Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Achtung, baby: Two Mahrs Brau gravity-pour Anstich kegs celebrate Saturnalia this weekend.

Last weekend's Anstich keg of Schlenkerla Eiche was sublime, but there's more coming.

Thanks to the advent of Starlight Distributing, the Shelton Brothers import portfolio has returned to Indiana, and not a moment too soon; a long delayed round of fresh, rare 20-liter, gravity-pour “Anstich” kegs from small family breweries in Franconia (Northern Bavaria) were ordered for Saturnalia MMXI, and they have started arriving.

We'll tap the first two Anstich kegs this weekend at the Pizzeria & Public House. There'll be 40 half-liter pours in each, so be there on time.

Friday, December 2:
Mahr's Brau Christmas Bock (Mahrs Bräu, Bamberg) ... 5:00 p.m. tapping

Saturday, December 3:
Mahr's Brau Unfiltered Pilsner (Mahrs Bräu, Bamberg) ... 3:00 p.m. tapping

Also ordered for Saturnalia (Anstich):

Zum Grunen Baum Landbier (Brauerei-Gasthof Zum Grunen Baum “Bayer” in Rauhenebrach-Theinheim)

Löwenbräu Buttenheim Ungespundetes Lagerbier (Kellerbier; Löwenbräu Buttenheim, Buttenheim)

In addition, we may have a few other conventional CO2-dispense kegs of Franconian delight: Spezial Rauchbier, Mahr’s Ungespundetes Lager and more Mahr’s Christmas Bock. Stay tuned.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Opening of Sunday brunch at Bank Street Brewhouse.




Thanks to everyone who patronized BSB today, and to staff for hoofing it. Brunch got off to a wonderful start!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Saturnalia MMXI .PDF link.

http://www.newalbanian.com/nabcsite2008/downloads/Saturnalia_program_2011_MMXI_Final.pdf

Friday, November 25, 2011

Rocky's to celebrate the advent of its app next Tuesday, November 29.

This information from Rocky's comes straight from the source. A couple of years ago, I took note of the long history of Rocky's: Mug Shots: Rocky’s returns to its superb beer-list roots.

CUSTOMIZED CRAFT BEER APP CHANGES THE FACE OF ROCKY’S BEER MENU

Interactive beer app will become new beer menu as Rocky’s continues to drive Craft Beer Sales

Rocky’s Sub Pub is excited to invite everyone to their Launch Party on Tuesday, November 29th, to introduce their new, custom designed, Craft Beer Menu Application. This state of the art, Android-based application was custom created and designed specifically for Rocky’s guests and craft beer followers.

The custom craft beer app will bring Rocky’s extensive craft beer selection to an Android app tablet for customers to use during their dining experience.

The new app will feature their bottle and draft beer lists, brewing information, definitions of styles, ABVs and IBUs. It will even allow guests to design their own beer flight using various featured and local craft beer options. Guests will also be able to automatically post to facebook and tweet about the beers they are enjoying. The app features a “Beer 101” section dedicated to educational information and craft beer basics.

“We are very excited to bring such a new, cutting edge experience to our guests with our new beer app. For the past 3 years we have embraced craft beer and we feel this will help to educate our guests and enhance their overall experience,” Wes Johnson, owner of Rocky’s Sub Pub, said. “It truly is the beer menu we have been waiting for, one that is fun, interactive and full of unique beer information.”

The launch party on Tuesday, November 29th will begin at 5pm at Rocky’s Sub Pub on the river in Jeffersonville. Several limited release beers will be on tap during the party, as well as some industry classics. Craft brewery reps will be onsite to discuss their beers and the unveiling of this new Rocky’s Beer App.

Rocky’s Sub Pub is a single location in Jeffersonville, IN, owned by Buckhead Management Inc., which also operates four Buckhead Mountain Grill locations. Both Buckhead and Rocky’s are local family-friendly restaurants and are dedicated to supporting and promoting the beer sector and craft beers from around the region. They are focused on continuing to offer new craft selections and seasonal beers throughout the year. With a revamp of their system a few years back, Rocky’s ranks as the Largest Craft Beer Selection on tap in the Clark County area, with over 32 craft beers on draft.

Today: Saturnalia MMXI kicks off at 11:00 a.m. at the Pizzeria & Public House.

Saturnalia MMXI kicks off at 11:00 a.m. on Plaid Friday (that’s today, November 25) at the Pizzeria & Public House, and here are the listed selections that will be pouring.

Unexpected but welcomed
A late addition to the list will be on tap today: Affligem Noël (9% abv).

Eiche/Anstich
At opening today, Eric will tap an Anstich (gravity dispense) keg of …

Schlenkerla Eiche (Oak)
Traditionally, beechwood is the brewery’s wood of choice; oak comes dearer, and generally is not used for such purposes. Until 2009, that is, when this was one of the year’s best. 8% abv.

We’ll be serving Schlenkerla Eiche by the half-liter while it lasts, and at the bargain basement rate of $5 plus sales tax. Think of it as our Oaked Friday Special.

The Other Eight
Look (here) sometime on Friday morning for the link to the Saturnalia MMXI program in .pdf format. You can save, print and peruse. Meanwhile, here are the other eight starters for today.

Anchor Christmas Ale (“Merry Christmas & Happy New Year”), 2011 Vintage
This holiday ale’s recipe has differed a tad each year since inception in 1975, but the conceptual links with trees (on the bottle label) and the winter solstice have endured throughout. 5.5% abv.

Boulevard Nutcracker Ale
It’s a classic winter warmer, but with a distinctly American twist of freshly harvested Chinook hops, flown to the brewery from the Pac NW. 5.8% abv.

Breckenridge Christmas Ale
Dark mahogany in color (two row, caramel, chocolate, black malts) with Chinook and Mt. Hood for balance. Very Colorado, with a healthy 7.4% abv.

Corsendonk Christmas Ale
Among the more consistent of Abbey-style producers, Corsendonk’s annual Christmas Ale never ceases to be anticipated. Is that a hint of coriander amid the ruby-chestnut elegance? 8.5% abv.

Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti
The usual Yeti hopping is muted; cocoa nibs peek through, combining with vanilla from the oak chips and a hint of cayenne pepper. 9.5% abv.

Great Divide Hibernation Ale
It’s a winter ale, but one that is lagered for three months prior to release. Perhaps overshadowed by some of today’s extreme microbrews, but enduring, unique and worthy in its own right - deep, nutty and smooth. 8.1% abv.

NABC Naughty Claus
Santa needs daze off, too
A rich, full-bodied holiday spiced seasonal that changes wardrobe a bit each year as we experiment with festive additives: For 2011, malts include US Pale Ale Malt (Rahr), Belgian Aromatic Malt and Simpsons Crystal Medium, with Hosey honey added. Hops are German Hallertauer and Magnum. Orange Peel, Sweet Ginger Root, Cinnamon and Nutmeg are the spices (with dry-gingering in the Brite tanks). NABC’s house Chouffe yeast completes the scene. 8% abv.

