Thursday, January 23, 2014

Stillwell Beer Bar - Tap Takeover January 18, 2014



     I went to Stillwell Beer Bar's first Tap takeover featuring Boxing Rock Brewing and Big Spruce Brewing. Ten dollars got you an awesome custom snifter glass to keep and your first drink. I arrived just before noon to find a small line of ultra-passionate beer nerds. As we waited and peered in the window the noon gun roared which was followed Chris MacDonald knocking on the door and asking to be let in. 
     There were six taps for each brewery with Boxing Rock bringing Hunky Dory Pale Ale, Many Hands Imperial Pale Ale (collaboration with Bridge Brewing), Temptation Red American Red Ale, Vicars Cross Imperial IPA, Crafty Jack English Brown Ale, U-889 Russian Imperial Stout with Coffee and Vanilla Beans and Big Spruce Spruce bringing Kitchen Party American Pale Ale, Tim's Dirty American IPA (recent competition-winning IPA), Organic Conspiracy Imperial IPA (collaboration with Crannóg), Blackout Conundrum Bucket Sparged Pale, Bitter Get'r India Black IPA, and Cereal Killer Oatmeal Stout. To top off the afternoon there were 4 casks to choose from with Boxing Rock providing Vicars Cross and Crafty Jack and Big Spruce bringing Kitchen Party infused with Bowmore and Blackout Conundrum.
     It was a great event giving my an opportunity to try Organic Conspiracy, Many Hands (again I thought this one was gone), Blackout Conundrum (love the story with this one) and the cask offerings which bring a different experience this the beers. 
     Beyond the beers themselves the brewers were there for chats including Emily Tipton and Henry Pedro, owners of Boxing Rock and Jeremy White of Big Spruce as well as Tim Gregory whose recipe is now Tim's Dirty American IPA. As the afternoon wore on many of the brewers in metro came in for a drink, always good to check out the competition especially when it is delicious craft beer. 
     Nothing much else to say other than a good time was had by all, great service from the Stillwell staff and I even squeezed in a Diner Burger. 
     Lets hope this happens again soon.