Okay, so I haven’t been going to the Great American Beer Festival for nearly as long as most of my colleagues in the beer industry — but, this doesn’t mean that I don’t have the scoop on the best events surrounding the big fest. Some events are more exclusive than others, and some events are definitely more expensive than others. But, it is my mission to share the wheres and whens to be during GABF with my fellow beer geeks.

GABF Event Radar

Battle of the States!

The Who: Golden Road (CA) and Oskar Blues (CO)

The What: Craft Beer “Throw Down” between new can brewery, Golden Road, and pioneer can brewery Oskar Blues. PLUS the special release of Golden Road’s Burning Bush IPA — A Rauch IPA, Burning Bush uses the smoked malt characterized by a traditional German style Rauchbier, combined with the hops of a west coast IPA. According to its brewers, the Burning Bush undeniably delicious. The Kitchen party attendees get to try it first.

The Where: The Kitchen

The Address: 1530 16th St (Denver)

The When: October 11th

The Time: 3-6pm (before the Thursday GABF session)

The Beers:

• Burning Bush Smoked IPA
• Hudson Imperial Rye Porter (Brandy barrel aged)
• Golden Road Hefeweizen
• Point the Way (cans)
• Wolf Among Weeds (cans)
• Oskar Blues G’Knight Imperial Red
• Oskar Blues/Sun King Chaka collaboration Belgian-style ale
• Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale
• Oskar Blues British Knight

An Exclusive Beer Release.

Hosted by a trio of freakishly awesome breweries and the most famous beer chef in the world, The Three Ring Circus is THE place to be tonight. And here is why:

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Gourmet Popcorn

Bacon fat popped organic popcorn seasoned with tomato powder, roasted garlic, hop salt and smoked in bourbon barrel wood

Black Truffle Oil Scented Popcorn with cooked in vegetable oil with roasted garlic salt flakes

Thyme Infused duck fat popcorn with Sonoma Vella Dry Jack shavings, green peppercorns

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First Course

“The Mermaid”

Lobster and prawn mousse infused with Ninkasi Believer Double Red Ale, wrapped around petrale sole filets

Speak Easy White Lightning  Ale “Tide Sauce”, Ninkasi Little One Beer Foam, Speak Easy Prohibition Ale quinoa “sand”

Ninkasi Sterling Pils

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Second Course

The Drumstick

Willie Bird Smoked Turkey legs rillettes layered with He’Brew Genesis 15:15, shallots, dried figs and thyme,

Cowgirl Creamery Red Hawk cheese, malt pickled heirloom pumpkin, assorted crackers, breads and spiced nuts

Speak Easy Massacre Black Wheat Wine

Coney Island Geektoberfest

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Third Course

“The Sword Swallower”

“Haute” Dogs infused with 4-H style Lamb, Speak Easy Scarface Imperial Stout, caramelized onions and rosemary

Ninkasi Renewale Porter Beer mustard, fennel carrot slaw, sweet roll

He’Brew Bittersweet Lenny’s RIPA

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Fourth Course

Hopped Cotton Candy

Centennial hop scented sugar, wrapped around a cube of Sonoma foie gras terrine mixed with He’Brew Genesis

Speak Easy Big Daddy IPA

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Fifth Course

Slider

Ground elk and duck heart patty, rendered dry aged beef fat

Brioche bun, house made He’Brew Genesis 15:15 beer ketchup, baby arugula, Speak Easy Payback Porter braised red onions

Ninkasi  Conventionale (2010 Imperial Stout)

Speak Easy Scarface Imperial Stout

He’Brew Genesis 15:15

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Sixth Course

 Churro

Point Reyes Blue cheese mixed into a Speak Easy Double Daddy savory churro,  roasted garlic powder

Ninkasi Total Domination IPA

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Seventh Course

Three Ring Circus

Roasted red, gold and white baby beets, Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog crumbles, carbonated citrus segments, malt candied hazelnuts, micro greens

drizzled with a Three Ring Circus Collaboration vinaigrette

Speak Easy Prohibition Ale

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Eighth Course

Funnel Cake

He’Brew Bittersweet Lenny’s RIPA infused batter with bergamot zest, Three Ring Circus Wort Honey Drizzle, Malted Powdered Sugar Dust, Ninkasi Sleigh’r Beer Caramel

Coney Island Albino Python

Ninth Course

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The Non-Fried Non-Twinkie Cupcake

Ninkasi  Conventionale Imperial Stout Chocolate Cake, filled with a He’brew Jewbelation 15 mousse filling, Speak Easy Prohibition Frosting, THCO Cocoa Nibs, Caramel Malt

Speak Easy, Ninkasi, Shmaltz, Home Brew Chef Collaboration beer – Three Ring Circus

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For only $120, including tax & gratuity, you can experience this elaborate and exclusive event. You know I’ll be there, with bells on (and maybe in costume). Make your reservations here: http://threeringcircus.eventbrite.com/

Regardless of city, there are always one or two beer week events worth splurging on. And usually, those events have one person’s name on it:

Chef Sean Z. Paxton

Photo Stolen from Paxton's Facebook

Known amongst the beer community as the Homebrew Chef, Paxton is famous for his highly coveted beer dinners featuring obscenely lavish courses paired with some of the rarest beers in the world. In addition to his extrordinary skills in the kitchen, Paxton is also a well-known writer and radio show host, talented brewer, and a loving husband and father.

