International IPA Day, August 2

August 2, I am told, is International IPA Day. Play along on Twitter at the hashtag #IPADay.


I'm sure lots of places are doing something to celebrate; here's two press releases I've received.


First, from Independence Brewing:

International #IPA DayOn August 2nd breweries and hopheads around the globe will unite to celebrate the hoppy goodness of IPAs. We certainly don’t need any more reasons to enjoy Stash IPA – it’s incredibly delicious. But we like to party with other hopheads. So we have organized events kicking off on International #IPA Day leading up to our 1st Saturday Tour. Break out your Stash IPA t-shirt and join us in celebrating the mighty hop. Get special swag if you’re spotted by our brewery crew.

• August 2nd - #IPA Day @ Flying Saucer in Austin and The Friendly Spot in San Antonio

• August 3rd - Stash IPA cask at Baker Street Pub

• August 4th - Stash IPA cask at Red’s Porch

Then, from the Flying Saucer chain:

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium today announced it will participate in International #IPADay on Thursday, Aug. 2 at all Flying Saucer locations throughout Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina. 

International #IPADay is a grassroots movement created to unite the voices of craft beer enthusiasts, bloggers and brewers worldwide, using social media as the common arena for connecting the conversation. The event calls for craft beer drinkers from across the social sphere and around the globe to raise pints in a collective toast to one of craft beer’s most iconic styles − the India Pale Ale. Participants are encouraged to share photos, videos, blog posts, tasting notes, recipes and thoughts with the world through any and all social media platforms available to them, using the event’s title hashtag to post and follow the celebration happening around the world. 

Flying Saucer locations will celebrate the occasion with specials on India Pale Ales from various breweries, rare tappings, special flights and food specials, all varying by location. The Saucer is also partnering with the social media app Untappd to offer an “IPA Day at the Saucer” badge to attendees.

Real Ale Beer Dinner at Easy Tiger

I've been notified that Real Ale Brewing Company is pairing with Easy Tiger Bake Shop & Beer Garden for a beer dinner. Chef Andrew Curren, sommelier Billy Caruso and baker David Norman have created a six-course feast, including 2010 Highlander paired with bone marrow, blood sausage, herb salad and fougasse. Full menu below.


The dinner will take place July 24 from 6 pm to 10 pm downstairs in the beer garden. Cost is $55, and reservations are required (call 614-4972). Seating is limited to 60 people.



REAL ALE BEER DINNER 


FIRST COURSE
Lost Gold IPA
Mussels, smoked tomato, fennel, leeks, baguette


SECOND COURSE
2012 Empire, Barrel-Aged Lost Gold IPA
Duck sausage, corn pudding, watercress


THIRD COURSE
Wild Lost Gold IPA
Apricot-braised goat, local shell pea cake, mint gremolata


FOURTH COURSE
Scots Gone Wild, Sour Real Heavy
Venison liver mousse, black pepper cherry jam, arugula, country levain


FIFTH COURSE
2010 Highlander, Barrel-Aged Real Heavy
Bone marrow, blood sausage, herb salad, fougasse


SIXTH COURSE
Vol. 15, Bourbon Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout
Bitter orange bread pudding, caramelized honey, figs, walnuts

Royal Fig Catering Dinner Featuring Jester King

Press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 10, 2012Royal Fig Catering Artisan Dinner Series: Featuring Jester King Craft Brewery
WHAT:   Royal Fig Catering’s Artisan Dinner Series continues at The Harvest Room with featured artisan Jester King Craft Brewery. In this series Chef Dan Stacy will incorporate Jester King signature craft brews into his culinary creations. Both artisans uphold a rustic philosophy, encompassing seasonal and local ingredients. The venue will host 40 individuals for this exclusive event. The venue is also home to a number of social mixers, parties, rehearsal dinner’s, workshops and more.   
MENU:                            
Chicken Liver Mousse with le Petit Prince Mustard
Mortadella Mussels with Noble King Broth
Braised Halibut Cheeks with Boxer’s Revenge Aged Wild Ale &Smoked Goat Ragout

Drink’in the South Marinated Porchetta with Okra & Tomato Hash

Foie Gras Smores with Black Metal Imperial Stout Drizzle
WHEN: 7pm to the end
        Saturday July 21, 2012
WHERE:
       The Harvest Room at Royal Fig Catering
       4238 Bee Caves Rd. 
       Austin, Tx. 78746

                     Limited parking available at the Harvest Room. Valet will be provided.
WEB:   http://www.royalfig.com/harvest-room/
TWITTER:  @RoyalFigAustin  @seedlingtruck
ABOUT:   Royal Fig prides themselves on fresh, seasonal ingredients derived from organic farms throughout central Texas. Each menu is created with seasonality in mind, so guests eat food at the peak of freshness.  The Seedling Truck is a mobile food venture and features Royal Fig’s rustic seasonal cuisine on the go!  You can find them in Austin daily through continual updates on twitter and Facebook.  Like and follow them to keep in the know so you can indulge in their fresh local cuisine wherever they are in Austin!!   
                                                                                                                  ###

Beer vs. Church

Now personally, I don't think beer and church need to be mutually exclusive or at odds with one another. But I suppose there is some insight to be gleaned from whether the folks in a particular county Tweet more about one rather than the other. It definitely doesn't surprise me to see church leading in the South. Check out this post.

Twisted X Joining the Dripping Springs Trend

Twisted X, our local makers of "Tex-Mex beer," have joined the trend of other local alcohol makers and are moving their brewing operations to Dripping Springs, a small town in the beautiful Hill Country west of Austin. Currently, Twisted X is located in the northern suburb of Cedar Park. The Austin American-Statesman has a story about it here.