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Friday, March 30, 2007
Finer Dining with Beer
Remember a few weeks ago when I ranted on about beer choices in some of Winnipeg's high end restaurants? Well, I think now I must eat crow and let you know that there's more than a few who have listened! If you look closely at this list, it really does read like the who's who in Winnipeg's "foodie" scene. I applaud these Chef's (and others) for choosing real craft beer with flavour over marketing hoopla.
Most of you know that we've had a few different beers (Oktoberfest, Bulldog, Sweet Nikki Brown to name a few) available at the Winnipeg Winter Club due to the incredible passion of Chef Craig Geunther from The Market 520. I really do love Chef Craig's willingness to try new things, and to constantly challenge himself to be creating. In the coming weeks, we'll be partnering with the Winter Club again to pair some of our beer with a special dinner they've been working on. I'll keep you posted on that one!
On Thursday morning, I dropped off the first shipment of Bulldog Amber Ale to Mise, just south of Osbourne Village. Sue & Terry Gereta own this little slice of heaven that my Mom and Dad have been talking about ever since they went for their anniversary. They've got the beer on tap, so when you're out with your sweeties, you can enjoy the fruits of their/our labour.
We've had a very excited call from the people at In Ferno's Bistro, too. Seems that Chef/Owner Fern Kirouac understands and appreciates our willingness to offer seasonal fare as well. They've been stocking bottles of our brew and the selection has been rotating with our various seasonal beers.
A couple of weeks ago, I had a nice couple come into the brewery from St. Paul, Minnesota. They had been at Bistro 7 1/4, where they were introduced to our Stir Stick Stout by Chef Alexander Svenne. I'm told he's very knowledgeable about the beer, but I've not yet had the chance to get there to eat - the couple said the food was amazing, though.
Over the last few month's, owner Scot McTaggart at Fusion Grill has been serving our beers from the bottle. Try the Paella with our Little Scrapper IPA.
And finally, near & dear to my heart - Gasthaus Gutenberger has previously stocked our various German offerings such as the Oktoberfest Lager. I can safely say that when I do brew certain German styles, I specifically pair that beer with food readily available from the Gasthaus. Bayriche Grillhaxe (Bavarian Pork Hock) is a fantastic example of this. Slow roasted and falling off the bone. Another great example is the Hazelnut Torte I suggest you try with our Weizenbock. To die for... tell Chef Kurt Wagner I sent you!
Friday, March 16, 2007
Special Day & New Brew to Celebrate
Today is a special day in Half Pints history.
The photo on the left is my dad and Gary Dunlop (expert forklift operator) loading in our brew kettle, March 16th, 2006. It was cold that day, and with a little help from our friends (Mike, Chris, George, Gary, & Darryl) we got a truckload of equipment into the future brewery.
To celebrate this special occasion, we're releasing a new beer as of tomorrow - Weizenbock.
Why would we release a German style beer on St. Paddy's? Because unlike other breweries who poke their heads up for one day a year and encourage over consumption, we're busy making great beer year round. And Monday (March 19th) is St. Joseph's Day, which is the traditional day Bock beers are released in Germany.
From the label:
As spring approaches, a brewer’s thoughts turn to the German tradition: Bock beer. Our Weizenbock welcomes the warmer weather with no less than seven different malts from around the world. The addition of German Perle and Hallertau hops balance the thick malt flavours with pepper and herbal aromas. Specially selected wheat yeast cultures lend banana, vanilla, and clove-like aromas to the beer. Try it with a thick, buttered slice of Tall Grass Prairie Bread Company’s multi grain bread or a decadent Hazelnut Torte. Serve at 8 C. in a tall Weizen glass. 6.2% a/v 18 IBU
Those of you who are beer savvy will note that our Weizenbock is not incredibly strong like some of the commercially available Dopple Weizenbocks. I'd like to think this makes the beer entirely more drinkable, and enjoyable over an evening, not just as a nightcap. Also, being that our motto is "small brewery BIG FLAVOUR", we feel it shows our capabilities better to brew with flair rather than just brewing an extra high test beer that gets you plastered.
More New Accounts
The list is expanding where you can find bar managers and staff with impeccable taste. These champions of good beer have been kind enough to give Half Pints a chance to show the world how much our beer kicks ass:
The Hotel Fort Garry- They've got our Bulldog Amber Ale on tap in the Palm Room. So, the next time your partner wants to go antiqueing at the Forks, you can just wander over to the Hotel for a half pint.
Hooligan's Neighbourhood Pub - Within stumbling distance of granola country, you'll find our Little Scrapper IPA on tap at Hooligan's. The exact comment of the owner (Kevin) was "finally, a real IPA in Winnipeg, at MY BAR!" You can't beat a happy customer, which is why he's offered to do Pint and a Pastie Night on Tuesday's at the pub. Eat, drink, be merry, and stick around to sing for your supper during the late night Karaoke.
The Hotel Fort Garry- They've got our Bulldog Amber Ale on tap in the Palm Room. So, the next time your partner wants to go antiqueing at the Forks, you can just wander over to the Hotel for a half pint.
Hooligan's Neighbourhood Pub - Within stumbling distance of granola country, you'll find our Little Scrapper IPA on tap at Hooligan's. The exact comment of the owner (Kevin) was "finally, a real IPA in Winnipeg, at MY BAR!" You can't beat a happy customer, which is why he's offered to do Pint and a Pastie Night on Tuesday's at the pub. Eat, drink, be merry, and stick around to sing for your supper during the late night Karaoke.
Labels: On Tap
Friday, March 2, 2007
New Accounts
Just a quick update - you'll now find our beer on tap at:
The Yellow Dog Pub - With a name like Yellow Dog, what do you think they've got on tap (?) - Bulldog Amber Ale, of course. Not only that, you could get a wicked sandwich because they're in the same space as Carnegie's Deli. Yum!
The Charterhouse Hotel - Smack dab in the middle of downtown, you'll find our Bulldog Amber Ale on tap.
The Park Theater - From time to time you'll find our freshKEG's behind the bar at the theater. This weekend, they'll be trying out our Bulldog Amber Ale. I can't wait for karma to bring our Little Scrapper IPA, and the Farrel Brothers there on the same night. THAT would be a party!
The Yellow Dog Pub - With a name like Yellow Dog, what do you think they've got on tap (?) - Bulldog Amber Ale, of course. Not only that, you could get a wicked sandwich because they're in the same space as Carnegie's Deli. Yum!
The Charterhouse Hotel - Smack dab in the middle of downtown, you'll find our Bulldog Amber Ale on tap.
The Park Theater - From time to time you'll find our freshKEG's behind the bar at the theater. This weekend, they'll be trying out our Bulldog Amber Ale. I can't wait for karma to bring our Little Scrapper IPA, and the Farrel Brothers there on the same night. THAT would be a party!
Labels: On Tap