Smokestack Series Beer Dinner at Newstead
July 8, 2008 Beer Events No Comments

With the 4th of July Holiday fast approaching I’ve begun deliberating about what beer I want to take to our annual event. While this year it looks like we’re going to have mild (and maybe rainy) weather, you always need to consider the fact you’re going to be outside in the sun. So usually things like stouts, porters and a lot of imperial beers are out of the running for me.
For the most part I’m not a big fan of American-style wheat beers like Schlafly “Hefe” and Boulevard Wheat. Sure they make a fine lawnmower beer for some folks, but I still want a bit more flavor. I think Dave and I are the same wavelength about wheat beers. If I’m going for something cloudy and yellow, I want something with another depth of flavor, be it the spice of a Wit or clove/banana of a Weiss.
Fruit beers are another option. I think too many beer nerds are too quick to dismiss fruit beers. Sure when they’re bad, they’re usually really bad. But when they’re good, they can hold their own with some of the best beers out there. The one concern about some fruit beers is that they can fall into the upper tier of the alcohol range sometimes. Just something to consider.
What about the old stand-by beers, like Pale Ales, APAs or IPAs? Those are always decent choices, but I’ve never been a huge fan of bitter beers in the hot sun. Beer should be refreshing in that environment and shouldn’t weigh you down too much with flavor. That being said, I’ve become much more of a hophead in the past year so I may have to give them another go this year.
Well, enough babbling, what have I decided on? Well, I’m still trying to decide and maybe some of you can throw out some things I may have forgotten about. But at this point:
What are your choices for celebrating this holiday?
Tags: 4th of july, beer nerd, boulevard, holidays, o'fallon, schlaflySorry about the late Round-Up, I’m currently in Kansas City for the Cards/Royals series. I plan on making a trip over to Boulevard and the Flying Saucer while I’m out here. Should be a blast. I’ll take lots of pictures. On to the Round-Up:
Stuff from around the web
Beer Releases and News
Here’s a list of upcoming beer events:
Sorry for the small Round-Up today, everything just seems relatively quiet on the beer front in St. Louis.
Stuff from around the web
Beer Releases and News
Here’s a list of upcoming beer events:
If you’re not all festivaled (yes, I did just make up a word) out yet then Saturday, June 28th is your next chance to get yourself a sampler glass and enjoy some Missouri beer. Westport Plaza is hosting a Beer and Brat Festival from Noon-6PM next Saturday to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Here is a list of the breweries who are attending:
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 dollars at the door. Not too many things go better together than beer and brats.
Tags: anheuser-busch, beer festival, boulevard, buffalo brewing, Griesedieck, Ray Hill, schlafly, westport
Iron Barley is celebrating not only their fifth anniversary, but also is kicking off the beginning of American Craft Beer Week with a party on May 10th. Now you may be saying to yourself, “Hey! That interferes with the Heritage Festival!” But not so fast, Iron Barley is providing a shuttle to the festival at 11AM and will pick you back up at 5PM. Here are some details for this event:
Tags: anniversary, boulevard, iron barley, party, smokestackCelebrate Our 5 Year Anniversary
Saturday May 10th
Breakfast Buffet 9-11am
Shuttle Bus to Forest Park
For the Heritage Festival 11-5pmCome Back to Iron Barley and enjoy Food and Sampling of The Boulevard Smokestack Series. And meet with Ray Hill!
Live Music by:
The Line Men
Melody Den
The Transmitters and More….
Well, it looks like we have another cool Saturday in store just in time for another beer event. But that never keeps us beer nerds down, we always persevere. Here’s the Round-Up:
Stuff from around the web
Beer Releases and News
Here’s a list of upcoming beer events:
Tags: beer cost, boulevard, brewers heritage festival, events, o'fallon, round-up, smokestack
MC from Lukas Liquor emailed to inform me that Boulevard’s Smokestack series is now available at Lukas Liquor. I had a post earlier this month detailing the information for all 4 Smokestack beers. I’ve also heard a rumor (so take it for what it is, a rumor) that Boulevard may stop producing the Double-Wide IPA as the hop shortage is causing some pricing issues, so that may be a keeper if you buy it.
Late Breaking Info: Paul from Wine and Cheese Place informed me that the Rock Hill location has the beers in stock and Clayton will get them in tomorrow.
Tags: boulevard, lukas liquor, smokestack, wine and cheese placeIf you had a chance to attend any beer festivals last summer that Boulevard Brewery participated in, you may have had the opportunity to try some of their bigger beers that were previously only available if your took the Boulevard Brewery tour. Well, back in November of 2007 Boulevard finally released these beers labeled as the Smokestack Series in 750ml bottled. Unfortunately demand overtook supply and these beers were only available in the Kansas City metro area, until now..
Now that things have settled down a bit and these beers are scheduled to arrive in St. Louis in early May. If you’re not familiar with these beers, read over the press sheets below:
I should also note that the beers will be available to taste at The Wine and Cheese Place’s 2008 Beerfest.
Tags: boulevard, smokestackFor those of you who haven’t quite yet made dinner plans for Valentine’s Day, let me remind you of Newstead Tower Pub’s Boulevard beer dinner. I was just send a copy of the menu for your perusal:
