught beers to make room for more than 35 taps of Belgian Beer at once, with many kegs in the on-deck circle waiting for the first round of kegs to empty. In all, we expect to offer around fifty different Belgian beers over the three day weekend, along with Belgian food specials.
Sound like fun? You bet it is.
This isn't a 'beer tents in a parking lot' type of Beer Fest. This is your chance to sit down and enjoy some of the finest beers in the world in a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Due to cost and rarity, most beers will be served in wine glasses to allow you to try a few different varieties without having to down multiple pints in order to do so. Keep in mind that a lot of these beers are potent, so please plan accordingly. Last year quite a few people booked hotel rooms at one of the many beachfront hotels nearby, most of which offer a free shuttle service. There are also a few 'mom & pop' type of motels nearby with cheaper rates.
Here are a couple tips and details you'll thank us for later:
- We'll be changing over kegs as early as we can on Friday morning. Changing 35 kegs, cleaning lines and swapping keg couplers takes time. Last year all the beers were ready to serve at about 1pm on Friday. Now that we're practiced up, we should be able to shave some time off of that and get things started a bit earlier. But still don't expect to have ALL 35 tapped when we open the doors on Friday morning.
- I would say that the optimum times to be here if you don't want to have to wait for tables would be Friday from noon until 5pm (when it will start to get very busy) and then Saturday when we open at 11am through 5 or 6pm, when it'll get packed again. Sunday last year was steady but not packed all day, so if you're looking for a mellow experience I'd suggest Saturday morning or Sunday.
- You'll be ordering beers by number, not name. This will save everyone time and headaches. It's easier to say "number 24," for instance, than it is "La Rulles Cuvee Meilluers Voeux." The servers will be entering their requests to the bar by number, so it's important that you give them that information.
- We put more servers on the floor for the Belgian Beer Fest weekend than at any other time during the year. We try to be prepared for the onslaught, but it may take a little of your patience at times, and we appreciate your cooperation.
*This list is pretty solid. All of these kegs are either in house or have a very high likelihood of being delivered in time. There are a few kegs that are on the way but their arrival before the Beer Fest is iffy, so we're leaving them off the list until I feel more comfortable about their availability. Until then, here's the preliminary draught beer list! Our aim is to have 35 Belgian (or Belgian-style kegs) tapped throughout the entire weekend. New beers will be rotated in as the first round of kegs empty. While we're buying a crapload of beer, if you get here on Sunday we can't guarantee there will be 35 tapped.*
Belgian Beer Fest Keg List
- Alvinne Melchior
- Avery Salvation
- BarBar Bok
- BFM Cuvee Du 7eve
- Boon Kriek
- Chimay White
- Chouffe Houblen IPA Tripel
- Cigar City Coasters' Belgian Dubbel (brewed special for this event)
- Cigar City/St. Somewhere Vuja De
- Corsendonk Pale Ale
- De Dolle Dulle Teve
- De Dolle Oerbier
- De Glazen Toren Cuvee Angelique
- De Glazen Toren Jan De Lichte
- De Glazen Toren Ondinike
- Delirium Tremens
- Duchesse De Bourgogne
- Dupont Saison
- Dupont Saison Christmas
- Gouden Carolus Grand Cru
- Gouden Carolus Triple
- Grimbergen Dubbel
- Gulden Draak
- Hoegaarten
- Itchegems Grand Cru
- Keyte Oostende Dobbel Triple
- Kwak
- La Rulles Cuvee Meilluers Voeux
- La Rulles Triple
- LaTrappe Dubbel
- LaTrappe Quad
- Leffe Blonde
- Lindeman's Framboise
- Moinette Blonde
- Ommegang Hennepin
- Ommegang Three Philosophers
- Oud Beersel Framboos
- Palm
- Piraat
- Rodenbach Grand Cru
- Rodenback Flemish Ale
- Scaldis 12
- St Bernardus Abt 12
- St Bernardus Witbier
- St. Fullien Noel
- Stella Artois
- Strubbe Pils
- Triple Karmeliet
- Weyerbacher Quad
- Wittekerke
Thursday, February 10, 2011
BEERflections ~ To Minneapolis and Beyond
The holidays are traditionally for family and friends, good times and cherished memories, giving and receiving. Last year was no exception, culminating in the best holiday yet thanks in generous parts to my Love, my family, BrewGrrs, and beer. But what are “the holidays”? Should peace and good will be but once a few flurried days a year or should peace and good will be every minute of every day of our lives? After all, how we live is a state of mind and the state of the world we live in is a direct reflection of our state of mind.
But enough philosophizing. It’s beerotica time.
