Best Bars: Escobar
Jen takes a few bites our of Escobar. This weeks Best Bar.Escobar is located at 6 East Columbia Avenue, Champaign.
Monday, June 28, 2010
bars in the news; Best Bars: Escobar
From WCFN 49/ Illinois Homepage.net
Best Bars: Escobar
Best Bars: Escobar
Bars in the News; New Nightspot to open in a few weeks in Champaign
From the News-Gazette.
It's Your Business: New nightspot to open in a few weeks in Champaign
I'll check it out, but I don't think it'll become one of my new favorite bars.
It's Your Business: New nightspot to open in a few weeks in Champaign
...A mid-July opening is anticipated for the new Champaign nightspot Emerald City Lounge.
Previously home to the Jackson's Ribs and Tips restaurant, the building at 116 N. First St. has undergone an extensive remodeling, with a new bar, new flooring, paint, furniture and art, said co-owners Keith Cameron Smith and Tim Denoyer.
Smith and Denoyer, who were married in California, said they want the lounge to be an inclusive place, where gay clientele feel comfortable and where their friends and family are comfortable....
The space is about 6,000 square feet, plus there's a 1,200-square-foot outdoor patio. They raised a portion of the floor to create a stage and will feature local performers there. Couches were recently moved in, and televisions and art are also planned for the walls.
The drink offerings will include a selection of beers, microbrews, wines and "classic top-shelf drinks," Denoyer said. Four or five drinks that play on the "Wizard of Oz" theme will be available, but Smith and Denoyer said they don't plan to "go overboard" with the Oz theme.
I'll check it out, but I don't think it'll become one of my new favorite bars.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Urbana Blues, Brews, and BBQ
The 2010 Urbana Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival runs this weekend. It starts tomorrow (Friday, June 25) from 5 pm to 2 am. The second day is Saturday from noon to 2am.
According to Weather.com, this weekend should be mostly sunny, and kind of hot. Highs on Friday are expected around 87 and on Saturday to get up to 93. It doesn't seem like much chance of rain (odd).
If you are going out to the festival, make sure you wear sunblock. Most of downtown Urbana will be closed off, so you'll probably be on the streets. Streets reflect sunlight really well. So be sure to wear sun block. Also, a big comfy hat that blocks the sun will keep it off your nose. With the high temperatures, ensure you drink enough water. I recommend one water for every beer you drink. If you stop sweating, seek water immediately. If you get dizzy, seek medical help immediately.
Even though it's late June, this may be one of your first times outside for an extended period. Be careful. But have fun. Heat and sunlight are very dangerous. Drink water. If your urine isn't clear, you need fluids.
Ok, enough with the safety briefing.
At the festival this year, there are to be 24 different beers on tap. There is no list provided yet of what they are.
According to the Buzz article "More brews, same blues" by Elizabeth Carroll, there will be a beer garden, as opposed to just the beer trailers.
Another Buzz article, "Learn from the masters with cooking demonstrations at Blues, Brews, and BBQ," by Brittany Staszak, mentions that there will be cooking demonstrations inside Lincoln Square Mall Food Court.
Other news outlets haven't spent much time on the festival yet. It seems the weather has taken over most of the news.
As to the music, there's a lot of "son of" playing.
Music Line-Up
They should put together a band of the Super Blues Juniors.
For more information on the festival, there will probably be lots of stories on it on the early morning features shows.
Turnout for the weekend should be pretty good, as the Taste of CU got mostly rained out.
So, go have a beer, or 24, and drink water while applying sunscreen.
*if anyone has the tap list, let me know; or post it in the comments*
According to Weather.com, this weekend should be mostly sunny, and kind of hot. Highs on Friday are expected around 87 and on Saturday to get up to 93. It doesn't seem like much chance of rain (odd).
If you are going out to the festival, make sure you wear sunblock. Most of downtown Urbana will be closed off, so you'll probably be on the streets. Streets reflect sunlight really well. So be sure to wear sun block. Also, a big comfy hat that blocks the sun will keep it off your nose. With the high temperatures, ensure you drink enough water. I recommend one water for every beer you drink. If you stop sweating, seek water immediately. If you get dizzy, seek medical help immediately.
Even though it's late June, this may be one of your first times outside for an extended period. Be careful. But have fun. Heat and sunlight are very dangerous. Drink water. If your urine isn't clear, you need fluids.
Ok, enough with the safety briefing.
At the festival this year, there are to be 24 different beers on tap. There is no list provided yet of what they are.
According to the Buzz article "More brews, same blues" by Elizabeth Carroll, there will be a beer garden, as opposed to just the beer trailers.
Additionally, someone will be available inside Lincoln Square to talk about beer, and recommend pairings. I don't know who that will be.Even for the traditional beer-drinkers, there is much to be excited about. There will be around 24 different types on tap inside Lincoln Square, as well as a wide variety of bottled beer from around the country available in the beer garden.
Jeff Grant, the event manager at Fluid Events, feels that the beer garden is a better setup than the previous year’s beer trailers. There will be more room for different types. “Visitors will be able to fill their mugs and walk outside to watch the show and enjoy the food”, said Grant.
Another Buzz article, "Learn from the masters with cooking demonstrations at Blues, Brews, and BBQ," by Brittany Staszak, mentions that there will be cooking demonstrations inside Lincoln Square Mall Food Court.
In an idea cooked up by Fluid Events,the Blues, Brews, and BBQ festival invited several local chefs to do cooking demonstrations from Friday, 9a.m.-5p.m., and Saturday, noon-5p.m., creating delicious and nutritious attraction for hungry festival-goers.The Buzz has another article, "Urbana Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival", by Jeanine Russell, that discusses the history of the event.
Other news outlets haven't spent much time on the festival yet. It seems the weather has taken over most of the news.
As to the music, there's a lot of "son of" playing.
Music Line-Up
Friday June 25th
Miller Main Stage:
5:30 - 6:30 Candy Foster
7:00 - 8:30 Big Bill Morganfield (son of Muddy Waters)
9:00 - 10:30 Bernard Allison (son of Luther Allison)
Late Night Show @ 88 Broadway/Lincoln Square:
10:30 - 11:30 The Sugar Prophets
12:00 - 1:30 Devon Allman's Honey Tribe (son of Greg Allman)
** Please enter Lincoln Square south of the Family Stage on Broadway Ave.**
Saturday June 26th
Miller Main Stage:
12:00 - 1:00 The Blues Decons
1:30 - 2:45 Bruiser and the Virtues
3:15 - 4:30 Eddie Taylor Jr. (son of Eddie Taylor)
5:00 - 6:30 Eddie Van Shaw Jr. (son of Eddie Shaw)
7:00 - 8:30 Wayne Baker Brooks (son of Lonnie Brooks)
9:00 - 10:30 John Lee Hooker Jr. (son of John Lee Hooker)
Late Night Show @88 Broadway/Lincoln Square:
10:30 - 11:30 Kilborn Alley Blues Band
12:00 - 1:30 Juke Joint Duo Featuring Cedric Burnside (grandson of R.L. burnside) and Lightning Malcom
** Please enter Lincoln Square south of the Family Stage on Broadway Ave.**
They should put together a band of the Super Blues Juniors.
For more information on the festival, there will probably be lots of stories on it on the early morning features shows.
Turnout for the weekend should be pretty good, as the Taste of CU got mostly rained out.
So, go have a beer, or 24, and drink water while applying sunscreen.
*if anyone has the tap list, let me know; or post it in the comments*
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Alcohol in the news; Jaboulet Parallele 45
From WCIA 3 CBS, Morning Show, Illinoishomepage.net
Jaboulet Parallele 45
Nick Bland from the Corkscrew drinks Jaboulet Parallele 45, with the Morning Show people.
Jaboulet Parallele 45
Nick Bland from the Corkscrew drinks Jaboulet Parallele 45, with the Morning Show people.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Big Ten Road Trips, part 5, Penn State
So, you are taking the trip from Champaign to Beaver Stadium. You apparently have some vacation time saved up, and a lot of money for gas. It's 615 to get there and about 11 hours. Drive safely. On the way, you'll go through Indianapolis, Dayton, and Columbus.
Once you go past Columbus, you are about half way there. The first stop you can make on the way is in Zanesville at Weaselboy Brewing Company. They are open Tuesday through Friday from 4pm to midnight, and on Saturday from 3 pm to midnight. They are closed Sunday and Monday, so if you want to stop, you should do it on your way there, not the way back (if you spent the night in Pennsylvania.
If you aren't making any side trips, and are just driving straight to State College and don't want to get too far off the interstate, the next place that makes beer is Marzoni's Brick Oven & Brewing Co. They are open Sun-Wed from 11 am to 10 pm, and Thu-Sat from 11 am to 11 pm. They seem to have 7 house beers on tap. They are located in Duncansville, just before you get to Altoona.
Once you get to State College, your local beer option is Otto's Pub and Brewery. Otto's is about 9 minutes away from the stadium. They've got 9 or 10 beers on tap, and may have more. They also have some of their beer for sale in 22 ounce bombers, so if you go, bring me something back.
Since you are probably the adventurous soul, you aren't just going to go straight there. So take the slight diversion on the route and go up to Pittsburgh. If you go to Pittsburgh, go to The Church Brew Works. It's out of the way on the trip to State College, but it's really cool. Seriously, you should go to church.
Also in Pittsburgh are 3 (sort of large) breweries; Iron City, Pennsylvania Brewing, and East End Brewing. East End is the smallest of the three. Iron City is kind of famous in that town, and PennBrew makes some pretty good beers.
There's also a Rock Bottom, and out by the airport is Rivertowne Pour House.
If you have the time, don't go directly back to Champaign (or if you are going to State College from one of the northern Big Ten schools) take a ride through Cleveland. Cleveland has some damn fine breweries. Great Lakes produces some awesome beer. I'm a huge fan of the Blackout Stout. If you can time it correctly to get some of the Blackout Stout that's been aged in various barrels, you are a lucky person.
Also around the Cleveland area is Thirsty Dog. I'm a fan of their Siberian Night and their Hoppus Maximus. There are other breweries and brewpubs in Cleveland, if you have a favorite that isn't listed here, feel free to leave a comment.
If you want to take a quick jaunt down to Akron from Cleveland, you can hit Hoppin Frog. Some of their beers are really good, like BORIS and DORIS.
Since you went to Penn State for a football game, you probably need to get a beer. It won't take long for you to get a headache from hearing that lion in the stadium all day. Seriously, every first down?
Once you go past Columbus, you are about half way there. The first stop you can make on the way is in Zanesville at Weaselboy Brewing Company. They are open Tuesday through Friday from 4pm to midnight, and on Saturday from 3 pm to midnight. They are closed Sunday and Monday, so if you want to stop, you should do it on your way there, not the way back (if you spent the night in Pennsylvania.
If you aren't making any side trips, and are just driving straight to State College and don't want to get too far off the interstate, the next place that makes beer is Marzoni's Brick Oven & Brewing Co. They are open Sun-Wed from 11 am to 10 pm, and Thu-Sat from 11 am to 11 pm. They seem to have 7 house beers on tap. They are located in Duncansville, just before you get to Altoona.
Once you get to State College, your local beer option is Otto's Pub and Brewery. Otto's is about 9 minutes away from the stadium. They've got 9 or 10 beers on tap, and may have more. They also have some of their beer for sale in 22 ounce bombers, so if you go, bring me something back.
Since you are probably the adventurous soul, you aren't just going to go straight there. So take the slight diversion on the route and go up to Pittsburgh. If you go to Pittsburgh, go to The Church Brew Works. It's out of the way on the trip to State College, but it's really cool. Seriously, you should go to church.
Also in Pittsburgh are 3 (sort of large) breweries; Iron City, Pennsylvania Brewing, and East End Brewing. East End is the smallest of the three. Iron City is kind of famous in that town, and PennBrew makes some pretty good beers.
There's also a Rock Bottom, and out by the airport is Rivertowne Pour House.
If you have the time, don't go directly back to Champaign (or if you are going to State College from one of the northern Big Ten schools) take a ride through Cleveland. Cleveland has some damn fine breweries. Great Lakes produces some awesome beer. I'm a huge fan of the Blackout Stout. If you can time it correctly to get some of the Blackout Stout that's been aged in various barrels, you are a lucky person.
Also around the Cleveland area is Thirsty Dog. I'm a fan of their Siberian Night and their Hoppus Maximus. There are other breweries and brewpubs in Cleveland, if you have a favorite that isn't listed here, feel free to leave a comment.
If you want to take a quick jaunt down to Akron from Cleveland, you can hit Hoppin Frog. Some of their beers are really good, like BORIS and DORIS.
Since you went to Penn State for a football game, you probably need to get a beer. It won't take long for you to get a headache from hearing that lion in the stadium all day. Seriously, every first down?
alcohol in the news; the world's game brings bars business
From WICD 15 ABC
The World's Game Brings Bars Business
The World's Game Brings Bars Business
SAVOY -- Bars across Champaign-Urbana were packed by 9:00 Friday morning. It's neither "Unofficial" nor an Illini pigskin Saturday. Instead, it was the world's version of football that brought big bucks to local businesses.
The Buffalo Wild Wings in Savoy opened at 9. Some places on campus started serving at 8:30. Normally, summer is a slow time for these businesses because so many students are gone. But Friday, patriotism kept many bars packed.
Some people call soccer an equalizer, a sport the world has in common. But for local bars and restaurants it's a money-maker.
"Last Saturday when USA and England played, it was like an Illini game in here," said Joseph Evans, G.M. of the Buffalo Wild Wings, "Looking over the crowd, I was like 'oh the Illini's playing today?"
And just like an Illini tailgate, some fans went right for the beer.
"We're doing good alcohol sales," said Evans, "But at 9:00 in the morning, they get one beer and sit with that one beer for a couple hours and that's fine."
