There'll be good beer at New Albany's Riverfront Independence Day Celebration on Sunday, July 3.

In a tradition started by former mayor Doug England, the city of New Albany celebrates Independence Day on July 3, not July 4, with a concert and fireworks at the Riverfront Amphitheater.

I mention this not because I'm particularly patriotic in any conventional sense, but because you deserve to know what sort of beer to expect.

The news is good.

All of New Albany's breweries will be present and pouring (Donum Dei, Floyd County Brewing Company and NABC). Big Four Burgers + Beer (the beer garden permittee) has the mass market concession, and wine will be served by River City Winery.

Here's the link.

Riverfront Independence Day Celebration

The Riverfront Independence Day Celebration will be on Sunday, July 3 at the scenic Riverfront Amphitheater. The event begins at 6pm. This year's lineup includes the local favorite country music act Wildwood and the always entertaining Louisville Crashers. So grab a lawn chair or a blanket and come join us for a wonderful night of family-fun along the Ohio River.

Now that I'm no longer involved with NABC, perhaps city employees will switch back to real beer from their preferred Bud Light.

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Keg Liquors Fest of Ale will move to New Albany's Riverfront Amphitheater in 2016; the 11th annual edition slated for June 4.

(cross-posted from NA Confidential)

Saturday, June 4th remains the date for the 11th Annual Keg Liquors Fest of Ale, but the 2016 edition of the festival will be held at the Riverfront Amphitheater in New Albany.

Here's the press release from Todd Antz.

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Fest of Ale on the move.

New Albany, Ind. (February 2016) – After 10 successful years in Clarksville, the Keg Liquors Fest of Ale is changing venues. The 11th Annual Fest of Ale will be held on June 4th, 2016 at the New Albany Riverfront Amphitheater.

“Moving the event was a tough decision, but we felt that we had outgrown the space we were using at St. Anthony’s,” said Todd Antz, owner of Keg Liquors. “St. Anthony’s has been very generous with their facilities and support over the years, and we could not have grown the event to the size it is today without their help.

"We felt that the event was becoming a bit too taxing for their neighbors and parishioners, and that it was best for both parties if we moved on. We’ve always had a great relationship with St. Anthony’s and look forward to working with them in any future opportunities that may come up. I can’t thank everyone at St. Anthony’s enough for their support over the last 7 years of hosting our charity event. We could not have done this without them.”

The New Albany Riverfront Amphitheater, located below East Main Street at the foot of Pearl Street, is home each spring and summer to numerous free concerts, productions, festivals and other events.

The move to the Riverfront Amphitheater will allow the Fest of Ale to expand in size, provide more parking, as well as having access to all of the great restaurants and businesses in downtown New Albany.

“The Fest of Ale has always been a grassroots festival that promotes independent breweries and businesses, so moving the event to an area that has reinvigorated itself with all of the great shops and restaurants made perfect sense to us,” continued Antz. “The City of New Albany was very excited to help us with the event, and we look forward to working with them to make this the best Fest of Ale ever.”

Tickets for the 2016 Fest of Ale will go on sale at the beginning of April.

Keg Liquors
Keeping Kentuckiana Beer'd since 1976
http://www.kegliquors.com

617 E. Lewis and Clark Parkway
Clarksville, IN 47129
812-283-3988

4304 Charlestown Road
New Albany, IN 47150
812-948-0444

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Honor Mother Earth Festival, with environmental consciousness and craft beer.

The Honor Mother Earth Festival looks to be the first New Albany Riverfront Amphitheater event of the summer. It’s a family friendly event with activities for all ages, and perhaps a refreshing pause by the river before trundling off to complete the day, because NABC will be vending beer.

Honor Mother Earth on May 11.

Eikosi and Amphitheater: NABC on the road on Saturday, September 1.

To my knowledge, NABC hasn't ever poured beer at Labor Day weekend events, and so this year, we scheduled two of them on Saturday, September 1.

NABC on the road: Eikosi Wine & Beer Festival (Salem IN; 09/01/12).

Eikosi is Salem, Indiana's first-ever Indiana craft wine-and-beer event. There'll be music and food at the Speedway. NABC will be selling full pours (not samples) of  Black & Blue Grass, Tafel, Hoptimus and a special wine-barrel-aged Solidarity :Baltic Porter. Bring cash and a designated river, folks. It starts at 2:00 p.m.

Labor Day weekend at the Riverfront Cinemas with a double feature and craft beer.