My sister’s visit and BrewGrrs opening was both fortuitously and franticly timed, but I made the best of the frenzy by driving back to Minneapolis with my sister, my niece, and Skyler the Beagle. Time was scarce during their Florida staycation but our road trip was all the time we needed. As the day of departure arrived, off I went with love, kisses, and a promise to return.
Our day of departure may have been upon us, but the actual time was later than planned. Surprising? Not really. Eventually the car was loaded with girls, toys, beers, and a doggie, too. With the longest leg of the trip upon us, the world opened up along roads of grandeur and minimalism. Last year’s trip was relatively easy-breeze and this year wasn’t that much different. Lily is a year older (obviously) but there were still naps, bottles, leg-stretching walks interspersed with giggles, laughs, munchies, and sanity-saving Baby Einstein videos. That’s not to say my munchkin is a terror, for from it, but any parent will tell you that even the best of days it is work – pleasurably fulfilling but work nonetheless. Take note - Mom need days off, too.
Settled in the front with Skyler cuddled in the back seat next to Lily, I played catch-up on my reading while soaking in the scenery and helping with the night driving. From Vero to Atlanta to Paducah to Independence to Minneapolis, we cruised through sunshine and flurries to arrive amidst mounds of gloopy muddy slush. Pearly white? Sure. For a minute. Then it’s crap. You snowholics can keep it. I’ll stick to my palm trees, tiki bars, and umbrella drinks thankyouverymuch.
Begrudgingly dressed for the weather, a few sights along our daily drive caught my attentions, both amusing than disturbing. But before I delve into those, I must first and foremost give a Holler! to Chick-Fil-A of Chesterfield, Missouri for hands down the best customer service I have ever received in a food establishment. Ever. Restaurants and critics take note. I certainly did.
Secondly, I realize that when you live in the middle of nowhere surrounded by a whole lot of nothing to do, occasional options may arise. But please, if nothing else, think of the kittens. I hear gardening is quite nice. Maybe knitting, a bit of origami…
Even if “X” does mark the spot, there were a few other notables such as the tiny little town where we tended to a tired teething munchkin. Instead of moseying around outside (brrr!) we rested in the car while a stray pooch bounced around the car to Lily’s amusement and Skyler’s aggravation. He/She was quite the cutie as was the actual Post Office where we parked. It was a minuscule cube of brick and mortar built just for two because two people looks like all it would hold. Considering the relative non-size of the village we stopped in, not wholly surprising. Maybe it was the moment. Maybe it was the mood. Maybe it was the pooch. But there possessed a quaint aura most pleasantly pleasing for our evening’s momentary respite.
Puppies and Post Offices…
World peace?
For the first few days of our drive, I absconded from beer geek shopping mass hysteria, but sooner than later I procured a twelve-pack of Sweetwater 420 Extra Pale Ale for the hotel nights, maybe a breakfast or three. It was only during the tail end of our journey that beer geek shopping mass hysteria ensued. On our way out of Independence, Jenn utilized her mad iPhone skills to locate a local beertopia aptly named Happy Hour. With not a minute wasted, a box of beery delights was stashed up front in the only free room left in the car – my former passenger seat floor. Certain sacrifices must be made at times in the name of beer’s good will, sacrifices I more than happily made. After my beer geekout, Jenn procured some sudsy goods for Josh and with a car full of beer we hit the road once more.
I’d like to take a moment, please and thank you, to offer up silent solace for a lonely soldier who passed before his time. To the Boulevard Wheat whose bounteous nectar exploded all over the snow-packed parking lot, this moment is for you.
. . .
And now back to our regularly scheduled programming.
All is well that ends well as we arrived inbetween and around what could be seen of Minneapolis smothered in snow, slush, and mush. Welcoming Jenn, Lily, and Skyler home while showing off for the native Floridian out of her element, two white tailed deer greeted us upon entering suburbia, Eden Prairie style. I didn’t spot any more deer over the weekend, but I did slowly and painfully lose all moisture from my body to the parched air of Minneapolis. Despite being drier than the Sahara, I still managed to savor two beery foodie destinations, first of which was thanks to my Love. Burger Jones lived up to its quirky retro motif but didn’t Shock! and Amaze! when it came to their burgers or the beer selection. While they had a limited selection of nice beers, they were nothing out of the ordinary and quite a few were to be had in Florida. The word “safe” comes to mind. Being both an unabashed beer geek and tourist, I want unordinarily local and Burger Jones didn’t quite measure up. Good – yes. Great – not really. I did score a couple shweet t-shirts for myself and for Geraght, t-shirt whore that I am. On the flipside, thanks to the excellent resources of RateBeer Places, I reveled in the tasteful designs of The Happy Gnome in St. Paul, Minnesota. Atmosphere – fantastic. Beer selection – beertastic. Food – tastetastic. Service – impeccable. The Happy Gnome made for a very Happy Kristyn.
