Changing of the Biere de Guards in Kentuckiana!

 

 

I knew something was brewing here in Kentuckiana (pun intended).

Months ago, I heard about a few of the brewers from Bluegrass Brewing Company wanting to jump ship and start their own brewery (I mean who wouldn’t want to do that?).  I heard about the plausible locations, the type of restaurant, and even heard their loans were going to be approved from the bank (all of these accounts were had over beer, so the truth was taken with a grain of salt).  Then things got silent and nothing really happened.  I had totally forgotten about it.

Then last week news came out that Against the Grain Brewery was opening up with Sam Cruz, formerly of BBC, taking the forefront of their brewery operations.  Absolutely great news to the Louisville area.  Not that our breweries aren’t good, but Louisville has been needing (in my mind) a new brewery for a while.  Against the Grain looks to be opened by 2011, location pending.  So congrats to Sam and crew in their upcoming mission to provide better local beer to Kentuckiana.

Speaking of leaving breweries, Roger informed us last week that Jared Williamson was leaving NABC (with good reasons) to brew at Schlafly in St. Louis (can I get the recipe to their Pumpkin, thanks.).  Jared wrote up a great piece about his time at NABC and his move.  I for one, have enjoyed many of his “experiments” (a.k.a. beers) he has provided at NABC.  I’ll be attending his last beer dinner  (in conjunction with NA Exchange )this Monday evening, if you havent signed up yet, you should.  Here is the lineup:
Greeting Glass
NABC Strathpeffer (Gruit Ale)

Starter
House-made bourbon beer cheese and fresh pretzel bread, with NABC Community Dark (Dark Mild)

Salad
Fresh fruit salad with local mixed lettuce, feta, marinated onion, sunflower kernels, cucumber, and fresh fruit tossed in raspberry walnut vinaigrette, with NABC/De Struise/Louisville Beer Store Naughty Girl (India Blonde Ale)

Entree
Grilled Pork Medallions in a fresh pineapple mango salsa, garlic smashed potatoes, and seasonal vegetable medley, with Henna (Black IPA)

Dessert
Bread Pudding with walnuts, caramel, and fresh raspberries, with Jasmine (Sweet Stout)

Parting Glass
Hard Core Gore (Belgo-American IPA)

So with Jared gone, that leaves a position open at NABC.  A position now filled, for the time being, by Sam Cruz until Against The Grain gets off the ground.  So is this like when the Red Sox traded Ruth to the Yankees?  I don’t think so.  From my outside-looking-in approach, I’ve quickly learned that brewers have somewhat of a brotherhood going on amongst themselves.  Each one is good at their trade, some better and more knowledgeable than others, but  there is a reason they have their current jobs and aren’t still beer grunts ( those same beer grunts who eventually bust their asses and become brewers…tip of a hat to those fellas (and ladies as well).  Therefore, I’m looking forward to what Sam will bring to the NABC table.

In other news…

Louisville BrewFest is next weekend!  Unfortunately, I’ll be at a wedding and be out-of-town.  Go support your local breweries!  Please have a designated driver  or free City Scoot rides will be offered.

I’ll be brewing the 2011 Bourbon Chase beer for my team Haulin’ Oats.  I’m going to be making a 10 gallon batch of an Imperial Oatmeal Stout with half of it soaked in Four Roses oak chips, tart cherries, & bing cherries and the other half in cacao nibs, Four Roses oak chips, and Guatemala Antigua coffee beans.  I plan on making two labels, but haven’t created the names yet.  They’ll be creative.

Beer mile#2 is this weekend. Pics to follow.