For this months Video of the Month I decided to kick it old school and local! Enjoy!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Vote for Beer
Every year our local alt paper The Gambit comes out with a Best of New Orleans list which features best local bars, restaurants, movie theaters, etc. This year they've added a Best New Orleans Blog category. Now I'm not saying I have the best blog in the world or in New Orleans for that matter but I would love to have a beer blog in a least the top three. I'm asking you, my faithful readers(reader?), to please cast your vote for yours truly this year and let's see if we can get The Beer Buddha into the top 3!! The link below will take you there and thanks in advance!
Cheers!
The Beer Buddha
Cheers!
The Beer Buddha
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
New Orleans Beer Spotlight: Avenue Pub
Yes, yes, I've been away for a bit but I swear I'm trying!! I've been really busy at work helping build our customer base and when I get home I'm beat. Not only that but this New Orleans heat really saps your energy dry!
Anyways, enough excuses! I wanted to start a new segment called New Orleans Beer Spotlight in which I focus on places here in New Orleans to get great beer. Things are truly changing here with the New Orleans beer scene and I am lucky enough to be a part of it. My first New Orleans Beer Spotlight pick Avenue Pub, has in my opinion become one of the BEST beer bar in New Orleans. I know, you're thinking I'm an idiot and have no clue what I'm talking about because I didn't pick The Bulldog or Cooter Browns but you're going to have to trust me on this one folks. Don't get me wrong both of those places are great and will be featured later on but you need to check out Avenue Pub!
Located on St. Charles Avenue(1732 St. Charles Ave.) the Avenue Pub is open 24 hours a day and 7 days week. After the current owner's(Polly Adler) father passed away she took over and made some major changes some which included the balcony, the second floor party room, the bathrooms and more importantly the draft system. In 2008 Polly dropped a lot of money in her draft system and now it is the best draft beer in town using a nitrogen/CO2 gas mix. She is also very particular about her draft lines making sure these are cleaned regularly. Clearly a better draft system deserved better beers on tap and Polly has made some incredible changes to her draft selection. With selections like Harpoon Leviathan Imperial IPA, Delirium Tremens, NOLA Blonde and Brown, Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan, Brooklyn Lager, North Coast Brother Thelonius and 23 more(30 taps total) how could you go wrong! Just recently she purchased a beer engine and firkin and will be the first place in all of Louisiana to serve cask conditioned ale. Her bottle selection is pretty impressive as well with the likes of Mikkeller IPA series, North Coast Old Rasputin, Brooklyn Local 1 and Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye to just name a few. The Avenue Pub is also currently doing great beer dinners and other beer events throughout the year so sign up on their email list to get all the updates!
So yeah, Pub is in the name and implies that food is served there. This is where you're thinking "I knew it was to good to be true. The food must suck." This is where you would be totally wrong. This is where it gets so much better. How could it get any better you ask? One name. J'anitas. Craig and Kimmie Giesecke are the culinary geniuses behind such dishes as The Sweetspot Burger(burger marinated in Cabernet, caramelized onions, caramelized pears, blue cheese and a balsamic reduction glaze), The St. Chuck Duck( a roast duck sandwich!) and of course my favorite...Buddha's Temptation(apricot stuffed with bleu cheese, wrapped with bacon and then fried!). This most definitely ain't your daddy's pub grub!!! Great beer and great food! It's the perfect combination!! You can go to the website to check out J'anitas hours.
So there you have it. Without a doubt, Avenue Pub is one of the best beer bars in New Orleans. You can think it's The Bulldog or Cooter Browns, everyone has their favorite, but trust me check this place out and I promise you'll be pleasantly surprised! Tell 'em Buddha sent you! You won't get anything for it but you can still tell em!
Cheers!
