Ramsey’s Wine Bistro in Marion Hosting Tallgrass Beer Dinner Wed. March 15th!

March 2, 2017March 2, 20172 Comments

tallgrass Hidden amongst the throng of shops, stores, bars, there is a terrific little bistro in Marion, Iowa called Ramseys. One of my favorite places to go have a panini (the Italian is my favorite) and a hidden gem for craft beer lovers. Yes, it’s a wine bistro with an array wines, but Ramseys also has a stellar craft beer lineup as well!

Next Wednesday, Ramseys will be hosting a beer dinner featuring Tallgrass Brewing beers. The lineup is as follows:

Potato & Leek soup with Buffalo Sweat
Devils on Horseback with Vanilla Buffalo
Irish Boxty w/ smoked trout with 8bit
Bangers & Mash with King Buffalo
Burnt Oranges with Raspberry Jam

$40 a person and seating is limited so contact Ramsey’s at this number: (319) 447-1700

ramseys

Drink This! Madhouse Carpe Diem

March 1, 2017March 1, 2017Leave a comment

An obvious choice for a Drink This! post but this beer is soooo damn good it’s worth another mention. People lining up anticipating the release, constant social media mentions of the brew and the beer trader pages with the many ISO: Madhouse Carpe Diem tell me that this isn’t a hidden secret of a brew and many of you already know about its greatness.

There are a few releases that I get excited about every year and this is one of them. Since Madhouse has made this beer, every year it has gotten better to the point where I would say that this year’s version is as satisfying and delicious of a beer that I can remember having. Some might say it’s too sweet, or not enough coffee, yadda yadda, to each their own, but for me, pretty damn close to perfection.

Stores sold out fast but call around, maybe there are a few hiding somewhere or maybe Madhouse still has it on tap, or maybe you need to be one of people on the beer trading sites that put out the:

ISO: 2017 Madhouse Carpe Diem

I’m not sure what protocol is but I like to buy a beer and be able to try it, so if you are able to score one, my opinion is to drink it fresh; taste that delicious maple, coffee and chocolate as it mixes perfectly with the oats to make a creamy breakfast masterpiece! One of the best beers coming out of Iowa folks!

Do what you need to do and make sure you get to Drink This brew! Cheers!

2017 Benz Beerfest set for Saturday May 13th!

February 21, 2017Leave a comment

benz The 13th annual Benz Beverage Depot Beerfest has been announced and is set for Saturday May 13th! Tickets are available for purchase by visiting www.benzbeerfest.com.

There are two different ticket options.
1. General admission – $25 and goes from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

2. V.I.P admission – $35 starts at 1 p.m

Last year’s event was terrific! Many fantastic local and regional breweries showcasing some of their excellent brews. I hope to see you there! Stay tuned for a list of breweries and beers as they become available!

Madhouse Brewery Releasing Carpe Diem Tomorrow (February 17th)!

February 16, 2017February 16, 2017Leave a comment

The highly anticipated release of Madhouse Brewing’s bourbon barrel aged imperial breakfast stout, Carpe Diem, will be taking place Friday February 17th and Madhouse Brewing in Des Moines, IA. One of my favorite beers of the past year will be released along with some other breakfast themed beers from Madhouse. Here’s more courtesy of Madhouse’s Facebook page:

A breakfast-themed beer release party! Miss Molly’s Jamaican Patty food truck will be on-site serving Jamaican and breakfast foods.

Beers to be released:

CARPE DIEM: Bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Breakfast Stout made with oats, cocao nibs, Kona coffee, and bourbon barrel-aged Iowa maple syrup. Available in 750ml bottles.

FREEDOM TOAST: Bourbon maple barrel-aged Wee-Heavy with cinnamon and vanilla. Draft only.

BLACK & BLUE: Barrel-aged sour Imperial Stout with blackberries and blueberries. Available in 750ml bottles.

CATAWBA-WABA: Barrel-aged sour Saison with fresh Iowa Catawba grape juice added. Draft only.