Meanwhile, back home, the city of New Albany is screening a double feature at the Amphitheater. We'll have Black & Blue Grass and Elector; there'll be mass-market beer and munchies, too. The films begin at dusk, just like at the drive-in.

Be aware: Both NABC locations will be closed on Monday, September 3.

Tonight's 2012 Independence Festival at the Riverfront Amphitheater in New Albany is a go, and NABC will be there.

The city's annual fireworks and music show is today. Follow this link for the city's prospectus:

"The City of New Albany and The Horseshoe Foundation proudly present the 2012 Independence Festival" Tuesday July 3rd 2012 at the scenic Riverfront Amphitheater.

For those so inclined, adult refreshments will begin around 4:00 p.m., and last call will be no later than 10:45 p.m.

The inner "beer garden" dispensing area is restricted to those 21 years of age or older, although drinks can be carried into the all-ages area, but not outside the perimeter of the venue's fencing.

I know that the city has a vendor for ice cream, and there'll be a truck with potable water on hand. There may be other food vendors present. Know that there's nothing  illegal about bringing food to the event; all this talk of fencing is necessary because of state law governing temporary alcohol permits. Unfortunately, the state alcohol regs are not European, and that's regrettable.

NABC hopes to see you there tonight. We'll be selling Progressive Pints of Black & Blue Grass, Tafel, Yakima and Extra Ordinary Bitter. Wick's will be on hand with domestic beers, and River City Winery's there, too.

NABC is pouring at the city of New Albany's 2012 Independence Festival" on Tuesday, July 3, at the Riverfront Amphitheater.

The conspicuous absence of Confederate Railroad is happily noted; this is an inside joke (in more ways than one) from 2011.

For those so inclined, adult refreshments on the 3rd will begin at 4:00 p.m., and last call will be at 10:45 p.m. The "beer garden" area is restricted to those 21 years of age or older, although drinks can be carried into the all-ages area but not outside the perimeter of the venue's fencing. As of this moment, I am not aware of the city's plans for the vending of food, so stay tuned for further details. NABC hopes to see you there on Tuesday, July 3.

Cheers.

"The City of New Albany and The Horseshoe Foundation proudly present the 2012 Independence Festival" Tuesday July 3rd 2012 at the scenic Riverfront Amphitheater.

We will have 2 "Rock School" bands from Jimmy's Music Center (Uncommon Sense and Fenderilla).  "Violet Knives" will perform a half hour set afterwards, then Olivia Henken will take the stage.  The Louisville Crashers’ first set will follow, with a fireworks display serving as intermission, after which they'll return for their final set.  Wick's will be serving domestic beers, the NABC will be serving their craft beers and the River City Winery will be serving their craft wines.

Schedule of Events                      
5:00-5:30         Uncommon Sense
5:40-6:10         Fenderilla          
6:20-6:50         Violet Knives      
7:00-8:20         Olivia Henken     
8:30-9:45         Louisville Crashers       
9:45-10:00       Fireworks         
10:00-11:15     Louisville Crashers            

Violet Knives:  Derek Carrell (drums), Eric Condon (bass), Ty Goodwin (guitar), Shawn
Steele (vocals/guitar). Violet Knives are a local indie/alternative band. Influences include Radiohead, R.E.M., Joy Division, and Velvet Underground. 

Olivia Henken: "Big Star Bound!" ...With some artists, this is a true statement, and no more so than for Olivia Henken.  With numerous credits, from Musicals to National appearances, Olivia definitely has the talent to succeed.  Through belting out ballads and rocking out to "Gunpowder & Lead," Olivia has what it takes to entertain all ages.  Olivia is an entertainer for all, delivering an incredible show that must be experienced before her next appearance at an arena near you.

The Louisville Crashers: Widely recognized as one of the nation’s best party bands, the Louisville Crashers are the perfect band for any occasion. With their unparalleled energy, musicianship, and professionalism, they’ll keep your event rockin’ all night long!

Members of the Louisville Crashers have been certified as gold and platinum selling artists by the Recording Industry Association of America and the Canadian Recording Industry Association. They’ve also made appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Grand Ole Opry, MTV, and many more. These outstanding musicians have toured all over the world, sharing the stage with world-famous artists such as Blake Shelton, Kid Rock, Aerosmith and Michael McDonald.

The scoop on NABC's upcoming event, 25 Years of Beer & Loathing.

ON THE AVENUES:  25 Years of Beer & Loathing.