The Beerbuddha
Anyways, enough excuses! I wanted to start a new segment called New Orleans Beer Spotlight in which I focus on places here in New Orleans to get great beer. Things are truly changing here with the New Orleans beer scene and I am lucky enough to be a part of it. My first New Orleans Beer Spotlight pick Avenue Pub, has in my opinion become one of the BEST beer bar in New Orleans. I know, you're thinking I'm an idiot and have no clue what I'm talking about because I didn't pick The Bulldog or Cooter Browns but you're going to have to trust me on this one folks. Don't get me wrong both of those places are great and will be featured later on but you need to check out Avenue Pub!
Located on St. Charles Avenue(1732 St. Charles Ave.) the Avenue Pub is open 24 hours a day and 7 days week. After the current owner's(Polly Adler) father passed away she took over and made some major changes some which included the balcony, the second floor party room, the bathrooms and more importantly the draft system. In 2008 Polly dropped a lot of money in her draft system and now it is the best draft beer in town using a nitrogen/CO2 gas mix. She is also very particular about her draft lines making sure these are cleaned regularly. Clearly a better draft system deserved better beers on tap and Polly has made some incredible changes to her draft selection. With selections like Harpoon Leviathan Imperial IPA, Delirium Tremens, NOLA Blonde and Brown, Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan, Brooklyn Lager, North Coast Brother Thelonius and 23 more(30 taps total) how could you go wrong! Just recently she purchased a beer engine and firkin and will be the first place in all of Louisiana to serve cask conditioned ale. Her bottle selection is pretty impressive as well with the likes of Mikkeller IPA series, North Coast Old Rasputin, Brooklyn Local 1 and Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye to just name a few. The Avenue Pub is also currently doing great beer dinners and other beer events throughout the year so sign up on their email list to get all the updates!
So yeah, Pub is in the name and implies that food is served there. This is where you're thinking "I knew it was to good to be true. The food must suck." This is where you would be totally wrong. This is where it gets so much better. How could it get any better you ask? One name. J'anitas. Craig and Kimmie Giesecke are the culinary geniuses behind such dishes as The Sweetspot Burger(burger marinated in Cabernet, caramelized onions, caramelized pears, blue cheese and a balsamic reduction glaze), The St. Chuck Duck( a roast duck sandwich!) and of course my favorite...Buddha's Temptation(apricot stuffed with bleu cheese, wrapped with bacon and then fried!). This most definitely ain't your daddy's pub grub!!! Great beer and great food! It's the perfect combination!! You can go to the website to check out J'anitas hours.
So there you have it. Without a doubt, Avenue Pub is one of the best beer bars in New Orleans. You can think it's The Bulldog or Cooter Browns, everyone has their favorite, but trust me check this place out and I promise you'll be pleasantly surprised! Tell 'em Buddha sent you! You won't get anything for it but you can still tell em!
Cheers!
The Beerbuddha
Sunday, May 31, 2009
WYES Beer Tasting and VIP Event
Every year for 26 years WYES holds their annual beer tasting. This year is no different!
What is different is that a bunch of the local beer nerds got together with the good folks over at WYES and created a special VIP event which will be held the night before!!
Don't miss these events! At the Friday event NOLA Brewing will be sampling some beers not even on the market yet! Hopitoulas IPA, Lemon Basil Wheat, and a cask conditioned beer!!!!
Cheers!
Beer Buddha
What is different is that a bunch of the local beer nerds got together with the good folks over at WYES and created a special VIP event which will be held the night before!!
Don't miss these events! At the Friday event NOLA Brewing will be sampling some beers not even on the market yet! Hopitoulas IPA, Lemon Basil Wheat, and a cask conditioned beer!!!!
Cheers!
Beer Buddha
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Beer Review: Cantillon Classic Gueuze
Brewery: Brasserie Cantillon
Beer: Cantillon Classic Geuze
Style: Geuze
ABV: 5%
Recommended Glassware: Flute, Tulip, Stange, Snifter
Serving Type: Flute
Appearance: This beer poured a slightly hazy orange with a nice fluffy head which disappears quickly. Tons of bubbles in this one!
Smell: The nose is very tart and sour with hints of citrus.
