Monday, September 24, 2012

Brace yourself ... Oktoberfest cometh


Question of the Day:

What do Parotid, Submandibular, and Sublingal have to do with each other and Oktoberfest?

Are they beers? … no
Are they German dances? … no
Types of strudel? … ah Ludwig, please!

During this time of year, beer enthusiasts everywhere begin yet another season of advanced drooling brought about thoughts of the myriad of beer – both those locally available and those requiring intercontinental travel in order to procure. This onslaught of drool is produced by sets of these three particular glands. As the beer starts flowing to celebrate the Oktoberfest season, so does the saliva of beer lovers around the world.

Food, dancing and fun are also involved in the many local festivities being promoted to commemorate the sixteen-day mega-festival officially known as Oktoberfest in Munich. Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria kicked off the first and most famous festival known as Oktoberfest to celebrate his marriage to Therese Charlotte Luise of Saxony-Hildburghausen (say THAT five times) on October 12, 1810.

In the Greater Jacksonville area, many establishments are celebrating Oktoberfest with events, specials and fun! … check out this list and mark your calendars to make the most of this Oktoberfest season!

Bold City Brewery (2670 Rosselle St  - 904.379-6551)
Bold City Brewery 4th Anniversary Party is set to happen on October 20th, starting at 1 pm to 11 pm. They will be tapping some special brews for that day including the Barrel Aged Duke’s Brown Ale. Bold City Bandits will be performing at 5pm and 9pm.
Jolly Mon Menu (All day till 10pm) Wings, Pulled Pork, Brats, Black Bean Burgers, Seafood Gumbo
$2 Pints ALL DAY including a special Duke's Bourbon Barrel Aged Ale
Raffles- $1 per ticket (Cash Only) Drawing @ 8pm
1 year of Free Growlers Fills (limit 2 fills per visit) 2 winners &
1 year of Free Pints (limit 2 pints per visit) 2 winners

This season, the talented team at Bold City Brewery will be brewing an Oktoberfest Beer and a Pumpkin Beer.


Intuition Ale Works (720 King Street – 904.683.7720)
Intuition Ale Works Oktoberfest tickets are on sale!
Celebrate Oktoberfest with them on Saturday, October 13th from 1pm to 9pm!
Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased in the tap room Tues - Fri (3 - 11 pm) and Sat. (1 - 11 pm)

You can also purchase tickets online at

According to the folks at Intuition Ale Works:

“We’ll be turning our courtyard and brewery bar into a German beer hall with a special tapping of our German brews, live oompah music from The Swinging Bavarians, all-you-can-eat German food and traditional beer competitions and games.”

Last year the event sold out weeks in advance so make sure to secure your tickets soon!

Check out photos from last year's event.



Kickbacks Gastropub (910 King Street – 904.388.9551)
What will “Beer Central” of Jacksonville be doing for Oktoberfest? … according to owner Steve Flores, they will be tapping both Oktoberfest Biers and pumpkin beers including:
Ayinger Octoberfest
Spaten Octoberfest
Warsteiner Octoberfest
Tucher Fest

Southern Tier Pumking
Smuttynose Pumpkin
Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin
Dogfish Head Punkin'
Woodchuck Pumpkin
Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin
Cigar City Good Gourd
Shipyard Pumkinhead
Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin
Terrapin Pumpkinfest



Brewer's Pizza / Pinglehead Brewing Company (14B Blanding Blvd – Orange Park – 904.276.5159)
Fun Beer facts : Oktoberfest originates from when Bavarian Crown Prince Louis (Ludwig), later King Louis I of Bavaria, married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen on October 12th 1810. The Bavarian royalty invited the citizens of Munich to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates.

Horse races in the presence of the Royal Family marked the close of the event. The decision to repeat the festivities and the horse races in the subsequent year gave rise to the tradition of the annual Oktoberfest, which now begins in late September and lasts until the first Sunday in October. -More than 1 million gallons of beer are consumed during Oktoberfest every year. This years Oktoberfest in Germany Begins September 22nd and ends on October 7th.

