I am still alive
I feel like I have been living in a hole for roughly two months.
Much of my life during my absence was not beer-oriented. In fact, I can probably count the number of times I had a beer over the last couple of months on one hand ( this is not to say that I did not do my fair share of drinking, but it was usually in the form of scotch or some California Cabernet), and I have missed that beer connection that I share with all of you, and with each beer that I actually drink.
To be fair, life hasn’t been as kind as I would have liked it to be. But whatever problems I may have had are now in the past, and I am excited to get back to writing! And this seems like the best opportunity to really get things going again, with the Beer Bloggers Conference right around the corner.
This post, however, contains nothing beer related, as I am writing this not hopped-up on my ‘writing necessities’ ( beer, cigarettes and/or pounds of Starbucks Espresso Roast). The next one, however, will be, as I try to get myself back in the swing of things and start participating once again in the community that has given me plenty.
Mostly, this post is to tell you all that I am indeed still alive.
North Texas Beer Festival is Coming!
It has been over a month since my last post. I really do wish that my entire life revolved around beer, but alas, it does not. Unfortunate, really, because nothing brings me greater joy than talking with people about beer, community, and life.
But I now have some time to sit and write, and we Texans have our first North Texas Beer Festival right around the corner! And with all the hype around the festival, people are going to be expecting a lot. No worries, because this event will surely deliver! 
Feel free to stop by North Texas Beer Festival‘s website for more info on the event, but for now, I will share with you a little of what to expect from the event:
- Charity golf tournament
- Raffles
- Live music
- Industry talks
- Prizes
- Chef prepared foods
- Outdoor bier garten
- And of course, large amounts of great beer!
If you are in town, be sure to stop by and try out some great beer and food and meet those of us involved with the local breweries, beer groups, and sponsors.
And stay tuned, because as life for me starts to quiet down, more info on the Texas beer scene will start to appear here! Talk to you guys soon!
The Ginger Man Dallas
Today, we are all about The Ginger Man in Dallas.
If you have been to Dallas, and you enjoy craft beer, you have been to The Ginger Man. If not, the rock you have been living under must have been pretty heavy.
The Ginger Man is one of those bars in Dallas that caters more to the beer enthusiast than the liquored-up business executive ( though, those guys and gals are welcome too). They offer an extensive beer list, awesome food, and a passionate staff that clearly knows their stuff. They always have great happy hour specials, incredible music, and you meet some great people there who share your intense love of all things craft beer.
The reason we are focusing on them today is because on March 26th, The Ginger Man Dallas will be holding its 4th Annual Celebrate Texas Chili Cook-off ( featuring chili made with great brew). This awesome event will benefit the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, an organization that I am passionate about, as are many north Texans. The event will feature a slew of Texas beers ( so expect to see beers from the likes of Rahr and Sons, Shiner, Saint Arnold, and more), and great Texas bands all united for two causes: charity and craft beer. It should be a great event, and to find out more head over to The Ginger Man Dallas site here. Below, you will find some more info on this great Texas mainstay.
Name: The Ginger Man
Address: 2718 Boll Street, Dallas, TX 75204
Phone number: 214-754-8771
Best food items on the menu: Spinach and Artichoke Dip, French Dip Sandwich
Standout beers: North Coast Old Rasputin, Brooklyn Monster, Saint Arnolds Altered Amber
I hope to see you all there! If you follow me on Twitter, be sure to send me a message if you are heading out there. First beer on me!
The top five craft beer blogs I read (and you should be reading too)
I have always wondered what blogs bloggers read. Picking up the suggestions of others, I have found some wonderful gems on the web for the things I care about most: politics and beer (clearly, these two specialities lie in separate realms). And recently, a friend asked me to write a post about the beer blogs I care for the most, and because I read so many, I narrowed it down to my five favorites:
The Daily Pull: I have a soft spot in my heart for Portland, and Brady Walen gives us great insight into their beer scene. The balance is perfect: beer tasting reviews, flavor notes, various community happenings. You can find it all here. Walen is a skilled writer and shows his diversity on a number of topics in the beer community.
Drink with the Wench: Ashley V. Routson writes this fantastic blog, and I think that one of the biggest reasons I am drawn to it is her undying passion for all things craft beer. Self-proclaimed “beer evangelist”, the “beer wench”, as she is called, is well-known in the beer community, and has contributed her expertise to beer sites like CraftBeer. One of the great things about her site is the navigation. You can find any article with ease, and she has a lot for you to chose from, from blogger interviews to beer tastings. Definitely recommended.
