Alcohol in the news; The 12-year old Balvenie Doublewood

From the Buzz

The 12-year old Balvenie DoubleWood

The color is a medium/dark amber and the nose is sweet, with some grain but a warmth that reminds me of fruit. It starts sweetly with some honey and vanilla, and then a medium peat flavor develops in the middle of the drink. The finish brings out some earthy, sherry flavors and leaves a lingering sweetness and spice.

...

Double barreling creates this diverse and vibrant experience. The bourbon oak cask gives it some boldness and smoke flavors while the sherry adds spice and earthy flavors that carry throughout, almost grounding the drink, but are most distinct at the finish.

...

Yet another good whiskey review by Jeanine Russell.

Days of the Beer, March 31

The beer for today is New Glarus Wisconsin Belgian Red.

On March 31, 2005; Terri Schiavo died. Schiavo was born on Dec. 3, 1963. On February 25, 1990, she collapsed in her home in full cardiac arrest. She suffered massive brain damage due to lack of oxygen and after two and a half months in a coma, she was diagnosed as being in a vegetative state. Her feeding tube was disconnected on March 18 and she died on March 31.

As to the beer:

Wisconsin Belgian Red is the top rated fruit/vegetable beer according to Beer Advocate.

You hold the marriage of wine and beer. Belgian Red is a tapestry of flavor. This beer is brewed with whole Montmorency Cherries, Wisconsin Farmed Wheat and Belgian Roasted Barleys, lagered in oak tanks and balanced by Hallertau hops we aged in our brewery one full year.

Over a pound of Door county Cherries in every bottle makes this beer uniquely "Wisconsin". So unique, in fact, that we applied for a patent. Expect this beer to be ruby red, with a medium body that is highly carbonated and intense with cherry flavor and bouquet. Serve your friends Belgian Red in a brandy snifter or champagne flute and toast life with beer from the land of Wisconsin.

The beer is 4% abv.

So, for the most famous vegetable in recent memory, have the best rated fruit/vegetable beer.

Alcohol in the news; Emerald City

From WCIA Morning Show/Illinois homepage.net

Emerald City

Billy Bell, lead bartender/mixologist from Emerald City in Champaign, is here for today's Whet Your Whistle.

He makes "Good Witch" and the "Yellow Brick Road".

Rumchata, vanilla vodka, frangellico are in the "Good Witch". Topped with cinnamon.

Ruby red vodka, St. Germain, mango juice, a little lemon, sink Grenadine, and that's the "Yellow Brick Road".

Days of the Beer, March 30

The beer for today is Midnight Sun Brewing, Oosik Amber Ale.

On March 30, 1867; Alaska was purchased from Russia for $7.2 million, about 2 cents an acre, by United States Secretary of State, William H. Seward. At the time, it was called Seward's Folly.

Alaska is the largest state in the US. Alaska has about 698,000 residents, most living in the greater Anchorage area.

It became an organized territory on May 11, 1912, and the 49th state on January 3, 1959.

The name came from the Aleut alaxsxaq, meaning "the mainland" or "the object towards which the action of the sea is directed". It is also known as Alyeska, the "great land".

As to the beer:

An Oosik is a term to describe the baculum of walruses, seals, sea lions, and polar bears. A baculum is the penis bone found in most mammals (absent in humans). In Alaska, it is often polished and used as a handle for knives and other tools. They can be as long as two feet. A 4.5-foot fossilized from an extinct species of walrus was once sold for $8000.

Oosik Amber Ale is a true German-style altbier, brewed with pale, Munich and crystal malts. Deep amber with copper highlights, Oosik sports a toasted and caramel malt profile, balanced by traditional noble hops. A special yeast strain ferments this ale at cooler lager temperatures, giving it a smooth malt character and a clean finish.

Want to hang-so to speak- for a while? Oosik Amber Ale gives you hang time. Great flavor, big mouthfeel, satisfying finish... all in a session-worthy beer. Compare it to other ambers-Oosik rules. Look for our 20-inch Oosik tap in better beer bars throughout AK.

You can't just have a little Oosik.

So, for Seward's Folly, have a beer named for a penis bone.

Alcohol in the news; Salsa: not just for chips!

From the Buzz

Salsa: Not just for Chips!

Maybe you’re shy, or maybe you’re the last person in the world who would go out on a Wednesday night, but you can still lead a partner you’ve never met before to the dance floor and put your hand on his or her waist and start shaking and spinning to salsa music.

“On the dance floor, you can be whoever you want to be,” Juan Atkinson said.

Juan is the DJ for Salsa Night at Radio Maria on the dinner side.

Atkinson spends his days as, he admitted, a shy, stressed-out PhD student in physics. But on the dance floor, he’s someone different.

“When I dance — poof — everything goes away,” said Atkinson, a DJ at Cowboy Monkey’s salsa night. “When you’re dancing, it’s you, your partner and the music, and that’s it. Nothing else.”

...

Along with its close cousins, meringue and bachata, salsa dancing can be found almost anywhere in the world, and people from all over the world are dancing it in CU. Atkinson, who moved to Champaign from Mexico for school, DJs or teaches salsa three nights a week: Wednesday at Cowboy Monkey, Friday at Highdive, and Saturday at Radio Maria.

...

Atkinson said this makes joining the scene easy and to check out some salsa nights — they’re listed on the Facebook group Champaign Salsa — come without biases and “feel the music.”

“Here, the spirit is always welcoming,” he said.

The Salsa Champaign Facebook group

Days of the beer, March 29

The beer for today is Billy Beer.

On March 29, 1937, William Alton "Billy" Carter III was born. Billy Carter was the younger brother of United States President Jimmy Carter.

In 1977, he endorsed Billy Beer, based on his reputation as a beer-drinking Southern Good Ol' Boy.

Billy died in 1987 at age 51 after unsuccessful treatments for pancreatic cancer.

As to the Beer:

Billy Beer isn't made anymore.

Originally, the beer was produced by Cold Spring Brewing, then West End Brewing, and finally Pearl Brewing Company.

Brewed expressly for and with the personal approval of one of America's all-time great beer drinkers - Billy Carter.

I had this beer brewed just for me. I think it's the best I've ever tasted. And I've tasted a lot. I think you'll like it, too.

After production ended, people started hoarding the cans, assuming they would be worth a lot of money. But, since the cans were produced in the millions, the value is about $1.

Discovery Channel's series Auction Kings, had a case sell for $100.

So, for Billy Carter's birthday; see if you can find a 34 year old can of beer. If you drink it, you should probably get a tetanus shot as the can probably rusted.

Alcohol in the news; Laphroaig

From the Buzz

Laphroaig

Scotch is separated by regions. This week's whiskey, Laphroaig, is an Islay scotch. This means it comes from an island, Islay, off the coast of Scotland. The ocean air the whiskey ages in gives these scotches a flavor some have described as seaweed-like and can often be responsible for strong iodine notes in the scotch. The strong use of peat is also a distinct characteristic of Islay scotches.

Iodine, can also be called medicinal, or phenolic (bandaid).

The drink has a light, golden color in the glass. The nose is smokey and sweet, almost mesquite in the sweetness. I would describe the drink as thin, and the development short. The scotch is aged ten years, but it still had a youngness to it. The heat of the drink hits early, and it has a lot of salt. There was a sweetness to the smoke that was detected in the nose that made it really pleasant in the finish, which seemed to stick around for a while.

Alcohol in the news: Prichard's Double Barrel

From the Buzz

Prichard's Double Barrel

Another good whiskey article by Jeanine Russell.

Prichard’s Double Barrel is one of the more interesting whiskeys I’ve encountered. It’s interesting because of the flavor, the aging process, and its classification and what it says about how we classify whiskeys.

The bottle says it’s a bourbon, and I think that the formal laws on the matter allow it. At Seven Saints, I tried it on American/micro-brew night because it’s on that part of the drink menu. It’s distilled in Kelso, Tenn., but it has a lot of bourbon flavors, and it is barreled like a bourbon. I’ll let you decide what to call it, but American seems like a safe bet depending on how strictly you feel about bourbons being from Kentucky rather than about the process of making it.

...

I love drinking this whiskey. It does not do cinnamon flavor, rye flavor or oak barreling flavor best of all, but I still like it all put together. It does not stand out, but it somehow creates a drink I enjoy immensely.

Days of the Beer, March 28

The beer for today is Pabst Blue Ribbon Light.

On March 28, 1836, Johann Gottlieb Friedrich Pabst was born in the village of Nikolausrieth, Prussia. In 1948, he emigrated to the US, first settling in Milwaukee, and then Chicago. Pabst became a pilot of a Lake Michigan steamer by the time he turned 21. As this, he met the German Phillip Best, who owned a brewery in Milwaukee. Pabst married Best's daughter, Maria, on March 25, 1862.

He became a partner in the brewery in 1864. He became president in 1873. Later, the brewery's name was changed to Pabst Brewing Company.

As to the beer:

Pabst Blue Ribbon Light Beer is a smooth and refreshing lighter beer, with a full-bodied taste. Only the finest ingredients are used in our brewing process to assure absolute quality. We hope you enjoy the taste and drinkability of this fine light beer.

The beer comes in at 4.3%.

So, for Frederick Pabst's birthday, have a PBR Light.

(PBR Light was picked, as PBR was already used for Dec. 1)

Days of the Beer, March 27

The beer for today is Avery Salvation.

On March 27, 1881, in Basingstoke, England, the people rioted against the promotion of Temperance by the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army came into town in 1880. When they did, they promoted extreme Temperance (no alcohol).

In 1881, the town had at least 50 pubs and three breweries, with a population of about 7,000. When the Salvation Army arrived in town, they marched up and down the streets singing hymns and telling the townsfolk not to drink. This caused the beer drinkers (called Massagainians)to also march up and down the streets, playing instruments and banging on cans and pans (and whatever else they could find). People who didn't have instruments, sang obscene songs.

