Posts tagged ‘beer’

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February 26, 2010

Austin is a Beer Town

Beer Connoisseur Magazine makes its national debut with its Spring Issue Release Party at Independence Brewing Company in Austin! Saturday Feb 27 there’s a pre-party at the Ginger Man from noon-4pm (50 cents off draft beers, $2 off pitchers) with sober shuttle service available to Independence Brewery for the big party, which is from 4-8pm.

Local, craft breweries have been taking Austin by storm, and just this month two more newbies were announced. Could we soon rival some Colorado towns for their microbrews? The founder of the mag seems to think so, a statement made by choosing an Austin brewery to host the national launch.

Taste Independence Brewing Company beer while mingling with magazine staff, listening to live music, enjoying Austin eats, and raise money for the Haiti recovery efforts by joining in raffles.

Deets:

$15 tickets in advance (PURCHASE TICKETS: http://xorbia.com/tickets/beerconnoisseur/)

$20 at door for RSVPs only (RSVP full name to editorial@beerconnoisseur.com)

Entry includes a copy of BC’s Spring Issue 2, Beer Tastings, Brewery Tours, Live Music, Photographer and more. Food available for purchase, Raffle for prizes for Hatian relief

VIEW ONLINE INVITATION: http://www.beerconnoisseur.com/emailmarketing/austin/austin.html

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February 18, 2010

St. Arnold’s Pub Crawl

The lovely Jennie of MisoHungry Makes it With Moonshine has posted a fantastic description of the upcoming St. Arnold’s Pub Crawl. For those who don’t know, St. Arnold’s is a Houston brewery started by a couple of Rice grads … so needless to say, I drank my fair share of free St. A’s in college. Anyway, check out Jennie’s post on the 1st ever Austin Pub Crawl!

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 6pm-10pm

My fave info from the post:

Now, for our annual tips for maximum enjoyment:

1. PRECOATING: Try to eat something before commencing the crawl. Our first stop is good for this!

2. PACING: Too many Saint Arnolds at the first stop is a critical strategic mistake. This is known as “Sprinting Too Early” which is not advisable in this, a distance event. Can have negative repercussions later.

3. MANNERS: Be patient with bar staff. Remember, lots of people will be descending upon a poor crew. They will be working as fast as they can. Also, it is considered very good manners to tip well everywhere you go. This creates good “beerma”.

4. CASH: Bring cash! This pleases the bar staff and the people standing behind you. Cash is fast. Credit cards are slow. They cannot run tabs for all you people.

Tips 5-8 are available here.

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February 18, 2010

Let the madness begin: SXSW 2010

It appears the SXSW media frenzy has come earlier than usual this year. It’s just less than a month out, but the twitter/blogger/media buzz is already loud and, well, buzzing. So I’ve come to your rescue, this is life in austin readers, and put together the beginnings of a spreadsheet:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Asjskwdlt0podDk4V2R6T1VScHNGa05kQ0hyd2Y4d3c&hl=en

I will be updating it as more and more free parties are announced.

Like all my posts, I’m only listing parties I’d go to. The spreadsheet also only has parties that are FREE and OPEN TO ANYONE (though you may need to RSVP), as well as offer something for free–food, booze, t-shirts, etc. Let’s face it (blasphemy alert): I don’t go to SXSW for the music, I go for the crazy atmosphere and energy of all the revelers, not just the bands. So I’m looking for more than my fave band (though Fader Fort usually hosts a few of those), I’m looking for other goodies too.

Sweeping SXSW generalizations:

  • Interactive has the best night/happy hour parties. Great for girls, because it’s mostly dudes. Usually the best swag too. My fave days of SXSW.
  • Film has some really cool, really big premieres that anyone can get into for $8. Worth waiting in line. Know little to nothing about film parties. Do they not happen?
  • Music is the big enchilada, and features stacked day parties. It can be harder to find free parties and booze at night.

