Tag: iabeerbaron

Big Grove Brewery Beer Dinner Course Menu release info:

1 Comment

big groveSo far they’ve released two courses that will be available during their Sour Beer Dinner set for Monday, September 14th. The following is courtesy of Big Grove’s Facebook page. I’ll keep posting updates as they become available. My mouth is watering already:

Big Grove Sour Dinner, Course 1 (in three parts):

Welcome beer – Kroul’s Progeny (Raspberry 2013).

1. Green tomato cured scallop ceviche, textures of ripe tomato, parmesan broth.
2. Sweet corn soup, goat cheese creme fraiche, house bacon, chive.
3. Amberjack crudo with watermelon, jalapeño, olive oil, cilantro fleur de sel.

Paired with Big Grove Desperate Measures Strong Golden Sour.

September 14, Big Grove Sour Dinner, Course 2:

Drie Fonteinen Intense Red

Foie Gras terrine, cherry gelee, bourbon caviar, luxardo cherry, brown butter, hazelnut, and house-made brioche.

September 14, Big Grove Sour Dinner, Course 3:

Crooked Stave St. Bretta Pomelo

Smoked red snapper, summer squash, green grapes, toasted seeds, cucumber gazpacho anduluz.

September 14, Big Grove Sour Dinner, Course 4:

Drie Fonteinen Golden Blend

Olive oil poached halibut cheek, egg yolk pasta, roasted piquillo peppers, mussels, chorizo, preserved lemon, saffron mussel broth, oregano.

September 14, Big Grove Sour Dinner, Course 5:

Drie Fonteinen Hommage

Duo of duck; seared breast, crispy confit leg, roasted and pickled beets, ancho chile, blackberry, basil.

Kalona Brewing Beer Dinner + Concert with Brendan James set for Tuesday Dec. 8th

1 Comment

kalonaKalona Brewing will be hosting a beer dinner Tuesday, December 8th and also will be hosting a concert featuring Brendan James. Here’s more from Kalona on this special event:

Join the Kalona Brewing Company for an exclusive event, a five-course dinner followed by an intimate concert with Brendan James on Tuesday, December 8th. This special event is limited to 75 guests and will sell out quickly.

Brendan’s songs have landed spots on over 15 major television shows BrendanJamesPosterKBCPresentsand feature films and he’s achieved the #1 Singer Songwriter spot on iTunes, multiple times. He has formed relationships with music legends Carly Simon and Cat Stevens, enjoyed on-stage experiences with the likes of John Legend, John Mayer, and Paula Cole. His new EP, The Howl, is bigger, badder, and dancier than anything he’s attempted to date. See more of Brendan’s music at http://www.brendanjames.com/video/

Tickets must be pre purchased over the phone at 319-656-3335 or in person at Kalona Brewing Company. Cheers!

3 more Pumpkin Beers on Their Way to Shelves

Leave a comment

rogueLove ’em or hate ’em, more are on the way! 3 more pumpkin beers will be joining the likes of O’Fallon, Schlafly, and Sam Adams, and New Holland on our shelves. Rogue’s Pumpkin Patch Ale, New Belgium’s Pumpkick, and the unique Boulevard Funky Pumpkin will be hitting Eastern Iowa shelves soon! Here’s more on each of these offerings:

Rogue Pumpkin Patch:

Independence, Ore., September 1, 2015 – Rogue Ales and Spirits announces the early release of Rogue Pumpkin Patch Ale, brewed with fresh pumpkins grown and harvested at Rogue Farms in Independence, Oregon.

Oregon’s heat-wave sped up the growing process this year, giving us ripe pumpkins in the middle of August. Thanks to Mother Nature, the fall favorite will be available earlier than ever before without the use of canned pumpkins, purees or concentrates.

“It’s worth the wait,” says Rogue Brewmaster John Maier.