Brookston Beer Bulletin: If you are looking for very specific information regarding the state of the craft beer community, and you can’t seem to find it on your other favorite blogs, Brookston has it. Jay Brooks is a man of many talents, and those talents shine with his knowledge of craft beer, brewing, and distributing. This is my ultimate go-to site when I just want to read well-rounded craft beer information, and he already has a huge following (which means you are probably already reading him), with good reason. He has written articles for too many beer publications to mention.
Girls Pint Out: Contrary to popular belief, I am not a lady, but that doesn’t stop me from reading this one. I love seeing women with an amazing craft beer passion, and these ladies share their beer experiences through their blog. There are several chapters in the US for Girls Pint Out, so if you have a desire to hear the woman’s perspective on craft beer, then this blog is a must read.
Matt’s Beer Blog ( Meddlesome Moth): If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, like I do, then you know the Meddlesome Moth. Matt Quenette is a manager and a runs the cellar there, and while the blog doesn’t delve into the intricacies of beer economics and happenings in the community that often, it does keep us up to date on happenings at the Moth ( and their happenings are amazing). Recently, they hosted Ken Grossman of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company for a small dinner, which tickets for sold out in minutes, and they have many more events with beer luminaries in the future, notably, during the first week of April. If you live here, or you are simply visiting, check them out.
So that gives you an idea of what I am into as far as beer blogs go. If you guys have any suggestions on lesser known beer blogs that are really great reads, let me know. I love checking out new things!
Should we value our beer like vintners do wine?
I bore witness to a rather abominable display of alcohol abuse just the other day. A young man, who must certainly had imbibed more than his fair share of beer, liquor, or a combination of the two, stepped out of one of my favorite local spots and proceeded to drop the beer he held in his hands. The glass shattered, and my heart sank, as beer flowed onto the sidewalk, never to be enjoyed by man ever again. It turned out to be a Stone Leviathan, and this was the cause of massive headache that swept over me following the event in question. Clearly, I valued this beverage much more highly than he, as he and his friends give me a death stare as I informed him that he should be more careful, and that someone had worked much harder than he to create this splendid beverage. This, of course, inspired this piece, and it offered me some wonderful questions.
The wine industry takes the procurement, storage, and health of each bottle seriously. To them, it is much like raising a child. You have to always treat it as fragile until it grows up and can shine on its own. The price of some of the wine greats easily reaches the hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. Beer does not suffer such prices, thankfully, but this does not make our preferred beverage any less spectacular than any given bottle of Cabernet. So I began to wonder just how highly a beer advocate, connoisseur, champion, should value beer. Or should we simply view beer as a means to become inebriated?
In a way, beer is far more adventurous and unique than wine might ever hope to be. Some ingredients used in beer would never find their way into a wine bottle, not simply because it wouldn’t taste good, but because many of these ingredients would not be able to stand the time needed in the wine fermentation process. To be fair, most vintners would never bother trying oyster shell or chewed corn in their product, and with good reason. This is why beer has always appealed to me, though I have studied it and enjoy it, but ultimately it seems more highbrow than I need a beverage to be.
But this should not prevent us from taking care of beer. Craft brewers don’t simply make a quality beer to be greedily devoured by hordes of hormone-laced college frat kids who probably couldn’t tell us the differences between an IPA and an EPA. Frankly, I don’t give a damn about them. Craft brewers spend many thankless hours, utilizing math, and mixing, and boiling, and tasting the bad shit before getting to the good product, just to get exceptional beer out to the small community of craft beer lovers. This would make one want to treasure each and every craft beer they taste, or at least, this is how I feel about them. I keep a record, mental and digital, of all the greatest beers I have ever tasted. I will actively seek out certain beers, and at times, I have even forgone having a beer if I don’t find specific ones. This is because as beer becomes more exciting, the flavors are such that they call you back time after time.
Something I have always loved about wine is wine cellars. There is something so perfect about entering a wine cellar that just makes you stop and admire the history, vintages, varietals, the passion involved in getting the beer from the grape to the glass. This is what I hope for for the beer community. I want to show off all the beers I own, including the rare ones that you aren’t going to find elsewhere, partly because I have a deep respect for them, and partly because I want others to be jealous.
What do you all think? How should we value our beers?
Okay, back to writing, on with the Super Bowl!