A weekly web column by Roger A. Baylor (originally posted at the NA Confidential blog)

My pal TR called for a catch-up chat. It had been a week since my return from four months in Europe, and I was woefully depleted of gossip, so TR suggested lunch at a joint called Sportstime Pizza, apparently recently established somewhere near Grant Line Road. I couldn’t really form a mental picture of the place until he resorted to a past-tense directional comparison: “It’s where the Noble Roman’s used to be.”

It was 1987, and now, as thousands of years of human history pass by, I join the chorus of individuals always asking, “Where did the time go?”

I couldn’t tell you the answer, except to mischievously recall another friend’s longtime assertion that his eventual autobiography would bear the title, “What I Remember.” Not mine, which is slated to be called “Beer, Bile and Bolsheviks: A Fermentable Life," but there’s little time to write the book because the business I inadvertently stumbled into two decades ago still keeps me ridiculously busy amid a career of selling the idea of beer, a course that somehow took shape during gaps between bouts of drinking lots and lots of it.

Naturally, none of this could have taken place without the work, contributions and input of so many people, from co-owners Amy and Kate through all our employees, customers and folks far too numerous to count – past, present and future. At the risk of sounding trite, I’ll consciously echo Queen, who said it best.

I've taken my bows
And my curtain calls
You brought me fame and fortune and everything that goes with it
I thank you all

But it's been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race
And I ain't gonna lose

Unfortunately, as I’m channeling the late and lamented Freddie Mercury, the missus is assuming the voice of barrister’s mate Hilda Rumpole to remind me that any mention of “fortune” is utterly misplaced in my professional context. It’s true, although the value of enjoying one’s work and being paid to drink beer whilst performing it … that’s truly priceless.

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The New Albanian Brewing Company will mark its first quarter-century of existence with a day-long picnic and concert at New Albany’s Riverfront Amphitheater on Sunday, July 22, 2012.

As most readers probably know, nowadays the original location near Grant Line Road is known as the NABC Pizzeria & Public House, incorporating Sportstime, Rich O’s Public House (1992) and the 2002 addition of craft brewing on site. NABC’s most recent progeny (2009) is NABC Bank Street Brewhouse, located in New Albany’s historic business district downtown.

“25 Years of Beer & Loathing” is what we’re calling the fete, and NABC’s 25th anniversary celebration will be a day-long musical, family-friendly event with food, activities and refreshments suitable for all ages. The venue is New Albany’s Riverfront Amphitheater, from 10:00 a.m. to sundown on Sunday, July 22. The Amphitheater is located by the Ohio River in downtown New Albany, with ample parking available by the levee at the foot of Pearl Street.

There is no cover charge for this event, and it’ll be cash 'n' carry for food, drinks and vending. Proceeds after expenses will be disbursed in the form of grants to Rauch Inc., the Isabel Jade Pickhardt Fund and New Albany First.

So that all of our current employees can participate in recalling 25 Years of Beer & Loathing, NABC’s Bank Street Brewhouse will be closed on Sunday, July 22, although the Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar will be operating at the Riverfront Amphitheater from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (see below). Following in alphabetical order are details about what to expect.

Beer
NABC’s draft truck (Rosa L. Stumblebus) will be on hand with old favorites and special releases. We’ll be pouring all four of NABC’s 10th brewery anniversary beers: Bourbondaddy, Stumblebus, Turbo Hog and Scotch de Ainslie. There’ll also be a special 10th anniversary session ale called Get Off My Lawn. In addition, limited quantities of cask-conditioned Naughty Girl (double dry-hopped) and Oaked Choufftimus will be served while they last.

Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar
A Bank Street Brewhouse staple at Sunday brunch, the bar will move to the waterfront, with Miss Sarah on hand to guide visitors through garnishes, sauces and fresh embellishments.

Charitable donations
Net monies after expenses will be used for grants to be given to Rauch Inc, the Isabel Jade Pickhardt Fund and NA1st. Our longtime friends at Rauch support people with disabilities through services designed to promote individual choices, growth and well being, while encouraging a community environment that acknowledges the value and contribution of all people. They’ll be helping NABC with the children’s area and site clean-up. The Isabel Jade Pickhardt Fund was set up to assist the daughter of the late Ryan Pickhardt, a local musician and keyboard player for the band Sativo Gumbo, with whom NABC has longstanding ties. NA1st is New Albany’s only grassroots independent business alliance, seeking to support and promote independent business owners and to educate community members about the importance of buying locally. On the 22nd, volunteers from NA1st will assist NABC in monitoring entrances and exits, and policing the grounds.