Ommegang/Chouffe Gnomegang
Think of it as a cross-Atlantic collaboration brew between the slightly older school Brasserie Achouffe and America’s Ommegang. The style is Belgian Strong Blonde Ale, with three malts, some oats and wheat and Saaz hops. 9.5% abv.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Here’s what NABC is doing this week.

Nutzoid holiday weeks begin now.

Naughty Claus, version 2011, is back on tap at both NABC locations, because Santa needs daze off, too. Naughty Claus is NABC's rich, full-bodied holiday spiced seasonal that changes wardrobe a bit each year as we experiment with festive additives.

Get some tonight, because on Thursday, November 24 (Thanksgiving Day), both Bank Street Brewhouse and the Pizzeria & Public House will be closed. Both of our locations will-reopen at 11:00 a.m. on Plaid Friday, November 25.

On Saturday, November 26, NABC’s Josh Hill will be pouring samples at Kaiser Tobacco Store on Pearl Street from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. as part of downtown New Albany’s annual Jingle Walk and Holiday Fest. Later that same evening, we’ll be manning the concessions at the Art Store for Deck the Walls (circa 2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.)

Also, please note these new, expanded opening hours for Bank Street Brewhouse. Operating hours at the Pizzeria & Public House remain as before.

Bank Street Brewhouse Hours

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Dinner: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Friday and Saturday
Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Dinner: 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Sunday
Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday Brunch (see below): 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Dinner: 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The other big BSB news is the advent of brunch on Sundays, beginning this Sunday morning, November 27.

Bank Street Brewhouse Sunday Brunch …
  • New Brunch Menu (10 am - 2 pm)
  • Handcrafted NABC beer
  • Takeaway growlers of handcrafted NABC beer
  • Takeaway 22 oz. Bomber bottles of handcrafted NABC beer
  • Famous and celebrated “Build Your Own” Bloody Mary Bar
  • Mimosas, regional bourbons, wines and & spirits
  • 10:00 a.m. first call for drinks (3 hours before Louisville)
  • Just a few minutes across the Kennedy or Clark Memorial bridges

Naughty Claus 2011 is on tap now at both NABC locations.

Naughty Claus 2011

Santa needs daze off, too

A rich, full-bodied holiday spiced seasonal that changes wardrobe a bit each year as we experiment with festive additives. Usually unveiled for Saturnalia, NABC’s annual observance of Christmas’s pagan roots.

Malts: US Pale Ale Malt (Rahr), Belgian Aromatic Malt,
Simpsons Crystal Medium

Sugar: Hosey Honey … http://hoseyhoney.com

Hops: German Hallertauer Magnum

Spices: Orange Peel, Sweet Ginger Root, Cinnamon, Nutmeg (dry-gingered in the Brite tanks)

Yeast: Chouffe (House Belgian)

OG: 19 degrees Plato
ABV: 8%
IBU: 20

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Food, drink, etc -- New Albany indies "inside the beltway."

NABC's graphics department, otherwise known as staff artist Tony Beard, has been updating the map normally situated to the left of the Bank Street Brewhouse door. I've helped him assemble this list, the purpose of which is to provide quasi-accurate food and drink information to passers-by. In the eventuality that we are not open on a particular day or at a certain time, it is that visitors will patronize another establishment and keep their expenditures local.

The main target is downtown because that's within short driving and walking (or biking) distance, but listings have been expanded to include independent local food and drink businesses inside the beltway. Take a look at the updated list. What are we missing?

Coffee

“Earth Friends Café & Coffee Bar” 3211 Grant Line Road (at Summit Square) 812-725-9393

“Quills Coffee” (coming in November 2011) 137 East Market Street

“Hobknobb Roasting Company” 419 State Street New Albany, IN 47150 (812) 944-4555 (also maintains a kiosk in the NA-FC Public Library)

---

Sweets & Ice Cream

“Honey Creme Donut Shop” 514 Vincennes Street 812-945-2150

“Rookies Cookies” 310 Pearl Street (812) 948-8858

“Sweet Stuff Bakery” 323 East Spring Street 812-948-2507

“Zesto Ice Cream” (seasonal) 2740 Charlestown Road 812-944-6845

---

Classic Taverns

“B & B Pub & Grill” 1423 Culbertson Avenue 812-725-9955

“Hitching Post Tavern” 115 West Market Street 812-945-8854

“Hugh E. Bir’s Cafe” 324 East Market Street 812-945-8884

“Pastime Grill & Pub” 424 East Market Street 812-945-9055

“Uptown Bar” 330 Vincennes Street 812-945-1850

“Vic’s Cafe” 1839 East Market Street 812-944-4338

“Vickie's Good Times Bar” 114 East Market Street 812-941-8000

---

Package Beer, Wine and Liquor (no food)

“Bottles Unlimited” 427 State Street 812-945-6765 (also owns Uptown Liquors at 609 Vincennes Street)

“Bridge Liquors” 110 Knable Lane 812-949-6396

“Keg (New Albany)” 302 Pearl Street Suite B 812-948-0444

“Sunset Spirits” 2706 Paoli Pike 812-944-4031

---

Pool Halls

“Jack’s” 3308 Plaza Drive 812-948-1600 FULL BAR/BAR FOOD

---

Restaurants (with alcoholic beverages)

“(The) Bank Fusion Cuisine and Lounge” 203 East Main 812-944-1929 FUSION/LOUNGE/NIGHTCLUB

“Feast BBQ” (coming in Spring 2012) 116 West Main Street BARBECUE

"Habana Blues" 148 East Market St 812-944-9760 CUBAN

"(The) Irish Exit" 207 East Main Street 812-944-1929 IRISH PUB

“La Bocca Restaurant” 134 East Market Street 812-725-9495 ITALIAN

"La Rosita Mexican Grill" 336 Pearl Street 812-944-3620 MEXICAN

"Louis Le Français" 133 East Market Street 812-944-1222 FRENCH

“Mac’s Hideaway” 1636 Slate Run Road 812-945-4256 PUB GRUB

“NA Exchange pub + kitchen” 3306 Plaza Drive 812-948-6501 GASTROPUB

“NABC Bank Street Brewhouse” 415 Bank Street 812-725-9585 BREWERY/CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN … carry-out beer sales on Sunday

“River City Winery” 321 Pearl Street 812-945-9463 WINERY/ CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN … carry-out wine sales on Sunday

“Sam’s Food & Spirits” 3800 Payne Koehler Road 812-945-9757 AMERICAN

“Toast on Market” 141 East Market Street 812-941-8582 CONTEMPORARY BREAKFAST/LUNCH

“Tucker’s American Favorites” 2441 State Street 812-944-9999 SPORTS BAR

“Wick’s Pizza” 225 State Street 812-945-9425 PIZZA

---

Restaurants (without alcoholic beverages)

“Dock Seafood” 1125 State Street 812-944-2951 FISH & SEAFOOD

“Jackson's Seafood” 400 West Main Street 812-945-3474 FISH & SEAFOOD

“Hing Wang Chinese Restaurant” 2123 Spring Street 812-542-2728 CHINESE

“Lancaster Cafeteria” 223 West 5th Street 812-949-2400 HOME COOKING

“Little Chef” 147 East Market Street 812-949-7567 CLASSIC DINER

Monday, November 21, 2011

Links to NABC's "beerography," 2002-2011.

