In this edition of Publicanista!:
I. THE STORK ALWAYS RINGS TWICE, AT LEAST FOR KATE AND JEFF LEWISON.
II. GRAVITY HEAD 2006 FINALLY WINDING DOWN, BUT GOODNESS REMAINS.
III. FROM THE HAND PULL: WYE VALLEY VICTORY ALE THIS FRIDAY, AND SPECIAL NABC CASK CONDITIONED ALES TO FOLLOW.
IV. RECENT NEWS AND ARTICLES AT THE POTABLE CURMUDGEON’S BEER BLOG.
V. DRAFT BEERS: OUR LIQUID, DAILY BREAD, ON TAP AT RICH O’S AND SPORTSTIME.
VI. BOTTLE LIST NEWS: NEW GRIST & FOUNDERS IMPERIAL STOUT.
VII. EVENTS, HOURS AND RELATED FACTS.
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I. THE STORK ALWAYS RINGS TWICE, AT LEAST FOR KATE AND JEFF LEWISON.
NABC co-owner Kate Lewison and hubby Jeff are in hospital today to greet their second child. Their first, Ryan, was born in 2003.
Jeff's familiar to most of you as the longtime Rich O's night bar manager. Kate's sister is Aunt Amy, and the children's grandmother is Sharon -- Kate's and Amy's mom.
We're expecting Kate to take a few weeks off from work, and Jeff a few days -- then it's back to start work on stockpiling those college funds.
II. GRAVITY HEAD 2006 FINALLY WINDING DOWN, BUT GOODNESS REMAINS.
Gravity Head 2006, our 8th annual celebration of the brewing world’s biggest and best, is headed for its fifth weekend with ranks still precariously full, but with a majority of listed beers already cashed.
Here's the tapping status as we head into Friday, March 24. As you can plainly see, only a handful remain to be put on tap, with only the two Avery ales still in transit. If the Beast and Reverend kegs don't arrive by April 1, they'll be cellared for next year's ninth edition of Gravity Head.
Of the 54 beers scheduled to appear between opening day and the conclusion of this eighth edition of the festival:
15 currently are on tap
3 are in house, waiting to be tapped
34 have departed (including 1 scratch and 1 accident victim)
2 remain in transit
***CURRENT GRAVITY HEAD DRAFT LINEUP (15)
Bluegrass Brewing Company Professor Gesser's Mind Numbing Ale, circa 9%
Christoffel Werelds Winterbier (Winter Bock), 7.2% abv
Clipper City (Heavy Seas) Below Decks, 11% abv
Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree IPA, 13.6% abv
Founders Blushing Monk Belgian Razz, 9.5% abv
Gale’s Prize Old Ale (2004), 9% abv
Gouden Carolus Classic, 8.5% abv
Gouden Carolus Tripel, 9% abv
Great Divide Old Ruffian Barley Wine, 10.2% abv
Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout, 9.5% abv
La Rulles Cuvee “Best Wishes”, 7.3% abv (moved from Saturnalia MMV)
Rogue XS Imperial Stout, 11% abv
Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine, (2005) 11.26% abv
Urthel Samaranth Quadrium, 11.5% abv
Weihenstephaner Korbinian Doppelbock, 7.4% abv
***NEXT WAVES MASSING AT THE REAR (3)
UNITED STATES
Two Brothers Bare Tree Weiss Wine, 10.2% abv
BELGIUM
Chouffe La Gnomette, 9% abv
't Smisje Dubbel, 9% abv***IN TRANSIT, WITH ETA (2)
Avery "The Beast", 14.9% abv ... ETA circa ???
Avery "The Reverend", 10% abv ... ETA circa ???
***IN MEMORIAM (FLOATED) (34)
Bell’s Batch 7000, 12% abv
Browning's Brewery Imperial Stout, circa 9% abv (firkin - blown bung accident victim)
Dark Horse Sapient Trip, 8.6% abv
De Ranke Guldenberg, 8.5% abv
EKU 28, 11% abv
Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter, 9.5% abv
Flying Dog Horn Dog Barley Wine, 10.5% abv
Founders Devil Dancer Triple IPA, (2004) 13% abv
Founders Dirty Bastard, 8.3% abv
Gale’s Christmas Ale, (2005) (cask-conditioned firkin; hand pulled)
Great Divide Hibernation Ale, 8.1% abv
Great Divide Hercules Double IPA, 9.1% abv
Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout, 9.5% abv
JW Lees Moonraker, 7.5% abv
JW Lees Vintage Harvest Ale, (Sherry barrel aged; 2005; pin), 11.5% abv.
JW Lees Vintage Harvest Ale, (Willoughbys crusted port barrel aged; 2004; pin), 11.5% abv
Kulmbacher Reichelbrau Eisbock, 9.2% abv
N'Ice Chouffe, (2004) 10% abv
NABC Stumble Bus, (2005) circa 10% abv
NABC Thunderfoot Imperial Stout, 10% abv
New Holland Dragon’s Milk, 10.5% abv
North Coast PranQster, 7.6% abv
Old Engine Oil Special Reserve, (Invergordon Scotch barrel aged; 2005), 8.5%
Ringneck Brewing Bourbon Aged "FOTB” Barley Wine, circa 11% abv
Ringneck Brewing Old 21 Imperial IPA, 8.5% abv
Rocky River Neptune's Nemesis, 8% abv (will not be coming, after all)
Rogue (John's Locker Stock) Skull Splitter, 8.5% abv
Rogue XS I2PA, 9.5% abv
Rogue XS Old Crustacean Barley Wine, (2002) 11.5% abv abv (firkin)
Samichlaus Bier (2001) 14% abv
Stone Double Bastard Ale, 10% abv
't Smisje Kerst, 11% abv
Unibroue Maudite, 8% abv
Urthel Hop-It Belgian IPA, 9.5% abv
Because not all listed Gravity Head beers can be served at the same time, see the blackboards for the daily selection.
