Tag Archives: Nola Brewing

Around Town: NOLA Brewing Pub Crawl and Krewe du Vieux

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As you’re certainly aware, it is carnival time once again! That means king cake, doubloons, and beads are all returning to the local consciousness. While Mardi Gras has officially started, for most it really kicks off this Saturday, February 4, with the irreverent parade of Krewe du Vieux. NOLA Brewing has also chosen this Saturday to kick-off the release of their Mardi Gras themed Spring seasonal Flambeau Red Ale with a pre-Krewe du Vieux pub crawl. I’m excited because I like the Flambeau Red and I love pub crawls. Best of all, the NOLA Brewing folks have orchestrated the crawl to get you in perfect position to catch Krewe du Vieux. Here’s the line up:

Be on the look out for Flambeau Red's distinctive Mardi Gras themed label

1:00 pm — R-Bar (1431 Royal St)
2:30 pm — Balcony Music Club (1331 Decatur St)
3:45 pm — Turtle Bay (1119 Decatur St)
5:00 pm — Molly’s at the Market (1107 Decatur St)

Each bar will be serving the Flambeau Red for $3.00 a pint while the crawl is there (~1 hour). The Krewe du Vieux Parade starts at 6:30 and will stroll right by Molly’s, so you’ll be in prime viewing territory. One word of advice, unlike most everything else in town, I’ve been informed that this party will run on time. So don’t be late.

Think you can hang all day and all night? You may want to check out the Krewe du Vieux Doo after party. Just be sure to get tickets in advance, because they won’t be available at the door.

Around Town: NOLA Brewing Can Release Party

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NOLA Cans coming Thursday!

If you’ve stopped by here before, you know we’re high on NOLA’s beers.  Our biggest problem with NOLA is that home consumption can be challenging.  The Fridge Pigs are cool and all, but they don’t fit in my beer fridge and I think it is a little bit of overkill unless we’re having people over (yes I know they save for a few months, but still).  Fortunately, this one little problem will be cured on Thursday at 8:00 when NOLA debuts the first of their cans at Tip’s.

More details, straight from the presser:

New Orleans Lager and Ale Brewing Company will be releasing their long awaited cans on Thursday, October 27 at Uptown New Orleans music venue Tipitina’s. This first release of NOLA beer in cans will be the flagship ale, NOLA Blonde – followed by NOLA Brown and Hopitoulas in the coming months.

The Can Release Party will start at 8:00 pm and feature music from Colin Lake, Flow Tribe and Big Sam’s Funky Nation.

Tickets will be $15 which includes your first can of NOLA Blonde ale and the award winning coozie from the NOLA Brewing coozie contest from earlier this year.

Tipitina’s will be offering specials on NOLA Brewing cans all weekend.

Hopefully we’ll see you there!

Local Brews get the “can do” spirit

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Wow that title is terrible, and for that I apologize. I do not apologize for bringing this little bit of news to anyone who does not know it quite yet. Our local brewers are bringing us our favorite local beers in street safe cans. No longer will you have to grab a go cup before heading out the door with your beer. Better yet, the cans are recycleable in the City of New Orleans, unlike those pesky bottles (as a side note, how is glass not first on the list of things we can recycle? In this city, how the hell can we not recycle bottles? We might as well not have a program at all!). So in honor of the latest entrant to the canned beer experience we’ll give the full range of options:

First, we’ll go with the true trendsetter, Heiner Brau, who sells cans during special occasions, like Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest and Octoberfest. Story here. Although they were first on the market, they aren’t available year round–yet.

Then came our favorite local brewer, NOLA Brewing, which first announced plans to pursue a bottling line before ditching the glass in favor of cans. In late May, they announced that cans should be out this fall. With the lockout dead and football back on, this means NOLA Brewing for your tailgates and Saints parties.

According to Todd A Price, Baton Rouge brewer Tin Roof will be offering cans in the same timeframe. Tin Roof’s beer is worth a try if you haven’t given it a go.

And finally, the big news announced yesterday which prompted this post is that Abita Beer will be canning three of its beers, Amber, Jockamo and Purple Haze. Their cans will be last to the market–they aren’t arriving until early 2012. Hopefully just in time for your Saints Super Bowl party. Below is the art for the new cans. What do you think?

Abita's New Cans

NOLA Brewing Easter Keg Hunt Wrap-Up

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New Orleans, for those that get it*, is like when you’ve found the one. You know, every day something reminds you just how awesome s/he is. For New Orleans, it’s getting caught in a random parade of 15 people in superhero costumes, complete with a Marine Corps color guard and police escort, on a weekday; the endless festivals; impromptu second-lines; and, on and on. The NOLA Brewing Easter Keg Hunt (which benefits the Gulf Restoration Network) is definitely one of those things that reminds you how special this city is.

On a Sunday with perfect weather, you had hordes of costumed freaks people roaming through the streets of Mid-City from place to place in search of trinkets to gain access to the final NOLA Brewing free beer blowout. The various teams all traveled at their own pace (no prize for first place), which led to a collection of mini-parades, all in search of free NOLA beer. While there were definitely a few looks garnered from the onlookers, they weren’t the frightened or concerned. Instead they were delighted and perplexed as to what amazing event they seemed to miss.

The hunt concluded at the Bayou Beer Garden after numerous stops which included Bulldog Mid-City, the Mid-City Yacht Club, Lemonade Parade (awesome lemonade, FYI) and Finn’s. The afterparty was a snapshot of how awesome New Orleans is: Great beverages, great food, great music, great sports and great fun. We had the Hornets sticking it to the Lakers in Game 1, free beer, live music, I slipped next door to Parkway and brought back a couple of po boys, Taceaux Loceaux saddle up to front of the bar, and, of course, costumed debauchery everywhere. In other words, just another Sunday in New Orleans.

Damn, I love this town.

* I’m not saying you have to get. Some people don’t, it just isn’t their thing. And that’s cool too.

NOLA Brewing Easter Keg Hunt

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There is little we like around here more than having a good time, unless it is having a good time and helping a worthy cause. We’re going to be having a good time anyway so why not be productive with it? The latest installment of fun philanthropy is the Easter Keg Hunt, scheduled for this Sunday, starting at 1 p.m.

So how does it all work? Simply enter a team of 2 to 6 players and follow cryptic clues to a stellar after party bash. From their website:

You may walk/run/bike/skateboard to seek out clue locations–NO VEHICLES ALLOWED. The hunt will lead you to the after party destination where there will be free NOLA Brewing beer as your reward, and prizes and Easter fun. The Colin Lake Trio will perform from 4 to 7 p.m.

Entry fees are $10 a person and proceeds go to help the Gulf Restoration Network, which is working hard to reverse the damage done by BP and their buddies. Oh, and that $10 gets you all you can drink NOLA beer when you finish the scavenger hunt. Of course to be eligible for the free beer you actually have to complete the hunt (no free beer for the slackers!).

Round up some friends, get a great name and some outrageous costumes and be prepared to scavenge your way across Mid-City. Check the list of rules and stipulations here and sign up here.

Weekend Round Up

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Here’s a look at what is going on this weekend:

NCAA Final Four: While basketball won’t be on all weekend like the previous two weekends, there is just enough that we can shamelessly self-promote our GoNOLA.com piece on where to eat for watching the games.

Old Algiers Riverfest (April 2 and 3): The 7th year of this 2 day festival celebrating the music and art of Old Algiers. With bike racks now available and a free shuttle from the Algiers ferry, you can arrive in style.

Art in Bloom (March 30-April 3): A NOMA event featuring “100 exhibitors that create inspirational floral designs, sculptures and sceneries in over a dozen categories.” Perfect for Spring in NOLA!

Freret Street Festival (April 2): A celebration of the resurgence of Freret Street, featuring music, food, drinks, art and an outdoor bout by the Big Easy Rollergirls. Head down to Freret between Soniat and Napoleon and enjoy the day.

The Brass Band Blowout (April 1 and 2): Two nights, four brass bands, NOLA beer and Tip’s. For more, see our post here.

The New Orleans Brunch Experiment (April 3): NOLA’s chefs go toe to toe to see who gets a trip to the Food Experiment show down in New York. Brooklyn Brewery sponsors this event at the Howlin’ Wolf. For more info, see our post
here.

Fête Française (April 2): “Fête proudly honors New Orleans’ connection to French food, arts and culture. Our theme this year, April in Paris, promises to inspire an exciting event which will take place at the school’s main campus located at 821 General Pershing Street, (between Magazine and Constance streets).”

That sure is a lot of stuff going on this weekend. Let us know if you’re heading to anything, because we’ll be around at most of it.

Around Town: Brass Band Blowout

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If you’re still searching for something to do this weekend, might I suggest the Brass Band Blowout at Tips. Friday’s line up features the Stooges Brass Band and the Local Skank. While Saturday has To Be Continued Brass Band and Jeremy Phipps and the Outsiders.

The Brass Band Blowout features deals on Patron drinks and undoubtedly has to have NOLA Brewing beer specials (NOLA Brewing is presenting the BBB).

Tickets are a measly $5 so you can still save your bankroll for the exorbinant Jazz Fest prices. Better yet, there are, to date, three painless ways to get free tickets:

1. Stop by the Avenue Pub and buy a NOLA Brewing beer;
2. Go like GoNOLA.com on facebook or twitter (they’re giving away 5 pair);
3. Hit up the critically acclaimed NOLA Brewing tour on Friday at 2:00 pm.

The boss is away all day Friday, so I just might be sneaking out for my free tickets!

NOLA Brewing presents: Brass Band Blowout
501 Napoleon Ave.
New Orleans, LA
April 1 and 2
10 pm

Around Town: NOLA Brewing Irish Channel Stout Release Party

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Pic from NOLA Brewing's Facebook page

Well we’ve survived another prime time Saints game. I think I might be running at about 75% by tonight, but I think that is all I’m going to need for the premier of the latest addition to the NOLA Brewing collection, Irish Channel Stout. The premier will kick off at Le Bon Temp at 6:00 pm and unlike the regular Thursday Soul Rebels show it will (probably) start on time.

NOLA Brewing tells us that the Irish Channel Stout is

an American style stout that has sweet malt flavors of caramel and chocolate, complimented by a crisp bitterness produced by roasted barley and American Hops. The complex malt bill of pale and roasted malts result in this well balanced stout that is smooth, rich, dark and delicious!
ABV 6.8%

As a fan of stouts and everything that Peter Caddoo and Kirk Coco have brewed up, I am really looking forward to getting my hands on the ICS at this premier. I hope to see you out there!

Irish Channel Stout Release Party
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
6 – 9 pm
Le Bon Temps
4801 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA

Still recovering from the Saints game and can’t make it? You can always try to hit up the free Friday brew tours at the Brewery starting at 2:00 for your taste of the ICS or pick it up at most any quality grocery store or bar.

Spot at the Bar: Fridge Pig

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It’s summer in New Orleans, which means two things: It’s hot as hell and, as a result, anywhere with access to water is going to be the place to be. Of course, it is New Orleans so when you hit the pool, river, lake or other body of water you’ll be looking to bring some beer. Bottles aren’t safe with all the bare feet around and cans, while convenient, don’t really give you all that great of a selection of beer to choose from. So how do you cool off on a hot summer day and not have to sacrifice beer quality? Why with a Fridge Pig, of course!

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NOLA Brewing Brewery Tour

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When I found out that NOLA Brewing gave free tours at 2:00 p.m. on Fridays I was very excited. I happen to love beer, I always almost always have. (I wasn’t that big a fan back when I took a swig when I was 8 or so out of my Dad’s Bud when he wasn’t looking at Frankie and Jonny’s). Beer is big enough passion of mine that I’ve visited different breweries all over the world. Whenever I go anywhere, for work or vacation, I try to hook up with a local brewery and check it out. So when I showed up early for the Friday brewery tour I was sure of two things: 1. I wasn’t going to learn a damn thing on the brewery tour and 2. I was going to try the Hurricane Saison. I was wrong about both.

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