Children’s Area Activities
A duck pond, face painting, temporary tattoos, an art area and perhaps other activities will be available for the kids.

Food
Feast BBQ (116 W Main St) is roasting a pig, and will be offering these items: Pork sliders with pickles and onions; pork tacos with cilantro, lime, cotija, and crema; and smoked corn on the cob ... Shawn, TJ and Charlestown Pizza Company will be preparing chicken salad croissants, Asian slaw, pasta salad, fruit cups and other fare ... NABC is brewing root beer for the event, and of course there’ll be water and soft drinks.

Music schedule

10:00 a.m.: (house music)
12 Noon: Roz Tate
1:00 p.m.: Ben Traughber
2:00 p.m.: Five Foot Fish
3:00 p.m.: Beeler Attic
4:00 p.m.: Jed and the NoiseMakers
5:00 p.m.: Porch Possums
6:00 p.m.: Dust Radio
7:00 p.m.: Whiskey Riders
8:00 p.m.: Toledo Bend

Wine
River City Winery will be on hand to sell wines and Sangria.

We hope you'll be able to stop by and help us remember what we remember.

Looking ahead to September 24: Cabin and Wax Fang, with NABC on tap..

More on Strassenfest, coming on Saturday, September 17.

A while back, I offered a preview of this year's second edition of Strassenfest.

Ideas for Strassenfest? It's coming to NA's Riverfront Amphitheater on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Obviously, we're almost there. Early on, the committee took the understandable position that lacking a strong German heritage group in the Falls Cities, one that might take a governing interest, perhaps the best strategy to pursue for Strassenfest was to make it a diverse community festival more than a strict celebration of Germanic heritage. The beer and some of the food will be along the traditional lines. Other aspects will not. We merely hope for a good day and a nice gathering to greet the advent of autumn. Following are a few updates.

Time
NABC will be set up to serve beer from 1:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. I'm guessing the food vendors will be there much of this period.

Beer
Our NABC beers will be Keller Pils and the first-ever Oktoberfest (both brewed with Andechs yeast); Jenever; Bob's Old 15-B Porter; and Smoked Abzug. Also, a special Anstich keg of Schlenkerla Eiche (oak-smoked lager) from Bamberg, Germany, will be tapped at 1:00 p.m. and poured from the tabletop.

Food
In addition to the committee's sausage purveyor, who often can be seen vending outside the City County Building, NA Exchange will be on site cooking during the day.

Music
Roz Tate will perform in the beer garden at intervals throughout the period 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. In addition, I'm considering regaling guests with my collection of German pop music: The In-Kraut. The committee will have bands playing on the stage after that.

Ideas for Strassenfest? It's coming to NA's Riverfront Amphitheater on Saturday, Sept. 17.

This much is clear: New Albany’s second annual Strassenfest will be held on Saturday, September 17 at the Riverfront Amphitheater. Once again, admission is free.

New Albanian Brewing Company (NABC) is coordinating beverage catering for this date, and we’re going to be doing something we haven’t done before: Using genuine Bavarian yeast from Kloster Andechs to make Helles and Marzen (Oktoberfest) lagers. As with last year’s Strassenfest, there’ll be a tie-in with Louisville Craft Beer Week. There’ll also be wine, and perhaps an inaugural tasting of German schnapps. Other components of the day, including music and food, are still in the planning stages.

It is instructive to note that while many Americans instinctively associate the concept of Oktoberfest with the Bavarian style of its celebration, other locales in Germany are less bound to the template. An autumnal harvest fete can take numerous forms, and with Bavarian-style beers providing the consistent thread, there’s plenty of room for us to improvise in New Albany, especially seeing we have no German heritage organization in Southern Indiana the equivalent of the Celts on the River group.

What can be done to expand New Albany’s embryonic Strassenfest beyond the stereotypical Oktoberfest party, while retaining sufficient German themes to make the day worthy of the name? Even I’m not sure, but the possibilities intrigue me, and ideas are welcomed.

If we could just get Kraftwerk to headline … at any rate, as you brainstorm, here’s a September/October calendar check:

September 11
Sandkerwa NA begins at NABC’s Pizzeria & Public House. It is our annual draft-only homage to German beer styles, including American craft brewery interpretations.