It culminated on Sunday, March 27, 1881 with troops being called upon to break up the conflict after the mayor had read the Riot Act (which allowed force in breaking up a riot).

As to the beer:

Avery Salvation is a Belgian Strong Golden Ale.

The success of Hog Heaven and The Reverend clearly demonstrates that beer drinkers are willing to embrace "BIGGER" beers. In the fall of 2001, we decided that a lighter BIG BEER would complement its darker colored predecessors. Salvation has luscious apricot and peach aromas delicately interwoven with spicy suggestions of nutmeg and cinnamon. This heavenly soft, champagne-like elixer is cellarable for 3 years.

The beer is roughly 9% ABV.

So, for the Salvation Army getting beat up by drunks in Basingstoke in 1881, have an Avery Salvation.

Fuck Temperance!

Days of the Beer, March 26

The beer for today is Fitger's Brewhouse, Mr Spock Eisbock.

On March 26, 1931, Leonard Simon Nimoy was born. Nimoy is most famous for his role of Spock in the original Star Trek series, and in the films.

After Star Trek, Nimoy joined the cast of Mission: Impossible. Later he hosted In Search of... Currently, he plays the role of William Bell, in the show Fringe.

In April 2010, he announced plans to retire from acting, in February 2011 he announced he would return to Fringe.

As to the beer:

Fitger's Brewhouse is located in Duluth, Minnesota. It officially opened in 1995, but has been around in various forms from 1857.

Sadly, Mr Spock Eisbock has been retired. It was 12% abv. It appears to have been made for several years, from 2006 to 2009. It received good reviews on Beer Advocate and Ratebeer.

A triplebock aged then frozen to take out extra water and increase smoothness. This also brings the alcohol content up. Very limited release, the bulk of this beer will age another year.

So, for the not-so-retired Leonard Nimoy, try to find a retired Mr Spock Eisbock. If you can't find it, which you probably can't, have any other eisbock for Mr Spock. (Kulmbacher or Aventinus are probably your best bets).

Days of the Beer; March 25

The beer for today Magic Hat Howl.

On March 25, 1957; United States customs officials seized 520 copies of the poem "Howl", by Allen Ginsberg, for obscenity. In particular one line from the poem really irked them.

"who let themselves be fucked in the ass by saintly motorcyclists, and screamed with joy"

An obscenity trial was brought against Lawrence Ferlinghetti, who ran City Lights bookstore, the publisher. Nine literary experts testified on the poem's behalf. Ferlinghetti won the case when Judge Clayton Horn decided the poem was of "redeeming social importance".

As to the beer:

Howl is the winter seasonal beer from Magic Hat brewery, it's a black lager.

Born of dark, cold and snow in the marrow of the northeast's longest night, HOWL comes in on wailing winds with winter-weary eyes, burning holes in sunless shadows. In its darkened depths our inner voids are warmed. HOWL will remain until your bones are thawed, your spirit is freed... and until there is no longer a need...

A dark, medium-bodied beer with a rich roasted malt flavor and smooth hop bitterness.

The beer comes in at 4.6% ABV.

So, for the confiscation of Howl, go get yourself a HOWL, and try not to get fucked up the ass by motorcyclists.

Alcohol in the news; Emerald City packs a brunch

From the Buzz

Emerald City packs a brunch
Emerald City Lounge's bloody Mary ups the bar at brunch

Bored with the usual Bloody Mary? Consider going to Emerald City Lounge for brunch this Sunday. With its fiercely furnished, yet comfortable bar and quality services, its brunch has become increasingly popular.

...

Emerald City’s brunch is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It generally provides a simple breakfast buffet with fresh fruits and homemade muffins and cinnamon rolls. Besides the expected egg dishes, breakfast meats like bacon, sausage patties and sausage links, French toast, sausage gravy and biscuits, hash brown or some type of potatoes, they also have an amazing build-your-own Bloody Mary bar.

...

The Lounge’s hearty brunch costs $9, and its customized Bloody Marys cost $4. They plan on offering a more upscale brunch for Easter and Mother’s Day, which would include more traditional brunch/lunch items. Reservations are allowed.

So, that's another brunch option in CU. It was mentioned before in their One-on-One with the buzz.

Days of the Beer, March 24

The beer for today is Pisgah Brewing Valdez.

On March 24, 1989; the Exxon Valdez, struck Prince William Sound's Bligh Reef and spilled 260,000 to 750,000 barrels of crude oil. It was considered to be one of the most devastating human-caused environmental disasters. It wasn't one of the world's largest oil spills, but due to it's remote location, government and industry response efforts were difficult and hard to implement.

The oil spill eventually covered 1,300 miles of coastline, and 11,000 square miles of ocean.

As to the beer:

Pisgah Brewing Company is located in Black Mountain, North Carolina (a couple miles away from Frank and Dana's).

This mouth watering stout is brewed with organic, fair-trade coffee beans from Dynamite Coffee Roasters and weighs in at a respectable 6.8%. The aroma of fresh coffee leaps from the glass, and finishes slightly dry. Treat yourself to the finest coffee stout this season. Available at the tap room and in 22oz bottles at your local grocer and specialty beer store.

Oddly, on March 24, 1944; 76 prisoners began breaking out of Stalag Luft III, in an event that was to be dramatized in the movie The Great Escape. So, I was going to pick that event, and found a one time brewed beer called, The Great Escape. It was made by Asheville Brewing Company. But then I found Valdez by Pisgah, and went with that; either way, it was destined to be an Asheville beer day.

Alcohol in the news; Corkscrew 3/23

From WCIA 3 Morning Show/ Illinois Homepage.net

Corkscrew 3/23

Todd Fusco, manager of Corkscrew in Urbana, is here for today's Whet Your Whistle.

A very short segment with Peique Rosado Bierzo as the wine they drink, with some drunken goat cheese.

Days of the Beer, March 23

The beer for today is Southern Tier Gemini (Imperial IPA).

On March 23, 1965, NASA launched Gemini 3. The spacecraft was named The Molly Brown and it was the first manned Gemini flight. The crew was Virgil Grissom and John Young.

The flight was a test flight. The primary mission was to test the new, maneuverable Gemini spacecraft. In space, the crew fired thrusters to change the shape of their orbit, shift their plane and drop to a lower altitude. Other firsts achieved were: two people flew on an American spacecraft (the russians had a 3 person crew); and the first manned reentry where the spacecraft was able to produce lift to change its touchdown point.

The only major incident during the flight involved a contraband corned beef sandwich that Young had snuck on board. They both took a few bites before the sandwich had to be put away, as the crumbs could have damaged the spacecraft's electronics.

As to the beer:

Southern Tier Gemini is a blend of their Unearthly Imperial IPA and Hoppe Imperial Extra Pale Ale. Gemini is listed as an Imperial Blended Ale on their site.

High in the winter sky, two parallel stick figures are visible & known as “the twins,” or the constellation Gemini. The astronauts of the 1960s flew as teams of two in a program named after the celestial pairing. At Southern Tier, we have our own fraternal twins, Hoppe & Unearthly. Blended together & placed in this vessel, the mission of our Gemini is to travel high & take passengers on a journey far into the heavens.

The beer is 9% ABV.

It would go really well with a corned beef sandwich.

So, for the first manned flight of the Gemini program, have a Southern Tier Gemini. Again, try it with a corned beef sandwich, or maybe a reuben.

Alcohol in the news; extra on tap episodes #26-27

From extra 92.1

Extra on Tap Episode #26



They talk about AY's recent trip to Colorado, beer in cans, and Avery Salvation.

Extra on Tap Episode #27



They talk about Anchor Steam, and sharing beer and the steam beer.

AY doesn't seem to know about steam beer. Currently, since Steam beer is a trademarked term by Anchor, the style is known as "California Common". The style originated by some original California brewers who didn't have proper refrigeration. If you think back to ale's and lager's, the main difference is the temperatures in which the beer ferments. Ale's ferment at higher temperatures, lager's at lower temperatures. When the people moved to California, they took lager yeast, the problem is, they didn't have refrigeration to let the beer ferment at correct lager temperatures. So a "steam" or "California Common" beer is one that uses lager yeast, but ferments at ale temperatures.

Extra on Tap Episdoe #27 (2)



This time, they drink an AY homebrew; honey, almond, wheat (a wheat brewed with honey and almond). They talk about the rise in craft brewing. Then they talk about Mikkeller.

So you may want to get into the Bar industry

There are two places that are opening up in Champaign in the coming weeks/months. Both are hiring.

• Quality Beer is opening the the former Lox, Stock and Bagel building in downtown Champaign, on Neil Street.

They are looking for doorman, bartender, and barbacks. You can apply online here, at Qualitybeerjobs.com.

Quality is a new bar in downtown Champaign. After a year of great renovation Quality is ready to open. Owners Neil and Aaron Van Natta are putting together a diverse crew of hard working and capable people. If you are interested in being a bartender, barback, doorman, or head bartender at Quality please fill out our application. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

• Destihl is getting ready to open as well. They are hiring full staff, including the above, and servers.

Destihl is also located on Neil Street, but is in the M2 building. You can fill out an online employment application, here.

DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works is a growing company. Our growth brings excitment, as well as a need for passionate individuals to help us grow. We have several opportunities for management and hourly positions.

We are always accepting applications. There is always room for talented people on our team. Even if we are not currently hiring for your desired position, we keep all qualified applications on hand for when it is time to recruit new team members.

So, if you are experienced and looking for a new home, or you just want to try a different job, fill out an application, you might get hired.

Days of the Beer, March 22

The beer for today is Thomas Hooker American Pale Ale.

On March 22, 1931; near Montreal Quebec, William Alan Shatner was born.

