Gravity Head today, and "Erin Go Blagh".

Saturday, March 17, happens to be the 20th business day at the Pizzeria and Public House during which those beers listed for Gravity Head 2012 are being poured. Right now, there are 11, down from a peak of 20 on opening night ... or was it Founders Night? I can't remember, and that's a reminder of how excellent the event has been this year.

Given prevailing atmospheric conditions during the past three weeks, it is instructive to remember that we pushed the start of Gravity Head into February precisely because doing so would garner better (colder) weather more suitable for strong ales and lagers. The weather's been better for a festival of wheat ales, but we (and you) have persevered.

The ranks have thinned quickly, and today's update can be found here.

Today also is St. Patrick's Day, and always a fitting time to remind readers of the classic commentary called "Erin Go Blah," which for my money remains the definitive statement on the excesses of the holiday. It was written by bartender Chris Halleron some years back for the “Hot Trub” e-newsletter, and permission to reprint has been provided by the author.

Just in time for the holiday: "Erin Go Blah" (a reprint).

Whoa, that was fast.

Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout ... gone at 3:00 p.m. Pictured are the last two half-pints. Here's the current lineup, but it won't be current for long.

Founders invades Gravity Head on Friday, March 9 ... and a look at the Gravity Head schedule in 2013.

(March 8 update: To a non-Gravity Head keg of Founders Centennial IPA added yesterday to Friday's tap list, Eric has sourced a Gravity Head special cameo keg of Founders Backwoods Bastard, bringing the number of Founders ales to be poured Friday to 11. You're welcome.)


Gravity Head 2012 rolls forward, albeit with ranks thinning more rapidly than ever before. At 11:00 a.m. on Friday morning (March 9), Gravity Head’s third weekend will open at NABC’s Pizzeria and Public House with this powerful wave of ales from Founders (Grand Rapids, Michigan):

13F RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
Founders Imperial Stout (2010) 10.5%

14C IMPERIAL INDIA PALE ALE
Founders Double Trouble 9.4%

16E. BELGIAN SPECIALTY ALE
Founders Blushing Monk Founders Brewing Company 9.2%

19A. OLD ALE
Founders Curmudgeon Old Ale 9.8%

19C. AMERICAN BARLEYWINE
Founders Nemesis (2010) 12%

21A. SPICE, HERB, OR VEGETABLE BEER
Founders Breakfast Stout (2010) 8.3%

22C. WOOD-AGED BEER
Founders CBS Imperial Stout (Canadian Breakfast) 10.6%
Founders KBS Kentucky Breakfast Stout (2011) 11.2%

But there’s even more, because we happened upon yet another Founders specialty, and will sacrifice it on Friday, too:

22C. WOOD-AGED BEER 

Founders Curmudgeon's Better Half 11.9% (unlisted cameo)

If you’re keeping track, this makes a total of nine Founders on Friday (that’s catchy: “Gravity Head 2012: Founders on Fried Day”), but we’ll also extend the merriment of F’s to include our pals at Flat12 Bierwerks (Indianapolis), and two of their ales also will be tapped at 11:00 a.m. on the 9^th:

14C IMPERIAL INDIA PALE ALE
Flat12 Vulgar Display of Hops 9.7% (unlisted cameo)

Flat12 Winter Cycle 9.3%

Naturally, there’ll be other listed Gravity Head selections pouring, as well as plenty of other beers on tap from NABC, America and the planet. For frequent lineupdates, go here, and follow @nabcnews on Twitter.

---


Lastly, the coming third weekend of Gravity Head has become synonymous in recent years with the arrival of John Host, genial Founders sales impresario, in the company of a visiting delegation of revelers from Cavalier Distributing, the official Indiana wholesaler for Founders. They’ll be on hand in the early evening, and for those still wondering, this is why we’ve started reserving Founders ales for their third weekend starring slot.

As advance notice, the schedule will work the same way in 2013, barring the unexpected (like the end of the world as we know it, or other interruptions in routine).

Friday, February 22, 2013

Gravity Head 2013 will open at 7:00 a.m. for tailgate breakfast, with an opening weekend tap takeover by featured guests from Sun King Brewing Company in Indianapolis.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

You may see an expansion of breakfast hours to Saturday morning, although this hasn’t yet been conclusively approved.

For the first full week of Gravity Head 2013 and its second weekend, we will keep dates open and free of special promotions, having learned by costly experience that it’s the most likely time for the business to suffer closures owing to impromptu, unannounced ritual screwings by public utility monopolies, like Indiana American Water (2010) and Duke Energy (2012). The gas company presumably is next in line, although I hope they’re not reading anything except meters.