There are a few omissions -- Jared's parting Omega and Ben's Pickman's Pale Ale spring immediately to mind -- but the 100+ beers listed in these 11 categories comprise the "beerography" of NABC since we began brewing in 2002. Once these are published at www.newalbanian.com after the new website goes live, I'll go back in and clean up the lists.









Sunday, November 20, 2011

(11) NABC retirees.

Retirees

It is a roster destined to remain in flux, because beers will be added to it, and although it is unlikely we’ll brew any of these again, far stranger things have happened. The Publican is especially predisposed to reassign use of some of these names. You just may see them again, perhaps used for a completely different beer, or perhaps there’ll be an archive series some day. Retirees are tagged according to the primary era of brewing:

Michael Borchers era, 2002-2005
Assistants: Joey Burns, and then Chris Spellman
Tag: MicB

Jesse Williams era, 2005-2009
Assistants: Chris Spellman, and then Jared Williamson
Tag: JesW

Jared Williamson era, 2008-2011
Assistants: Kyle Tavares, and then Ben Minton
Tag: JaW

(The) Black Hand
David and Beth Howard’s robust porter recipe won the 10th annual FOSSILS homebrewed porter competition in 2002, and was brewed by NABC for release the same year. In 2003, Bob Capshew’s recipe won the competition, and permanently altered the course of NABC Porter production.
MicB

Bourbondaddy
“Go forth and proceed”
Haggisdaddy, as aged in Woodford Reserve barrels in 2003 and 2004. At the time, we said that, “Batches (are) released periodically so we can gauge the progress of the experiment.”
6.5% abv
MicB

Bush Hog
Floats over the yearning palate as a ship rides the waves
Billed as “The greatest lawnmower beer on earth; cuts a swath 86 IBUs wide,” with tap handle art culled from century-old, heavy-duty, grass-cutting clip art.
Circa 6.8% abv
MicB

Turbo Hog
The finest malt liquor yet devised by man
Bush Hog’s logical culmination, sans paper bags. Augmented with corn, boosted in strength, and refashioned as a malt liquor, it was a briefly invigorating experiment.
9.2% abv
MicB

Elector Select
Democracy’s ultimate pointlessness
Elector on steroids … whether intentional, or not isn’t known, but it’s a nice riff on Budweiser Select.
9.5% abv
MicB

ELI
Not only is ELI coming … it’s already gone
It was a Sour Hoppy Red Ale, and the final keg of an in-house improvisational legend.
7.5% abv
65 IBU
JarW

Flat Tyre
Rocky Mountain spring water is highly overrated
Newly minted brown ale unexpectedly gone amber, and an improvisational pun on a popular Colorado craft beer. When Fat Tire began being sold in Indiana, the joke got old, and quickly.
Circa 5.5% abv
JesW

Haggisdaddy
“Go forth and proceed”
Dry stout base for Bourbondaddy, with only few kegs sold of this unalloyed variety.
5.8% abv
MicB

Happy Helmut
Souvenirs, Novelties, Party Tricks
An homage to Franconian beer making, with smoked malt and lager yeast. Helmut later was merged into Smoked Abzug.
JarW

Hopscotch
The plan was to brew a Wee Heavy first, then use the second runnings for a small ale. The mash got stuck, and after a laborious rescue mission, a single batch of heavily hopped Scottish ale was the final result.
Circa 5.5% abv
MicB

Merckx
Belgian-style pale ale, inspired by De Koninck of Antwerp and the exploits of Eddy Merckx - competitive cycling's greatest all-around performer.
Circa 5% abv
MicB

Noble Smoker
Next best thing to being in Bamberg
It was based on the original ConeSmoker, but with a bigger Beechwood-smoked malt grain bill, and all "Noble" German hops. In turn, a slightly revised ConeSmoker was spawned.
7.5% abv
MicB

Saison, Farmhouse Saison and Saison III
Initial experiments with Belgian Saison yeast. Because this yeast is still in use, variants may return, and if so, annually in late summer.
JesW and JarW

Saison Scalawag
Cooler check!
Only a scalawag would refuse a cooler check. Brewed with Belgian pale malt, English crystal malt, wheat, honey, East Kent Goldings, Cascades, and Spalt. OG 1072; FG circa 1020.
MicB

Saison de Houblon
Happiness is a hoppy farmhouse
Spicy hop notes abound in this, a Dry Hopped Belgian Saison.
7% abv
35 IBU
JaW

Silent Oath
The joy in Belgium
Drawn from an episode n Hugo Claus’s novel, “The Sorrow of Belgium,” it was Belgian-style Brown, perhaps with a hint of intentional sourness. A portion was aged in oak chips.
MicB

St. Alfonzo
Pancake breakfasts purely optional
This Belgian strong ale with quasi-Trappist predilections incorporated simple ingredients: Belgian two-row pale malt, rock candy, brewer’s crystals (fermentable sugar), Spalt (German noble) hops and Abbey yeast.
10% abv
MicB

St. Radegund
Get thee to a nunnery ... but not quite yet
It was a reformulated variant of Beak’s Best, and a nod to Terry K. at the St. Radegund pub in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Circa 6% abv
JesW

Stumble Bus
Along with Bourbondaddy, surely the most fondly remembered ale by NABC’s founding brewer, Michael Borchers. Was it Imperial IPA, or was it Barleywine? Brewed with English malt, and hopped with Galena, Cascade, East Kent Golding, Amarillo and Hallertau hops. Stumble Bus was dry-hopped with East Kent Golding and Cascade. 1056 (Chico) American yeast was used (OG 1.100).
10.5% abv
MicB

Single Hop APA (Palisades)
Summerfest ReplicAle 2011, brewed by Hoosier brewers for the Brewers of Indiana Guild festival.
JarW

V Fifth Anniversary Ale
Strong ale brewed in honor of the New Albanian Brewing Company's first five years, V (fifth anniversary) was Jesse's and Jared's contemporary contribution to NABC myth and legend.

5 Malts: Maris Otter, 2-row, Caramalt, special B, aromatic

5 Hops and hop additions: Simcoe, Saaz, Nugget, Galena, Centennial

House London yeast

Notes: 5,555 second boil (92 minutes, 35 seconds)

80 IBUs
10% abv
JesW and JarW

VII Seventh Anniversary Ale
Dark IPA, and as with the 5th Anniversary’s reliance on the number five, the 7th anniversary ale utilized the number seven as much as possible. In case you’re wondering, there was no 6th anniversary ale.

7 malts, 7 hops, 7 hop additions, each at 7oz, the last addition features 7oz of each of the 7 hops … 77 IBU, 77 minute boil and 7.7 ABV.
JarW

VIII Eighth Anniversary Ale
IPA, explained in Jared’s notes: “VIII celebrates the passage of an historic year in NABC's short brewing history. Continuing the tradition of featuring the anniversary year number in the beer as much as reasonably possible, VIII features four base and four specialty malts, eight total, that build a rich golden hue and depth of flavor, defying the lightness of its appearance. The eight hops used are familiar "foes" from the competitive Single Hop APA series, and each boil addition was a reunion of the previous head to head match ups, added in reverse chronological order. VIII is dry hopped with the eight hops to bring the aroma a complex boutique of the beautiful cone's best Pacific Northwest varietals.”