After our Gnome revelry, one last shopping trip of beery temptation came, saw, and conquered. Why fight it when tis so much better to embrace it, nay, celebrate it. A few more goodies for the family and a night well rested culminated in a morning with Lily and Jenn at My Gym. I almost foolishly passed on the outing but an endearing look crumbled my flimsy walls of resistance. After all, they grow up so fast and it will be months before I get some Jenn and Lily time again. Family really does matter. I know because I am blessed with two amazing families, a treasure richer and more valuable than any beer out there…though well enjoyed with one of I do say so myself. It’s a Holy Mackerel world and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Till next time, Cheers!
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
But enough philosophizing. It’s beerotica time.
My sister’s visit and BrewGrrs opening was both fortuitously and franticly timed, but I made the best of the frenzy by driving back to Minneapolis with my sister, my niece, and Skyler the Beagle. Time was scarce during their Florida staycation but our road trip was all the time we needed. As the day of departure arrived, off I went with love, kisses, and a promise to return.
Our day of departure may have been upon us, but the actual time was later than planned. Surprising? Not really. Eventually the car was loaded with girls, toys, beers, and a doggie, too. With the longest leg of the trip upon us, the world opened up along roads of grandeur and minimalism. Last year’s trip was relatively easy-breeze and this year wasn’t that much different. Lily is a year older (obviously) but there were still naps, bottles, leg-stretching walks interspersed with giggles, laughs, munchies, and sanity-saving Baby Einstein videos. That’s not to say my munchkin is a terror, for from it, but any parent will tell you that even the best of days it is work – pleasurably fulfilling but work nonetheless. Take note - Mom need days off, too.
Settled in the front with Skyler cuddled in the back seat next to Lily, I played catch-up on my reading while soaking in the scenery and helping with the night driving. From Vero to Atlanta to Paducah to Independence to Minneapolis, we cruised through sunshine and flurries to arrive amidst mounds of gloopy muddy slush. Pearly white? Sure. For a minute. Then it’s crap. You snowholics can keep it. I’ll stick to my palm trees, tiki bars, and umbrella drinks thankyouverymuch.
Begrudgingly dressed for the weather, a few sights along our daily drive caught my attentions, both amusing than disturbing. But before I delve into those, I must first and foremost give a Holler! to Chick-Fil-A of Chesterfield, Missouri for hands down the best customer service I have ever received in a food establishment. Ever. Restaurants and critics take note. I certainly did.
Secondly, I realize that when you live in the middle of nowhere surrounded by a whole lot of nothing to do, occasional options may arise. But please, if nothing else, think of the kittens. I hear gardening is quite nice. Maybe knitting, a bit of origami…
Even if “X” does mark the spot, there were a few other notables such as the tiny little town where we tended to a tired teething munchkin. Instead of moseying around outside (brrr!) we rested in the car while a stray pooch bounced around the car to Lily’s amusement and Skyler’s aggravation. He/She was quite the cutie as was the actual Post Office where we parked. It was a minuscule cube of brick and mortar built just for two because two people looks like all it would hold. Considering the relative non-size of the village we stopped in, not wholly surprising. Maybe it was the moment. Maybe it was the mood. Maybe it was the pooch. But there possessed a quaint aura most pleasantly pleasing for our evening’s momentary respite.
Puppies and Post Offices…
World peace?
For the first few days of our drive, I absconded from beer geek shopping mass hysteria, but sooner than later I procured a twelve-pack of Sweetwater 420 Extra Pale Ale for the hotel nights, maybe a breakfast or three. It was only during the tail end of our journey that beer geek shopping mass hysteria ensued. On our way out of Independence, Jenn utilized her mad iPhone skills to locate a local beertopia aptly named Happy Hour. With not a minute wasted, a box of beery delights was stashed up front in the only free room left in the car – my former passenger seat floor. Certain sacrifices must be made at times in the name of beer’s good will, sacrifices I more than happily made. After my beer geekout, Jenn procured some sudsy goods for Josh and with a car full of beer we hit the road once more.
I’d like to take a moment, please and thank you, to offer up silent solace for a lonely soldier who passed before his time. To the Boulevard Wheat whose bounteous nectar exploded all over the snow-packed parking lot, this moment is for you.
. . .
And now back to our regularly scheduled programming.