Most of the fans we saw stayed away from the booze altogether.
"No, I just had breakfast and a Diet Coke," said Jach Hutchens, who watched the game at Firehaus, "It's a little too early for me to drink."
And the fans who are having a drink or two have yet to cause any problems for police.
"To my knowledge and I've talked to the district commander as well, we've not had any calls or problems related to gatherings at the bars, even with the early opens," said Sgt. Scott Friedlein of the Champaign Police.
With a 10 -15% sales boos and no arrests, Evans says he would change only one thing.
"If they had the games at night, I think it'd be a little bit better," he said, "But it's night in South Africa and daytime here so it all works out."
The World Cup continues what's been a great month for local bars. Even though the students left, big crowds gathered to watch the Blackhawks march to a Stanley Cup championship. Now, bar owners are hoping the U.S. soccer team can make a run of its own.
The U.S. next plays on Wednesday. All the bar owners we talked to plan on opening early for that match.
Reported by A.J. Bayatpour
Posted: June 18, 2010
Alcohol in the news; Blues Brews and BBQ
From WCIA 3 CBS, Illinoishomepage.net
Blues, Brews, and BBQ
from the Urbana Blues, Brews and BBQ site.
...
Blues, Brews, and BBQ
The 2010 Urbana Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival
June 25th, 2010- 5pm - 2am
June 26th, 2010- noon - 2am
from the Urbana Blues, Brews and BBQ site.
The Blues, Brews and BBQ festival would not be complete without an extensive beer fest. The newest addition to the festival will allow you to come sample 24 different beers on tap and numerous bottled beers from all over the world. There will also be seminars on how to brew your own beers at home, as well as information on different types and styles of beers. Cheers!So, it might be worth going to. (Although Radio Maria and Blind Pig have more taps)
The Miller Main Stage will showcase our feature Blues bands and singers. This year's performers include: Bernard Allison, John Lee Hooker Jr., and Wayne Baker Brooks. Located at the intersection of Vine and Main, this stage will entertain you all day with our Next Generation Blues lineup.
...
Once the day turns into night, head into 88 Broadway for our late night concert series. Devon Allmon, Cedric Burnside and Lightning Malcolm are all slated to perform. Keep the excitement going long into the night at 88 Broadway.
Friday, June 18, 2010
CU Beer Weekend; June 18 (Fathers Day Weekend)
Take your dad out, buy him a beer.
Seven Saints
Rotating taps:
Bells Two Hearted
Southern Tier Heavy Weizen
Wednesday: Whiskey Wednesday: Half off Irish Whisky
Thursday: Beer Class, 9:30 pm, $10
Radio Maria
1. Anchor Liberty $4
2. Southern Tier Heavy Weizen $6
3. Goose Island Pere Jacques $6
4. Bells HopSlam IPA $5
5. Avery Dugana IIPA $5
6. Arcadia Scotch Ale $4
7. Dark Horse Tres Blueberry Stout $5
8. Flying Dog In Heat Wheat $4
9. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout $8
10.Port Midnight Sessions $5
11.Two Brothers Cane & Ebel $4.5
12.Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA $4.5
13.Delirium Dark Brown $6
14.Two Brothers Resistence IPA $4.5
15.Port Old Viscosity $7
16.Guinness $4
17.Left Hand Milk Stout $4
18.Petrus Blonde $6
19.Lost Abbey Serpent's Stout $5
20.Lost Abbey Angel's Share $7
21.Celis White $4
22.He'brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A $6
23.Victory Prima Pils $4.5
24.Schneider Aventinus $5
25.Port Older Viscosity $7
26.Ayinger Brau Weisse $5.5
27.PBR $2.25
Friday: Happy Hour with free appetizers 4:30 - 5:30; beer special Port Old Viscosity, $6 a snifter; DJ at 10pm
Saturday: $4 Jeremiah Weed drinks and $6 Jeremiah Weed John Daly's, Salsa Night at 10.
Sunday: Austrian Wine Dinner, 6pm, $75, 5 courses with 8 wines; $2 wells, $1.25 PBR
Monday: 25% off bottles of wine; Board Game Monday; Softball Beer Specials
Tuesday: 1/2 price wine by the glass
Wednesday: $1 off all beers on draft; Trivia Night 11pm with MC Juice
Thursday:$5 Mojitos & $6 Brazilian Cosmos
Blind Pig
Mikkeller Single Hop Cascade IPA; Denmark, India Pale Ale, 6.9% abv
Mikkeller Single Hop Chinook IPA; Denmark, India Pale Ale, 6.9% abv
Mikkeller Single Hop Centennial IPA; Denmark, India Pale Ale, 6.9% abv
Mikkeller Single Hop Amarillo IPA; Denmark, India Pale Ale, 6.9% abv
Mikkeller Single Hop Warrior IPA; Denmark, India Pale Ale, 6.9% abv
Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast; Denmark, Stout, 7.5% abv
Flying Dog Snake Dog; Frederick, Maryland, India Pale Ale, 7.1% abv
Fort Collins Pomegranate Wheat; Fort Collins, Colorado, Fruit Beer, 4.8% abv
Fuller’s London Pride; England, Premium Bitter, 4.7% abv
Delirium Tremens; Belgium, Belgian Strong Ale, 8.5% abv
Blue Moon; Golden, Colorado, Belgian White, 5.4% abv
Krusovice Imperial 12°; Czech Republic, Bohemian Pilsener, 5% abv
Stella Artois; Belgium, Pale Lager, 5.2% abv
Pabst Blue Ribbon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Rogue John John Juniper; Newport, Oregon, American Pale Ale, 5.2%
Bells Oberon; Kalamazoo, Michigan, Wheat Ale, 6% abv
Bear Republic Grizz; Healdsburg, California, Belgian Strong Ale, 9.5%
Lagunitas IPA; Petaluma, California, India Pale Ale, 5.7% abv
FAvery Karma Ale; Boulder, Colorado, Belgian Ale, 5.2%
Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen; Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5.3% abv
Great Divide Colette; Denver, Colorado, Saison, 7.3% abv
Lindemans Framboise; Belgium, Lambic, 2.5% abv
Moylan’s Nitro ESB; Novato, California, English Pale Ale, 5.2%
Guinness; Dublin, Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv
Blind Pig Brewery (the Piglet)
Blind Pig American Pale Ale
Blind Pig Hard Cider
Blind Pig Stout
Schlafly Pilsner; Maplewood, Missouri, Pilsener, 4.9% abv
Lagunitas WTF; Petaluma, CA, American Strong Ale, 7.83% abv
Rogue Dead Guy; Newport, Oregon, Heller Bock, 6.6% abv
Fuller’s London Porter; England, Porter, 5.4% abv
Two Brothers Dog Days Lager; Warrenville, Illinois, Dortmunder, 4.9% abv
Bell’s Oberon; Kalamazoo, Michigan, Wheat Ale, 6% abv
Heilemans Old Styl;e Woodridge, Illinois, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Two Brother’s The Bitter End; Warrenville, Illinois, APA, 5.2% abv
Witkap Pater Dubbel; Belgium, Abbey Dubbel, 7% abv
Guinness; Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv
Sunday: Trivia Night; 7-9pm, win gift cards
Crane Alley
PBR 4.7%
Guinness 4.2%
Avery White Rascal 5.5%
Dogfish Head 90 Min IPA 9.0%
Lost Abbey Serpent Stout 10.7%
North Coast PranQster 7.6%
Mikkeller Single Hop Chinook IPA 6.9%
Victory Prima Pils 5.3%
Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence 7.0%
Smithwicks Irish Ale 5.0%
Geants Goliath Tripel 9.0%
Bear Republic The Grizz 9.5%
Southern Tier Hop Sun 4.6%
Victory Hop Devil IPA 6.7%
Ballast Point Yellow Tail Pale Ale 4.6%
Moylans Pomegranate Wheat 5.0%
Sunday: 2nd Annual Crawfish Boil, 1pm, $15 in advance, $20 day of
July 5: Founders Beer Dinner, 7:30 pm, price and menu tbd
This Week's Specials:
ASIAN STEAK TACOS - Marinated flank steak with sweet and sour shiitake mushrooms and cherries, and sriracha glazed shaved carrots and cucumbers. Served with wasabi dusted french fries.
PAN FRIED CHICKEN- Panko crusted chicken breast with portobello mushrooms, red wine-poulet glace, and sauteed vegetables over polenta.
Mike n' Molly's
Guinness
Harp
High Life
Mikkeller Single Hop IPA Amarillo
Lefthand Chainsaw
Rogue Johns Locker Stock Imperial Porter
Two Brother Resistance
Avery New World Porter
Schlenkerla Helles
Weston Stafford Cider
Friday: the Saps
Saturday: Bible Belt Sinners
Monday: Abe Froman Project, 9-10pm, free/ Rockstar Karaoke, 10-2, free; $1 PBR
Tuesday: $1.25 High Life; $.50 off all taps
Wednesday: Bingo, 9:30-midnight, free; $2 Mickey's Big Mouth; $2.50 rails
Thursday: Withershins; $2.50 Stella Artois bottle
Black Dog Smoke and Ale House
Cask: Summit Extra Pale Ale
Two Brothers Oak Aged Domaine Dupage
Darkhorse Crooked Tree
Great Divide Titan IPA
Point Pale Ale
Ommegang Abbey Ale
Wexford Irish Style Cream Ale
Cowboy Monkey
Friday: DJ Mingram, 10pm, free
Saturday: We Landed on the Moon!, 9:30pm, $5
Sunday: Big Dave's Trivia, 7pm
Tuesday: Open Mic Night, 10pm, free
Wednesday: Salsa & Tango, 10pm, free
Thursday: WEFT Benefit, 9pm, $10
Highdive
*if you know about the recent violence in the parking lot, call the cops*
Friday: Summer Rock Camp, 7pm; DJ Delayney, 10pm, $5
Saturday: In Living Pink, 7pm, $25 in advance; DJ & Dancing, 11pm, $5
Monday: 80's Night, 10pm, free
Canopy Club
Friday: Flightrisk, $6
Saturday: Champaign-Urbana Comedy Spectacular, $7; Jace Everett, $8 in advance
Tuesday: Piano Man
Wednesday: Discotech: Dance Night
Thursday: Tree Thump, $5
Seven Saints
Rotating taps:
Bells Two Hearted
Southern Tier Heavy Weizen
Wednesday: Whiskey Wednesday: Half off Irish Whisky
Thursday: Beer Class, 9:30 pm, $10
Radio Maria
1. Anchor Liberty $4
2. Southern Tier Heavy Weizen $6
3. Goose Island Pere Jacques $6
4. Bells HopSlam IPA $5
5. Avery Dugana IIPA $5
6. Arcadia Scotch Ale $4
7. Dark Horse Tres Blueberry Stout $5
8. Flying Dog In Heat Wheat $4
9. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout $8
10.Port Midnight Sessions $5
11.Two Brothers Cane & Ebel $4.5
12.Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA $4.5
13.Delirium Dark Brown $6
14.Two Brothers Resistence IPA $4.5
15.Port Old Viscosity $7
16.Guinness $4
17.Left Hand Milk Stout $4
18.Petrus Blonde $6
19.Lost Abbey Serpent's Stout $5
20.Lost Abbey Angel's Share $7
21.Celis White $4
22.He'brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A $6
23.Victory Prima Pils $4.5
24.Schneider Aventinus $5
25.Port Older Viscosity $7
26.Ayinger Brau Weisse $5.5
27.PBR $2.25
Friday: Happy Hour with free appetizers 4:30 - 5:30; beer special Port Old Viscosity, $6 a snifter; DJ at 10pm
Saturday: $4 Jeremiah Weed drinks and $6 Jeremiah Weed John Daly's, Salsa Night at 10.