Shatner is best known for portraying Captain James T. Kirk on Star Trek from 1966 to 1969. He currently stars in the CBS sitcom SH*! My Dad Says. Other roles have included Denny Crane on The Practice and Boston Legal, and as the title character in T. J. Hooker.

He was the guy in the episode "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" of The Twilight Zone. He also appeared in 3rd Rock from the Sun as the "Big Giant Head". (John Lithgow was also in 3rd Rock and appeared in Twilight Zone: The Movie in "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet". )

As to the beer:

Thomas Hooker Ales and Lagers is located in Bloomfield, Connecticut.

Thomas Hooker American Pale Ale is an extremely vivid, medium-bodied brew. Hooker Pale Ale stresses the crisp bitterness, lingering resin flavor, and aroma of American hops which are characteristic of the most distinctive West Coast Ales. The caramel sweetness of the malt balances the chock-full-of-hops flavor to yield a complex but quite refreshing brew.

The beer is 5.3% ABV.

So, for the guy who played Thomas J. Hooker, have a Thomas Hooker American Pale Ale, even though Shatner is a Canadian.

Alcohol in the news; The Jameson 12 Year Reserve

From the Buzz

The Jameson 12 Year Reserve
A light Irish whiskey

Jameson is probably the most iconic and identifiable Irish whiskey. Irish whiskeys are, yeah, from Ireland. They are made from grains, mostly barley, and they must be aged for at least 3 years in oak casks. They are also characterized by being rather light and easy to drink, which may also be why you know Jameson. As far as whiskeys go, Irish is a very drinkable type. This is probably a generalization on my part, but I've noticed that I don't find as much complexity in Irish whiskeys as I do with bourbons or scotches.

Irish isn't necessarily my favorite style of whiskey, I'll go for bourbon or scotch before Irish.

This week I tried the Jameson 12 year Reserve, and I found that it surprised me. The 12 year is a blend, meaning it is a combination of different whiskeys, and the youngest of the blends is aged 12 years. It has a medium amber color and a lot more smoke flavor in the nose than I anticipated. The beginning of the drink is smooth and light, kind of thin, and then the flavors open up. There is a sherry-spiced flavor in the middle, and the finish is pretty quick and much like the start of the drink.

Again, Jeanine does a great job in describing the whiskey. There's color (amber); smell (smoke); mouthfeel (kind of thin); flavor (sherry and spice); and finish (quick). Hits the five main things you need to know to describe a drink.

The last graph is about a mix that is available at Seven Saints called the River Fin.

Good article.

Days of the Beer, March 21

The beer for today is Red Hook Mud Slinger Sprint Ale.

Today is the day after the Vernal Equinox. The Equinox happened yesterday at 11:21 pm, so today is the first full day of spring. There will be 12 hours of daytime, and 12 hours of night, depending on your latitude. In Urbana, today the sun rose at 6:55 AM and sets at 7:06 giving us 12 hours and 11 minutes of daylight.

As to the beer:

Red Hook Mud Slinger Spring Ale is an English Brown Ale.

Mudslinger is a Nut Brown Ale with a Medium body and a fresh aroma. Its malty flavor is layered with light chocolate, caramel, brown sugar and a hint of vanilla. Six barley malts and two hop varieties result in a surprisingly smooth, well balanced dark beer.

Mudslinger pairs nicely with grilled meats, stews, fowl, and even smoked oysters or salmon.

Available on the West Coast from January through April.

The beer is 5.8% ABV.

So, for the first full day of spring, have a Red Hook Mud Slinger Spring Ale. Then, wait for summer.

Days of the Beer, March 20

The beer for today is Alaskan Brewing Company Barley Wine.

On March 20, 1985, Libby Riddles became the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

riddles was born April 1, 1956 in Madison, Wisconsin. She moved to Alaska before her 17th birthday. Her first race was the Clines Mini Mart Sprint race in 1978, which she won. She finied 18th and 20th in the 1980 and 81 Iditarod races, then started breeding her own dogs. She won in 1985, and wrote three books about her adventure.

This years race was won by John Baker, on March 15. There are still people on the course, three days after his victory.

The Iditarod is more than 1,150 miles through Alaska. It runs from Anchorage to Nome.

As to the beer:

Alaskan Brewing Company opened in 1986. They are probably most famous for their award winning Alaskan Amber.

Alaskan Barley Wine is a full bodied ale, deep mahogany in color and brewed with an array of complementing malts to achieve its high original gravity. Multiple hop additions in the boil and dry hopping during fermentation provide contrast to the big malt character resulting in the smooth balance that distinguishes this specialty brew. Like many fine wines, Alaskan Barley Wine may be aged in the bottle and gains deeper malt complexity and smoothness over time.

The label has a sled dog team.

From the Alaska Natives who first trained dog teams for winter transportation to the Russian and American settlers of the 19th century to today's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race®, the history of Alaska is tethered alongside the history of dog mushing. Dog teams were the primary source of winter transportation in Alaska before the advent of the airplane and are widely used even today for sport racing as well as travel in remote areas of the state.

This beer is very hard to find. It is 10.4% ABV. If you can get one, get me one too.

So, for the first woman to win the Iditarod, have an Alaskan Brewing Company Barley Wine.

Days of the Beer, March 19

The beer for today is Great River Brewery, 483 Pale Ale.

On March 19, 1687, explorer Robert Cavelier de La Salle, was murdered by his men, when they were searching for the mouth of the Mississippi River.

de La Salle, had explored the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf of Mexico. He claimed the entire Mississippi River basin for France.

As to the beer:

Great River Brewery is out of Davenport, Iowa (part of the Quad Cities).

True to the style, our pale ale is brewed with pale malt and a touch of crystal malt which gives it that copper hue. Then we aggressively hop it with centennial hops for a big citrus hop aroma and taste.

Beer for the hop lover. Nice bitterness and a good long aftertaste with a smack of grapefruit.

It's a really good beer.

Great River Brewery started in October, 2004 in Iowa City. They moved in December, 2008 to Davenport. Their first batch at the new location was brewed in February, 2009. Two of their beers are available in 16 ounce cans, 483 Pale and Roller Dam Red Ale.

So, for de La Salle, who was killed while trying to find the end of the Great River, have a beer that's made on the Great River.

(the beer is available in cans at Radio Maria, and other places around Champaign Urbana)

CU Beer Weekend; March 18

It's madness!!!

Where are you drinking and watching games?

Seven Saints

Smuttynose Big A IPA
Southern Tier Creme Brulee

Tuesday: Tuesday Brewsday, New Belgium Ranger IPA, $2
Wednesday: Whiskey Wednesday, Canadian & Micro-American

Radio Maria

Harviestoun Ola Dubh 18
Port High Tide
Affligem Noel
New Holland Dragons Milk
Ommegang Abbey Double
Founders Porter
Two Brothers Northwind Stout
North coast Pranqster
Southern Tier Cuvee 3
Goose Island Pepe Nero
Founders Backwoods Bastard
Rogue Irish Lager
Gouden Carolous Cuvee Van de Kaiser
Unibroue Ephemere
Blanche de Bruxelles
Wexford Irish Cream Ale
Moylans' Dragoons Dry Irish Stout
Liefmans Cuvee Brut
Avery Ellies Brown
Avery Mephistopheles
New Holland Imperial Mad Hatter
Southern Tier Chokolat
Victory Prima Pils
Weihenstephaner Korbinian Doppel Bock
Flossmoor Station Station Master Wheat
Ballast Point Tongue Buckler
PBR

Friday: Happy Hour with free appetizers 4:30 - 5:30,
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.

Crane Alley

North Coast Old Rasputin Imperial Stout 9.0%
Southern Tier Gemini Imperial IPA 10.5%
Flossmoor Station Rail Hopper IPA 7.5%
Gulden Draak 10.5%
Bitburger Pilsner 4.8%
Bell's Expedition Stout 10.5%
Haandbryggeriet Nissefar 7.0%
Big Sky Moose Drool Brown Ale 5.3%
Piraat 10.5%
Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball 9.0%
St Bernardus Witbier 5.5%
Southern Cuvee Series 3 11.0%
Ommegang Hennepin Saison 7.7%
Dark Horse Tres Blueberry Stout 7.0%
Silly Double Enghien 7.5%
Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat 5.0%
Mikkeller Green Gold IPA 7.0%
Avery New World Porter 6.7%
PBR 4.2%

Blind Pig

Smithwick’s; Ireland, Irish Ale, 5% abv
O’Hara’s Irish Stout; Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.3% abv
Bell’s Double Cream Stout; Kalamazoo, Michigan, Sweet Stout, 6.1% abv
Rogue Chipotle; Newport, Oregon, Spice Ale, 5.5% abv
Rogue Irish Lager; Newport, Oregon, Premium Lager, 5.2% abv
Dark Horse Fore Smoked Stout; Marshall, Michigan, Smoked, 8% abv
Lagunitas The Hairy Eyeball; Petaluma, California, American Strong Ale, 9% abv
Big Sky Heavy Horse; Missoula, Montana, Scotch Ale, 6.7%
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
Smutty Nose Barleywine; Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Barleywine, 10%
Flossmoor Station Panama Red; Flossmoor, Illinois, Amber Ale, 5.5% abv
Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen; Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5.3%
Lagunitas IPA; Petaluma, California, India Pale Ale, 5.7% abv
Bitburger Premium Pils; Germany, Classic German Pilsener, 4.8%
Two Brothers’ Resistance IPA; Warrenville, Illinois, India Pale Ale, 6.9% abv
Rogue XS Imperial Stout; Newport, Oregon, Imperial Stout, 11.6% abv
Lindeman’s Framboise; Belgium, Lambic, 2.5% abv
Moylan’s Dragoon’s Dry Irish Stout; Novato, California, Dry Stout, 5%
Guinness; Dublin, Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv

Blind Pig Brewery

Blind Pig Replicale
Blind Pig Winter Barley Wine
Blind Pig American Pale Ale
Blind Pig Dark Mild Ale

Schlafly Pilsner; Maplewood, Missouri, Pilsener, 4.9% abv
Avery White Rascal; Boulder, Colorado, Belgian White, 5.6% abv
Port Brewing Midnight Expressions; San Marcos, CA, Schwarzbier, 5% abv
Southern Tier Iniquity; Lakewood, New York, Black IPA, 9% abv
Dieu Du Ciel Route Des Epices; Canada, Spice Ale, 5% abv
Smithwick’s; Ireland, Irish Ale, 5% abv
Arcadia Cereal Killer; Battle Creek, MI, Barley Wine, 10% abv
Moylan’s Chelsea Porter; Novato, California, Porter, 5%
O’Fallon 5 Day IPA; O’Fallon, Missouri, India Pale Ale, 6.1% 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

Black Dog Smoke and Ale House

Lagunitas IPA
Brassiere de Silly Double Enghien Blonde
Dark Horse One Oatmeal Stout
Southern Tier Mokah
Moylan's Dragoons Dry Irish Stout
Dark Horse Tres Blueberry Stout
Capital Blonde Doppelbock

Sun Singer

Bar Specials:

Whiskey: Michael Collins $4.50, Bushmills $4.50, Greenore 8 $7.75, Red Breast $8, Midleton $14.50

Bottle Beer Specials:
Abita Turbodog
Arcadia Nut Brown
Avery Redpoint Amber
Big Muddy Saluki Dunkeldog
Boulevard Irish Ale
boulevard Nutcracker
Buffalo Bill's Orange Blossom
Capital Tett Doppelbock
Crown Valley Horseshoe Pale
Dixie blackened Voodoo
Eel River Organic Porter
Great Divide Fresh Hop Pale Ale
Laughing Dog CSB-ESB
Moretti La Rossa Doppelbock
O'Fallon 'Sticke It to the Man' Alt
Rogue XS Imperial India Pale
Sam Smith Winter Welcome
Smuttynose Robust Porter

Piccadilly

Weekend wine tasting: Friday, 4-7 pm; Saturday 1-4 pm, $5; 6 wines (from Four Vines) and 3 beers (from Flossmoor Station)

Alcohol in the news; A winning ber from Victory Brewing Company

from the Buzz

A winning beer from Victory Brewing Company
The Golden Monkey is definitely a beer worth trying

My monkey turned golden when I came into contact with Victory. Victory Brewing Company that is, and their beer named the Golden Monkey is the supreme treat I speak of.

...

The aftertaste had subtle bitter overtones with a robust sweetness to follow. Standing at a 9.5% ABV, this beer overshadows all of the IPAs (though I am aware that this beer is a Belgian Ale) I have tried with special attention focused on ABV and the amount of bitter overtones during the aftertaste. Some IPAs, or particularly bitter beers, leave a filmy, dry, cotton mouth partially due to the high alcohol content (or high yeast content because extra yeast is added late to a beer to increase alcohol percentage), but the Golden Monkey is a tasty treat that tingles the soul as the alcohol takes effect shortly after a beer or two.

...

My only concern with this beer is tied very nicely to my last point; the extra yeast that is added to increase the alcohol content. Now, although the beer’s bitter overtones are drowned out by the sweet fruity aftertaste (creating a unique balance), the extra yeast used to increase alcohol content gathers at the bottom and, if you’re like me and have an issue with texture, can pose something of a problem when enduring the last few sips. But of course, I drank every last drop and felt every bit of tipsy after two.

Ok, lets discuss bottle conditioned beers. Bottle conditioning doesn't necessarily provide a greater amount of alcohol. Bottle conditioning is usually done to provide the carbonation to the beer. It makes the beer alive, and does increase the ABV, but it won't be significant enough to alter the listed ABV of the beer.

You can't just add more yeast to make a beer have a higher ABV, that's not how it works. So, how does yeast work? You've probably heard Andy say that yeast: eats sugar, pisses alcohol, and burps carbon dioxide; that's true. But, yeast is a living organism, so once all the sugar is eaten, the yeast will die. Also, yeast strains are bred to produce certain flavors. Alcohol (even though they piss it out) is poison to yeast. When beer gets to a certain concentration of alcohol (ABV) it will kill the yeast. There are yeast strains that can produce up to a 20% ABV (if all you are doing is mixing sugar with water). These aren't really great yeasts to use with beer. (At Friar Tucks, the higher alcohol yeasts are something like "Rocket Yeast"). The higher ABV yeasts are normally used for making distilled products; not the initial fermented product.

So, if you brew a beer, and add the yeast, you will have an initial period of the yeast eating the sugars, this is the primary fermentation. When the beer stops bubbling (CO2 escaping)(usually about 2 weeks), the beer is normally removed from the dead yeast, and allowed to sit for a bit longer (secondary fermentation). The ABV at this point doesn't go up significantly. If you add more yeast to this product, you will not significantly raise up the ABV of the beer. At this point, most of the sugars have been eaten, and the alcohol will kill any new addition of yeast. In order to add more yeast, you would have to add more sugar, but that's an inefficient way of doing it. It's more efficient to continually and gradually add more sugars to the fermenting beer, and have your yeast evolve in the vessel, than to just add more sugar and more yeast.

Yeast in the bottom of the bottle won't hurt you. If you don't like it, don't pour the bottle aggressively, and don't try to get every last drop out of the bottle.

The rest of the article was good, although there could have been more description of the flavors. He hit the appearance, smell, flavor, mouthfeel, and overall impression. Granted, there's some misinformation, but he's getting better. But he should reduce the adjectives, and focus more on nouns.

Alcohol in the news; Fire Station makes a name for itself with drinks and pizza

from the Buzz

Fire Station makes a name for itself with drinks and pizza

During my four years at UI, I have seen many restaurants come and go. With a revolving door of eateries and bars, what separates the goners from the go-to’s? Simply put: allure. The new pizzeria and bar Fire Station has just that.

Located on the corner on John Street between Fifth and Sixth, Fire Station opened its doors to campus in February. It offers a variety of tasty dishes and delectable drinks. The business is a small chain based out of Pekin, Ill., known as Firehouse. The name was changed due to the confusion that would inevitably ensue with Firehaus located right around the corner. As of now, the chain has only just infiltrated the collegiate market, starting at UI and Illinois State University.

...

The most unique feature of Fire Station is its state-of-the-art liquor system. You may be wondering why certain bottles are mounted on the wall behind the bar top. Each bottle is rigged to a dispenser that a bartender uses to pour your drink. Regardless of how long they hold the button, each drink will get exactly 1.5 ounces of liquor.

“No watered down drinks here — you get what you pay for,” Fries said.

Days of the Beer, March 18

The beer for today is Long Trail Brewing Company Double Bag Ale.

On March 18, 1962; Michael Gregory "Mike" Rowe was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Mike is best known as the host of the Discovery Channel series Dirty Jobs.

In season 1 of Dirty Jobs, episode titled Chick Sexer, mike was a baby chicken sexer, oyster harvester, and beer brewer. The episode originally aired August 16, 2003. During that episode, Mike visited Long Trail Brewing in Bridgewaters Corners, Vermont.

As to the beer:

This malty, full-bodied double alt is also known as "Stickebier" -German slang for "secret brew". double Bag was originally offered only in out brewery taproom as a special treat to our visitors. With an alcohol content of 7.2%, please indulge in moderation. The Long Trail Brewing Company is very proud to have Double Bag named Malt Advocate's "Beer of the Year" in 2001. Malt Advocate is a national magazine devoted to "expanding the boundaries of fine drinks". Their panel of judges likes to keep things simple, and therefore of thousands of eligible competitors they award only two categories; "Imported" and "Domestic". It is a great honor to receive this recognition!

The beer comes in at 7.2% ABV.

So, for Mike Rowe's birthday, have an award winning beer from the first brewery he went to in season 1 of Dirty Jobs. Stickebier sounds kind of dirty anyway, doesn't it?

Days of the Beer, March 17

The beer for today is Wexford Irish Cream Ale.

It's Saint Patrick's Day. Saint Patrick died March 17, 493 (or 460).

Patrick was born in Roman Britain. When he was 16, he was captured and carried off as a slave to Ireland, where he was a herdsman for 6 years. He heard a voice telling him to go home, so he left. He later became a priest, and then was sent back to Ireland to expand the church there.

When he got back to Ireland, he was threatened by the druids. He used a shamrock (clover) to explain the trinity.

He is rumored to having banished snakes from Ireland, however, post-glacial Ireland never had snakes. Some people consider the banishing of the snakes to be symbolic of him establishing Catholicism and ending the druids.

As to the beer:

Wexford Irish Cream Ale is based on a traditional Irish recipe from Wexford, Ireland which dates back to 1810. Wexford uses only the finest ingredients to ensure a smooth mellow creaminess. Best served slightly chilled to be smooth and refreshing.

Wexford Irish Cream Ale is an English Bitter. It's 5% ABV.

It's not green.

So, for Saint Patrick's Day, have an Irish Cream from Wexford.

(the beer is on tap at Radio Maria currently)

CU St. Paddy's Day 2011

What are you doing for Saint Patrick's Day?

• Seven Saints will be having whiskey and a corned beef and cabbage special.

• Crane Alley will be having corned beef and cabbage. Also Jameson specials and Moylans Irish Stout (keep the glass).

• Mike N Molly's will have corned beef and cabbage, mashed potatoes, and bread pudding, from 4pm until it's gone. Bands begin at 9pm with The dirty Feathers/Withershins/Take Care. Cover is $5 from 4pm until close. All you can eat and dance.