This year, Paxton teamed up with Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, Shmaltz Brewing Company and Ninkasi Brewing Company to present a SF Beer Week event unlike any to date. On February 15th, the creative quartet will transform the historic Elks Lodge of San Francisco into a merry carnival of craft brews, fine food, and circus performance.

The evening will feature twelve rare and unusual beers paired with a whimsical, circus-inspired 9 course menu, circus performers (okay, carnies), and and the world debut of the Three Ring Circus Ale, an anything-but- traditional nut brown ale brewed with dulce de leche, popped corn and peanuts — the perfect beer for the inner carnie in all of us.

For those of you who have never had the opportunity to attend one of Paxton’s dinners, let me speak from experience and say that you are truly missing out on one of the most orgasmic food experiences of your life. And we haven’t even began to discuss the world-class, rare beers accompanying the evening. Add in 3 of my all-time favorites breweries and an epic freak show — and you have an event that The Wench herself refuses to miss.

Reserve your tickets ASAP — this must-not-miss, guaranteed-to-be-legendary event will sell out. Trust me, it will be worth every penny.

The Three Ring Circus
Where: Elks Lodge No. 3,
450 Post Street #3,
San Francisco, CA 94103
Time: 6-10pm
Cost: $120
Tickets: threeringcircus.eventbrite.com
Summary: A Brewer’s Dinner and Sideshow Presented by Sean Z. Paxton featuring Speakeasy, Ninkasi, and Shmaltz

Well if you are lucky enough to live in New England and are willing to make the trip, I highly recommend attending the Mardi Gras Festival hosted by Magic Hat Brewing Company in Burlington, VT. Drum roll please …

Magic Hat’s Mardi Gras Weekend Returns…

Thawing Icy Streets Yet Again!

Raucous revelers and warmed watchers alike are invited to roam the frozen streets of Burlington, Vermont, for the 15th annual Magic Hat Mardi Gras weekend, filled with music, moonpies, parades and community aid. This all-ages extravaganza is a “party with a conscience” to benefit the Women’s Rape Crisis Center of Chittenden County (WRCC), raising over $100,000 over the years.

The Ins, The Outs, The What-Have Yous

Friday, February 26th – The brouhaha begins at 9pm sharp as Connecticut-based funk rockers Deep Banana Blackout take the stage in the ballroom at Higher Ground! Come join fellow Mardi Gras gatherers and soak up the sounds of one of the hottest, most original funkin’ bands playing today, for they don’t come round often, and prepare thyself for Saturday’s fabulous affair.

Saturday, February 27th – Kicking off the pre-parade rituals at 12 noon will be Caravan of Thieves, a swingin’ good Gypsy-inspired quartet with a unique and intricate fast-paced sound. As you listen, dance your way over to revered concert poster artist Jim Pollock, who will be signing and selling his specially designed Mardi Gras prints to benefit WRCC. Next up will be Burlington’s own band of Afro-Brazilian music makers, Sambatucada, starting their beats at 1pm. Gather round as they take to Church Street to create big beats to get your blood pumping. As the train of floats readies, our Mardi Gras Costume Contest will commence at 1:30pm in front of City Hall. Magic Hat co-founder Alan Newman will crown the King and Queen of Mardi Gras, who will each win $500 cash!

At 3:00pm, the Main Event makes good on its word, winding it’s way through the streets of downtown Burlington! Upwards of 30 fabulously festooned floats will swivel their way up Church Street before thousands of onlookers. Gather ‘round to watch Burlingtonians sling sweets from Lake Champlain Chocolates, moon pies and beaded baublery galore to the bedazzled crowds lining the Church Street Marketplace.

The Mardi Gras Parade Post-Party begins as soon as the last float has been filed away. Hit the purveyors of potables and foodstuffs around the Marketplace and fill up on New Orleans cuisine, Magic Hat beer and friendly folly with folks from all over the world.

On Sunday, February 28th, consider hindering your departure and see what northern Vermont has to offer. From skiing at Jay Peak to lickingdairy treats at the Ben & Jerry’s Factory to sampling some of the best tasting beers on the planet at the Magic Hat brewery, there’s no shortage of surefire fun for you and yours.

Magic Hat’s 15th annual Mardi Gras weekend is presented by Seven Days, 99.9 The Buzz and WIZN, and is underwritten by Jet Blue Airways and Ben & Jerry’s, with additional help from Jay Peak and Hilton Hotels. For all the details on making make the most of your Mardi Gras adventure, visit www.magichat.net.

Magic Hat Brewing Company and Performing Arts Center, creators of #9®, Lucky Kat®,Circus Boy®,  four seasonal offerings and a revolving roster of Odd Notions, supports the arts community and reminds you that safe sex is great sex.
“Get tested, Get a condom, Get it ON!”

MAGICHAT.NET