Sunday: Austrian Wine Dinner, 6pm, $75, 5 courses with 8 wines; $2 wells, $1.25 PBR
Monday: 25% off bottles of wine; Board Game Monday; Softball Beer Specials
Tuesday: 1/2 price wine by the glass
Wednesday: $1 off all beers on draft; Trivia Night 11pm with MC Juice
Thursday:$5 Mojitos & $6 Brazilian Cosmos
Blind Pig
Mikkeller Single Hop Cascade IPA; Denmark, India Pale Ale, 6.9% abv
Mikkeller Single Hop Chinook IPA; Denmark, India Pale Ale, 6.9% abv
Mikkeller Single Hop Centennial IPA; Denmark, India Pale Ale, 6.9% abv
Mikkeller Single Hop Amarillo IPA; Denmark, India Pale Ale, 6.9% abv
Mikkeller Single Hop Warrior IPA; Denmark, India Pale Ale, 6.9% abv
Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast; Denmark, Stout, 7.5% abv
Flying Dog Snake Dog; Frederick, Maryland, India Pale Ale, 7.1% abv
Fort Collins Pomegranate Wheat; Fort Collins, Colorado, Fruit Beer, 4.8% abv
Fuller’s London Pride; England, Premium Bitter, 4.7% abv
Delirium Tremens; Belgium, Belgian Strong Ale, 8.5% abv
Blue Moon; Golden, Colorado, Belgian White, 5.4% abv
Krusovice Imperial 12°; Czech Republic, Bohemian Pilsener, 5% abv
Stella Artois; Belgium, Pale Lager, 5.2% abv
Pabst Blue Ribbon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Rogue John John Juniper; Newport, Oregon, American Pale Ale, 5.2%
Bells Oberon; Kalamazoo, Michigan, Wheat Ale, 6% abv
Bear Republic Grizz; Healdsburg, California, Belgian Strong Ale, 9.5%
Lagunitas IPA; Petaluma, California, India Pale Ale, 5.7% abv
FAvery Karma Ale; Boulder, Colorado, Belgian Ale, 5.2%
Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen; Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5.3% abv
Great Divide Colette; Denver, Colorado, Saison, 7.3% abv
Lindemans Framboise; Belgium, Lambic, 2.5% abv
Moylan’s Nitro ESB; Novato, California, English Pale Ale, 5.2%
Guinness; Dublin, Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv
Blind Pig Brewery (the Piglet)
Blind Pig American Pale Ale
Blind Pig Hard Cider
Blind Pig Stout
Schlafly Pilsner; Maplewood, Missouri, Pilsener, 4.9% abv
Lagunitas WTF; Petaluma, CA, American Strong Ale, 7.83% abv
Rogue Dead Guy; Newport, Oregon, Heller Bock, 6.6% abv
Fuller’s London Porter; England, Porter, 5.4% abv
Two Brothers Dog Days Lager; Warrenville, Illinois, Dortmunder, 4.9% abv
Bell’s Oberon; Kalamazoo, Michigan, Wheat Ale, 6% abv
Heilemans Old Styl;e Woodridge, Illinois, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Two Brother’s The Bitter End; Warrenville, Illinois, APA, 5.2% abv
Witkap Pater Dubbel; Belgium, Abbey Dubbel, 7% abv
Guinness; Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv
Sunday: Trivia Night; 7-9pm, win gift cards
Crane Alley
PBR 4.7%
Guinness 4.2%
Avery White Rascal 5.5%
Dogfish Head 90 Min IPA 9.0%
Lost Abbey Serpent Stout 10.7%
North Coast PranQster 7.6%
Mikkeller Single Hop Chinook IPA 6.9%
Victory Prima Pils 5.3%
Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence 7.0%
Smithwicks Irish Ale 5.0%
Geants Goliath Tripel 9.0%
Bear Republic The Grizz 9.5%
Southern Tier Hop Sun 4.6%
Victory Hop Devil IPA 6.7%
Ballast Point Yellow Tail Pale Ale 4.6%
Moylans Pomegranate Wheat 5.0%
Sunday: 2nd Annual Crawfish Boil, 1pm, $15 in advance, $20 day of
July 5: Founders Beer Dinner, 7:30 pm, price and menu tbd
This Week's Specials:
ASIAN STEAK TACOS - Marinated flank steak with sweet and sour shiitake mushrooms and cherries, and sriracha glazed shaved carrots and cucumbers. Served with wasabi dusted french fries.
PAN FRIED CHICKEN- Panko crusted chicken breast with portobello mushrooms, red wine-poulet glace, and sauteed vegetables over polenta.
Mike n' Molly's
Guinness
Harp
High Life
Mikkeller Single Hop IPA Amarillo
Lefthand Chainsaw
Rogue Johns Locker Stock Imperial Porter
Two Brother Resistance
Avery New World Porter
Schlenkerla Helles
Weston Stafford Cider
Friday: the Saps
Saturday: Bible Belt Sinners
Monday: Abe Froman Project, 9-10pm, free/ Rockstar Karaoke, 10-2, free; $1 PBR
Tuesday: $1.25 High Life; $.50 off all taps
Wednesday: Bingo, 9:30-midnight, free; $2 Mickey's Big Mouth; $2.50 rails
Thursday: Withershins; $2.50 Stella Artois bottle
Black Dog Smoke and Ale House
Cask: Summit Extra Pale Ale
Two Brothers Oak Aged Domaine Dupage
Darkhorse Crooked Tree
Great Divide Titan IPA
Point Pale Ale
Ommegang Abbey Ale
Wexford Irish Style Cream Ale
Cowboy Monkey
Friday: DJ Mingram, 10pm, free
Saturday: We Landed on the Moon!, 9:30pm, $5
Sunday: Big Dave's Trivia, 7pm
Tuesday: Open Mic Night, 10pm, free
Wednesday: Salsa & Tango, 10pm, free
Thursday: WEFT Benefit, 9pm, $10
Highdive
*if you know about the recent violence in the parking lot, call the cops*
Friday: Summer Rock Camp, 7pm; DJ Delayney, 10pm, $5
Saturday: In Living Pink, 7pm, $25 in advance; DJ & Dancing, 11pm, $5
Monday: 80's Night, 10pm, free
Canopy Club
Friday: Flightrisk, $6
Saturday: Champaign-Urbana Comedy Spectacular, $7; Jace Everett, $8 in advance
Tuesday: Piano Man
Wednesday: Discotech: Dance Night
Thursday: Tree Thump, $5
Alcohol in the news; Where and how to go wine tasting
From the Buzz.
Where and hot to go wine tasting
I think the author, and editor, may have spent to much time tasting wines. I don't mean to nit pick, but seriously, this article is flawed. Instead of going to learn about wines, they should have learned about writing.
...
But the biggest error (the one that would have cost me 25 points each time I did it (on a 100 point scale) was...
If you look at the article, the image that shows up is a picture of the place. Underneath the picture of Wines at the Pines, is the caption, Wine at the Pines.
There is some good information about how to sample wines; and some nice do's and don'ts. Also, the article lets you know where you can go to taste the wine.
So, the article has good information, it's just somewhat poorly written and edited.
(If you are going to complain about my blog; remember, this is a blog, not an article that was actually printed)
Places mentioned in the article are:
Corkscrew
Wines at the Pines
Krannert Center
Alto Vineyards
Where and hot to go wine tasting
I think the author, and editor, may have spent to much time tasting wines. I don't mean to nit pick, but seriously, this article is flawed. Instead of going to learn about wines, they should have learned about writing.
By the time I cross the stage at Foellinger, I will gladly be graduating with a B.A. in English and a minor in Coors Light. A self-proclaimed Burnett’s Vodka connoisseur, I have experimented with several you-call-it style concoctions. When away from my home bar top, my choice usually falls between beer or liquor.
...
However, Champaign-Urbana is a wine-rich community. With various wine tastings in the area, many of them for free, one can easily supplement their collegiate education with one in the ways of wine....
While the is vineyard located in Southern Illinois, the family runs satellite locations and provides a daily wine tasting for CU."While the is vineyard located", shouldn't that be "While the vineyard is located"?
Manager Nick Bland said that their Saturday tasting (2-6 p.m.; small fee, never more than $5) usually have some sort of theme loosely based around the wine’s country of origin, varietals, or style, creating a more global knowledge of wine rather than just which ones taste good.Take away the parenthesis and the sentence reads "their Saturday tasting usually have".
But the biggest error (the one that would have cost me 25 points each time I did it (on a 100 point scale) was...
A more recent addition to the area is Wine at the Pines in Urbana, which opened in October of 2009. In addition to wine, Wine at the Pines also serves baked goods from Milos, teas, and Metropolis coffees, filling the void that Bar Giuliani left.A misspelled name, Wine at the Pines.
If you look at the article, the image that shows up is a picture of the place. Underneath the picture of Wines at the Pines, is the caption, Wine at the Pines.
There is some good information about how to sample wines; and some nice do's and don'ts. Also, the article lets you know where you can go to taste the wine.
So, the article has good information, it's just somewhat poorly written and edited.
(If you are going to complain about my blog; remember, this is a blog, not an article that was actually printed)
Places mentioned in the article are:
Corkscrew
Wines at the Pines
Krannert Center
Alto Vineyards
Alcohol in the news; Bartender training
Last night, several news stations ran spots about getting bartenders trained on how to spot fake ID's and serving to minors.
Alcohol Training
State Agents Meet Bar Owners
Oddly, both NBC and ABC interviewed the same person, Elizabeth Murphy, from Turtle Run or Snappers.
It sure would be nice if either of the stations talked about HOW to get the training, like providing a link to a website, instead of just saying that training was available.
In the promo for the news on WICD, they showed some stock footage from Radio Maria. Not sure who was serving, but I think Jacob was in the background.
Alcohol Training
State Agents Meet Bar Owners
Oddly, both NBC and ABC interviewed the same person, Elizabeth Murphy, from Turtle Run or Snappers.
It sure would be nice if either of the stations talked about HOW to get the training, like providing a link to a website, instead of just saying that training was available.
In the promo for the news on WICD, they showed some stock footage from Radio Maria. Not sure who was serving, but I think Jacob was in the background.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Big Ten Road Trips, part 4, THE Ohio State University
O-H
eh fuck 'em.
So, you are heading to the horseshoe. From Champaign, it's about 300 miles and 5 hours. On the way, you go through Indianapolis. You'll probably want to take the beltway around Indy, and the south part is the quickest option. Remember, on the south of 465, there's plenty of breweries (we talked about them for the University of Indiana). On the north side, there's also breweries (we talked about them for Purdue). So, there's plenty of places to stop on the way.
I didn't talk about beer stores, but on 31 south (exit 2b) from 465, there's two good beer stores that I like to hit, the first is Crown Liquors. The other is further down the road at East Stop 11 road, and that's Party Pak Liquors. Both have really good beer selections. At Party Pak, you can buy any individual bottle there, or buy the six pack. If you are traveling and not from Indiana, there's lots of beers that you can't get here.
As you are heading east on 70, you'll go past Dayton. In Dayton, there's another good beer store, Belmont Party Supply. Belmont also has a great selection.
But, we're going to try to hit breweries, not liquor stores.
In Columbus there are several breweries.
One of my favorites is Elevator. I've been to Elevator a couple of times, and have never been disappointed. In the picture, my buddy Jim is eating their famous Rock Filet. The steak comes out rare, and you cook it in front of you on a really hot (450 degrees) rock. Cut it up, and cook it to however you like it done. It comes with some dipping sauces, but you don't really need them on a good piece of meat. Elevator currently has 11 beers on tap, and the full sampler looks really cool. The beer is good, and it's a nice place. Elevator is about 3 miles away from the stadium.
Another good place is Barley's Alehouse. There are 2 Barley's locations in Columbus. Ale House No. 1 and Ale House No. 2. Ale House #1 is down the street from Elevator, #2 is a bit further away from the stadium. Kridz and I stopped at Ale House #1 on our east coast trip. Previously, I had been to Ale House #2 a couple of times on trips to Columbus with Jim. They have a good variety of house beers, mostly with a Scottish theme.
There's apparently a Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant in Columbus as well.
Also in Columbus, is the Columbus Brewing Company. Why haven't I been here? It's about 10 minutes from the stadium.
There's another brewery, L. Hoster Brewing Co. Their website is under construction, and I haven't had any of their beers. Hoster is about 6 miles from the Stadium.
That's about it for breweries on the trip. As long as you are in Ohio, you should stop at From the Vine. It's a nice 20 minute drive from the stadium, but it's worth the trip. Jaimie has a really good beer selection along the side wall. Look for some stuff that you can't find elsewhere. You may pay a premium for it, but it might be the best beer in the world, ask nicely.
So, enjoy your trip to the whore's shoe. I hope you don't get too sick of hearing "Hang on Sloopy".
eh fuck 'em.
So, you are heading to the horseshoe. From Champaign, it's about 300 miles and 5 hours. On the way, you go through Indianapolis. You'll probably want to take the beltway around Indy, and the south part is the quickest option. Remember, on the south of 465, there's plenty of breweries (we talked about them for the University of Indiana). On the north side, there's also breweries (we talked about them for Purdue). So, there's plenty of places to stop on the way.
I didn't talk about beer stores, but on 31 south (exit 2b) from 465, there's two good beer stores that I like to hit, the first is Crown Liquors. The other is further down the road at East Stop 11 road, and that's Party Pak Liquors. Both have really good beer selections. At Party Pak, you can buy any individual bottle there, or buy the six pack. If you are traveling and not from Indiana, there's lots of beers that you can't get here.
As you are heading east on 70, you'll go past Dayton. In Dayton, there's another good beer store, Belmont Party Supply. Belmont also has a great selection.
But, we're going to try to hit breweries, not liquor stores.
In Columbus there are several breweries.
One of my favorites is Elevator. I've been to Elevator a couple of times, and have never been disappointed. In the picture, my buddy Jim is eating their famous Rock Filet. The steak comes out rare, and you cook it in front of you on a really hot (450 degrees) rock. Cut it up, and cook it to however you like it done. It comes with some dipping sauces, but you don't really need them on a good piece of meat. Elevator currently has 11 beers on tap, and the full sampler looks really cool. The beer is good, and it's a nice place. Elevator is about 3 miles away from the stadium.
Another good place is Barley's Alehouse. There are 2 Barley's locations in Columbus. Ale House No. 1 and Ale House No. 2. Ale House #1 is down the street from Elevator, #2 is a bit further away from the stadium. Kridz and I stopped at Ale House #1 on our east coast trip. Previously, I had been to Ale House #2 a couple of times on trips to Columbus with Jim. They have a good variety of house beers, mostly with a Scottish theme.
There's apparently a Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant in Columbus as well.
Also in Columbus, is the Columbus Brewing Company. Why haven't I been here? It's about 10 minutes from the stadium.
There's another brewery, L. Hoster Brewing Co. Their website is under construction, and I haven't had any of their beers. Hoster is about 6 miles from the Stadium.
That's about it for breweries on the trip. As long as you are in Ohio, you should stop at From the Vine. It's a nice 20 minute drive from the stadium, but it's worth the trip. Jaimie has a really good beer selection along the side wall. Look for some stuff that you can't find elsewhere. You may pay a premium for it, but it might be the best beer in the world, ask nicely.
So, enjoy your trip to the whore's shoe. I hope you don't get too sick of hearing "Hang on Sloopy".
Alcohol in the news; World Cup Wines
From WCIA 3, Illinoishomepage.net morning show
World Cup Wines (web page has some formatting issues)
Brian Bowman from Sunsinger Wine and Spirits stops by to talk about South African wine.
First wine is Neil Ellis 'Sincerely' Sauvignon Blanc.
The second wine is Boekenhoutskloof 'the Wolf Trap'.
