CU Beer Weekend; January 28

Seven Saints

Avery DuganA
Victory Storm King

Tuesday:Tuesday Brewsday
Wednesday: Whiskey Wednesday: Irish

Radio Maria

Harviestoun Ola Dubh 18
Two Brothers Hop Juice
Scaldis Noel
St. Bernardus Abt 12
St. Bernardus Prior 8
St. Bernardus Wit
Founders Breakfast Stout
He'Brew Jewbelation 8
He'Brew Jewbelation 9
He'Brew Jewbelation 10
He'Brew Jewbelation 11
He'Brew Jewbelation 12
He'Brew Jewbelation 13
Jolly Pumpkin Calabaza Blanca
Blanche de Bruxelles
Belhaven Scottish
Moylan's Dragoons Dry Irish Stout
Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour Red Ale
Smuttynose Old Brown Dog
Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
Two Brothers Resistance
Two Brothers Ebel's Weiss
North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner
Samichlaus
Green Flash Hop Head Red
Anderson Valley Brother David's Double
PBR

Friday: Happy Hour with free appetizers 4:30 - 5:30, special tbd
Saturday: $6 John Daly's, Salsa Night at 10.
Sunday: $2 wells, $1.25 PBR; Bloody Mary Bar
Monday: 25% off bottles of wine; Board Game Monday; Random Beer Specials
Tuesday: 1/2 price wine by the glass
Wednesday: $1 off all beers on draft
Thursday:$5 Mojitos, Caipirinhas, and Brazilian Cosmos; Open Decks: local dj's perform.

Blind Pig

Bell’s Hopslam; Kalamazoo, Michigan, Imperial IPA, 10% abv
Breckenridge Vanilla Porter; Denver, Colorado, Porter, 4.7% abv
Southern Tier Choklat; Lakewood, New York, Imperial Stout, 11% abv
Southern Tier Cuvee Series 3; Lakewood, New York, American Strong Ale, 11% abv
Avery Mephistopheles; Boulder, Colorado, Imperial Stout, 16.83% abv
St. Bernardus Prior 8; Belgium, Abbey Dubbel, 8% abv
Schneider Aventinus; Germany, Weizen Bock, 8.2% abv
New Holland Golden Cap; Holland, Michigan, Saison, 7%
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
Southern Tier Gemini; Lakewood, New York, Imperial IPA, 10.5% abv
Stella Artois; Belgium, Pale Lager, 5.2% abv
Pabst Blue Ribbon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Rogue Chatoe Dirtoir; Newport, Oregon, Schwarzbier, 5%
Smutty Nose Gravitation; Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Quadrupel, 10% abv
Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen; Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5.3%
Lagunitas IPA; Petaluma, California, India Pale Ale, 5.7% abv
Krusovice Imperial 12°; Czech Republic, Bohemian Pilsener, 5%
Ballast Point Big Eye IPA ;San Diego, California, India Pale Ale, 6% abv
Dark Horse Tres Blueberry; Stout Marshall, Michigan, Sweet Stout, 7% abv
Lindeman’s Pomme; Belgium, Lambic, 3.5% abv
North Coast Old Rasputin Nitro; Fort Bragg, California, Imperial Stout, 9%
Guinness; Dublin, Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv

Blind Pig Brewery

Blind Pig Imperial IPA
Blind Pig Spooky CoincidenceAbbey Dubbel
Blind Pig Belgian Stout
Schlafly Pilsner; Maplewood, Missouri, Pilsener, 4.9% abv
Hofbräu Hefeweizen; Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5.4% abv
Smutty Nose Shoal’s Pale Ale; Portsmouth, NH, English Pale Ale, 5% abv
Lagunitas Brown Shugga; Petaluma, California, Barley Wine, 9.84% abv
Smutty Nose Maibock; Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Heller Bock, 7.7% abv
Victory Yakima; Downington, Pennsylvania, Black IPA, 9.7% abv
Arcadia Imperial Stout; Battle Creek, Michigan, Imperial Stout, 8.4% abv
Atwater Vanilla Java Porter; Detroit, Michigan, Porter, 6%
Moylan’s Hopsickle; Novato, California, Imperial IPA, 9.2% abv
Guinness; Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv

Sunday: Trivia Night; 7-9pm, win gift cards
Tuesday and Wednesday: Mug Night, buy a mug and get $2 off draught beer

Crane Alley

Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro %
Rogue XS Imperial IPA
Great Divide Titan IPA 7.1%
North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner 4.4%
Goose Island Bourbon County Stout 13.0%
Gouden Carolus Noel 10.0%
Dogfish Head Midas Touch Golden Elixir 9.0%
Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre
Hofbrau Munchen Hefe Weizen 5.4%
Southern Tier Old Man Winter 7.2%
Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale
Lagunitas Brown Shugga 9.9%
Founders Cerise 6.5%
St Bernardus Prior 8 8.0%
Left Hand Fade To Black Smoked Baltic Porter 5.4%
PBR 4.2%

Specials
Red Velvet Chicken Wings - Red Velvet battered chicken wings with chipotle honey drizzle. We cut down the sweetness of traditional red velvet cake and balanced it against a bit of smoky spice. 6 for $7.95 or 12 for $13.95

Vodka Cream Pasta - Pan fried squash and zucchini with rosemary roasted almonds over linguine in a vodka cream tomato sauce. Served with garlic toast, romano cheese and fresh herbs. $13.95

Filet Medallions - Pan seared beef filet medallions over smoked garlic mashed potatoes with grilled asparagus, wild mushrooms and a sweet balsamic-stout reduction. $19.95

Black Dog Smoke and Ale House

Founders Centennial IPA
Arcadia Big Dick's Olde Ale
Lost Abbey 10 Commandments
Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale
Darkhorse Sapient Trip Ale
Lefthand Nitro Milk Stout
HeBrew Jewbelation 13

Piccadilly

Friday and Saturday tastings: Zinfandel (the red kind) Friday 4-7 pm, Saturday 1-4pm. $3

CU Beer Club

Tuesday: February Happy Hour, Mike N' Molly's. 6pm

Alcohol in the news; extra on tap episode #24

From Extra 92.1

Extra on Tap Episode #24

AY features the highly anticipated Bells Hopslam! Bell's Hopslam Ale is the winter Double IPA, bursting with fragrant hop aromas. Listen here for more information....