The event starts at 4:00: For more information visit Madhouse’s Facebook page here and feel free to pick the Baron up a bottle!!

Lagunitas Brewing Hosting “Beer PHD” at Mt. Vernon Rd. Hy-Vee; Wed. February 22nd @5:00 p.m.

February 15, 2017February 15, 2017Leave a comment

A fun event will be taking place at the Mount Vernon Road Hy-Vee in Cedar Rapids as Lagunitas Brewing will be hosting a “Beer PHD”. This event will feature beer samples, History of Lagunitas, Beer PHD session, plus much more. Here’s the official release from Mt. Vernon Road Hy-Vee, check it out if you’re in the area, cheers!

We have a fun and unique FREE event coming up Wednesday, February 22nd starting at 5:00pm in our Wine & Spirits Tasting Room!

Join Lagunitas Brewing Company for a Beer “PHD”!

Here’s how the event will unfold….

February 22nd @ Mt. Vernon Rd Hy-Vee 5pm-7pm

* 5:30pm – 6:00pm – PHD Presentation

* Lagunitas History & Beer History

* Hop Vape and beer samples

* 6:00pm – 7:00pm – Reception – tasting – talking – mumbling -shaking hands

· *** Tappin’ up a Dark Swan keg for the good people to get down on.***

Left Hand Brewing “Beer Brunch” at Black Sheep Social Club set February 18th

February 13, 2017February 13, 2017Leave a comment

Left Hand Brewing and Black Sheep Social Club are coming together to bring you a 4 course brunch matched with Left Hand beers. Saturday February 18th is the day and it will be starting at 11:30. Get four courses with paired beers for $35! More information below:

Cedar Rapids Ale Trail Spotlight: Breweries

February 7, 2017February 7, 2017Leave a comment

The Cedar Rapids Ale Trail is a terrific way to venture out and try some the best food and beer in the area and save money while doing so!

Over $500 in discounts and perks at more than 25 of the best breweries and restaurants in the Cedar Rapids area. Available on your phone for only $30 per year.

The best way to experience Cedar Rapids’ national award-winning craft beer & culinary scene.

Let’s go ahead and focus on some of the perks that having the CR Ale Trail app can get you by looking at what our local breweries/beer stores are offering when purchasing. Here we go:

**Another Road Brewing**
1. Buy one pint get the second pint half off. Put the bag in the hole with one shot on table bags, get free bottle opener.
2. $5 off $25
3. Buy one pint and get 2nd pint 1/2 off

benz **Benz Beverage Depot**
1. 15% off 2 mix and match 6 packs.
2. 10% off 1 mix and match 6 pack
iowa-brewing **Iowa Brewing Company**
1. $10 off $25
2. $5 off a growler fill – limit two per day

**Lion Bridge Brewing Company**
1. Free 8 oz beer with purchase of taster tra
2. 1/2 price nacho platter with purchase of taster tray

**Millstream Brewing Company**
1. $10 off $25
2. Buy one beer and get the 2nd for $1

**The Quarter Barrel Arcade and Brewery**
1. Two free beer flights with purchase of any pizza
2. 1 liter glass stein of any house brew for price of a pint

**Third Base Brewery**
1. Receive a 25 oz mug for the price of a pint: $4.50

That’s just the breweries! Stay tuned for deals at Hy-Vees and restaurants! For more information visit the Cedar Rapids Ale Trail Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/crAleTrail/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Founders Bringing “Doom” Back to 4 packs and 750’s

February 2, 2017February 2, 2017Leave a comment

A barrel-aged double IPA will be making it’s way back to Eastern Iowa as Founders will be releasing “Doom”. This double ipa is aged in bourbon barrels and was last seen back in 2013. Here’s more on this release courtesy of Founder’s Brewing website:

We’ve just received the green light to share info about the third beer in our new Barrel-Aged Series: Doom. You heard it here first.

Doom may be impending but that doesn’t mean you have to fear it. A collision of worlds, the intense hop character of our imperial IPA mingles with the warm vanilla and oak notes imparted from time spent in our favorite bourbon barrels. Like all good things, Doom comes to those who wait.

