Monday, May 30, 2011

REMINDER: WYES International Beer Tasting this Weekend!

Get ready beer drinkers!!! WYES International beer tasting is this weekend!! Friday night is the Private Sampling and Saturday night is the big one at Lakefront Arena. Those lucky enough should be hitting both events! I'm not sure if there are any tickets left for Friday nights event but you need to check!

They are also doing a raffle like last year(see pics below of the lucky winner). The raffle winner gets practically one of every beer at BOTH WYES events! Man dats a lot of beer!!! Raffle tickets are 1 ticket for $5 or 5 tickets for $20.

I will see you Friday for sure!!!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha



Friday, May 27, 2011

NOLA Brewing Buys Canning Line


All of you NOLA Brewing fans who have been patiently waiting to see NOLA Brewing products in your fridge(other than draft packs)the wait is finally over. At least it will be soon.

I have received confirmation that NOLA has purchased a canning line. I have to admit I'm totally pumped to hear this news. You already know my love of the can. NOLA beer in cans for Mardi Gras!!! I don't know exact dates as I write this but will keep you updated as soon as I hear anything.

Great news for New Orleans!!!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

UPDATE:: Here is the lowdown from NOLA Brewing

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Beer Tasting for Nathanial Zimet Update

I know a lot of you have been asking about more information regarding the beer tasting we are putting together. As of right now we have a date(Friday June 24th) and a place(NOLA Brewing). What started as a small tasting in my mind has become this monstrous event that is requiring some serious thought and planning. Luckily we have a lot of people chipping in with ideas, skills, donations and more. I am overwhelmed at the amount of support we are getting and know this event is going to kick some serious ass and help Nathanial with his hospital bills. Stay tuned as we fine tune this bad boy into the benefit we want for him. And for those that have emailed me and I haven't responded yet just know I got it and will respond as soon as I can.

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Monday, May 23, 2011

Beer Tasting for Nathanial Zimet

photo courtesy of myneworleans.com

A local chef, Nathanial Zimet, was shot three times on Sunday and is currently in the hospital. It appears that thankfully he will recover but because of the cost of health care these days his restaurant, Boucherie, has asked for people to make donations in order to help with the costs.

If you've ever been to Boucherie you know that the food is fantastic as is the beer selection. The Brooklyn beer dinner that was held in New Orleans was held at Boucherie and was amazing. Nathanial is an outstanding chef, lover of good beer and is one of our own. I think we as the beer community must come together and put on one of our best tastings ever with all proceeds going to help Nathanial.

This tasting is in its infancy and I need some ideas. I'm hoping that those readers that live out of town can help out by donating beer to this great cause. If you're interested please email me at thebeerbuddha@gmail.com and I will give you my address. Those of you that live here in town be prepared. We need to open up our beer fridges and crack open some amazing beers. If you are a local brewery or restaurant reading this perhaps you'd be willing to donate some food or even brew a special beer for this event. Anything could help. Just let me know. Let's come together and help out Nathanial.

Thanks for listening and let's show New Orleans how the beer community helps their own.

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

American Craft Beer Week New Orleans Thank You

Hey I just wanted to thank all those involved with putting on ACBW especially here in the New Orleans area.


Southern Eagle
Crescent Crown
Glazers
Avenue Pub
The Bulldogs
The Barley Oak
Steins Deli
NOLA Brewing
Parish Brewing
Heiner Brau/Covington Brewhouse
Bayou Teche
Tin Roof
Abita

Just to name a few. If I forgot anyone I apologize. A special thanks to Polly from Avenue Pub who seemed to coordinate most of the weeks events. Without your dedication I'm not so sure the week would be the same

Cheers!

BB

PS And another special thanks to Blue Moon for thinking they are craft beer and being represented in a lot of places this year. At least we know you are an intro beer to craft so maybe those events will lead to more craft drinkers.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Support Your Local Breweries



Cheers!

The Beer Buddha


EDIT: For those that are interested I will be getting stickers that look similar to this. They should be for sale soon.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Stoudt's Brewing Company Entering Louisana


I just received confirmation from Uncorked Distributing that Stoudt's Brewing Company will be entering the Louisiana market in the next month or so. Not sure exactly what beers we will be seeing but they are coming. As soon as I hear anything I let you guys know.

