Greenbush Beer Dinner at LaSalle Grill

I received an email from the manager over at LaSalle Grill last week about the Greenbush Beer Dinner they are doing on May 10th, and totally forgot to post it, so here it is...

Some really incredible beers on that list, all of which I've had at one point or another, with Brother Ben, Anger and Distorter being some of my favorites. I've never actually been to LaSalle before, but I hear they have great food, wine, and are definitely taking craft beer seriously.

For all my guy readers with wives/girlfriends/whatever-you're-into, you can easily count this as date night, while enjoying some great food and beer. As Michael Scott would say, it's a win-win-win.

Fiddler's Hearth & O'Rourke's Tap Lists

Here are updated tap lists for O'Rourke's and Fiddler's Hearth... I'll work on getting the other area lists posted as well. Thanks to Colin for the hookup!

O'Rourke's (South Bend, IN)

Bells Oberon (American Wheat Ale, 5.8%)

Bell's Two Hearted (Double IPA, 7%)

Brewers Union Local 180 Bob's Your Uncle (English Bitter, 4%)

Goose Island Matilda (Belgian Strong Pale Ale, 7%)

Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold (Dortmunder, 5.8%)

Greenbush Redbud (American Dark Wheat Ale, 6.1%)

Magic Hat #9 (American Pale Ale w/apricot, 5.1%)

North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner (German Pilsner, 4.4%)

New Belgium Fat Tire (Amber Ale, 5.1%)

Sierra Nevada Torpedo (American IPA, 7.2%)

Three Floyd's Alpha King (American Pale Ale 6%)

Three Floyd's Gumballhead (American Wheat Ale, 4.5%)

Fiddler's Hearth

Bells Oberon (American Wheat Ale, 5.8%)

Bell's Two Hearted (Double IPA, 7%)

Boulder Mojo IPA (American IPA 7.2%)

Delerium Tremens (Belgian Strong Pale Ale 8.5%)

Founder's Breakfast Stout (Imperial Stout 8.3%)

Founders Centennial IPA (American IPA 7.2%)

Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald (American Porter, 5.8%)

Greenbush Traktor Golden Ale (Cream Ale 6.1%)

New Holland Mad Hatter IPA (American IPA, 5.25%)

Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout (Russin Imperial Stout, 9%)

Sixpoint Righteous Rye Ale (Rye Ale 6.4%)

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier (Hefeweizen 5.4%)
* Sixpoint Resin will be tapped on Wednesday 4/25

Spare Dark Lord Day Ticket Acquired!

You may remember my appeal to the masses for a spare 3 Floyds Dark Lord Day Ticket about a week ago. I honestly wasn't getting my hopes up, with tickets coveted the way they are, and some people taking advantage of the situation by selling them on ebay. Fortunately a very generous person stepped forward and sent me not one, but two tickets, for what he paid for them! Although this post appears to be rubbing it in, the way in which they were sent was pretty badass, so I wanted to share. For obvious reasons, all personal information was photoshop'd out. Major beer karma his way!

The Mark tap list (South Bend, IN)

Thanks to The Mark Dine and Tap (South Bend, IN) for forwarding their tap list for everyone to check out. Quite a nice list they have going on!

St. Bernardus Abt 12 - Village of Watou in West Flanders, Belgium. (10.5% abv) .25 L $9 or .5 L $16

Quadrupel.  Water, pumped up from a depth of 150 meters is the basis of all St. Bernardus beers. This water is not only the purest but has also a historical background.  Scientists have proved that the water that is pumped up now, is originating from rainfall from the time of Jeanne d’Arc. A dark ivory colored beer with a high fermentation. The show piece of the brewery.                                                   
                     

Bell’s Third Coast Old Ale - Kalamazoo, Michigan.  (10.2% abv)  12 oz.  $6

Old Ale.  Notes of burnt caramel & other earthy malt flavors. Designed with vintage aging in mind, the malt aspect is matched to a heavy complement of hops. 

Brasserie d’ Achouffe La Chouffe - Achouffe, Belgium. (8% abv)  8 oz.  $8

Belgian Strong Ale.  Unfiltered blonde beer, which is re-fermented in the keg.  Pleasantly fruity, spiced with coriander, light hop taste.

Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti - Denver, Colorado. (9.5% abv)  12 oz.  $8

Imperial stout.  Oak aging gives a subtle vanilla character, rounding out Yeti’s intense roastiness and huge hoppy nature.                                   

Victory Hop Devil IPA - Downingtown, Pennsylvania.  (6.7% abv)  16 oz.  $6

IPA.  Bold, spicy and menacingly delicious, this American-hopped India Pale Ale offers an aromatic punch and then follows through with a lasting, full-bodied finish.
 

Hacker-Pschorr (Hefe) Weisse - Munich, Germany.  (5.5% abv)  .5 L $6

German Hefeweizen.  Banana, with fairly subtle hints of lemonpeel and cloves & some lingering clove spiciness.  
 

Greenbush Anger - Sawyer, Michigan.  (7.6% abv)  16 oz. $6

Black IPA.  Belgian dark malts and dry-hopped for intense aroma. 

Bitburger Pils - Bitburg, Germany. (4.8% abv) 16 oz.  $6.50

German Pilsener.  Brewed with the best of ingredients in the same traditional way it has been for many, many years. 

Great Divide Old Ruffian - Denver, Colorado.  (10.2% abv)  12 oz.  $7

Barley wine ale.  Seemingly mellow at the start with subtle fruit aromas and complex caramel sweetness, it quickly becomes aggressive with its bold hop flavors and huge hop bitterness. Ultimately, the big body, succulent sweetness and massive hop character come together to work wonders on your palate.  

Left Hand Sawtooth Ale - Longmont, Colorado.  (5.3% abv) 16 oz. $6

Nitrogen ESB.  Well balanced, with significant hop character, medium body, and a maltiness which increases in evidence as the beer warms to its “proper” drinking temperature. 

Three Floyds Jinx Proof - Munster, Indiana.  (5.1% abv)  16 oz. $6

Pilsner.  This refreshing continental-style pils has a light body combined with a pronounced noble hop aroma and a crisp dry finish. This is the perfect beer for easy flavorful drinking. 

Three Floyds Arctic Panzer Wolf - Munster, Indiana.  (9% abv) 12 oz. $9

Imperial IPA.  A massive IPA that will leave your palate it’s hapless victim. 

Silver Beach Pizza Tap List (Saint Joseph, MI)

Sorry for the spattering of updates lately, I've been in contact with places for the first time, and wanted to get their tap list up right away. One such place is Silver Beach Pizza. Based on rave reviews, I stopped by on Friday for dinner and a pint, but much to my dismay, the entire parking lot was full, and there was a hoard of people standing outside. If this wasn't a family dinner, I may consider hanging out, or hoping to find a spot at the bar, but it wasn't to be. Anyhow, not only am I told the menu is incredible, but they also tend to have a respectable lineup. Maybe I'll take a late lunch / early dinner one of these days and avoid the rush.

Founders - All Day IPA (Perfect for a day at the beach, in my opinion)
Bell's - Oberon
Greenbush - Sunspot

They also have the more pedestrian stuff (Guinness, Harp, etc), but I am told they will be installing 4 more taps in the next two weeks, which is great news!

Stay tuned for future tap list updates at Silver Beach Pizza!

Spare Dark Lord Day Ticket

So this is the first semi-self serving post I've done since I've started this site, but I'm looking for a spare Dark Lord Day ticket for my friend who occasionally writes for this site. Since I have group C, we were hoping to find a group B or C ticket.

In addition to paying for it, he would be happy to toss in a bottle of something rare and delicious as thanks for your generosity. Would also consider picking up a bottle of Dark Lord for you if you can't make the event. If you happen to know of one, please send a message to andy@thebeerisgood.com.

Cheers!
Andy

Bleachers Tap List (Mishawaka, IN)

I've been getting several requests for current tap lists from Bleachers on Grape Road in Mishawaka, due to their great lineup and reasonable prices... so here it is. Some really great beer on there. Cheers!

