Thursday, February 3, 2011

Park it right there mister!

It's been a hot minute since I enjoyed a pint at the Parkway Tavern, so there was very little arm twisting involved in getting me to stop by last night. To my shock and awe, it happened to be Double IPA night. 2nd day of the 2nd month... why WOULDN'T it be Double IPA night @ Parkway? Oh, that's right... because nobody told me therefore it shall not exist! Parkway, can I come have some of your awesome tomato/gorgonzola/basil soup next time you bust it out and handle all of your event PR? Seriously guys... cereal.

What was meant to be one pint (Russian River Damnation, woot!), turned into dos (2010 Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barley Wine), which also included a free schooner from bartender Nick (Hair of the Dog) as well as another schooner poured by the owners of Bremerton's Der Blokken Brewery (Sacred Hop Double IPA).

Which is all fine and dandy but it kinda created some overflow into the rest of my evening when I started off wanting to just have one pint and a few laughs with a friend. Oh well... had some new beers and hung out with friends old and new. Plus I got the skinny on some upcoming Parkway events that are Sharpie worthy in the Calender O' the Pissed LiBEERian. Check it out:

2/14 - Tap Night Tacoma (Parkway will have the Big Al Hop Villain Black IPA)
& also on 2/14 (Valentine's Day for you knuckleheads who don't know)...
2/14 - Parkway will have a slough of chocolate beers
2/16 - New Belgium Brewer's Night
3/2 - Silver City Brewer's Night
3/29 - Ninkasi Brewer's Night

And according to the taps under the 'Next On Tap' sign, we'll be seeing some Big Al's Winter Warmer osoon, plus something about the Younger coming... Ohhhhhhhh.

needing someone to warm up my winter...
the pissed liBEERian


Photo Credits to MGD & myself

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Varsity Grill Ice, Ice Block Party

I don't always know what my plans will entail as the weekend approaches but last Friday I found myself at the Varsity Grill Ice Block Party. This shindig was held outside in the elements and therefore meant for only the most dedicated of January beer drinkers (it being a chilly January evening and all), as well as whomever came a stumblin' down Broadway and found the $15 entry fee to be a fair deal for all that VG was serving up.
Norm from Deschutes

                Contenders of the Evening

Deschutes Red Chair Pale Ale (Talked with Norm Cartwright for a hot minute about all kinds of Deschutes-y goodness including their money maker of a wishing well at the PDX 'branch'. Oh and BTW, Red Chair is DEELISHUS!)
Big Al's Winter Warmer
New Belgium 2' Below & Blue Paddle (New Belgium rock because a) they just do and b) they gave me New Belgium chap stick)
Doug from Sierra Nevada
Alaskan Winter
Dick's Winter Ale
Bridgeport Ebenezer Ale
Red Hook Winter Hook
Sierra Nevada Celebration (gleaned some great info from Doug Willson on SN forming a partnership with the Trappist-Cistercian Abbey of New Clairvaux to create the only authentic Trappist-style Abbey ales in America. Click here for more uber awesome info on that whole dealy but basically just get excited cause Monks be makin' your ale!)

Although this was a small event hosting just 8 breweries, I have to say that Varsity Grill nailed this one. Like... epically nailed it. Lemme tell you why, in the very articulate and concise way that I tell things:

The event area was separated into two spaces. One side had a buffet set up of make your own chili, nachos & baked potatoes along with tall tables to eat, drink & converse at. The other side was a U shaped section for the brewers and their beer. Things got a bit cramped on that side because beer tends to be more popular than food, but I thought they did the layout perfectly.

The area was covered by tents and heat lamps were sprinkled throughout. Being outside on a cold & damp evening after being sick all week IN addition to being a chick (I have a va-jay-jay therefore I am freezing all the time for no discernible reason), these amenities were MUCH appreciated.

There was an ice sculpture. Lit up with red lights. Just sayin'.And no, I didn't lick it. But I totally thought about it.

 
Cost of entry fee ='s great value. 10 beer tickets (one to try each brew) and as much (delicious) food as you want. Also a prize drawing (which I assisted in by using my awesome powers of name reading and MGD's key chain flashlight) where they gave away a ton of surprisingly awesome prizes including concert tickets, gift cards & growlers. And that was in addition to the crazy amount of schwag that the brewers brought.


