In this edition of Publicanista!:
I. CRAFT BEER VS. IRON CITY: SPORTSTIME PIZZA WILL OPEN FOR SUPER BOWL XL ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5.
II. CASK CONDITIONED ALES (FINALLY) READY TO POUR: NABC BOB'S OLD 15-B; HARVEY'S SUSSEX BEST & RCH OLD SLUG PORTER QUEUED AND READY FOR ACTION.
III. NABC BREWERY NEWS: CROUPIER IPA AND BOB'S OLD 15-B ON TAP; OLD LIGHTNING ROD NEARING THE END OF THE RUN; NEXT HOPTIMUS DUE IN TWO WEEKS.
IV. LAST-MINUTE DELAYS PROVE PROBLEMATIC AS BISTRO NEW ALBANY PREPARES FOR OPENING.
V. RECENT NEWS AND ARTICLES AT THE POTABLE CURMUDGEON’S BEER BLOG.
VI. DRAFT BEERS: OUR LIQUID, DAILY BREAD, ON TAP AT RICH O’S AND SPORTSTIME.
VII. NEW, AND IN SOME CASES RARE, ROTATING BOTTLED SELECTIONS.
VIII. EVENTS, HOURS AND RELATED FACTS.
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I. CRAFT BEER VS. IRON CITY: SPORTSTIME PIZZA WILL OPEN FOR SUPER BOWL XL ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5.
As in recent years, Sportstime Pizza will be open on Super Bowl Sunday. The doors will open at 5:30 pm, with last call at 10:30 pm and closing at 11:00 pm. The full menu of food, minus soup and chili, will be available for dining in or carrying out. Remember that there are no carry-out beer sales in Indiana on Sunday!
II. CASK CONDITIONED ALES (FINALLY) READY TO POUR: NABC BOB'S OLD 15-B; HARVEY'S SUSSEX BEST & RCH OLD SLUG PORTER QUEUED AND READY FOR ACTION.
Beginning Friday, February 3, three cask-conditioned firkins are queued and ready to travel to waiting glasses via the hand pump. When one is depleted, the next will be tapped the following morning.
NABC Bob's Old 15-B (Porter)
Firkins of Harviestoun Old Engine Oil Special Reserve (Scotch barrel-aged) and Gale’s Christmas Ale will be served by hand pump during Gravity Head 2006, as will a selection of JW Lees Vintage Harvest Ale (by gravity feed). See End of January update: "Gravity Head 2006: Reality ABV" advance orders preview.
For more information on cask-conditioned ale:
Horse Brass Pub (where our friend Biscuit works)
Warm, Flat and Boring -- the Truth About Cask Ale, from Rate Beer.
III. NABC BREWERY NEWS: CROUPIER IPA AND BOB'S OLD 15-B ON TAP; OLD LIGHTNING ROD NEARING THE END OF THE RUN; NEXT HOPTIMUS DUE IN TWO WEEKS.
Croupier IPA and Bob's Old 15-B have joined Community Dark in the serving tanks, and Elector's joining them soon. Hoptimus, currently depleted but back in two weeks, will continue to be kegged (and dry-hopped in the kegs).
Some of you have noticed the darker hue of the Croupier and asked if the recipe has changed. It has not, and if you close your eyes, you'll find the flavor to be exactly as you remember it.
It seems that the current batch of Croupier was fermented with the yeast slurry from the batch of Thunderfoot Imperial Stout (it's black as the proverbial ink), with the result that the beer looks like Community Dark, not the rich orange/amber as before.
Check out Tony Beard's artwork: Three new NABC beer "labels," and more on the way.
IV. LAST-MINUTE DELAYS PROVE PROBLEMATIC AS BISTRO NEW ALBANY PREPARES FOR OPENING.
Okay, I'll 'fess up -- in my eagerness to help the owners tout the forthcoming Bistro New Albany, I've been consistently jumping the gun with regard to their opening date.
I apologize for that.
As of this writing, I'm waiting for the next update from our intrepid downtown bistro pioneers, and I'll pass it along when it hits the wire. It could be February 6th, or February 13. Patience indeed is a virtue, and there are numerous last-minute details attached to any opening ... and at some point, we'll have forgotten the delays.
Okay?
As a reminder, NABC intends to supply at least three draft beers to Bistro New Albany, increasing to four or five when supply permits. There will two or three BBC beers on tap, as well as guests like Spaten and Sierra Nevada. Greg plans a short bottled list of beers, and a well-stocked wine cellar.
V. RECENT NEWS AND ARTICLES AT THE POTABLE CURMUDGEON’S BEER BLOG.
Here are recent articles posted at http://potablecurmudgeon.blogspot.com/:
"Go West" -- or, where the Rogue brewers are.