They also talk about the new menu at Sunsinger.
World Cup Wines (web page has some formatting issues)
Brian Bowman from Sunsinger Wine and Spirits stops by to talk about South African wine.
First wine is Neil Ellis 'Sincerely' Sauvignon Blanc.
The second wine is Boekenhoutskloof 'the Wolf Trap'.
They also talk about the new menu at Sunsinger.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Big Ten Road Trips, part 3, Purdue
Time to head to West Lafayette, Indiana for Purdue. For football season, you are heading to Ross-Ade Stadium. It takes less than 2 hours to get from Champaign to the stadium, and there's really not much on the way. Google maps says there are 3 ways to get there, some are more country than others.
In Lafayette, there's the Lafayette Brewing Company. I've had a couple beers from here, and they were pretty good. Lafayette Brewing Company is about 7 minutes from the stadium.
There's a Scotty's Brew House in West Lafayette too. It's about 2 miles from the stadium. (You can follow them on twitter).
People's Brewing Company doesn't seem to have a restaurant, but has a tasting room open from noon to 7 except for Sunday, and 11 am to 3 pm on Sunday, and brewery tours (weekends, check for times). If you are planning on visiting People's get there early.
Also in Lafayette is Black Sparrow. Black Sparrow is about 2 miles from the stadium.
When you leave Purdue and start to head back to Champaign (or wherever), this would be a good time to hit breweries on the north side of Indianapolis. Half Moon Restaurant and Brewery is located almost directly east of Lafayette. It's about 45 miles east of the stadium, in Kokomo.
Once you get to 31, head south, for the town of Noblesville. There you will find Barley Island Brewing Co. I've been to Barley Island, and enjoyed the beers I had there. Their barrel aged stout is pretty good. When I was there they had some stuff that isn't their normal beers, and they were pretty good.
In Fishers, just south of Noblesville is another Ram. There's another Rock Bottom on the north side of Indianapolis. There's a Granite City on the north side too.
One of the highlights of Indianapolis beers is Brugge Brasserie, which is in the Broad Ripple Village area. My friend Scott seems to love Brugge. Also in the Broad Ripple area is Broad Ripple Brewpub. And the Barley Island Restaurant & Brewhouse.
So, that's Lafayette and the north side of Indianapolis. Tomorrow, we'll continue heading east and visit THE Ohio State University.
In Lafayette, there's the Lafayette Brewing Company. I've had a couple beers from here, and they were pretty good. Lafayette Brewing Company is about 7 minutes from the stadium.
There's a Scotty's Brew House in West Lafayette too. It's about 2 miles from the stadium. (You can follow them on twitter).
People's Brewing Company doesn't seem to have a restaurant, but has a tasting room open from noon to 7 except for Sunday, and 11 am to 3 pm on Sunday, and brewery tours (weekends, check for times). If you are planning on visiting People's get there early.
Also in Lafayette is Black Sparrow. Black Sparrow is about 2 miles from the stadium.
When you leave Purdue and start to head back to Champaign (or wherever), this would be a good time to hit breweries on the north side of Indianapolis. Half Moon Restaurant and Brewery is located almost directly east of Lafayette. It's about 45 miles east of the stadium, in Kokomo.
Once you get to 31, head south, for the town of Noblesville. There you will find Barley Island Brewing Co. I've been to Barley Island, and enjoyed the beers I had there. Their barrel aged stout is pretty good. When I was there they had some stuff that isn't their normal beers, and they were pretty good.
In Fishers, just south of Noblesville is another Ram. There's another Rock Bottom on the north side of Indianapolis. There's a Granite City on the north side too.
One of the highlights of Indianapolis beers is Brugge Brasserie, which is in the Broad Ripple Village area. My friend Scott seems to love Brugge. Also in the Broad Ripple area is Broad Ripple Brewpub. And the Barley Island Restaurant & Brewhouse.
So, that's Lafayette and the north side of Indianapolis. Tomorrow, we'll continue heading east and visit THE Ohio State University.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Big Ten Road Trips, part 2, Indiana University
So, for some inexplicable reason, you decide you want to go to a football game at Indiana. You just can't get enough Hoosier; or you figure it might be the only win on Illinois' schedule that year. And you want to stop and have a freshly brewed beverage on the way (or in the area), where are you gonna go?
In part 1, I listed some of the breweries that you'll find on the way up to Northwestern. Now, we'll see what's around Memorial Stadium (Indiana). From Champaign to Memorial Stadium, it's about a 3 hour drive. There's not a whole lot on the way. It's nice in Indiana with the 70 MPH speed limit, but that's on the interstate; the shortest trip takes you on some backwoods looking roads.
The main brewery in Bloomington is Upland Brewing Company. Once you find Memorial Stadium, Upland is about a 3 minute drive away. When I think of Upland, I think of their Lambics. Their sour beers don't seem as sweet as Lindeman's flavored lambics, but they have a really good taste. I've had some of their other beers, like the Wheat Ale and Bad Elmer's Porter. I don't remember them significantly, but don't remember them being horrible either. The B'ton Tap Room is open daily for lunch and dinner. Even though it's in Indiana, it's smoke-free; so you'll be able to fully enjoy your beer.
There's really nothing else on the direct route to Indiana. There's some wineries, but that's not my focus.
Now, if you take an alternate route to get to Bloomington, like say... Go around 465 on your way back, you've got some more options.
Your Saturday might start off with a trip to Bloomington from Champaign, and you go straight there. The game ends, and you head to Upland. But, it's still only about 4 pm and you want some more beer. You don't really have anything else to do, so you head straight east out of Bloomington, to I 65. Now, you've got choices.
The first choice is Oaken Barrel Brewing Company. From the Stadium to Oaken Barrel, it's about 45 miles (you don't have to go to I 65). Oaken Barrel puts out some good beers. Snake Pit is a pretty good porter. Gnaw Bone is a good APA. Indiana Amber is a good gateway beer. They are open from 11 am until midnight (m-th) 1 am (f,s) and until 10pm on Sunday. They have a full restaurant. I've heard good things about the place.
If you head into downtown Indianapolis, there are 3 brewery/brewpubs within a couple of blocks of each other.
The first one I go to is Ram Restaurant & Brewery. It's on South Illinois Street, in the same building as a large parking garage. If you are driving down Illinois Street, it's the building on the left that has a grain bin on the side. Ram Brewery is kind of like a slightly fancier TGIFridays. It's not Olive Garden-esque to me (not that I think Olive Garden is fancy); it might be like Cheddars (is that still open in Champaign?). Their beer is good, and their appetizers are good. They are a chain, like Rock Bottom, but aren't as well known, or available as Rock Bottom. Their beers are good, and the food is good.
Directly across the street is Alcatraz Brewing Company. Alcatraz is kind of a chain, except there are only two of them. One in Orange California, the other in Indianapolis. The food at Alcatraz is good. The beer is good. If you are wanting to try a lot of different beer in a day, and not have to travel very far, go to downtown Indy.
About two blocks away from Alcatraz is another of the Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery chains. Again, it's a big chain. They do make some awesome specialty brews, but their regular daily brews (the ones that pay the bills) aren't the greatest. They are good/serviceable beers, but the usual suspects aren't the best. Look for a seasonal or brewers special if you go.
Since there's doesn't seem to be too much around the Lafayette area, we'll leave northern Indianapolis for the Purdue trip.
*When you want to know about Indiana beer, go to the experts. HoosierBeerGeek, they were the people at Three Floyds Dark Lord day at the Dork Lord tent. They sent me some info about some other places to go to.
Big Woods Brewing Company is located in Nasheville, Indiana. Nashville Indiana is about 20 miles away from the stadium on Indiana-46 E. HBG hasn't had their beer yet, so can't say how it is.
Further down 46E is Columbus, Indiana. Home of Power House Brewing Co. Columbus is 36 miles east of the stadium. HBG says they are a tiny brewery. Their website doesn't even mention their beer.
Another downtown Indy Brewery is Sun King Brewing Co. HBG says Sun King isn't open on Saturday nights; so you should get there early.
There's also a Scotty's Brew House in downtown Indy. Although HBG says they don't brew their own.
So, there's some more if you are coming up from Bloomington over to Indianapolis and back to Champaign Urbana.
In part 1, I listed some of the breweries that you'll find on the way up to Northwestern. Now, we'll see what's around Memorial Stadium (Indiana). From Champaign to Memorial Stadium, it's about a 3 hour drive. There's not a whole lot on the way. It's nice in Indiana with the 70 MPH speed limit, but that's on the interstate; the shortest trip takes you on some backwoods looking roads.
The main brewery in Bloomington is Upland Brewing Company. Once you find Memorial Stadium, Upland is about a 3 minute drive away. When I think of Upland, I think of their Lambics. Their sour beers don't seem as sweet as Lindeman's flavored lambics, but they have a really good taste. I've had some of their other beers, like the Wheat Ale and Bad Elmer's Porter. I don't remember them significantly, but don't remember them being horrible either. The B'ton Tap Room is open daily for lunch and dinner. Even though it's in Indiana, it's smoke-free; so you'll be able to fully enjoy your beer.
There's really nothing else on the direct route to Indiana. There's some wineries, but that's not my focus.
Now, if you take an alternate route to get to Bloomington, like say... Go around 465 on your way back, you've got some more options.
Your Saturday might start off with a trip to Bloomington from Champaign, and you go straight there. The game ends, and you head to Upland. But, it's still only about 4 pm and you want some more beer. You don't really have anything else to do, so you head straight east out of Bloomington, to I 65. Now, you've got choices.
The first choice is Oaken Barrel Brewing Company. From the Stadium to Oaken Barrel, it's about 45 miles (you don't have to go to I 65). Oaken Barrel puts out some good beers. Snake Pit is a pretty good porter. Gnaw Bone is a good APA. Indiana Amber is a good gateway beer. They are open from 11 am until midnight (m-th) 1 am (f,s) and until 10pm on Sunday. They have a full restaurant. I've heard good things about the place.
If you head into downtown Indianapolis, there are 3 brewery/brewpubs within a couple of blocks of each other.
The first one I go to is Ram Restaurant & Brewery. It's on South Illinois Street, in the same building as a large parking garage. If you are driving down Illinois Street, it's the building on the left that has a grain bin on the side. Ram Brewery is kind of like a slightly fancier TGIFridays. It's not Olive Garden-esque to me (not that I think Olive Garden is fancy); it might be like Cheddars (is that still open in Champaign?). Their beer is good, and their appetizers are good. They are a chain, like Rock Bottom, but aren't as well known, or available as Rock Bottom. Their beers are good, and the food is good.
Directly across the street is Alcatraz Brewing Company. Alcatraz is kind of a chain, except there are only two of them. One in Orange California, the other in Indianapolis. The food at Alcatraz is good. The beer is good. If you are wanting to try a lot of different beer in a day, and not have to travel very far, go to downtown Indy.
About two blocks away from Alcatraz is another of the Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery chains. Again, it's a big chain. They do make some awesome specialty brews, but their regular daily brews (the ones that pay the bills) aren't the greatest. They are good/serviceable beers, but the usual suspects aren't the best. Look for a seasonal or brewers special if you go.
Since there's doesn't seem to be too much around the Lafayette area, we'll leave northern Indianapolis for the Purdue trip.
*When you want to know about Indiana beer, go to the experts. HoosierBeerGeek, they were the people at Three Floyds Dark Lord day at the Dork Lord tent. They sent me some info about some other places to go to.
Big Woods Brewing Company is located in Nasheville, Indiana. Nashville Indiana is about 20 miles away from the stadium on Indiana-46 E. HBG hasn't had their beer yet, so can't say how it is.
Further down 46E is Columbus, Indiana. Home of Power House Brewing Co. Columbus is 36 miles east of the stadium. HBG says they are a tiny brewery. Their website doesn't even mention their beer.
Another downtown Indy Brewery is Sun King Brewing Co. HBG says Sun King isn't open on Saturday nights; so you should get there early.
There's also a Scotty's Brew House in downtown Indy. Although HBG says they don't brew their own.
So, there's some more if you are coming up from Bloomington over to Indianapolis and back to Champaign Urbana.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Big Ten Road Trips, part 1, Northwestern
With the addition of Nebraska to the Big Ten, someone asked me what beers were from Nebraska, so I put together a quick list of what I could find for Breweries/Brewpubs around Lincoln. But, I figured, I should put out a road trip plan for the places to get beer if you are on a road trip to go see some sort of Big Ten action. This is not an all inclusive list. If you know of any breweries/brewpubs that I've missed, leave a comment. If some brewpubs aren't listed, there's a chance they will be on other school road trips. There are only so many ways to get around Big Ten country. If you are coming from one of the schools to Illinois, just read the trip backwards and wind up at our only (current) brewpub, the Blind Pig Brewery (the piglet).
This will be an 11 part series (since the road trips are leaving from Champaign Urbana).
Our first road trip will take us up to Northwestern University, located in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern plays their football at Ryan Field, at 1501 Central St, in Evanston. It's about 3 hours north of CU according to google maps.
On the way, there are several breweries. One of the first you'll pass on the journey north is in Bourbonnais, at the BrickStone Brewery. I haven't been there, but have heard decent things about it. It's right around 70 miles north of CU from the 57/74 interchange. It's a restaurant and brewery, so you can stop and eat or drink on the trip.
The next brewery you'll pass on the way is Flossmoor Station. Flossmoor is 104 miles north on 57 from the 74 exit. I really like going to this brewery. They produce some damn fine beers. They've won several awards for their beers and were named the Best Small Brewpub at the 2006 Great American Beer Festival. Their limited bottle release beers are great as well. The beer sampler platter is well worth it. Some of their food menu items are outstanding as well. I love their fish & chips.
