NA Exchange/NABC beer dinner report at Kentucky Brew Review.

I just now joyfully relived Monday's NA Exchange/NABC beer dinner thanks to John King's essay at Kentucky Brew Review: wordpress.com/2011/06/29/nabc-and-na-exchange-beer-dinner/" rel="bookmark">NABC and NA Exchange beer dinner. Check it out.

Rick and Jeff Tours will take you to the 16th Annual Indiana Microbrewers Festival on July 16.

Rick and Jeff Tours has the information at Facebook.

The 16th annual Indiana Microbrewers Festival takes place on Saturday, July 16, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Opti Park in Broad Ripple on the north side of Indianapolis. Something new for 2011 is that some Indiana brewers will have "double wide" tables with expanded beer selections for sampling. NABC is one of these.

The motor coach leaves Louisville circa 12:30 p.m., with lunch before entry to the festival. You'll be back in Louisville approximately by 9:00 p.m. The cost of $85 per person includes motor coach transportation, ticket to festival, lunch, and refreshments. Call Jeff "Professor" Gesser at 502-807-7531, or send a message from the Facebook page.

Begin now: Bell's Night at the Public House.

Six Bells beers are on tap right now at the Pizzeria: Oarsman, Oatmeal Stout, Oberon, The Oracle, Two Hearted and Wedding Ale.

The Public House doors open at 5:00 p.m. When they do, a firkin of Bell's Porter will be on the hand pull.

I would have posted photos, and actually tried to do so, but Blogger is performing at peak levels of inefficiency, previously exceeded only by the Louisville Courier-Journal's non-circulation department.

Previously: The Oracle expected to go quickly when the Public House hosts Bell's Night on Wednesday, June 29.

Video: Touting LIBA's Louisville Brewfest on WHAS-11.

The 3rd annual Louisville Brewfest is at the Mellwood Arts Center is this Friday, July 1. Yesterday, I did a promo for it with Louisville Independent Business Alliance's Summer Auerbach (of Rainbow Blossom) on WHAS news.

See the video: Interview: Louisville Brewfest

For more on the festival, go to Lville Beer.

Local De Struise collaborations go on tap tonight at the Louisville Beer Store.

Tyler Trotter at the Louisville Beer Store says it all at Facebook. Let's just say that there's no shortage of hops in any of these fine beers.

De Struise (KY Derby) collaborations **Release Party**

We will be releasing three of the collaboration beers that Urbain Coutteau (De Struise Brouwers Brewmaster) brewed while he was in town visiting for the KY Derby. At 5 p.m. we will have the following beers on tap:

*Three Floyds/Struise Shark Pants (Double Belgian IPA)
*NABC/Struise/LBS Naughty Girl (Blonde IPA)
*NABC/Struise/LBS B'Urban Trotter (Double IPA with Bourbon & Mint)

***We will also have 22oz. bottles of Naughty Girl for sale***

Come say thank you and goodbye to Jared Williamson (NABC Brewmaster) on his last night in town before he moves to St. Louis to brew for Schlafly.

What you missed: NA Exchange beer dinner with NABC on Monday, June 27.

The Greeting Glass was NABC Strathpeffer (Gruit Ale), followed by a Starter of house-made bourbon beer cheese and fresh pretzel bread, paired with NABC Community Dark (Dark Mild). The camera lens wasn't quick enough to capture the pretzel; here is the fresh fruit salad with local mixed lettuce, feta, marinated onion, sunflower kernels, cucumber, and fresh fruit tossed in raspberry vinaigrette, with NABC/De Struise/Louisville Beer Store Naughty Girl (India Blonde Ale).

Entree: Grilled Pork Medallions in a fresh pineapple mango salsa, garlic, smashed potatoes, and seasonal vegetable medley, with NABC Henna (Black IPA).

NABC Brewmaster Jared Williamson enjoys his last beer dinner at the helm. Beer pairings from Jared and Richard Atnip were spot on. Former Bank Street chef Josh Lehman was on hand, too.

Dessert: Bread Pudding with walnuts, caramel, and fresh raspberries, with NABC Jasmine (Sweet Stout). The Parting Glass for the evening was NABC Hard Core Gore (Belgo-American IPA).

