Just Say No to Knowing?

Having logged 37 years in a public high school classroom as a teacher, I can't be blamed when stories about today's educational scene pique my interest. Like this one.

And back before my blog went "national," I penned this treatise about a school practice called Project Graduation. Just scroll down to PubScout Pontifications.

If, as an informed reader, you have now read both pieces, you should know where this one is going.

Apparently--after eight years of teaching about "anaerobic respiration" with no complaints, some Colorado parents are disquieted because some maniac teacher is doing what his course is designed to do--teach about fermentation in beer.

If you know anything about Colorado, you know it's a huge beer state. It took home forty-six GABF medals just this year alone.

God forbid that students should know how beer becomes beer, or--even worse--TOUR a brewery?

My sons were homeschooled up until 8th grade because I did not like the direction public schools were taking. The missus would teach them from September to June, and I'd take over from June till September when school was out for me.

 When two of my sons were 9 and 6, I did far worse than teach them about fermentation. I had them actually help me make beer. They cracked the grain, measured and added the hops and yeast and helped me bottle it to bring home three weeks later. Over the years of this avocation, they would accompany me on brewery tours to see the process, and were especially impressed (more likely, bored as in museums) with the gleaming equipment.

Admittedly, with social interaction being important for homeschoolers, many of my lessons were taught outside the home--in pubs, breweries and brewpubs--especially in New York City, where yearly field trips to McSorley's Old Ale House and Fraunces Tavern combine an opportunity to learn history and social interaction as well as providing us with a cool lunch spot. Same thing in Philly, the birthplace of American Independence, home of the Liberty Bell and Ben Franklin. That McGillin's is also there was no accident.

Chris Mullin with two of the Lads

I plotted this course of action with my sons because I did not want them to learn that beer was something you consumed with a funnel strapped to your head, or something that was simply meant to be ingested in copious amounts, then expelled over a toilet--not enjoyed or savored with food. While I cannot claim that they never over-indulged (if a tree falls in the forest, etc.), I know that I was never contacted by the police departments at their colleges for excessive consumption or binge-drinking escapades. In fact, when my eldest went off to college, he expressed surprise to learn that his comrades were drinking Natty Light.

They now have a pretty sophisticated sense about what beer is, what it's supposed to do and what its various styles yield in terms of enjoyment. That they have been in more breweries, brewpubs and pubs than many three times their age has not marked them for alcoholism candidates.

One "enlightened" parent in the story above stated, "I don't see any reason to teach a 15 year-old the steps in brewing alcohol," because "You cannot buy alcohol until you're 21."

She seems to be following the maxim of "Just Say No."
I'm a proponent of "Just Say Know."

Your call, Colorado.

Cheers!
The PubScout

Percello Era Ends at Uno's

Uno's soon-to-be-former brewer, Chris Percello, put together a star-studded lineup of beers at his last Cask Fest, and Uno's soon-to-be-brewer Zak Conner was on hand to help--and take notes.

The fests at Uno's have drawn considerable attention from beer geeks and today was no exception. From far and wide they came to taste superlative brews, with representatives from Kane, Carton, Harvest Moon, Climax, Bolero Snort and Uno's itself.

Beer Goddess Megan Kennedy was on hand from the Shore area, and renowned Beer Writer Mark Haynie made the trek from near Cape May--portions of which are below the Mason-Dixon line.

New Brewer Zak and the Beer Goddess, Megan

Yours truly was on hand early, ostensibly to talk with the new brewer, but really to get a first taste of that much-talked-about beer from Bolero Snort--GingerBull Cookie Brown Ale--and it did not disappoint. Kane's Special Driftline Brown, made with Oak Nuggets (or some such thing) was also exceptional, and Carton's Wet Harvest, dry-hopped with Mosaic, also got plaudits from those who drank it. Of course, Dave Hoffman's outstanding Pumpkin was on tap at the bar, and it, too, saw a lot of action.

Beer Writer Mark Haynie

As Percello will be heading south to the nation's capital tomorrow to start his new gig at Right Proper brewing, it was a bittersweet event in some ways. Sweet because of the beer and people Percello's stint has affected, and bitter because of, well, the hops in Kane Ripple Session IPA and Climax IPA.
 More pictures available here, and be sure to read the captions. Good Luck, Chris and Natalie!

And, just as importantly, good luck to Zak as he begins his new adventure. During our discussion, he allowed that his mission, aside from making the good beer Uno's has come to be known for, is to encourage more people to get under the good beer tent. "I'm excited," said the former Harvest Moon Assistant from Madison, NJ. "This is a great opportunity for me, and I can't wait to get started."

