Is This Why Chaucer Really Went to Canterbury?

Saints be praised! The very first Trappist brewery outside Europe is  making its own beer right in nearby Massachusetts. Check out this excellent blog post by Katherine Perry.

And then check out St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, MA. Being partial to Gregorian chants as a young (and admittedly disturbed) child, I found this to be fascinating. Wait until the chants start for a real treat.

But while chants are cool, beer is cooler, especially when it's Trappist made and sanctioned.

Looks like I, as a modern-day Geoffrey Chaucer, may soon have to lead a band of pilgrims to the monastery at Spencer. If past is Prologue, Aprille would be a good time...care to join me?

Whan that Aprille withe its shoures soote, 
The droghte of Marche hath perced to the roote...

How Bikers Deal with the Polar Vortex

Even under the best of conditions, January is not considered great riding weather as far as most bikers are concerned. So when the Polar Vortex arrives with temps in the single digits, what's a dedicated biker to do?

Drink good beer and eat good food in a good pub with good people, that's what.

So it was that on the coldest day and night in many a January, sixteen hardy folks assembled at the Harvest Moon brewpub in New Brunswick for a special beer tasting.

Ben Pollak

The event was arranged by the peripatetic Ben Pollak, who will be the subject of an upcoming story in the March issue of the new NJ Brew Magazine which will be written by yours truly. And without giving away the content of that fascinating story, suffice it to say that Ben Pollak lives a most unique life. That he rides his own motorcycle year-round should tell you something of his nature, though even he opted for four wheels on this bitterly frigid day. So he's not totally nuts.

Because of a special working arrangement he has with The Moon (pick up the March NJ Brew for the details), he was able to secure the cavernous upstairs space for a special beer-tasting along with food for sixteen of his biker buddies. And for the rather remarkable sum of $12, those buddies sampled six beers and ate their fill of some excellent food, including an incredible pizza that is not on the regular menu.

The Harvest Moon beers were especially well received also. The Moonlight Kolsch, with its distinctive nose, crisp mouthfeel and lingering finish began the flight, and it was followed by a very nice Harvest Hefeweizen. The classic Jimmy D's Firehouse Red came next (Google Jimmy D'heron for the background on that story if you need to) and an exceptional, malty Downtown Brown followed it. Full Moon Pale Ale, which this writer considered outstanding was the penultimate beer, and the  BBON (Best Beer of the Night) in The PubScout's opinion was the Black Friday Imperial Stout.

Heather and Lou lend new meaning
to the term "Malt Shop."

Rich with coffee and chocolate tones and with a semi-viscous mouthfeel, this was the perfect beer for cockle-warming.  There was even a version going around that had a dollop of vanilla ice cream in it.

And on this night everyone's cockles needed some warming.

But that was also achieved by the excellent company interacting over good beer and good food in good pub.


Just like the title of this blog says.

Judging by Ann's smile, her cockles were toasty indeed.

Ann had a great time!

Tap Takeover at The Office

Bartender Casey

Scott Van Guilder just keeps raising the bar. The Beer Bar, that is.

Hard on the heels of a successful Blind Tasting and a full blown Beer Dinner, the manager of the Office in Bridgewater arranged for a Tap Takeover on the night of the Winter Solstice.

Having friendly, beer-savvy bartenders like Casey (above), who cut her beer teeth in Bermuda's HogPenny Pub at age 12, might have had something to do with the fact that the place was pretty crowded with both its normal Friday night clientele and an influx of Craft Beer lovers. Some folks, like homebrewer Rich who was seated next to me at the bar, fell into both categories. Rich and his buddies were pressing Van Guilder to turn up the volume on the Christmas music, and Van Guilder obliged. Others, like beer nut Gregg Zizza, were there to sample the beers, as beer nuts are wont to do.

Gregg Zizza

But the music and Casey weren't the only things bringing good cheer. A lineup of excellent beers, mostly from Sam Adams, helped in that area. SA offered its flagship Lager, Rebel Stout, Merry Maker, Just IPA, Winter Lager and Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider. The affable and knowledgeable SA rep Brandon also came bearing gifts in the form of those special Sam's glasses, hats, shirts and churchkeys.

If you knew the rep (as I confess I did, having met Brandon at other beer events), you might also have had the chance to sample some as yet unavailable Rebel IPA. And though IPA's are not my usual winter go-to fare, this Rebel was actually quite tasty and very smooth. An excellent nose, not-crazily-hopped taste and an exceptional finish will likely make this one an SA winner when it does come out. It is decidedly different than the SA Just IPA which was being offered, too.