3 Floyds - Gumballhead
Dark Horse - Too Cream Stout
Abita - Purple Haze
Stone - Sublimely Self Righteous
Southern Tier - Oak Aged Unearthly
Flying Dog - Raging Bitch
Sierra Nevada - Hoptimum
Southern Tier - 2XIPA
Bell's - Oberon
Bell's - Two Hearted
Greenbush - Distorter
Left Hand - 400 Pound Monkey
New Belgium - Fat Tire
New Albanian - Yakima
People's - Hopkilla
Upland - Ard Ri
Sierra Nevada - Bigfoot
Boulder - Mojo
Boulevard - Unfiltered Wheat
Flat 12 - Upside down blonde
Finch's - Golden Wing
Stone - Arrogant Bastard

On Deck...
Dark Horse - Double Crooked
3 Floyds - Arctic Panzer Wolf
3 Floyds - Dreadnaught
3 Floyds - Rabid Rabbit
Southern Tier - Back Burner
Southern Tier - 2XStout
Rogue - Double Dead Guy
Stone - Oak Aged Arrogant Bastard

Green Flash Teams Up With Founders

Just received an email from a PR Firm in San Diego filling me in on the details of the upcoming Green Flash / Founders Collab. These are two of my favorite breweries, so I really hope I get a chance at trying this!

--

SAN DIEGO & MICHIGAN CRAFT BEER INNOVATORS BOND OVER NEW BREW

GREEN FLASH BREWING CO. CRAFTS COMPLEX COLLABORATION WITH FOUNDERS BREWING COMPANY

LINCHPIN WHITE IPA 

Limited Release to Debut During Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego – May 2012

San Diego, CA - April 12, 2012          Green Flash Brewing Co. announces that they have partnered with like-minded Michigan brewer, Founders Brewing Co. to produce a first-time, limited release called Linchpin White IPA.   The Brewmasters from each celebrated craft brewery—Chuck Silva (Green Flash) and Jeremy Kosmicki  (Founders) assembled privately last month in San Diego to develop the beer, and it will debut during the Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego and move on to limited release beginning May 2012. These well matched breweries have been individually brewing up several of the world’s top flavor-forward ales and have now come together to collaborate on an uncommon and emerging beer style. 

"Founders makes world-class beer,” says Green Flash Brewing Co.’s Co-founder and President, Mike Hinkley. “It's not available in San Diego, so I always look to taste some when I am on the road. Our Sales Chief, Jim Kenny presented the idea and I was immediately all for it. Then Chuck and Jeremy settled on White IPA. I can't wait to tap these kegs and share this innovative new release with the national community of craft beer fans." 

Each brewery is known to push boundaries in creating risky, new, flavor-forward styles that appeal to the true beer aficionado. Because Founders is not currently available in San Diego, the collaboration will allow the local beer lover a chance to experience the flavors and influence of this Midwestern gem through the Green Flash partnership. Green Flash will release Linchpin White IPA on draft during May’s Craft Brewers Conference with events to take place as follows:

Tuesday, May 1 

Tapping of First Keg  - Green Flash Tasting Room & Beer Garden 3pm – 9pm

Friday, May 4 

Hamilton’s & Regal Beagle Release Parties Begin at 5pm

• •    Each bar will feature Linchpin White IPA 
• •    Other draft selections from Green Flash and Founders will also be on tap for the evening
• •    Representatives from Founders and Green Flash will be in attendance

Beer Details: Linchpin White IPA 

“There’s a lot going on in this beer with two yeast strains, copious amounts of wheat malt, and a big focus on ‘C’ hops to deliver a citrus explosion,” explains Green Flash Brewmaster, Chuck Silva. “In fact we lined up more than a dozen hop varieties in the brewery to select three hops with the biggest citrus character to dry hop the beer. 

“This golden beer pours with beautiful, frothy white beer foam that lasts due to bottle conditioning. Gently rousing the yeast that settles in the bottle will result in a fuller texture and a more cloudy white appearance. The citrus aromas that jump from the glass are largely tangerine up front with other types of citrus notes that mingle with the Belgian yeast esters. Hop flavors of bitter orange zest dominate the brew and linger to the finish with a nice play of American and Belgian yeast combo.”

A beer with so many components can be held together with a “Linchpin”. The official “Linchpin” of this beer is the skillful collaboration between the two breweries to create a unique hop-forward brew. Linchpins are symbolic: two simple shapes that combine to strengthen a bond amongst many different pieces. 