• Bentley's Pub will have corned beef and cabbage at 5pm. Exorna will be performing at 9. Drink Specials

• Black Dog Smoke & Ale House will have housemade smoked corned beef, Irish stew, shepherds pie, and smoked stout and cheddar meatloaf.

• Radio Maria will be having three Irish(ish) beers on tap: Wexford Irish Cream Ale, Moylan's Dragoon's Dry Irish Stout, and Rogue Irish Lager.

As always if you know of something, let me know.

Alcohol in the news; Sunsinger 3/16

From the WCIA 3 Illinoishomepage.net

Sunsinger 3/16

Brian Bowman, from Sunsinger Wine and Spirits, is here for today's Whet Your Whistle.

Brian brings in some wines to help celebrate the coming of spring.

Henschke Tilly’s Vineyard 2006 & POINT CONCEPCION 'Celestina' Pinot Grigio 2009 are the wines they tried.

I believe he said the wines will be available at the wine bar today for $8.25, if you are interested.

Days of the Beer, March 16

The beer for today is Estrada Real IPA from Falke Bier.

On March 16, 1049, Henry Enrique "Erik" Estrada was born. Estrada is best known for his co-starring lead role in the 1977-1983 television series ChiPs.

He got his acting break in 1970, playing Nicky Cruz, a teen gang member who found Christ, in the movie The Cross and the Switchblade. (I once went to a Nicky Cruz rally in Green Bay, oh so long ago.)

He was also memorable in The Surreal Life.

As to the beer:

Falke Bier was founded in 2004 in Ribeirao Das neves, Brazil.

The English created India Pale Ale style during the colonization of India in the 18th century. They increased hopping (hops act as bactericide) and alcoholic content (it lowers microbiologic activity), naturally giving more durability to the beer. Estrada Real and Falke Bier now bring back this recipe, offering an authentic English IPA, which would certainly be the beer that would go along with the travelers of Estrada Real in the 18th century.

I don't think you'll be able to find this beer anywhere in the US.

So, for Erik Estrada, have an Estrada Real IPA, if the beer is made for the trip to India (myth) then it should make it up those long trips on the California Highway.

Days of the Beer, March 15

The beer for today is Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA.

On March 15, 1955; Daniel "Dee" Snider was born. Snider is most famous for his role as the frontman of the band Twisted Sister.

In 1976, Snider joined Twisted Sister and became the sole songwriter of the band. Their first studio album was Under the Blade in 1982. Their third album, Stay Hungry, was released May 10, 1984; and was their most successful, with the songs "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock".

As to the beer:

Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA is an English India Pale Ale.

A stunning India Pale Ale (IPA), don't think that Belhaven's Twisted Thistle has anything jaggy, spikey, prickly or otherwise pain-inflicting in its nature. Quite the opposite. Your taste buds will tingle with pleasure after a sip or two of this golden nectar. A real treat from our master brewers in Dunbar.

The beer comes in at 5.3% ABV.

So, for Dee Snider and his band Twisted Sister have a Belhaven Twisted Thistle.

When I thought of this, I imagined merging the Twisted Sister and Twisted Thistle and having a lisp.

Tho, for Dee Thynider and hith band twithted thithter, have a twithed thithtle.

Alcohol in the news; Snow Cap Winter Warmer

From the Buzz

Snow Cap Winter Warmer; Grab one of these before they're off the shelf for months

Pyramid Brewery is a brew house that I was not aware of until I found myself pondering the beer aisle the other day. I chose the beer that stood out to me the most; even though spring is slowly a-coming I settled on a rare (for this time of year) seasonal winter ale.

Um, Pyramid Apricot is one of the biggest selling beers in Champaign Urbana, how can you be unfamiliar with it?

The brewery has been around since 1984 under various names, and became Pyramid in 1996.

Named, accordingly, the Snow Cap Winter Warmer surely embodies its name as it warmed the depths of my soul, or stomach really. Brewed with caramel and chocolate malts, this beer tastes sweet. Now don’t get me wrong, it still has all the attributes of beer and isn’t like any berry beer or stereotypical girly drinks. At 7% ABV this beer stands as a defiantly smooth, classy brew that has a bitter initial taste but is followed by sweet after tones that beg you to grab another.

...

Pour it into a glass and enjoy the deep, rich color of the Winter Warmer; take a deep breath in allowing the aroma to tickle the fibers in your nose and slowly sip this beer, allowing every taste bud to enjoy the arousing flavors (especially all you lovely ladies out there (inside joke), if you read my column on beer goggles). Sadly, this beer has won no awards since its initial production, but in my opinion it should have at least won a bronze somewhere.

In what category? There is no Winter Warmer category at Great American Beer Festival, and there isn't one at the World Beer Cup. If this beer were to be entered in as a brown, it would fail miserably. Not every good beer needs to (or even can) win an award.

In any case, if you can still find this beer on the shelf, by all means, buy this fast disappearing brew or else you’ll have to wait until October and nobody likes waiting. Cheers to good beer while it lasts.

Alcohol in the news; "no refusal"

• From the News-Gazette

No refusals at DUI checkpoint

PESOTUM – The Champaign County prosecutors and judge standing by Friday night and Saturday morning to respond to suspected drunk drivers got a pass.

There were only two arrests for driving under the influence as a result of a "no-refusal" safety check in north Urbana between 11 p.m. Friday and 4 a.m. Saturday and both those drivers consented to chemical tests.

Driving is now probably cause.

The road block was set up at the intersection of U.S. 45 and Airport Road on Urbana's north side.

Although Illinois State Police and State's Attorney Julia Rietz had publicized the no-refusal road block before it happened, they did not say in advance where it would be.

A release from state police said besides the DUI arrests, there were also two arrests for possession of drug paraphernalia, one for possession of cannabis, and a person taken in on an outstanding warrant.

Police also issued at least 16 warnings and 24 other citations for such things as driver's license, seat belt and registration violations.

• From WICD 15 ABC

New twist to roadside safety check

Roadside safety checks are nothing new in Champaign County. What's new is is the no refusal check. If a person says no to a breathalyzer, a search warrant will be issued forcing that person to take a blood test.

Days of the Beer, March 14

The beer for today is Woodchuck Granny Smith Hard Cider (not a beer).

On March 14, 1933; Maurice Joseph Micklewhite was born. Micklewhite took up acting and changed his name to Michael Caine.

Caine is one of only two actors nominated for an Academy Award for acting (either lead or supporting) in every decade from the 1960's to the 2000's (the other is Jack Nicholson). He has been nominated for an Oscar six times, he won the first in 1986 for Hannah and Her Sisters and his second in 1999 for The Cider House Rules, both as a supporting actor.

Additionally, March 14 is the first Pi Day of the year. (The other is July 22 or 22/7).

Pi Day was started in 1989. On Pi Day 2004, Daniel Tammet recited 22,514 decimal digits of Pi. On March 12, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution recognizing March 14, 2009 as National Pi Day.

To celebrate Pi Day, you can eat pie. Or you can hope you get your application decision letter from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, since they mail those for delivery on Pi Day.

As to the beer:

Woodchuck Granny Smith Hard Cider is made by the Woodchuck Cidery in Middlebury, Vermont.

Made from only Granny Smith apples, this one's a lot more tart and quite a bit tangier than your average Woodchuck. If you're a green apple sort of person, this could be your Woodchuck.

The cider comes in about 5% abv.

This cider was chosen because Granny Smith apples are probably the ones you will use for making pie.

So, for Pi day, and the Oscar winner from The Cider House Rules, have a cider that's about as close to pie as you can get.

Days of the Beer, March 13

The beer for today is Boulder Planet Porter.

On March 13, 1781, William Herschel discovered Uranus. On March 13, 1930, the news of the discovery of Pluto was telegraphed.

Uranus is the seventh planet from the sun. It is named after the Greek Uranus, father of Cronus and grandfather of Zeus. It is visible to the naked eye, but wasn't known to be a planet because of it's dimness and slow orbit.

Pluto was actually discovered on February 18, 1930, but news of the discovery wasn't reported to the Harvard College Observatory until March 13. Pluto was discovered by Clyde Tombaugh, who spent time studying sky image pairs taken two weeks apart to see if anything had shifted. After a year of searching he discovered a possible moving object on plates taken January 23 and January 29. Another image from january 21 confirmed the movement.

From 1930 until 2006, Pluto was considered the solar system's ninth planet. Neil deGrasse Tyson is the person responsible for making it not a planet... DAMN YOU NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON!!!

As to the beer:

Planet Porter is by boulder Beer, in Boulder, Colorado.

Planet Porter is a remarkably smooth dark ale. The generous use of black malt gives this brew a hint of coffee. Planetary: A big beer for everyone.

The beer comes in at 5.51% ABV.

So, for the discovery of two planets, have a Boulder Planet Porter.

Days of the Beer, March 12

The beer for today is Rogue Buckwheat Ale (Rogue Morimoto Soba Ale).

On March 12, 1931, William "Billie" Thomas, Jr. was born. He was a child actor best known for portraying Buckwheat in the Our Gang (Little Rascals) short films.

Buckwheat originally was a female character, portrayed by Carlena Beard, and Willie May Taylor. Billie Thomas first started playing the character in 1935, as a girl. In 1936, Buckwheat morphed into a boy.

Thomas was considered as a Vice President by Democratic presidential nominee Jimmy Carter in 1976. Carter later selected Walter Mondale as his running mate.

Thomas died of a heart attack on October 10, 1980.

As to the beer:

Rogue Buckwheat is actually Rogue Morimoto Soba Ale.

The Morimoto Soba Ale is part of the new Signature Series of Rogue Ales, launched in the Spring of 2003 with internationally acclaimed Chef Masaharu Morimoto—a James Beard awarded chef and one of the stars of the Food Network series, Iron Chef.