Here are my Top Ten SXSW Recommendations:

  1. Decide and commit to:
    • GO BIG: hit tons of events every night
    • GO MEDIUM: hit just one event every night
    • GO WEEKEND WARRIOR: just hit the music festival. For this, you pretty much need only walk down East Sixth during the day to find free booze and food. You’re on your own at night, but you’ll likely be exhausted and too drunk to really know if you start at noon, so do that.
  2. Drink lots of water. 1:1 with booze especially as the hours wear on. Your hangover will thank you.
  3. RSVP to every single party you mightpossiblymaybeI’llthinkaboutitletyouknow attend. Much better to be a no-show than a no-go at the door.
  4. Get on twitter. Make friends.
  5. Charge your cell. You want to meet up with your (new) friends.
  6. Wear comfortable shoes.
  7. Wear sunscreen. It’s hot.
  8. Eat. Food is free or cheap, and plentiful. Kebabalicious rocks, they should have two trucks up by SXSW (7th & San Jacinto, 2ndish & Congress).
  9. Sleep 8 hours every night. See: #s 2, 6, 7
  10. Enjoy the street scene. There’s nothing else like it. (In other words, don’t bitch, don’t be a drama queen, and enjoy your free beer!)

Other sources for info:

And that’s it. Go out into the wide, wide SXSW world, grasshoppers. Use this spreadsheet: https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Asjskwdlt0podDk4V2R6T1VScHNGa05kQ0hyd2Y4d3c&hl=en

***Send me party info, tweeps to follow, whatever: thisislifeinaustin@gmail.com or @lifeinaustin

Archives:

SXSW 2008

SXSW 2009: Mon – Tues - Wed – Thurs – Fri – Sat

Posted in Eating, free, Going Out, Music, One-time event | 4 Comments »

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November 18, 2009

I like to think I am invincible. Things YOU should do today.

Despite all evidence to the contrary, turns out, I’m not invincible.

Well damn.

Though I’d like to be at the Gables Sneak Peek or a Whole Foods tour in honor of Dishola’s Dish-for-Dish (review a dish already, people!) or a happy hour birthday party at Piranha (man do I love their sushi) or Beer and Bingo at Jo’s, I am going to be on a couch, toilet paper roll nearby (don’t have Kleenex around), lemon-infused water in hand. Yes, allergies and/or a cold have knocked me down.

In my honor, YOU should please enjoy one of these fun Wednesday activities:


Drag Queen “Sapphire” will be reading the numbers, there’ll be a DJ and great prizes.

Beer is $3 and cards are $1; all money from the cards goes to Caritas.

AYC Membership Mixer and Toy Drive
*Benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas

 

Third Base Sports Bar
1717 West 6th Street
6-8pm
$2 wells and domestics
$3 Margaritas & $2.50 All Mexican beers
Admission: New Toy or $10 donation to BBBS
This is a great opportunity to network, have fun, and make a difference!

 

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October 23, 2009

Fun Fun Fun Scavenger Hunt & Other Fun (Fun) (Fun)

Saturday is hoppin’ …

Fun Fun Fun Fest Scavenger Hunt

Kick off at Red 7 (611 7th Street, next to Beauty Bar), Ending location at Waterloo Park parking lot (12th and Red River). Signup at 6pm and the hunt begins at 7pm sharp. Free to enter, but five cans of food per person to benefit Caritas of Austin is the recommended donation. Items on the hunt will be donated to Caritas of Austin as well.

THE RULES:

•    Teams will be made up of 2 – 5 people.
•    Each team MUST have a name.
•    The Scavenger Hunt list will include 50 items, announced at kick off location.
•    Each item is worth a specific amount of points.
•    The team with the most points wins the grand prize and points will be totaled at end of the game.
•    All teams will be encouraged to dress in costumes.  This is worth 25 extra points (team portraits will be taken inside of Red 7).
•    MUST bring a digital camera of some sort, cellphone camera are OK as well.
•    This is all ages and open to the public.

PRIZES:
•    The winning team will receive FFF Fest weekend passes for the entire team.  IF the teammates already have fun fun fun passes, your tickets will be upgraded to VIPs.
•    Over $500 in prizes and gift certificates to a number of our FFF vendors, such as: free haircuts from Birds Barbershop, gift card to Prototype Vintage, free food at Boomerang’s Pies, free funnel cakes and more from Snowie onsite at fest, free gift certificates for food at Frank, free popcorn from Cornucopia, gift certificates to Woodland restaurant and Jamie’s Spanish Village, free gift cards to Tiff’s Treats cookie shop, Kebabaliscious awesomeness, bags and cell phone covers from Incase, Alamo Draft house passes and much, much more!
•    FREE tickets to these TEN (!!!) upcoming Transmission Entertainment shows:

1) Islands @ Mohawk (10/27)
2) Jello Biafra (dead kennedys) @ Red 7 (10/28)
3) Black Angels @ Mohawk (10/30)
4) Municipal Waste @ Red 7 (11/12)
5) Thao and the Get Down Stay Down @ Mohawk (11/ 12)
6) Revival Tour w/ Chuck Ragan and more @ Red 7 (11/13)
7) Friendly Fires, The XX @ Mohawk (11/19)
8) Eyedea and Abilities w/ Themselves @ The Highball (11/19)
9) J. Tillman (of Fleet Foxes) @ Mohawk (11/27)
10) Cursive @ Mohawk (11/27)

