Here comes the disclaimer: You better call ahead if you have you heart set on a beer that you really want before you drive across Georgia to get it. One store sold an entire case of a certain rarity in one night. I am referring, of course, to beers that are past their release date. If the calendar says that you can get something this Friday, you don't need to call if you are heading in there tomorrow night. If you can't make it until Tuesday, maybe you should call. If you have any questions at this point, please ask the nearest person to help you. It isn't that complicated.
The fun with Christmas In July (the reference is basically because these are all winter releases and, in many cases, actual holiday beers) is that these credits are here today, gone tomorrow and gone forever. So if you dig building your list, these are great items for you to make some progress on that.
Now before I go, I just want to let you guys know that the window of opportunity to get seats for next Tuesdays beer dinner is closing. The brew master and co-founder from Southern Tier, Phineas DeMink will be there. Here is the menu. It costs $60.00 plus tax, gratuity is included.
Southern Tier Beer Dinner
Taco Mac Duluth
July 12th, 2011
Reception
Mini Fresh Sweetgrass Goat Cheese Quiches
Hop Sun- Not your average wheat beer, people! Filtered to a golden clarity, then dry-hopped to brighten up the finish. Hints of lemon and sweet malts are balanced by the hops in this highly sessionable summer seasonal.
First
Rare Tuna Nachos - Heirloom Tomato and Pepper Guacamole - Queso Fresco
Phin and Matt’s American Pale Ale-Great beer doesn’t have to be complicated. Just use vast amounts of whole hops, the finest North American malted barley, and filtered artesian water.
Second
BBQ Foie Gras Potato Skins
Big Red- This beer expresses the nobility of Hallertau hops by placing it at the forefront of this Imperial Red Ale. The complex balance between sweet malts and the bitterness of hops play off of each other in this deceptively strong brew.
Third
Seared Salmon - Jalapeno Mayo - Fried Green Tomato and Eggplant Napoleon
2XIPA-If you don’t just like hops, you downright LOVE hops, this cask of Double IPA is for you. Four hop varieties provide a big citrusy flavor, juicy aroma, and an incredible lingering finish.
Fourth
Georgia Peach Whoopie Pies
Mokha-An Imperial Stout brewed with Jamaican coffee & bittersweet Belgian chocolate. This is combination of Southern Tier’s Jah’va and Choklat stouts. Two great tastes that taste great together.
I have a few new things to tell you about as well. Check this stuff out:
- Decatur has a firkin of J.W. Lees Manchester Star getting tapped this Friday. That's tomorrow! Sorry for the short notice, but basically July 8th snuck up on me. This beer is super rare, so cancel whatever it was that you were going to do tomorrow.
- Next Wednesday the 13th--also in Decatur--we have a special guest from New Belgium in town. Her name is Lauren Salazaar, and she is their Sensory Expert. What that means is that she is deeply involved in quality control, experimental brewing and sour ale blending. The "sensory" aspect of her job is that she is expertly adept at tasting, smelling and generally dissecting a beer using her senses. She will be at the store around 8:00 pm, and will be talking to guests and helping them learn a little more about the beer they love to drink. On tap will be New Belgium Abbey, Abbey Grand Cru, Super Cru and La Folie (her baby I am told). She is from, in case you care, south Georgia originally, so that is pretty cool.
- Keep Wednesday the 20th open too. The Fred Bar is celebrating Belgian Independence Day with some super special beers. Two new Ommegang releases will be featured, plus a few big bottles being sold by the glass, and a cellared keg of Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence from last year.
- Deckard's is doing Belgian Independence Day stuff too, running from the 21st through the 23rd. There will some of these same killer beers, along with special food features. More details to come as they arise.
