SDBW 2012

Can anyone who's been to Million Zillion say whether or not you need to get there early to try them all? I've gotten the impression that it doesn't matter.

 

In past years, before 10pm or so according to O'Brien's.

 

Last two years it has been on a Friday or Staurday and I went straight from work around 10. Place was half capacity both times. Parking plateful, bar seats, tables.... Last year one kicked right before I got there, but brew3crew let me tick his. The year before two had kicked by the time I got there. I'd gladly chance missing one to avoid the crowds. I'm almost bummed that this year is on a day off for me and I can get there early, so probably will.

Can anyone chime in on whether it has been crazy right at 5?

 

Was wondering what the aftermath of SDBW is like in terms of availability of one-offs from local breweries? For instance, will any of the Speedway or Victory at Sea variants featured at O'Brien's and Hamilton's be available around town or at the breweries in the following weeks? Looks like responsibilities are gonna cut into my drinking time severely that week so I was really hoping for a second chance..

 

There will be a few stragglers here and there, but the rarest stuff will always be gone quickly. There will definitely be some good stuff floating around, probably no/very few Speedway or VaS variants specifically, but there will be extra kegs here and there, as well as things that get put on tap late in the week and don't kick right away.

 

It's pretty busy right at 5. Not quite Pliny the Younger crazy but it will be difficult to find a table. I've always managed to find a spot but I wouldn't say it's comfortable.

 

Looking to get some of your thoughts on Monkey Paw. Tap list looks o.k. Wondering how the double ipa is.
Thanks

 

monkey paw is solid. Small place, only do growler fills at certain times, but their beers are great and they have some awesome guest taps (at least when I've been there).

 

Not a fan of MP. Even drain poured one of their beers.

 

Which one and when? It's a great place and over the last year the beers have really come together. Only now with the new hop harvest will Derek be getting in the hops he really wants. There's always a lag time for hop availability. Every new brewery has to deal with that. But even then, there are so many breweries in town no one has to like 'em all.

 

I bought three of their cans when they first came out; Oatmeal Pale, Sweet Georgia Brown and their Rich Man's IIPA. I don't recall which ended up in the drain, but I remember being a bit disappointed in all of them when I had them at home. Could have been the Rich Man's. Don't get me wrong, perhaps my taste was off that day (I always give breweries multiple chances).

 

The imperial porter they have is delicious. Santa's Pet Monkey or some shit.

 

Rich Man's still doesn't have the hops he wants, so I'd expect that recipe to possibly change when Simcoe is available. I never bought the cans since they were done in a mobile truck, but I do really like the oatmeal pale and sweet georgia brown is the bar's #1 seller.

 

Just added 2 amazing kegs to our Rare Beer Breakfast on Friday. Both from FiftyFifty; 2010 Evan Williams BART & 400 day aged Elijah Craig 12 yr. Robust Coffee 2012 Eclipse.

Also the final menu for the Cascade Dinner is out:

Reception Beer​

Cascade Barrel Aged Fruit​

Family Style​

Pig Ear Frits with Uni Aioli​

& ​

Mussels w/ shallots & parsley​

Paired with​

Cascade Strawberry​

&​

Cascade Noyaux​

Salad​

Stone Old Guardian Braised Pork Belly​

Petite bitter greens, figs, Dolce Gorgonzola, vanilla bean Bourbon glaze​

Paired with​

Cascade Figaro​

&​

Cascade Noyaux​

Appetizer​

Duck confit Ravioli alla Carbonara​

Duck egg yolk & caramelized onions​

Paired with​

Cascade Fall Apple​

&​

Cascade Sang Noir​

Intermezzo​

Cascade Black Cap Raspberry​

Fish Entrée​

Caul fat wrapped Halibut Cheeks​

Bacon marmalade sauté greens w/ pink oyster mushrooms, & pink peppercorn sauce​

Paired with​

Cascade Orange Sorbet​

Meat Entrée​

Coco and espresso Sous-Vide Elk Loin​

Butternut squash puree and pepita brittle​

Paired with ​

Cascade Cinnamon Quad​

​

Dessert​

Scharffen Berger & Sable Breton Torchon​

With​

Stone Smoked Porter w/ Vanilla bean Gelato​

Paired with​

Cascade Diesel #2​

&​

Cascade Orange Sorbet​

Cheese Course​

Paired with​

Cascade Shrieking Violet Blueberry​

Cheers

 

Thanks for your thoughts on Monkey Paw, probably will stop in for lunch one day.

 

Is Million Zillion night going to get awkward with the election results rolling in?

 

Riots!!! Everyone wear blue or red!

 

Better hope there aren't any City Beat editors there.

 

Or Papa Doug?

 

I was referring to O'Brien's owner Tom Nickel telling City Beat last week that he would never advertise with them because he disagrees with 100 percent of their endorsements. Given that, I think Tom would welcome Papa Doug.