● For tonight’s Friday Night Flights at Party Town in Florence, they are pouring beers from … Well, we’ll let them tell you:

We will be opening a selection of MALT LIQUOR’S IN 40oz BOTTLES. That’s right, and they will be complete with brown paper bags. Two challenges: 1. Each bag will be numbered in order, 1-8. If you can correctly identify each beer from a list which will be handed out, you will win prizes. 2. Those who make it through the entire line-up will be eligible to purchase a growler fill of an extremely rare and limited surprise brew. BILLY DEES LIVES! Anywho, this is going to be extremely rad, so please join us.

The cost for the regular tasting is $2 for a full flight of beers and it goes from 6:00 – 7:00 pm.

● On the Growler Station at Party Town in Florence: Schlafly American IPA ($8.99), Schlafly Grand Cru ($10.99), Rivertown Helles Lager ($8.99), New Holland Black Mad Hatter ($10.99), BBC Bourbon Barrel Heine Brothers Coffee Stout ($12.99), Bell’s Oberon ($9.99), Rye 75 ($8.99), Great Lakes Burning River ($6.99), Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere ($15.99), Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster ($8.99), New Holland Pilgrim’s Dole ($9.99), Dogfish Head Immort Ale ($21.99), New Holland Dragon’s Milk ($10.99), Sierra Nevada Brown Ale ($5.99). All prices are for a refill. For a new growler add $2.00.

● At this week’s Cork ‘N Bottle beer tastings, they will feature Cucapa Pale Ale and Cucapa Honey at the Covington location. Haven’t heard yet about the Buttermilk location The tastings at both locations are from 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Fridays. Cost is $1 for 6 to 8 beers.

● On the Growler Stations at Cork ‘N Bottle: Boulder Singletrack Copper Ale ($6.99), Great Lakes Commodore Perry ($6.50), Cork ‘N Brew Brown Ale ($7.99) and Goose Island Sofie ($13.99). Buttermilk Pike has Goose Island White City ($19.99), Sierra Nevada Brown Ale ($4.99), New Holland Rye Hatter ($12.99) and Breckenridge 471 IPA ($11.99). All prices are for a refill. For a new growler, add $2.50.

● The beers for the DEP’s Fine Wine and Spirits beer tasting today at their Fort Thomas location are unknown at this time. The tasting usually goes from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

● The growler station at the Covington DEP’s Fine Wine and Spirits has New Holland Dragon’s Milk ($10.99), Cumberland Pale Ale ($3.99), Houblon Chouffe Double IPA Tripel ($18.99), and Schlafly Pilsner ($5.99 – Covington July Growler of the Month). The growler station at the Ft. Thomas location has Avery Maharaja IPA ($10.99), Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor ($18.99), Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster ($8.49), Founders Red’s RyePA ($8.49), New Holland Black Tulip ($9.99 – Fort Thomas July Growler of the Month) and Flying Dog Raging Bitch ($10.99).

● On the Growler Station at Party Source in Bellevue: BBC Jefferson Reserve ($8.99), Breckenridge Vanilla Porter ($8.99), Great Lakes Holy Moses ($12.99), Harpoon UFO ($10.99) Founders Dirty Old Bastard ($10.99), Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA ($16.99), New Holland Imperial Hatter ($15.99) and Goose Island Imperial Brown Goose ($29.99). Prices include empty growler.

Dilly Cafe Presents “An Evening At The Strand: A fusion of craft beer, culinary delights, live local music, and fun!”

When
Sunday, August 1st 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

What
Join the good times and spend an evening with friends at Dilly Cafe, located at the historic Mariemont Strand. Enjoy tasty craft beers, delicious food prepared by renown local chefs, and great local music! Get the opportunity to win special, valuable prizes from a raffle.

Drink
Multiple, delicious craft beer selections will be on hand for your enjoyment! Pair up your craft beers with some of the mouth-watering food or enjoy them alone! A wine table will also be available.

