In this edition of Publicanista!:I. DIFFERENT YEAR, SAME TREACHERY AT THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
II. DRAFT REGENBOOG ALES FROM BELGIUM: 'T SMISJE BLONDE AND WOSTYNTJE.
III. CASK CONDITIONED ALE NOW POURING: RCH OLD SLUG PORTER.
IV. NABC BREWERY NEWS: NEXT STOP, GRAVITY HEAD.
V. BISTRO NEW ALBANY TEMPORARILY ON HOLD, BUT WE REMAIN OPTIMISTIC THAT ALL WILL BE WELL IN THE END.
VI. GRAVITY HEAD 2006 BEGINS ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24.
VII. RECENT NEWS AND ARTICLES AT THE POTABLE CURMUDGEON’S BEER BLOG.
VIII. DRAFT BEERS: OUR LIQUID, DAILY BREAD, ON TAP AT RICH O’S AND SPORTSTIME.
IX. NEW, AND IN SOME CASES RARE, ROTATING BOTTLED SELECTIONS.
X. EVENTS, HOURS AND RELATED FACTS.
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I. DIFFERENT YEAR, SAME TREACHERY AT THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
With Indiana's General Assembly in session, the House is doing its level best to deprive wine and beer consumers of free choice, and to hamper the ability of small, artisanal producers to do business.
Both the bills in question have passed the House and now will be considered, subject to amendment and alteration, in the Senate. At the end of the article linked above, there are e-mail links to use for letting your Senator know what you think. Please use them.
II. DRAFT REGENBOOG ALES FROM BELGIUM: 'T SMISJE BLONDE AND WOSTYNTJE.
Johan Brandt's Regenboog brewery is one of Belgium's smaller craft beer outposts, and his beers are perhaps underappreciated even though they're imported by the excellent B. United International. Wostyntje and 't Smisje Blond -- of first two of four Regenboog kegs in stock -- currently are on tap:
Mustard seeds, Linden blossoms, and the expressive world of Regenboog.
The next two will be seen at Gravity Head: 't Smisje Dubbel (9% abv) and 't Smisje Kerst (Christmas ale; 11% abv).
III. CASK CONDITIONED ALE NOW POURING: RCH OLD SLUG PORTER.
As of Wednesday, February 8, RCH Old Slug Porter is pouring from the Rich O's hand pump, and two other cask-conditioned firkins -- NABC Elector and Harvey's Sussex Best are queued (links mended).
When one is depleted, the next will be tapped the following morning to allow stillage time. As a reminder, we're able to do this because we started using a cask breather, a device that replaces head space in the firkin with short bursts of CO2, thus preserving the life of the ale.
Firkins of 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.
IV. NABC BREWERY NEWS: NEXT STOP, GRAVITY HEAD.
The fourth serving tank soon will be filled with Elector, and our goal of having all four in operation will have been reached. Jesse and Jared have finished another batch of Hoptimus, which will continue to be kegged and dry-hopped in the kegs.
Hoptimus will be on tap during Gravity Head, but not listed. However, NABC will have two stalwarts present for duty: NABC Stumble Bus (2005; circa 10% abv) and the brand new NABC Thunderfoot Imperial Stout (10% abv).
If the evolution of Thunderfoot continues on its present trajectory -- and I have no doubt whatsoever that this will be the case -- you are going to be amazed.
Check out Tony Beard's artwork: Three new NABC beer "labels," and more on the way.
V. BISTRO NEW ALBANY TEMPORARILY ON HOLD, BUT WE REMAIN OPTIMISTIC THAT ALL WILL BE WELL IN THE END.
Read it here: Bistro New Albany temporarily on hold. I'll try as best I can to keep readers updated on breaking developments.
VI. GRAVITY HEAD 2006 BEGINS ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24.
Final preparations are being made, shirt designs sent to Tim, and Syd's cot made up with fresh linen.
Gravity Head orders have topped 50 kegs for the first time ever: End of January update: "Gravity Head 2006: Reality ABV" advance orders preview.
Our banquet room, Prost, will be available for group seating on the 24th, but you must contact me about group seating possibilities for Gravity Head opening night.
This will be the eighth Gravity Head. Learn more about the past in "A brief history of Gravity Head, 1999-2006."
And, remember that NABC's Thunderfoot Imperial Stout to be released for Gravity Head 2006.
VII. RECENT NEWS AND ARTICLES AT THE POTABLE CURMUDGEON’S BEER BLOG.
Here are recently posted articles: 
Stupor Bowl advertising memories, attendant controversies, and the empire of wet air.
That certain summer, and my efforts to remember it.
Contact me about group seating possibilities for Gravity Head opening night.
Barley Island bottled beers available at local package stores.
Last night I had the strangest dream …
VIII. 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?
Guests from near and far.
Market pricing.
Note: With the resolution of wholesaler problems in stocking Sierra Nevada 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:
De Dolle Oerbier (different batch -- new/old yeast)
Rogue Mogul Ale (John's Locker Stock series; third keg)
Schlafly American Pale Ale (Expedition Reserve)
Sierra Nevada Summerfest (wholesaler close-out; reduced price)
't Smisje Blond (BE; Regenboog)
Upland Winter Warmer (Saturnalia MMV refugee)
Wostyntje Mustard Ale (BE; Regenboog)
In the Bullpen:
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.
IX. 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, Zinnebir X-mas, N'Ice Chouffe and Breckinridge 471 are depleted to three bottles or less remaining in stock. There are less than six of the De Dolle Special Extra Export Stout. 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.
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 EpicX. 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:
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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