Live it : DC Beer Week 2011 (starts Sunday)

Everyone who is anyone should check out DC Beer Week this week (starting Sunday Aug 14th).  There are TONS are specials around the city.  Click the link below  for a map and calendar of events. Note: MIDWESTERNERS check out the specials on Wed (below).

DC Beer Week 2011 | DC Beer – Washington DC, Beers in DC, Beer, Bars, Craft beer, homebrewing, happy hours, beer tastings.

Here are a few highlights…

MONDAY AUG 15th : Ladies’ Night – Ladies Drink Beer for Free – 4pm
Belga Cafe – 514 8th Street SE, http://www.belgacafe.com

TUESDAY: AUG 16th:  All About Brews Trivia Night – 7pm

Bread & Brew – 1247 20th Street NW, http://www.breadandbrew.com
Think you know about beer? Put it to the test during Bread & Brew’s special all-beer trivia. Great prizes and beer specials all night long.

WED AUG 17th : Midwest Brewery Night at Smith Commons – 5pm
Smith Commons – 1245 H Street NE, http://www.smithcommonsdc.com
Smith Commons will be featuring breweries from a different region of the country for four different nights during DC Beer Week. Wednesday will feature breweries from the midwest. $5 pints, $15 bombers, and $5 regional themed small food pairings. The tentative brewery list for Wednesday includes:

Colorado

Avery Brewing Co.

Boulder Beer

Oskar Blues Brewery

Ohio

Great Lakes Brewing Co.

Michigan

Bells Brewery Inc.

Founders Brewing Co.

New Holland Brewing Co.

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

Missouri

Schlafly Beer

Utah

Epic Brewing Co.

Live It & Drink It : Ale & Art Mural Tour

My brother lives in Philly – so I’ve been there quite a few times.  I’ve noticed the murals but, I didn’t realize the shear number of murals until it was brought to my attention.  I think this is a great tour.  I mean who wouldn’t like a little exercise topped off by a couple beers?

Runaway Photo: Ale & Art Mural Tour in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |… – StumbleUpon

 

 

 

 

 

What are you doing this weekend?

Doc & a Drink is going to the “Our City Film Festival”.  Our first stop is the opening night party tomorrow (Saturday). It’s open to the public — Join us!

It’s at RFD’s (810 7th St, NW) and everyone knows RFD’s has an excellent beer selection.  Katy and I will be interviewing some of the local documentary filmmakers.  It’s going to be a blast.  It’s only 12.00 and all the money from the festival goes back into the organization.  Buy your tickets online – they will sell out! See you there (8-11pm).

**** Celebrate the opening of the film festival with filmmakers and VIPs.

Enjoy beer specials, great raffle give-aways, and performances by

Grammy nominee, Arts and Humanities Council of Washington grantee

and subject of past OCFF film, Blue Line…

Then – this Sunday – is the main event.  The films are all about D.C. The festival is only on Sunday, at The Goethe Institute (812 7th St, NW).  For ticket information and a full schedule check the website:  http://www.yachad-dc.org/Home.shtml

AND – just added — is the closing event with the D.C Cupcake Girls…

Georgetown Cupcakes’ Sophie and Katherine will be special guests,

screening TLC’s Second Season of DC Cupcakes,Our City

hosting a Q&A, and cupcake decorating contest at the finale.

ONLY 10.00 to attend.  Buy tickets here.

 

5 out of 5 Cheers.

-becky beamer

Is it Summer or is it Winter?

Well…  that depends on the hemisphere that you are standing in… I have one final beer recommendation from my time in New Zealand.

 

DRINK: Monteith’s Summer Ale (yes – the drink matches the glass)

LOCATION: The Kiln in Invercargil, New Zealand (the end of the earth)

I have to give props to The Kiln who had excellent live music.  The guitarist focused on the best of the 90’s so I was pleased.  I sat in the back corner.  I had a complete view of the bar which I thought was one of the best seats in the place.

REVIEWER: Becky Beamer

 

It’s a summer brew and it’s from New Zealand SO good luck finding it in the US.  If you can’t find it – I recommend just pretending it’s summer for a night and grab a corona with a lime.

The beer is smooth & sweet.  I can taste honey and something spicy.  I can’t quite place it.

I have to admit I cheated and read the description on the bar menu.  The spice is from the nutmeg – yummy.

It’s really good and really easy to drink.

5 out of 5 Cheers.

bb

(belated) OKTOBERFEST!!!!!!!!

I celebrated Oktoberfest in Sydney,Australia.  I ordered a traditional Hoffbrau House Dunkle (.5 liters) and some traditional grub.  I sat outside – in 72 degree weather – in a beer garden.  What more could I ask for? Yummy!

5 out of 5 Cheers (for Sydney)

4 out of 5 Cheers (for the food and beer) The beer was good and the mug was special.  The food was traditional but, not exceptional.  I had to combined those reviews with an overall experience score to get the 4/5.

 

How to Pair Beer with Your Food ….

I ran across this article on Life Hacker about Pairing Beer with your food.

Here is the cheat sheet:

• Pale Ales – Salads, light appetizers, fish and seafood
• India Pale Ales (IPAs) – IPAs can stand up to a little more richness and flavor. They can go well with things like pulled pork, pizza, and fried chicken, as well as lighter salads and seafood dishes. And if you like heat, try an IPA with spicy food – the hoppiness really pumps up the spice quotient!
• Hefeweizens and Wheat Beers – Fruit dishes, dinner salads, grain salads, and desserts made with warm spices (cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg).
• Amber Ales – Ambers are a good middle-of-the-road beer and go well with just about anything: burgers, grilled cheese, roast chicken, soups and stews
• Stouts and Porters – Barbecue, stews, braised dishes – any kind of meat dish, really. Also rich desserts with chocolate and espresso flavors.

For the full article – go to :   LIFEHACKER ARTICLE

—- becky beamer

Beer – Beer – and More Beer !

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FILM: Beer Wars

An irreverent and comical journey through the underbelly of the American beer industry.

FILMMAKER: Anat Baron

REVIEWER: becky beamer

How could Doc&aDrink resist reviewing a Documentary about Beer?

You’re right – we can’t.   Hence –  this week’s review Beer Wars.

Go America – America loves beer.

The first thing you will notice is the narrator for the film and character in the film – Anat Baron.   I really don’t care about her biography or care to see her on camera.  It was obvious that she wants to be a female Michael Moore.  Her content just can’t hold up to Bowling for Columbine in revealing “hidden truths”.

And once I got over the annoying narrator  – I really enjoyed this doc.  The film included interesting use of archival interviews, commercials and beer footage.  I was educated to the reality of craft beer success verse the top 3 conglomerates.  The film also included some creative animations.  The most lovable character in the doc is the owner of the Dog Fish Brewery – Sam.  He comes across as a true beer lover and upstanding businessman.

I walked away wanting to make sure that I’m NOT drinking anything made by Anheiser Busch, Miller or Coors.  Believe me – that’s hard – as they swallowed all kinds of brands including Bodingtons and Leffe.  I could always buy Dog Fish Brews (until they too get eaten by the big dogs).

4 out of 5 Cheers.

Becky

Drink Review > Winter Wonderland Beer

DRINK: Sierra Nevada’s Celebration Ale

REVIEWER: Becky Beamer

There’s a feeling to winter.  It’s a time when you want to be warmed by a fire while looking outside to a winter wonderland.  I fell victim to these wintery  feelings recently –  at the shopping market.

I looked around the Harris Teeter beer selection and noticed that everyone was picking up Sierra Nevada’s WInter Ale : Celebration Ale.  Check out the label.  It’s a perfect sell for the seasonal winter ale.

I had high hopes that were quickly dashed.  Don’t fall for the label.  The beer is just average – nothing special.

Learn More about the Celebrational Ale.

2 out 5 Cheers