About a year ago I was messing around with what was then my new camera and I thought about taking a photos of all of the bottle caps I had saved up over an undetermined amount of time.  That photo sort of became the basis for the new header image above.

While I enjoyed the concept of that photo, I was never quite happy with the overall look of the image.  It wasn’t as sharp as I would have liked, I didn’t enjoy the white background, there were too many bottle caps from the same brewery right next to each other, etc., etc.  So, after messing around with some stuff today, I finally got it closer to what I’ve always wanted.

I thought that other people might want to use it as a wallpaper, so I’ve included it here.  Let me know what you think.

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After the success of last year’s event, it’s time to have another STL Hops Pinball Party!  This year’s event will take place at at CP Pinball in South Roxana, Illinois on September 25th from 6PM-10PM.

The cost of the event is $12 per person which provides you with all the pinball you can play for 4 hours. We’re going to have a bunch of people bringing different beers to sample and you’re welcome to bring something you’ve been hording as well. We’re also going to have some delicious pizza from Bigelo’s Bistro.

Tickets for this event are being sold through Brown Paper Tickets (click that link!).  Only 40 tickets are being made available at this time, so I wouldn’t wait around to buy them. Be certain to check out some of the photos from Sauce Magazine from last year’s event, it was pretty awesome.

So, a lot of people are saying that September would be a better choice, let’s try this. How about a date of September 25th? Would that work better for people?

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I know people have briefly mentioned having another one of these, so I thought I’d gauge the interest from people that may not be posting on the STL Hops Forums.  For those that might have missed the last one, last year STL Hops hosted a beer tasting event at CP Pinball in South Roxana, Illinois.

We rented out the space for four hours and drank all kinds of cool beer, played the jukebox, ate delicious pizza from Bigelo’s Bistro, and played some pinball.  Plus, we did it all for the low, low cost of $12. Check out some of the photos from Sauce Magazine from last year’s event, it was pretty awesome.

Right now, I’m looking at August 28th as the potential date for the event.  I’m curious to know if there is enough interested to make sure that we can afford to rent the place for four hours.  If you’re interested in coming out, vote in the poll below:

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Unfortunately, Andrew Mark Veety, the creator of The Church of Burger will not be able to attend the STL Hops Beer Dinner this upcoming Monday evening.  But, he was kind enough to offer up his two tickets to the event. The dinner is on Monday, July 12th at 6:30 pm and will be held at Farmhaus.

If you’re interested in winning tickets that include a four courses being paired with four different beers (you will be required to pay the gratuity) email contest@stlhops.com with a subject of “STL Hops Beer Dinner”. A couple of quick notes:

• If you’ve won something from STL Hops in the past 6 months, please be cool and let someone else enter.
• You much be 21 or older to enter.
• No multiple entries.
• 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 Friday, June 9th at 9AM. Good luck.

I’m proud to announce that on July 12th, STL Hops will be hosting its first ever beer dinner.  I’m also happy to announce that the dinner will be helmed by none other than James Beard Award Nominee, Josh Galliano.  As you may know, Josh is currently the Executive Chef at Monarch and previously the chef de cuisine at An American Place.

Plus, just look at that photo, isn’t he dreamy?

Anyway, I’m lucky enough to call Josh a friend and he was up for the challenge of putting together a beer dinner for STL Hops.  The dinner will be taking place on July 12th, starting at 6:30PM.  The cost for the dinner is $35, not including gratuity, and will feature four different beers paired with four different courses.  W ill be holding this meal at Farmhaus Restaurant as Monarch is currently under construction.

The beers and menu have not been set as of yet, but I should hopefully have more information about the menu as soon as next week.   Ticket can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets.  As there are only 40 seats available, I have to imagine this is going to go fast.  I’d purchase your tickets as soon as you can.

Big thanks to Kevin Willmann and Farmhaus for providing the space for the event.  Hope to see a bunch of you there.

This is a last call on ordering a green STL Hops T-Shirts if you want it in time for St. Patrick’s Day.   These shirts are the perfect addition for your St. Patty’s Day celebrations.   Must have orders in before Midnight.

Order here!