CU Beer Weekend; November 19

Seven Saints


Southern Tier Old Man Winter
Bell's Hell Hath No Fury

Tuesday: Brewsday Tuesday, Bell's Best Brown $2 a bottle. Fat Tire Drafts $2.00
Wednesday: Whiskey Wednesday, Scotch

Radio Maria

Pyramid Apricot
Sierra Nevada Estate
Rogue Somer Orange Honey Wheat Ale
Avery Maharaja
Two Brothers Hop Juice
Arcadia Cereal City
Dark Horse Too Cream Stout
Anchor Liberty
Southern Tier Creme Brulee
Scaldis Noel
Southern Tier Farmer's Tan
Left Hand Chainsaw
Jolly Pumpkin Calablaza Blanca
Port Older Viscosity
Brasserie Blance de Bruxelles
Dark Horse Plead the 5th Imperial Stout
Left Hand Milk Stout
Petrus Oak Aged Pale
Mikkeller Jackie Brown
Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter
Victory Hopdevil
Hofbrau Weiss
Victory Prima Pils
Kulmbacher Eisbock
Rogue Chataeu Rogue Wet Hop IPA
Ballast Point Fathom India Pale Lager
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

Founders Backwoods Bastard; Grand Rapids, Michigan, Scotch Ale, 10.2% abv
Jolly Pumpkin Weizen Bam; Dexter, Michigan, Hefeweizen, 4.5% abv
Moylan’s Spiced Winter Lager; Novato, California, Spice Ale, 6% abv
Unibroue Maudite; Canada, Belgian Strong Ale, 8% abv
Mikkeller Single Hop Simcoe; Denmark, India Pale Ale, 6.9% abv
Two Brothers’ Dog Days Lager; Warrenville, Illinois, Dortmunder, 4.9% abv
Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux; Belgium, Saison, 9.5% abv
Ballast Point Even Keel; San Diego, California, American Pale Ale, 3.5% abv
Fuller’s London Pride; England, Premium Bitter, 4.7% abv
Delirium Tremens; Belgium, Belgian Strong Ale, 8.5% abv
Blue Moon; Golden, Colorado, Belgian White, 5.4% abv
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 Mogul Madness; Newport, Oregon, Black IPA, 6.25%
Capital Winter Skal; Middleton, Wisconsin, Vienna, 5.4% 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%
Rogue Yellow Snow; Newport, Oregon, India Pale Ale, 6.2% abv
Breckenridge Autumn; Denver, Colorado, Old Ale, 6.7% abv
Lindeman’s Pêche; Belgium, Lambic, 2.5% abv
Old Speckled Hen; England, Premium Bitter, 5.2%
Guinness; Dublin, Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv

Blind Pig Brewery

Blind Pig Saison
Blind Pig Oatmeal Stout 7.4%
Blind Pig Vienna Lager 4.9%
Schlafly Pilsner; Maplewood, Missouri, Pilsener, 4.9% abv
Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier; Germany, German Hefeweizen, 5% abv
Rogue Chipotle; Newport, Oregon, Spice Ale, 5.5% abv
Witkap Pater Dubbel; Belgium, Abbey Dubbel, 7% abv
Troubadour Magma; Belgium, Imperial IPA, 9% abv
Southern Tier Old Man Winter; Lakewood, NY, Amer. Strng Ale, 7.2% abv
Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel; Germany, Dunkelweizen, 5.3% abv
Flying Dog Gonzo Porter; Frederick, Maryland, Imperial Porter, 9.2%
Port Brewing High Tide; San Marcos, California, India Pale Ale, 6.5% 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

Moyland's Dragoons Irish Stout
Great Divide Hercules Imperial IPA 10.0%
Anderson Valley Hop Ottin Ipa 7.0%
Konig Pilsener 4.9%
Nogne O Imperial Stout 9.0%
Arcadia Big Dick's Old Ale 8.0%
Flying Dog In Heat Wheat 4.7%
New Holland Black Mad Hatter IPA 7.1%
Coniston Bluebird Bitter
Rogue McRogue Scotch Ale 7.0%
Great Divide Belgica IPA 7.5%
Fullers London Porter 5.0%
Dark Horse Raspberry Ale 5.5%
Avery Brown Ale 5.5%
St Bernardus Abt 12 10.0%
PBR 4.2%

Also on tap, but I don't know what it replaced:
Mikkeller Czech Pils
Troubador Magma
Dark Horse Scotty Karate
Port Brewing High Tide IPA
Founders Breakfast Stout 2009

December 7: Smuttynose Brewery Release Party: 7pm, 6 Smuttnose brews on tap, president of the brewery, Peter Egelston will be there. Free shirts and glassware giveaways
December 8: Beer and Cheese Tasting: Cheese from Prairie Fruits Farm paired with Merchant du Vin imports, 7pm

