Beer Blotter: Seattle based. World focused.

Image courtesy of www.washingtoncountybikes.org.

***Seattle Beer Week is a pretty big deal.  It runs from May 19th to the 29th.  This is our guide to its majesty.  These are the events that we feel cannot be missed. At the conclusion of this preview, we will publish the SBW Bible.***

Oh man, we are getting close. Just 2 days away from the start of Seattle Beer Week 2011. Here at bb.com, we continue to highlight our favorite events of this magical extravaganza of beer.

Beers and biking, they go together- New Belgium Brewing and Hopwork Urban Brewery think so! This Saturday, May 21, 2011 hop on your bike, ride around Seattle and get your drank on.

This biking and beer drinking event transpires at Pike Place Brewing and from there–

Market Arms
Brouwer’s
Naked City
Back by popular demand, the “Feat of Strength” from Naked City to the Fiddler’s Inn and then Latona before those not-so-full-of-strength doing the “Feat of Weakness” make it from Naked City to the Latona Pub.
Eastlake Zoo (cash only)
“The Sobering Climb” to the Stumbling Monk
Elysian Capt. Hill
For questions, details regarding route OR if you want to keep track of our progress and join in mid-ride, head to Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seattle-Beer-Week/52150741299) or follow the Tour on twitter: @tourdepints for the latest information.

There will also be route maps available the day-of… In extra large, blurry-proof print.

Feel free to join the troops at anytime. Last year we made it to Brouwers and got a little distracted….

Be safe! CHEERS!

The Dray has been a favorite for some time - can't wait to see the new joint. (Photo: TonyJcase on Flickr)

You ever been to The Dray? If you have not – punch yourself. Come on, man. Get with it.

The Dray is perhaps our favorite place to catch up over a beer. Its cozy, but you can grab  a soccer match. Its small, but the beer list is magnanimous. Its simple, but the beer taps are exciting. The Dray is a wondrous place that has hosted many a revelrous evening.

Thanks to its owner, we are getting a heftier dose of The Dray over at The Yard. For those of you that missed the clever name (dray backwards), don’t miss the opening. The Yard will open the floodgates  to beer lovers on Thursday evening, when it will showcase its dinner menu for the first time.

The Yard has been described as more of a restaurant, no doubt with interesting beer choices and a full bar. The place comes complete with a covered beer garden, to enjoy those seldom wonderful Seattle days. Also, they are offering a “beer locker” for those interested, where you can keep your mug and drinking shirt and receive periodic goodies from management.

Get out to Greenwood on Thursday and enjoy the opening of the Yard and the kick off of Seattle Beer Week! Let us know how you like the joint by emailing at jess@beerblotter.com.

Prost!

He looks so sad without his Ranger can.

***Seattle Beer Week is a pretty big deal.  It runs from May 19th to the 29th.  This is our guide to its majesty.  These are the events that we feel cannot be missed. At the conclusion of this preview, we will publish the SBW Bible.***
I once heard mention of the Troll rendezvous some years ago from a good man. That man worked at Brouwers that night; he had a good glimmer about him. I mean come on, it was Seattle Beer Week.

The amazing Chris Cavanaugh was that guy. He had uttered some nonsense about a bunch of idiots grabbing cans and heading to Fremont’s illustrious Troll statute to drown the late hours in heavenly ales. Now, dammit, I wish I had been more invested in what Chris was selling. I’m sure some way, he’ll be there again this year.

The Troll get together was always lore, to me. I don’t remember seeing it on the events calendar, but then again, my excitement for Seattle Beer Week typically maims my memory banks. All I do know is that the tales of its epic magnitude continue throughout the years. After two years of missing it, I fear I can no longer.

Last year, New Belgium’s beer rangers got involved with the heavily-attended Troll meetup. Just around midnight, the SBW gang heads out to the concrete dregs hidden beneath the overpass, to cheers the aluminum vessel us beer drinkers love the most. They come by bike, so leave your keys at home.

So, keep your ear to the street on May 24 and sniff out news of meetup times. According to the site, it appears that they are shooting for 11:00 PM, this year. But, you never know when the mood demands a cold, frosty can of Ranger IPA.