Taste: This beer is an all out explosion of different flavor experiences. Tart, sour, lemony cirus and a bit of funkiness. Very champagne like too me. Amazing flavors! I really enjoy this beer!! This is a beer that really tests your taste buds and makes you think.
Mouthfeel: Effervescent comes to mind. That and a great sourness that'll make your butt pucker.
Drinkability: Freaking great. I really like sour beers and this one is by far one of my new favorites.
Score:
4.5 out of 5 Buddhas
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
American Craft Beer Week May 11-17th New Orleans Style
Next week is American Craft Beer Week and NOLA Brewing, along with some other area breweries have organized some great events to celebrate. Kirk Coco(NOLA President) and the other NOLA team members will be at the events, so if you are looking to meet us and talk beer...
Monday 5/11 : Sun Ray Grill - Beer & Food Pairing. 6-9 PM, $40 for a three course and three beer dinner. Includes: appetizer, entree, and dessert
Tuesday 5/12 : Slice Pizza – 5-8 PM – Buy a slice and any pint of American craft beer (NOLA is only $2.25 a pint!) and receive a free NOLA Brewing Co. pint glass.
Wednesday 5/13 – Stein’s Deli – 8:30 PM – Beer Class – Taught by Derek Lintern. $15 for 12 beer tasters with meat and cheese plates. Derek will discuss the brewing process from “Grain to Glass” and explain the different styles of beer. Call Stein’s Deli to reserve a seat at 504-527-0771 as there are only 25 available seats.
Thursday 5/14 – Bulldog Mid-City – All Night - $1 off any American craft beer pint and $2 off any American craft beer pitcher.
Friday 5/15 – Squeal BBQ – 7-10 PM - $30 – BBQ Spread including Pulled Pork, Ribs, Crab and Andouille stuffed mushrooms, brisket, BBQ Chicken, and Sides Galore! Includes 4 FREE pints of American Craft Brew, including NOLA Blonde AND Brown.
Saturday 5/16 – Avenue Pub - $15 – 2-6 PM – 12 tasters (4 oz each) of different American craft beers. New beers available include: Brooklyn beers, Racer Five (Draft), Harpoon IPA, NOLA Brown/Blonde, and many more! After 6 PM, all American craft beers are $1 off for the rest of the night! Selection of house smoked meats and cheeses available for purchase. First 30 people get to keep their glass!
Sunday 5/17 – St. James Cheese – 3PM - $15 – 4-5 select cheeses to be paired with complimenting American craft beers.
Hope to see you out and about supporting NOLA and all American craft breweries!
Monday 5/11 : Sun Ray Grill - Beer & Food Pairing. 6-9 PM, $40 for a three course and three beer dinner. Includes: appetizer, entree, and dessert
Tuesday 5/12 : Slice Pizza – 5-8 PM – Buy a slice and any pint of American craft beer (NOLA is only $2.25 a pint!) and receive a free NOLA Brewing Co. pint glass.
Wednesday 5/13 – Stein’s Deli – 8:30 PM – Beer Class – Taught by Derek Lintern. $15 for 12 beer tasters with meat and cheese plates. Derek will discuss the brewing process from “Grain to Glass” and explain the different styles of beer. Call Stein’s Deli to reserve a seat at 504-527-0771 as there are only 25 available seats.
Thursday 5/14 – Bulldog Mid-City – All Night - $1 off any American craft beer pint and $2 off any American craft beer pitcher.
Friday 5/15 – Squeal BBQ – 7-10 PM - $30 – BBQ Spread including Pulled Pork, Ribs, Crab and Andouille stuffed mushrooms, brisket, BBQ Chicken, and Sides Galore! Includes 4 FREE pints of American Craft Brew, including NOLA Blonde AND Brown.
Saturday 5/16 – Avenue Pub - $15 – 2-6 PM – 12 tasters (4 oz each) of different American craft beers. New beers available include: Brooklyn beers, Racer Five (Draft), Harpoon IPA, NOLA Brown/Blonde, and many more! After 6 PM, all American craft beers are $1 off for the rest of the night! Selection of house smoked meats and cheeses available for purchase. First 30 people get to keep their glass!