Friday, March 8, 2013

The unleashing of accumulated Founders kegs, as before, along with the usual delegation’s visit.

We're open. Finally.

NABC's Pizzeria & Public House will be open tonight at 7:30 p.m., after an entire day lost to a power outage that occurred after lightning struck the neighborhood power grid early this morning. It reminds me that perhaps the sole worthwhile aspect of Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged" -- a tome otherwise filled with pseudo-philosophical drivel -- is her skill at describing societal infrastructure in terminal decay.

The updated Gravity Head tap list is here.

Bonus unlisted Gravity Head visitors now include a Better Half. Will there be others?

Already there's been a cameo/bonus/unlisted Gravity Head keg, already come and gone:

Marsha Mallow’s Malted Milk Stout 8% abv ... New Holland Collaboration Brew with City Provisions (Chicago)

Today another unexpected keg was delivered: Founders Curmudgeon's Better Half 11.9% abv

It will join the Founders third weekend wave on Friday, March 9, along with all listed Founders ales and both of Flat12's (Winter Cycle and Vulgar Display of Hops). Other bonus appearances still are expected, but it's too early to predict when they'll go on tap:

Against the Grain Oak-Aged Dilator Doppelbock circa 8% abv
Alltech Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale 8.2% abv

Flat12 Bierwerks Vulgar Display of Hops 9.7% abv

Schlenkerla Eiche (gravity-dispense) 8% abv

Sun King Dominator Doppelbock 8.1% abv
Sun King Isis Imperial IPA circa 9% abv

Three Floyds Topless Witch 9% abv
Three Floyds Stygian Darkness 9% abv

Gravity Head lineupdates beginning Monday, March 5.

Wednesday morning, March 28 update

I've decided to keep using this posting's URL to update Gravity Head lineup changes through the third weekend of the festival. The best way to keep track of lineup changes as they happen is at Twitter: @nabcnews

(8) ON TAP NOW, AS OF 11:00 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY, 3/28/12

13F RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
Upland Teddy Bear Kisses Russian Imperial Stout 10.2%

14C IMPERIAL INDIA PALE ALE
Flat12 Winter Cycle 9.3%

19C. AMERICAN BARLEYWINE
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barley Wine (2009) 9.6%
Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine (2010) 12%

22C. WOOD-AGED BEER
Great Crescent Bourbon’s Barrel Stout 8%

23. SPECIALTY BEER
NABC/O'Fallon/Schlafly C2 Collaboration Ale (2010)(CO2 pour) 10.7%
Stone Old Guardian Belgo Barley Wine 12%
Upland Ard Ri Imperial Red 9.3%

(1) GRAVITY HEAD BONUS UNLISTED KEGS NOW ON TAP

Sun King Dominator Doppelbock 8.1%

(1) GRAVITY HEAD BONUS UNLISTED KEGS IN THE BULLPEN

Against the Grain Oak-Aged Dilator Doppelbock circa 8% abv

(1) YET TO BE TAPPED

19C. AMERICAN BARLEYWINE
Great Divide Old Ruffian Barley Wine 10.2%

---

(44) THEY GAVE THEIR ALL … GOODBYE

00. NEW HOLLAND – STYLE UNTO ITSELF
New Holland Barrel Aged Charkoota Rye 8.4%
New Holland Blue Sunday “Gravity Head Sour Blend” 8.7%
New Holland Charkoota Rye 8%
New Holland Dragon’s Milk 10%
New Holland Envious Circa 8%
New Holland Golden Mean 8.1%
New Holland Imperial Hatter 9.4%
New Holland Silent Night 11%

5E. EISBOCK
Kulmbacher Eisbock “Bayerisch G’frorns” (2010) 9.2%

13F. RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
Alvinne Podge Belgian Imperial Stout (cask; 2009) 10.5%
Bell's Expedition Stout 10.5%
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout (2010) 10%
De Molen Cease and Desist (a.k.a. Rasputin, Disputin) 10.7%
Founders Imperial Stout (2010) 10.5%
Stone Imperial Russian Stout (2010) 10.8%

14C IMPERIAL INDIA PALE ALE
Bell’s Hopslam 10% (three 15.5 gallon kegs in all)
Founders Double Trouble 9.4%
Mikkeller I Beat yoU 9.75%
NABC/De Struise/LBS B’Urban Trotter 9.2%

15C. WEIZENBOCK
Schneider Aventinus Weizen-Eisbock 12%

16E. BELGIAN SPECIALTY ALE
De Proef Flemish Primitive Wild Ale (Surly Bird) 9%
Founders Blushing Monk Founders Brewing Company 9.2%

