Thursday, January 21, 2010

Abita Brew News



January 28, 2010 6:00PM


The Abita Brewing Company invites you to experience the 2010 Abita Dinner Series. Each course of the meal is paired with an Abita Beer for the ultimate dining experience. Dine with Abita as New Orleans' favorite chefs bring Louisiana's favorite brews to the table.

La Petite Grocery
4238 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA

Beer-tails at 6:30pm
Seating at 7:00pm

$75 per person
All Inclusive (Beer, food, tax & gratuity)

Call (504) 891-3377 to make reservations.
Mention Abita Beer Dinner : Seating is Limited



The Menu
Each course is paired with an Abita Beer that complements the dish.

Beer-tails:
Blue Crab Beignets with Charred Onion Tarter Sauce
Fried Boudin with Green Tomato Chow Chow
Pickled Gulf Shrimp with Roasted Pepper Vinaigrette
Served with Abita Golden

I Course:
Gulf Shrimp and Collard Green Stew with Louisiana Popcorn Rice and Col. Newsome's Smoked Bacon
Served with Abita Andygator

II Course:
Corn Bread Griddle Cakes with Chicken Confit and Smoked Pork Jus
Served with Abita Amber

III Course:
House-made Lamb Sausage with Charred Tomato Ragout and Hand-made Pappardelle
Served with Abita Jockamo IPA

IV Course:
Abita Root Beer Braised Beef Shortribs with House Pickles and Potato Croquettes
Served with Abita Turbodog

V Course:
Chocolate Brioche Bread Pudding with Louisiana Strawberries and Bourbon Creme Anglaise
Served with Abita Abbey Ale



Abita Pub Crawl

January 29, 2010 5:30PM


New Orleans Bock Pub Crawl
Friday, January 29th @ 5:30pm

Come celebrate the release of our next Abita Seasonal Beer with visits to some of our favorite New Orleans places serving Abita Mardi Gras Bock.
What started out small has grown into giant movable parties loved by thousands!

$1 Abita at every location!
First 500 people to arrive receive a FREE commemorative t-shirt.


Start the party at...


Rendezvous
3101 Magazine Street
5:30pm-8:00pm (Registration)

Then make your way to...


Balcony Bar
3201 Magazine Street
8:00pm-10:00pm

&

Rum House
3128 Magazine Street
8:00pm-10:00pm




Finish the party at...


The Bulldog
3236 Magazine Street
10:00pm- till

&

Catch Seafood Pub
3226 Magazine Street
10:00pm- till

For more info go to Abita.com

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Cask Beer and more at Avenue Pub!! Tonite!!!



Got this email from Polly at Avenue Pub:


Cask tapping tonite!
NOLA Blonde with Cascade hops
5.50 per pint, 7pm

These special order unpasteurized European beers are now on tap:
Slaapmutske Triple Nightcap
Mikkeller/Revelation Cat collaboration Cream ale
Mikkeller Freshler Triple Bock
Mahrs Ungespudet Hefetraube
Geants Goliath Triple Belgian
De Ranke XX Bitter Belgian IPA
The Mikkeller Single Hop IPA is gone, The Mahrs Saphir Weiss turned out to be a bad keg and had to be returned

Get over there and check it out!!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Mardi Gras Beer Hot Spots: 2010 Edition



Every year across the country New Years Eve marks the last party of the old year and for many a huge partying dry spell until the 4th of July. Not here in New Orleans. The day after New Years in New Orleans is when the city once again comes alive with the buzz of Mardi Gras. And with Mardi Gras comes tourists.

There are all sorts of magazines and guides that will tell you the best spots for food and drink while you're visiting New Orleans during Mardi Gras. But what they won't be telling you is the best beercentric spots. That's where I come in. The following list is my top five recommendations of beer places to go while visiting during Mardi Gras or anytime for that matter!



1) Avenue Pub- 1732 Saint Charles Avenue-
This former dive bar turned New Orleans craft beer mecca is a must while visiting New Orleans. With 31 rotating taps and a bottle selection that'll make most bars jealous it's a can't miss. They even serve their beers in the proper glassware. During Mardi Gras season however expect the beer selection to be a bit more suited for parades and also expect plastic cups. And when I say beer that's suited for parades I don't mean Bud, Miller or Coors I'm talking Stone, Anchor, etc. They may have some glassware during the slower times but just be prepared. And of course I can't forget the food. J'anitas on the Avenue, located inside the pub, has the best pub grub in town and it ain't your average pub grub. Name another bar where you're gonna get a duck sandwich(The St Chuck Duck)! And don't forget to order some Buddha's Temptation!

2) Steins Deli- 2207 Magazine St- This Jewish/Italian style deli located at the corner of Jackson Avenue and Magazine St isn't your average New Orleans sandwich shop. If you are looking for a poboy go somewhere else. Why do I have this on a beercentric list? Because the owner, Dan Stein, is considered by many to be the craft beer Godfather of New Orleans. This little deli also has the best bottle selection in the city. You can't drink on premise but trust me when I tell you he is the best.



3) NOLA Brewing- 3001 Tchoupitoulas St. New Orleans newest and only brewery makes some of the best beers in Louisiana and a visit to New Orleans isn't complete without a brewery tour. I would recommend calling ahead since Mardi Gras season can be quite busy for breweries! 504-613-7727. Their Hopitoulas IPA will blow your mind!

4) The Bulldog- 3236 Magazine St This uptown beer bar started in 1994 and is one of the first true beer bars in New Orleans. With 50 beers on tap and 100 bottled beers it will definitely have something to please your palate. One of the cool things here is that you can head across the street to Big Fisherman Seafood pick up a sack of crawfish and bring it back to the bar and enjoy the tasty mudbugs with your favorite brew. And don't forget to check out the beer tap fountain outside!



5) d.b.a- 618 Frenchman St- This beer bar located in the heart of the Marginy has a decent beer selection but has great live music. Nothing beats listening to some great live tunes while sipping on a good brew.

Well that's my top 5. If anyone has any other suggesstions please jump on here and comment! If you're visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras this year please be careful and have an incredible time!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Home Is Where The Heart Is



My life is interesting. It's quite an adventure really. My wife and I have been married 12 years this May and we've moved a total of 7 times. The funny thing is though we always end up moving back to New Orleans. I get a lot of grief from family members and friends who always question our moves and the risks we take but in the end my wife and I are happy we tried it. How do you know whether or not you'll like something if you never try it? I believe in living life not watching it go by.

I'm not originally from New Orleans. I'm a Marine Corps brat who has moved around and lived in many different places. I ended up in New Orleans for college at Tulane University and ended up marrying a local. For years I always complained about living in New Orleans. The crime, horrible schools, poverty, etc. But in the last couple of years I've really enjoyed it. I became a local. The food is incredible, the beer scene is pretty awesome and the New Orleans culture is one of a kind.

Recently you guys read of my losing my job with NOLA Brewing and finding one in Destin with Chans Wine World. Chan's has been an incredible experience. I've met some wonderful people out here in the Panhandle and I've also managed to turn the beer section around completely transforming it into the best selection in the entire Panhandle. But it's not in New Orleans. My wife misses New Orleans. I miss New Orleans.

As of today The Beer Buddha has turned in his two weeks notice at Chan's Wine World and will be heading home. To New Orleans. As my wife says, "We're doing the Mardi Gras Mambo all the way home." And I can't wait to get back.

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha