Thirsty Thursday: Craft Brew Night at Pickering (9/3)

by Third Ave Hooligan

The next in the series of Craft brew nights at Pickering Creek is tonight starting at 6 p.m. and will feature beers from Bridgewater Corners, Vermont’s Long Trail Ales.  Unlike their Burlington, Vermont-based colleagues Magic Hat, Long Trail has consistently offered the same lineup of seasonal beers in their repertoire, but the companies share their love of adding a hint of fruits to your brew.

Long Trail’s offers its namesake Long Trail Ale, Blackberry Wheat, IPA, Hefeweizen and Double Bag Milk Stout year-round while its Belgian White, Hibernator and Harvest Ales are seasonal.   My recollection from the last craft brew night is a bit hazy, but if I remember correctly the beers on tap for tonight’s event will be the Blackberry Wheat, the Belgian White and the Long Trail Ale, but don’t hold me to it.

In addition to making some tasty brews, Long Trail is also trying to make the world a better place through its eco-friendly brewing process.  For more info, check out http://www.ecobrew.net.

As usual, you get to keep your glass and there will be giveaways throughout the evening (well, until karaoke starts).  Hope to see you there for a pint or two (or three, I like to try them all).

Iron Hill Mug Clubbers Unite!

by ThirdAveHooligan

Just got an e-mail from Tim at Iron Hill informing me that THIS THURSDAY June 25, the Hill is offering a sneak preview of some of its summer witbiers and new menu items (some of which are made with the delicious brews). The new beers on tap are the Belgian Witbier and Hefeweizen.

On Thursday night, the bar will be offering free samples of its lobster spring rolls and tastings of said beers. According to the e-mail, the summer menu, which will start being offered in July, will feature more seafood, such as mussels simmered in their Belgian Witbier. If you’ve never had their seafood bisque, I STONGLY ENCOURAGE you to do so. Probably one of the best soups I’ve ever had…rich, buttery and loaded with chunks of shrimp, scallops and crabmeat.

For those of you who aren’t into witbiers, the Hill also just tapped a cask of Russian Imperial Stout and Belgian Tripel.

Being a mug club member definitely has its advantages. For $35, you get your own mug (that you can take home with you that night!), a 22 oz monster that costs the same to fill as a pint and 200 points. After 300, you get a $25 gift card. Since I love their beer, I go often and have already racked up my first $25 and am just dollars away from my second. It’s already paid for itself!