Food
Three top, local chefs will be providing special culinary creations to snack on throughout the event. Delights from The Sweeterie will also be on hand to sweeten things up further! The chefs are:

Sean Daly, Executive Chef at Hugo
Jackson Rouse, Executive Chef at the Iron Horse Inn
Eric Vice, Executive Chef at Dilly Cafe

Great Local Music
Two different, talented groups of local artists will be performing.
Jenny Lynn Shepherd and Dave Gilligan of The Flock
Williams Family Band, as seen at the Whispering Beard Festival!

All For A Great Cause
100% of all proceeds go toward Linden Grove School, a non-profit, special need school primarily helping children on the autism spectrum. Linden Grove School utilizes a unique, three-pronged approach that provides specialized learning opportunities for these children that simply cannot be found elsewhere. Learn more about Linden Grove School at http://www.lindengroveschool.org

How Do I Get Tickets?
Tickets are $35.00 a person/$60.00 a couple. Tickets are limited, please act quickly.
Tickets can be purchased by:
1) Call Linden Grove School and ask for Kelly Stewart to make a reservation by phone with your credit card at (513)-984-2215.
2) Make reservations with your credit card online from the Linden Grove School website’s secure donation page. This can be done by paying the correct amount for the number of tickets, and entering “Dilly Café” purchased in the comments section. A confirmation receipt will automatically be sent to the purchaser’s email address. Pay online by selecting the “Donation” button on our website.
3) Any remaining tickets will be on sale at Dilly Cafe the day of the event by check or credit card.

How Do I Get There?
Dilly Café is located at 6818 Wooster Pike in Mariemont (Cincinnati, OH 45227-4324)

Disclaimer: Vendors for craft beer, food, and music are subject to change without notice. No refunds.

Tuesday, July 27th at 6:30 pm – Beer-Wine-Cheese Tasting at Dilly Cafe
The tasting will be led by the Goose Girl herself, Lindsey Shafer of Goose Island Brewery. The cost is only $20.00 and the number of participants is limited to 30. This event is currently sold out, but there is a waiting list. Call Dilly to make your reservations (513-561-5233).

Wednesday, July 28th from 5:30 to 8:00 pm – Beer Tasting at Marty’s Hops and Vines

Wednesday, July 28th at 6:00 pm – Pint Night at Catskeller (UC Campus)

Wednesday, July 28th at 6:00 pm – Burgers and Beers at the Party Source
Tonight’s theme is English Pint Night.

Wednesday, July 28th at 7:00 pm – Monthly Tapping at Hofbrauhaus Newport
This month’s beer is Bavarian wheat.

Thursday, July 29th at 6:00-10:00 pm – Cock & Bull: Pint Night (Covington) Thursdays
This week, it’s Bell’s Pool Side Ale.

Thursday, July 29th at 6:00 pm – Firkin Tapping at Rock Bottom Brewery

Friday, July 30th from 4:00-7:00 pm – Flowing Fridays Beer Tasting at Cork ‘N Bottle (Covington and Buttermilk Pike-Crescent Springs)

Friday, July 30th from 4:00-6:00 pm – Beer Tasting at DEP’s Fine Wine and Spirits in Fort Thomas (formerly Liquor Direct)

Friday, July 30th from 6:00-7:00 pm – Friday Night Flights Beer Tasting at Party Town in Florence

Saturday, July 31st from 5:00-8:00pm – Beer Tasting at Ludlow Wines

● On the Growler Station at Party Town in Florence: Founders Centennial I.P.A. ($10.99), BBC Beer De Mars ($12.99), Founders Red’s Rye ($8.99), Christian Moerlein Northern Liberties IPA ($6.99), BBC Bourbon Barrel Heine Brothers Coffee Stout ($12.99), Goose Island Bourbon County ($24.99), Bell’s Oberon ($9.99), Rye 75 ($8.99), New Holland Oak Aged Mad Hatter ($10.99), Rivertown Hop Bomber ($8.99), Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere ($15.99), Three Floyds Dreadnaught ($17.99), New Holland Pilgrim’s Dole ($9.99) and Dogfish Head Immort Ale ($21.99). All prices are for a refill. For a new growler add $2.00.

● At this week’s Cork ‘N Bottle beer tastings, they will feature Boulder Cold Hop and Goose Island Summer  at the Covington location. Haven’t heard yet about the Buttermilk location The tastings at both locations are from 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Fridays. Cost is $1 for 6 to 8 beers.

● On the Growler Stations at Cork ‘N Bottle: Boulder Singletrack Copper Ale ($6.99), Great Lakes Commodore Perry  ($6.50), Cork ‘N Brew Brown Ale ($7.99) and Goose Island Sofie ($13.99). Buttermilk Pike has Goose Island White City ($19.99), Christian Moerlien Northern Liberites IPA ($6.99), New Holland Rye Hatter ($12.99) and
another beer TBA. All prices are for a refill. For a new growler, add $2.50.

● The beers for the DEP’s Fine Wine and Spirits beer tasting today at their Fort Thomas location are unknown at this time. The tasting usually goes from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

● The growler station at the Covington DEP’s Fine Wine and Spirits has New Holland Dragon’s Milk ($10.99), Cumberland Pale Ale ($3.99), Houblon Chouffe Double IPA Tripel ($18.99), and Schlafly Pilsner ($5.99 – Covington July Growler of the Month). The growler station at the Ft. Thomas location has Avery Maharaja IPA ($10.99), Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor ($18.99), Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster ($8.49), Founders Red’s RyePA ($8.49), New Holland Black Tulip ($9.99 – Fort Thomas July Growler of the Month) and Flying Dog Raging Bitch ($10.99).

● On the Growler Station at Party Source in Bellevue: Quaff Bros. Nola’s Rye ($14.99), Goose Island Imperial Brown Goose ($27.99), Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale ($11.99), Great Lakes Holy Moses ($12.99),
Harpoon UFO ($10.99) Founders Old Curmudgeon ($21.99), Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA ($16.99) and New Holland Imperial Hatter ($15.99). Prices include empty growler.

The Cincinnati Pops and Cincinnati based Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. have partnered to produce Kunzel Lager, a limited edition golden Helles lager honoring the life and legacy of Cincinnati Pops Founder and Conductor Emeritus Erich Kunzel. Only 200 cases will be sold, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Erich Kunzel Legacy Fund. This fund helps to ensure that Maestro Kunzel’s vision for the Pops continues and enables the Orchestra to present the highest caliber artists to future generations.

Before the Cincinnati Pops concert, “And the Tony Goes To…The Best of Broadway,” at Riverbend Music Center on Saturday, July 31, samples and drafts of Kunzel Lager will be available for purchase. The Kunzel Lager Party will take place on the concourse near stand 5. In honor of Maestro Kunzel’s German heritage, the Pete Wagner Schnapps Band will perform. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The event is free for all ticketholders. Any remaining cases of Kunzel Lager will be sold.

To place an advance order for a case of Kunzel Lager, please call the CSO Box Office at 513-381-3300 or go to www.cincinnatipops.org. Each case costs $45. Advance orders must be placed by July 30. Vouchers to redeem Kunzel Lager cases will be mailed before the July 31 Pops concert. If placing advance orders on July 28 or later, vouchers will be available for pick-up at Will Call at the Riverbend Box Office the day of the concert. Golf cart drivers will be on the premises to assist transporting Kunzel Lager to vehicles after the concert. Kunzel Lager can be picked up after August 2 at Music Hall. Please call 513-621-1919 for details. Must be 21 years of age to purchase Kunzel Lager. Valid ID required at time of pick-up.

Wisconsin Beer: Where brewing history runs deep

Craft beer: The 1986 definition

Eat This, Not That: Your Essential Guide to Beer

Monday, July 19th at 6:00 pm – Half Price Pint Night at JeanRo Bistro

Wednesday, July 21st from 5:30 to 8:00 pm – Beer Tasting at Marty’s Hops and Vines

Wednesday, July 21st at 6:00 pm – Pint Night at Catskeller (UC Campus)

Wednesday, July 21st at 6:00 pm – Burgers and Beers at the Party Source
Tonight’s theme is Founders Brewing Company.