They first talk about Hopslam, then talk about head retention in both pouring draft and bottles. Along with a little about how foam affects flavor and mouthfeel.

Which if you are interested, we can talk in depth about how bubbles affect flavor and mouthfeel.

Alcohol in the news; Aspen Brewing Company, Aspen's first brewery

From the Buzz

Aspen Brewing Company, Aspen's first brewery; Three of this young brewery's beers

Aspen, Colorado was without a brewery in all the years of its existence until March of 2008. The only other brewery to be established in Aspen was the craft beer Flying Dog. However, they moved to Denver shortly after their opening and success. Coupled with the gorgeous mountainous atmosphere, Aspen Brewing Company brew-pub is one of the premier nightspots in downtown Aspen.

what? So there was a brewery at one point?

The brewery aims to be a sustainable business and therefore invests their time and effort in wind power, biodiesel, water recycling, bottle recycling and used grains.

...

Their Conundrum Red Ale is a fantastic beer that walks the line of being a real bitter (IPA like) beer and a sweet, malty and flavorful beer proving it to truly be a conundrum for your taste buds.

...

They recently added a Scottish Ale to their repertoire that tastes great with all the bitterness of a 10% alcohol infused ale but the finish of a sweet, malty, almost wheat, beer.

...

the Smuggler Wheat Ale. Weighing in at 6.6% coupled with the sweet, malty flavors and refreshing finish, this beer is by far my favorite.

Aspen Brewing Company is in Aspen.

(from the brewery)

Fresh, local, small batch microbrews at 7822 ft.

It’s been awhile since the fine residents of Aspen have had a brewery to call their own—and now we’re proud to stake claim to offering the freshest beer and gear in the local high-country. With a decent cache of microbrews and some great seasonals, there’s always a reason to keep the growlers full and the glasses cold.

We invite you to come by the tasting room and learn about our beers and the brewing process. The brewery is open for tasting and tours every day. We’ve got sampler trays, pints, growlers, merchandise and beer-to-go 7 days a week. Our tasting room hours are Monday through Saturday from noon to 9pm, and Sunday from noon to 6pm.

We look forward to seeing you here—cheers from Aspen’s Brew Crew!

It doesn't look like their beer is available outside of Aspen. There do seem to be some 32 ounce bottles (that's an odd size) of their beer in some places around Aspen.

Alcohol in the news; UofI studies reveal the sobering consequences of binge drinking on teens

From the Daily Illini

University of Illinois studies reveal the sobering consequences of binge drinking on teens

(technically the study was on binge drinking on adolescent mice)

A recent study has shown that binge drinking may be more detrimental to teens than to adults because the human brain is still developing throughout the teen years. The consequences may also differ for men and women.

The goal of a collaborative research study between Janice Juraska and Joshua Gulley, both UI professors of psychology, is to understand the neurophysiological and behavioral effects of adolescent binge drinking, and what role sex hormones play in the process.

...

When teens participate in binge drinking, it may interfere with brain development, although the details are still largely unknown.

...

As for what causes the differences between males and females, it likely has to do with the different hormones that are present during puberty.

...

Several UI students said teens aren’t thinking about long-term consequences when they binge drink.

“I think teens are wreckless and they just want fun, the idea of doing something illegal is what drives them,” said Adrianna Jang, senior in LAS. “Obviously it’s just when they’re in the moment and they’re not thinking ahead.”

...

Given their findings thus far, Juraska said she would advise young adults to stay away from alcohol.

“It’s not like I’m a teetotaler who is against drinking,” Juraska said.

“It’s just that these are kind of sobering things to realize that the adolescent brain is a whole lot more vulnerable than everybody thought.”

I think the moral is, don't binge drink. Well, don't binge drink routinely if you are an adolescent.

Bars in the news; NFC Championship Game

There were two stories yesterday that took place in bars that were showing the NFC Championship Game.

• From WICD 15

Bars Busy for NFC Championship

Bars featured in this were Fat City, Firehaus, and Brothers.

• From WAND

Married to the other team

This had Buffalo Wild Wings in Champaign. At the 41 second mark, that sure looks like Evan Monson (who is a regular at Radio Maria).

• From WCIA 3 Illinoishomepage.net

Emotional Bear Fans

This one features Buffalo Wild Wings in Savoy.

CU Beer Weekend; January 21

Where are you drinking this weekend?

Seven Saints

Avery DuganA
Victory Storm King

Tuesday: Tuesday Brewsday, Capital Imperial DoppleBock $2.50
Wednesday: Whiskey Wednesday, Canadian and Micro

Tuesday: Robert Burns Day, 50% off all varieties of Macallan, $2 Founders Dirty Bastard Bottles, a special flight of 4 MacPhail scotch whiskys $20 RSVP on Seven Saints Facebook page

Radio Maria

Harviestoun Ola Dubh 18
Southern Tier Pale
Scaldis Noel
St. Bernardus Abt 12
St. Bernardus Prior 8
St. Bernardus Wit
Founders Breakfast Stout
He'Brew Jewbelation 8
He'Brew Jewbelation 9
He'Brew Jewbelation 10
He'Brew Jewbelation 11
He'Brew Jewbelation 12
He'Brew Jewbelation 13
He'Brew Jewbelation 14
Blanche de Bruxelles
Belhaven Scottish
Moylan's Dragoons Dry Irish Stout
Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour Red Ale
Smuttynose Old Brown Dog
Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
Two Brothers Resistance
Two Brothers Ebel's Weiss
North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner
Samichlaus
Green Flash Hop Head Red
Anderson Valley Brother David's Double
PBR

Friday: Happy Hour with free appetizers 4:30 - 5:30, special tbd
Saturday: $6 John Daly's, Salsa Night at 10.
Sunday: $2 wells, $1.25 PBR; Bloody Mary Bar
Monday: 25% off bottles of wine; Board Game Monday; Random Beer Specials
Tuesday: 1/2 price wine by the glass
Wednesday: $1 off all beers on draft
Thursday:$5 Mojitos, Caipirinhas, and Brazilian Cosmos; Open Decks: local dj's perform.