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Beer Games: Bad or Good for Beer?



There are a lot of beer drinking games out there. Just off the top of my head there is: asshole, quarters(three different kinds by my count) and of course the most popular, beer pong.

A lot of craft beer purists feel that beer drinking games demean beer and hurt the image of craft beer. I call bullshit. In my opinion beer drinking games keeps us grounded. It keeps us from becoming wine. Beer drinkers aren't supposed to be snobby and a bunch of highbrow douches.

Now, we're in New Orleans so our attitude towards beer is a little different towards the rest of the country. I know for a fact that at the Emerald Coast Beer Festival they compete in a type of "beer olympics" which involves dizzy bat, keg toss and other beer drinking games including some version of last man standing which NOLA Brewing's own brewer Melanie Knepp won last year. Did this harm craft beer? Did it make any of the brewers attending the event less "craft"? Of course not.

So where do I take this post from here? Ladies and gentleman I think it's time we have a little fun. I propose we put together a Beerfest New Orleans style. See this video from Beerfest Chicago:



So what do you think? A New Orleans Beerfest sound like fun? Are you interested? Let me know because I'd like to get started on ideas for games, a place in can be held and potential sponsors for the event.

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Sunday, May 15, 2011

American Craft Beer Week New Oreans: My Top Event Picks

These are a list of events that are going on during American Craft Beer Week that I will either be at or wishing I was at:

Sunday, May 15th

The Avenue Pub – Saint Arnold’s Divine Reserve tapping, 2pm.

Why: It's the kickoff to ACBW in New Orleans. Duh. Alas, I will be working for the man so won't be able to attend. Sucks. I am still looking to make this website a full time gig. Any ideas are appreciated.

Monday, May 16th

Bulldog (MidCity) – Abita Double IPA Cask

Why: I really would love to try this beer. I may be there. Just need wife's approval. And if the Barley Oak wasn't so far away I would probably go there for the Abita Vintage Oatmeal Stout.

Tuesday, May 17th

Bulldog (Magazine) – Abita Cask Conditioned Double IPA, 9:00-11:00pm, Sam Adams Small Batch for ACBW tapping Oak Aged Stout

Bulldog (Canal) – Sam Adams Small Batch for ACBW tapping, Oak Aged Stout

Why: Both of these have the Sam Adams Small Batch tasting which looks interesting.

Wednesday, May 18th

The Avenue Pub – Nano breweries tasting event: Draft – Dieu Du Ciel! Equinoxe du Printemps, Dieu Du Ciel! La Rescousse, Dieu Du Ciel! Aphrodite, Dieu Du Ciel! Péché Mortel, St. Somewhere Saison Athene, St. Somewhere Lectio Divina, High & Mighty from Will Shelton, Parish Brewing Canebrake, Stillwater/Struisse. Bottles – Jolly Pumpkin Maracaibo Especial, Jolly Pumpkin Madrugada Obscura, Jolly Pumpkin iO Saison


Why: Look at that friggin' list! Are you kidding me?! I would make sure to stop by Cork and Bottle and come see me to pick up some goodies and beer though. I won't be making this as I will be at Cork & Bottle until 7pm.

Thursday, May 19th

Steins Deli (Magazine St.) – Brooklyn, Stone, Schmaltz, Harpoon Sampling, 4:00 – 5:00 pm

Why: Go get yourself a kick ass sandwich and try some great beers at the same time.

Friday, May 20th

NOLA Brewing – brewery tour, 2:00 – 4:00pm

Why: You start your day here. Learn the process behind the fantastic products you're drinking.

The Avenue Pub “Locals Night” - Each of the local/regional breweries is contributing a special keg or cask for this evening. Brewers and owners will be present to meet with customers and talk about the ‘one off ‘ beers they created for the event. Abita Extra Citra Hopped Satsuma Wit Draft, Abita Cask Conditioned Double IPA, NOLA Cask Blueberry Wheat, Lazy Magnolia TBA, Bayou Teche TBA, Lazy Magnolia Bourbon Barrel Pecan, NOLA Single Hops Series (Blonde Dry hopped 4 different ways)

Why: You end it here! I will be there celebrating my birthday and it's locals night!!!

