Douchepocalypse Now

Stoled from da internets

I've always wanted to use that as a title and think the moment is now.  I just read a post from a brewery employee(not gonna say who, what or where as that's irrelevant) who stated they saw a person on the brewery tour fill up the tasting glass/cup provided (which is fine) and then proceeded to fill up the water bottle they brought as well as their "go cup" option.

This pisses me off.  Yes, the beer at tours here in Louisiana are free to the public but these tours should not be your "pre-game" before hitting the town.  These tours are supposed to be educational in nature so you beer heathens can learn a little something about the brewing process.  Seeing this process can definitely add  to your beer drinking experience.

Doing something like this is similar to going to Sams or Costco and being that douche who takes all the food samples.  I used to work in the food demo business and saw this kind of crap all the time.  What these people don't realize is this costs businesses money.  This is a form of advertising for them.

Whether you scarf down the entire plate of cheddar cheese jalapeno poppers or fill your Dasani water bottle with "free" beer you are costing the company money.  The person behind you may not get the chance to try that product now because you're a gluttonous douche.  Not being able to try the product might mean they won't buy the product which means the business didn't make money.  Good job dumbass.

Save your arguments about how big mega corporations can afford it and all that crap.  I don't care.  Many of these breweries are small businesses and in my opinion you're affecting their bottom line.  Stop being a douche.  Have a couple beers, enjoy the tour and go buy a beer from your local bar.  And remember:  Don't steal the glass from the bar.  That's douchey too.

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

I GOT....TWO TICKETS TO PARADISE!!!

Okay, so I have no idea where the whole Eddie Money thing came from but I'm sticking with it.  Cause it's true!  I DO have two tickets to paradise!  Beer paradise!

Thanks to the fine folks at WYES I hold two tickets to the WYES International Beer Tasting on Saturday, June 22nd.  The event is from 6pm-9pm.

Stolen from WYES page

Now these are some awesome tickets and I just don't want to give them away to just anyone.  I want you to earn them.

In the comment section of THIS post you need to give us your best reason as to why you deserve these tickets.    Be as inventive as you want.  Just make it goooood.

Stolen from WYES page

Notice I said "us".  I've assembled an awesome panel of judges who will read the posts and decide the best comment.  So far I got Leo Basile from Abita Brewing,  Leith Adams from Mudbug, Aislinn Hinyup from WYES AND Polly Watts from Avenue Pub.  I've sent a request for a couple more.

These posts MUST be in no later than Wednesday June 19th.

RULES:

1)  MUST be 21 years old.
2)  Make sure you put your name along with the comment.  We need some way to identify you!
3)  Only ONE entry per person.
4)  Sending an e-mail is not proof that we have received your entry. No responsibility can be accepted for entries that are lost or delayed, or which are not received for any reason
5)  The closing date is as specified above, and The Beer Buddha reserves the right to amend the competition end date at any time.
6) The prize will not be transferable to another person.
7) No part of the prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize.
8) These tickets are for the Saturday event ONLY.  If you know you cannot attend do not enter contest!
9)  Don't be a dick.


Good luck!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

PS Your comment won't appear right away.  I have to "approve" the comment first.  Don't worry!

UPDATE:  Brenton Day from Ale Runner and Vanessa Gomes from Champagne Beverage are now a judges!

Beer Review: Parish Brewing Farmhouse IPA

Rarely will I have a beer that just really blows my mind.  Of those I have had I remember them all.  The first one for me was Rogue Dead Guy.  This beer was the FIRST craft beer I had ever had.  I bought it at Sav A Center(now Rouses) the day I turned 21 and from then on I was on my craft beer adventures.  The second one for me was Troegs Nugget Nectar.  This brew gave me my respect for hoppy beers.  NOLA Brewing's Flambeau Red rates third for me.  There could be a lot of homerism involved in that but I see nothing wrong with that.  Considering this is a local New Orleans blog and my opinion I'm sure you understand.

Recently I had my fourth.  Parish Brewing's Farmhouse IPA.  Blew me away.  If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you saw my reaction.  I basically declared this beer the best locally brewed beer I have ever tasted.  And after lot's of reflection(and another bottle) I stand by my assertion.  Here is my review:

Brewery:  Parish Brewing

Beer:  Farmhouse IPA

Style:  Belgian IPA

ABV:  7.5%

Louisiana Availability:  Yes, but very limited.

Price:  $11.00 at Martin Wine Cellar

Appearance:  Be careful when pouring this bad boy.  Pour VERY slowly as the bottle conditioning creates some serious carbonation.  Once the head settles it's a beautiful hazy orange.

Smell:  HUGE zesty, citrus aroma accompanied by hints of pine, bread, tropical fruits, pepper.  It's all over the place.  Keeps you guessing.  Love it.

