Beer

Ommegang Hop Chef Competition Sat., April 28

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

Brewery Ommegang of Cooperstown announces our first-ever Ommegang Hop Chef Competition.™ The competition invites innovative DC area chefs to prepare and pair dishes with fine Ommegang ales. Each chef creates two dishes showcasing imaginative beer and food pairing skills. The dishes, along with Ommegang ales chosen to go with them, are served to professional judges and a consumer audience. The competition will produce fourteen delectably different dishes, offer at least seven different beers, and promises plenty of culinary surprises. The Hop Chef Competition is part of the Ommegang program known as Great Beer Deserves Great Food®, a national initiative dedicated to the idea that fine beer deserves its rightful place at the table with fine foods. The Hop Chef Competition brings that idea to life for 200 lucky tasters.

The Ommegang Hop Chef Competition takes place April 28, 1- 4 pm, at the historic Atlas Theater on H Street. Seven hot DC area chefs compete, eight area notables judge, and 200 lucky tasters can buy tickets to watch, taste, sip, and vote for a People’s Choice Winner. Chefs are Jamie Leeds, Hank’s Oyster Bar; Jeff Eng, Clyde’s of Tower Oaks; Bradley Walker, Boundary Road; Mike Bonk, Sonoma; Nicholas Stefanelli, Bibiana; Mark Marrocco, Magnolias at the Mill; and Will Artley, Pizzeria Orso.

This Ommegang Hop Chef Competition is the first in a series of chef’s cook-offs across the US, culminating in a Grand Hop Chef cook-off at Ommegang’s Belgium Comes to Cooperstown festival in August 2012. The competition is put together by Brewery Ommegang and Chef Teddy Folkman, Ommegang Culinary Ambassador and chef/owner of DC’s beloved Granville Moore’s Gastropub. The competition is co-sponsored by Saveur Magazine, Shun Knives, Gel Pro Mats, Lodge Enamel Cookware, Cuisinart, and Chefware Branded Chef Coats. The Hop Chef Competition is also sponsored by ‘Share Our Strength’ Taste of the Nation program. Net proceeds benefit ‘Share our Strength’ and its efforts to end childhood hunger

Hop Chef Competition judges include Greg Engert; beer director, Birch and Barley/ Churchkey; John Guattery, executive director, Matchbox Food Group; Tammy Tuck, beer writer, Washington City Paper; Nycci Nellis, host “Foodie and the Beast, Talk Radio and NBC TV; Bart Vandaele, chef/owner Belga Cafe; Bonnie Benwick, Deputy Food Editor, Washington Post; Simon Thorpe, president/CEO Brewery Ommegang and Duvel USA; and Saveur Magazine.

Tickets are limited, so please purchase in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/237993. Learn more about the Ommegang Hop Chef Competition and our sponsors at greatbeerdeservesgreatfood.com

Awesome or Awful?

By Prince Of Petworth

I spotted this poster on Mt. Pleasant Street and can’t decide if this is genius or a horrible idea. Has anyone ever tried a margarita with a beer in it?

Menomale, Pizza Napoletana and Craft Beer, Signs Voluntary Agreement in Brookland

By Prince Of Petworth


2711 12th St, NE

It’s been quite the saga for Menomale to get their liquor license in Brookland. Good news came via the Brookland listserv yesterday afternoon from the folks behind Menomale:

“Thank you so much for your support this experience has been invaluable. We literally just signed a voluntary agreement w Mr Bennett on behalf of the ANC. We have agreed to not serve alcohol from 2-5 schooldays as a show of good faith towards the community. With this we have also received the ANC’S approval for our sidewalk cafe in the process gathering friends and not enemies. We absolutely love this communities support and will make an announcement following our hearing tomorrow.”

Dear PoPville – Sign the Growlers in DC petition

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in Oct. 2011 we learned D’Vines was no longer allowed to sell growlers.