Which brings me to my last and final point to point out... (don't worry, I never actually have a final point)

Big Al, Micah & I
Cyclops Big Al Beer Bubble
The ratio of schwag to the size of the event was ridiculous. As in good ridiculous. As in even I-the-girl-who-wins-something-at-every-event-I-attend was impressed. Each brewer brought loads of stickers, beer mats, temporary tattoos (thanks Big Al, you know how this girl likes it!), buttons, posters, chap stick (yes, I said fucking chap stick. cha!) & a whole host of other randomness. In addition to our memories of the evening, we walked away with 2 shirts & a Fat Tire Frisbee that was used in a rousing game of Jetta vs. Rental Truck Frisbee down Bridgeport. I still don't know who won, but I'll put a few beer tokens on the Jetta.

Despite a little memory card snafu at the beginning of the night (can't take blog related pictures to justify our media passes without one...) causing MGD to drive all 'round downtown T-Town trying to find one and therefore leaving me to my own devices for almost a whole hour (very scary); it was a grand old time. Which we followed up by attending the Peanut Butter Space Jam art show, hit up PSP for some Karaoke & a trip to the Crownbar for some yummy dinner because by about midnight, you haven't seen cranky until you've seen me hungry.


Nicely done Varsity Grill, looking forward to next year already.



Ice this baby,
the pissed liBEERian



Credits:
Photos & editing - MGD
Amazing amount of talent in blogging & attending events - ME!


Tuesday, January 25, 2011

It's gonna be a fun one! Here's some happenings for January

Still in recovery-esque mode after being sick for all of last week (and in case you are wondering, I still have a lingering super sexy death rattle cough). Managed to suck it up (like a cupcake) in order to attend Schooner Exact's 4th Anniversary party on Thursday, the Varsity Grill Ice Block Party on Friday  & Belgianfest over the weekend. I now bring you the upcoming events of this week that seem like good fun and I will most likely be inflicting on myself if I can find the time and energy.

Portland's Hopworks Urban Brewery's brewer (& badass) Jaime Rodriguez, will be making the rounds in the 206 (Seattle) & hopefully the 253 (Tacoma) later in the week. Tentative schedule included in the dates listed below. Info will be added when his tasting schedule is finalized. (that sounded kinda dirty and I like it, I want a finalized tasting schedule!) Don't miss out on their crazy good beer!

 
Wednesday 26th - H.U.B. tasting at Chuck's 85th St. Market in Seattle from 5-8p (Lineup - Organic IPA, Survival Stout, Session Black IPA, DOA and Pale Ale) & then H.U.B. will move onto Uber Tavern from 8:30p on... It's also Chuckanut Brewing night @ The Dog & Pony in Renton. Just visited the Dog & Pony on Sunday for the first time. We caught the tail end of the playoff games, enjoyed the view of their full sized Christmas Story leg lamp and sucked down a few delicious pints of Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA and Gordon Double Red. Highest of the High on my recommend list,  can't wait to go back.

Thursday 27th - H.U.B. tasting at Malt & Vine from 5:30-7:30p in Redmond & then at 8:30 H.U.B. will be doing a Brewers Night @ The Noble Fir.


Fri/Sat/Sun - The much anticipated STRANGE BREWFEST 2011! Detailsdetailsdetails:
  • Friday kicks things off with a Meet & Greet Party at 7pm featuring live music and firkins.
  • Saturday the fun starts at 1pm and lasts until Midnight (breweries will be serving until 9pm)
  • Sunday starts at 1pm and will be goin' strong until 7pm

 Tickets are $25 for entry all weekend and can be purchased here. I've heard nothing but awesome reviews in regards to this festival and I am stoked to attend it for the first time. Not sure what MGD & I were thinking by waiting til the week of to look into accommodations, so now we are scrambling to find a place to stay.

Sleeping in the Jetta is not a viable option, regardless if the trunk can feasibly fit 10-12 dead bodies. We aren't teenagers anymore, we need real beds with lotsa space. One way or another, we'll be there. They have fire dancers, hula hooping and a costume contest I plan to win. Wouldn't miss it for the world.