8 Malts: 4 Base: Simpsons Golden Promise, Castle Pale, Global Pils, Rahr 2-row; 4 Specialty: (8% of the grist each) Weyermanns Vienna, Castle Aromatic, Briess Cara-Pils, Flaked Rye

8 Hops: All used in both the kettle, and for dry hopping. Boil additions (80 minute boil):
60 minute Warrior, Summit
40 minute Chinook, Simcoe
20 minute Centennial, Amarillo
0 minute Nugget, Cascade

8% ABV
80 IBU’s
8 SRM
JarW

IX Ninth Anniversary Ale
(To be released in 2011: Imperial Smoked Chocolate Port Barrel Stout)

Malts: Rahr 2-row, Weyermann Smoked (Beechwood), Briess Chocolate, Briess Roasted Barley, Simpsons Chocolate, Briess Aromatic, Briess Smoked Malt (Cherry), Castle Special B, Flaked Oats

Hops: Northern Brewer (Mash), Northern Brewer (First Wort), Northern Brewer (@60min)

IBUs: 50.1
ABV: Circa 9%
Yeast: House Ale

Saturday, November 19, 2011

(10) NABC Single Malt Single Hop APA Series.

Single Malt Single Hop APA Series

This series is an ongoing educational tool for learning to appreciate an individual hop and malt in a classic APA style. The long term idea: Through the matchups in this tournament, we will crown a “champion” that will become the NABC house APA. Contestants are brewed on back to back days and tapped at the same time, and the first one to run out advances as the round winner.

Round 1:

Cascade vs. Nugget
Released November 2009

First round winner: Cascade

Round 2:

Amarillo vs. Centennial
Released April 2010

Second round winner: Amarillo

Round 3:

Chinook
vs. Simcoe
Released July 2010

Third round winner: Simcoe

Round 4:

Summit vs. Warrior
Released October 2010

Fourth round winner: Summit

Semifinals:

Cascade vs. Amarillo
Released January 2011

Winner: Amarillo

---

Summit vs. Simcoe
Released Spring 2011

Winner: Simcoe

Friday, November 18, 2011

The pouring for Saturnalia MMXI begins on Plaid Friday, November 25.

It's time again for NABC's annual Saturnalia primer.

Just like last year, some listed selections for Saturnalia MMXI will begin pouring on Plaid Friday, November 25. I'll post the starters some time that morning. In the past, we were able to have many more Saturnalia beers pouring at once, but these days there are fewer taps to fill with 12-15 NABC house beers are on tap all the time. There'll be six, maybe eight Saturnalia beers on draft at any given time, plenty enough to last through December.

The NABC Pizzeria & Public House opens at 11:00 a.m. on the 25th. Note also that in the interest of saving a few bucks, I'll once again refrain from printing the official program, although it will be posted as a .pdf at the website, and you can download and print it yourself if desired. The link will appear here and on Facebook as soon as the program is finished.

Following are the simple listings of 30 beers for Saturnalia MMXI.

Anchor Christmas Ale (“Merry Christmas & Happy New Year”) 2011
Boulder Never Summer Ale
Boulevard Harvest Dance Wheat Wine 9.1%
Boulevard Nutcracker Ale *
Breckenridge Christmas Ale
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout 2010
Clipper City Winter Storm
Corsendonk Christmas Ale
Dark Horse Tres
Einbecker Winter Dopple Bock
Great Divide Belgian Yeti
Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti
Great Divide Hibernation Ale
Left Hand Fade to Black 2011
Mahrs Christmas Bock
NABC Bonfire of the Valkyries
NABC Naughty Claus
NABC Solidarity
New Belgium Snow Day
Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence Stout
Ommegang/Chouffe Gnommegang
North Coast Brother Thelonious
Schlenkerla Eiche
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian Black IPA
Stone Belgo IRS 2011
Stone Double Bastard 2010
Stone Vertical Epic 10.10.10
Three Floyds Alpha Klaus Xmas Porter
Two Brothers Hop Juice


For those just tuning in, we've been doing this for a while.

In pre-Christian Rome, Saturnalia was the annual winter solstice celebration coinciding with the feast days for Saturn (god of sowing and the harvest), Consus (god of the storage bin) and Opa (goddess of plenty).

Many of our contemporary winter holiday traditions derive from Saturnalia’s pagan roots, including the hanging of wreaths and garlands, donations to the needy, prayers for peace, time off work to be enjoyed with family, and of course eating, drinking and merriment.

NABC pays tribute to these ancient pagan origins with Saturnalia, our holiday draft celebration. When the doors open at 11:00 a.m. on our new Saturnalia kick-off day, Plaid Friday (November 25, 2011), the first wave of sacrificial MMXI Saturnalia selections will be tapped in the traditional, ritualistic manner, and the hedonistic pleasures will begin. The remaining kegs will be deployed as the days pass, and the revelry is expected to continue throughout the month of December.

Pricing and portion sizes vary according to alcohol content and style. During the festival’s run, information and updates will appear on our web site: www.newalbanian.com

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

(9) NABC Brewers’ Best Friend Series.

Brewers’ Best Friend Series

Assertive, loyal specialties named for our brewers’ canine chums, and often the beers of choice for creative aging.

Abbey’s Dubbel
She makes the schedules -- not me.
Straight-forward Belgian-style brown ale, named in honor of NABC co-owner Kate Lewison’s canine companion.
6.2% abv
17 IBU

Elsa von Horizon
Bekämpfen und ich beiße Sie
Never one to settle for the ordinary, Elsa proves that living boldly is always in style. True to her nature, this Imperial Pilsner runs long and powerfully, never gives up, and remains squarely in your memory if you are ever lucky to meet. Packed with Noble hops and Continental malts, Elsa is truly a legend.
8.6% abv
80 IBU
Seasonally available in 22-oz bomber bottles

Henna
Now that’s what I wanted!
Henna always likes to smell stuff. We like to smell her hoppy beer. It’s a Black IPA … or was that Cascadian Dark Ale?
7% abv
83 IBU

Jasmine the Mastiff
As the lion is to the cat, the mastiff is to the dog
Silky, sweet Stout with a solid roasted character. Big, bold, and ready to lean on you.
7.5% abv
35 IBU

Jaxon
With a bark like that, who needs Pat?
The newest member of the Brewers’ Best Friend Series. Jaxon, NABC’s properly pedigreed Barley Wine Ale, is brewed and aged by David Pierce at Bank Street Brewhouse. Only the first runnings are collected from the mash tun, with no sparge. Three separate mashes make up one batch. Drop the leash … and let Jaxon run.
11% abv
100+ IBU
Seasonally available in 22-oz bomber bottles

2011 bomber labels for Bonfire of the Valkyries and Solidarity.