September 16 – 24
Louisville Craft Beer Week, with events throughout Metro Louisville

September 17
Strassenfest at New Albany’s Riverfront Amphitheater

October 1
Harvest Homecoming Parade in New Albany

October 6 – 9
Harvest Homecoming Booth Days (and NABC’s 4th Annual Fringe Fest at Bank Street Brewhouse)

October 28
Reverse Recycling & Decommissioning Party at NABC Bank Street Brewhouse. Leticia Bajuyo will be dismantling her temporary Bicentennial Art Project sculpture, “All Bottled Up,” and recycling components

Celts on the River is Saturday, June 18th, 4 - 10 p.m.

NABC's Strathpeffer and Haggis Laddie are about to be brewed, and there's more information here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Celts-On-The-River-Festival/186048838098834?sk=wall

Scenes from Strassenfest at the Riverfront Amphitheater on Saturday, September 25.

Strassenfest today!

Last night's cask conditioned kickoff for the inaugural Louisville Craft Beer Week was a success. The parking lot at BBC on Shelbyville Road was filled tents, tables, food vendors and the main attraction: Naturally carbonated firkins and pins.

Day Two of LCBW is all about German beer culture as viewed through the lens of craft beer, with Strassenfest at New Albany's Riverfront Amphitheater beginning at 3:00 p.m. It's shaping up to be a beautiful day, so stop in for a beer and a brat. We'll be serving beer and food (from Steinert's) until last call at 10:30 p.m. The event is designed to be for all ages, and there'll be music, art, storytelling and fun for the kids, as is the custom at similar gatherings in Central Europe.

It could be the start of a fine new pre-Harvest Homecoming tradition in New Albany. Hope to see readers there, some time this afternoon and evening.

LCBW's Strassenfest on Day Two, at New Albany's Riverfront Amphitheater on Sept. 25.

Free show: Cabin at the Amphitheater, this Friday night.

New Albanian Brewing Company beers will be on tap. While you're downtown, visit one or more of the many dining and drinking establishments, before or after the show.

Lousville Craft Beer Week's Strassenfest at the Riverfront Amphitheater will be September 25.

The first-ever Louisville Craft Beer Week will run from September 24 through October 2. LCBW is a cooperative venture organized by Louisville area brewers and purveyors of craft beer, designed to, "Educate ... Inspire ... Imbibe."

There'll be big beer events every night during the week, and numerous smaller happenings around the metro area staged and hosted by pubs, restaurants and package stores. The majority of American craft brewers with a presence in Louisville will be represented at some point during the week.

Facebook page with schedule
August 9 LCBW golf scramble details

Craft beer fans in New Albany should mark their calendars for Saturday, September 25, when the Strassenfest already scheduled for the Riverfront Amphitheater will partner with Louisville Craft Beer Week to produce an Oktoberfest-style party with German-themed draft beers from participating LCBW breweries, both local and regional, along with appropriate food and music.

NABC is happy to host this Sunnyside Strassenfest on behalf of the LCBW, and thanks go to the riverfront committee for so eagerly embracing the concept. It's a natural conclusion to the amphitheater's summer season and just as obvious segue into Harvest Homecoming (kickoff parade on Oct. 2).

NABC weekend update.

Friday night (2 July) was the Louisville Independent Business Association's Louisville Brewfest at the Mellwood Arts Center, considered the kick-off for Independents Week. NABC poured along with BBC (both), Browning’s, Cumberland and Kentucky Ale. The arrangement was that LIBA bought the kegs from the breweries via River City Distributing, and charged for beer tickets redeemable for samples and full pours.

We floated all eight kegs – four each Community and Beak’s Best. I was there helping for a bit, but Josh Hill and Tony Beard did it all night, and Richard Atnip helped, too. Good work, guys, and thanks.

On Friday and Saturday (the 2nd and the 3rd) NABC was available at New Albany’s Riverfront Amphitheater, as purchased and resold by Studio’s Grill & Pub. Our first weekend with them was June 25 and 26, and Studio’s sold a 1/6 each of Beak’s and Tafel.

This past weekend, one each was gone by 8 p.m. on Saturday, and another back-up of Tafel was tapped to finish the night. The obvious conclusion is that sales were up. What we're doing with Studio's is relinquishing master catering rights in exchange for selling the beer to them as wholesaler. Everyone benefits, and there is exposure for the brands. We're hopeful that this system will continue, and NABC will be on tap for forthcoming events.

