Beers with Chuck: Big DIPA Release at Gnar-Fest

by Chuck P

Gnarly Barley's Big DIPA is perfect for front porch sipping on a hot Louisiana day.

The Gnarly Barley Brewery located in Hammond, Louisiana, is one of my top three favorite local breweries. Their passion for making delicious craft beer comes through in spades in the final product, and owners Zac and Cari Caramonta might be two of my favorite people in the whole world.

With word of them introducing a new brew to their line-up, a double IPA called Big DIPA, at their second annual Gnar-Fest, I knew I couldn’t miss this event.

That Saturday the brewery was packed with craft beer lovers inside and out as the cool sounds of Casey Saba and Andrew Robin filled the brewery. The food truck lines were long, and the line for beer was longer, but both were moving fairly quickly. After weaving my way through the crowd and saying a few hellos, I ran into Jay at the side of the bar (obviously) and jumped in line to get my first taste of the Big DIPA.

Wow. Just...wow. This is one of the most easy drinking DIPA’s I’ve had. It comes in right at 8% ABV, so it’s got some bite to it. The aroma is spot on, the golden color of the beer is beautiful, and I found the overall bitterness of the beer more subtle than I expected, but it still packed a nice hop punch. Since it was a brewery-only release, I knew I’d have to grab a few bottles before leaving.

After a few more glasses of Big DIPA, I tried some of the other specialty brews on tap. The selection included Raspberry Catahoula Common, Imperial and Barrel Aged Korova Milk Porter, but I had to grab a glass of one of my favorites, the Korova Peanut Butter Porter. It’s like a liquid version of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Perfection.

Hopefully the Big DIPA will make its way to store shelves here in Baton Rouge soon. In the meantime, it’s the perfect excuse to take a little road trip to Hammond.

Beers with Chuck: BBQ and Brews for a Good Cause at Iron Brewer

by Chuck P

For the last three years, Brasseurs a la Maison, Louisiana’s largest homebrew club, has partnered with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank to put on the Iron Brewer, an event that accepts cash donations and donated canned goods to benefit the less fortunate.

With more than 15 competing homebrew teams from around the state serving up their signature homebrews and delicious BBQ from local Hogs for the Cause team Bacon Rouge, Iron Brewer is a great way to enjoy great beer and great food for a good cause.

Quite the crowd at the third annual Iron Brewer event at Tin Roof Brewing Company.

Like last year, this year’s Iron Brewer was held at the Tin Roof Brewing Company. After dropping off my canned good donation that doubled as an entry free, I grabebd my wristband, voting ticket, and sample cup as I headed toward the collection of tents sprawled across the grassy field next to the brewery. It was a beautiful and warm Saturday afternoon, and the smell of BBQ, malt, and hops lingered in the air as I made my way through the large crowd and arrived at the first tent to begin my sampling adventure.

I knew attempting to try all the homebrews here was going to be tough. Some of the teams had more than one to sample! With that in mind, I began the day with a tasty King Cake Blonde Stout called Bierre Des Rois. This one had everything you would want in a king cake beer. It helped that they paired each sample with a king cake donut hole from Tiger Deaux-Nuts. Not a bad way to start things off.

Then there was the Sazerac Beer. Blake Winchell came up with a delicious beer based on the classic Sazerac cocktail that was probably my favorite of the day. I was wishing I had a growler bottle of it when I got home.

Next, I had the Rum Soaked Scotsman. Another favorite, this brew had the perfect balance of rum that didn’t completely overtake the beer itself. I had this one a few times throughout the day.

Then I tried the Sweet India Chai Spiced Wheat Ale. This beer caught me off guard. I was worried it might be over-spiced, but luckily I was wrong. The balance of spice was exactly what I’d hoped it would be.

Next up, the Cafe Au Lait Brunch. Thanks to the 7th Tap Team for making me choose a favorite out of their four delicious beers. I love stouts and coffee, and this beer is a great mix of both. The chocolate and coffee notes jump out at you. I wish I could walk into a store and buy some now.

How could I not have a Brenton Day beer on here? His entry this year, a wasabi infused IPA (IPA? From Brenton? Shocker!) called the Hoppy Wasabi, was a really refreshing pale ale with just the right amount of subtle heat. As usual, a solid beer from the Ale Runner.

The last beer I got to taste also turned out to be the winner of the competition. The Habit Dropper Satsuma Belgian Triple was a fantastic beer. The citrus notes came through perfectly, and after sampling this one a few times, that 12% ABV started to creep up on me. 