A brief history of Gravity Head, 1999-2006.
Browning's Restaurant and Brewery is progressing.
Courier-Journal notes “passing of the fork” as restaurant critic Susan Reigler moves to travel writing.
End of January update: "Gravity Head 2006: Reality ABV" advance orders preview.
NABC's Thunderfoot Imperial Stout to be released for Gravity Head 2006.
Greetings from Michigan -- the Great Lakes State.*
This just in: Gouden Carolus and Gouden Carolus Tripel for Gravity Head.
V. DRAFT BEERS: OUR LIQUID, DAILY BREAD, ON TAP AT RICH O’S AND SPORTSTIME. 
Our NABC beers.
Brewed in New Albany by NABC’s Jesse Williams, with assistance from Jared Williamson.
Bob's Old 15-B ... We're calling it a robust, brown Porter precisely because style definitions were meant to be bent.
Croupier IPA ... Jesse's homage to our casino employee clientele is modeled on the English interpretation, with a few American flourishes.
Community Dark ... Based on English Mild, and our light-bodied dark quaffer. 5% abv.
Elector ... Making Democracy pointless since 2002; English malt, American hops. 7.2% abv. Double Red?
Poor Richard's "Old Lightning Rod" Ale ... Colonial strong ale revival. 7.2% abv.
Guests from near and far.
Market pricing.
Note: With the resolution of wholesaler problems in stocking Sierra Nevada (draft) Pale Ale, it will return to the draft lineup when Schlafly's APA is depleted. Expect SNPA back in early February.
Staples: These pour all the time.
Sprecher Root Beer (non-alcoholic)
Rotating, seasonal, Publican's whim:
Dark Horse Tres Blueberry Stout (Saturnalia MMV refugee)
De Dolle Oerbier (different batch -- new/old yeast)
Schlafly American Pale Ale (Expedition Reserve)
Sierra Nevada Summerfest (wholesaler close-out; reduced price)
Upland Winter Warmer (Saturnalia MMV refugee)
In the Bullpen:
't Smisje Blond (BE; Regenboog)
Wostyntje Mustard Ale (BE; Regenboog)
Coming Soon (?):Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barley Wine and Sierra Nevada IPA might arrive in time to begin pouring before Gravity Head. Spezial Rauchbier is headed this way in mid-February, but will have to wait for the tapering of Gravity Head, which is less than a month away.
VI. NEW, AND IN SOME CASES RARE, ROTATING BOTTLED SELECTIONS.
Remember to check the chalkboard in the front room at Rich O’s for bottled specials and seasonals. These are the bottled beers not carried on the everyday bottled list, and represent a wide variety of flavors and textures for your tasting enjoyment.
Quantities.
Of the bottles described below, Goliath and Zinnebir X-mas are depleted to three bottles or less remaining in stock. There are less than six of the De Dolle Special Extra Export Stout and N'Ice Chouffe. While this doesn't imply that we'll not have them again, it may be a while.
New Dogfish Head ales.
Burton Baton, a mix of oak-aged English strong ale and 90 Minute IPA, has a big malt backdrop but not as much hop as you'd think. 12 oz; 10% abv.
Fort … 750 ml … Ready? It’s Dogfish Head’s raspberry ale (a ton per batch), clocking in at 18% abv.
Pangaea … 750 ml … Using an ingredient from each continent, and named for the “super continent” that existed prior to the split. 7% abv.
Raison D’Extra … 12 oz … Dogfish’s Raison d’Etre, but jacked up on steroids to the tune of 18.5% abv.
New Belgians.
Bink Winterkoningske (Winter King) - 11.2 oz - Dark, malty, and spiced with juniper berries and lavender, this 8.3% winter warmer from the tiny Kerkom brewery is the Belgian equivalent of Anchor's great Christmas Ale, though a tad sweeter.
Ecaussinnes Ultra - 11.2 oz - Fruity and very drinkable amber ale of 7% abv, and reputedly spiced, which might account for a light finishing bitterness that doesn’t taste like hops.
Goliath Tripel - 750 ml - Rare all-malt Belgian Tripel, brewed in Wallonia in a converted 14th-century castle, and named for the "giant" that leads the Parade of the Giants each year in nearby Ath.
New Bombers.
Arcadia Hopmouth Double IPA - 22 oz - Big Maris Otter malt backdrop, nicely balanced fresh hop character with sufficient bitterness.
Breckinridge 471 Small Batch Double Hopped IPA - 22 oz - Fine entry level Double IPA, with a drier, grassy hop bite.
Previously posted, and still available in limited quantities:
De Dolle Special Extra Export Stout - 11.2 oz - Reflect on Kris's typically eccentric take on a rare (export stout) beer style.