Saturday, May 21st

The Avenue Pub – ACBW Grand Tasting; as in years past, we turn over all our taps to Craft Beer, include bunches of new to the state and one off drafts and bottles. Tap list is still in the making (see below for what we know at this time).

Why: You end it here. The tap list will be incredible!


Well there you have it.  My top picks of events.  Now granted if I lived on the Northshore I'd be spending a whole lot of time on that side but hey, I'm not on the Northshore.  See ya out there!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Video, Written or Mix of Both

So apparently the video reviews I've been doing have been quite a hit and I'm having fun doing them. I know that at least one person has had trouble viewing them and I'm not really sure why. Has anyone else had this problem? If so please comment so I can figure out what's going on.

Because of the success of the video reviews I wanted to get a poll of readers to let me know what exactly that would like to see. Would you prefer the videos only or written only or perhaps a mix of both? One of the things I've done is post the same information that was on the written one such as brewery, abv availability, etc, on the video reviews. Do you guys like this?

Anyways, I posted a poll in the top right hand corner. Vote. Let me know what you would like and if you have any more fun ideas leave a comment. As always, thanks for reading!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Bayou Teche Brewing Showcased at SAVOR


Just received this via email from Karlos from Bayou Teche Brewing. Congrats Bayou Teche!!!


Arnaudville, May 5, 2011Bayou Teche Brewing has been selected to be a representative brewery highlighting the pleasures of fine food enjoyed with amazing craft beer at the sold-out SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience in Washington, D.C. on June 3 and 4. Of the more than 1600 craft breweries currently in America, only 72 have been selected for this honor. Bayou Teche Brewing is the only brewery from Louisiana chosen for this year’s event, and one of only a handful from the South.Presented by the Brewers Association and now in its fourth year, SAVOR is considered the benchmark of beer and food pairing events and will illuminate the sensory delights of craft beer for those in attendance. “Our family started our little brewery just over a year ago knowing that we wanted to craft beers to compliment Cajun and Creole cuisines and lifestyles – to be selected at the nation’s premiere food and beer event to us is a big honor. My brothers and I, and our families are looking forward to being in our nation’s capitol for the event,” said Karlos Knott, Brewmaster of Bayou Teche Brewing.

As American palates continue to become more sophisticated, many have discovered that craft beer is the perfect complement to food. Wine Spectator wrote of the combination potential, in the March 2011 issue, “One reason for beer’s versatility is that beer makers have more to work with than wine makers. Particularly in the United States where they are less fettered by tradition.”

With the success of craft brewers and their fuller flavored beers, it was only a matter of time before beer and food pairings gained attention. Today, many of the best restaurants in the world have made room on their menus for craft beer and food pairings. Even Food & Wine magazine is recognizing craft beer's tremendous potential: "The results [of collaborations] are often beers that are as complex as wine and just as food friendly."

During SAVOR, Bayou Teche Brewing will be serving LA-31 Biere Pale paired with Shrimp in a Blanket. The chefs responsible for the beer and food parings feel that the beer’s malt offers up a slight nuttiness and sweetness that will complement the natural salt of the shrimp. The grit cake blanket will finish up the balanced bite. Also poured will be the brewery’s Boucanee smoked wheat beer which will be served with Poblano and Corn Salsa. The light cherrywood smoked beer and the roasted poblano pepper of the salsa will combine to give one short burst of intense smokiness before the beer takes over and calms the palate.

This year’s educational salons at SAVOR will feature the participation of well-known chefs and craft brewers and require a separate ticket purchase. Just 11 breweries are honored with participation in these small, very limited ticket Salons and Bayou Teche was chosen. Their Salon – whose tickets sold out in 20 minutes is named, Joie De Vivre (Joy Of Living): Beers Crafted For Cajun, Creole And Foods Of The Deep South; will feature their Grenade passion fruit beer and Boucanne paired with oysters, andouille, Spanish and Dutch cheeses, and raw oysters. The Brewers Association website warns this year’s attendees to get there on time before everyone from Bayou Teche Brewing eats all of the oysters!

