The Potable Curmudgeon: Gravity Head lineupdate: Monday, April 2.

(Updated Saturday, April 7)

For the second time in three years, the Publican has been placed on the DL during Gravity Head. In 2005, the cause was pneumonia. In 2007, it’s rotator cuff repair surgery, which was performed a week ago Tuesday morning. I'm fine, rehab’s going well, and Jared Williamson has taken over the day-to-day organizational tasks. I’m posting updates from the home base.

As of Monday morning, April 2, 20 business days have been devoted to the Gravity Madness of Gravity Head 2007, and 30 beers are gone. A handful will return later as "encores," owing to multiple keg purchases.

Meanwhile, I’m bowing to reality and moving two of the remaining three “in transit” beers to the scratch list: EKU 28 and Kulmbacher Reichelbrau Eisbock.

I’ve amply aired my displeasure at the situation, which in essence involves a current failure in cooperative capability between wholesaler and importer. In short, as they squabble, I’m punished by being deprived of product. Of course, in a genuinely free market … never mind. It's odd how free-market economics gurus are so often also prohibitionists.

Only 9 listed selections remain to be brought on line, and this means that within the next week or two, non-gravity taps will once again be pouring. Many of them will be of “normal” alcoholic strength, so wean yourself away very slowly.

Note: Schlenkerla Fastenbier, a non-Gravity Head selection (5.5% abv) is now on tap. It is the annual Easter release from Bamberg's most famous smoked beer brewery, and has a grain bill of half house smoked malt, half unsmoked pislner malt.

The following beers are on tap now.

USA

Avery Thirteen (Weizen Doppelbock) 9.3% abv

BBC (Main & Clay) Bearded Pat's Barley Wine circa 10% abv

Bell's Expedition Stout (keg) 11.5% abv

Bell’s Third Coast Old Ale 10.2% abv

Bluegrass Brewing Co. (St. Matthews) Mephistopheles Metamorphosis circa 10% abv

Clipper City Holy Sheet 9% abv

Clipper City Peg Leg Imperial Stout 8% abv

Left Hand Snow Bound Winter Ale 7.6% abv

Ringneck Brewing "FOTB” Barley Wine 10% abv

Stone Double Bastard 10% abv

Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine (Vintage 2006) 11.2% abv

Two Brothers Bare Tree Weiss Wine, 10.2% abv

WORLD

Houblon Chouffe 9% abv

Regenboog Guido 8% abv

Here are the beers that already are scheduled to appear at specific times during Gravity Head 2007 (March and April):

Saturday, April 7:

BarrelHouse Belgian Style Winter Ale 8.25% abv

Representatives of BarrelHouse and Cavalier Distributing Indiana, including BH brewer Rick DeBar, will be on hand with other BH beers for sampling (including Boss Cox Double Dark IPA) in conjunction with the FOSSILS homebrew club’s monthly meeting in Prost.

Friday, April 27: SORRY, POSTPONED AGAIN

Schlafly Reserve Oak-Aged Barley Wine 10.6% abv

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Now, on to the availability update.

These kegs are in the bullpen – on site and ready for tapping:

USA

Clipper City Below Decks Barleywine 11% abv

Flying Dog Double Dog 10.5% abv

Great Divide Old Ruffian Barley Wine 10.2% abv

Shmaltz Bittersweet Lenny's RIPA 10% abv

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These kegs have passed into Gravity Head history: