The Senate is in Session

Those madcap malt mavens from Hailey's Harp and Pub in Metuchen, led by the Zany Wizard of the Brainy-Boro--Chris Flynn--is calling this august body to order on Tuesday evening, September 10 at 7 PM. Oktoberfest will be the theme.
At these events, food and beer are the order of the day, and the menu comes with a side order of craziness. Senators have been impeached, Popes have been installed and a general good time is had by all.

See you in The Senate!

Cheers!
The PubScout

Break Out the Lederhosen

There are some beer dinners that are absolutely "Don't Miss" affairs, and this is one of them. From its humble inception seven years ago till now, the guest list has grown exponentially--so much so that "The Petes" actually considered having this Fest span two full days. The event now sees 115 fans in the seats, making it the largest Beer Dinner event in the state.
And why wouldn't it be? Look at the ingredients:

• Brewmeister Dave Hoffman
• Executive Chef Steve Farley
• The Petes
• The Petes' "Daughters"
• The Artisan's Dirndl Beauties
• That Special Artisan Ambiance
• The Artisan Oom-Pah Band

Ein Prosit!

And one other I can't remember.
Ah, no matter.
It will come to me when I get there on Friday, October 11 at 7PM.
I know it's a month away, but call Artisan's to make your reservation (732-244-7566), as this baby packs out quickly.

Cheers!
The PubScout

Beers for Gridiron Season

Stealing a suggestion from my Florida pal (and soon-to-be-dad) Pete Campana, The PubScout shares this light-hearted (perhaps, perhaps not) look at what should be the beers of the 32 NFL Football Teams.

Have a beer and some fun with this. And try not to spit out your suds when you see the suggestion for the Cowboys and the Jets.

Cheers!
The PubScout

Best Brewery in the World is in Vermont?

The Bay Head Beer Nut invited me to his house last Sunday for what he said was a "Bye-Bye Bennies" party.

While the jury is still out on the etymological origins of the term "bennies" as it relates to those whose knowledge of the Jersey Shore is just seasonal, there is no disagreement about what happens to shore towns after Labor Day--they get quieter and less crowded, and the pace of living is less frenetic.

And after thanking him for the invitation, he sent me a link to a story about beer and brewing which I will share with you. It's a well-written piece about a Vermont Brewer whose brewery was named "Best in the World" by RateBeer.com, and who is in some ways traditional and in others iconoclastic. That his operation sits atop a very impressive list of beer breweries is worth sharing.

Caution, however. It may take you between five and ten minutes to read, digest and appreciate this article.

What may take more time is planning your trip to Vermont.

Cheers!
The PubScout

The Fighting Irish of Kilkenny Pub

Ya can't keep a good man (or his pub) down.
When Hurricane Irene visited Cranford, NJ, in 2011, she was not only unwelcome, she was downright rude. Devastating, to be exact, for Barry O'Donovan, who saw his precious pub filled with water from the basement to the first floor.

Flood insurance might have helped, but as O'Donovan's pub was not in a flood zone, he had none.
Yet with the true grit of an Irishman--and a lot of help from his friends, O'Donovan had the Kilkenny back up and running in record time. His faithful patrons came out to celebrate what was dubbed "The Hoolie Sans Poolie."

Such a comeback celebration requires more than just one evening, however. O'Donovan and staff will be taking six days this September to celebrate the pub's anniversary. The celebration, which starts on September 12, will culminate with a "Half-Way to St. Patrick's Day" bash on September 17 that will feature Irish Step-Dancers, corned beef and cabbage and live Irish music by Dave McBride starting at 7 PM.

Barry O'Donovan

“We have been so fortunate in the way Cranford has supported us,” said Barry O’Donovan, owner of The Kilkenny House, which is located at 112 South Avenue East, across from the Cranford train station.  “In turn, we have tried to help others in the community whenever we can by hosting fundraisers for breast cancer research, Eagle Scout projects, local sports teams, and music education.  Our fifth anniversary is not only a celebration of our little pub, it's a celebration of the vibrant community we have in Cranford, New Jersey.”