WYES Beer Tasting 2011


That's right it's back!  Once again, WYES gives us a great reason to drink a lot of beer.  Drinking beer for a good cause?  I'm in! 



For the last 28 years WYES has been helping fund Cookie Monsters cookie habit by throwing you a beer festival. The past 3 years they've added the Friday night Private Beer Sampling which has become a huge success.  The regular event will be held at the Lakefront Arena as usual but there has been a change of venue this year for the Private Event which has been moved to the Fairgrounds versus being at NOLA Brewing like in previous years.  I haven't seen the beer list yet but if it's anything like last year we're in for a real treat!  I'll send out an update as soon as I see it.

Here is the information I do have:

WYES PRIVATE BEER SAMPLING

Friday, June 3, 2011
Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots
1751 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans
Black Gold Room, 2nd Floor
Derby Building
(adjacent to the Grandstands)
$50
Free Parking!

In honor of the craft of American and European brewers, this event will feature the rare craft brewed beers, specially made cask and home brewed beers, as well as special one-off beers from local breweries.

Guests will be able to talk one-on-one with brewers, home brewers, and other beer industry members, as well as talk amongst fellow beer connoisseurs.


WYES INTERNATIONAL BEER TASTING

Saturday, June 4, 2011
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Lakefront Arena
$30-$45
Free Parking!

Attendees will enjoy a quarter-mile of beer sampling while learning about the fundamentals of beer.

Ticket prices:
- $30 for seniors 55 and older, plus
groups of 6 or more in advance
- $35 per person in advance
- $45 door



Like last year I'm hoping to be able to give some tickets away for the Saturday event. Stay tuned!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

American Craft Beer Week May 16th-May23rd

Hell yeah! When May comes not only is it my birthday but it's also American Craft Beer Week!! And I find no irony in the fact that my birthday is the EXACT same week as American Craft Beer Week. I call that divine providence. Ok so maybe it's just chance but whatever.

American Craft Beer Week is the week we make sure to give 100% support to America's craft breweries. Sometimes we forget that a craft brewery is a small business and it's important to support them especially locally. This video says it better than I ever could:



Here in New Orleans this is the third year we've had big events celebrating ACBW. I have to say I think Polly from Avenue Pub is one of the driving forces behind a lot of what you see below so if you see her you should definitely say thanks! I do have one...negative comment about what you see below and I'm going to call out local distributor Crescent Crown on this one and all the bars that are hosting the event as well. I cannot stress to you how much Blue Moon is NOT a craft beer and doesn't belong on this list. I find it offensive that it has been included. Blue Moon is a Coors product that is made to try and capture the craft drinkers. People like it, I understand that, but it doesn't belong on this list. End of rant.

So make sure you get out there at least a couple times during this ACBW and support craft beer!

Sunday, May 15th

The Avenue Pub – Saint Arnold’s Divine Reserve tapping, 2pm.

Monday, May 16th

Barley Oak (Northshore) - Abita Vintage Oatmeal Stout on Nitrogen, one of two small batch brews Abita is making just for ACBW
Barley Oak (Mandeville) – Abita Vintage Oatmeal Stout Draft on Nitrogen, 7:00-9:00pm
Columbia St. Tap Room (Covington) – Blue Moon Sampling, 5:30-6:30pm
Bulldog (Canal St.) – Abita Cask Conditioned Abbey Ale, 7:00-9:00pm
Bulldog (MidCity) – Abita Double IPA Cask
Heiner Brau (Northshore) – hosts nightly tours. Schedule TBA
Jimani Lounge (French Quarter) – Harpoon, 10:00 – 11:00 pm
Lazy Magnolia (Mississippi) – hosts nightly tours. Schedule TBA http://lazymagnolia.com
Tin Roof Brewing Company (Baton Rouge) – hosting nightly tours. Doors open at 5pm. Tour starts at 5:30. Beer samples and live music to follow
Lager’s (Metairie) – Abita Select sampling 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, May 17th