My small writing break definitely was needed. In the short amount of time that I was absent, I was able to resolve various personal issues, get over the flu ( which, I must say, sucked), and continue work on a book that a close friend and I are writing. And now, I can get back to doing what I really love: drinking beer and writing about it.
And of course, no time could be better! As a Dallas local, I am obviously pumped to have the Super Bowl coming this Sunday to our awesome new stadium. Some might say that I have no reason to be excited, as the Cowboys didn’t make the cut this year. But I’m not a Cowboys fan, am I? No, I have been a Green Bay Packers fan for over a decade, and nothing brings me greater joy than to see my green and gold compadres coming to town to shove a boot up Steelers ass.
Obviously, parties are to be had. Question is, what beer are you drinking for the occasion? Because I love my team so very very much, and I love Wisconsin so very very much, I am providing a list of five beers from five of my favorite Wisconsin breweries. All these beers also pair well with your favorite tailgate foods, so be adventurous! Steelers fans: you will find no love for you here! On to the beer!
Fat Squirrel Nut Brown Ale- New Glarus Brewing Company- This beer uses hops from Bavaria, Slovenia, and the Pacific Northwest, and has really good and really fresh hazelnut notes.
Thermo Refur- Furthermore Beer- I like this beer because I like brett beers, and I like the addition of red beets and black pepper. It is not a readily available beer, as it is a winter seasonal, but if you have ‘em, drink ‘em.
Point Special Lager- Steven’s Point Brewing Company- I like pretty much everything Steven’s Point puts out, so I had to throw this beer on here. This beer has won all kinds of medals, and rightfully so. Its a great pilsner, and definitely a Wisconsin favorite.
Cream City Pale Ale-Lakefront Brewery- This was actually the first beer I ever had when I first went to Milwaukee, and I fell in love with the brewery immediately after. No real reason why I like this beer. I just do.
Capital Dark- Capital Brewing Company- another award winner that I had to throw on the list. I love dark beers, so naturally, I had to throw one on the list that was bold enough to even put Dark in the name!
Whatever you choose to drink for your Super Bowl gathering, be safe and responsible.
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Taking a writing break
Though I would prefer not to, it seems as if I am left with no other option than to take a small hiatus from writing this blog.
Things are just to busy these days. I have a lot on my plate, and while I care a great deal about writing this blog, interacting with the craft beer community, and tasting and talking about new innovations in our craft beer universe, I have to make hard choices. This was that hard choice.
This doesn’t mean that I won’t be writing again. I am only taking a few weeks off from the blog to focus on some other things. I will still be tweeting in that time period, and still commenting on other blogs that I enjoy reading. I just won’t be available through this blog for a few weeks.
I hope you all can understand. It is tough to stop doing something I love, even for such a short period of time. But once I do return, I will return in full force. Thank you all for understanding.
Namaste,
Terrence Jackson
Community is why we do it
There are reasons that go beyond the beers they brew why certain breweries mean so much to me. New Belgium, that innovative brewery from Fort Collins, Colorado, is such a wonderful example of an organization that goes above and beyond, and shows us that they aren’t just in it to make a quick buck.
New Belgium has had a strong focus on enriching their local community for some time, and to date, they have raised more than 1.5 million dollars to help out local environmental groups. I must admit, my opinions on such matters tends to appear biased, as I am more likely to support a brewery that helps others instead of brewers that simply help themselves. Charitable causes mean a great deal to me, so this was an awesome thing to read. Sometimes, I get so excited over these things!
And I really want to see others get this excited as well. I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said that I would gladly sacrifice every beer-drinking day that I have to be able to see one life legitimately changed by a member of the craft beer community. New Belgium does it with environmental causes; I want to do it with awareness for a subject near and dear to me: breast cancer research.
This is why I have decided to take on a project. This is going to take a lot of work, and a ton of support, but I think that it can get done with a significant amount of dedication ( which is not in short supply in my world). I can’t get into exact specifics at the moment, but I can say that it involves 31 beers and 31 breweries. If anyone is interested in helping out in the future, I will definitely be going into more detailed specifics later.
Anyway, I am extremely tired, and sorry to be s0 vague, but I don’t want to share too much until I iron out the details. Until then!
First event of 2011 finished! Texas on Tap and Summit Brewing
So, the first Texas on Tap event of 2011 was definitely a memorable one.