Soba (also known as buckwheat) is not a type of wheat but a member of the rhubarb family and has been a longtime staple of Japanese cuisine because of its nutritional value. Buckwheat is high in potassium, phosphorous, vitamin B (50 percent more than wheat) and protein, and its virtually fat-free. The fruits of the buckwheat plant are like small beechnuts, which are milled to separate the edible groats from the dark brown hulls. The groats are then roasted and used more or less like a grain (a good example is Kasha).

...

The delicate flavor of our roasted Soba brings a nutty finish to this light and refreshing ale. A perfect accompaniment to lighter cuisine.

The beer is 4.8% ABV.

So, for the birthday of the boy who became Buckwheat, Have a beer that once was Rogue Buckwheat Ale.

CU Beer Weekend; March 11, St Patricks day

Cops are out in Urbana tonight, and will be out in force for Saint Patricks Day. Watch yourself.

Seven Saints

Original Sin
Dark Horse Tres Blueberry Stout

Tuesday: Tuesday Brewsday, O'fallon Black Hemp Black Ale, $2
Wednesday: Whiskey Wednesday, Scotch

Radio Maria

Harviestoun Ola Dubh 18
Port High Tide
Affligem Noel
New Holland Dragons Milk
Two Brothers Domaine Du Paige
Founders Porter
Two Brothers Northwind Stout
Saison Foret
Southern Tier Cuvee 3
Goose Island Pepe Nero
Southern Tier Gemini
Dogfish Head Raison d'Etre
Gouden Carolous Cuvee Van de Kaiser
Unibroue Ephemere
Blanche de Bruxelles
Morland's Old Speckled Hen
Left Hand Milk Stout
Liefmans Cuvee Brut
Avery Ellies Brown
Avery Mephistopheles
New Holland Imperial Mad Hatter
Southern Tier Chokolat
Lagunitas Pils
Weihenstephaner Korbinian Doppel Bock
Celis White
Anderson Valley Brother David's Double (probably out)
PBR

Friday: Happy Hour with free appetizers 4:30 - 5:30,
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.

Crane Alley

North Coast Old Rasputin Imperial Stout 9.0%
Southern Tier Gemini Imperial IPA 10.5%
Moylans North Cal IPA 6.5%
Gulden Draak 10.5%
Bitburger Pilsner 4.8%
Bell's Expedition Stout 10.5%
Haandbryggeriet Nissefar 7.0%
Big Sky Moose Drool Brown Ale 5.3%
Piraat 10.5%
Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball 9.0%
St Bernardus Witbier 5.5%
Southern Cuvee Series 3 11.0%
Ommegang Belgian Pale Ale 6.1%
Dark Horse Tres Blueberry Stout 7.0%
Silly Double Enghien 7.5%
Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat 5.0%
Mikkeller Green Gold IPA 7.0%
Avery New World Porter 6.7%
PBR 4.2%

Specials for the weekend of March 11th


The Heartthrob – Crane Alley’s hand made 8oz burger patty cooked your way and topped with caramelized onions, slow roasted duck confit and Mangalitsa ham chili, covered in melted provolone cheese and served with fries. We’d suggest a Smuttynose Brown Ale to wash this one down. $13.95

Blackened Tuna Salad - Grilled yellowfin tuna steak with blackened seasoning, served on a bed of spinach and mixed field
greens with cucumber, red onion, grape tomato, bell pepper and chipotle-orange vinaigrette. Pairs nicely with a draught of Moylan’s IPA. $15.95

Angel Hair Shrimp Pasta - Jumbo black tiger shrimp in a savory lemon-white-wine butter sauce over angel hair pasta with forest mushrooms, fresh garlic, parsley and capers. Served with garlic toast. A sharp dish that would be best served by a glass of dry Poema Cava or the crisp effervescence of an Ommegang Hennepin saison. $16.95

Thursday; St Patty's Day Party, noon to 2 am

Join us March 17th for Corned Beef and Cabbage all day long! Jameson specials and free prizes. Buy a pint of Moylans Irish stout and keep the glass.

Blind Pig

Port Brewing Mongo; San Marcos, California, Imperial IPA, 8.5% abv
Bell’s Third Coast; Kalamazoo, Michigan, Barley Wine, 10.2 % abv
Victory Storm King; Downington, Pennsylvania, Imperial Stout, 9.1% abv
Rogue Chipotle; Newport, Oregon, Spice Ale, 5.5% abv
Founders Dirty Bastard; Grand Rapids, Michigan, Scotch Ale, 8.3% abv
Rogue John John Dead Guy; New Port, Oregon, Heller Bock, 6.5% abv
Lagunitas The Hairy Eyeball; Petaluma, California, American Strong Ale, 9% abv
Green Flash Hop Head Red; Vista, Californai, Amber Ale, 6.4%
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
Scaldis; Belgium, Belgian Strong Ale, 12% abv
Stella Artois; Belgium, Pale Lager, 5.2% abv
Pabst Blue Ribbon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Smutty Nose Barleywine; Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Barleywine, 10%
Arcadia Scotch Ale; Battle Creek, Michigan, Scotch Ale, 7.5% abv
Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen; Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5.3%
Lagunitas IPA; Petaluma, California, India Pale Ale, 5.7% abv
Bitburger Premium Pils; Germany, Classic German Pilsener, 4.8%
Bell’s Pale Ale; Kalamazoo, Michigan, American Pale Ale, 5.3% abv
Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout; Fort Collins, Colorado, Sweet Stout, 8.1% abv
Lindeman’s Framboise; Belgium, Lambic, 2.5% abv
Young’s Double Chocolate Stout; England, Stout, 5.2%
Guinness; Dublin, Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv

Blind Pig Brewery

Blind Pig Replicale
Blind Pig Winter Barley Wine
Blind Pig American Pale Ale
Blind Pig Der Cyser
North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner; Fort Bragg, California, Pilsener, 4.4% abv
Celis White; Belgium, Belgian White, 5% abv
Port Brewing Midnight Expressions; San Marcos, CA, Schwarzbier, 5% abv
Southern Tier Iniquity; Lakewood, New York, Black IPA, 9% abv
Two Brothers’ Cane & Ebel; Warrenville, IL, American Strong Ale, 7% abv
North Coast Brother Thelonious; Fort Bragg, CA, Blgn Strng Ale, 9% abv
Arcadia Cereal Killer; Battle Creek, MI, Barley Wine, 10% abv
Moylan’s Chelsea Porter; Novato, California, Porter, 5%
Boulder Mojo IPA; Boulder, Colorado, India Pale Ale, 7.2% 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

Black Dog Smoke and Ale House

Left Hand 400 Pound Monkey
Moylan's Dragoon Dry Irish Stout
Great Divide Hades
Southern Tier Chokolat
Dark Horse Tres
Founders Cerise
Wittekerke Wit

Sun Singer

Bar specials:
Whiskey: Michael Collins $4.50, Bushmills, $4.50, Greenore 8 $7.75, Red Breast $8, Midleton $14.50

Beer: Mad River Serious Madness $4.25, Eel River Organic Porter $3.75, Great Divide Fresh Hop Pale $8.50


Piccadilly

Weekend wine tasting: Friday, 4-7 pm; Saturday 1-4 pm, $3; 4 wines and 4 beers

Champaign Urbana Beer Club

Wednesday; March Beer Club, Imports, Crane Alley, 6pm

Don't forget on Thursday (st. paddy's day) that's the day to buy your golden tickets for Dark Lord Day! (follow 3floyds on twitter to get the initial announcement)

Alcohol in the news; "No-refusal" DUI checkpoint in place tonight

• From the news gazette

'No-refusal' DUI checkpoint in place tonight

URBANA – Champaign County law enforcement officials are going to be tightening the screws on potential drunken drivers Friday night.

State's Attorney Julia Rietz said motorists stopped in a roadside safety check in Urbana who refuse to submit to chemical testing will be given an offer they can't refuse:

A search warrant will be laid on them, forcing them to submit to testing, or they face a felony obstruction of justice charge.

This is bullshit.

I am against roadside checks. I am against no-refusal. I'm against drinking and driving, but this is still bullshit.

The roadblock starts at 11 p.m. and runs to 4 a.m. Saturday at an undisclosed location. The difference between other safety checks done by police and this one is that prosecutors and a judge will be standing by.

When you find out where this is happening, let everyone know.

In fact, we should organize a drive by of people who haven't been drinking, to take up the time of the officers.

Since when is just driving down the road probably cause?

• From WAND 17 NBC

No-refusal weekend in champaign county

CHAMPAIGN, IL- Police and prosecutors in Champaign County will be out trying to catch suspected drunk drivers this weekend.

It will be a no-refusal weekend in Champaign County.

Suspected drunk drivers must submit to a breathalyzer test. If they do not, a judge will issue a warrant to force testing.

Macon and Sangamon County have held no-refusal details in the past. This is the first no-refusal weekend conducted in Champaign County.

Days of the Beer, March 11

The beer for today is Birrificio Del Ducato, Verdi Imperial Stout.

On March 11, 1851, the first performance of Rigoletto took place in Venice. On March 11, 1867, the first performance of Don Carlos took place in Paris. Both of those were compositions of Giuseppe Verdi.

As to the beer:

(translated by Google)

Highly attenuated fermented in the bottle. She ebony dark, dense and impenetrable, and cappuccino-colored foam. The nose has aromas ranging from chocolate to licorice, from coffee to tobacco, with hints of liqueur. The mouth has a full body, soft and dry, with great persistence. The finish reveals a sexy surprise in a position to deconstruct the fullness of the beer and make new greedy throat sips. It lends itself well to aging.