A readers sends this petition to sign to remedy that situation:

“This legislation will allow brewpubs in Washington, DC to sell beer to go in growlers. Having the ability to sell beer in reusable containers with a Class-C Tavern/Brewpub license has the potential of adding a great deal of revenue to local businesses and add to the growing craft beer scene in the District.

A number of key restaurant professionals have been working diligently for the past few years to turn Washington, DC into one of the great beer cities of the United States. With DC based breweries like DC Brau, Three Stars and Chocolate city in operation and great beer bars like Pizzeria Paradiso, Brasserie Beck, Churchkey, etc. doing record setting business the only thing the District needs now is great
brewpubs.

Selling house-brewed beer in reusable containers, aka “growlers” is a cornerstone of brewpub culture in the United States. Passing the Sustainable Bottle Amendment Act of 2011 would allow brewpubs to expand their market and be the final step in making Washington, DC a city know for great beer.”

You can sign here.

Should Liquor Licenses for Restaurants and/or Bars Not Be Issued Near Rehabilitation Centers?

By Prince Of Petworth


2711 12th St, NE

On Monday we learned that Menomale, Pizza Napoletana and Craft Beer, was facing a liquor license fight in Brookland. Commissioner Vaughn Bennett, ANC 5B04, has released more info about the objection:

As an elected official, (ANC Commissioner), I have a duty to properly represent all of the residents in my Single Member District.

While I personally am not in opposition to a liquor license for Menomale, I must assist those who oppose it because of their anonymity and sobriety in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center, who would be immediately adversely impacted by an alcohol serving establishment at 2711 12th Street NE.

The rehabilitation center is in close proximity to Menomale.

The rehabilitation center is closer to Menomale than anyone’s house or apartment who has posted about this topic on the list-serves.

I believe that the location of the rehabilitation center was selected years ago due to the fact that there are no alcohol serving establishments in very close proximity. Can you imagine the impact that the daily scent of alcohol (Menomale seeks an alcohol serving sidewalk cafe) would have on a recovering alcoholic who is just trying to get home after work?

In addition, the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) regulations require a tavern liquor license applicant to be at least 400 feet away from a school. The 400 foot distance is taken into consideration for restaurant liquor license applicants.

The regulations were put in place to protect the children! I give an exclamation because of the many condescending comments made regarding our children walking past the establishment, yet no one has challenged the ABRA regulations. So do we ignore the regulations and the purpose of their creation for our personal benefit? I can’t.

When ANC 5B was tasked with scoring the medical marijuana cultivation centers (mmcc), the Department of Health (DOH) regulations (that ABRA helped create) stated that the mmcc had to be at least 300 feet from a school or a rehabilitation center.

I will forward additional information as soon as I can, (though I believe I may have already said too much).

Do you think it is reasonable to deny a liquor license due to proximity to a rehabilitation center?

New Belgium Brewing’s “Tour de Fat” Coming to Yards Park June 16

By Prince Of Petworth

This looks awesome. From a press release:

New Belgium Brewing today announced the much-anticipated Tour de Fat2012 schedule. Now in its 13th season, Tour de Fat brings together passionate bike lovers for a day of two-wheeled revelry while raising money for local nonprofits. Tour de Fat is a thrilling rite of passage that includes an unparalleled costumed bicycle parade, New Belgium beer, dazzling entertainment, local food, unusual bike contests and much more. Coming to 15 cities across the country, New Belgium has added Atlanta and Washington, DC to this year’s lineup.

In 2012, Tour de Fat, which is a free event, will exceed the $2 million mark for money raised for local nonprofits through beer and merchandise purchases. Funds generally go to organizations in the world of bike advocacy, with money spent in a wide variety of ways, including trail maintenance, safety education, lobbying for better bicycle communities and a wide variety of other impactful initiatives.

