In this edition of Publicanista!:
I. BACK TO WORK.
II. THE COMING DAYS: FEST OF ALE 2006 AT KEG LIQUORS ... BISTRO NEW ALBANY SLATED FOR OVERDUE LIFTOFF ... ANOTHER ELECTION DAY WITH NO BEER (UNTIL 6:00 P.M.).
III. NABC BREWERY NEWS: HOOSIER DADDY CRIMSON & CREAM ALE IS ON TAP, CONESMOKER SOON TO COME.
IV. FROM THE HAND PULL: GALE'S POA, OEO SCOTCH-AGED, NABC ST. RADEGUND BITTER, AND MORE.
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. BOTTLE LIST NEWS: FRESH SHIPMENTS REC'D; SPECIAL BIERES DE GARDE AND LAMBICS COMING SOON; DON'T FORGET THE BREWERIANA SALE AT RICH O'S ON MAY 13.
VIII. SPORTS 'N' BEER BUS TRIPS WITH RICK AND JEFF TOURS.
IX. EVENTS, HOURS AND RELATED FACTS.
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I. BACK TO WORK.
The great thing about travel is that it opens your eyes.
The rotten thing about travel is that it opens your eyes.
Now that the preceding disclaimer is out of the way, it's back to work. For two weeks, I was able to brazenly ignore the dozens of items on the "to do" agenda for the end of April and the approaching month of May, in favor of ... well, in favor of almost anything else except thinking about those pesky items. Now, there's no choice left to me.
The Indiana Beer website's founder, Bob Ostrander, also recently returned from a journey. In his case, it was an entire year abroad roaming my beloved Europe and documenting the experience far better than I've ever been able to do. To recap the Indy beer pilgrim's progress, click here.
Keep reading for links to various accounts of the Publican's momentous decision to heed the words of Mr. Greeley and travel in the opposite direction from Bob.
II. THE COMING DAYS: FEST OF ALE 2006 AT KEG LIQUORS ... BISTRO NEW ALBANY SLATED FOR OVERDUE LIFTOFF ... ANOTHER ELECTION DAY WITH NO BEER (UNTIL 6:00 P.M.).
The inaugural Fest of Ale 2006 at Keg Liquors in Clarksville will run from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. this Saturday, April 29. See the events listing below for specific details, and remember that tickets for the event are $25 in advance and $30 on the day of show. Todd's website has the scoop: http://www.kegliquors.com/festofale.htm."
As NABC's contribution to the fest, Brewmeister Jesse Williams is taking a few gallons each of our Hoptimus (Double IPA), Thunderfoot (cherried Imperial Stout) and a special preview of this year's ConeSmoker.
Better late than never: Bistro New Albany has reorganized, and should be open for limited business hours (lunches and an evening or two at the beginning) on May 1. Here's the current update: Bistro New Albany seems about to commence operations.
Tuesday, May 2 is primary election day, and you know what that means: No beer until after the polls close at 6:00 p.m. As always, Rich O's Public House won't open until 6:00 p.m., while Sportstime Pizza will serve a very, very dry lunch beginning at 11:00 a.m.
III. NABC BREWERY NEWS: HOOSIER DADDY CRIMSON & CREAM ALE IS ON TAP, CONESMOKER SOON TO COME.
Assistant brewer Jared Williamson stepped out from the brewery to keep the draft beers flowing during my absence, and his work is greatly appreciated. Jared now provides this preview of a new NABC selection, which is on draft now:
This week we will be tapping NABC's Hoosier Daddy Crimson and Cream Ale, a recipe of my own.
Malt: Golden Promise, Cara-Red, Special B, Chocolate.
Hops: Northern Brewer (for bittering), Nugget (for aroma).
Note: Lactose sugar was added at the end of the boil, and also in the secondary fermentation.
IBU's: 50
O.G.: 1072
ABV: 7.0
HDCC has a deep red color, is lactose sweet up front, with a bitter finish.
This beer was born out of a mistaken grain delivery, in which we received two bags of Weyermann’s Cara-Red (free of charge), so I proceeded to brain storm a way in which to use this red malt. The result is hybrid dark red cream ale “NABC-style” -- a mysterious beer for a mysterious state.
Indeed, there are many things “red” about Indiana – some good, some bad -- and the beer's quite nice. In my eternal quest for scientific verification, I transported a growler of Hoosier Daddy home for Tuesday night duty during the NBA playoffs, including an unexpectedly epic pairing of the Spurs and Kings. The ale peformed far more capably than Kings guard Mike Bibby.
Next up from the brew crew: A reprise of ConeSmoker, using the formulation last consumed as NobleSmoker in 2005. Have a preview this Saturday at the Fest of Ale (see above and below).
IV. FROM THE HAND PULL: GALE'S POA, OEO SCOTCH-AGED, NABC ST. RADEGUND BITTER, AND MORE.
It might be Monday (May 1) before the next round of cask-conditioned ales are ready for tapping. In approximate order, they are:
Gale’s Prize Old Ale (England; 2005), 9% abv (firkin)
Old Engine Oil Special Reserve, (Scotland; Invergordon Scotch barrel aged; 2005), 8.5% abv (firkin)
Jesse and Jared have a few NABC house casks for dispensing at the conclusion of the import run, including more St. Radegund Bitter ("Get thee to a nunnery, but not just yet") and a specialty or two.