As you continue traveling north on 57, if you want to take a little side trip, you can exit at interstate 80 and head west towards Iowa. If you turn north onto 45, there are 3 breweries/brewpubs in that area. The first one you come to is Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery. Rock Bottom is a chain, to me, it's the TGIF of breweries. They do produce some award winning beers. I've not been to this Rock Bottom.
A little bit further up the road is Harrisons Restaurant Brewery. Harrisons is ok. When I went there, I had the Reuben sandwich. Which went really well with their Cherry Wheat. Some of their beers are good, some are just serviceable. None are too horrible.
If you keep going on 45, there's another brewery. Granite City Food & Brewery. GCFB isn't the greatest of brewpubs. Their beer is just sort of ... meh. It all seems rather... uninspired. If you want to appreciate great beer, go have this beer.
If you took the 80 exit, but skipped out on turning north onto La Grange, you can continue to 355. Take 355 up towards Chicago, and you can go to Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant. GB is pretty much the original brewery restaurant chain. GB pretty much just makes lagers. They are a German brewing restaurant. So if you are looking for an IPA or a stout, you've gone to the wrong place. When I went there, they had a Macaroni and Cheese with lobster, that Kridz enjoyed. If Rock Bottom is TGIF, then Gordon Biersch is Olive Garden, it's slightly better, and has a less... um... tacky, what can we put up on the walls feel to it.
If you stayed on 57 and connected onto 90/94, then you are getting close to your destination.
If you went up for a Saturday afternoon football game, and spent the night, then you probably want to have breakfast somewhere before heading back south. The perfect spot for this is Goose Island Beer Company, Clybourne. GI Clybourne, is the original Goose Island brewpub. Get the sampler, get 2 or 3 of them. Each is 4 beers. They have many many many beers on tap. You won't be disappointed. Their sausage plate was awesome.
Another place that I've heard great reviews of is Piece Pizzeria and Brewery. I've not been to Piece, but have heard good things.
Another in the downtown Chicago area is Half Acre Beer Company. I've not been to Half Acre. I have had some of their beer (I think) and don't remember it being terrible.
One of the newer breweries (not pub) is Metropolitan Brewing. Their beer isn't available downstate (yet). Metropolitan Brewing is a brewery, they only offer tours on select days at select times. Check their website store for dates and times of the tours and to make reservations.
There is another Rock Bottom Restaurant closer to the lake.
Further out of the way, in Warrenville, is Two Brothers Brewing Company. If you are on a road trip to Northwestern, to watch Illinois play, you should stop at Two Brothers. The brothers went to U of I, so stop in there in your orange.
This will be an 11 part series (since the road trips are leaving from Champaign Urbana).
Our first road trip will take us up to Northwestern University, located in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern plays their football at Ryan Field, at 1501 Central St, in Evanston. It's about 3 hours north of CU according to google maps.
On the way, there are several breweries. One of the first you'll pass on the journey north is in Bourbonnais, at the BrickStone Brewery. I haven't been there, but have heard decent things about it. It's right around 70 miles north of CU from the 57/74 interchange. It's a restaurant and brewery, so you can stop and eat or drink on the trip.
The next brewery you'll pass on the way is Flossmoor Station. Flossmoor is 104 miles north on 57 from the 74 exit. I really like going to this brewery. They produce some damn fine beers. They've won several awards for their beers and were named the Best Small Brewpub at the 2006 Great American Beer Festival. Their limited bottle release beers are great as well. The beer sampler platter is well worth it. Some of their food menu items are outstanding as well. I love their fish & chips.
As you continue traveling north on 57, if you want to take a little side trip, you can exit at interstate 80 and head west towards Iowa. If you turn north onto 45, there are 3 breweries/brewpubs in that area. The first one you come to is Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery. Rock Bottom is a chain, to me, it's the TGIF of breweries. They do produce some award winning beers. I've not been to this Rock Bottom.
A little bit further up the road is Harrisons Restaurant Brewery. Harrisons is ok. When I went there, I had the Reuben sandwich. Which went really well with their Cherry Wheat. Some of their beers are good, some are just serviceable. None are too horrible.
If you keep going on 45, there's another brewery. Granite City Food & Brewery. GCFB isn't the greatest of brewpubs. Their beer is just sort of ... meh. It all seems rather... uninspired. If you want to appreciate great beer, go have this beer.
If you took the 80 exit, but skipped out on turning north onto La Grange, you can continue to 355. Take 355 up towards Chicago, and you can go to Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant. GB is pretty much the original brewery restaurant chain. GB pretty much just makes lagers. They are a German brewing restaurant. So if you are looking for an IPA or a stout, you've gone to the wrong place. When I went there, they had a Macaroni and Cheese with lobster, that Kridz enjoyed. If Rock Bottom is TGIF, then Gordon Biersch is Olive Garden, it's slightly better, and has a less... um... tacky, what can we put up on the walls feel to it.
If you stayed on 57 and connected onto 90/94, then you are getting close to your destination.
If you went up for a Saturday afternoon football game, and spent the night, then you probably want to have breakfast somewhere before heading back south. The perfect spot for this is Goose Island Beer Company, Clybourne. GI Clybourne, is the original Goose Island brewpub. Get the sampler, get 2 or 3 of them. Each is 4 beers. They have many many many beers on tap. You won't be disappointed. Their sausage plate was awesome.
Another place that I've heard great reviews of is Piece Pizzeria and Brewery. I've not been to Piece, but have heard good things.
Another in the downtown Chicago area is Half Acre Beer Company. I've not been to Half Acre. I have had some of their beer (I think) and don't remember it being terrible.
One of the newer breweries (not pub) is Metropolitan Brewing. Their beer isn't available downstate (yet). Metropolitan Brewing is a brewery, they only offer tours on select days at select times. Check their website store for dates and times of the tours and to make reservations.
There is another Rock Bottom Restaurant closer to the lake.
Further out of the way, in Warrenville, is Two Brothers Brewing Company. If you are on a road trip to Northwestern, to watch Illinois play, you should stop at Two Brothers. The brothers went to U of I, so stop in there in your orange.
Bars in the news; The Stop aims to be local bar-and-grill detour
From the News-Gazette
The Stop aims to be local bar-and-grill detour
Stay Classy San Diego
The Stop aims to be local bar-and-grill detour
Marvin Meadows and Angela Alwardt already have two bar-and-grills, and they've come up with a road-tested concept to get people to stop at their third.Slippery when wet? Caution- bumps ahead?
Meadows, who owns the It'll Do bar in Arcola and It'll Do 2 in Champaign's Country Fair Shopping Center, recently acquired the former Club 45 property at 3515 N. Cunningham Ave., U.
He hopes to put in a bar-and-grill similar to his other two businesses, but with a twist.
"It'll have a construction theme," said Meadows, who once worked in road construction. "It'll have a sign shaped like a stop sign, and it will be decorated with 'stop' and 'go' paddles and road construction signs."
Meadows said the waitresses will wear denim shorts with suspenders and work boots, and signs on their shirts that say "slippery when wet" and "caution – bumps ahead."
Stay Classy San Diego
Bars in the News; Help sought over aggravated battery in downtown Champaign
From the News-Gazette
Help sought over aggravated battery in downtown Champaign
So, if you know about the fight, call Crimestoppers at 373-8477.
Help sought over aggravated battery in downtown Champaign
CHAMPAIGN – Champaign police and Crimestoppers of Champaign County are asking for the public's help in finding information about an aggravated battery last month in downtown Champaign.
According to a police report, a fight began at 1:52 a.m. May 22 at the High Dive, 51 E. Main St., C.
During the altercation, one person was struck in the head with a bottle, and another person was found unconscious and lying on the ground.
So, if you know about the fight, call Crimestoppers at 373-8477.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Nebraska to the Big 10, yay; but is there any good beer there?
So, Nebraska is probably going to be coming to the Big 10; that's cool. But, I've been asked "are there any good Lincoln, NE beers out there?" The answer is yes. There's some good ones.
At the beginning of last year, one of the blog readers sent me a box with some beers from Empyrean Brewing Company. His care package contained the Dark Side Vanilla Porter, LunaSea ESB, and Third Stone Brown. The vanilla porter was pretty good.
Empyrean is located in Lincoln. So when you go for the road trip to watch Illinois play Nebraska, be sure to stop in there.
According to Beer Advocate, there are four breweries around Lincoln (including Empyrean). The others are Lucky Bucket Brewing Company (in La Vista), SchillingBridge Winery & Microbrewery (in Pawnee City), and Spilker Ales (in Cortland).
Beer Advocate rates Lucky Bucket as a B+. Their top rated beer is "Certified Evil" which is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale.
SchillingBridge is rated as a C+. They have a Git-R-Done light lager that's rated a C. Doesn't seem too interesting.
Spilker is rated as a B. They have a couple of B+ beers, including Double Hop, and American IPA, and their spiced beers seem to rate well too.
So, there you have it, Lincoln Nebraska breweries.
I'd go with Empyrean for a first time. Then try the others.
At the beginning of last year, one of the blog readers sent me a box with some beers from Empyrean Brewing Company. His care package contained the Dark Side Vanilla Porter, LunaSea ESB, and Third Stone Brown. The vanilla porter was pretty good.
Empyrean is located in Lincoln. So when you go for the road trip to watch Illinois play Nebraska, be sure to stop in there.
According to Beer Advocate, there are four breweries around Lincoln (including Empyrean). The others are Lucky Bucket Brewing Company (in La Vista), SchillingBridge Winery & Microbrewery (in Pawnee City), and Spilker Ales (in Cortland).
Beer Advocate rates Lucky Bucket as a B+. Their top rated beer is "Certified Evil" which is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale.
SchillingBridge is rated as a C+. They have a Git-R-Done light lager that's rated a C. Doesn't seem too interesting.
Spilker is rated as a B. They have a couple of B+ beers, including Double Hop, and American IPA, and their spiced beers seem to rate well too.
So, there you have it, Lincoln Nebraska breweries.
I'd go with Empyrean for a first time. Then try the others.
World Cup spots in CU
So, you want to watch the World Cup... what's wrong with you? Well, I guess it's better than basketball. So, where are you going to go watch the game. If you don't already have a bar picked out, you should find one soon. Here's the ones I know so far.
Buffalo Wild Wings (both locations) will be open for all the US games. So you can get your drink on early.
Old Chicago should be open for the US matches, and will be showing the final live match of the day.
Legends will be open early for games.
Firehaus will be open early for all US games.
Hooters will be open early for games.
Other possible locations are:
Esquire
Seven Saints
Jupiters at the Crossing
Billy Barooz
Fat City
Places to avoid:
Radio Maria (go there after to celebrate a Brazil win)
Blind Pig (go there after to celebrate a UK win... or to drown your sorrows when the US beats them)
Blind Pig Brewery
If you know of any that will be open early for non-US games, please leave a comment. If you can, please let me know who you are.
Buffalo Wild Wings (both locations) will be open for all the US games. So you can get your drink on early.
Old Chicago should be open for the US matches, and will be showing the final live match of the day.
Legends will be open early for games.
Firehaus will be open early for all US games.
Hooters will be open early for games.
Other possible locations are:
Esquire
Seven Saints
Jupiters at the Crossing
Billy Barooz
Fat City
Places to avoid:
Radio Maria (go there after to celebrate a Brazil win)
Blind Pig (go there after to celebrate a UK win... or to drown your sorrows when the US beats them)
Blind Pig Brewery
If you know of any that will be open early for non-US games, please leave a comment. If you can, please let me know who you are.
CU Beer Weekend; June 11 (Stanley Cup Celebration edition)
The Blackhawks won; go crazy.
Seven Saints
Bells Two Hearted
Founders Red's Rye
Whiskey Wednesday: Micro
Thursday: Beer Class, 9:30pm, $10
Radio Maria
1. Anchor Liberty $4
2. Southern Tier Heavy Weizen $6
3. Goose Island Pere Jacques $6
4. Bells HopSlam IPA $5
5. Avery Dugana IIPA $5
6. Arcadia Scotch Ale $4
7. Dark Horse Tres Blueberry Stout $5
8. Flying Dog In Heat Wheat $4
9. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout $8
10.Port Midnight Sessions $5
11.Two Brothers Cane & Ebel $4.5
12.Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA $4.5
13.Delirium Dark Brown $6
14.Mikkeller Cascade Single Hop IPA $6
15.Port Old Viscosity $7
16.North Coast Old Rasputin $6
17.Southern Tier Choklat $6
18.Petrus Blonde $6
19.Lost Abbey Serpent's Stout $5
20.Lost Abbey Angel's Share $7
21.Blanche de Bruxelles $5
22.He'brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A $6
23.Victory Prima Pils $4.5
24.Schneider Aventinus $5
25.Port Older Viscosity $7
26.Ayinger Brau Weisse $5.5
27.PBR $2.25
Friday: Happy Hour with free appetizers 4:30 - 5:30; beer special Avery DuganA IIPA, $4 a tulip; DJ at 10pm
Saturday: $4 Jeremiah Weed drinks and $6 Jeremiah Weed John Daly's, Salsa Night at 10.
Sunday: Austrian Wine Dinner, 6pm, $75, 5 courses with 8 wines; $2 wells, $1.25 PBR
Monday: 25% off bottles of wine; Board Game Monday; Softball Beer Specials
Tuesday: 1/2 price wine by the glass
Wednesday: $1 off all beers on draft; Trivia Night 11pm with MC Juice
Thursday:$5 Mojitos & $6 Brazilian Cosmos
*note* Goose Island Pere Jacques is on tap now.
