Sorry for the late notice on this one, but tonight Thursday, August 19th, Neruda in Edwardsville, IL is having a beer dinner, hosted again by Joe Billhartz of Koerner Distributor. Joe chose some of his favorite beers that are available in cans for Chef Gary McNelly to pair his meals with. Here’s what they came up with:

Aperitif
Lion Imperial Lager

Course 1
Roasted Cherry Tomato Salad with Spring Greens, Basil Mozzarella
Ska Brewing Company True Blonde Ale

Course 2
Bison Sliders and Sweet Potato Fries
Anderson Valley Summer Solstice

Course 3
Chorizo Corn Dog
Breckenridge Avalanche Amber Style

Course 4
Pork Confit and Baby Turnips
Ska Brewing Company Modus Hoperandi IPA

Course 5
Oatmeal/Dark Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwich
Lion Stout

The cost of this event is $50 per person plus tax and gratuity. A reception begins at 6:30 p.m. and dinner begins at 7:00 p.m. A reservation is required and can be made by calling  618-659-9866.

Last year, I showed you a photo of just some of the casks that Schlafly purchased to expand their cask beer program. Well, when you have this many casks at your disposal, it means you get to put on events showcasing your beer.

In this case, it’s taking a cask of Schlafly beer and serving it at Bigelo’s Bistro in Edwardsville, Illinois.

This Friday, July 30th, starting a 5PM, a representative from Schlafly will be tapping a cask of the very special Indian Brown Ale.  This beer was originally created as a wedding beer for Schlafly brewer Brennan Greene; it’s now become a annual favorite at the Tap Room. They’ll be serving it until the cask runs out or until Bigelo’s closes.

Nothing quite like being able to enjoy some great cask beer right in your own backyard. While you’re at Bigelo’s, make sure to ask for the very awesome STL Hops pizza.

Unfortunately I was sick as a dog, so I wasn’t able to attend the inaugural meeting of the newest homebrewing club, the East Side Brewers.  But luckily Mike Dawson and Rob Handshy were on hand to photograph the occasion.  If you’re interested in reading the minutes for the meeting, I’ve included them after the jump.

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One of my wishes for 2009 was for more homebrewing, not just for me but for everyone, including people who haven’t brewed before.  One way to get more people homebrewing is to have more clubs.  STL Hops reader Greg Bridwell, has decided to fill a great need in the local homebrewing community, a homebrew club for our neighbors to the east.

Greg has started up the East Side Brewers, a homebrew club that will have their first meeting on Sunday, January 25th at Bigelo’s Bistro in Edwardsville, IL starting at 2PM. Some of the topics for the inaugural meeting include:

• What our goals are as a home brew club
• Collaboration with local clubs
• Dues
• Meeting locations
• Web site
• Joint brew days
• Teach a friend to home brew
• Sponsorship

While at the meeting, Mark from Bigelo’s will be providing some appetizers and samples from his new 12 draft system ($1.00 per 8oz pour). Also, donations for the food will be accepted, but, not required. As this is a homebrew meeting, please feel free to bring your beer to share.

To help Mark and Greg anticipate how many people will show up to the first meeting, a RSVP to Greg would be appreciated. Be sure to check out the STL Hops forum for more information about the ESBs and to contact Greg or Mark from Bigelo’s.

Mark from Bigelo’s Bistro was kind enough to provide two tickets to their sold out beer dinner celebrating Bigelo’s eighth anniversary. The dinner is on Sunday October 19th at 5 pm and Bigelo’s is located in Edwardsville, Illinois.

If you’re interested in winning tickets that include a five courses being paired with five different Schlafly beers (you will be required to pay the gratuity) email contest@stlhops.com with a subject of “Bigelo’s Beer Dinner” and tell me what your favorite beer is only available in Illinois. If you don’t think you’ll be able to attend, please don’t enter. I’d like to make sure that people available to attend have a chance to win. The winner will be drawn on Monday, October 13th at 9AM. The full menu is available after the break. continue reading…

Joe Billhartz emailed this morning to let me know that the Neruda dinner scheduled for this evening has been postponed.  He’ll let me know when a new date has been set.

On Thursday, August 28th, Neruda in Edwardsville, IL is having a beer dinner, hosted again by Joe Billhartz of Specialty Import Distributing Company. Joe chose three of his favorite Midwestern breweries for Chef Rick Counts to pair his meals with. Here’s what they came up with:

Course 1
Salad of Frisee with fennel and mandarin orange and a citrus vinaigrette
Founder’s – Dry Hopped Ale

Course 2
Grilled Jumbo Shrimp on a snow pea and walnut salad stir-fry
Two Brother’s – Monarch Whit

Course 3
Grilled Pork Tenderloin topped with a peanut-honey glaze served with apple-raisin chutney
Two Brother’s – Domaine de Page

Course 4
Thinly Sliced Seared Yellowfin Tuna, served on grilled homegrown tomatoes and yellow squash
Founder’s – Red Rye

Course 5
French Vanilla Ice Cream on puff pastry drizzled with a sweet stout reduction
Oscar’s – Stout

The cost of this event is $55 per person plus tax and gratuity. A reception begins at 6:30 p.m. and dinner begins at 7:00 p.m. A reservation is required and can be made by calling Kurt or Libby at 618-659-9866.