Pumpkin Patch Ale begins in the dirt at Rogue Farms. Six acres of GYO DreamTMSugar Pumpkins were planted in May alongside the Rogue Farms hops, rye, hazelnuts, jalapeños, marionberries and buzzing honey bees. As soon as they were picked, the pumpkins were driven to the Rogue Brewery in Newport, Oregon just 77 miles away. The pumpkins were hand-chopped and seeded, roasted in pizza ovens, and pitched fresh into the brew kettle along with vanilla bean, ginger, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and Rogue Farms Independence hops to create pumpkin patch ale. 
Pumpkin Patch Ale will make its worldwide debut in 750 ML bottles and on draft September 15th. For more information on Pumpkin Patch Ale and growing pumpkin beer visit rogue.com.

pumpkickNew Belgium Pumpkick:

What’s that bite of tartness doing in a pumpkin beer? Adding the unexpected kick of cranberry juice to brighten this traditionally spiced seasonal ale. PUMPKICK is brewed with plenty of pumpkin juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, but it’s the cranberries and touch of lemongrass that send your tastebuds sailing.

Boulevard Funky Pumpkin:

Deliveries of Funky Pumpkin, our new fall seasonal, will begin in the Greater pumpkinKansas City Area on September 1st with other cities to follow soon. Funky Pumpkin will be available on draft and in six packs of twelve ounce bottles.

Spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and ginger, Funky Pumpkin is a blend of brewhouse soured beer and beer aged in a stainless steel tank with brettanomyces. Tart and slightly earthy, Funky Pumpkin features a subtle toffee/caramel malt character that allows pumpkin pie spices to shine against a soft acidity.

Wasn’t really a fan of Pumpkick and I know Rogue is sometimes hit and miss but I do think their Pumpkin beer is one of the better ones on the market. I think Boulevards will be an interesting try.

Big Grove Brewery Announces 7 Course Beer Dinner Featuring Sours Sept. 14th

Leave a comment

big groveFollowing their successful 2 year anniversary party this past Saturday, Big Grove Brewery is at it again as they announce plans for a 7 course beer dinner that will focus on sour beers September 14th. Here’s more from Big Grove’s Facebook page:

Anniversary was another huge success, what else could we possibly have in store you ask? Well a 7 course beer dinner sounds like a thing we should do.

How about 7 of the best/rarest/sour beers from around the world paired with Chef Benjamin Smart’s food?

Yes, yes we shall do this. Monday September 14th. Ticket are on sale now – $150 (tax & tip included) 319-624-BEER

If you’re a sour beer fan then this is for you! I’ll post more information as it becomes available, stay tuned!

Restaurant Review: The Jitney Wine Bar; Monticello, IA

2 Comments

jitney menu 1My wife and I are always up for trying new places to eat and drink in the Eastern jitney menu 2
Iowa area and luckily the head brewer at Big Grove Brewery, Bill Heinrich, recommend a place in Monticello called the Jitney Wine Bar. This was my first experience dining in Monticello so I wasn’t sure what to expect but as we walked into the Jitney, which is in downtown Monticello, the smell of smoked meats greeted me so I knew then I was in good hands!

The interior of the place is dimly light, which I love, and my eyes go right to the bar. I noticed the tap handles and was pleased to see Big Grove, Turner Alley, photo 2 (7)Founders, and at least 4 more taps of craft beer available. I went with the Big Grove IPA to start for my wife and I, and was pleasantly surprised photo 3 (6)to find out it was their latest double IPA, Dilly Dallying, on tap! SCORE! It was a family-friendly restaurant as we had our 1 year old with and sat outside on their patio. The menu was mouth watering so whatever my wife decided for an appetizer I was game with. So chose the Bacho Melt which is a Scandinavian style baked bacon and cheese with bacon jam served on a baguette……yep….it was fantastic!

IMG_1961After the apps, I needed another brew and went with Turner Alley’s Czech Pils, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite pilsner style beers out there. I’m a brisket guy, so as soon as I saw brisket on the menu that was an easy choice. I got 3 huge slabs of smoky brisket served with fried red potatoes and asparagus spears. It was melt in your mouth brisket with just the right amount of smoke and the potatoes had a perfect crunch on the outside but soft and tender in the middle. Excellent stuff…but…my wife’s meal stole the show. She went with the smoked chicken sandwich which is pulled chicken smoked gouda cheese sauce, caramelized onions, with gravy au jus on a Chicago style French roll. BEST….SANDWICH…..EVER!!!! Seriously folks, get this and a side of their asian slow and it will be one of those moments after taking a bite of food that you wouldn’t forget. So great! And a sandwich I will be craving constantly!