The PubScout and Barry O'Donovan

In its five-year tenure, The Kilkenny House has become a favorite of residents and non-local elbow-benders alike--yours truly included. One of the standards I set for a pub--besides its selection of beers and general ambience-- is, "Is it worth driving to?" 

The answer should be clear. 

So it is with the wind at my back, the rain falling softly on my fields and the sun shining warmly on my face that I will be at Kilkenny House on September 17 to participate in a most uplifting night.

And my pint glass will not be the only thing uplifted.

May we always be happy. And may our enemies always know it.

Cheers! The PubScout

Central Jersey Beer Fest in Woodbridge

Mayor Mac joins the PubScout at the CJ BeerFest

Here's the skinny on this excellent opportunity to enjoy good beer while helping a worthy cause:

Central Jersey Beer Festival 2013

Charity:  This year all proceeds will go to help a family in Woodbridge whose young son (Thomas Kurzeja) suffers from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Participating Breweries:   JJ Bitting Brewing Co.,  Tun Tavern,  Pizzeria Uno, Harvest Moon Brewery, Cricket Hill Brewery, Boaks Brewing Co., East Coast Brewing Co., Ships Inn and beers from Brooklyn Brewery ( Post Rd. Pumpkin, Brown Ale), Blue Point Brewery (Rasta Rye, White IPA), Keegans Brewery (Mothers Milk), Sam Adams Brewing Co (Cherry Wheat, IPL) He’Brew (Hop Mana, Coney Island Pilsner).

When:  Saturday, September 14th  from 1pm to 5pm

Where:  Parker Press Park on Rahway Ave. 

( just around the corner from the brewpub) Parking available in the Transit Lot behind the brewpub and in Berkeley College lot across from the park

What:  NJ Brewpubs and Microbreweries tapping their beers with food and craft vendors and live entertainment

How much:  Admission includes a souvenir sampling glass and a day of tasting NJ finest hand crafted brews.  Limited tickets will be on sale at JJ Bitting Brewing Co. and at the gate for $25 for drinking adults and $15 for non drinkers   (kids under 12 free).

The PubScout will be there! Will you?

Winging It at Tapastre

As a big fan of Mike Proske and Tapastre in Somerville, I signed up for an event last Sunday that, for all intents and purposes, was my very first “Wing-Off.”

Proske and Augie Carton of Carton Brewing had a throwdown involving the wings that emerge from Proske’s kitchen and those prepared by Augie himself.

There were four types of wings available--two from each proprietor. 

Augie & Sons...

Vietnamese Caramel Ginger Wings (T), Buffalo Wings (C), Firebomb Habanero (T) Wings and Silly Hot Wings (C) graced my plate. Joining those culinary offerings were a variety of Carton’s exceptional beers--of which five kegs were kicked. Not bad for a laid-back Sunday afternoon.

The Vietnamese Caramel Ginger Wings from new chef Carlton Greenawalt were my first sampling and they were exquisite. It was no surprise to this writer that they won “Best in Show.” Tasty, sweet and flavorful, they should be a regular menu item; and since Proske has taken my suggestions on this score before, I’d look to see them offered.

Mike and Pat enjoy the Wing-Off at Tapastre

The rest of the wing offerings were of various degrees of hotness. The Buffalo Wings were good, the Firebomb Habaneros (which gave me some trepidation) were better and the Silly Hots were, well, silly hot. Sneaky buggers, though, as the Hots weren’t initially all that overpowering. Not a fan of overpowering heat, my initial bites were very tasty and not overly hot at all. But I’m guessing that once on the palate, the Ghost Peppers used in their production kicked into high gear.

For a long time.

Which is why I’m just getting around to writing about the event today.

Carton Brewer Jesse chats with Guests

Close to fifty people showed up for the contest, using inside and outdoor seating, and all I spoke with were effusive in their praise.

Proske, it seems, has a knack for marketing as well as a knack for selecting great beers for his unique tapas restaurant.

Tapastre is a beer and food lover’s dream, which is why, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, I’ll be back. And I’m hoping those Vietnamese Caramel Wings are on the menu.