Local Beer & Harvest Dinner September 15, 2009

Local Beer! Yum-yum. Drink 'em up.
"Buy local. Not a new concept but one that is not often practiced or understood. Especially given the American mindset in which we're entitled to get whatever we want, from wherever we want, whenever we want.

In the July/August 2003 issue of Utne, an article titled 'Funny Money' discusses the creation of local currencies to encourage local spending, but what caught our attention was when the author stated:

'Buying local helps keep your money circulating through your hometown: paying your neighbors' salaries, boosting local government revenues and so on. But when you fork over your cash to a national chain, your money gets whisked away in that night's deposit.'

So true. Apply this to beer consumption, and you'd most likely see more local beer scenes prosper and the chances of a giant national brand taking a foothold decrease. Buying local beer also promotes interest in the local brewing scene, both with consumers and business owners within the industry - bars, restaurants, package stores and whatnot. And, as a result, your chances of getting more fresh local beer on tap and on the shelves increases. Buy a mega-national brand and you merely strengthen its consumer reach, and support its mega-advertising campaigns and corporate lifestyle, but you take dollars, tap handles, shelf space and, potentially, jobs away from local breweries. And that's not cool."

From BeerAdvocate, August 2003

Our own beer goddess, Vicki Weisent, presents!

Beer......Course
Indigo Imp Blonde Bombshell (Cleveland, 6.2 ABV)......Grilled Flatbread with pears, blue chèvre and Dijon cream.
Imp beers are naturally carbonated, unfiltered, un-pasteurized, Real Ales. Blonde Bombshell is an American blonde ale with a smooth malty taste, moderate hop bitterness, and slightly fruity and nutty aftertaste.

Fat Heads Brewery Oktoberfest (North Olmsted, 5 ABV)......Squash Blossom & Chicken Saltimbocca, tempura'd yellow beans.
Fat Heads Brewery recently opened with much anticipation in Cleveland. Brewer Matt Cole spent more than a decade at Rocky River Brewing, and has been called "one of Ohio's best and most innovative beer makers." Formed in partnership with Pittsburgh's beloved Fat Heads local chain, the North Olmsted incarnation has met with rave reviews. Imported German Malts give this Fest Bier a deep copper color which is balanced by imported by German Noble Hops. This beer is smooth and highly drinkable.

The Brew Kettle Old 21 Imperial IPA (Strongsville, 9.5 ABV)...... Moroccan-Spiced Pork Chop, Ohio peach chutney.
The Brew Kettle opened its doors in the fall of 1995 as Ohio's First Brew-On-Premise Microbrewery. This double IPA is made with 11 additions of Simoc hop for 21 lbs. of hops total. Nice aroma of pine, citrus, toast, and sweet caramel malts. Pours a bright golden amber with a decent head and lacing. Nice sweetness - caramel with some citrus fruitiness. Some toasted malts as well. A resiny pine finish lingers for a while. Nice bitterness, the base malt seems perfect for the hop flavor as it is very harmonious and drinkable.

Buckeye Brewing Old Mammoth Stout (Lakewood, 6.5 ABV)......Coffee & Ancho-Braised Short Ribs, molasses-roasted baby acorn squash.
Rich roasted aroma. Lots of cocoa on the nose with a light hint of coffee and peat. As it warms a nice touch of molasses starts to come through. Smooth, molasses and cocoa roll across the tongue from the very onset; rich and creamy chocolate notes flood the palate and leave a long and lasting mark. On the finish, a silky smooth mouthfeel and good carbonation, and a moderate, lingering bitterness.

Cellar Rats Ratsberry Porter (Madison, 6 ABV)......Deep Dark Chocolate Cheesecake, fresh berries.
Cellar Rats Brewery, located within Debonné Vineyards, is fairly new on the micro-brew scene, however brings together a team with years of experience. Active trio Brian Burns (assistant wine maker & brewer), Tony Debevc (the younger), and Ed Trebets (chemist and wine maker) have been brewing small batches of brew since 2008. Ratsberry combines their signature, creamy, espresso-laced black plague porter with natural raspberry flavoring. A great combo of cascade hops, black malts and berry fruit.
Fellow food tourists, join us on our trip around the local beer block. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009
by reservation only
216-531-4900