Blind Pig

Cask: New Holland Mad Hatter IPA
New Holland Black Tulip; Holland, Michigan, Abbey Tripel, 9% abv
Summit Imperial Pumpkin Porter; St. Paul, Minnesota, Spice Ale, 7.5% abv
Bell’s Double Cream Stout; Kalamazoo, Michigan, Sweet Stout, 6.1% abv
Southern Tier Cuvee Series 3; Lakewood, New York, American Strong Ale, 11% abv
Southern Tier Choklat; Lakewood, New York, Imperial Stout, 11% abv
St. Bernardus Prior 8; Belgium, Abbey Dubbel, 8% abv
Smutty Nose Smuttonator; Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Doppelbock, 9.6% abv
New Holland Golden Cap; Holland, Michigan, Saison, 7%
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
Duchesse de Bourgogne; Belgium, Sour Ale, 6.2% abv
Stella Artois; Belgium, Pale Lager, 5.2% abv
Pabst Blue Ribbon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Rogue Chipotle; Newport, Oregon, Spice Ale, 5.5%
Rogue Old Crustacean; Newport, Oregon, Barley Wine, 11.5% abv
Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen; Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5.3%
Lagunitas IPA; Petaluma, California, India Pale Ale, 5.7% abv
Krusovice Imperial 12°; Czech Republic, Bohemian Pilsener, 5%
Smutty Nose Big A IPA; Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Imperial IPA, 9.2% abv
Dark Horse Too Cream Stout; Marshall, Michigan, Sweet Stout, 8% abv
Lindeman’s Framboise; Belgium, Lambic, 2.5% abv
Rogue Shakespeare’s Nitro Stout; Newport, Oregon, Stout, 6%
Guinness; Dublin, Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv

Blind Pig Brewery

Blind Pig Imperial IPA
Blind Pig Abbey Dubbel
Blind Pig Belgian Stout
Blind Pig American Pale Ale
Schlafly Pilsner; Maplewood, Missouri, Pilsener, 4.9% abv
Hofbräu Hefeweizen; Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5.4% abv
Smutty Nose Shoal’s Pale Ale; Portsmouth, NH, English Pale Ale, 5% abv
Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout; Fort Collins, CO, Stout, 8.1% abv
Smutty Nose Maibock ;Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Heller Bock, 7.7% abv
Victory Yakima; Downington, Pennsylvania, Black IPA, 9.7% abv
Arcadia Imperial Stout; Battle Creek, Michigan, Imperial Stout, 8.4% abv
Smutty Nose Robust Porter; Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Porter, 5.7%
Moylan’s Hopsickle; Novato, California, Imperial IPA, 9.2% abv
Guinness; Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv

Sunday: Trivia Night; 7-9pm, win gift cards
Tuesday and Wednesday: Mug Night, buy a mug and get $2 off draught beer

Crane Alley

Wexford Irish Cream Ale 5.1%
Avery Dugan A IPA 8.5%
Great Divide Titan IPA 7.1%
Bells Lager of the Lakes 4.5%
Mikkeller Santa's Little Helper 11.0%
Birrificio Grado Plato Chocarrubica 7.0%
Original Sin Hard Cider 6.0%
Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre
Hofbrau Munchen Hefe Weizen 5.4%
Corsendonk Christmas Ale 8.5%
Two Brothers Domaine Du Page 5.9%
Fullers London Porter 4.9%
Founders Cerise 6.5%
St Bernardus Christmas Ale 10.0%
Mikkeller Monks Elixir 10.0%
PBR 4.2%

Black Dog Smoke and Ale House

Dark Horse Sapient Trip Ale
Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale
Great Divide Hibernation Ale
Nogne-0 Winter Ale
Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale
Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout
Cask: HeBrew Jewbelation Bar Mitzvah 13th Anniversary Ale

Piccadilly

Friday and Saturday: Wine Tasting, Beaujolais from 2009. Friday 4-7 pm, Saturday 1-4pm. $5

Bacaro

Wednesday: Parusso Winery Barolo/ Piedmontese dinner; 6:30, $140 per person. Call 363-3801 or 800-742-5791 for reservations.

Alcohol on TV; Bourbon and Kentucky: A History Distilled

Last night, there was nothing worth watching on most of the channels (after BBT). Thankfully, WEIU had a show on that was entertaining.

Bourbon and Kentucky: A History Distilled

Bourbon and Kentucky: A History Distilled explores how distilling originated in Kentucky with it's first settlers in 1775, and takes the viewer to the sites of Central Kentucky's earliest distilling operations. Magnificent portraits and landscapes adorn the production.

Original documents relating to Kentucky's earliest distillers, and pages from Kentucky's earliest newspapers, such as the Lexington Kentucky Gazette and the Paris Western Citizen document on the screen the progression of whiskey-making to the stage where the best of it was old, smooth, amber in color and known as "Bourbon".

If you are interested in Bourbon, and how whiskey in Kentucky got to be called Bourbon, then this is a pretty interesting show.

I'm not sure when it will be on again, but if you see it in your listings, it'd be worth watching. The $19.95 price is pretty high for a DVD, especially since it's only an hour. But it's sponsored by viewers like you.

It's a PBS show, and I don't see it being listed again on WEIU, so keep looking for it on the various PBS stations that are in your area.

Alcohol in the news; CU prepares for biggest sporting event in Chicago history

From the Daily Illini

Champaign-Urbana prepares for 'biggest sporting event in Chicago history'

“It’s the biggest sporting event in Chicago history,” said Tim Norris, director for marketing for Firehaus, 708 South Sixth St., and The Clybourne, 706 South 6th St. “I know it’s the biggest home game of the Super Bowl era in Chicago.”

...

Many of the local businesses, particularly sports bars, will offer specials, increase staff and extend hours to be open for the game.

Ryan Block, general manager of Murphy’s Pub, 604 East Green St., said he is anticipating increased business Sunday and will be adding additional staff to account for it.

“It will be like if the Bears and Packers were playing in the Super Bowl,” Block said. “Since the majority of the students here at the U of I are Chicago natives, I think it will be a big draw.”

I'll be at Hooters for the start of the game, then I'm bartending at Radio Maria starting at 3, so come regale me with stories of how someone won or lost after wards.

Alcohol in the news; Campus Website Raises Concerns

From Illinois Homepage.net, WCIA 3 CBS

Campus Website Raises Concerns

WCIA is several days behind the Daily Illini.

A new website helps students plan out their night. U of I Police say it could be dangerous.

It's the question at the top of the list when the week starts to wind down. What are you doing tonight? "It's a common problem with people trying to figure out where they're going and calling everyone," said co-creator Steve Zazeski, a senior at the U of I.

So two U of I students found a solution. They created UINightlife.com. You can make a profile, post your party plans, even see who's going where. "It's also to help socialize so people will find each other and meet new people at the same time," said Zazeski.

But this isn't a fluff piece, this is fear mongering.

U of I police warn you might not meet the kind of people you want to hang out with. "Any time you put any information out there, you're inviting predators to go find you," said Sgt. Tom Geis with the U of I Police Department.

He even says that putting up your favorite drink is dangerous. "This person, if they are a predator or someone who's stalking you, they know your favorite drink, so they might approach you with your favorite drink," Geis said.

So, um, do or don't sign up. Because someone might buy you a drink.

There's some information in the article that I didn't notice in the Daily Illini piece, in that you have to have a UIUC network ID to create a profile.

That website again, UINightlife.com

Beer Event, Meet Windell

Windell, the Miller High Life delivery guy, will be in Champaign on Friday January 28.

He'll be at Meijer, County Market, Piccadilly, Pia's, Murphy's Pub, and Kam's.

I'd recommend the Piccadilly time, as that's during their Friday @ Five tasting.

So, if you like his commercials, find a time that works to meet him. If you like his beer, well, that's something else.

Alcohol in the news; Johnny Walker Black Label

From the Buzz

Johnny Walker Black Label

It seems the buzz is going to be starting a whiskey column. Cool.

I love whiskey — all of the whiskeys. I like the sweetness of bourbons, the smoke of scotch, the way Canadian whiskeys blend in cocktails and the smoothness of Irish whiskeys. I come from a long line of whiskey lovers, too. Russell’s Reserve makes an excellent rye whiskey that my family takes immense pride in even though we have absolutely no affiliation other than the same name. There are so many components and so much history behind whiskey that make it such an interesting and complex drink-turned-hobby and collection. But mostly, I like sharing whiskey and talking about my favorites.

With this column, I’m going to write about — loosely, review — one whiskey a week. My first: Johnny Walker Black Label. It’s one of my favorites because I can drink it neat. It’s not so rough that I need ice or so light that I am left wanting. At around $30 for a bottle, it is also one of the best for the money or for those looking to breakthrough into the world of scotch.

...

Black starts light at the tip of the tongue. It’s sweet in the way of vanilla, and as it finishes it opens up, showing spiciness and smoke. The peat develops through the end, but there is a definite overall smoothness to the scotch in a well-structured and intentional way.

It is not smooth for lack of character. Nothing jumps out harshly. Instead, the flavors roll and develop slowly and evenly through the drink. Because Johnny Walker Black Label is a blend, it acquaints the drinker with different regions of scotch in one drink. The peat and salt of the Islay region scotches compliment the sweetness of the Speyside region. It is all sewn together.

The beauty is really in the following drinks, though, where you become more familiar with the scotch, and as it airs, its flavors will change slightly.

I've recently been able to start enjoying whiskey, so I look forward to keep reading these reviews.

Bottoms Up: A Beer Revolution Is Brewing | ThePostGame

Bottoms Up: A Beer Revolution Is Brewing | ThePostGame

This is a good story on the new method a guy invented for pouring a beer.

It's not going to work at anywhere that uses glass, but at a college bar, or sporting event; it'd be perfect.

Alcohol in the news; Whet your whistle 1/19

From Illinois Homepage.net wcia3

Whet Your Whistle 1.19.1

Watch Sun Singer Beverage Director Brian Bowman on The Morning Show this morning around 8:40 on WCFN. Brian will be sampling Madeiras during the Whettin Your Whistle segment. Tune in to learn why Madeira was the most prestigious wine during the 18th and 19th centuries in America.

*from Sun Singer's facebook page.

Alcohol in the news; Extra on tap episode #23

From extra 92.1

Extra on Tap Episode #23

This week the beer Cabin Fever is looked at more closely.

Then, AY and Tim discuss trying beer styles.

Alcohol in the news; UINightlife.com puts bar specials, networking on tap

From the Daily Illini

UINightlife.com puts bar specials, networking on tap

A local website is taking social networking to a whole new level.

UINightlife.com, a student created and run social networking site, focuses on the UI bar scene, allowing students to make plans in one simple and convenient setting.

...

UINightlife.com

Looking at the site, it has only information for campus bars: Firehaus, Brothers Bar, Murphy's Pub, Red Lion, Illini Inn, Clybourne, Joe's Brewery, KAM'S, Legends, and Canopy Club.

So, It's probably not the thing for you and me.

WHY YOU SHOULD USE UINIGHTLIFE.COM

1.Keep your nightlife from appearing on your public facebook page
2.Don't worry about potential employers, parents, or aunts/uncles seeing your nightlife
3.Quickly see what all of your friends are doing for the weekend
4.Meet some new people to go out with
5.Plan out barcrawls easily and invite people to come
6.This site was made by UIUC students for UIUC students

So no, it's not for me.

The three “hope the number will increase exponentially as word gets out. [The goal is] to get about 2000 users (5% of the student population) on the site,” they said. “That’s not to say we wouldn’t be happy with more. We want it to become the default go-to destination for students trying to keep up with friends late at night,” they said.

If you are looking to talk more about your drinking, and are tired of checking in to foursquare, or untappd, or facebook, or twitter. Then you might want to sign up for this new thing.

Alcohol in the news; Drinks with Andy; The first cocktail

From Illinoishomepage.net

Drinks with Andy: the First Cocktail

Andy Borbely from Seven Saints is showing you how to make the Sazerac. It is known as the first cocktail.

You'll need rye whiskey, bitters, a sugar cube and herbsaint to make the drink.

CU Beer Weekend; January 14

Where in CU are you drinking this weekend? Wednesday is CU Beer Club.

Seven Saints

Avery DuganA
Flying Dog Raging Bitch

Tuesday: Tuesday Brewsday, Mad River John Barleycorn Barleywine bottles $2
Wednesday: Whiskey Wednesday, Scotch

Radio Maria

Harviestoun Ola Dubh 18
Southern Tier Pale
Scaldis Noel
St. Bernardus Abt 12
St. Bernardus Prior 8
St. Bernardus Wit
Founders Breakfast Stout
He'Brew Jewbelation 8
He'Brew Jewbelation 9
He'Brew Jewbelation 10
He'Brew Jewbelation 11
He'Brew Jewbelation 12
He'Brew Jewbelation 13
He'Brew Jewbelation 14
Blanche de Bruxelles
Belhaven Scottish
Moylan's Dragoons Dry Irish Stout
Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour Red Ale
Dogfish Head India Brown
Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter
Two Brothers Resistance
Two Brothers Ebel's Weiss
North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner
Samichlaus
Green Flash Hop Head Red
Anderson Valley Brother David's Double
PBR

Friday: Happy Hour with free appetizers 4:30 - 5:30, special tbd
Saturday: $6 John Daly's, Salsa Night at 10.
Sunday: $2 wells, $1.25 PBR; Bloody Mary Bar
Monday: 25% off bottles of wine; Board Game Monday; Random Beer Specials
Tuesday: 1/2 price wine by the glass
Wednesday: $1 off all beers on draft
Thursday:$5 Mojitos, Caipirinhas, and Brazilian Cosmos; Open Decks: local dj's perform.

Blind Pig

New Holland Black Tulip; Holland, Michigan, Abbey Tripel, 9% abv
Summit Imperial Pumpkin Porter; St. Paul, Minnesota, Spice Ale, 7.5% abv
Smutty Nose Old Brown Dog; Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Brown Ale, 5.7% abv
Southern Tier Cuvee Series 3; Lakewood, New York, American Strong Ale, 11% abv
Avery The Czar; Boulder, Colorado, Imperial Stout, 10.82% abv
Tommyknocker Cocoa Porter; Idaho Springs, Colorado, Porter, 5.7% abv
Smutty Nose Smuttonator; Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Doppelbock, 9.6% abv
Southern Tier Krampus; Lakewood, New York, Imperial Pilsener, 9%
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
Duchesse de Bourgogne; Belgium, Sour Ale, 6.2% abv
Stella Artois; Belgium, Pale Lager, 5.2% abv
Pabst Blue Ribbon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Rogue Chipotle; Newport, Oregon, Spice Ale, 5.5%
Rogue Old Crustacean; Newport, Oregon, Barley Wine, 11.5% abv
Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen; Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5.3%
Lagunitas IPA; Petaluma, California, India Pale Ale, 5.7% abv
Krusovice Imperial 12°; Czech Republic, Bohemian Pilsener, 5%
Smutty Nose Big A IPA; Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Imperial IPA, 9.2% abv
Lost Abbey Serpent’s Stout; San Marcos, California, Imperial Stout, 11% abv
Lindeman’s Framboise; Belgium, Lambic, 2.5% abv
Belhaven Scottish; Scotland, Bitter, 3.9%
Guinness; Dublin, Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv

Blind Pig Brewery

Blind Pig Ordinary Bitter
Blind Pig Belgian Stout
Blind Pig American Pale Ale
Schlafly Pilsner; Maplewood, Missouri, Pilsener, 4.9% abv
Einbecker Winter Bock; Germany, Doppelbock, 7.5% abv
Bell’s Lager of the Lakes; Kalamazoo, Michigan, Premium Lager, 4.5% abv
Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout; Fort Collins, CO, Stout, 8.1% abv
Samichlaus; Austria, Doppelbock, 14% abv
Victory Yakima; Downington, Pennsylvania, Black IPA, 9.7% abv
Arcadia Imperial Stout; Battle Creek, Michigan, Imperial Stout, 8.4% abv
Left Hand Fade to Black; Longmont, Colorado, Smoked, 7.8%
Moylan’s Hopsickle; Novato, California, Imperial IPA, 9.2% abv
Guinness; Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv

Sunday: Trivia Night; 7-9pm, win gift cards
Tuesday and Wednesday: Mug Night, buy a mug and get $2 off draught beer


Crane Alley

Wexford Irish Cream Ale 5.1%
Avery Dugan A IPA 8.5%
Great Divide Titan IPA 7.1%
Bells Lager of the Lakes 4.5%
Mikkeller Santa's Little Helper 11.0%
Birrificio Grado Plato Chocarrubica 7.0%
Original Sin Hard Cider 6.0%
Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre
Hofbrau Munchen Hefe Weizen 5.4%
Corsendonk Christmas Ale 8.5%
Two Brothers Domaine Du Page 5.9%
Fullers London Porter 4.9%
Founders Cerise 6.5%
St Bernardus Christmas Ale 10.0%
Mikkeller Monks Elixir 10.0%
PBR 4.2%

Black Dog Smoke and Ale House

Great Divide Hibernation Ale
Nogne Winter Ale
Southern Tier Krampus Imperial Helles Lager
Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale
Darkhorse Skotty Karate
Left Hand Milk Stout
New Holland Imperial Hatter (cask)

CU Beer Club

Wednesday: Crane Alley, 6:30. Theme is Beer Plus. Bring 24-36 ounces of a beer that is made with more than just the four main ingredients of barley, hops, yeast, and water. Brewers use many other things now, including: coffee, chocolate, sugar, fruit, licorice... (don't bring too many chocolate beers as Feb's theme is Beer and Chocolate).

Piccadilly

Friday and Saturday: The Ben Picks the Wines, Official. Friday 4-7 pm, Saturday 1-4 pm. Piccadilly downtown on Neil. $3 tasting fee includes wine, beer and munchies.

Alcohol in the news; Master Mixologist Whets Your Whistle

From WCIA 3 CBS, Illinois Homepage.net

Master Mixologist Whets Your Whistle

First Andy Borbely from Seven Saints, first discusses some winter beers.

New Holland Cabin Fever; Great Divide Hibernation Ale; Summit Winter Ale; and Boulder Never Summer are the beers they try.

Andy mentions me, yay Andy, he mentioned my "Things in my Belgian Lace" photo album on facebook.

Then they discuss Bourbons.

Whiskey Trails Bourbon is the only one they get to.

Tonight is Whiskey Wednesday, it's Bourbon tonight, so half off Bourbon.

Alcohol in the news; Mirror Pond Pale Ale, a western find

From the Buzz

Mirror Pond Pale Ale, a western find

There is no better way to spend a winter vacation than at the base of a 12,000 ft mountain in the depths of the Colorado Rockies. Waiting for friends, I decided to wet my palate in a local bar where I stumbled upon a superb American Pale Ale.

...

Mirror Pond Pale Ale is a twenty award-winning, clean finishing, sweet and malty beer that certainly lives up to its reputation... They produce eight beers on a regular basis and have three seasonal beers; thus far I have only sampled the one I speak of above, however, the smoothness of the pale ale assures me that any of their brews will stand as an outstanding craft.

You can't get it around here. Deschutes is very good. If you know someone on the west coast, Deschutes makes for a good trading beer. Beers that we can get locally but they can't (routinely) include Goose Island, Great Lakes (if you go up to Chicago), 3 Floyds (again, go to Chicago), Hoppin Frog.

If you do start to trade and want to get their best offerings, look for Black Butte or the Abyss, but be prepared to give up some of your best bottles for them.

If you would like to purchase Deschutes beer, here's a Colorado beverage store Total Beverage, that will ship. Shipping isn't cheap. The cost for shipping is around the same price as the bottles of beer, so a case of beer being shipped is very expensive. Ensure it's beer you really want. Bottletrek also carries west coast beers.

Alcohol in the news; extra on tap episode 22

From Extra 92.1

Extra on Tap Episode #22

Myth or Truth? Green bottles mean the beer will be skunky? Listen to AY's segment this week to find out.

Basically, it's about light struck beer (skunky). Apparently that's a big thing in CU now, as recently the Buzz had the article on skunky beer.

If you are concerned about skunky beer, here's a good article from Beeradvocate, on it.

Basically, if you think a beer is skunky, it's probably been in a green or clear glass bottle. Light struck beer causes hops to degrade and produce the skunk aroma. It doesn't take much degradation to produce it. Beers in a can or in a keg can't become light struck. (They can be damaged by heat and temperature changes though).

CU Beer Weekend; January 7

Where in CU are you drinking this weekend?

Seven Saints

Two Brothers Heavier Handed

Tuesday: Tuesday Brewsday, Summit Winter Ale, $2
Wednesday: Whiskey Wednesday, Bourbon & Rye

Radio Maria

Harviestoun Ola Dubh 18
Southern Tier Pale
Scaldis Noel
Two Brothers Hop Juice
Ballast Point Dorado
Arcadia Cereal City
Founders Breakfast Stout
He'Brew Jewbelation 8
He'Brew Jewbelation 9
He'Brew Jewbelation 10
He'Brew Jewbelation 11
He'Brew Jewbelation 12
He'Brew Jewbelation 13
He'Brew Jewbelation 14
Blanche de Bruxelles
Belhaven Scottish
Moylan's Dragoons Dry Irish Stout
Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour Red Ale
Dogfish Head India Brown
Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter
Two Brothers Resistance
Two Brothers Ebel's Weiss
North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner
Samichlaus
Rogue Chateau Rogue Wet Hop IPA
Anderson Valley Brother David's Double
PBR

Friday: Happy Hour with free appetizers 4:30 - 5:30, special tbd (probably Rogue Somer, but it could be Southern Tier Farmer's Tan)
Saturday: $6 John Daly's, Salsa Night at 10.
Sunday: $2 wells, $1.25 PBR; Bloody Mary Bar; Saint Bernardus Sunday (Abt 12, 8, and wit)
Monday: 25% off bottles of wine; Board Game Monday; Random Beer Specials
Tuesday: 1/2 price wine by the glass
Wednesday: $1 off all beers on draft
Thursday:$5 Mojitos, Caipirinhas, and Brazilian Cosmos; Open Decks: local dj's perform.

Blind Pig

Cask: Two Brother's Long Haul Session Ale

New Holland Black Tulip; Holland, Michigan, Abbey Tripel, 9% abv
Summit Imperial Pumpkin Porter; St. Paul, Minnesota, Spice Ale, 7.5% abv
Anderson Valley Winter Solstice; Boonville, California, Spice Ale, 6.9% abv
Unibroue La Terrible; Canada, Belgian Strong Ale, 10.5% abv
Avery The Czar; Boulder, Colorado, Imperial Stout, 10.82% abv
Two Brothers’ Dog Days Lager; Warrenville, Illinois, Dortmunder, 4.9% abv
Moylans Nor Cal IPA; Novato, California, India Pale Ale, 6.8% abv
Southern Tier Krampus; Lakewood, New York, Imperial Pilsener, 9%
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
Duchesse de Bourgogne; Belgium, Sour Ale, 6.2% abv
Stella Artois; Belgium, Pale Lager, 5.2% abv
Pabst Blue Ribbon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Rogue Chipotle; Newport, Oregon, Spice Ale, 5.5%
Rogue Old Crustacean; Newport, Oregon, Barley Wine, 11.5% abv
Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen; Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5.3%
Lagunitas IPA; Petaluma, California, India Pale Ale, 5.7% abv
Krusovice Imperial 12°; Czech Republic, Bohemian Pilsener, 5%
Smutty Nose Big A IPA; Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Imperial IPA, 9.2% abv
Lost Abbey Serpent’s Stout; San Marcos, California, Imperial Stout, 11% abv
Lindeman’s Framboise; Belgium, Lambic, 2.5% abv
Belhaven Scottish; Scotland, Bitter, 3.9%
Guinness; Dublin, Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv

Blind Pig Brewery

Blind Pig Ordinary Bitter
Blind Pig Belgian Stout
Blind Pig American Pale Ale
Schlafly Pilsner; Maplewood, Missouri, Pilsener, 4.9% abv
St. Bernardus Wit; Belgium, Belgian White, 5.5% abv
Schlafly Winter ESB; Maplewood, Missouri, Premium Bitter, 6.8% abv
Pangaea Liljas Sasquatch Stout; Wisconsin Rapids, WI, Stout, 7% abv
Samichlaus; Austria, Doppelbock, 14% abv
Victory Yakima; Downington, Pennsylvania, Black IPA, 9.7% abv
Southern Tier Oat; Lakewood, New York, Imperial Stout, 11% abv
Left Hand Fade to Black; Longmont, Colorado, Smoked, 7.8%
Moylan’s Hopsickle; Novato, California, Imperial IPA, 9.2% abv
Guinness; Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv

Sunday: Trivia Night; 7-9pm, win gift cards
Tuesday and Wednesday: Mug Night, buy a mug and get $2 off draught beer

Crane Alley

Wexford Irish Cream Ale 5.1%
Avery Dugan A IPA 8.5%
Great Divide Titan IPA 7.1%
Bells Lager of the Lakes 4.5%
Mikkeller Santa's Little Helper 11.0%
Birrificio Grado Plato Chocarrubica 7.0%
Original Sin Hard Cider 6.0%
Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre
Hofbrau Munchen Hefe Weizen 5.4%
Corsendonk Christmas Ale 8.5%
Two Brothers Domaine Du Page 5.9%
Fullers London Porter 4.9%
Founders Cerise 6.5%
St Bernardus Christmas Ale 10.0%
Mikkeller Monks Elixir 10.0%
PBR 4.2%


Specials for the weekend of January 7th, 2011

Shrimp and Andouille Baked Torta - Spicy grilled shrimp and andouille sausage layered between flour tortillas with goat cheese, mole’, roasted poblano peppers and caramelized onions, all topped with melted queso rico and served with a side salad with sriracha vinaigrette. $12.95

Pork Ribs - Slow braised marinated pork ribs with green chile, tomato, onion, celery and roasted new potato in beef jus and merlot. $15.95

Frozen Grapes - Frozen red grapes in lime sugar with whipped cream and lemon zest confit. $3.95

Black Dog Smoke and Ale House

Cask: Founders Backwoods Bastard (if it's still there)

Summit Imperial Pumpkin Porter
Mikkeller To Via
Moylans IPA
Southern Tier Creme Brulee Stout
Darkhorse Scotty Karate
Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout

Alcohol in the news; One on one with emerald city lounge

From the buzz

One-on-one with Keith Cameron, co-owner of Emerald City Lounge

buzz: How would you describe your bar?

KCS: If someone said, ‘What type of bar is it?’ I’d say it’s an upscale martini bar.

...

buzz: What are the most popular drinks?

KCS: Well, by far, the most popular drink is one of our specialty martinis. It’s the Good Witch martini. I would describe it as a dessert martini, and it tastes like a snickerdoodle. Besides the specialty martinis, the next one in line is the Yellow Brick Road, which is a combination of citrus vodka, mango — it’s got ruby red vodka, it’s got some citrus and some mango in it. So it’s kind of a sweet tart combination, really nice.

365 beer challenge; Untappd

If you are reading this, you probably like beer. You probably like good beer.

You may know that I really got into drinking beer, when I was challenged to drink 365 different beers in a year. I am now challenging all of you who read this to do the same.

When I first started out with the 365 challenge, I carried around a little notebook that was numbered up to 365, that seemed very daunting when I was still writing down in the 200's.

But, dear reader, life is much easier for you than it was for me when I first started my journey.

Meet Untappd. If you sign up for Untappd, it will keep track of your beers, all you need is a smart phone, and to be sober enough to check in the beer that you are drinking when you are having it.

I signed up for it on Monday night, and have already added 6 beers to my list. It is a pretty neat program, it will show you the total amount of beers that you've had, and the amount of unique beers (as in one that you haven't claimed that you've drank before).