Conner indicated that he would love to see events like cask fests, blind tastings and beer dinners be regular occurrences at the Metuchen pub. Following in the footsteps of his predecessors, Mike Sella and Percello, he'll have big boots--and plenty of pint glasses-- to fill.

Cheers!
The PubScout

Working Hard at The Office?

Boston Brewing's CEO Jim Koch with Beer Nut Larry Deahl

The Office on Rt. 22 in Bridgewater and I will be co-sponsoring its first-ever blind beer tasting on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 PM. Manager Scott Van Guilder and I will combine our resources to provide attendees with ten different beers, as well as assorted munchies throughout the evening. 

A special Beer Tasting Primer will precede the event, because you will have to know how to evaluate beer without knowing its brand name. You can get a headstart by clicking on this
"Beer Sense" link .
Scott will present ten different beers, along with rating sheets which will record your scores in the four different sensory areas that the pros use to judge beer. It should be a fun night--especially when the results are revealed.  We'll have lots of fun along the way, too, as Scott will be handing out all kinds of goodies and favors and I'll be showing some home movies from 1987.
JK.

And what's the cost of this extravaganza? $75? $60? $50? $40?

 Nope. 

Just 14 measly bucks. 

You heard right. 

Just $14. 

Because Scott, a dedicated Beer Nut, is trying to alert the beer drinkers of the region that his tap and bottle choices, as well as his food at this Office location are worthy of your continued attention and patronage. In fact, there's a promo on this page that will give you 10% off your entire bill just for bringing The PubScout page in anytime. Except for special events--like this one. 

But hey, 10% is 10%.  A table full of pubbers who run up a bill of $4,000 would see $400 of that knocked right off! Can't beat that with a stick.

In any event, call The Office and let them know you want in to their First-Ever Blind Beer Tasting. Seating will be limited and other beer-loving groups have already staked out a chunk of territory. At least one of the groups has some extremely hot-looking ladies in it. Well, hot to me, anyway.

Oh, and "blind" doesn't mean you'll be blindfolded. (Hell, you couldn't enjoy the aforementioned ladies that way.) The beers will be numbered and only Scott and I will know what brand is being evaluated at any one time.

We may discover that Corona Light was the group's favorite! 

(Nah. That's not gonna happen.)

Hope to see you there!

Cheers!

The PubScout

Delightful Surprise at Verjus

The missus and I went out to dinner last night with our elderly, widowed neighbor across the street. She suggested one of her favorite restaurants in Maplewood, named Verjus, a pretty classy place specializing in contemporary French/New American cuisine. I'm a pub and tavern guy specializing in burgers and quesadillas, but we assented because we knew it would make her happy.

After sitting down and reading the beer menu, I realized it would also make me--and any other beer geek--happy. Turns out the owner/chef Charles Tutino is a devotee of craft beer, and especially craft beer that complements his food.

There were twenty beers on the menu this night, including one from Anchor that I'd never had--or even heard of: Anchor Humming Ale. I mean, a guy who knows enough about a hop called Nelson Sauvin from New Zealand to put a beer made with it on his menu gets my vote as a "Savvy Palate Guy."

The special seasonals were Dogtoberfest and Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin, but the main list was quite impressive: four from Anchor, two from Dogfish Head, two from Schneider, Jever Pilsner, Reissdorf Kolsch, Saison Dupont, Chimay Triple, Allagash White, Belhaven Scottish and non-alcoholic Einbecker rounded out the list. Three others, Amstel Light, Heineken and Heineken Light were also available for those so inclined. I opted for a Dogtoberfest, a multiple GABF medal winner, to start, and it did not disappoint.

Chef Tutino's food also testified to his abilities in the kitchen, and my Roast Peking Duck went wonderfully with my Belhaven Scottish Ale. The desserts at Verjus are works of art for both eye and palate, but at first I chose only the Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin to fill that bill, thinking I'd be perfectly satisfied. But  co-owner/wife Jane Witkin--a Perth Amboy gal-- brought out a special Espresso-Creme Caramel that tested my resolve. Despite saying repeatedly, "Get thee behind me, Satan," the dessert deftly twisted my arm behind my back in such a painful way that I relented. It was a perfect pairing with the great Pumpkin.

Jim Koch of Sam Adams fame is fond of saying, "All beer is good; some beer is better." Thanks to guys like Chef Tutino, better beer is finding its way into better food places.

And that's a win for everyone who enjoys both.

Cheers!
The PubScout
(PS--Photoshop out those wine glasses, if you must.)

Mr. Percello Goes to Washington

Chris and Natalie--moving on

Uno's Brewer Chris Percello will be saying goodbye to his Metuchen digs--and a host of friends-- after his last Cask Fest next Saturday, Oct. 26. Percello, who assumed the reins from longtime Brewmeister Mike Sella a couple of years ago, will be heading to a new venture called Right Proper Brewing in the nation's capital on October 28.