NABC and BBC in a real Southern wedding? I can prove it.

There's a first time for everything, as with this link to Nicole's blog at Southern Weddings.

Kentucky Picnic Wedding from Bella Grace, Part II

Scroll through the photos until you see the chalkboard listing NABC and BBC selections helpfully described for guests, and read where the bride verifies that their choice of local microbrews helped make the wedding really Southern.

Cool stuff from an atypical source. Thanks to MR for the tip.

NABC bomber bottle labels to date, as designed by Tony Beard.

Note that the labels depicted aren't necessarily the same ones granted approval by the TTB. Just enjoy the artwork, and don't sweat the details.

Naughty Girl bombers on sale at ...

Sam Cruz is giving NABC a hand, and we thank him.

(Earlier in the year, we had beers at BBC 3rd Street. Left to right: Jared Williamson, Josh Hill and Sam Cruz)

Let's begin with a blurb.

If you’re looking for a great way to spend a Monday evening, permit me to point again to the beer dinner at NA Exchange on June 27, featuring Dave Clancy’s culinary expressions accompanied by handpicked NABC favorites.

Move fast: NA Exchange/NABC beer dinner coming on Monday, June 27.

It will be Jared Williamson’s last NABC beer dinner (think of it as a victory lap), before he leaves for a new job at Schlafly and a new life in St. Louis. Join us for a celebration of beer and brewing memories, and a hopeful view to the future.

Earlier in the week, I mentioned our succession plan for the Research and Development brewery at the Pizzeria & Public House. The first stage of our “bridge” to a permanent brewer has commenced with the temporary assistance of Sam Cruz, late of BBC’s 3rd Street location.

Sam recently left BBC to continue his efforts to bring the Against the Grain brewing project in Louisville to fruition, in conjunction with a group of partners. Sam probably will be brewing for NABC for a few months, until Against the Grain is up and running. The timing is beneficial both for NABC and Sam, and I'm thankful he was available to help.

Suddenly, it seems the Kentuckiana brewing scene has been jolted, and is evolving. To know me is to know I'm for it, even if there are bumps and annoyances along the way. As soon as I'm in a position to describe what happens next for NABC, I'll provide an account here.

The Oracle expected to go quickly when the Public House hosts Bell's Night on Wednesday, June 29.

Thanks to Eric and Ben, there'll be a Bell's Night at the Public House (NABC's original location at 3312 Plaza Drive) next Wednesday, June 29 from 5:00 p.m. to closing.

It's a night dedicated to our good friends from Comstock, Kalamazoo and points northern, with regional sales representative Veronica Sanders on hand. All Bell's drafts will be on special. Here is what we've confirmed so far; check back for updates:

Oarsman
Oatmeal Stout
Oberon
Porter (on the hand pull)


The Oracle
Two Hearted
Wedding Ale

Move fast: NA Exchange/NABC beer dinner coming on Monday, June 27.

Since the beginning of 2011, NA Exchange has been an invaluable addition to NABC’s dining and drinking neighborhood on the north side, near our original Pizzeria & Public House location and Indiana University Southeast.

NA Exchange’s owner, Ian Hall, has completely reinvented and remodeled his previous MyBar into an atmospheric, wood-adorned gastropub with craft beer, in the process engaging the consultative culinary services of David Clancy (formerly of Bistro New Albany).

Ian, Dave, their crew and NABC’s brain trust (really?) have created a beer dinner for Monday, June 27. Chef Clancy will be hoofing in the kitchen, the Publican (that's me) will emcee, and there will be some of our more rare NABC selections as pairings. See below for all the details.

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Place: NA Exchange, 3306 Plaza Drive, New Albany

Date and time: Monday, June 27 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Dinner: 4-course menu prepared by Chef David Clancy, including NABC beer pairings chosen by Jared Williamson and Richard Atnip

Cost: $55 per person, including beer pairings, not including service

Reservations: 812-948-6501

Greeting Glass
NABC Strathpeffer (Gruit Ale)

Starter
House-made bourbon beer cheese and fresh pretzel bread, with NABC Community Dark (Dark Mild)

Salad
Fresh fruit salad with local mixed lettuce, feta, marinated onion, sunflower kernels, cucumber, and fresh fruit tossed in raspberry vinaigrette, with NABC/De Struise/Louisville Beer Store Naughty Girl (India Blonde Ale)

Entree
Grilled Pork Medallions in a fresh pineapple mango salsa, garlic, smashed potatoes, and seasonal vegetable medley, with Henna (Black IPA)

Dessert
Bread Pudding with walnuts, caramel, and fresh raspberries, with Jasmine (Sweet Stout)

Parting Glass
Hard Core Gore (Belgo-American IPA)

Jared's going to work for Schlafly, and we're damned proud of him.