18C. BELGIAN TRIPEL
NABC Le Diable Blonde (2010) 10.7%

19A. OLD ALE
Founders Curmudgeon Old Ale 9.8%

19C. AMERICAN BARLEYWINE
Hair of the Dog Fred 10%
Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine 15.04%
Founders Nemesis (2010) 12%
Rogue XS Old Crustacean Barley Wine (2009) Circa 11%
Three Floyds Behemoth Blonde Barley Wine 12.5%

21A. SPICE, HERB, OR VEGETABLE BEER
Founders Breakfast Stout (2010) 8.3%

21B. CHRISTMAS/WINTER SPECIALTY SPICED BEER
Haandbryggeriet Bestefar 10%

22C. WOOD-AGED BEER
BBC (Main and Clay) Bearded Pat’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Barley Wine (2009) 11%
Founders CBS Imperial Stout (Canadian Breakfast) 10.6%
Founders KBS Kentucky Breakfast Stout (2011) 11.2%
Harviestoun Ola Dubh Old Engine Oil Special Reserve (Conditioned in Highland Park 18-Year-Old Scotch Barrels) Circa 11%
Left Hand Wake Up Dead (barrel-aged; nitro) 10.20%
NABC IX — Ninth Anniversary Ale (2010) 9%
NABC Oaktimus 10.7%
North Coast Grand Cru 12.9%

23. SPECIALTY BEER
Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron 12%
Hair of the Dog Adam 10%
Shmaltz He’Brew Jewbelation Fifteen – 15th Anniversary Ale 15%
Sierra Nevada/Dogfish Head Life and Limb (Version 2, 2011) 10.2%
Two Brothers Bare Tree (2010) 10%

(9) BONUS UNLISTED KEGS BLOWN

Alltech Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale 8.2%
Flat12 Vulgar Display of Hops 9.7%
Founders Backwoods Bastard 10.2%
Founders Curmudgeon's Better Half 11.9%
New Holland Marsha Mallow’s Malted Milk Stout 8%
Schlenkerla Eiche (Anstich) 8%
Three Floyds Dreadnaught IPA 9.5%
Three Floyds Stygian Darkness 9%
Three Floyds Topless Wytch  9%

Hasty Gravity Head lineupdate for Saturday, February 25.

After tonight, I'll divide the list into "on tap/coming soon/departed," but for now, here's the lineup as it looks at opening at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday the 25th of February.

00. NEW HOLLAND – STYLE UNTO ITSELF
New Holland Barrel Aged Charkoota Rye 8.4%
New Holland Charkoota Rye 8%
New Holland Envious Circa 8%
New Holland Silent Night 11%

5E. EISBOCK
Kulmbacher Eisbock “Bayerisch G’frorns” (2010) 9.2%

13F. RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
Alvinne Podge Belgian Imperial Stout (cask; 2009) 10.5%
De Molen Cease and Desist (a.k.a. Rasputin, Disputin) 10.7%

14C IMPERIAL INDIA PALE ALE
Bell’s Hopslam 10%

16E. BELGIAN SPECIALTY ALE
De Proef Flemish Primitive Wild Ale (Surly Bird) 9% (Fan Vote Winner)

19C. AMERICAN BARLEYWINE
Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine 15.04%
Hair of the Dog Fred 10%
Rogue XS Old Crustacean Barley Wine (2009) Circa 11%

22C. WOOD-AGED BEER
Left Hand Wake Up Dead (barrel-aged; nitro) 10.20%
NABC IX — Ninth Anniversary Ale (2010) 9%
NABC Oaktimus 10.7%
North Coast Grand Cru 12.9%

23. SPECIALTY BEER
Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron 12%
Hair of the Dog Adam 10%
NABC/O'Fallon/Schlafly C2 Collaboration Ale (2010)(keg) 10.7%
Stone Old Guardian Belgo Barley Wine 12%

New Holland's bonus keg: Marsha Mallow’s Malted Milk Stout, on tap now at Gravity Head.

I quickly copied the following from New Holland's web site. We received the keg along with the rest of the shipment, and I wasn't sure if there'd be room for it, but Eric found a way. He also just went home, after being up all night getting the Gravity Head drafts in order.

So far, I've sampled wee bits of Marsha Mallow's, Blue Sunday, and Charkoota (original and rum barrel aged). All are excellent. I recommend doing the two Charkoota brews back to back; you can taste the rum in the barrel-aged version, without the burn, and with the smoke and rye blending seamlessly in the background.

