Side Project Cellar

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the newly opened Side Project Cellar in Maplewood, MO. Since I’ve been dying to get my hands on some of Side Project’s beers, this was quite the exciting day for me. To make it even better, I brought my mom along to convince her just how great craft beer really is (I think it worked).

When we first walked in, we were amazed by all of the reclaimed wood decorating the walls of the bar. It was a Pinterest-lover’s dream. The next thing that caught my eye was the plentiful tap and bottle list, featuring beers from all over the world. The accompanying 24 taps left me with a smile I just couldn’t wipe off  of my face. The service we received after we sat down at the bar was exactly the kind of service I expected from this kind of place – attentive and informative. We learned a lot about the operations of the cellar as well as the few SP beer available. You may be asking, why only a few? Since Side Project is so delicious, they have a hard time keeping their own beer in stock. The ladies behind the bar informed us that they usually try to keep 2 of their brews on tap and 2-4 bottles available for on-premise consumption at all times. So pretty much, if you’re looking to try out some Side Project, your best bet is to head right to the cellar.

To start off our tasty expedition, we ordered the two Side Project brews available on tap that day: Grisette and Saison du Ble.  Strong notes of lemon and grapefruit drifted from the glass of Grisette and  into my nose. My lips were greeted by a snappy flavor that engulfed my mouth soon after. To me, it started off a bit tart but then mellowed into a grapefruit dream. A++. The Saison du Ble was easily just as good. The head was a bigger than with the Grisette and the Saison smelled a lot funkier; like a farm that also grows apples. I noticed a slight bitterness with this brew and lots of apple-licious flavors hanging around as well but when it warmed in my glass, it developed into a sweeter drink with a bit of zip. At this point, I pretty much died of happiness.

For all of you living in or visiting the St. Louis/Maplewood area, I highly recommend taking a trip over to the Side Project Cellar. It is absolutely the place you want to be if you’re interested in drinking some of the best beers in the country. Cheers!

GABF Media Luncheon | Bringing Beer Back to the Dinner Table

The Great American Beer Festival is over and I’ve now had enough time to recover so I can finally start writing about it. On Friday October 3rd, the Brewers Association invited the media to a working luncheon at which we ate 4 courses paired with various medal-winning brews. During the luncheon, we heard from several panels of brewers/brewery staff about their experiences in the craft beer world, how they got started, and what they hope to create in the future. We also heard about some exciting news from the Brewers Association. The thing I’m most excited about is the new Food and Beer course created by the Brewers Association (which you can read more about here). Their goal is to bring beer back to the dinner table and I think that is absolutely fabulous. Why shouldn’t beer be as highly regarded as wine? There’s no reason! Especially when it goes so wonderfully with so many dishes. As soon as I get some free time, I plan on working my way through the material so I can get even better at food and beer pairing. You should too – go check it out!

 

And now for the food pics…

 

Smoked Trout Fuille de Brick, Grapefruit and Chervil Persillade

Paired with:

Serenity, Wicked Weed Brewing

Opal, Firestone Walker Brewing

Granny Smith Apple with Ginger and Grapefruit (my favorite part of the luncheon!)

Paired with: 

Berliner Weisse, Napoleon Complex – Brewers Association Team Homebrew

Grilled Ribeye Filet, Roasted Shallow Demi, Salsify, Yukon Gold Potato and Horseradish Galette, French Green Beans, Horseradish Chip

Paired with: 

Black Eagle Baltic Porter, Black Tooth Brewing

Old Tom Porter, Piney River Brewing

Old Tom Porter, Piney River Brewing Company (just had to represent my home state)

 

Dusty Miller Semifreddo, Warm Toffee Sauce

Paired with: 

Balt Altibier, Union Craft Brewing

Tsunami Stout, Pelican Pub and Brewery

Colorado – The State of Craft Beer

 

Yesterday (Sept 16^th) I went over to Renegade Brewing Company to check out the unveiling of the ‘Colorado – The State of Craft Beer’ brand created by the Colorado Brewers Guild. With Colorado being home to 9 regional breweries, the oldest microbrewery in the country (Boulder Beer), and over 200 other breweries, it’s no wonder that we are claiming this name for ourselves. The brand will be rolled out in separate phases with merchandise, signage, and a comprehensive brewer-friendly website coming out at later dates. Colorado currently holds 7% of the nation’s craft beer sales and CBG is hoping to increase that to 20% by 2020, with the help of this new brand. One way in which they will do that is by working with the Colorado Tourism Office, which already boasts the state’s craft beer abundance to potential visitors. Of course the CBG will use the power of the internet to get the word out there as well but I expect you will start seeing the ‘Colorado – The State of Craft Beer’ brand everywhere as it is made available to put on beer packaging, clothes, festival tents, etc. Want to check it out for yourself? Head over to the Colorado Brewers Guild tent at Great American Beer Festival where you can also get a fresh beer brewed and poured by state representatives!