• And FINALLY, the most amazing wizard statue in the universe (as seen @ funfunfunfest.com)

(www.funfunfunfest.com, *The FFF Scavenger Hunt is brought to you by Transmission Entertainment and FYF)

Biggest Beer Weekend of the Year

With a beer festival at Flying Saucer, Oktoberfests at Waterloo Park, Ginger Man, and NXNW, and a birthday party at Independence Brewing, this weekend is a beer-lover’s bonanza.

The first-ever Oktoberfest Austin hasn’t gotten a lot of buzz, but it features music, a microbrew beer garden, tasty foods, a college football watch party, kids and an arts & craft market. Music by Austin favorites: Nakia and his Southern Cousins, Brave Combo, Guy Forsyth, Li’l Cap’n Travis, Dustin Welch, and La Tampiquena … FREE admission with two cans of food. $2 entry fee without food donation. Event benefits the Capital Area Food Bank. Chairs and blankets welcome, no coolers please. E-mail oktoberfestaustin@gmail.com for more info, noon-10pm at Waterloo Park.

Here for all the rest of the deets from Liquid blog.

UT v Missouri

It always has to be listed. UT is away, but catch the game anywhere and you’ll have fun. Aussie’s Volleybar will have the game on and bikini-clad vball players, and is celebrating its 20th anniversary with food & drink specials like $1 margaritas (make mind a double for $2) and $2 Miller Lite pints.

Colonel Mustard’s Birthday!

OK, so not actually Colonel of Clue, but my dear friend Ry Ry Musty el Mustardo has had a big week: not only did he close on his first home (!!!) but he’s turning the big … well … 2-8? Not really sure. Irrelevant. Relevance is that it’s his birthday! Watch out, West Sixth, we’re coming for some jaeger jaeger jaeger bombs … love you Ry!

Posted in Going Out, Music, Sports/Fitness, Things to Do! | 1 Comment »

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October 15, 2009

VERMONSTERS in danger!

1. I often use the term Vermonster for my favorite man from Vermont.

2. I just returned from Vermont, where I thoroughly enjoyed myself some Rock Art beer. More than Switchback, which my Vermonster says is his favorite.

3. I love people that stand on principle.

4. Little known fact: I effing hate YouTube videos.

BUT I sat through this entire 6-minute vid because this guy, this owner of Rock Art brewery who is being sued by Monster for copyright infringement over the term Vermonster, for which this guy OWNS THE COPYRIGHT in Vermont, where he brews and sells his beer. I watched the dang thing twice to make sure I had the facts right.

So truth be told, I probably wouldn’t give a damn if 1 & 2 weren’t true, no matter how much I believe in 3. But the perfect storm is blowing, so here I am, bombarding you dear reader with my 9000th post in two days to show that I too care about PRINCIPLE.

You have to stand up for yourself. You have to make the decision for yourself. But what I have to do is support the guy who makes the decision to stand up AND then reaches out to people through youtube, twitter, facebook, and more.

So watch this video:

Check out the brewery page (http://www.rockartbrewery.com/SAVE_VERMONSTER.html), with links to articles and facebook. Use the hashtag #ISupportRockArt on twitter.

And pray that Monster Energy drink doesn’t come get me for STEALING THEIR BRAND to use as a nickname.

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October 7, 2009

Jester King Free Beer Tasting

Draught House Tasting

Yeah, the flyer pretty much says it all. Really wish I was in town for this, love trying new beers! Plus look at the food sponsors …

A smidge more:

Jeffrey Stuffings, a homebrewer with dreams of going pro, has started raising funds to make those dreams come true. Operating under the name of Jester King Brewery, Jeff “hopes to help make Texas (especially Austin) a craft beer destination similar to the likes of Colorado and Oregon. With your help and a commitment to top-quality craft beer, it’s possible. (From http://craftaustin.blogspot.com/)

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October 5, 2009

ACL Recaps: by day, with photos, and beer

Over at Austin Post, we Real Time Reported on the whole fest–live updates throughout. Check out the new features, and my full-length article recaps:

Day 3

Day 2

Day 1

Strategy Session

Facebook Album

And I will not lie, every single morning (lie: afternoon) I got dropped off at Barton Springs & Lamar, and every single early afternoon I walked past Uncle Billy’s and snagged a To-Go Beer. The Agave Wit was delicious and far more worth $5 than a LoneStar inside ACL.