 
Barley Oak (Northshore) – NOLA Cask Ale on the beer engine, 7:30 pm
Bridge Lounge (Magazine St.) – Brooklyn, 9:00 – 10:00 pm
Bulldog (Magazine) – Abita Cask Conditioned Double IPA, 9:00-11:00pm, Sam Adams Small Batch for ACBW tapping Oak Aged Stout
Bulldog (Canal) – Sam Adams Small Batch for ACBW tapping, Oak Aged Stout
The Chimes (Covington) – Abita Abbey Ale Cask tasting, 7:00-9:00pm
Cooter Browns (Uptown) – Blue Moon and Leinenkugal sampling, 7:00-8:00pm
Fox & Hound (Harahan) – Blue Moon Seasonal sampling $2 pints, 7:00-8:00pm
Swamp Room (Metairie) – Blue Moon Seasonal sampling $3 pints, 8:30-9:30pm
Bridge Lounge (Uptown) – Brooklyn sampling, 9:00-10:00pm
Heiner Brau (Northshore) – hosts nightly tours. Schedule TBA.
Lazy Magnolia (Mississippi) – hosts nightly tours. Schedule TBA.
Tin Roof Brewing Company (Baton Rouge) – hosting nightly tours. Doors open at 5:00 pm, tour starts at 5:30 pm. Beer samples and live music to follow.

Wednesday, May 18th

The Avenue Pub – Nano breweries tasting event: Draft – Dieu Du Ciel! Equinoxe du Printemps, Dieu Du Ciel! La Rescousse, Dieu Du Ciel! Aphrodite, Dieu Du Ciel! Péché Mortel, St. Somewhere Saison Athene, St. Somewhere Lectio Divina, High & Mighty from Will Shelton, Parish Brewing Canebrake, Stillwater/Struisse. Bottles – Jolly Pumpkin Maracaibo Especial, Jolly Pumpkin Madrugada Obscura, Jolly Pumpkin iO Saison
The Barley Oak (Mandeville) – Shmaltz tasting (He’brew and Coney Island specialty) 7:00-9:00pm
The District (Warehouse District) – Abita Cask Conditioned Double IPA, 8:00-10:00 pm
Heiner Brau (Northshore) – hosts nightly tours. Schedule TBA.
Lazy Magnolia (Mississippi) – hosts nightly tours. Schedule TBA http://lazymagnolia.com
Tin Roof Brewing Company (Baton Rouge) – hosting nightly tours. Doors open at 5 pm. Tour starts at 5:30. Beer samples and live music to follow
Cork and Bottle (Mid City) – Craft Beer tasting and prizes 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Acquistapace’s (Covington) – Multi brand sampling (Abita, Sam Adams, Brooklyn, Stone, Harpoon, Shmaltz) 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Markey’s Bar (Marigny) – Multi Brand sampling (Abita, Harpoon, Brooklyn) 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Howlin’ Wolf’s Den (Warehouse District) – Magic Hat #9 sampling 6:00 – 6:45 pm
Stein’s Deli (Uptown) – Multi brand sampling (Abita, Brooklyn, Stone, Harpoon, Shmaltz) 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Ernst Café (Warehouse District) – Full Sail/Session sampling 7:00 – 7:45 pm
DBA of NOLA (Frenchmen St.) – Abita Select sampling 7:00-8:00pm
The Industry (French Quarter) – Sam Adams sampling. 9:00-10:00pm
Molly’s in the Market (French Quarter) – Brooklyn sampling, 9:15-10:00pm
Ryan’s Irish Pub (French Quarter) – Blue Moon sampling, 8:00-9:00pm

