I. DAVEFEST 2006 BEGINS ON FRIDAY, JUNE 2.
II. LAMBIC BY THE GLASS IS JUNE 24; BASTILLE DAY/BIERES DE GARDE FETE AT bNA FOLLOWS ON JULY 16.
III. NABC BREWERY NEWS: GRUIT ALE SERIES ON THE DRAWING BOARD.
IV. FROM THE HAND PULL: LAST OF THE GALE'S PRIZE OLD ALE, WITH BOB'S OLD 15-B AND ST. RADEGUND ON THE WAY.
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 EVERYDAY BEER LIST HAS BEEN PUBLISHED; ALSO, NEW ROTATING BOTTLES ARE IN STOCK.
VIII. BISTRO NEW ALBANY UNVEILS FULL DINNER MENU ON THURSDAY, JUNE 1.
IX. EVENTS, HOURS AND RELATED FACTS.
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I. DAVEFEST 2006 BEGINS ON FRIDAY, JUNE 2.
What exactly what is DaveFest 2006?
It’s a question worth considering, because DaveFest 2006 represents a whole new draft beer festival concept for us.
Currently at Rich O’s and Sportstime, we stage three draft beer festivals during the course of the year. Gravity Head is devoted to high-octane “gravity” beers, Lupulin Land to lupulin-laden hoppy beers, Saturnalia to diverse and “festive” cold-weather seasonal beers in the period just before Christmas.
With DaveFest 2006, we inaugurate the first “consumer’s choice” draft beer festival, one that seeks to answer the question: “What would your ideal draft lineup look like?”
This fun idea arose from a conversation between loyal customer Dave Siltz and myself, and here are the rough guidelines (in Dave’s own words):
The rules are these:
Six taps will be provided for beers of my choosing, but I should specify at least ten beers so that alternates are available if any of my main selections cannot be procured.
I need to choose beers that Roger can actually get, so no Alaskan Amber and no Alaskan Smoked Porter or anything else that he can't get in a keg.
Some beers are always on anyway, like Guinness, so I needn't bother specifying them.
I immediately thought it would be a fine thing to try and do, perhaps even more so because Dave’s taste preferences run across the board and embrace stylistic territories that aren’t always represented in our yearly promotions, i.e., he’s neither a “gravity” nor a “hop” head.
Here is the combined list he submitted, including alternates. I was able to get many, but not all, and two are coming, but late.
Note: Dave assumed I wouldn’t tap a keg of Newcastle Brown for the occasion, but he’s wrong. I will. What the hell.
Perhaps in the future, we might entertain submissions from other customers in a yet to be determined sweepstakes format, with the grand prize being his or her own draft beer festival. First, we’ll see how this one goes.
II. LAMBIC BY THE GLASS IS JUNE 24; BASTILLE DAY/BIERES DE GARDE FETE AT bNA FOLLOWS ON JULY 16.
Later in June, a revamped lambic celebration will take place in Prost, our special events room by Rich O's:
UPDATED: Third annual "Lambic by the Glass" coming on June 24, and here's the revised scoop.
In July, we'll observe Bastille Day as a pretext for a tasting of French Bieres de Garde, something that's been on the back burner for several months: Dreaming about Northern French ales? I am.
Here's the exciting new twist: This July event currently is being planned in conjunction with the Bistro New Albany, and it will take place at bNA and include a reservation-only multi-course French-themed meal. There will be a fixed price that includes ale.
Chef Dave Clancy is mulling menu possibilities, and I'm looking at a stock of Northern French ales that includes St. Sylvestre Gavroche, Thiriez Blonde, Amber and Extra, Jenlain, Cuvee des Jonquilles (Biere de Garde de L’avesnois), La Choullette de Noel and Les Sans Culottes.
The tentative date is Sunday, July 16, and prior to the dinner and tasting, there'll be a bicycle ride for those willing. We're calling it the Tour de Sans Culottes, or something equally ridiculous. More later.
III. NABC BREWERY NEWS: GRUIT ALE SERIES ON THE DRAWING BOARD.
Jesse's got a series of summertime "gruit" ales on the way, including Pictish Heather (with honey) brew and recipes that use mugwort and juniper berries. They're in the developmental stage, and there'll be more information coming soon.
Calm down ... the next batch of Hoptimus has been brewed and will be ready in ten or twelve days.
Meanwhile, to keep our hopheads distracted, the yearly June allotment of Stone Ruination Ale goes on tap tomorrow. I know, it's just not the same ...
The next summer fest is Brew-Ha-Ha in Indianapolis on Saturday, June 24.
Proceeds from Brew-Ha-Ha go to the Phoenix Theatre’s Annual Fund Drive and support the theatre’s year-round artistic, educational, and outreach programs.
IV. FROM THE HAND PULL: LAST OF THE GALE'S PRIZE OLD ALE, WITH BOB'S OLD 15-B AND ST. RADEGUND ON THE WAY.
Cask season is winding down, but a few firkins are yet to be tapped:
On the hand pull now: The last pours of the Gale’s Prize Old Ale (England; 2005), 9% abv (firkin) -- quite likely the final POA we'll see owing to the brewery being bought out and "rationalized."
Afterward: Five gallons of Bob's Old 15-B has been aged for three months in the wooden pin that previously held JW Lees Vintage Harvest Ale (Willoughby's Crusted Port conditioned). Whether any of this will come through in the Porter, we'll not know until Friday morning, June 2, when it is tapped. Also, there is a bit more cask-conditioned NABC St. Radegund Bitter.
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:
Churchill Downs Microfest? We'll pass.
“What a maroon,” commented expert prosecution witness B. Bunny.
A Passage to Rogue (Part 5): A Visit to the Grail, with Refreshments.
What is the beer equivalent of a sommelier?