Solidarity is approved. In 2011, there'll be only one Bonfire, at the "Imperial" strength. Look for these on shelves soon. If I knew exactly when, I'd say so.

(8) NABC World Cup Trilogy (2010).

World Cup Trilogy, 2010

Football fanatic (and former NABC brewmaster) Jared Williamson conceived the Trilogy, with a unique beer unveiled for each of the USA’s opening round matches in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

USA vs. England – Ordinary Bitter
Classic cask ale malt from the UK, with Pacific Northwest hops for flavor and aroma. English ale yeast. Cross-referenced with NABC’s Session Series.
3.9% abv
26 IBU

USA vs. Slovenia – Keller Pils
European and North American malts, hopped seven times with 100% Slovenian-grown Styrian Goldings. Cross-referenced with NABC’s Session Series.
3.9% abv
36 IBU

USA vs. Algeria – Biere de Garde
Franco-Belgian malts, hopped to style, with spicing inspired by the Maghreb region’s cuisine, specifically tajine. Chouffe yeast.
3.9% abv
15 IBU

(7) NABC Heritage Series.

Heritage Series

Glimpses into the past; seasonal availability, on draft only.

Ackerman’s Imperial Double Stout
2011 Winterfest ReplicAle
As featured at the Brewers of Indiana Guild Winterfest 2011 as ReplicAle, formulated by the NABC brew team, and brewed at breweries throughout Indiana. After Prohibition ended, Ackerman’s briefly brewed in New Albany, and was the last commercial brewery in town until NABC’s brewery opened in 2002.
43 IBU
8.5% ABV

Hop-O
A blast from New Albany’s illicit past
This Prohibition Era Cereal Beer is the most infamous New Albany beverage of all. It was supposed to have been Southern Indiana Brewing Company’s “near beer” at less than 1% abv, but the Feds learned that it was above 3% – and the bribes weren’t enough. Now Hop-O is revived, and notorious for entirely different reasons.
? IBU
3.5% ABV

Kaiser 2nd Reising
Your great, great granddaddy’s pilsner
Before World War One, the Paul Reising Brewing Company was New Albany’s pre-eminent brewing concern, and it occupied a respected position in the pantheon of local business. In the contemporary age, NABC recognizes Paul Reising and the city’s other brewers of old with this Pre-Prohibition Pilsner.
40 IBU
5.5% ABV

Old Lightning Rod
Let thy discontents be thy secrets
An annual January release commemorating the birthday of Benjamin Franklin, Old Lightning Rod is a throwback strong ale from Colonial American times, incorporating “triangular” molasses as an adjunct, and encapsulating Franklin’s sly founding wisdom.
26 IBU
7.5% ABV

Phoenix Kentucky Komon
None just like it!
Old-time Louisville brewers were known to purloin sour (corn) mash from neighboring distilleries, using it as adjunct in batches of everyday ale. NABC’s paean to our creative “forebrewers” comes out sour, because we like it that way.
25 IBU
5% ABV

Steamboat Common (also listed as a Collaboration)
New Albanian/Great Crescent collaboration 2011
NABC’s Jared Williamson and Dan Valas of the Great Crescent brewery in Aurora formulated this throwback in honor of festivities commemorating the 200th anniversary of the first steamboat journey up and back the Ohio River. It included smoked malt, sorghum and molasses.
7.5% ABV
33.2 IBU

(6) NABC Collaborations.

Collaborations

When brewers from different breweries get together, good things happen. When brewers and pub owners, coffee roasters and chocolatiers get together, more good things happen.

Le Douche Mentale
New Albanian/The Livery collaboration 2009
Imperial Belgian IPA, with different portions aged different ways.
70 IBU
8.5% ABV

C1
New Albanian/O’Fallon/Schlafly collaboration 2009/10
Oak Aged Dry Hopped Smoked Rye Pale Ale
45 IBU
5.8% ABV

C2
New Albanian/O’Fallon/Schlafly collaboration 2010
Smoked Belgian Dark Strong; Port and Cabernet barrel-aged, infused with figs.
30 IBU
10.7% ABV

C3
New Albanian/O’Fallon/Schlafly collaboration 2010
Dry Hopped American Mild
22 IBU
4% ABV

Pirate Pale Ale
New Albanian/Charlestown Pizza Company collaboration 2011
American Pale Ale, formulated and brewed with our friends at CPC.
45 IBU
5.5% ABV

B’Urban Trotter
New Albanian/De Struise/Louisville Beer Store collaboration 2011
Imperial India Pale Ale … If the Kentucky Derby is the greatest two minutes in sports, then B’Urban Trotter is the finest few moments of sipping, because what better place for a brewer/ostrich rancher from Flanders to seek inspiration than Louisville’s annual Run for the Roses? With collaborative assistance from NABC and Louisville Beer Store, De Struise’s Urbain Coutteau created this “Derbied” Double India Pale Ale to be dry-hopped and bourbon/oak aged, with a phantom suggestion of mint for the home stretch.
208 IBU
9.2% ABV

Naughty Girl
New Albanian/De Struise/Louisville Beer Store collaboration 2011
Belgian India Blonde Ale … It all began as a Belgo-American ménage a trois, but then the brewers arrived and transformed the trans-oceanic affair into a beer love pentangle. The collaborative minds at Louisville Beer Store, De Struise Brouwers and New Albanian Brewing Company offer this, a willfully disobedient India Blonde Ale with a hop on her shoulder. She’s naturally naughty -- by nurture.
69 IBU
6% ABV
Limited one-time bottling

Steamboat Common (also listed in the Heritage Series)
New Albanian/Great Crescent collaboration 2011
NABC’s Jared Williamson and Dan Valas of the Great Crescent brewery in Aurora formulated this throwback in honor of festivities commemorating the 200th anniversary of the first steamboat journey up and back the Ohio River. It included smoked malt, sorghum and molasses.
7.5% ABV
33.2 IBU

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

(5) NABC Footed Stout Series.

Footed Stout Series

ClovenFoot
Belgian sunshine for Monsieur Scratch
NABC’s strain of Belgian yeast from the Ardennes transforms strong, rich Stout into a matter of hoofed provocation.
8.2% abv
30 IBU

QuakerFoot
There’s always time to sew more oats
Some smooth, some sweet, and some roast. Is it breakfast yet?
ABV: 5.7%
IBU: 26

ThunderFoot
Ultimate urban renewal
There can be no doubt: ThunderFoot actively renounces the gentle tweak, the mild revision, and the imperceptible hint. ThunderFoot neither seeks to make a plausible case for adaptive reuse, nor can be bothered with the nuances of historical preservation. ThunderFoot puts its elongated foot squarely down, advocating your palate’s restructuring the old-fashioned way – whole cloth, entire, complete, irresistible, certain and inevitable.
12% abv
90 IBU
Also available in 22-oz bomber bottles

WeeFoot
Feed the beast
A dry and sessionable Stout. On those days when you only need a little stout, WeeFoot is there.
5% abv
48 IBU

Monday, November 14, 2011

(4) NABC Gruit Series.