Black Dog Smoke and Ale House

(old list)
Schlafly Irish Extra Stout
Port Brewing High Tide Fresh Hop IPA
Dark Horse Perkulator Coffee Dopplebock
Anderson Valley Boont Imperial Amber Ale
Ballast Point Even Keel Session Ale
North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout
Sinebrychoff Porter

Mike n' Molly's

(Nov 13 list)
Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter
Great Divide Hades
Mikkeller Chinook IPA
Port 4th Anniversary Double IPA
Lefthand Warrior IPA
New Holland Hopivore

Friar Tucks

Saturday: Whiskey and Whiskey/oak-aged beer tasting, 1-5 pm.

Beer in the news; best of the worst

From the Buzz

Best of the worst: If you're going cheap, get the best cheap there is

The Buzz beer person, Ramine Nimrou, talks about PBR and Busch.

There really is nothing too informative in the article. He/she picked PBR as the best cheap beer between the two.

Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages Q&A from the FDA

Questions and Answers: Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages

What action is FDA taking?

FDA is issuing Warning Letters to four manufacturers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages. All of these products are alcoholic malt beverages to which caffeine has been directly added as an ingredient. The manufacturers and their products are:

• Charge Beverages Corporation, which makes “Core High Gravity HG Green,” “Core High Gravity HG Orange,” and “Lemon Lime Core Spiked;”
• New Century Brewing Company, LLC, which makes “Moonshot;”
• Phusion Projects, LLC (doing business as Drink Four Brewing Company), which makes “Four Loko;” and
• United Brands, which makes “Joose” and “Max.”

FDA is issuing the Warning Letters because the Agency’s position is that the products named in the Warning Letters are being marketed in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FFDCA).

The agency has not approved the use of caffeine in alcoholic beverages at any level, and based on the information FDA has reviewed, the agency does not consider the use of caffeine in the beverages listed above to be generally recognized as safe (GRAS). The Warning Letters should not be interpreted to mean that FDA considers other alcoholic beverages to which caffeine has been directly added to be in compliance with the law.

Did you see the movie Beer Wars? One of the main characters from the movie was Rhonda Kallman (formerly of Boston Beer Company). She is the founder and CEO of New Century Brewing Company. her beer, "Moonshot" was part of the focus of the movie. Now, I anticipate she's going to be out of business.

Will FDA take action against other products containing added caffeine?

At this time, the FDA is sending Warning Letters to four manufacturers of alcoholic malt beverages to which caffeine has been directly added as an ingredient. Other alcoholic beverages containing added caffeine may be subject to agency action in the future if the available scientific data and information indicate that the use of caffeine in those products is not GRAS. A manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that its products, including the ingredients of its products, are safe for their intended use and are otherwise in compliance with the law.

So, this doesn't affect coffee stouts. It doesn't affect any other beers where the caffeine is added by the use of ingredients that have caffeine (coffee, chocolate, tea). So, Terrapin Wake and Bake is fine.

This came about really fast. This is a knee-jerk reaction to a couple of people who aren't responsible anyway. If you know someone who died from taking these products, did it really surprise you?

Alcohol in the news; wines for turkey day

From WCIA 3 CBS/ Illinoishomepage.net

Wines for Turkey Day

Brian Bowman from Sun Singer shows us a pair of wines that work well with any Turkey Day Dinner

(Geez, it's a 17 minute segment, ok, not intentional and the wine segment ends around 7:15. )

The first wine is a white from Slovenia, it's a Pinot Gris, from Edi Simcic. Normally, this wine sells for $41.99.

The second wine is a Moulin a Vent.

The main reason Brian is on the show is to pimp the Beaujolais Nouveau Release, which is tomorrow at noon.



Sun Singer Wines & Spirits

Four Loko news; Four Loko to remove caffeine amid reports of a ban

From the Chicago Tribune

Four Loko to remove caffeine amid reports of a ban

WASHINGTON (AP) —

The Chicago-based manufacturer of popular caffeinated alcohol drink Four Loko said Tuesday it will remove the caffeine from its products, pulling the blend off the market just as the Food and Drug Administration is poised to ban it.

again, this saddens me.

Four Loko news; Can it avoid an FDA ban?

From the Christian Science Monitor (neither christian nor scientific)

Four Loko: Can it avoid an FDA ban?

The manufacturer of popular caffeinated alcohol drink Four Loko said Tuesday it will remove the caffeine from its products, pulling the blend off the market just as the Food and Drug Administration is poised to ban it.

Holy shit.

Phusion Projects said in a statement posted on its website that the company will remove caffeine and two other ingredients from its products going forward.

