Monthly Archives: December 2012

Last Minute Beer Geek Gift Ideas 2012

Look at that, the world is still here.  If you put off your holiday gift shopping until after seeing the world didn’t end, you’re way behind the game.  Don’t worry I have you covered with a few ideas plus take a look at my ideas from last year.

I’ll be taking a break to enjoy the holidays.  I hope you all have a great holiday season; I will see you back here next year.

Cheers!

Ellwood Thompson — You’ll find all of this just as you walk in the door. Tripel Karmeliet, Chimay , oh my.
Sedona Taphouse had these baskets as you walked in the door but have more to offer here. http://www.sedonataphouse.com/gift-basket-order-form
Libbie Market Ridgefield — Curious collection of holiday beer.
Libbie Market Ridgefield — Craft beer sampler
Whole Foods Short Pump has this entire wall of cool gifts.
Whole Foods Short Pump — Shmaltz & St Bernardus packs.
Whole Foods Short Pump — Sam Adams Winter separates St Bernardus Christmas from more gift packs.
Whole Foods Short Pump — More Shmaltz & Christmas Ale

 

It’s A Time Of Keg Holiday Trees At Hardywood Illumination Tonight

Hardywood 2011 Illumination3-cropThat’s right . The end of the world came and went, and the holiday season is back in full swing.  Hardywood presents their second annual Illumination tonight Friday December 21st starting at 4pm.

Beers featured for the evening include:

  • First Anniversary Ale – bourbon barrel aged blend consisting of  40% 2011 imperial milk stout, 40% 2012 imperial milk stout, and 20% 2012 Virginia Blackberry.  Wax dipped bottles will be available for purchase.
  • Friday Firkin – Russian Imperial Stout with vanilla beans and macerated dry cherries  designed by Ric Hersh and Erik White of Screens n Suds.
  • Dry Irish Stout – this season’s session beer
  • Plus other illuminating beers

The GrowRVA Holiday  Market will be open all evening for your holiday gift shopping featuring ten local artisans:

2 Dye 4 — tie-dye
Carved Wood Bowls
Jane Hendley Designs — Pottery
Jeff Vick Ceramics
Paul and Kate Studio – Pottery
Night Sky Farm — goat milk soap and cheese
Old Tavern Clay – Pottery, facebook: oldtavernclay
Red Chicken Pottery
Red Lintu — jewelry
Wandering Cow Farm — Wool, Fleece, Soap, Lotion

Pizza Tonight and Olio will be serving food with music by Julie Karr, Matt Connor, and Josh Small.

Devils Backbone Tap Invasion at Conch Republic Tonight

Devils Backbone RVA logoHead over to Rocketts Landing tonight  December 19th as Devils Backbone takes over the taps at Conch Republic starting at 5pm.  The six DB beers on tap for the night include:

Vienna Lager
8 Point IPA
Anniversary Ale
Advantageous Weizenbock
Old Germany Lager
Azrael Belgian Golden Ale

Conch Republic
11 Orleans St.
Richmond, VA 23231

Great perspective on craft vs crafty debate from Terrapin owner John Cochran.

John at Terrapin

If you’ve been paying any attention to the world of “craft” beer the last few days, you’ve seen the Brewer’s Association’s latest message regarding “real” craft beer vs. “faux” craft beer. According to the BA, a “true” craft brewer produces less than 6 million barrels per year, uses “traditional” ingredients, and is less than 25% owned by a non craft brewer (i.e. anyone that produces more than 6 million barrels or whose flagship uses “non-traditional” ingredients).

Theoretically, these three criteria are all OK. Especially when one considers them as what they really are. They are an attempt by a trade organization, the Brewer’s Association, to define their clientele. Taken in that light, no big deal. The BA is trying to organize the chaotic beer world in a way that allows them to draw a line and say, “These are the companies that are part of our organization. These are the breweries…

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Holiday Beer Dinner At Acacia MidtownTomorrow

Acacia Midtown running their Holiday Beer Dinner tomorrow Wednesday December 19th from 5:30 – 9pm.  Just as with past dinners, the special menu will be available throughout the night.

MENU

1st Course
Classic Caesar Salad, Rosemary Croutons, White Anchovy OR Creamy Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwich
O’Connor Norfolk Canyon Pale Ale

2nd Course
Roast Pork Shoulder, Sunchoke Farroto, Caramelized Onion Jus OR Cast Iron Fried Chicken, Macaroni and Cheese Gratin, Surry Sausage Gravy
Devils Backbone Kilt Flasher Scottish Ale

3rd Course (Optional)
Assorted Holiday Cookies and Cakes
Goose Island Bourbon County & Hardywood Gingerbread Stout

Cost for the dinner is $25/person excluding tax and gratuity; the third course is available for an additional $10 fee.  Kids’ portions will be available without beer at a discounted price.  Reservations are recommended. Call (804) 562-0138 to RSVP.