At Brewer's we will celebrate on Tuesday October 2nd, We will tap your favorite Fall Seasonal and Oktoberfest styles from some of the great American Craft Breweries ..and maybe even some surprise's from Chef Zach and the Kitchen crew as well. Stay posted! Cheers!!


Check out our Bottle Sharing meeting every Sunday, starting at 2pm. Bring your favorite craft brew or homebrew to share! For more information email regina@jaxbrewbitch.com

European Street Cafe (992 Beach Blvd – Jax Beach – 904.249.3001) & (2752 Park St. - 904.384.9999)
Dates: October 6th at Jax Beach, and October 20th at Park Street in Riverside.

TIME to DANCE the CHICKEN at Oktoberfest 2012

The European Street Cafe Family presents Oktoberfest 2012 TWICE this fall. Join us on October 6th at in Jacksonville Beach and on October 20th at 2752 Park Street in Riverside. The festival is free, starts at 11 am, and all ages are welcome.

The first one hundred folks (over 21 years old) will receive a commemorative, glass beer boot to drink their beer of choice from while everyone enjoys the sounds of the authentic German Oompapa band playing all of your favorite Oktoberfest beer drinking songs. Be sure to sign up for the Corn Hole tournament and costume contest in order to win valuable gift cards. Oktoberfest at E Street is a guaranteed good time, you won't want to miss the fun!




Engine 15 Brewing Co, (1500 Beach Boulevard – Jax Beach – 904.249.2337)
Saturday, October 6th for the 3rd Annual Engine 15 Oktoberfest.

It's just two weeks away and we are ready to get all the delicious beer on tap and start those chickens slow cookin' on the rotisserie.

The festivities will start at 11am and go all day - family friendly, as always.  They will be selling 1 liter Hofbrau, Tucher or Spaten + the mass for $20.  Refills are $8 all month long.  E15  will have hendl (chicken), spaetzle (mac-n-cheese with bacon), brats and pretzels, in addition to their regular menu.  Get those arms in shape for Feasts of Strength and other games.  And of course there will be an Umpa band!

Get your rest, drinks lots of water and see you Saturday, Oktober 6th.  As always, we appreciate your business and E15 supports your drinking habit at Engine 15! PROST!!



J.P. Henleys Beers & Wines of the World (10 Marine Street – St. Augustine – 904.829.3337)
Dates: September 28 at 11:00am until October 14 at 1:00am
15 German Beers
Das Boots
Litre Mugs
German Food Specials
EVERYDAY!
COMING SOON! 1st Annual Pumpkin Fest = October 26th!


link to event


Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery (9735 Gate Parkway North – 904.997.1999)
Join us for a Seven Bridges Oktoberfest Brewer's Dinner!
Tuesday, September 25th from 6p.m. - 10p.m.

COCKTAIL HOUR
Potato Kroketten- Deep fried, bread crumb crusted potato fingers, served with sweet and spicy beer mustard. 
Beer: Ale Fest 

FIRST COURSE
Rahm Schnitzel- breaded boneless chicken breast, with fresh lemon garnish, drizzled with a pepper cream sauce, and served with sauerkraut mashed potatoes. 
Beer: Hefe Weizen

SOUP COURSE
Sauerkraut Bier Suppe mit Wurstchen- Sauerkraut Beer Soup with Bratwursts 
Beer: Sweet Magnolia Brown Ale

SEAFOOD COURSE
Pan Seared Salmon, served with Dilled Hash Browns, and topped with Dry “Hopped” BĂ©arnaise
Beer: Southside Pilsner

MAIN COURSE
Kassler Rippchen- German smoked pork loin braised in salt brine and served with braised red cabbage. 
Beer: Oktoberfest

DESSERT COURSE
German Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies with a Black Cherry Preserve
Beer: Vanilla Stout

Each guest will receive a commemorative Oktoberfest stein. Tickets are $50 plus a 7% tax and a 20% service charge.