Steve Kurowski, director of marketing at the Colorado Brewers Guild

4 Hands Brewing Company | St. Louis, Missouri

PorchDrinking.com Article:

Chelsea Mitchell takes a trip to St. Louis to explore and tastes the beers at 4 Hands Brewing Company.

Check out my showcase of 4 Hands Brewing Company!

http://www.porchdrinking.com/mitchell-4-hands-brewing-company/

Festival Recap | Big Eat 2014

PorchDrinking.com Article:

Chris Day and Chelsea Mitchell recap the 2014 Big Eat presented by Eat Denver

Check out our coverage of the Big Eat! I’ll post more pictures of the event later today 🙂

 

http://www.porchdrinking.com/festival-recap-big-eat-2014/

Barrels and Bottles New Beer Release

 

The other night, I popped in to Barrels and Bottles to check out the new creations of head brewer, Kim Collins. I tried Piney the First, the sessionable Lil’ IPA, and Hot Lips, a sour mash blonde ale. The first three releases of the B&B flagship line were pretty great, especially Piney. The rest of the line-up for the  brewery/taproom/wine bar is set to come out throughout the month of July.

While sippin’ on some goodness, we also chowed down on the baked camembert with fruit compote and let me tell you – it was to die for. I’m excited to see what else Kim has up her sleeve as the rest of the brews roll out and I’ll definitely be heading back to Barrels and Bottles to get more of that delectable baked cheese.

Instagrammin @drinkandspoon : June 2014

Starting our day out at @schlaflybeer #drinkandspoon #brewery #beer #beerporn #instabeer #craftbeer #craftbeercommunity 

Spending some time at @4handsbrewingco in STL. It’s pretty fantastic. #drinkandspoon #drink #beer #beerporn #brewery #craftbeer #craftbeercommunity #instabeer #instagood #summer

Thanks for a great time and great beers @4handsbrewingco #drinkandspoon #porchdrinking @porchdrinkingco #beer #craftbeer #craftbeercommunity #beerstagram #instabeer #instagood #brewery

Starting out with some STL beers before we watch the cardinals best the royals @urbanchestnut #drinkandspoon #beer #baseball #cardinals #royals #craftbeer #craftbeercommunity #beerporn #instabeer #instagood

We made it to @boulevardbeer !!! #drinkandspoon #craftbeer #craftbeercommunity #beerporn #drink #instabeer

#tbt to this weekend when I forced my mom, aunt, grandma and cousins (from Missouri) into having a beer tasting. My grandma was the best sport and loved them all. The rest just haven’t figured out wuz good yet. They’ll catch on…hopefully. Otherwise, more for me!!

The haul from St. Louis. Good thing we drove. Now, who wants to help? 😊🍻 #drinkandspoon #drink #beer #beerporn #beerstagram #beertography #craftbeer #craftbeercommunity #instabeer #instagood @perennialbeer @4handsbrewingco @brewdogofficial @prairieales @atgbrewery @gooseislandbeer @mikkellerbeer @schlaflybeer

Yay Left Hand! Me and the boo celebrating the 2 year anniversary with donuts and beers. Grabbed a bomber and the stout glass. @lefthandbrewing #drink #love #craftbeer #craftbeercommunity #beer #beerporn

Picked up some ham and cheese scones and coffee from Sweet as Pie in Denver while walking the dog this morning. It’s the cutest new neighborhood bakery!! #drinkandspoon #bake #sweetaspie

Once again, the blog became an excuse to reward myself with some amazing brews. Help. #drinkandspoon #beer #beerporn #beerstagram #instabeer #vsco @stonebrewingco @prairieales @elevationbeerco

I know where I’ll be tomorrow! Tons of beer by @greatdividebrew food trucks, and music…sounds like the best party ever! Head over to @imbibedenver to grab your tickets now! #drinkandspoon #craftbeer #craftbeercommunity #party #anniversary #beerporn #beer #denver #colorado

I’m drinking ALL of these today. You can too – buy your tickets on @imbibedenver or at the door for the Great Divide 20th anniversary party! I’m soooo excited. @greatdividebrew #drinkandspoon #denver #greatdivide #beerporn #craftbeer #party 

FOOD AND BEER at the @greatdividebrew anniversary party! #drinkandspoon #beerporn #beer #foodporn #greatdivide #craftbeer

Dessert for breakfast – cinnamon walnut bread pudding, yum! #drinkandspoon #breakfast #dessert #sweet #food #foodporn #instafood #instagood #nom

Pumped about drinking this birra! #drinkandspoon #drink #beer #beerporn #beerstagram #instabeer #craftbeer #picoftheday