Thursday, May 19th

Abita Beer Dinner Series – venue TBA, 6:30-9:30 pm
Bulldog (MidCity) – Sam Adams Small Batch for ACBW tapping, Oak Aged Stout
Heiner Brau (Northshore) – hosts nightly tours. Schedule TBA
Lazy Magnolia (Mississippi) – hosts nightly tours. Schedule TBA
Steins Deli (Magazine St.) – Brooklyn, Stone, Schmaltz, Harpoon Sampling, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
The Bricks (Warehouse District) – Stone, 8:15 – 9:15 pm
Tin Roof Brewing Company (Baton Rouge) hosting nightly tours. Doors open at 5 pm. Tour starts at 5:30. Beer samples and live music to follow
Brunos Tavern (Uptown) – Abita sampling, 5:30-6:30pm
Matt & Naddies (Uptown) – Abita Beer Dinner Series, 6:30-9:30pm
Molly’s in the Market (French Quarter) – Harpoon sampling, 7:00-8:00pm
Murphy’s (Westbank) – Blue Moon sampling, 8:00-9:00pm
Old Point Bar (Westbank) – Blue Moon sampling, 9:30-10:30pm
Le Bon Temps Roule (Uptown) – Magic Hat #9 sampling, 9:30-10:30pm

Friday, May 20th

Barley Oak (Northshore) - Stone Special release tapping party
Heiner Brau (Northshore) – hosts nightly tours. Schedule TBA
Lazy Magnolia (Mississippi) – hosts nightly tours. Schedule TBA
Tin Roof Brewing Company (Baton Rouge) – hosting nightly tours. Doors open at 5 pm. Tour starts at 5:30. Beer samples and live music to follow.
NOLA Brewing – brewery tour, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Barley Oak (Mandeville) – Multi Brand Event (Abita, Brooklyn, Stone, Shmaltz, Harpoon), 7:00-9:00pm
Molly’s in the Market (French Quarter) – Magic Hat #9 sampling, 8:30-9:30pm
The Avenue Pub “Locals Night” - Each of the local/regional breweries is contributing a special keg or cask for this evening. Brewers and owners will be present to meet with customers and talk about the ‘one off ‘ beers they created for the event. Abita Extra Citra Hopped Satsuma Wit Draft, Abita Cask Conditioned Double IPA, NOLA Cask Blueberry Wheat, Lazy Magnolia TBA, Bayou Teche TBA, Lazy Magnolia Bourbon Barrel Pecan, NOLA Single Hops Series (Blonde Dry hopped 4 different ways)

Saturday, May 21st

 
Mellow Mushroom (Covington) – Mellow Fest, Blue Moon
The Avenue Pub – ACBW Grand Tasting; as in years past, we turn over all our taps to Craft Beer, include bunches of new to the state and one off drafts and bottles. Tap list is still in the making (see below for what we know at this time).

Tap list for tasting at The Avenue Pub:

1.Dieu Du Ciel! Equinoxe Du Printemps
2.Dieu Du Ciel! La Rescousse
3.Dieu Du Ciel! Aphrodite
4.Dieu Du Ciel! Péché Mortel
5.St. Somewhere Saison Athene
6.St. Somewhere Lectio Divina
7.Saint Arnold’s Summer Pilsner
8.Saint Arnold’s Divine Reserve
9.Brooklyn Cuvee De Noire (Cellared Kegs Exclusive To The Pub)
10.Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
11.Unibroue Raftman (New On Draft In The US)
12.Monks Belgian Wit
13.Unibroue Blanc De Chambly
14.Rogue Capt Sig’s
15.Rogue TBD
16.Hebrew TBD
17.NOLA Single Hop Series Vertical Tasting
18.NOLA Single Hops Series: 4 Blonde Ales each dry hopped a different way (these will be a different line up from the Single Hops that are being offered on Friday night)
19.Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere (New On Draft To La)
20.Sierra Nevada Ovila Abbey Ale (Cellared Kegs From Special Release, No Where Else On Draft)
21.Lazy Magnolia TBD
22.Lazy Magnolia TBD
23.Covington TBD
24.Abita Vintage Imperial Stout Draft
25.Abita Cask Conditioned Abbey Ale
26.Harpoon Quad
27.Harpoon 100 Barrel
28.Northcoast La Merle
29.Northcoast Old Raspy
30.Moylans Pomegranate Wheat Special Release
31.Moylans ESB On Nitro

Bottle List for tasting at Avenue Pub

Jolly Pumpkin Maracaibo Especial
Jolly Pumpkin Madrugada Obscura
Jolly Pumpkin iO Saison

That's the list so far. For more updates check Avenue Pubs website.

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha