Beer - Random beer news items and holiday happenings
“We could not now take time for further search or consideration, our victuals being much spent, especially our Beere.” – Unidentified passenger from the Mayflower, known as “Mourt,” regarding their decision to settle at Plymouth Rock.
Since I took my Thanksgiving vacation early this year, this week’s column consists of some random beer news items and holiday happenings. I have included two links to stories on Pilgrims, Thanksgiving and Beer. Give thanks everyone, and celebrate with beer!
A number of special events are planned over the next few weeks at Twain’s in Decatur. This Friday, Nov. 23, Brewer Jordan Fleetwood will tap a special cask of Holiday Vanilla Stout. Sounds like a good excuse to ditch the family during the Thanksgiving weekend. The following Friday, Nov. 30, Twain’s celebrates the birthday of its namesake, Mark Twain. The party will feature live music, drink and food specials, and a best mustache contest. No mention is made of mustache rides. Other musical performances are planned for December, including the Boo Hoo Ramblers, John Emil, and Geoff Achison, and SwingSet with Alex Brenner of Sodajerk. Check their website for more details, or join their mailing list.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, Beer Advocate advocates for a Turkey Day feast filled with—you guessed it—beer. Just in time for your holiday grocery shopping, their website features recipes for a Thanksgiving dinner laced with fine beer, from a beer-injected turkey, to wit beer cranberry sauce, to Holiday Cheesecake with barley malt crust from your local homebrew store. Make sure to pick up some beer to drink, too.
If you are sick of leftover turkey, you will welcome the classy menu planned for Glen Sprouse’s Brewmaster’s Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at the 5 Seasons Sandy Springs location. For $55 you get organic turnip chowder with gulf shrimp and corn salsa paired with the Bavarian Ecstasy Festbier, beef carpacio with organic arugula and pine nut crusted goat cheese served with the house Munich Helles, winter squash ravioli with pumpkin puree matched with the Blackbird Porter, organic pork loin with sweet potato and house-cured bacon hash accompanied by a the Spiny Norman IPA, and pan-roasted stripe bass with maple-glazed organic root vegetables paired with a special, bottle-conditioned West Mall Tripel that was brewed and bottled at the restaurant. The evening is topped off with a double treat: Sachertorte with chocolate ganache, wild berry compote and pumpkin/almond ice cream; and, a special cask of scotch ale aged in Woodford Reserve oak barrels from the distillery. Sounds like you might wanna slap you mama for that green bean casserole and canned cranberry sauce on T-day. Call 404-255-5911 for reservations.
Finally, Crawford Moran, Bob Townsend, Julie Baggett, and Matt Simpson will share their collective knowledge of craft beers at the Atlanta Wine School in Roswell, Thursday Dec 6, from 7-9 p.m. Each of these beer experts will discuss three beers that participants will taste. Cost is $24. Click here for more details.