Acacia
2601 W Cary St
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 562-0138

Midnight Brewery Takeover At Sedona Taphouse

Midnight Brewery pint1Head over to Sedona Taphouse tonight Tuesday, December 18th to for a Midnight Brewery tap takeover.  Founder and brewmaster, Trae Cairns  will be there to talk about his beers.

Featuring largest collection of Midnight’s beers on tap at one time, beers on tap for the evening include:

New Beginning Kolsch
Rockville Red Ale
Not My Job Brown Ale
Granite Stout
Holiday Cranberry Kolsch
Christmas at Midnight Ale (last keg until next batch!)

Glass with each purchase while supplies last.

Mark Your Calendar For Allagash The Cookbook Signing At Whole Foods Februrary

Allagash Cookbook1Talk about jaw dropping moments.  I had no idea Allagash had even made a cookbook.  I mean you know how much I love, love, love to cook with beer.  Imagine my surprise to see the picture above with this text from  Whole Foods:

February 6th at Whole Foods. Author James Simpkins will be on hand to sign the book. RARE Allagash drafts on tap and dishes from the book prepared by WF. Details as always to come!

I think my heart stopped for just a split second.   I know you want to rush off and buy the book now just as I do, but as with most book signings I’m guessing buying the book from the venue, Whole Foods in this case, will be required.  I hope you have saved the date on your calendar just as I have.

Cozy Up To Hardywood Bourbon GBS Saturday

Hardywood Bourbon GBSRichmond Hardywood Bourbon Gingerbread Stout will be released tomorrow, Saturday December 15th.

Hardywood will open from 10AM – Noon Saturday morning for a pre-sale event for bottles and merchandise.   There is no doubt that people will be lining up for this just as they did for Gingerbread Stout.  Keep in mind there will be a 2 bottle/person limit.

Bourbon GBS will be available in half and full pints from 2 – 9PM.  The Joey Ciucci Trio and Paulo Franco & the Rateros playing sets starting at 3 and 6:30pm, respectively.

Only 30 barrels were filled with this beer. So when it’s gone, it’s gone.  Growler fills seem unlikely due to the limited nature of the beer.  This is not unusual.  If you remember, this was the same situation with Bourbon Cru.  At any rate, enjoy the beer while you can.

Go here for more information.

Plan Your Attack For Fat Dragon’s 12 Beers Of Christmas Dinner Tonight

Tonight , December 12, 2012, Fat Dragon will be a great place to be tonight as they host their 12 Beers of Christmas dinner.  The special dinner menu will be available all night from 4:30 – 10pm. The cost for the dinner is $37.50/person and includes an empty Fat Dragon growler.  Take a look at the menu below and plan your attack.

Fat Dragon 12 XMas beer dinner1

Fat Dragon
1200 N Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 354-9888

Center of the Universe Around Town Now

COTU-Logo-FinalTalk about ahead of schedule.  Originally planned  for January, Center of the Universe (COTU) will be on tap  just about everywhere around Richmond starting today, Monday  December 10th.

Noon
Capital Ale House Innsbrook – Pocohoptus (West Coast Style IPA)
Pour House – Pocohoptus
Joe’s Inn – Pocohoptus
Village Café – Ray Ray’s Pale Ale
Northside Grill –  Pocohoptus
Buz & Ned’s (W Broad) – Ray Ray’s
The Tavern – Ray Ray’s
Toast – Ray Ray’s
Conch Republic – Ray Ray’s
Capital Ale Main – Pocohoptus
BW’s in Mechanicsville – Ray Ray’s
Capital Ale Midlothian – Ray Ray’s & Pocohoptus
Sedona – Ray Ray’s & Pocohoptus

4PM
The Camel – Ray Ray’s
Popkin Tavern – Pocohoptus

4:30PM
Blue Goat – Ray Ray’s

5PM
Mekong – Ray Ray’s for RVA appreciation day

6PM
Station 2 – Kolsch, Main Street Ale, Ray Ray’s Pale Ale, Pocohoptus
Kona Grill – Kolsch, Main Street Ale, Ray Ray’s Pale Ale, Pocohoptus

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