I’ve been told by a number of people that Burns Night at the Schlafly Tap Room is one of their favorite beer events in St. Louis. I can now proudly count myself as one of those people as well.
If you’ve never attended, you must try and do it at least one. The pageantry, the revelry, the poetry, the delicacies and of course the beer. It makes for one hell of an evening. If you weren’t able to attend, here’s some photos from the evening.
If you’re one of those people who’s always wanted to get their homebrew on, but never knew where to start tomorrow is your best opportunity to learn how to turn grains and hops into beer. May 7rd marked the 30th anniversary of National Homebrew Day and to celebrate homebrewers are going to do what the do best, brew beer!
Each year on the first Saturday in May, homebrewers unite non-brewing and brewing friends and family to celebrate National Homebrew Day, joining with thousands of homebrewers from around the world in brewing the same recipes and sharing a simultaneous toast at noon Central Time.
You may be asking yourself, “Hey Mike, we’ve already passed the first weekend of May!” And you’re right, but with Microfest going on last weekend, the St. Louis homebrewing clubs decided that they were going to hold off a week to make sure there wasn’t competing events on the same weekend. So, National Homebrewing Day will take place this Saturday, May 9th in St. Louis.
Locally the two biggest homebrew clubs will be celebrating in two different locations. The Garage Brewers Society will be celebrating the event at O’Fallon Brewery while the St. Louis Brews will be brewing up a storm at Worm’s Way. Both locations will be offering up great food, great discussion and of course plenty of homebrew.
Schlafly’s Cabin Fever was one of my favorite beer events last year and while it may not be as cold this year, I’m still pretty excited about this event. Imagine a ton of beer crazies all standing outside on a January afternoon and drinking some of the biggest beers that St. Louis Brewery has to offer.
This year’s event is on Saturday, January 17, 1:00-5:00 p.m and tickets will run you $20 in advance or $25 day of. You can purchase tickets here.
Here’s a rundown of this year’s beer offerings and be sure to check out photos from last year’s event:
Barleywine
Biere de Garde
Bock
Coffee Stout
Dry-Hopped APA
Dubbel
Winter ESB
Grand Cru
Imperial Stout
Maibock
Oatmeal Stout
Porter
Quadrupel
Scotch Ale
Spiced Porter
Tripel
Staring this Thursday, January 8th Schlafly Beer will be hosting a new event called the Alelympics at select locations in the St. Louis area. The Alelympics are a series of games that will that will allow individuals to compete in different “feats of strength and agility.” The games include Coaster Tossing, Doubloons (which is apparently a Mardi Gras themed version of quarters) and Cup Stacking.
Now that we have all of the the official stuff out of the way it’s time for me to be the possible stick in the mud. I don’t know how I feel about this whole event. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy playing cards and games while drinking (Rock Band comes immediately to mind) and I enjoy the effects of alcoho. But there seems to be something sort of demeaning to the craft beer scene when you start involving games that were solely created to get people drunk.
But then again, maybe I’m trying to take the scene too seriously. One of the major benefits that beer has over some of it’s brother and sister beverages is that it’s more “fun”. It’s viewed as a more relaxed beverage than wine (which can come across as a bit snooty at times) and as such a more recreational beverage.
All of this is why I’m conflicted about this event. I guess if this got people drinking more craft beer, then so be it. But something tells me that a lot of these “athletes” will be playing these games with a Bud Light in their hand and then it’s not really helping anyone involved.
Full schedule of events after the jump.
As we’re winding up the year, I thought I would go over my top moments in the beer world over this past year. Please feel free to leave some of your top moments this year in the comments or in the forums, I’d love to read them. In no particular order, my top moments of 2008:
Great Taste of the Midwest
I honestly can’t say enough good things about this event. I can now easily understand why it’s one of the most sought after tickets in the beer community. A lovely setting, wonderful weather and some of the most rare beers available all in one location. If you find yourself in possession of a ticket, you must go.