Gruit Series

Beers in the olden style, sans hops.

Artemsia
What has science done?
Brown ale brewed with two-row barley and molasses, and flavored with mugwort (the "dream herb," related to sagebrush and a cousin of wormwood), sweet orange peel and chamomile. As with wormwood, mugwort is regarded as useful in repelling moths.
4.5% abv
0 IBU

Jenever
The horse of the hanged
No hops are used in Jenever, recalling the days before the magic cone came to be accepted as the chosen bittering agent in beer. Instead, crushed juniper berries balance the malt, and a touch of rye completes a tasty, bucolic scene.
5% abv
0 IBU

Strathpeffer
Honey and heather/Srath Pheofhair
Ale in the Scots Gaelic tradition, sans hops, with heather (a shrubbery) as the spice and honey to provide a mead-like sheen. It brings out the native sparkle of haggis, if you can find any hereabouts, and is named for the town in Scotland where a Pictish eagle is famously carved into a large stone.
6% abv
0 IBU

Office Hours tonight in Prost.

Office Hours returns tonight: Monday, November 14 at 6:30 p.m. As usual, the venue is Prost, on the Public House side at 3312 Plaza Drive in New Albany.

Between now and next summer, the plan is to hold Office Hours on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month.

Office Hours functions as an informal tasting and beer bull session. During the 2010-2011 season, it was decided to peruse the entirety of the Beer Judge Certification Program style categories as facilitating the Pizzeria & Public House’s guest beer list reform effort.

Now, it has been suggested that we might examine other styles as defined by different governing entities; for example, Black/Cascadian/Escondidan IPA, which is not among the BJCP’s styles. I like this idea, although perhaps not tonight. Sourcing requires advance planning.

Therefore, tonight’s program will include beers TBA for us to sample, as drawn from whatever is available at the Public House, but our primary mission in meeting tonight will be to plot the outline of a course of study for the coming months. The reintroduction of Shelton Brothers imports via the new Starlight Distributing surely will provide one such avenue as time passes. We might explore individual brewery ranges, or esoteric style groupings.

If you’re attending tonight, put on your thinking cap and contribute to an Office Hours program of action for the near future.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

(3) NABC Session Series.

Session Series

Brewed originally for consumption at NABC’s two on-premise locations, the Session Series illustrates the lower-gravity joys of the brewing world. They’re beers of lower alcoholic potency, but with plenty of character.

Bat Out of Helles
(Brewed with Andechs lager yeast … released October, 2011)

Community Dark (also core portfolio)
Inside is what counts
Indiana State Fair Brewers Cup gold medal winner, 2011. Inspired by traditional English Mild, the style that fueled the factory workers who made the Industrial Revolution, Community Dark is revolutionary in its own way: Dark-colored but light-bodied, and a session ale suitable for New Albany’s emerging downtown renaissance.
3.7% abv
12.5 IBU

Keller Pils (originally USA vs. Slovenia, in the World Cup Trilogy)
From Ljubljana with love
European and North American malts, with hopped seven times with 100% Slovenian-grown Styrian Goldings. American “Common” lager yeast.
3.9% abv
36 IBU

Ordinary Bitter (originally USA vs. England, in the World Cup Trilogy)
Every day, it’s extraordinary
Classic cask ale malt from the UK, with Pacific Northwest hops for flavor and aroma. English ale yeast. Cross-referenced with NABC’s World Cup Trilogy.
3.9% abv
26 IBU

Smoked Abzug (also Abzug, Dunkel Abzug)
A cellar man's bier
To this very day, Germans and some other Central Europeans brew to conform to tax classifications based on gravity and alcohol content. In Germany a century or more ago, Abzug would have fallen into the lower end of the Vollbier classification, and perhaps the higher end of Schankbier. In Austria, its elders would have been Vienna and Marzen. Abzug’s assumes various stylistic German identities, but always the gravity is lower, and lagering time shorter, and in all respects it remains a tasty, quenching lager.
3.8% abv
26 IBU

Tafel Bier (also core portfolio)
Better dancing on the table than sleeping on the floor
Tafel Bier is Flemish for “table beer,” which filled those earthenware pitchers in the Brueghel paintings, and is a flavorful, session-strength accompaniment to almost any cuisine.
3.9% abv
15 IBU

Saturday, November 12, 2011

(2) NABC Seasonal Beer List.

Seasonals

Not included on other lists, sometimes cross-referenced.

Ancient Rage
Because age is wasted on the young
Consider the glories of a Smoked Baltic Porter, as brewed for the occasion of Roger’s 50th birthday in 2010. Also kegged as Oaked Ancient Rage (Oaky age never is wasted on the young).
6% abv
26 IBU

Black Grass Saison
You can’t drink Black Grass in striped pants
Belgian-style farmhouse ale, brewed with lemongrass and black pepper.
6% abv
30 IBU

Black Rye
Black Rye as an Ardennes night
Neither a rhizome, nor a Rye Zome, but a Rye Gnome, as the use of Chouffe yeast is a creeper. Roasted barley is added only late in the mash for color, not Stout.
6.5% abv
40 IBU

Bonfire of the Valkyries
Burning away the hours 'til Ragnarok
You can call it Rauchen Schwarz Super-Starkes Bier, or you can call it Smoked Black Lager (Imperial-style), but just know that we couldn’t find a rule in the Bavarian brewing playbook prohibiting big smoky blackness, so we went ahead and brewed it. The Reinheitsgebot can sue us.
9% abv
10 IBU
Also available in 22-oz bomber bottles

ConeSmoker
Smoke ‘em if you’ve got ‘em
Once upon a time the Publican poured American Pale Ale into a glass used previously for Bavarian-style Rauchbier, and an idea was born: Smoked APA.
7% abv
65 IBU

Croupier
Luck has nothing to do with it
Intended as tribute to the hard-working people who run the gaming tables at the nearby Horseshoe Casino, Croupier is strong, bitter and utterly dependable.
7.2% abv
75 IBU

Haggis Laddie
An ale that I loved so well
Laddie’s the official Celtic Red Ale of the annual Celts on the River concert in June in New Albany.
5% abv
17 IBU

Hoosier Daddy
The most heroic word in all languages is revolution
Hoosier daddy? Is it Eugene Debs, or Bob Knight? David Letterman or John Mellencamp? NABC unambiguously salutes all Hoosier daddies, wherever they are, whatever they do, and whomsoever they do it for, or to.
7% abv
50 IBU

Le Diable Blonde
Here comes the woman with the look in her eye
Patience is the key and the lesson from this malt bomb devil of a Belgian-style Tripel.
10.7% abv
30 IBU

Mt. Lee
Everything loose eventually lands in LA
California Common is a hybrid style hailing from the Gold Rush days in San Francisco, back when amber beers were brewed using lager yeast at warmer temperatures, with ample carbonation and plenty of local hops. Perversely, we’ve relocated an uncommon Common to City of Angels – specifically, the Hollywood Hills. Don’t ask why.
6.4% abv
65 IBU