Grassroots Natural Market (2007 Park Street – 904.384.4474)
Although not having a particular event, Grassroots Natural Market will have a number of special brews available. These include Octoberfest Beers, Pumpkin Beers and various other Fall Seasonal Beers from a wide variety of foreign and domestic breweries.



Beer: 30 (1271 King Street – 904.388.0033)
Come by and check out all our German, Pumpkin and Fall Seasonal beers! … all available for bottle purchase!

Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest
Paulaner Oktoberfest
Blue Point Oktoberfest
Left Hand Oktoberfest
Sam Adams Oktoberfest
Shiner Oktoberfest



BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse (4907 Gate Parkway – 904.998.0460)
Cotober 1, 2012 - Beer Tasting and Dinner at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse! ...Tickets are $30 each.

The 5-course BJ's Dinner will be paired with a selection of Bavarian-style beers!

http://www.bjsrestaurants.com/locations/fl/jacksonville


Whole Foods Market (10601 San Jose Blvd – 904.288.1100)
Date: October 5 (6 to 8 pm) $10 a person
First Friday Event
German beers on sale!
Pouring German beers and wines!
German Oktoberfest foods will be featured!
Our new bar will be open - 10 seats - locally brewed beers will be on tap!

Oktoberfest isn't over yet! … Celebrate the 202-year tradition with a lively celebration on the patio.

Enjoy casual conversations and live music over quintessential Oktoberfest beer selections paired with authentic, festival-style foods certain to make your mouth water! … Registration is required ... Register now!




Brew at the Zoo Event – Jacksonville Zoo
Friday – October 5, 2012 – from 7:00 to 10:00 pm

Jacksonville’s most talked about food and drink festival!

• Featuring live music by Who Rescued Who (formally The John Earle Band) and Billy Buchanan and Free Avenue
• A beer garden of local breweries
• Plus your favorite restaurants, animal encounters, train rides and prizes
• Silent auction sponsored by The Rotary Club of North Jacksonville• And much more at The Wild Things annual signature fundraising event!

VIP Early Admission - 6:30 p.m., $10 upgrade
 • $50 General Admission
 • $40 Wild Things Members
 • Block party - buy 5 get 1 Free (online only)
 • $75 All tickets after Oct. 3 at the door

Online tickets will be sold until 5pm, Wednesday October 3, 2012. Proceeds from the event benefit Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Must be 21 or older to attend. No exceptions.

*****************************************************

Okay – your Parotid, Submandibular, and Sublingal glands are now going to be kicked into overdrive for a few weeks – so, wipe the slobber from your mouth and start making plans - right now!

You can always attend more than one event! ... so I say this year, try to make them all and enjoy Oktoberfest Season 2012 to the fullest!



Friday, September 21, 2012

Beer 80's Trivia Contest

... and THE CONTEST BEGINS!

The decade is the 1980's ... it was unlawful for breweries to sell their beer directly to consumers in North Carolina. All had to sell through distributors.

A certain man spearheaded the effort to get North 
Carolina lawmakers to enact a change to the law books, thus allowing brewpubs to open. This man opened a Bavarian-style brewpub - the first of its kind in North Carolina.

The winner of this contest will be the first respondent to send me ALL the following:

a) the name of the man mentioned above;
b) where he was raised;
c) the name of his brewpub;
d) the city where it was ORIGINALLY opened;
e) the year this brewpub ORIGINALLY opened.

Winner will receive a free pint of beer with me at a mutually-agreed upon location AND a deck of cards created by Local Artists Coming Together (LACT) which features Pop Culture of the 1980's..


You can email me with your answers at regina@jaxbrewbitch.com

Must be 21 or over to win - ID required upon meeting. Sorry Jax Beer Guy and Springfield Brew Crew ... this one would be too easy for you! LOL!

