The Less Desirables

This past Wednesday, we had the honor of being guests on The Less Desirables podcast. (thelessdesirables.com)

We met these guys earlier this year when they did a remote location recording of their monthly beer episode at City Beverage. They reviewed four beers and also talked about movies, sports, tv, and technology. It's a little bit of everything, but of course we were hooked as soon as they mentioned "monthly beer episode". After seeing each other at several beer events around town, they invited us to join their Beer Guru and discuss some beers for March's beer-isode. We tasted and reviewed Olde Hickory brews while Jay and Mike gave us a little background on beer-related topics. We had a blast! You can download the podcast at iTunes, Podcast pickle, or media fly (see their site for details) You can also follow them on twitter (@less_desirables) and find them on facebook.

They'll be doing another remote location recording on March 21st @ Bob's Big Gas Subs (http://www.bobsbigsubs.com/). Come on out, get some great food, great beer, and be a part of the conversation!!!

Race the Bar

I'm a runner. Well, I used to be. I ran my first (and so far only) marathon and ran a sub-25min 5k in Mid 2009 after running for five years. Then marriage, grad school, and two or three moves kinda squelched that habit. I kept it up here or there, but I've been searching for a reason to really get back into it.

Well, I found it!!! Race the Bar in the Triad! (http://www.1075kzl.com/Race-The-Bar-Home/11505416) These events combine two of my favorite things: running and beer and best of all, it highlights some great local beer!

From their website: "We invite everyone, including those who can run a 5K like they're standing still, those who'd rather be drinking, and those somewhere in between to participate in this series of races that just so happen to begin and end at great bars and restaurants around the Triad"
I believe I fall in the "those somewhere in between" category. And I'm really looking forward to these races! I love that they build from 5k to 15k (my favorite distance).

Anyone else interested? I set up a dailymile.com account if anyone wants to train "together".

I'm aware that it's a little late for a non-runner to get up to 5k distance, but you can still start now, walk part of the first one and then really get ramped up for the 8k May 12th.

The first one is March 24th - 3pm - and features beer from Carolina Brewery

So who's in?

Triad Beer Guide

http://www.triadbeerguide.com/ is live!!!!

The main feature of the site is a calendar with all the beer events in the Triad (at least the ones that we hear about). We will add as much as we can as soon as we can. If you hear of events, you can add an event yourself! http://www.triadbeerguide.com/submit-an-event/

Thanks so much to our friend A.J. (wortandyeast.com) for putting the site together!!

#triadbeer community

We are coming up on the one year anniversary of when we started the NC Triad Beer twitter account. (March 6th, 2011)
I had just moved back to NC to complete my final grad school internship and Mike was still living in Virginia, until I found a job for after graduation. He visited every weekend and we were struggling to find places to get good craft beer like our beloved Capital Ale House (Midlothian) and Once Upon a Vine and Corks & Kegs.

I was following @charlottebeer on twitter and asked Daniel about how he got it started. He gave me some pointers and off we went!

Now, almost one year later, we have 579 followers on twitter (@nctriadbeer), 155 followers on our pinterest board (http://pinterest.com/aceymorgan/follow-us-nctriadbeer/), and 63 likes on Facebook. We just started Facebook about a month or so ago, but it's growing fast!

I love providing this 'service' (for lack of a better term) to our community. Last week, a follower tweeted us "we still rely on you to let us know where the brews are!" Such a great joy to hear our mission is a success!!

The best part of all this is the new friends. We have become a tiny part of an amazing growing beer community. Some of us are new to town, some are long-time locals, some are about to move away. It's been great meeting up with folks at beer events and also having them (mostly neighbors) to our home for brew days and bottle shares. Thanks to all of you for letting us be a part of all this and helping us make it great!!

One year ago, we were wondering two things: where to live and where the craft beer was. Now we know the answer to both and are looking forward to another great year!

Thanksgiving Beer Pairing Guide (funny)

Yet another offering from our favorite Virginia beer bar. Capital Ale House-they aren't paying us, we just really loved this place when we lived there and they have been sending some funny emails. Would post a link if I could find one, but I don't think they put their newsletters on the site.
Remember, they are in VA, so no focus on NC beers here, feel free to leave comments about which NC beer you think would take each non-ncbeer's place best!

Thanksgiving Turkey Beer Guide.


Big bird- Straight from the Market to the oven.
Amber Ale- Something like New Belgium Fat Tire or Bell's Amber.
Don't over think it. You want a Thanksgiving meal that plays a back seat to conversation, friends and family. An Amber Ale is the right one for you. Unassuming and a crowd pleaser, the Amber ale usually pairs with everything.

Smokey the bird- The smoked turkey.
American Strong- Like Stone Arrogant Bastard. It has taken you 8 hours to smoke this bird to perfection and it's Damn good. So good, you named it Bacon2. This bird needs a big beer. It needs a beer that will be as intense as you. Arrogant Bastard is your theme, your attitude and your beer.

The Colonel- Deep fried!
India Pale Ale- Something like Bell's Two Hearted Ale. Crunchy skin and super moist meat are the expectations when enjoying a fried bird. You need a Palate cleanser! IPA's are bold, peppery and spicy- Just like you.