All is well that ends well as we arrived inbetween and around what could be seen of Minneapolis smothered in snow, slush, and mush. Welcoming Jenn, Lily, and Skyler home while showing off for the native Floridian out of her element, two white tailed deer greeted us upon entering suburbia, Eden Prairie style. I didn’t spot any more deer over the weekend, but I did slowly and painfully lose all moisture from my body to the parched air of Minneapolis. Despite being drier than the Sahara, I still managed to savor two beery foodie destinations, first of which was thanks to my Love. Burger Jones lived up to its quirky retro motif but didn’t Shock! and Amaze! when it came to their burgers or the beer selection. While they had a limited selection of nice beers, they were nothing out of the ordinary and quite a few were to be had in Florida. The word “safe” comes to mind. Being both an unabashed beer geek and tourist, I want unordinarily local and Burger Jones didn’t quite measure up. Good – yes. Great – not really. I did score a couple shweet t-shirts for myself and for Geraght, t-shirt whore that I am. On the flipside, thanks to the excellent resources of RateBeer Places, I reveled in the tasteful designs of The Happy Gnome in St. Paul, Minnesota. Atmosphere – fantastic. Beer selection – beertastic. Food – tastetastic. Service – impeccable. The Happy Gnome made for a very Happy Kristyn.
After our Gnome revelry, one last shopping trip of beery temptation came, saw, and conquered. Why fight it when tis so much better to embrace it, nay, celebrate it. A few more goodies for the family and a night well rested culminated in a morning with Lily and Jenn at My Gym. I almost foolishly passed on the outing but an endearing look crumbled my flimsy walls of resistance. After all, they grow up so fast and it will be months before I get some Jenn and Lily time again. Family really does matter. I know because I am blessed with two amazing families, a treasure richer and more valuable than any beer out there…though well enjoyed with one of I do say so myself. It’s a Holy Mackerel world and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Till next time, Cheers!
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
WOB Viera News
Bob Marley Day!
This Sunday, February 13th, we will be celebrating Bob Marley's birthday month. We will have half off select drafts when you wear a tie dye shirt or dreads. Reggae music from Bob Marley will be played all day, along with other artists influenced by the reggae master. Come out and celebrate Bob Marley's birthday.
Single Awareness Day!
Everyone has heard the phrase "Misery loves company". On Monday, February 14th, we will be celebrating those that have been scorned. Join us in shredding bitter memories of love lost. Bring a photo of your ex and dispense it in the memories best forgotten box. For your ability to leave the past behind you, we will reward you with a free beer shot. Come by this Valentine's Day and shred you ex.
Effinheimer Rollout Party!
Tuesday February 22nd, we are rolling out Effinheimer. Be the first in Brevard County to try their IPA, Pale Ale and Porter. The owner and brewer will be stopping by for a meet and greet along with give aways. Party starts at 6 pm.
Sierra Nevada Brew Party!
Save the date for Tuesday, March 1st. We will be featuring Sierra Nevada Brewery from California. We will have an extensive line up of great beers that include some that we have never had before. A representative from the brewery will be here at 7 pm for a meet and greet along with give aways!
Party or Special Events!
Planning a party? WOB is the perfect party place to host your private event or company party. Contact WOB-Viera at viera@wobusa.com to reserve your date, number of guests and area you would like to be in the bar.
New Bottles
New Drafts
Live Music This Week
This Sunday, February 13th, we will be celebrating Bob Marley's birthday month. We will have half off select drafts when you wear a tie dye shirt or dreads. Reggae music from Bob Marley will be played all day, along with other artists influenced by the reggae master. Come out and celebrate Bob Marley's birthday.
Single Awareness Day!
Everyone has heard the phrase "Misery loves company". On Monday, February 14th, we will be celebrating those that have been scorned. Join us in shredding bitter memories of love lost. Bring a photo of your ex and dispense it in the memories best forgotten box. For your ability to leave the past behind you, we will reward you with a free beer shot. Come by this Valentine's Day and shred you ex.
Effinheimer Rollout Party!
Tuesday February 22nd, we are rolling out Effinheimer. Be the first in Brevard County to try their IPA, Pale Ale and Porter. The owner and brewer will be stopping by for a meet and greet along with give aways. Party starts at 6 pm.
Sierra Nevada Brew Party!
Save the date for Tuesday, March 1st. We will be featuring Sierra Nevada Brewery from California. We will have an extensive line up of great beers that include some that we have never had before. A representative from the brewery will be here at 7 pm for a meet and greet along with give aways!
Party or Special Events!
Planning a party? WOB is the perfect party place to host your private event or company party. Contact WOB-Viera at viera@wobusa.com to reserve your date, number of guests and area you would like to be in the bar.