I’d heard great things about Uncle Billy’s beer, but never stopped in. Until now. And I will be going back, as they brew a bunch of signatures from scratch AND offer cheap flights of their brews. At last weekend’s Great American Beer Festival, head brewer Brian Peters’ Uncle Billy’s “Hell In Keller” kellerbier bested 26 other entrants in the “Kellerbier/Zwickelbier” category to WIN! With nearly 500 breweries and 3,300-plus beers represented in 78 categories, The Great American Beer Festival Gold is quite the honor, and “Hell in Keller” was one of only four Texas beers to earn medals (2 golds) at the GABF.

Follow Uncle Billy’s on twitter.com/UncleBillys and be the first to learn about awesome things like To Go Beers during ACL.

Posted in Going Out, Good people/services, Music, Playing | 1 Comment »

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September 28, 2009

It’s Go Texas Week this week!

Hot on the heels of Austin Restaurant Week, we have the slightly-different Go Texas Week this week, where restaurants put together prix-fixe meals featuring ALL local (to Texas) ingredients. It’s a fun twist, and can still be a really great deal. Speaking of great deals, look for a forthcoming post on FLAVORS of Austin, a similar thing …

Anyway, the list of restaurants is here: http://www.gotexan.org/restaurantroundup/hill-country.html#austin

And then there’s also the unique spin of Go Texas Beer week at Opal Divine’s: $2.50 Texas Beers all week!

Opal Divine’s is going BIG by putting ALL Texas Beers on every tap the week of Sept 28 through Oct 2nd. Michael Parker, owner of the Opal Divine’s restaurant/bars, gave himself a Texas-sized task: to fill every tap with a Texas beer. That’s something like 37 taps! Real Ale of Blanco will have nine offerings, Austin’s own 512 will have seven, and then you’ve got your Live Oak, your Independence and so on. And they’ll be tapping a Texas cask every night at 7pm. $2.50 pints all week, with 5 percent of proceeds going to the Capital Area Food Bank.

Texas Beers on tap from: Live Oak Brewing, 512 Brewing, Independence Brewing, Real Ale Brewing (Blanco, TX), Shiner Beers (Shiner, TX), Lone Star Beer (Ft. Worth, TX)

OPAL’S LOCATIONS:

North: Marina. 12709 Mopac at Parmer Ln. Austin, Tx 78727. (512)733-5353
Downtown: Freehouse. 700 W 6th St. Austin, Tx 78701. (512)477-3308
South: Penn Field. 3601 S. Congress. Austin, Tx 78704. (512) 707-0237

Posted in Eating, Going Out, Good people/services, Things to do ... all the time | 2 Comments »

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September 24, 2009

Boy Toy: Sexy Improv Comedy (+ free beer)

Boy Toy

Every Saturday at 7pm at ColdTowne Theater (4803 Airport Blvd, next to I Luv Video), you can BYOB and laugh your ass off at humor more clever than T&A jokes–but just as laugh-out-loud, get-the-giggles funny.

Formed in late-2008 when a stray bolt of sex-lightning struck Austin’s ColdTowne Theater, improv comedy troupe Boy Toy (www.boytoyimprov.com) includes some of the funniest and most-innovative improvisers in the country. Among this dazzling troupe of funnykins are ColdTowne Conservatory teachers and graduates, an Air Sex World Champion, a World of Warcraft guru, a zip-line tour guide, the manager of a Starbucks, and “Dirty Baby,” leader of Austin’s only ukulele rock-and-roll band.

Boy Toy performs “The Harold,” the grandpappy of improv formats that intertwines organic games, scenes, and relationships into one big ball of sexy. For the month of September, Coldtowne Theater is providing FREE BEER for all of Boy Toy’s shows. Your last chance to get sexy and beer at the same time, for free, is this Saturday at 7pm.

Lucky for you, my sexy and beer-lovin’ This is Life in Austin readers, I have one VIP pass to give away. Now, there can only be one VIP per show, and you can let your imagine run on why. But this pass includes you and 2 guests, so you won’t be alone in your sexploitation (or sexploration? not sure). Enter to win by posting a comment below (preferably but not required related to either sex or beer), winner will be chosen at random Friday afternoon at 4pm.

Posted in Going Out, Good people/services, Things to Do! | 3 Comments »

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