New Holland Collaboration Brew
Marsha Mallow’s Malted Milk Stout 8% abv
Brewed  with City Provisions (Chicago)

Brewed at New Holland Brewing Co. Restaurant and Pub with Chef Cleetus Friedman of City Provisions Delicatessen. Named after the infamous Marsha Mallow, of the NHB staff holiday party, 2012.

Gravity Head 2012: I kinda had this feeling ...

We much appreciate the human tsunami that greeted us this morning at 7:00 a.m., and requisite apologies to everyone for running out of food so quickly. I'm trying to mobilize some kitchen staff to come in and get the regular menu rolling earlier than usual.

The photo above shows the choices, but does not depict the NABC listed drafts, including IX, C2 and Oaktimus.

Happy Gravity Head, folks.

The Gravity Head fan vote winner for 2012 is ... sour!

We have a runaway winner (by a 3-1 margin) in the Gravity Head 2012 vote for the 19th tap:

De Proef Flemish Primitive Wild Ale (Surly Bird)
De Proefbrouwerij
Lochristi-Hijfte BELGIUM
Bitterness: 45 IBUs
Alcohol by volume: 9%


www.sheltonbrothers.com


Gravity Head Twist: It’s called Flemish Primitive for two reasons: Wild yeast, and a school of Flemish painters. Multiple strains of Brettanomyces yeast are used here, and uncharacteristically generous late hop additions.

There was a four-way tie for second place, and 12 beers in all received votes. For the complete list of starters, go here ... and get ready.

Gravity Head bonuses from Three Floyds and Flat12.

Previously, I had a few good words to say about the process of Gravity Head foraging.

In recent years, after establishing exactly what we had on hand during Gravity Head and making comprehensive lists and programs, we’ve still welcomed various kegs as “bonus” unlisted surprises -- cameos, as it were.

Here are three more kegs, transiting this way, and unlisted. From our friends on the Hoosier side of Chicagoland ...

Three Floyds Topless Witch (12C Baltic Porter 9%)
Three Floyds Stygian Darkness (18E Belgian Dark Strong Ale 9%)

Eric's working on placing these into the rotation, and they're still a week or two out. Meanwhile, also from Indiana:

Flat12 Bierwerks Vulgar Display of Hops (14C Imperial IPA 9.7%)

We’ll work it into the rotation on March 9, alongside the Founders wave and the other Flat12 selection, Winter Cycle.

All about Gravity Head 2012, at NABC's Pizzeria & Public House.

Follow the links below to get the straight dope about Gravity Head's 14th edition, which kicks off at the Public House on Friday, February 24.

Gravity Head 2012: The starting lineup

Official program: The Daily Gravity Form, in .pdf format

18 Gravity Head starters named -- vote now for the 19th and final opening day selection

The Publican’s Gravity Head Diary: Thoughts on New Holland, Sun King and Founders

Gravity Head bonuses from Three Floyds and Flat12

R.E.M. - "It's the End of the World (As We Know It)"

The New Holland delegation for Gravity Head 2012

18 Gravity Head starters named -- vote now for the 19th and final opening day selection.

Once again, as we prepare for the 14th edition of Gravity Head ("It's the end of the world as we know it") we’re allowing you to vote on the beer that will occupy the 19th tap.

That's right: 19th tap. Eric managed to squeeze in a few more beers than usual.

The starting lineup is here: Gravity Head 2012: The starting lineup.

When making your choice, please remember that the beers listed below are the only ones eligible for selection. The list here has been edited to remove the beers already selected to start, ones already designated to appear on specific dates, and those that remain in transit. For the complete Gravity Form program, go here.

Vote just once, and for just one beer, and submit to your choice to me at this e-mail address: istanbul85(at)yahoo(dot)com. Noon on Thursday, February 23, 2012 is the deadline for voting. I personally comprise the voting commission, and my decisions are final.

Fan Vote Eligibility List for Gravity Head 2011

13F RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
Bell's Expedition Stout 10.5%
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout (2010) 10%
Stone Imperial Russian Stout (2010) 10.8%
Upland Teddy Bear Kisses Russian Imperial Stout 10.2%

14C IMPERIAL INDIA PALE ALE
Bell’s Hopslam 10%
Mikkeller I Beat yoU 9.75%
NABC/De Struise/LBS B’Urban Trotter 9.2%