See: NABC St. Radegund Bitter honors a pub, a publican and a dragonslayer.
For more information on cask-conditioned ale:
Horse Brass Pub (where our friend Biscuit works when not skipping town)
Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)
Warm, Flat and Boring -- the Truth About Cask Ale, from Rate Beer.
V. RECENT NEWS AND ARTICLES AT THE POTABLE CURMUDGEON’S BEER BLOG.
Here are recently posted articles:
Don't miss Fest of Ale 2006: This Saturday, April 29, at Keg Liquors in Clarksville.
A Passage to Rogue (Part 2): Russian River and North Coast Gems.
A Passage to Rogue (Part 1): Through the Desert and into the Trees.
NA's riverfront development district passes first hurdle.
One fine day in Seattle (Part Two).
One fine day in Seattle (Part One).
A tough job (you know the rest).
Back home again in Indiana (why?)
Alive and well in the City of Roses.
North Coast Brewing visit yields jazzy ale.
More "Albuquerque Confluence" photos.
Santa Fe, sans Atcheson & Topeka.
Luggage? We don't need no stinking luggage.
VI. 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.
Hoosier Daddy Crimson & Cream Ale ... A mysterious red beer for a mysterious red state - full-bodied, sweet and dry in the finish.
St. Radegund Bitter ... Naturally conditioned English bitter.
Guests from near and far.
Market pricing.
Staples:
Arrogant BastardSprecher Root Beer (non-alcoholic)
Rotating (limited engagement):
BBC Jefferson’s Reserve Bourbon Barrel Stout
Rogue (John's Locker Stock) Mogul Ale (fourth keg)
Rogue (John's Locker Stock) Skull Splitter (Gravity-listed; second keg)
Rogue XS Old Crustacean Barley Wine (young 'un for the fun of it)
Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine, (2005) (CLOSE OUT pricing)
‘t Smisje BBBourgondier
Bullpen:
Avery "The Reverend" (belated Gravity Head 2006 arrival)
De Dolle Special Extra Export Stout
Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter (Gravity Head dessert selection)
Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barley Wine
VII. BOTTLE LIST NEWS: FRESH SHIPMENTS REC'D; SPECIAL BIERES DE GARDE AND LAMBICS COMING SOON; DON'T FORGET THE BREWERIANA SALE AT RICH O'S ON MAY 13.
On Wednesday, April 26, we received a substantial shipment of special order bottled beers from B. United (two new De Glazen Toren ales, for instance) and Shelton Brothers (Achel Kluis is back in stock).
I was only able to clear the storeroom floor yesterday, and will get back to the task of pricing later today.
Among these are several items for use during my projected sampling of French Bieres de Garde (date still not determined - I'm studying the calendar) and the annual "lambic by the glass" weekend, which I'm thinking of doing a bit differently this year, with food, in Prost (our special events room).
Don't forget the upcoming Fifth Annual FOSSILS Breweriana Sale on Saturday, May 13 (NEW DAY) from 11:00 a.m. to - 5:00 p.m. in Prost. Not only will there be numerous breweriana vendors, but I'll be conducting the (generally) annual garage sale and inventory reduction sales event, featuring a crazy quilt of bottled beer choices -- old, new, borrowed, blue, etc.
The more time spent trying to find storage space for the recent shipment, the greater likelihood of diamonds in the rough during breweriana sale day.
Enough cliches for this issue? Yes. Thank you.
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.
VIII. SPORTS 'N' BEER BUS TRIPS WITH RICK AND JEFF TOURS.
Take it from those who've gone along for past ride -- these are great fun. Follow the link for the spring and early summer schedule, which includes Chicago Cubs games for the first time ever.
Spring/Summer 2006 sports ‘n’ beer events from Rick and Jeff tours: Horses, golf and the Cubbies.
IX. 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.
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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, we have dubbed Fest of Ale 2006. Falling on the Saturday between Thunder and the Derby, we will have brewers and importers from all around the world on site for a huge event. So far we have Upland Brewing Company (Bloomington, IN) Bluegrass Brewing Company (Louisville, KY), Kalamazoo Brewing (brewers of Bell's Beers), Barley Island Brewing (Noblesville, IN), Thirsty Dog Brewing, New Albanian Brewing (New Albany, IN), Browning's Brewing (Louisville, KY), Wetten Importers (Delirium, Gouden), and Eurobrew Importers (Xingu, St. Peters). Our three craft beer distributors (World Class Beverages, Cavalier Distributing, and North Vernon Beverage) will also be there to fill in the gaps of beers not available from our brewers. 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. Tickets are available for advance purchase from our website at http://www.kegliquors.com/festofale.htm."
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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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Tuesday, May 16
In Prost (banquet room): Progressive Pizza and Preservation: Paint Your Historic House Beautiful.
Learn the basic guidelines for selecting the appropriate colors for historic buildings. Bonus tips from the presenter on interior and exterior finishes and techniques to give you professional results. Free and open to residents of New Albany and surrounding communities.
Sponsor: Porter Paints.
6:15 PM – 8:30 PM.
Participants purchase own beverages. Limited to 30 participants. Reservations required by calling Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana – 284 4534.
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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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Saturday, May 27
Misha Feigin.
Musician, writer and storyteller Misha Feigin returns to Rich O's for good singing and good playing, starting at 9:00 p.m.
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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, who also writes The Potable Curmudgeon and NA Confidential blogs.
THE END.
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