Here goes.

If you don't know it by now ...

We're only a few hours away from an exciting day, with the NABC World Cup Series of small batch/USA match beers kicking off at 2:00 p.m. and the debut of "USA vs England – Ordinary Bitter" at Bank Street Brewhouse.

Concurrently, NABC's Haggis Laddie Celtic Red goes on tap for the "Celts on the River" concert at the Riverfront Amphitheater.

As far as I'm concerned today, downtown New Albany is the center of the universe. Maybe just my universe, but the analogy holds. I'll be at the Brewhouse for an Ordinary at 2, then near Rosa L. Stumblebus on the waterfront. Come on down, pull up a pew, and have a few.

Busy weekend in downtown New Albany? That's an understatement.

Tonight is the rain date for the New Albany Bicentennial Public Art Project kick-off walk, and the Glass Art Society Annual Conference in Louisville (June 10-12) will have portions spilling across the Ohio River into New Albany. Karen Gillenwater has compiled culture, music, shopping, food and drink updates at this "big damn guide" to downtown New Albany this weekend.

The NABC World Cup Series of small batch/USA match ales commences Saturday, June 12, with the debut of "USA vs England – Ordinary Bitter" at Bank Street Brewhouse, and our Haggis Laddie Celtic Red will be tapped for the "Celts on the River" concert on the same day. For a few more Celts on the River factoids, read these highlights from the organizers. There's also my Tribune column, called "Celts on the Ohio River, too," which surveys a long-ago pub session in Ireland.

NABC Haggis Laddie Celtic Red for the "Celts on the River" concert this Saturday (June 12).

Last year's inaugural "Celts on the River" concert was held at New Albany's riverfront amphitheater in mid-August. We'd just started brewing at Bank Street Brewhouse, and Jared Williamson somehow managed to squeeze a brand new formulation into the brewing schedule at NABC's original garage brewery at the Pizzeria & Public House.

It was called Haggis Laddie Celtic Red, and intended as our annual seasonal in honor of the Celtic festival and concert, for which NABC is the exclusive beer vendor. The show was moved to June 12 for this (and I believe) successive years, as previewed in my LEO column last week: "Mug Shots" today in LEO: "Celts invade New Albany."

Haggis Laddie Celtic Red has been brewed a second time, this year under slightly less stressful conditions. Here's the recipe:

Haggis Laddie Celtic Red
Malts: Two row, 80L Crystal, Cara-Pils, Wheat Malt, Black Patent

Hops: Northern Brewer

Yeast: House London Ale

ABV: 5%
IBU: 17

The first keg of this year's Haggis Laddie Celtic Red will be tapped Friday, June 11, at Covered Bridge golf course's bar for the Charity Golf Scramble, a prelude to the concert on Saturday. NABC also is sponsoring a hole, and will have samples available there during the scramble itself.

Haggis Laddie then will go on tap at both NABC locations on Saturday, June 12, and of course will be featured at the amphitheater for the show from 2:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Check back for updates throughout the coming days as we prepare for a big weekend in New Albany.

"Mug Shots" today in LEO: "Celts invade New Albany."

It's only a week and a half away.

Mug Shots: Celts invade New Albany

I’m here to tout a festive forthcoming weekend in my own town, New Albany. Before doing so, there is a wee bit of back story to cover, so find a chair, pour a jar and smoke ’em if you’ve got ’em.

Celts on the River concert in New Albany is Saturday, June 12.

NABC is the official beer sponsor, and will be on hand for all the music in addition to hosting the after-party at Bank Street Brewhouse. Look for the second annual release of Haggis Laddie Celtic Red, timed to coincide with the golf scramble at Covered Bridge on Friday, June 11th, and on tap for the weekend at both NABC locations as well as the Riverfront Amphitheater.

My LEO column on June 2, as well as my Tribune column on June 10, will be devoted to the Celtic celebration. Until then, there are further details at the Kentuckiana Celtic Fest's web site.

Save these dates: Celtic Bash and golf scramble, and Celts on the River concert: June 11 and 12, 2010.

NABC beer will be poured during the concert on Saturday, and I'm inquiring about prospects for NABC at the golf scramble the day before. Stay tuned for further information.

No St. Patrick's Day Parade for NABC this year.

Too much has been made of this already, but in the interest of keeping the rumor mill somewhat subdued as the news media continues to contact me, permit me to echo and clarify what was written earlier at Facebook:

NABC, which has been instrumental in helping to organize the forthcoming Celtic Fest on New Albany’s riverfront (Saturday, June 12, 2010), and which participated in the past two St. Patrick’s Day parades in Louisville without incident, completely accepts that the Ancient Order of Hibernians and its President, Mark Wakefield, can run its annual parade as it sees fit.

Accordingly, we learned on Tuesday morning that we cannot participate this year. Ostensibly, this is because BBC (Main & Clay) is the sole beer sponsor of the parade – even though BBC approved of our presence!