The pinnacle of Tour de Fat is the ceremonious car-for-bike trade. At each Tour de Fat, one person becomes the center of the show as he or she gets up on stage, hands over car keys, and pledges to live one year car-free. Tour de Fat is now seeking volunteers to accept the swapper challenge. Each car-for-bike swapper will choose a local bike shop to help them turn their $2,250.00 budget into their ultimate car-replacement commuter bike. The cars will be auctioned by Vehicles for Charity, with proceeds to benefit local cycling organizations.

Swappers are chosen after submitting an application that describes why they are willing to trade in their vehicle for a shiny new bicycle. To submit an entry, go to the New Belgium Tour de Fat Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TourDeFat), click on events and your city of choice, and upload your application video. Applications may also be written and sent to: trademycarforabike@newbelgium.com.

“This is a big year for Tour De Fat as we added two terrific cities to the roster and look to surpass $2 million in funds raised for organizations that do great things for bicyclists and beyond,” said Matt Kowal, Tour De Fat Impresario.  “In addition, our community of car-for-bike swappers is about to grow, which is a highlight of our whole year. Bike advocacy should always be this much fun.”

A few tidbits about Tour de Fat:

  • Start sewing, collecting and dreaming up something to wear as Tour de Fat encourages embracing your inner costume-loving self. Come dressed up to help put on the most colorful, respectful and creative bike parade ever witnessed in each city.
  • Tour de Fat seeks to leave as small an environmental imprint as possible and composts and recycles waste. Bring only what you need and watch for proper receptacles. We’ll do the rest!
  • All performers grab your attention from alternatively empowered stages decked out in recycled materials; trucks and transport use biofuel sourced from recycled waste oils; and all vendors operate off the grid.
  • This is a pro-bike celebration, not an anti-car rally. Non-cyclists are more than welcome to join the festivities.

Washington, DC – June 16 – Yards Park

Menomale, Pizza Napoletana and Craft Beer, Facing Liquor License Fight in Brookland

By Prince Of Petworth


2711 12th St, NE

Looks like All Souls isn’t the only one with a liquor license fight on its hands. There has been an epic back and forth on the Brookland listserv. The owners of Menomale write:

We could not be more thrilled with the out pour of support from the neighborhood! Though this has been one slowing process after the next, this has also been an invaluable opportunity to meet/chat with everyone personally.

When we had begun the process for our ABRA license we had invited Mr. Bennett over to the restaurant to view our progress. We had a wonderful talk for over an hour at which time Mr. Bennett pledged his support and invited us to introduce ourselves at an ANC Meeting. We attended several meetings even providing food. This again was awesome, and generally had a blast meeting everybody. Following the meetings Mr. Bennett did not return our calls or emails for 2 weeks. During which time we received a letter from ABRA stating that signatures had been collected against us initiating the protest process.

To be clear our license intentions have at all times been open and vocal. We clearly discussed this and even fielded questions at our first ANC meeting.

Collecting signatures this past weekend several neighbors informed us that Mr. Bennett had campused their house collecting protest signatures.

In all honesty we had felt a bit betrayed and hurt after his open pledge of support.

Thank you everyone for your time.

Your Friends,
-Menomale

We learned that Menomale hoped to come to 2711 12th St, NE back in Jan. 2012. Stay tuned.

Free Beer Tasting This Saturday at A.M. Wine Shoppe in Adams Morgan

By Prince Of Petworth

From AM Wine Shoppe (2122 18th St, NW):

“This Saturday, A.M. Wine Shoppe is celebrating its new beer additions with a beer-focused session of Saturday Sips, a free weekly tasting event led by regional wine, beer, and spirits experts. This week’s tasting event will be hosted by George Manolatos, bar manager and co-owner of Cashion’s Eat Place. From 2-4 p.m., Manolatos will pour sips of his favorite new selections, including Original Sin’s Cherry Tree hard cherry cider, Dupont Saison, and Troegs’ Troegenator Double Bock, all while sharing his expertise on each selection’s style, production, and tasting notes.

A.M. Wine Shoppe is excited to have Manolatos bring his expertise to our ever-expanding beer selection and look forward to many free beer tastings to come!”