But for my money, the Merry Maker (or Merry Mischief) at 9% fully lived up to both of its names.

Of course, Sam wasn't the only one at the party. Yard's sent its wonderful George Washington's Tavern Porter, and Great Lakes put forth its Christmas Ale for the event, which necessitated removing the Edmund Fitzgerald that occupied the tap previously.

The Christmas Ale, a copper/golden spiced ale, carried distinctive spice flavors of ginger and cinnamon (some might suggest even cardamom) and had a nice spicy, almost peppery finish. None of the flavors in this 7.5%-er were overpowering, but they worked together in an great balance.

And as though those beers weren't enough, the delightful Kim was walking around with samples of a tequila called Cabo Wabo. I'm not a big tequila drinker, either con (with) or sin (without) gusano (worm), but this coffee flavored concoction would make a superb after dinner drink.

Kim puts Gregg in a trance...

The point of this event was to allow Van Guilder to show his current beer-loving clients and those to come that he not only knows his beer, but that he is embarked upon a mission to let beer lovers know that The Office is a real beer destination.

Considering the increasing frequency of my own visits, he's clearly sold me.

Cheers!
Merry Christmas!
The PubScout

Got Cockles?

Just what are cockles anyway?
No, not the ones from that old song about Sweet Molly Malone.

They were bivalves, as in clams, etc.

I mean the ones that are supposedly connected with--or to-- your heart. As in "'Twill warm the cockles of your heart." Turns out that the origin of the phrase is as murky as the mud in which clams live.

Go here if you want to learn that story (as you should around this festive time.)

But go here if you actually want to warm your cockles once you find them.

Because This Friday is the Sam Adams Tap Takeover, also featuring the Cabo Wabo Tequila Girls, as well as tapping this years Great Lakes Winters Ale, Yards General Washington Tavern Porter and Sam Adams Merry Maker.
(Nee Merry Mischief...)

If you're into beer, as you should be if you're reading this, the three beers should be enticing enough.

But the Cabo Wabo Tequila Girls might also pique your curiosity.

Or warm your cockles, like they seem to be doing to Sammy Hagar in the picture at left.

Whatever.

It's all happening this Friday, December 20 at The Office in Bridgewater, NJ.

See you there!
Bring your cockles.

Cheers!
The PubScout

When Father Time Taps you on the Shoulder...

It's only natural, I suppose.

As 2013 winds to a close and 2014 approaches, those of us lucky enough to have been around for many moons begin to wonder just how many more "moons" we have left. More importantly, how will we spend whatever time we have left?

Here's a suggestion: Enjoy it.

And you can do that by checking out what Mike Proske has arranged for New Year's Eve 2013 at his fabulous restaurant--Tapastre.

Start your New Year's Eve Celebrations off right! Our popular 5-Course Beer Pairing Dinner is scheduled for  Tuesday, December 31st at 6:30 pm. 5 Courses of Tapas and 5 Craft Beer samplers (6 oz).  $55 per person, plus tax and gratuity. We start at 6:30 pm and will finish with plenty of time to get to your New Year's Eve parties!   Reservations required and seating is limited.   Please specify table or bar seating.  Reservations can be made  by phone at 908 526-0505,   via email to maitred@tapastre.com   First Course  Bacon-wrapped-Scallop-wrapped Bacon! Arugula, Frisee, Hop Vinaigrette Second Course  White Cheddar IPA Soup Housemade Barley Cracker  Third Course  Pan-roasted Black Sea Bass  Shrimp "Noodles", Ginger Broth, Winter Spinach   Intermezzo Kaffir Lime Leaf & Lemon Drop Granita Fourth Course  Grilled Herb Marinated Hanger Steak  Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Stout Demi-Glace   Dessert Belgian Chocolate Creme Brulee Featuring beers from Boulder, Great Lakes, Victory and more...

Mike Proske and Mom

I know this kid can really pair food and beer, so prepare for an excellent experience.

But one comment in his message bothered me:
"We start at 6:30 pm and will finish with plenty of time to get to your New Year's Eve parties!"

Huh? You mean go out to party till the wee hours after a beer dinner like this? Though I can recall the times when I would "go out" at 10 PM, now, with Father Time's nudging, I'm actually "out" at 10 PM.

Especially after a beer event like this promises to be. I'd just go home, plop down in my Barcalounger, likely nod off immediately and get up only to repair to my comfy bed. With a stop at the john, of course.

If you know what I'm talking about, we are kindred. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you will.

Trust me on this.