New Bottles
- Brewdog Riptide, 8% (Scotland)
- Cigar City Vuja De, 10% (Florida)
- Coronado Islander Pale Ale, 7.5% (California)
- Leinenkugel 1888 Bock, 5.1% (Wisconsin)
- Orkney Skullsplitter, 8.5% (Scotland)
- Samuel Adams Imperial White, 10.3% (Massachusetts)
- Tsingtao Premium, 4.7% (China)
New Drafts
- Bell's Expedition, 10.5% (Michigan)
- Coronado Mermaids Red Ale, 5.7% (California)
- Oskar Blues Old Chub, 8% (Colorado)
- Presidente, 5% (Dominican)
Live Music This Week
- Thursday - James Johnson
- Friday - Christian Wilson Duo
- Saturday - Adam Moreno
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Cigar City Brew News
A Taste of Tampa between the Tanks
Join us on the 19th of February at 7pm as we host John from Loko Cuisine once again for a night of great food paired with our own fresh beers. The theme of the dinner this time is based on the history of Tampa so of course there will be some great treats with a Cuban influence included and for anyone who knows us, we love Cuban food!
Here's a look at the planned menu:
Visit Loko Cuisine for more information and to purchase your tickets for this event.
Also new around the brewery, last week we received 5 new 30 barrel fermenters which are now in the process of being filled with Jai-Alai, Maduro, and some other tasty treats even as we speak that will help us keep up with our growing demand to keep everyone's thirsts quenched! In addition to this as most of you know there is another brew house on the way too, which we will be showing you more of when it arrives and we begin to set it up. Definitely a very exciting time around this little brewery!
Patio Tools will be brewed this week and should be ready in more than enough time for all the fun that comes along with that one very special day of the year when everyone is at least a little Irish! We are brewing a bigger batch of it this year so we expect to be able to offer some in growlers as well as pints in the tasting room and around our local distribution area.
Don't forget to put March 12th on your calendar if you have not already. Hunaphu will make it's once a year appearance and it will not last long. We have lots of fun planned for the entire day, so be sure to keep checking the blog and we will get it updated closer to the event with tap lists, food vendor lists, and all that jazz!
Until next time,
Cheers!
The CCB Crew
Join us on the 19th of February at 7pm as we host John from Loko Cuisine once again for a night of great food paired with our own fresh beers. The theme of the dinner this time is based on the history of Tampa so of course there will be some great treats with a Cuban influence included and for anyone who knows us, we love Cuban food!
Here's a look at the planned menu:
Visit Loko Cuisine for more information and to purchase your tickets for this event.
Also new around the brewery, last week we received 5 new 30 barrel fermenters which are now in the process of being filled with Jai-Alai, Maduro, and some other tasty treats even as we speak that will help us keep up with our growing demand to keep everyone's thirsts quenched! In addition to this as most of you know there is another brew house on the way too, which we will be showing you more of when it arrives and we begin to set it up. Definitely a very exciting time around this little brewery!
Patio Tools will be brewed this week and should be ready in more than enough time for all the fun that comes along with that one very special day of the year when everyone is at least a little Irish! We are brewing a bigger batch of it this year so we expect to be able to offer some in growlers as well as pints in the tasting room and around our local distribution area.
Don't forget to put March 12th on your calendar if you have not already. Hunaphu will make it's once a year appearance and it will not last long. We have lots of fun planned for the entire day, so be sure to keep checking the blog and we will get it updated closer to the event with tap lists, food vendor lists, and all that jazz!
Until next time,
Cheers!
The CCB Crew
Thursday, February 03, 2011
BEERflections ~ Dogfish Head Brew Masters Night @ Vine & Barley
Okay, so this is a wee bit late in the making for which I have only petty inconsequential excuses to offer…and offer I shall. In fact, I can sum it up in one word: BrewGrrs. Or as I like to call it – the world works in beautifully mysterious ways such as…
It was a relatively cool December eve the 13th as I puttered southward to Vine & Barley for a night of jazzy revelry and beer sublime. I’ve been a rhythm & blues/soul/jazz novice pretty much my whole life but my Love takes it to epic heights of passionate curvaceous seduction. My lady loves the blues and she loves beer. How did I get so lucky? Not sure but damn I am.
But enough of my fortune; let us delve into Dogfish Head’s fortune and while we’re at it, Vine & Barley’s too.
Miles Davis is no longer among us but his spirit lives on through his music which is as much living history as beer. In this instance, our moment of living history was the Bitches Brew. A collaboration between Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head, the Davis family, and Sony Music, Bitches Brew received the barley carpet treatment as the premiere episode of Discovery Channel’s newest show, Brew Masters featuring Sam and Dogfish Head. While the episode we watched at the Brew Masters Night event was not Miles’, the heart of soul and the heart of beer were one and the same as beer geeks and burgundians around the world rejoiced. I know I did.