Another Food & Dining Magazine deadline is upon me.
The skinny on Louisville-area homebrewing clubs.
Rich O's Public House cracks the Top 20 in Beer Advocate rankings.
VI. DRAFT BEERS: OUR LIQUID, DAILY BREAD, ON TAP AT RICH O’S AND SPORTSTIME (UPDATED MAY 12).
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.
ConeSmoker ... Elegant Franconian smoked malt, an above average “noble” German hops presence and warm fermentation -- new twists on an old style.
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?
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 ... Cask-conditioned English bitter from the hand pump.
Guests from near and far.
Market pricing.
Staples:
Spaten Premium Lager (should be back by Friday, June 2)
Sprecher Root Beer (non-alcoholic)
DaveFest beers
Two Brothers Domain DuPage French Style Country Ale
New Holland Blue Goat Doppelbock
Weihenstephaner Weissbier Dunkel
Bullpen:
Rogue Chocolate Stout (late; ETA June 15)
Rogue Smoke (late; ETA June 15)
Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel
VII. NEW EVERYDAY BEER LIST HAS BEEN PUBLISHED; ALSO, NEW ROTATING BOTTLES ARE IN STOCK.
An updated beer list was published on Wednesday, May 31.
At the bottled beer garage sale earlier in May, I moved out the admittedly scant leftovers from the past and made room for new rotating selections.
But not all the Bell’s Wheat Project ales went out the door. These are being closed out at $2.00 a bottle. See Bell’s Wheat Project intro/closeout at Rich O's for information on each of the five wheat ales in this series.
Here is the current lineup of rotating guest bottled beers.
As soon as today’s newsletter is posted, I’m on my way to work to stock these, so don’t look for them until Thursday afternoon, circa 5:00 p.m.
MICROBREWS
Allagash Curieux (750 ml; 9.5% – 10.5% abv)
I had the privilege of tasting an early version of this Belgian-style ale, which is aged for two months in Jim Beam barrels, while visiting Portland, Maine, in early 2005. Finally some of it has come our way.
Bluegrass Brewing Company
BBC Professor Gesser's Mind Numbing Ale (750 ml; 7.1% abv)
BBC Homewrecker Double IPA (750 ml; circa 10% abv)
Formerly sold as Ultra (on draft). I know these bottlings are from the pub on Shelbyville Road, and the recipes are pub brewer Jerry Gnagy’s. Beyond that, I’m not sure about the genus of the program, although I’m guessing that BBC Shelbyville Road is free to sell bottled beers that aren’t the same as the line offered by the production brewery downtown. I’ve sampled the Homewrecker, and it is spritzy, lethal, and veering toward a barley wine.
Dogfish Head Golden Shower Imperial Pilsner (750 ml; 9% abv)
This “extreme” makeover is one of the better executed, sans adjuncts, and including all noble hops.
Founders Curmudgeon Old Ale (12 oz; 9.3% abv)
Founders Imperial Stout (12 oz; 10% abv)
Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout (12 oz; 10% abv)
A triumvirate of excellent seasonal specialties from a brewery the seemingly can do no wrong.
Stone Imperial Stout
Stone’s is one of my favorite versions of one of my favorite styles. Black liquid sipping delight irrespective of the weather.
Three Floyds Rabbid Rabbit Saison (22 oz; 7.4% abv)
It’s been too long since we had Rabbid Rabbit on tap, and this is a measure of how difficult it has become to score those few specialty items that Three Floyds makes available for general distribution.
IMPORTS
Brouwerij De Glazen Toren (Belgium)
Jan de Lichte (750 ml; 7.5% abv)
Listed as “Imperial Wit,” or to me, another way of saying “Grand Cru” in the Belgian sense of the usage. A higher gravity spiced White.
Ondineke (750 ml; 8.5% abv)
Tripel from Aalst. No spices are used.
Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel
Chouffe suspended its seasonal specialty program a few years back, but has returned in a big way with this much-anticipated hybrid. What is it like? Just remember that the magic hop cone is rendered “houblon” in French, and it all makes sense.
Le Baladin Wayan (Italy; 750 ml; 5.8%)
Nothing has been as surprising, and gratifying, than the recent arrivals of high-quality Italian microbrews. From the maker of Super Baladin and Nora comes another: Wayan, a clean Saison true to the Belgian style.
VIII. BISTRO NEW ALBANY UNVEILS FULL DINNER MENU ON THURSDAY, JUNE 1.
Bistro New Albany's much anticipated evening fine-dining menu is being inaugurated tonight. I'm hoping to make it by Saturday for a sample.
Here are bNA’s current hours, which are subject to alteration as the Daves learn more about business patterns downtown.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Dinner: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Closed: Monday and Tuesday evenings, and Sunday (except for special events).
At bNA, at least four NABC drafts join two BBC ales and two to four rotating guest taps. Food is casual bistro fare with numerous fine-dining touches generally absent from the local dining scene. The courtyard ambience is suburb, and reviews so far have been overwhelmingly positive.
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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Friday, June 2
DaveFest 2006
DaveFest 2006 will be our first consumer's choice beer festival. See: What is DaveFest 2006? Here's your answer.
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Saturday, June 24
Lambic by the Glass
UPDATED: Third annual "Lambic by the Glass" coming on June 24, and here's the revised scoop.
Also:
Brew-Ha-Ha in Indianapolis
Brew-Ha-Ha in Indianapolis on Saturday, June 24.
Proceeds from Brew-Ha-Ha go to the Phoenix Theatre’s Annual Fund Drive and support the theatre’s year-round artistic, educational, and outreach programs.
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Saturday, July 29
Brewers of Indiana Guild (BIG) Festival in Indianapolis
For details, visit the Guild's website.
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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.
Friday, October 13
Lupulin Land Harvest Hop Festival
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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