Naughty Claus
Santa needs daze off, too
A rich, full-bodied holiday spiced seasonal that changes wardrobe a bit each year as we experiment with festive additives. Usually unveiled for Saturnalia, NABC’s annual observance of Christmas’s pagan roots.
7.5% abv
10 IBU

Oaktimus
Aged in sterner stuff
Oak-aged Hoptimus.
10.7% abv
100 IBU

Saison de Miel
(To be released in the Fall of 2011)

Samu-Rye!
Not at all lost in translation
Japanese-American Common: Tokyo meets San Francisco, with rye, rice and Japanese-bred Sorachi Ace Hops.
5.5% abv
40 IBU

Solidarity
Solidarity or Death
Baltic Porter is the best way to tip your hat to the activists in the Solidarity independent trade union, and a robust reminder of Baltic foresight in activism and strong beer.
8.5% abv
30 IBU
Also available in 22-oz bomber bottles

Strassen Bräu
(Brewed with Andechs yeast … released September, 2011)

Wet Knobs Hop Harvest Ale
Support your local hop growers
Originally known as Homecoming Common, before being repurposed as NABC’s salute to our intrepid hop-farming brethren atop the hills known locally as the Knobs. We annually incorporate their crop into a fresh-hopped early autumn creation -- the official ale of Fringe Fest at Bank Street Brewhouse. Also known as “Dry Knob” when using dried hops from the Knobs.
50 IBU
4.5% ABV

Friday, November 11, 2011

(1) Regulars: NABC’s Core Portfolio.

Regulars: NABC’s Core Portfolio

Year-round availability; draft only unless otherwise noted.

Beak’s Best
American Ale & Soul Liniment
Brewed with English malts and American hops, and named in honor of globetrotting historian and educator Don "Beak" Barry. You really need to wet your Beak by sampling his ale.
35 IBU
5.3% ABV

Bob’s Old 15-B
Bringing home the win
When NABC first brewed Bob Capshew's competition-winning homebrewed Porter in 2003, the reaction was so favorable that we decided to continue doing it. When the Beer Judge Certification Program unexpectedly altered its numbering system for style categories and subcategories, Bob's became "old" rather than having to select a new number.
35 IBU
5.5% ABV

Community Dark
Inside is what counts
Indiana State Fair Brewers Cup gold medal winner, 2011. Inspired by traditional English Mild, the style that fueled the factory workers who made the Industrial Revolution, Community Dark is revolutionary in its own way: Dark-colored but light-bodied, and a session ale suitable for New Albany’s emerging downtown renaissance.
12.5 IBU
3.7% ABV

Elector
Makes democracy pointless
Richly malty and excessively hopped, Elector was first brewed on Election Day, taking its name from the Electoral College. In like fashion, Elector’s unique character makes democracy pointless. It severs party affiliations, crosses the aisle, and commands you to drink early and vote often. That’s because whenever Elector is on the ballot, there’s only one real choice.
62 IBU
7.5% ABV
Also available in 22-oz bomber bottles

Hoptimus
Sterner stuff
Living vicariously through others is a sad compromise meant only for rank amateurs and subpar international lagers. Rather, we all might profit from the principled example of Hoptimus, which lives vivaciously, audaciously and capriciously through itself. With a snarky hop character that is blatantly unrepentant, Hoptimus ensures that meek palates surely will not inherit the earth.
100 IBU
10.7% ABV
Also available in 22-oz bomber bottles

Tafel Bier
Better dancing on the table than sleeping on the floor.
Tafel Bier is Flemish for “table beer,” which filled those earthenware pitchers in the Brueghel paintings, and is a flavorful, session-strength accompaniment to almost any cuisine.
15 IBU
3.9% ABV

Tunnel Vision
The ultimate subterranean sexy chic
Those hardy immigrant gnomes who came from the venerable hills of the Ardennes to take up residence beneath the mysterious Knobs of Southern Indiana get lonely, too. That’s why NABC gave them Tunnel Vision, a potion reminiscent of home, and sufficiently versatile for consumption in all seasons -- and on all continents.
20 IBU
9.5% ABV
Also available in 22-oz bomber bottles

Yakima
How the Midwest was won
Yakima is simple in design: This beer is for me, the hophead Brewmaster here in the land of no coast. After many years of liquid research, the time came to satisfy my inner desire to craft a Rye IPA so immaculate that it would ‘up’ our revolution even further. Mission accomplished.
130 IBU
7.5% ABV
Also available in 22-oz bomber bottles

Thursday, November 10, 2011

NABC's master beer list.

I've gone through the whole list twice already in anticipation of the new web site going "live," and now, over a period of days, I'll be posting the NABC master list as divided into categories. For the most part, each listing will have the beer name, a tag line, and a description with ABV and IBU. Ingredient lists and other information will be the next step. All listings are for draft, with availability in 22-oz bottles noted.

Let me know if anything looks out of kilter, or mistaken; of course, kindly provide constructive advice. Thanks, readers.

Wednesday, November 09, 2011

Want to list your beer event?

A reminder: Don't forget Louisville Beer Dot Com's calendar feature.

Beer Calendar | LouisvilleBeer.com
louisvillebeer.com
Want to list your beer event? Simply e-mail the name of the event, location, date, time, and a brief...

Monday, November 07, 2011

Taste NABC's QuakerFoot at the Irish Rover, this Sunday (November 13).

QuakerFoot is the latest member of NABC's Footed Stout Series (see below for complete roster), brewed at the NABC R & D Brewery in the approximate range of a BJCP-style 13-C (Oatmeal Stout).

To celebrate the Irish Rover's 18th birthday, numerous draft stouts are being tapped this coming Sunday (November 13) at the pub's Frankfort Avenue location. NABC will debut QuakerFoot at this event, which runs from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

NABC QuakerFoot

Malts: Rahr Pale, Simpsons Roast Barley, US Flaked Oats, Simpsons Crystal Medium, Belgian Special B, Simpsons Chocolate

Hops: US Willamette (mash), US Challenger (all of boil)

ABV: 5.7%
IBU: 26

NABC Footed Stout Series (sorry, not on hand for the Rover's celebration)

ClovenFoot
Belgian sunshine for Monsieur Scratch
NABC’s strain of Belgian yeast from the Ardennes transforms strong, rich Stout into a matter of hoofed provocation.
8.2% abv
30 IBU

ThunderFoot
Ultimate urban renewal
There can be no doubt: ThunderFoot actively renounces the gentle tweak, the mild revision, and the imperceptible hint. ThunderFoot neither seeks to make a plausible case for adaptive reuse, nor can be bothered with the nuances of historical preservation. ThunderFoot puts its elongated foot squarely down, advocating your palate’s restructuring the old-fashioned way – whole cloth, entire, complete, irresistible, certain and inevitable.
12% abv
90 IBU

WeeFoot
Feed the beast
A dry and sessionable Stout. On those days when you only need a little stout, WeeFoot is there.
5% abv
48 IBU

Sunday, November 06, 2011

R.I.P., Carl Christenson.