For those readers who are contemplating Gravity Head attendance for the first time, please be aware that we’re very serious when we command you to plan your life, arrange transportation from the venue at the conclusion of your gravity session, and/or have a designated driver. Typically, a cab ride to Louisville costs $30, which isn’t very much when split two or three ways … and it’s far less than the cost of the consequences.
For us to continue the tradition of Gravity Head, it is absolutely imperative that everyone in attendance plays the game by the same rules, and foremost among these is your personal responsibility as an adult drinker to refrain from driving while intoxicated!
III. FROM THE HAND PULL: WYE VALLEY VICTORY ALE THIS FRIDAY, AND SPECIAL NABC CASK CONDITIONED ALES TO FOLLOW.
Currently, the featured cask ale is an unlisted "gravity" selection, Burton Bridge Thomas Sykes Ale, a 10% “winter ale” recently arrived from B. United International via Cavalier (Indiana).
On Friday morning, March 24, we'll tap the next British (non-gravity) firkin: Wye Valley Victory Ale.
When the Wye Valley has passed, we'll be ready for a variety of NABC cask-conditioned ales to appear, among them at least two of an experimental nature (think: cute little wooden pins where the JW Lees came from) and a purpose-brewed, cask-only batch of English-style "strong" bitter that is will be known as St. Radegund.
For more information on cask-conditioned ale:
Horse Brass Pub (where our friend Biscuit works)
Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)
Warm, Flat and Boring -- the Truth About Cask Ale, from Rate Beer.
IV. RECENT NEWS AND ARTICLES AT THE POTABLE CURMUDGEON’S BEER BLOG.
Here are recently posted articles:
Part 2: The Indianapolis Star's "Sunday alcohol law" poll.
Part 1: The Indianapolis Star's "Sunday alcohol law" poll.
Geography lesson: Stella is to Belgium what Corona is to Mexico -- pet shampoo.
CJ visits the Wine Rack, Frankfort Avenue, Louisville.
More on New Albany's 19th-century Market Street brewery.
Revamped Bistro New Albany? NABC's take?
On tap today: Upland Castle Rock Red and BBC Jefferson’s Reserve Bourbon Barrel Stout.
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?
Hoptimus ... Double IPA as a regular daily offering? Ya gotta believe.
Guests from near and far.
Market pricing.
Staples: These pour all the time and will be available throughout Gravity Head 2006.
Arrogant BastardSprecher Root Beer (non-alcoholic)
Rotating (limited engagement):
BBC Jefferson’s Reserve Bourbon Barrel Stout
Bullpen:
Don't expect these any time soon; too many Gravity beers are yet to be tapped. However, by April 1, look for some to begin pouring. There'll also be discounted partial/leftover kegs appearing roughly the same time.
Barley Island Bourbon Barrel-Aged Oatmeal Stout
Rogue Mogul Ale (John's Locker Stock series; fourth keg)
‘t Smisje BBBourgondier
Schlenkerla Fastenbier (circa April 1)
Spezial Rauchbier
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barley Wine
VI. BOTTLE LIST NEWS: NEW GRIST & FOUNDERS IMPERIAL STOUT.
With Bard's Tale still absent from the shelves, Indiana's Cavalier Distributing has located another gluten-free product: New Grist Beer -- more sorghum-based hope for Celiac beer lovers.
It's in stock now, both for on-premise consumption and carry-out. Note that Keg Liquors in Clarksville also has New Grist in stock. Here's the New Grist Beer website (Lakefront Brewing Company).
Also available in limited quantities is Founders Imperial Stout, a 12-ounce, 12% abv diet killer that I'll be unable to cellar because it's too good to wait that long. But those with the discipline to do so -- we admire you.
Remember that later this spring and summer, I'm going to be doing bottle-only theme tastings with French Bieres de Garde and Belgian Lambics. These are piling up in the storeroom as I write.
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.
VII. 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: 
Weekly on Wednesday evening @ 7:00 p.m.
Drinking Liberally (New Albany & Southern Indiana) meets in the Red Room each Wednesday. Contact organizer Rich Morris for details.
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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Saturday, May 13
NEW DAY: Fifth Annual FOSSILS Breweriana Sale
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the Prost special events room at Rich O's.
Featuring: Pre-prohibition to Contemporary Breweriana ... Local breweries to International ... Antique Bottles, Signs, Mirrors, Glassware, Trays, Clocks, Lamps, Books, and much more.
Dealer space is only $15.00, and clubs are welcome! For information contact Kira Tash.
Rich O's will be open for business as usual, and Roger is also staging his bottled beer inventory reduction sale at the same time as the breweriana sale - there will be some closeouts, some overstocks, and some surprises from the cellar.
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Friday & Saturday, May 19 & 20
Ohio River Valley Folk Festival in Madison, Indiana
NABC will be vending beer at this inaugural fest in Madison. Here's a description, from The Madison Courier newspaper:
The Ohio River Valley Folk Festival will bring echoes to Madisonians living in the 21st century — echoes of how their ancestors worked, wrote and sang music, fashioned distinctive crafts and prepared foods unique to the people of a river town.
The new festival ... is scheduled for May 19-20 along Vaughn Drive from West Street to Poplar Street.
The festival will feature folk music, old-time storytellers, a special tent for children, juried folk arts, and refreshment stands that will strive to offer food and drink like Madisonians of the 19th century might have consumed.
Our friend Steve Thomas is in charge of the libations, so it can’t be anything but good.
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June 2
Publican announces DaveFest 2006.
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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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