Thursday, July 22nd at 6:00-10:00 pm – Cock & Bull: Pint Night (Covington) Thursdays
This week, it’s Three Floyds Gumball Head.

Thursday, July 22nd at 6:00 pm – Firkin Tapping at Rock Bottom Brewery

Friday, July 23rd from 4:00-7:00 pm – Flowing Fridays Beer Tasting at Cork ‘N Bottle (Covington and Buttermilk Pike-Crescent Springs)

Friday, July 23rd from 4:00-6:00 pm – Beer Tasting at DEP’s Fine Wine and Spirits in Fort Thomas (formerly Liquor Direct)

Friday, July 23rd from 6:00-7:00 pm – Friday Night Flights Beer Tasting at Party Town in Florence

Friday, July 23rd from 7:00-9:00 pm – North Coast Brewery Beer Tasting at Jungle Jim’s

Under the leadership of brew master Mark Ruedrich, the brewery has developed a strong reputation for quality having won more than 70 awards in national and international competitions. These exceptional beers are available in 47 states now and also are exported to Europe and the Pacific Rim. North Coast Brewery Sales Manager, John Bission will be our special guest for this tasting. Cost: $25.00 per person

Saturday, July 24th from 5:00-8:00pm – Beer Tasting at Ludlow Wines

● On the Growler Station at Party Town in Florence: Schlafly American I.P.A. ($8.99), BBC Beer De Mars ($12.99), Schlafly Raspberry Hefewiezen ($5.99), Christian Moerlein Northern Liberties IPA ($6.99), BBC Bourbon Barrel Heine Brothers Coffee Stout ($12.99), Goose Island Bourbon County ($24.99), Great Lakes Erie Monster ($10.99), Rye 75 ($6.99), BBC Professer Gessers IIPA ($10.99), Rivertown Hop Bomber ($8.99), Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere ($15.99), Great Lakes Grassroots ($6.99), New Holland Pilgrim’s Dole ($9.99) and Dogfish Head Immort Ale ($21.99). All prices are for a refill. For a new growler add $2.00.

● On the Growler Stations at Cork ‘N Bottle: Kostritzer Black Lager ($7.99), Great Lakes Commodore Perry ($6.50), Cork ‘N Brew Brown Ale ($7.99) and Goose Island Sofie ($13.99). Buttermilk Pike has Goose Island White City ($19.99), Christian Moerlien Northern Liberites IPA ($6.99), New Holland Rye Hatter ($12.99) and New Holland Dragon’s Milk ($11.99). All prices are for a refill. For a new growler, add $2.50.

● The beers for the DEP’s Fine Wine and Spirits beer tasting today at their Fort Thomas location are unknown at this time. The tasting usually goes from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

● The growler station at the Covington DEP’s Fine Wine and Spirits has New Holland Dragon’s Milk ($10.99), Cumberland Pale Ale ($3.99), Houblon Chouffe Double IPA Tripel ($18.99), and Schlafly Pilsner ($5.99 – Covington July Growler of the Month). The growler station at the Ft. Thomas location has Avery Maharaja IPA ($10.99), Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor ($18.99), Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster ($8.49), Founders Red’s RyePA ($8.49), New Holland Black Tulip ($9.99 – Fort Thomas July Growler of the Month) and Flying Dog Raging Bitch ($10.99).

● On the Growler Station at Party Source in Bellevue: Quaff Bros. Nola’s Rye ($14.99), Goose Island Imperial Brown Goose ($27.99), Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale ($11.99), Great Lakes Holy Moses ($12.99),
Harpoon UFO ($10.99) Founders Old Curmudgeon ($21.99), Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA ($16.99) and New Holland Imperial Hatter ($15.99). Prices include empty growler.

Rather than go over the information that was presented yesterday, we decided to provide you with links to the various local news outlets that covered the event. It’s interesting to see the different takes on this story.