Linchpin White IPA will be released during the May 2012 Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego and will then be available in limited supply via bottle-conditioned 22oz bottles and by the keg for special release events nationally in May and June 2012. 

About Founders Brewing Company 

Co-Founders Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers opened Founders Brewing Co. in 1997 and are adamant about their mission: “We don’t brew beer for the masses. Instead, our beers are crafted for a chosen few, a small cadre of renegades and rebels who enjoy a beer that pushes the limits of what is commonly accepted as taste. In short, we make beer for people like us.” This philosophy has helped them gain recognition as the second best brewery in the world by RateBeer.com, for two years in a row.

About Green Flash Brewing Co. 

Green Flash Brewing Co. is located in San Diego, California, and was founded in 2002 by Mike and Lisa Hinkley.  Brewmaster, Chuck Silva, leads brewing operations. Green Flash is an award-winning brewer of fine, hand-crafted ales, and specializes in brewing assertive and distinctive beers, such as the nationally acclaimed West Coast I.P.A.: an award-winning beer whose wide acceptance has helped define a category.  Green Flash brews ten styles of beer regularly, on draught and in bottles as well as a growing lineup of seasonal and special offerings, including several barrel-aged beers, throughout the year.  Please visit the Green Flash website www.greenflashbrew.com for more information

Press Contact:

Natalie Sellers

Bay Bird Inc PR

T. 917-657-1264

E. natalie@baybirdinc.com

The Pub tap list (Granger, IN)

Thanks to Corey for hooking me up with this current list of brews over at The Pub in Granger. Some mighty fine ones on there for sure. Definitely looking forward to some Grapefruit Jungle as well.. 

3 Floyds - Zombie Dust
3 Floyds - Robert the Bruce
3 Floyds - Brian Boru
3 Floyds - Jinx Proof
Bell's - Oberon
Bell's - 2 Hearted
Sun King - Sunlight
Sun King - Million $ Brewski
Sun King - Ring of Dingle

On Deck...
Sun King - Grapefruit Jungle IPA
Sun King - Poff the Magic Dragon.

2012 Founders Fest Update

Hot off the presses from Founders Brewing Company. Below is the detailed information they provided, but the overall bullet points are that Founders Fest will be on June 23rd from 3pm-11pm, tickets go on sale April 20th, are $20/each, or $15 for mug club members. They don't typically release the list of beers until shortly before the festival, however last year they had Devil Dancer, KBS, Kaiser Curmudgeon (Curmudgeon's Better Half), Blushing Monk, All Day IPA, and many, many more. We had such a great time that we will be back next year, and our hotel is already booked! Unfortunately, no word yet as to whether Zack Morris will be attending again this year.

Founders Fest '12: A Celebration of Beer & Music

Founders Brewing Co. Announces Lineup for Annual Celebration on June 23, 2012

Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 9, 2012—Founders Brewing Co. is expecting 5000 or more beer and music lovers to gather on Saturday, June 23, for their 5th annual Founders Fest, an outdoor festival in downtown Grand Rapids that celebrates two of the things the brewery loves the most: beer and music. From 3-11pm, Grandville Avenue between Cherry and Bartlett will be blocked and the grounds of the brewery secured for the festivities.

“Founders Fest is our biggest party of the year and is always a great time!” says Mark Dorich, Festival Coordinator and Founders Director of Retail Operations. “We are excited to celebrate with our community again, and we’re really excited about this year’s music lineup.”

A wide range of musical talent will be rocking out at this year’s Founders Fest, with national act SOULIVE coming in from Brooklyn, NY, to headline. Other performers include Asheville’s TOUBAB KREWE, whose latest album is on Nat Geo Music; Michigan folk favorites SETH & MAY AND FRIENDS; one-man band THAT 1 GUY out of Las Vegas; the locally sourced improvisational progressive rock band ULTRAVIOLET HIPPOPOTAMUS; and Grand Rapids indie-folk outfit THE CRANE WIVES. Hometown rockers FOUR FINGER FIVE and the 12-piece African funk group AFRO ZUMA join local favorite and SXSW sweethearts THE SOIL AND THE SUN and a super-group of Founders employees, the FBC ALL-STARS, to round out the entertainment lineup.