15C. WEIZENBOCK
Schneider Aventinus Weizen-Eisbock 12%

16E. BELGIAN SPECIALTY ALE
De Proef Flemish Primitive Wild Ale (Surly Bird) 9%

18C. BELGIAN TRIPEL
NABC Le Diable Blonde (2010) 10.7%

19C. AMERICAN BARLEYWINE
Great Divide Old Ruffian Barley Wine 10.2%
Hair of the Dog Fred 10%
Rogue XS Old Crustacean Barley Wine (2009) Circa 11%
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barley Wine (2009) 9.6%
Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine (2010) 12%
Three Floyds Behemoth Blonde Barley Wine 12.5%

21B. CHRISTMAS/WINTER SPECIALTY SPICED BEER
Haandbryggeriet Bestefar 10%

22C. WOOD-AGED BEER
BBC (Main & Clay) Bearded Pat’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Barley Wine (2009) 11%
Great Crescent Bourbon’s Barrel Stout 8%
Harviestoun Ola Dubh Old Engine Oil Special Reserve Conditioned in Highland Park 18-Year-Old Scotch Barrels Circa 11%

23. SPECIALTY BEER
Hair of the Dog Adam 10%
Shmaltz He’Brew Jewbelation Fifteen – 15th Anniversary Ale 15%
Sierra Nevada/Dogfish Head Life & Limb (Version 2, 2011) 10.2%
Stone Old Guardian Belgo Barley Wine 12%
Two Brothers Bare Tree (2010) 10%

The Publican’s Gravity Head Diary: Thoughts on New Holland, Sun King and Founders.

Following last year’s Great Taste of the Midwest, the Curmudgeons exited Wisconsin via Milwaukee, loading the Crown Vic onto the Lake (Michigan) Express to Muskegon, and then enjoying a short drive to Holland for a few days of rest and relaxation at the wonderful City Flats Hotel.

New Holland Brewing Company is situated a block away from the hotel, and one afternoon over beers with Fred Bueltmann, it occurred to me to ask whether New Holland would like to “open” Gravity Head 2012 in the same fashion as Three Floyds “headlined” the 2011 edition, with a mini-tap takeover at the beginning. Fred was amenable, and that’s why the New Holland contingent will be on tap all at once when this year’s Gravity Head begins next week.

In the past, we didn’t do things like this, but in my view, it’s vital to follow a pathway of constant reinvention. Wholesale changes seldom are necessary; rather, little changes have a way of keeping ideas fresh.

Yesterday I attended a meeting of the Brewers of Indiana guild, and Clay Robinson of Sun King asked me if Gravity Head 2012 might still be able to use a few additional kegs. Well, of course it would. In recent years, after establishing exactly what we had on hand during Gravity Head and making comprehensive lists and programs, we’ve still welcomed various kegs as “bonus” unlisted surprises -- cameos, as it were.

In this spontaneous fashion, and although they’ll not be listed on the 2012 Gravity Form, expect to see kegs of Sun King’s Dominator Doppelbock and Isis Imperial IPA during Gravity’s Head’s run.

Also, we’re expecting a selection or two from Three Floyds; Oak-Aged Doppelbock from Louisville’s Against the Grain; a keg of Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale from Alltech in Lexington, Kentucky; and gravity-dispensed Schlenkerla Eiche. There may yet be others. In the past, we didn’t run Gravity Head in this exact fashion, but nowadays, it sounds like fun, and so we do it. Do you see a pattern emerging?

Clay and I briefly discussed another beer-related item yesterday, and so I am highly pleased to announce that Sun King will take over the taps at the beginning of Gravity Head 2013, which will be the 15th such celebration. Might there be time for a Gravity Head collaboration brew between Sun King and NABC? Maybe, maybe not. You’ll just have to keep reading.

Meanwhile, there have been a handful of questions and comments since the Gravity Head starting lineup was released, and most of them have been about our decision to place all of the Founders beers in a phalanx, and execute a second bold tap takeover two weeks into the revelry.

In explaining this, it is helpful to remember that no matter what we do, all Gravity Head beers cannot be poured at once, for the simple reason that it isn’t the way we choose to operate the fete. Gravity Head is a state of mind that lasts for weeks, and from the start, the guiding principle has been to accommodate our regular customers throughout the Greater Louisville area by providing successive, undulating waves of higher-gravity goodness.

The Founders “second wave” tradition has evolved over the past three or four years. Founders wares are distributed in Indiana by Cavalier, and it has been convenient for Mat to bring the whole crew down from Indianapolis to visit on an early March date, after Gravity Head has already begun. It also is convenient for John Host of Founders to be here during the same time.