Sunday, July 4, was Growler Independence Day at Bank Street Brewhouse. NABC's three owners, Steve Powell and Josh Hill worked, and my tally of growlers sold was in the vicinity of 85-90, plus some pints, Bloody Marys, burnt weenie sandwiches and Scotch eggs. That’s close to three kegs of growlers. Good traffic, great crowd (one that was good natured about newly institututed mandatory ID carding) and a fun day all the way around.

Local independence in and around New Albany on Independence Day weekend.

At least the weather looks to be marginally more tolerable as we embark upon another frantic national holiday kind of weekend, hereabouts.

Bank Street Brewhouse will open an hour early today (at 10:00 a.m.) if you have wriggled out of work and wish to view Netherlands vs. Brazil in the Wold Cup. NAC's Bluegill is pulling for the Dutch. Note that neither Heineken nor Brahma will be available for consumption -- real beer or no beer, just the way daddy likes it.

In New Albany later tonight, holiday weekend festivities at the Riverfront Amphitheater get underway at 7:30 p.m. with Persuasion, part of the concert series. As was the case last weekend, craft beer drinkers should be aware that NABC and Studio's are collaborating to bring Progressive Pints to the amphitheater for this weekend's performance, including the Riverfront Independence Festival tomorrow starting at 3:00 p.m. with Flathead Screws, Wulfe Brothers, 100% Poly and pre-4th fireworks.

Louisville Independent Business Association's Louisville Brewfest tonight at the Mellwood Arts Center (4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.) kicks off Independents Week. There'll be local breweries, local food, local music, and also a weekly newspaper owned by a company in Nashville. I'll be helping to man the NABC booth from 4 until around 7, so say hello if you're coming that way.

On Saturday morning, New Albany's Farmers Market is in full session, with produce starting to appear. Also, the friends of the NA-FC Public Library are holding their twice monthly sale in the usual place across the street from the main building. Tomorrow the friends celebrate Franz Kafka's birthday with 50% off classics. But, further up Spring Street, Destinations Booksellers is holding its own sale on new books: 50% off all in-stock merchandise. Randy's recent lessons in business elocution from Councilman Cappuccino must really be paying dividends for the entire city!

Finally, July 4 (Sunday) is Growler Independence Day, the very first day for craft beer carry-out sales from Indiana breweries. Bank Street Brewhouse will be open for special holiday hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for Progressive Pints, carry-out growlers (two regular-strength growlers for $17.76), the metro area's original Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar, and both Scotch Eggs and our famous Burnt Weenie Sandwiches. Tell 'em Zappa sent you, and listen for the newly unearthed, rare recording of Three Dog Night's "Coffey Told Me Not to Come."

And: When stopping in for growlers, be sure to bring your identification: The do-gooders extracted their pound of flesh by inserting a new law that requires you to show ID each time you buy carry-out alcoholic beverages, irrespective of age. It makes them feel good, even when it does not attack the fundamental problem of underaged drinking.

Blues, brews, soccer, beer walks, Farmers Market ... and more brews ... this weekend.

I can remember a time not so long ago when Harvest Homecoming was the only period of the year during which anything at all might (or might not) be happening in New Albany. This is no longer the case, as the coming weekend attests.

Tonight (Friday), the Dennis Ervin Band plays at the Riverfront Amphitheater, and craft beer drinkers will note that NABC and Studio's are collaborating ("what a concept", noted frequent reader Mike) to bring Progressive Pints to the New Albany Riverfront Amphitheater for this performance, the blues festival, and next weekend's Independence Weekend activities. After that, we reassess and plan for events to follow.

Tomorrow is packed with possibilities. The Farmers Market is in full session (Josh and I had a great time there last week), and only one firkin of "USA vs Ghana – Former Colonies Bitter" will be tapped for the World Cup match at Bank Street Brewhouse.

On Saturday from 3:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., the Booty Shakin' Blues Festival is happening at the Riverfront Amphitheater, again with NABC beer as vended by Studio's.

On top of it all, Saturday is the first of three summertime beer walks in New Albany, kicking off a bit after the soccer match: NA 1 Night Stand Triple Up Beer Walk.

You can rest on Sunday, okay?

Booty Shakin' Blues Festival at the Riverfront Amphitheater on Saturday, June 26, with NABC beer vended by Studio's.

Musical lineup and other details are at the fest's Facebook page. There'll be food and drink, with NABC and Studio's collaborating to bring Progressive Pints to the New Albany Riverfront Amphitheater for Friday and Saturday shows this weekend and next.

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.