Cheers!
The PubScout

Quick Hit from Trap Rock: The Secret is Out!

I received a very interesting piece of information recently regarding activity at one of my favorite brewpubs--Trap Rock. Especially given our current spate of "global warming" weather, I share it gladly with you:

New Beer on the Secret Tap

Word is that Charlie [Schroeder] has just put a new beer on the secret tap called Nefarious. It is also nicknamed "the little brother to Aegir's Pride." It's a dark Belgian with wonderful deep flavor, perfect for sipping while sitting in front of a fireplace. And it comes in at a healthy 9%.

Also, in a fit of holiday largesse, Charlie is allowing this wonderful brew to be sold in growlers, although at $20 a pop instead of the usual rate. Come in and get your growlers filled before he changes his mind.

Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead.

Just trying to keep the "warming" in "global."

Cheers!

The PubScout

"Can We Do This Once A Month?"

Nancy, Larry and Ron enjoy a beer moment

The title of today's column is an actual quote from a Beer Nut who drove up from Old Bridge, made midway through the appetizer course at last night's first-ever Beer Dinner at The Office on Rt. 22 in Bridgewater.


And the quick answer is, "No. We cannot."

Because while being sated with fine food and good beer after enjoying great company and good cheer is most pleasurable, waddling to my car and anticipating trying to work off the calories I just put on shouldn't be a monthly event. Tri-monthly maybe, but not monthly.

This dinner was intended to serve a few purposes for Scott Van Guilder and his Office crew. First, it was kind of a "Shakedown Cruise" where you take a new ship out on the ocean to see what--if any--problems pop up. Second, it was designed to make beer and food lovers in The Office's immediate "catchment" area aware of the might array of craft beer here and the quality of The Office's food.

Natalie and Rob raise a toast

And lastly, it was designed as a stepping stone to future beer dinners and beer events run by a guy--Van Guilder--with a passion for beer.

When it comes to beer dinners,"Firsties," (a term coined by The PubScout) are always interesting and in many ways, enlightening. They usually start off with a small, intimate group of beer and food lovers, and when the post-dinner word goes out about the menu, the beers, the service, the camaraderie and the good times, the number of attendees grows for future events. Another local chain that tried this formula had just seven guests for its firstie, but after doing three dinners in a year, that number blossomed to forty regulars. The lesson? If you host them regularly, they will come.

Different generations enjoy Beer Dinners

That's nothing to sneeze at on a Monday or Tuesday night in the bar business. While the profit margin on beer dinners is decidedly not gargantuan, it's about more than that. It's about encouraging a beer and food culture that keeps people coming back to your place, even without a beer dinner going on.

What's left of dessert...

Having a special menu comes also into play. Why would Joe Beer come to a beer dinner when he could get the same menu items and beer he knows he enjoys more cheaply than what a beer dinner would cost him? Van Guilder mixed his menu last night, having some of the items regularly available and some specially made. He allowed that in future, he could and would make the whole menu special. His background as a chef gives him that flexibility. And Van Guilder's beer passion allows him to offer Joe Beer special brews he may have never had, but might wind up liking.

Special, however, is one thing. Portions are another. There was a goodly amount of food carried out in "doggie bags" (though they look nothing like 'bags' to me) by sated attendees last night. The rib that appeared on my plate was seemingly from a Triceratops.

And I heard "This is the best pairing of the night!" spoken about at least three of the five courses. The Ale and Cheese Soup (which worked, interestingly, with the first two beers), the Ahi Tuna and Dogfish Head's 60 Minute IPA and the chocolate dessert paired with Sam Adams Merry Maker received glowing assessments. Personally, I enjoyed the Dark Depths Baltic Porter and the ribs the most.

The Merry Maker--non-beer version...

I also very much liked the Merry Maker, never having had it before, but I had the sense that Old Fezziwig (Sam's Superb Seasonal) may have danced a light hornpipe in this beer somewhere along the production line.

Good food, good beer and good company usually make for a great night, and the camaraderie generated around the table was positive
--especially during Trivia Time, where in a twist, everyone got to read some questions to stump the long table. Larry continued his personal study of dry-hopping, Nancy was fixated on what a beer's head meant and Natalie lined up her glasses OCD style.

I'd say the Shakedown Cruise went pretty well, considering that $60 covered the dinner, the beers, the tax and the tip. And Scott threw in a delightful "palate cleanser" that wasn't on the menu free of charge. Its identity, however, has to remain a closely-guarded secret.
The laughs and the lip-smacking were free, too.

So when's the next one?
Stay tuned!

Cheers!
The PubScout