Since no one has mentioned this yet: http://smokehousebrewing.com/events_050413.html For those who don't know (or didn't click the link), the Mini Real Ale is an annual festival of firkin beers at Barley's Smokehouse in Columbus. 35 bucks gets you a commemorative pint glass, tickets for tasting, and there is a whole smoked hog for guests as well. Starts at Noon, goes until 3 (yeah right, went well past 3 last time I was there). Tickets available online or at the Smokehouse (in person = no processing charge). The lineup so far: Southern Tier 2XIPA Bell's Porter Bell's Two Hearted Epic Brainless IPA Weasel Boy 2012 Anastasia (firkin from the batch that won gold at GABF 2012) Barley's Cherry Bourbon Zoltar (fruited BB Imperial Porter) Founder's Porter with Chocolate and Thai Chilies Heavy Seas Big DIPA Hinterland Luna Coffee Stout Hinterland Raspberry Saison Lagunitas Sucks Oskar Blues Dales Pale Ale dry hopped with Falconer's Flight and Citra Flying Dog Raging Bitch Rivertown Hop Baron dry hopped with Citra Stoudts Fat Dog Imperial Oatmeal Stout Thirsty Dog Whippet Wheat (Weizen with Cherries) Buckeye Lake Brewing Black IPA Committed but firkins still TBA: Columbus Brewing Four String Brewing
Hey, Keffa I can supply the rest of the line up. Columbus Brewing is bringing a coffe infused, barrel-conditioned stout they call Steel Dawn. Four String is bringing their White IPA, dry hopped with Falconer's Flight and Citra. And, there's a bonus firkin, to round out the field to 20. New upstart Actual Brewing Company (Columbus) hasn't quite started their production runs yet, but they are bringing Fat Julian Russian Imperial Stout, which they aged in a French red wine cask. It will be the world coming-out party for Actual. The entire line up can be viewed here. If you click on a specific beer, you'll go right to the Beer Advocate page (if they have one.) In Actual's case, you see an entertaining video interview with their Owner and Brewmaster, Fred Lee. http://www.smokehousebrewing.com/wot_mraf_2013.html
My wife and I will be there and I am very excited about trying Actual Brewing as well as all the others.
Thanks for posting....I had forgotten about this. Made it out for this a year or two ago and really enjoyed it. I'll be there this year.
Really excited for the Weasel Boy 2012 Anastasia and to finally taste something from the Actual Brewing Company. Plus if CBC is bringing Steel Dawn its going to be awesome.
Looks like I'm going to get to attend again this year. I'm especially looking forward to the offering from Actual Brewing. I've been hearing about them for what seems like ages and will be glad to finally try some of their stuff.
I thought Anastasia stole the show. Steel Dawn was tasty too. Pretty disappointed in the Fat Julian. I think the wine overpowered the porter. Thoughts?
I didn't get to go, had to work. Although, Jay and Lori brought the firkin back to the brewpub and served it tonight. I got a pour off it
Fat Julian was a drain pour! Maybe start out with an IPA, Porter, Stout or something drinkable! Good time and some decent brews.
I loved Steel Dawn. But I had no idea they were going to start shutting everything down right at 3:00 so I missed out on the Anastasia.
Wow drain pour? Wouldn't have guessed they'd put out something bad based off what I have heard about them. What was so bad about the beer? I did think they seemed a little ambitious when I talked to their brewer last year.. Saying their first few beers would be a saison, imperial stout, and something else. You're right though, gotta get the IPAs, stouts and drinkable offerings down before you can go all barrel crazy experimental brewer. Anyway, wish I could've made it. Sounds like there were some great brews there. Can't wait for the Barley's homebrew competition this year!
I totally agree that the Wine taste overpowered the Fat Julian, I wouldn't say it was a drain pour. Steel Dawn easily was the best beer of the day. It keep getting better as it warmed up. I ended up having three. I also loved the Founders Porter. It was totally lame to kick everyone out right at 3pm especially with so much beer left.
I was surprised they were kicking us out at 3, too. I seem to remember being allowed to loiter in years passed. I asked one of the guys tearing things down....and he said they had some other event/reservation in the back room at 3:30. That's cutting it pretty close, but I understand.....gotta make that cheddar. The only beer I couldn't drink was the Southern Tier 2x IPA. Could have been just me, but it had a very bad taste of glue or something that was really off-putting. I'm pretty sure I've had a bottle of that one before and don't recall hating it. Oh well.
Robot Devil. Humph. Glue. Hrumph! Age seems to be the likely culprit, esp when talking dry-hopped casks, but who knows?