STL Hops First Anniversary Party
This is probably the event that means the most to me this year, it was great to see a local gathering of people that care so much about beer. Not only did we all get to hang out and drink some great beer, we also got to raise $800 for Stray Rescue. Just a fantastic time.
Going to the Great American Beer Festival
While I may not have enjoyed the actual festival very much, I did really enjoy all of the things that were going on during the festival. It was also pretty neat to meet Vinnie Cilurzo, Sam Calagione, Peter Bouckaert, Tomme Arthur and Garrett Oliver.
Two Hearted Cask at 33
Have you ever seen those nature films where it’s all quiet in the middle of the Savannah and then on the horizon comes a black cloud of locusts? That was what it was like that fateful night when 33 Wine Shop decided to bring in a cask of Bell’s Two Hearted IPA. And not unlike the locusts on the Savannah, once the land was left destitute they quickly disappeared. I hope this happens again soon.
Schlafly Cabin Fever
I may have had more fun at this year’s Hop in the City or Repeal of Prohibition Festival, but there was something extremely enjoyable and exhilarating about standing outside in 18 degree temperature watching huge beers like the Imperial Stout or the Barleywine start freezing to the serving tables.
Coming later this week, Photos from 2008 and my Wishlist for 2009.
If you’re still looking around for something to do on New Year’s Eve, I’m sure you’re trying to find a spot where you’ll not only have a great time, but also get some great beer. Here are a couple of different spots around town where you can have your beer and drink it too.
Enjoy the best of both worlds! Whether you prefer a black velvet tuxedo or faded overalls, join us for a New Year’s Eve celebration at Bottleworks.
Fancy Food
Enjoy your Bottleworks favorites and specials. Featuring food from local Missouri farmers and delicious desserts. Our kitchen will serve dinner from 5:00-10:00 p.m. Sorry, no reservations accepted for this evening.
Live Music in the Bar
Enjoy the music of “Naked” Mike Newman from 9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
Live Music & Midnight Toast in the Crown Room
Doors at 8:00 p.m., music from 9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
Featuring the very best in local acoustic music: The Grass Pack. You’ll also enjoy a complimentary midnight toast with a glass of smooth and delicious Black Velvet (a dreamy concoction of grape and grain – rich, dark, full-bodied Oatmeal Stout with light, crisp sparkling wine). The cover charge for the Crown Room is $15 and includes live music and the midnight toast and tasting glass. The event concludes at 1:00 a.m. Toast in the Crown Room only.
Appetizer buffet from 8 to 10 p.m., open bar on all draught beers from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., plus party favors, DJ and midnight toast. Cost is $50.
In/Out Early Option gets you select open bar, dinner buffet from 7 to 10 p.m., $65/person.
Classic Option gets you select open bar, appetizer buffet from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., $40/person.
Hangover City Option costs $80/person and you stay all night.
Open bar, tarot card readings, caricatures and Champagne toast at midnight; live music by The Livers, Fundamental Elements, Dear Future and DJ Patrick Baum; 21 and older. Cost is $30-35.
Mattingly Brewing Co will be tapping the first batch of Brightside Belgium Witbier. As it is also Wednesday they will be offering small batches of Hurterbrau Hefeweizen, Drew’s 90 Schilling Ale, and a cask of Double Dry Hopped HOPtimal Munition APA.
Ring in the New Year with Newstead and a Bell’s Beer Dinner. The dinner starts at 8PM and will be featuring 4 courses for $40. You can also stay at Newstead until the ball drops for $65 (which includes dinner) and enjoy an open bar all night.
I know how it is, the present are opened, the tinsel has lost its luster and you may be feeling the post X-Mas blues. Well, I know how to perk you up: cheap beer. Schlafly is celebrating it’s 17th Anniversary party on Friday, December 26th by serving beer at 1991 prices all day long.
If that’s not enough to pique your interest how about a discounted SIP Club membership as well? The standard SIP Club price is $25 for an annual membership, but on Friday only, you can purchase a membership for $17. Here are just a few things a SIP Club membership gets you:
That last one is well worth the price to me, because as long as Andy White is putting it on, there is no way I’m missing a SIP Club Dinner.