The Publican now steps aside as NABC's brewmaster, Jared Williamson, does the writing and tells you about love, serendipity, and his impending move to St. Louis. I still believe I should have held out for a Stephen Hale kilt to be named later ... but to be truthful, words fail me when it comes to thanking Jared and wishing him the best at Schlafly. We're sending a brewer out into the world!

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Love and Serendipity

Where do I begin … let’s go back a few years.

At some point in the spring of 2005, when it became known that NABC’s original brewer Michael Borchers would be leaving, I turned to the now Brewery Representative/sales guru Richard Atnip, who then was a server and myself a kitchen worker/guest beer grunt, and said these now fabled words: “We should take over the brewery.”

Since then, well, a lot of serendipitous things have happened. Six years later, NABC has grown from two fermenters and a few house beers on tap amongst our world renowned beer bar, using online clip art for our signs, to a two brewery regional power, featuring one of the best graphic artists in the business, with a new bottling program primed to take serious flight. The journey has been arduous and exhilarating; wrought with discoveries, defeats, and triumphs. I could write many pages detailing the journey, but this letter has a different purpose.

In 2008, NABC was invited to attend and pour our beers at Schlafly’s Repeal of Prohibition festival, where each year they invite breweries from a different state to attend. Our salesman at that time, John Campbell, had previously worked for Schlafly and due to this connection, NABC was one of the four Indiana breweries invited. We traveled to St Louis and did what we normally do: Pour samples of our awesome beers, sell some t-shirts, educate people about NABC, and wow the taste buds. But something else happened that weekend that I was not planning on, and that is how serendipity works.

The stars aligned that weekend and I met the love of my life, Kelsey, and my life hasn’t been the same since. It’s taken several years for us to sort out the details, but ultimately we have worked towards both of us being together, living and working happily in the same community. And that my friends, is the reason for this letter:

I am leaving my post as NABC Brewmaster and joining the team of brewers at Schlafly in July.

Over the last few years, St Louis has been my second home and now it will simply be home. I am struggling to find the words to properly convey my emotions but the simple truth is the timing and opportunity are here, and I need to embrace this next phase of my life.

I cannot thank Amy, Kate and Roger enough for the opportunity they gave me years ago and I hope their trust has been repaid through my work for the company. I love The New Albanian Brewing Company, without them who knows what I would be doing today. A huge part of my soul, creativity and determination will always be with NABC, and I will keep a keen eye on all things NABC from St Louis. I hope to one day see our 22oz bombers on shelves there, and will probably weep with joy if and when I see them.

I want to thank all the current and former employees of the company, and those we have lost way too young, who all have played a role in some way in my life. You guys are dear to me and I will miss seeing you, laughing with you, and raising pints with you. I want to thank our loyal customers, without your contributions none of this would have been possible. I have proudly brewed for all of you these years and in turn all of you have graciously lifted me up.

I am so proud of how far we have come as a company, and so excited for the future of NABC. It’s as strong a company as it has ever been and this next phase of growth will see NABC up the revolution to heights that just a few years back seemed like a dream. David Pierce and the rest of the brewery team are poised for fantastic growth at Bank Street, and some lucky brewer will get to take the post at our R&D brewery and live the dream that I have, and will always cherish. I will proudly trumpet the name and beers of NABC where ever I roam, and am proud to be the first NABC brewer to move on to continue my brewing career.

I hope to visit often, and those of you that know me well, know that I am a road warrior. The four hour drive from STL to NABC is quite easy, and I know the way all too well. I also hope to come back and guest brew here again when the timing is right, and will be back often to see so many of my friends and family that live here as well. I was not born in Indiana – Iowa, for those who wonder – but I have spent the majority of my life here and my roots are deep. I haven’t even touched on my music roots here, and honestly, that is a book unto itself.