This year’s event will again feature local food vendors, including The Cottage Bar and the Pita House, as well as a Local Artists Row, which showcases the various works of some of the area’s finest artists and designers. There will be other strolling surprise entertainers sprinkled throughout the day.


Founders Fest is a celebratory “thank you” to Grand Rapids and West Michigan for making Founders what it is today. Founders Brewing Co. has been a part of the Grand Rapids scene since 1997 and has grown its brewing tradition from modest beginnings to most recently being rated the second best brewery in the world, for the second year in a row.

“We’re proud of how we’ve grown to become not just a local name but a serious contender on the regional and national beer scene,” says Founders President & CEO Mike Stevens. “We’ll be celebrating our 15th anniversary this year, and we’re proud to say that our crew is making some of the best beer in America. Founders Fest allows us to take a day to toast those efforts with our friends, family and community.”

Guarantee yourself entry and save a little cash with pre-sale tickets:

Discounted tickets will be available starting April 20 at the Founders taproom, as well as online, via foundersbrewing.com through our friends at brownpapertickets.com. Tickets are $20 for the general public, and $15 for 2012 Mug Club Members (show your 2012 Mug Club ID Card to receive discount). Day-of tickets will be available at the gate for $25. The event is limited to ages 21 and older.

Founders Brewing Company, at 235 Grandville Avenue SW in downtown Grand Rapids, is a proud member of the Michigan Brewers Guild and the Brewers Association.

"The Beer Is Good at Fiddler's Hearth" Craft Beer Party

It's official... Based on the raging success of the previous "The Beer Is Good at Fiddler's Hearth" craft beer party, we've decided to hold it twice per year, with the next one being held on June 30th starting at 11am!

This event is all about bringing craft beer drinkers together to drink rare and specialty beer from our favorite local and regional breweries. As of now, we've got beer from 3 Floyds, Founders, Bell's, Greenbush, FHBC, Bare Hands and many more slated to be on tap throughout the day. Along with the great beer, there will be a special food menu and brewery schwag handed out all day.

Oh, I almost forgot...

The only area keg of Founders KBS will be on tap at some point during the day! One of my (and many others) favorite beers, available only once per year and we are saving it for this event.

Keep an eye out for more details to come... We hope to see you there!

Four Horsemen American Pale Ale Results

Rick James once said, "Cocaine is a hellova a drug." In my case, brewing beer is a hellova drug, and I've been obsessing over it ever since getting the opportunity to brew on a part-time basis with my friends at Four Horsemen Brewing Company about a month ago.

You may recall a post regarding my first day brewing a month ago here. As a quick recap, Stephen Foster (FHBC Master Brewer) tasked me with creating an American Pale Ale with only a few pointers, and instruction on how to use the Sabco Brew-Magic brewing system. From there, I dumped ingredients in with little regard to style and the resulting beer was so incredible, so amazing, that people flocked from all parts of the country just for a sip.

Ok.. in reality it was a good, solid beer, nothing more, nothing less... Not really an APA, probably closer to an AIPA. For my taste, it ended up just a tad too sweet and caramelly; a likely result of the intentionally high mashing temp, the dextrine malt, and 3 pounds of Crystal 50-60. The bitterness, as predicted, was able to cut through the sweetness quite well and the passion fruit/citrus aspect was a nice contrast to the the heavy malt backbone. The beer was well received from all accounts I've heard, so there is a chance it will continue to be brewed in the future.

The first batch sold rather quickly; in about a day or so. There were three more sixtels to be tapped, batch 2, 3 and a mixture of the two - one of which is currently being poured at FHBC for your drinking pleasure.

Just when I thought my craft beer hobby couldn't get any better, it has catapulted into awesomeness with this new venture. As you'll see in the next post about the last month of brewing, crafting beer is all about triumphs and setbacks, especially in the beginning. It's also teaching me a great deal of patience which doesn't come to me naturally. All of that aside, I'm looking forward many more brew days to come, and sharing with you all the results of my efforts!

Check out this beer, and other FHBC beers on tap Thursday through Sunday, with specific hours listed on their website here.