Jolly Pumpkin Luciernaga "The Fire Fly" - 750 ml - Try this on for size ... an oak-barrel aged, bottle-conditioned "pale ale brewed in the Grand Cru tradition" with coriander and Grains of Paradise. Subtle and incredible. Also, don't forget Jolly Pumpkin Oro de Calabaza and Jolly Pumpkin La Roja. These almost certainly will be added to the everyday beer list this spring.
Jopen Koyt - 750 ml - Dutch "gruit" (spiced) ale from Haarlem, near Amsterdam, home of my good friend Boris and the outstanding Cafe Briljant, where I wish I could be drinking Jopen ales right now.
N'Ice Chouffe - 750 ml - From those creative "gnomes" in the Ardennes comes a longtime favorite seasonal winter warmer (10% abv). Dark and deep, but deceptively drinkable.
Panil Barriquee - 750 ml - Flemish style sour red ale brewed in Italy (this is not a misprint) and aged in cognac barrels. A bona fide classic, and probably the best "new" bottled beer at Rich O's in 2005.
Fantome Saison – 750 ml – Eclectic Ardennes elixir, with a spicy fruitiness and an unmistakably wild, yeasty elegance.
Zinnebir X-mas – 750 ml – Little is known about this tiny brewery, and its X-mas ale is the first Zinnebir product we’ve ever had, here or in Belgium. If you try one, please take notes and share with the Publican (who’ll get around to his bottle in time).
Previous guests/seasonal/rotating, and still available:
Stone 05/05/05 Vertical EpicVIII. EVENTS, HOURS AND RELATED FACTS.
General business hours:
Sportstime Pizza opens at 11:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Rich O’s opens at 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and at 1:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. We are not open on Sunday except during special events. The same food and beer is available at all times in both rooms, so you may have lunch and a beer in the Sportstime Pizza dining area during those hours when Rich O’s isn’t open. The brewery is available for a look-see if one of us is around and we’re not busy.
Rich O's: The front dining rooms at Rich O's are designated as non-smoking areas. The bar area and Red Room are open for smoking (cigarettes, cigars, pipes). We strongly discourage clove cigarettes, which are divisive even among smokers.
Sportstime: Smoking is permitted in the entirety of Sportstime Pizza.
2006 events:
Sunday, February 5
As in recent years, Sportstime Pizza will be open for Super Bowl. Too bad about the Colts, though.
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Friday, February 24
Note a date change: Gravity Head 2006 has been moved forward two weeks owing to unusual circumstances. The region’s foremost celebration of big, bold, gravity brewing may or may not revert to the second weekend in March in 2007.
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Saturday, April 29
Alefest 2006 at Keg Liquors in Clarksville (2 pm to 6 pm)
From the irrepressible owner, Todd Antz, comes this explanation:
"Please join us for our first ever beer festival, which we have dubbed Alefest 2006. Falling on the Saturday between Thunder and the Derby, we will have brewers and importers from around the world on site for a huge event. So far we have New Albanian Brewing Company, Upland Brewing Company (Bloomington, IN), Bluegrass Brewing Company (Louisville, KY), Kalamazoo Brewing (brewers of Bell's Beers), Barley Island Brewing (Noblesville, IN), Wetten Importers (Delirium, Gouden), and Eurobrew Importers (Xingu, St. Peters). There will be food, music, and plenty of great beer. We even have a silent auction planned with all proceeds going to Bridgepointe Goodwill Services. Tickets for this event will be $25 in advance, and $30 the day of the event."
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May (TBA)
Publican announces DaveFest 2006 for May (dates TBA).
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Saturday, May 13 (tentative)
Fifth Annual FOSSILS Breweriana Sale
There’ll be a new look to this growing event, with dealers vending beer collectibles of every sort imaginable all day on Saturday instead of Sunday, and doing so in the new Prost special events room (entrance through Rich O’s Public House).
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Friday & Saturday, May 19 & 20
Ohio River Valley Folk Festival in Madison, Indiana
No solid information yet, but when out friend Steve Thomas is in charge of the libations, it can’t be anything but good.
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Saturday, August 12
Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison, Wisconsin.
It’s one the top three beer fests in the nation, a perennial box-office sell-out, and certainly the big event with the most relevance to NABC. Web site information is dated, but will be revised later in 2006.
Credits:
Thanks to Jim Bell for his photographic prowess, which we share with you from time to time.
Readers who aren’t as familiar with our business should go to http://www.newalbanian.com/ and http://www.richos.com/ for more information.
NABC is a member of the Brewers Association and Brewers of Indiana Guild.
Questions or comments about editorial content should be directed to Roger A. Baylor: potable@richos.com.
THE END.
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