Arriving around the usual hour, there was time to sup the other fabulous Dogfish Head brews being offered until the bell chimed 9pm.
What’s at 9pm?
Well goshgollygee, tis the vaunted tapping of Bitches Brew. Enticingly and aggravatingly limited in bottle and keg, twas a sigh of relief knowing this brew came and conquered before departing forevermore. After all, not everything worthwhile in life is about the easily accessible generic schlock. Instead they are a celebration of the unique, the rare, the individual, and the moments in life where affirmation is as sublimely simple as the touch of a glass on your lips as her frothy silk glides across trembling tastebuds into a heart fulfilled.
This is life. This is beer. This is Bitches Brew.
But before the Bitch sang, I savored other Dogfish brews on draft with friends of old, friends aplenty. For myself, I directly courted the Pangaea and the Palo Santo Marron while eyeing the imposing presence of Olde School. A previous encounter had left me irrevocably scarred but his down-home charm eventually won me over. For this round, I will give the draft Olde School my good will, cherish scars healed, and celebrate a renewed sense of adventure. The bottles on the other hand…only cellaring will tell. And of course, let us not forget Dogfish Head 90 Minute, a classic Americanized Imperial India Pale Ale which is currently enjoying an insufferable draught. On special all day long at $3.95 a pint, many snifters were savored from dusk onward.
With time minding her business, 9pm crept around the bend and with my name safely secured on “The List”, a glass brimming seduction soon lounged before my eyes of avarice. A moment if I please…
Beautiful. As delicious on draft as in the bottle and unsurprisingly so just a tad more. As names were called and hands thirstily grasped their chalices of divine inspiration, time continued to mind her business. Eventually the company of physics came to call and the spit-sploosh-pop of crema-hued foam knelled the end of our Dogfish Head Miles Davis Bitches Brew keg, a beer of jazzy inspiration woven with notes of primitive honey beer and gesho root. Separately, one will never know. Together, sublime. Every time Sam gets crazy with beer, somehow someway tasty fantasticness emerges. I don’t ask why. I often wonder how. And I savor whenever, wherever, and as often as possible.
Wandering into the creeping night for a breath of fresh air and a chat with my Love, I eventually wandered once more inside the sanctuary of Vine & Barley to find the revelry still at full swing. As 10pm crested and Brew Masters graced the only TV in Mark’s fine drinking establishment, a crescendo was reached upon which raffles were drawn and I found myself without any material rewards but plenty of irreplaceable memories instead. Soaking in the hearty din, I knew just how lucky I was, friendly faces and entire spaces included.
Alas, all good things must come to an end as the sweet siren’s call of a warm bed crept atop the palm tree studded hill. To a life still well lived, a night pleasantly pursued, a beer slowly savored, and the patience of my Lovely, Prosit!
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
It was a relatively cool December eve the 13th as I puttered southward to Vine & Barley for a night of jazzy revelry and beer sublime. I’ve been a rhythm & blues/soul/jazz novice pretty much my whole life but my Love takes it to epic heights of passionate curvaceous seduction. My lady loves the blues and she loves beer. How did I get so lucky? Not sure but damn I am.
But enough of my fortune; let us delve into Dogfish Head’s fortune and while we’re at it, Vine & Barley’s too.
Miles Davis is no longer among us but his spirit lives on through his music which is as much living history as beer. In this instance, our moment of living history was the Bitches Brew. A collaboration between Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head, the Davis family, and Sony Music, Bitches Brew received the barley carpet treatment as the premiere episode of Discovery Channel’s newest show, Brew Masters featuring Sam and Dogfish Head. While the episode we watched at the Brew Masters Night event was not Miles’, the heart of soul and the heart of beer were one and the same as beer geeks and burgundians around the world rejoiced. I know I did.
Arriving around the usual hour, there was time to sup the other fabulous Dogfish Head brews being offered until the bell chimed 9pm.
What’s at 9pm?
Well goshgollygee, tis the vaunted tapping of Bitches Brew. Enticingly and aggravatingly limited in bottle and keg, twas a sigh of relief knowing this brew came and conquered before departing forevermore. After all, not everything worthwhile in life is about the easily accessible generic schlock. Instead they are a celebration of the unique, the rare, the individual, and the moments in life where affirmation is as sublimely simple as the touch of a glass on your lips as her frothy silk glides across trembling tastebuds into a heart fulfilled.
This is life. This is beer. This is Bitches Brew.