Locations for your winning pint can include: Bold City BreweryIntuition Ale WorksKickbacks GastropubBrewer's PizzaPele's Wood FireEngine 15 Brewing CompanyGreen Room BrewingEuropean Street Cafe or Dahlia's Pour House


Sorry folks, this contest is now closed BUT I will be doing this again next Friday so check out my facebook page for contest announcements. Thanks for reading.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/JaxBrewBitch/181100418642242

This week's winner was from Cheers Park Avenue.
A) Uli Bennewitz
B) Bavaria
C) Weeping Radish
D) Monteo
E) 1986

Local Artist Coming Together (LACT)
https://www.facebook.com/LOCALARTISTSCOMINGTOGETHER


Bold City Brewery (2670 Rosselle St  - 904.379-6551)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bold-City-Brewery/54391921191?ref=ts


Brewer's Pizza – (14B Blanding Blvd – Orange Park – 904.276.5159)



Engine 15 Brewing Company  (1500 Beach Boulevard – Jax Beach – 904.249.2337)

European Street Cafe  (992 Beach Blvd – Jax Beach – 904.249.3001) (2752 Park St. - 904.384.9999)

Green Room Brewing  (228 3rd Street North – Jax Beach - 904.201-9283 )

Intuition Ale Works  (720 King Street – 904.683.7720)  

Kickbacks Gastropub  (910 King Street – 904.388.9551)

Pele's Wood Fire (2665 Park Street – 904.232-8545)

Pinglehead Brewing Company

Dahlia's Pour House (2695 Post Street – 904.738.7132)












Monday, September 17, 2012

Beaches Summer Fest for MDA 2012

Last night (Saturday, Sept 15) provided a departure from the usual focus of my Prowls since the evening had finally arrived for the Beaches Summer Fest 2012 at the Courtyard Marriott in Jacksonville Beach. Proceeds from the event would benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and in an earlier blog post, I mentioned that although I had heard of Muscular Dystrophy, I had never genuinely endeavored to learn much about it. I now realize how truly horrible neuromuscular disease is and companion and I are both grateful for our newly-acquired awareness.


Jamie & Mindy Gillis. Thanks to
Woody with Jacksonville.com
for capturing this great shot!
I had been alerted to the event by Jamie Gillis (a very talented homebrewer) and learned more about it when we met Jamie and his beautiful wife Mindy (also a very talented homebrewer) at Poe's one evening. Jamie and Mindy founded The JamMin Movement a creative collaboration on a mission to inspire, connect and pay it forward … they are motivated to help and their focus this evening was Muscular Dystrophy.

Our friend from Orlando (Mad Dog) had purchased a ticket online last week so that he could join us and had traveled up to Jacksonville Thursday evening. Since I was going to blog about the event, Jamie had asked me to attend the Orientation Meeting at 4:50 pm, so Mad Dog graciously provided his rather new vehicle as transport across town.

The boys dropped me off in the portico of the hotel and went to enjoy a beer at a nearby bar until it was time for the event to begin.

Chef Zach and Keegan with Brewer's Pizza
and Pinglehead Brewing Company
After the Orientation Meeting, I circled around all the rooms reserved for the event, taking pictures and making note of what each vendor had brought to share at this charitable function.

Companion and I were able to text back and forth as the event began promptly at 6:00 pm. I was not surprised to learn they had quickly focused on some tasty beer being provided by Keegan Malone of Pinglehead Brewing Company, the Landslide Double IPA and the Moon Dance Oatmeal Stout and sample cups of their amazing and popular Gator Burgoo and Crab & Shrimp Bisque prepared and served by chef Zach from Brewer's Pizza.

The Tree Hugger by
On the Fly Sandwiches & Stuff
I joined them and noticed in the same room that On the Fly Sandwiches & Stuff were set up and offering slices of The Tree Huggera wrap of fresh hummus, homemade pickles, On the Fly Sauce, lettuce, tomato and Bermuda onion nestled in a flour tortilla. Hubba Hubba Hummus! … this was fantastic!