Blind Pig
Cask: New Holland Mad Hatter IPA
Ommegang Rouge Grand Cru; Cooperstown, New York, Sour Ale, 5.5% abv
Southern Tier Oat; Lakewood, New York, Imperial Stout, 11% abv
New Holland Envious; Holland, Michigan, Fruit Beer, 7.5% abv
Great Divide Yeti; Denver, Colorado, Imperial Stout, 9.5% abv
Fort Collins Retro Red; Fort Collins, Colorado, Amber Ale, 5.2% abv
Unibroue Trois Pistoles; Canada, Belgian Strong Ale, 9% abv
Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree IPA; Marshall, Michigan, Imperial IPA, 13.6% abv
BluCreek Blueberry; Madison, Wisconsin, Fruit Beer, 4% abv
Fuller’s London Pride; England, Premium Bitter, 4.7% abv
Delirium Tremens; Belgium, Belgian Strong Ale, 8.5% abv
Blue Moon; Golden, Colorado, Belgian White, 5.4% abv
Krusovice Imperial 12°; Czech Republic, Bohemian Pilsener, 5% abv
Stella Artois; Belgium, Pale Lager, 5.2% abv
Pabst Blue Ribbon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Rogue I²PA; Newport, Oregon, Imperial IPA, 9.5%
Bells Oberon; Kalamazoo, Michigan, Wheat Ale, 6% abv
Bear Republic Grizz; Healdsburg, California, Belgian Strong Ale, 9.5%
Lagunitas IPA; Petaluma, California, India Pale Ale, 5.7% abv
Fort Collins Dunkelweizen; Fort Collins, Colorado, Dunkelweizen
Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen; Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5.3% abv
Boulevard Tank 7; Kansas City, Missouri, Saison, 8.5% abv
Lindemans Framboise; Belgium, Lambic, 2.5% abv
Belhaven Scottish Ale; Scotland, Bitter, 3.9%
Guinness; Dublin, Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv
Thursday: Mikkeller IPA Night; 5 Mikkeller single hops IPA's will be on tap along with Beer Geek Breakfast Stout. Cascade, Chinook, Centennial, Amarillo, and Warrior hops IPA's will be on.
This would be a good time to find out the differences between hops varieties.
Blind Pig Brewery (the Piglet)
Blind Pig American Pale Ale
Blind Pig Hard Cider
Blind Pig Smoked Rye
Schlafly Kölsch; Maplewood, Missouri, Kölsch, 4.8% abv
Ballast Point Calico Amber Ale; San Diego, California, Amber Ale, 5% abv
Rogue Chipotle; Newport, Oregon, Spice Ale, 5.5% abv
Fuller’s London Porter; England, Porter, 5.4% abv
Two Brothers Dog Days Lager; Warrenville, Illinois, Dortmunder, 4.9% abv
Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat; Eureka, California, Fruit Beer, 5% abv
Heilemans Old Style; Woodridge, Illinois, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Two Brother’s The Bitter End; Warrenville, Illinois, APA, 5.2% abv
Moinette Brune; Belgium, Abbey Dubbel, 8.5% abv
Guinness; Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv;
Crane Alley
PBR 4.7%
Guinness 4.2%
Avery White Rascal 5.5%
Dogfish Head 90 Min IPA 9.0%
Lost Abbey Serpent Stout 10.7%
North Coast PranQster 7.6%
Mikkeller Single Hop Chinook IPA 6.9%
Victory Prima Pils 5.3%
Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence 7.0%
Smithwicks Irish Ale 5.0%
Geants Goliath Tripel 9.0%
Bear Republic The Grizz 9.5%
Southern Tier Hop Sun 4.6%
Victory Hop Devil IPA 6.7%
Ballast Point Yellow Tail Pale Ale 4.6%
Moylans Pomegranate Wheat 5.0%
This weekends food specials:
ADOBO CHICKEN - Carribean marinated chicken breast
over rice with a spicy tomato cashew salad, mango-ginger coulis and
grilled spinach $15.95
FRIED GREEN "T" BLT - Polenta crusted green tomatoes
on wheatberry with mesculin mixed greens, applewood smoked bacon,
chipotle aioli on wheatberry bread. Served with fries or your choice of
side $8.95
SURF and TURF - 10 oz grilled Rib-Eye steak over andouille
sausage-corn fritters, topped with a spicy marinated black tiger shrimp
skewer and sweet corn-lime relish and dual habanero sauces $24.95
June 20: 2nd Annual Crawfish Boil, 1pm, $15 in advance, $20 day of
July 5: Founders Beer Dinner, 7:30 pm, price and menu tbd
Mike n' Molly's
Guinness
Harp
Strongbow
High Life
Bruges Zot
Ballast Point Sea Monster
Great Divide Titan IPA
Rogue JLS Imp. Porter (almost gone)
Green Flash IPA (almost gone)
Southern Tier Mokah
*need to verify list*
Friday: Scurvine
Saturday: The Poison Control Center
Sunday: Kayla Brown
Monday: Abe Froman Project, 9-10pm, free/ Rockstar Karaoke, 10-2, free; $1 PBR
Tuesday: $1.25 High Life; $.50 off all taps
Wednesday: Bingo, 9:30-midnight, free; $2 Mickey's Big Mouth; $2.50 rails
Thursday: Santah; $2.50 Stella Artois bottle
Black Dog Smoke and Ale House
Cask: Summit Extra Pale Ale
Ska Modus Hoperandi
Darkhorse Sapient Trip Ale
Great Divide Titan IPA
Summit Horizon Red Ale
Founder's Centennial IPA
Wexford Irish Style Cream Ale
Cowboy Monkey
Friday: DJ Kosmo, 10pm, free
Saturday: Nadafinga, 10pm, $5
Sunday: Big Dave's Trivia, 7pm, free
Tuesday: Open Mic Night, 10pm, free
Wednesday: Salsa and Tango, 10pm, free
Thursday: Blues Jam, 8:30pm, free
Highdive
Friday: DJ Delayney, 10pm, $5
Saturday: DJ and dancing, 10pm, $5
Monday: 80's Night, 10pm, free
Thursday: DJ Night, 10pm, $5 after 11pm
Canopy Club
Friday: Emery, 7pm, $13 in advance
Saturday: The Palace Flophouse, 10:30 pm, $5
Sunday: Lil' Kim, 7pm, $22 in advance
Tuesday: Trivia Diner: Live Game Show, 7pm; Piano Man
Wednesday: Discotech: Dance Night
Thursday: Shark Bandit, $7
Fat City
Saturday: X-Krush, 9pm
Seven Saints
Bells Two Hearted
Founders Red's Rye
Whiskey Wednesday: Micro
Thursday: Beer Class, 9:30pm, $10
Radio Maria
1. Anchor Liberty $4
2. Southern Tier Heavy Weizen $6
3. Goose Island Pere Jacques $6
4. Bells HopSlam IPA $5
5. Avery Dugana IIPA $5
6. Arcadia Scotch Ale $4
7. Dark Horse Tres Blueberry Stout $5
8. Flying Dog In Heat Wheat $4
9. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout $8
10.Port Midnight Sessions $5
11.Two Brothers Cane & Ebel $4.5
12.Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA $4.5
13.Delirium Dark Brown $6
14.Mikkeller Cascade Single Hop IPA $6
15.Port Old Viscosity $7
16.North Coast Old Rasputin $6
17.Southern Tier Choklat $6
18.Petrus Blonde $6
19.Lost Abbey Serpent's Stout $5
20.Lost Abbey Angel's Share $7
21.Blanche de Bruxelles $5
22.He'brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A $6
23.Victory Prima Pils $4.5
24.Schneider Aventinus $5
25.Port Older Viscosity $7
26.Ayinger Brau Weisse $5.5
27.PBR $2.25
Friday: Happy Hour with free appetizers 4:30 - 5:30; beer special Avery DuganA IIPA, $4 a tulip; DJ at 10pm
Saturday: $4 Jeremiah Weed drinks and $6 Jeremiah Weed John Daly's, Salsa Night at 10.
Sunday: Austrian Wine Dinner, 6pm, $75, 5 courses with 8 wines; $2 wells, $1.25 PBR
Monday: 25% off bottles of wine; Board Game Monday; Softball Beer Specials
Tuesday: 1/2 price wine by the glass
Wednesday: $1 off all beers on draft; Trivia Night 11pm with MC Juice
Thursday:$5 Mojitos & $6 Brazilian Cosmos
*note* Goose Island Pere Jacques is on tap now.
Blind Pig
Cask: New Holland Mad Hatter IPA
Ommegang Rouge Grand Cru; Cooperstown, New York, Sour Ale, 5.5% abv
Southern Tier Oat; Lakewood, New York, Imperial Stout, 11% abv
New Holland Envious; Holland, Michigan, Fruit Beer, 7.5% abv
Great Divide Yeti; Denver, Colorado, Imperial Stout, 9.5% abv
Fort Collins Retro Red; Fort Collins, Colorado, Amber Ale, 5.2% abv
Unibroue Trois Pistoles; Canada, Belgian Strong Ale, 9% abv
Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree IPA; Marshall, Michigan, Imperial IPA, 13.6% abv
BluCreek Blueberry; Madison, Wisconsin, Fruit Beer, 4% abv
Fuller’s London Pride; England, Premium Bitter, 4.7% abv
Delirium Tremens; Belgium, Belgian Strong Ale, 8.5% abv
Blue Moon; Golden, Colorado, Belgian White, 5.4% abv
Krusovice Imperial 12°; Czech Republic, Bohemian Pilsener, 5% abv
Stella Artois; Belgium, Pale Lager, 5.2% abv
Pabst Blue Ribbon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Rogue I²PA; Newport, Oregon, Imperial IPA, 9.5%
Bells Oberon; Kalamazoo, Michigan, Wheat Ale, 6% abv
Bear Republic Grizz; Healdsburg, California, Belgian Strong Ale, 9.5%
Lagunitas IPA; Petaluma, California, India Pale Ale, 5.7% abv
Fort Collins Dunkelweizen; Fort Collins, Colorado, Dunkelweizen
Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen; Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5.3% abv
Boulevard Tank 7; Kansas City, Missouri, Saison, 8.5% abv
Lindemans Framboise; Belgium, Lambic, 2.5% abv
Belhaven Scottish Ale; Scotland, Bitter, 3.9%
Guinness; Dublin, Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv
Thursday: Mikkeller IPA Night; 5 Mikkeller single hops IPA's will be on tap along with Beer Geek Breakfast Stout. Cascade, Chinook, Centennial, Amarillo, and Warrior hops IPA's will be on.
This would be a good time to find out the differences between hops varieties.
Blind Pig Brewery (the Piglet)
Blind Pig American Pale Ale
Blind Pig Hard Cider
Blind Pig Smoked Rye
Schlafly Kölsch; Maplewood, Missouri, Kölsch, 4.8% abv
Ballast Point Calico Amber Ale; San Diego, California, Amber Ale, 5% abv
Rogue Chipotle; Newport, Oregon, Spice Ale, 5.5% abv
Fuller’s London Porter; England, Porter, 5.4% abv
Two Brothers Dog Days Lager; Warrenville, Illinois, Dortmunder, 4.9% abv
Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat; Eureka, California, Fruit Beer, 5% abv
Heilemans Old Style; Woodridge, Illinois, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Two Brother’s The Bitter End; Warrenville, Illinois, APA, 5.2% abv
Moinette Brune; Belgium, Abbey Dubbel, 8.5% abv
Guinness; Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv;
Crane Alley
PBR 4.7%
Guinness 4.2%
Avery White Rascal 5.5%
Dogfish Head 90 Min IPA 9.0%
Lost Abbey Serpent Stout 10.7%
North Coast PranQster 7.6%
Mikkeller Single Hop Chinook IPA 6.9%
Victory Prima Pils 5.3%
Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence 7.0%
Smithwicks Irish Ale 5.0%
Geants Goliath Tripel 9.0%
Bear Republic The Grizz 9.5%
Southern Tier Hop Sun 4.6%
Victory Hop Devil IPA 6.7%
Ballast Point Yellow Tail Pale Ale 4.6%
Moylans Pomegranate Wheat 5.0%
This weekends food specials:
ADOBO CHICKEN - Carribean marinated chicken breast
over rice with a spicy tomato cashew salad, mango-ginger coulis and
grilled spinach $15.95
FRIED GREEN "T" BLT - Polenta crusted green tomatoes
on wheatberry with mesculin mixed greens, applewood smoked bacon,
chipotle aioli on wheatberry bread. Served with fries or your choice of
side $8.95
SURF and TURF - 10 oz grilled Rib-Eye steak over andouille
sausage-corn fritters, topped with a spicy marinated black tiger shrimp
skewer and sweet corn-lime relish and dual habanero sauces $24.95
June 20: 2nd Annual Crawfish Boil, 1pm, $15 in advance, $20 day of
July 5: Founders Beer Dinner, 7:30 pm, price and menu tbd
Mike n' Molly's
Guinness
Harp
Strongbow
High Life
Bruges Zot
Ballast Point Sea Monster
Great Divide Titan IPA
Rogue JLS Imp. Porter (almost gone)
Green Flash IPA (almost gone)
Southern Tier Mokah
*need to verify list*
Friday: Scurvine
Saturday: The Poison Control Center
Sunday: Kayla Brown
Monday: Abe Froman Project, 9-10pm, free/ Rockstar Karaoke, 10-2, free; $1 PBR
Tuesday: $1.25 High Life; $.50 off all taps
Wednesday: Bingo, 9:30-midnight, free; $2 Mickey's Big Mouth; $2.50 rails
Thursday: Santah; $2.50 Stella Artois bottle
Black Dog Smoke and Ale House
Cask: Summit Extra Pale Ale
Ska Modus Hoperandi
Darkhorse Sapient Trip Ale
Great Divide Titan IPA
Summit Horizon Red Ale
Founder's Centennial IPA
Wexford Irish Style Cream Ale
Cowboy Monkey
Friday: DJ Kosmo, 10pm, free
Saturday: Nadafinga, 10pm, $5
Sunday: Big Dave's Trivia, 7pm, free
Tuesday: Open Mic Night, 10pm, free
Wednesday: Salsa and Tango, 10pm, free
Thursday: Blues Jam, 8:30pm, free
Highdive
Friday: DJ Delayney, 10pm, $5
Saturday: DJ and dancing, 10pm, $5
Monday: 80's Night, 10pm, free
Thursday: DJ Night, 10pm, $5 after 11pm
Canopy Club
Friday: Emery, 7pm, $13 in advance
Saturday: The Palace Flophouse, 10:30 pm, $5
Sunday: Lil' Kim, 7pm, $22 in advance
Tuesday: Trivia Diner: Live Game Show, 7pm; Piano Man
Wednesday: Discotech: Dance Night
Thursday: Shark Bandit, $7
Fat City
Saturday: X-Krush, 9pm
Taste of C-U starts tonight
Here's a roundup of stories on the Taste of C-U.
Friday June 11, 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Saturday, June 12, 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday, June 13, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Daily Illini
Taste of C-U's treats include BBQ, Asian, various sweets
Taste of C-U starts tonight (lead story, not direct link to story)
Illinoishomepage.net/WCIA 3
40th Annual Taste of C-U (link may not work)
Fox
Taste of Champaign-Urbana kicks off (click link, click on Champaign, should be top story)
Friday June 11, 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Saturday, June 12, 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday, June 13, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Daily Illini
Taste of C-U's treats include BBQ, Asian, various sweets
WICD ABC 15The Champaign Park District will be hosting the 40th Annual Taste of Champaign-Urbana, Friday through Sunday in West Side Park. This three-day celebration will include food, activities and live music.
Thirty-three local vendors will provide full-size and sample portions of their signature dishes. This year, 10 new vendors: Caribbean Grill, County Market, Fireside, Houlihan’s Restaurant and Bar, Ko Fusion, Louie’s BBQ, Mirsung Indian Fast Food, Shanghai 1938, Xinh Xinh Café and A Toffee Tale, Inc., have been added to the Taste.
Taste of C-U starts tonight (lead story, not direct link to story)
Loosen up those belts and dig into your wallets. Tonight marks the beginning of the 40th annual Taste of Champaign-Urbana at West Side Park.
Proceeds go to help kids attend summer camp who cannot afford to. A book of six tickets costs $5.
The Taste runs from 5 to 9 p.m. this evening, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Illinoishomepage.net/WCIA 3
40th Annual Taste of C-U (link may not work)
Fox
Taste of Champaign-Urbana kicks off (click link, click on Champaign, should be top story)
CU Bars in the news; Best Bar: AnSun
From WCFN 49; Illinoishomepage.net
Best Bars: AnSun
AnSun is located in the Crossing. It's apparently an oriental restaurant. In the interview, they claim 6 different Asian beers. They show a collage of 5 of them, including, Phuket, Asahi, Tsingtao, and Kirin Ichiban (brewed in California). They have a green tea zintini.
Best Bars: AnSun
AnSun is located in the Crossing. It's apparently an oriental restaurant. In the interview, they claim 6 different Asian beers. They show a collage of 5 of them, including, Phuket, Asahi, Tsingtao, and Kirin Ichiban (brewed in California). They have a green tea zintini.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Bars in the News; Fans, Champaign bars gear up for World Cup
From the Daily Illini
Fans, Champaign bars gear up for World Cup
Not really that much about bars that are actually gearing up. The story mentions Firehaus and Legends.
Fans, Champaign bars gear up for World Cup
Not really that much about bars that are actually gearing up. The story mentions Firehaus and Legends.
At least it's nice to see an article about Legends and Firehaus that doesn't mention them serving alcohol to minors.Tracey Herbert, general manager at Legends Bar & Grill, 522 E. Green St., said the bar plans on opening early for 9 a.m. games.
In addition, Firehaus, 708 S. Sixth St., plans on opening early for all of the United States’ World Cup matches. The first game, a highly anticipated matchup against England, is set for Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Alcohol in the news; Illinois wines show off vine variety in C-U
From the Daily Illini
Illinois wines show off vine variety in C-U
A nice piece about judging wines for the Illinois State Fair.
Illinois wines show off vine variety in C-U
A nice piece about judging wines for the Illinois State Fair.
That makes sense. You don't want a wine to smell like pig crap, when you are trying to determine if it's any good.The University hosted the competition, which concludes Wednesday at Bevier Hall after two days of judging Monday and Tuesday.
“We don’t have the competition at the state fair because it tends to smell like a competition of a barnyard and fried food,” enologist Brad Beam said. “We have a controlled environment and do it ahead of time.”
It is necessary to have the judging in a controlled environment as aroma, along with visual, palette and finish need to be separate from outside effects, he said.
Alcohol in the news; Liquor Cabinet Recipes
From WCIA 3; Illinois Homepage.net
Liquor Cabinet Recipes
Andy Borbely, of Seven Saints, shows some simple-ish recipes of things to do with liquor you may have in your cabinet.
First he makes a drink with a strong peaty smokey Scotch. He takes Laphroaig, St. Germain and lemon and mixes them. According to Andy, it is an unnamed beverage. Second he makes a "Blood and Sand" with a lighter scotch. He also explains how to make a "pink lady" with gin.
He also mentions Beer Class will be starting up soon.
Liquor Cabinet Recipes
Andy Borbely, of Seven Saints, shows some simple-ish recipes of things to do with liquor you may have in your cabinet.
First he makes a drink with a strong peaty smokey Scotch. He takes Laphroaig, St. Germain and lemon and mixes them. According to Andy, it is an unnamed beverage. Second he makes a "Blood and Sand" with a lighter scotch. He also explains how to make a "pink lady" with gin.
He also mentions Beer Class will be starting up soon.
Friday, June 4, 2010
CU Bars in the news; Best Bar: Sunsinger
From WCFN 49/ Illinois homepage.net
Best Bars: Sunsinger
Best Bars: Sunsinger
Dave Benton: After a short break, Jennifer's "Best Bars" segment is back for another week. This time it's a wine bar in Champaign—but so much more!
Rick Carbaugh, cafe manager: "It's eclectic in the sense that we offer lots of different wines, more than 30 on our menu, and they can be easily paired, depending on your tastes."
Jennifer Ketchmark: That's here at Sunsinger Wines on Windsor in Champaign. But don't think there is only wine on their menu!
Rick Carbaugh, cafe manager: "People really enjoy the cafe because of all the variety of items we have. We have black bean hummus, artichoke bruschetta, we have lots of different cheese plates."
And this fantastic creation:
Rick Carbaugh, cafe manager: "The number one pick, ever since we opened, has been our grilled cheese supreme."
Who wouldn't love that gooey goodness?
Rick Carbaugh, cafe manager: "It's a combination of 2 different cheeses, plus fig jam and Granny Smith apples."
Well, that makes it truly unique—much like their deli.
Rick Carbaugh, cafe manager: "All the salads that are on our menu are back there. Our baked potato salad, to a Caprese salad. We have all kinds of Old World salamis."
But it's not just their food that makes this a hot place to eat—
Rick Carbaugh, cafe manager: "If you look around here, I think people love the place, they love the openness here. People find themselves feeling very very comfortable here."
—which leads to a relaxed atmosphere.
Rick Carbaugh, cafe manager: "They are able to sit, to talk and just enjoy themselves with their friends."
And many do relax here with a glass of wine or a summer favorite.
Rick Carbaugh, cafe manager: "Probably the most popular thing right now is our slushies made from Quady Electra from California. One is a black muscat and the other is an orange muscat."
And when I heard "slushie" I couldn't resist, because it is that perfect summertime drink. This is the red muscat, and it really has that refreshing flavor and a great twist.
That's the tart kick this drink packs, and if you are looking for something refreshing, you'll find it here.
Rick Carbaugh, cafe manager: "We have a full retail section with wine, spirits, and beer."
Brian Bowman, beverage director: "We've got wines that are in that 6 dollar price point and all the way up to the sky's the limit."
And the staff here will help you find a great wine, but you can do more than that. You can join a class.
Brian Bowman, beverage director: "101, 102, 103. Pretty simple."
Breaking it down—very like a college town!
Brian Bowman, beverage director: "Basic class starts out and we learn the 7 main varietals, whites and reds, and taste through those. ... Gets more into getting full blown descriptions, and we do it a Sherlock Holmes way."
And by the end—
Brian Bowman, beverage director: "You are blind-tasting everything, and you don't know what you're going through, and we teach you how to break down and examine the wine."
Quality wines, gourmet eats, and a nice place to lunch with friends is why this place made our list of Best Bars.
CU Beer Weekend; June 4 (NHL/NBA Finals)
It's the weekend. Well, almost. Where are you drinking? Where are you watching the Blackhawks? Do you even care about the NBA Finals?
If you are looking for a place to watch the NHL Finals, you'll have to be selective in your choice of bars. Not all of them have the Versus Network (for the games at Philly). After tonight, the rest of the games are on NBC.
Game 4 tonight will be fun to try to find.
I know it will be on at:
Hooters
Buffalo Wild Wings (both locations in CU)
Old Chicago
Crane Alley
Firehaus (official Blackhawks Bar)
Kam's (official Blackhawks Bar)
Jupiter's at the Crossing
Tumble Inn
Buttita's
Houlihan's
Places I know that won't have it are:
Radio Maria (although Jacob will yell out scoring updates)
Blind Pig
Blind Pig Brewery
Seven Saints
Mike n' Molly's
My recommendation for the best beer is, of course, Crane Alley. The best view is at Hooters, the best pizza is probably Jupiters at the Crossing, unless you like Old Chicago; the best wings is BW. The place that most smells like vomit is Kam's.
So find a place to sit back and watch the game; and go Blackhawks!
(I'm hoping it's on at Guido's)
Seven Saints
Rotating Taps:
Bell's Two Hearted
Founders Red's Rye
Whiskey Wednesday: Scotch
Radio Maria
(as of 5/29)
1. Anchor Liberty $4
2. Green Flash Le Freak $6
3. Ballast Point Sea Monster $6
4. Bells HopSlam IPA $5
5. Avery Dugana IIPA $5
6. Arcadia Scotch Ale $4
7. Capital Imperial Dopplebock $6
8. New Holland Golden Cap $4
9. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout $8
10.Port Midnight Sessions $5
11.Two Brothers Cane & Ebel $4.5
12.Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA $4.5
13.Delirium Dark Brown $6
14.Mikkeller Cascade Single Hop IPA $6
15.Port Old Viscosity $7
16.North Coast Old Rasputin $6
17.Southern Tier Choklat $6
18.Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour $6
19.Lost Abbey Serpent's Stout $5
20.Lost Abbey Angel's Share $7
21.Blanche de Bruxelles $5
22.He'brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A $6
23.Left Hand PoleStar Pils $4
24.Schneider Aventinus $5
25.Port Older Viscosity $7
26.Ayinger Brau Weisse $5.5
27.PBR $2.25
Friday: Happy Hour with free appetizers 4:30 - 5:30; beer special TBD; DJ at 10pm
Saturday: $4 Jeremiah Weed drinks and $6 Jeremiah Weed John Daly's, Salsa Night at 10.
Sunday: $2 wells, $1.25 PBR
Monday: 25% off bottles of wine; Board Game Monday; Softball Beer Specials
Tuesday: 1/2 price wine by the glass
Wednesday: $1 off all beers on draft; Trivia Night 11pm with MC Juice
Thursday:$5 Mojitos & $6 Brazilian Cosmos
June 13: Austrian Wine Dinner, 6pm, $75, 5 courses with 8 wines.