Cincinnati.com: Moerlein Lager House will open next year

Cincinnati.com Business Section: Moerlein Lager House will open next year

Cincinnati Business Courier: Moerlein Lager House to open August 2011

Photo Slide Show from Cincinnati Enquirer

UrbanCincy: Moerlein Lager House to open August 2011, new details announced

Cincinnati Riverfront Park: Moerlein Lager House

In every town I have ever loved, I have chosen a bar. This bar will always be my go-to, and it usually corresponds to wherever I am in my life at that time. In Cincinnati, my bar was Arlin’s. The beer selection was good enough, but most importantly, it was four blocks from my college, had a giant patio, and provided me copious amounts of beer for next to no money. These are your priorities between the ages of 21 and 23. In New York, my bar was St. Mark’s Ale House. In Kansas City, I have an awful little dive bar with bottles of my favorite local beer and excellent dart boards. Here in San Francisco, though I flirted with another bar with cheaper pool tables for a couple ofmonths, my bar will always be Shotwell’s.

Shotwell’s is owned by my two very good friends David Hall and Tom Madonna. They’ve owned it for about four years now. San Franciscans probably remember that bar as a lot of things. Before this, under the same ownership, it was Inner Mission Beer Parlor. Then it was Two Thieves, then Shotwell 59, and a whole list of other things before that. It’s existed as Shotwell’s for a little over a year now, and I’m pretty sure that’s what it will be for quite some time.

They have 12 taps and a lovely, lovely bottle selection. Probably between 20-30 at any given time, despite their very small cooler behind the bar. (David and Tom’s organization of that space never fails to baffle me.) The taps remain pretty constant, though there’s been some variation over the years. The type of beer assigned to any particular tap is usually quite similar – David recently rotated in Speakeasy’s Payback Porter in place of the Anchor Porter, for example.
Anchor Steam and Anchor Liberty are always featured, and now that Anchor Humming is back, it’s taken the place of Duvel Green. Speakeasy’s Big Daddy, Stella Artois and Speakeasy Payback Porter are featured on the next bank of taps, followed by Paulaner Hefe-Weisse, Monk’s Cafe sour, Maredsous 10, Young’s Double Chocolate, Kronenbourg
1664 and Kostritzer Black. And if those aren’t enough for you, the bottle selection is guaranteed to make you pleased.

The best part about Shotwell’s is that it’s a neighborhood bar. And while it’s my favorite place in the city, it’s rarely a hugely crowded destination. You can usually find a spare stool at the bar to snag to watch a Giants game, or chat with Tom and David, or do your daily crossword puzzle without getting strange looks. (I speak from experience.) If you’re looking for entertainment, there are two impeccably kept pool tables toward the back, as well as two excellent pinball machines. The two televisions are visible, but not intrusive – only during super major sporting events does this turn into a hardcore sports bar.

It is my “Cheers” bar to a level I didn’t think really existed. I’ve always been a regular at places, but that has usually meant knowing the bartenders, getting a friendly smile, and having my friends know where it is without me having to send them a map link. Walking into Shotwell’s, I am always going to know someone. The regulars usually congregate toward the end of the bar, by the pool tables. And for the most part, there’s nothing cliquey about us. David likes to draw me into conversations with new friends of the bar when I’m sitting by myself. I’ve met some absolutely amazing people through this little place, and that’s what they wanted to happen. I heard for the very first time this weekend that most of their friends weren’t supportive when they bought the bar, and it shocked me. Imagine if your friends
scooped up a sort of seedy little place in the middle of San Francisco and announced that they were going to turn it into a Belgian beer bar – I might be a little skeptical too.

Tom and David have built the type of bar that I’d really love to own one day. I beertended there last Thursday for a couple of hours and it really felt like I was just pouring beer for my friends for three hours. Who knew you could make any money this way? (I’ve been doing this job for free for years!)