Decadent delights by Alley Cakes
The other vendor in the room was Alley Webb, owner of Alley Cakes – with a scrumptious-looking display of dessert goodies, including Red Velvet Cupcakes, Oatmeal Cookies, Caramel and Pecan Brownie, Mini Apple Pie Empanadas and Key Lime Pie Pops! … be still my heart … so decadent! The beautiful table display was done by Adair Currie owner of Dairing Events

Preben and James from
Grassroots Natural Market
While we sat and enjoyed what all three vendors were providing, companion told me he and Mad Dog had already made a tour of the Silent Auction room where Mad Dog had made the opening bids on a few items. In THAT room, Preben Olsen and James Garrison of Grassroots Natural Market were providing an incredible selection of cheese including a knock-yer-socks-off salt crystal Gouda and an impressive bleu.

Across the room from Grassroots was Bold City Brewery with Susan and John Miller volunteering their time and pouring their delectable brews, the 1901 Red Ale and the Rhino Pale Ale.

Mr. Miller serving Bold City Brewery's 1901
Adjacent to the Millers was Mark Stillman of Green Room Brewing slinging some of their mean brews, as well - the Cherry Key Limeade Wit and the Pablo Beach Pale Ale!

Silent Auction items included impressive art, a neat cruiser-style bicycle, wooden lifeguard chair, wooden beach chair, cooler, kayak, surfboard, hotel stays, swag bags, growlers and beautiful jewelry. Mad Dog eventually won a growler and t-shirt from Pinglehead Brewing Company – and he was quite the happy boy with both!

Firewater Tent Revival
The other room was situated to provide room for the band, Firewater Tent Revival, and for dancing for those so motivated. The band was phenomenal and was certainly a big hit for the event!

Next to the band a table was set up where David Rigdon and his wife Susan were pouring Intuition Ale Works I-10 IPA and their Belgian Trippel.

Luch with Engine 15 Brewing Co.
Also in that room was Eric Jankowski of Micro Man pouring Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat Beer.

Adjacent to Eric of Micro Man was Engine 15 Brewing Company where Luch Scremin and Sean Bielman were holding down the fort pouring their incredible brews including E15’s Old Battle Axe and the JamMin Jasmine Saison for which Jamie and Mindy Gillis won 9th place in the Samuel Adams Longshot Homebrew Contest facing roughly 1000 other challengers!

Chipotle & Strawberry BBQ Baby
 Back Ribs by Perfect Pear Catering Co.
Adjacent and perpendicular to Engine 15 was chef Michael and Rachael Deremer, owners of The Perfect Pear Catering Company. REMEMBER THESE SEVEN WORDS: Chipotle and Strawberry Barbecue Baby Back Ribs (yes, I know you just moaned with delight) … and the other incredible menu item they were providing was Shrimp and Grits with Chorizo. Simply outstanding!

Ocean 60 Restaurant
Ocean 60 Restaurant, Wine Bar and Martini Room was situated next to The Perfect Pear where Owner and Executive Chef Daniel Groshell was providing an impressive and popular Grouper Ceviche with some homemade Sundried Tomato Tortilla Chips – paired with a Grapefruit Martini infused with Basil.

Paxton and Mike Duo
Out on the deck, the ambience was being enhanced by the cool acoustic duo of Paxton and Mike and there were some impressive breweries being represented outside:

Saint Somewhere Brewing Company from Tarpon Springs, FL – Saison Athene and Lectio Divina being poured by Owner Bob Sylvester and his beautiful and intelligent wife, Ann.

Ann & Bob Sylvester
from Saint Somewhere Brewing Co.
Three Palms Brewing from Tampa, FL – Ruby Pogo Hoppy Red Ale and Queen of Wheat Hefeweizen being poured by Randy and Mike. Note: this brewery just opened in August!

Swamp Head Brewing from Gainesville, FL –  Stump Knocker American Pale Ale and Midnight Oil Ale with Coffee being poured by Brown Distributing Company's Carolyn Lindsey Graham and Zach Schuster.