Having founded the brewery in Roncole Verdi seemed only right to dedicate a beer at the Giuseppe Verdi, was when I returned from my first trip to New York I decided to create an Imperial Stout but stood out from all those who had drunk there in greater balance, elegance and drinkability. Fortunately, right from the very first crush was able to take the road, then of course the recipe was refined, but the idea was. The originality of the recipe is also in the use of chili peppers, in fact, the classic combination is repeated here with notes of chocolate beer, but also proves to be a gimmick, very apt because the final spicy tickles your throat going to relieve the full flavor and body of the beer making it easier to drink. The Verdi Imperial Stout was the first (and so far only) Italian craft beer in history to get a gold medal in an international competition for styles: In 2008 he won the gold in the category at the European Beer Star Imperial Stout .

The brewery is in Le Roncole, which is Giuseppe Verdi's birthplace.

So, for two of Verdi's Opera release dates, have a Verdi Imperial Stout.

*I've had it before, and it's not horrible*

Days of the Beer, March 10

The beer for today is Taps Brewing Company, Taps Chuck Noris Roundhouse IPA.

On March 10, 1940, Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris was born. Norris appeared in a number of action films, like Way of the Dragon, and was the star of Walker, Texas Ranger.

He's a devout Christian and politically conservative. He works out on the Total Gym.

As to the beer:

Prepare to be round-housed in the taste buds. This is a North American style India Pale Ale. It has an intense North West Pacific-hop character from a ridiculous amount of hops added to the bew-kettle, and then dry-hopped later on a during conditioning. Citrusy, floral, and fruity flavours take front stage, while the caramel accented malts give it some balance. Chuck Noris IPA is the reason that Waldo is hiding.

Yes, they spelled Noris wrong, they would probably be sued by his holiness if they spelled it Norris.

Taps Brewing is in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. They were founded in 2004.

So, if you are up by Niagara Falls, head on over to Horseshoe Falls, and get kicked in the face by Chuck Noris.

Alcohol in the news; Irish Whiskey 3/9

From WCIA 3/ Illinoishomepage.net

Irish Whiskey 3/9

Andy Borbely from Seven Saints goes and talks about Irish Whiskey.He makes a Four Points.

Actually, he spends time talking about bitters.

Days of the Beer, March 9

The beer for today is Sun King Brewing Company, Notorious IBU.

On March 9, 1997, Christopher George latore Wallace died. He was known as Big Poppa, The Black Frank White, Biggie Smalls, and primarily The Notorious B.I.G.

Wallace was born May 21, 1972, and was killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles.

As to the beer:

Style: Imperial India Brown Ale

The Notorious IBU is an Imperial India Brown Ale. While not technically a 'real' style of beer, it is our way of blurring stylistic guidelines, creating something new and having fun with at what we do!

Notorious packs a big, rich malt flavor that is complimented by heavy doses of American citrus hops. At 9% it's sure to put the smack down on your ass!

Sun King is out of Indiana. The beer has 97 IBU. This was a one time brew, but if it's like the Notorious B.I.G., the Notorious IBU will reach platinum status only after it's gone.

So, for the B.I.G., have an I.B.U.

Days of the Beer, March 8

The beer for today is Steel Brewing Company Steel Reserve 211 (High Gravity).

On March 8, 1976, Hines E. Ward, Jr. was born. (What's with all the Steelers?) Hines Ward *drink* was drafted in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. Hines Ward *drink* is a four time Pro bowl selection. Hines Ward *drink* is a two time Super Bowl champion (XL, XLIII) and Hines Ward *drink* was MVP of Superbowl XL.

Hines Ward *drink* has Steelers records for receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

If you ever watch a Steelers game, you can do what I do, and play the Hines Ward *drink* drinking game. Whenever the commentators say "Hines Ward" *drink* take a drink. Not if they say "Hines", not if they say "Ward", but only if they say "Hines Ward" *drink*.

As to the beer:

Steel Reserve is owned by Miller.

The Two Eleven mark, based on the medieval symbol for steel, appears only on Steel Reserve High Gravity Lager. We use nearly twice the ingredients of many normal lagers and brew for over twice as long as many quality beers.

The beer is a different ABV, based on regions of the country and their laws, it ranges from 6% up to 8.9%.

So, for Hines Ward *drink*, have a Steel Reserve 211.

the aftermath, Unofficial 2011

It came. It went.

From the News-Gazette

Police issued 328 notices for offenses at Unofficial

As of 3 a.m. Saturday, police reported that there had been 328 notices to appear in court issued during the bacchanal that has become – for police, parents and university administrators – the most dreaded annual event on the UI campus.

...

In 2010, there were 269 notices to appear issued; in 2009, the number was 351.

"Last year, we were pretty much done by midnight. (This year) we were out all the way up to bar closing (2 a.m.)," he said, adding that a chilly rain that started in the early evening did little to deter the partying.

...

Of the 328 NTAs issued, about 120 went to UIUC students.

The tickets were for such city ordinance violations as adults allowing minors to drink, minors in possession of alcohol, the purchase of too many kegs, open alcohol, public possession of alcohol, sale of alcohol to minors, throwing objects from balconies, fighting and resisting a peace officer. One NTA was issued for each of the following offenses: possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, battery, public urination, loud noise, littering and unlawful use of ID.

...

Read the comments at the end of the article. Here's the first.

Let's hope the tab for all the overtime work by police, firefighters, ambulance, ER personnel, etc. is passed on to the bar owners and not to the taxpayers. If not, I suspect the move among Champaign residents that one of my neighbors approached me about-- to make campustown a dry zone-- will gain more and more support. He already had 600 signatures. The students bring a lot to this town, but they destroy any goodwill they earn when they insist on breaking the laws, going to class drunk, fighting with police, etc. All because some bar owners are jealous that every few years St Patrick's Day falls during Spring Break and students don't give local bar owners all their (parents) money.

Wow, just wow.

Here's even more stupidity:

easily done, double or treble their liquor license fees.

this problem event was the brain child of a bar owner, Cochrane, I believe

does Cochrane continue to make windfall profits today? which bars does he own?

Who says "treble"? And Liquor License fees have already gone up.

Vignettes from Unofficial St. Patrick's Day

Some snapshots of the people and activities involved in the 2011 Unofficial St. Patrick's Day:

• From WCIA 3/Illinois Homepage.net

Tow Companies See Green

A busy day for tow companies is starting to pay off.

A lot of money was being exchanged at Reynolds Towing today.

The company hauled in more than 200 cars during the past two days up by a few dozen from last year.

Drivers had to fork over anywhere from $115-$200 Plus an extra $35 if they didn't pick up their ride within 24 hours.

Needless to say there were a lot of excuses.

Girl Attacks WCIA Camera

Things went from bad to worse at the Unofficial St. Patrick's Day celebration. The bars opened at eleven Friday morning, but drinking started well before that and it led to some dangerous situations.

WCIA crews got caught right in the middle of it. A woman trying running into the middle of a live shot. When the cameras were turned on her, things got ugly.

She ran toward our crews yelling and tried grabbing and batting at the camera. At one point she threw an orange cone at the team.

That wasn't the only crazy situation. Someone threw a television into a parked car.

A total of 157 citations were handed out. Seventy-eight of those went to University of Illinois students. The rest went to people from other schools.

Two to Hospital During Unofficial

A day full of drinking has lead to some dangerous situations. Provena says it's already had two people come in-- near death-- because of Unofficial St. Patrick's Day. Both had blood alcohol levels five times the legal limit.

But not everyone spent the day partying. WCIA 3's Tinisha Shade reports.

• From WAND 17 NBC

The Price of Unofficial

More towing stories

• From WICD 15 ABC

"Unofficial" Aftermath

That was then. This is now. After two days of non stop parting in U of I's "Campus Town," blocks upon blocks are littered with trash. From beer cups, to left over food, to even articles of clothing. For nearly 48 hours it was all fun and games but not everyone is laughing about it.
"I'm pretty disgusted to be honest. Considering how much fines have been given out for drinking all all that stuff. They should use some of that to clean up the streets and getting rid of all that trash," said Jacob Cahnman.

Day two of Unofficial

CHAMPAIGN-URBANA--After a long night of drinking and celebrating day two of Unofficial is here.

After sleeping in a bit many people were wandering around Campustown in their green attire.

While some were looking for their next drink others were looking for food to help soak up some of the excess alcohol.

Those celebrating say Friday night was fun and they look forward to round two.

From the Daily Illini

Champaign, UI police report more citations given this year

Just under 60 more people received citations on Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day this year from last year.

The Champaign Police Department had seen a decrease in the number of violations from 2009 to 2010 — 269 compared to 351 two years ago.

They were hoping to control that trend, but instead more students and others were cited for breaking the laws, with the final number coming in at 328 citations.

Unofficial 2011, by the numbers

Farthest distance a celebrator traveled, only to get ticketed: roughly 600 miles (from West Virginia)
Number of high school students to get tickets: 4
Pasta face-plants: 1
Public urinations: 1
Bag pipers: 2
Street violinists: 1
Hotdog wieners sold on Green Street: roughly 1,500
Plastic surgery procedures*: 1
Hospital transports: Over 20
Cars towed*: 82
First ticket cited: 9:47 a.m. on March 4
Last ticket cited: 1:30 a.m. on March 5
Males ticketed (excluding repeat offenders): 223
Females ticketed (excluding repeat offenders): 103
Out of state celebrators ticketed (excluding repeat offenders): 293
In-state celebrators ticketed (excluding repeat offenders): 33

The top ten most memorable quotes of Unofficial 2011

Not that good.

Days of the Beer, March 7

The beer for today is Pittsburgh Brewing Company Iron City Beer.

On March 7, 1950, Franco Harris was born. On March 7, 1952, Lynn Swann was born.

Harris was a runningback with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted number 13 in the first round of the 1972 draft. He played with the Steelers from 1972 to 1983. He was the 1972 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was a four time Super Bowl Champion (IX, X, XIII, XIV) and was Super Bowl IX MVP. He was a nine time Pro Bowl selection (from 1972 to 1980).