It is not an app for your cell phone, you'll have to go to the webpage for it using your phone to check in beers. Oddly, you can't check them in from the computer website, only from the mobile site.

It will tie in to your twitter/facebook/four square accounts, so you can broadcast to the world what you are drinking.

So, there it is, I challenge you to drink 365 different beers this year. Who's in?

Sign up for Untappd and add me as a friend.

Alcohol in the news; Whet Your Whistle Jan 5

From WCIA3 CBS Illinoishomepage.net

New wines for new times

Sam Samet from Piccadilly and Brian McKay from Art-mart show off some wines and cheeses.

The wines are Sea Mist Chardonnay from Russian River Winery; Pinot Noir from chime.

Alcohol in the news; extra on tap episode 21

From extra 92.1

Extra on Tap Episode #21



AY and the host drink an O'Fallon Cherry Chocolate ale.

They talk about Chokolat from Southern Tier.

Finally they talk about ABV.

This one is a pretty good episode. Nothing too wrong with it, except for the yeast part.

Alcohol in the news; Sports Bars Business

From WICD 15 ABC

Sports Bars Business

It's a nice little article about how sports bars do better business when teams are doing good.

Alcohol in the news; Hangover Cures; What Really Works

From WICD 15 ABC

Hangover Cures: What Really Works

Many of you will ring in the new year with a glass of champagne, maybe a beer or a cocktail. But one too many drinks leads to a hangover the next morning.

The one surefire cure is drinking in moderation. It seems like everyone has their own tips but doctors say drinking too much will leave you hungover no matter what else you eat or drink.

Technically, moderation isn't a cure, it's prevention.

"Typically a hangover is from drinking too much alcohol and not taking enough fluids in like water, things that would dehydrate you," said Dr. Adam Brown, an emergency physician at Provena in Danville.

This report contains no information about the body processing alcohol.

Remember, typically, the body takes an hour to metabolize the amount of alcohol in one drink. One drink is considered to be a pint of beer (not strong beer), a glass of wine, or a shot of hard liquor.

Most people consider a hangover to be the remainder of the alcohol being processed out of the body. However, after several hours of sleep, the alcohol should be out of your body, unless you got really drunk (a Jacob kind of drunk).

"The cure is drinking in moderation," Brown said.

After a night of drinking, Brown says you should drink water or Gatorade before you go to bed. Some people say they can sleep it off but the doctor says dehydration can keep you from getting a good night's rest.

Another common cure is coffee the following morning. Brown says the caffeine does cure headaches. However, it will also make you go to the bathroom, which could dehydrate you.

So, drink fluids, stay hydrated, and allow your body time to process the alcohol.

Alcohol in the news; Great Lakes Brewing Company's green approach

From the Buzz

Great Lakes Brewing Company's green approach

Great Lakes Brewing Company is a premier craft brewery that is playing its part as an environment-friendly business. Through sustainable business practices this company has not only saved money for their business but has begun to set an example for other businesses to think about the overall benefits of sustainable practices.

Then, the author talks about the Cuyahoga River. Which is the name basis for the beer, Burning River.

Then, the author talks about legislation that was passed because of the burning river, including the Clean Water Act and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

What better way to raise awareness than to name a beer Burning River. It’s a classy Pale Ale that finishes very clean but with a taste that’s oh-so supreme. It’s only lightly filtered so when held up to the light you can see the particles floating around like snowflakes in mid-flight. It’s a bang for the buck, 6 percent, and cheap for the taste; it’s oh-so robust. The taste lingers on until the next time I can get my hands on this beer that has won ten medals for fun, and it surely will settle indecisions the beer aisle may spawn.

That's it.

By the way, Great Lakes beer is not available in the Champaign Urbana area. To get this brew, you'll have to go east to Indiana, or north to Chicago (if going east, I recommend Parti Pak Liquors, if going north, I recommend West Lakeview Liquors).

The article really has no information about the "green approach" as mentioned in the headline, other than raising awareness. That's too bad, because Great Lakes website has several pages of things that they are doing for sustainability.

Their first page is the Triple Bottom Line.

Great Lakes Brewing Company is an environmentally and socially conscious brewer of award-winning, all natural beer. The care that goes into the beer resonates from a commitment to the community and environment, otherwise known as the "Triple Bottom Line" - to engage in economic, social and environmental practices that achieve a sustainable, yet profitable, business.

The second is the Burning River Foundation.

The Burning River Foundation is a non-profit organization whose purpose through grants, donations and community involvement is to provide extensive education and resources for the

* Ecological Conservation
* Environmental Protection
* Scientific Exploration
* Historic Preservation and
* Sustainable Future of our waterways.

Established in 2007 as an outgrowth of the continued success of the Burning River Fest, the Burning River Foundation has awarded over $200,000 to local non-profit organizations such as the GreenCityBlueLake Institute, Great Lakes Science Center, Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Wendy Park Foundation, West Creek Preservation Committee and the Cuyahoga River Community Planning Organization for their work on water projects.

Third is the Pint Size Farm.

Great Lakes Brewing Company announces its continued partnership with Hale Farm & Village in Bath, Ohio, to organically farm vegetables, herbs and flowers for use in GLBC’s Brewpub. Surrounded by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Hale Farm, which is operated by the Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS), functions as a 19th century agrarian and village community with strong educational emphasis on the history, culture and development of the Western Reserve. A fallow, historic orchard field, dubbed the "Pint Size Farm", has been transformed by GLBC into an edible, culinary landscape using centuries-old gardening techniques and modern organic agriculture including the use of spent brewer’s grain and worm castings as organic compost and fertilizer.

Other Sustainability Projects

Just read all the other things they do that are sustainable/green.

Back to the article,

What better way to raise awareness than to name a beer Burning River.

They have a Burning River Fest, that not only raises awareness, it also raises money, that's a better way.