In logistical terms, after the zany hysteria of opening weekend, our collective livers begin to flag as the Gravity Daze inexorably accumulate. By grouping all the Founders beers into a bloc, we can create the effect of relaunching Gravity Head, serving as the second half kickoff. We get to spend some time with John and Cavalier, and there is much happiness in the land.

One thing’s for sure: There will continue to be tinkering with the Gravity Head concept. Gravity Head may have started as my idea, but in the years since inception, thoughts and ideas from numerous other employees, guests, brewers and passers-by have gone toward making it into what you see now. Even I can’t say for sure what it will look like in five years. Comments or suggestions? Let me know, and thanks for your patronage.

Gravity Head 2012: The starting lineup.

(Updated at Noon on February 23; final lineup below)

All of the starters will be tapped and ready at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, February 24, when the Public House opens for Gravity Head tailgate breakfast. A final selection will be determined by the vote of fans (see below). For the .pdf of this year's official Gravity Form, go here.

00. NEW HOLLAND – STYLE UNTO ITSELF
New Holland Barrel Aged Charkoota Rye 8.4%
New Holland Blue Sunday “Gravity Head Sour Blend” 8.7%
New Holland Charkoota Rye 8%
New Holland Dragon’s Milk 10%
New Holland Envious Circa 8%
New Holland Golden Mean 8.1%
New Holland Imperial Hatter 9.4%
New Holland Silent Night 11%

5E. EISBOCK
Kulmbacher Eisbock “Bayerisch G’frorns” (2010) 9.2%

13F. RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
Alvinne Podge Belgian Imperial Stout (cask; 2009) 10.5%
De Molen Cease and Desist (a.k.a. Rasputin, Disputin) 10.7%

16E. BELGIAN SPECIALTY ALE (Fan Vote Winner)
De Proef Flemish Primitive Wild Ale (Surly Bird) 9%

19C. AMERICAN BARLEYWINE
Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine 15.04%

22C. WOOD-AGED BEER
Left Hand Wake Up Dead (barrel-aged; nitro) 10.20%
NABC IX — Ninth Anniversary Ale (2010) 9%
NABC Oaktimus 10.7%
North Coast Grand Cru 12.9%

23. SPECIALTY BEER
Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron 12%
NABC/O'Fallon/Schlafly C2 Collaboration Ale (2010)(keg) 10.7%

The cask-conditioned, gravity-pour pin of NABC/O'Fallon/Schlafly C2 Collaboration Ale (2010) will be tapped on Friday, March 2.

All of the beers from Founders will constitute the now-traditional third weekend wave, starting on Friday, March 9. The Flat12 Winter Cycle will be tapped that day, too.

The list of beers eligible for the Gravity Head Fan Vote will be released next Monday, February 20, and the voting will commence from that time until Thursday (23rd) at Noon.

The Gravity Head 2012 starting lineup ... will be appearing soon.

Until then, a number.

That's great, it starts with an earthquake, birds and snakes, an aeroplane -
Lenny Bruce is not afraid. Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn -
world serves its own needs, regardless of your own needs. Feed it up a knock,
speed, grunt no, strength no. Ladder structure clatter with fear of height,
down height. Wire in a fire, represent the seven games in a government for
hire and a combat site. Left her, wasn't coming in a hurry with the furies
breathing down your neck. Team by team reporters baffled, trump, tethered
crop. Look at that low plane! Fine then. Uh oh, overflow, population,
common group, but it'll do. Save yourself, serve yourself. World serves its
own needs, listen to your heart bleed. Tell me with the rapture and the
reverent in the right - right. You vitriolic, patriotic, slam, fight, bright
light, feeling pretty psyched.

It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.

Six o'clock - TV hour. Don't get caught in foreign tower. Slash and burn,
return, listen to yourself churn. Lock him in uniform and book burning,
blood letting. Every motive escalate. Automotive incinerate. Light a candle,
light a motive. Step down, step down. Watch a heel crush, crush. Uh oh,
this means no fear - cavalier. Renegade and steer clear! A tournament,
a tournament, a tournament of lies. Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives
and I decline.

It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.

The other night I tripped a nice continental drift divide. Mount St. Edelite.
Leonard Bernstein. Leonid Breshnev, Lenny Bruce and Lester Bangs.
Birthday party, cheesecake, jelly bean, boom! You symbiotic, patriotic,
slam, but neck, right? Right.

It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine...fine...

(It's time I had some time alone)

Updated Gravity Head 2012 roster of kegs.