So, Cincinnatians, if you ever make it out this way, give me a shout. I’ll take you away from the super downtown scene and bring you out to my neighborhood. I’ll buy you a pint, “let” you beat me at a game of pool, and you’ll get to make a few new friends. My bar will be excited to meet you.

Wednesday, July 14th from 5:30 to 8:00 pm – Beer Tasting at Marty’s Hops and Vines

Wednesday, July 14th at 6:00 pm – Pint Night at Catskeller (UC Campus)

Wednesday, July 14th at 6:00 pm – Burgers and Beers at the Party Source
Tonight’s theme is Home Brew.

Thursday, July 15th at 6:00-10:00 pm – Cock & Bull: Pint Night (Covington) Thursdays
This week, it’s New Holland Imperial Hatter.

Thursday, July 15th at 6:00 pm – Firkin Tapping at Rock Bottom Brewery

Thursday, July 15th at 6:30 pm – Beer Dinner at Midwest Culinary Institute (Cincinnati State Technical and Community College)
Menu includes Little Kings and 21st Amendment with assorted canapes; Smutty Nose Summer Weis with Jamaican jerk roasted salmon with purple potato, mango & scallion; Anderson Valley Summer Solstice with kurobuta “hot dog, chips & beer”; Brooklyn Chocolate Stout with rosemary & garlic marinated terus major with grilled lemon, orange, arugula & parmesan and Brooklyn Local 2 with grilled plantain with honey, cocoa & salt.
Cost is $45.00 plus gratuity and tax per person with complimentary valet parking provided. Call 569-4980 with any questions. A 48 hour cancellation policy applies.

Thursday, July 15th at 6:00 pm – New Holland Brewing Food and Beer Tasting at Cork ‘N Bottle (Covington)
This event was sold out the last we heard, but you can always call to see if there have been any cancellations – (859) 261-8333.

Friday, July 16th from 4:00-7:00 pm – Flowing Fridays Beer Tasting at Cork ‘N Bottle (Covington and Buttermilk Pike-Crescent Springs)

Friday, July 16th from 4:00-6:00 pm – Beer Tasting at DEP’s Fine Wine and Spirits in Fort Thomas (formerly Liquor Direct)

Friday, July 16th from 6:00-7:00 pm – Friday Night Flights Beer Tasting at Party Town in Florence

Saturday, July 17th from 5:00-8:00pm – Beer Tasting at Ludlow Wines

Anyway, while Mitch and I talked about what I wanted to do, he mentioned a contest Mitchum Anti-Perspirant is running called the “The hardest working ________ in America.” He asked if I could use some of the footage to put something in for him, and I said “sure” without a second thought. Then we realized that the deadline for entry was today (July 11), which didn’t leave much time to pull everything together. Anything worth doing is worth overdoing, though, so I put the longer virtual tour piece aside and have spent the last couple of days putting this together. I beat the deadline by 12 hours, so I feel pretty good.

So here’s the deal: you can go to this url (http://y6rb8hk7enm.mitchumhardestworking.com/) and vote for this video. The button says “Vote for tomstreeter” but that’s only because they’re using YouTube and I uploaded the video via my account. You’re voting for Mitch, not me. There’s some kind of byzantine judging process, but the bottom line is that you can vote once a day for the next week or so and it’ll do Mitch’s chances some good.

By the way, if you haven’t gotten down to try Mitch’s American Dream IPA (which this year is a double IPA), you owe it to yourself to correct that oversight. There’s a quick shot late in the video where Mitch is pulling a sample of the IPA from the fermenter before he racked it over to the serving vessel. When he opened the valve, the smell of citrus filled the room. If only there were a way to get smells into video …

Tentative pairings

Goose Island 312 and Sancerre paired with fresh, plain Chevre

Goose Island Sofie and Champagne paired with triple crème brie

Goose Island Demolition and Alsatian reisling paired Feta

Goose Island Matilda and grenache rose paired with washed rind cheese

Goose Island Pere Jacques and Southern Bell shiraz paired with bitter, dark chocolate (80-85% cacao)

– It’s going to be a great night!