Alton brine- The uber chef's nerd bird.
A Marzen or Pumpkin Ale. You started cooking on Sunday, and will have Brussel sprouts so delicious that even the pickiest eater will be converted. You want a Fall beer that stands out on it's own but doesn't take the spotlight. Marzen is the magic elixir here. A Pumpkin Ale is also good, but choose one that has a hint of pumpkin, not a holler.

The Traditional- A heritage bird, probably free range.
A Belgian Tripel- Something like Chimay. This beer has hints of fruit with a lovely effervescence. It is a regal drink with a kiss of bitterness in the finish. If you spend as much time setting up your table setting and decor as you do your dinner, then choose a beer that is respected the world around.

Stuffy Stufferson- The Turducken- A Turkey stuffed with a Duck that is stuffed with a Chicken.
I don't have a recommendation for you. Sorry. This Frankenstein monster has no business with me. If you insist on serving one of these, i imagine you have already decided on serving a beer mixed with wine blended with whiskey. I fear for your bathroom.

Happy Thanksgiving and Slainte,

NCTriadBeer

Craft Beer this Week in the Triad

Too much for a twitter post and I want y'all to have it all in one convenient place! 

We just picked up Olde Hickory Lindley Park and Christmas Ale AND Dogfish Head Faithfull Ale from City Beverage...I'm willing to bet Bestway is carrying them also.  If anyone finds these at other places, let us know!

THIS Friday!  City Beverage is tapping a firkin of Natty Greene's Red Nose winter warmer...starts at four, get there early (but save me some, I get off work at five!)
Mellow Mushroom in Winston tweeted that they will have Highland Cold Mountain Ale and a Barrel Age Smoked Cherry Chocolate Stout.

THIS Saturday! City Beverage is having an American Brown Ale tasting from 12-5. 
Old Winston Social Club is having a Mac and Cheese fest (my entry is a five cheese version made with Duck Rabbit Marzen with a pretzel bacon topping).  enter online (http://oldwinstonsocialclub.com/MacandCheese) at the bar. 

Fingers crossed for Big Boss Aces & Ates making it our way soon.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!   Slainte!

Acey and Michael

Beer Geeks

This is from Capital Ale House's weekly email (out of Virginia).  It's Richmond Beer Week...This cracked me up!

A field guide to the beer geek.

Sneakaschlitzacus - the just turned 21 drinker.
Favorite beer- Free beer.
Catchphrase- “Why would I buy a twelve pack when I can get a 30 pack for the same price?”
Description- Still living in his parent’s basement, this species values quantity over quality. Although this classification is not without hope and will one day evolve, they place a large value in throwing tiny light balls into red plastic cups. Sometime also known as Kegostandicus.
  

Beerhipsticus- my beer is better than yours guy.
Favorite beer- The nastiest, earthiest tasting sour he can find!
Catchphrase- “It’s all about the Belgians brah!”
Description- Always trying to prove his beer superiority, this species is always found at parties cornering someone and talking so much about beer that he can turn them off of craft beer forever. The hipster doesn’t like it unless HE is drinking it and it better be high in alcohol or it will fall into his other catchphrase “Tastes a little thin”. – The Richmond Hipsticus may sometimes be seen with a PBR in hand. They actually don’t consider this beer, it is more a beer flavored water for them and for some reason very acceptable.

Humulushopsicus- the hophead.
Favorite beer- Hops, hops, hops! It isn't good unless it destroys your tastebuds in the process.
Catchphrase- “It’s sooooooo well balanced!”
Description- The only thing better than an IPA is if you put “Imperial” in front of it. The hophead would sooner suffer castration than drink a typical yellow swill beer. Often liking a beer for the level of bitterness, the hophead will typically pick a single variety of hops and use that as their go to “favorite” hop even though they would probably never be able to identify it in a blind taste test.

Magnusbockrexicus- the Lager snob.
Favorite beer- If it’s from Germany, they are happy.
Catchphrase- “Mmmmmmmmmmmalty!”
Description- The lager snob has probably been to Germany or the Czech Republic at least once and prefers a large mug to a footed glass. They love their beer a little on the sweet side and will most likely prefer to sit in a booth over the bar. The “lagerhead” is also immersed in the German culture and probably has a pair of lederhosen. They also compare every party to Oktoberfest.

Rasputinvigoraticus- the Stout drinker.
Favorite beer- Anything Black as coal. From Guinness to Old Rasputin.
Catchphrase- “A meal in a glass”
Description- The stout drinker is very elusive and hard to find in the warmer months. When it does get colder though, they are out in droves. A very difficult species to identify, the stout drinker can be seen with the stinkiest cigar or asking for a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Craftusconnoiseuricus- The well balanced beer lover.
Favorite beer- He will never say.
Catchphrase- “We all gained an hour today. I think the only logical thing to do with it is to enjoy a beer.”
Description- Probably the hardest to find of all the geekies. Each of the other species truly believe this is they are perceived. The connoisseur will have a twinkle in their eye as they drink. They are quick to say “Here try this” or “What is your opinion?” Often considered fun to hang out with and more often, the one who most people will gravitate to at a beer event. They usually have a one glass of water for every glass of beer rule- having learned that the hard way!

If you see one of these "Geeks" this week, don't be afraid, just order a beer and approach with caution. Unless that geek you see happens to be in the mirror.