Craft Beer + Food Truck Festival at Kastles Stadium/SW Waterfront

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

This could be cool:

WHAT: LivingSocial is hosting its First Craft Beer & Food Truck Fest. This event will bring together 25+ craft breweries along with 10 of DC’s best food trucks. The event will feature local musical groups and artists for a weekend of celebration that is unique to Washington, DC. Interactive art installations, musical entertainment and fun activities throughout the day will transform this event into a beer festival with a day-time party vibe.

Customers will have their ID checked and be given a bracelet, as well as a sampling glass, which will give them access to the event and tastings from each of the breweries. Food trucks will be selling their delectables to customers throughout the duration of the event. The festival will feature various stage and dance areas, communal “Oktoberfest-style” tables and benches, access to bleachers, VIP tents, boardwalks along the water, as well as free walking space where the food/drink vendors will be set up.

WHERE: Kastles Stadium/SW Waterfront
800 Water Street Southwest

WHEN: Saturday, April 21 & Sunday, April 22
12 pm – 5 pm

PRICE:
· $35/person
· $70/person after March 24th

BREWERIES:

Great Lakes
Jack’s Cider
Redstone
Evolution
DC Brau
Weyerbacher
Ommegang
Saranac
Sam Adam
New Belgium
Sierra Nevada
Dogfish Head
Magic Hat
Harpoon
Palm
Flying Dog
Leinenkugel/Blue Moon
Pilsner Urquell/Peroni
Woodchuck
Yeungling
Crown Imports (Negra Modelo, Modelo Especial)
Pabst Blue Ribbon
Port City
Lagunitas

FOOD TRUCKS:
Lobster Truck DC
DC Empanadas
DC Slices
Takorean
Curbside Cupcakes
Rolls on Rolls
Cajunators
Hula Girl
Basil Thyme
Rolling Ficelle

Beer tastings are unlimited and they say US Royalty will be performing.

Judging Beers by Tim Prendergast Vol. 15: A Tale of Two Cities

By Prince Of Petworth

Tim Prendergast is a Certified Cicerone® and the Assistant Beer Director and Cellarman at Meridian Pint.

I’ve said it in this space before and I’ll say it again right now; when it comes to beer, I can be a bit of an anglophile. I have a soft spot in my heart for British beer, particularly the low-alcohol “session beers” that often display great complexity at very low levels of alcohol. Which is why I was so excited when I learned that the boys at DC Brau were collaborating with Stephen Jones of Oliver Ales in Baltimore to brew a low-alcohol British-style beer. The beer would be called “Burial at Sea” and would be a mild ale. Mild ale, commonly known simply as mild is a low strength (3-4%), malt driven ale that is low in hop flavor and bitterness that showcases a complex interplay of malt and yeast flavors. In England these beers are usually served on cask and because of their low strength they are often sought out by those looking to have many pints in a night. It’s a style that is rarely brewed in the U.S. and one that I love, I think it’s a shame that we don’t see it more often.

Originally, I wanted to use this opportunity to write about the history of mild ale and it’s journey in England from a 6% alternative to porter in the 1860’s, through its decline in strength throughout the 20th century, and all the way to its more recent image as a drink for flat cap-wearing old men in dark pubs. I quickly realized that was probably going to bore almost everybody but myself. In an effort to spare you minutiae ridden brewing history, I decided to scrap that plan and just write about the beer itself.

“Burial at Sea” is a beer that blends the American and British brewing traditions that DC Brau and Oliver Ale represent so well. The malt is British, as well as the hops which are Fuggle and Challenger, but the yeast used is a classic American strain. This decision to use American yeast was a big one. British ale yeast is known for the fruity and sometimes butterscotchy flavors that it produces, as well as it’s ability to amplify complex malt flavors. American ale yeast on the other hand, is known for it’s clean flavor profile that allows malt and hops to speak for themselves. The decision to use American ale yeast is one that would definitely have a sizeable impact on the the flavor profile of the style at hand.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

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