The Beer Cognoscenti at a Percello Cask Fest

Percello leaves a healthy beer heritage at the Rt. 1 South pub. His Cask Fests drew lots of fans because of the beers he brought to the table--including his own. A prodigy of Brewmeister Dave Hoffman, Chris's beers were applauded and enjoyed by Beer Geeks and Newbies alike. Just as importantly, his beer dinners raised the bar for whoever comes in to fill his boots.

The Regulars

We'll miss him, for sure, but we wish him and Natalie the best in this new chapter of their lives. Right Proper's gain is our loss.
As to who will fill his shoes, we'll keep you posted as we learn.

Good luck and thanks, Chris!
Cheers!
The PubScout

Um, Belay That WOB Start Date...

The PubScout, being totally and selflessly committed to informing his wide (and growing) readership of good beer opportunities, sojourned yesterday to New Brunswick to cover the Grand Opening of the new World of Beer facility there. Using this promo card as a guide, I reported here that October 14 would be G.O.D.--Grand Opening Day.

While the facility was "open," it was open only for what Manager Kelly Andre called "Beer School," a required staff tutorial on beer, its styles and the various nuances thereof. The real G.O.D. would be October 28th, he advised.

Which, in the grand scheme of things isn't so bad. Having your waitstaff properly briefed on beer, what it pairs with and what its characteristics are is a good thing, and certainly worth a two-week wait. It would avoid experiences like one I had when I once questioned a comely waitstaff wench in a pub which shall remain nameless. I asked her, "What's the difference between an ale and a lager." She responded with, "Um, lagers are dark and ales are light."
Such a response is not really the barmaid's fault; it is the fault of management. If you're going to sell good beer, make sure the staff--comely or not-- knows its stuff.

Still, even among the unpacked boxes, those alluring, bright and shiny 50 taps on the wall beckoned The PubScout like The Sirens beckoned Odysseus. And while I was disappointed that I would not sample their nectar this day, I was not distraught. I will persevere. I will be there for the G.O.D.

In the course of our brief conversation, Andre revealed that he is opening a raft of WOBs around the tri-state area, including Princeton. (I privately mused that a Rutgers-Princeton rivalry might one day manifest itself in the form of competing beer dinners, but I digress.)

I will be putting that new waitstaff to the test on October 28th to see what they gleaned and retained from "Beer School," an educational institution where nobody cuts class.

Ever.

See you there!
Cheers!
The PubScout

Time to Celebrate!

As some of my faithful followers may know, my writing was recently honored by The North American Guild of Beer Writers at their recent conclave in Denver, CO at the Great American Beer festival. This story about Mike Proske at Tapastre in Somerville earned a 2nd Place award, and I am humbled by the honor. There are a lot of very good writers in the beer world. To be considered among them is a reason to celebrate.

But far be it from me to celebrate alone. If you look above, there is a new graphic on my blog. I have recently partnered with The Office Beer Bar and Grill on Rt. 22 in Bridgewater to provide my readers with a 10% discount on their beer AND food--good any time!

There is no fee attached to this. 
No strings of any kind. 
No membership to purchase or renew. 

All you need to do is to click on any story, then print out the page. (If you don't click on a single story, you could get more pages than you were banking on, and printer ink ain't cheap.)

Then bring the printed page to the good folks over at The Office Beer Bar and Grill on Rt. 22 West in Bridgewater. Show it to your server, tell him or her you read The Pubscout's Blog and he or she will take TEN percent off your bill! Beer AND food! Bringing a large group? Bring a coupon--get 10% off. Hey, money's money.

Doesn't get easier. Each time you visit bring a new coupon and get a new discount. (As a courtesy to the good server, it would be nice to leave your tip based upon what the bill would have been.)

There will be lots of opportunities to visit, too. The Office has an astounding array of beers thanks to the efforts of Manager Scott Van Guilder, who knows a thing or two about our favorite beverage.

Together, we're planning a Beer-Tasting 101 Education session for November 12 where you'll be instructed in the skill of how to properly taste a beer. It's perfect for those who enjoy beer and for those just learning about it.

Scott will have ten beers for you to sample, and he's throwing in munchies as well. The cost? Just $12.

Then we're planning a special beer dinner in early December. More details will follow on that baby, so stay tuned. But it will be special, for sure.

It's Scott's attempt to make you familiar with his great tavern tucked on the side of Rt. 22 near Thompson Ave., and what it offers in terms of good beer and good food.

So come on in. Bring the coupon. Get a discount and get comfortable. Stay awhile.

And if you stay later than expected, you can always tell your significant other that you were "Working Late at The Office."

And you won't be lying.

Cheers!
The PubScout