So, it's just going to be Loko? Since there will be no more Four.

The FDA ruling "should be the nail in the coffin of these dangerous and toxic drinks," Sen. Chuck Schumer, who has pushed the Obama administration to ban the beverages, said Tuesday.

Technically, alcohol is poison, so yes, it's a toxic drink.

It's a sad day for liquor.

Four Loko news; under fie in 3 more states

Chalk paranoia up in at least three more states, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

From Chicago Breaking Business; Mass., conn. Move to restrict Phusion's Four Loko

Massachusetts liquor regulators are moving to restrict sales of potent stimulant-packed alcoholic drinks, including Four Loko that has been banned in four states. Connecticut wholesalers wholesalers have agreed to voluntarily suspend their shipment and deliveries.

From the New York Times, Maker Halts Distributino of Alcholic energy drink

It will not be on the shelves much longer. On Sunday, state officials announced that Phusion Projects, the Chicago company that makes Four Loko, had voluntarily agreed to halt shipments to New York State by Friday.

CU Beer Weekend; November 12

Seven Saints

Southern Tier Old Man Winter
Bell's Hell Hath No Fury

Tuesday: Brewsday Tuesday, Dogfish Head Palo Santo $3.50 a bottle. Fat Tire Drafts $2.00
Wednesday: Whiskey Wednesday, Bourbon

Radio Maria

Pyramid Apricot
Dogfish Head Midas Touch
Rogue Somer Orange Honey Wheat Ale
Avery Maharaja
Two Brothers Hop Juice
Arcadia Cereal City
Great Divide Espresso Yeti
Anchor Liberty
Southern Tier Creme Brulee
Saint Bernardus Abt 12
Southern Tier Farmer's Tan
Left Hand Chainsaw
Jolly Pumpkin Calablaza Blanca
Port Older Viscosity
Brasserie Blance de Bruxelles
North Coast Old No. 38 Stout
Left Hand Milk Stout
Petrus Oak Aged Pale
Mikkeller Jackie Brown
Nogne Porter
Virctory Hopdevil
Hofbrau Weiss
Victory Prima Pils
Kulmbacher Eisbock
Rogue Chataeu Rogue Wet Hop IPA
Ballast Point Fathom India Pale Lager
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

Green Flash Hop Head Red; Vista, California, Amber Ale, 6.4% abv
North Coast PranQster; Fort Bragg, California, Belgian Strong Ale, 7.6% abv
Anderson Valley Boont Amber; Boonville, California, Amber Ale, 5.8% abv
Unibroue Maudite; Canada, Belgian Strong Ale, 8% abv
Port Brewing Older Viscosity; San Marcos, CA, American Strong Ale, 12% abv
Two Brothers’ Dog Days Lager; Warrenville, Illinois, Dortmunder, 4.9% abv
Cuvée des Trolls; Belgium, Belgian Strong Ale, 12% abv
Ballast Point Even Keel; San Diego, California, American Pale Ale, 3.5% abv
Fuller’s London Pride; England, Premium Bitter, 4.7% abv
Delirium Tremens; Belgium, Belgian Strong Ale, 8.5% abv
Blue Moon; Golden, Colorado, Belgian White, 5.4% abv
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
Tommyknocker Oake Butt Head Bock; Idaho, Springs, CO, Doppelbock, 8.1%
Bell’s Winter White; Kalamazoo, Michigan, Belgian White, 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%
Left Hand Warrior IPA; Longmont, Colorado, India Pale Ale, 6.8% abv
Breckenridge Autumn; Denver, Colorado, Old Ale, 6.7% abv
Lindeman’s Framboise; Belgium, Lambic, 2.5% abv
Old Speckled Hen; England, Premium Bitter, 5.2%
Guinness Dublin, Ireland, Dry Stout, 4.1% abv

Blind Pig Brewery

Blind Pig American Pale Ale ABV 5%
Blind Pig Oatmeal Stout 7.4%
Blind Pig Honey Pumpkin Ale 7.1%
Schlafly Pilsner; Maplewood, Missouri, Pilsener, 4.9% abv
Erdinger Weissbier Dunkel; Germany, Dunkelweizen, 5.6% abv
Rogue Chipotle; Newport, Oregon, Spice Ale, 5.5% abv
Lost Abbey 10 Commandments; San Marcos, CA, Belgian Strong Ale, 9% abv
Troubadour Obscura; Belgium, Stout, 8.5% abv
Capital Island Wheat; Middleton, Wisconsin, Wheat Ale
Petrus Aged Pale; Belgium, Sour Ale, 7.3% abv
Capital Autumnal Fire; Middleton, Wisconsin, Doppelbock, 8.5%
Dark Horse Crooked Tree; Marshall, Michigan, India Pale Ale, 6% 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
Thursday: Blind Pig Beer's 1st Birthday Party