The thing with the Jitney is, I think they switch up their menu but I think they have some menu mainstays, and every one of them sounds terrific. The people next to us had the chicken nachos and they looked amazing. I highly recommend making the trip to Monticello to go to the Jitney, you won’t be disappointed! Check out their menus here:   thejitneywinebar.happytables.com 

Bootleggin’ Barzini’s Sixpoint Can Release Details!

1 Comment

sixpoint If you need your Sixpoint fix early and often you need to get to Bootleggin’ Barzini’s in Coralville, Iowa next week. They will be one of the first in Eastern Iowa doing an early Sixpoint can release. They will have Sweet Action, Bengali Tiger, Crisp, Resin, and 4Beans available. They will also be doing a tasting next Thursday (8/27/15) from 5-7 pm and Kevin from Abu Nawas will be present to talk all things Sixpoint and all things Abu Nawas! Stop in, check it out, grab some beer, and support a local beer store and an Iowa distribution company. Cheers!

Kalona Brewing Adding 16 oz cans for 2 Beers to Lineup

Leave a comment

kalonaKalona Brewing is adding 2 beers to their lineup that will come in 16 oz cans. You should be seeing these soon on shelves and be sure to check out their other offerings as well. An Oktoberfest beer perfect for this time of year and a light lager to go with your Saturday morning tailgating. For more info on Kalona Brewery and their others beers and stacked food menu, go to kalonabrewing.com. Here’s more on the 16 oz releases:


Limber Legs Oktoberfest 5.4% – 16oz cans

The Oktoberfest tradition started with the celebration of the marriage of Classic and Oktoberfest CansBavarian Crown Prince Ludwig in 1810. Limber Legs Lager is a true representation of this style.

Kalona Classic – Light Lager 4.2% – 16oz cans

Many of the local residents in Kalona and the surrounding area enjoy lighter beer as their preferred beer of choice. We decided to bring its own unique take on the style for a beer that is refreshing, light in body and finishes with a toasty note. 

Big Grove Lamb Roast (Lamb-0) set for Tuesday August 25th and try the new Anniverary Double IPA

1 Comment

big groveBig Grove Brewery continues with their month of food and beer releases as they present a mediterranean lamb roast on Tuesday August 25th. Tickets are still available at Big Grove for $50. There will be 5 beers on the lines on the patio to go along with this roast. More info below:

Tickets on sale for the patio cookout “Lamb-o: First Blood Part 2”. It’s a classic Mediterranean cookout: eat, drink, and chill until you can’t do any of those things anymore. We’ll preview some of the cool releases for the week too.

$50, Tuesday, 8-25. 6pm. Call (319) 624-BEER to reserve your spot.

Tastings of Richard as well as all you can drink Anny #2 DIPA / Batch 400 / IPA / Arms race / Que Sera and Boom

Check it out!

Big Grove Brewery 2 Year Anniversary Bottle Share News

Leave a comment

big groveGoing off of some earlier news about Big Grove Breweries 2 year anniversary party on August 29th and the highly anticipated release of Richard the Whale and variants was also the fact that they will be hosting a bottle share:

Also on the docket, we’re setting up the bottle-share glassware at 11am, so feel free to stop in with a bottle of something cool and explore the world through liquid.

Now, for this share, I can confirm that Big Grove will be kicking out some stellar kegs for tasting as well to go along with this. Here’s a glimpse of four beers will see make its way from the Big Grove cellar and to the tap lines:

*Founders KBS

*2013 Evil Twin Biscotti Break

*Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout

*Evil Twin NYE Hotel Room

So, bring a bottle or two of your own and stop on in! Cheers!