A collaborative day at NABC.

The notion of "collaboration beer" is an outgrowth of craft beer's intrinsic vitality as a genre, and illustrates the cooperative spirit therein. Brewers come together to share ideas and experiences, and the consuming public is the biggest winner, because craft fans have the chance to taste the result.

Imagine Miller and Budweiser working together on a beer recipe. You cannot. It could not possibly happen up there in multinational land ... but it's increasingly common within the craft segment.

Yesterday afternoon, Urbain Coutteau of De Struise Brouwers (Belgium) brewed a collaboration batch at Bank Street Brewhouse with NABC's Jared Williamson and David Pierce. Lori Beck and Tyler Trotter (Louisville Beer Store, Holy Grale) organized Urbain's tour of the States, which included stops at Three Floyds Brewing Company and the Kentucky Derby.

Brew photos here: Naughty (Girl) Brew Day, May 8, 2011

The fun continues today at NABC's Pizzeria & Public House, where a second collaboration beer will be brewed, followed by Office Hours with the Publican, which tonight will take the form of a reception of sorts with Urbain -- think of it as a going away party.

More information here: Urbain madness at Bank Street and the Public House, Sunday and Monday -- for collaborations and more.

Thanks to everyone who helped make yesterday such a great time -- Urbain, Lori & Tyler, NABC's brew team, Bank Street Brewhouse staff (they handled a huge Mother's Day crowd) and anyone else who grasps the meaning of Progressive Pints.

Urbain madness at Bank Street and the Public House, Sunday and Monday -- for collaborations and more.

Tour organizers (and great beer dispensers) Lori Beck and Tyler Trotter are putting Urbain "Struise" Coutteau through the Derby Week party paces during his B'Urban Trail 2011, which finds him at Louisville Beer Store for the aftermath of the Oaks, and Holy Grale for post-Derby madness.

But there's more.

On Sunday (May 8), Urbain joins David Pierce and Jared Williamson, and Lori and Tyler, for brunch, Bloody Marys and an afternoon collaboration brew at NABC's Bank Street Brewhouse. I'm told that the target recipe is a Belgian Blonde Ale with American hops, reportedly to be called Naughty Girl.

Then on Monday, May 9, there'll be another collaboration at NABC's R & D brewery at the Pizzeria & Public House, this time involving a Derby-inspired Imperial India Pale Ale with bourbon-soaked oak spirals and mint. It turns out that Urbain is an ostrich farmer in his spare (?) time, and grafting jockeys onto ostriches leads inevitably to visions of B'Urban Trotter Ale.

Let's hope NABC's graphics wizard Tony Beard is reading.

Monday will conclude with an Office Hours Special Edition in Prost, with our Monday night tasting session transformed into a post-brewing day recap party and meet 'n' greet with Urbain, who presumably will return to Belgium later in the week for an extended stint in rehab ... as will I, but without going to Belgium (damn).

Expect Office Hours beers from Struise, NABC, and others, depending on what can be foraged.

Urbain madness at LBS and Holy Grale, tonight and tomorrow -- and with NABC casks.

Reprinted below is the plan and pertinent details for Urbain "Struise" Coutteau's whereabouts tonight and tomorrow, at Louisville Beer Store and Holy Grale. NABC's contribution to the festivities are cask-conditioned Henna Black IPA and Yakima Rye IPA at LBS tonight, and yet another Yakima at Holy Grale on Saturday.

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Friday, May 6th (Derby Eve & Trolley Hop)-
DUB & GRUB at Louisville Beer Store
with special guests: Urbain Coutteau of Struise, John Host of Founders and the
3 Floyds crew
Starts at 7:00 p.m.
Jamaican food by Dirk Woods
Music by World Force Reggae (DJ's Ibuka & Basil)
Special tap line-up with beers from Struise, Founders, 3 Floyds, NABC and more!
*outdoor seating (music and food) is weather permitting

Saturday, May 7th - 1st annual DERBY BEER BALL
with special guests: Urbain Coutteau of Struise, John Host of Foundersand the
3 Floyds crew
Starts at 7:00 p.m.
Beer inspired snack menu ... we will cook good things to eat in beer
Track/garden attire preferred
Special tap line-up with beers from Struise, Founders, 3 Floyds, NABC and more!
*RSVP NOW, limited space available, email names in party to:
info(at)louisvillebeerstore.com

Lori has posted more details about The Urbain exchange: Struise meets the Midwest.

All things Urbain during his visit to Louisville.

Finally, Derby actually sounds interesting.

Lori has posted more details about The Urbain exchange: Struise meets the Midwest.

We need to commence sourcing some Struise ...

Office Hours is back: April 25 & May 9 schedules.

It's been a while, but Office Hours are back.

Sort of.

The bad news: I need another Monday off on the 2nd of May.

The good news: We'll manage two Office Hours gatherings during the next three weeks, anyway, culminating in a very unique evening on the 9th of May.

Here's the schedule.

April 25: BJCP Categories 20 & 21 (below)

May 2: Roger must attend the final city council meeting prior to the primary election the next day; no Office Hours.

May 9: Office Hours Special Edition, with Struise's Urbain Coutteau, who’ll be wrapping up Struise's Awesome Midwest Travel Itinerary after a weekend of Derby debauchery. It’s all been organized by Lori and Tyler at Louisville Beer Store/Holy Grale. Earlier on Monday, there’ll be a collaborative brew with Urbain and the brew crews from NABC and LBS/HG. Office Hours will be transformed into the post-brewing day recap party, with appropriate beers from Struise, NABC, and others.

OFFICE HOURS for Monday, April 25, 2011

***BJCP Category 20 – Fruit Beer

20. Fruit Beer

***BJCP Category 21 – Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beer

21A. Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer
21B. Christmas/Winter Specialty Spiced Beer