Crane Alley

Moyland's Dragoons Irish Stout
Great Divide Hercules Imperial IPA 10.0%
Anderson Valley Hop Ottin Ipa 7.0%
Konig Pilsener 4.9%
Nogne O Imperial Stout 9.0%
Bells Hell Hath No Fury 7.7%
Flying Dog In Heat Wheat 4.7%
New Holland Black Mad Hatter IPA 7.1%
Coniston Bluebird Bitter
Rogue Dead Guy Ale 6.6%
Founders Red's Rye 6.6%
Fullers London Porter 5.0%
Dark Horse Raspberry Ale 5.5%
Schlafly Pumpkin Ale 8.0%
St Bernardus Abt 12 10.0%
PBR 4.2%

Specials for the Weekend of November 12th

Inferno Burger 1/2lb burger patty seasoned with chili de arbol, chorizo, serrano, jalapeno, habanero, and, for good measure, red pepper flakes.Topped with roasted poblano strips and chipotle aioli. Served with fries.$14.95

Fried Portabella Appetizer Buttermilk batterd and ancho dusted portabella mushroom caps served with petit salad and ancho buttermilk ranch. $8.95

ChiliMac Housemade mac'ncheese topped with Crane Alley's chili and dusted with asiago cheese. $9.95

Black Dog Smoke and Ale House

Schlafly Irish Extra Stout
Port Brewing High Tide Fresh Hop IPA
Dark Horse Perkulator Coffee Dopplebock
Anderson Valley Boont Imperial Amber Ale
Ballast Point Even Keel Session Ale
North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout
Sinebrychoff Porter

Mike n' Molly's

Schneider Hopfen Weiss
Great Divide Titan IPA
Mikkeller Chinook
Port 4th Anniversary Double IPA
Founders Harvest Ale
Southern Tier Mokah

Buzz Best of CU 2010 edition

The Buzz has put out their best of 2010 edition.

Here's the important parts of their list:

Best Liquor Store: Friar Tuck

From an extensive wine selection to beers you have never heard of, the selection at Friar Tuck is nothing short of astounding. Vodka to gin, IPA to lager, pinot noir to merlot — if this libation power house doesn’t have it, then you aren’t likely to find it within an hour radius of CU.

Best On-Campus Bar: Murphy's Pub

With its friendly staff and laid-back atmosphere, Murphy’s Pub is the ultimate spot where tradition and authenticity are in no short supply.

Best Wine Selection: Corkscrew Wine Emporium

With wines from over 20 countries and exceptional services, the winner of this year’s Best Wine Selection is Corkscrew Wine Emporium, located in Urbana.

Best Gay-Friendly Nightlife: Chester Street Bar

Best Barbecue: Black Dog Smoke & Ale House

Best Beer Selection: Blind Pig

If the dim-lit old-English pub ambiance is not enough to get you to enjoy Blind Pig off of Walnut Street in downtown Champaign, then the beer selection certainly should.

In fact, according to bartender Jason Ewing, Blind Pig has 26 beers on draft and one hand-pulled beer to fill out their impressive list of options. If you prefer to hold a bottle, the Blind Pig offers 100 different choices from domestic beer like Budweiser to a variety of international beer. Fortunately, should you have trouble deciding, you can sample any five of the bar’s draft beers for $8.

Best Place to Bust a Move: Joe's Brewery

Best Place to Find a One-Night Stand: Kam's

Best Date Spot: Radio Maria

It is not a surprise who received this award. With a reputation of being the best place to go on a date, Radio Maria has the chops to give you a guaranteed good time on your date. Known for their exquisite and unique dishes, Radio Maria’s cuisine is inspired by a combination of many different cultures.

“Our cuisine is varied. We use a lot of local, fresh ingredients,” said co-owner Sharon Owens. “We have influences from Spain, Latin America, Asia and some American as well.

Best Off-Campus Bar: The Blind Pig Co.

The Blind Pig Co., located on Walnut Street in downtown Champaign, has been a staple for older crowds to congregate since 2004. However, in the past three years, bartender Jason Ewing has seen a change in the crowd.

“We have anything from beer-heads to grad students,” said Ewing. “Lately, younger crowds come here from campustown, people who haven’t had a chance to have good beer.”

Friendliest Wait Staff: Legends

Editor's Picks

four loko news; Carle expert discusses dangerous drink Four Loko

From WICD 15 ABC

Carle expert discusses dangerous drink Four Loko

Jeff Evans of the Carle Addiction Recovery Center visits Sunrise This Morning to discuss the dangerous effects the drink Four Loko poses to consumers.