Tap Lists In/Around South Bend

Here's an updated list of taps around South Bend. If you happen to know what's on tap at O'Rourke's (South Bend), Miles Lab (Elkhart), Main Street Pub (South Bend), The Pub (Granger), Bleachers (Mishawaka, IN) or anywhere else craft beer is on tap, please drop a line to andy@thebeerisgood.com

Wheatberry (Buchanan, MI)
Anchor - Steam
Big Sky - Trout Slayer
Lagunitas - IPA
Brewery Vivant - Triomphe
Hennepin - Saison
Moylan's - Tipperary
Short's - Contraversi Ale
Victory - Hop Wallop
Michigan Brew Co - Nut Brown
Stone - Arrogant Bastard
Anderson Valley - Barney Flats

Bar Louie (Mishawaka, IN)
Greenbush - 1825
Finch's - Cut Throat
Flat 12 - Walkabout
Flat 12 - Amber (Half Cycle to Follow)
Bell's - Oberon
Bell's - Two Hearted
Founders - Dirty Bastard
Founders - Porter
3 Floyds - Gumballhead
3 Floyds - Dreadnaught
3 Floyds - Topless Wych (Zombie Dust / Jinx Proof to come)
Schlafly - Kolsch
Schlafly - APA (Boulevard Wheat to Follow)
Evil Genius - Evil EyePA
Abita - Purple Haze (Beer of the month, $3.50)
Left Hand - Milk Stout
New Belgium - Fat Tire
Stone - IPA
Rogue - Dead Guy
Sierra Nevada - Pale Ale
Sam Adams - Boston Lager
Coming Soon...
Greenbush - Anger
Genesis - Drop Hop Session Ale

The Mark (South Bend, IN)
St. Bernardus - Abt 12
Bell's - Third Coast Old Ale
Ayinger - Celebrator
Great Divide - Oak Aged Yeti
New Belgium - Ranger IPA
Greenbush - Anger
Bitburger - Pils
Great Divide - Old Ruffian
Rogue - Shakespeare Stout
3 Floyds - Brian Boru
3 Floyds - Dreadnaught

Legends of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, IN)
Bell's - Two Hearted
Founders - Porter
3 Floyds - Robert the Bruce
Sierra Nevada - Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada - Ruthless Rye ($3.50/Pint)
Great Lakes - Dortmunder Gold
Bell's - Amber
New Belgium - Fat Tire
Bell's - Oberon
New Albanian - Ole 15-B Brown Porter ($3.50/Pint)

Fiddler's Hearth (South Bend, IN)
Flat 12 - Walkabout
Bell's - Oberon
Bell's - Two Hearted
Sierra Nevada - Torpedo
Sierra Nevada - Hoptimum
Great Lakes - Edmund Fitzgerald
Dark Horse - Crooked Tree
Bell's - Porter (Cask)
North Coast - Old Rasputin
Chimay - Trip
Delirium - Tremens

LaSalle Grille (South Bend, IN)
Magic - Hat
Bell's - Oberon
3 Floyds - Dreadnaught
3 Floyds - Zombie Dust

Chubby Trout (Elkhart, IN)
3 Floyds - Gumballhead
3 Floyds - Alpha King
3 Floyds - Pride and Joy
3 Floyds - Dreadnaught
3 Floyds - Arctic Panzerwolf
3 Floyds - Zombie Dust
Bell's - Two Hearted
Bell's - Oberon
New Belgium - Fat Tire
New Belgium - Dig Pale Ale
New Belgium - Ranger
Greenbush - Anger
Upland - Wheat
Upland - Dragonfly IPA
Sierra Nevada - Pale Ale
Dark Horse - Sapient Trippel
Coming Soon...
Greenbush - Closure
Dark Horse - Double Crooked Tree
Brooklyn - Black Choc. Stout

Fat Tomato (Elkhart, IN)
New Belgium - Fat Tire
3 Floyds - Gumballhead
Bell's - Oberon
Flat 12 - Milk Stout
Bell's - Two Hearted

Brother's Bar and Grill (South Bend, IN)
Bell's - Two Hearted
Bell's - Oberon
Bell's - Best Brown
Southern Tier - 2xIPA
Goose Island - Sofie
Goose Island - Matilda
New Belgium - Fat Tire
Great Lakes - Edmund Fitzgerald
Great Lakes - Conway
Sam Adams - Boston Lager
Sam Adams - Summer Ale
Goose Island - 312
New Belgium - Ranger