2010 Back to Black- always get some frites to sustain!

***Seattle Beer Week is a pretty big deal.  It runs from May 19th to the 29th.  This is our guide to its majesty.  These are the events that we feel cannot be missed. At the conclusion of this preview, we will publish the SBW Bible.***

 
As I sit here and scan through all of Seattle Beer Week’s events, although I won’t be able to fully partake, or really partake at all, my mouth waters and I am envious of all you beer drinkers not with child.

My time will come again…soon. But until next year, I will have to live vicariously through my friends and our readers. So please, feed back during SBW about the events and the beers would be much appreciated! You can always leave a comment or email me at jess@beerblotter.com.

There are so many wonderful, interesting, unique events during Seattle Beer Week. Back in Black Stout Fest is one of them. Here you will taste stouts that will blow you away, knock your socks off and make you kneel down to the brewer who’s hand stirred the mash.

Last year Avery’s roided Mephistopheles -a.k.a. Meph Addict – I feel like it had a special name and it escapes me. Other highlights from last night was also from Avery- Black Tot, Port Brewing Older Viscocity and Stone Imperial Russian Stout.

You just never know what you are going to get with a line up of 20-30 stouts. Chocolatey goodness? A strong coffee kick? A smooth, balanced, salty stout?

The possibilities are endless which is why these beer fests during SBW are something I look forward to every single year. Brewers step it up and we, the residents of Washington state, get a taste of many beers we otherwise only hear about in beerytales.

Will you see some of these at Quinn's pig roast?

***Seattle Beer Week is a pretty big deal.  It runs from May 19th to the 29th.  This is our guide to its majesty.  These are the events that we feel cannot be missed. At the conclusion of this preview, we will publish the SBW Bible.***

BBQ is god damn wonderful. BBQ with beer is heavenly. BBQ with beer matching BBQ styles from around the country is a soggy wet dream come true. Ok, my statement is gross, but the BBQ ain’t.

From a young age, I was obsessed with BBQ. My dad made pit stops in NC on our way to SC as a child. I remember getting that roadside BBQ soaked in vinegar and that chicken with the mustard sauce – mind-blowing. New Orleans BBQ was a whole other mess. Big old ribs, spicy hot links and shrimp done up in a nice brown sugar and crystal glaze. I’m hungry.

When we moved to Seattle, I noticed that the city had an amazing mixing pot of nationwide BBQ styles. Pecos Pit slinging that black pepper Texas smoke, Pig Iron with that east coast mustard sauce, and Willies with that spicy Louisiana glaze. I have been pleasantly surprised with what Seattle has to offer.

Well, Quinn’s Pub is grabbing that mixing pot essence by the horns and serving up some BBQ for Seattle Beer Week. If you don’t know much about Quinn’s, its owned by Seattle food masters Scott and Heather Staples (Uneeda Burger and Zoe’s Restaurant) and located up in Capitol Hill. The restaurant is most famous for their rare and exquisite meat offerings, like wild boar sloppy joes, beef marrow bones, rabbit sausage, oxtail and beef tartare. I love this joint’s food.

Quinn’s also serves up some of the city’s best beer. With an excellent tap selection and an even better bottle collection, I never have a boring drink over at Quinn’s. Perhaps this is a major reason why I am enamored by their SBW offering – a pig roast featuring 3 different BBQ styles and matching regional beers.

On May 21, from 12-4 PM, Quinn’s is joining forces with Odom Corporation, a local beer distributor, to feature one of the more interesting events in the event list. This is the second year that they have done this event, except that this year they are offering BBQ from Kansas City, Texas and Louisiana. With their beer matching promises, I expect to see some Shiner, Abita, Boulevard and perhaps some Schlafly. But, I will be there hoping for some surprises.

Here is more on the event:

For the 2nd year running, Quinn’s and the Odom Corporation will be hosting a mighty Pig Roast during SBW. In an attempt to one-up last year’s event, Kansas City, Louisiana and Texas will ALL be represented alongside popular beers from each region!
That’s right – THREE different styles of American BBQ paired with fine beers from each state. Live music, activities… and did we mention fresh roasted pig?
This event is all ages (with restricted 21 & over areas). $20 pre-sale reservations get you all-you-can-eat pig and sides + 3 drink tickets for beer. $25 at the door.
Contact the restaurant for reservations. 206.325.7711