Lynn Swann Was drafted number 21 in the first round of the 1974 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he played wide receiver. He also was a four time Super Bowl champion (IX, X, XIII, XIV) and was the MVP of Super Bowl X. He was selected to three Pro Bowls in 75, 77 and 78.

As to the beer:

Iron City: The Official Beer of the Pittsburgh Nation

Iron City has been the ‘Burgh’s signature beer since 1861. This premium lager has become a proud tradition of the city and its people. Just try to imagine a Pittsburgh football, baseball or hockey game without an ice cold Iron.

We still brew Iron City fresh daily – but now, instead of delivering it to Pittsburgh neighborhoods in horse-drawn buggies, we deliver it to your favorite hangouts. You can get an Iron at national restaurant chains, upscale eateries, and – of course – your favorite local bar. You can also find it at more than 330 regional beer distributors. Because Iron City is brewed locally, it goes from the brewery to you within a matter of days. You won’t find a fresher beer anywhere in Pittsburgh!

The beer is 4.5% ABV. It has 140 calories and 10 carbs, if you care about that stuff.

So, for two of Pittsburgh's most important football players in the 70's, have a beer that started in the 1860's.

Days of the Beer, March 6

The beer for today is Alamo beer Company, Alamo Golden Ale.

On March 6, 1836, after 13 days of siege, an army of 3,000 Mexican troops captured the Alamo and the last 2 of the 187 Texas volunteers defending the fort.

In the early hours of March 6, the Mexican Army advanced on the Alamo. After repulsing two attacks, the Texans were unable to fend off a third. As Mexican soldiers scaled the walls, most of the Texian soldiers withdrew into interior buildings. Defenders who couldn't get to them were killed by Mexican cavalry as they tried to escape. Several Texians tried to surrender, but were executed. The Texians killed between 400 and 600 Mexicans.

As to the beer:

Alamo Golden Ale is an American Blonde Ale. It is 5.3%.

I'm not sure if the beer is still in production. Heck, there may be only 2 bottles of it left. The Alamo Beer Company is located in San Antonio, Texas "just a day's ride from the Alamo".

So, if you are trying to "remember the Alamo", have an Alamo Golden Ale.

Days of the Beer, March 5

The beer for today is Colt 45 High Gravity Lager.

On March 5, 1836, Samuel Colt made the first production-model revolver, the .34 caliber.

The revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing.

As to the beer:

Colt 45 high Gravity is an American Malt Liquor. It is 8.5% Alcohol. It is made by the Pabst Brewing Company (in Illinois).

So, for the guy named Colt, who made a revolver, drink a Colt 45 High Gravity. If you drink enough of it, the next day, you'll probably want to put a revolver to your head.

it's armageddon!!! The latest Unofficial news, as it happens.

I hope you are listening to the police feed, it's entertaining.

Champaign County Police and Fire Live Audio Feed

currently there are 184 people listening, it's good fun.

• From the News-Gazette

Unofficial gaining steam on campus

CHAMPAIGN – Police shut down an apartment party at the 15th annual Unofficial St. Patrick's Day in Champaign just before 11 a.m. and three students were ticketed for having multiple kegs.

Seventeen people were issued ordinance violations for minors in possession of alcohol at the party, which was at 54 E. Chalmers St., C, said Champaign police Sgt. Scott Friedlein, a veteran of all the previous Unofficial St. Patrick's Days.

“The officers discovered a party out of control,” Friedlein said. “We shut it down, issued the tickets and released them with good warning that the next time, we might not be so kind.”

Police are making stops of anyone seen carrying alcohol, open or packaged, on the streets, Friedlein said. About 40 city ordinance violation citations have been issued.

Unofficial 2011 photo gallery

Picture #9, she's not wearing pants!

• From WCIA 3/ Illinois homepage.net

Unofficial Celebrations Underway

A sea of green has taken over U of I's campus for Unofficial St. Patrick's Day.

Police are keeping a watchful eye on the celebrations from afar. About 15 people are working around the clock at the Central Command Center.

That's where they'll keep an eye on the 300 campus surveillance cameras. Members of Champaign, Urbana, U of I and Illinois State Police are there, along with representatives from the university.

They'll be working around the clock until around 4 a.m. monitoring campus.

• From the Daily Illini

Unofficial 2011 Live Chat

Bar Lines stretch out for Unofficial

The line at Red Lion has been about 20 to 30 people long around 1 p.m. with an estimated wait time of 20 minutes.

The Clyborne and Fire Haus are at full capacity as of 2:48 p.m.

CU Beer Weekend; March 4 (Unofficial/Carneval)

Where in CU are you drinking this weekend? Are you already drunk?

Seven Saints

Original Sin
Dark Horse Too Cream Stout

Tuesday: Tuesday Brewsday, Duchesse de Bourgogne, $4 bottle
Wednesday: Whiskey Wednesday, Bourbon and Rye

Radio Maria

Harviestoun Ola Dubh 18
Port High Tide
Affligem Noel
New Holland Dragons Milk
Two Brothers Domaine Du Paige
Founders Porter
Two Brothers Northwind Stout
Saison Foret
Southern Tier Cuvee 3
He'Brew Jewbelation 10
Southern Tier Gemini
Dogfish Head Raison d'Etre
Gouden Carolous Cuvee Van de Kaiser
Unibroue Ephemere
Blanche de Bruxelles
Morland's Old Speckled Hen
Left Hand Milk Stout
Liefmans Cuvee Brut
Avery Ellies Brown
Avery Mephistopheles
Ballast Point Sculpin
Southern Tier Chokolat
Lagunitas Pils
Weihenstephaner Korbinian Doppel Bock
Celis White
Anderson Valley Brother David's Double
PBR

Friday: Carneval, 10pm
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 perfor

Crane Alley

North Coast Old Rasputin Imperial Stout 9.0%
Southern Tier Gemini Imperial IPA 10.5%
Rogue Yellow Snow IPA 6.2%
Gulden Draak 10.5%
Lagunitas Czech Pils 5.3%
Lost Abbey Serpent Stout 11.0%
Haandbryggeriet Nissefar 7.0%
Avery Ellie's Brown Ale 5.5%
Piraat 10.5%
Two Brothers Cane & Ebel 7.0%
St Bernardus Witbier 5.5%
Southern Cuvee Series 3 11.0%
Ommegang Belgian Pale Ale 6.1%
Bell's Double Cream Stout 6.2%
Silly Double Enghien 7.5%
Rogue John John Dead Guy Ale 6.5%
Mikkeller Ris A La Male 8.0%
Tommyknocker Cocoa Porter 5.7%
PBR 4.2%

Specials for the weekend of March 4

Tuna Provençal – Pan seared yellowfin tuna steak served over a bed of sautéed haricot verts, grape tomato, fresh herbs, shallots and dressed with balsamic vinegar and fresh squeezed lemon juice. $16.95

Beef Nachos - Slow simmered hanger steak ragout over tri-color tortillas, covered in melted queso rico and roasted jalapenos. $10.95

Roast Chicken Breast – Oven roasted and herb crusted boneless chicken breast with garlic mashed potatoes, sautéed haricot verts and roasted red-bell pepper cream sauce. $14.95

Blind Pig

Piraat; Belgium, Belgian Strong Ale, 10.5% abv
O’Fallon Hemp Hop Rye; O’Fallon, Missouri, Specialty Grain, 5.5% abv
Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van de Keizer Blauw; Belgium, Belgian Strong Ale, 11% abv
Rogue Chipotle; Newport, Oregon, Spice Ale, 5.5% abv
Founders Dirty Bastard; Grand Rapids, Michigan, Scotch Ale, 8.3% abv
Rogue John John Dead Guy; New Port, Oregon, Heller Bock, 6.5% abv
Founders Porter; Grand Rapids, Michigan, Porter, 6.5% abv
Kostritzer Schwarzbier; Germany, Schwarzbier, 4.8%
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
Scaldis; Belgium, Belgian Strong Ale, 12% abv
Stella Artois; Belgium, Pale Lager, 5.2% abv
Pabst Blue Ribbon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Pale Lager, 5% abv
Smutty Nose Barleywine; Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Barleywine, 10%
Arcadia Scotch Ale Battle; Creek, Michigan, Scotch Ale, 7.5% abv
Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen; Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5.3%
Lagunitas IPA; Petaluma, California, India Pale Ale, 5.7% abv
Left Hand Polestar Pilsner; Longmont, Colorado, Pilsener, 5.5%
Dark Horse Crooked Tree; Marshall, Michigan, India Pale Ale, 6% abv
Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout; Fort Collins, Colorado, Sweet Stout, 8.1% 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 Winter Barley Wine
Blind Pig American Pale Ale
Blind Pig Der Cyser
North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner; Fort Bragg, California, Pilsener, 4.4% abv
Celis White; Belgium, Belgian White, 5% abv
New Holland Dragons Milk; Holland Michigan, American Strong Ale,10% abv
Goose Island Dominique; Chicago, Illinois, Sour/Wild Ale, 8.5% abv
Two Brothers’ Cane & Ebel; Warrenville, IL, American Strong Ale, 7% abv
North Coast Brother Thelonious; Fort Bragg, CA, Blgn Strng Ale, 9% abv
Arcadia Barrel Aged Porter; Battle Creek, MI, Imperial Porter, 12% abv
Bell’s Best Brown; Kalamazoo, Michigan, Brown Ale, 5.8%
Green Flash West Coast IPA; Vista, California, India Pale Ale, 7.3% 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

Black Dog Smoke and Ale House

Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
Erdinger Weisse Dunkel
Left Hand Nirto Milk Stout
Left Hand Wake Up Dead
Smuttynose Baltic Porter
Capital Maibock
Fort Collins double Chocolate Stout

Today through Fat Tuesday: Special Mardi Gras Cocktails, including Hurricanes, Saverac Cocktails and Redemption Rye Lime Tea