beer NOLA

I wanted to wait until the right moment to talk about the WYES’ 25th Annual International Beer Tasting. When they first posted the announcement with date & location, there wasn’t a vendors list, so there wasn’t much to talk about. And then by the time they did post the vendor listing, well, I kinda forgot to check back .. my bad. So to start off, the event will be Saturday June 7th, from 6pm-8pm at UNO Lakefront Arena (head over to the WYES site for ticket info…)

The WYES event is kinda weird for a few reasons. I’m pretty sure that it’s the only beer “tasting” rather than beer fest. Never quite understood the title .. perhaps they’re just trying to class up beer by making it seem like a wine tasting? It’s also the only beer event I’ve ever been to, or heard of, where the majority of the beer present is provided by the local distributor rather than the brewery. Sure, everything that’s available for sale in the city will be there. However, it means there’s a major dearth of American craft and micro brews, mirroring store shelves in nola. So at the distributor booths, often the people hocking the beer don’t know much about good beer. When I ask “Can you tell me about this beer?” I want to hear more than “Well..uhh.. it’s a wheat beer .. from Belgium…” Thanks, I can read the bottle too, guy. But I’m not bitter, because the fest makes up for itself in a wide array of homebrewers. We don’t get eclectic beers from America’s most creative breweries, but we do get even crazier beers from locals, and as everyone knows, great inventions come out of people fiddling around in the garage or kitchen.

So with the silver anniversary of New Orleans’ only official beer fest (cause really, isn’t everyday a beer fest in this city?), I thought I’d prattle on a bit about what I’m looking forward to…

New Orleans Lager and Ale Brewing Company
I’m gunna be honest here.. I hate Dixie Lager. Even then, I still miss Dixie being brewed in New Orleans as it was the last brewery in Orleans Parish after the heyday of the early 1900s, even surviving the BudMillerCoors onslaught of the 60s and 70s. So it gives me great pride that there’s about to be a new brewery in Orleans called NOLA Brewing. The WYES will be the first public showcasing of their brews; at the very least, expect their launch beers, a Blonde and a Brown to be there.

Redstick Brewmasters [Updated!]
Just got the list of Redstick’s brews for the fest, and I’m really glad to see not one, but two Saisons (my favorite summer style) on the list. Triple D Robust Porter (the words triple and porter should always go together), Imperial Kolsch, Miraculously Maltless Amber, Saison II, Naked Lady ESB, Some Guy’s Recipe Pale Ale, Real Men Don’t Wear Plaid Scottish Ale (I don’t like scottish ales, but what a great name), Red Ale, JZ’s Chocolate Hazelnut Porter (sign me up), Bedbug Coriander Ale (a favorite from last year), April’s Home Grand Cru, and 568 Saison.

Mystic Krewe of Brew
In the three previous years I’ve gone to this event, Mystic’s homebrews have always been among my favorite. They were kind enough to get back to me with a list of brews they’ll be bringing this year: Evil Swamp Bug (ESB), Sweet Unemployment Stout (my favorite from last year), “I”ll be Bock”, Joey’s Brown Ale, Ya’ Momma’s Mocha Porter, Hefeweizen, Dot.Head India Pale Ale, Chocolate City Stout, Popeye’s Pale Ale, Coconut Porter (this sounds potentially awesome), Amateur Night Ale, Recession Rye Pale Ale, Tax Rebate Pale Ale. I’m really glad that they listed the Recession and Tax Rebate beers right after each other.

Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company
I really wish these guys distributed here. But seeing as how they’re in Kiln, which is closer than Baton Rouge, making a quick jaunt over the border to pickup a case is no problem at all. I hope they got the message last year that their Southern Pecan beer is wonderful and that they need to bring more, much more, of it this year. I’m unsure of what else they’ll bring in; last year they only brought in the Southern Pecan and their Indian Summer out of their ten beer portfolio.

Hurricane Brewing
A hot new brewpub in Mobile whose offerings include Storm Surge Stout, India Pale Ale, Amber Ale, and Golden Lager. If they bring their seasonal, expect a Tropical Wheat Advisory to show up as well. Their wheat is interesting because while it’s their summer offering, the style itself changes through different kinds of wheat beers!

Escambia Bay Homebrewers [Update]
Floridian homebrewers who’ll be bringing Belgian Black Ale, Pale Ale, Red Ale, Mango Wheat, Toasted Amber and Citrus Wheat among others. Next time I’m in Destin, I’ll have to knock on their doors and demand tasty beer!

Heiner Brau / Zea Rotisserie & Grill
Back in the day, these would have been two seperate entries. But ever since Katrina, Zea’s beers have been contract brewed by Heiner Brau; at least the original Patrick O’Neil recipes are still used. It’ll also be nice to try some of Heiner’s other beers. The Kolsh is distrubted pretty widely, but the seasonal beers are rare indeed. Hopefully they’ll bring more than just HB Kolsh and Zea beers .. the beers they make for Lüke Restaurant would be a start!

McGuire’s Irish Pub
Every now and then, on Labor Day weekend, I get dragged to Destin. Now to many, Destin is a wonderful get away spot, it’s got beaches and sunlight and the ocean! Yeah well I hate all that stuff, but I like my friends and I like drinking with my friends. So while they and the rest of the city are sucking down can after can of BudMillerCoors, I’m glad whenever I can convince people, or sneak away myself, to McGuire’s. Their Wild Irish Raspberry Wheat, Porter and Stout are all great.

Montgomery Brewing Company
A brewpub in Montgomery whose offerings include Montgomery Blonde, Riverboat Red, Goat Hill Pale Ale, Wipe Out Stout, and Old World Porter.

Crescent City Homebrewers
While isn’t among my favorite group at this beer fest, they do have a few hits in their lineup, and I give them credit for a large portfolio of beers and bringing plenty of them! I seem to remember Crescent City being the last group to run out of beer last year.

Other Stuff I’m Looking Forward To
My Goat is on Fire All Grainers (I don’t know who this is, but what a great name)
Perdido Vineyards Farm Cider and Ale (Wine maker from Perdido, AL)
Home Brewers Underground
Lagers Homebrew Club