Habit Dropper won the Iron Brewer competition. Congrats, guys!

At the end of the day, the event raised more than $1,000 and received more than 2,000 pounds of canned goods that will provide an upwards of 9,000 meals to people in the Greater Baton Rouge area. Make sure you put this event on your calendar for next year, and come out and support some great causes and enjoy some fantastic local homebrew.

Louisiana Craft Brewer Week is OFFICIAL!

This just passed through the Louisiana Legislature!  Congrats to all the Louisiana craft brewers, the Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild, and craft beer fans out there.  If you want to see a video produced by myself and TommysTV for Louisiana Travel about the Louisiana craft beer scene, go here: http://youtu.be/iaRgNDMbBW0

September 23-29 can't get here soon enough!


ENROLLED
Regular Session, 2013

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 106
BY REPRESENTATIVE ARMES AND SENATOR GUILLORY

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

To designate the week of September 23 through 29, 2013, as Louisiana Craft Brewer Week
in recognition of the many contributions by Louisiana craft brewers to the state.

WHEREAS, there are now six craft breweries in the state of Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, these breweries employ over one hundred thirty-three employees,
earning wages in excess of five million dollars; and

WHEREAS, Louisiana craft breweries havebeen awarded more than twelve medals
for their superior products; and

WHEREAS, these breweries support responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages
and promote programs, education, and legislation aimed at preventing over consumption;
and

WHEREAS, Louisiana craft breweriessupport programs, education, and legislation
aimed at preventing and eradicating underage consumption; and

WHEREAS, these small business owners have supported the state of Louisiana's
independent three-tier system of regulation adopted by the state legislature; and

WHEREAS, these breweries have led the way in preserving Louisiana's unique
environment by brewing their products in an ecologically sound manner; and

WHEREAS, Louisiana craft breweries have been instrumental in raising not only
awareness, but also money in response to recent natural disasters; and

WHEREAS, these breweries make every effort to support Louisiana agriculture by
using the finest Louisiana-grown products; and

WHEREAS, these breweries support the enjoyment and export of Louisiana culture
by brewing beer specifically designed to compliment and therefore highlight our
extraordinary Louisiana cuisine.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
designate the week of September 23 through 29, 2013, as Louisiana Craft Brewer Week in
recognition of the aforementioned contributions by Louisiana craft brewers to the state

Bite and Booze Radio Show: Parish Brewing Company

As we celebrated American Craft Beer Week during the entire month of May, Chuck P from the Me and My Big Mouth Podcast and I went West to Broussard, Louisiana to record a special episode of the Bite and Booze Radio Show presented by Calandro's Supermarket at the Parish Brewing Company.  We sat down and enjoyed beers with owner/brewmaster/forklift mechanic Andrew Godley in his Intergalactic Headquarters.  We talked about his flagship beer, Parish Canebrake, and then got into the Envie Pale Ale, Farmhouse IPA, and Parish Grand Reserve.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

The Bite and Booze Radio Show presented by Calandro's Supermarket airs on Saturdays at 5 PM on Talk 107.3 FM in Baton Rouge.  It is also available on iTunes.  The show's sponsors include Calandro's Supermarket, Visit Baton Rouge, Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning, Louisiana Cookin' Magazine, Juban's Restaurant, the Tin Roof Brewing Company, and the Louisiana Culinary Institute.

Food Truck Friday celebrating ACBW benefiting Cancer Services

There are a lot of fun events going on across Louisiana next week to celebrate American Craft Beer Week (May 13-19), but perhaps the most fun will be on Friday, May 17th from 5-9pm.  Baton Rouge's own Tin Roof Brewing Company (1624 Wyoming Street off Nicholson) is hosting another one of their fabulous Food Truck Fridays, however this one will be far from ordinary.  It is all to benefit Cancer Services which has pulled an event permit to actually be able to sell beer.  So rather than the three tastes that you get with a $5 tour that cuts off promptly at 7 like a normal Friday (which is also a great deal, by the way), there will be four hours worth of food trucks, live music, and $4 Tin Roof beers, proceeds benefit those living with cancer.  So far, participating food trucks include Taco de Paco, CURBSIDE, Pullin' Pork, Fleur de Licious, Dolce Vita, and Three Bones Catering.  Live music will be provided by Heath Ransonnet.  For more information, check out the Cancer Services and Tin Roof Event Page on Facebook!