I arrived a little later than I would have liked, so I missed a bit of the social period that we usually have at the beginning. I still got there in plenty of time to pick up my “free” pint, which was Summit Brewing Company Extra Pale Ale. Most know that if the Pale Ale doesn’t have the word ‘India’ in front of it, I may not like it that much, but this EPA definitely did not leave me wanting something more. A solid choice to start what was sure to be a great evening.
When I arrived, I started talking with the awesome founder of Texas on Tap, my friend and fellow beer lover, Robert Irving. Robert is such a good guy, and he is helping start the first North Texas Beer Festival ( which your humble servant will be attending), and he truly cares a great deal about craft beer. I was pleased that this event was going to be focusing on Summit Brewing, because I have been to that brewery and I have Summit on my very exclusive list of top 10 favorite breweries. I of course expressed my happiness about this, which got the attention of Amy Fletcher, the Summit rep from Austin who came down to join us and talk about the beers we were going to have. If you ever have a chance to have a beer and smoke a cigarette with this awesome woman, you should. Clear your schedule. Cancel all your plans. Her enthusiasm will occupy your time. It is awesome! It was a blast meeting her.
So we tried some very solid beers, which are the following Summit brews: Pilsner, EPA, Winter Ale, Red Ale, Oatmeal Stout (a personal favorite), and the IPA. The ones that really shined were the Red Ale ( which paired well with the chicken that we had for dinner), and of course, the Oatmeal Stout ( which pairs well with everything I eat because I love it that much). Since I have an aversion to writing tasting notes, I won’t, because I would rather you all formulate your opinions on each beer, rather than going in with preconceived notions about beers because you read what I wrote. Just know, Summit got on my list for a reason, and if you haven’t tried their beer, then you are definitely missing out.
Randomly, I met a guy named Richard Bonaparte, a sales guy with Ben E. Keith beer distributors, those awesome guys and gals who get us all those tasty beverages. My stepbrother works with them, and it turns out, he actually knows him. It was such a random conincidence, and it was really cool to meet another great beer guy. Richard, if you are reading this, thanks for all you do!
Amy provided us all with a parting gift in the form of an awesome Summit pint glass that says “Beer is my life!”, and she also threw a Summit t-shirt my way ( which I am wearing as I type this), and another special gift that I won’t mention here because others would be wicked jealous. Overall, this was definitely one of my favorite events so far, but next month is sure to be epic! We will be tasting beers from seven different Colorado breweries, and I have the list here, and I am pumped for the event. You can buy tickets for it at the Texas on Tap site. This is also where pictures of the events can be found once they are posted. Until next time!
Texas on Tap event at Rugby House on Tuesday!
So my last post was on the 29th of December, simply because I have been inundated with work and the other activities that I do. Now, time is starting to free itself up, and I thought that it would be only fitting that my first post of 2011 be about my favorite beer group, Texas on Tap.
Texas on Tap is a members group that seeks to educate and enjoy craft beers from around the country and the world, while offering good food, great prizes, and the chance to bond with others who have a passion for craft beer like yourself. The great man running day to day operations is Robert Irving, and he is a wonderful choice to run something like this. He has a clear passion for not simply drinking beer, but for savoring the intense flavors and smells associated with craft brews, and he wants others to have a great knowledge of beer so they too can understand why we care so much. He is an awesome guy, and the events usually bring out some great reps from some of the beer companies, including the awesome Julie Sifford of Spaten. She rocks! Texas on Tap is also one of the sponsors of the North Texas Beer Festival, which will certainly be amazing, and I hope to see you all there!
Anyway, this Tuesday, at the Rugby House in Plano, Texas on Tap is holding the first event of 2011. We will be sampling beers from one of my favorite breweries, Summit Brewing Company in St. Paul, Minnesota. I have been to the brewery a couple of times, and enjoy a ton of their beers, so I am certain that people who have not tasted Summit’s complete line will find something they really enjoy. Standouts include the Imperial Pumpkin Porter and the Maibock, but the Oatmeal Stout is also incredible. There are still a few seats left for the event, so if you are local or visiting and can make the event, just head over to the Texas on Tap website. It costs 30 dollars for the event, and this covers food and drink and the free pint that you get when you walk in the door. I will be there early, sitting at my computer, so feel free to stop by and say hi!
Anyway, I actually have to get ready for work. There is a lot of great things going on in the craft beer world, and later tonight I will hopefully have the chance to speak on some of those things. Until then!