Truthfully, this is a “Que sera, sera” sort of development. To paraphrase former Beatle and the late George Harrison, “We’ll play what they want, or we won't play at all.”

We are serene about it, and the very last thing I want to see happen is some ridiculous inference about BBC this, Hibernians that, or whatever makes the rounds. NABC’s last-minute exclusion from this year’s parade obviously owes to internal Hibernian matters that we, as Hoosier outsiders, are in no position to fathom, and so be it.

Surely at times our Southern Indiana politics are indecipherably Byzantine to Louisvillians, as is the case at each bimonthly New Albany city council meeting.

Forget St. Paddy’s, and remember to put June 12 on your calendars. The second annual Celtic Fest promises to be a great musical party day in NA, and we promise that members of the Hibernians are welcome to come drink, eat and play in our sandbox! Our big tent will be open for business.

You know where I'll be all day: Celts, music and beer by the river.

NABC will be adding Elector to the list of beers available for purchase. The after party brings circa 11 p.m. at the Bank Street Brewhouse, and though theoretically "private", anyone may come. Tell 'em The Potable Curmudgeon sent you.

Update: Kentuckiana Celtic Festival in NA, August 22.

I’m still piecing together information about the Kentuckiana Celtic Fest, which is slated for New Albany’s riverfront amphitheater on Saturday, August 22 from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

The music has looked promising from the start, and is summarized in this previous NAC posting: Saturday, August 22: Free concert at the Riverfront Amphitheater kicks off Kentuckiana Celtic Fest.

NABC will put its new three-way catering permit between the white lines and assume responsibility as the sole purveyor of alcohol at the festival. Thus, a Lite-Free Zone is blessedly assured. My guess is that we’ll start serving at 3:00 p.m. and give last call around 10:30 p.m.

Our purpose-brewed Celtic Red” Ale, informally dubbed Haggis Laddie for the occasion, will be on tap along with (perhaps) three other NABC beers – something golden (Abzug?), something hoppy (Elector?) and Strathpeffer, the honey and heather ale that just went back on a seasonal tap. If River City Winery is legal to wholesale to us, we’ll have some of their wines on hand. There may be a bottle or two of Irish whisky, but I haven’t decided whether to go that route.

I’m told that food will be catered by the O’Shea’s/Brendan’s pubs from Louisville, along with Bluegrass Kitchen, a hot dog cart and “probably an ice cream vendor.” That’s probably enough to cover the first year. Let’s hope that New Albany-based establishments get a shot next year.

That’s what I know today. Stay tuned for further details.

Kentuckiana Celtic Fest (and NABC beer) coming to New Albany on August 22.

Certain aspects of the Kentuckiana Celtic Fest have yet to be determined, but it looks like the event itself is a go for Saturday, August 22, at the recently reconstructed riverfront Amphitheater in New Albany.

Permits willing, NABC will have the exclusive beer concession for this event. City hall and the organizers both have advocated for local beer, and we thank them all.

Yesterday Jared brewed an Irish-style Red at the Grant Line garage brewhouse. There may be time to squeeze in a batch of Stout, but if not, Old 15-B should do the trick. Kaiser (pre-Prohibition Pilsner) also will be served, probably with Tunnel Vision.

It is my understanding that the organizers are asking area Irish pubs to purvey food for the day.

Here's the official press release:

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The Kentuckiana Celtic Fest’s inaugural event is a free concert to be held at the newly renovated New Albany Amphitheater on August 22nd from 3 to 11pm.

The “Celts on the River Concert” will feature five local and regional Celtic bands plus headliner Brendan Loughery from Donegal, Ireland.

“Bold and passionate, Brendan is currently based out of Chicago and is a truly professional entertainer who appeals to every crowd young and old alike. He has played at major festivals throughout the country and has opened for many celebrities including Chuck Berry, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Lorrie Morgan and more. Brendan has released 5 more CD's including "No Irish Need Apply" and "Last Set Of The Night" voted No.13 and No.12 Albums of the Year 2006 & 2007 respectively by Paddy Rock Radio listeners”.

The Kentuckiana Celtic Fest is a new organization founded to celebrate ‘All things Celtic’. The free concert is a way to introduce ourselves to public,” says President Peggy Baas. “What could be more Celtic than a concert on the banks of the Ohio?” she said.

The group plans to hold a festival every year and celebrate them on both sides of the river, alternating year-by-year between Indiana and Kentucky. Along with the music, Celtic food and libations will be on-hand as well as Celtic informational booths. There will also be the chance to do a “wee bit” of shopping.

The Kentuckiana Celtic Fest is also partnering this year to collect backpacks for the nonprofit “Blessings in a Backpack”. This is a relationship the KCF board is very pleased to have secured. Check out their website at http://www.blessingsinabackpack.com/

So put on your dancing shoes, round up the family, pack up the blankets and folding chairs, and join the Kentuckiana Celtic Fest for a day of food, fun, and wonderful music. We hope to see you on August 22nd!