Doing my part to keep Tacoma strange,
the pissed liBEERian





Saturday, January 22, 2011

When snow bunnies sing birthday songs.

Act I. Scene 27. Zoom in on a king sized bed with 4-6 pillows (mostly on my side, which is in the middle) and ample blankets. Tissues, throat lozenges & chapstick litter the night stands as a loving couple discuss their possible evening plans while an episode of Farscape Season 4 (2nd best sci-fi series EVA!) plays in the background.

Me: Why does fun stuff still exist when I'm sick?
MGD: Because due to the alarming & surprising news that the world, in fact, does NOT revolve around you (he lies!) events still take place whether or not you are able to grace everybody with your presence.
Me: That's dumb.
MGD: *shrugs shoulders* Suck it up, cupcake. (uh... that's MY line) And if you are still going to insist that your hair doesn't need washing for days on end when you are sick because being bed ridden actually gives your 'locks' body and volume, then at least put on this hat before we go out. You'll look cute, like a snow bunny.
Me: What's with bunnies anyways? I think our pillows are bunnies in fluffy down filled costumes because every time I get into bed, they multiply. Are they mating at an alarming rate without me noticing? Is there a low cost spay/neuter place where we can take the pillows to? It's freaking me out.
MGD: I added 2 more pillows because you always steal mine or end up sleeping diagonally across the bed. They are multi-purpose items now, serving as replacement pillows when I have none or can be used to fashion a makeshift bed on the floor.
Me: Well aren't we just the little problem solver, MacGyver? *sighs* It's so involved being me. I'll have you know that the only reason I'm dragging myself out of bed and putting on pants (putting on pants ='s changing into clothes that aren't pj's) is because when I am sick, the blog suffers. And it's TPG3's 28th birthday. And Schooner Exact"s Anniversary. And 99 Bottles' Anniversary. But I want a waffle first.

End Scene. Cue outfit change into something themey but low maintenance for the evening (cute black Schooner Exact t-shirt that matches my hair-of-uber-volume-covering-snow-bunny-beanie), tell the toaster to l'eggo my Eggo so I can put it in my mouth, and head up north to The 206.

I am not sure where I found the energy to do anything last night but I think I have adopted one of those mentalities where if I'm well enough to go to work, I'm well enough to have some fun. However, next time couple communication is a must prior to any activities. MGD was under the impression I had Friday off and therefore didn't need to get me home all Cinderella like on a Thursday evening. Wrong, work starts @ 9a sharp. After my 3rd coughing fit around 11p, we called it a night.

Okay. Right. Bet you want to know the scoop on what we actually DID last night? As that is what my blog is about. Doing stuff. Involving ales. Got it. Here we go.

Both Schooner Exact Brewing Company and 99 Bottles were hosting their 4th Anniversary (of AWESOME!) parties 'til 8p. We got a late start on the evening (Eggos need quality toaster time) and had to make a hard decision since we couldn't fit both events in. We mutually agreed to put our time into Schooner Exact because they have a super-dee-duper special place in our heart of hearts. See:


Had a chance to sit around chatting up the Schooner Exact crew in it's entirety (Matt & Heather, Mike, Sarah, Hutch & Kathy), drink some great ales new and old (Midnight Union, Profanity Hill Porter, 3 Grid IPA and the new staff collaboration named HOBO Brew), and have a grand ole time in general. As awesomeness tends to attract awesomeness, we also ran into John the owner of Tacoma's Parkway Tavern and fellow beer blogger Mike Besser (check out his blog yo! BrewDad) at this little soiree.

We also had pie (National Pie Day is Jan. 23rd and I'm having another piece then). And bought baby Schooner Exact juice glasses. And Brew Dad gave me an autographed copy of his beer rating book he's putting out, plus some udder swag. Score! Thanks Mike, you rock. And, in case you are wondering it's totally legit (grammatically speaking) to start sentences with the word 'and'. Jen Lancaster (my favorite writer) says so.

A collaborative SE painting of the Hoppy Holidays logo. Can you tell which tile is mine?