But before the Bitch sang, I savored other Dogfish brews on draft with friends of old, friends aplenty. For myself, I directly courted the Pangaea and the Palo Santo Marron while eyeing the imposing presence of Olde School. A previous encounter had left me irrevocably scarred but his down-home charm eventually won me over. For this round, I will give the draft Olde School my good will, cherish scars healed, and celebrate a renewed sense of adventure. The bottles on the other hand…only cellaring will tell. And of course, let us not forget Dogfish Head 90 Minute, a classic Americanized Imperial India Pale Ale which is currently enjoying an insufferable draught. On special all day long at $3.95 a pint, many snifters were savored from dusk onward.
With time minding her business, 9pm crept around the bend and with my name safely secured on “The List”, a glass brimming seduction soon lounged before my eyes of avarice. A moment if I please…
Beautiful. As delicious on draft as in the bottle and unsurprisingly so just a tad more. As names were called and hands thirstily grasped their chalices of divine inspiration, time continued to mind her business. Eventually the company of physics came to call and the spit-sploosh-pop of crema-hued foam knelled the end of our Dogfish Head Miles Davis Bitches Brew keg, a beer of jazzy inspiration woven with notes of primitive honey beer and gesho root. Separately, one will never know. Together, sublime. Every time Sam gets crazy with beer, somehow someway tasty fantasticness emerges. I don’t ask why. I often wonder how. And I savor whenever, wherever, and as often as possible.
Wandering into the creeping night for a breath of fresh air and a chat with my Love, I eventually wandered once more inside the sanctuary of Vine & Barley to find the revelry still at full swing. As 10pm crested and Brew Masters graced the only TV in Mark’s fine drinking establishment, a crescendo was reached upon which raffles were drawn and I found myself without any material rewards but plenty of irreplaceable memories instead. Soaking in the hearty din, I knew just how lucky I was, friendly faces and entire spaces included.
Alas, all good things must come to an end as the sweet siren’s call of a warm bed crept atop the palm tree studded hill. To a life still well lived, a night pleasantly pursued, a beer slowly savored, and the patience of my Lovely, Prosit!
(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)
WOB Viera News
The Big Game!
Attention all Packer, Steeler and football fans, we are having a pre-game party for the Big Game. We are having complimentary food starting at 3:30 pm provided by the Lakins that includes chicken wings, tator tot wraps and slaw. $1 off all drafts from 4-11 pm. Wear your logo of the team that scores and receive a free beer shot. Come by and cheer you favorite team on. Click here for flyer.
Bell's Brew Party!
This Tuesday February 8th, we are featuring Bell's Brewery. We will be tapping old favorites plus rare and exclusive kegs. The draft line up includes Two-hearted, Amber, Expedition, Hopslam and Kalamazoo Stout. Brew party starts at 6 pm. See you Tuesday!
Bob Marley Day!
All day Sunday, February 13th, we will be celebrating Bob Marley's birthday month. Reggae music will be played all day, along with other artists influenced by Bob Marley. Wear your dreads and a tie dye shirt for this just for fun event! Stay tuned for beer specials that day.
WOB U Update!
Attention all students and teachers/professors! We have changed our hours for the WOB U from 9 pm to all day. Stop by every Wednesday, show your WOB U card and receive half off all drafts ALL DAY! For those that do not have one and want one, stop by today! Just show your school ID and start reaping the benefits of being a student or teacher. For more information click here.
Musician Audition Night!
Are there any local talent in Brevard? We are still looking! Starting every Wednesday in February, we will hold auditions for single, dual and trio acoustic bands. A member of the band must stop by WOB to fill out a form or they can send an email with the following information to viera@wobusa.com : Stage Name, Contact Person's Name, Contact Phone, Contact Email, Website URL or You Tube, Genre/Style and Bio Description. No Phone calls will be accepted. We will call the bands that we are interested in to set an appointment for the 30-45 minute audition.
Party or Special Events!
Planning a party? WOB is the perfect party place to host your private event or company party. Contact WOB-Viera at viera@wobusa.com to reserve your date, number of guests and area you would like to be in the bar.
New Bottles
New Drafts
Live Music This Week
Attention all Packer, Steeler and football fans, we are having a pre-game party for the Big Game. We are having complimentary food starting at 3:30 pm provided by the Lakins that includes chicken wings, tator tot wraps and slaw. $1 off all drafts from 4-11 pm. Wear your logo of the team that scores and receive a free beer shot. Come by and cheer you favorite team on. Click here for flyer.
Bell's Brew Party!