There is a constant ebb and flow of the "regulars" at any pub or restaurant. Times, lives, careers, habits -- all of them change, and so so frequently. People move away, and others move in. Their children turn 21 years old, and eventually you meet the grandchildren. We understand that it's a food and drink business, but insofar as humanly possible, we cling to the idea that it's an extended family as well.

Sadly, at some point, you see that someone you once chatted with quite often has died. Seeing as next year will be the 25th since Sportstime Pizza opened in 1987, we're too often reminded that more than a few regulars from the nineties no longer are with us. One of them was Carl Christenson, who we used to see on a weekly basis. He was a sharp fellow, an educator and a storyteller, and he liked a good pint of ale. We'll all miss him, and our condolences are with Carl's family.

Saturday, November 05, 2011

Next Tuesday, you can vote AND have a beer -- in Indiana.

Since 2010, no longer has there been election day blue law tomfoolery in Indiana.

Next Tuesday, November 8, the polls will be open -- and so will the taverns in Indiana. At long last, you can legally drink an Elector or two, and then go vote ... in Indiana. Next Tuesday, both NABC locations will observe regular business hours sans beer tapping restrictions -- that's right, in Indiana. Unfortunately, Kentucky as yet isn't so lucky. See you Tuesday.

Friday, November 04, 2011

Dirty Squirrel Zwarte Ale is being brewed today.

There was an article in the arts section of the New York Times last Sunday about the mid-19th century habit of composers dedicating their newly published works to each other, rather than their erstwhile funding patrons --- the patronage system having largely become obsolete by that time.

In like fashion, and in a vaguely collaborative sense, Dirty Squirrel Zwarte Ale is NABC's homage to Against the Grain's Knotty Squirrel, which was a tribute to NABC/Struise/LBS's Naughty Girl.

What happens next is anyone's guess, maybe Dotty Swirl, but please, let the circle be unbroken. By the way, "zwarte" is "black" in Flemish.

Dirty Squirrel Zwarte Ale

Malts: Rahr Pale, Simpson Dark Crystal, Castle Aromatic, Weyermann Carafa I, Weyermann CaraFoam, Simpson Black

Hops: Challenger - Mash; Galena - Boil; Centennial - Middle; Cascade - Whirlpool; Centennial - Whirlpool; Palisade - Dry hops

Yeast: T58

69 IBU
17.8 Degree Plato
7.3 % ABV
Color 32.4 SRM

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Three cheers: Starlight Distribution brings Shelton Brothers back to Indiana.

Vows of silence aren't helpful for a quasi-journalist, because it means you can't possibly get credit for the scoop, but the wonderful outcome in this case is far more important than the pathway to it.

With postings at Hoosier Beer Geek and Indiana Beer reporting the news, and Todd Antz divulging an inaugural shipment to Keg Liquors, it can now be disclosed publicly that the Shelton Brothers importing house is once again legal in Indiana, and its portfolio will be handled by a start-up wholesaler just a few miles up the Knobs from NABC: Starlight Distribution LLC. They'll be carrying other lines, too, although at this precise moment, Shelton's the thing.

Given the good people involved with Starlight Distribution, and the increased availability of some of the world's finest beers in the neighborhood, this must be judged one of the top stories of the year.

Now, "here" this: With NABC's two brewing locations, Starlight Distribution's advent, and Keg's New Albany location set to open later in November, Floyd County becomes a go-to, good-beer location in metro Louisville. Not only that, but River City Winery is down Pearl Street from the new Keg Liquors, Huber Winery/Starlight Distillery is just across the Clark County line, and yet another local winery, Indian Creek, sits on the Floyd/Harrison border.

Now, if we can only coerce the supremely talented local cidermaker Bob Capshew to move from crafting cider vinegar to commercial production of genuine Floyd County drinking cider ... but surely the day will come.

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Clip and save NABC's holiday opening/closing schedule for 2011.

When we'll be here, and when we won't.

---

Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 24
Both NABC locations will be closed

Plaid Friday
Friday, November 25
Usual hours at both locations, with Saturnalia 2011 kicking off at the Pizzeria & Public House


Sunday, December 18
Bank Street Brewhouse will close at 5:00 p.m. (kitchen closes at 4:00 p.m.) so staff can attend the NABC company Christmas gathering.

Christmas Eve
Saturday, December 24
Pizzeria & Public House will be open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (pizzeria side only)
Bank Street Brewhouse will be closed

Christmas Day
Sunday, December 25
Both NABC locations will be closed

Boxing Day
Monday, December 26
Pizzeria & Public House will be open for normal hours (both sides)
Bank Street Brewhouse will be closed (as always on Monday)

Tuesday, December 27
In the Prost room ... tentative date

New Year’s Eve
Saturday, December 31
Pizzeria & Public House will be open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (pizzeria side only)
Bank Street Brewhouse will be closed

New Year’s Day
Sunday, January 1 (2012)
Both NABC locations will be closed

Monday, January 2
Pizzeria & Public House will be open or normal hours (both sides)
Bank Street Brewhouse will be closed (as always on Monday)

Black is out, plaid is in.

NABC is a founding member of New Albany First, which is our city’s new independent business association (IBA). It is the New Albany version of the Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA), which encourages you to Keep Louisville Weird), and is dedicated to encouraging the public to support independently owned, small local businesses.

IBAs accomplish this through three primary focus areas:

1. Public education about the greater overall value local independents often can provide (even when they are not the cheapest) as well as the vital economic, social and cultural role independent businesses play in the community.

2. Facilitating cooperative promotion, advertising, purchasing, sharing of skills and resources and other activities to help local businesses gain economies of scale and compete more effectively.

3. Creating a strong and uncompromised voice to speak for local independents in the local government and media while engaging citizens in guiding the future of their community through democratic action.

Obviously, NABC sinks or swims by being independent and locally oriented, and we have pledged support by joining New Albany First. Happily, the approaching holiday season provides a perfect opportunity to put principles into action.

We all know that “Black Friday” (Nov 25) is the biggest sales day of the year for big boxes and multinational chain stores -- the ones where the money leaves town for corporate headquarters worldwide.

In response to the media hype and saturation advertising that steer so much trade to the country's biggest, richest and largest companies on “Black Friday,” the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), of which New Albany First is a member, promotes the idea of America Unchained, which commences the weekend before Thanksgiving). Meanwhile, an initiative arising in Oakland CA called Plaid (not black) Friday is beginning to pop up in communities across the nation.

NABC aims to join in the fun on Plaid Friday this year. First and foremost, we remind you of the intent:

Instead of Black Friday it’s PLAID FRIDAY! Shift Your Shopping and wear plaid as you shop on Friday to remind yourself and others to make the 10% Shift. The 10% Shift encourages you to shift 10% of your holiday purchases from non-local businesses to Local Independents (also called indies or locally owned and independent businesses). Making the shift to local independents is one way we can build sustainable economies and create jobs in our local community.

It’s simple, and you’re not being asked to go cold turkey -- just allocate a percentage to independent local businesses, and learn what they can do for you. Here at NABC, we’re discussing what we might do on Plaid Friday beyond dressing up for the day. I have a few ideas, so stay tuned for more.