Brandon bought me beer and pizza using the new @gratafy app at LowDown Brewery! Use the promo code: drinkandspoon to get 5$ off your next purchase
#drinkandspoon #food #foodporn #beerporn #beer #craftbeer #craftbeercommunity #instabeer #instafood #instagood

Flights last night at @epicbrewing – also, cheers to 900 followers!!! You guys and gals are awesome. Thank you for the continued support 😘🍻
#drinkandspoon #drink #beer #beerporn #beertography #craftbeer #craftbeercommunity

Farmers market goodness! Happy Saturday!
#drinkandspoon #food #foodporn #eating #healthy #cooking #weekend #summer

Today’s beer haul and the cat that’s trying to drink it all. #drinkandspoon #drink #cats #beer #beerporn #beergasm #instabeer #instagood #craftbeer
@jollypumpkin @wynkoopbrew @almanacbeer

Drinking a Sofie for #beerclub this week and getting ready to pick all that mint and basil in the background for a pesto! Yay cooking and beer 🙂 @gooseislandbeer
#drinkandspoon #beer #basil #mint #cook #cooking #beerporn #craftbeer #instabeer #instagood #instafood #foodporn

Drinking a Dry Dock Apricot Blonde on top of a mountain in Golden, CO. Love Colorado and love easy hikes. @drydockbrewing
#drinkandspoon #drink #beer #beerporn #instabeer #beerstagram #healthy #hiking #colorado #craftbeer

Is that a 2009 Bourbon County Stout? Yes. Did I drink it? Definitely. @gooseislandbeer #migrationweek #drinkandspoon #beer #beerporn #beerstagram #instabeer #craftbeer #bourboncounty

The fabulous @porchdrinkingco crew (minus Chris who was not cool enough to make the cut) at the #migrationweek kick-off party yesterday hosted by @gooseislandbeer
#drinkandspoon #craftbeer #denver #colorado #porchdrinking #gooseisland #party #beerstagram #instagood #friends

Beer haul for the weekend! @stonebrewingco @skabrewing @uintabrewing @greenflashbeer @fortcollinsbrewery @upslope @firestonewalker #drinkandspoon #drink #beer #beerhaul #beerlove #beerporn #beerstagram #instabeer #craftbeer

It’s a good day to drink in the ☀ @upslope #drinkandspoon #beer #beerporn #beerstagram #pool #summer #craftbeer #colorado #denver

Flowery pants and brewery openings – that’s what is happenin in Denver.
#drinkandspoon #berylsbeerco #denver #beer #beerporn #instabeer #instagood #craftbeer #summer

 

Great Divide 20th Anniversary Party

The Great Divide Anniversary party was an absolute blast. Quite possibly one of the best beer parties I’ve ever been to! Not one did we drink brand-spankin-new brews, we ate from food trunks and dances to punk and 90’s music. Please, please, please can we do it all over again?

The new brews we drank and the Great Divide 20th Anniversary party were OUT OF THIS WORLD. A few of my favorites were Yeiser, Berliner Weisse, and Red Comet.

Yeiser was a 10% saison…you know how I love saisons and I definitely LOVE this saison.

Berliner Weisse was, you guessed it, a berliner weisse. It was a tart, refreshing, dream-in-a-glass. I’m probably most excited about this one.

Finally, Red Comet. Oh lordy, how do I describe the amazing flavors bursting out of this brew? I can’t because I was slightly tipsy after drinking endless beers and my hands were too full to write anything down. What I can tell you is that Red Comet is a Flanders red ale, its sour as all hell and its complex, sexy body made me drink more than one glass. Bravo, Great Divide! You are geniuses.

More details can be found in this post on porchdrinking.com
 

 

Explore: 4 Noses Brewery Opening

I paid a visit to the brand new 4 Noses Brewing Company out in Broomfield for their opening day. I was expecting some good and some bad – because it was a new brewery after all. What I got was all fantastic.

The brewery itself was gorgeous. Wood-paneled walls, tree knots for tap handles, and a perfectly simple poured concrete bar. They even have a garage door to open up the brewery on sunny days. From the bar, you could see through the windows and take a gander at their massive set-up. These folks are not kidding around. They are fresh in the brewniverse and already they have an enormous brewing capacity. I could tell the founders had visited quite a few breweries and learned from other’s successes before building their own brewery.

Explore: River North Releases Canned IPA

Red. Hoppy. Portable.

Last night we went over to River North Brewery to grab a 4-pack of the brand new River North IPA cans. Once again, they have created another fantastic brew. The IPA is a spin-off of BPR and it is a citrusy, hoppy delight. I planned on saving some for cooking, but I guess I’ll just have to go grab some more because we drank them all. Don’t wait, go try it out.