We previously released Doom in 2013, although it was featured in our taproom as a draft-only option long before that. Given the number of times we’ve been asked when it will return to our lineup, we expect this news to be well-received.

Doom is the third release of 2017 in the Barrel-Aged Series, preceded by Frootwood and KBS. There are two remaining Barrel-Aged Series beers to be announced this year, with Backwoods Bastard being the fifth in the lineup.

As with all the Barrel-Aged Series beers, Doom will be available in 750mL bottles and 4-packs of 12oz bottles. Look for it beginning in May, with most states receiving theirs by early June.

3 Iowa Beers to Drink Now!

January 27, 2017January 27, 2017Leave a comment

beerbaron I couldn’t do just 1 Drink This! edition this time around as the state of Iowa is sending out so much great beer I had to do three! As we approach the 2017 Coralville Brrr Fest and with the program released this past week anticipation is mounting for ticket holders to get a taste of Iowa’s finest breweries and beers. Within the last 5 days I’ve had the opportunity to try 3 amazing beers from 3 amazing Iowa breweries. So here are three beers the you have to DRINK NOW!

**Big Grove Brewery – Buster Triple IPA** – Buster released this past Tuesday and I knew for sure I had to hit Big Grove and try this baby fresh. Mosaic hops shine with flavors of juicy fruit gum, tropical fruits, and some grassiness. A wonderful dank ass triple IPA. There is one thing that can be bad about this brew…it’s scary drinkable. An 11.4% ABV triple IPA can definitely put you on your ass if you don’t pay attention! This might arguably be the best or one of the best double/triple IPAs in the state. Follow this link to see my post on where it will be available and they also just hit the Cellar Peanut Pub in Pella with a hell of a lineup! So good, can’t wait for another glass! Cheers Big Grove!

**Lion Bridge Brewery – GAZPROM 2017** – I’ve been waiting for this release since last year. Lion Bridge takes the shitty, dark, long ass month of January and makes pretty damn enjoyable with their Barrel-Aged January releases. A new release, every week, for the month of January and all barrel-aged beers. I’ve loved the Winter Warmer and the Royal Wee but the big dog for me is GAZPROM!. The sweetness from the syrup is the perfect balance to booziness from the barrels. I say this a lot but this is a top-tier beer for me….maybe top 10? Top 5? Either way, I can’t wait to have more of this and thank you Quinton and Alec and Lion Bridge for making January tolerable!

**Madhouse Brewery – VIP Barrel Aged Vanilla Porter** – was happy my Mt. Vernon Road Hy-Vee had a few bottles of this, wasn’t sure if we would see it all. I had been hearing good things coming from the fine beer folks in Des Moines and was hoping to land one of these. I’ve been hit and miss with vanilla added to my beers. Sometimes I dig it when it’s not over they type vanilla extract and with Madhouse VIP I’m really digging it. The slight sweetness from the vanilla pairs with the barrel and just a faint hint of cigar smoke on the aftertaste. Viscous, tasty, and warming. An excellent companion to a chilly January evening.

There you go Iowa. Three newer beers for you to try. Hopefully all 3 make it somewhere close to your area and you get a taste, and hopefully you enjoyed them as much as I did/do! Cheers!

Big Grove Buster Kegged Today, Here’s Where You Can Find it Friday!

January 24, 2017January 24, 20171 Comment

Big Grove will be releasing their Buster Triple IPA at the brewery Tuesday and below if where you will be able to get it at other locations around Cedar Rapids/Iowa City starting on Friday this week. Make sure you get yourself a taste of this bad boy!

There she is..Buster Triple IPA checking in at 11.3%. It got kegged today and will be tapping this week on Friday. Here’s a list of who will have this bad boy on tap: Shorts Burger & Shine, Club 76, Reds, 30Hop, Vesta, Zeppelins, Need Pizza, Bricks, The Mill, Blackstone, Shakespeare’s, Central Standard and Mosley’s.