This Tuesday February 8th, we are featuring Bell's Brewery. We will be tapping old favorites plus rare and exclusive kegs. The draft line up includes Two-hearted, Amber, Expedition, Hopslam and Kalamazoo Stout. Brew party starts at 6 pm. See you Tuesday!
Bob Marley Day!
All day Sunday, February 13th, we will be celebrating Bob Marley's birthday month. Reggae music will be played all day, along with other artists influenced by Bob Marley. Wear your dreads and a tie dye shirt for this just for fun event! Stay tuned for beer specials that day.
WOB U Update!
Attention all students and teachers/professors! We have changed our hours for the WOB U from 9 pm to all day. Stop by every Wednesday, show your WOB U card and receive half off all drafts ALL DAY! For those that do not have one and want one, stop by today! Just show your school ID and start reaping the benefits of being a student or teacher. For more information click here.
Musician Audition Night!
Are there any local talent in Brevard? We are still looking! Starting every Wednesday in February, we will hold auditions for single, dual and trio acoustic bands. A member of the band must stop by WOB to fill out a form or they can send an email with the following information to viera@wobusa.com : Stage Name, Contact Person's Name, Contact Phone, Contact Email, Website URL or You Tube, Genre/Style and Bio Description. No Phone calls will be accepted. We will call the bands that we are interested in to set an appointment for the 30-45 minute audition.
Party or Special Events!
Planning a party? WOB is the perfect party place to host your private event or company party. Contact WOB-Viera at viera@wobusa.com to reserve your date, number of guests and area you would like to be in the bar.
New Bottles
- Hoppy Stone Face Red Ale, 5.6% (California)
- Hoppy Total Eclipse Black Ale, 5.6% (California)
- Sierra Nevada Glissade, 6.4% (California)
New Drafts
- Abita Select Imperial Stout, 8.5% (Louisiana)
- He'Brew Lenny's RIPA on Rye, 10% (New York)
- Hurricane Reef Caribbean Pilsner, 4.7% (Florida)
- Hurricane Reef Pale Ale, 5.1% (Florida)
- Wychwood Dirty Tackle, 4% (England)
Live Music This Week
- Thursday - Just Dave
- Friday - John Neff
- Saturday - Pinch's G-Man
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Broken Barrel Tavern *update*
We'll start with the events that are coming soon and then off to the big one in March!!!
Tuesday, Feb 1st ~ Rare Beer Tuesdays
Sunday, Feb 6th ~ Super Sunday
Saturday, March 5th ~ Space Coast Craft Beer Festival
This is the first of many for this annual event. We hope that everyone makes responsible decisions and either brings a designated driver, $10 admission because come on, it's for charity and you can pay for your buddies to drive you home safely; or takes a taxi service home!
We're excited and hope you are too, plenty of good times brewing at the Barrel!
Beers,
Kevin
Tuesday, Feb 1st ~ Rare Beer Tuesdays
This is the first of a weekly event in which we will make available beers that are seasonal, limited, special and one time release from the World's Most Creative & Cutting Edge Breweries. Many of these beers will not be available for purchase again.
Sunday, Feb 6th ~ Super Sunday
We have a massive amount of stuff to give away and we'll have drink specials as well. The big ticket items include bottles of liqueur, 4 chances in the Money Machine and a 40" Flat Panel TV! If you're gonna be at a party or host one, we're taking pre orders for smoked wings and all the catering menu. Pick your pick up time now and avoid the hassle later!!!
Saturday, March 5th ~ Space Coast Craft Beer Festival
Here's the big one, which I only briefly mentioned earlier in previous messages. We will have 50+ Breweries pouring 100+ Beers beginning at 2pm and running until 6pm. VIP tickets will be sold for $60 and include an additional hour (1-2pm) that offers specialty beers from select breweries not available during the regular festival. VIP tickets will also receive Front-of-Line privileges. General admission (2-6pm) tickets are on pre sale for $25 each, or at the gate for $35. There are a limited number of tickets, so if you plan on coming, not only is it cheaper, it is your only guarantee of getting a ticket unless we sell out before the event. 100% of the profits will benefit the Reality Check Program for Troubled Teens. That's right, we aren't keeping a penny of the profits for ourselves. As if this day wasn't going to be Epic enough, we are going to keep the party going inside after 6pm. Every Hour, on the hour after the event, we are tapping a Cask or Firkin. Cask Conditioned Ales from around the world are going to be flowing!
This is the first of many for this annual event. We hope that everyone makes responsible decisions and either brings a designated driver, $10 admission because come on, it's for charity and you can pay for your buddies to drive you home safely; or takes a taxi service home!
We're excited and hope you are too, plenty of good times brewing at the Barrel!
Beers,
Kevin
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