Promoting craft beer is what we do, so when we found out that San Diego's first ever Beer Week was in the works, we were excited to be a part of the 10 day celebration. Since we never cease to be impressed with our local craft beer scene, we figured this would be the week to turn our kitchen upside down and produce 3 nights of prix fixe, original menus complete with pairings. Information for all events can be found below on this blog, and for SDBW events throughout San Diego, visit Beer Week's official website by clicking their logo above.
Since rules have absolutely no place in a week long beer celebration, we're kicking off the festivities by eating our dessert first. If 4 decadent courses paired with Belgian style ales from The Lost Abbey isn't tempting enough, we'll have several other varieties by the brewery and feature our regular menu as well. Brewer Tomme Arthur will be joining us for the event and sharing his knowledge about beer, and pairings (Fri 11/6).
In the days to follow we are proud to host both Mitch Steele of Stone Brewing Company(Mon 11/9), and Peter Zien of Alesmith Brewing Company(Thurs 11/12) who will lead our guests through their prospective 4 course meals with pairings. Additional taps and bottles will be available until we run out. Starting at 4pm on Monday the 9th, we're having a Stone Brewing happy hour with 2 for 1 specials. The first 40 people to order these beers get to keep their Stone pint glass. When the happy hour specials commence at 7pm, stay with us for the Stone Brewing dinner.
Karl Strauss brewed a small batch of San Diego Beer Week Imperial Pale Ale, and we're one of 5 local establishments to nab a keg. On Wednesday night (11/11)we'll tap it along with Fullsuit Belgian Brown and another selection from the brewery.
As we celebrate local craft brewers over the course of the week, why not show our support of local businesses, too? We're putting our beers in the hands of the experts at Venissimo Cheese for a pairing that will include 4 brews and 4 cheeses, available all week long. Menu to come in the next couple days...
Stepping outside of the local scene, we're doing a Bear Republic Brewery happy hour on Friday, November 13th. We feel quite honored to host this central California brewery because it's their first venture to southern California for an event. As with the Stone happy hour, the first 40 people to order Bear Republic beers will get to keep their glasses as well. Our 2 for 1 local pint specials will be honored Monday through Friday as usual, so take advantage this week of all weeks.
Following are our San Diego Beer Week events, with menus. Check back here for more details in the next few days.
Allagash is one of our favorite craft breweries in the nation, and one we keep a close eye on in anticipation of their next seasonal or new release. Just this week we got our hands on 2 kegs of Allagash that might not be on many menus around town: Interlude, and Odyssey.
Interlude is a dynamic Belgian style ale characterized by its yeasty (brewed with both Farmhouse and Brettanomyces yeast strains), and fruity (pear and apricot) flavors. A portion of the beer is aged in French Merlot and Sirah oak barrels, giving it a dry finish. True to Belgian brewing style, Interlude is bottle conditioned; yeast and sugar are added just after bottling, which triggers a natural carbonation process. Small elegant bubbles, the woodsy bite from Oak, and characteristics of fruits like pears and apricots make Interlude an excellent accompaniment to salty cured meats, or bold cheeses. For food pairing suggestions, check out the Allagash website.
Odyssey is a 10% ABV barrel aged wheat beer. Part of the beer is aged in New American Medium Toast Oak, the rest in stainless steel. The two brews are blended, and additional yeast and sugar is added for bottle conditioning. Sweet and a bit spicy, Odyssey has dark fruity notes that taste of dates, prunes, and figs.
Side note: Portland, Maine was just named America's Foodiest Small Town 2009 by Bon Appetit Magazine. It is also home to Allagash, Shipyard, and several other microbreweries. For more on Portland's food and beer culture, check out the video and article on BA's Blog.
You might not be drinking beer at Neighborhood Monday, but we will; our first ever homebrewing competition requires that we close our doors for business on October 13th.
Since San Diego is craft brewing mecca, we thought, why not participate in beer culture as artisans? To increase our employee's knowledge of the craft, all Neighborhood staff has been hard at work brewing their own beers to present to judge (and respected local brewer), Lee Chase of Blind Lady Ale House. Lee will also be leading the crew through the blind taste test portion of the competition.
We're always looking for ways to increase our beer knowledge and can't wait to see how the competition pans out. Who will win the $500 prize? Check out our blog next week for the play-by-play, and photos from the event.
Stop in at 6pm tonight and get a glass of Sculpin IPA by Ballast Point. This 7%ABV IPA is vibrant orange in color, has citrus and pine notes and is hoppy, bitter and dry. A favorite from this brewery, on cask you'll be able to taste more of its bold characteristics because of less carbonation going into each pour.
Stone Brewing Company hasn't let big success overshadow its support of smaller craft breweries. Among the many collaborations we've drank, and the festivals we've attended at The World Bistro and Gardens, Stone continually promotes the smaller guys.
Homebrewers included. Since The World Bistro and Gardens has been open, Stone has hosted a membership rally for the American Homebrewers Association each year. This year's rally included a competition where 23 brews went head to head for the ultimate prize: to have their recipe brewed at Stone's facilities.
The winner was Ken Schmidt with his brew, Aloha Plenty, a recipe he said was inspired by Maui Brewing's Coconut Porter.
Can you guess where this is going?
Stone, Maui Brewing and Ken Schmidt's collaboration 'Kona Coffee, Macadamia Nut, Coconut Porter' is in stock now at Neighborhood, and sold by the 12oz bottle (8.5%ABV).
In the spirit of collaboration, and Aloha, stop in for this limited, decadent craft brew.