Taste:  Wonderful floral hoppiness up front with a malty breadiness which is then followed by zesty citrus notes.  Nice sourness on the back end.  Great balance between the sourness and hoppiness though.

Mouthfeel:  Nice medium body with HUGE carbonation.

Overall:  As I said before this is one of the best locally crafted beers I have ever had.  Parish has just raised the bar for craft beer in Louisiana.  Be ready because the state of craft beer is changing quickly and for the better.

Score:  5 out of 5 Buddhas 

NOLA Brewing Just Tweeted Out This Pic

Holy shit, NOLA Brewing just tweeted out this pic!  Probably never been more excited about a local release.  Honestly.

CAN'T WAIT TO BUY THESE BITCHES!!!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Kick Ass Beer Rooms: Grant Capone

This is by far one of the coolest homemade keg boxes I have seen.  This comes courtesy of Grant Capone.  I had a great opportunity to learn some brewing techniques from him today and to try some of his homebrew.  Fantastic beers!  It appears he is missing a Beer Buddha sticker.  I will have to bring him one next time!

Anyone out there wanna send some pics of their home set ups email them to me at thebeerbuddha@gmail.com.  Looking forward to seeing them!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

American Craft Beer Week: My Picks

American Craft Beer Week in New Orleans has changed.  Changed for the better!  There is a helluva lot more shit to do than say in 2009!

With all the stuff going on ultimately you'll have to pick and choose.  I'm not going to post every friggin event.  Nora over at Nora's Beer Blog did a kick ass job of that already!  These are my picks of events during ACBW that I think sound awesome!

Here are my recommendations:

Sunday:

Avenue Pub 4 pm.

A crawfish boil with Bayou Teche?  Duh.  The beers being served?  Baiser Francais (French Kiss with Alsatian Hops), Cocodrie Belgian Tripel IPA, and Passionnee dry hopped with New Zealand hop varietal Motueka.  This is a no brainer.

Monday:

Avenue Pub 6 pm

Southern Tier Roll Out Party.  I'm not trying to be partial to Avenue Pub I swear but this event shouldn't be missed.  It's Southern Tier.  And they're coming to New Orleans.  The beers being served?  2 Time IPA, Live, Pumking, Creme Brulee, Oat, Mokah, and Hope Sun (Bottle Pour).

Tuesday:

Wayfare 6:30 pm

Beer dinners in my opinion should really never be over $50.  This one isn't.  The beers being served are:  Tin Roof, Bayou Teche, Saint Arnold, Lazy Magnolia.  They will aslo have some Old New Orleans Rum and Cathead Vodka.  I'd call the Wayfare and book this shit right now.  Phone number is:  504-309-0069.


EDIT:  THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!!!  Just found out!  Go to Avenue Pub!

Wednesday:


Avenue Pub 5 pm

Sour beers?  Yes please.

Downstairs starts at 3pm.  Beers being served?  Stillwater Lower Dens, Local Option Gose, Hill Farmstead La Vermontoise

Upstairs starts at 5pm.  Beers being served?  Against the Grain Tickle Me Ale-Mo, Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel #2, Jolly Pumpkin Sobrehumano and Hill Farmstead / Fantome Collaboration

Thursday:

This was a tough call.  The Kill Your Palate Night at Avenue Pub sounds enticing.  However so does chili pepper aged Blonde Tin Roof and a Bayou Teche firkin of Biere Noire at Evangeline. Flip a coin. Evangeline's is 7pm-9pm.  Avenue Pub's starts at 3pm.

Friday:

Martin Wine Cellar Metairie 6:30pm.-8pm

Without a doubt the Beer and BBQ Tasting at Martin's in Metairie could be the best bang for your buck during ACBW.  $20?  Are you kidding me?   BBQ and over 70 beers to taste. For $20.  This price shocks me.  Their ad says a reception style dinner.  Call 504-896-7300 NOW for reservations.

Saturday:

Avenue Pub 2 pm.

5th Annual Avenue Pub Grand Tasting. Holy shit look at this list!

Sunday:

I'm gonna say do what you want day.  YOYO day.  Your On Your Own.  I was going to recommend a certain place but decided after what happened to a friend there I won't.  Most likely you'll be giving your liver a break this day.

Have a great American Craft Beer Week and don't forget to thank wherever you are for participating!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Craft Beer Schwag: Craftgeer.com

So, much to the chagrin of my wife I am always looking out for awesome craft beer schwag.  T-shirts, glassware, anything really.  I love craft beer stuff.  Despite the majority of my clothing being beer related I'm always on the lookout for more!

Recently I ran across the website Craft Geer.  I really love what these guys are selling.  The logo alone is badass.  Check out this shirt:

And I love this snifter glass:

And check out the mason jar!

 I will be ordering some shirts and a mason jar for sure.  Love these guys!  Check 'em out!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

PS I think by law I'm supposed to tell you if this is an ad.  It isn't.