Once I realized that putting Alka Seltzer (of the flavorless and fizzless variety) in beer wasn't really gonna work out too well, we decided to head west to Beveridge Place Pub. My roomie and great fwend, TPG3, was celebrating her birthday there. We had to do her a solid and make an appearance. Although I am now officially on the BPP band wagon, I wish someone had told me sooner the BPP is where all the cool kids hang out. We've run into a number of industry peeps there and love it so much we stop by every Sunday. Brew Dad had mentioned to me at Schooner Exact, that we had just missed seeing Kendall & wifey Kim (of Washington Beer Blog). Low and behold, they were at BPP.

I love walking into an extremely crowded pub to magically hear my name being chanted to the likes of 'Hey, it's the pissed liBEERian!!!' Feeds the ego nicely for sure. However, I'm pretty sure what really happened is as follows:

I walked around oblivious to my surroundings while trying to find a place to lay down in my sickened state. As I pass Kim, she graciously touches my arm and says hello and chats me up a bit. She's so nice. During the 12m ride to BPP, coughing fit numero uno almost did me in. I mistakenly (read: stupidly. as it was not a mistake) threw my last Ricola at MGD in a fit of annoyance, and I cannot even recall the reason why (as if THAT matters).

I regretted this course of action immediately for two reasons. In my ginormous purse that could carry small countries along with the entire Redskins defensive line, I could not for the life of me scrounge up another throat aid. Fucked. If I wasn't overly medicated (and therefore didn't have my wits about me. If you caught that as a Braveheart reference, high five.) I would have been in funny mode and yelled 'Riiiiiiiiicolaaaaaaaaaaaaa, bitch' when I threw it his way. I hate it when I miss opportunities to be an ass. Totally Fucked.

At Beveridge, we ended up just chillin' in general for a hot minute while having a few laughs during their North Sound Brewers night. We ordered a Tree Hugger pizza from Zeeks (black olives on the side, as usual, because some people *coughmgdcough* don't know a good thing when it's put into their mouth-hole. sigh.), snagged some Snipes Mountain Brewery beer mats & shared a few pints of North Sound. Big R Imperial Red was very yummy and seemed like a hoppy red to me (I've been really enjoying reds and sours lately now that I've conquered the self proclaimed battle of 'I'mgoingtodrinkIPAsuntilIlikethemordietrying' and feel that I can branch out a bit now.) but my palate is a bit effed at the moment so what I think doesn't count. MGD had the Hop Chops IPA on cask, muy delicioso!

Went home pretty early from BPP because MGD can interpret my face and it was saying 'done' since I stopped eating & only finished half a beer. Clear and obvious signs. Glad I have someone to take care of me when I'm too 'meh' to figure it out for myself, although I feel bad about not being in party mode for my buddy's special day. The air pop popcorn maker I left in the kitchen this morning for her pwesent should make up nicely for that though.

We listened to nice music on the way home. And he told me I could sleep during the long and arduous journey. And he rubbed my hemorrhaging head the whole way. And he's a total keeper. And even though I'm totally sick and gross, he gave me a sweet goodnight kiss when he dropped me off.

It was a good night and I'm glad I didn't overdo it too much, other than going out a bit late on a work night. 'Cause let's face it, Belgianfest is gonna be totally awesome and I want to be at full liBEERian power for the event come Saturday.


*cough*hug*drink*love*
the pissed liBEERian

All worn out after a long night with my borrowed (effing awesome! so you had better hope it's borrowed MGD...) RESCO watch & darn tasty attire.


  

Photo & Editing credits to MGD






Thursday, January 20, 2011

It be happenin'

Been sick as a (cute, yet pathetic) dog so this update is hitting the streets a bit later than I would prefer. So much fun stuff happening, I wish I felt better!

Thursday - It's the 4th Anniversary for both Schooner Exact & 99 Bottles. Both locations will be hosting parties from 4-8p. Both serving celebratory sweet things along with beer, duh.

Friday - Ice Block Party @ Varsity Grill (5:30p-8:30p with info to be found on The Book of the Face), Peanut Butter Space Jam art show opening in Tacoma, Cascade Blood Give a Pint/Get a Pint @ Swiss 12:30-6p

Saturday - Belgianfest @ The Workshop in Magnuson Park, Seattle. Check out the linkage for details, it's gonna be rad!

Sunday - Probably the usual rugby-work-pubcrawl antics.

Get out there and get some,
the pissed liBEERian