With the announcement of the New Holland contingent, Gravity Head 2012 has topped the stated goal of 50 kegs. We're now at 52, with two from Three Floyds still yet to be determined. After that, we'll see how matters develop. Opening day at the Public House is Friday, February 24; more details will be coming. The starting lineup will include all the New Holland kegs, and then on the third weekend (Friday, March 9), the Founders kegs will take over the Gravity Head taps. It's time to arrange your designated drivers, and get ready for the end of the world as we know it.

00. NEW HOLLAND – STYLE UNTO ITSELF

New Holland Barrel Aged Charkoota Rye 8.4%

New Holland Blue Sunday “Custom Gravity Head Sour Blend” 8.7%
New Holland Charkoota Rye 8%

New Holland Dragon’s Milk 10%

New Holland Envious Circa 8%

New Holland Golden Mean 8.1%

New Holland Imperial Hatter 9.4%

New Holland Silent Night 11%

5E. EISBOCK

Kulmbacher Eisbock “Bayerisch G’frorns” (2010) 9.2%

13F RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
Alvinne Podge Belgian Imperial Stout (cask; 2009) 10.5%
Bell's Expedition Stout 10.5%

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout (2010) 10%

De Molen Ceast and Desist (a.k.a. Rasputin; a.k.a Disputin) 10.7%

Founders Imperial Stout (2010) 10.5%

Stone Imperial Russian Stout (2010) 10.8%

Upland Teddy Bear Kisses Russian Imperial Stout 10.2%

14C IMPERIAL INDIA PALE ALE

Bell’s Hopslam 10%

Flat12 Winter Cycle 9.3%
Founders Double Trouble 9.4%

Mikkeller I Beat yoU 9.75%

NABC/De Struise/LBS B’Urban Trotter 9.2%

15C. WEIZENBOCK
Schneider Aventinus Weizen-Eisbock 12%

16E. BELGIAN SPECIALTY ALE
De Proef Flemish Primitive Wild Ale (Surly Bird) 9%

Founders Blushing Monk Founders Brewing Company 9.2%

18C. BELGIAN TRIPEL

NABC Le Diable Blonde (2010) 10.7%

19A. OLD ALE

Founders Curmudgeon Old Ale 9.8%

19C. AMERICAN BARLEYWINE
Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine 15.04%

Founders Nemesis (2010) 12%

Great Divide Old Ruffian Barley Wine 10.2%

Hair of the Dog Fred 10%

Rogue XS Old Crustacean Barley Wine (2009) Circa 11%

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barley Wine (2009) 9.6%

Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine (2010) 12%

Three Floyds Behemoth Blonde Barley Wine 12.5%

21A. SPICE, HERB, OR VEGETABLE BEER

Founders Breakfast Stout (2010) 8.3%

21B. CHRISTMAS/WINTER SPECIALTY SPICED BEER

Haandbryggeriet Bestefar 10%

22C. WOOD-AGED BEER

BBC (Main & Clay) Bearded Pat’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Barley Wine (2009) 11%

Founders CBS Imperial Stout (Canadian Breakfast) 10.6%

Founders KBS Kentucky Breakfast Stout (2011) 11.2%

Great Crescent Bourbon’s Barrel Stout 8%

Harviestoun Ola Dubh Old Engine Oil Special Reserve Conditioned in Highland Park 18-Year-Old Scotch Barrels Circa 11%

Left Hand Wake Up Dead (barrel-aged; nitro dispense) 10.20%

NABC Oaktimus 10.7%

North Coast Grand Cru 12.9%

23. SPECIALTY BEER
Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron 12%

Hair of the Dog Adam 10%

NABC/O'Fallon/Schlafly C2 Collaboration Ale (keg and cask-conditioned) 10.7%

Shmaltz He’Brew Jewbelation Fifteen – 15th Anniversary Ale 15%

Sierra Nevada/Dogfish Head Life & Limb (Version Two, 2011) 10.2%

Stone Old Guardian Belgo Barley Wine 12%

Two Brothers Bare Tree (2010) 10%

Upland Ard Ri Imperial Red 9.3%

The New Holland delegation for Gravity Head 2012.

We've received the list of incoming Gravity Head kegs from New Holland Brewing Company, and so here's a Gravity Form program peek.

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00. NEW HOLLAND – STYLE UNTO ITSELF

New Holland Brewing Company
Holland MI

www.newhollandbrew.com

Gravity Head Twist: Way back in the youthful daze of the Public House, Fred Bueltmann used to stop in for chats and refreshing libations while he crisscrossed the Midwest for his job as Bells beer rep. Later New Holland joined him, and I’ve enjoyably made it to Holland twice to check things out. Unlike Holland, New Albany has no Dutch-styled windmill, but NABC has this stylish contingent of New Holland specialties, handpicked by Fred and his team. For Gravity Head 2012, they’re in a category by themselves, because it’s the end of the world as we know it, and we might as well celebrate with our brethren. Accordingly, they’ll all be on tap on Friday, February 24, when Gravity Head’s 14th bacchanal begins.