Sunday 5/17 – St. James Cheese – 3PM - $15 – 4-5 select cheeses to be paired with complimenting American craft beers.
Hope to see you out and about supporting NOLA and all American craft breweries!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Who'd a thunk that drinking beer could lead to this...
Well a lot has happened since I wrote my last post reviewing NOLA Brewing Companies Blonde and Brown Ales. OK so not necessarily a lot but rather something huge that has a great impact on my life and possibly this blog. I was offered and accepted a position at NOLA Brewing. I promise you that in no way were my reviews impacted by this offer. The offer was made after I wrote the post! The beer truly is that good! I swear!
Anyways, I'm really excited about this opportunity. This is something that many beer nerds only dream of and I'm going to be able to experience it first hand. The main question is how will this impact my blog? Not sure yet. I have to sit down and talk to Kirk and the rest of the gang at NOLA to figure out how this will effect (affect? I never know.) the blog. One idea I've been knocking around is writing my experiences working at the brewery but I'm still not sure.
Regardless, this certainly isn't goodbye just a slight pause as I figure out the future path of The Beerbuddha Blog.
In some more kick ass news The Beerbuddha Blog was just named Blog of the Week by the good folks over at Beer Tap TV!! Man, talk about a helluva week!! Here is the video of that episode!
Cheers!!
The Beerbuddha
Anyways, I'm really excited about this opportunity. This is something that many beer nerds only dream of and I'm going to be able to experience it first hand. The main question is how will this impact my blog? Not sure yet. I have to sit down and talk to Kirk and the rest of the gang at NOLA to figure out how this will effect (affect? I never know.) the blog. One idea I've been knocking around is writing my experiences working at the brewery but I'm still not sure.
Regardless, this certainly isn't goodbye just a slight pause as I figure out the future path of The Beerbuddha Blog.
In some more kick ass news The Beerbuddha Blog was just named Blog of the Week by the good folks over at Beer Tap TV!! Man, talk about a helluva week!! Here is the video of that episode!
Cheers!!
The Beerbuddha
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Beer Review: NOLA Blonde and NOLA Brown
A couple of weeks ago New Orleans taps were finally graced with the presense of its first and only craft brewery, NOLA Brewing.(Abita is not in New Orleans despite what many people think) In honor of New Orleans finally getting an awesome and local craft brewery I'm reviewing both of NOLA's beers. If your local to New Orleans or just visiting make sure you are supporting local and asking for it at every bar you go to.
Brewery:New Orleans Lagers and Ales Brewing Co.
Beer: NOLA Blonde
Style: American Blonde Ale
ABV: 4.9%
Recommended Glassware: Pint Glass
Serving Type: Pint Glass
Appearance: This beer is a nice golden pale straw color with a huge, fluffy white head.
Smell: Nice fruity aroma with hints of hops.
Taste: Crisp and clean with a nice balance of hops and malts. Nice fruit flavors are present along with a nice hop kick.
Mouthfeel: Medium body and medium carbonation.
Overall: A great beer from a new New Orleans brewery. This is a perfect beer for the heat and humidity of New Orleans.
Score:
4.5 out of 5 Buddhas*************************************************************************************
Beer: NOLA Brown
Style: American Brown Ale
ABV: 3.9%
Appearance: This beer came to me a nice medium brown with a huge tan head. Lacing present throughout.
Smell: Huge malty aroma with hints of chocolate and nuts.
Taste: Different than other Brown Ales that I've had. This one had a huge maltiness accompanied by wonderful hints of chocolate.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with medium carbonation.
Overall: Despite being a "heavy" beer NOLA Brown is still very drinkable during the New Orleans hot summers. This beer along with their Blonde has become my everyday beer when I go to bars.
Score:
4.5 out of 5 Buddhas
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