Blind Pig
Ommegang Rouge Grand Cru; Cooperstown, New York, Sour Ale, 5.5% abv
Southern Tier Oat; Lakewood, New York, Imperial Stout, 11% abv
New Holland Envious; Holland, Michigan, Fruit Beer, 7.5% abv
Great Divide Yeti; Denver, Colorado, Imperial Stout, 9.5% abv
Fort Collins Retro Red; Fort Collins, Colorado, Amber Ale, 5.2% abv
Unibroue Trois Pistoles; Canada, Belgian Strong Ale, 9% abv
Bear Republic Rebellion IPA (Citra); Healdsburg, California, India Pale Ale, 6% abv
Original Sin Hard Cider; New York, New York, Cider, 6% abv
Fuller’s London Pride; England, Premium Bitter, 4.7% abv
Delirium Tremens; Belgium, Belgian Strong Ale, 8.5% abv
Blue Moon; Golden, Colorado, Belgian White, 5.4% abv
Krusovice Imperial 12°; Czech Republic, Bohemian Pilsener, 5% abv
Stella Artois; Belgium, Pale Lager, 5.2% abv
Pabst Blue Ribbon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Rogue I²PA; Newport, Oregon, Imperial IPA, 9.5%
Bells Oberon; Kalamazoo, Michigan, Wheat Ale, 6% abv
Bear Republic Grizz; Healdsburg, California, Belgian Strong Ale, 9.5%
Lagunitas IPA; Petaluma, California, India Pale Ale, 5.7% abv
Fort Collins Dunkelweizen; Fort Collins, Colorado, Dunkelweizen
Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen; Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5.3% abv
Boulevard Tank 7; Kansas City, Missouri, Saison, 8.5% abv
Lindemans Framboise; Belgium, Lambic, 2.5% abv
Belhaven Scottish Ale; Scotland, Bitter, 3.9%
Guinness; Dublin, Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv
Blind Pig Brewery (the Piglet)
Blind Pig Witbier
Blind Pig Hard Cider
Blind Pig Smoked Rye
Schlafly Pilsner Maplewood, Missouri, Pilsner, 4.9% abv
Ballast Point Calico Amber Ale San Diego, California, Amber Ale, 5% abv
Rogue Chipotle Newport, Oregon, Spice Ale, 5.5% abv
Great Divide St. Briget’s Porter Denver, Colorado, Porter, 6% abv
Two Brothers Dog Days Lager Warrenville, Illinois, Dortmunder, 4.9% abv
Weihenstephaner Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5.4% abv
Heilemans Old Style Woodridge, Illinois, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Dogfish Head 60 Minute Milton, Delaware, India Pale Ale, 6% abv
Moinette Brune Belgium, Abbey Dubbel, 8.5% abv
Guinness Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv
Sunday: Trivia Night; 7-9pm, win gift cards
Crane Alley
PBR 4.7%
Guinness 4.2%
Avery White Rascal 5.5%
Avery DuganA IPA 8.5%
Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout 9.5%
Lindemans Framboise 4.0%
Mikkeller East Kent Golding IPA 6.9%
Victory Prima Pils 5.3%
Ska Nefarious Ten Pin Porter 8.0%
Smithwicks Irish Ale 5.0%
Geants Goliath Tripel 9.0%
Bear Republic The Grizz 9.5%
Southern Tier Hop Sun 4.6%
Mikkeller\Drikkeriget GIPA 6.6%
Ballast Point Yellow Tail Pale Ale 4.6%
Moylans Pomegranate Wheat 5.0%
This week's food specials:
PORK LOIN - Grilled prok loin with roasted new potatoes and chipotle applesauce
RISOTTO - Creamy risotto with drunken cherries, applewood smoked bacon, asparagus, and asiago cheese
(dang, the risotto looks interesting)
June 20: 2nd Annual Crawfish Boil, 1pm, $15 in advance, $20 day of
July 5: Founders Beer Dinner, 7:30 pm, price and menu tbd
Mike n' Molly's
Guinness
Harp
Strongbow
High Life
Bruges Zot
Ballast Point Sea Monster
Great Divide Titan IPA
Rogue JLS Imp. Porter (almost gone)
Green Flash IPA (almost gone)
Southern Tier Mokah
Friday: Roberta Sparrow
Saturday: SteelEater
Monday: Abe Froman Project, 9-10pm, free/ Rockstar Karaoke, 10-2, free; $1 PBR
Tuesday: $1.25 High Life; $.50 off all taps
Wednesday: Bingo, 9:30-midnight, free; $2 Mickey's Big Mouth; $2.50 rails
Thursday:$2.50 Stella Artois bottle
Black Dog Smoke and Ale House
Draft:
Ska Modus Hoperandi
Darkhorse Sapient Trip Ale
Two Brother's Ebel's Weiss
Summit Horizon Red Ale
Founder's Centennial IPA
Wexford Irish Style Cream Ale
Cowboy Monkey
Friday: DJ Belly, 10pm, free
Saturday: OUTDOOR Block Party, 8pm, free (in the National City parking lot)
Sunday: Big Dave's Trivia, 7pm, free
Tuesday: Open Mic Night, 10 pm, free
Wednesday: Salsa & Tango, 10pm, free
Thursday: Trailer Park Moses, 10pm, $5
Highdive
Friday: DJ Delaney, 10 pm, $5
Saturday: DJ and Dancing, 10pm, $5
Monday: 80's Night, 10pm, free
Thursday: DJ Night, 10pm, $5 after 11pm
Canopy Club
Friday: Point of Fire, $5
Saturday: Carnival Debauche, 8pm, $10 in advance
Sunday: Hawthorne Heights, 7pm, $11 in advance (with free album download)
Monday: Clutch, 7pm, $22 in advance
Tuesday: The Who Show, 7pm, $10 in advance
If you are looking for a place to watch the NHL Finals, you'll have to be selective in your choice of bars. Not all of them have the Versus Network (for the games at Philly). After tonight, the rest of the games are on NBC.
Game 4 tonight will be fun to try to find.
I know it will be on at:
Hooters
Buffalo Wild Wings (both locations in CU)
Old Chicago
Crane Alley
Firehaus (official Blackhawks Bar)
Kam's (official Blackhawks Bar)
Jupiter's at the Crossing
Tumble Inn
Buttita's
Houlihan's
Places I know that won't have it are:
Radio Maria (although Jacob will yell out scoring updates)
Blind Pig
Blind Pig Brewery
Seven Saints
Mike n' Molly's
My recommendation for the best beer is, of course, Crane Alley. The best view is at Hooters, the best pizza is probably Jupiters at the Crossing, unless you like Old Chicago; the best wings is BW. The place that most smells like vomit is Kam's.
So find a place to sit back and watch the game; and go Blackhawks!
(I'm hoping it's on at Guido's)
Seven Saints
Rotating Taps:
Bell's Two Hearted
Founders Red's Rye
Whiskey Wednesday: Scotch
Radio Maria
(as of 5/29)
1. Anchor Liberty $4
2. Green Flash Le Freak $6
3. Ballast Point Sea Monster $6
4. Bells HopSlam IPA $5
5. Avery Dugana IIPA $5
6. Arcadia Scotch Ale $4
7. Capital Imperial Dopplebock $6
8. New Holland Golden Cap $4
9. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout $8
10.Port Midnight Sessions $5
11.Two Brothers Cane & Ebel $4.5
12.Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA $4.5
13.Delirium Dark Brown $6
14.Mikkeller Cascade Single Hop IPA $6
15.Port Old Viscosity $7
16.North Coast Old Rasputin $6
17.Southern Tier Choklat $6
18.Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour $6
19.Lost Abbey Serpent's Stout $5
20.Lost Abbey Angel's Share $7
21.Blanche de Bruxelles $5
22.He'brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A $6
23.Left Hand PoleStar Pils $4
24.Schneider Aventinus $5
25.Port Older Viscosity $7
26.Ayinger Brau Weisse $5.5
27.PBR $2.25
Friday: Happy Hour with free appetizers 4:30 - 5:30; beer special TBD; DJ at 10pm
Saturday: $4 Jeremiah Weed drinks and $6 Jeremiah Weed John Daly's, Salsa Night at 10.
Sunday: $2 wells, $1.25 PBR
Monday: 25% off bottles of wine; Board Game Monday; Softball Beer Specials
Tuesday: 1/2 price wine by the glass
Wednesday: $1 off all beers on draft; Trivia Night 11pm with MC Juice
Thursday:$5 Mojitos & $6 Brazilian Cosmos
June 13: Austrian Wine Dinner, 6pm, $75, 5 courses with 8 wines.
Blind Pig
Ommegang Rouge Grand Cru; Cooperstown, New York, Sour Ale, 5.5% abv
Southern Tier Oat; Lakewood, New York, Imperial Stout, 11% abv
New Holland Envious; Holland, Michigan, Fruit Beer, 7.5% abv
Great Divide Yeti; Denver, Colorado, Imperial Stout, 9.5% abv
Fort Collins Retro Red; Fort Collins, Colorado, Amber Ale, 5.2% abv
Unibroue Trois Pistoles; Canada, Belgian Strong Ale, 9% abv
Bear Republic Rebellion IPA (Citra); Healdsburg, California, India Pale Ale, 6% abv
Original Sin Hard Cider; New York, New York, Cider, 6% abv
Fuller’s London Pride; England, Premium Bitter, 4.7% abv
Delirium Tremens; Belgium, Belgian Strong Ale, 8.5% abv
Blue Moon; Golden, Colorado, Belgian White, 5.4% abv
Krusovice Imperial 12°; Czech Republic, Bohemian Pilsener, 5% abv
Stella Artois; Belgium, Pale Lager, 5.2% abv
Pabst Blue Ribbon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Rogue I²PA; Newport, Oregon, Imperial IPA, 9.5%
Bells Oberon; Kalamazoo, Michigan, Wheat Ale, 6% abv
Bear Republic Grizz; Healdsburg, California, Belgian Strong Ale, 9.5%
Lagunitas IPA; Petaluma, California, India Pale Ale, 5.7% abv
Fort Collins Dunkelweizen; Fort Collins, Colorado, Dunkelweizen
Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen; Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5.3% abv
Boulevard Tank 7; Kansas City, Missouri, Saison, 8.5% abv
Lindemans Framboise; Belgium, Lambic, 2.5% abv
Belhaven Scottish Ale; Scotland, Bitter, 3.9%
Guinness; Dublin, Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv
Blind Pig Brewery (the Piglet)
Blind Pig Witbier
Blind Pig Hard Cider
Blind Pig Smoked Rye
Schlafly Pilsner Maplewood, Missouri, Pilsner, 4.9% abv
Ballast Point Calico Amber Ale San Diego, California, Amber Ale, 5% abv
Rogue Chipotle Newport, Oregon, Spice Ale, 5.5% abv
Great Divide St. Briget’s Porter Denver, Colorado, Porter, 6% abv
Two Brothers Dog Days Lager Warrenville, Illinois, Dortmunder, 4.9% abv
Weihenstephaner Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5.4% abv
Heilemans Old Style Woodridge, Illinois, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Dogfish Head 60 Minute Milton, Delaware, India Pale Ale, 6% abv
Moinette Brune Belgium, Abbey Dubbel, 8.5% abv
Guinness Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv
Sunday: Trivia Night; 7-9pm, win gift cards
Crane Alley
PBR 4.7%
Guinness 4.2%
Avery White Rascal 5.5%
Avery DuganA IPA 8.5%
Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout 9.5%
Lindemans Framboise 4.0%
Mikkeller East Kent Golding IPA 6.9%
Victory Prima Pils 5.3%
Ska Nefarious Ten Pin Porter 8.0%
Smithwicks Irish Ale 5.0%
Geants Goliath Tripel 9.0%
Bear Republic The Grizz 9.5%
Southern Tier Hop Sun 4.6%
Mikkeller\Drikkeriget GIPA 6.6%
Ballast Point Yellow Tail Pale Ale 4.6%
Moylans Pomegranate Wheat 5.0%
This week's food specials:
PORK LOIN - Grilled prok loin with roasted new potatoes and chipotle applesauce
RISOTTO - Creamy risotto with drunken cherries, applewood smoked bacon, asparagus, and asiago cheese
(dang, the risotto looks interesting)
June 20: 2nd Annual Crawfish Boil, 1pm, $15 in advance, $20 day of
July 5: Founders Beer Dinner, 7:30 pm, price and menu tbd
Mike n' Molly's
Guinness
Harp
Strongbow
High Life
Bruges Zot
Ballast Point Sea Monster
Great Divide Titan IPA
Rogue JLS Imp. Porter (almost gone)
Green Flash IPA (almost gone)
Southern Tier Mokah
Friday: Roberta Sparrow
Saturday: SteelEater
Monday: Abe Froman Project, 9-10pm, free/ Rockstar Karaoke, 10-2, free; $1 PBR
Tuesday: $1.25 High Life; $.50 off all taps
Wednesday: Bingo, 9:30-midnight, free; $2 Mickey's Big Mouth; $2.50 rails
Thursday:$2.50 Stella Artois bottle
Black Dog Smoke and Ale House
Draft:
Ska Modus Hoperandi
Darkhorse Sapient Trip Ale
Two Brother's Ebel's Weiss
Summit Horizon Red Ale
Founder's Centennial IPA
Wexford Irish Style Cream Ale
Cowboy Monkey
Friday: DJ Belly, 10pm, free
Saturday: OUTDOOR Block Party, 8pm, free (in the National City parking lot)
Sunday: Big Dave's Trivia, 7pm, free
Tuesday: Open Mic Night, 10 pm, free
Wednesday: Salsa & Tango, 10pm, free
Thursday: Trailer Park Moses, 10pm, $5
Highdive
Friday: DJ Delaney, 10 pm, $5
Saturday: DJ and Dancing, 10pm, $5
Monday: 80's Night, 10pm, free
Thursday: DJ Night, 10pm, $5 after 11pm
Canopy Club
Friday: Point of Fire, $5
Saturday: Carnival Debauche, 8pm, $10 in advance
Sunday: Hawthorne Heights, 7pm, $11 in advance (with free album download)
Monday: Clutch, 7pm, $22 in advance
Tuesday: The Who Show, 7pm, $10 in advance
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Alcohol in the news; Champaign council dissolves liquor advisory commission
From the News-gazette
Champaign council dissolves liquor advisory commission
You may remember from yesterday, it was possible it would happen, it did.
Also in the Daily Illini
Champaign City Council dissolves liquor commission
Champaign council dissolves liquor advisory commission
You may remember from yesterday, it was possible it would happen, it did.
Nice of him to promise to keep the alcohol industry informed.CHAMPAIGN – The city's liquor advisory commission is no more, after the city council Tuesday night unanimously voted to dissolve the group.
Following the vote, Mayor and Liquor Commissioner Jerry Schweighart said the commission meets infrequently and has become irrelevant, but he promised to keep the local alcohol industry informed of city liquor policies.
The liquor commissioner will now keep in direct contact with liquor industry leaders, often via e-mail, so individuals will receive information at the same time, Schweighart said. He added that one of the problems with the commission was that advisers were not reporting back to their constituents.Who are liquor industry leaders?
Also in the Daily Illini
Champaign City Council dissolves liquor commission
Champaign City Council members voted unanimously in favor of an ordinance removing the city’s Liquor Advisory Commission from the city’s administration at their meeting on Tuesday night.
While the ordinance passed unanimously, there was some discussion before it went up for vote.
Council member Deborah Feinen said she got a call on the way to the meeting from someone who asked if it was possible for such a commission to continue but only meet once or twice a year.
Mayor Gerald Schweighart said the city will continue to correspond with liquor license holders, only without a specified liquor license commission.
“I just would like to state that I do appreciate their service to the city, and it’s just reached a time when I think we can safely close this without a negative effect,” Schweighart said.
The commission was composed of nine members, including representation from the Illinois Student Senate, the University’s administration and liquor license holders in the Campustown area.
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