So you see, my tale is full of love and serendipity, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. My becoming a brewer was serendipitous, and my love for brewing continues to grow as the years pass by. My meeting Kelsey was serendipitous due to my love of brewing, and now it is time to start the next chapter in this journey we call life. I could ramble on for hours, perhaps days, about how everything has lead to this moment. But instead I will finish with this quote from a good friend of mine:

“Parting is sweet sorrow, and the battle rages on”

Cheers

Jared Williamson

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Final note: Stay tuned for more about how we're going to fill the position. Notice I didn't use the word "replace," because that simply isn't possible.

Naughty Girl and B'Urban Trotter pour dates draw ever nearer.

NABC brewmaster Jared Williamson has released on-premise pour dates for draft Naughty Girl and B'Urban Trotter, NABC's collaboration brews with De Struise and Louisville Beer Store/Holy Grale.

NABC Bank Street Brewhouse: Thursday, June 23 at opening.
NABC Pizzeria & Public House: Friday, June 24 at opening.

Supplies are very limited, so there'll be a few necessary restrictions: No growlers, no pitchers, and 10-ounce pours only for B'Urban Trotter.

We believe a release event at Louisville Beer Store is being planned for next week, and when details come through the pipeline, they'll be posted.

Just the facts: Collaboration specs: B’Urban Trotter DIPA and Naughty Girl India Blonde Ale.

Four (!) new Louisville breweries are in the planning stages.

Here’s a long overdue report on Louisville start-up brewing news, as relayed by a number of sources, whom I’ll try and properly identify. To greater or lesser extent, we've known about these projects for a while, and have been patiently awaiting as they've come together. One would not want to rush a good thing.

First, from Insider Louisville, Steve Coomes reports that the O’Shea’s Family of Pubs, Louisville pioneers in imported and craft beer presentation, will begin brewing some time in 2011 from the Flanagan's location.

Then, at the Louisville Restaurants Forum, NABC’s David Pierce has been monitoring the situation with Against the Grain Brewing, which comes to us courtesy of some familiar faces in Louisville brewing:

There is a new and welcomed addition coming to the Louisville craft brewing scene, Against the Grain Brewing. Check them out on FaceBook: Against the Grain.

But there’s even more. LouBrew, a nanobrewery in Germantown, is being planned: LouBrew on FaceBook. To contribute to the effort, go to KickStart LouBrew. A while back, Jason Lyvers reviewed the nanobrew: LouBrew is coming, LouBrew is coming!! (Lville Beer)

Back at David's Louisville Restaurants Forum post, frequent contributor and beer enthusiast Rob Coffey mentions his own plans to brew commercially. When details are forthcoming, I’ll try to post them here.

Four new breweries in Louisville? My liver simply cannot wait.

Reminder: Celts on the River, tomorrow (Sat., June 18).

Tomorrow is the third annual Celts on the River concert at New Albany's Riverfront Amphitheater from 4 - 10 p.m.

Irish Exit, River City Winery and NABC are vending. It's the release day for NABC's Haggis Laddie Celtic Red as well as Strathpeffer Honey and Heather; also, we'll have Elector, Tafel, Gale's Hard Cider (draft) from Thomas Family Winery, and maybe even a surprise or two.

Come down to the river and see us.

Celts on the River ... on WAVE-3 earlier today.

In the studio.

Seamus and Peggy.

Matt and Ben from The Irish Exit.

Bangers and Mash brought by Ben, watched over by Elector. Four of us drank a growler of Community Dark during the half-hour segment ...

Bottling Naughty Girl at Bank Street Brewhouse on Thursday, June 16.

NABC & CPC Pirate Pale Ale: Arrrrguably Delicious!

NABC beer list for Brew Ha Ha (June 25).

Fear no beer? How about NABC's fest motto: "Go big ... or go bigger." We like Indianapolis to have choices in summertime, you know?

For Brew Ha Ha on the 25th, we're sending kegs of Jaxon (Barley Wine), Tunnel Vision (Royal Wallonian Ale), ThunderFoot (Cherried Imperial Stout) and Hoptimus (DIPA).

For details, get ye here.