New Holland Barrel Aged Charkoota Rye
(22C) Rum Barrel Aged Smoked Rye Doppelbock
8.4% abv
(See below) New Holland’s distilling arm, Artisan Spirits, crafts “freshwater” Michigan Amber Rum. Emptied rum barrels are used to age regular Charkoota for eight weeks, adding another complex layer of flavor.

New Holland Blue Sunday “Gravity Head Sour Blend”
8.7% abv
From the brewery’s cellar library of barrel-aged Blue Sunday Sour source ales comes this exclusive Gravity Head custom blend, put together solely for the 2012 event.

New Holland Charkoota Rye
(22B) Smoked Rye Doppelbock
Circa 8% abv
Pigs indeed can fly, as illustrated by this tribute to the porcine, ranging from Porkapalooza to the glories of the charcuterie. Rye and four barley malts, including cherry-smoked.

New Holland Dragon’s Milk
(22C) Barrel Aged Stout
Alcohol by volume: 10%
Aged in bourbon barrels for four months, with accompanying vanilla notes, and a name that derives from historical examples of English special strong ale reserved for the privileged. Fox hunting, anyone?

New Holland Envious
(20) Fruit Beer
Circa 8% abv
From the brewery’s Cellar Series, utterly unique fruit ale aged on oak. Michigan pear juice and chardonnay yeast create a second fermentation, and the ale is finished with local raspberries.

New Holland Golden Mean
(18C) Belgian Tripel
8.1% abv
A New Holland pub exclusive, shipped just for Gravity Head. It’s a classic Belgian Tripel, tawny golden, with hints of clove, apple and chamomile in the nose.

New Holland Imperial Hatter
(14C) Imperial IPA
Alcohol by volume: 9.4%
A member of the High Gravity Series, with plenty of grapefruit and citrus overall, bitterness in front, dry-hopped at the end, and suitable for falling down rabbit holes.

New Holland Silent Night
(18E) Belgian Strong Dark Ale
11% abv
Another house ale usually seen only at New Holland’s pub, Silent Night is referred to as “Biere de Noel”, seasonally for the yuletide, but not spiced.

The first 36 for Gravity Head 2012: "It's the End of the World As We Know It."

Gravity Head 2012 kicks off on Friday, February 24, with the (now) traditional Gravity Head Tailgate Breakfast at the Public House. There'll only be somewhere around 50 listed selections, of which 36 are listed below. As we await the announcement of New Holland's shipment, and foraging just a handful more big beers, here is what we have so far.

Alvinne Podge Belgian Imperial Stout (2009)

BBC (Main & Clay) Bearded Pat’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Barley Wine (2009)

Bell's Expedition Stout

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout (2010)

De Molen Ceast and Desist (a.k.a. Rasputin, Disputin)

De Proef Flemish Primitive Wild Ale (Surly Bird)

Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron

Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine

Founders Blushing Monk

Founders Breakfast Stout (2010)

Founders Curmudgeon Old Ale

Founders Imperial Stout (2010)

Founders KBS Kentucky Breakfast Stout (2011)

Founders Nemesis (2010)

Great Crescent Bourbon’s Barrel Stout

Great Divide Old Ruffian Barley Wine

Hair of the Dog Adam

Hair of the Dog Fred

Haandbryggeriet Bestefar

Harviestoun Ola Dubh – Old Engine Oil Special Reserve … Conditioned in Highland Park 18 Year Old Scotch Barrels

Kulmbacher Eisbock “Bayerisch G’frorns” (2010)

Left Hand Wake Up Dead (barrel-aged; nitro dispense)

Mikkeller I Beat yoU

New Holland Dragon’s Milk

North Coast Grand Cru

Rogue XS Old Crustacean Barley Wine (2009)

Shmaltz He’Brew Jewbelation ifteen – 15th Anniversary Ale

Schneider Aventinus Weizen-Eisbock

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barley Wine (2009)

Sierra Nevada/Dogfish Head Life & Limb (Version 2, 2011)

Stone Imperial Russian Stout (2010)

Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine (2010)

Stone Old Guardian Belgo Barley Wine

Three Floyds Behemoth Blonde Barley Wine

Two Brothers Bare Tree (2010)

Upland Teddy Bear Kisses Russian Imperial Stout

Mayans say: Only 55 days until the end of the world as we know it.