Kevin, Randy & Mike with
Three Palms Brewing
Distributors involved in the event included Champion Brands's David Rigdon accompanied by his beautiful wife Susan, North Florida Sales's Scott Russell, Brown Distributing Company's Carolyn Lindsey Graham, Zach Schuster and Micro Man's Eric Jankowski.

As an update to this blog post, in the future I will post the list of those who so graciously donated items and swag for the Silent Auction and total amount of donations raised for this event.

with the most gorgeous Brewer in Jax,
Susan Miller of Bold City Brewery
I was so excited I got to mingle with so many people and I was honored to be able to step in and pour Intuition Ale Works beer for David Rigdon. Also, I was pleased and honored to do the same for the Miller's with Bold City's brews and for Mark Stillman when I briefly poured Green Room's tasty beer.

An entire evening of fine brews, chews and tunes provided by a collection of charity-minded business owners – all volunteering time, talent, money, food, beer and items for the Silent Auction. Well planned and executed, the event could also serve as a primer for those interested in learning how to put on a charity event – the right way.


Amazing art created and graciously
donated by Adam Brett

The most exciting part of the evening was the growing awareness that Courtyard Marriott Jacksonville Beach and all the vendors and volunteers had supplied the space, an enormous amount of their time, swag, delicious food, tasty beer and items for the Silent Auction at NO COST to the event. Every dollar raised through ticket sales, donations, and Auction proceeds went directly to the cause! … these offerings from these people and their organizations represent a sacrifice “from their first fruits” - especially significant during a period with a beleaguered overall economy. From the smallest Auction item to the use of the rooms themselves – from the bites of cheese to the ribs and beer – from purchasing a ticket to giving up an evening to volunteer – ALL these gifts were so very important to make the evening a success from both entertainment and charitable considerations. Each dollar raised now gets to go to work immediately for those who need the help – each dollar is now “in uniform” with a mission to defeat this illness which attacks so many of our fellow human beings.

The precious faces and gentle
reminder for this evenings event.
For those of you who believe in the power of prayer, please “lift these soldiers up” in your next prayer, asking that each dollar invested from this magnificent event will yield the highest possible return in the fight against neuromuscular disease.

To Jamie and Mindy Gillis, I personally thank you for the opportunity of learning more about Muscular Dystrophy and the MDA ... I, as the Jax Brew Bitch, also thank and applaud you both for being such effective and wonderful role models for beer-enthusiasts everywhere. The Greater Jacksonville area is indeed lucky to have you.

Courtyard Marriott which is located
on beautiful Jacksonville Beach, FL.
A standing ovation for management and staff of Courtyard Marriott in Jacksonville Beach for providing quality space and service for the event.

Finally, to those of you who attended, to you who planned, managed, set up, volunteered and provided (and bid on) Auction items, to you who performed, to you who provided delicious brews and chews – a sincere, heartfelt thank you for stepping to the plate to “pay it forward” and for caring enough about those affected by Muscular Dystrophy to make the Beaches Summer Fest 2012 a most memorable, successful and blessed event.

To view more photos from Beaches Summer Fest 2012, please visit the link below ...
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.354464891305793.84915.181100418642242&type=1

Muscular Dystrophy Association

The JamMin Movement (Jamie and Mindy Gillis)

Beaches Summer Fest

Courtyard Marriott – Jacksonville Beach

Pinglehead Brewing Company

Brewer's Pizza

On the Fly Sandwiches & Stuff – and Catering

Alley Cakes 

Grassroots Natural Market

Bold City Brewery

Green Room Brewing

Firewater Tent Revival

Intuition Ale Works

Lost Coast Brewery

Engine 15 Brewing Company (1500 Beach Boulevard – Jax Beach – 904.249.2337)

The Perfect Pear Catering Company

Ocean 60 Restaurant, Wine Bar and Martini Room


Saint Somewhere Brewing Company

Three Palms Brewing

Swamp Head Brewery